Chapter 136: Latias Masters Its Power!
"Squirtle, use Water Gun!"
"Squirtle!"
A powerful jet of water shot forward, slamming into a massive boulder.
Crack!
The rock shattered into countless fragments.
Whoosh!
Squirtle leaped into the air, flipping gracefully before landing atop the broken remains.
"Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaf!"
"Bulba, Bulba!"
Countless razor-sharp leaves sliced through the air, striking another large boulder.
Snap!
The rock was instantly reduced to rubble.
"Great job, you two!"
Hearing Ash's praise, both Pokémon cheered happily.
"But don't get too cocky. Squirtle, your Water Gun could be more focused. A concentrated attack would increase its power and break the rock even faster.
Bulbasaur, the same goes for you. Razor Leaf's attack range is within your control. Targeting a single point with multiple leaves instead of scattering them can dramatically increase its cutting force.
Moves aren't just about using them—they're about using them smartly. The way you control an attack's spread determines how much damage it can deal. Got it?"
Squirtle and Bulbasaur exchanged determined looks before nodding firmly.
Ash smiled, watching his Pokémon train diligently under the clear skies of Mt. Silver. Beside him, Anabel sat, quietly observing.
A month had passed.
And the results?
They spoke for themselves.
Ash had been training non-stop near Pallet Town, preparing for the journey ahead.
Among his Pokémon, excluding Charizard—who had already reached peak Champion level—four others had now officially reached the Champion tier:
Pikachu (Lv. 72)
Snorlax (Lv. 75)
Sceptile (Lv. 70)
Tyranitar (Lv. 70)
Of course, the cost had been immense. Nearly all of Ash's saved League earnings—10 million Poké Dollars from Professor Oak and another 6 million from Elesa—had been spent. Only a few hundred thousand remained for travel expenses.
As for Charizard?
It had reached Level 79, standing on the brink between a Champion and a Legendary-tier Pokémon. One final push, and its power would undergo a true transformation.
"I'm still not ready to challenge the Elite Four just yet…" Ash thought, analyzing his strength.
While many trainers reached Elite-tier, only the best were officially recognized by the Pokémon League as Elite Four members.
Similarly, Champion-tier trainers existed, but only the strongest could claim the official Champion title.
The world was vast, and Ash knew there were even more powerful trainers outside the League's recognition—legends who didn't seek fame but had strength rivaling the Champions themselves.
As Ash mused over his next steps, Bulbasaur and Squirtle had started to spar, testing their newly refined techniques.
"They've been with me since the beginning," Ash murmured, watching his first-ever Pokémon battle fiercely. "Both are over level 40 now, yet they refuse to evolve… I don't even know what to say anymore."
Anabel chuckled beside him. "Maybe they just like being who they are. You shouldn't force them to change."
Bulbasaur fired a Razor Leaf, while Squirtle countered with Ice Beam.
Boom!
Both moves struck at the exact same time, creating an explosive clash.
"Squirtle!"
"Bulbasaur!"
And then—
A brilliant glow engulfed them both!
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu chirped excitedly, pointing at the dazzling transformation before them.
Ash and Anabel locked eyes, sharing the same thought.
"What timing!"
As the light faded—
Bulbasaur had evolved into Ivysaur!
Squirtle had evolved into Wartortle!
"Ivy! Ivy!"
"Wartortle!"
The two Pokémon, ecstatic over their newfound strength, rushed to Ash's side, nudging him excitedly.
"Hahaha! Alright, alright! You guys did great! How does it feel?"
"Ivy!"
"Warto!"
Their eyes burned with determination.
Watching all of this unfold, Latias, who had been hovering nearby, suddenly pouted.
If they could get stronger, then she definitely had to step up too!
She wanted to fight for Ash!
Ash sighed, playfully flicking her forehead.
"You, especially, have no excuse," he scolded. "Your power is already insane, but you have no control. From now on, for the next month, you're going to train properly. Got it?"
Latias, ever the drama queen, put on her best puppy-dog eyes.
"Luuhh~ Luuuhhh~" (Ashhh~ Please be gentle with me~)
Ash rolled his eyes.
"This one's a real actress, huh?"
Latias giggled, then nodded eagerly.
"Luuhh~!" (I'll train hard! I want to fight for you, Ash!)
Ash's expression softened.
"For me, huh…?"
His mind flickered to Team Rocket.
That day was coming.
And when it did—Latias would get her chance.
Two months had flown by.
Tomorrow, Ash and Anabel would finally set off for Sinnoh.
But before that—one last test.
"Latias, see that rocky hill over there?" Ash pointed at a pile of boulders about 500 meters away.
Latias nodded.
"Alright then. Let's see how much you've improved. Use Dragon Pulse!"
"Luuhh!"
Latias soared into the air, energy gathering in her mouth.
A brilliant blue sphere crackled with power.
And then—
Boom!
A sonic boom erupted as the attack shot forward at lightning speed.
The sheer force of the blast uprooted trees, kicked up a massive dust storm, and in the blink of an eye—
BOOM!
The boulder formation vanished.
Not exploded. Not shattered.
Just—erased.
"Luuhh~!"
Overjoyed, Latias zoomed back, crashing into Ash, licking his face non-stop.
"Ugh, enough already!" Ash laughed, pushing her off as she clung to him.
Even Mewtwo, watching from the sidelines, nodded in silent approval.
Latias had finally mastered her power.
A New Journey Begins
With training complete, evolution achieved, and Latias's strength refined—Ash was ready.
Tomorrow, he would embark on his Sinnoh journey.
A journey that would bring him face-to-face with Champions, Legendaries, and an old rival who had unfinished business.
"Sinnoh…" Ash clenched his fist, eyes burning with determination.
"I'm coming!"
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