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Chapter 142: Young Aspirations
🕑 Added 2025-05-31 20:10:51 +0000 UTCThe living room of Professor Oak's Pallet Town laboratory glowed with the flickering light of a massive screen, broadcasting the Ace Challenge from Moonwood Town's stadium.
Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak, both 8 years old, sprawled on a rug, their eyes glued to the screen, two years shy of their Pokémon journeys but already buzzing with dreams.
The air crackled with their excitement as Gladion Vortex, Kanto's 15-year-old prodigy and youngest major Gym Leader, dominated the field, his Magmortar, Arsenal, unleashing a Fire Blast that incinerated Roland's Forretress.
Professor Oak sat in an armchair, sipping Oran tea, his smile warm but tinged with complex thoughts as he watched the boys and the match unfold.
Ash, his black hair a mess under his cap, bounced on his knees, fists pumping. "Whoa! Magmortar's SO COOL! Look at those cannons, Gary! They're like… BOOM! Fire everywhere! I would get a Magby myself someday." He mimicked Arsenal's pose, nearly knocking over a stack of Pokédex manuals.
Gary, smirking with smugness"Pfft, Ashy-boy, you think you're gonna get a Magby? Good luck! Even if you do, you need a Magmarizer to evolve it into Magmortar, and those are super expensive! Only Gym Leader Gladion knows how to make 'em, and he's not sellin' cheap!" He stuck out his tongue, his spiky hair bouncing as he leaned forward.
Ash's face scrunched, undeterred. "Then I'll get a Charizard! It's way cooler than your dumb Magmortar anyway! Charizard's all like, RAWR, and breathes fire that melts mountains!" He flapped his arms, pretending to fly, accidentally smacking Gary's shoulder.
Gary shoved him back, grinning. "Charizard? You? You'd probably burn your hat off trying to train a Charmander! And Magmortar's cannons are waaaay better than Charizard's boring flames!"
Ash gasped, clutching his cap. "Take that back, Gary! Charizard's the best! I'll catch one and beat you to a crisp!"
Gary cackled, "Crisp? You'll be the one toasted, Ashy-boy! I'll get a Blastoise and drown your Charizard!"
Oak chuckled, shaking his head. 'Kids and their rivalries—already battling before they've got a single Poké Ball.'
The screen shifted to Gladion's victory, Arsenal towering over the scorched field, and the boys paused their squabble, eyes wide with awe. "Gym Leader Gladion's the best!" Ash declared, stars in his eyes.
"He's a General-type trainer, Gary! He uses ALL kinds of Pokémon—Magmortar, Tyranitar, Gliscor! I wanna be just like him!"
Gary nodded, for once agreeing. "Yeah, he's awesome. General-type's the coolest—you gotta be super smart to train every type. I'm gonna be a General-type trainer too, but better than you!" Ash puffed out his chest.
"Nuh-uh, I'll be the best General-type trainer AND Pokémon Master!" Gary smirked, "Dream on, Ashy-boy—you'll trip over your own feet before you beat Gladion!"
"Didja see how Gladion beat Champion Pryce with just TWO Pokémon?" Ash said, bouncing. "Colossus the Tyranitar went BOOM with Hyper Beam, and Pryce's Piloswine was like, 'Oh no!'" He flopped dramatically, mimicking a fainted Pokémon.
Gary giggled, adding, "Yeah, and his Electivire, Zeus, zapped Pryce's Pokemon like ZAP ZAP! Pryce was all, 'I'm the Champion!' and Gladion was like, 'Not today, old man!'"
They dissolved into laughter, rolling on the rug, their kiddish retelling turning the epic battle into a cartoonish saga. "Gladion's so cool!" Ash squealed. "He's like a superhero with Pokémon!" Gary nodded, "Totally! I bet he could beat Arceus if he wanted!"
Oak, listening, smiled, but his expression faltered at Pryce's name. His thoughts grew heavy, his tea cooling in his hands. 'Pryce… my successor as Indigo Champion.' The loss to Gladion had been a blow, not just to Pryce's title but to his pride. 'He's been quieter since, retreating to Mahogany Town, training in isolation.'
Oak knew the rumors: Lance, the Blackthorn Clan's dragon master, was preparing to challenge Pryce for the Championship, and with Pryce as he was, Lance was likely to win. 'If the Blackthorn Clan gains the Champion's seat, their influence will grow—more power, more politics. They're already troublesome, pushing their dragon-centric agenda.' Oak sighed, his smile wry.
'Not my problem anymore. I'm a researcher now, not a Champion. Let the new generation handle it.' He glanced at Ash and Gary, their dreams as bright as the screen. 'They'll face a wild world, but they've got spirit.'
Oak's gaze returned to Gladion, now shaking Roland's hand on-screen. 'That boy's grown into a force.'
His thoughts drifted to Gladion's innovations. 'I asked how he evolved his Electabuzz into Electivire— he shared the Electirizer's existence but not how its created. He would probably do the same with the Magmarizer for Magmortar if I asked him.' Oak chuckled, a touch of frustration in his tone.
'Jeez, even kids these days care more about profits than science! I'd love to study those items, unlock their secrets for the Pokédex, but kid's got a business empire to protect.' He shook his head, half-amused, half-exasperated.
The screen shifted to Gladion's podium speech, his voice resonating through the stadium and into Oak's lab. "Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed the match! Tomorrow, the new League season begins. To all the young trainers starting your journey…" Ash and Gary leaned forward, hanging on every word.
Gladion's tone softened, emotional. "I was like you once—a kid with a dream, a Poké Ball, and a world to conquer… Trust your Pokémon, train them, love them. Kanto's waiting, and my gym's open. Show me what you've got!" The words hit Ash like a Thunderbolt, his eyes watering, fists clenched. "I'm gonna be a Pokémon Master!" he shouted, leaping up, nearly toppling a lamp. "I'll beat Gym Leader Gladion and win ALL the badges!" His voice cracked with passion, his cap askew.
Gary smirked, taunting, "You? A Master? You've got two whole years to dream, Ashy-boy, 'fore you even start your journey! You'll probably pick a Weedle and call it a day!"
Ash spun, glaring. "Shut up, Gary! I'll catch a Pikachu and zap you! I'm gonna challenge Gladion and win!" Gary cackled, "Pikachu? You'll shock yourself first! I'll have a Gyarados and drown your dreams!" Their bickering resumed.
Delia Ketchum appeared at the door, her apron dusted with flour, her smile gentle but firm. "Ash, it's late—time for bed." Ash groaned, "Aww, Mom, but Gladion's speech!" Delia chuckled, ruffling his hair.
"You can dream of beating him in bed. Let's go." Ash's eyes shone, his voice fierce. "I will, Mom! I'll be the greatest Pokemon Master and beat Gym Leader Gladion!" Delia's heart swelled, her own dreams for Ash flickering.
'He's so much like his father—wild, unstoppable.' She glanced at Oak, who nodded, his smile warm again. "He's got the spark, Delia. Both of 'em do."
