Naranja Academy, Battle Hall.
Shizuka wiped the sweat from her brow, waved goodbye to Aliquis and Ortega, and watched them leave. Curious, she turned to Paul and Penny.
"Who's the student Teacher Lucas said would be auditing the class?"
Shizuka was puzzled.
What kind of Trainer could make Lucas use his authority to create a rule allowing an outsider to attend classes?
More amazing—Chairwoman Geeta didn't even ask questions; she approved Lucas's request instantly.
This had left Director Clavell so stressed his hair was turning white.
Naranja Academy's victories over Blueberry Academy in recent exchange matches had attracted many students wanting to try out—just sorting applicants was already a headache.
Rumor had it Blueberry Academy was planning a revenge match soon!
Penny, looking lazy, waved her hand, ignoring Flareon tugging at her sleeve for extra training. "Should be any day now."
"Apparently, this person has eight badges from two regions—maybe even stronger than Nemona—"
Penny's drawn-out words grated on Paul's ears, making his expression more serious. Even his calm demeanor couldn't fully hide his anticipation.
To obtain eight badges from two regions, possibly even stronger than Nemona, and brought in personally by Teacher Lucas—just who was this Trainer?
Paul resolved to do as his brother and Teacher Lucas advised: politely challenge the newcomer to a battle.
Time passed quickly, and class was about to begin.
Urgent footsteps sounded outside the Battle Hall, but the three students were used to it.
After all, their teacher always insisted, "work is work, life is life"—never sacrificing personal time for work unless necessary.
He could get away with it only because he was so powerful.
The battle teacher, Dendra, not only earned half of what Lucas did before his promotion, but also had to teach all week and live on campus.
Basically paying to work.
Meanwhile, Lucas taught just two classes a week (sometimes skipping), living carefree.
As these thoughts flew, the Battle Hall doors swung open at the last moment, and Lucas walked in right on time.
But he wasn't the focus.
All eyes turned to the boy following closely behind.
Shizuka looked surprised. Wasn't this just a kid?
Penny paused her tug-of-war with Flareon, pushed her glasses, and studied Ash.
Paul, who'd been so eager, frowned. Ash was about his age, or even younger. For some reason, Paul suddenly felt a surge of irritation, even his calm breaking.
This was a first—he wondered, do I just not get along with this guy?
Lucas ignored the students' mixed reactions.
He clapped his hands and smiled. "This is Ash, a Trainer from Pallet Town, Kanto. He's training for the upcoming Silver Conference and will be studying with us for a while. Everyone, please welcome him!"
"Ash, why don't you introduce yourself?"
Ash nodded, still excited from his tour of Naranja Academy.
With plenty of travel experience, he wasn't so nervous anymore.
But his self-intro remained as classic as ever.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town. This is my partner, Pikachu. My dream is to become a Pokémon Master!"
A few short lines, but they revealed Ash's personality completely.
"Pikachu! Pika pika!"
Pikachu, at its roundest, waved adorably.
Shizuka covered her mouth, amazed at Ash's big dream—and mentally screaming at Pikachu's cuteness.
Penny stayed calm, with a hint of self-doubt. She marveled at Ash's courage to declare his dream in front of everyone; she'd want to dig a hole and hide.
Paul clenched his fists.
He didn't dislike Ash personally, but he realized—he just wasn't compatible with Ash's "type."
Paul thought Ash's dream was too vague—just empty talk.
He knew he couldn't stand people like that; he and Ash were destined to clash.
Lucas, of course, noticed Paul's reaction.
Sure enough, there was some mysterious chemistry between rivals—sparks were about to fly.
An idea came to him.
With a sly grin, Lucas clapped and said, "Since Ash is joining us, let's celebrate with a tense and exciting Pokémon battle!"
"Huh? Weren't we supposed to have a theory class?" Shizuka looked disappointed.
Having become a Trainer only halfway through her studies, she needed all the knowledge she could get; practical battles could wait.
Penny also raised her hand in support, wanting more time to slack off.
Lucas knew Penny and Shizuka would object.
But that was perfect.
With them out, only Ash and Paul would battle.
Lucas felt a bit like Cynthia, secretly shipping a new "rivalry" and looking forward to their chemistry.
Life meeting life—what might be born from it…?
Shaking off his rambling thoughts, Lucas offered a "solution" acceptable to all.
"Then let's have Ash and Paul battle first! Show me what you've got!"
"Afterwards, we'll continue last time's lesson on the 'Encirclement' strategy."
Shizuka and Penny sighed in relief—this they could accept.
Ash and Paul locked eyes.
Ash was probably excited to battle right away.
Paul clenched his Poké Ball, snorting, "I'll win this match!"
The match would be a 2v2 singles battle—the first trainer whose Pokémon were all unable to fight would lose.
Lucas had balanced the match, since Ash's training time and experience far exceeded Paul's, leaving Paul at a disadvantage.
Paul currently had three Pokémon: Grotle (not quite ready to evolve), Crocalor (recently evolved from Fuecoco), and a Teddiursa he'd caught on Lucas's suggestion.
Since Teddiursa wasn't really battle-ready, a 2v2 match was chosen.
Lucas donned the referee's whistle and blew it. "Battle begin! Both sides, send out your Pokémon!"
Ash, as straightforward as ever, had just one thing on his mind—Pokémon battle!
Confidently, he declared, "Pikachu, I choose you!"
On Paul's side, he threw a Poké Ball.
"Crocalor, get ready!"
A chubby Pikachu vs. a crocodile with a steaming "egg" on its head.
Seeing Crocalor, Ash's eyes lit up. "Wow, a Pokémon I've never seen!"
He tried to scan it with his Pokédex—but it hadn't been upgraded to the National Pokédex, so there was no info.
Since this was just a friendly match, Lucas looked at Paul.
Paul nodded indifferently.
Maybe anime Paul wouldn't alert his opponent, but this Paul, with more experience, didn't care about "cheap wins."
Lucas played a pre-recorded audio.
["Crocalor, the evolved form of Fuecoco. Fire energy and an excess of life force combine in Crocalor to create an egg-shaped fireball on its head. In battle, it can use this fireball freely as an attack. Apparently, it has unique talent in sound."]
The three students listened intently—except Ash, who was still confused, proving himself a classic underachiever.
But as an action-oriented Trainer, all Ash needed to know was that Crocalor was a Fire-type.
Everything else—just charge in!
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
He opened with his signature move.
Pikachu clenched its paws, gathering electricity and firing a powerful bolt straight at Crocalor.
The speed and power were impressive—worthy of someone who'd earned eight badges.
Paul's expression sharpened. "Dig!"
Avoid the attack and wait for a chance!
Somehow, Crocalor dug rapidly with its stubby arms, vanishing underground just before Thunderbolt struck.
Thunderbolt missed, but Ash and Pikachu weren't discouraged—they'd dealt with this before.
"Pikachu, pay attention to the ground!"
Crocalor tunneled feverishly, carving a maze of passages, searching for an opening to strike Pikachu above.
Lucas's face tightened—he knew the battlefield would need repairs after this.
Naranja Academy would cover costs, but he'd have to inspect the repairs himself—what a hassle!
Meanwhile, new developments unfolded.
Crocalor finally seized an opportunity, bursting from the ground to strike Pikachu.
But Ash was faster. "Dodge it!"
To Paul's shock, Pikachu, despite its chubby appearance, dodged by a hair's breadth and countered with another Thunderbolt.
Level differences mattered, but Crocalor, freshly evolved, barely withstood the blow, its energy fading fast.
Paul gritted his teeth, cursing Ash and Pikachu's reflexes, and activated his backup plan.
"Yawn!"
A bubble of sleep-inducing energy floated from Crocalor's nose, landing on Pikachu.
As soon as Pikachu hit the ground, overwhelming drowsiness struck.
It stumbled, spun in circles, and promptly fell asleep.
Lucas, of course, didn't call a foul for sleep status. As expected, Paul ordered a recovery.
"Slack Off!"
Crocalor closed its eyes, glowing green as its injuries rapidly healed.
When Crocalor was fully recovered and Pikachu still slept, Paul smirked.
No matter how strong you are, my tactics will beat you.
"Incinerate!"
Crocalor's fireball ballooned, smashing into Pikachu with a heavy blow.
By some stroke of luck, Pikachu didn't wake even after taking a hit.
Paul sneered and told Crocalor to keep attacking.
He knew—he'd won the first round!
Throughout, Ash kept calling out to Pikachu, trying to wake it up.
Paul just thought him naive.
Did he really believe his voice could reach Pikachu's sleeping mind?
It was useless!
"With this attack, let's end it—Incinerate!"
As Paul ordered the finishing blow, Ash's eyes widened and he shouted, "Wake up, Pikachu!!!"
"Hmph, pointless—…what?"
Paul was about to call Ash naive, but suddenly—
Pikachu, battered and bruised, responded to Ash's call and stirred.
Paul was dumbstruck.
No way.
To make sure Pikachu slept soundly, he'd even had Crocalor add more Yawn attacks between strikes.
How was Pikachu awake!?
But that's the power of a bond.
As if answering Ash's feelings, Pikachu's wounded body shone with dazzling golden light.
Powerful electricity surged, shattering Incinerate and blasting Crocalor hard.
Paul hastily ordered Crocalor to Dig and hide underground, looking for another Yawn opportunity.
But then, Ash gave an unexpected command.
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail on the field!"
...