Chapter 82: The Final Destination

"Marowak has lost the ability to fight. The battle is over. The winner is the challenger, Ash!"

The referee's voice echoed across the Jade Star Gym's arena, and the audience erupted into cheers.

As Marowak fell to the ground, the match ended decisively. Ash had won in just a few minutes. Luana, the Gym Leader, stood motionless for a moment, processing her defeat.

She had expected Ash to be strong—she had even overestimated his strength—but the reality was far beyond her expectations.

What stunned her most wasn't just that Ash had defeated her so quickly; it was that he did so without using his famed Pokémon like Pikachu or Charizard.

Ash's battle had been like an unstoppable storm.

The synchronized attacks from Blastoise and Venusaur came in relentless waves, and even with her tactical experience, Luana found herself overwhelmed.

Her attempts to intercept with Alakazam had proven futile against the sheer power and precision of Ash's Pokémon. Watching him celebrate with his team, Luana realized something profound.

"These aren't even his most renowned Pokémon, yet they've defeated me so effortlessly... He wasn't even going all out."

Blastoise and Venusaur, though often overshadowed by Pikachu and Charizard, had demonstrated their incredible strength under Ash's command.

For the first time, Luana truly understood why Ash was being hailed as a Trainer beyond his years—a prodigy who was shaping a new era for Pokémon battles.

The audience shared her amazement. Though they hadn't seen Pikachu or Charizard in action, the performance of Blastoise and Venusaur left no doubt about Ash's prowess.

After the match, Ash was awarded the Jade Star Badge, completing his collection of the four Orange League Badges.

That night, Ash, Misty, and Tracey stayed at the luxurious hot spring hotel on Kumquat Island.

For the first time in weeks, they could relax and enjoy themselves without the looming weight of a critical challenge.

Despite the tranquility, Ash couldn't ignore the reality that his journey was nearing its conclusion. The next day, as they prepared to leave, Misty broke the silence.

"Are you ready for this, Ash? Pummelo Island is the last stop."

Her words carried a bittersweet tone, as the end of their journey together was fast approaching.

Ash nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready. It's been an incredible adventure, but there's still one last challenge to go."

Tracey, who had grown attached to their trio, looked pensive. "What do we do after this, Ash? Do we all just go our separate ways?"

Ash glanced at Tracey, then grinned. "If you don't know what's next, why not come back to Pallet Town with me? I can introduce you to Professor Oak. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to have you as an assistant."

Tracey's face lit up.

"You mean it? Working with Professor Oak would be a dream come true!"

"Of course," Ash replied casually. "He's always looking for help, and I think you'd be a great fit."

Hearing Ash's offer, Tracey couldn't help but smile. His excitement carried him through the rest of the day.

The next morning, the trio set off for Pummelo Island, located in the northeastern part of the Orange Archipelago.

Pummelo Island wasn't particularly large, but it held immense significance as the headquarters of the Orange Alliance.

The southern coast of the island was lined with bustling towns, while its centerpiece was a hill crowned by Pummelo Stadium.

The stadium, resembling a Roman Colosseum, had been built over a century ago.

It was the ultimate destination for Trainers in the Orange League—a place where champions were crowned.

Upon arriving at the Pokémon Center near the stadium, Ash wasted no time registering for the Winner's Cup challenge.

He handed over his four badges, which were authenticated using a special machine. The process was quick, but the excitement it generated was anything but.

The news spread like wildfire through the Pokémon Center. Trainers whispered among themselves, their anticipation palpable.

"He's here! Ash is going to challenge for the Winner's Cup!"

"I've been following his journey—there's no way he'll lose!"

"Even the Chief Trainer's Dragonite might not stand a chance against Ash's team."

The Chief Trainer of the Orange League, Drake, was a seasoned battler and a revered figure among Trainers.

His Dragonite, a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, had earned a reputation as one of the strongest in the league.

However, Ash's recent exploits had left many wondering if Drake could truly pose a challenge to him.

As Ash prepared for the battle, he could feel the weight of the expectations placed on him.

This wasn't just about winning a badge—it was about proving himself as one of the world's greatest Trainers.

Though he felt the pressure, Ash welcomed it.

With Pikachu perched confidently on his shoulder, he looked toward the summit of the hill where Pummelo Stadium awaited.

"One more challenge," Ash said to himself, his determination shining brighter than ever.

"This is it—the final destination."

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