Ash's early journey was clumsy, even a bit laughable at times. His awkward behavior and the lack of synergy between him and Pikachu left many spectators shaking their heads. But as the video continued to play, everything changed. Those watching, both in the stadium and around the world, felt their opinions shift.
From laughter to admiration.
From skepticism to respect.
On the green screen—
[Ash's rock accidentally triggered the wrath of a wild Spearow. Pikachu responded with a Thunder Shock—but instead of ending the battle, it enraged an entire flock of Spearows nearby.]
[Although Pikachu was an Electric-type Pokémon, the sheer number of Spearows overwhelmed him. Despite unleashing its power, Pikachu suffered greatly under the relentless Beat Up of the flock.]
[Until now, Pikachu had only mocked Ash, watching from trees and refusing to battle. But during this crisis, something unexpected happened.]
[Ash didn't hesitate. He rushed into the flock of Spearows, arms shielding his injured Pokémon, body battered by furious pecks, and eyes filled with determination.]
Every Spearow peck was sharp and painful.
But Ash didn't back down.
He didn't want Pikachu to get hurt any further.
This unwavering will, this unconditional love for his Pokémon, ignited the admiration of every spectator around the world.
And then, something even more powerful happened.
The scene shifted again.
Ash was shown drenched in heavy rain, stumbling down a muddy road with Pikachu clutched tightly in his arms. His clothes were soaked. His body was scraped and bruised. But still, he ran.
[Ash crossed hills, dove into rivers, dragged himself onto the shore, and struggled through mud—all while protecting Pikachu from further harm.]
Thunder crackled across the screen. Mud splashed under the tires of a bicycle as Ash lost control and crashed. Both he and Pikachu fell hard.
Then came the final confrontation.
[The flock of Spearows caught up, screeching through the storm. Ash stood trembling, bloodied and exhausted.]
But instead of running, he made a decision.
A defining decision.
[Ash held Pikachu's Poké Ball in his hand. With quiet hope, he said, "Get inside. You'll be safe."]
[Then, he turned around and faced the sky, arms stretched open. In a voice full of defiance, he shouted:]
"Who do you think I am?! I'm Ash from Pallet Town! And one day—I'm going to become the world's number one Pokémon Master! So I won't lose to you!"
Those words echoed across the stadium like thunder.
The crowd at Wyndon Stadium fell silent.
Even the Champions watched, frozen in awe.
On the screen—
[Moved by Ash's bravery, Pikachu suddenly leapt onto his shoulder. Lightning surged from the clouds above. Drawing energy from nature itself, Pikachu roared to life, releasing a magnificent Thunderbolt.]
[The entire sky above Pallet Town lit up.]
[Every single Spearow collapsed mid-air, defeated by the wrath of Pikachu's lightning.]
The video faded out temporarily. But Ash's final cry—"I will become the world's number one Pokémon Master!"—remained in everyone's mind.
Even among world-class Trainers, his spirit had made an impression.
"Incredible… just incredible."
Wallace, Hoenn Region's Champion and top Pokémon Coordinator, stood up, applauding. "Elegant. Passionate. He didn't just talk about his dream—he lived it."
At the start of the video, Alder, Champion of Unova, had dismissed Ash as a bumbling rookie. But now, Alder laughed in admiration.
"This kid's got guts," he said, shaking his head. "He's not just some lucky beginner. There's something special about him."
Across the Champion's row, Trainers nodded silently.
Even Leon, the reigning World Champion, had a rare glint of excitement in his eyes.
To hear a rookie declare such an outrageous dream—to become the greatest Pokémon Master in the world—it reminded Leon of his own early days.
He clenched his fists.
"Ash…" he muttered. "I want to battle you someday."
Of course, Leon also recognized the challenge in that dream.
"But right now, Ash still lacks the fundamentals. He has passion, sure, but no real experience yet. No mastery of battle mechanics. No structured team. Not yet..."
Leon paused.
"Maybe in ten years. Maybe in twenty. But if he keeps going like this... if he holds onto that fire... then one day, I'll see him at Palace Gate Stadium, ready for a battle the world will never forget."
Leon smiled, filled with hope and anticipation.
The prequel segment of the broadcast ended.
Then, under the watchful eyes of billions, the green screen transitioned again. New scenery appeared—lush grasslands with a bright blue sky above. A peaceful breeze swayed the tall grass, and a single figure appeared.
It was Ash.
Now more confident, more mature—but still around ten years old. The youthful look remained, but his stance was solid, his eyes determined.
Standing opposite him—
Diantha, Champion of the Kalos Region.
The crowd gasped.
This wasn't just another rookie battle.
This was a battle against a Champion!
Text flashed across the screen:
[Top Ten Peak Battles – Number 10]
[The Duel of Bonds: Trainer Ash VS Kalos Region Champion Diantha]
The audience exploded.
"What!? Did they say Diantha? As in, the Diantha?"
"And Ash's battling her? No way!"
"Is this an official match?! Did he already beat Kalos's Elite Four?"
"Calm down. Look at the background—it's not a stadium. This looks like an exhibition battle, probably in the wild."
"Oh... yeah, that makes more sense. But still, Ash vs. Diantha? That's a big deal!"
Even the most skeptical viewers were now glued to the screen.
Ash, the rookie they once laughed at, was about to take on a Champion—and not just any Champion, but one of the most elegant and skilled Trainers in the entire Pokémon world.
The screen flickered again, revealing a new set of instructions:
[Prediction Challenge: Ash vs. Diantha]
[Audience members, please cast your vote for the Trainer you believe will win this battle.]
Voting stations lit up across the stadium and in viewing hubs across the world.
The battle hadn't even started yet, but the entire world was now engaged.
Back in the Champion's row—
Cynthia smiled. "Ash has already come so far. From being unable to control Pikachu to now facing off against a Champion? That's a rare level of progress."
"And his style is all about trust," Steven added. "He fights from the heart. You can feel it in the way he commands his team."
Even Lance looked impressed. "He's reckless… but inspiring."
Leon, however, simply watched in silence.
He was already imagining the future.
He wasn't thinking about the Ash in this battle.
He was thinking about the Ash ten years from now—confident, strategic, and standing across from him at the Wyndon Arena as the whole world watched.
The audience settled in.
The video resumed.
Two Trainers. One dream.
Ash Ketchum, the boy from Pallet Town, with nothing but determination and friendship to guide him.
Diantha, the shining Champion of Kalos, a master of grace and power.
And in the end—only one would be remembered in the countdown of legendary battles.
The world leaned in.
The countdown had officially begun.