“Pikachu, use Iron Tail to vault behind Pidgeot!”
Ash’s command rang through the stadium without hesitation.
He trusted Pikachu completely.
If dodging was impossible
Then they would force an opening themselves!
“Pikaaa!”
Pikachu curled its glowing tail beneath its body and slammed it against the ground just as Pidgeot closed in with Aerial Ace.
BOOM!
The impact shattered the battlefield, leaving a massive crater behind.
But at that exact instant
Pikachu launched itself upward using the recoil from Iron Tail.
The audience gasped.
As Pidgeot spread its wings to regain altitude, Pikachu landed directly onto its back!
“What?!”
Vincent’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The commentator froze for a brief second before shouting excitedly:
“Incredible!”
“At that speed and distance, Pikachu actually managed to leap onto Pidgeot’s back!”
The entire stadium erupted into chaos.
Even experienced Trainers in the audience stared in shock.
That level of timing and coordination was absurd.
Ash grinned confidently beneath his cap.
“Maybe ordinary Pikachu couldn’t do it…”
“But my Pikachu definitely can!”
“Pika!”
Electricity crackled violently from Pikachu’s cheeks as it clung tightly to Pidgeot’s back.
Vincent reacted immediately.
“Don’t let it attack!”
“Pidgeot, shake it off with Aerial Ace!”
Pidgeot cried sharply and accelerated upward.
The powerful Flying-type spun violently through the air, attempting to throw Pikachu away before it could unleash Thunderbolt.
But Pikachu held on desperately.
“Pika !”
The violent winds buffeted its body from every direction.
Its small paws nearly slipped multiple times.
Yet it refused to let go.
Ash clenched his fists tightly.
“Hang in there, Pikachu!”
“Wait until it stabilizes before attacking!”
Vincent suddenly realized something.
His expression changed instantly.
“If it keeps holding on like this…”
“Then we’ll slam it into the ground!”
The audience gasped.
Even Brock immediately stood up from the waiting area.
“He’s serious?!”
Misty’s face paled.
“At that speed?!
Pikachu could get badly hurt!”
But Vincent had already made his decision.
Pidgeot folded its wings sharply and dove downward like a missile.
The air itself screamed around them.
Ash stared upward silently.
He gave no further commands.
The entire stadium watched nervously as Pidgeot plummeted toward the battlefield.
Closer.
Closer.
Closer
BOOOOM!!
Dust exploded everywhere as Pidgeot slammed its back violently against the ground.
The impact shook the entire arena.
Several spectators even instinctively stood up in shock.
Vincent immediately looked upward.
“Did it work?!”
Then
Ash suddenly shouted:
“Now, Pikachu!
Thunderbolt!”
“What?!”
A small silhouette burst upward from the smoke.
Moments before impact, Pikachu had released its grip and used the rebound force from Pidgeot’s crash to propel itself skyward.
Electricity erupted across the battlefield.
“PIKAAAACHUUUU!”
A massive Thunderbolt crashed downward from above.
Direct hit.
BOOOOM!!
Electricity engulfed Pidgeot completely.
When the smoke cleared
Pidgeot collapsed heavily onto the battlefield, black smoke rising from its body.
The referee immediately raised the flag.
“Pidgeot is unable to battle!”
“Pikachu wins!”
The crowd exploded into thunderous cheers.
The commentator nearly lost his voice from excitement.
“What unbelievable teamwork!”
“From the moment Ash ordered Pikachu onto Pidgeot’s back, every movement afterward relied entirely on trust between Trainer and Pokémon!”
“This wasn’t just a Pokémon battle!”
“It was a perfect demonstration of coordination, instinct, and absolute faith in one another!”
The giant stadium screen replayed the decisive moment repeatedly.
Each replay drew louder cheers than before.
Vincent slowly recalled Pidgeot with a helpless smile.
“I can’t even be frustrated after losing like that.”
“You were incredible, Pidgeot.”
Meanwhile, Misty hugged Togepi excitedly.
“Ash won!”
“Togeprii~!”
Brock smiled proudly.
“He actually pulled it off.”
Ash finally exhaled deeply as Pikachu leaped back onto his shoulder.
“Pika pika!”
“We did it.”
Ash lightly rubbed Pikachu’s head before leaving the battlefield together.
The moment the match ended, Ash immediately brought his team back to the Pokémon Center for treatment.
At the counter, Nurse Joy smiled warmly.
“I’ll take good care of everyone.”
“Snorlax is recovering especially well.”
“You can take him back anytime.”
“Thank you, Nurse Joy.”
Ash bowed gratefully.
Nearby, Brock crossed his arms thoughtfully.
“So you’re still planning to use Snorlax tomorrow?”
Ash nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Pikachu and Charizard too.”
“Though for the remaining slots…”
Ash paused briefly while thinking.
“I’m planning to rotate Bayleef, Squirtle, and Heracross in.”
Today’s semifinal battle had consumed far more stamina than expected.
Especially Charizard.
Although it defeated Venusaur, the prolonged exchange had clearly exhausted it heavily.
Still
Ash already knew Charizard would never forgive him if it missed the finals entirely.
Besides…
From his memory of the original timeline, the final opponent’s overall strength wasn’t overwhelmingly high.
Compared to Jackson, the road to the finals had been relatively fortunate.
That night, excitement swept throughout all of Mount Silver.
The Silver Conference was reaching its conclusion.
Countless Trainers and spectators remained in the city specifically to witness the championship match.
And after Ash’s performances during the previous rounds
Nearly everyone had begun discussing the rookie Trainer from Pallet Town.
The next day
The Silver Conference Finals officially began.
The stadium was packed beyond capacity.
Cheers thundered throughout the arena as the commentator passionately narrated the battle.
“The finals have reached their climax!”
“Ash from Pallet Town still has three Pokémon remaining!”
“Meanwhile, his opponent has only one Pokémon left!”
Ash stood calmly on one side of the battlefield while recalling Squirtle.
“You did great, Squirtle.”
Squirtle saluted proudly before returning to its Poké Ball.
Across the field stood his final opponent
A Trainer from Cherrygrove City named Kent.
Unlike Jackson or Vincent, Kent specialized in heavy offense and brute force tactics.
And his final Pokémon
Was an extremely powerful Rhydon.
“I choose you, Bayleef!”
Bayleef landed gracefully onto the field.
The commentator immediately reacted.
“Ash’s final unused Pokémon is Bayleef!”
“But Bayleef faces a severe disadvantage against Rhydon’s raw power!”
“Can Ash still secure the championship?!”
The crowd erupted loudly.
Kent attacked first.
“Rhydon, Rock Tomb!”
Massive boulders burst upward from the battlefield, attempting to trap Bayleef instantly.
But Ash remained calm.
“Razor Leaf!”
Bayleef spun gracefully.
Sharp leaves sliced apart several incoming rocks immediately.
Still, Rhydon charged directly through the debris.
“Megahorn!”
The battlefield shook violently beneath its weight.
Kent grinned confidently.
“At this distance, Bayleef can’t dodge!”
But Ash smiled instead.
“That’s exactly what I wanted.”
“Vine Whip target its legs!”
Two vines shot from Bayleef’s neck instantly and wrapped tightly around Rhydon’s front legs.
Rhydon’s charge became unstable immediately.
BOOM!
Its enormous body lost balance and crashed forward violently, smashing apart the remaining rocks.
The audience roared.
Ash’s eyes flashed sharply.
“Now, Bayleef!”
At that exact moment
Golden light began gathering above Bayleef’s flower bud.
The entire stadium gasped.
“Solar Beam?!”
Kent’s expression changed instantly.
But it was already too late.
“Fire it!”
A brilliant beam erupted forward.
BOOOOOOM!!
The direct hit engulfed Rhydon completely.
Moments later
The massive Pokémon collapsed onto the battlefield.
Silence filled the arena for half a second.
Then the referee raised both flags decisively.
“Rhydon is unable to battle!”
“The winner of the Silver Conference…”
“Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!”
For a moment
The stadium exploded.
Cheers thundered like an earthquake.
Confetti rained from above as countless spectators leaped to their feet applauding wildly.
Misty screamed excitedly while hugging Togepi.
Brock laughed proudly.
Professor Oak adjusted his glasses while smiling warmly.
And Delia Ketchum openly cried tears of joy in the audience.
“Ash actually did it…”
On the battlefield itself
Ash stood frozen in place.
Even Pikachu stared blankly for a second before suddenly leaping upward.
“PIKACHUUUU!”
Ash finally laughed loudly as he caught Pikachu in his arms.
“We won…”
“We really won!”
For the first time since arriving in this world
Ash had completely rewritten fate.
Under roaring applause, Charles Goodshow personally stepped onto the stage carrying the Silver Conference trophy.
“Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town,” he announced proudly, “you and your Pokémon have demonstrated extraordinary courage, trust, and skill throughout this tournament.”
“It is my honor to award you the Silver Conference Championship Trophy!”
As flashes from cameras illuminated the arena endlessly
Ash accepted the trophy with both hands.
Heavy.
Brilliant.
Real.
His very first League Championship.
And thus
The Silver Conference finally came to its end.