Chapter 17: Just Another Strong Trainer
The road stretched on beneath the afternoon sun as Ash, Misty, and Brock continued their journey. The forest encounter had already begun to feel like one of the many strange events that seemed to happen wherever Ash went.
Still, Ash couldn't stop thinking about it.
"Man," Ash said suddenly, grinning as he walked backward, "that guy was really strong!"
Pikachu nodded enthusiastically. "Pika pika!"
Misty rolled her eyes. "You say that about literally everyone who beats you."
Ash stopped and pointed. "Yeah—but not everyone makes wild Pokémon give them berries!"
Brock chuckled. "That part was unusual. But the world's a big place, Ash. Strong trainers come and go."
Ash laughed, stretching his arms behind his head. "Guess you're right! Still—next time I see him, I'm gonna battle him again!"
Pikachu raised a paw confidently. "Pika!"
No doubt. No pressure. No shadow lingering over Ash's heart.
Just excitement.
Back to Normal
Later that day, Ash challenged a random trainer along the road.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
"PI-KA-CHUUU!"
The blast sent the opponent's Pokémon flying, just as dramatic and flashy as ever.
Ash pumped his fist. "Alright!"
Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder, laughing happily.
Nothing had changed.
Ash was still Ash.
A Passing Conversation
At a nearby Pokémon Center that evening, trainers gathered around tables, swapping stories.
"…They say some trainer beat an Electric Gym without breaking a sweat."
"Wild Pokémon weren't scared of him at all."
"I heard the air felt strange after the battle."
Ash perked up immediately.
"That's gotta be the guy we met!" he said loudly.
Misty sighed. "You don't even know his name."
Ash shrugged. "Doesn't matter! Strong trainers are everywhere. That's what makes the journey fun!"
Brock nodded approvingly. "That's the right attitude."
Pikachu raised its cheeks. "Pika!"
Ash grinned widely. "One day, I'll be the strongest trainer too! Just you wait!"
Elsewhere, Unknown
Far away, on a road Ash would not walk for a long time, Jean Fong continued forward—silent, composed, unchanged.
Wild Pokémon still watched him with bright eyes.
Humans still felt unsettled without knowing why.
But to Ash Ketchum—
He was simply another strong trainer in a big world, someone exciting to meet again someday.
And that was enough.
Chapter 18: The Gym Leader Who Took Notice
The morning mist still clung to the mountain road as Jean Fong walked alone, his pace unhurried. Sunlight filtered through the trees, and wild Pokémon gathered openly along the path—Pidgey hopping from branch to branch, Oddish swaying happily, even a shy Eevee peeking from behind a rock.
They did not flee.
They watched him with bright, trusting eyes.
A small group of wild Pokémon approached, carrying berries and herbs in their mouths, carefully placing them on a flat stone near the road. Jean Fong stopped, looking down at the offering.
"…Thank you," he said softly.
The Pokémon chirped and cried happily before scattering back into the forest, their movements light and carefree.
Even passing trainers noticed it.
"That's… strange," one whispered. "Wild Pokémon never do that."
Jean Fong continued on, unaware that his name was already traveling faster than he was.
Inside the Gym
Deep within a coastal city, a massive stone Gym stood overlooking the sea. Inside, electricity hummed faintly through reinforced walls. The Gym Leader stood before a wide screen, arms crossed, eyes sharp and focused.
She was Lt. Surge's successor, a powerful Electric-type specialist recognized across the region.
On the screen played a recorded battle.
Sylvia's swift movement.
The instant collapse of Raichu.
The complete suppression of Electivire.
The Gym Leader's fingers slowly tightened.
"So that's him…" she murmured.
An assistant shifted nervously beside her. "Reports say he's a new trainer. No recorded League history. No official ranking."
The Gym Leader exhaled slowly.
"That's impossible."
She turned toward the battlefield floor, where sparks crackled across the ground. "Pokémon don't move like that without years of battle instinct. And wild Pokémon don't trust humans that easily."
Her gaze hardened—not with fear, but excitement.
"A trainer who doesn't rely on intimidation… yet commands absolute dominance."
She smiled faintly.
"I want to meet him."
Rumors Begin to Spread
Across nearby routes and cities, whispers followed Jean Fong's path.
"They say Pokémon feel calm around him."
"I heard even injured Pokémon recover after battling him."
"No Poké Balls visible… but his Pokémon appear instantly."
At another Gym, a Water-type leader read a report and paused.
"…Healing energy?" he muttered. "That's not a move."
He closed the file slowly.
"This trainer is dangerous—not because of power… but because of what he represents."
A Silent Resolve
As the sun dipped lower, Jean Fong stood at the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea. The wind carried the scent of salt and distant storms.
In the system space, his Pokémon watched him quietly—Rayquaza coiled calmly, Mew floating lazily, Gardevoir serene, Sylvia resting close.
They were content.
Jean Fong looked ahead.
Another Gym awaited.
Another test.
And somewhere not far away, Gym Leaders were preparing—not knowing whether they were facing a challenger…