PS: This story includes an Ash × Misty romance subplot, simply to make up for Ash's eternal single status!
When Rudy heard someone interrupting his attempt to speak with Misty, he turned toward the source of the voice.
The moment he saw Aiden, his expression changed.
At this point, everyone in the Kanto League knew exactly how powerful Aiden Flint, the Champion of the Hoenn League, truly was.
Based on the publicly known information alone, Aiden had eliminated Lambda and Apollo, captured Karen, Koga, and Will alive, and played a decisive role in the war between the Kanto League and Team Rocket.
Without the assistance of Hoenn's Champion, Lance and the others would have been defeated long ago.
In fact, the entire Kanto League might already have fallen into Team Rocket's hands.
Because of that, Rudy didn't dare say anything.
However, he genuinely liked Misty and didn't want to simply leave because of Aiden's words.
After all, how would Misty view him if he did?
At the same time, Ash had originally intended to greet Rudy.
But suddenly, Aiden's voice sounded directly in his mind.
"Ash, did you know that when you all traveled together, Misty once rejected Rudy's confession because of you?"
"This guy is back again now. He's basically trying to court Misty."
Hearing that, Ash froze.
In the original storyline, Ash's age never changed.
Even after more than twenty years of traveling and becoming World Champion, he was still technically ten years old.
But this was the real world.
(As mentioned previously, the characters' ages have been adjusted. No need to focus too much on it.)
Ash had left Pallet Town at sixteen.
After journeying through Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto, he had turned seventeen.
Following the Ever Grande Conference and now his Battle Frontier journey, Ash was already eighteen years old.
Misty was one year older.
Nineteen.
At that age, neither of them was ignorant of romance anymore.
During his travels with May, Ash often argued with her.
But he also knew very well that the person May truly liked was Aiden.
As for himself—
Although many girls had shown interest in him over the years—
Misty occupied a place in his heart that nobody could replace.
Once he understood what had happened in the past, the way Ash looked at Rudy immediately changed.
A trace of jealousy appeared in his eyes.
"Misty."
"Tell me about everything that happened after you became the Cerulean Gym Leader."
"It's been a long time since we last met."
"Pikachu missed you too."
The moment she heard those words, Misty tightened her embrace around Pikachu.
A slight mist appeared in her eyes.
"This idiot..."
"He's finally starting to understand."
With that, Misty and Ash walked away together.
Watching them leave, Aiden and Brock exchanged glances.
Both of them immediately revealed knowing smiles.
Meanwhile—
Poor Rudy had been ignored by Misty once again.
...
Watching Ash and Misty leave together, May couldn't help noticing that Ash seemed slightly different from before.
As a result, she also began facing her own feelings.
She had set out on her journey at sixteen.
During the age when young love first began to bloom.
Back then, she had met Aiden.
A Trainer so powerful that even her father, Norman, frequently praised him in front of her.
Moreover, throughout their journey, Aiden had helped resolve several dangerous situations.
Gradually—
Her admiration had grown into something deeper.
Now, after witnessing Ash finally take a step forward, May made up her mind.
She was seventeen years old.
Old enough to choose her own love.
Even if the man she loved was Aiden Flint.
Taking a deep breath, she walked toward him.
"Aiden..."
"I... I have something I want to tell you."
The moment he saw her hesitant expression and flushed cheeks, Aiden immediately understood.
The young girl had fallen in love.
Shaking his head with a helpless smile, he snapped his fingers.
The next instant—
Aiden and May vanished from where they stood.
Max blinked in confusion when he noticed his sister had disappeared.
Meanwhile, Brock, the ultimate travel companion and caretaker, couldn't help smiling as he watched his friends gradually find their own happiness.
"Sigh..."
"I forgot to ask Aiden how to win over beautiful older women again."
"Otherwise, I definitely wouldn't still be single."
Muttering to himself, Brock secretly resolved to ask Aiden for advice next time.
...
Meanwhile—
At the summit of Mt. Silver.
The surroundings were completely silent.
No one else was present.
May's cheeks were bright red.
Her body trembled slightly.
Finally, she gathered her courage and spoke.
"Aiden..."
"I... I like you!"
Hearing her confession, Aiden turned around and carefully looked at her.
Feeling his gaze upon her, May tightly closed her eyes.
For some reason, she felt as though she was completely exposed before him.
As if he could see through everything.
To be fair—
May truly possessed one of the best figures among all the female protagonists.
Although she couldn't compare with Lorelei's overwhelming curves, she surpassed Cynthia in that regard.
Her face was equally beautiful.
Then again, there were very few unattractive girls in the Pokémon world.
Aiden smiled.
"May."
"But I already have girlfriends."
"Cynthia."
"Nurse Joy."
"They're both my girlfriends."
"Even knowing that..."
"Would you still want to be with me?"
May's body trembled.
Yet her eyes became firmer than ever before.
"I do."
"I've liked you since the very first time I met you."
"I really do."
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Aiden sighed softly.
"In that case..."
"I accept your confession."
...
When everyone returned to Mt. Silver once more, Ash and Misty appeared noticeably closer than before.
Likewise, Aiden and May sat side by side.
Soon afterward, Lance began issuing battle orders.
"Everyone."
"All of the Kanto League's high-level combat forces have now assembled."
"The most important thing to remember is that Team Rocket possesses Legendary Pokémon cloning technology."
"Each cloned Legendary Bird possesses Master-tier combat strength."
"And because they are Legendary Pokémon, ordinary Champions and Elite Four members cannot handle them."
"Therefore—"
"Each Champion-level Trainer will form a squad."
"Every squad will consist of one Champion-level combatant, two Elite Four-level combatants, and five pseudo-Elite Four-level Trainers."
"This ensures sufficient high-end strength and prevents Team Rocket from defeating us piecemeal."
"At the same time—"
"Once all reinforcements arrive, we will launch a full assault on Viridian City."
As Lance finished speaking, everyone immediately agreed.
However, May's combat strength was still too low.
Thus, she and Max would remain at Mt. Silver.
As for Aiden—
He retained complete freedom of action.
Even Lance had no authority to command him.
...
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