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"Alright, that's enough catching up for now," Kai said with a grin. "You three look exhausted. Go get yourselves signed in before registration closes, then head back and freshen up."
Ash's eyes widened he had nearly forgotten today was the last day to register.
"Pikachu, let's go!" he shouted, dashing into the Pokémon Center with Pikachu at his heels.
Kai, Erika, Misty, and Brock stayed outside, chatting while they waited. Before long, Ash returned, beaming and holding up his paperwork.
"All set!" he said proudly, giving them a thumbs-up.
"Good," Kai nodded. "Then let's head to the Athlete's Village. Tradition says I owe you all a good meal."
"Awesome!" Ash and Misty cheered in unison.
But before they could leave, a familiar voice called out.
"Ash! Kai! What are the odds? Long time no see!"
They turned to find none other than Gary Oak.
Kai remembered crossing paths with him shortly after arriving in Johto, when Gary mentioned he'd be competing in the Silver Conference. He hadn't seen him since but Gary looked… different. More composed.
The flashy car was gone, as was the cheer squad. Instead, he carried only a modest pack over his shoulder, walking with quiet confidence.
Ash's face lit up with excitement at the sight of his lifelong rival. "Gary! You're entering too?!"
Gary sighed, shaking his head with amusement. "Ash, you really don't listen. After the Indigo League, at my grandpa's place, I told you I'd be competing here. Did you seriously forget?"
"Eh—?" Ash rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "You did? Uh… my bad."
"Typical…" Gary muttered, rolling his eyes.
Then his gaze shifted to Kai. His expression hardened.
"This time, I'm here for payback. I won't forget how you knocked me out at the Indigo League. I'm going to beat you."
Kai smirked. "I'll take that challenge whenever you earn it. Just don't get eliminated before you reach me."
"Don't worry," Gary replied with quiet conviction. "I've put everything into this tournament. The championship will be mine."
Ash stepped forward defiantly. "No way! The champion's gonna be me. I'll face both of you and I'll win!"
Gary chuckled. "Funny. I was about to say the same thing."
The tension was an electric rivalry rekindled before the first battle had even begun.
After Gary left, Kai looked around. Silver Town had grown far livelier since he and Erika had first arrived.
Not only were competitors pouring in from across Johto and beyond, but spectators were flooding the streets as well. The crowds were so thick in places that traffic ground to a halt.
Kai even recognized a few trainers he'd seen before in various Pokémon Centers and some from the Whirl Cup.
Together, Kai, Erika, and the others walked down the bustling food and shopping street leading toward the Athlete's Village.
Ash and Misty's eyes sparkled as they darted from stall to stall. From grilled snacks to Pokémon-themed plushies and masks, everything grabbed their attention. They wanted to see it all at once, like kids in a carnival.
Brock, on the other hand, ignored the merchandise entirely his focus was on the pretty young women browsing the stalls.
Halfway down the street, the group came across a crowd of children swarming around a short, elderly man.
Kai's eyes narrowed, then widened in recognition. "That's… President Goodshow, head of the Pokémon League."
The league president held a bundle of balloons, handing them out one by one to laughing children. Surrounded by the kids, his small frame was almost hidden from sight.
When the group approached, Ash called out excitedly, "President!"
The man looked up, his face lighting up as he recognized them. "Ah, it's you!"
Ash blinked. "You… remember us?"
"Of course I do." Goodshow, pointed at Ash, then at Kai. "Ash Ketchum—Top 16 of the Indigo League. Known for bold, unpredictable battles and type-defying strategies. And you Kai, the Indigo League Champion himself!"
Goodshow chuckled warmly, clearly amused by his own memory.
It was impressive, really. Remembering Kai made sense after all, he had taken the championship. But to recall Ash's record and style in such detail after all this time showed just how sharp the man's memory was.
"President, what brings you here?" Kai asked.
"Why, what else?" Goodshow said with a laugh. "As the League president, it's my duty to encourage the next generation. Today, that means handing out gifts to our youngest fans." He lifted the balloons. "They may be simple, but look at their smiles. That joy is worth more than anything."
True enough, the children who had received balloons were now racing one another through the streets, faces glowing with happiness.
Goodshow stroked his beard. "The last time I saw you all was at Indigo. How time flies. Now here you are at the Silver Conference. I look forward to seeing you both give it your all. Show the crowd battles that will make their hearts race!"
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