The anime had many inexplicable events like "Riding Competitions" and "Decathlon Championships."
One of Gold's proudest achievements was being the Decathlon Champion of the Johto Region.
It might seem insignificant... but it showcased Gold's dominance in unofficial tournaments.
Given how Ash never won a league championship but kept winning amateur competitions... he and Gold had some similarities.
After the opening ceremony of the "Water Speed Race," contestants sent out their Pokémon to prepare on the course.
Natsume overheard two trainers nearby:
"Interference is allowed... so it's basically an Aquatic Battle?"
"Pretty much. But you can also use Agility to sneak ahead while others are fighting."
"Relax, I'm confident—holy crap, it's Natsume-sensei!"
Natsume coughed awkwardly. "Don't mind me, keep talking."
The two trainers exchanged glances, expressions twisting.
As expected of Natsume-sensei, the so-called "Baby Cup Slayer"!
In a fan tournament like this—basically a Baby Cup—Natsume-sensei was bound to show up!
Through telepathic fan communication:
"I surrender, you do whatever."
"I initiated the forfeit."
On the branching water courses, Water-type Pokémon like Golduck, Basculin, and Seaking surfaced, ready for action.
Natsume wondered if this would upset the Lake Guardians.
But the three guardians were pure-hearted, childlike beings.
Events like fishing competitions seemed more like festive activities for them.
The referee raised a flag, whistle in mouth. "Contestants, send out your Pokémon!"
Natsume glanced around, noticing the other contestants staring at him.
The shirtless man known as "Crasher Wake," assigned to the same heat, grinned warmly.
"Nobody'll laugh if you're slow! Just enjoy the race!"
Then, Wake hurled a Dive Ball skyward, bellowing:
"Go! Gyarados!!"
The Dive Ball burst open midair, a white light shooting out and materializing into a colossal figure.
Everyone craned their necks, jaws dropping at the terrifying sight reflected in their widened eyes.
"That thing's in a speed race?!"
"He's not even trying to race—he's here to wipe out the competition!"
"HAHA! This old man warned ya!"
Wake crossed his muscular arms, laughing heartily. "Interference's allowed! Team up if you want!"
"GYARADOS—!!"
Gyarados reared its head, its deafening roar shaking the air.
With its Intimidate ability, the ferocious Pokémon instantly sapped the will to compete from most opponents!
Ash and Buizel stepped forward instead of retreating, shouting:
"Perfect! I wanted to challenge Wake-san in an Aquatic Battle anyway!"
"I choose you, Buizel!"
Buizel had yellow fur, a floatation sac around its neck, and a split tail that worked like a propeller.
Natsume's eye twitched. "Isn't that just a water monkey?!"
"Oh?" Wake smirked at Ash's fighting spirit. "This old man won't hold back!"
Suddenly, gasps erupted around them. Wake looked around.
The other contestants wore expressions of fear, confusion, disbelief...
A fierce gust swept past, rippling the water's surface.
Water-type Pokémon trembled, some even diving underwater.
"Gyarados..." Gyarados' growl died in its throat as it stared downward in terror.
"Blastoise ヾ(■_■)"
Blastoise adjusted its sunglasses, wading steadily into the water.
Then, Blastoise got on all fours, ready for the race.
It was quiet, and the people around wanted to laugh, but couldn't.
Wake blinked. "A… turtle? In a speed race?"
"Try it and see."
Natsume grinned, flashing white teeth.
BANG!
The referee's starting gun fired, and the Pokémon surged forward!
"Golduck in Lane 3 takes an early lead!"
"Whoa! Sharpedo in Lane 2 just Crunched Golduck—Golduck's down!!"
In F1 races, cars veering off the track in brutal wrecks were common.
But this water speed event had turned into a no-holds-barred brawl—chaos everywhere!
"Basculin, Agility! Let's lead!"
"Not happening! Sharpedo, lock onto it!"
Some contestants focused on sabotaging rivals. Others poured everything into speed.
Watching the frenzy, Wake grinned and roared, "Gyarados, Dragon Dance!!"
"Gyarados—!!"
The menacing Gyarados shook off fear, rearing high.
Its wild, spinning motion churned the water into a whirlpool, dragging nearby Pokémon under!
"Blastoise… ヾ(■_■)"
Wary of potential underwater mines, Blastoise remained motionless at the starting line.
With Dragon Dance's speed boost, Gyarados dove, then breached the surface, charging toward the finish with terrifying momentum!
Fear flashed in the other contestants' eyes.
"No one can stop that thing!"
"Water speed? Nah—this is Aquatic Battle, Wake's specialty!"
Amid the chaos, a Buizel leaped from the water, bounding forward until it matched Gyarados' speed!
"Buizel?" Wake turned, grinning. "Not bad, kid!"
"I'm Ash, here to earn the Fen Badge and compete in the Lily of the Valley Conference! Remember that!"
Ash clenched his fists. "Buizel, Aqua Jet!"
In a flash, Buizel shot forward, cloaked in a torrent of water, skimming the surface like a bullet!
"Alright, old man's getting serious now!" Wake laughed. "Gyarados, Aqua Tail!!"
"Gyarados—!!"
Gyarados launched into the air, its massive body blotting out the sky—
BOOM!!
Its tail slammed down, sending up a colossal geyser. The resulting whirlpool swallowed Buizel despite its struggles!
"Tch…!" Ash gritted his teeth.
As Gyarados neared the finish, Wake crossed his arms. "The champ's mine!"
"Gyarados—!!" Gyarados bellowed triumphantly—but its movement slowed from post-attack lag.
Blastoise's sunglasses reflected Gyarados' approaching form.
"Blastoise… ヾ(■_■)"
After confirming no mines were planted, a glint sparked in Blastoise's eyes.
Contestants frowned. "Why's it suddenly windy?"
"Does the wind feel… weird?"
An aura-driven gust swept the lake, kicking up razor-sharp water spikes.
Everyone turned toward Blastoise, still unmoved at the start.
Natsume raised his hand.
Snap.
"Reverse thrusters. Use—"
"HYDRO PUMP!!"
BOOOOOOM!!!
Water erupted beneath Blastoise, propelling it skyward in its shell. Cannons pivoted—
THOOM! Twin jets blasted the surface, rocketing the shell forward like a missile!
Blastoise. Just. Flew.
The crowd's jaws dropped.
"HOLY—!!"
"BLASTOISE IS FLYING?!"
"SINCE WHEN CAN HYDRO PUMP DO THAT?! Natsume-sensei's moves are ILLEGAL!!"
Wake gaped as the spinning shell arced gracefully—
CRASH!!
It hit the water, skipping like a stone straight toward Gyarados!
"PINBALL TECH?!"
"NATSUME-SENSEI, YOU CHEATER!!"
"I'm an idiot for thinking he'd go easy in the Baby Cup!"
"'Go easy'? MORE LIKE 'DROP A BOMB'!!"
Gyarados stiffened, dread flooding its eyes as Blastoise closed in.
"Stop it, Gyarados!" Wake yelled. "Aqua Tail!!"
If Blastoise passed now, the race was over. Their only hope was to overpower it mid-battle!
"Gyarados—!!"
Gyarados' tail glowed, swinging down with crushing force—
BOOM!!
The hit landed. The crowd held its breath.
"D-did it work?"
"Nothing survives that, right?"
Silence.
Gyarados stared. The shell wasn't cracked. It was… shinier?
"Blastoise?" It peeked out, puzzled. Why had Gyarados stopped?
Onshore, Natsume mused, "Guess we're settling this Aquatic Battle-style."
Wake blinked. "Huh?"
Natsume sighed.
Blastoise's thrusters were too wild for a passenger.
So Natsume… still couldn't fly.
Only a prize—a Water Stone (scratched out)… landscaping rock—could mend his broken heart!
"Blastoise, Ice Punch!!"
"Blastoise."
Ice spread beneath it. Blastoise's fist froze solid, swinging toward Gyarados!
"Bring it!!" Wake roared. "Gyarados, Outrage!!"
"Gyarados—!!"
The clash erupted in a shockwave, water pillars exploding around them!
When the mist cleared, all eyes locked on the finish line.
Gyarados sank, unconscious.
Blastoise paddled past the ribbon.
"AND THE WINNER IS… NATSUME-SENSEI AND BLASTOISE!!"
The crowd erupted.
Wake removed his mask, revealing a weathered face—disappointed, exhilarated, humbled.
He masked up again, laughing as he shook Natsume's hand. "Congrats, champ!"
Natsume understood. In the anime, Pastoria's wetlands had nearly vanished, endangering its Pokémon.
Wake fought to protect them—even if others exploited "environmentalism" for profit.
"The prize money… donate it to the Wetland Preservation Association," Natsume said. "But I'll keep the Water Stone. Blastoise earned it."
Wake's throat tightened. Pastoria was poor—even its Gym Leader fought in underground rings.
Suddenly, he shoved something into Natsume's palm.
[Fen Badge: Symbolizing the marshes embracing the city. (Protect nature—everyone's duty.)]
Natsume stared. His fifth Sinnoh badge.
Only Maylene, Byron, and Volkner remained…
Eh. His real focus was the research conference. This was fine… probably.
At the podium, Wake raised Natsume's arm. "YOUR CHAMPION—NATSUME!!"
Later, Natsume dangled the Water Stone before Blastoise.
"Now we don't have to change your fish tank water!"
"Blastoise…" It eyed the stone warily. After aura-confirming it wasn't a bomb, it nodded.
Ash sprinted over. "Natsume-sensei! Wake agreed to my Gym challenge!"
Natsume coughed. Ah. So that's how Ash's Sinnoh run went so smoothly.
Leaders knew when to adjust difficulty.
"Good luck," Natsume said.
...
After a day of competitions, Natsume had quite the haul.
Picked up plenty of 'free Items,' and even unlocked a new way to use Blastoise's Hydro Pump.
The Fen Badgewas an unexpected gain... but no big deal.
Since Natsume had to rush back to the main arena in the evening to serve as a judge for the Wallace Cup,
Dinner was just a quick bite before swinging by the hotel to check on the Sirfetch'd Egg hatching progress.
"Sirfetch'd~!" 'Mama Duck' nodded politely at Natsume.
Natsume chuckled. "Hang in there, I'll make you some Lansat Berry Pokéblocks!"
Hearing this, the gray Pokémon egg wobbled slightly, leaving both Sirfetch'd and Natsume stunned.
Looks like… this little one's got quite the appetite, huh?
"Seems like all my Pokémon have that trait."
Natsume gazed up at the sky.
After all...I made the Pokéblocks, and even I couldn't help but try a few more!
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