Pokemon: This Ash Is Too Versatile

"Another battle?" Ash was taken aback. "The outcome last time was pretty clear..."

"I know." Rei interrupted Ash, "Your Pikachu is indeed strong, I admit it. Even if my Pikachu and I train for several more months, we might still not be a match for yours."

Pikachu, perched on Ash’s shoulder, lifted its head and lightly waved a paw at Rei.

"Pika!"

Rei’s gaze fell on another Pokeball at Ash’s waist.

"But Pikachu is Pikachu... Now, I want to battle with your other Pokemon, the one that defeated the King of the Obsidian Fieldlands, the Typhlosion!"

"I want to know how much progress Pikachu and I have made compared to you over this past month."

Rei took out a gray-white plate from his waist. The surface of the plate was very smooth, flowing with a vast, pure energy inside.

Ash and Cynthia’s expressions changed at the sight of the plate. Another plate?!!

"I discovered this while investigating outside." Rei held the plate in front of Ash to show him. "Professor Laventon told me you’ve been searching for plates like this."

"I don’t know what it does, but since you need it, I’ll use it as a reward for this battle."

"If you win, I’ll give this to you."

Ash reached out to take the gray-white plate. As soon as the plate fell into his hand, the Arceus Phone reacted warmly through his clothes.

Ash simultaneously released his Aura, sensing the power contained within the plate.

This energy didn’t belong to fire or water, nor did it possess the distinct attributes of other plates.

It was pure and stable, as if it could adapt to any Pokemon’s initial state.

This was the Blank Plate, one of Arceus’s eighteen attribute plates!

Originally, they only had clues about the King and Mount Pokemon possibly guarding plates.

The remaining plates’ locations were still unclear to the two.

Ash hadn’t expected that after just acquiring the Insect Plate, the third plate would be brought to them by Rei.

"We do need this kind of plate," Ash said while handing the plate back to Rei.

"But is it really okay to give us such a precious item just for a battle?"

"It’s okay, to me, it’s just a piece of unusable stone." Rei put the plate back securely. "It’s only important to you."

"All I want is a battle to verify my strength, so it’s mutually beneficial."

Cynthia walked to Ash’s side and gently patted his shoulder.

"Since Rei has decided, go ahead and accept it."

Ash glanced at Cynthia, then at Rei with his strong battling spirit.

"Alright! Let’s battle again then!"

The two took their positions at the entrance of Jubilife Village.

The news of them preparing for a battle soon attracted nearby villagers.

A month ago, some had witnessed the outcome of Ash’s and Rei’s battle.

Now, hearing they were going to face off again, the number of spectators quickly increased.

"Didn’t they already fight last time?"

"Last time, both Ash and Rei used Pikachu, and Ash took out Rei’s in one move!"

"This time is different."

"I heard Ash plans to use that newly evolved Typhlosion."

"Is it the one that defeated Captain Irida’s Espeon yesterday?"

"Word says - it was said that the Typhlosion along with Cynthia’s Samurott defeated the King of the Obsidian Fieldlands."

"How could a King be defeated by two ordinary Pokemon?"

"So Rei wants to try personally with a battle..."

While discussing, villagers voluntarily kept a distance from the battlefield.

With Ash’s help over the month, many villagers started to accept Pokemon.

Some even began using their captured Pokemon to aid in farming and moving items.

But battling with Pokemon remained a dangerous task for most.

Fortunately, many had seen or heard about Ash’s and Rei’s previous battle, knowing that Pokemon would obey Trainers’ orders and not randomly attack people around.

The fear in the villagers’ hearts had decreased considerably compared to before.

Rei held the Pokeball, showing a serious expression: "Since losing to you last time, Pikachu and I have been training constantly. Let me show you how much we’ve progressed!"

"Come on, Pikachu!"

White light fell in front of Rei.

Rei’s Pikachu jumped out from the Pokeball, and sparks immediately lit up near its cheeks.

Compared to the last battle, its aura had noticeably strengthened. Ash took one look and realized Rei and Pikachu had put in a lot of effort over the past month.

But... still an attempt to stop a chariot with a mantis!

"You’ve gotten much stronger; however, we’re not standing still either."

Ash removed a Pokeball, glanced down at the Pikachu beside him.

"This time, let’s send out Typhlosion."

"Pika Pi."

Pikachu nodded and jumped back onto Ash’s shoulder.

It bore no ill will towards Rei’s Pikachu, but the strength gap was too large. If it tackled this battle, it wouldn’t serve as a real test of improvement.

"It’s decided, Typhlosion!"

Ash threw the Pokeball, white light spread, and Typhlosion appeared in the center of the path.

After a night’s rest and treatment with healing potions, its injuries from yesterday’s battle had mostly recovered.

Seeing Pikachu across from it, Typhlosion’s purple-red flames suddenly ignited.

Feeling the gap in the aura between the two sides, Rei’s expression grew even more serious.