Pokemon : Rewind

"Get up, Ash!" Misty's sharp voice rang out in the cozy bedroom of Ash's house in Pallet Town. 

The young champion, who had been looking forward to a short vacation, groggily sat up, rubbing his eyes in frustration. 

He glanced at Misty, standing by his bedside with an impatient look, her hands planted firmly on her hips.

"Misty, it's barely seven in the morning. Can't I sleep a little longer?" Ash muttered, casting a resentful glance at the alarm clock he had set for nine. 

He had deliberately planned to enjoy a couple of extra hours of sleep.

"What's this? Getting lazy after winning the championship?" Misty retorted, her tone both teasing and stern. 

At her feet, Pikachu and Togepi looked up at Ash, their expressions mirroring Misty's disapproval.

It was the third day since Ash's triumphant return to Pallet Town, and in that time, he had done no training whatsoever. Not even his usual morning exercises.

At first, Misty had been understanding—Ash deserved a break after such an exhausting tournament. 

But by now, her patience had worn thin. The person she liked couldn't just laze around endlessly, championship or not.

"Alright, alright… I'm getting up," Ash sighed, running a hand through his messy hair.

"Good! Aunt Delia's already made breakfast, so get changed and come downstairs immediately!" 

Misty instructed before turning on her heel and leaving the room, Pikachu and Togepi trailing behind her.

Left alone, Ash shuffled to the window. Misty had already opened the curtains, letting the morning sun flood the room. 

The golden light illuminated his championship medal and trophy, proudly displayed on a nearby table.

In truth, Ash wasn't just staying home to relax. He was also hiding.

Since winning the Indigo Plateau Conference, media outlets had been clamoring for interviews. 

After enduring two or three official interviews, Ash had grown weary of the attention and decided to lay low.

It wasn't just the press. Trainers from all over had flocked to Pallet Town, some seeking to challenge him, others hoping to learn the secrets of his unique techniques like Aerial Ace or the mysterious Three-Stage Thrust.

Ash had revealed these moves during post-match interviews, sparking a frenzy. While most people didn't grasp the full significance of these techniques, top-level trainers recognized their potential to revolutionise battle strategies.

To avoid the chaos, Ash confined himself to his home and Professor Oak's lab, the only places where he could find some peace.

After getting dressed, Ash made his way downstairs. In the living room, Delia was busy setting the table. 

She had recently quit her job at the ranch due to the constant media presence disrupting her work.

"I wonder how much longer this madness will last," Ash muttered, biting into a slice of toast. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, he could see reporters and trainers lingering outside the yard.

"Maybe we should leave for a while," Misty suggested, her tone sympathetic. "Staying here isn't just hard on you—it's causing trouble for everyone in Pallet Town."

"Leave? And, go where?" Ash asked, raising an eyebrow. With his current level of fame, he doubted he could find anonymity anywhere—even in the Johto region.

"Let's go see Professor Oak first and ask him and Brock for their advice," Misty proposed after a moment of thought.

Delia smiled at the two of them, though her expression faltered briefly at the mention of travelling again. Ash and Misty, engrossed in their conversation, didn't notice.

After breakfast, Ash and Misty headed to Professor Oak's lab on the back of Pidgeot. Delia watched them leave with a wistful look before returning to her chores.

As expected, the reporters and trainers outside immediately tried to follow them but were forced to stop at the lab's entrance. 

Without an invitation, they couldn't step onto Professor Oak's property.

Inside the lab, Ash and Misty found Brock and Professor Oak. After explaining their predicament, they were surprised by the professor's reaction.

"You couldn't have come at a better time," Professor Oak exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "I was debating whether to ask Gary for help, but now that you're here, this is perfect. You're looking to get out of Kanto anyway, right?"

"What's going on?" Misty asked, puzzled.

Brock, however, seemed to have an idea. "It's about the GS Ball, isn't it?" he guessed, stroking his chin.

Professor Oak nodded, launching into an explanation.

A colleague of his, Professor Ivy from the Orange Islands, had recently discovered an unusual Poké Ball made of gold and silver. 

Dubbed the GS Ball due to the ancient "G" and "S" engraved on its surface, the artifact had baffled Ivy and her team.

Attempts to transfer the ball via teleportation had failed, leaving no choice but to deliver it physically. 

Oak had initially planned to send Gary, but now he wanted Ash and Misty to take on the task instead.

"The Orange Islands?" Misty repeated, her eyes lighting up. Known for their stunning scenery and unique culture, the islands were a popular tourist destination.

Brock's reaction was less reserved. "Eternal summer, beaches, and swimsuit-clad ladies? Count me in!" he declared, his enthusiasm earning an exasperated look from Misty.

"And the Orange Islands have their own tournament," Oak added with a smile. "It's smaller than the Indigo Plateau Conference, but it's still a great opportunity for Ash to gain more experience."

Ash thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright, let's do it."

Deep down, he couldn't ignore the feeling that something significant was waiting for him in the Orange Islands. 

The legends of the Three Legendary Birds—Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres—and Lugia, the guardian of the seas, lingered in his mind.

It seemed his journey as a champion was far from over.

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