Pokemon : Rewind

"Lapras, are you ready?" Ash asked, standing on the edge of Tangelo Island Beach.

"Lapras—!" Lapras nodded energetically, her face serious and full of determination.

"Alright then, it's up to you." Ash patted Lapras gently on the head before climbing onto its back. He then helped Misty and Tracey up one by one.

"This is a great idea, but are you sure it's safe? I can't help but feel a little uneasy..." Tracey admitted, looking slightly nervous as he settled himself on the shell of Lapras's back.

"Don't worry so much! Trust Ash's judgement. This isn't the first time we've travelled this way!" Misty reassured him confidently. 

She had unwavering faith in Ash, even if their mode of travel seemed risky.

"It's not that I don't trust Ash," Tracey explained, "but Lapras is still so young. It's not fully grown, and travelling across the sea with three people on its back might be too much for it."

Although they were all teenagers and relatively lightweight, their combined weight exceeded 200 kilograms. 

For an adult Lapras, this would be no problem at all, but Tracey couldn't help worrying about this youthful Lapras. It hadn't even been with them for a month.

"Believe in Lapras!" Ash smiled and patted Lapras's head again. Lapras let out a cheerful cry in response, as if to assure them all.

This marked the start of a unique journey for Ash and his team in the Orange Islands. Rather than taking a boat to travel between islands, they decided to ride on Lapras, crossing the open seas on its back.

It was a thrilling and romantic way to explore the Orange Islands but also a risky endeavour. Normally, Ash wouldn't consider such a choice, but this was a deliberate training method he devised for Lapras.

Lapras was still at the beginner stage, and overly intense training could be harmful. 

However, carrying the group across the sea provided steady, manageable exercise that would help Lapras gradually grow stronger without overexertion.

And even in case of an emergency, Ash had Blastoise as a backup to ensure everyone's safety.

"Alright, let's go!" Ash said enthusiastically. He had always dreamed of this moment after watching it in the anime, and now he could finally experience it himself.

With Ash's command, Lapras let out a clear cry before gliding into the water like a natural swimmer. It moved swiftly in the direction Ash indicated, its speed in the water surprising Tracey.

"Wow, I underestimated this Lapras. It's much stronger than it seemed on land," Tracey remarked, pulling out his sketchpad to record and draw the moment.

—---

The Orange League is an open competition established by the Orange Islands to attract tourists. 

Unlike regional Pokémon Leagues that require official registration and qualification, the Orange League allows any trainer to participate.

Trainers only need to challenge and win against the four Gym Leaders of the Southern Cross. After collecting the four Badges, they can face the Chief Trainer of the Orange League.

The Chief Trainer's role is akin to a regional Champion, although their strength may not match the Elite Four of the larger Pokémon Leagues.

The four Gym Leaders are spread across the Orange Islands in a formation corresponding to the cardinal directions—southeast, southwest, northwest, and northeast—earning the nickname "Southern Cross."

While their strength is generally lower than traditional Gym Leaders, their minimum level is comparable to a Poké Ball-level Trainer, with the strongest among them reaching Great Ball-level skill.

Mikan Island, located to the west of the Orange Islands, was the group's next destination. The island was mostly covered in dense forest, with only small towns scattered along the coast. 

Although it wasn't particularly bustling, its unique terrain and the presence of the Western Star, Cissy, brought in a fair number of tourists.

—----

The distance between Tangelo Island and Mikan Island wasn't extreme—by boat, the trip would take about one to two hours. 

However, travelling by Lapras, who was still inexperienced, took considerably longer.

It was early afternoon, around 1 PM, by the time Ash and his friends arrived at Mikan Island. The journey had been smooth, with no unexpected interruptions.

"This is so much fun!" Misty exclaimed. While Lapras's back wasn't particularly spacious, the experience of crossing the open sea on Lapras was one-of-a-kind.

"We should head to the Pokémon Center first," Ash suggested. He returned Lapras to its Poké Ball, noting that they hadn't even eaten lunch yet. 

There was no rush to challenge the Gym since this trip was about both battling and exploring the Orange Islands.

Upon reaching the Pokémon Center, the group noted its modest size compared to the larger Centers back in Kanto. For instance, Pewter City's Pokémon Center was at least twenty times bigger.

Despite its smaller size, the lobby was bustling, with about twenty trainers hanging around. Ash figured that others were likely out training or resting in their rooms.

After checking in, Ash and Tracey shared a dorm room, while Misty stayed in a room by herself. Once they settled in and dropped off their belongings, the group met in the dining area for lunch.

—---

During their meal, they discussed their plans for the rest of the day. Initially, Ash and Misty had considered exploring the island, but Tracey, having been to the Orange Islands before, mentioned that Mikan Island didn't have many notable attractions.

"Just take a walk in the evening," Tracey suggested.

Recalling the small size of the town they saw from the sea, Ash and Misty agreed. They decided to challenge Cissy at the Mikan Gym that afternoon and use the remaining time to explore afterward.

With their plans set, the group prepared to take on their first Gym battle in the Orange League.

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