Ash Ketchum awoke a little later than usual, sunlight slipping in through the slightly parted curtains of his bedroom. Beside him, Pikachu lay curled up, his tail flicking gently with each sleepy breath. Ash stretched, a yawn escaping his lips as memories of the previous day began replaying in his mind like a highlight reel, he hadn't quite sorted yet.

Yesterday had been something else. He had stood on the battlefield at Indigo Plateau, facing none other than Lance, the legendary Dragon Master, and a Champion he had admired since he was a boy running around Pallet Town with big dreams and scuffed shoes. The clash of Charizard and Dragonite still echoed in his mind — the roars, the energy, the cheers of thousands who believed in him. And when the battle had ended with Dragonite down, and the referee's voice booming " Ash Ketchum wins! ", the sheer thrill had almost knocked him over.