Pokemon: As Cynthia's Fiance Chapter 8: Ash Ketchum

Prior to departing, Sam had studied the history of this world.

He had verified sothing significant:

This world was a combined Pokémon tiline.

A universe where manga, ani, movies, and gas all converged, effortlessly combined into one gigantic, complex reality.

Naturally, in such a complicated world, certain characters already occupied the top.

The legendary Red and the reserved Green were well-known to the dominant powers in all regions.

But as for Ash Ketchum?

A rookie still.

An underdog still. A wild card.

His na hadn't yet rung out across leagues or been seriously considered by the majority of trainers outside his group.

But Sam knew the real deal about him, what he'd beco.

And now, that initial encounter with this world champion in the making had been.

"This is stupid."

Sam observed as Ash rested on the forest floor, face still smudged with dirt, talking nonsense about the sea.

His arms had been paddling so hard they were raw and red.

"Luca," Sam said, smiling softly.

"Wake him up."

"Luka~!"

Lucario moved forward.

With a surge of Aura energy, he easily dispelled the residual psychic impression left by the Stantler herd.

A glow washed over Ash and Turtwig.

Their eyelids fluttered.

In ti, the boy roused.

Ash blinked a few tis, shocked.

"Huh. Wasn't I? Swimming in the ocean?"

Sam arched a brow, then nodded towards the long, sloppy paths Ash had cut through the ground.

"You were certainly swimming," he dryly observed.

"Just not in a pool."

Ash sat up dazedly, massaging the back of his neck.

mories crept back, Stantlers closing in, that disorienting delusion, and his eyes went wide.

"Oh! That's it! I couldn't get away. And then. You rescued ?"

Before he could continue,

"Ash~!"

"Pika-pika!"

Two known voices yelled from afar.

Out from the trees erged Brock and Dawn, with Pikachu in the lead.

The yellow mouse darted ahead and flew into Ash's arms with a flash of happiness.

"Pikachu!" Ash grinned and hugged it tightly.

Brock walked up, panting a little.

"We've finally found you. Are you alright?"

Dawn's eyes widened in alarm.

"Ash, your hands, how co they're so red?"

Ash's cheeks grew slightly redder. He looked away, sowhat embarrassed.

"Er. I may have been a bit confused by a crowd of Stantlers. I thought I was swimming in the sea."

"On land?" Dawn blinked.

"I know how it sounds!" Ash protested, flapping his red arms.

"But it seed so real! I was trying to locate you two, but I couldn't escape. Then I got struck by another illusion. and."

He bowed to Sam.

"You set free. Thank you."

Sam smiled easily.

"Don't ntion it."

"This forest," he said, looking around, "is also called Lostlorn Forest. It has wild Stantlers with extrely strong illusions. They tend to mislead travelers with illusions and tricks."

Brock nodded.

"Makes sense. Stantler illusions aren't to be trifled with. I've heard of trainers walking for days in circles."

Dawn patted Ash's back sympathetically.

"At least you're fine. Next ti, maybe don't jump into an ocean of hallucinations."

"Yeah," Ash grumbled, rubbing his head sheepishly.

Sam took a glance at the trio, seeing their chemistry and dynamic.

Even at this point, Ash's group had sothing to offer.

A champion of the future, being supported by individuals who believed in him.

The way Cynthia had people who supported her… Ash, too, would erge.

Sam glanced down at Lucario, who looked up at him.

"Let's go," Sam said.

"We've got a long way ahead."

But before he could head off,

"Hey, wait!" Ash shouted.

"Are you a traveling trainer too?"

Sam hesitated.

"Sothing like that."

Dawn and Brock looked at Sam with interest.

Sam thought about it for a mont, then grinned.

"Sure."

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

Sam's smooth explanation explained the situation to Ash, Dawn, and Brock.

"I'm Ash, from Pallet Town!" Ash bead, then gestured to the individuals beside him.

"These are my travel companions, Brock and Dawn."

"And this little fellow is Pikachu!" he said proudly.

"Pikachu~!"

Pikachu perched neatly on Ash's shoulder, giving Sam a lively wave.

"Hi there."

Brock grinned, waving his hand neatly.

"Thanks again," Dawn sweetly said, her eyes glinting with thanks.

Sam's mouth curled into a small smile.

"I'm Samuel Lockwood from Celestic town, just call Sam," he said.

Then, nodding to the steel-blue Pokémon at his side, he continued,

"This is Luca, my Lucario. He's the one who chased away the Stantlers earlier."

"Luka~!"

Lucario issued a peaceful yet welcoming bark, sensing only good intentions from the three strangers.

"Lucario!"

Ash and Dawn both looked at the Pokémon, clearly impressed.

Even though none of them possessed Sam's Eye of Detection, it was clear from Lucario's fighting stance, honed muscles, and calm aura,

This was not an ordinary Lucario.

"Sam," Ash said, with shining eyes, "your Lucario is incredible!"

"Yeah!" Dawn exclaid excitedly.

"And he's so handso! If he participated in a Contest, he wouldn't have to lift a finger. He'd probably get through the visual round just by standing there!"

Both their eyes stayed on Lucario in respect.

But Brock?

Brock was not staring at Lucario.

His focus was firmly on Sam.

"Mmm…"

Brock grumbled, furrowing his brows.

"Samuel… Lockwood"

He extracted a creased notebook from his backpack, flipping quickly through the pages.

"I know I've heard that na sowhere…"

Dawn blinked. "Brock?"

Ash cocked his head.

"What's wrong?"

Brock's fingers abruptly froze.

Wide-eyed, he stabbed a finger down onto a page and shouted:

"I FOUND IT!"

Startled, the others jumped back.

"No wonder that na sounded familiar!"

Brock shouted.

"So you're the one!"

"The legendary Public Enemy of Sinnoh!"

His shout rang out through the forest clearing on a lodramatic gust of wind that had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"Huh?"

Ash and Dawn's faces snapped into shock.

"Public Enemy…?"

They gazed at Sam in shock.

That laid-back, spiky-haired dude with the smiley face?

That Sam?

Dawn turned to Ash and whispered, "He doesn't look like a villain…"

Ash whispered back, "Nope. Not at all…"

Sam blinked, looking a bit flabbergasted.

"Wait. What?"

He rubbed his head.

"When did I beco Sinnoh's enemy?"