"Do you really understand the attributes of your Pokémon, and there are still flaws in your perks? Weak trainers can't command their own Pokémon, and even if they do, they often only drag their partners down in battle. ”

"The stronger the trainer, the more you can play to the limits of a Pokémon's abilities, you let the Pokémon fight according to your own ideas, but in the end the Pokémon gets hurt..."

"Yes, you do have great abilities, but I don't see anything else. Sluggish reactions, unfamiliarity with their own Pokémon, lack of combat experience, blunt strategy, self-centeredness..."

"Such you, the Lucario who lost you, the one who lost your own wave caused you, you are nothing."

“...”

The brilliant golden yellow badge reflects brilliant colors in the air under the light of the setting sun, but Ash, who is sitting on the park seat, is sullen.

"Are you still in the midst of failure? This isn't the Ash I know. ”

Xiao Gang had quietly sat down on the other side of the chair at some point.

The lemon tea in his hand shook slightly, and he smiled at the sky that seemed to be on fire, and took a big sip.

The cold tea slid down his throat, and the jerky but refreshing feeling made him let out a long sigh.

"Don't worry too much. While some things are true, don't forget, you're just a trainer just out on a trip. It's more important to believe in yourself. ”

A hint of self-deprecation flashed across his resolute face.

"You're a lot more genius than I am, I'm fifteen years old, aren't I just an ordinary breeder? It took me fifteen years to become a gym trainer, and it only took you a few months to fight with one of the Heavenly Kings..."

"Although you can't be too confident and conceited, you can't be too modest to see yourself clearly, didn't you just correct this problem for Pikachu."

With that, he raised his head and took another big sip, and a can of iced lemon tea bottomed out. The can was casually tossed to the trash can next to him, and he leaned lazily on the back of the chair with his head in his hands.

“... But I'm not strong enough. ”

Ash sighed silently.

"Not strong enough... For the Four Heavenly Kings, who can already be regarded as a defender, you are indeed not strong enough now. ”

Ash sighed softly, as if he didn't want to answer the question, he just buried his head deep between his hands, looking annoyed.

"Is it something that's been going on recently? Suddenly care so much about strength? ”

“...”

"Nope."

Ash buried his head deeper.

"I don't care about strength, it's just... I feel like I'm a little sorry for Sika. ”

"Even though I'm a trainer, I don't have enough levels to help it... I usually talk about working together, but I..."

"Don't overthink it. Didn't Sika forgive you? Don't be in such a hurry, let's be honest, if you already have the level to command Sika... Ahem, you shouldn't be traveling, are you? ”

Xiao Gang thought about the dark battle, and sighed softly:

"To be honest, Sika's growth is also linked to you, isn't it?"

"Although I don't know how and why that energy between you grows, it cannot be denied that without you, it would not have grown to this point in such a short time."

He shook his head slightly.

"Although I haven't raised many Pokémon, at least I can still feel that you and Sika's growth should be unrepeatable and unique. I've never seen any Pokémon grow like this, and your existence should be unique and extremely important. ”

"So don't overthink it. Be confident. ”

"And..."

"Although you are not a strong man, all you need is to learn a little more basics, fight more and accumulate experience."

"Didn't Sika just say that? It's waiting for you to grow. ”

"It's willing to wait for you, why are you in such a hurry?"

The clouds that had scorched the sky gradually dimmed, as if a flickering bonfire had run out of firewood and was about to be extinguished. As night fell, a crescent moon crept into its heads.

The sky was tinged with a faint whiteness.

But if you don't look closely, you can't see anything, it's like a person's growth, although the accumulation of bits and pieces can't be seen, but if it accumulates, it's a big stride.

Ash is now at a time when it needs to be accumulated.

Xiao Gang exhaled softly, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the tranquility of not many people in this park and the blowing of the evening breeze.

After traveling for a long time, it is better to stop and rest for a while.

"Pickup!"

At this time, Pikachu came out of nowhere, jumped on the chair in two or three steps, and threw himself into Ash's arms.

"Pikachu."

Ash raised his head, opened his arms, and gently reached out to hug Pikachu.

"Pickup~"

As if he suddenly missed Ash, Pikachu gently rubbed his head in Ash's arms.

"Pikachu is here to encourage you, too."

Xiaoxia's voice came from not far away, and she stood in a white light with her bag on her back. I don't know when the street lights have been turned on.

"Seeing you so unmotivated before, Pikachu wanted to follow you a long time ago. However, Xiao Gang said that it was best to let yourself be quiet, so I took Pikachu to stay at the Pokémon Center for a while. ”

She tilted her head slightly and shrugged her shoulders.

"But I'm still a little worried about you anyway."

Ash gently scratched Pikachu's chin and hugged it tightly.

"I don't know exactly what's going on, but isn't it normal to be frustrated when you want to become a trainer?"

"Hmm... I know, but sometimes..."

"It's just unwilling, isn't it?"

The corners of Xiao Gang's mouth curled up and sighed:

But isn't that what life is all about? What can you do if you are unwilling, life is still going on, it is better to adjust your mentality. ”

"Got it, got it. I'll cheer up... Why are you talking like I'm going to die? It's okay..."

Ash was arguing with Pikachu, cheering himself up and sitting up. His face was full of exhaustion. Xiao Gang and Xiao Xia still wanted to say something, but they didn't say anything when they saw him like this.

Time and experience will smooth everything, and no matter how much you say now, Ash probably won't be able to listen to it now.

"I understand the reasoning, but I always feel..."

He spoke.

"Pikachu..."