Pokemon : Rewind

The sudden appearance of Lorelei on the bustling street caused an immediate uproar. People surged toward her, creating chaos as they pushed and jostled to get closer. 

The commotion led to people being knocked over, minor injuries, and even damage to public property and storefronts.

Lorelei frowned as she found herself surrounded. She hadn't expected such a wild reaction and had underestimated her own popularity. With the crowd pressing in from all sides, she had no clear path to escape.

"Slowbro, I need your help! Use Confusion to calm everyone down!" Lorelei called, tossing a Poké Ball into the air.

From the Poké Ball emerged a pink, upright Pokémon with a calm, dopey expression. Its tail was clamped in the jaws of a spiral-shaped shell adorned with spikes and dark patterns. 

Under Lorelei's command, Slowbro's eyes began to glow with a pinkish-purple light. The Confusion attack spread in invisible waves, blanketing the area within a 200-meter radius. Everyone caught in the move froze in place, unable to move.

Those outside the attack's range stopped in their tracks, watching in awe as the chaotic scene abruptly came to a standstill.

"Slowbro, amplify my voice with Psychic," Lorelei instructed. While her demeanor was usually calm and kind, she had her limits. Being mobbed during her vacation was not something she tolerated.

---

"Everyone…" Lorelei's voice, magnified by Slowbro's psychic energy, echoed across the beach and streets. 

It was as if she spoke through a loudspeaker, reaching nearly every person within earshot.

"I came to the Orange Islands to enjoy my vacation. Hosting lectures here is something I've agreed to do as a courtesy, but I do not wish to be harassed during my personal time. Please, respect my privacy."

The clear and firm tone of her voice seemed to sink into the minds of the onlookers. Gradually, the crowd began to calm down, many realizing how intrusive they had been. 

After all, no one would enjoy being constantly mobbed during their downtime, much like having loud music blaring next to them while trying to sleep.

Seeing the situation under control, Lorelei signaled Slowbro to release the crowd from Confusion. 

People regained their movement but remained subdued, with a newfound respect for the Elite Four member.

---

"Her strength is incredible…" Ash murmured, awe-struck as he analyzed Slowbro. The information about the Pokémon appeared in his mind, courtesy of the Pokédex.

Slowbro

Type: Water, Psychic

Category: Hermit Crab Pokémon

Abilities: Oblivious or Own Tempo

Hidden Ability: Regenerator

Ability Effects: Oblivious Pokémon cannot be infatuated or taunted, and they are immune to Intimidate.

Strength: Elite Level

—---

Ash's eyes widened. Slowbro's strength, especially its ability to control over 600 people simultaneously, was far beyond what he had anticipated.

"An Elite-level Pokémon... Is this the standard strength of the Elite Four?" Ash muttered to himself. He began comparing Slowbro's power to his own team. 

While Pikachu and Charizard could easily defeat Gym-level opponents, taking on an Elite-level Pokémon seemed like a daunting task.

"The gap between us is still massive…" he admitted with a shake of his head. Despite this realization, Ash felt no discouragement. 

He had only been on his journey for a year, while Lorelei had been in the spotlight for over a decade. 

She had debuted at fourteen and was now twenty-five, an accomplished and celebrated Trainer.

---

As the crowd settled down, Lorelei sighed, clearly uninterested in continuing her stroll through the city. She turned to leave with Slowbro by her side.

"Master Lorelei! Will there be a battle during tomorrow's lecture?" a Trainer shouted, his voice carrying over the subdued murmurs.

Lorelei paused and turned back, meeting the expectant gazes of the gathered Trainers. A gentle smile spread across her face.

"Yes," she replied. "After tomorrow's lecture, I will select ten audience members to participate in a teaching battle."

Without waiting for further questions, Lorelei signaled Slowbro to part the crowd with Psychic. 

She slipped away before the Trainers could react, leaving behind an electrified atmosphere.

---

"Wow!" Cheers erupted from the crowd, breaking the momentary silence. Whether they were Trainers or casual spectators, everyone was ecstatic at the prospect of witnessing Lorelei's battles or, for the lucky few, even participating in them.

"Ash, did you hear that? A battle match tomorrow!" Misty exclaimed, grabbing Ash in excitement and jumping up and down. 

The chance to see Lorelei in action—or, even better, battle her idol—was like a dream come true.

"This is unbelievable!" Tracey added, his voice trembling with anticipation. As a Pokémon watcher, the opportunity to observe an Elite Four battle up close was an extraordinary honor. 

While major events like the Elite Challenge or the Championship featured such battles, the Pokémon's overwhelming power often made it impossible for the average Trainer to follow the action. 

However, a teaching battle would allow even casual observers to learn and understand more about high-level strategies.

Ash's excitement was more subdued, but his resolve was firm. "I hope I'm one of the Trainers selected tomorrow," he said, clenching his fists in determination.

---

Word of Lorelei's announcement spread quickly, and news articles about the event flooded online platforms. More Trainers flocked to Mandarin Island, eager to attend the lecture and battles.

When Ash and his friends returned to the Pokémon Center that night, their excitement had yet to fade. 

Even as they lay in their bunks, they continued discussing their hopes and predictions for the following day.

Before falling asleep, Ash made a quiet decision. He still had an unused lottery reward from winning the Indigo Conference. If ever there was a time to test his luck, it was now.

"System, initiate the lottery," Ash whispered, closing his eyes. The virtual interface appeared in his mind, and with a deep breath, he watched as the wheel began to spin.

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