"Froakie, show the results of your training these past days—Water Pulse!"
"Froa!"
At Ash's command, Froakie's body instantly blurred into a faint blue shadow, darting forward at lightning speed!
"What incredible speed! I've never seen a Froakie move this fast before! Ash, you're full of surprises. Onix, use Flash Cannon!"
Even the Gym Leader, Grant, couldn't help but be stunned by Froakie's sheer velocity. But as a seasoned Gym Leader, he quickly regained his composure.
Onix's mouth glowed with steel-like radiance as it launched a Flash Cannon. The metallic blast shattered Froakie's Water Pulse in an instant.
The beam didn't stop there—since the move's power and Onix's level far surpassed Froakie's, the Flash Cannon broke through and streaked straight toward the small frog!
But Froakie reacted instantly, springing off the ground with explosive power, narrowly evading the attack!
"Good reflexes… but that just means our speed still isn't enough. Onix, use Rock Polish again!"
Grant attempted to further boost his Onix's speed, but Ash had no intention of letting him succeed.
"Froakie, dash!"
"Froa!"
Shhh-shhh-shhh!
Froakie's movement exploded. Compared to the timeline of the original story, his speed was now several times greater. His faint blue afterimage was almost invisible to the naked eye.
In the blink of an eye, Froakie was already clinging onto Onix's massive body!
"Quick, shake it off!"
Grant's eyes widened—this was bad!
Onix abandoned the Rock Polish mid-move, violently whipping its massive head to fling Froakie off.
"Bubble Beam!"
"Froaaa!"
A stream of sparkling bubbles blasted point-blank into Onix's head. The rock serpent roared in pain, its body shuddering violently.
"Onix, Dig! Drag Froakie underground and toss it away!"
Grant's command came too late.
If he had chosen Dig the very moment Froakie closed in, he might have turned the tide. But now…
"Water Pulse!"
BOOM!
The water-type attack slammed into Onix just before it could burrow underground. Against the rock-and-ground Pokémon, it was a quadruple weakness! Onix collapsed instantly, knocked out before even finishing its move.
Ding! ["Congratulations, host. Froakie has defeated Onix. Battle EXP Share has been activated."]
Ash didn't use his 10X EXP Multiplier Card this time. Froakie's growth had been fast enough already. Ash understood well—the balance between progress and excess.
Still, it had been a while since he activated the Battle EXP Share. Now seemed like the perfect time.
"Onix is unable to battle! Froakie wins!"
The referee's voice rang out—Ash had claimed the first victory.
Grant recalled Onix, now far more cautious of Ash than before.
Even though Froakie's level clearly wasn't higher than Onix's, Ash had raised it with such care and precision that the difference in training quality was undeniable.
Ash smiled, returning Froakie to its Poké Ball. Grant also wasted no time, eager to see what else this boy had in store.
"Tyrunt, battle on!"
"Servine, I choose you!"
The two Pokémon faced off. Tyrunt, level 35. Servine, level 32.
Grant raised an eyebrow. "A Servine? From Unova, no less… fascinating choice."
"Servine, Growth!"
Ash's strategy was clear. Grass-types, when played cleverly, were all about survival and patience—stall early, build power, then strike hard later.
Growth boosted Servine's Attack and Special Attack, strengthening it for the clash ahead.
"Interesting. But let me show you the signature move of my Cyllage Gym! Tyrunt, Rock Tomb!"
"Raaaah!"
The ground cracked beneath Tyrunt's stomping claws. Massive stone pillars erupted around Servine, caging it in from every direction—front, back, left, right.
"Now, Zen Headbutt!"
Grant grinned. The strategy was ruthless but effective: trap the foe with Rock Tomb, then follow with a crushing Zen Headbutt. Not only would Servine take the direct hit, but the shattering rocks would add collateral damage.
It was the Cyllage Gym's famous combo technique.
But Ash's eyes glimmered with confidence.
"Servine, Leaf Tornado!"
"Ser-vi!"
Servine leapt high, spinning gracefully into the air as it unleashed a whirling storm of leaves, breaking free from the rocky prison.
Grant narrowed his eyes. "Jumping into the air? A mistake. You've just made your Pokémon an easier target!"
That was the second strength of his Rock Tomb strategy: even if the opponent broke free, most non-flying Pokémon would expose themselves midair—perfect prey.
"Tyrunt, leap and finish it with Zen Headbutt!"
Tyrunt roared, launching its powerful body upward, its head glowing with psychic force. Grant smirked. Against such raw power, Servine's Leaf Tornado wouldn't hold.
But then he noticed the faint smirk curling on Ash's lips.
He'd been baited.
"Servine, add-on skill!"
"What?!"
Grant's eyes widened.
Leaf Tornado and Leaf Storm shared the same core mechanics—one weaker, one devastatingly stronger. And now…
"Leaf Storm!"
The whirling leaves suddenly multiplied, their cutting edges gleaming with deadly force.
"No… too late!"
Tyrunt was caught mid-jump, crashing headfirst into a vortex of razor-sharp leaves. Zen Headbutt might shrug off Leaf Tornado—but Leaf Storm? Impossible!
The storm swallowed Tyrunt, tearing into its scales with overwhelming force.
Grant clenched his fists. If only he had chosen Head Smash right away! That raw, reckless power might have turned the tables. But now, against Ash's perfect timing and Servine's precision, the chance was gone.
"Tyrunt is unable to battle! Servine takes the win!"
Ash pointed forward, eyes gleaming.
"Servine, pursue and finish it—Leaf Blade!"
The serpentine Pokémon lunged, its tail glowing emerald, slicing downward like a razor's edge.
"One strike to end it!"
The battle shifted once again—Ash standing tall, his strategy sharper than ever.
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