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Author's Note:Thank you so much for reading! If you survived this one and still trust me as an author, you might want to check out my new fic, [Pokémon: Ascension Trainer System]
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"Clembot, I'll leave the role of referee for this Gym Battle between Ash and me to you."
Clemont turned to his invention—the robotic assistant he had built himself.
"No problem, acknowledged," Clembot replied firmly.
Serena, meanwhile, had been pulled by Bonnie to the spectator's stand.
At the same time, their father—Meyer—appeared as well.
Of course, Meyer carried another identity that neither Clemont nor Bonnie knew: he was the masked protector of Lumiose City, the one known as the Blaziken Mask, who, together with his Blaziken, had long safeguarded the city in secret.
"Daddy came to see big brother battle Ash too!"
"That's right. Watching the two of them face off is quite a special occasion."
Meyer smiled warmly, gently ruffling Bonnie's hair.
"Now then! The Gym Battle between challenger Ash and Gym Leader Clemont will begin! Both sides may use three Pokémon. The match ends when all Pokémon on one side are unable to battle. Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon. Battle—start!"
"Ash, let's begin! Go, Bunnelby!"
"Perfect! I choose you, Fletchinder!"
Both Pokémon stood at similar levels. By all rights, Clemont's Bunnelby should have evolved long ago, but it remained strong nonetheless.
"Bunnelby, use Mud Shot!"
"Take the skies, Fletchinder! Use Agility and keep dodging!"
"Fletch!"
With a powerful flap of its wings, Fletchinder darted through the air, its speed multiplying as it executed Agility.
Mud Shot after Mud Shot flew upward—but none could catch the blazing bird.
"As expected of you, Ash. I thought you'd open with Fletchinder to counter Bunnelby. Seems all the strategies I prepared against you won't work. In that case, Bunnelby, use Bounce!"
"Fletchinder, meet it head-on with Wing Attack!"
"Bunnelby!"
"Fletch!"
The two Pokémon clashed midair and ground, strikes colliding with raw force.
"Fletchinder, Flame Charge!"
"Bunnelby, Dig—and then Bounce from underground!"
Fletchinder dove with its fiery aura, but Bunnelby slipped beneath the field. The ground erupted as Bunnelby launched itself upward, carrying a storm of stone and debris straight toward the airborne Fletchinder!
"Big brother's amazing! He thought of a way to fight back against Fletchinder in the air!"
Bonnie clapped her hands in excitement.
"Pika, pika!"
Pikachu sat comfortably on Serena's lap, eyes glued to the battle.
The rocks struck Fletchinder, and Clemont's lips curled with a confident smile.
"I've found my opening! Bunnelby, use the stones as footholds—get up there and strike with Double Slap! Drag Fletchinder down!"
It looked as though Clemont's first victory was assured.
"Exactly what I wanted… Fletchinder, Razor Wind!"
"Fletch!"
Ash had baited him all along! Fletchinder unleashed sweeping blades of wind, shattering the rocks Bunnelby was trying to use as stepping stones.
The rest of the blades sliced directly into Bunnelby!
"Now dive—Aerial Ace!"
"Fletch!"
Boom!
The impact rocked the arena. Bunnelby collapsed, knocked out in an instant.
"Bunnelby is unable to battle! Fletchinder wins!"
Clembot's arms moved decisively as it declared the result.
In Ash's mind, the system chimed—Fletchinder had gained experience and leveled up again.
"My second Pokémon is you—Heliolisk!"
"Great work, Fletchinder, return! Now it's your turn—Hawlucha!"
"Helio!"
"Cha!"
"Heliolisk, Quick Attack!"
"Hawlucha, meet it with Karate Chop!"
"Thunderbolt!"
"Dodge it! Then Bounce!"
The two battled fiercely in rapid exchanges.
Heliolisk zipped forward with Quick Attack, but Hawlucha slammed a Karate Chop into the ground, intercepting the strike.
Heliolisk immediately retaliated with Thunderbolt, bolts crackling furiously. Hawlucha, a Flying-type, couldn't risk being hit.
Leaping high, Hawlucha flipped through the air, then crashed down with a powerful Bounce that struck Heliolisk squarely!
Both Pokémon's stamina began to wane.
"Heliolisk, again—Quick Attack!"
A flash of inspiration lit Clemont's mind.
Heliolisk charged, but this time… it wasn't to land a blow.
"Hawlucha thought it was an attack—but now! Heliolisk, Flash!"
The blinding light burst forth at close range.
Hawlucha cried out, staggering—its eyes seared by the sudden brilliance.
"Now's our chance—Heliolisk, Parabolic Charge!"
A glowing orb of electricity arced into the sky, then descended, striking Hawlucha with shocking force.
At the same time, Heliolisk's own stamina was restored by half the damage dealt.
The tide of battle was shifting fast.
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T/N:
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