"Hold on, let's not rush the battle just yet. I promised Serena that we'd all explore the Pokémon fashion boutique together first. Let's enjoy that before we fight."
Ash nodded calmly. Deep down, though, he was already intrigued. Sawyer… in the original story, Ash had admired him quite a bit. Sawyer's Pokémon always grew at a frightening pace—especially that Sceptile of his, which had reached the point of Mega Evolution by the time of the Kalos League.
Not only that—this kid was someone even Steven Stone himself had praised.
In fact, Steven had contacted Ash not long ago, mentioning Mega Stones and Keystone resonance. He had even brought up Sawyer's name.
"Sawyer," Bonnie piped up, raising her hand energetically, "when you battle my brother's friend Ash later, you'd better be careful! Ash already beat my big brother, and now he has five Gym Badges! If he wins here at the Laverre Gym, he'll have six! That means he's only two Badges away from qualifying for the Kalos League!"
Sawyer's eyes lit up. "Really? That's incredible, Ash! I absolutely have to battle you. From our match, I'll learn new strategies that can help me improve!"
Sawyer was never without his trusty notebook. Anytime he encountered something he felt could help him grow, he immediately jotted it down. It was this very habit that had allowed him to improve at such astonishing speed in the original story.
A smart, disciplined routine—and one Ash couldn't help but respect.
Hearing Ash's words earlier, Serena's heart warmed sweetly. For the next two hours, she and Bonnie explored the boutique, admiring the dazzling costumes. Finally, mindful not to overdo it, Serena took Bonnie's hand and rejoined the boys.
"Alright," she said with a smile. "Now let's watch Ash and Sawyer battle!"
Clemont stepped forward to serve as referee. The stage was set for a two-on-two Pokémon battle between Ash and Sawyer!
"Very well, Ash. Please battle me seriously," Sawyer said earnestly. "My first partner is you, Bagon!"
He tossed out a Poké Ball, releasing the Dragon-type.
"Bagon, huh?" Serena relaxed a little at the sight. "That's the unevolved form of the Salamence Ash once caught."
Ash smiled faintly. "In that case… Servine, I choose you!"
The elegant Grass-type slithered onto the field with a proud flick of her tail.
"Servine!"
"Bagon, charge in with Headbutt!"
"Dodge it, then use Growth!"
Servine swiftly evaded the headlong rush. A glow of vibrant green light surged around her body as she boosted her Attack and Special Attack.
"Bagon, don't stop! Use Dragon Breath!"
The little dragon inhaled deeply, Dragon-type energy swirling in its jaws.
"Counter it—use Vine Whip to trip its legs!"
Servine lashed out with her vines, catching Bagon's right leg and yanking hard, sending it stumbling.
"What a clever tactic… I have to write this down!" Sawyer muttered, quickly reaching for his notebook.
But Ash's eyes narrowed. In battle, every second counted.
"Servine—Leaf Storm, let's go!"
"Servine!"
Servine leapt high, spinning gracefully. Guided by Sceptile's teachings over the past weeks, her mastery of Grass-type techniques had skyrocketed. As she spun, a storm of razor-sharp leaves whirled around her like a cyclone of blades, engulfing Bagon completely.
Bagon roared in pain before collapsing to the ground, defeated.
Sawyer's hand froze mid-note. His forehead beaded with sweat.
"So fast…!"
Clemont opened his mouth to comment, but Ash subtly raised his hand to stop him. He didn't want to shake Sawyer's focus with unnecessary words.
"Come on," Ash said calmly. "Send out your second."
The system's familiar chime echoed in Ash's mind: Servine had gained experience and leveled up. Ash recalled her, then fixed his gaze on Sawyer.
"You're strong, Ash," Sawyer admitted. "No wonder you've already beaten Clemont and earned five Gym Badges. Compared to you, I still have so far to go. But now it's time for my first partner—Treecko, let's battle!"
Sawyer threw his second Poké Ball, releasing his first-ever Pokémon from the Hoenn region.
"Treecko, we're up against a powerful opponent. Don't hold back!"
"Treeeecko!"
Ash's eyes softened with nostalgia. "Treecko, huh… brings back memories. Back when I journeyed through Hoenn, one of my very first captures was a Treecko. It grew strong by my side, and today, it's become a powerful Sceptile."
He clenched his fist. "Sawyer, I'll show you what a Treecko's true potential can be! Frogadier, I choose you!"
"Frogadier!"
Sawyer's eyebrows rose. "A Water-type? Ash-senpai, you're at a disadvantage here. Still… I won't let my guard down. Treecko, let's go!"
"Then attack first," Ash said evenly.
Sawyer nodded. "Treecko, use Bullet Seed!"
"Treeeecko!"
Treecko spat a rapid barrage of glowing seeds straight at Frogadier.
"Frogadier, rush in—Double Team!"
"Froa!"
Frogadier blurred, splitting into over a dozen afterimages. He hadn't even unleashed his full speed—this was only a fraction of his potential.
The barrage destroyed a handful of copies, but several illusions closed the distance, swarming Treecko from all sides.
"Treecko, use Pound to defend yourself!" Sawyer cried.
"Too late—Cut!"
"Froa!"
With a swift slash, Frogadier and his illusions struck as one. Gleaming arcs of energy sliced through Treecko's defenses.
Treecko staggered, hit hard, and collapsed.
"Treecko!" Sawyer gasped. The sheer power of that strike left him wide-eyed. "That Frogadier… it's incredible! Just one Cut was enough to drop Treecko?"
But as Treecko lay there, he clenched his fists and forced his eyes open. His spirit blazed with defiance.
He refused to accept defeat.
And in that moment of raw determination, energy surged within him—transforming into a brilliant light.
"Treeeeeee…!"
With a triumphant cry, Treecko evolved on the battlefield!
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T/N:
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