The sign-in reward was a system upgrade: the expansion of Ash's system space, along with some bonus Poké Coins.
"The battle between Ash-senpai and Miss Valerie… I can't wait to see it. Valerie's Spritzee may not have evolved yet, but when my Treecko faced it earlier, it was completely one-sided," Sawyer admitted with a wry expression, the memory still stinging.
Clemont adjusted his glasses, the lenses flashing. "Valerie's Pokémon aren't overwhelmingly strong. What makes her dangerous is her deep understanding of how Pokémon think and her creative use of moves. Coincidentally, those are also Ash's strengths. Just watch—this will be an incredible match."
Inside the Laverre Gym, all the staff were women, and the referee was a young lady as well. The way they respectfully addressed Valerie as "Lady Valerie" made it clear just how revered she was in their eyes.
"The Gym Leader battle between Lady Valerie and challenger Ash will now begin! Each side may use two Pokémon. When one side's Pokémon are all unable to battle, the match ends. Only the challenger has the right to switch Pokémon!" the referee announced.
Valerie smiled, her eyes glimmering as she looked at Ash. "Ash, the fact that you've convinced a fellow Gym Leader like Clemont to travel alongside you tells me you must be a very reliable young man. I wonder just how strong you really are. I look forward to finding out."
She elegantly flicked her wrist and released her first Poké Ball.
"Come forth, Sylveon!"
"Miiyaa~ miiyaa!"
Sylveon leapt gracefully onto the field, immediately greeting Valerie.
To everyone's amazement, Valerie responded fluently in Sylveon's own language: "Miiyaa, miiyaa~"
She even nodded as she spoke, as if conversing naturally.
"It's happening—the famous dialogue between Lady Valerie and her Sylveon! So amazing!" one of the Gym staff squealed in admiration.
Indeed, the ability to both understand and speak Pokémon language was extraordinary.
"Ash, don't underestimate my Sylveon. Show me your choice."
Ash grinned. "That goes without saying. Let's go, Fletchinder!"
"Fletch!"
Fletchinder spread its wings and soared high into the battle arena.
"Fletchinder, use Quick Peck!"
Quick Peck—a fusion of Quick Attack and Peck. Ash had grown increasingly fond of combining moves, though he knew not every combination was viable. Some clashed and backfired, but when successful, they dramatically boosted his Pokémon's battle power.
Fletchinder's wings whipped the air as it accelerated, its beak sharpening into a deadly spear mid-flight.
Valerie blinked in surprise. Ash's creativity had caught even her off guard.
"Miiyaa!"
Sylveon cried out as Fletchinder's Quick Peck struck true.
"Impressive," Valerie admitted. "But don't think my Sylveon can be handled so easily. Sylveon, bind it!"
She covered her lips with delicate fingers as Sylveon's ribbon-like feelers wrapped around Fletchinder in midair.
"Now, Fairy Wind!"
"Miiyaa!"
Still holding Fletchinder tightly, Sylveon whipped up a fierce Fairy Wind. The gusts of pink energy swirled violently, while its ribbons kept Fletchinder trapped.
Clemont smirked knowingly. "Valerie's fallen into Ash's plan. Ash deliberately allowed Fletchinder to get caught! After all, Fletchinder knows Flame Charge. With Sylveon binding it like this, it's about to entangle itself in its own trap. Sawyer, remember—observing the opponent's foresight outside the battle is just as crucial as the fight itself."
Sawyer furiously scribbled into his notebook, eyes gleaming. "Yes, Gym Leader Clemont!"
He realized there was far more depth to battles than he'd ever imagined. If he wanted to catch up to Ash, he had to work even harder.
And just as Clemont predicted, Ash gave his command.
"Valerie, I'm afraid you've tangled yourself in your own web. Fletchinder—Flame Charge!"
"Fletch!"
Even while pinned in the Fairy Wind, Fletchinder ignited in flames. Fire blazed along its body, and suddenly Sylveon's ribbons couldn't hold on.
The Fairy Wind twisted into a fiery storm, engulfing Sylveon instead!
"Miiyaa!!"
Sylveon cried out as the burning winds surrounded it. The ribbons singed and loosened, freeing Fletchinder.
Fletchinder seized the opening, slamming into Sylveon with its blazing Flame Charge. Then it climbed high, momentum building for the finishing blow.
"Now—Steel Wing! End this!"
"Fletch!"
With its wings glowing like tempered blades, Fletchinder dove. The strike sent Sylveon crashing across the arena, flames still flickering around its body.
The referee stood frozen, stunned by the sheer domination.
Valerie blinked in surprise, then smiled faintly. "Go on, announce it."
The referee jolted back to her role. "Sylveon is unable to battle! Fletchinder wins!"
"Ding! [Congratulations, Host. Fletchinder has successfully defeated…]"
The system prompt chimed in Ash's mind.
Valerie gently stroked her Sylveon's head before recalling it. "You're remarkable, Ash. We outsmarted ourselves, it seems. With five badges already, of course you wouldn't make such a careless mistake."
She smiled warmly and took out her second Poké Ball.
From the stands, Sawyer clenched his fists. "Incredible… Ash-senpai just crushed Lady Valerie's first Pokémon. So cool! The gap between us is still enormous. He must have gone easy on me during our battle. Grovyle, you see this, right? We have to get stronger!"
"Chaamo!"
Grovyle's eyes burned with determination as it watched.
"But now," Sawyer muttered, his gaze turning sharp, "Valerie's going to bring out her Spritzee. I wonder how Ash-senpai will handle it, since it completely overwhelmed me."
Sure enough, Valerie tossed her next Poké Ball.
"Come forth, Spritzee!"
"Shan-shan~ shan-shan~~"
Ash nodded. "Fletchinder, you've done great. Return. Now—it's your turn, Hawlucha!"
"Cha!"
Ash sent out his stylish, battle-hungry Hawlucha, the same vain Pokémon that always loved to show off.
The real fight was just about to begin.
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T/N:
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