"Oh no, it looks like something went wrong with Sawyer's strategy! His Slaking is just lying on the ground, barely moving, only yawning from time to time… Meanwhile, Ash's Hawlucha is using Bulk Up again and again to boost its Attack and Defense! In a Pokémon battle, one mistake can snowball into something very serious!"
The commentator's passionate voice echoed across the stadium.
Even the audience could see it, so of course Sawyer himself had realized it.
"No… I can't keep this up. Slaking, return!"
Sawyer gritted his teeth. His carefully prepared strategy against Ash hadn't even begun before it collapsed entirely.
But by now, Hawlucha had already completed its second Bulk Up!
With both Attack and Defense raised to impressive levels, Hawlucha was now within striking distance of Slaking.
"Sawyer, it's too late to recall it now! Hawlucha, High Jump Kick—go!"
"Chyaaah!"
In a flash, Hawlucha surged forward, its knee crashing straight into Slaking's head. The Normal-type had been lying on its side, staring lazily toward its opponent, giving Hawlucha the perfect opening.
BOOM!
The impact rang out like thunder!
Slaking was sent flying, smashed into a massive boulder, and slumped down—completely unable to battle.
"Ding! [Congratulations, host—Hawlucha has successfully defeated Slaking…]"
The system's voice echoed in Ash's mind, but he paid it no attention. He simply recalled Hawlucha calmly.
Sawyer's face had gone pale.
"As expected of Ash… every one of your Pokémon is stronger than the last. My Slaking didn't even get the chance to resist."
Though the crushing pressure weighed on him, deep down, another emotion surged—unyielding resolve.
His goal wasn't to win the entire match.
No. His goal was clear: defeat at least one of Ash's Pokémon head-on!
Yes! Even if it was just one!
Unlike the original storyline, Sawyer in this battle wasn't satisfied with simply participating. He wanted to prove himself, even a little, against his idol.
"Go, Aegislash!"
"Shhhhhh!"
The mighty Aegislash emerged—a Pokémon said to embody the power of kings.
It was no ordinary Pokémon. Only those who earned its recognition could ever hope to capture it. To be acknowledged by Aegislash was to possess the potential of a ruler.
Sawyer's future clearly held great promise.
"Go, Talonflame!" Ash called.
In the original version of this battle, Ash's choices had left him on the back foot against Sawyer. But this Ash was not the same as before. That story would not repeat here.
"Talonflame, Ash isn't following any of the scenarios I predicted… Still, no matter what, I must achieve my goal—to defeat at least one of his Pokémon! Aegislash, let's go—use Swords Dance!"
"Flame Charge!"
"Chyaaah!"
Aegislash began to whirl, preparing Swords Dance—but it was far too slow compared to Talonflame.
In an instant, Talonflame's Flame Charge smashed directly into it!
Not only did the attack hit cleanly, but Talonflame's Speed rose sharply in the process!
"Chyaaah!"
Soaring into the sky with beating wings, Talonflame fixed its blazing gaze on the Aegislash it had just struck.
"Such incredible speed… Aegislash, chase after it! Use Slash!"
Now in Blade Forme, Aegislash brandished its sword, slashing upward toward Talonflame.
"Overheat!"
Ash spread his arms wide in the shape of a giant X.
Talonflame inhaled deeply. With its Fire typing, it unleashed a massive eruption of scorching flames!
WHOOOOOSH!
The blazing inferno roared, burning everything in its path.
But Aegislash swung its blade and cut the flames cleanly in two, forcing a path through!
The distance between Aegislash and Talonflame was now no more than six meters!
"A perfect chance—Aegislash, Head Smash!"
Aegislash's blade glowed with deep blue Rock-type energy.
It was the ultimate counter. Talonflame's Fire-and-Flying typing meant that Rock-type moves struck with four times the power. If this connected, it could turn the tide in an instant!
But…
Ash had already anticipated it.
"Double Team!"
FWIP! FWIP! FWIP!
In an instant, dozens of Talonflames split apart, surrounding Aegislash in midair.
"Go! Break every illusion apart!" Sawyer shouted desperately.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
One after another, the clones were shattered. Sparks flew with each cut, but no matter how hard Aegislash tried, the real Talonflame remained untouched.
Sawyer's face was etched with urgency and frustration.
So close… so close to landing that decisive blow!
But time had run out.
"Talonflame—Overheat, one more time!"
KABOOM!
The sky itself lit up with fire.
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T/N:
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