"Oh? Butterfree?" Brock's usually calm voice carried a note of surprise as he watched the butterfly Pokémon flutter gracefully above the field. "You managed to raise a fully evolved Pokémon in just nine days? That's… truly remarkable."
Even though Butterfree was a Bug-type, for a rookie Trainer to nurture a Caterpie all the way to its final evolution in such a short time was almost unheard of. And from Brock's trained eye, this Butterfree wasn't just evolved, it was in pristine condition.
Its wings glistened in the Gym lights, its movements were steady and powerful, and its eyes shone with focus. Nothing about it suggested a rushed evolution. Instead, this was a Pokémon raised with genuine care and patience.
Brock, who secretly aspired to be a top Breeder, couldn't help but acknowledge it. 'This Butterfree is exceptionally well-raised. Whoever this boy is, he didn't just force his Caterpie forward, he guided it naturally.'
Ash, basking in the praise, grinned. "Didn't you say, Rookie Trainers from Pallet Town aren't like the others. Having a Butterfree already is totally normal for me!"
His chest puffed out in pride, but after catching himself, he quickly forced the smile away and clenched his fists. 'Not now. Save the celebration for after the win.'
Brock's expression hardened again. "It is impressive, but don't forget the basics. Butterfree is Bug and Flying. That means it's four times weak to Rock. If Geodude lands even one solid hit, your battle ends right there."
Geodude cracked its rocky fists together with a heavy thud, eager for the fight.
Ash's eyes narrowed, voice brimming with determination. "Type and level matter, sure. But the most important factor is the Trainer's command! Watch this. Butterfree, use Sleep Powder!"
"Freee~~!"
Butterfree's wings glowed as it beat them rapidly, scattering a glittering rain of powder that floated down toward the battlefield.
"Sleep Powder, huh? Not bad for a rookie." Brock extended his arm sharply. "Geodude-Rollout!"
"Geo...dude!!"
Geodude tucked its arms in, curled into a tight ball, and spun with incredible speed. It shot forward like a living boulder, rolling across the rocky terrain. The Sleep Powder drifted harmlessly in its wake, falling too slow to catch the charging Pokémon.
Ash grit his teeth, heart pounding as Geodude thundered closer.
"Now, Geodude, hit Butterfree with Rollout!
Brock commanded.
Rollout's power builds the longer it goes. With Geodude's higher level, boosted momentum, and a quadruple type advantage, a single hit could knock Butterfree out instantly!
"Geo...dude!!" The Rock Pokémon spun faster and faster, rolling straight across the rocky terrain like a runaway boulder.
"Stay sharp, Butterfree!" Ash clenched his fists.
But then, something was off.
Instead of bouncing forward at Butterfree as Brock commanded, Geodude's spinning slowed. Its trajectory wobbled. And then, with a dull CRASH, it rolled head-first into one of the rock pillars jutting from the battlefield.
"Geo…?"
Geodude stopped cold, slumping against the stone. Its eyes drifted shut.
Brock's jaw dropped. "What?! Geodude's asleep?! That's impossible! It dodged Sleep Powder just now!"
Indeed, Sleep Powder was infamous for being slow and unreliable. Even novice Trainers knew a rolling Geodude should have been able to avoid it with ease.
Ash smirked, touching his nose with a fingertip. "Heh, that's because my Butterfree has the Ability Compound Eyes."
"Compound Eyes…?"
Ash nodded. "With Compound Eyes, Butterfree can see every tiny movement in slow motion. Even if Geodude rolled at full speed, Butterfree already knew exactly where it was going. All it had to do was scatter powder right in Geodude's path."
Brock froze, stunned. 'So it wasn't luck. He actually aimed Sleep Powder into Geodude's future landing point… with Ability synergy no less. This boy isn't fighting like a rookie.'
"Alright, Butterfree, while Geodude's asleep, use String Shot!"
"Free~~!"
Butterfree opened its mouth and fired streams of sticky silk. White threads coiled tightly around the sleeping Geodude, wrapping its arms and pinning it to the ground.
"Nice one! If we can't boost our speed, we'll just slow them down!" Ash declared.
Brock crossed his arms, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Sleep Powder… then String Shot… chaining status moves like that? Hmph. For someone who's only been on the road nine days, your tactics are shockingly advanced."
His eyes narrowed, studying Ash carefully. 'Who exactly is this guy?'