Hisss—!
The flas on Pignite's body clashed with the ice on the ground, producing a billowing cloud of steam.
"Ah! How… how could this be?"
Viola hadn't expected Ash to have already seen through her plan from the very start.
So that was why he had Pignite use Fla Charge earlier!
No wonder her sister said Ash was strong—just this level of battle insight was sothing few Trainers could ever hope to have.
"Whoa! There's so much fog now—I can't see a thing!"
Bonnie clapped her hands excitedly, while Serena, on the other hand, was starting to worry for Ash. With visibility gone, she had no idea how Pignite was faring.
Alexa also kept its gaze fixed on the battlefield without blinking.
Ash's lips curved into a faint smile.
From within the thick mist… a burst of red light suddenly flared!
Before Viola's Surskit could even react, the fiery blur slamd right into it!
The tiny bug's small body was sent flying—another Fla Charge from Pignite!
Each ti the move was used, Pignite's speed increased, so by now it was much, much faster.
"Surskit is unable to battle! Pignite wins!"
The referee waved his flag.
Bonnie instantly high-fived Serena beside her.
Clemont also smiled slightly—he was now confident Ash would win.
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host—Pignite has defeated Surskit. 10x EXP Multiplier Card successfully applied! You have gained 22,500 battle EXP!]
Level 21!
Level 22!
Level 23!
"Ash, you guys are really impressive. Such a sha I missed the chance to press the shutter just now—that would've been a perfect shot. Well then—go, my second partner!"
Viola recalled Surskit.
The ice terrain she had painstakingly created was now mostly destroyed.
Her second Pokémon—Vivillon!
Bug type plus Flying type.
"Alright, Pignite, you've done great. Co back. Next up—it's your turn, little one. Fletchling, you're up!"
"Chirp-chirp!"
Truthfully, Ash was only sending Fletchling out to let it gain so battle experience.
After all, the level gap was huge—Fletchling was at level 13, while Vivillon was already level 26.
"Fletchling—use Wing Attack!"
"Dodge, then use Hurricane!"
Swoosh-swoosh!
Vivillon slipped away from the incoming Wing Attack, circling behind the tiny bird before its wings whipped up a raging Hurricane!
The violent wind battered Fletchling's small fra.
"Raise the tail feathers—feel the wind's strength, keep your balance!"
"Chirp!"
Fletchling's tail feathers stood on end, helping it steady itself in the wind.
But the level difference was simply too big, and this was its first ti facing a Gym Leader's Vivillon.
It failed to hold steady and was hurled into a chunk of ice on the ground.
"Vivillon, perfect chance—use Sleep Powder!"
Viola wouldn't miss the opening.
Dark green powder drifted down from Vivillon's wings.
"Hang in there, Fletchling! Gust!"
"Chirp!"
Its tiny wings flapped hard, whipping up a counter breeze.
The Sleep Powder, which had been drifting toward Fletchling, was blown right back. Vivillon managed to dodge just in ti.
"Wing Attack!"
Finally, Fletchling closed the gap, landing a solid hit on Vivillon!
"Don't let up—follow with Peck!"
Ash was skilled at chaining moves together.
Using the montum from Wing Attack, Fletchling's speed surged, and its beak jabbed Vivillon cleanly.
But Vivillon quickly recovered.
"Vivillon—Solar Beam!"
…
In the end, Ash recalled Fletchling to spare it from being crushed by the Solar Beam.
The gap between level 13 and level 26 was simply too much.
No amount of battle tactics could fully bridge the difference in physical ability.
Pignite returned to the field, and thanks to the speed boost from its earlier Fla Charges, it was able to take down Vivillon—earning Ash his first Kalos Gym Badge!
"Yay! Ash, Pignite, and Fletchling were all so cool! Right, Serena?"
Bonnie jumped up and down with joy—she looked even happier than Ash himself.
And she made sure to pull Serena into the conversation too. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by NovᴇlFɪre.ɴet
Sitting in the stands, the two girls had gotten to know each other during the match.
Serena looked at Ash with admiration and nodded firmly.
As expected of Ash!
"Ash, my sister said you were impressive, and now I understand why. Here—this is the Bug Badge from the Santalune Gym. It's yours now. And this Badge Case is my gift to you."
Viola walked over, followed by Clemont and Alexa.
She handed Ash the Badge Case and the Bug Badge.
"Thanks. Alright—my first Kalos Badge!"
"Pika pika!"
"Oink!"
"Chirp!"
Ash placed the Bug Badge into the case, then glanced toward Serena.
Serena t his eyes—and for so reason, her heart skipped a beat.
Her face turned red before she could stop it.
"Ash, have you decided which Gym you'll challenge next?"
Alexa had already taken plenty of photos—enough for her next feature article.
"Yeah, I've decided. It'll be the Cyllage City Gym. On the way, we'll stop by Lumiose City. I need to buy a few things—truth is, I haven't really explored Kalos much yet. And Lumiose is a big city—you can find anything there."
"Great! I agree! I want to eat delicious food! Is that okay, big brother?"
Bonnie raised her hand in support.
Clemont nodded—he also needed to shop for parts and supplies.
And so, Ash's group left Santalune City and headed back toward Lumiose.
On the way—
They soon found themselves back in the forest where they'd t Dedenne.
Serena had been quietly following along. Clemont could sense sothing was up, so he pulled Bonnie aside without saying anything—though his gaze kept flicking between Serena and Ash.
Ash, anwhile, decided to tease Serena a little—just to see how long this cute girl could keep her composure.
"Um… Ash, do you… still rember this?"
Serena hesitantly stepped forward and pulled out a handkerchief.
She quickly walked up to him and held it out.
He should rember… right?
I shouldn't have to remind him… right?
After all… I've never forgotten about him…
Without realizing it, Serena's mind drifted back to that sumr camp years ago—the mont she'd first t Ash as a child…
Author's Note: Next will be a "flashback chapter"! Get ready for the childhood mory arc!
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