"Not bad at all, Ash. I was about to let my Jumpluff turn the tables, but you finished it too fast. Well then, my second partner—go, Weepinbell!"
Ramos tossed out his next Poké Ball, releasing a level 40 Weepinbell.
"Ash has already taken the first victory, but what's his next plan?" Bonnie hugged her Dedenne tightly, eyes sparkling as she watched the battlefield.
"Knowing Ash's usual style, even though Fletchinder is still unharmed, he'll likely recall it right about now," Serena predicted confidently.
And just as she said, Ash raised his Poké Ball.
"Exactly. And then, he'll praise Fletchinder and send out his second Pokémon. I'm guessing it's Hawlucha."
The moment Serena finished speaking, Ash smiled.
"You did amazing, Fletchinder. Take a good rest. Now—it's your turn, Hawlucha!"
"Lucha!" Hawlucha leapt dramatically onto the field, striking one of its signature flashy poses the second it landed.
"Serena, you're incredible!" Bonnie's eyes widened with admiration. "You really know Ash inside out now!"
"Eh? N-no, it's nothing like that. I just… well, all of Ash's Gym battles seem to follow a rhythm like this, hehe." Serena chuckled nervously, her cheeks slightly pink.
The others returned to focusing on the match.
"Looks like this Hawlucha has a lot of personality. Weepinbell, Poison Powder!"
"We're not sticking around for that—Hawlucha, Bounce!"
"Lucha!"
Weepinbell sprayed a cloud of toxic purple powder, but Hawlucha bent its powerful legs and launched itself into the air like a spring. The toxins drifted harmlessly below while Hawlucha soared, ready to strike back down at any moment.
"Good reflexes. Weepinbell, Vine Whip!"
"Meet it head-on! Karate Chop, cut right through those vines!"
"Lucha!"
"What?!"
Ramos's eyes widened in shock as Hawlucha, descending from above, swung its glowing hand in a sharp chop, slicing through Weepinbell's Vine Whip before landing a crushing blow on the Grass-type's body!
"Now, Low Kick!"
"Dodge it and counter with Razor Leaf!"
Weepinbell reeled but quickly retaliated. Its spinning leaves slashed into Hawlucha's side before the Low Kick could connect cleanly. Despite the hit, Hawlucha gritted its teeth and kept moving.
"Leech Seed, Weepinbell!"
"Prepare yourself, Hawlucha. Let's unleash our combo—Bounce into Sky Attack!"
"Bounce into… Sky Attack?!" Ramos frowned. "Careful, Weepinbell! This is a combination move!"
Indeed, Ash had been working with Hawlucha on this very technique. Both Bounce and Sky Attack required charge-up time, but by combining them—jumping into the air with Bounce and channeling Sky Attack's glowing energy while airborne—they had created a devastating and almost unavoidable strike.
Weepinbell spat out Leech Seeds, but Hawlucha was already high above the arena, its body cloaked in radiant white light—the mark of Sky Attack, also known as Brave Bird's devastating cousin.
"Razor Leaf, intercept it!" Ramos barked.
"Now, finish it—Sky Attack through Bounce!" Ash commanded.
"Lucha!!!"
Hawlucha came plummeting down like a comet, tearing through the barrage of Razor Leaves and slamming straight into Weepinbell!
"Dodge, Weepinbell!" Ramos shouted.
Weepinbell twisted desperately, avoiding the initial downward strike.
But it wasn't over.
The beauty of Ash's combination—dodge the Bounce, and Sky Attack still remained!
Hawlucha landed, then instantly shifted direction with explosive force, its glowing aura still active, and smashed full-force into Weepinbell before it could escape again.
"Weepinbell is unable to battle! Hawlucha wins!"
Ding! [Congratulations, host. Hawlucha has defeated Weepinbell! Ten-times EXP Critical Card activated. Hawlucha gains 70,500 battle experience points!]
Level up!
Lv. 40 → Lv. 41!
Ash grinned as Hawlucha struck another confident pose.
"My, my. What a fiery match, and such creative use of your Pokémon's abilities," Ramos said with genuine admiration. "Ash, you're something else. But now, it's time for my ace—come out, my old partner!"
The ground trembled as Ramos's most trusted companion entered the field.
Gogoat, level 45!
"Come back, Hawlucha. You were amazing. Now—it's all on you, Frogadier!"
"Frogadier!"
This Frogadier was nothing like the one Ash used in the original anime against Ramos. After countless hours of special training, it was stronger, faster, and sharper than ever before. Even against a foe nine levels higher, it radiated confidence.
"Oh-ho. A Water-type against my Grass-type? Bold choice, lad. Gogoat, Growth!"
The massive goat glowed as it boosted both its Attack and Special Attack.
"Frogadier, Double Team—wait, no, straight to our new combo! Quickdraw Slash!"
Quickdraw Slash—the fusion of Quick Attack and Cut.
"Fro!"
In a blink, Frogadier vanished, leaving behind only a streak of blue afterimage as it dashed with lightning speed. Before Gogoat could even finish channeling Growth, Frogadier was already in its face—ramming with Quick Attack's momentum before following up instantly with a razor-sharp Cut slash across its side!
The combo landed perfectly, forcing Gogoat back several steps.
"What speed… incredible! This Frogadier is trained beautifully. But now, Gogoat, show them our unique Razor Leaf!"
Ramos's eyes gleamed as he gave the order. Gogoat roared, unleashing a storm of whirling leaves that fused together into a howling tornado of blades!
The Razor Leaf formed a swirling cyclone, trapping Frogadier inside. This was Ramos's signature twist on Razor Leaf—so refined that it mimicked the power of a Leaf Storm!
The spinning blades slashed mercilessly at Frogadier within the vortex.
"Frogadier! This is the moment to prove your training! Feel Gogoat's movements—Aerial Ace, straight through it!" Ash shouted.
"Froooogadier!"
Ignoring the pain of the slicing leaves, Frogadier shut its eyes, focusing. It let its instincts and aura guide it—feeling for the pulse, the breath, the heartbeat of its opponent.
And then—its eyes snapped open.
"Now! Maximum power—Aerial Ace!"
"Frogadier!"
Its body blurred as it sliced straight through the storm of blades, breaking the tornado apart. With pinpoint precision, it cut a direct path and slashed across Gogoat in a blinding cross-strike.
"Gogoat is unable to battle! Frogadier wins! The victor is challenger Ash!"
The crowd erupted. Ash pumped his fist, grinning ear to ear.
Against the odds—he had triumphed once again!
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