"Goh, how can you say that?" Chloe frowned, clearly upset. "Serena's our friend…"
Looking at her childhood friend with clear disappointment, Chloe couldn't help but scold him.
"She might be your friend, or Green's, or Shauna's—but she's not my friend," Goh retorted coldly. "They all knew I got stuck with a Magikarp, but none of them were willing to throw a match and help me scrape some points. What kind of 'friends' are they supposed to be?"
"They're selfish. And Chloe, you should seriously rethink being close to them. I bet they don't even see you as a real friend."
Goh's voice dripped with resentment. He glanced across the crowd toward Ash and narrowed his eyes, clearly projecting his bitterness.
"Don't be like that," Chloe tried to reason gently. "It's not that they didn't want to help you… They just didn't get a chance to respond before you got provoked and accepted those challenges."
But Goh didn't want to listen. His gaze remained fixed on Serena, who had just stepped onto the battlefield.
He huffed bitterly.
"Next match: Serena versus Mai!" the staff called out.
"Both trainers, please send out your Pokémon!"
"I choose you, Rattata!"
Across the field, Mai threw her Poké Ball, releasing a purple blur that landed with a squeak.
"Squeak squeak!"
As expected—just like Green and Shauna had said—it was a Rattata.
Serena took a breath and followed suit.
She clenched her Poké Ball tightly, then tossed it forward with confidence.
"Clefairy! I'm counting on you for this battle!"
Pop!
The Poké Ball opened, releasing a shower of light.
Clefairy landed on the field with a soft bounce.
Compared to the sharp-fanged, wiry Rattata, Clefairy's appearance was undeniably cuter—drawing gasps of admiration from the crowd, especially the girls.
Even Mai's eyes sparkled with envy.
But the referee was all business. Once both Pokémon were on the field and ready, the signal was given—
"Battle, start!"
"Rattata, use Tackle!" Mai was quick to move, giving the first command.
"Chuuuu!!"
Rattata bolted forward like a shot, its tiny paws kicking up dust.
On the other side, Serena's eyes focused. She took a deep breath to steady herself, then raised her voice:
"Clefairy, use Splash to dodge!"
"Clefaairy!"
Despite her round body, Clefairy's leap was graceful. It jumped high, weightless like a puffball in space, cleanly evading the incoming tackle.
Rattata zoomed past, barely missing—and visibly startled by the sudden dodge.
Mai didn't stop.
"Rattata, again! Keep using Tackle! Don't let up!"
"Squeak squeak!!"
Rattata rushed in again, picking up speed with every stride—like a purple meteor streaking across the field.
But Serena didn't panic.
Thanks to Ash's training, she knew exactly how to handle relentless attackers like this.
Completely focused, she didn't flinch at the surrounding cheers or gazes.
"Clefairy, don't panic. Keep dodging! Use Splash again!"
"Clefaaairy!"
Just like before, Clefairy continued hopping back elegantly, evading every charge like a nimble dancer. The match turned into a full-on chase.
Rattata charged over and over, but Clefairy kept slipping away, light on its feet. Though not significantly faster than Rattata, its evasive maneuvers and less demanding movements gave it the advantage.
Three minutes passed.
Finally, Rattata's pace slowed. Its breath was ragged, steps less sharp.
Serena's eyes lit up.
"Now's our chance! Clefairy, use Sing!"
Her voice was bright and confident—so full of energy that even those watching from the sidelines, like Green and Shauna, beamed in surprise.
Meanwhile, Chloe and Goh were stunned.
They couldn't believe this calm, commanding voice was coming from the same Serena they thought couldn't even speak up.
But Serena didn't hear them. She was too focused.
"Clefaaairy~ ♪"
Clefairy stopped mid-dodge, placed its tiny hands together, and began to sing a sweet lullaby.
To the crowd, it looked like an adorable performance. Many couldn't help but sigh at how cute Clefairy was.
But on the battlefield, Rattata felt the effects instantly. The soothing melody seemed to drain its energy, as if it had been hexed by a fairy's spell.
Within seconds, it collapsed in place, snoring softly.
"Rattata! Wake up!!" Mai shouted desperately from her side of the field.
But it was no use.
Serena saw the opening—and acted.
"Clefairy, now! Use Pound!"
"Clefaaairy!!"
Clefairy's eyes opened sharply. With a determined squeak, it charged forward.
SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!
Its little paws glowed white as it landed blow after blow—like a flurry of slaps to Rattata's cheek.
"Wake up, Rattata! Please!" Mai cried, her voice full of panic.
But Rattata remained fast asleep, completely vulnerable.
After taking multiple hits, the poor rodent's eyes spun like spirals—fainting from the combination of exhaustion and repeated attacks.
The referee raised a hand.
"Rattata is unable to battle. Clefairy wins!"
…..
Serena stood there for a moment, stunned.
Then she smiled—bright, proud, and a little teary-eyed.
Her first battle.
Her first win.
And she had done it all on her own.
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T/N:
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