Even when defeat is certain, some battles ignite a fire that refuses to fade.
Since this was a battle, someone had to serve as referee. Brock naturally stepped forward to take on the role.
Seeing both Trainers ready, he raised his hand and announced,
"Now beginning a 3-on-3 Pokemonbattle. Either side may switch Pokemonfreely. The match ends when one side has no Pokemonleft able to battle. Trainers, please send out your Pokémon!"
"I choose you—go, Weedle!"
"Ee!"
Weedle hopped onto the battlefield, full of energy.
Seeing Ash send out Weedle, Red's face remained expressionless, though inwardly he nodded slightly.
So he really did choose Weedle. Probably trying to level up a newly caught Pokemonas quickly as possible. Though judging from Ash's expression… Red doubted he had even thought that far.
Still—since it was Weedle…
Red reached toward his belt, pulled out a Poké Ball, and tossed it.
Flash.
A small green caterpillar appeared on the field.
The second classic early-route Bug Pokemonof Kanto—
Caterpie.
"Caterpie, huh?" Brock nodded thoughtfully. "Looks like this might be a pretty even battle."
"Let's strike first! Weedle—Poison Sting!"
"Ee!"
Weedle immediately aimed the horn on its head and flicked it forward.
A glimmering purple needle shot straight toward Caterpie.
Red, however, remained calm.
"String Shot."
Shoop!
Caterpie fired a thread upward, wrapping it around a nearby branch. Then it swung its body forward.
The thread tightened—
And Caterpie swung like a pendulum, effortlessly dodging the incoming Poison Sting. Using the centrifugal force of the swing, it soared directly above Weedle.
Red seized the moment.
"Tackle."
Snap!
Caterpie cut the thread and dropped from the sky.
With gravity amplifying the impact, the simple Tackle suddenly felt like a meteor crashing down.
THUD!
Weedle was smashed straight off the ground.
"Ee!"
"Weedle!" Ash clenched his teeth. "Alright then—let's use String Shot too!"
"Ee!"
Weedle shook its head, regaining focus, and fired a large web of white thread toward Caterpie.
But Caterpie didn't dodge.
Instead—
"Bug Bite."
It opened its mouth and chomped straight through the silk.
Crunch.
The thread snapped instantly.
Without slowing down, Caterpie rushed forward and reached Weedle in seconds.
Then—
CRACK!
It bit down hard.
Let me see how you taste.
"Eee!"
"Sa-ra-rang! Sa-ra-rang!"
Weedle thrashed wildly.
But Caterpie refused to let go.
It simply kept chewing.
Before long, Weedle's struggles weakened… until its body finally went limp.
"Weedle is unable to battle! The winner of this round is Red from Pallet Town!"
"Come back, Weedle."
Ash recalled it gently.
"You did great."
Then he glanced toward the Pokemonbeside him.
"Mimikyu… I'm counting on you."
"Mimi!"
Mimikyu stepped forward enthusiastically and faced Red.
A Pokemonfrom Alola…
Red studied the unfamiliar creature. Of course he was interested—especially with its appearance resembling Pikachu.
He reached toward his belt again.
"If it's Mimikyu…"
He tossed a Poké Ball.
"Pika!"
A bright, energetic cry rang out.
"Pikachu?" Ash stared in surprise.
Another Pikachu.
His fighting spirit ignited instantly.
"Alright, Pikachu it is! Mimikyu—time to show the results of our training!"
"Mimi!"
Red raised an eyebrow slightly.
Ash had fought Pikachu before?
Either way… letting an opponent burn with excitement rarely helped their strategy.
After a brief moment of thought, Red spoke calmly.
"Play Nice."
"Pika!"
Pikachu ran over cheerfully and extended a friendly paw.
Seeing the gesture, Mimikyu blinked in confusion.
"Mimi?"
"Pika!"
Let's be friends!
Feeling Pikachu's sincerity, Mimikyu happily nodded.
Its battle spirit dropped slightly.
Mimikyu's Attack fell.
"Nasty Plot."
The next moment—
Pikachu's expression suddenly turned sinister.
The sudden change made Mimikyu jump.
Pikachu's Special Attack rose sharply.
Mimikyu fell into a moment of fear.
But Ash's voice rang out immediately.
"Careful, Mimikyu! Double Team!"
"Mimi!"
Snapping out of it, Mimikyu glared furiously.
You tricked me?!
Dozens of Mimikyu illusions appeared and rushed Pikachu.
Seeing the momentum, Ash shouted,
"Now—Wood Hammer!"
"Mimi!"
Mimikyu's lightning-bolt tail expanded into a massive hammer.
It leapt into the air—
Spun—
And smashed downward.
BOOM!
"Pika!"
But Pikachu had already responded.
"Electro Ball."
A golden sphere of electricity shot out, tearing through every illusion.
Only the real Mimikyu remained.
"Finish it—Thunderbolt."
"Pika—CHUUU!!"
Lightning exploded upward.
Seeing the attack, Ash made a decision instantly.
"Come back, Mimikyu!"
The Poké Ball flashed just before the lightning struck.
Misty blinked.
"Huh? Why recall it? It could still fight!"
Ash exhaled slowly.
"My Mimikyu… can't take hits."
He looked down at the Poké Ball.
"So I forfeit."
Goh immediately laughed.
"See? A cheap Pikachu knockoff is still trash."
"And a Pokemonthat can't even take a hit? Completely useless."
"Will you shut up?!" Misty snapped.
Ash ignored him entirely.
Instead, he looked toward Red.
Then lowered his hat brim.
"Come on, Froakie."
"Froa."
Froakie followed silently.
But before leaving, it glanced briefly at Pikachu.
Their eyes met.
Then Froakie turned away.
"Froa."
Following a Trainer like that…
Your purity was doomed from the start.
Pitiful.
But then Froakie looked at Ash thoughtfully.
…Would my purity fade too?
It considered the possibility.
Then shook its head.
Impossible.
If that ever happened—
I would simply cut down Ash myself.
Ash suddenly shivered.
"…Why did it get cold all of a sudden?"
Later, they arrived at a clearing beside a waterfall.
Ash nodded with satisfaction.
"Perfect place for training."
He released his Pokémon.
"Come out, Mimikyu!"
"Mimi!"
"Mimikyu—we're starting special training!"
Ash pumped his fist.
"If we push your agility to the limit, you'll become incredibly strong!"
"Mimi!"
Mimikyu's eyes shone with determination.
Ash turned.
"Froakie, I'm counting on you!"
"Froa."
Froakie stood opposite them.
Looking at the Trainer and Pokemonstanding together, it tilted its head.
I don't mind.
But you might want to stand farther away.
You might get cut too.
"Come on!" Ash grinned.
"If Mimikyu is training, I can't slack off as its Trainer!"
He clenched his fists.
"Besides… I still can't even see your movements clearly."
"If I want to command you someday, I have to keep up first."
"…"
Froakie froze.
Then slowly smiled.
"Froa."
You want to become my Trainer?
That's quite the claim.
Its right hand flicked downward.
A blade of light formed instantly.
Step by step, Froakie walked forward like a calm master swordsman.
Then—
It vanished.
WHAM!
Both Ash and Mimikyu were struck instantly.
"Ow!"
Ash staggered forward.
But he didn't fall.
He raised his arms to guard—
Then turned back toward Froakie again.
"Froa."
Froakie looked into his eyes.
For a moment—
Approval flashed within them.
Then the swordsman's sharpness returned.
Slash.
Slash.
Two more strikes.
Then again.
And again.
Most of the hits landed on Ash.
Because—
If he didn't grow stronger,
What right did he have to command it?
Grow stronger.
I'll wait for the day we can fight side by side.
You fool. ⚔️
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