Very soon, Ash released all of his other Pokémon.
Seeing this, Serena and Clemont also sent out their own Pokémon.
"Come out, Fennekin!"
"Come out, Bunnelby, Chespin!"
"Everyone, this is Hawlucha, our newly joined partner. From now on, you all have to get along well, alright?"
"Melo Melo"
Meloetta was the first to respond, gently smiling and greeting Hawlucha.
To everyone's surprise, Hawlucha blushed.
It quickly turned its gaze away from Meloetta.
Ash chuckled inwardly. Well, well… who knew this guy was such a shy one…
The rest of the Pokémon also came forward to greet it.
Hawlucha greeted everyone in return, then proudly perched itself on a nearby rock and struck a pose.
Clemont's Chespin, as usual, was the comedian of the group. It scrambled up onto another boulder beside Hawlucha, mimicking its stance with a loud "Chespin~!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a figure flew across the skies of the canyon.
Yes—an actual person flew past!
It turned out to be someone wearing a wingsuit, engaging in an aerial Pokémon battle.
Two trainers in wingsuits were soaring through the updrafts that rose from the canyon floor, skillfully adjusting their direction and altitude with precise movements.
"Taloooon!"
A Talonflame followed close behind one of the soaring trainers.
Meanwhile, the other trainer in a wingsuit was accompanied by a Skarmory.
Judging from the scene, the two were clearly in the middle of a Sky Battle.
"Wow, that looks so fun! Ash, Ash, let's go try it too, pleeease?"
Serena was instantly fascinated.
After all, flying was something almost everyone dreamed of doing at least once in their lives.
"Alright, let's go! This kind of wingsuit activity should definitely have a rental base somewhere around the Kalos Canyon."
Everyone recalled their Pokémon, and Ash quickly had Fletchling guide them to the rental station.
"Hello, I'm the manager of this wingsuit base. The three of you want to rent suits for an experience, correct? Please come this way."
Not long after, with the paperwork and rental fees settled, Ash, Serena, and Clemont were each fitted with wingsuits in their sizes.
Bonnie also wanted to try, but unfortunately, children under 1.2 meters tall were not allowed to rent.
The reason was simple—smaller bodies meant less surface area to balance against the wind, which was far too dangerous.
Bonnie, pouting, sat down on the sofa with Dedenne in her arms, fuming. Clemont, seeing her disappointment, let out Chespin to keep her company.
"Hmph! So unfair! I wanted to try it too!"
Still grumbling, Bonnie's attention was soon captured by the sight of Ash, Serena, and Clemont inside the simulation chamber, beginning their wingsuit training session.
Inside the chamber, they experienced the powerful updrafts of the canyon's airflow. Ash and Serena quickly adapted, while Clemont struggled awkwardly, failing to keep balance.
Just then, the two trainers Ash had seen earlier appeared again.
One of them, a girl named Moria, was actually a Sky Battle Instructor.
Impressed by how quickly Ash grasped the simulation, Moria invited him to have a real Sky Battle.
Ash agreed without hesitation. Soon, the two of them launched into the open air above Kalos Canyon, wings catching the wind.
The rush was exhilarating!
Moria sent out her Talonflame, while Ash chose… Fletchling!
Fletchling—this was your moment to evolve!
Moria's Talonflame glanced at its tiny opponent, clearly unimpressed.
Moria herself couldn't help but feel skeptical. A little Fletchling against my Talonflame?
But Ash remained firm in his choice. He trusted Fletchling, and Moria decided she'd give him and his Pokémon a tough lesson.
"Fletchling, every Pokémon is unique and irreplaceable. Believe in yourself!"
"Fletch~!"
Fletchling's eyes gleamed with determination.
Facing Talonflame, it felt an intense fire welling up inside its chest—like a blaze waiting to burst out!
"Talonflame, show them your strength! Use Wing Attack!"
"Fletchling, dodge with Quick Attack and counter with Razor Wind!"
Fletchling zipped through the air, narrowly avoiding Talonflame's strike. Though the gap between their levels was over tenfold, Fletchling's confidence had never burned brighter!
"Fletch!"
Its tiny wings flapped with all their might!
The Razor Wind cut through the skies—!
"Not bad. But Talonflame, unleash Hurricane!"
"Talon!"
With its much larger wings, Talonflame stirred a ferocious storm!
"Fletchling, ride the wind—Quick Attack!"
"Fletch~!"
Ash's Fletchling had trained for this, back during their battles before the Santalune Gym.
It lifted its tail feathers, stabilizing its flight, and rode the violent gusts with remarkable control.
Its speed kept climbing higher and higher!
Quick Attack boosted its velocity even further!
This was proof—despite not evolving yet, this Fletchling's potential surpassed Talonflame's.
After all, Moria's Talonflame had never mastered Quick Attack.
Realizing this, Moria's expression grew more serious.
But it was already too late.
"Fletchling, Peck!"
Wham!
The sharp strike landed clean on Talonflame's chest.
Though sturdy, Talonflame quickly stabilized itself midair.
"Now—Steel Wing!"
"Talon!"
Talonflame struck back, but Fletchling once again darted in and landed a solid hit.
Moria's eyes widened. "Incredible talent… it even knows Steel Wing? Talonflame, Hurricane again!"
The storm whipped up once more.
But once again, Fletchling maneuvered through the raging winds, holding its form.
"Not this time! Talonflame, Fire Blast!"
"Talon—!"
Burning with humiliation from being struck twice, Talonflame roared and released a massive, blazing Fire Blast, shaped like a cross-shaped inferno!
Boom!!
The inferno engulfed Fletchling in midair, exploding violently!
The shockwave even forced Ash and Moria back through the skies.
"Fletchling, remember our training!"
Ash's voice rang out, louder than ever.
"Fletch~!!!"
From within the flames, Fletchling cried out.
And then—its body began to glow!
Shrouded in fire, it rebirthed itself through the flames!
Brilliant light burst forth!
It was evolving!
Fletchling had become… Fletchinder!
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