"Fletchiiiinnndeeerrrrr!!!"
Fletchinder let out a piercing cry, its entire body bursting into flames as it was engulfed in fiery brilliance!
"Ah! Fletchling evolved—look, that's its evolved form, Fletchinder!"
Serena stared in awe at the fiery bird blazing through the skies.
The powerful Fire Blast unleashed by Talonflame had pushed Fletchling to the brink—and that shock became the catalyst for its evolution!
"That's right… this little guy finally evolved. It's grown so much already."
Clemont adjusted his glasses, his eyes glowing with admiration as he turned toward Ash.
At first, Clemont thought Ash was crazy for sending little Fletchling to face off against Talonflame. No matter how talented Ash was, Fletchling was still just a tiny fledgling—surely there was no way it could stand up to Talonflame.
But now… it seemed Ash had seen this coming all along. He had counted on Fletchling seizing this very moment to evolve into Fletchinder.
"As expected of Ash. Seriously, that's just too cool! And Fletchinder… it's amazing! This battle just turned completely upside down."
Clemont's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he watched Ash and his newly evolved partner.
"Hmph. So that's how it is… looks like me and Talonflame were just being used as your stepping stone. That's not exactly pleasant. But don't get ahead of yourself—my Talonflame evolved from Fletchinder, and it definitely won't lose to yours. Talonflame, let's go!"
"Talonnnflame!"
Moria, the Sky Battle instructor, was visibly annoyed now.
"Oh really? We'll see about that. Fletchinder—use Flame Charge!"
Flame Charge!
Fletchinder cloaked itself in blazing fire, the flames spiraling tightly around its body as it prepared to strike. Each time this move was used, Fletchinder's speed rose a full stage higher. It was a skill that could turn its momentum into unstoppable acceleration.
"Fleeeetchiiinnnder!"
It remembered the way Talonflame had looked down on it earlier, the disdain in those burning eyes. All that humiliation ignited into power.
It was time to unleash everything!
Fletchinder rocketed forward in a fiery burst. Talonflame dodged the first strike, but the flames grew faster, hotter, sharper!
"Keep using Flame Charge!"
"Fleeeetchindeeer!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Fletchinder's Flame Charges came one after another, each one faster than the last.
"Block it with Hurricane, Talonflame!"
Moria's voice carried a rare tinge of panic. Her Talonflame hadn't even learned Flame Charge, yet Ash's freshly evolved Fletchinder was mastering it seamlessly. The gap in potential was glaring.
But she refused to lose so easily.
Only—the battle didn't follow her expectations at all.
Because Fletchinder forced its way through the raging Hurricane on its second charge, the flames piercing the gale and smashing directly into Talonflame!
And then came another, and another, and another—every strike landed clean.
Fletchinder's speed skyrocketed to terrifying levels, the blazing comet impossible to stop.
Finally, with one last scorching Flame Charge, Talonflame was blasted from the skies—crashing down and rendered unable to battle.
Ash clenched his fist. Perfect. Time to use the Tenfold EXP Critical Card.
Now that Fletchling had evolved into Fletchinder, its foundation was more stable than ever. This was the moment to boost it further.
Ding! [Congratulations, Host! Fletchinder successfully defeated Talonflame. Tenfold Experience Multiplier Card activated. You gained 39,500 EXP!]
Level 21!
Level 22!
Level 23!
Level 24!
Level 25!
Because its level was still low, the EXP requirements were modest. This single card gave Fletchinder a five-level boost instantly!
[Pokémon]: Fletchinder
[Category]: Ember Pokémon
[Type]: Fire / Flying
[Ability]: Flame Body
[Hidden Ability]: Gale Wings (Locked)
[Potential]: Blue-tier
[Level]: 25
[Moves]: Ember, Tackle, Growl, Quick Attack, Peck, Agility, Double Team, Roost, Wing Attack, Steel Wing, Razor Wind, Flame Charge
"Unbelievable… we actually lost."
Moria looked stunned as she recalled her Talonflame.
Afterwards, Ash and his friends spent a little more time at the Sky Wing Base before setting off once again on their journey.
Meanwhile… Team Rocket
Once again, Jessie, James, and Meowth had completely lost track of Ash and Pikachu.
The trio now found themselves wandering into a strange cave.
And this cave was no ordinary place.
It was filled with mirrors.
Not actual mirrors—but natural mineral surfaces that reflected everything with unnerving clarity.
"Meowth, we lost Pikachu again, nyaaa!"
Meowth plopped down gloomily in front of an enormous mirror, his stomach growling loudly.
"Don't blame me! You're the one who insisted we take some 'shortcut.' Now thanks to you, we're stuck in this weird mirror-maze shortcut instead. Great job."
James's belly rumbled too as he leaned against the giant mirror, one hand pressed against its surface.
And then—suddenly—the mirror rippled like water.
"Wha—?!"
Before Jessie or Meowth could react, James was sucked inside the reflection and vanished!
Jessie: "…"
Meowth: "…"
"James!!!"
-----
"Haha, Ash, Clemont, hurry up already! You two are way too slow."
"Exactly! Brother, you're walking like an old man. And Ash, you shouldn't be this sluggish either! C'mon, let's go! There's a super fun place ahead!"
Serena and Bonnie ran ahead, excitement bubbling in their voices.
"What's gotten into you two? What's so special about this place?"
Clemont scratched his head, puzzled. He wasn't familiar with this area of Kalos.
"Hehe, bet you don't know! The place up ahead is called Reflection Cave. It can perfectly reflect a person's whole body from head to toe. And more importantly—there's a legend about it."
Serena twirled on her heels, giggling mischievously.
"The legend says some mirrors in this cave don't just reflect your appearance… they show another world. A parallel dimension, where all of us exist—but with opposite personalities.
Like, if I'm gentle and kind here, my other self could be fiery and hot-tempered. If Ash is strong-willed and confident, then his mirror self might be timid and full of doubt. Isn't that wild? Haha—it's such a fun legend!"
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T/N:
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