After leaving the Reflection Cave, the group arrived at a brand-new forest.
That day, they were resting on a grassy field, preparing lunch.
Meanwhile, Ash was off to the side, training with Froakie and Fletchinder.
"Froakie, use Pound against that waterfall!"
"Froakie!"
Froakie leapt high into the air, its small hands glowing with energy as it brought down a powerful strike against the cascading waterfall!
Smack!
The impact was so forceful that the waterfall actually split apart for a brief moment, the torrent pausing mid-flow—before, naturally, the raging water came crashing back down a second later.
Froakie landed nimbly on the ground.
"Nice job, Froakie! That's exactly the kind of rhythm I want you to keep up!"
"Froakie!"
"Pika!"
Both Ash and Pikachu cheered, and Froakie shyly scratched the back of its head, a little embarrassed but clearly pleased.
Nearby, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie were each busy with their own tasks.
Serena was baking Poké Puffs.
Clemont was fiddling with one of his newest inventions.
And Bonnie was happily playing with Dedenne and Chespin.
Just then—
Whoosh!
At the very top of the waterfall, a massive chunk of rotten driftwood suddenly broke free and came tumbling down with the torrent!
Driftwood floating in rivers was common enough, but this was different.
The sheer force of the current had flung the huge piece off-course, and instead of crashing straight down, it was now hurtling directly toward the group standing on the grassy bank!
"Pika!"
Pikachu's eyes widened. Its tail glowed as it prepared to smash the log apart with Iron Tail—
But Froakie had already noticed too.
"Froa!"
Without hesitation, Froakie sprang into action. With a powerful leap, it soared upward, one small hand suddenly glowing with a sharp, blade-like aura!
A single strike technique—Cut!
Slash!
The enormous log split cleanly into two halves, crashing harmlessly to the sides of the riverbank without hitting anyone.
"Pika pi!" (Amazing!)
Indeed—it was incredible. The move Cut was usually a technique that very few Pokémon could master on their own. Yet Froakie had managed to grasp it entirely on its own—Ash hadn't even taught it!
"Froa! Froa!"
Froakie looked back anxiously, as if to ask whether everyone was alright.
"Thanks, Froakie. We're all fine—what you did just now was amazing!"
Ash patted its head warmly, and Froakie gave a shy grin. Learning a new move had filled it with pride.
"Hey Ash," Clemont suddenly spoke up, adjusting his glasses. "Why not try a double battle? It might give both of you some valuable experience."
Ash grinned. "Alright, let's do it. I'll use Froakie and Hawlucha. Fletchling can wait for another round later!"
He tossed out a Poké Ball, and with a flash, Hawlucha appeared.
"Cawcha!"
It flapped its wings proudly, greeting the group.
"Then I'll go with Chespin and Bunnelby!" Clemont said, releasing his two partners.
The battle began.
"Hawlucha, use Aerial Ace on Bunnelby! Froakie, use Bubble on Chespin!"
"Froa!"
"Cawcha!"
"Bunnelby, counter with Pound! Chespin, shatter the bubbles with Vine Whip!"
Moves clashed in a dazzling exchange.
But Hawlucha refused to dodge, deliberately taking Bunnelby's Pound attack just so it could retaliate with Aerial Ace point-blank!
It had gotten used to this reckless "head-on brawler" style of fighting.
"Good grief… Hawlucha is always so hot-blooded in battle." Bonnie laughed nervously.
"Bunnelby, use Mud Shot! Chespin, fire Pin Missile!"
"Froakie, block Bunnelby with Water Pulse! Hawlucha, dodge the Pin Missile and strike Chespin with Aerial Ace!"
Froakie executed the move perfectly, knocking out Bunnelby.
Hawlucha glanced back—and its eyes widened.
Its opponent had been defeated… but by Froakie, not by itself.
That was unacceptable!
It immediately started squawking at Froakie, clearly upset.
"Froooa…" Froakie sighed helplessly.
But Hawlucha wouldn't let it go—it actually pecked Froakie on the head!
That was it—the two started bickering loudly.
"Cawcha!"
In its anger, Hawlucha unleashed a Razor Wind! Froakie dodged just in time, but the attack sailed past them—straight toward the lunch Serena was preparing!
Boom!
Lunch was utterly destroyed.
Hawlucha froze in horror. It realized what it had done—and right then, its stomach growled loudly.
"Pika… pi…" Pikachu covered its face.
"Froa, froa…"
"Chespin, ches…"
The other Pokémon sighed and began earnestly explaining to Hawlucha what real Pokémon battles were about.
Pikachu and Chespin explained that battling wasn't the same as wild forest scuffles—it was about growth and strategy.
Even Froakie let go of its frustration and calmly joined in the explanation.
For the first time, Hawlucha truly understood that it had been in the wrong.
And because it was so prideful, it bowed its head and apologized to everyone—including Froakie.
Froakie nodded, forgiving it.
Hawlucha even insisted on helping clean up the mess it had made.
"No, no, Hawlucha," Serena said gently. "Instead, I want you to focus on training harder with Ash. Leave the cleaning to me. Just remember—during battles, dodging the opponent's attacks is just as important as landing your own."
She turned with a smile—only to suddenly frown.
"…Wait. Where are my Poké Puffs?"
The box she had just baked was completely empty!
"Alright, fess up! Which one of you stole them?" Clemont scolded, arms crossed.
Every Pokémon shook their head… except one.
Chespin froze.
Serena raised an eyebrow. "It's fine, but I should warn you—those had a spicy flavor made for Fennekin. For any Pokémon other than Fire-types… it could be a problem."
At once, Chespin's face turned beet-red, its whole body sweating furiously.
"Chespin!!"
So spicy!!!
The thief had exposed itself.
As Serena set about preparing lunch again, Hawlucha quietly reflected.
It finally understood the difference between true battles and meaningless fights. And more importantly—learning to dodge was a mark of real strength.
And since it cared so much about its pride, the realization only made it more determined.
From that moment on, Hawlucha couldn't wait to grow stronger.
Author's Note: The first Kalos movie arc is coming soon.
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T/N:
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