"Ka!"
Mienshao's eyes gleamed with a piercing light the moment Fletchinder closed in.
Detect!
It sidestepped Fletchinder's strike in one fluid motion, and its body suddenly flared with a red aura.
Bulk Up!—its Attack and Defense were both raised sharply.
"Attack, Mienshao! Leap up and use Karate Chop!"
"Not so fast! Fletchinder, blow it away with Hurricane!!"
Ash and Korrina clashed in commands.
The roaring winds howled violently, forcing Mienshao's eyes shut against the gale. It had no choice but to abandon its Karate Chop.
"In that case, switch to Swift! Go!"
"Mienshao!"
Golden stars shot from its mouth, streaking through the air in a dazzling storm that closed in on Fletchinder.
"Double Team, now! Follow with Wing Attack!"
Ash snapped his hand, and suddenly dozens of Fletchinder split across the sky, circling and darting everywhere.
Swift's homing stars scattered uselessly, unable to lock on to the real one.
"As expected of Ash. Even against Korrina, he's calm and collected."
Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie leaned forward in the stands, their eyes glued to the battle.
And yet, knowing Ash had already captured Yveltal—the legendary Destruction Pokémon—Serena's faith in him had grown even stronger.
"Ash, you can do it!" she called, her voice trembling with excitement.
Ash glanced back, grinning, and gave a quick "OK" hand signal.
"Mienshao, break them all down with Swift! Smash every copy!"
"Kaaa!"
Korrina's eyes locked on Ash. If they destroyed all the clones, the real one would be left exposed.
But she had overlooked something—Fletchinder had already boosted its speed earlier.
The flock of copies all dove at once. Mienshao spun, firing off a full-circle barrage of golden stars.
The illusory doubles shattered one after another, but the dazzling flashes blinded both Korrina and Mienshao to the real bird weaving through.
"Fletchinder—Wing Attack!"
The blow landed cleanly. Mienshao was sent hurtling into the air, letting out a strained cry.
"Keep the pressure on, Fletchinder! Finish it with Aerial Ace!"
"Fight back, Mienshao—Drain Punch!"
But Fletchinder's speed was unmatched. Before Mienshao could even charge its Drain Punch, Fletchinder's glowing wings slashed across its body, striking it down again.
"Mienshao is unable to battle! The victory goes to Fletchinder!"
Gurkinn, serving as referee, announced with a deep voice.
He frowned slightly. His granddaughter's training still had a ways to go. Against someone like Ash, hesitation was costly.
But that was the nature of battling—through defeat came growth.
"Go, Machoke!"
"Return, Fletchinder. Time to shine, Hawlucha!"
Ash tossed his next Poké Ball, releasing Hawlucha onto the field.
"Machoke, Bulk Up!"
"Then let's dance! Hawlucha, use Swords Dance!"
Both Pokémon powered up. Machoke flexed its arms as its body tightened with raw strength, while Hawlucha spun, carving glowing blades in the air, its attack power soaring even higher.
"Close Combat, Machoke—strike first!"
"Intercept it, Hawlucha—Wing Attack!"
The two fighters clashed in an explosive collision, each blow echoing through the battlefield.
"Low Sweep!"
"Bounce!"
Ash smirked, already one step ahead.
Machoke's leg swept toward Hawlucha's ankles—but Hawlucha sprang high into the air, leaping far above the Fighting-type's reach.
In the next instant, it plummeted down like a meteor, slamming both feet into Machoke's chest.
"Machoke!"
"Don't back down, Machoke—Brick Break!"
The strike hammered into Hawlucha's shoulder, knocking it back across the field.
"Hawlucha fights harder the stronger its opponent is—right, buddy?"
"Cha!"
Hawlucha cried, eyes blazing with fiery spirit.
"Now, Aerial Ace!"
"Block it, Machoke—Brick Break, guard yourself!"
Machoke brought down its glowing arm like a shield. Hawlucha's Aerial Ace collided, the clash resounding like steel on steel.
Ash's eyes gleamed. "That's a clever defense… but let's see how you handle this! Hawlucha, Feather Dance—then Sky Attack! Go!"
Feathers swirled in a dazzling flurry, landing on Machoke's body and sharply lowering its Attack.
At the same time, Hawlucha glided through the air, charging a devastating aura. Its body shone brilliantly as it prepared the Flying-type's ultimate move.
"Don't let it! Machoke, Focus Blast!"
"Machoke!"
The Fighting Pokémon gathered energy in its palms, firing a blazing orb of compressed power straight at Hawlucha.
The attack struck dead-on—but Hawlucha gritted its teeth and powered through.
"Now—Sky Attack!!"
"Cha!"
Hawlucha dove like a comet, smashing full-force into Machoke's chest.
The Fighting-type flew back, slammed against the wall, and collapsed.
"Machoke is unable to battle! The winner is Hawlucha!"
-----
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host!
Fletchinder defeated Mienshao!
Hawlucha defeated Machoke!
Shared Battle EXP activated! Tenfold EXP Multiplier Card in effect!
Fletchinder gained 68,500 EXP → Level 30!
Hawlucha gained 68,500 EXP → Level 39!]
"So even Machoke lost… Then it's time to reveal my ace!" Korrina declared, her voice strong. "Ash, I'll show you just how much my bond with Lucario has grown!"
At last, her faithful partner entered the field—Lucario.
"Perfect. Then I'll respond in kind. Garchomp, it's your turn!"
"Garrrr-chomp!!"
Lucario's aura flared as it emerged, while Ash's powerhouse Dragon roared onto the battlefield.
"Now this is it… Korrina's final Pokémon," Serena whispered nervously, clutching her hands together.
Even though Ash had already won two battles in a row, her heart still raced with tension.
Because now—it was time for Garchomp vs. Lucario!
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals