The afternoon sun spilled across the cliffs as Ash and his friends followed the winding trail. Before long, the path widened, and the vast stretch of Kalos Canyon came into view. The group stopped in their tracks, gazes lifted in awe. The canyon's jagged ridges carved deep into the land, its sheer walls glowing amber and crimson beneath the sunlight. The endless drop seemed to hum with a quiet power.
"Wow..." Ash breathed, eyes sparkling. "So this is Kalos Canyon!"
Eager for a break, the group released their Pokémon to enjoy the open air. Ash's newest partner, Hawlucha, spread its wings dramatically as it landed with a powerful pose. The sudden display startled Gabite, who chomped down on Ash's head with a growl.
"Gaaah! Gabite, not again!" Ash flailed wildly until Hawlucha's talons pried Gabite off. The Fighting-type looked alarmed at first, wings flaring, but lowered its guard once it saw Ash laughing it off.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," Ash reassured, rubbing the sore spot as he turned proudly toward the group. "Everyone, meet our new teammate—Hawlucha!"
Most of the Pokémon crowded close, chirping and chattering in amazement at Hawlucha's imposing presence. Serena's Fennekin tilted its head curiously, while Clemont's Luxio let out a respectful rumble. Bonnie's Chespin, however, was the boldest of all, puffing out its chest and imitating Hawlucha's pose. The result drew giggles from everyone—except the other Pokémon, who clearly weren't impressed by Chespin's antics.
Only Froakie kept back, arms crossed as it eyed Hawlucha coolly. Having already battled the proud fighter, it didn't share the same wide-eyed excitement as the others.
Serena, meanwhile, had pulled out her tablet, scrolling quickly through a guide. "According to this, we really are at Kalos Canyon. It's famous for something called... sky battles."
"Sky battles?" Ash repeated, leaning over her shoulder with interest.
Before Serena could answer, a rush of wind swept overhead. Two Trainers in sleek wing suits soared across the canyon, each commanding their Pokémon in mid-air. Ash and the others watched, breathless, as a Talonflame clashed against a Skarmory. The firebird swooped and twisted with incredible speed, dodging Skarmory's steel wings before striking with a burst of flame. Within moments, Skarmory faltered, spiraling downward before recovering at the canyon's edge.
Ash's jaw dropped. "That was awesome!"
Serena's eyes sparkled, stars practically dancing in them. "A real sky battle... I've always wanted to see one for myself!"
As the echoes of the fight faded, footsteps approached from behind. A tall man with weathered features and a calm air stepped closer, his eyes crinkling with curiosity. "First time in the canyon, is it?"
The man introduced himself as a Sky Battle instructor, his tone warm yet authoritative. With a wave of his arm, he gestured toward a building nestled against the canyon wall, its design sleek and wind-swept like the cliffs themselves. "Sky Battles are fought in the open air, with Trainers soaring alongside their Pokémon"
Ash's eyes gleamed with excitement. "That sounds incredible! Where do we sign up?"
The instructor chuckled and led them inside. The facility brimmed with equipment: wing suits lined the walls in rows, their lightweight fabric fluttering faintly in the canyon breeze that slipped through open skylights. Ash, Serena, and Clemont each received one of their own. The suits hugged their frames snugly, their colors vibrant; Ash's in bold red, Serena's in soft pink trimmed with white, and Clemont's in a more practical navy.
But when Bonnie eagerly stepped forward, her smile faltered. The clerk knelt down apologetically, explaining that she was too small for a safe-fitting suit.
"What? That's not fair!" Bonnie puffed her cheeks, crossing her arms. Her disappointment was plain, though she tried to mask it with a forced huff.
Serena crouched beside her, torn. "Bonnie, I can stay with you if you'd like—"
Bonnie shook her head quickly, clutching Dedenne closer. "It's fine! Dedenne will keep me company. You guys should have fun."
Before Serena could press further, Chespin popped out of its Poké Ball with a cheerful cry. It landed right in front of Bonnie, puffing out its chest as if to say, Don't worry, I'll look after you too. Bonnie blinked, then giggled despite herself, giving Chespin a pat.
Satisfied, Ash unclipped a Poké Ball from his belt and tossed it forward. "Alright, Hawlucha, let's do this!"
Serena followed with a smile. "Come on out, Fletchling!"
The two Pokémon spread their wings with eager cries as the group was led into the testing chamber–a wide, domed room where air vents along the floor sent powerful gusts upward, mimicking the canyon winds.
Ash and Serena launched easily into the air, their wing suits catching the currents. Hawlucha and Fletchling soared alongside them, the bird darting swiftly while Hawlucha posed dramatically mid-flight.
"Woohoo! This is amazing!" Ash laughed, banking sharply to the left.
Serena, her hair flowing in the updraft, beamed as she matched Fletchling's movements with grace.
Clemont, however, wasn't faring nearly as well. His bulky suit wobbled as he lost his balance, tumbling head over heels in the draft. "W-whoa! Stabilizers... need stabilizers!" he yelped, arms flailing wildly.
Bonnie pressed her face against the observation window, sighing. "Yep, that's my brother..." she muttered under her breath, though Dedenne's nuzzle and Chespin's silly poses coaxed a reluctant smile back onto her face.
Just as Ash and Serena began to get the hang of gliding with their Pokémon, the air in the chamber shifted. A shadow passed over the skylight.
The woman from earlier, slim and striking in her own wing suit, descended gracefully into the room, her landing as smooth as any bird. She adjusted the visor of her helmet, eyes locking onto Ash with a confident smirk.
"So," she said, voice carrying clearly over the wind. "You're the one who looked so interested in Sky Battles, aren't you?"
Ash's grip on his wing suit straps tightened, his grin spreading wide. "Yeah, that's me!"
"Hmm, your Hawlucha looks pretty strong." She smirks. "Let's have a battle!"
The woman lifted her helmet slightly, revealing sharp amber eyes that matched the fire in her voice. "My name is Moria. And this—" she tossed her Poké Ball high into the chamber's currents, "—is my partner, Talonflame!"
With a piercing cry, Talonflame burst forth, wings blazing like fire as it circled above. The heat of its presence alone filled the chamber, and the group stared in awe.
"Talonflame," Serena whispered, starry-eyed. Her Fletchling fluttered anxiously at her side, gazing up at its evolved form with both admiration and unease.
The instructor stepped forward, smiling knowingly. "Moria is one of our top instructors here at the canyon. Her Talonflame has defeated countless challengers. You couldn't ask for a better introduction to Sky Battles."
Ash leaned forward eagerly. "That's perfect! I'll—" But then he stopped, noticing Fletchling's wings twitching impatiently. Serena's partner hovered in front of him, its small body trembling with determination. Serena herself gave Ash a hopeful nod.
"Actually," Ash said, grinning, "I think Fletchling wants this battle more than anyone. Right?"
"Fletchling!" Serena's Pokémon chirped, flapping hard to prove its point.
But Talonflame dipped lower, wings folding as it let out a dismissive screech. Its piercing gaze fixed on Fletchling, then turned away with disdain.
Moria crossed her arms. "Talonflame says your Fletchling isn't worth its time. It only battles opponents strong enough to prove a challenge."
Fletchling wilted, its wings drooping. Serena gasped softly, reaching out. "Fletchling..."
Ash's fists clenched. "That's not fair! Fletchling's really tough!"
Talonflame answered with a sharp cry, the heat in its feathers flaring brighter as if daring them to disagree.
Moria's eyes softened slightly as she regarded Ash. "Talonflame has chosen its opponent. But we'll make you a promise—" She gestured at Hawlucha, who struck a proud fighting pose. "If your Hawlucha can defeat us, then we'll give Fletchling the battle it wants. That is Talonflame's word."
Ash turned back to Hawlucha. His new partner's eyes gleamed with fire, wings spread wide in a challenge of its own.
"Alright then," Ash said, pumping his fist. "If that's how it is, we'll prove ourselves! Hawlucha, you're up!"
With a triumphant cry, Hawlucha leapt into the air, locking eyes with Talonflame as sparks of rivalry lit between them.
Serena bent down, whispering to Fletchling, who still looked dejected. "Don't lose heart. Ash and Hawlucha will open the path for you."
Fletchling nodded faintly, watching as the two Pokémon faced off midair, the chamber winds whipping around them like a storm.
The instructor raised his hand. "This will be a Sky Battle! Ash and his Hawlucha versus Moria and her Talonflame. Trainers, are you ready?"
Ash's voice rang out with fiery determination. "We're ready!"
Moria smirked. "Then let's begin."
Talonflame let out a piercing cry, its wings igniting with streaks of heat as it darted upward in a blazing arc. Hawlucha crouched low, then sprang into the air, twisting with grace as it soared to meet its opponent.
"Flying Press, let's go!" Ash commanded.
Hawlucha tucked in its wings and dove, body spinning as it plummeted toward Talonflame like a comet.
"Intercept it, Talonflame! Flame Charge!" Moria countered.
Talonflame blazed forward, cloaked in fire. The two Pokémon collided in midair, the impact booming across the canyon walls. For a heartbeat, they pushed against one another, Hawlucha straining as its claws scraped against Talonflame's feathers. Then, with a powerful flap of its wings, Talonflame overpowered Hawlucha and forced it downward.
"Come on, Hawlucha, recover!" Ash shouted.
Hawlucha twisted, spreading its wings to glide. It skimmed through the rushing canyon winds, regaining balance, then launched back upward with another leap. But unlike Talonflame, which ascended with effortless wingbeats, Hawlucha could only glide in bursts, losing altitude every time it tried to climb.
Bonnie clutched Fletchling in her arms, watching with wide eyes. "Hawlucha can't keep up..."
Serena gently stroked Fletchling's feathers as it trembled. "Don't worry. You'll get your chance. I'll make sure Moria gives it to you."
High above, Talonflame looped gracefully, then dove.
"Use Aerial Ace!" Moria called.
Talonflame blurred into a streak of silver, slamming into Hawlucha's side. Hawlucha cried out, spiraling downward before righting itself, barely keeping airborne with a glide. It hurled itself upward again, determination burning in its eyes.
"High Jump Kick!" Ash shouted.
Hawlucha rocketed upward, knee glowing as it struck toward Talonflame. But Talonflame nimbly banked sideways, letting Hawlucha's kick hit nothing but empty air. The missed strike left Hawlucha overextended, and gravity yanked it down hard.
"Finish it with Brave Bird!"
Talonflame's body blazed blue, wings tucked as it shot downward like a living missile. The canyon walls shook as Talonflame smashed Hawlucha into the rock face. Dust and fragments scattered as Hawlucha slumped, eyes swirling.
Ash rushed forward as Hawlucha fell, catching him in his arms. "Hawlucha!"
The referee-instructor raised a hand. "Hawlucha is unable to battle! Talonflame wins!"
Serena held Fletchling close. "Oh no..."
Moria crossed her arms. "That's the difference. Your Hawlucha has power, but it cannot truly fly. Against Talonflame, it never stood a chance."
Ash looked up. "Then let Fletchling battle!"
Moria shook her head. "No. If Hawlucha could not endure, Fletchling has no hope."
Fletchling chirped angrily, wings buzzing as it flapped out of Serena's arms. But before the argument could continue—
A net shot down from above, ensnaring Talonflame mid-flight. The fiery bird screeched in panic, thrashing against the ropes.
"What the—?!" Moria shouted.
A familiar laugh echoed from above, followed by a hot-air balloon shaped like a giant Meowth head.
"Prepare for trouble!" Jessie declared.
"And make it double!" James added.
"To protect the world from devastation!" Jessie cried.
"To unite all peoples within our nation!" James chimed in.
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!" Jessie posed dramatically.
"To extend our reach to the stars above!" James twirled his rose.
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
"And Wobbuffet!" the blue Pokémon added proudly.
"That Talonflame will make the perfect prize for the boss!" Jessie said with a grin.
"Yeah, a bird that's hotter than toast! We'll be living easy after this one," Meowth snickered.
"Team Rocket!" Ash shouted. "Let Talonflame go!"
"Fat chance!" Jessie sneered. "This one's ours!"
The balloon rose higher. But then Ash, Moria, and the instructor launched into the air with their wing suits, cutting through the wind to give chase. Serena hesitated, then tightened her helmet.
"Braixen, Fletchling—help me out!" she cried, releasing her Pokémon.
Braixen spun its branch, flames dancing.
"Flamethrower!" Serena ordered.
Braixen unleashed a roaring stream of fire. It struck the balloon dead-on, searing fabric until it burst. The Meowth balloon careened downward, smoke trailing as Team Rocket screamed.
"Not again!" James wailed.
The balloon slammed into the canyon floor. Jessie and James scrambled out, already tossing Poké Balls.
"Go, Pumpkaboo!"
"Get 'em, Inkay!"
Ash landed hard with Hawlucha at his side, but it was too weak to continue. Serena stepped forward instead, pointing. "Fletchling, this is your battle!"
Inkay darted forward with Tackle, but Fletchling swooped in, unleashing a cutting Razor Wind that sent Inkay tumbling back. With a flash of steel, Fletchling's Steel Wing sliced through the net, freeing Talonflame.
Talonflame spread its wings wide, giving Fletchling a respectful nod.
"Way to go, Fletchling!" Serena beamed.
Pumpkaboo spun and fired Dark Pulse, black energy streaking across the field. Fletchling darted aside, wings tucked as it swooped low and drove forward with Peck, striking Pumpkaboo square in the chest.
Inkay reeled, then fired a shimmering Psybeam.
"Talonflame, help it out—Fire Blast!" Moria ordered.
Talonflame roared, unleashing a blazing sigil of fire. The flames engulfed both Inkay and Pumpkaboo, launching them skyward in a spectacular explosion.
"Looks like Team Rocket's—" Jessie started.
"Blasting off again!" they all wailed as a twinkle vanished into the sky.
"Wobbuffet!" echoed faintly.
Ash laughed in relief, clutching Hawlucha's Poké Ball. Serena hugged Fletchling proudly, while Talonflame landed beside Moria, wings folding. For the first time, the great bird lowered its head to Fletchling.
"Looks like Talonflame really wants to have a go with you!" Ash comments with a laugh.
The canyon winds swirled as Serena and Moria faced one another in the open-air battle ring. Talonflame soared overhead, wings spread wide like blades of fire. Fletchling hovered at the edge of the updraft, its small body braced against the rushing air.
Moria raised her arm. "Talonflame, let's show them how a Sky Battle is done! Aerial Ace!"
Talonflame blurred into silver light, streaking toward Fletchling.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Serena called.
Fletchling zipped aside in a streak of white, narrowly avoiding the slash. It circled back with a sharp cry.
"Now, Steel Wing!"
Fletchling's wings gleamed metallic, slicing toward Talonflame. The clash rang like steel on steel as Talonflame batted the strike away with its talons.
"Push it back! Flame Charge!" Moria commanded.
Talonflame's body ignited as it blasted forward, ramming into Fletchling with fiery force. The tiny bird was thrown back, spinning in the air, but it caught the updraft and steadied itself.
"Hang in there! Use Razor Wind!" Serena shouted.
Fletchling beat its wings furiously, releasing a slicing gale. The wind slammed into Talonflame, forcing it to drop altitude. But the larger bird recovered in an instant.
"Brave Bird!" Moria's voice rang clear.
Talonflame wrapped itself in a blazing aura of blue and gold, diving like a missile.
"Counter with Steel Wing!" Serena cried.
Fletchling charged head-on, wings flashing silver. The impact shook the air, both Pokémon flung apart by the collision.
Bonnie clenched her fists. "Come on, Fletchling! You can do it!"
Talonflame hovered high above, wings glowing red.
"End this with Fire Blast!" Moria ordered.
The flaming sigil erupted from Talonflame's beak, crashing down like a storm of fire. Fletchling shrieked as the flames swallowed its body, tumbling helplessly toward the canyon floor.
"Fletchling!" Serena cried, reaching out as tears welled in her eyes.
But within the blaze, a bright light began to shine.
"Look!" Clemont gasped.
Fletchling's form stretched and expanded, wings lengthening, flames sparking at its tail feathers. With a triumphant cry, the glow shattered, revealing Fletchinder. The flames still burning on its body surged forward into raw power.
"Fletchinder!" Serena's voice broke with joy.
Fletchinder's body blazed as it launched itself forward.
"It learned Flame Charge!" Ash exclaimed.
"Go, Fletchinder—use Flame Charge!" Serena shouted.
Fletchinder rocketed forward, flames trailing. It slammed into Talonflame, forcing it back. Then, without slowing, it wheeled around and struck again—faster, sharper, stronger. Each hit built its speed higher.
"Keep it up! Flame Charge again!" Serena urged.
Fletchinder blurred into a streak of fire, darting circles around Talonflame. The great bird tried to track it, snapping its wings, but the smaller bird had become too fast.
"One more time! Flame Charge! Finish this!"
Fletchinder streaked upward, flames roaring, then dove. It struck Talonflame square in the chest with a final, explosive blow. Talonflame spun out of control, crashing into the canyon wall before fluttering down, wings spread weakly in defeat.
The instructor raised his arm. "Talonflame is unable to battle! The winner is Fletchinder!"
Serena clapped her hands over her mouth, eyes sparkling. "We did it! Fletchinder, you won!"
Fletchinder landed gracefully on her arm, chirping proudly as fire still glimmered along its wings. Bonnie rushed over, hugging Serena and bouncing up and down.
"That was amazing! Fletchinder is awesome!" Bonnie squealed.
Fletchinder puffed out its chest, flames flaring briefly before it nuzzled against Serena, basking in the cheers of its friends.
[Line Break]
Back at the Sky Battle Center, the group gathered at the entrance where the canyon winds whistled through the open sky. Moria stood with Talonflame beside her, its feathers still gleaming despite the battle it had lost. The instructor smiled warmly as he addressed the young Trainers.
"You've all shown great spirit today," he said. His eyes fell on Bonnie, who looked up at him hopefully. "And as for you, young lady... when you're a little taller, come back here. I'll have a wing suit ready just for you."
Bonnie's face lit up. "Really? You promise?"
The instructor chuckled. "I promise. Until then, keep cheering on your friends. That spirit is just as important as battling."
Bonnie nodded eagerly, her hands balled into excited fists. "Okay! I'll be the best Sky Battler ever one day!"
Moria stepped forward, giving Serena and Fletchinder a respectful nod. "You've both grown stronger. Talonflame recognizes you now. Take pride in that victory—it wasn't easy earned."
Serena blushed slightly but bowed her head. "Thank you. We'll keep training hard."
Ash grinned. "And next time, I'll be the one battling you, Moria!"
Moria smirked, folding her arms. "Then I'll be waiting."
With farewells exchanged, the group turned toward the path leading out of the canyon. Bonnie dashed a few steps ahead, arms spread wide as though she were already soaring with a wing suit of her own. "Come on, everyone! Let's hurry to the next adventure!"
Ash laughed, Pikachu bounding along at his side. "Right behind you, Bonnie!"
As the sun set over the canyons, our heroes departed, continuing on their journey, their spirits lifted by the battles fought and the victories earned.
AS THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!
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