"Staryu, Water Gun!"
"Froakie, use Water Gun too!"
"Puff!"
On the field, two water jets collided midair, splashing a wave across the pool!
Finally, both sides stopped using Water Gun at the same time.
Water splashed into the air, and both Pokémon launched another attack together!
"Staryu, use Rapid Spin!"
"Froakie, use Bubble!"
Staryu spun rapidly toward Froakie like a spinning blade!
Froakie clapped the bubbles on his neck with both hands and hurled them forward!
Misty smirked confidently.
Ash, even you can make mistakes sometimes!
Staryu's Rapid Spin speed was incredibly fast.
Once those bubbles made contact, they'd simply be knocked away!
She was certain she had this small round won!
But Misty's smile froze instantly.
Because when Staryu's Rapid Spin hit Froakie's bubbles, they didn't bounce off!
Instead, Froakie's bubbles stuck tightly to Staryu's spinning body!
Staryu's rotation started slowing down,
And it ended up crashing into Froakie softly, as if wrapped in cotton!
Because the outer layer of Staryu was now completely covered in Froakie's sticky bubbles!
To Froakie, this contact was nothing but harmless cushion — aside from the energy hit!
Taking advantage of the momentum, Froakie leapt high into the air!
"Now, use Bounce!"
While in midair, Froakie's expression sharpened as he kicked down fiercely with one leg!
Flying-type energy surged into his kick.
Staryu, wrapped in bubbles, was unable to dodge!
"Bang!!"
The powerful impact sent Staryu crashing into the bottom of the pool!
Misty's eyes widened, completely stunned.
"Why… why couldn't Staryu's Rapid Spin deflect your bubbles?!"
"Hehe, because Froakie's bubbles are different from normal Pokémon's."
"The bubbles around his neck contain Froakie's special bubble essence. These bubbles don't just have stronger Water-type power — they're also sticky. Rapid Spin alone can't shake them off."
"Gie no!"
Froakie crouched proudly on the float and gave Ash a thumbs up.
"Misty, you've traveled with us for days, but you still don't know Froakie's info. You're not being careful enough."
"To win battles, you need to know both yourself and your opponent. A Trainer's strategy depends on their understanding of their Pokémon."
"If you don't know their abilities, even the best commands won't be enough."
Misty's expression calmed again as she nodded quietly.
In a Gym Battle, it's supposed to be the leader teaching the challenger —
But now, Ash had completely reversed that role, lecturing her instead.
Yet, in terms of tactics and insight, Ash was clearly ahead.
Even though she was the Gym Leader, her experience was limited.
Ash, though new, fought with maturity and precision beyond his years.
It wasn't that Misty was weak — it was that Ash was far too talented!
That was why this strange reversal between challenger and leader had happened.
While Ash was speaking, Staryu resurfaced from underwater.
During her travels with Ash, Misty had trained Staryu hard, raising it to the advanced beginner level —
About equal to Froakie's strength.
That's why Staryu wasn't defeated in a single hit.
"Staryu, use Swift!"
Misty quickly refocused and gave a new command.
"Froakie, Acrobatics!"
"Gie no!"
Froakie stared at the golden stars streaking through the air.
Then he leapt forward, kicking off one of the glowing Swifts midair!
The Swift exploded just as Froakie darted away!
Using that blast as a springboard, Froakie flipped and twisted through the air —
Moving unpredictably like a true shadow warrior!
Misty couldn't even track what he was doing.
By the time she blinked, Froakie was already right in front of Staryu!
He raised his leg high, then brought it crashing down!
"Bang!!"
Staryu, floating on the surface, was struck hard and sank beneath the water again!
Within seconds, Staryu floated back up — completely defeated and unable to continue fighting.
Violet and the others in the stands were stunned.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?! How did it move like that… like…"
"Like a ninja," Serena said softly.
The sisters had no words to describe Froakie's movements.
But Serena knew exactly what she was seeing — it was Ash's special training method.
That's right — Froakie was trained like a ninja!
Unpredictable and resourceful, using anything in the surroundings to gain advantage —
That was the fighting style Ash had taught him.
And Froakie had absorbed that training faster than anyone expected!
What Froakie showed here was only a glimpse of what Ash had passed on.
Anyone who traveled with Ash could only sigh in awe.
Why did this boy know so much?
Whether it was cooking, wilderness skills, or Pokémon training,
Ash always seemed to know everything.
Serena had often wondered — was Ash really just ten years old like her?
Why did her ten-year-old life feel so different from his?
On the battlefield, after Froakie's victory over Staryu, his entire body began to glow!
Misty still hadn't recovered from the shock of losing when the bright light enveloped Froakie.
"This is… evolution?"
As Misty's uncertain voice echoed, Froakie's body began to change.
His short frame stretched taller, limbs elongating, body growing more defined.
Moments later, the light faded — revealing Frogadier standing proudly before everyone!
His figure was lean and agile, his arms long and graceful.
A white, scarf-like bubble wrapped elegantly around his neck.
(End of the chapter)