"Go, Geodude! It's your time to shine!"
"Geo!"
"Wow, so this is Geodude! Piplup, Buneary, we have to cheer for Ash properly!"
To show her support for Ash, Dawn had even dressed up as a cheerleader, along with Piplup and Buneary.
As Geodude took its position on the battlefield, Dawn pulled out her Pokédex to learn more about it.
"Well then, Ash, what's your first Pokémon? Bring it out and let's see what you've got!"
"Geo!"
Both Roark and Geodude locked eyes with Ash, waiting for his choice.
"Alright, my first pick is… this little guy! Go!"
A Poké Ball flew through the air, releasing Aipom onto the battlefield.
"Aipom, I'm counting on you for this battle!"
"Ai-pom!"
Aipom landed gracefully, using its tail to grab onto a rock and balance itself.
Seated in the stands, Paul observed Ash's choice and frowned.
An Aipom?
This was the kind of Pokémon he never even considered capturing.
Let's see how you handle it, Ash.
"You're using Aipom even though Normal-type moves won't be very effective against Geodude? Interesting. Alright then, show me what kind of battle you can bring!"
Roark was eager to see how Ash planned to fight.
"Aipom, use Agility, then Shadow Clone! Get in close!"
"Aipom!"
Aipom dashed forward at an incredible speed, leaving behind multiple afterimages as it rapidly approached Geodude.
In an instant, dozens of identical Aipom clones surrounded Geodude from all angles.
"Not bad! Geodude, use Rollout and kick up Sandstorm! Wipe them all out!"
"Geo!"
Geodude spun rapidly, stirring up dirt and sand all over the battlefield, completely dispersing all the Shadow Clones.
Roark grinned. "No more tricks, Ash!"
But Ash smirked.
"Too late, Roark! Aipom, Focus Punch!"
Aipom had already closed the distance.
Focus Punch—a move that required the user to charge up before attacking. It was hard to land, but if it connected, it packed a devastating blow!
And right now, Aipom was just a meter away from Geodude!
"Not so fast! Geodude, use Hidden Power!"
"Geo!"
A sphere of golden energy instantly surrounded Geodude, glowing brilliantly before exploding outward in all directions!
Paul narrowed his eyes from the stands.
Hidden Power? That's unexpected.
He had researched Roark before, but this was new.
Aipom took a direct hit and… disappeared!
A Shadow Clone?!
"That's it! Aipom, Focus Punch—NOW!"
The real Aipom appeared from behind, its tail glowing brightly as it struck Geodude head-on!
"Geo—?!"
Geodude was sent flying!
Just to be safe, Ash commanded, "Finish it with Swift!"
Aipom fired a flurry of glowing stars at the airborne Geodude, and though it tried to resist, the relentless barrage proved too much.
"Geodude is unable to battle! Aipom wins!"
The referee made the call.
At that moment, Ash's Battle Experience Share activated, distributing the experience gained to his entire team.
Roark recalled Geodude and smiled.
"That was a brilliant strategy, Ash. You turned Aipom's small size—what some would call a weakness—into an advantage and completely threw me off. Even as a Gym Leader, I miscalculated. That battle taught me something too. I accept the lesson!"
Paul's expression darkened.
He had been so sure Ash would fail.
Yet, even he had failed to notice Aipom's movements.
This guy… he's really getting stronger.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Dawn jumped up excitedly.
"Ash won the first round so easily! That was amazing!"
"Piplup!" "Bun-buneary!"
Anabel, however, shook her head.
"No, it wasn't easy. It was precise. Ash's strategy was executed so well that even we, as spectators, couldn't see through it. That's what made it truly incredible."
She was right.
Ash wasn't just improving.
He was evolving as a Trainer.
Meanwhile, Byron prepared his second Pokémon.
"You've got my respect, Ash! But let's see how you handle this! Go, Onix!"
With a mighty roar, the enormous Rock Snake Pokémon emerged onto the field, towering over Aipom.
Aipom looked up, gulping nervously.
Ash smirked.
"You did great, Aipom! Come back and rest."
Aipom returned to its Poké Ball.
Now, it was time for his next choice.
Ash held up another Poké Ball, his expression filled with determination.
"It's your time to shine—Go, Turtwig!"
"Tur-twig!"
Turtwig emerged onto the field, standing firm against the massive Onix.
Despite the sheer size difference, it didn't show a hint of fear.
"Alright, Turtwig, this is our first official battle together! Let's make it count!"
"Turtwig!"
Turtwig turned back to look at Ash and nodded.
Roark chuckled.
"A first battle, huh? That means your teamwork will be tested more than ever. Very well! Come at me with everything you've got!"
Ash had already proven himself, so Roark wasn't going to underestimate him anymore.
"Start off with Razor Leaf, Turtwig!"
"Turtwig!"
Turtwig shook its head, launching a storm of sharp leaves toward Onix.
"Onix, Counter with Screech!"
"ROOOAAARR!!"
Onix let out a deafening scream!
The high-pitched noise blasted through the arena, even making the spectators cover their ears.
The force of the soundwave shattered the Razor Leaf in midair!
Paul scoffed.
"Hmph. A predictable counter."
But Ash grinned.
"Turtwig, charge straight into the center of the soundwave! Spin and use Razor Leaf again!"
Dawn's eyes widened.
"Charge into the Screech?! But why?"
She quickly took out her Pokédex and reviewed Screech's mechanics.
Screech's waves expanded outward in circles, with the intensity being strongest on the outer edges.
If Turtwig got to the center, the damage would be minimized!
"That's… that's incredible!"
Turtwig spun rapidly as it passed through the weaker sound waves, using the momentum to launch a 360-degree Razor Leaf attack!
The spinning Razor Leaf attack cut through the remaining soundwaves and even landed multiple hits on Onix!
"Whoa!" Roark's eyes lit up in excitement. "What a creative way to use Razor Leaf! This battle just got even more fun!"
Ash smirked.
Turtwig's just getting started!
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