"Chaamo!"
Treecko let out a cry, its whole body bursting with the light of evolution!
It evolved!
To evolve in the middle of battle—what an interesting development.
Ash quickly activated his Eye of Insight to examine it. This Treecko had blue potential, which wasn't bad at all.
Treecko's body visibly grew in size. A long leaf stretched from the top of its head, while sharp blade-like leaves sprouted along its arms. Its feet also grew powerful claws.
It had evolved into Grovyle!
"M-my Treecko evolved?"
Sawyer's initial shock quickly turned into joy. After all, evolution meant it had just gotten much stronger!
Grovyle's powerful hind legs allowed it to leap effortlessly from tree to tree, moving with lightning speed.
"It looks like Treecko has responded to Sawyer's heart," Ash observed softly.
Serena, meanwhile, wasn't worried at all. Even though Sawyer's Treecko had evolved, she was confident that Ash's Frogadier would still dominate the match.
"Very well then—Grovyle! Let's show Ash-senpai and his Frogadier our strength! Use your strongest Bullet Seed!"
"Frogadier, use Water Pulse!"
"Frogadier!"
Grovyle fired another volley of Bullet Seeds, while Frogadier conjured a glowing sphere of water energy and hurled it forward.
The two attacks collided, exploding with force. Steam billowed across the battlefield, shrouding everything in a dense fog.
Grovyle instinctively leapt back, wary of the cover. But Frogadier's shadow flickered within the mist.
"Now's our chance, Grovyle! Use Leaf Blade!"
Sawyer's eyes lit up—he believed victory was finally in his grasp.
Grovyle's arm-leaves extended into long, curved blades, slashing rapidly as it charged into the mist. The steam dispersed under the flurry of strikes, but…
The target it had shredded wasn't Frogadier at all.
It was a decoy made of foam!
Sawyer's heart sank. "No—it's a trick!"
By the time he realized, Frogadier had already sprung high into the air, descending swiftly from above.
Competing in agility? Frogadier wouldn't lose to anyone!
"Water Pulse!"
Frogadier charged one orb in each hand, fusing them into a massive, pulsating sphere of water energy. It slammed the attack straight into Grovyle's stomach!
"Chaamo…"
The impact knocked Grovyle backward several steps before the giant water orb detonated against its body. Even with its resistance to Water-type moves, the sheer explosive force drove the breath from its lungs, leaving it reeling in pain.
"Now! Quick Attack + Cut—Lightning Slash!"
"Frogadier!"
The instant Grovyle staggered, Frogadier launched forward like an arrow loosed from a bowstring. Its speed was dazzling, almost blinding.
Its elbow struck Grovyle hard, forcing it back again. Then Frogadier's hands drew a glowing blade of energy—its signature Cut technique.
"Chaa…mo…"
Despite its fresh evolution, Grovyle still couldn't withstand Frogadier's overwhelming strength. It collapsed to the ground.
"Too… too strong… Ash-senpai's Frogadier is incredible. Grovyle, thank you—you did your best."
Sawyer recalled his Grovyle, though his eyes now shone with admiration as he looked at Ash and his partner.
"Ash-senpai, I've realized something. Instead of only recording techniques, I need to understand them, truly turn them into my own knowledge. In battle, I won't have the luxury of flipping through notes. Time won't wait, and neither will my opponents."
Ash nodded approvingly as he recalled Frogadier, who had just leveled up again thanks to the system's prompt in his mind.
"That's right. Knowledge is important, but in battle, instinct and mastery matter more. Learn, then make it your own."
"Yes! You're the goal I'm chasing, Ash-senpai. My Pokémon and I will keep growing stronger—one day, I'll challenge you again!"
Sawyer clenched his fists with determination.
Afterward, it was time to attend Valerie's highly anticipated fashion show.
As soon as Ash and his friends arrived at the venue, two of the Laverre Gym staff approached them.
It turned out that two outfits in the showcase lacked suitable models, and the staff had instantly set their eyes on Serena and Bonnie.
Serena hesitated for a moment but agreed—this was the perfect chance to train her courage, to stand before an audience without fear.
Bonnie, on the other hand, was immediately thrilled by the idea.
Soon, Serena and Bonnie were whisked away backstage to change, while Ash, Clemont, and Sawyer found seats in the audience.
The show began with trainers and their Pokémon striding down the runway in dazzling outfits designed by none other than Valerie herself. Each ensemble was crafted to harmonize with a Pokémon's look and aura.
Before long, Serena and Bonnie stepped onto the stage.
The crowd murmured in delight, impressed by the pair's charm and poise.
Finally, the star herself appeared—Valerie.
She was as radiant as a fairy, her presence captivating the entire hall. What astonished Ash and the others most was her incredible ability: Valerie could not only understand Pokémon speech but also speak their language herself!
The audience erupted into thunderous cheers at her arrival, proof of how beloved she was in Laverre City.
After her introduction, Valerie announced a special segment: a display of trainer-Pokémon synergy. She would randomly select a trainer from the crowd to battle alongside her.
After a brief whisper from her assistant, Valerie chose Sawyer.
"Don't worry," she said with a smile. "If you can defeat me here on stage, I'll personally award you the Laverre Gym Badge."
But the outcome was clear— Sawyer was no match for Valerie and her elegant Spritzee.
When the fashion show ended, Ash's group returned to the Laverre Gym itself.
Now, it was finally time for Ash's challenge.
The gym official, who also doubled as referee, led Ash and his friends into the battle arena.
Ding! [Congratulations, Host. You have successfully arrived at Laverre Gym. Beginning sign-in…]
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