"Sorry to have delayed your journey, Ash," said Roark with an apologetic smile. "But thanks to you, my father and I were able to resolve our differences. Still, as Gym Leaders, we can't go easy on you. My father's Bastiodon is incredibly strong, and his other Pokémon are just as formidable. Don't let your guard down."
Roark stepped into the referee's position.
"I understand, Mr. Roark," Ash nodded.
"Pika!"
Ash and Pikachu gave a firm nod, then Ash took his place opposite Byron on the battlefield.
" Roark wasn't wrong, Ash!" Byron called out, eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Come at us with everything you've got! My team and I—we believe in defense! Defense is unbeatable!"
Byron looked eager for the fight to begin. A Poké Ball was already in his hand—Ash, too, was ready.
"Now commencing the official Gym battle between challenger Ash and Canalave Gym Leader Byron! Each side may use three Pokémon. The battle ends when all of one side's Pokémon are unable to continue. Only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokémon mid-battle. With that, let the match begin!"
"Come on out, Bronzor!"
Byron sent out his first Pokémon—Bronzor!
"Then I choose you—Monferno!"
Ash countered with Monferno!
This Bronzor wasn't even fully evolved—it was still five levels away from reaching level 50 and hadn't evolved into Bronzong.
Ash raised an eyebrow.
So it's not just my Pokémon that resist evolution after leveling up...
" Monferno, Flamethrower!"
"GAAAHH!!"
Monferno inhaled sharply and launched a stream of blazing fire.
"Dodge it and use Gyro Ball!"
Despite the intense flames surging toward it, Bronzor's floating body gave a twitch and swiftly evaded. Then its whole body began to spin rapidly, glowing with light from both sides—Gyro Ball!
Byron might favor defense, but he wasn't stupid. Still, if he thought Monferno's Flamethrower was that easy to dodge—he was dead wrong.
" Monferno, go into Flamethrower – Whirlwind Mode!"
"GAAAHH!"
Suddenly, Monferno's Flamethrower changed—its movements became erratic, unpredictable, like a storm of flame lashing out in all directions.
Although it looked chaotic, the fire effectively blocked every potential attack path Bronzor could take. Its Gyro Ball was stopped cold—losing its trajectory, it spun to a halt.
But Monferno's wild flamethrower barrage didn't stop. The inferno closed in from all directions, engulfing Bronzor.
Being both a Steel and Psychic type, Bronzor was doubly weak to fire. Especially Monferno's fire—much more intense than normal!
"Impressive!" Byron exclaimed, clearly surprised. "That's a move you two came up with yourselves, isn't it? But don't forget—Bronzor's a Psychic type too! Bronzor, use Hypnosis!"
Bronzor's eyes lit up—it unleashed Hypnosis!
Buzz!
The blazing fire suddenly curved in midair—controlled by Bronzor's psychic power—turning around and heading straight for Monferno!
But Bronzor was visibly exhausted, breathing heavily.
After being pounded by that intense fire barrage, it was already near its limit. Even that one instance of redirecting the flames had taken all it had. Doing it again? Impossible.
"Monferno, Dig—get underground!"
Monferno instantly dove beneath the battlefield.
Bronzor lost sight of its target.
"Heh! Doesn't matter how deep it digs," Byron said confidently. "Eventually, it'll have to surface to attack. All Bronzor has to do is ascend to a height Monferno can't reach!"
Byron swung a shovel-shaped tool in his hand upward.
Bronzor immediately floated higher and higher, trying to put as much distance between it and the battlefield as possible.
"Too late!" Ash called out.
The words had barely left his mouth when Monferno burst from underground—leaping high into the air!
"What?! That jump—how is it even possible?!"
Byron was stunned.
Monferno wasn't done.
"Flamethrower!"
"GAAAHH!!"
FWOOSH!
A wall of blazing fire erupted from Monferno's mouth, engulfing Bronzor in midair.
Bronzor screamed in agony as it was incinerated, then plummeted down—BAM!—crashing into the ground.
"Bronzor is unable to battle. Monferno wins!" declared Roark, raising a flag.
Ding! [Congratulations, Host! Monferno has defeated Bronzor and earned 8,500 battle experience points!]
"Excellent work, Monferno!" Ash beamed. "That's what our training's all about—showing them what we've got!"
"GAAAHH!" Monferno whooped with excitement, bouncing over to Ash and hopping around joyfully.
"Uh, Ash… may I ask?" Roark suddenly spoke up. "That Monferno … is it…?"
Ash gave a calm nod. "Yes, Mr. Roark. This Monferno used to be Paul's Chimchar. He abandoned it."
Hearing Paul's name no longer brought pain to Monferno. The past was behind it—it had moved on.
Roark nodded solemnly, quietly wondering if Paul ever regretted his decision.
"You're good, kid," Byron said. "You took down my Bronzor. Let's see how you handle this next one—go, Steelix!"
"ROOAAARRR!!"
The battlefield shook as Byron summoned Steelix.
"Ash, do you want to switch Pokémon?"
"Yes. Monferno, take a break. Floatzel—you're up next!"
Ash released Floatzel from its Poké Ball.
"This one's all yours, buddy."
"Fwoooh!"
Floatzel narrowed its eyes at the towering Steelix.
"Interesting choice," Byron noted. " Monferno actually has a type advantage over Steelix, and it's still fresh, yet you swapped in a Water type. Alright—let's see what this Floatzel can do! Steelix, use Bind!"
"ROOAAARRR!"
Steelix surged forward, its colossal metal body surprisingly agile. Its massive form lunged toward Floatzel to constrict it!
But Ash didn't flinch.
Floatzel didn't move either. It stood its ground—waiting.
Just as Steelix reached it, Floatzel allowed itself to be wrapped up in the crushing steel coils!
"What?!"
Both Roark and Byron were stunned.
What was Ash thinking?
Only Dawn and Anabel understood.
Ash wanted to test something—the power of Floatzel's inflatable collar sacs around its neck.
Would they be strong enough now… to burst open Steelix's Bind from the inside?
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T/N:
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