Once both Trainers were in position, Gary raised his hand. "Battle begin!"
"Torchic, use Ember!" May called.
"Tor-chi!"
Sparks flared around Torchic's beak, and it spat a burst of embers toward Shelgon. The flames struck Shelgon's shell but failed to leave a mark.
"What? It didn't even hurt it!" May gasped.
"Your Ember is too weak, Torchic," Zinnia said confidently. "Watch this. Shelgon, Headbutt!"
Shelgon tensed, then lunged forward, its helmet-like shell aimed straight at Torchic.
"Jump, Torchic!" May shouted.
Torchic sprang two or three meters into the air, narrowly avoiding the Headbutt.
"Nice! Hit it with another Ember!"
As soon as Torchic landed, it fired again, but the flames were still ineffective.
Even though the level gap was large, Shelgon's ponderous speed meant it continued to miss the nimble Torchic.
"Shelgon, Scary Face!" Zinnia ordered.
"Gon!"
Shelgon's glare twisted menacingly, and Torchic froze, shaken by the intimidation.
"Now, Dragon Breath!"
A green torrent of draconic energy poured from Shelgon's mouth.
"Counter with Ember!" May urged.
The two attacks collided, but Dragon Breath swallowed the embers and slammed into Torchic.
"Tor-chi!"
The Chick Pokémon cried out and collapsed, knocked out in a single blow.
"Torchic is unable to battle—Shelgon wins!" Gary declared.
"I did it!" Zinnia cheered, thrilled to have won her first battle since leaving Meteor Village.
May hurried over. "Torchic, are you okay?"
"It just fainted," Gary assured her. He took a Potion from his waist-pack and sprayed the unconscious Torchic. Within moments it stirred and opened its eyes.
Seeing that it had lost, Torchic's head drooped.
"Don't be discouraged," May said gently.
Gary knelt beside them. "Torchic, Zinnia's raised Shelgon since it was a Bagon. The level difference is big right now, but give yourself a month or two of hard training and you'll catch up."
Torchic looked doubtful.
"When you evolve into Combusken, you'll be faster and more maneuverable than Shelgon," Gary added. "High defense isn't everything."
"Tor-chi!" Torchic chirped, a spark of determination returning.
With Torchic taken care of, everyone helped Brock finish preparing lunch.
"Everybody out!" Ash said, releasing his team.
[Lv. 18 Taillow ♂ / Elite]
[Lv. 18 Treecko ♂ / Elite]
[Lv. 40 Forretress ♂ / Gym]
Gary glanced over. Taillow and Treecko were new captures from Hoenn, while Forretress was one of Brock's long-time partners from Johto. Something, however, piqued Gary's curiosity.
Why hasn't Ash brought Latias out? Didn't she decide to travel with him?
Ash, meanwhile, had noticed the Pokémon at Gary's side. "Gary, you caught a Grovyle?"
"Yep. I found it in the same forest where you met your Treecko," Gary replied.
"Really? So your Grovyle and my Treecko are from the same place!" Ash said, surprised.
Treecko recognized Grovyle at once and stared in awe at its evolved friend.
"Treecko!" it exclaimed.
"Gro-vyle!"
Grovyle flexed the sharp Leaf Blades on its wrists, proudly showing off its new strength.
Not to be outdone, Treecko puffed out its chest and jabbered a challenge, insisting it could beat Grovyle even without evolving.
Grovyle smirked and accepted.
"Looks like they want a battle," Ash said.
Gary nodded. "They grew up in the same grove and have been rivals since they hatched."
"In that case, let's have a match after lunch!" Ash's competitive spirit ignited; he hadn't had a real fight since the Silver Conference.
"Fine by me. But you only have three Pokémon with you right now?" Gary asked.
"Yeah. I only brought Pikachu to Hoenn; Taillow and Treecko are my local catches," Ash explained.
"What about Latias? I thought she was traveling with you," Gary said openly. Everyone present was trustworthy, so there was no harm in mentioning a Legendary.
"Latias?" May echoed. "What kind of Pokémon is that?"
"Latias is a Legendary Dragon- and Psychic-type," Zinnia answered softly. She then fixed her gaze on Ash. "You carry a faint draconic aura—very similar to Gary's."
Ash scratched his head. "Er… Latias is safe back at Professor Oak's lab."
Gary sighed inwardly. A Legendary Pokémon willingly follows you, and you stick it in storage… Honestly, Ash.
Lunch was almost ready, and the promise of an after-meal battle had everyone fired up.