The road to Santalune City stretched ahead, framed by tall trees swaying gently in the breeze. The late morning sun filtered through the leaves, casting dancing patterns on the dirt path. The journey had been mostly uneventful ,except for them catching Flecthling ,Dedenne and Ash couldn't help but notice something odd.
"Hey, Clemont," Ash called, breaking the peaceful silence. "How far are we from Santalune City?"
Clemont adjusted his glasses, checking his electronic map. "We're actually really close. Just a little further down this path, and we'll be at the city entrance."
"Finally!" Bonnie cheered, skipping ahead with Dedenne perched happily on her shoulder. "That means we get to eat something nice, right? Right?" She looked up at Clemont expectantly.
Clemont sighed. "Yes, Bonnie, we'll find a place to eat once we get there."
Ash, however, was lost in thought. Something felt off.
"Weird..." he muttered to himself.
"What's weird?" Clemont asked, looking over at Ash curiously.
Ash rubbed the back of his head. "Hmm nothing important actually just leave it"
"Hmm Team Rocket did not Attack us? Which is actually weird ,did they give up? Well let's just hope they gave up" Ash thought
Ash hummed thoughtfully but decided to put the thought aside for now. Instead, he turned his focus back to his immediate goal—the Santalune Gym. As they continued walking, he recalled everything he knew about Viola, the Gym Leader, from his previous life that is from what he had watched in the show. She specialized in Bug-type Pokémon, and the tricky tactics she had used with Vivillion and Surskit had caused Ash some trouble in the past,well he had lost I gym battle and had to fight her agian. Now, he had not want to lose to her even once, he wanted to be better prepared,prepared in such a way that he does not lose even a single pokemon.
With this realization he knew he had to train his Pokemon, Ash turned to his companions. "Hey, Clemont, Bonnie. I want to train abit so I will come with u till the Pokemon center then come back to the woods."
Bonnie crossed her arms, puffing out her cheeks. "Fine… but you better not lose!" she said, wagging her finger at him.
Ash laughed. "Yes I atleast don't plan to!"
With their plan set, they continued walking, the city now just a short distance away. Ash's mind, however, had wandered of again thinking about how to not loose a single pokemon.
The road to Santalune City stretched ahead as Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie finally reached the outskirts of the bustling city. The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the rooftops, and the lively chatter of people filled the air. As they crossed the main bridge into town, Clemont adjusted his glasses, checking the map on his device.
"We're finally here!" Bonnie cheered, bouncing on her feet. "Santalune City! "
Clemont nodded. "Yes, and if we keep heading this way, we'll reach the Pokémon Center in a few minutes."
"Hey, guys," Ash said, stopping in front of the Pokémon Center. "I have a great idea for u guys to pass some time… Since we just got here, why don't you two explore the city for a bit? Check out the sights, maybe try some local food. I'll meet back up with you later."
Clemont blinked in surprise but then nodded in understanding "Hmm ok it is not like we can do anything else."
"Then, I will be heading back into the woods take care guys.I will be back soon." Ash said
Clemont adjusted his glasses. "Well, I suppose this is good bye for now just come back for lunch ,don't overdo it, okay?"
"Don't worry, I've got this," Ash grinned before turning toward the forest entrance. "Come on, Pikachu."
As Ash disappeared down the forest path, Bonnie sighed dramatically. "Hmm it looks like he will be always running off to training as soon we enter a city from now one seeing his enthusiasm. "
Clemont tillted his head and squinted his eyes at Bonnie "Ha! Are u alright Bonny you are not sick right are u how did u get so mature suddenly?"
Bonnie stamped on Clemont's feet irritated"Hmph,I have always been mature"She said pouting.
On the other side the canopy rustled softly as Ash continued deeper into the woods. The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting golden light on the trail ahead.
"Alright, Pikachu," Ash said, a determined look on his face, "Let's see how much stronger we can get before the gym battle. We'll go all out."
Pikachu gave an energetic "Pika-pi!" in agreement.
Ash released Froakie and Fletchling, who stretched and looked around curiously.
"Fletchling, you're gonna be the lead in most battles today. Froakie, I'll need your agility and precision to help out when we're up against trickier opponents,but this gym is for Fletchling and Pickachu"
Froakie gave a composed nod although there was a distressed look on his face due to hearing the fact he will not be fighting in this,Fletchling chirped confidently, flapping its wings.
The training began in full force. Wild Pokémon emerged, one after they other due to repeated exloration in thier territory First came a group of Scatterbug. Fletchling zipped in and out, dodging String Shot and Tackles before finishing them with a clean Peck and Quick Attack combo.
Next, a pair of Pansage and Pansear appeared. Froakie stepped up and used Bubble, scattering them with force. The Pansage tried to counter with Vine Whip, but Froakie leaped up, dodged mid-air, and landed a precise Pound on Pansear, ending the battle quickly.Ash was suprised to see them here then he understood wild is wild pokemon are pokemon everything does not work as in the game or anime.
As the training wore on, Fletchling grew faster and more agile, even sparring with a wild Spewpa that tried to counter with Protect and Stun Spore. Fletchling's relentless Peck barrage eventually overwhelmed it.Although Flecthing did get paralysed a few times Ash cured it since he had bought many potions in the store before leaving from Sycamore's Lab.Hmm it looks like Flecthling is levling up even though I cant see the level I am sure from the increase in speed and output power.
Ash wiped his brow. "Great work, everyone! We'll wrap it up with a couple more, then head back—"
BOOM!
A sudden explosion of smoke burst from the trees ahead. A net shot out and ensnared Pikachu in one swift motion.
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted, turning to see the familiar figures descending in a hot air balloon shaped like a Meowth head.
"Prepare for trouble!" Jessie declared.
"And make it double!" James followed.
"To protect the world from devastation…"
"To unite all peoples within our nation…"
"Team Rocket, again?!" Ash gritted his teeth as he watched Pikachu struggle in the net.
Meowth laughed, "Looks like the twerp was so busy training, that he totally forgot about us ,you know we wont miss oppurtunities like this right!"
"We've got something new for you today!" Jessie grinned. "James, shall we?"
"With pleasure," James said, tossing a Poké Ball. "Inkay, you're up!"
In a flash of light, a small squid-like Pokémon with glowing yellow eyes floated before Ash. Inkay stared confidently, mischievously flipping in mid-air.
Ash narrowed his eyes as he "Ha ,Inkay looks like they caught it…"
[Flashback ]
Earlier that week in Lumiose City…
Team Rocket sat at a café, sipping on drinks and enjoying pastries.
"Can you believe Giovanni actually liked our update?" Jessie said, astonished.
"I know right!" James beamed. "He didn't even yell!"
Suddenly, their tray of food .
"HEY!"Meowth sceamed."Where is the food did u eat it James"
"Ha!What?!How?where did all the pasteries go?Do u think I can eat them so fast meowth?"
"Dont worry I will get some sandwhich for u guys since I ate mine I will get two for u u guys head to ballon I will be right back"
Later, on their balloon ride out of Lumiose…
Inkay appeared floated up beside the balloon again floated up beside the balloon and snatched the one of the sandwhich that Jessie was about to eat
Jessie tried to snatch it back but Inkay splattered ink on her
"Shit! What is this squid pokemon I am not just able to wipe the ink off my face" Jessie groaned.
"I got this," James said. He scanned it with his Pokédex. "Inkay, the Revolving Pokémon. When it spins, it confuses its opponents. Dark and Psychic type."
As Inkay hovered curiously, James tossed a piece of sandwich toward it. Distracted by the tasty treat, Inkay didn't notice when James casually tossed a Poké Ball and—click!—caught it.
"Well, that was easy," Meowth blinked."Hey! but that was my sandwhich give it back James!"
[Flashback Ends]
Back in the forest, Inkay charged with Psybeam, aiming straight at Fletchling.
"Fletchling, dodge and counter with Peck!"
The bird Pokémon darted to the side, barely avoiding the beam before retaliating. Inkay flipped upside down and sent out a Tackle, landing a clean hit. Fletchling flinched and fluttered back, clearly getting worn out.
"Inkay, use Psybeam again!" James commanded.
The beam struck Fletchling mid-air, sending it crashing toward the ground.
"Fletchling!" Ash cried, but the bird caught itself just before hitting the earth.
A faint glow began to radiate from its body.
Ash's eyes widened. "No way…"
Fletchling cried out, its feathers shimmering in a brilliant light. Its form grew larger, wings longer, and flames danced from its body.
It evolved into Fletchinder!It looks like it did not get confused,thats a relief.
Ash clenched his fist in joy. "Alright, Fletchinder! Let's finish this! Use Flame Charge!"
Fletchinder blazed forward, striking Inkay head-on with fiery momentum. Inkay screeched, spiraling back into Team Rocket's balloon.
"Flame charge again!"
Fletchinder zipped through the air again, slicing the net holding Pikachu and catching him mid-fall. Pikachu landed beside Ash with a look of relief in his eyes .
Jessie shouted, "No! Not again!"
"Team Rocket's blasting off agaaaaain!" ding!
Ash caught his breath, kneeling to Fletchinder's level. "That was amazing, buddy. You were incredible out there."
Fletchinder chirped proudly, wings flaring in the sunlight.
Ash stood up, brushing himself off. "Well… now that's a proper end to training,lets head back."
Pikachu nodded, and the three turned back toward the city.