Looking at Gible's determined expression, its small body radiating eagerness, Ash smiled, a wave of affection washing over him for the little Land Shark.
He then turned towards his two fiery lizard Pokémon.
"So, Y, ready for the battle?" Ash said to Y, his voice filled with anticipation.
Y immediately puffed out its chest, and got into a battle-ready stance, its tail flame burning a little brighter with anticipation, casting a warm glow on the surrounding forest floor.
But before Y could even let out an eager "Char!", X, still nestled possessively in Ash's arms, let out a series of insistent "Char! Char!" in protest, wiggling and trying to climb out of Ash's grasp with surprising strength for its size.
Its little eyes were fixed on Gible with unwavering determination, a tiny spark of competitive fire burning within them.
"You want to battle instead?" Ash said, looking down at the tiny, determined face of X, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
This little guy is really something. So much spirit in such a small package.
Looking at its stubborn and fiercely determined expression, its small body wriggling with unwavering resolve, Ash gave up with a sigh and a soft chuckle.
"Alright, alright, you win, little guy."
He gently placed X on the ground, and the newborn Charmander immediately faced Gible, a tiny spark of determination flickering in its eyes that mirrored the larger Pokémon's. It stood its ground, despite the significant size difference, its gaze unwavering.
"Ash, are you sure you want to battle with that one?" Cynthia questioned, tilting her head slightly, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulder like a golden waterfall.
Her blue eyes were filled with a mixture of amusement and genuine concern as she looked at the tiny Charmander, barely reaching Gible's knee, facing off against her powerful Gible.
He's so impulsive, but that's part of his charm, she thought, a fond smile playing on her lips.
Ash had a tired but fond expression as he looked down at X, who was now bouncing on the balls of its feet, its tiny claws outstretched in a surprisingly intimidating manner, a fierce growl rumbling in its small chest.
"Can't argue with this one,"
Ash said with a sigh, running a hand through his messy black hair.
"Or it'll annoy me for days."
He gave Cynthia a wry smile, a hint of playful exasperation in his voice.
'Sometimes I wonder who's training who'.
Shaking her head with a soft chuckle, Cynthia couldn't help but find the situation adorable. "Alright then," she said, her gaze softening as she looked at Gible. "Gible, get ready."
"Gib, gible!" Gible chirped enthusiastically, its sharp teeth flashing in a wide grin as it lowered its stance, its red eyes fixed intently on the small fiery lizard.
It seemed eager for a good spar, regardless of the size difference, a playful glint in its eyes.
"Alright then, X, get ready as well!" Ash said, a grin finally breaking through his tired expression as he watched the tiny Charmander puff out its chest, its small tail flame burning brightly with unwavering determination.
'Let's see what you can do, little buddy. Show her what you've got.'
"Then, Gible, use Draco Meteor," Cynthia commanded calmly, her voice even and composed, which made Ash sweatdrop profusely.
'Draco Meteor? Seriously? Right off the bat? She's not holding back at all!'
'Cynthia-san, aren't you going a little too powerful right from the start?' Ash thought nervously, his eyes wide as he imagined the devastating move.
He felt a surge of protectiveness for the tiny Charmander.
'This could be bad, really bad.'
Ash quickly ordered X, his voice filled with urgency, "X, hide underground with Dig!"
X, nimble and quick despite its newborn status, burrowed into the earth just as small, fiery meteors began to rain down from the sky, summoned by Gible's powerful attack.
The ground trembled as the meteors impacted all around the small hole X had created, sending shockwaves through the forest floor.
"Heh~ that's cute, trying to hide underground against a Ground-type," Cynthia chuckled softly, a playful smile gracing her lips as she watched the meteors impact the ground around the hole X had created, sending up puffs of dust and scorching the earth.
The air filled with the smell of burnt soil. "But let's see if you can stay down there forever."
And she commanded again, her eyes sparkling with playful challenge, "Gible, use Magnitude!"
Gible was about to unleash the ground-shaking attack, stomping its foot, the earth beginning to rumble with building energy, the leaves on the trees above them quivering, when suddenly, from the ground directly under its feet.
But before any damage happened X emerged with surprising speed and agility and used Slash, its tiny claws raking across Gible's side with surprising force, leaving a small scratch.
Gible stumbled a bit, taking a few steps back, surprised by the sudden and well-timed attack from below.
Both Pokémon then looked at each other, a newfound respect flickering in Gible's eyes for the smaller, tenacious Charmander who dared to attack it head-on.
X stood its ground, its small chest heaving, its eyes blazing with determination, its tiny form radiating an unexpected intensity.
Cynthia, recovering quickly from her surprise, commanded Gible, "Gible, use Dragon Pulse!"
Ash, knowing the power of that move, a concentrated beam of pure draconic energy, quickly commanded X, his voice filled with concern, "X, move away quickly!"
But X didn't listen to Ash's command. Instead, it stood its ground, its small mouth opening, and to the shock of everyone present, unleashed a miniature but potent stream of Dragon Breath, a vibrant purple flame tinged with draconic energy erupting forth with surprising intensity, a roar that defied its size accompanying the attack.
It clashed with the Dragon Pulse of Gible, a swirling vortex of draconic energy meeting a focused beam of fiery breath.
Surprisingly, X stood its ground, the smaller flame pushing back against the more powerful attack, a testament to its inner strength and determination.
The air crackled with energy as the two draconic attacks collided, creating a dazzling display of light and force.
'It shouldn't be possible for a newly learned move to hold up against that,' Ash thought in astonishment, his eyes wide with pride and disbelief.
'Where did he learn to do that with so much power? He's only a newborn!'
Y cheered on its brother from the sideline, its own tail flame flickering excitedly, "Char! Char!" its small voice filled with encouragement, jumping up and down with excitement.
Finally, both Pokémon couldn't sustain the powerful attacks, and the Dragon Breath and Dragon Pulse dissipated in a burst of energy, leaving a lingering scent of ozone and burnt grass in the air.
Both Pokémon were panting slightly, their gazes locked with a mixture of exhaustion and respect.
Cynthia, her expression thoughtful, commanded again, "Gible, use Sand Attack, then Draco Meteor!" She wanted to impair X's vision and hinder its reaction time to the incoming meteor shower, using a classic combination to overwhelm the smaller Pokémon.
Her strategic mind was already several steps ahead.
Ash, however, wouldn't let that happen. Thinking quickly, his eyes darting between Gible and X, he shouted, "X, before he can use anything, use Dig and Slash again!"
X did as he was commanded, disappearing quickly beneath the earth, leaving only a small cloud of dust behind as it burrowed with surprising speed.
Gible, sensing the shift in strategy, stopped its preparation for Draco Meteor, its body tensing as it anticipated another attack from below, and braced itself to unleash Magnitude, its body beginning to tremble with the building power of the Ground-type move, he tried to pinpoint X's location.
But again, before Gible could fully execute its attack, the little Charmander erupted from the ground directly behind it, its timing impeccable.
Gible, though surprised by X's speed, wasn't particularly worried. After all, it was just a little Pokémon's attack.
But...
As X swung its tiny claws, the attack wasn't the usual white of Slash.
Instead, a vibrant, greenish aura enveloped its claws, crackling with draconic energy that seemed to surge from within, transforming them into glowing, miniature Dragon Claws.
The transformation happened in a flash, catching everyone off guard.
Gible, caught completely off guard by the sudden change and its own complacency, its focus entirely on the ground beneath it, got pounded squarely in the face by the unexpected Dragon Claw.
The force of the blow sent a shockwave through its small body, its head snapping back with a jolt.
The power behind that hit, amplified by the draconic energy that surged through X, was far greater than anything Gible had anticipated.
Its eyes rolled back, and it collapsed onto the forest floor with a soft thud, completely knocked out.
A small spiral appeared above its head, indicating its defeat.
"That was surprising! You actually bested him," Cynthia said to the little fiery lizard, her eyes wide with genuine astonishment and a hint of admiration for X's unexpected power. She clapped her hands softly, a genuine smile lighting up her face.
"You have a real talent, little one."
"And you as well, Ash. You are the first one to beat me in a battle," Cynthia added with a soft chuckle, her gaze turning to him, a warm smile gracing her lips.
She found his battling style surprisingly unpredictable and effective, relying on instinct and quick thinking.
"You know I don't deserve that praise. You barely even commanded him," Ash said with a dry chuckle, feeling a bit embarrassed by the compliment.
"But this means Gible is mine, right?" Ash asked, his eyes wide with anticipation, looking at the now-fainted Gible with a hopeful expression.
He really wanted to have the little Land Shark on his team.
"Yes, he's yours, hubby," Cynthia said with a loving smile, her eyes sparkling with affection, a playful wink accompanying the endearment.
But Ash blushed like a ripe tomato at the unexpected and intimate term of endearment, his heart pounding in his chest like a frantic drum.
He stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence, his gaze flickering between Cynthia and the unconscious Gible, his mind suddenly blank.
'Just what is this feeling...?'
he wondered, a new warmth spreading through him, making him feel both flustered and strangely, wonderfully happy.
He scratched the back of his head, a goofy grin plastered on his face, completely at a loss for words.