"Let's get out of here before it comes after us!"
Two trainers dashed past in a panic.
Their words, however, immediately caught Ash's attention.
"Should we go check it out?"
Ash suggested, watching the fleeing trainers disappear down the road.
"Sure,"
Cynthia agreed after a moment's thought.
She, too, was curious to see what had scared them so badly.
There was only one path ahead.
Following it in the opposite direction, Ash and the others soon came to the end of the road—
where a bridge stretched across a cloud-dappled river.
Nothing seemed out of place.
"Huh? There's nothing here at all. Guess we got tricked."
Ash sighed in disappointment.
He had been hoping for something exciting—maybe another Dynamax incident like the one with the giant Drednaw.
But before he could complain any further—
"Quack!"
A loud, sharp cry echoed from the far end of the bridge.
Everyone turned toward the sound—
and saw a Farfetch'd, its wings wrapped tightly around a leek bigger than its entire body, striding confidently toward them.
"It's a Farfetch'd—no, a Galarian Farfetch'd!" Chloe exclaimed, immediately recognizing the Pokémon.
Hearing that, Ash's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Especially when he met the Farfetch'd's sharp, fearless gaze—
Whoa. That pressure!
"It must be the Pokémon those trainers were talking about—the one causing trouble on the bridge," Cynthia observed calmly.
"Look at its eyes," Chloe added thoughtfully. "It seems to be looking for a worthy opponent."
And indeed, she was right.
The Galarian Farfetch'd was scanning the area, searching for a rival.
When its eyes locked on Ash, it smirked.
Then it raised its leek and beckoned him forward with a cocky wave.
The meaning was obvious.
"You're challenging me?" Ash pointed to himself, excitement rising in his voice.
"Quaaack!"
The Farfetch'd nodded firmly.
Yes—you!
It looked so serious that it was almost comical.
Lillie: That Farfetch'd looks so cool and confident! It's nothing like the usual ones I've seen.
Professor Kukui: Of course! This is the Galarian form of Farfetch'd. In Galar, Farfetch'd have adapted to wield the region's massive leeks like warriors—they're proud, valiant fighters.
Ash: No wonder it looks so tough! Even its eyebrows are full of determination!
Koga: Haha, I just thought of a dark joke—Farfetch'd is basically a self-seasoned dish.
Steven: …That's way too dark. Please stop.
Gary: Farfetch'd doesn't even look that strong. I don't get how it scared those trainers off.
Gary, of course, didn't know—
this Farfetch'd was the Duck God.
A potential powerhouse capable of shattering heavens with a single Meteor Assault once it evolved into Sirfetch'd—
Ash's future MVP contender.
And so, fate had brought them together at last.
On screen—
Facing the Galarian Farfetch'd's challenge, Ash's grin widened.
He loved battling Pokémon with strong personalities.
"You want a battle?"
"Quack!"
Farfetch'd looked impatient.
This human talks too much! Fight already!
"Alright then—it's decided! Go, Riolu!"
"Pika?!"
Pikachu, who had been gearing up to jump forward, froze mid-step and turned around in disbelief.
"Really? You're picking him over me again?!"
Cynthia chuckled softly, scooping Pikachu into her arms before he could protest further.
Ash threw out a Poké Ball.
A flash of red light—and Riolu appeared on the bridge, standing tall and focused.
Though still young, his aura of confidence was unmistakable.
At once, Riolu's eyes locked onto his opponent.
Across the bridge, Farfetch'd's gaze sharpened.
"Rio!"
"Quack!"
No words were needed.
They both knew—they were the same kind of fighter.
"Alright, Riolu! Use Vacuum Wave!"
As Farfetch'd swung its massive leek forward with warrior-like fury, Ash gave the order.
The two Pokémon charged simultaneously!
Farfetch'd's leek cut through the air like a spear.
Riolu didn't flinch—his hands came together, focusing a swirling burst of white energy—
Vacuum Wave!
The blast met the leek head-on.
Ash's eyes lit up. "Nice! All that training paid off! Now, Riolu—use Force Palm!"
During his recent training, Riolu had begun to master the ability to sense opponents' movements through aura.
Taking advantage of the clash, Riolu slid in close—
and without even charging, landed a heavy punch right into Farfetch'd's chest!
Farfetch'd's eyes bulged.
He hadn't expected the pup to hit that hard!
With a loud THUD, Farfetch'd was sent flying backward several meters, barely catching himself on his leek.
He pointed accusingly at Riolu.
You… you fight dirty!
But instead of backing down, Farfetch'd's fighting spirit burned hotter.
He gripped his leek tighter and charged again.
"Riolu, Double Team!"
In an instant, three identical Riolus surrounded the bridge, all sprinting toward Farfetch'd.
Farfetch'd narrowed his eyes, scanning them carefully.
Something didn't add up…
Then—he grinned.
Raising his leek, he unleashed a wild spinning strike—Fury Cutter!
The blow sliced straight through the illusions, striking the real Riolu and sending him flying!
"Huh? Isn't Galarian Farfetch'd a Fighting-type? Why is it using a Dark-type move?" Chloe murmured.
Cynthia wasn't worried.
She was watching Riolu closely, her eyes shining.
Even un-evolved, the little one's control and insight were remarkable.
Farfetch'd's attack had surprised even Ash.
A wild Pokémon with that kind of tactical awareness—clearly, it was born talented.
Which only made Ash more eager to catch it.
Panting, Farfetch'd steadied itself on its leek.
Its last attack had taken a toll.
"Riolu, one more Vacuum Wave!" Ash called.
Riolu struggled to his feet, meeting Farfetch'd's gaze.
Both Pokémon smiled faintly—
A worthy rival.
They charged again!
Vacuum Wave vs. Fury Cutter!
When the attacks collided, Riolu was blasted backward by the sheer force.
Farfetch'd's wild, unpredictable swings were surprisingly effective—
Sometimes, chaos beats discipline.
"Don't give up, Riolu!" Ash shouted. "Show it what our training can really do—use Reversal!"
Still spinning in midair, Riolu kicked off the bridge's railing, redirecting his momentum.
A burst of radiant energy flared around his body—
He shot forward like a comet—
and slammed straight into Farfetch'd!
The explosion of impact rippled across the bridge, sending waves through the water below.
Exhausted, Farfetch'd collapsed, his leek trembling in his grip.
Even as he tried to rise again, his body wouldn't obey.
Riolu, though battered, remained standing.
Was it over?
Just as the viewers thought the battle was decided—
Ash suddenly ran forward.
"Stand up, Farfetch'd! Don't you dare give up now!"
Riolu: ???
Cynthia: ???
Chloe: ???
Everyone watching: ???
Wait—Ash, whose side are you on?!
Cheering for your opponent mid-battle?!
Classic Ash logic.
Even Riolu looked confused. "I'm your Pokémon, remember?!"
Ash scratched his head awkwardly.
"Uh… I guess it's just a habit. When I see a Pokémon with that much fighting spirit, I can't help but cheer it on—even if we're opponents."
Somehow, his words reached Farfetch'd.
The fallen warrior's body stirred—
and, slowly, shakily, it pushed itself upright using its leek.
But after a few seconds… it froze mid-motion.
Ash blinked. "Huh?"
He hurried over and caught the fainted Farfetch'd in his arms.
After confirming it had simply lost consciousness, Ash rushed it to the Pokémon Center in Hammerlocke City.
Mustard: As expected of a Galar Pokémon! That unwavering warrior spirit—to fight until the very end and never yield!
Bea: Exactly! That's the true essence of Fighting-type Pokémon!
Sabrina: Looks like Ash's next partner has been decided. That Farfetch'd is lucky—it's getting Riolu's story arc!
Bruno: Magnificent! Such eyes—firm as solid rock!
Professor Oak: I recall that Galarian Farfetch'd can evolve into Sirfetch'd—a form that truly reveals its inner strength. It's said to be a one-knight army, unmatched in single combat!
Ash: Really? It can evolve into something like that?!
Korrina: "One-knight army"—Meteor Assault!
Professor Magnolia: Some legends even claim that Sirfetch'd once served the Hero of Sword and Shield, mastering his sacred techniques to achieve that form.
Cynthia: A Pokémon born from myth itself… how fascinating.
Whether true or not, Sirfetch'd's legend captured everyone's imagination.
Cynthia smiled faintly.
She had joined Ash hoping to witness more legends firsthand—
and he never disappointed.
Reaching out, she ruffled his hair affectionately.
Ash really was her lucky star.
Back in the Pokémon Center—
Farfetch'd was rushed into the emergency ward, while Nurse Joy tended to Riolu's minor injuries.
Half an hour later, Farfetch'd was wheeled out—awake and healthy again.
When it saw Ash waiting anxiously, a faint blush appeared on its feathery face.
Something about this didn't feel… normal.
But no one else noticed.
Ash stepped forward eagerly. "Farfetch'd, will you come with me?"
Farfetch'd lifted its head proudly, scanning Ash from top to bottom.
Then, with a small huff, it turned its face away—
yet its wing casually reached out and tapped the Poké Ball in Ash's hand.
This human… not bad.
He cheered for me when I fell. I can respect that.
Click!
And just like that—Ash had successfully caught the Galarian Farfetch'd!
Now, even before his new journey in Galar had truly begun, his team already included Dragonite, Gengar, Lucario (Riolu), and now Farfetch'd—
six Pokémon strong.
Elsewhere, the long-awaited World Coronation Series: Masters Eight was about to begin!
Today's match—
the fierce Dragon-type Gym Leader Raihan challenged the undefeated Champion Leon!
This battle would determine who held the top rank among the Masters Eight—
and the stands were packed with cheering fans.
After all, both were Galar natives—
so a full-scale Dynamax showdown was guaranteed!
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Hammerlocke Stadium!"
The announcer's voice rang out as the battle began.
It was a 1v1 match—
Raihan versus Leon!
Ash sat in the audience, listening to the crowd discuss the two trainers, his eyes blazing with excitement.
"Raihan's actually Leon's rival! This is going to be amazing!" he said.
"Raihan's a Dragon-type specialist—like Lance! I wonder which one's stronger…"
Without realizing it, Ash was already comparing Raihan to Lance.
And honestly—at least Raihan's team were actual dragons: Duraludon, Flygon, Goodra—
not just "dragons in name" like Gyarados.
As the battle began, both trainers sent out their partners—
Raihan's Duraludon, gleaming like living steel—
and Leon's signature Charizard!
A clash of titans was about to unfold—
and even from the stands, the tension was palpable.
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