"Froakie, this will be our very first official battle since we met. Let's make it count."
"Froaa~!"
Froakie, gently placed on the ground by Ash, looked up with his large, round eyes and gave a serious nod.
Unlike in the original timeline where Froakie initially acted independently and ignored Ash's commands, this time things were different.
Because Ash met Froakie earlier in this life, before it had gone through trainers who lacked real strength, Froakie's rebellious streak hadn't yet fully developed. As fate-bound partners, Froakie naturally felt a deep closeness and trust toward Ash — it was instinctual.
So at this stage, Froakie's personality was calm, cooperative… and incredibly obedient.
"Froakie, your current level is only LV.5, and the only moves you've learned are Pound, Bubble, and Growl."
"While your bubble foam can already have a semi-controlling effect, somewhat like the Bug-type move Sticky Web… that alone isn't enough."
"Our goal isn't just to win one match," Ash said, his voice full of fighting spirit as he looked his Pokémon in the eye. "We're going to win all five."
"Froa?"
"How do I know what moves you've learned?" Ash chuckled. "Come on, don't underestimate your partner."
Seeing Froakie's puzzled expression, Ash straightened up with a grin. Then he crouched down and gently stroked Froakie's head with a hand glowing faintly with Viridian Aura.
"This is my special ability — the power of Aura and Viridian. It allows me to understand what you're saying, and even heal your injuries after battle."
"And that's not all… my powers have many other amazing uses. I'll explain them to you in time," Ash added as he gently brushed Froakie's head again using a healing grace.
Froakie, serious yet shy by nature, blushed under Ash's soothing gesture. A faint red hue colored his cheeks, and his eyes squinted into little crescent moons.
"Now, back to the main point."
"All of the Pokémon assigned to this camp were bred by the League for balanced strength — that means your opponents will be around your level."
"In this kind of scenario, the number of moves you know and their diversity makes all the difference."
"The more versatile your skill set, the stronger your overall battle power — and the higher your chances of winning."
"You currently have Pound, Bubble, and Growl, plus the sticky foam that clings to your body. Together, these cover melee, ranged attacks, control, and even reducing the opponent's attack power."
"Because you've worked so hard on your training, both Pound and Bubble are already at [Proficient] level, and even Growl has reached Skilled."
"In this batch of camp Pokémon, Froakie, you're already one of the strongest… but I believe you can become even stronger."
Ash squatted again, eyes blazing with anticipation, speaking with deep conviction.
"Froa-KIE!"
Froakie, who had been a little smug just moments ago, instantly became serious once more.
"This isn't just about winning one match," Ash reminded him. "We have to win all five."
"But even with your talent, five battles back-to-back will wear you out."
"That's why I'm going to teach you a brand new move — one that will help you last through every match. You ready?"
Seeing Froakie's focused expression, Ash gave him a satisfied pat on the head.
"Froa-FROA!!"
"Don't worry," Ash said with a wink. "Like I told you — I've got psychic powers. Teaching you a move like this? Piece of cake."
"Now, close your eyes and focus. I'm going to transmit the memory of the move directly into your mind."
"Froaa…"
As Froakie entered a meditative state, Ash wasted no time. He summoned his system interface and opened the [Ascension Trainer System] backpack.
He scrolled through the list of skills he had copied earlier at Professor Oak's lab — from Pokémon left in care by other trainers.
Soon, Ash located a TM— one originally copied from a Milotic — for the move Aqua Ring.
Even though Aqua Ring was a Water-type move, neither Froakie nor its evolved forms — Frogadier or Greninja — could normally learn it.
But the system's [Skill Replication] module ignored that restriction.
As long as the type matched, Ash could forcibly teach it. If he ever managed to copy something like Kyogre's Origin Pulse… maybe even that could be taught someday.
"[Use]."
Ash mentally selected the [Aqua Ring] TM and targeted Froakie.
In that instant, a stream of virtual memory — containing the knowledge of the move — poured into Froakie's consciousness.
The sudden rush made Froakie wince slightly, furrowing his brow. But before long, he adapted and began absorbing the memory calmly.
Following Ash's instructions, Froakie fully embraced the mental imprint of the move.
Less than two minutes later, the stream of memory faded. Froakie opened his eyes.
"Feeling okay? Can you use Aqua Ring now?" Ash asked, his voice filled with cautious excitement — this was his first time using the system to teach a move directly.
"Froa~" Froakie nodded.
Then, under Ash's watchful eyes, Froakie inhaled, let out a focused croak — and moisture in the air began to converge.
Tiny water streams formed a translucent ring, swirling gently around Froakie's body.
Success!
Ash's face lit up with delight.
[Pokémon: Froakie]
Level: 5
Type: Water
Nature: Serious
Abilities: Torrent
(Hidden Ability: Protean | Ethereal-Gifted Ability: Bond Transformation)
Stats:
· HP: 41
· Attack: 56
· Defense: 40
· Sp. Atk: 62
· Sp. Def: 44
· Speed: 71
Total: 314
Potential: [Purple]
"Fated by the aura of Kalos. When the region faces destruction, it shall rise to protect it."
Moves (copyable):
[Proficient]: Pound, Bubble (36/1000 EXP)
[Skilled]: Growl (23/500 EXP)
[Novice]: Aqua Ring (0/100 EXP)
….
Ash checked the system panel and confirmed it — Aqua Ring was now officially listed in Froakie's move set.
"With Aqua Ring's recovery power, these battles are as good as won," he thought with a smirk.
…
…
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T/N:
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