"Alright, Serena—repeat the battle mantra I taught you just now, along with the tactics for using Clefairy in a fight."
Ash gave her a gentle smile as he finished his explanation. Before him stood Serena, her head bowed like a student reciting a lesson at school, mumbling the key points to herself under her breath.
"Hm? Yes!"
Serena's head snapped up as Ash addressed her, her expression a little tense, but she nodded firmly in response.
Under Ash's expectant gaze, the girl took a deep breath to calm her nerves, then began to repeat everything she'd learned, just as he asked.
"The mantra you gave was: 'When the enemy advances, I retreat. When the enemy halts, I harass. When the enemy tires, I strike. When the enemy retreats, I chase.'
The strategy for Clefairy is—when the opponent attacks, I command Clefairy to use Splash to keep dodging. Once the opponent is exhausted…"
"I'll have Clefairy use Sing to put them to sleep. Then once they're drowsy, I'll order Pound to hit them while they're vulnerable."
"If their attacks are too fast and Clefairy can't dodge well, then I wait for an opening and use Copycat to counterattack!"
Ash couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
Serena had listened carefully and remembered everything with perfect clarity. She delivered her answer fluently and confidently.
"Excellent!" Ash said, nodding in approval. As a gesture of encouragement, he reached out and gently patted her on the head.
It was a natural, unconscious move—something an adult might do to comfort a child. Ash didn't think much of it.
But Serena?
Her face went bright red.
"Eeeep~"
That tiny, unintentional head-pat hit Serena's heart like a critical hit.
Ash had no idea just how much damage he'd just caused to the closed-off world inside her shy heart.
Just like in the original timeline, he was leaving behind an unforgettable mark—without even realizing it.
"Serena, looks like you really have memorized what I taught you. So now…" Ash took a step back and smiled. "Before you jump into a real match, I'll be your opponent. Try commanding Clefairy against my Froakie."
"Okay!"
Serena nodded quickly, determination flaring in her eyes despite her reddened cheeks.
They took up positions on opposite sides of the open clearing.
Ash glanced at the girl across from him, noticing the way she clutched her fists and fidgeted nervously.
He lowered Froakie from his shoulder.
"Serena," he said calmly, "as a Trainer, you don't have to step into the battlefield yourself—but your state of mind still matters. If you're too tense or indecisive, your Pokémon will feel it too."
"That's why you've got to steady yourself. Even if it's just for Clefairy's sake, you have to gather your courage and fight with confidence."
By now, Ash had started to understand her personality.
She was shy and reserved, but she was also kindhearted—and whenever someone reminded her not to hold others back, she would find a reason to push through her fear.
Sure enough, the moment Ash mentioned that her nervousness could affect Clefairy…
Serena straightened her back and tightened her grip.
"Understood!" she said, her tone clear and focused.
"That's the spirit."
Ash grinned.
"Froakie—start us off with Bubble!"
"Froaaakieee!!"
Froakie responded immediately, opening its mouth and launching a spray of bubbles at Clefairy.
The bubbles shimmered in the air, streaking toward their target.
Ash had told Froakie this was just a training session, so the frog Pokémon didn't go all-out. It simply executed a basic, controlled attack.
Pop pop pop pop—!
This was Serena's first time commanding a Pokémon in battle.
She felt the same rush of excitement that all the campers did—but she also felt a powerful wave of anxiety rise in her chest.
Fortunately, Ash had walked her through the tactics just moments ago.
So when Froakie attacked, she didn't panic.
When the opponent attacks, use Splash to dodge. When they tire… use Sing…
She whispered the mantra to herself, running over it mentally.
Her flushed face started to cool. The tension in her shoulders faded. Slowly, she found calm.
"Clefairy, use Splash to dodge!" she called out.
"Clefaaaairy!"
Her voice was still unsure, but Clefairy responded without hesitation.
It hopped backward nimbly, just as instructed.
Pop pop pop—!
The bubbles burst harmlessly where Clefairy had just been, popping like kernels of popcorn on the ground.
"Good job, Serena!" Ash nodded in approval.
"In battle, the more you speak, the more confident you become—and that confidence flows into your Pokémon. Believe in yourself!"
Serena's eyes widened at his praise—but before she could say anything, Ash had already issued the next command.
"Froakie, use Bubble again!"
"Froaaakie!"
"Got it!"
Serena clenched her fists and responded with resolve.
"Clefairy, keep using Splash—dodge again!"
"Clefaaaairy!"
Ash kept applying pressure through Froakie's bubble barrage, and Serena responded just as they'd planned—commanding Clefairy to dodge, again and again.
At first, her voice was soft and hesitant.
But gradually, with each callout, her tone grew firmer.
Her confidence began to build.
The girl who once whispered like a mouse now raised her voice with conviction.
Ash watched her transformation, the corners of his lips curling upward.
She was changing—right before his eyes.
"Serena, now try using Copycat to counterattack!"
As he offered the suggestion, he turned to Froakie once more and said:
"Froakie—send another Bubble her way!"
...
...
Note: Get 50% off on all my Patreon tiers using the code 129E1.Join here: pa treon.com/pokepals
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals