Rufflet's sharp eyes flashed with pride.
It was an eagle.
Even if it was only a young one.
When facing a bird Pokémon, it held an instinctive psychological advantage.
Even though its opponent, Staravia, was visibly larger.
There was no fear in its heart.
Because what Rufflet loved most was challenge.
Constantly challenging those stronger than itself.
Back when it faced Garchomp, the partner of Cynthia, it had attacked without hesitation.
So what was a juvenile "hairstyle bird" like Staravia in comparison?
Sensing its determination, Peter's eyes gleamed.
"Rufflet—Brave Bird!"
"SKREEE—!"
Rufflet circled once in the sky as pale-blue energy wrapped around its body like armor.
The air blurred.
In the blink of an eye—
It tore forward through space like a missile.
BOOM!
The two bird Pokémon collided midair.
Rufflet's speed didn't falter.
Staravia, however, was knocked completely off balance and tumbled downward.
Ash reacted instantly.
"If we can't win with power, we'll win with speed! Staravia—use the momentum of your fall and strike with Aerial Ace!"
"Staa—!"
Staravia's wings glowed white.
Suddenly it twisted its body midair, reversing direction.
A white hook-shaped arc flashed through the sky—
In the next second, it had looped beneath Rufflet and appeared behind it.
Aerial Ace landed cleanly.
"Oil!" Rufflet flapped hard several times before regaining balance.
Peter chuckled.
"That's so you, Ash."
Ash wiped his nose with his finger confidently.
"Heh! My partners and I have been getting stronger too!"
"Staravia—close in with Agility!"
White light wrapped around Staravia as its speed surged again.
It rushed forward rapidly.
Rufflet hovered in place, talons gripping the air as if bracing for impact.
Within seconds, the two Pokémon were within striking distance.
"Aerial Ace!"
"Staa—!"
Staravia feinted sharply and curved behind Rufflet again, repeating the same maneuver.
Peter's eyes lit up.
"Now—Substitute!"
The white hook of Aerial Ace slashed across Rufflet—
But the substitute exploded in a puff of smoke.
The real Rufflet had already appeared above Staravia.
"Grab it! Wing Attack!"
"SKREE—!"
Rufflet's talons locked onto Staravia.
With strength capable of shattering rock, the grip was impossible to escape.
Its wings hammered down again and again with razor-sharp gusts.
Brown feathers scattered through the air.
Staravia cried out in pain.
Peter raised his hand.
"Hold it—now slam it into the ground!"
Rufflet arced through the sky in a tight circle—
Then dove.
Ash shouted desperately.
"Staravia! Break free!"
But Staravia could no longer respond.
Cold wind howled.
Then—
BOOM!
Both Pokémon smashed into the ground.
Rufflet shook dirt off its feathers and lifted back into the air.
Staravia remained unconscious in the crater.
…
[Ding! Rufflet comprehended the move: Free-Fall!]
Free-Fall — Flying-type physical move (Power 60).
The user grabs the opponent, ascends high into the sky, and then slams them down at high speed. While airborne, airflow can restrain the opponent.
Peter nodded.
In some scenarios, the move could temporarily remove opponents from the battlefield, forcing them into aerial combat.
In games, it could even stall turns.
In real battles, it had enormous tactical value—especially against teams using weather, terrain, or Trick Room setups.
…
Ash had already sent out his third Pokémon.
A purple monkey with a hand-shaped tail.
Aipom — Lv.35 (Advanced)
Peter glanced at Rufflet.
"Still want to fight?"
"Oil!"
Its sharp eyes answered for it.
"Alright then. Rufflet—Brave Bird!"
"SKREE!"
Blue energy exploded around the young eagle as it launched forward again.
Ash countered immediately.
"Aipom! Use Swift to shoot it down!"
"Uwa!"
Aipom flicked its tail, launching a spray of glowing star-shaped projectiles like fireworks.
It even admired its own handiwork.
"BOOM!"
Swift struck.
Smoke engulfed Rufflet.
Brock frowned.
"Peter's strategy is reckless. Rufflet will take serious damage like that…"
Whitney shook her head with a smile.
"That's not just Peter's choice."
"It's the decision he and Rufflet made together."
Dawn hesitated.
"But… if that's the case, Rufflet shouldn't have any stamina left, right?"
Before she could finish—
A blue flash erupted from the smoke.
Rufflet burst through the haze and slammed straight into Aipom's abdomen.
"Uwaa!"
Ash gritted his teeth.
"Iron Tail! Knock it away!"
Aipom's tail turned metallic.
WHAM!
Rufflet was launched high into the sky.
Two broken feathers drifted downward.
Clearly, the hit had hurt badly.
Peter stared upward at Rufflet's spinning form as it began falling.
Several times he nearly reached for its Poké Ball—
But stopped.
He could see the struggle in its eyes.
Rufflet hadn't given up.
"Aipom—finish it with Swift!"
Another volley of stars shot upward toward the falling eagle.
Peter shouted.
"Hang in there, Rufflet!!"
At that moment—
A northern wind arrived.
Peter blinked in surprise.
Air currents swirled around Rufflet's wings, slowing its fall.
Its keen eagle eyes flashed.
In its mind—
It replayed Staravia's two lightning-fast attacks.
The Swift projectiles were already upon it.
Everyone thought the battle was over.
Peter smiled faintly.
"Rufflet—Aerial Ace!"
The stars collided in an explosion—
But Rufflet was gone.
A piercing eagle cry split the sky.
"SKREEEE—!!!"
A brilliant checkmark-shaped streak cut through the air.
Rufflet appeared behind Aipom.
A thin red line opened across the monkey's neck.
Aerial Ace.
Critical hit.
Aipom collapsed instantly.
…
[Ding! Rufflet mastered Aerial Ace in a crisis!]
[Ding! Over-leveled victory achieved!]
Rewards: Universal Talent +10, Strength Talent +3
(Note: Free-Fall was learned through physical execution and doesn't count toward Rufflet's four-move limit.)
"Chirp chirp~!"
Rufflet hopped onto Peter's shoulder proudly.
Seeing the injuries covering its body, Peter's eyes softened.
He fed it a Pokéblock and secretly used healing magic to restore it.
Whitney walked over with a first-aid kit and carefully applied medicine.
Ash took a deep breath.
Then his eyes reignited with determination.
"Peter… next time—next time I won't lose!"
Peter nodded.
"I'll be waiting."
He extended his fist.
Ash blinked—
Then grinned and bumped it.
Tap.
Under the setting sun, two young Trainers' fists met in the air.
A silent promise was made.
The road ahead—
Was still very long.
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T/N:
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