Sometimes talent appears where no one expected it.
After officially catching Snivy, the first thing to do was naturally to introduce her to the rest of the team.
For the next few days, Ash kept all his Pokemon outside their Poké Balls so everyone could get familiar with one another.
Since communication between Pokemon was something a human couldn't easily interfere with, Ash simply let them sort things out themselves.
A few days later, when Ash finally checked on how things were going…
Mimikyu carefully presented a large red berry to Snivy.
"Mimi."
Boss, have a fruit.
Next to it, Kakuna slowly crawled forward, awkwardly balancing a cup of cola on its head.
"Shi…"
Boss, have a drink.
Snivy accepted both offerings with perfect composure.
Then she gently patted Mimikyu and Kakuna on the head with her vines.
"Snivy."
Good children.
"..."
Ash stared at the scene in complete shock.
Mimikyu and Kakuna both looked blissfully satisfied.
Ash slowly lowered his gaze toward Froakie beside him.
"Froakie… what's going on?"
"Frog."
Froakie looked equally confused.
I'd like to know too.
He had simply been training normally.
Eating normally.
Sleeping normally.
And occasionally beating up wild Pokemonduring training.
So how had these two somehow ended up submitting to Snivy?
"Frog."
Froakie shook his head.
No idea.
But it didn't matter much.
He resumed walking along the path while continuing his sword practice.
He still had ten thousand practice slashes left for the day.
He didn't have time to worry about strange social hierarchies.
Ash scratched his head.
"Well… if everyone's getting along, I guess it's fine."
Thus, despite being the newest member—
Snivy quickly established herself as the undisputed boss of the team.
—
Ash and Serena continued their journey along a forest path.
Their next destination was Vermilion City.
Ash wanted to challenge the Vermilion Gym for his third badge.
But he also hoped to gather clues about the missing Audino.
Even though Oka claimed Team Rocket never captured it, Audino had escaped near Vermilion.
Perhaps someone in the city had seen where it went.
Meanwhile, Vermilion City was also hosting an upcoming PokemonContest.
Serena, who planned to compete in the Kanto Grand Festival, naturally couldn't miss the opportunity.
She was currently deep in preparation.
"Delphox, use Mystical Fire!"
In a clearing, Serena practiced choreography with Delphox.
Since Ash had never seen a Contest before, he and his Pokemonactually paused their usual training to watch.
"Fox!"
Delphox spun its flaming wand.
A perfect ring of fire appeared in the air.
Then Delphox tapped the center of the circle with the wand.
Pop—
The flames burst outward like sparks.
A blooming red rose of fire spread through the air.
"Now—Psyshock!"
Blue psychic light shone from Delphox's eyes.
Invisible energy rippled outward.
The rose froze midair under psychic control.
Delphox spun its wand again.
The flames condensed.
They transformed into a glowing fire fruit.
"Finally—Light Screen!"
Delphox stepped forward gracefully.
It touched the fruit with one finger.
A transparent barrier spiraled around it.
The spinning light sliced the fruit apart—
Pieces scattered like fireworks.
Then the fragments reassembled—
Forming a flame butterfly.
The butterfly spread its wings.
And flew into the sunlight.
Ash stood there completely stunned.
When Serena finished, Ash ran over immediately.
"That was amazing, Serena!"
"That performance was incredible!"
Serena blushed slightly.
"No, I still have a lot to improve…"
But being praised so sincerely made her cheeks warm.
"I'm glad you liked it."
"I loved it!"
Ash's eyes sparkled with pure excitement.
"I've never seen anything so beautiful!"
"You're like a magician!"
Serena rolled her eyes playfully.
"Stop praising me or I'll start getting arrogant."
Still—
She couldn't stop smiling.
"Then you'll definitely win the Contest, right?" Ash asked eagerly.
"You'll get the Ribbon!"
Serena shook her head modestly.
"There are always unexpected challengers."
"But I'll do my best."
In truth, Serena was being humble.
She had already competed in advanced Kalos performance competitions.
Even though Contests and Kalos Showcases were different—
Her experience placed her well above typical beginners.
Ash nodded firmly.
"You'll definitely win."
Then he sighed.
"But that performance looked so cool…"
"Now I kind of want to try it too."
Serena's eyes lit up instantly.
"Then try it!"
"Huh? But I don't know how."
"That's fine!"
Serena quickly stepped back with Delphox.
"A performance is just expressing what's in your heart."
"If you want to do it, you can."
Ash thought for a moment.
"…Alright."
"I'll try."
Serena clasped her hands excitedly.
"Go Ash! Show us!"
Ash muttered to himself.
"What I want to show…"
Then his eyes suddenly brightened.
"I got it!"
He turned toward Froakie.
"Froakie, help me out!"
"Frog?"
Froakie blinked.
But when he saw Ash's blazing enthusiasm—
He understood immediately.
Froakie sighed lightly.
Fine.
I'll indulge you this once.
In the next moment—
He vanished.
At the exact instant Froakie disappeared—
Ash sidestepped.
"Iaido Slash!"
SHING!
Froakie appeared where Ash had stood.
His blade flashed.
The slash cut through empty air.
"Quick Attack!"
Froakie smirked slightly.
He accelerated forward—
Then reached the slash wave before it landed.
With incredible flexibility—
He flipped his body.
His feet stepped on the moving slash.
Using it as leverage—
He performed a sharp 15-degree turn.
Then reappeared behind Ash.
Without looking—
He drew his blade again.
SHING!
But Ash moved effortlessly aside.
The attack missed again.
"Slash! Quick Attack! Slash! Quick Attack!"
Ash's commands flowed nonstop.
Froakie moved faster.
And faster.
Soon his movements became a blue blur around Ash.
Ash's own steps matched perfectly.
He moved purely by instinct.
Yet every motion was graceful.
Trainer and Pokemonattacking each other—
But revealing absolute trust.
Serena stood frozen.
"Ash…"
Time seemed to blur.
Then suddenly—
Everything stopped.
Froakie hung in the air.
Ash looked up.
Their eyes met.
"Water Pulse!"
Froakie formed a blue sphere instantly.
He threw it forward.
A wall of water appeared.
He ran up the flowing water—
Charging toward the sky.
Then—
He spun.
His blade sliced through the stream.
Water wrapped around his body.
A massive water drill formed.
It shot straight toward Ash.
Ash didn't move.
He raised his fist.
And punched upward.
The drill collided with his fist—
And dissolved into mist.
Froakie emerged.
His blade had vanished.
He extended his fist.
Right before impact—
Both of them changed their fists into open palms.
Their hands clasped.
Froakie landed safely.
Water droplets fell around them.
Sunlight refracted through the mist.
A rainbow formed behind them.
They stood there quietly.
Everyone watching was completely mesmerized.
After a moment, Ash smiled.
"Looks like we worked pretty well together, Froakie."
"Frog."
Froakie shrugged casually.
Then wandered back toward the others.
But the moment he returned—
Snivy glared at him.
"Snivy!"
Froakie blinked.
"…?"
What did I do?
"Snivy!!"
You think you're so special?!
"Snivy snivy!"
Why are you so synchronized with Ash?!
"..."
Froakie rolled his eyes.
"Frog."
Ridiculous.
Meanwhile Ash walked back to Serena.
"That felt amazing!"
"My whole body feels refreshed!"
Well yes—
You were basically dodging sword strikes at full speed.
Ash grinned.
"So how was my performance?"
Serena froze.
Her mind replayed the scene.
Ash and Froakie moving in perfect harmony.
Her cheeks turned red.
She coughed lightly.
"Ahem…"
"It was amazing."
"Ash, you actually have talent for performing."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"I've never seen a performance like that."
"It was powerful… and completely unique."
Mostly because nobody else could dodge Froakie's sword.
Then suddenly—
An idea exploded in Serena's head.
Her eyes sparkled like she had activated Psychic.
"Ash!"
"Why don't you join the Kalos Showcase with me?!"
"…Wait."
"Isn't that only for girls?"
"You can just dress as one!"
Serena said the horrifying idea casually.
Then she studied his face closely.
"…Wait."
"I never noticed before…"
"Ash, your facial features are actually really good."
"What does that mean?"
Ash instinctively stepped backward.
"It means… you'd look great dressed up."
"Dressed up…?"
Ash's expression changed instantly.
He began backing away.
But suddenly—
SLAP!
Serena grabbed his cheeks.
She leaned in closer.
Very close.
Ash could feel her breathing.
But the terrifying part—
Was her intense glowing eyes.
Like a switch had flipped.
"Ash… don't move."
She dragged him to a nearby table.
Then started rummaging through her bag.
Pulling out makeup tools.
"We're going to give you a proper makeover…"
"Hehehe…"
"..."
Ash stared at Serena sweating nervously.
He wanted to run.
But he didn't dare.
Because—
Right now—
Serena was honestly a little terrifying.
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