Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 68: Drawn Resolve

Lake Acuity looked quieter in daylight, but the quiet did not feel kind.

The snow around the shore had been disturbed by yesterday's battle, Team Galactic's retreat, and the steps we had taken while trying to help Barry. Uxie was not here anymore. I knew that. Still, the empty lake kept pulling my eyes toward the water, as if the place itself remembered what had been stolen.

Paul stood across from me without saying much.

Reggie watched from the side with Dawn, Lillie, Zoey, Gladion, Daniel, and Tox. Candice had stayed in Snowpoint to help with the temple repairs, but she had wished us luck before we left. Brandon had already returned to the temple with Maria and the Regis.

This battle was not about badges, Prints, or Ribbons. It was about Paul, me, and everything that had been left unsaid after Brandon crushed his team.

The field we chose was not a formal arena, but Reggie marked the edges with care. One side faced the frozen path back to Snowpoint. The other leaned toward the lake, where the water moved under a thin glaze of ice. The place made every sound travel too far.

Paul released his Pokémon one by one before the match began, letting them stand behind him for only a moment. Torterra, Weavile, Electabuzz, Honchkrow, Magmortar, and Ursaring. They looked stronger than the last time I had studied his team, but also sharper, like Brandon's loss had cut away anything Paul considered extra.

I did the same with my side. Gliscor stretched his wings, Staraptor shook snow from his feathers, Torterra dug his feet into the ground, Pikachu sparked carefully despite the cold, Floatzel slapped his tails against the snow, and Monferno kept his flame steady.

Lillie looked at my team and then at me. She did not warn me not to get hurt. She knew that was impossible in a battle like this.

Instead, her meaning came through the look in her eyes. Trust them, and let them trust you.

I nodded once, then faced Paul again.

Reggie lifted one hand. "This will be a full six-on-six battle. Either side can switch. The battle ends when all Pokémon on one side are unable to continue, or if both sides fall together."

Paul's expression did not change. "Torterra, stand by for battle."

His Torterra appeared with a heavy stomp, steady as a hill beneath the snow.

I reached for Floatzel first, then stopped. Water would not do enough against Torterra, and Paul would expect me to test it anyway.

"Floatzel, wait," I said, switching Poké Balls. "Gliscor, you're up instead!"

Gliscor burst into the cold air and laughed as he glided over the lakefront wind.

Gliscor's meaning came with nervous excitement. "Big tree turtle. Sharp ground. I can dance above it."

"Then dance smart," I said.

Gliscor opened with Sand Attack, scattering grit and snow toward Torterra's face. Paul did not blink.

"Giga Drain," Paul ordered without hesitation.

Green light reached for Gliscor, but he twisted away and slashed across Torterra with X-Scissor. Torterra took the hit without moving much, and I felt the first warning of the battle settle in my chest.

"Check it out," I said. "Torterra took it."

"Frenzy Plant," Paul said coldly.

Roots exploded from the ground. Gliscor shot upward, barely escaping as they tore through the snow. I saw the opening and called Fire Fang. Gliscor dove, flames burning around his teeth, and struck Torterra's side.