Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 41: Rotation Bridge

The road toward Driftveil felt different after Charizard and Charla returned.

Their shadows passed over Route 5 whenever they circled above us, and every time Charizard roared, several nearby Trainers stopped to stare. I could not blame them. Charizard had always drawn eyes, but now his power carried years of Charicific Valley training behind it.

Pikachu sat proudly on Charizard's shoulder for part of the walk, like he had reclaimed an old throne. His meaning came bright and smug. "Old fire flies. Road better."

"Try not to look too proud," I called up to him.

Pikachu looked down at me with no intention of obeying.

Alice walked beside Charla, one hand resting near the Fire-type's warm side. After all the evolutions from the Hidden Grotto crisis, the whole team felt larger, older, and more ready for the next city.

Golly checked the road map. "The Driftveil Drawbridge should be open again. If we keep moving, we can reach the bridge before evening."

Cilan smiled toward the horizon. "A crossing after growth. How fitting. Route 5 has given your Pokémon new forms, and now the road asks them to carry that growth forward."

Iris stretched her arms. "As long as the bridge does not break again."

Eve glanced at the sky. "Do not say that too loudly."

The road became busier as we approached the Driftveil side. Trainers had heard the bridge was reopening, merchants were checking wagon straps, and workers in orange vests were moving tools toward the repaired crossing.

Servine, Pignite, and Dewott walked ahead of me for a while. They were not arguing, exactly, but each one kept drifting toward the front like the road could only have one leader. Servine's pride, Pignite's protectiveness, and Dewott's eagerness kept bumping against each other in small ways.

Alice noticed it too. "They are ready to grow, but they are not moving together yet."

"That is what worries me," I said. "All three are strong, but strong separately is not always enough."

Before we reached the bridge, a man in a motorcycle jacket stepped into the road with a pose so dramatic that even Cilan blinked.

"I am a heartbreaker," the man said. "My name, Charles."

I waited for him to continue.

Charles leaned closer. "I wanted to get the attention of a girl I like, so I mastered a new style of Pokémon battling called Rotation Battles. Want to learn about it?"

"Rotation Battles?" I asked with real curiosity.

Charles pointed toward a marked practice field near the bridge road. "In Rotation Battles, you send out three Pokémon at a time. One takes the lead position, and the other two stand on each side. The trick is, each turn you can rotate their positions. That is the rough explanation."

Cilan's eyes lit up. "A battle of timing, anticipation, and formation. Deliciously tactical."

Charles grinned. "If you are a Trainer, how about a Rotation Battle?"

I looked at the three Poké Balls on my belt that suddenly felt like they had been waiting for this. Servine, Pignite, and Dewott had grown beside each other through Unova, but they often battled like separate leads. This format would not let them act alone.

"I accept," I said. "Servine, Pignite, Dewott, I choose you!"

The three of them appeared together, forming a triangle on the field. Servine lifted her head proudly, Pignite stamped both feet, and Dewott crossed his scalchops with intense focus.