1. Ash's Story (Part 7: Kalos)

Chapter 58

We arrive at Siebold's Courmarine Restaurant, and we immediately go there and greet him. He says, "Welcome again, Ash. How have you been doing?"

"Great. It sure has been a while since the Kalos Crisis." I say. "I want to try out the special menu."

Seibold says, "I see... I did learn that you and Alain are actually the same person. But do you think this time you can beat me?"

"We'll see about that." Then he brings us to the battlefield: The Flood Chamber. The pillars briefly spin upwards, and the chains are pulled down through them. A large volume of water then spouts from these pillars, while water also begins cascading down the walls. This temporarily floods the room.

"So this is the Elite Four battlefield..." Bonnie says.

"Ash! I have a question I must pose to you. Do you think Pokémon battling can ever be worthy of being called an art?" He asks.

"Well, Seibold, I've always thought of Pokémon battles as a unique form of art. It's not just about strength and strategy, but the bond between a Trainer and their Pokémon, the way we synchronize our moves. It's like a dance, a dynamic expression of skill, trust, and the connection we share with our Pokémon. So, yeah, I believe Pokémon battling can definitely be considered an art." I say back.

"Indeed. You see, cooking is the type of art that disappears as soon as it is completed. Pokémon battles are the same. Even memories of sweet victory soon fade after the battle ends. To devote yourself entirely to such a life, made up of fleeting experiences-that is truly artful."

Just then, a table of 8 appears in front of us, and he says, "How about we do the Restaurant battle mode? We will be using one Pokemon each, I'll give you the medal if you can meet the expectations and also defeating my Pokemon. There will be five courses and I hope you're ready."

Then he goes to prepare and comes with a dish. "This is our fruit salad with 18 kinds of berries mixed with Skiddo Yogurt. It needs 3 rounds for the taste to be at its best."

I nod, ready for the challenge, as Seibold unveils his Clawitzer. I decide to send out Gogoat. Clawitzer initiates with Flash Cannon, but Gogoat skillfully uses Razor Leaf to reflect the attack. Seizing the opportunity, Gogoat follows up with Horn Leech, ultimately defeating Clawitzer.

"Well done, you took 2 rounds to win," Seibold acknowledges before leaving.

Elline remarks, "So Ash needs to battle for us to eat."

David adds, "I guess so, considering we're in a fancy restaurant."

The next course is the soup - Tamato Soup with some herbs. Seibold challenges me to defeat him in 4 turns. I go for Pikachu this time, and Seibold sends out Gyarados. Gyarados launches a Hyper Beam, but Pikachu dodges with Quick Attack and retaliates with Rain Dance. Despite Gyarados's Hydro Pump causing a huge amount of damage, Pikachu finishes the battle with a Thunder.

The third course is a grilled Tauros Steak with Grilled Magikarp. I opt for Chesnaught against Seibold's Barbaracle. Chesnaught's Spiky Shield helps a lot considering that Barbaracle's moves are mostly Physical and with the Wood Hammer, it defeats Barbaracle in the end.

The fourth course is a Mousse with Mago berry sauce on top. I select Absol to face Seibold's Starmie. Starmie uses Confuse Ray, but Absol overcomes the confusion to defeat Starmie with Night Slash.

"Now for the last one, coffee with some Honey inside. This time, there isn't a limit." And he goes for the Blastoise, and I say, "This guy wants revenge, so I'll use Charizard!"

When Charizard appears, both of us Mega Evolve our Pokemon. Mega Charizard prepares to land a Steel Wing attack, but is battered down by Blastoise using Dragon Pulse.