Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 89: Battle Test

Nimbasa City felt different when we returned after the League.

The lights, music, trains, and crowds were still the same, but I was not walking toward a Gym Badge this time. Elesa's stage was behind me, the Vertress trophy was behind me, and Grimsley's Dark Medal was already safely packed away.

That did not make the city feel smaller. It made every building look like it had been waiting for me to notice it properly.

Cilan pointed ahead with his usual dramatic certainty. "Near the Pokémon Center is the Battle Institute. It is a facility where battle flavor becomes measured, scored, and judged."

Iris stretched her arms behind her head. "So it is like a test after already winning the League?"

Golly adjusted her glasses. "Structured tests catch habits that victory hides."

That made me look at her. "You sound like you want me to do it."

"I want you to understand the scoring system before you complain about it," Golly said.

Alice smiled a little, which told me she already expected the same complaint.

The Battle Institute stood near the Pokémon Center, cleaner and quieter than the bright city around it. Inside, the lobby felt like a school, a battlefield, and a laboratory had tried to share one room.

An Ace Trainer stood near the front desk, arms folded and posture sharp. She looked at me like she had already judged the way I walked in.

"The Battle Test," she said. "This woman of mystery will show you the ropes. Battle effectively, and keep your Pokémon from fainting!"

"That sounds simple," I said.

Eve immediately looked at me. "That means it is not simple."

The Ace Trainer nodded with approval. "Correct. You may choose Single Battles or Double Battles. Your Pokémon will be set to Level 50, and you will battle five trainers in succession."

A referee beside her lifted a tablet. "Your performance will be scored. Knockouts matter, but so do remaining HP, move choice, switching, type effectiveness, and the number of turns used."

I glanced at Pikachu. "So winning is not the only thing."

Pikachu's meaning came with a thoughtful spark. "Winning opens the door. Scoring asks how many scratches are on it."

"That is one way to say it," I said.

The Ace Trainer's expression did not change. "Choose your format."

I thought about Grimsley's battle and how every small decision had mattered. Then I thought about the League, where emotion sometimes pushed us through ugly wins. The Institute sounded like a place that would punish ugly wins even if they were still wins.

"Double Battle," I said. "I want to test coordination."

Golly nodded. "Good. Four Pokémon, then. No special Pokémon. No duplicate items. No bag use during battles."

"I know," I said, choosing my team carefully.

Pikachu stepped forward first. Sceptile stood behind him, leaf blade already half-raised like he wanted the test to start yesterday. Samurott rested one hand near his seamitar, and Zoroark waited with quiet amusement.

Alice watched them and then looked at me. "Fast pressure, field control, discipline, and illusion."

"That is the plan," I said.

Eve crossed her arms. "Plans are also what scoring systems enjoy punishing."

The referee checked my four Pokémon and entered them into the test roster. A light swept over each Poké Ball, marking the temporary Level 50 adjustment.