"Are those two going to have a one-on-one battle?"
Serena looked worried. "But if this keeps up, Ash...?"
"Noibat said he wanted to battle!"
Although Ash was worried too, he ultimately chose to respect Noibat's wishes.
The battle began in an instant. Breloom immediately used Bullet Seed, striking first.
Noibat chose Air Slash to block the attack, stopping Breloom's sudden assault.
However, Breloom was a wild Pokémon, and it was much stronger than Noibat.
Amid the smoke created by the clash of their moves, Breloom used Skull Bash, charging through the smoke and slamming into Noibat.
After sending Noibat flying, Breloom showed no intention of stopping.
As Noibat got back up, Breloom rushed forward and used Sky Uppercut!
After Breloom knocked Noibat down again, even Pikachu could not hold back anymore.
He jumped down from Ash's shoulder, ready to help Noibat.
"Whoosh!"
Two hands reached out at the same time, blocking Pikachu's path.
After Charizard and Hawlucha exchanged a glance, Hawlucha spoke to Pikachu.
"This is his own battle!"
"That's right. This was Noibat's own decision, a duel between men!"
As Hawlucha spoke, Ash understood what Hawlucha meant and tried to persuade Pikachu as well.
"Leave this to Noibat!"
"Pika!"
After Ash spoke, Pikachu cried out to him again, still unwilling to accept it.
He had watched Noibat hatch.
Noibat was still just a child, yet he was being made to face an adult Pokémon far stronger than himself.
It was simply too painful to watch.
"Believe in him. If he never experiences setbacks, he'll never take flight."
Charizard watched Noibat struggle to his feet and spoke calmly.
He seemed to have been like that once too.
Under Big Sis's special training, he had been exhausted to the point where he could not stand.
"If you don't even have this