Cyndaquil jumped down from Ash's shoulder, pillars of flame bursting from the four red spots on his back. "Cyndaquil, let's do this! This is my first time giving commands, so I'm counting on you."
A-Xin took a Poké Ball and tossed it forward. "Come on out, Ledyba!"
A red, insect-like Pokémon lay on the ground. Once the red light around him faded, Ledyba stood up, revealing three pairs of blue hands, the first pair raised in a fighting stance.
Seeing that his opponent seemed in no hurry to attack first, Ash called to Cyndaquil, "Leer!"
A-Xin shouted, "Supersonic!"
Cyndaquil seemed to be affected by Supersonic, looking a little dizzy. Only then did Ash truly feel that the battle had begun. He had to seize every opening; every moment on the battlefield mattered. Yet he still didn't fully understand what moves Cyndaquil knew. Ash hadn't been ready for this battle. While he was still wondering what to do, A-Xin gave another command. "Ledyba, rush in and punch him before he figures out what's happening!"
Ash finally reacted. He closed his eyes and called to Cyndaquil through his Aura. Cyndaquil snapped out of it, his eyes still narrowed to slits, and watched Ledyba charge toward him. Trusting that the Pokémon Trainer behind him would give him a command, he watched his opponent draw closer and closer. At last, he heard Ash's voice behind him. "Cyndaquil, counter with Tackle!"
A-Xin's lips curled into a smile. "Ledyba, he fell for it. Swift!"
"What?!"
Cyndaquil took a direct hit. Smoke filled the battlefield, and a cry came from within it. "Cynda!"
The smoke should have been dispersing by now, but instead, thick black smoke billowed from the center of the field. That was Smokescreen!
Deciding it was worth a try, Ash shouted, "Cyndaquil, Ember!"
A