"Heracross..." Ash reluctantly recalled the Bug King, his brow furrowing as he looked at Venusaur, who was only slightly out of breath.
"Bana~" Venusaur stood quietly in place, lifting its head contentedly to bask in the sunshine, a soft glow shimmering all over its body.
Synthesis was part of Venusaur's daily training. By now, it was almost instinctive.
Then something happened that filled Ash with despair. After Venusaur basked in the sun for just a short while, nearly all the small wounds on its body healed before his very eyes...
"Now Ash is on the back foot," Brock said worriedly from the stands.
Over in Young Master Mao's cheering section, Erika's eyes shone. "As expected of Teacher Oak's Venusaur. It's been raised so well! Defensive counters, healing, endurance-there's nothing to fault."
"Whoo! Young Master Mao is the best!" Caitlin obligingly raised her pom-poms and shook them vigorously. She did not know much about raising Grass-type Pokémon, but from what Erika said, it must have been pretty impressive.
In the VIP lounge above the main platform, Koga and Karen were responsible for maintaining order at the venue today.
However, an unexpected guest was also sitting on the sofa.
Wallace, the Hoenn Region's former Champion and a Master Coordinator, watched Gary's performance appreciatively. "Strong and beautiful. Gary really should enter Pokémon Contests. He has talent!"
Koga and Karen exchanged looks. This former Champion of Hoenn probably did not know Young Master Mao's temperament.
If this young master entered Pokémon Contests, he would be an absolute landslide crashing through the world of Coordinators...
"Ash, weren't you going to show me your strength?" Gary smiled at Ash, raising his chin provocatively.
"Gary has really gotten into it," Professor Oak sighed, shaking his head in the stands. "He's prepared himself. What about you, Ash?"
Ash