this is the chapter regarding Sawyer's thoughts on Ash's own battle against Valerie, what he can do towards his own rematch against her, and some stuff about Serena has also been thrown in here.

disclamation: I do not own the 'Pokémon' anime, nor do I actually own Sawyer's point of view. all the anime's rights of ownership are reserved for Satoshi Tajiri and for Nintendo. I am just making all of the stuff in Sawyer's head up, I assure you.

The following day, Sawyer joined Ash's friends to watch Ash's own battle to see what kind of a strategy Ash could cook up against Valerie and her beautiful yet dangerous fairy-type pokémon arsenal.

Ash: Yes. It's finally today.

His Pikachu agreed with him about the battle from his shoulder where it was.

Serena: Hey, Sawyer, have you ever watched a gym battle before?

Sawyer: N-no, it's my first time. My heart's pounding like you wouldn't even believe.

Sawyer's brain: For more reasons than just one, Serena my angel.

Bonnie: But, Ash is battling, not you.

Sawyer's brain: How could I ever even explain to them that I think I might be in love Serena as an additional reason for my heart pounding as hard as it is, right now? I need some help just to avoid thinking about Serena.

Ash: I hope you'll be out there, cheering.

Sawyer: Of course.

Sawyer's brain: Thanks, Ash. You may never know this, but you've actually provided me with the perfect way to distract myself from thinking about my crush on your traveling companion, Serena.

Clemont: Have you figured out how to deal with Valerie's fairy-types? Judging from her challenge yesterday, it's clear there's a lot we don't know about her battling techniques.

Sawyer's brain: Thanks a lot, Mr. Clemont, for reminding me of the humiliation of my own loss to her yesterday. Sure she's pretty, but I let girls cloud my thinking too much in my battle with Valerie yesterday. I never wanna let my battling techniques be blocked out of my mind by a pretty face, again. Of course, Serena would definitely be the exception with how gorgeous she is.

Ash: I haven't, not yet.

Pikachu agreed with its trainer. Sawyer was suddenly confused by this somewhat random strategy from his newfound rival. Clemont and Bonnie seemed to be worried about him. Bonnie spoke for both of them.

Bonnie: Will you be OK?

Serena, however, sounded as though her faith in Ash was limitless. She seemed to have so much belief in Ash, it could fill an ocean of faith.

Serena: Ash will be fine. Ash and his pokémon have always worked together, which is the key to winning gym badges. That's why he'll be able to beat Valerie.

Ash: Yeah, you've got that right.

Sawyer suddenly began to see Ash as a rival for more than just winning the Kalos League at that moment.

Sawyer's brain: Well, that was a bit boastful. As for Serena, I wonder if she'll ever have that much faith in someone like me. No, Sawyer, bad rival and competitor. Now's so not the time for those kinds of thoughts. Now's the time to cheer Ash on in his battle against Valerie. You'll have to focus on Ash's battle to learn how to defeat Valerie and her fairy-types. Leave your crush on Serena alone, right now. You can think about her all you want after Ash's battle. Remember, he's counting on you and his friends to cheer him on.

Sawyer was finally able to mentally smack some sense back into his mind and banish all thoughts about Serena. He was fully able to bring himself back down to the planet and back into his head where his mind belonged.

On their way to the gym's battlefield, they were all greeted by Sarah, the girl in black who was the MC for the fashion show and the referee for the battle, and the other two from yesterday's fashion show. One of the other two was a dark-skinned brunette with brown eyes who wore a pink and purple furisode dress. The last of them was a blonde with bright golden eyes who wore a white and charcoal grey furisode dress.

Sarah and the other three: We welcome you to the Laverre Gym.

Ash: I'm here for a gym battle.

Sarah and the other three stepped aside to escort them up the stairs. They all walked up the stairs with Clemont and his sister, Bonnie, on one side behind Ash and Serena and Sawyer tailing his other side.

Sawyer's brain: I can't believe I've been invited to watch a gym battle, but if I can gain some useful experience from this, who am I to reject the offer to learn more about battling? I think I might've taken the wrong approach yesterday. I obviously was also too distracted to think clearly. But, today's a new day. I'll be more prepared than yesterday, because I'll be observing a gym battle for the first time in my life.

When they finally made it to the battlefield inside the gym, they were completely in awe of how big, and how beautiful, it was. It looked more like a Jhoto-based zen garden than a battlefield. Ash walked up to the challenger's side of the battlefield. Pikachu took its place at its trainer's feet.

Meanwhile, Sawyer joined Ash's friends upon the viewing platform just up some more stairs. He took his viewing place next to Serena. Sawyer was extremely happy standing next to Serena. For Sawyer, it was like his dreams from the previous night coming true. Although for Serena, it meant nothing since she did not even seem to notice him next to her. All of her attention looked like it was focused only on Ash's battle with Valerie.

Sawyer's brain: Am I dreaming? Serena is standing next to me on this viewing platform, by choice? If I am dreaming, I don't wanna wake up from this dream.

But then, Sawyer remembered that he needed to focus on the battle at hand for the battles he would face in the future.

Sawyer's brain: No, no, NO! Focus on the battle, not the girl. You need to focus your attention on Ash's battle with Valerie, the Laverre Gym Leader, if you wanna be a successful battler in future.

Sawyer had to keep his focus on Ash's gym battle with Valerie and away from Serena. He summoned his number one partner, Treecko, from the wood gecko's pokéball so that Treecko, itself, could take notes and learn from Ash's battle with Valerie, just as its trainer was planning on. Treecko spoke its name upon being let out of its pokéball.

Sawyer: We're spectators, today, OK? I know that if we watch their battle closely, we'll be sure to learn a lot. I'll be sure to make lots of notes on this experience.

Treecko spoke its own name in confirmation to having heard Sawyer's suggestion.

Clemont: And, we will, too.

Clemont and Bonnie were more enthusiastic about learning with Sawyer than Serena seemed to be.

Serena: Right.

Bonnie: Alright, learning's fun.

None of Ash's friends could see it, but Sawyer unintentionally let his focus drift right back over to Serena's intoxicating features. Sawyer's pokémon partner, Treecko, could see its trainer get distracted by a pretty face, however; and right after its trainer had said that the two of them had a battle to watch, this time around. So, Treecko used its tail to slap some sense back into Sawyer.

Sawyer: Why'd you do that, Treecko?

Treecko spoke its name twice and pointed towards Serena and then to the battlefield, reminding Sawyer that they both had a battle to watch. Affectionate glances at girls were by no means allowed, right now. Sawyer felt stupid after needing to be reminded by his own partner pokémon to keep his focus on watching a gym battle instead of competing in one for the first time ever in his life.

Sawyer: I did it, again. I can't believe I keep letting myself get distracted by girls in the Kalos Region. But, it's not like it's my fault. I never would've thought girls were so pretty in Kalos. And recently, I find myself being drawn in by one girl in particular, Treecko.

He was whispering to his partner pokémon, so that only Treecko could hear what he was saying.

Sawyer: I know. I'll take out my notebook. That'll keep me focused on the gym battle we'll be watching, today.

Sawyer turned his attention back to the match and saw that Valerie actually had yet to even arrive.

Ash: Hold on. Where's Valerie?

Sawyer: I'm wondering the same question in mind.

Girl in black: No need to rush these things. The gym leader will be here, shortly.

Suddenly, the wallpaper lit up like a Christmas tree and started to glow brighter and brighter by the minute. The sliding doors which made up the wallpaper then slid into the ceiling, revealing a beautiful screen with cherry blossoms falling inside of it. Everyone was completely in awe of it. Sawyer was the only one who spoke up in response to it, though.

Sawyer: Like a designer's gym should look.

Then, Valerie came through the floor of her own gym.

Ash: It's her.

Pikachu spoke its name in agreement with its trainer. Ash's friends and Sawyer watched the events unfold from the viewing platform.

Sawyer: It's Valerie.

Once Valerie was completely out of the floor, the girl in black made her call as the referee.

Girl in black: The time has finally come. Valerie, the Laverre Gym Leader, is now making her entrance.

Valerie bowed to Ash.

Valerie: I welcome you all to my gym. I believe your name is Ash, right? How many gym badges do you have?

Ash: I have five of them, right now. And after this, I'll have six gym badges.

Valerie simply laughed in acknowledgement of Ash's determination, spirit, and certainty that he would emerge victorious.

Valerie: Such spirit. You're certainly confident, aren't you? But, I won't let you win that easily.

Ash: The stronger the opponents we face, the more we get totally fired up and psyched. We're not gonna loose this battle. NO WAY!

Valerie: Alright, then. Shall we?

Girl in black: The Laverre Gym Battle between Valerie, the gym leader, and Ash from Pallet Town, the challenger, will now get underway. Each trainer will have the use of two pokémon, and the battle will be over when either trainers' pokémon are unable to continue. Furthermore, only the challenger will be permitted to substitute pokémon. That's all.

Ash was wondering how he was going to win with only two pokémon; and which two pokémon he should use in battle in addition to how he would win the battle in general. Pikachu was equally concerned.

Valerie: I'll choose first. Sylveon, appear.

Valerie summoned her first pokémon, a Sylveon. It was the fairy-type evolution of an Eevee. Sylveon spoke its name upon being summoned from its pokéball. It then mounted its place in front of its trainer.

Ash: It's Sylveon.

Sawyer: Unless I'm mistaken, that pokémon is an evolutionary choice for Eevee trainers.

Serena: No, you're completely right about that, Sawyer.

Valerie spoke to her Sylveon in its native language. Sylveon turned to face its trainer and responded back. Valerie spoke to her Sylveon again. Ash and Pikachu were completely astounded. Pikachu spoke its own language in shocked amazement at what it was listening to from Valerie and her pokémon.

Ash: It's just like Serena said. Valerie talks with pokémon.

Sawyer: Oh my Mew, I never would've guessed that when you said Valerie talked with her pokémon, you meant she talked with them in their native language. What a unique hobby for a gym leader, or any kind of trainer, really.

Serena: You didn't believe me before when I said that very thing?

Sawyer could see that Serena seemed a bit hurt by his assumption that she was lying. He grew desperate to fix the situation.

Sawyer: I-I-I didn't think you were lying, Serena. I-I-I'm just saying I might have assumed it was just a bluff.

Serena suddenly began laughing at Sawyer's reaction.

Sawyer: Hmm, what's so funny, Serena?

Serena: I was just teasing when I assumed you didn't believe me. But, no. When I said that Valerie talks with her pokémon like they talk, it was by no means a bluff of any kind.

Sawyer blushed when he was finally able to recognize Serena's joke.

Sawyer's brain: Well, Serena has to think of me as a pretty close friend in order to joke with me the way she did. I mean if she didn't think I was close enough to her already, she wouldn't have joked like that, at all, right? No, now's not the time to think about a pretty girl. Now's the time to focus on the battle that's going on, the battle you have to watch in order to be a better battler for future gym battles.

Back on the gym's battlefield, Valerie's ears were suddenly burning as everyone, even the spectators, were talking about her. She chuckled at their comments.

Valerie: Honestly, I've always wanted to be a pokémon, so I managed to learn how to speak with them.

Ash: Awesome.

Ash seemed in awe of her statement. So was his own Pikachu.

Valerie: It's true I can't communicate with every pokémon, but I can understand most of what my pokémon are telling me.

But, Sawyer and Ash's friends on the viewing platform seemed to be more in shock at Valerie's revelation than they were in awe. Sawyer spoke for them all at that moment.

Sawyer: She learned how to talk to pokémon because she wants to be a pokémon?!

Valerie: I use fairy-type pokémon in my gym. I happen to be quite strong, so watch your step.

Valerie's Sylveon agreed with its trainer. Sylveon was ready, willing and able to battle any pokémon the challenger could summon for the match, no matter how tough an opponent it would be. Valerie chuckled in agreement to her Sylveon's enthusiasm.

Ash: Here's my first pokémon. Fletchinder, I choose you.

Indeed, a Fletchinder emerged from the pokéball Ash threw forward in a summons of the pokémon. Fletchinder flew around the battlefield for a bit before landing right near its trainer. Pikachu might have been a bit jealous, but it seemed to know Ash stood a better chance against Valerie's pokémon with one that could fly.

Valerie: Good. Well then, make your move.

Sawyer, Serena, Bonnie, and Clemont watched from the viewing platform.

Sawyer: 'K, here we go.

Sawyer's partner pokémon, Treecko, acknowledged the need to take notes on the battle between Ash and Valerie.

Girl in black: Battle begin.

Ash: Let's do this, Fletchinder. Now, use Steel Wing.

Fletchinder complied to its trainer's command. Using the Steel Wing attack it was ordered to, Fletchinder made impact on Sylveon. As a result, Sylveon took a huge hit from the Steel Wing.

On the viewing platform, Serena, Bonnie, and Clemont were completely in awe of the effect the Steel Wing seemed to have on a fairy-type like Sylveon.

Serena: That was perfect.

Clemont: And it was super effective.

Sawyer was taking notes on how the battle was going and made a note of how to deal with a fairy-type gym leader like Valerie.

Sawyer: Got it. That just showed us steel-type moves are really effective against fairy-type pokémon.

Sawyer's brain: I'll definitely have to teach even just one of my pokémon a steel-type move if I should wanna go after this badge, again.

Valerie grew concerned about her Sylveon after taking the hit it did.

Valerie: Are you alright?

Sylveon shook it off just enough to recover slightly from the attack.

Valerie: Alright, we can't underestimate them, can we? But this time, it's our turn. Disarming Voice.

Sylveon complied to its trainer's command. It launched a heart-shaped echo like scream from its mouth. The Disarming Voice brought Fletchinder's further movement to a screeching halt.

A/N: No pun intended.

But, Ash and his Fletchinder were not going to go down without a fight in this gym battle any time soon.

Ash: Now, Fletchinder, use Peck. Let's go.

Fletchinder complied to its trainer's command, but Sylveon easily dodged it.

Valerie: Quick, catch it.

Sylveon used its ribbon-like feelers to catch its opponent in its grasp. Ash was in shock of Sylveon's use of its ribbons, and so was Pikachu.

Ash: No way!

Pikachu spoke its name in response to its trainer's shock. Sylveon then swung Fletchinder around like a lasso rope at the pokémon rodeo.

From the viewing platform, Sawyer and Ash's friends were equally shocked by the way Valerie and her Sylveon were battling.

Bonnie: Oh-no!

Sawyer: What a weird way to battle.

Clemont: A pokémon battle isn't just about an exchange of moves. Some trainers know everything about their pokémon's skills and will use them to their full potential. Valerie's exceptionally good at that.

Sylveon continued to spin Fletchinder around with its ribbons. The girls who worked for Valerie in the fashion show were quite proud of her pokémon.

Girl in white and charcoal grey: Alright.

Girl in pink and purple: You can do it, Sylveon.

Sarah: Go all the way.

Valerie: We're not done just yet. Sylveon, Fairy Wind.

Sylveon complied to its trainer's command and unleashed a beautiful silvery-purple tornado, with Fletchinder still trapped in its ribbons. Ash and Pikachu were both worried about Fletchinder entrapped by Sylveon's ribbons.

Clemont: Incredible power.

Bonnie: Fletchinder!

Dedenne spoke its own name in concern for Fletchinder.

Serena: Fletchinder, be strong!

Sawyer and his Treecko were both as shocked and worried about Fletchinder as Ash's friends were.

Sawyer's brain: How is Ash's Fletchinder gonna get out of this situation?

Back on the battlefield, while Ash was worried about his pokémon out in the battle, Valerie was proud of the way she was showing off her Sylveon's skills.

Valerie: So what do you think, Ash? Sylveon's ribbons can do more than just flutter beautifully, you see. While fairy-types are graceful, they also possess dangerous hidden fangs.

Ash was getting quite agitated with the way the battle was going on his end. Fletchinder was still caught in Sylveon's fairy-wind, and there was almost nothing he could do to help his pokémon escape.

Back on the viewing platform, Sawyer, his Treecko, and Ash's friends watched the battle that was going on.

Sawyer: What's Ash going to do?

Serena had had enough of the way Ash and Fletchinder could not seem to fight back, so she gave them both a yell of encouragement from the platform.

Serena: Come on, Ash. Fletchinder, you can do it.

Sylveon was finished with its Fairy Wind attack and was by then ready to slam Fletchinder into the ground with its ribbons. Suddenly, Ash seemed to come up with an idea of how to turn the tide of battle.

Ash: Valerie, when it comes to hidden fangs, Fletchinder has 'em, too.

Sawyer was suddenly shocked by this revelation.

Ash: Heat up, Fletchinder, and use Flame Charge.

Fletchinder heard Ash's voice and was more than happy to comply to its trainer's command. It heated itself up under the use of Flame Charge and lit Sylveon's ribbon feelers on fire in the process, as well.

Valerie: I'm impressed.

But, she was not willing to give up that easily.

Valerie: Giga impact.

Sylveon complied to its trainer's command.

Ash: We won't back down. Use Steel Wing.

Fletchinder also obeyed its trainer's command and unleashed an attack move that was not just strong, but also super effective against its opponent.

Both pokémon collided in the middle of the battlefield. Then, they emerged from the collision on one another's side of the battlefield. Both of them seemed to be in perfect condition, though. It was, however, just when Fletchinder looked like it had had enough of the battle that it spread its wings out and Sylveon had fainted instead.

Valerie: Sylveon!

Valerie's supporters were just as shocked.

Valerie: Callie, make the call.

Callie, the girl in black, spoke up to make her call as the referee.

Callie: Uh, right. Sylveon is unable to battle. Fletchinder wins.

Ash pumped his fist up.

Ash: Yes! That's one down.

From the viewing platform, Ash's friends all cheered for him.

Serena: You did it, Fletchinder.

Bonnie: That was so cool.

Sawyer took notes from Ash's battle.

Sawyer: So, that proves steel-type moves are super effective on fairy-type pokémon, just like it's supposed to be.

Treecko spoke its name in acknowledgement and agreement of its trainer's input on the battle.

Back on the battlefield, Valerie decided not to mourn her loss against Ash since losing to a challenger was a part of her job as a gym leader, anyway.

Valerie: Sylveon, return please.

Valerie recalled her exhausted Sylveon back to the safety of its pokéball.

Valerie: You battled wonderfully. Take a nice rest.

Back on the viewing platform, Ash's friends were wondering what Valerie's next pokémon would be how Ash could beat it and win the coveted gym badge from Valerie.

Clemont: Fletchinder hung in there and beat her first pokémon.

Serena nodded.

Serena: But, I wonder what her next one is.

Sawyer acknowledged Serena's inquiry about Valerie's next pokémon. He knew that Ash still had a lot of battling left ahead of him.

Sawyer: She's a gym leader. Ash still can't let his guard down. There's still a very tough battle ahead.

Back on the battlefield, Valerie was preparing to summon her next pokémon.

Valerie: Be warned; it won't be the same this time.

Valerie launched her pokéball and summoned her next pokémon. Valerie's next pokémon turned out to be the exact same Spritzee as the prior day at the fashion show.

Bonnie: There's that Spritzee.

Sawyer: Spritzee.

Sawyer would have liked to be enchanted by Spritzee's cuteness but was too busy feeling uneasy about it because of what happened on the runway battlefield at the fashion show.

Back on the battlefield, Valerie spoke to her Spritzee in its native language. Spritzee talked back to its trainer in a friendly manner.

On the other side of the battlefield, Ash's Pikachu spoke its name in concern for Fletchinder.

A/N: Now, I guess that Pikachu's actually glad that Ash didn't choose it for the battle against Valerie's pokémon. Ash probably just thought that he'd have a better chance against Sylveon and especially Spritzee if he used his flying-type pokémon in the current battle.

Ash: We saw Spritzee's Dazzling Gleam yesterday, but we still don't know about its other moves.

Back on the viewing platform, Sawyer grew worried for his newfound rival.

Valerie: Are you ready, Ash? It's your move, again.

Ash: You heard her. Fletchinder, let's go!

Fletchinder acted upon Ash's command.

Ash: Fletchinder, use Steel Wing!

Fletchinder acted on Ash's command and prepared to launch a full force Steel Wing, but it was dodged right away.

Valerie: Now, use Trick Room.

Spritzee acted on its trainer's command and used the dangerous psychic-type move which was sure to create trouble for its opponent. An entire room with see-through walls was created on the battlefield. From the viewing platform, Ash's friends and Sawyer were all surprised by this power, and so was Ash, himself.

Ash: Trick Room, whoa.

Valerie giggled slyly. Fletchinder was getting quite nervous because of Trick Room being in play.

Ash: Calm down. You've gotta stay cool, OK?

Valerie chuckled a bit.

Valerie: Surprised you, didn't we?

Sarah: Valerie's using Trick Room.

Girl in pink and purple: And if so, that can only mean one thing.

Girl in white and charcoal grey: Valerie's totally serious about this battle.

The blonde girl in the white and charcoal grey furisode also pumped her fist up at the realization of how 'into the battle' her gym leader friend really was.

Sawyer: I've never seen it before. So, this is what they call 'Trick Room'.

Sawyer and Serena were both equally worried about Ash and Fletchinder going from there.

Bonnie: Hey, is this a fairy-type move?

Clemont: It's a psychic-type move, and it's quite a troublesome one at that.

Pikachu was really worried about Fletchinder, now.

Ash: OK, Fletchinder, speed it up and use Flame Charge.

Clemont: Ash, NO!

The others on the viewing platform were shocked by Clemont's sudden demand for Ash not to use Flame Charge.

Back in the effects of the Trick Room, Fletchinder lit itself up with its Flame Charge, but it was not going any faster than before. In fact, Fletchinder was actually going slower. It desperately tried anything it could to go faster, but there seemed to be nothing it could do.

Serena: Hey, what's going on?

Sawyer: It's not going any faster.

Clemont: Normally, Flame Charge is a move that'll increase its user's speed, but the challenge is when Trick Room is being used. The faster a pokémon goes, the slower it actually is.

Serena: So, Ash called it not knowing that?

Bonnie: What are they gonna do, now?

Serena: It's dodging everything.

Sawyer: Trick Room creates a mysterious space. So even though Spritzee's normally slower than Fletchinder, does it turn into the faster pokémon in Trick Room?

Clemont: That's right.

Back on the battlefield, things were not going Ash and Fletchinder's way. But, Ash refused to give in to the effects of the Trick Room.

Ash: One more time, use Flame Charge!

A/N: I don't know what that'll help Fletchinder accomplish since it's actually going slower than normal, even by using Flame Charge.

Fletchinder complied to Ash's command, anyway.

Valerie: Use Dazzling Gleam.

Spritzee complied to Valerie's command and lit up the battlefield with its attack. The Dazzling Gleam easily stopped Fletchinder in its tracks. Fletchinder's Flame Charge was extinguished, and it was slammed into the ceiling of the Trick Room.

Ash: Fletchinder, NO!

Valerie: Well, well, finished already.

Ash: Use Flame Charge.

Serena was shocked by his call from the viewing platform.

Serena: Again?!

Fletchinder obeyed Ash's command, anyway. But, Spritzee still dodged the attack.

Valerie: Gyro Ball.

Spritzee complied to its trainer's command. It formed itself into a rotating ball and went after Fletchinder.

Ash: We're not done, yet. Flame Charge.

But, that Flame Charge was dodged easily, too. Spritzee even had the time to land its Gyro Ball attack atop Fletchinder. Ash groaned in frustration.

Back on the viewing platform, Sawyer and Ash's friends were all getting beyond worried about the slip-ups in his battle against Valerie's Spritzee.

Sawyer: What in the world could Ash be thinking?

Clemont: I'll bet you that he's got a strategy.

The rest of them on the viewing platform were suddenly confused as to what Ash's strategy could be.

Back in the effects of the Trick Room, Fletchinder was getting up from where it had been hit by Gyro Ball. It refused to give up the fight.

Ash: I know you can do it. Hang in there.

Fletchinder got up thanks to the words of encouragement from its trainer.

Ash: Do your best and keep using Flame Charge. GO!

Fletchinder complied to its trainer's command, finally seeming to know what Ash had in mind.

Valerie: I wonder what trick he's got up his sleeve. Use Dazzling Gleam.

A/N: I second that. What is Ash's plan?

Spritzee complied to its trainer's command and stopped Fletchinder's Flame Charge in its tracks. Only thing that was different was that the Dazzling Gleam did not succeed at extinguishing the Flame Charge this time, and Fletchinder just continued on with its Flame Charge, a lot more confident in Ash's mystery strategy.

Back on the viewing platform, Ash's friends were only getting worried. Sawyer was the only one who was brave enough to speak among them.

Sawyer: It's like Fletchinder's getting slower on purpose.

Ash's thoughts: Hang in there, Fletchinder. We'll get our chance.

Suddenly, the effects of Trick Room had finally run out. Spritzee was alarmed, while Fletchinder was elated.

Valerie: Dear, we're out of time.

Ash smirked and chuckled at his chance finally coming.

Ash: Fletchinder, use Steel Wing.

Ash seemed to have surprised his opponent, Valerie, along with Sawyer and his friends on the viewing platform.

Clemont: Of course, now I understand what Ash is up to. He kept on using Flame Charge so Fletchinder could attack at a high speed as soon as Trick Room disappeared.

Sawyer: Ash planned it?

While Clemont and Sawyer were talking about Ash's strategy, Fletchinder finally managed to get a hit on Spritzee.

Ash: Alright!

Valerie: Not so fast.

Ash was suddenly shocked by this.

Valerie: Moon Blast.

Spritzee unleashed the powerful fairy-type move that finally caused poor Fletchinder to faint. It was just too tired to battle anymore.

Ash: Fletchinder, NO!

Callie: Fletchinder is unable to battle. the winner is Spritzee.

Sarah and Valerie's other two supporters all cheered for her.

Pikachu was now really unhappy about Valerie and her Spritzee's win against its trainer and their Fletchinder. Ash just groaned in frustration at Valerie's supporters cheering for his defeat.

Valerie: Thank you. But I must say… your multiple Flame Charges were a good idea. It's been a while since I've been surprised like that.

From the viewing platform, Sawyer, his Treecko and Ash's friends all saw how the battle had turned out.

Sawyer: That Moon Blast. That was another dangerous hidden fang.

Clemont: Ash took much too long, and he paid a heavy price for doing that.

A/N: I agree with both Valerie and Clemont. While I believe that surprising one's opponent is nothing short of a good idea, Ash did leave too much up to chance and poor Fletchinder got the worst end of it.

Ash: Fletchinder, return.

Back on the viewing platform, Sawyer dared to look Serena's way.

Sawyer: So, how is Ash going to win this, huh?

Serena groaned worriedly.

Back on the battlefield, Pikachu was just as worried as Serena about how his trainer was going to win against a move as dangerous as Trick Room.

Ash: Hawlucha, I choose you!

Hawlucha was released from its pokéball and entered the battlefield, posing up a storm.

Valerie: My, my, quite an amusing pokémon.

Back on the viewing platform, Sawyer and everyone else acknowledged Ash's choice of Hawlucha to take Fletchinder's place in the battle against Valerie's Spritzee. They only wondered why he chose Hawlucha, of all his pokémon.

Sawyer: 'K. Hawlucha's a flying-and-fighting-type. But, fighting-type moves aren't very effective on Spritzee.

Serena: Ash chose Hawlucha, anyway.

Clemont: Let's see what strategy Ash has in mind.

Bonnie: You can do it, Hawlucha!

Hawlucha continued posing in place. It then noticed its opponent, and turned toward its trainer's direction.

Ash: I'm counting on you, OK?

Hawlucha spoke its name in acknowledgement and acceptance of what Ash asked of it.

Ash: Now, use Karate Chop.

Hawlucha acted on Ash's order and went in for the attack. When it launched its attack at its opponent, however…

Valerie: Use Trick Room.

Spritzee quickly dodged Hawlucha's Karate Chop and summoned yet another Trick Room.

From the viewing platform, Sawyer was shocked by the reusage of Trick Room.

Sawyer: Huh? They're using it, again?

A/N: And why not? It worked against Fletchinder, so it would stand to reason that Valerie and her Spritzee were confident their Trick Room move would work against Hawlucha, too.

Hawlucha became nervous. It acted like it knew exactly what Trick Room was capable of.

Ash: Hawlucha, just relax. This is the ring for today.

Hawlucha calmed down enough to accept that day's fighting ring. It then spoke its name in acknowledgement.

Valerie: Looks like somebody's having fun. We want you to enjoy yourselves. Use Moon Blast.

Spritzee complied with Valerie's command and launched its deadly fairy-type attack. It was a direct hit! Hawlucha was blasted into Trick Room's wall. It fell to the floor after the attack made contact. Both Ash and Pikachu grew worried for Hawlucha. Spritzee only flew around the Trick Room.

Back on the viewing platform, the others were impressed by Spritzee and concerned for Hawlucha.

Clemont: What power!

Hawlucha recovered surprisingly quick, however, and just shook off the hit from the Moon Blast. Hawlucha spoke its name in acknowledgement how strong an opponent Spritzee was.

Ash: Yep, it's strong.

Valerie was bewildered by Ash understanding right away what Hawlucha said in its own language.

Valerie: My, you can talk to your pokémon, too, right?

Ash: Not really talking. It's more like I can sense what they mean. I just kinda know.

Pikachu then Hawlucha both spoke their respective native languages in agreement with their trainer.

Valerie: You have much promise.

Ash just nodded, acknowledging Valerie's praise.

Ash: Hawlucha, use X-Scissor.

Hawlucha complied to Ash's command and launched its attack, but it still missed Spritzee by a mile. But when the attack landed, it seemed to have a strange effect on the Trick Room move.

Back on the viewing platform, Sawyer started to wonder why Ash called for an X-Scissor attack.

Sawyer: What did he do that for? Of course, bug-type moves aren't very effective against Spritzee.

Back on the battlefield, however, Ash noticed the effect that his Hawlucha's X-Scissor attack seemed to have on Spritzee's Trick Room move. He seemed to be planning something which had to do with it.

Valerie: There he goes. I can tell Ash is up to something again.

Ash: Hawlucha, taking your opponent's moves head on is your battling style. Watch Spritzee closely and stay on its tail.

Hawlucha attempted to comply with Ash's orders, but Spritzee was proving such an endeavor to be easier said than done as fast as it was going.

Valerie: He's such an interesting boy. So, let's see what he's planning. Use Gyro Ball.

Spritzee complied to Valerie's command.

A/N: Unexpected and sparkly. But, it's probably not gonna be a very smart call for a gym leader. No offense, Valerie.

Ash: Hawlucha, catch that.

A/N: I saw that coming.

As it was ordered, Hawlucha caught the Gyro Ball in its arms. Valerie was openly shocked by this.

Ash: Alright. Hawlucha, use that speed.

Hawlucha finally let Spritzee go, but at the expense of Spritzee having the upper hand in terms of speed in their battle. Valerie was even more shocked than before by what they seemed to be doing.

Back on the viewing platform, Sawyer and Ash's friends were amazed by Ash's battle strategy.

Sawyer: Wow!

Clemont: Hawlucha's using the spin from the Gyro Ball. Talk about thinking on your feet.

Valerie was equally impressed with the sudden turnaround in her challenger's favor.

Valerie: Very nice.

Ash: Spin, Hawlucha. Use X-Scissor.

Hawlucha complied to Ash's order and spun around while using X-Scissor. But, Valerie refused to let her Spritzee go down without an attack to shield it from Hawlucha's own attack.

Valerie: Don't underestimate us. Dazzling Gleam.

But, Ash seemed to see the Dazzling Gleam coming to the battle, too.

Ash: Cut right through that Dazzling Gleam.

Hawlucha complied to Ash's command, cut through the attack and slammed Spritzee into the wall of its own Trick Room. Suddenly, the Trick Room began to shatter until it finally broke into pieces. Valerie was shocked to the extreme by this.

Ash: Alright!

Pikachu spoke its name in praise of Hawlucha.

Back on the viewing platform, Sawyer and everyone else were shocked yet amazed by this.

Sawyer: Never seen that before. What an awesome X-Scissor.

Bonnie: They broke through_

Clemont: Trick Room.

Hawlucha finally landed to the floor, posing proudly.

Ash: You did it, Hawlucha.

Hawlucha acknowledged its trainer's praise.

Valerie: Unbelievable.

Back on the viewing platform, Clemont informed them of the potential of why Ash chose Hawlucha to begin with and why he had called for Hawlucha to use X-Scissor, of all the wrestling pokémon's attack moves.

Clemont: Even if a bug-type move like X-Scissor is ineffective against a fairy-type, it is effective against Trick Room, which is a psychic-type move. And that's the chance Ash took.

Sawyer: Ash is amazing.

Sawyer's brain: I can get what girls like Serena and Valerie see in guys like him. Maybe, he's as good with the girls as he is with gym battles.

Serena: That's his battling style, alright.

Bonnie: We never know what Ash is gonna come up with, next.

Dedenne spoke its name in agreement with its young trainer, Bonnie.

Sawyer clutched tightly onto his notebook and his pen.

Sawyer: I wonder if I can do that, too.

A/N: Maybe with practice… a lot of practice.

Sawyer's brain: I'll bet becoming like Ash would definitely win Serena's heart.

Back on the battlefield, Ash was explaining his call for an X-Scissor.

Ash: I wanted to destroy that Trick Room with X-Scissor, and that's just what I did.

Valerie: You're great at communicating with your pokémon. You and Hawlucha are a perfect match.

Spritzee was breathing heavily and tiredly after it took the hit from Hawlucha's carefully executed X-Scissor.

Valerie: Spritzee, let's do this.

Ash: OK, now use Flying Press.

Hawlucha complied to its trainer's order and landed a perfect Flying Press on its opponent in spite of the type-disadvantage it still had. Valerie saw that Ash's Hawlucha was very good at making the most of what it could against even a bad matchup in terms of types.

Valerie: Spritzee, don't let it get too close. Moon Blast.

Spritzee complied to its trainer's command, but this was not going to be like the battle against Bagon and later Fletchinder. Hawlucha was not the weakest type of pokémon against Spritzee like the former. And unlike the battle against the latter, Spritzee was the more tired pokémon instead of Hawlucha. Plus, Hawlucha's trainer had already proven himself against Sylveon to be just like some kind of battling genius and could do a lot of thinking on his feet.

Ash: Dodge it, quick!

Hawlucha did as it was told, and the command its trainer gave to it did the job and saved Hawlucha's bacon.

Ash: Now, High Jump Kick.

Hawlucha complied to its trainer's command and launched its High Jump Kick. Spritzee was too tired to dodge it, so Hawlucha landed a direct hit and sent Spritzee flying into the ceiling. Hawlucha landed a perfect landing onto the floor, while Spritzee fainted onto the floor after the hit from the High Jump Kick.

Valerie's supporters were not sure what to think of their gym leader friend's loss, but Valerie looked at them as if she were telling them that a loss is a loss, no matter what side it's on. Callie, the Laverre Gym's referee, seemed to get the message more than the other three did. So, she made the call.

Callie: Spritzee is unable to battle. Hawlucha is the winner. So, the victor is Ash of Pallet Town.

Ash pumped his fist into the air.

Ash: Alright!

Pikachu jumped onto his trainer's shoulder, its favorite place in the world, and was happier than ever before that Ash's first ever battle in a fairy-type gym ended in victory. Hawlucha was equally happy to have been the key pokémon to its trainer's victory. It jumped right into Ash's welcoming arms like it was proud to be his pokémon.

Ash: Hawlucha, that was great.

Back with the rest of Valerie's supporters, they seemed to take it very hard that their friend's battle with her most recent challenger ended in defeat for her.

Girl in pink and purple: I just can't believe Valerie lost.

Sarah: I haven't seen that in so long.

Valerie approached her fainted fairy-type and spoke to poor Spritzee in its native language, desperately asking if it were OK. It recovered from its faint and got up slowly, but steadily. It sounded, however, like it was more ashamed than it was truly injured. It seemed like Spritzee felt as though it had let its trainer down. However, when Valerie spoke to her pokémon in its native tongue, it was like she reassuring it, telling it that there was nothing to be ashamed of.

Valerie: You gave it your best effort. I'm so very proud of you and Sylveon, as well.

Valerie recalled Spritzee back to its pokéball for a nice, well-deserved rest.

Valerie: That was truly well done. I haven't been that inspired in a while.

Back on the viewing platform, Serena and Bonnie were racing toward Ash to congratulate him on a job well done in winning the gym battle.

Serena: Ash, you did it!

Bonnie: Hawlucha, great!

Clemont followed Bonnie and Serena off of the viewing platform. Sawyer and his Treecko decided to stay up there for a bit to look over their notes from the battle.

Sawyer: What an amazing battle. I'll be sure to make a note of this experience.

Treecko agreed with its trainer.

Sawyer: Hey, you guys, wait up.

Sawyer and his Treecko then joined the others back on the battlefield to congratulate Ash's win against Valerie.

Serena: Ash, you were so amazing.

Serena's thoughts: And you're also such a dream for just about any girl, Ash Ketchum.

Then, it came time for Valerie to reward Ash with her gym badge. Callie held onto it when they were presenting it.

Valerie: Ash, you know how a trainer's heart becomes one with their pokémon when they're backed into a corner during a battle. I'm wondering; why is that?

Ash saw what Valerie was saying and took a moment to ponder it.

Ash: I'm not really sure. But, I do know what you mean.

Valerie smiled at this.

Valerie's mind: Such humble honesty.

Then, Callie brought Valerie her gym badge to give to Ash as the winner of their battle.

Valerie: Here's proof that you won at the Laverre Gym. I present you with the Fairy Badge. Congratulations.

Ash: Thank you very much.

Valerie's mind: And very polite.

Ash was very happy to have received badge no. six, and so were all his pokémon.

Ash: We did it. We got the Fairy Badge.

Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder and spoke its name as though it were proud of everyone. Then, Ash put the Fairy Badge in his badge case along with his other five. Then, he closed it tightly.

Serena: That's wonderful, Ash.

Bonnie: Fletchinder and Hawlucha battled really, really hard.

Clemont: And you also learned a brand-new battling strategy; the Trick-Room breaker.

Sawyer ran up to Ash to try learning how to battle as good as Ash, himself, could.

Sawyer: Wow, Ash, you were so cool. I really wanna be able to battle just like you. I've gotta know how you can battle like that.

Sawyer then took out his notebook and pen.

Sawyer: You've gotta teach me.

Ash: Uh, not sure how to explain that.

Sawyer only seemed interested in learning about Ash's battling style, however.

Sawyer: What are you thinking about when you're battling? Does Pikachu give you some kind of advice or something?

Valerie and her fashion model friends were amused by Sawyer bombarding Ash with questions.

Ash: It'll be easier to explain with a battle.

Sawyer: Yes!

Sawyer's brain: If I can learn from Ash, I might just get Serena to acknowledge me. I can just imagine what Serena would think of me if I could actually beat Ash, too.

A/N: An interesting thought, in and of itself… if you can make it work out for you, that is, Sawyer.