Chapter 48: Fighting For Redemption

After Goh and Scorbunny's adventures in mastering Fire Pledge, the trio set out for Stow-On-Side, Ash hoping to challenge Bea to a rematch. Stepping off the bus, Ash took a deep breath, excited for another battle.
"Alright, here we go again! And this time, we're going to win! Right, buddy?"

"Pika!"

"Calm down, Ash. We still need to find out where the gym is."

That didn't take long, it being the biggest building in the town. But when they entered the building, they found it surprisingly empty.

"Huh? Where is everyone?"

"Can I help you?"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The trio jumped in fright when a child wearing a ghost mask seemingly teleported in from out of nowhere. After regaining their senses, they laughed it off.

"Sorry, we didn't mean to scream. It's just…you kind of appeared from nowhere."

"Are you a challenger?"

"Actually, I was hoping to challenge Bea to a World Coronation Series match. Is she home?"

"Big Sis, there's someone here for a match!"

A moment later, Bea stepped into the room, wiping sweat from her forehead with a towel.

"Sorry Allister, did you say something? I was busy training, and…"

Bea trailed off when she saw Ash.

"Oh, its you, um…"

"It's Ash, remember? We fought in Saffron City?"

"Oh, right! The Riolu Trainer!"

Ash just sweatdropped, not really liking the nickname.

"Yeah, that's me alright. What'd you say, will you give me another chance?"

Bea smiled. It'd been a while since she'd had a proper challenge.

"You're on."

A minute later, they were both on the battlefield and ready for battle. It wasn't long before a Drone Rotom flew in through the open window.

"Attention, a World Coronation Series match is about to begin! This will be a 2-on-2 battle with a no time limit and not substitutions! Trainers, are you ready? 3…2…1…GO!"

"Pikachu, I choose you!"

"Go, Hawlucha! Use Flying Press!"

"Electro Ball, Pikachu!"

Hawlucha flew up, attempting to drop right onto Pikachu, only for a ball of electricity to knock him off course, sending him crashing to the ground. Luckily, he recovered quickly, but…

"Volt Tackle, Pikachu!"

Before Hawlucha could get back into the air, Pikachu rammed into him, sending him flying.

"Right yourself with Aerial Ace!"
Straightening his wings out, Hawlucha managed to slow his speed until he glided to a safe stop.

"Now hit him with Acrobatics!"

"Thunderbolt, Pikachu!"

Hawlucha gracefully flew around the Thunderbolts, before getting in close enough to slap Pikachu across the face.

"Iron Tail!"

Infuriated, Pikachu struck back with his tail, making Hawlucha cry out in pain.

"Now finish him off with an Electro Ball!"

While his Tail was still in close range, Pikachu shot off an Electro Ball right into his face, sending Hawlucha flying into a wall. When the dust had settled, the Fighting and Flying Type was out cold.

"Hawlucha is unable to battle, Pikachu wins!"

"Alright, way to go, buddy!"

Bea smiled, her heart pounding fiercely in excitement.

"Good job, Hawlucha! Return. Go, Grapploct! Go for Octolock!"

"Dig underground to avoid it!"

Pikachu managed to disappear just in time, Grapploct flopping onto the ground hard.

"Now pop up and use Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu jumped up from behind and fired a Thunderbolt into his back, making Grapploct turn around.

"Hit him with Octozooka before he disappears again!"

Before Pikachu could retreat into the ground, Grapploct fired off a point blank blast of water right into his face, sending Pikachu flying to the ground.

"Octolock, followed by Submission!"

Before Pikachu could get to his feet, Octolock grabbed him, ensnaring him with all of his tentacles before curling up into a ball and grinding his body against the floor, causing Pikachu intense pain. When he had stopped, Pikachu was down and out.

"Pikachu is unable to battle, Grapploct wins!"

Ash rushed onto the battlefield, scooping Pikachu into his arms and carting him off the field.

"Pika…"
"You did great, buddy. Now get some rest."

After setting Pikachu off to the side, Ash took out his next Pokeball.

"Alright Bea, ready for this? Go, Farfetch'd!"

"Octolock, once more!"

"Use Sand Attack, Farfetch'd!"

Grapploct tried to lunge in and grab him, but Farfetch'd used his leek to kick up sand in his eyes, obscuring his vision.

"Get that dirt out of your eyes!"

""Hit him with a Peck, Farfetch'd!"

Grapploct managed to clear his vision, just in time for Farfetch'd to ram his beak right into his face, sending him reeling!"

"Grapploct, one more time!"

"Fend him off with Furry Cutter!"

Grapploct tried to grab him, but Farfetch'd used his Leek to repel his tentacles, his last attack going right into Grapploct's stomach.

"Hit him with Octozooka!"

"Dodge, then use Leaf Blade!"

Skillfully, Farfetch'd ducked under the blast of water, slashing Grapploct across the stomach, sending the fighting type reeling. Suddenly, Farfetch'd began to glow, much to everyone (minus Bea and Alister)'s shock.

"Farfetch'd is…evolving?"

"But that's impossible! Farfetch'd don't evolve…do they?"

This one did. When the glow had died down, Farfetch'd was now a pure white, his large leek now a sword that he slashed the air with, determined to win. In his other wing was a shield.

"Sirfetch'd!"

"A Sirfetch'd?"
Curious, Ash took out his Rotomphone to learn more.

"Sirfetch'd, the Wild Duck Pokemon, a Fighting Type, and the evolved form of Galarian Farfetch'd. After deflecting attacks with its hard leak shield, it strikes back with its sharp leak stalk. The leak stalk is both weapon and food."

Goh stroked his chin in thought, intrigued by this information.

"So Galarian Farfetch'd can evolve? Interesting."

"Evolution or not, we won't back down! Grapploct, use Brick Break!"

"Block, Sirfetch'd!"

Grapploct went to chop Sirfetch'd with his tentacles, only for Sirfetch'd to block them with his shield, although a few did manage to get a few hits in.

"Now use Reversal!"

"Focus Energy, Sirfetch'd!"

His health low, Grapploct began putting more power into his blows, backing Sirfetch'd into a corner. Sirfetch'd didn't back down, however, and continued building up energy within himself.

"Finish him off with Seismic Toss, Grapploct!"

The Octopus howled, prepared to wrap his tentacles around his opponent, only for them to get tangled around his sword instead, Sirfetch'd using to block the attack expertly.

"Now throw him off with Superpower!"

With a mighty heave, Sirfetch'd threw his enemy off, sending him flying back towards Bea. But in spite of all the damage he had taken, Grapploct still managed to force himself to his feet.

"Enough playing around! Grapploct, use Power Up Punch!"

"Brave Bird, Sirfetch'd!"

The two charged once more, Grapploct ready to punch and Sirfecth'd ready to strike with his sword. They met in the middle, running past each other as their attacks met. They stopped, standing upright for a minute…

Before they both collapsed to the ground. But while Sirfetch'd managed to prop himself up with his sword, Grapploct passed out, having taken too much damage to continue.

"Grapploct is unable to battle, Sirfetch'd wins! Which means Ash Ketchum is the winner!"

"Alright, way to go Sirfetch'd!"

"Fetch'd!"

"As a result of today's battle, there has been a change in the World Coronation Series rankings! Stay tuned for further information!"

As the Rotomdrone flew off, Bea returned her Grapploct silently. Afterwards, her body began shaking, making everyone worried.

"Bea, are you alright?"

"Say something, big sis!"

Then, they heard her laughing. Laughing! After composing herself, she raised her hand, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Sorry, it's just been so long since I've had such a thrilling battle. Thank you, Ash. You truly are a worthy rival."

Ash and Bea bowed to each other, each having a newfound respect for the other.

The next day, the trio of researchers were ready to go. They had a plane back to Vermillion to catch, and wanted to get to the airplane as soon as possible. Just as they were about to leave, however, they heard a voice calling out to them.

"Wait!"

When they turned around, they saw Alister running up to them, two objects in his hands, which he handed to Ash and Goh.

"Big sis wanted you to have these. She said they might help you with your training."

Ash and Goh looked down, finding them to be train passes labeled "Armor Pass", each one allowing them a plus one.

"Train tickets? Why would she want us to have these?"

But when they looked back up, Alister was gone, leaving them with more questions than answers.

"What was that all about?"

"I don't know, but I know what we're going to check out next time we're in Galar!"