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Episode 43: The Dojo
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The battlefield was a simple dirt field surrounded by white lines. On either side of the field were full bleachers with several small Pokemon sitting in their trainer's laps looking eager. Nurse Joy is here? She held a pink spherical Pokemon with small limbs, catlike ears, and large blue eyes. A Jigglypuff, a Pokemon that was valued highly among medical professionals for its ability to put unruly patients to sleep without causing harm.
Ash adjusted his hat, his hand falling to his belt. Sabrina, Erika, and Nurse Joy are watching us. He grinned. They were going to put on a show worthy of their audience. Their opponent was a tall tan-skinned man with brown hair who looked to be in his mid-thirties. He wore a white karate gi consisting of a jacket, pants, and a belt. His name was Anthony.
"This will be a three-on-three battle," the referee said. He was a graying man in the same gi as the dojo master. "The karate master will release first." The master nodded, throwing a Pokeball into the field. Hitmonchan appeared in a red flash. Hitmonchan was a humanoid, tan Pokemon standing about four and a half feet tall. It wore a light purple tunic and kilt with red boxing gloves and light blue boxing shoes.
The challenger released his Houndoom. Hellfire barked happily at the crowd. He'd been looking forward to this for the last few days. Ash was glad one of his Pokemon was prepared for the upcoming tournaments. The crowd greeted Hellfire with much less enthusiasm, but that didn't affect the black dog's mood. He was panting happily as he took in his surroundings before settling on his opponent. The Hitmonchan was named Channy according to the information Ash gathered.
"An interesting choice," Anthony said as he took in the sheen of Hellfire's fur and the bone armor on his back. Ash smiled. If the master thought he'd win on type advantage he was underestimating Hellfire. Two Mr. Mimes walked to both sides of the battlefield. A four-cornered barrier shimmered into existence around the field.
"Don't forget our strategy for this one," Ash reminded Hellfire. He received a serious bark in reply. The crowd cheered when Channy waved at them.
"Begin!" the referee called.
"Mach," the karate master commanded. Channy grinned, then darted forward with its fist enveloped in orange energy. Hellfire rolled away narrowly before fire shot from his fur to engulf his entire body. While he was covered in his flame armor the Hitmonchan couldn't strike him carelessly. Drain Punch should be off the table now. Hellfire barked, and dark energy danced amongst the blaze. "Nasty Plot, huh?" Anthony muttered. "Bulk Up."
"Press it," Ash countered, "Don't let it power up!" Hellfire exhaled an exploding fireball into Channy's chest, launching it off its feet. It twisted and managed to get its legs under it to catch itself. Hellfire shot a stream of fire that it weaved around. Channy threw a chop that hurled an arc-shaped shockwave at the Houndoom. He dashed to the side and the arc hit the earth tearing a trench into the field.
Hellfire barked, blasting a wide black wave of energy. The Hitmonchan braced itself, letting the Snarl wash over it with little damage. Channy was consumed by a pink sheen for a moment. Ash cursed. Using Snarl was a mistake. Now, that it had upped its speed with Agility they couldn't approach carelessly either. The trust between them is impressive. Channy used a different move to adjust to our attacks and it looks like Anthony approves. "Burst Barrage!"
"Fire Comet!" Anthony ordered. Fire enveloped Channy's fists as Hellfire shot burst after burst of flame at the Hitmonchan. Channy met the fire with a vicious barrage of flaming fists and glowing arms. Each burst exploded on contact showering Channy in sparks. It ground its teeth as sparks covered its face and torso. Hellfire panted heavily, the flames around him dimming. "Mach!"
Channy dashed forward, even faster than before, and punched Hellfire in the jaw with an orange fist. He skidded on his side a few yards with a pained whine. "Tomb!" Anthony called. The Hitmonchan grinned, waving its arm as though throwing something, and three chunks of earth flew from the field at Hellfire.
"Fang!" Ash yelled. Fire enveloped Hellfire's jaws before shooting a beam of heat from each of them, which exploded on contact with two boulders. The boulders fell harmlessly in front of Hellfire. The Houndoom shot to his feet and engulfed himself in a small cloak of fire. Channy and Hellfire glared at one another, panting lightly. The Houndoom glanced at his trainer. Ash shook his head. It wasn't time to use their new trump card.
"Mega Mach," Anthony ordered. Channy sprinted forward with its fist glowing white, weaving around small streams of fire, and then it swerved to the Houndoom's back. Hellfire's head and neck were covered in a white glow as he met Channy's Mega Punch with a Headbutt. The blow sent the Hitmonchan backpedaling and Hellfire into the boulders at his back. As it backpedaled it waved its arms, launching small chunks of stone that Hellfire rolled away from. They landed harmlessly at his flank.
"Thunder Comet," Anthony said, crossing his arms over his chest. Lightning cloaked Channy's boxing gloves as it charged Hellfire. Is that a Thunder Punch and Comet Punch combo? He can't reach Hellfire through flame armor, so he's decided to use something that doesn't need direct contact. Hellfire darted to the side but tripped over the stones. Channy's swift fists struck Hellfire on his side four times before it leaped back, panting heavily. Hellfire snarled and barked a wave of black energy that threw Channy onto its back.
"Burst, then Flame Headbutt!" Ash commanded. Channy attempted to rise, only to be smacked down by an explosive shot of fire to its chest. Hellfire howled as flames surged from his fur, then he did what he was born to do, he lowered his horns and charged. Channy forced itself to stand and raised its arms to guard.
"Detect!" Anthony shouted. Channy's eyes flashed as an orange glow enveloped its limbs, Hellfire crashed into his foe with enough power to smash a boulder. Channy caught him by the horns with gritted teeth as it dug into its feet. It skidded a few yards back on its feet as the Hitmonchan and Hellfire were engulfed in dust.
"Keep going!" Ash ordered, "Push it into the barrier!" Hellfire pushed with all his might, forcing Channy back step by step. The Hitmonchan grimaced at the heat as it held the Houndoom at arm's length, its limbs were still covered in the orange sheen of Detect. That's it, force it to exhaust its Detect!
Channy tried to slip away, only to be lifted off its legs by the Houndoom, Hellfire slammed Channy's back into the barrier in front of Ash, and the flames cloaking him grew until the Hitmonchan's arms buckled. He buried his horns into its chest, drawing a pained shout.
The orange sheen of Detect surrounded Channy's limbs again even as electricity engulfed its right fist. It punched Hellfire in his flank, creating an explosion of electricity. The houndoom leaped back with a yowl while Channy fell to its knees as Hellfire righted himself. "Now!" Ash yelled. "Finish it!"
"Detect!"
"Flamethrower!" Ash roared, his heart thundering. Hellfire drew in a deep breath while Anthony's eyes widened. Channy raised its arms, the orange sheen of Detect flickered into being, then evaporated. Hellfire exhaled a river of fire over Channy, drawing a pained cry as the Hitmonchan was slammed against the barrier.
A scarlet flash interrupted the attack as Anthony recalled his Pokemon. Hellfire continued to shoot flames for several seconds afterward. Ash shut his eyes and basked in the heat. The barrier kept the great heat pleasant, like sitting near a fire. Hellfire barked happily running to Ash's side. "Wait, the barrier-" The Houndoom crashed facefirst into the pink wall and slowly slid down its length.
The referee cleared his throat. "Round one, Victor Hellfire the houndoom."
The crowd cheered politely for the winner. They were cheering for Channy during the fight, but Ash had been too focused on the battle to pay them much attention. I think we'll be able to handle a tournament. The barrier parted enough for Hellfire to step through. He promptly launched himself at his trainer and pinned Ash on his back while licking his face.
The crowd laughed, but he was too proud to be embarrassed. "Your Flame Headbutt is getting better, buddy. Take a good long rest," he said, recalling Hellfire.
The challenger stood. Across the battlefield stood an egg-shaped Pokemon with brown skin nearly five feet tall. It had cream-colored legs and arms with springs on them, its body had no neck, and there were three large claws at the end of its feet, with three thick fingers on each hand. Lim the Hitmonlee stared at Ash with calm, dark eyes. Less outgoing than Channy.
Hitmonlee was a species of Pokemon who specialized in kicking with their spring-like extending legs. The bones of their legs were difficult to damage, they functioned like rubber and bent or twisted, but always snapped back into place. Whether it was Gore's tusks, King's claws, or Hellfire's bites would do much damage to those deadly legs. Ash reached for his belt. I have someone for you too. He released Grace in a scarlet flash.
Anthony narrowed his eyes. Lim stretched while keeping his eyes on Grace. Any fighting type with sense in the Indigo League might've reacted similarly. Vulpix preyed on them when the opportunity presented itself.
Grace looked to her opponent, turned to the crowd, then dipped her head toward Ash. She took a moment to stretch before turning back to her opponent. Her golden eyes burned with glee. There was murmuring in the crowd. They were looking forward to this match. In the crowd, Sabrina leaned forward slightly, her bewitching red eyes watching Grace."
The referee stepped forward, "Begin."
"Fake," Anthony said. Lim clapped his hands together, and two white hands materialized next to Grace's head before slapping her on both sides of her face. Grace exhaled a shot of bursting flames into Lim's face, making him back peddle. "Bulk Up."
"Agility," Ash said with a thoughtful frown. Grace was enveloped by a pink sheen, while an orange energy covered Lim. Balls of fire formed on the Vuplix's six tails before soaring at the Hitmonlee. Lim threw a kick with a foot engulfed by fire. It brushed away the fireballs, and then Lim spun and threw another kick, making his spring-like leg extend at Grace. The Vulpix darted away, the strike left a small crater in its wake.
The limb retracted an instant before a fireball would've struck it. A white sheen enveloped Grace as she sprinted forward, leaping into the Hitmonlee's chest, knocking him onto his back. "Come back!" Ash called as Grace took a deep breath. She retreated across the field to stand in front of Ash again. Lim's glowing fist landed where she'd been standing, leaving an indention on the ground.
Purple orbs of fire formed in front of each of Grace's six tails. With a flick of her tails, the Vulpix launched each ball at the Hitmonlee. Each ball flew at a different trajectory, some targeting Lim's front while others arced around to his flanks. Lim stomped his foot into the ground, shooting mud from the earth into three fireballs smothering them, and then he sprinted forward. The remaining fireballs flew after Lim, but they were too slow.
Ash grinned and Grace yipped as pink chains sprung from her body to envelop her charging foe. The three fireballs collided with Lim's back, drawing a pained cry. The Hitmonlee's eyes widened in alarm and he thrashed when purple flames began to flicker from her fur. The fire surged across the chains to Lim, drawing another pained cry.
"Imprison?" Anthony muttered. "Bulldoze!"
"Shield!" Ash barked. Grace severed her chains as Lim lifted his foot. He slammed it down while a pink barrier formed before the Vulpix. Still, she winced as the barrier shimmered around her under the assault. Lim bent his springlike legs, then leaped forward in a great bound, his hand raised in a chop as orange energy covered it. Grace rolled to the side as the Brick Break smashed her barrier and carved into the earth.
Lim spun after her, throwing a kick that launched a shockwave, which she evaded with a leap. The Hitmonlee was unrelenting, he bounded after the Vulpix with a low kick that caught her jaw and sent Grace rolling into the barrier.
"Mega Axe," Anthony ordered. Lim lifted his glowing foot overhead and extended his leg until it reached the ceiling.
"Use it," Ash said quietly. Lim's leg descended as Grace lifted her head. Her eyes narrowed, and an invisible force struck the Hitmonlee's foot, diverting it. The blow smashed into the ground with such force it created a cloud of dust.
"Extrasensory," Anthony said, "Stay on guard against that Lim." The Hitmonlee grunted while pulling his leg out of the dust. Lim observed the descending dust. When it cleared, Grace stood in a crater.
I was hoping we'd be able to save a few moves for his final Pokemon, just in case the next match doesn't go well. Ash grinned. This match is what I'd been hoping for, the leader of this dojo is stronger than the average Gym Leader. No wonder Saffron is so peaceful with Anthony and Sabrina here. "Ready?" he asked. Grace gave a low cry, making his grin widen. She's starting to enjoy this battle.
"Vacuum," Anthony ordered. Lim threw a chop that launched an arc-shaped shockwave. Grace created a barrier and let the shockwave wash over her harmlessly. "End this, Lim." The Hitmonlee charged her with a battle cry.
"Go for his leg," Ash said. Grace surged forward, ramming her head into Lim's right leg, making him trip. The Hitmonlee caught himself as he fell, lashing out with his left leg glowing orange. Grace leaped over his kick before exhaling a stream of fire into Lim's torso.
Lim stumbled back, then planted his feet and chopped, launching an arc-shaped shockwave that sent the Vulpix tumbling away. The Hitmonlee lifted his leg until his foot was overhead again, and then his foot was encased in a white glow as it fell in another Mega Kick. When the kick fell, Grace was gone. Another dust cloud flew, blinding Ash and the crowd.
Lim blew the dust away with a shockwave. A hole in the middle of the newly made crater caught everyone's eye. The ground beneath Lim cracked before Grace shot out of it, driving her head into the Hitmonlee's belly. Lim grunted before striking the Vulpix with a leg wreathed in orange energy.
Grace skidded heavily on her flank. Ash grimaced. That was Leg Sweep. She'll reach her limit soon. She pushed herself up enough to glare at Lim. The Hitmonlee panted heavily and glared back. "Close Combat," Anthony commanded while a dark hole formed above Lim, and pink crystals soared out.
They struck Lim and exploded, forcing him to his knees. He wobbled and fell, but caught himself on his hands. Slowly, he pushed himself to a knee. "Your fighting spirit is something else," Ash said, shaking his head. "Finish him." Grace narrowed her eyes and an invisible force threw Lim into the air. He landed flat on his back with his limbs spread, unconscious.
Ash stared at Lim's unconscious form, half expecting him to stand up and fight again. Instead, a scarlet flash consumed Lim as he returned to his Pokeball.
The referee spoke up. "Round two, Victor Grace the Vulpix."
She hasn't mastered it yet, but still to withstand a half-strength Future Sight while wounded is impressive for a Hitmonlee. Ash smiled as Grace limped toward him. "You set that Future Sight up after the first Mega Kick right? You used the dust to your advantage." The barrier parted to allow Grace through. Ash bent and picked her up. "You were great."
She licked his cheek before glancing at her Pokeball. "Take a good long rest." She disappeared in a scarlet flash. Lim was stronger than Channy if he'd mastered Close Combat. She'd more than earned her rest.
The crowd was quiet. If Ash's research was correct, this was the furthest any challenger had gotten with Anthony in over two years. Grace still has a couple of techniques that could work on our next opponent, if need be. We've only shown most of our hand.
Anthony primed his final Pokemon's ball. He threw it and in a flash, a Poliwrath stood across from Ash. Poliwrath was a bipedal blue frog with a muscular upper body. It had three-fingered webbed hands in white gloves and toned legs which appeared slender when compared to its trunklike arms. On its white belly was a whirlpool-shaped black pattern that aided it when using Hypnosis. Poliwrath flexed for the audience and received enthusiastic cheers. This was Anthony's second-strongest Pokemon. "Ready to fight, River?" Anthony asked. He received a croak in response that made him smile.
"We got the matchup we wanted," Ash whispered to the Pokeball. "Now, show him what you've got!" The trainer threw the Pokeball onto the field. Willow appeared in a brilliant flash of light. The crowd was quiet again as Willow took in her surroundings. She sunk in on herself a bit when she saw the crowd. "Don't worry about them. All that matters is what's ahead of you." She nodded hesitantly before turning to face her foe. "You're doing great girl. I know you can do this," Ash said, his voice softer. Willow trilled back as she gazed at River. "And don't use that until I say."
The crowd wasn't the only ones surprised. Anthony and the referee were staring at Willow, too. Erika clapped for Willow, making her blink in surprise. The referee stepped forward again. "Begin!"
"Razor!" Ash called.
"Shot," Anthony countered. Willow shot several spiraling leaves from her pink flower. River spat several mud pellets at the leaves blocking all but one leaf. The Poliwrath swatted the remaining leaf with the back of his fist. "Icefall!"
River surged forward on his belly, riding a stream of water. Willow squeaked and darted away only for the Poliwrath to shift its weight to chase after her. Frost gathered around one of River's fists as he cocked it back. Willow leaped, striking the ground with her vines as she did, soaring over the Poliwrath. She dropped three glowing seeds, forcing River to abandon his Waterfall and Ice Punch combo. He spun and shot three jets of water into the seeds, making them explode.
Willow landed in a crouch. She shot two seeds at the Poliwrath, striking him in the belly while he was focused on the Seed Bombs detonation. River didn't flinch from the Bullet Seed, but he respected his decades-younger opponent. Ash smirked, feeling a fire in his blood one could only find in Pokemon battles.
"She's too quick," Anthony commented. River croaked in agreement before being covered by an orange glow.
"That's Bulk Up," Ash warned. He powered up way faster than Channy or Lim.
"Crash and Cover," Anthony ordered. River's right fist glowed with Mega Punch before he bent and struck the floor hard enough to create a dust cloud. Two more strikes fell upon the earth, and all sound within the cloud died. Ash and Willow gazed at the cloud, trying to make out the Poliwrath's form when five boulders flew out of it.
Willow sidestepped the first, leaped away from the next three, and caught the last with her vines. She threw it back into the cloud with a battle cry. There was a great crack as the boulder was struck by one of River's blows and split apart by it. "Sleep now!" Ash commanded. Green powder flew from Willow's flower into the falling dust, only to be intercepted by a gust of icy wind.
Frost clung to the Ivysaur's flank as she sped away from the gust before lashing out with her vines in a wide sweep that cut through the remaining dust. A cry of pain came from inside the cloud, and then a whirling orb of water careened at Willow. She leaped back to dodge it and it collided with the ground.
"Do it now!" Anthony called. The cloud blew apart as a swirling vortex of water formed above River. Supporting the water with both hands, the Poliwrath cried out as he heaved the Whirlpool. The vortex left a trench in the earth as it surged toward Willow. She shot glowing seeds into the water, which exploded in the Whirlpool's core. For a moment it seemed as though it would disperse, and then River croaked and the Whirlpool regained its form.
Willow ran around the vortex only to be met by River, propelling himself on a powerful stream of water. The Poliwrath collided with her, sending her rolling until she caught herself with her vines. River charged after her, his fists now engulfed by frost. Willow backpedaled as the Poliwrath unleashed a barrage of punches, each punch left frost behind and an indention in the ground. The Ivysaur whipped River across his belly with her vines.
River grabbed a vine, yanking Willow into the air while drawing back his frost-covered fist. The Ice Punch struck the Ivysaur over her left eye and sent her flying backward. She bounced upon impact with the ground and tumbled a few yards back. She came to a stop in a heap and tried to stand, only to fall flat on her belly. With a victorious cry, River charged her downed form. "River fall back!" Anthony barked.
Willow's eyes snapped open. A green thread of energy shot from her mouth into the Poliwrath's belly. The thread thickened as energy flowed from River into the Ivysaur's maw. She hopped back on her feet a couple of seconds later, the growing bruise on her left eye shrinking as her health recovered. River chopped the thread, severing the connection before three glowing seeds struck his head and detonated.
"Mega Drain too?" Anthony scowled.
I bet he can't use combo moves while he has a Whirlpool active."Sleep, then Energy Ball," Ash called with a grin. Willow bent at the knee before a green powder erupted from her flower.
"Psychic," Anthony ordered. River pushed with both hands, launching a pink wave of her energy that blew the powder away and blasted Willow into the barrier. Ash flinched as the Ivysaur ricocheted off the barrier into the unforgiving ground. River rounded to face the Whirlpool and croaked while waving his right arm. The vortex's raging water slowed gradually. The Poliwrath flexed for the crowd, drawing cheers.
"Get up Willow," Ash commanded. "Remember battles like this one are what will make you a Venusaur!" She groaned and pushed herself up. River took a small instinctive step back. Ash was impressed that this was the first sign of anxiety he showed. Their species coexisted in swamps in relative harmony with the understanding that the Poliwrath's line did not challenge Venusaur.
"This is the final round," Anthony noted. "Ready, River?" The Poliwrath croaked with a pleased look in his eyes. The Whirlpool finally died, leaving the field covered in mud in front of the referee.
"Vines out," Ash recommended. "And you can use that now." Willow perked up at that while River looked alarmed. "Razor Leaf, second form." The leaves beneath her flower stiffened and gained a razor-sharp edge.
"Psychic!" River pulled both of his arms and thrust them out, shooting a wave of pink energy from its palms. The wave struck the barrier, detonating on contact. It created a rush of wind and smoke that covered the Poliwrath. Ash smirked while River blew the smoke away with telekinesis. Willow was gone. Anthony and River blinked, looking left and right for the Ivysaur.
"She's in one of the craters!" The voice came from a man in the crowd.
No stealth in battle with an audience? "Moron," Ash growled. River spun toward one of the craters Lim created with Mega Kick. Willow, who was crouched low to the ground against the crater behind River, trilled angrily. To Ash's shock, River turned his back to Willow, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Interfere again," Anthony warned, his voice low and dangerous. "And you will be thrown from this dojo." River the Poliwrath looked ready to do the throwing. "Please continue," Anthony said to Ash. Ash nodded to him.
"Go on Willow." She launched five razor-sharp leaves at the Poliwrath's back. River rounded to face the Ivysaur and thrust both arms out to shoot a wave of pink energy. The wave reduced the leaves to crumbs. Willow dashed around the pink wave and charged the Poliwrath.
"Icy Wind," Anthony said. River exhaled a gust of howling snowy wind at Willow, which made her skid to a stop. She shot three glowing seeds, which met the wind and exploded, destroying both attacks and creating a smokescreen. River brushed the smoke away with telekinesis, only for his eyes to widen in disbelief when he saw Willow gone again. Instincts screaming, he spun around, lashing out with an icy fist, but struck air. There was a blur at his side, and blood flew from his left flank. "She's behind you!"
River rounded on her, shooting a jet of water, and she sidestepped it before slapping his left flank with her vines. The Poliwrath backpedaled, exhaling a gust of howling snowy wind. Willow leaped aside and he turned to follow her, still breathing out the snowy wind. The Ivysaur ran to the barrier, then she leaped and ran across it while River's icy breath pursued her. "She's gotten even faster!" Anthony muttered in disbelief as River ended his attack. "Surf!"
The Poliwrath croaked and a wave of water rose from under his feet. The wave was at least thirty feet across and ten feet high, Ash noted with alarm. Willow ran, she ran across the field, ran to the other side of the battlefield, then back to Ash's side of the field, each time River redirected his Surf to follow her. The field was covered in puddles by the time she stopped running. Panting, staring at the wave with growing trepidation, she was tiring fast.
Ash's mind whirled. There's not enough time for Solarbeam, it's too big for Grass Pledge, and we can't counter it with Seed Bomb's area of effect being too small- "Energy Ball at the ground beneath his feet!" Ash shouted. Willow gathered green energy at her maw while River continued his steady advance. The Ivysaur fired a green sphere at the ground beneath the Poliwrath. It detonated with such force the water beneath River's feet surged upward, throwing him through the air. The rest of the wave washed over Willow harmlessly without its master's command. River landed on his feet, swaying.
"Freeze her!" Anthony boomed.
"Whip him!" River punched the muddy ground with Ice Punch, creating an explosion of frost that froze all the water within fifteen feet of him, freezing Willow's feet. The Ivysaur's Vine Whip drew blood as it lashed at the Poliwrath's side. River gave a pained croak. Willow struggled against the ice to no avail. "Whip the ice!"
"Hypnosis!" The whirlpool-like pattern on River's belly spun to Willow's bewilderment.
"Bomb him!" Willow's eyes drifted shut. "Willow!" She forced her eyes open and shot two glowing seeds from her flower into the air. The first landed next to River, bringing him to his knees—the second arced high only to fall straight down onto Willow. The Ivysaur squeaked in pain as it detonated. When the smoke cleared her eye was swollen shut again. The first to make a move will win! Ash and Anthony's eyes met.
"Ice!" Anthony boomed.
"Max speed Charge!" Ash roared. River exhaled a stream of howling snowy wind while Willow pushed against the ground with her vines. She grimaced when the wind bit into her vines. The Ivysaur retracted her vine and a white glow surrounded her. She sprinted forward, weaving around another gust of snowy wind, and buried her head into River's belly, sending him skidding on his back. River came to a stop after a few yards. A scarlet flash consumed him as he was recalled.
"Round three, Victor Willow the Ivysaur!"
The crowd was in disbelief. Anthony's team had never been swept in the decade since he became head of the Dojo. Willow limped over to Ash and extended her vine. The barrier fell, and then she pressed her vine against his forehead. Ash smiled, taking the vine in hand and shaking it. The Ivysaur trilled happily, her pink eyes lighting up. "Well done Willow."
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Anthony's full team is: Punisher the Annihilape, River, Lim, Channy, Balancer the Hitmontop, and Builder the Machoke.
Showing each Pokemon's personality is fun. I went through a third of this chapter forgetting that Hitmonchan are all male. Foxes scream, but I'm not sure how to describe that in a way that won't break the flow of the story. So Grace doesn't scream. She finds it undignified.
Flame Headbutt is a Flame Charge and headbutt combo.
I don't know if I explained this earlier, so I'll do so now. Recalling your Pokemon during an opponent's attack removes that Pokemon from the match. You have to aim for when there's a lull in the action.
Ash is strong enough to lead a gym in a decent-sized city now, I hope the team matches your expectations.