With the knowledge that his battle against Virgil was in the coming days, Ash needed to train in preparation.
The battle would be hosted at Levincia and live-streamed by the gym leader Iono.
The battle would be a 3-on-3 so Ash needed to pick which Pokémon he wanted to use.
His first choice was Boldor a Pokémon that might be a bit unexpected and had his strength during the few times he battled.
His second choice was Heracross an overall strong Pokémon he hadn't used in a while.
His last choice might seem a bit odd but he felt confident in it.
He was going to use Sprigatito.
True she did have almost no battle experience but from what he had seen from her sneaking out of her Pokeball and her Protein ability there was a tone of potential.
To train her he had brought over all his other grass types.
"Torterra use Headlong Rush!" Torterra charged forward smashing into Sprigatito.
But the cat was able to dodge the attack.
But right towards Bayleef and Snivey.
"Bayleef use Body Slam! Snivy use Leaf Blade!"
Bayleef slammed down on top of Sprigatito and Snivy sliced down with Leaf Blade.
But they turned their heads and saw Sprigatito standing safely to the side.
"She's very fast" Ash noted "But she's got to know speed isn't everything in a battle"
"Sceptile use Breaking Swipe!" Sceptile sprang forward and attacked with Breaking Swipe.
Sprigatito tried to dodge it but Sceptile was too quick and even though he was going easy sent her flying into the air.
Sprigatito landed surprised that she couldn't outrun Sceptile.
Now it was time to show her there were other ways to beat a speedster than simply outspeeding them.
Facing up against Bulbasaur Sprigatito ran toward him with Bite a black aura changing her to dark type.
Bulbasaur attacked with Power Whip and Sprigatito was able to use her speed to dodge the vines.
But she didn't notice Bulbasaur was driving her away from him.
When Sprigatito turned around to attack with Bite Bulbasaur was already charging a Solar Beam.
The Solar Beam struck her by surprise.
Sprigatito sprung forward at Rowlet with Quick Attack.
"Rowlet use Feather Dance!"
Rowlet used the cloak of feathers to disappear leaving Sprigatito confused when she was met with nothing but feathers.
"Now use Brave Bird!"
Rowlet landed down with Brave Bird sending Sprigatito flying into Ash's arms.
"You want to take a break and try again later"
"Sprig-a" Sprigatito slinked out of Ash's arms and ran off to train.
…
Later that day Sprigatito was ready to try again"
Sceptile went for another Breaking Swipe.
This time Sprigatito countered with Quick Attack bouncing off the Breaking Swipe and trading attacks with the more experienced grass starter.
"Use Power Whip!" this time Sprigatito used Quick Attack to bounce from vine to vine to get closer to Bulbasaur.
When Bulbasaur changed its attack to Solar Beam, Sprigatito was ready to go under attack this time to avoid it.
…
"Well I think that this was a good training session," Ash smiled.
"Pika-pika!" Pikachu agreed.
"Sprig-a" Sprigatito agreed shooting glowing green seeds from her mouth that exploded on impact.
Ash paused "Wait when did you learn Seed Bomb!"
Sprigatito just curled up at Ash's feet.
"Rowlet did you teach her how to use that?"
Rowlet just rotated his head confused.
Ash was stunned she must have just learned how to use Seed Bomb just from watching Rowlet do it.
"I really need to keep an eye on you" Ash commented "You can't keep surprising me like that"
…
A few days later the time came for Ash's battle against Virgil.
He walked out into the stadium in Lavencia. The place was completely sold out since everyone had found out that Ash was going to be badling someone who had won the Unova League.
"I always wanted to battle you," Virgil said when he shook Ash's hand.
"Likewise" Ash replied.
They walked back to their sides of the battlefield.
"Trainers send out you're Pokémon!" the referee announced.
"Vaporeon deploy!"
"Sprigatito I choose you!"
Sprigatito was at a type advantage this was a good start for her first official battle.
"Aurora Beam go!" Vaporeon fired a multi-colored beam Sprigatito.
"Dodge it with Quick Attack!" a beige aura enveloped Sprigatito and she avoided the Aurora Beam.
"Use Quick Attack back to back!" Sprigatito sprang forward striking Vaporeon multiple times with Quick Attack.
"Hydro Pump go!" Vaporeon unleashed a powerful blast of water.
"Dodge it!" Sprigatito wasn't able to get out of the way in time but at least avoided a direct strike.
It still sent her flying back because she was currently a normal type but it could have been worse.
"Use Seed Bomb!" a green aura turned Sprigatito back to grass type.
"Shadow Ball!" the two attacks collided creating a small explosion.
"Use Shadow Ball again!"
"Use the wall to dodge!" Sprigatito was close to the wall and used it to jump over the Shadow Ball.
"Now use Bite!" Sprigatito bit down on Vaporeon's tail the bubble jet Pokémon tried to shake her off but to no avail.
"Flip Turn go!"
Vaporeon curled into a ball and glowed light blue kicking Sprigatito before returning to its pokeball.
"Umbreon deploy!"
Ash had never seen Flip Turn in action before, it was a unique move he should look into if any of his water types could learn it.
"Use Psychic!" Umbreon's eyes glowed light purple lifting Sprigatito into the air and flinging her around.
"Use Quick Attack!"
"Dark Pulse go!"
"Dodge it!" before Sprigatito landed the Quick Attack she turned directions avoiding the Dark Pulse.
"Now use Leafage!" Sprigatito fired the leaves at Umbreon well its back was turned.
"Use Leafage again!" Sprigatito fired more leaves at Umbreon.
"Use Psychic!" Umbreon used Psychic to stop the Leafage then aimed it back at Sprigatito.
Sprigatito was starting to struggle. She was punching above her pay grade with opponents like this and Ash decided she needed a break.
"Sprigatito come back"
"Heracross I choose you!"
Virgil seeing the unfavorable type returned Umbreon as well.
"Vaporeon deploy!"
The two trainers stared at each other intensely as they figured out their next move.
End Credit Song- Gallows, The Score ft. Jamie N Commons
Sorry this chapter took so long no excuse this time just lost motivation.
Not much to say other than that just a much-needed development chapter for Sprigatito.