073: Ser Lena's Metamorphosis (1)
"Come on, Lena, repeat what I just said the standard battle rhythm formula, and the specific tactics I explained for Clefairy's fighting strategy."
After wrapping up his detailed explanation, Ash looked at Ser Lena her head slightly lowered like a schoolgirl trying to memorize critical test material. She mumbled quietly to herself, rehearsing each key point like a student in Professor Oak's Pokémon 101 class. Ash chuckled softly, a smile forming on his lips.
"Yes~" Hearing Ash's encouragement, Lena quickly lifted her head and nodded with a nervous but determined expression.
Under Ash's expectant gaze, Ser Lena took a deep breath to steady her nerves. Then, following Ash's request, she began to carefully recite both the mantra and Clefairy's planned tactics from memory.
"Ash, the mantra you just said was: 'When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy halts, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; and when the enemy retreats, we chase.' That means..."
"For Clefairy's tactics it's like this: If the opponent attacks, I'll command Clefairy to use Splash to keep jumping and evading. Then, when the opponent begins to tire from constant attacking..."
"I'll have Clefairy use Sing to lull the rival Pokémon to sleep. Once that works, I'll order Clefairy to rush in and use Pound while the opponent is defenseless."
"And if the opponent's offense is too fast, and Clefairy has difficulty dodging, I'll look for a moment of opening and have her use Copycat to mimic and return the attack."
Ser Lena had clearly paid close attention. Not only had she memorized Ash's battle theory word-for-word, but she delivered it fluently. For someone who had once been too timid to even speak up during their earlier training sessions, her improvement was remarkable.
"Not bad" Ash nodded with a pleased look, and he instinctively reached out to ruffle Lena's soft brown hair as a sign of encouragement.
The gesture was small, done unconsciously like a seasoned trainer encouraging a beginner, but to little Ser Lena so used to being overlooked it struck deep. Her cheeks flushed bright pink, and she shyly looked down.
Ash didn't realize that his spontaneous gesture had touched something in Lena's once tightly-shut heart. Just like the protagonist Red in the manga who unknowingly inspires his companions, Ash had sparked something enduring in this little girl's soul.
"Lena, it looks like you've genuinely absorbed everything I taught you. So, before your official battle, let me act as your sparring partner. You'll command Clefairy against my Froakie."
Ash glanced at Lena's still-blushing face, her head slightly bowed, and continued his instruction in the same nurturing tone he'd adopted since their training began.
"Yes~" Lena nodded again, more confidently this time.
The two moved into position in the small clearing. Lena stood across from Ash, clenching her small fists tightly at her sides. Though nervous, she was trying hard not to show it. Ash gently set Froakie the Bubble Frog Pokémon off his shoulder and onto the ground.
"Ser Lena, during battles, even if the trainer doesn't fight directly, their emotions absolutely matter. If you're nervous and unsure, that unease will transfer to your Pokémon."
"So if you don't want to hold Clefairy back, you've got to summon your courage, at least for her sake," Ash said, giving her a firm but supportive look.
After several days of training together, Ash had come to understand Lena's personality better. She was shy and withdrawn, but deeply kind-hearted. Normal encouragement didn't seem to reach her but when it came to her friends or Pokémon, she was willing to push past her fears.
And sure enough, after hearing that her nervousness might burden Clefairy, Lena's expression grew serious. The hesitation in her eyes faded.
"Yes" she said with a firm nod, voice steadier now.
"That's the spirit. That's exactly what I want to see."
"Froakie, let's go. Use Bubble to initiate the battle," Ash commanded without missing a beat.
"Froooa—kie!" Froakie responded immediately, launching a rapid stream of shimmering bubbles at Clefairy.
Froakie, ever intelligent and aware, understood that this was just a practice match to help Lena grow. So he held back, making the move more of a demonstration than a real strike.
"Shhhhhh..."
It was Lena's first time officially commanding in battle, and though she felt the thrill that all beginning trainers experience, it was mixed with a tension heavier than most. This wasn't just a fight it was her proving ground.
Fortunately, Ash had walked her through the steps beforehand. So when Froakie's Bubble came flying toward Clefairy, Lena wasn't frozen.
"When the opponent launches an attack... I order Clefairy to use Splash to retreat and dodge... then wait for the enemy to grow tired from attacking..."
After Lena recited in a low voice and reviewed the tactics Ash had just explained, the nervousness and panic on her small face gradually faded, replaced by a steady calmness as she regained her composure.
"Clefairy, use Splash to dodge back!" Ser Lena, now remembering the instructions clearly, raised her voice slightly to issue the command.
"Piiiii!!" Though Ser Lena's voice still lacked full confidence, Clefairy, responding to her Trainer's will, immediately executed the evasive maneuver, bouncing lightly using Splash, the move it had practiced countless times since Ash introduced it as a mobility trick during earlier drills.
Bang bang bang bang! The small water orbs from Bubble Frog's Bubble attack landed where Clefairy had just stood, bursting on the ground like tiny popping balloons. The attack missed completely, and the misty spray sparkled briefly under the morning light.
"Ser Lena, keep talking! More instructions, more feedback! When Trainers communicate often during battle, it boosts their Pokémon's morale and sharpens their focus. Your words are Clefairy's strength," Ash encouraged from across the field, smiling as he saw her command succeed.
Ash, like the Ash of the Pokémon Adventures manga strategic, encouraging, and thoughtful—continued to guide her with patient but firm coaching.
As he spoke, he gave Bubble Frog its next move: "Bubble Frog, continue using Bubble! Don't stop the pressure!"
"Quaaack!"
"Yes" Lena quickly responded, the tension flaring back for a second, but she pushed through it. "Clefairy, continue using Splash! Keep dodging!"
"Pii!"
Ash's Bubble Frog, with reflexes honed from traveling through Kalos and battling serious opponents like Grant's Amaura and Clemont's Heliolisk, launched another wave of shimmering bubbles. Meanwhile, Clefairy dodged nimbly, as Lena kept recalling the tactics: dodge, drain stamina, counter when they tire.
At first, Ser Lena's commands came hesitantly, almost whispered, but the more she repeated them, the more clearly she spoke. Under the tension of battle and with Ash's guidance, her voice grew firmer, louder, more stable—she was evolving alongside her partner.
Ash, observing with the eyes of a mentor rather than just a friend, could clearly see the change. The girl who trembled at the idea of ordering an attack now stood upright, giving commands that Clefairy followed without pause. The bond between Trainer and Pokémon had visibly strengthened.
"Ser Lena, now's the time! Have Clefairy use Copycat to fight back!"
Remembering how Ash had explained earlier that Copycat could replicate the last move used Bubble, in this case Ser Lena took a deep breath.
"Clefairy, Copycat! Use Bubble just like Bubble Frog!"
"Pii!!" Clefairy opened its tiny mouth, mimicking Bubble Frog's attack, and launched a counter-barrage of bubbles that sparkled just as brightly.
Ash smiled even wider now. He turned and gave Bubble Frog its next command, wanting to see just how far Ser Lena had come.
"Bubble Frog, use another Bubble! Let's see how she handles this round!"
---
POKEMON COLLECTION IS AVAILABLE NOW ON PATREON WITH 50% OFF...VISIT PATREON NOW TO CHECK IT OUT
60+ advanced chapter on patreon....Visit patreon now to read my exclusive content... posting 5 chapters per day, Our collection is now available on PATREON
visit patreon.com/Mgoldtranslation to view 60+ advanced chapters
Please subscribe guys