CHAPTER 61

061: First Place: Ash (4 Points)

"Crack…" Two globs of foamy white Bubble Mousse landed at Machop's feet, congealing instantly and sticking him to the battlefield like cement. Machop's charge halted mid-sprint, and its balance faltered.

"Machop!" called out its Trainer a chubby boy who hadn't expected Ash to have such an unusual strategy. The boy stomped anxiously, watching his partner struggle.

Ash, meanwhile, didn't hesitate. With Machop immobilized by Froakie's Bubble Mousse, he saw a window and seized it.

"Froakie, use Bubble, now!"

"Puff puff puff…" Froakie opened its mouth and fired off a rapid series of thick, hollow water spheres, the signature Bubble attack raining down like rounds from a water-type machine gun.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Chop!" Machop winced and cried out as the water orbs burst against its torso, each impact making it stumble further in place.

"Machop, break free! Use your strength!" the chubby boy shouted, trying to rally his partner. But no matter how Machop strained, the Bubble Mousse's adhesive qualities kept its legs locked in place. It was as helpless as a Rattata caught on a glue trap.

"Froakie, don't stop! Keep attacking!" Ash pressed on, his expression focused and confident.

"Puff puff puff…"

"Bang bang bang bang…"

Again, Froakie launched a barrage. The continuous Bubble assault eventually overwhelmed Machop, who fell backwards onto the ground with a groan. Not once in the entire match had it landed a hit.

Seeing Machop collapsed at the center of the field, the referee stepped forward, raised a hand like a blade, and shouted, "Machop is unable to battle! Victory goes to Student Ash and his Froakie!"

"Whoa!! Froakie won again what an incredible Pokémon!" someone from the crowd exclaimed.

"It's not just Froakie," another corrected. "Ash's command of the battle was next-level. He used Froakie's neck bubbles in a totally creative way. Who knew Bubble Mousse could be used like that?"

"Yeah, that move was almost as effective as the Bug-type technique Sticky Web crazy control!"

"All the starter Pokémon handed out were meant to be balanced in power, but with the way Ash used Froakie's Bubble Mousse, it was like he added a whole new status move to its arsenal."

"But that's just it it's not about luck. Froakie may be strong, but what makes it shine is Ash's Trainer skill. Most of us wouldn't have thought to use Bubble Mousse for immobilization, let alone done it so smoothly."

If Ash's earlier victory over Gary had been dismissed by some students as luck, this second win erased any doubts. Ash had cleanly defeated the chubby student's Machop without Froakie taking a single hit. His strategy and timing were precise, his battle instincts sharp.

From that moment, Ash's strength was no longer a subject of debate it was acknowledged by all, whether with admiration or grudging respect.

Some of the younger or more casual students those who weren't aiming to become Excellent Students simply joined in the celebration. Cheering with wide smiles, they called out praises like "Ash is so cool!" and "Froakie is awesome!"

But for those with a deeper understanding of Pokémon battling the more competitive summer camp students, many of whom had studied advanced techniques or followed regional tournaments the fight offered something richer.

These more experienced trainees, hoping to be ranked among the camp's top three Excellent Students, folded their arms and discussed the match in hushed but intense voices.

Even if they were rivals, Ash had caught their attention.

At the far end of the camp, an electronic display screen flickered to life. Arranged initially by registration order, it now lit up with updated rankings.

Before today's matches, all names were equal no points assigned. But now the scoreboard had changed.

Ash, previously dead last in the list due to late registration, had jumped to the top. With two wins and 4 points, he now held first place.

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Student Achievement Score Ranking List

1st Place: Ash (4 points)

2nd Place: Gary, Chubby Student (0 points)

"Ash is incredible!" said Shauna brightly, the bubbly Kalos girl clapping her hands. "He really knows his stuff!"

"Obviously," replied Leaf (Xiaolan) with a small smirk, pushing down the brim of her hat. "Ash is kind of the pride of Pallet Town."

"His mom Delia was totally against him becoming a Trainer at first," she added, voice softening with nostalgia. "But he never gave up. Even when everyone else had hobbies or other dreams, Ash always had just one: becoming a Pokémon Master."

"He trains harder than anyone I've ever known. Honestly, this doesn't surprise me." Having grown up next door to Ash, Xiaolan spoke with authority and pride.

The group around her nodded in agreement. Even the shy Lillie looked curiously toward the boy now being cheered by the crowd.

And Xiaochun usually uninterested in anyone but her childhood friend, Xiaohao was also drawn into the discussion, animatedly chatting with Leaf and Shauna.

Only Xiaohao remained silent.

Standing off to the side, his expression was unreadable, but the faint envy in his eyes was unmistakable as he watched Ash bask in the attention.

Though their relationship was friendly on the surface familiarity built through mutual recognition and shared events they weren't quite best friends. Still, in the social world of six- and seven-year-olds, that was more than enough to qualify as friendship.

Even so, watching Ash's meteoric rise, Xiaohao felt less pride than a stinging jealousy a yearning to be in that spotlight himself.

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