"System, display Fearow's data."
[Pokémon: Fearow]
Level: LV.30
Type: Normal / Flying
Nature: Bold, Mischievous
Abilities:Keen Eye, (Hidden Ability) Sniper
HP: 75
Attack: 104
Defense: 75
Sp. Atk: 70
Sp. Def: 70
Speed: 115
Total: 509
Potential: Red (Elite) +4.2%
Moves (Copyable):
[Mastered] (1/5000):
Quick Attack, Agility, Double Team, Peck, Focus Energy, Fury Attack, Mirror Move
[Proficient] (1/1000):
None
[Skilled] (1/500):
Growl, Leer
[Novice] (1/100):
Sky Attack, Drill Run, Roost
…
Before the match started, Spearow had been LV.27.
After the battle ended, it gained experience, leveled up—and then evolved.
Its strength surged dramatically, jumping straight to LV.30.
"Now I've got four high-tier Pokémon in my team."
Ash thought to himself with immense satisfaction.
Continuing to examine the panel, he noticed something important.
After evolving into Fearow, its previously dormant Hidden Ability—Sniper—had finally awakened.
In Ash's long-term training plan for Fearow, Sniper was the absolute core of its combat system.
One could even say—
A Fearow with Sniper and a Fearow without Sniper were practically two entirely different creatures.
Fearow was a glass cannon.
To deal damage, it often needed to close in for physical combat—something extremely risky for a fragile Flying-type.
But with Sniper, which greatly amplifies damage when striking weak points or critical hits, Fearow could unleash explosive power the moment it reached its opponent.
With one perfectly placed strike—
It could even one-shot the enemy.
And that meant the risk of close-quarters combat would be drastically reduced.
…
Spearow had originally possessed Red potential, meaning its stats had always been far above average Spearow listed in the Pokédex.
Now that it had evolved into Fearow, its stat growth was even more impressive.
The typical base stat total of Fearow is 442.
But Ash's Fearow—
Had a total of 509.
More than 60 points above average.
"Excellent… really excellent."
"Not only have all its stats improved significantly, it also learned two powerful moves upon evolution—Sky Attack and Drill Run."
"Once I expand its move pool a little more, Fearow will truly take off."
Ash's eyes gleamed with excitement.
It would soon become—
After Pikachu, Frogadier, and Pidgeotto—
His fourth core ace Pokémon.
------
After closing the system panel, Ash waved to the cheering audience before leaving the arena.
As agreed earlier, he met Gary and Clarissa at the Pokémon Center inside the stadium.
When Gary saw the newly evolved Fearow, he nearly jumped in shock.
"Holy—! Ash, your Spearow evolved into Fearow?!"
His voice was full of surprise… and just a hint of sour envy.
"Yeah. It evolved right after the match."
Ash shrugged casually.
"But don't be too jealous, Gary."
"When I first caught Spearow, it was already LV.20."
"As the grandson of the famous Professor Oak, you should know exactly what LV.20 means for Spearow."
"Of course I know."
Gary sighed helplessly.
"Normally Spearow evolves into Fearow at LV.20."
"But since Spearow joined your team, you've been extremely careful about sending it into battle. You were clearly deliberately holding it back to strengthen its foundation."
"Honestly… the fact that it evolved only now is already considered slow."
Gary scratched his head in frustration.
A friend's Pokémon getting stronger should be good news.
But when he thought about his own team—
Wartortle, Eevee, and Magikarp—
None of them had reached their final evolution yet.
It was hard not to feel depressed.
…
"Alright, alright, I know what you're thinking."
Ash waved his hand.
"Wartortle and Magikarp evolving into their final forms isn't easy."
"But Eevee's evolution is simple."
"All it needs is high friendship."
"Later tonight, go to a Pokémon supply store and buy a Soothe Bell for Eevee."
"Then take it out for walks every evening and build up its affection."
"I'm sure it'll evolve into Umbreon soon."
Gary nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah… that makes sense."
…
After restoring their Pokémon at the arena's Pokémon Center, the three of them headed back toward the registration hall.
Clarissa had already enjoyed her first taste of battle alongside Ash.
Since Ash and Gary needed to grind prize money, she didn't insist on joining again.
But Ash promised her something.
"If you really enjoy battling, then whenever Gary or I come here, we can team up with you for a match."
The girl's eyes lit up with delight.
Clearly—
She had truly become interested in Pokémon battles.
Which also proved something about the Pokémon world.
Even someone like Clarissa—gentle and sweet like a typical Joy—
Still had a battle-loving spirit hidden deep in her blood.
-----
After that, Ash and Gary entered four more "2-vs-1" double battles.
Now that Spearow had evolved into Fearow, losing was practically impossible.
They won all four matches.
Especially Fearow.
With 115 Speed and 104 Attack, it was already a terrifying offensive threat.
Combine that with the speed combo trio—
Quick Attack + Agility + Double Team
—and their opponents were completely toyed with.
The four matches ended easily.
Next time they returned to the arena, they likely wouldn't be placed in Arena 9 or 10 anymore.
Instead, they would be moved to higher-ranked arenas.
Ash didn't mind.
He came here mainly to earn money.
But staying in the lowest arenas forever would eventually attract criticism.
As long as the promotion wasn't too dramatic—
Moving from Arena 9–10 to Arena 7–8 wouldn't significantly change the opponent quality.
But the match prize money would increase slightly.
…
They had arrived at the arena around 5:30 PM.
By the time they finished their matches and walked outside—
Night had completely fallen.
The city was wrapped in darkness.
Stars sparkled across the sky.
The time was already 18:40.
Gary hopped onto his bicycle and rode toward the food street to buy dinner.
Ash asked him to grab something for Pikachu and the others as well.
Meanwhile—
Ash took a taxi to escort Clarissa back to the Viridian City Pokémon Center.
-----
At the entrance of the Pokémon Center—
Clarissa handed back the white baseball cap Ash had lent her.
"Dr. Ash… see you tomorrow afternoon."
Her smile was soft and sweet.
Ash took the cap and placed it on his head.
"Sure, Nurse Clarissa Joy."
"See you tomorrow afternoon."
He grinned brightly.
"E-eh…"
Two faint blushes instantly bloomed on the girl's cheeks.
But Ash didn't notice at all.
Nor did he realize what was going through her mind.
After saying goodbye—
He hopped onto his bicycle.
Ring—ring—
The bell chimed as he pedaled away into the night.
--------------
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