"Bang—!"
"Chirp!!"
Struck head-on by Umbreon's Snarl, the not-so-high-level Fletchling let out a sharp, pained cry.
But the battle wasn't over yet—and Gary had no intention of letting up.
"Umbreon, use Confuse Ray!"
He pressed the attack immediately. Knowing Fletchling's greatest strengths were its speed, agility, and aerial advantage, Gary chose to lock it down with control moves to ensure victory.
"Umbra~"
Umbreon responded instantly. Its crimson eyes and the glowing golden rings along its sleek black fur shimmered with eerie, deceptive light.
Drawn by that strange glow, Fletchling glanced over—and in that moment, its once sharp and lively gaze turned completely dazed and disoriented.
Its mind plunged into confusion.
The previously aggressive Fletchling froze midair, its expression shifting into fear and panic as its wings flapped erratically.
Seeing this, Gary's smile widened—but he didn't stop there. He followed up without hesitation.
"Umbreon, finish it! Use Dark Pulse!"
"Umbraaa—!"
Umbreon let out a fierce cry and unleashed a swirling beam of dark-purple energy, rippling outward in rings as it shot straight toward Fletchling.
There was no suspense.
Now fully confused, Fletchling didn't even attempt to dodge or defend. It flailed aimlessly, completely ignoring the incoming attack.
"Boom!!"
The Dark Pulse hit dead-on.
Fletchling didn't even have time to cry out before it dropped from the sky, completely knocked out.
"Tierno, Trevor—now!" Gary's voice came through urgently from the video call.
"Got it!"
"Go, Poké Ball!"
Trevor, who had remained silent throughout the entire battle, finally acted. With a practiced motion, he threw a Poké Ball toward the fallen Fletchling.
"Thud!"
As a trained Pokémon Trainer, his throwing accuracy was impeccable. The Poké Ball struck cleanly, instantly converting Fletchling into a beam of red light and drawing it inside.
Though this capture battle had been conducted through remote video, the one commanding was still Gary, and the one fighting was still his Umbreon.
It was a fair and decisive victory.
Naturally, Fletchling acknowledged Gary.
"Click… click… ding!"
The Poké Ball shook twice symbolically before emitting a clear chime.
Capture successful.
"Yes!!"
Gary let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, a relieved grin spreading across his face.
Beside him, Green, Tierno, Serena, Shauna, and Trevor all broke into excited smiles.
Because if this worked…
Then their own capture plans would likely succeed too.
"I have to admit, Ash's brain really works differently. To come up with a remote battle capture method—and for it to actually work!"
"As expected of Ash. My Poliwag is basically guaranteed now, hehe~"
Watching Trevor retrieve the Poké Ball, Tierno beamed with excitement. He was happy not only for Gary but also for himself—his long-awaited chance to capture Poliwag was now within reach.
"And my Sandshrew too, Gary, I'm counting on you!"
"And me! I want to catch a Caterpie and raise it into a Butterfree myself!"
"I'd like to ask Shauna and Serena to help me find a blue Flabébé," Green added eagerly.
One after another, requests poured in.
Gary, still riding the high of his successful capture, didn't hesitate.
"Alright, no problem. I'll help all of you."
"Awesome!"
"Thanks, Gary!!"
Shauna quickly took charge, efficiently organizing the next steps.
"Tierno, head back to town and send Gary's Umbreon and Fletchling over. Then bring Green's Dedenne here."
"Green, explain everything to Dedenne, then send it to the Pokémon Center in Vaniville Town. Serena, Trevor, and I will start searching for a blue Flabébé. Once we find one, you'll follow Gary's method and capture it."
"Got it!"
"Okay!"
Both Tierno and Green sprang into action.
Tierno handed the tablet to Trevor and hurried back toward Vaniville Town with the Poké Balls containing Umbreon and Fletchling.
Meanwhile, back at the Pokémon Center in Viridian City, Gary carried his laptop out into the lobby, preparing to receive his Pokémon.
Green released her Dedenne and carefully explained the situation.
"Dedenne, I'm going to send you to Kalos in a bit. Serena and the others will be there with you, and I'll guide you through the battle remotely. I'm counting on you."
"Dede~!"
Dedenne nodded enthusiastically, its tiny body practically vibrating with excitement.
Unlike Umbreon, which had never met Tierno and the others, Dedenne had spent time with them during Professor Oak's summer camp. They were familiar faces.
And more importantly—it was returning to its home region.
Instead of nervousness, it felt pure excitement.
"Alright then, I'll send you to the Pokémon Center in Vaniville Town now. The Flabébé capture battle will be up to you."
Green gently stroked Dedenne's antenna-like tail.
"Dede~!"
The little Pokémon responded cheerfully.
As Dedenne was even smaller and lighter—making it especially adored by young girls.
With Gary's successful remote capture of Fletchling proving the concept, Ash's strategy had been validated.
And now, Tierno, Trevor, Shauna, and Green were all buzzing with anticipation, eagerly preparing for their own cross-region capture battles.
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T/N:
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