Last chapter, on their way to Mauville, they received a parcel from a mysterious man called Tark, and realized that a villain team called Team Will were after the parcel. After defeating the grunts, Lows continued his journey and reached Mauville. What will he find in Mauville?

Chapter 11 - The Battle With An Old Friend

"Lows, this is such a cool city!" After sending my Pokémon out, everyone looked at the modern city and were amazed, and after a long time, Surfer spoke out everyone's minds. Immediately after Surfer's words, everyone excitedly went into an outburst.

"Lows, there are so many buildings that I didn't see before! What's this?"

"There's even a casino? Even though we shouldn't go there, it's really well-designed!"

"Look at that dreamy gym... Looking at its design, it sure looks 'zappy'!"

"Okay everyone, calm down for a second. We can talk about that later, but right now, we should go ask if the PokéCentre still has room for us. It is getting pretty late." They all nodded at me, and I returned them and went to the PokéCentre. I politely asked the nurse, "Excuse me, is there any room for tonight? We would like to book a room."

The nurse smiled at me and said, "Of course! There are still plenty of rooms left." I booked a room and after that, I thanked the nurse and I send out my Pokémon and asked, "Are you guys ready to explore around Mauville?"

"We sure are!" After agreeing my suggestion, we all ran towards the door of the PokéCentre. When I was going to open the door, the door suddenly opened by itself. I couldn't stop in time and bumped into a man. I immediately got back up and said, "Sorry, sir!"

After I actually get to look at him, he is actually quite an old man, with normal wearing and still has his wide smile after getting bumped into. He laughed and said, "Hahaha! It's okay, young man. It is actually very amazing to look at energetic trainers like you! Hahahaha!"

Suddenly, I heard the nurse immediately stood up and said, "Good evening, Mr Wattson! What are you doing here?"

"I'm just taking a look here to see if anything's fine, that's all." He turned back to me, smiling, while I got all amazed and embarassed at the same time.

Wow... so this is the gym leader in Mauville City... But how am I so dumb! This is the second time that I didn't recognize the gym leaders here!

"Oh... I'm so sorry, Leader Wattson!" He nodded with a smile and said, "Now, trainer, didn't I said that I'm okay with it? You're surely a polite one... Hahaha!" He then realised something and asked, "Since you called me a 'leader', that means that you wanted to challenge my gym?"

I nodded, and he said, "Well, well! I'll be looking forward to battle you soon. Maybe tomorrow morning?" I agreed his suggestion, and he said, "Very well! I shall be meeting you tomorrow! Hahaha!" Saying that, he left the PokéCentre, with me still standing there. I stood there, wandered off for a while until Ziggs called me, "Lows, is there a problem?"

I immediately realised I'm still at the door and I quickly ran out the PokéCentre with my Pokémon. After that, I gave Ziggs a smile and said, "No worries, Ziggs. I'm just thinking of how the gym leader meet me first every time and I didn't recognize them. Now, why don't we explore first before preparing for our gym battle tomorrow?"

My Pokémon nodded excitedly, and we quickly explored around the city. Besides the usual PokéCentre and PokéMart, there is also a very nice casino, and it is always crowded (I didn't go into it, but I definitely saw many people outside pushing each other to get in).

Besides that, opposite the casino is the well designed gym, with yellow stripes surrounding the walls of the entrance in a lightning pattern. Everyone can tell that this is an electric type gym.

After looking at a few tall buildings, I asked my Pokémon, "We should go check out Wattson's details of battling. Let's go!" They agreed and I returned them back to their Pokéballs, and ran back to my room in the PokéCentre and opened up the computer. I then searched for Wattson's battling style and Pokémon.

Alright, based on what I researched... Wattson is the Mauville Gym Leader that specialized in Electric type Pokémon. His main Pokémon is Manectric, and his battles are 4 on 4 single battles. It also said that his gym has a special puzzle to pass through. Wonder what that is...

I'm not that nervous with this battle, as I've been through it already before my first gym battle.

"So... Lows, since it's still not that late, why don't we go out and train?" Woody asked in confusion, as it is only 9pm right now.

"I was going to ask you guys to train, but you know what? We can just stay here and do our things." Everyone got shocked by my words, but I quickly continued, "I didn't want you guys to train too hard before the gym battle. I believe in you all and you all will definitely do well. Well, any volunteers for tomorrow's gym battle?"

Surfer raised up his hand and I thought he's a volunteer, but he said, "Lows, I don't think I'll be participating in the gym battle. Let the others have a chance."

Another gasp of shock appeared in the room. Power asked Surfer, "Surfer... Why are you doing that? Don't you want to battle?"

"Well, of course I do! But I do have the type disadvantage towards Electric type Pokémon, so it is best to let you guys battle. Be sure to win it!" The Pokémon nodded as a response, while I smiled at Surfer. Surfer is really acting like the leader here... But it doesn't seem to be a bad thing at all.

"Alright, seems like that is settled, what do you guys want to do tonight?"

"I want to watch TV, Lows! Can we open it? Please, please, please..." I really had to open the TV, or not Surfer just won't stop begging...

The TV broadcasted live news about gym battle results and the top trainers who had the best progress on getting the most gym badges. The reporter said, "As the Hoenn League Year 2016 just started, not many trainers obtained too many badges. The trainer who is currently on the lead is Harry, the son of Gym Leader Brawly. He just recently got his third badge." Harry's face appeared on the TV screen. "His strengthness in battles is amazing and well-planned battling strategies. As the trainer who swoop the trainers and being the victor of the Junior Division tournament in the Indigo League, this trainer is currently everyone's bet to win this year league and get the chance to challenge Brendan."

Harry... Harry... Even the reporter has to talk about him. Why don't you show him his "amazing" attitude towards his Pokémon, sir?

The reporter then stopped a bit and continued, "Next up, we have the famous singer and actress, Selma." Harry's face immediately disappeared, replaced by Selma's face. "This sixteen-year-old girl is not going to fall behind Harry that easily. With also three badges, she challenges the gym leaders in the city whenever she sings there in a concert. Her Pokémon are all adorable and cute, and the weird but interesting fact is, all of their Pokémon know the move Sing, which I guess... kind of make sense. Haha!"

What a weird trainer... If I met her, I definitely do not want a battle...

"Last but not least, we have the special student of Leap High, Oscor." Another boy's face with spiky hair appeared on the screen. "This seventeen-year-old boy learnt all the knowledge you need in this top school in the Hoenn region: Type advantages and disadvantages, berries that heal status problems and many more. He is also one of the top students in the school. With two badges, he plans to challenge the Hoenn League after his graduation in Leap High. His Pokémon are various in types, and with his Pokémon's combination, no Pokémon can beat them."

Top student in school... Reminds me of a guy in my school in Kanto that just brags about his amazing results... Hopefully, he's not like that too.

The reporter then stopped for a few seconds and continued, "We'll show you the top ten trainers on their progress in this list. That is it for today, thank you for watching!" The reporter bowed politely, and a list appeared, showing the trainers' name and how many badges had they obtained. To my surprise, Cassie and Disc seemed to get in the list too. I still have a lot to catch up...

After the news ended, I heard Grace saying, "Master Lows, did we eat yet? It's already 9:30 now, but we forgot to eat."

Oh, yeah! We forgot to eat, how can I forget such a thing? Thinking that, I told my Pokémon, "You guys continue watching TV, I'm going to make something to eat." They nodded and continued watching TV, while I go to the kitchen and took out my Berry Pots. Later, I took the ingredients I wanted and started cooking.

I sliced some Cheri Berries, and fried them along with the Tamato Berries. After that is done, I used Pecha Berries and Aspear Berries to make a salad.

After I'm finished preparing a small dinner, I took the dishes to them. "Here you go, I hope you guys like it!"

They looked at me with a shocked face. "Lows, how do you learn to cook? You're still pretty young..."

I chuckled and said, "My parents always go out for work pretty early, so I have to cook for myself to eat. I've learnt cooking since I was 6. Anyways, let's start our meal!"

Overall, the meal wasn't that bad for them, but I saw Power's face turning red. I concernly asked, "Power, are you okay?"

Power shook his head and replied, "Nothing, Lows... It's just that the fried Cheri and Tamato Berries are too spicy for me..." Saying that, he coughed several times again.

I immediately took some water and gave it to Power. "I'll make something for you." I went to the kitchen and cooked some Bluk Berries. I quickly gave a serving to Power. Power ate it and his red face slowly returned to normal.

"Tha...thanks, Lows." After we finished the meal, we continued watching intense Pokémon battles from other regions. The most memorable battle for me is the battle between the Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia and the Johto Champion, Gold. In the end, Cynthia's Garchomp barely took out Gold's Typhlosion and won the battle. It was so intense, that we were just focused on the TV screen for the entire battle. After an hour of watching TV, we went to sleep for tomorrow.


"Ah... That is a good night sleep. Let me look at the time now..." Hmm, it's only 7am! Might as well prepare before going to the gym.

After preparing, I called my Pokémon up. "Guys... It's time to wake up!"

Everyone woke up immediately except Surfer. Surfer sleepily asked, "Lows, I thought I don't need to battle..."

I replied, "Even though you are not battling, you can still cheer for us." Surfer nodded and slowly got up from his bed, and after a nice breakfast, we walked towards the gym. Turns out that we we're just in time for the gym battle.

When I opened the door, I heard a familiar voice saying, "Good job, Fire! Let's work harder next time!" After the person turned to me, she is shocked for sure.

"Hey, Cassie... What's up?" I said after recognizing her.

"I've been doing pretty well! I just got my third gym badge from Wattson. How about you?"

I sheepishly rubbed my head and said, "I've only got one badge. I'm going to challenge Wattson later."

Slowly, we walked towards an open field. "Oh, is that so? Well, why don't we have a battle, as your practice?"

I got shocked by her suggestion and immediately replied, "No, no! You've already got three badges, so you should be pretty strong now..."

Cassie blushed slightly but she said, "Badges doesn't matter, Lows. The most important thing is about our own abilities as a trainer. Now, Lows, I challenge you to a battle!" She took a Pokéball out and faced it towards me.

Well, it's worth a try. I took out a Pokéball and said, "Alright, let's have a set of three singles format battle. Who gets the most points win."

"Alright, it's time to battle, Bubbles!" She threw her Pokéball and a mouse-looking Pokémon appeared on the field. I scanned it with my Pokédex. [Marill, the Aqua Mouse Pokémon. It is the evolved form of Azurill. The end of its tail serves as a buoy that keeps it from drowning, even in a vicious current.]

"Let's have fun, Power!" I threw Power's Pokéball and my fighting type Pokémon appeared in the field.

"I guess you can have the first move, Lows." After hearing that, I nodded with a smile and commanded, "Power, Focus Energy!" Power immediately focused in his position.

Cassie smiled at my command towards Power and said, "Bubbles, use Water Gun on Power's face, and use Rollout!" Bubbles then spit out water to Power's face, making him unable to see the way. After that, the Aqua Mouse Pokémon started rolling herself and attacked Power.

I can see that Power is panicking and I encouraged him. "Power, don't panic! After getting your direction right, use Mach Punch on the Rollout!" After hearing my words of encouragement, Power calmed down and tried to sense where Bubbles is. After he got his direction, he quickly gave Bubbles a punch. Because of the Focus Energy, the impact seemed to increase and Bubbles stopped the Rollout, panting.

"Power, finish off with Karate Chop!" Seeing that the situation is good for us, I commanded. Power then rushed towards the tired Bubbles and slashed her with his arm, knocking her out.

"Well played, Lows. Thanks for your help, Bubbles." She returned Bubbles after thanking her.

"Sorry, I didn't expect Power to be that strong!" I said while patting Power's head as a praise. He smiled at me as a response.

"It's okay, to be honest, it is amazing to see him perform like that. I guess that's 1 to 0!" Saying that, she took another Pokéball and threw it. "Let's rock the stage, Tad!" A Pokémon with a lilypad on its head and it is mostly covered with green colour. I scanned it using my Pokédex as usual. [Lombre, the Jolly Pokémon. It is the evolved form of Lotad. It lives at the water's edge where it is sunny. It sleeps on a bed of water grass by day and becomes active at night.]

"What will you choose, Lows?"

I took out a Pokéball and determinely said, "I choose you, Ziggs!"

Ziggs appeared in the battlefield, ready to battle. Cassie then said, "I guess I'll have the first move. Tad, use Fake Out!" Tad rushed towards Ziggs and striked Ziggs with the move. Ziggs flinched and couldn't use the next move.

"Fake Out is a move that can only be used as the first move. But the advantage is, this move will strike first and the foe will flinch if it was hit by that move." Cassie said with a confident tone and continued, "Tad, use Bubblebeam!"

"Ziggs, dodge and use Headbutt!" Ziggs dodged the bubbles and rushed towards Tad to send his attack. Just when Ziggs is going to hit Tad, Cassie yelled, "Tad, use Nature Power!"

Nature... Power?

Just when I'm thinking, the Jolly Pokémon suddenly shot star rays towards Ziggs. Ziggs is unable to dodge the star rays and winced in pain. He then stood up, panting.

"Looks like you don't know what Nature Power is," Cassie said while looking at my confused face, "Nature Power is a move that depends of the nature condition. Its attack move changes in different natures."

"Hmm, interesting move!" I said and asked Ziggs, "Ziggs, are you still able to battle?"

"I shall try my best, Lows..."

"Alright then, Ziggs, use Rock Smash!"

Cassie then commanded confidently, "Tad, finish off with Fury Swipes!"

Ziggs rushed towards Tad and gave him a strong punch. Just when I thought the situation is going to change, Tad suddenly used his claws and scratched Ziggs five times. After the attack, Ziggs with a few scars collapsed on the battlefield.

"Ziggs, are you okay? I'm sorry I can't let you win." I worriedly said, and Ziggs replied with a sad tone, "Don't worry Lows, this is not my first time losing anyways..." I got confused by his sentence, but I still said, "Ziggs, thanks for your effort, have a good rest."

I returned him to his Pokéball and said to Cassie, "Guess this next battle will conclude everything. You can send out your Pokémon first."

"Alright then. Time to do your best, Fire!" She then threw a Pokéball, and a Pokémon slightly different look than the Fire I seen before appeared in the battlefield. I scanned the Pokémon with my Pokédex as usual. [Charmeleon, the Flame Pokémon. It is the evolved form of Charmander. It lashes about with its tail to knock down its foe. It then tears up the fallen opponent with sharp claws.]

"So, I guess Fire evolved... When did he evolve?"

"He evolved when we we're battling Brawly, the Dewford Gym Leader. Boy, he sure is a strong warrior in battles! I hope you're ready for him."

What should I choose? I would choose Surfer, but he is not going to battle Wattson, so there's really no point of sending him out. I guess it's up to...

"Let's win, Grace!" I threw Grace's Pokéball, and she spinned around the battlefield, happy to battle.

"Hmm, interesting choice. I thought you're surely going to choose Surfer."

"I was, but he's not battling Wattson today, so I wanted the others to train."

"Guess that's a good reason," Cassie replied with a smile and commanded, "But you will not endure Fire's burns! Fire, use Flamethrower!"

After hearing his trainer's command, he shouted in excitement, "Yeah, time to burn!" And a large stream of fire bursted out from his mouth.

I immediately commanded, "Grace, counter with Magical Leaf!" She tried to shot the leaves to Fire, but the hot Flamethrower just burned the leaves into ashes and hit Grace. Luckily, Grace is more capable at taking special attacks, so she didn't take much damage.

"Grace, stay there for now!" Grace was shocked by my command, but still stood there anyways.

"Now it's our chance! Fire, use Metal Claw!" Fire's claws begin to glow silver, and he rushed towards Grace."

Just when Fire's going to send his attack, I shouted, "Now! Grace, teleport away and use Psybeam!"

Grace smiled and teleported away before the Flame Pokémon can send out his attack. In confusion, Fire got hit by Grace's psychic rings. He fell onto the ground, but he got back up, panting.

"Fire, use Slash!"

"Grace, counter with Psybeam!"

Fire used his sharp claws and slashed Grace, while Grace shot the psychic rings towards Fire. They all got pushed back by the attacks, and they were all panting hard.

"One last shot, Grace! Use Psybeam again!"

"Fire, finish her off with Flamethrower!"

Fire shot a large stream of fire towards Grace, while the psychic rings traveled through the flame and hit Fire. The huge impact of the Flamethrower hit Grace, and both Pokémon winced in pain and collapsed.

"Grace, are you okay?" I ran to Grace and she replied, "Don't worry, Master Lows. Just tired from the battle..."

"Take a rest, Grace. Thanks for your effort." I returned Grace and saw that Cassie is also thanking her Pokémon and returned Fire. I asked, "So, who exactly won the battle?"

"I'm not sure. Let's call it a tie for today."

I shook hands with Cassie and chuckled, "Yup, let's just not take this into an argument for 2 hours..."

"I think I'm going to watch your battle with Wattson. But first, let's go and heal our Pokémon, shall we?"

I agreed to Cassie, and we ran to the PokéCentre before battling Wattson. Boy, I wonder what's going to happen in the gym battle...


Will Lows win the battle against Wattson or end up in defeat? Find out next time :D

Lows' Pokémon Team:

Surfer (Wartortle, Male) Jolly Nature, moves: Withdraw, Bite, Water Pulse, Water Gun

Ziggs (Zigzagoon, Male) Naive Nature, moves: Tackle, Growl, Headbutt, Rock Smash

Grace (Kirlia, Female) Calm Nature, moves: Teleport, Magical Leaf, Double Team, Psybeam

Woody (Treecko, Male) Lonely Nature, moves: Pound, Quick Attack, Bullet Seed, Absorb

Power (Machop, Male) Timid Nature, moves: Focus Energy, Mach Punch, Karate Chop, Low Kick

Questions of the Chapter:

Which trainer in the TV News would you want to see in the future?

How do you feel about Cassie's return?

How will Lows do in the battle?