The next day was Ash's battle with Elesa. Her gym was crowded with fans, men, women and children alike. Harry and Iris had front row seats. A few of the men whistled when Elesa stepped elegantly onto her side of the battlefield.
"Alright Ash!" Elesa called, "Let's make this a dazzling battle!"
"I plan to," Ash said.
"Zebstrika, the bright light's on you!" cried Elesa and a Zebra like Pokémon appeared. In the stands, Harry took out his pokedex.
"Zebstrika the Thunderbolt Pokémon and evolved form of Blitzle. It can be dangerous when angry, shooting lightning in all directions from its mane."
"Palpitoad, I choose you!" Ash yelled and released the Water and Ground type.
"Begin!" cried the referee.
"Palpitoad use Mud Bomb!" ordered Ash and Palpitoad stuck out his long tongue and swung it, sending balls of mud towards Zebstrika.
"Light Screen!" ordered Elesa and Zebstrika created a yellow barrier in front of her body. Mud Bomb exploded against Light Screen and Zebstrika snorted at the impact but shrugged it off, "Now use Flame Charge!" Zebstrika whinnied and surrounded herself with fire before charging forwards and slamming into Palpitoad, knocking him off his feet, "Double Kick!" Palpitoad jumped back onto his feet, only to get kicked twice by Zebstrika's hard hooves, first in the chest, then in the face.
"Palpitoad Supersonic!" ordered Ash and Palpitoad opened his mouth and shot sound waves which washed over Zebstrika, confusing it. Zebstrika whinnied, then surrounded herself with electricity and charged at the wall with Wild Charge. She smashed into the wall hard and several people in the stands winced at the impact, "Good job now Hydro Pump!"
"Palpitoad!" cried Palpitoad and fired a powerful stream of water but Light Screen appeared to halve the damage. Zebstrika ignored Hydro Pump and kept bashing her head on the wall.
"Come on, Zebstrika!" cried Elesa, "Snap out of it!" Zebstrika banged her head one more time, then stepped back. She shook her head and turned to Palpitoad, looking angry, "Flame Charge!"
"Dodge it!" Ash shouted and to Elesa's surprise, Palpitoad actually did manage to dodge the Flame Charge. She quickly recovered and called out another attack.
"Double Kick!" she shouted. Now that Zebstrika's rear end was facing Palpitoad, she was in the perfect position for another Double Kick, which knocked Palpitoad to the ground.
"Palpitoad, Hydro Pump!" Ash ordered.
"Giga Impact!" Elesa countered. Palpitoad jumped upright and squirted another Hydro Pump but Light Screen reappeared to weaken it while Zebstrika surrounded herself with purple and yellow energy. She charged straight through the Hydro Pump and smashed into Palpitoad, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Palpitoad is unable to battle, Zebstrika wins!" cried the referee.
"Great job Palpitoad," Ash said and recalled his Pokémon before noticing Light Screen appear and then fade to signify it had worn off. On top of that, Zebstrika had to recharge from Giga Impact, "Raichu you're up!" Raichu nodded and jumped onto the battlefield. "Use Focus Blast!" Raichu formed a blue orb between his paws and threw it at Zebstrika. Zebstrika braced herself but the Focus Blast veered off course and instead of hitting her, it slammed into the wall, "Aw man."
"Raichu's Focus Blast needs more work," Elesa commented, "Use Flame Charge!" By now Zebstrika had used two Flame Charges so this third one increased her speed even further. She shot towards Raichu.
"Dodge it!" Ash cried and Raichu barely managed to leap out of the way.
"Double Kick!" Elesa ordered and Zebstrika skidded to a halt and smashed both hind legs into Raichu one after the other.
"Raichu use Quick Attack!" Ash ordered and Raichu was on his feet in an instant. He darted forwards and slammed into Zebstrika.
"Flame Charge!" ordered Elesa and by this time, Zebstrika's Flame Charge landed and sent Raichu sprawling, "Now use Giga Impact!"
"Raichu spin!" Ash ordered and Raichu jumped straight towards Zebstrika before spinning in the air, allowing the wind pressure to take him past Zebstrika unscathed.
"What?" gasped Elesa, "How did it do that?"
"Wind pressure," Ash said smugly, "A little trick a friend taught me. Raichu, Iron Tail!" Raichu's long tail turned to iron and he smashed it onto Zebstrika's head, knocking her out.
"Zebstrika is unable to battle, Raichu wins!"
"You shone brightly, Zebstrika," said Elesa proudly as she recalled her Pokémon, "Emolga, the bright light's on you!" A cute little Pokémon that looked like a flying squirrel appeared.
"Emolga the Sky Squirrel Pokémon. It glides on its outstretched membrane while shocking foes with the electricity stored in the pouches on its cheeks."
"Raichu use Thunderbolt!" Ash ordered and Raichu unleashed a huge Thunderbolt which was at least as powerful as his Thunder had been when he was a Pikachu.
"Dodge it and use Attract!" ordered Elesa and Emolga glided away from the Thunderbolt before winking and shooting pink hearts at Raichu. Raichu's eyes turned into hearts and he started drooling, "Now use Acrobatics!" Emolga dived, leaving behind after-images of herself before ramming into Raichu and knocking him off his feet.
"Raichu return!" Ash called but one of the problems about never putting Raichu in a Poke Ball was that he couldn't simply recall him to heal Attract. Raichu completely ignored him and watched Emolga glide overhead.
"Even I would go in a Poke Ball in this situation," Lucario said in the stands.
"Acrobatics!" cried Elesa and Emolga rammed into Raichu over and over again.
"Raichu, snap out of it!" Ash yelled, "Come on buddy!" Emolga slammed into Raichu yet again and he crashed to the ground. Suddenly the Sky Squirrel Pokemon didn't seem so cute anymore.
"Rai, Rai!" Raichu cried, the hearts disappearing from his eyes.
"Emolga, Acrobatics again!" ordered Elesa and Emolga dived towards Raichu yet again.
"Pin it down with your tail!" Ash ordered and Raichu stepped aside before slamming the lightning shaped tip of his tail down on Emolga, trapping her between the zigzag. Emolga yelped in surprise and started struggling but Raichu was bigger and stronger than she was and kept her pinned to the ground, "Use Thunderbolt!"
"RaaaaiCHUUU!" cried Raichu, unleashing a massive Thunderbolt at point blank range. Harry had a sudden sense of deja-vu as he remembered seeing Paul's Electivire use a very similar technique against Ash's Infernape back in the Sinnoh region. Once the Thunderbolt ended, Emolga slumped to the ground.
"Emolga is unable to battle, Raichu wins."
"Wow!" said Elesa looking impressed, "None of my Pokémon have ever been knocked out with just a single Electric attack. Your Raichu is really strong." She recalled Emolga and smiled at the Poke Ball, "You're still a shining star to me, Emolga. Get some rest."
"Great job, Raichu," Ash said, "Just one more to go."
"Tynamo, the bright light's on you!" Elesa cried and a tiny eel like Pokémon that levitated in the air appeared. Raichu stared at the puny looking Pokémon in surprise. This was Elesa's final choice? Harry scanned the tiny creature in the stands.
"Tynamo the EleFish Pokémon. It usually lives in groups, and has an electricity-generating organ which discharges when in distress."
"Raichu use Thunderbolt!" Ash ordered and Raichu fired an electrical blast at Tynamo.
"Tackle!" ordered Elesa and Tynamo shot forwards with astonishing speed, dodging the Thunderbolt easily and smashing right into Raichu's stomach, knocking the wind out of him.
"Bloody hell!" Harry yelped then covered his mouth as several people, including Iris, glared at him.
"Raichu, Quick Attack!" ordered Ash and Raichu picked himself up and slammed into Tynamo sending the tiny Pokémon flying.
"Tynamo, Thunder Wave!" ordered Elesa and Tynamo shot out a weak jolt of blue electricity, paralyzing Raichu, "Now use Tackle!" Tynamo shot towards the paralyzed Raichu and this time collided with his face, sending him skidding across the ground. He slammed his head into the wall and fainted.
"Raichu is unable to battle, Tynamo wins."
"Great work, Tynamo!" Elesa cried and Tynamo giggled happily.
"That's okay Raichu, you did a great job," Ash said as he picked up his defeated Pokémon. Although much heavier than a Pikachu, Raichu was still light enough for Ash to carry. He laid Raichu down beside him before straightening up and sending out his last Pokemon, "Swadloon, I choose you!"
"Tynamo use Tackle!" ordered Elesa and Tynamo shot forwards and slammed into Swadloon who skidded backwards from the impact.
"Swadloon, Razor Leaf!" ordered Ash. The two leaves on Swadloon's head became outlined in light green and he fired multiple leaves from the leaves at Tynamo.
"Tackle!" called Elesa and Tynamo weaved between the leaves without suffering a scratch before slamming into Swadloon again.
"Swadloon use your Tackle!" ordered Ash and Swadloon tried to give Tynamo a taste of her own medicine.
"Dodge then Tackle again!" Elesa ordered and Tynamo shot up to dodge Swadloon, twisted around and dived right back down, landing in Swadloon's head before shooting away again.
"Swadloon, String Shot!" Ash shouted and Swadloon shot silky string from his mouth which wrapped around Tynamo's entire body, even covering her eyes, "Now Razor Leaf!"
"Let it cut the strings and use Tackle again!" Elesa ordered and this time, Tynamo allowed the attack to hit her, wincing in pain as Razor Leaf cut the String Shot off her body, before charging forwards and slamming into Swadloon for the fourth time.
"Swadloon, Energy Ball!" Ash ordered and Swadloon shot an orb of green energy from his mouth.
"Dodge and Tackle it again!" Elesa cried and Tynamo ascended above the Energy Ball before diving towards Swadloon. Swadloon reacted on instinct, creating a green barrier around his body. Tynamo slammed into the barrier and bounced right off it.
"That was Protect," Ash muttered with a grin but there was no time to celebrate, "Swadloon, Tackle it right back!" Swadloon lunged towards Tynamo who was stunned for just a moment from slamming into Protect. A moment was all Swadloon needed to ram his body into the EleFish Pokémon, sending her flying into the wall.
"Tynamo is unable to battle, Swadloon wins. The victor is Ash from Kanto!"
"Alright!" Ash cheered, "Way to go, Swadloon!"
"Congratulations Ash," Elesa said, gliding across the battlefield after recalling Tynamo, "That was a great battle. Keep it up and you'll become a star. The Bolt Badge is yours." She held out a badge shaped like a bolt of lightning.
"Thanks Elesa," said Ash then held it up to the cheering crowd, "I got the Bolt Badge!"
The following day, Harry stood in the same place where Ash had been while Ash sat in the same place Harry had been. Like before, there was a crowd. People loved watching Elesa's battles as much as her modelling shows.
"Emolga, the bright light's on you!" cried Elesa and Emolga appeared and perched on Elesa's arm.
"Purrloin, battle position!" Harry cried and Purrloin appeared.
"Begin!" cried the referee.
"Purrloin use Fake Out!" Harry ordered and Purrloin clapped her paws together, shooting out a shock wave which caused Emolga to flinch, "Now use Assist!" Purrloin formed a white orb on the end of her paw and shot Vine Whip from the orb. The vines wrapped around Emolga and Purrloin used them to throw her into the wall.
"Emolga, use Attract!" Elesa called and Emolga glided back over the battlefield and winked before shooting pink hearts at Purrloin. The Devious Pokemon smirked as the hearts touched her and did absolutely nothing, "So it's female. In that case, Thunder Wave!"
"Emolga!" cried Emolga and shot out a weak jolt of blue electricity. Purrloin stretched lazily as the Thunder Wave hit her.
"Female and her ability is Limber," Harry said smugly, "Emolga's status moves won't work at all. Rapid Fire Shadow Ball!" Purrloin blasted a barrage of Shadow Balls towards Emolga.
"Acrobatics!" cried Elesa and Emolga darted between the Shadow Balls and rammed into Purrloin, knocking her off her feet. "Now use Volt Switch, Emolga!"
"What's Volt Switch?" Harry wondered as Emolga put her arms together in front of her and a yellow orb of electricity appeared. She opened her arms and fired the orb of electricity at Purrloin. When the orb hit her, Purrloin's body became surrounded by yellow electricity. While she yelped in pain, Emolga rushed back to Elesa and another Poké Ball opened, releasing Tynamo onto the battlefield.
"It's a move that let's me bypass my own rule of not being able to recall my Pokémon," Elesa said happily, "Tynamo use Spark!" Tynamo surrounded herself with electricity and shot towards Purrloin at breakneck speed.
"Dodge it!" cried Harry and Purrloin jumped out of the way just in time, "Now Rapid Fire Shadow Ball!" Purrloin turned and fired a barrage of Shadow Balls at Tynamo.
"Dodge then Tackle!" ordered Elesa and Tynamo weaved between the Shadow Balls and slammed into Purrloin.
"Slash!" ordered Harry and Purrloin managed to Slash Tynamo before she could escape, knocking her backwards with a squeal of pain. Tynamo winced from the scratches that ran down the length of her body, before glowing white, "Oh no."
"Oh yes," Elesa said gleefully as Tynamo grew longer, larger and more flexible. When the light faded a dark blue, almost black, eel-like Pokémon with a beige underbelly floated in Tynamo's place. It had a round, toothy, leech-like mouth with red lips and beige fins extended from above and below its head. Its body was decorated with three yellow spots on the side and it had a red tail fin that resembled a fan. The scratches left by Purrloin's Slash had disappeared.
"Elektrik the EleFish Pokémon and evolved form of Tynamo. It wraps itself around its prey and paralyzes it with electricity from the round spots on its sides before devouring it."
"Alright Elektrik use Charge Beam!" Elesa ordered and Elektrik formed an orb of electricity in its mouth and shot an electrical beam from the orb.
"Dodge and use Shadow Ball!" ordered Harry and Purrloin jumped, forming a Shadow Ball as she moved and firing it at Elektrik. Elektrik opened her mouth, caught the Shadow Ball and used Crunch to crush it, "Oh damn."
"Charge Beam!" ordered Elesa and Elektrik shot out another Charge Beam, causing Purrloin to scream in pain. She hit the ground hard.
"Purrloin, hang in there!" Harry cried. Purrloin lifted her head slightly but couldn't seem to find the strength to actually stand. At least not until she started to glow white just as Elektrik had done, "Whoa. You too?" When the light faded a beautiful, panther like Pokémon stood in Purrloin's place. She was still breathing hard but her evolution had provided her with enough strength to continue.
"Liepard, the Cruel Pokémon and evolved form of Purrloin. This beautiful Pokémon sneaks up on its victims and strikes from behind before they can react."
"Two evolutions in the same battle!" Elesa squealed, "Our Pokémon are putting on quite a show!" The crowd cheered in agreement, "Elektrik use Spark!" Elektrik lunged towards Liepard, surrounding herself with electricity.
"Jump and use Shadow Ball!" Harry ordered and Liepard sprang into the air before doing an impressive twisting somersault so that she could turn in mid-air and aim her Shadow Ball towards Elektrik, who was now behind her. Lucario watched Liepard's impressive maneuvre with admiration. The Shadow Ball crashed into Elektrik and she hit the ground hard, "Now use Slash!"
"LiiieeePARD!" cried Liepard, lunging towards Elektrik and Slashing her as she passed. Liepard landed gracefully behind the EleFish Pokémon and glanced back with a confident smirk. Elektrik collapsed behind her.
"Elektrik is unable to battle, Liepard wins!"
"Excellent work, Liepard," Harry praised. Liepard sauntered back to his side of the battlefield and winked at Lucario before turning back to face Elesa.
"Well done," Elesa said, "But Liepard looks pretty tired. Emolga, the bright light's back on you!" Emolga reappeared and smirked at Liepard, "Electro Ball!" Emolga created an orb of electricity on the end of her tail, then somersaulted and fired it at Liepard.
"Shadow Ball!" Harry ordered and Liepard fired Shadow Ball at the Electro Ball, creating an explosion.
"Aerial Ace!" Elesa ordered and Emolga shot through the smoke surrounded by white streaks and smashed into Liepard, knocking her out.
"Liepard is unable to battle, Emolga wins!"
"Good job, Liepard," Harry said, "Get some rest. Snivy battle position!" Snivy emerged and looked up at Emolga with a confident smirk.
"A Grass type?" Elesa said looking confused.
"Snivy's never been in a Gym battle before," Harry said, "But she loves battling and she was left out of my last two gym battles."
"She," Elesa noted, "That means Attract won't work. Thunder Wave!" Emolga shot blue electricity towards Snivy.
"Vine Whip and jump!" Harry ordered and Snivy used Vine Whip to propel herself into the air, safely out of Thunder Waves way, "Now use Cut!" Snivy's small hand glowed blue and she swiped it at Emolga.
"Dodge and use Acrobatics!" Elesa commanded and Emolga narrowly avoided Cut before circling back and slamming into Snivy from behind, "Follow up with Aerial Ace!" Emolga dived towards Snivy, surrounded by white streaks and slammed into her again, "Using a Grass type against my Emolga was a bad idea."
"Don't be so sure," Harry said as Snivy struggled to her feet, "Use Glare!" Snivy Glared at Emolga who froze as she stared into her eyes. The Sky Squirrel Pokémon's muscles seized up so she couldn't move, "Leaf Storm!" Snivy formed Leaf Storm around her body and fired it at Emolga, knocking her out of the air.
"Emolga use Volt Switch!" cried Elesa.
"Cut!" Harry ordered and Snivy darted forwards and slashed Emolga before she could complete her Volt Switch, defeating her.
"Emolga is unable to battle, Snivy wins!"
"Very good for your first Gym battle, Snivy," Harry commented. Snivy folded her arms and smiled smugly.
"Guess I underestimated Snivy," Elesa muttered as she recalled Emolga, "Sorry for getting overconfident Emolga. Zebstrika, the bright light's on you!" The Thunderbolt Pokémon emerged and whinnied at Snivy who stared back confidently.
"Snivy use Leaf Blade!" Harry ordered and Snivy jumped into the air and somersaulted as her tail glowed green.
"Flame Charge!" Elesa countered and Zebstrika surrounded herself with fire before lunging forwards and slamming into Snivy. Snivy screamed as Zebstrika overpowered her Leaf Blade and sent her somersaulting backwards into the wall.
"Snivy is unable to battle, Zebstrika wins!"
"That's okay Snivy," Harry said as he recalled her, "At least you took out Emolga. Lucario battle position." Lucario jumped onto the battlefield, "Use Aura Sphere!" Lucario fired an orb of blue Aura at Zebstrika.
"Light Screen!" Elesa called and Zebstrika formed a yellow screen, weakening Aura Sphere's power.
"ExtremeSpeed!" Harry ordered and Lucario used his newest attack, shooting towards Zebstrika so fast that there was barely time to blink before he collided with it, "Good, now Bone Rush!" Lucario created a long bone between his hands and slammed it into Zebstrika three times, giving her no time to retaliate.
"Knock it away with Double Kick!" cried Elesa and Zebstrika turned and slammed both of her back hooves into Lucario, one after the other, knocking him backwards, "Alright Flame Charge!" Zebstrika surrounded herself with fire and charged at Lucario.
"Dodge and use Force Palm!" Harry ordered and Lucario jumped out of the way before turning and lunging at Zebstrika.
"Double Kick!" Elesa shouted and Zebstrika slammed both hooves into Lucario before his Force Palm could land, knocking the breath out of him, "Now Flame Charge again!" Zebstrika turned as Lucario struggled to regain his breath, and surrounded itself with fire again before smashing into Lucario, knocking him across the battlefield.
"Lucario get up!" Harry called. Lucario grunted and pushed himself back onto his feet.
"Zebstrika Wild Charge!" Elesa ordered and Zebstrika surrounded its body with electricity and shot towards Lucario.
"Counter!" Harry shouted. This was a move that Lucario hadn't used since his battle with Tobias' Latios. Lucario was surprised to hear this command as he had grown used to either dodging of just taking Physical Attacks. Nonetheless, he glowed red but he had grown rusty at using this particular move. Zebstrika smashed through Counter and knocked Lucario into the wall.
"Oh dear," Elesa said, "It seems your Lucario hasn't mastered Counter."
"Actually, Lucario's Counter hasn't failed like that in nearly a year," Harry said with a frown. Lucario struggled to his feet, looking exhausted. Opposite him, Zebstrika was grimacing from recoil damage.
"When was the last time he used it?" asked Elesa.
"About two months ago," Harry said.
"No wonder he's grown rusty," Elesa said, "If a Pokémon neglects a move for too long, it simply forgets how to use it."
"Really?" Harry said, "I thought that once a Pokémon mastered a move, that was it. They could just keep doing it."
"Nope," Elesa said, "My Zebstrika used to know Thunderbolt but since she prefers fighting physically, she's forgotten how to use it. That's what happens if you become so reliant on certain moves that you neglect the others."
"Huh," Harry grunted, unsure how to respond to that, "Thanks for teaching me that."
"No problem," Elesa said, "Can Lucario continue?"
"I'm not done yet," Lucario grunted. Elesa glanced at him in surprise.
"Telepathy," Harry explained, "Aura Sphere!" Lucario hurled Aura Sphere at Zebstrika who whinnied in pain. Elesa hadn't noticed that Light Screen had worn off, "Now use Force Palm!"
"Wild Charge!" yelled Elesa and Zebstrika lunged to intercept Lucario's Force Palm with Wild Charge. Lucario used both palms to ensure maximum power while Zebstrika put the strength of her entire body into her Wild Charge. When the two moves collided, there was an explosion which sent both Pokémon flying, "Zebstrika!"
"Lucario!" Harry yelled. The smoke cleared. Both Lucario and Zebstrika were lying on the ground, unmoving.
"Zebstrika and Lucario are both unable to battle!" called the referee, "Therefore this match is a draw!"
"A draw?" Iris said, looking at Ash in confusion, "What happens in the event of a draw?"
"The gym leader decides whether the challenger deserves their badge or not," Ash replied. On the battlefield, Harry knelt beside Lucario.
"You okay, buddy?" he asked.
"I'll live," Lucario mumbled and Harry helped him sit up. Elesa recalled her Zebstrika and crossed over to them.
"That was a great battle," Elesa said, "Your Pokémon fought hard but I don't believe in going easy on my challengers. A tie isn't good enough to earn you a badge."
"Oh," Harry couldn't hide his disappointment.
"Sorry," Elesa apologised, "You're going to have to come back and try again."
"Okay," Harry said, "At least I learned something from this battle so thank you for that."
"Your welcome," Elesa said with a smile, "I look forward to our rematch."
Harry sat with Ash and Iris in the Pokémon Centre while his Pokémon were being healed.
"Sorry you didn't get the badge," Ash said.
"That's okay," Harry said, "You know you guys don't need to stick around for the rematch."
"Are you sure?" asked Iris.
"Iris, I've already won three badges in this region without you guys," Harry pointed out, "I'll be fine."
"You sound like you want to get rid of us," Ash said.
"No, it's not that," Harry said, "It's just that there's a good chance you and I will battle in the Unova League. If we keep travelling together, we'll know every one of each others tricks and strategies so we won't be able to surprise each other in the League. Where's the fun in that?"
"I never thought of that," Ash said.
"Besides," Harry added, "you really don't need me slowing you down. I know how eager you are to get to your next battle as fast as possible."
"Yeah, you know me too well," Ash agreed, "So Iris, do you want to come with me or stay with Harry?"
"Well, I've known you a bit longer," Iris said, then glanced at Harry, "No offence but I'm gonna stay with Ash."
"None taken," Harry said cheerfully, "I'm used to it being just me and my Pokémon anyway."
"I don't need Counter anymore," Lucario said when Harry told him they should work on regaining mastery of the move.
"Yeah you do," Harry said, "If it had worked against Zebstrika, we would have the Bolt Badge."
"Maybe so but I don't want to become reliant on it," Lucario said, "Next time I battle Marowak, I want to be able to beat him in a head to head fight, rather than just Countering his moves."
"You do realize that this is for battling Zebstrika, not Marowak right?" Harry said.
"Yes, but I could have just dodged that Wild Charge," Lucario pointed out, "Spinning, dodging with ExtremeSpeed or just stepping aside; I didn't need to Counter it even if it had worked. I haven't needed Counter since I battled Tobias' Latios so it just doesn't seem worth the effort."
"So you're too lazy to re-master it?" Harry asked. Lucario frowned at him.
"No, I'd just prefer to focus on new attacks or those that I still use frequently," he said, "Especially Bone Rush. Besides that's a Ground type move, so it's effective against Electric types."
"Good point," Harry said thoughtfully, "In fact, you've given me an idea."
Harry and Elesa were facing each other for the second time. This time, Harry didn't have Ash or Iris supporting him but he didn't mind.
"Elektrik, the bright light's on you!" cried Elesa, sending out her newly evolved Pokémon.
"Lucario, battle position," Harry said and Lucario jumped onto the battlefield with a confident smirk. The judge started the battle and Harry made the first move, "Lucario, ExtremeSpeed!" Lucario shot forwards in a blur of motion and slammed into Elektrik before she had time to react, "Now Force Palm!"
"Dodge and use Crunch!" cried Elesa and Elektrik twisted her body so that Force Palm missed, before clamping her jaws on Lucario's head, "Now use Thunderbolt!" Still gripping Lucario's skull in her mouth, Elektrik shot a powerful blast of electricity into the Aura Pokémon's body. Lucario yelled and fell onto his knees as Elektrik released him, "Good job Elektrik. Wild Charge!"
"Force Palm!" Harry countered as Elektrik surrounded herself with electricity and lunged at Lucario. Lucario thrust his palm into Elektrik's face and the explosion blasted them both backwards. Elektrik winced from the added damage caused by Wild Charge's recoil effect.
"Elektrik Thunderbolt!" ordered Elesa and Elektrik shot out another powerful blast of electricity. Both Harry and Lucario smirked.
"Bone Rush on the ground!" Harry ordered and Lucario created a Bone Rush that was actually taller than he was and stuck it straight into the ground. The Thunderbolt landed on the makeshift lightningrod and was redirected harmlessly into the battlefield.
"What the!" cried Elesa.
"Aura Sphere!" Harry ordered and while the Bone Rush was still absorbing Thunderbolt, Lucario formed and fired an Aura Sphere at the shocked Elektrik, blasting her backwards, "Now ExtremeSpeed!" Elektrik looked up in time to see a blur slam into her and smash her against the wall.
"Elektrik is unable to battle, Lucario wins."
"Great job, Lucario," Harry praised.
"I'm glad Raichu wasn't here to see that," Lucario replied.
"Thanks Elektrik, get some rest," Elesa said, "Using Bone Rush to redirect the Thunderbolt was a smart strategy Harry. Emolga, the bright lights on you!" Emolga appeared.
"Lucario come back," Harry called and Lucario backflipped off the battlefield and landed beside him, "Liepard battle position!" Liepard appeared, "Fake Out!" Liepard's Fake Out caused Emolga to flinch, leaving her defenceless against the next move, "Now use Assist!" A white ball appeared on the end of Liepard's paw and shot out a swirling storm of leaves. The Leaf Storm slammed into Emolga and blew her backwards but thanks to her Flying type characteristics, it didn't hurt her too much.
"Now it's our turn!" Elesa cried, "Emolga use Discharge!" Emolga shot out a powerful and chaotic blast of electricity.
"Dodge it!" cried Harry and Liepard leaped away from one bolt, only to find another heading towards her. She avoided that one too but there were so many bolts flying at her that she was only able to dodge four of them before being hit by the fifth and several more after that.
"Now use Aerial Ace!" cried Elesa and Emolga dived, becoming surrounded by white streaks and slamming into Liepard. The Cruel Pokémon twisted into a backflip and landed on her feet.
"Rapid Fire Shadow Ball!" Harry ordered.
"Shoot them all down with Discharge!" Elesa countered and Liepard blasted several Shadow Ball's at Emolga, only for them all to be destroyed by another flare of electricity.
"Assist!" Harry called and Liepard formed another white orb on her paw. This time however, she pressed her paw against her own body, giving herself a huge burst of speed as she mimicked Lucario's ExtremeSpeed. Emolga was caught off guard as a blur of dark fur slammed into her, "Now use Slash!" Liepard thrust her claws down and Slashed Emolga hard enough to send her crashing into the ground. Liepard landed on Elesa's side of the battlefield and glanced back at her opponent.
"Emolga's unable to battle, Liepard wins!"
"Two down, one to go," Harry said. Liepard smirked and sauntered over to his side of the battlefield.
"You deserve a rest Emolga," Elesa said, "Alright Zebstrika, the bright light's on you!" Zebstrika appeared, snorted and pawed the ground aggressively. "Flame Charge!" Zebstrika surrounded herself with fire and lunged at Liepard.
"Dodge it, then Assist!" Harry ordered and Liepard leapt out of the way, turned and formed a white orb on the end of her paw. An Aura Sphere shot out of the orb.
"Light Screen!" Elesa ordered and Zebstrika turned and hastily set up Light Screen, halving the damage, "Now Flame Charge!" Zebstrika charged again, this time ramming into Liepard with a flaming tackle.
"Slash!" Harry ordered and Liepard raked her claws right across Zebstrika's face, causing her to whinny in pain.
"Double Kick!" cried Elesa and Zebstrika slammed her hooves into Liepard, sending her crashing to the ground.
"Liepard is unable to battle, Zebstrika wins!"
"Well done Liepard, get some rest," Harry said, "Snivy, battle position!" Snivy appeared, "Vine Whip!"
"Dodge and use Double Kick!" ordered Elesa as Snivy whipped out two green vines. Zebstrika jumped out of the way and turned before lashing out at Snivy with her hooves.
"Dodge and retreat!" Harry ordered and Snivy dodged both Zebstrika's hooves before jumping a safe distance away, "Use Leaf Storm!" Snivy sent a swirling storm of leaves at Zebstrika, only for Light Screen to reappear. However the Leaf Storm was blocking Zebstrika's vision so she didn't see Snivy coming until it was too late, "Leaf Blade!" Snivy slashed Zebstrika with Leaf Blade the instant the Leaf Storm had ended.
"Flame Charge!" Elesa yelled and Zebstrika charged, smashing into Snivy and sending her sprawling, "Now Giga Impact!" Snivy picked herself up, only to be hit by Zebstrika's strongest attack. Zebstrika kept going and smashed Snivy into the wall, putting her whole weight behind the attack. The impact left a crater in the wall with Snivy inside it.
"Snivy is unable to battle, Zebstrika wins."
"Bloody hell, that must have been a Critical Hit," Harry mumbled as he recalled Snivy, "Alright Lucario, battle position. Use Bone Rush!" Lucario was forming Bone Rush before he was even on the battlefield and a moment later he was smashing the bone relentlessly into Zebstrika.
"Double Kick!" cried Elesa and Zebstrika knocked Lucario away with two strong kicks, "Now use Wild Charge!"
"Dodge with ExtremeSpeed!" Harry ordered as Zebstrika surrounded herself with electricity and charged. One moment, Lucario was in front of Zebstrika and the next he was gone, shooting around behind her with blinding speed. Meanwhile Zebstrika's Light Screen wore off, "Aura Sphere!" Lucario hurled Aura Sphere as Zebstrika turned to face him.
"Light Screen!" cried Elesa and Zebstrika set up a second Light Screen to absorb Aura Sphere but both Harry and Lucario had expected that.
"Force Palm, go!" Harry shouted and Lucario charged while Zebstrika was distracted.
"Quick, Giga Impact!" ordered Elesa and Zebstrika reacted faster than Harry or Lucario had expected, surrounding herself in purple and yellow energy and slamming into Lucario's Force Palm. There was an explosion but Zebstrika powered on through, sending Lucario crashing to the ground.
"Lucario!" Harry cried. Lucario groaned but struggled to his feet, "Alright don't hold back. Bone Rush!" Lucario formed another bone and lunged, slamming it over and over again into Zebstrika, finishing with a powerful blow to the head. Zebstrika collapsed, unable to take anymore damage and Lucario stood over her triumphantly.
"Zebstrika is unable to battle, Lucario wins. That means the victor is the challenger, Harry!"
"Way to go Lucario," Harry said. Lucario dissipated the Bone Rush and smiled at him while Elesa recalled Zebstrika.
"Well, this time you beat me," she said as she glided across the battlefield to Harry, "So you've earned the Bolt Badge. Congratulations."
"Thanks Elesa," Harry said as she held out the badge. He took it and put it in his badge case, "By the way are you going to tell me what you were doing in your private modelling shoot the other day?"
"Come back when you're eighteen and I might," Elesa replied.