Last chapter, Lows dreamt of his past's worst nightmare again, and decided that he needs to find the mystery trainer. Sip brought him to Dr. Polas, a doctor and psychologist. Dr. Polas eventually found a way to regain Lows' memory: through hypnotization. But the identity of the trainer is still not revealed, and Lows decided to battle the gym leader earlier, due to wanting his Pokémon to be prepared, and he wanted to find the trainer through every city. How will he do against Flannery?

Chapter 22 - The Blazing Battle

The night before the gym battle, we just finished training and were relaxing in the room.

"That was a good day training, guys. I think we will be prepared for Flannery." I encouraged them for the upcoming gym battle.

"Yeah! I think we can do well. We worked hard over the past two days!" Surfer exclaimed.

"I just hope that Flannery won't defeat our team like how we got defeated by Wattson last time..." Power said, worried.

"We'll be good, don't worry! We did well with our training, and it's time to show them our abilities." Ziggs comforted Power with his wise words.

"Guys, wanna watch TV again?" I asked, and they all nodded in agreement. I opened the television, and if I'm not mistaken, the show right now should be talking about the progress of trainers with the Hoenn League. I wonder how all the trainers are doing with their progress...

"Welcome to the Trainers program!" The reporter from the last time showed up on the screen again, and he talked about the world's best trainers' history, like Gold and Brendan. I eagerly waited for the reporter to announce the trainers with the best progress.

"To end off the Trainers program, let's take a look at the progress of the newcomers for the upcoming Hoenn League! First off, still taking the lead after three weeks, Harry is not just known as the gym leader's son anymore. He is now known as one of the best trainers to be in the Hoenn region! With six badges, no one can currently surpass him."

Harry... I haven't seen him for a while now. I guess he's doing well... But, I wonder if his attitude towards his Pokémon changed, just a little bit?

The reporter then announce the second person and the third person, which are names I've never heard of. I guess trainers are starting to catch up...

They seemed to be getting their directions right, as almost everyone who is on top of the list has at least 4 badges. I'm still a little far behind, aren't I?

"Well, let's sleep early, guys. Good luck tomorrow." Immediately, I went to sleep almost immediately after going into the bed.

"Alright... We're here." Sip and I are now standing in front of the gym, about to go in.

"I bet I'll learn a lot from your battle, Lows." Sip said, eager to watch the battle.

"Thanks... I just hope I do well and get the badge." I nervously said, as I don't know much about Flannery's Pokémon.

"Nah, don't worry. I am sure that you'll do well. Even if you lose, you will still get a lesson."

"Yeah, perhaps you're right, I have to try. Let's go-" Suddenly, the door opened by its own, following a familiar person walking out of the gym.

"Harry?! What are you doing here... Didn't you already get six badges..." I said, annoyed. He apparently was shocked and a little bit annoyed to see me too.

"Just got my seventh badge. I battled the gym leaders that I'm more confident of, then I battled the gym leaders that has the type advantage on my Pokémon, so I can plan strategies. This is called, 'being strategic', don't you know?"

"I know what it is..." I groaned, but Harry seemed to be a little bit nicer compared to last time for some reason, perhaps maybe because he is in a good mood due to winning his seventh badge. He is getting the badges fast...

"I plan on waiting a little bit for the last three badges, though. The last three gym leaders are tough, after all."

"Hmm?! Who is the last three gym leaders that you're talking about?"

"It's- Non of your business!" He suddenly changed to his arrogant voice, making me confused and a little bit angry. I guess he changed a bit, but not that much...

He then looked at me and asked, "Well, what about you? How many badges did you get, zero?"

"Of course not... I got two badges."

"TWO?! HAHAHAHAHAHA..." He then laughed loudly, which seemed to be on purpose as well, which made me feel mad. "You're really far behind compared to the others! You sure that you'll be qualified for the Hoenn League?"

"I will, and I'll prove you wrong!"

"We'll see. I'm gonna leave this place now, the smells of the hot springs here are terrible!" He then quickly jumped off the ledges, meanwhile I saw Sip getting mad, probably because Harry said something bad about his home town.

"Don't worry Sip, you'll get used to him someday..." Sip sighed then gave me a bitter smile, we then walked into the gym together, hoping for the best.

"Geez... It's hot in here!" Sip exclaimed the moment we stepped into the gym. The hot steam immediately took over us. It's so hot!

"I guess this heat is acceptable, as this is a Fire type Gym.." I said while sweating.

"Oh, another challenger! Let me check the booking list..." A man with red clothes quickly checked the booking list and found my name. "Lows Landerson from Kanto, am I right?"

"Yeah, I told you that I'm challenging Flannery today, sir."

"Absolutely! You may walk into the battlefield, while your friend here has to go towards the arena seat. Is that acceptable?" Sip nodded, and gave his support before walking towards the arena seat. "Lows, go for it! I'll support you at the arena seat."

Guess it's time... Let's have confidence in ourselves. I took a deep breath and walked into the battlefield.

"Another challenger... This shall be interesting." A gorgeous-looking girl appeared at the other side of the battlefield, looking determined to defeat me. She doesn't want to lose to me at all.

I heard that Flannery is admired for her beauty and strength... Must be a tough one to defeat. I should not let my cover down at all.

"This battle will be a three on three single battles. The challenger is able to switch his Pokémon and have the first move too. The winner is decided when all the opponent's Pokémon are unable to battle. Do you understand and agree the rules, Lows from Kanto?" The referee looked at me, and I nodded my head, ready to battle.

"The battle between Flannery and Lows will now... begin!"

"Let's show them, Grace!" I threw Grace's Pokéball, and she landed gracefully and calmly on the battlefield.

"Let the flames burst, Flame!" Another Slugma appeared on the battlefield, but it looked way more stronger than Sip's Magma.

It looks very strong... I should be careful.

"Grace, use Psybeam!" Grace nodded and shot the psychic rings, but Flannery didn't seem to be scared at all.

"We know how to counter special attacks like these." She smiled and commanded, "Flame, use Light Screen!"

Flame formed a barrier of green light, and the rings went through the barrier and hit Flame, but Flame didn't seem to take much damage from that.

That's what Light Screen does... Reducing special attacks when they go through it. Grace has no physical moves, so despite that the damage will be reduced, Grace has to use special attack moves to defend herself.

"Grace, Shadow Ball!" Grace formed a shadow blob and shot it towards Flame.

"I guess Grace doesn't have physical moves. Time to prepare for ourselves. Flame, Sunny Day!" Suddenly, a blazing sun appeared on top of the battlefield, making the hot battlefield even more scorching.

That will be a big advantage for her...

"Flame, let's show them! Smog!" Flame immediately released a purple, poisonous gas that forced Grace to take a step back.

"Grace, Teleport away from the smog!" Grace did what I told her to do, but Flame just kept on releasing the poisonous gas, Grace had to use Teleport a couple of times to get away. What I noticed is when Grace is teleporting, Flannery just kept on mumbling, "A, B, C, D, A..."

What is she doing?

"Ah ha!" Flannery apparently figured something out and said, "Grace teleports in the same pattern in four different places! We know where to use Smog now." She then observed where Grace was, and commanded, "Flame, use Smog at your three o'clock direction!"

Flame quickly released the gas at the direction. Flannery definitely predicted Grace's teleporting pattern correctly, as Grace teleported to the place where the smog was released. She inhaled the gas and slowly, signs of poison were shown from Grace. She looked tired and was about to collapse.

There's only one thing I can do to stop her from taking more damage... She seemed like she's going to faint in just a second. I have to do it.

"I'm removing Grace from the battle, referee." Flannery smiled at me and said, "Good, you seemed to know when to not force your Pokémon too hard."

"Lows has chosen to remove Grace from the battle. Flame wins!"

"Arghh..." Grace winced in pain before saying, "Lows, I think you did the right decision. I shouldn't force myself too hard. I'm sorry that I couldn't help you do much though, I will do better next time."

"It's okay, Grace. Surfer and Ziggs will help us. Thanks for your help." I thanked Grace and returned her to her Pokéball.

"Let's go, Surfer!" Surfer appeared in the battlefield, eager to battle.

"We'll ride the waves and win, Lows!" He excitedly said and stood still, ready for my command.

"Alright... Surfer, use Water Gun!"

"You forgot that we had a defense for that? Flame, use Light Screen!"

This is just the time I'm waiting for... Let's use that move before it's too late!

"Surfer, remember the new move you learnt yesterday?" Surfer nodded and I gave my command, "Surfer, Sand Tomb now!"

Surfer immediately formed a huge amount of sand around him, and moved them towards Flame. Flame apparently didn't expect that coming, and got surrounded by the sand. The sand slowly hit it, and due to the type disadvantage, it took a lot more damage.

"Surfer, Water Pulse at full speed!" Thinking that this is our time to strike back, I commanded Surfer. Surfer quickly released the water rings on his hands, and Flannery commanded, "Flame, one last Flamethrower!"

Flame was able to release a small stream of fire before getting hit by the water rings, but the sun in the battlefield faded just at the right time, and Surfer didn't seem to take much damage due to the type resistance too. On the other hand, Flame took the Water type attack and fainted.

"Flame is unable to battle! Surfer wins!"

It's a two on two now...

"Fireworks, burn the stage!" A bipedal, chicken-like Pokémon appeared in the battlefield.. Most of its upper body is yellow, while most of the lower body is orange. It has orange eyes and short, wide beak. There is a feather crest that appears smaller on top of its head with three orange points. I quickly scanned it to get the entry. [Combusken, the Young Fowl Pokémon. It is the evolved form of Torchic. It boosts its concentration by emitting harsh cries. Its kicks have outstanding destructive power.]

So this is the evolved form of the Hoenn fire starter... I should be careful.

"Battle begin!"

"Surfer, use Water Pulse!"

"That's not going to be enough. Fireworks, jump over the attack and use Jump Kick!"

Fireworks made a big leap over the water rings, and rush towards Surfer mid air to send its attack. Surfer took the attack and winced in pain.

That jump... It's outstanding! I've never seen a Pokémon jump that high before! I have to be careful...

"Surfer, use Sand Tomb!"

"That's not gonna be enough either. Fireworks, kick through the sand and use Low Kick!"

It's not just its jumping skills that are outstanding, its kicking skills are too! It just kicked through the sand, making the sand useless, and it kicked Surfer on the leg. Surfer didn't take much damage, but Surfer was definitely starting to get tired.

None of the attacks worked against Fireworks! I must think of a plan... I have an idea!

"Surfer, use Water Pulse!"

"Didn't you learn your lesson? Fireworks, you know what to do."

Fireworks made another big leap over the water rings, and proceeded to use its attack.

"Now, Surfer! Use Water Gun directly at Fireworks!"

Surfer smiled at my command, and released the water from his mouth. Fireworks saw this and tried to retrieve, but it was no use as the super effective attack hit it, taking an insane amount of damage.

That was just enough to make up with the damage taken!

"That was unexpected... You're able to counter my strategy. We won't give up yet! Head on head with Surfer using Fire Punch!" Flannery gave out her last command.

"Surfer, use Bite!" Surfer waited for the punch sent by Fireworks, and gave it a powerful bite. Both Pokémon winced in pain, and despite both Pokémon had the type resistance against the attacks, they still fainted due to all the previous damage taken.

"Both Surfer and Fireworks are unable to battle! This battle is a draw! Please send out your last Pokémon."

It's all up to Ziggs again... Just like last time.

Out of all the Pokémon, Ziggs seemed to have the most trouble learning new things. He seemed to be lacking in experience due to his nature, but he always said, "Hard work can fix every problem."

I wonder if his hard work will pay off here...

"Let's go, Ziggs." I threw my last Pokéball for the gym battle, and Ziggs appeared in the battlefield. He seemed to be nervous, but I can see his determination on his face too. He really wanted to win this.

"Let's go, Inferno!" She threw her last Pokéball, and a tortoise-like, quadruped Pokémon appeared. It has a large black rock-like shell with holes that glow with a red warmth. I recognized it as Torkoal, as Harry owned one too. Inferno looked just as strong as Harry's Torkoal.

It looks enormous... I wonder if Ziggs can take it down.

"Ziggs, use Dig!"

"Inferno, counter with Body Slam!"

As Ziggs readied for the attack, Inferno was already one step ahead. It waited for Ziggs to come out from the ground, and gave him a strong slam. Ziggs got pushed back by the attack and winced in pain.

"Ziggs, are you good?"

"Yeah, but that was a strong attack..."

"Let's try something else. Ziggs, use Headbutt!"

Ziggs rushed towards Inferno to send his attack, but apparently Flannery had another way to counter it too. "Inferno, use Flamethrower!"

Ziggs was able to send his attack just in time, but he also took the hot stream of fire, but he held on, not giving up.

Comparing the two Pokémon's condition, Ziggs definitely is losing to Inferno. I need another plan... Oh wait, maybe this would work...

"Ziggs..." I whispered to Ziggs about my plan, and he appeared to be shocked at first, but he quickly understood my plan and smiled.

"Ziggs, use Dig!"

"Again? I really don't get your strategies." Flannery seemed to be confused by my repeated commands. "Inferno, you know what to do."

Just as I thought, Inferno used Body Slam on Ziggs, but Ziggs tried to held on and it worked. Then, sparks emitted from Ziggs, which meant that Ziggs was paralyzed.

"Alright! Your Ziggs got paralyzed too. This will be a big advantage for us!"

I smirked. You shall see who has the advantage later...

"Ziggs, use Facade!" Ziggs understood my plan and released the attack. Despite the paralysis, Ziggs somehow became faster and Inferno who had slow speed took more damage than usual.

"Oh no... Looks like you planned this all along..." Flannery realized her mistake and groaned. "Your Ziggs' ability is Quick Feet, which increases its speed when he has a status condition. Also, Facade's power doubles when it has a status condition. That's double the advantage!"

Exactly, that was my plan right there. I told Ziggs before I commanded him to use Dig, "I want you to take the Body Slam attack, so you can get paralyzed." He got what my plan was about shortly, so it all worked out in the end.

"Ziggs, use Swift!" Ziggs spun at a much higher speed, and the star rays seemed to be more powerful and hit Inferno, who had nowhere to dodge. They both appeared to be tired after the clash of attacks.

"Looks like it's about to end. I've never got into a battle that close before... Let's make this one count! Inferno, use Overheat, full power!"

"Ziggs, I know you took an Overheat attack before, and it didn't end up well, but I know you're stronger now. Fight through the pain and use Facade!"

Ziggs nodded, and rushed forward to send his last attack. He outsped Inferno and was able to attack first due to his ability. He then quickly tried his best to dodge the hot blasts of fire, and he only got hit slightly by the flames.

Inferno however, he took the attack fully and after releasing the full power attack, Inferno collapsed in exhaustion, while Ziggs barely stood up, tired but happy that he won the battle for the team.

"Inferno is unable to battle! Ziggs wins! The winner is Lows, the challenger from Kanto!"

That was fun, and intense at the same time. I would definitely want a battle like that in the future.

"Your passion really burns, I can see it through the battle. Not only that, the bond between you and your Pokémon... It's just like a fire that will never extinguish. You definitely deserved the Heat Badge!"

Saying that, she took a badge that looks like a small flame, and gave it to me. I happily accepted the badge, and hugged Ziggs, who was also in happiness.

"A battle this fun... The last time I had a battle like this was probably when I fiught the current champion. Thank you so much for bringing me back to the fun times!"

"You're welcome! It's fun battling you, and I'm just doing what a trainer is supposed to do."

"You definitely have a good personality as a trainer... The trainer that I fought before you, he has strong Pokémon, but he was too arrogant, to both the Pokémon and me. He is way different compared to his father..."

"Oh..." I said while thinking, is Harry that arrogant? I wonder how his father's personality is... I guess I'll know when I battle him.

"Anyways, thank you so much. Hopefully, I'll see you again soon!" We bid farewell after exchanging Pokégear numbers, and right when I walked out of the gym, Sip was outside, waiting for me. He appeared to be excited for my win.

"Amazing battle, Lows! I can't even make a single sound when watching you two battle! I wish I can be like that too!"

"Thanks, Sip. You can be like that too if you work hard."

"Definitely! I guess since you're leaving now, I'll start my journey too. My first gym won't be this one though, I guess I'll start at the Rustboro Gym."

"Alright then. I guess I'll see you again soon?"

"We will definitely meet again. I'll work hard to be qualified for the Hoenn League!"

We walked towards the ledges, when suddenly we saw Sip's parents. They don't seemed to be sad though, instead they were excited: excited for their son's upcoming achievements.

"Mom, Dad! I will definitely come back as soon as possible."

"We know you will, son. You're always been a great son to us." They had a happy group hug, with no tears, instesd with smiles. The family is really positive towards all things.

"Mom, Dad, we'll be on our way now. Thanks for everything!"

"Goodbye!"

We jumped off the ledges, and left Lavaridge Town. We then part our ways after exchanging Pokégear numbers. Although I said goodbye to many people, I believe that it is for the next time we meet.

"Now, where should I go? I plan on going to Slateport to battle sis, but Fallarbor could be a good place to visit too..."

Apparently, a Pokégear call from someone helped me to decide.

"Hey, is that Lows?"

"Oh.. Are you Roxanne?" I replied, confused. Why would she call me?

"You just got the gym badge from Lavaridge, right?"

"Yeah... Why?"

"I want you to meet with me at the entrance of the desert near Lavaridge. Do you know where it is?"

"Yeah, I do..." I said, thinking about the terirble experience when I first stepped into it.

"I'll meet you and talk about what we're going to do later." She then ended the call, leaving me confused.

"I wonder why she wants me to meet her there? I guess I'll find out later..." I said while walking towards the meeting place, unaware of the things that were about to happen.

Lows' Pokémon Team:

Surfer (Wartortle, Male) Jolly Nature

Ability: Torrent

Moves: Bite, Water Gun, Water Pulse, Sand Tomb

Ziggs (Linoone, Male) Naive Nature

Ability: Quick Feet

Moves: Dig, Headbutt, Swift, Facade

Grace (Kirlia, Female) Calm Nature

Ability: Synchronize

Moves: Teleport, Magical Leaf, Shadow Ball, Psybeam

Woody (Grovyle, Male) Lonely Nature

Ability: Overgrow

Moves: Pursuit, Leaf Blade, Bullet Seed, Rock Throw

Power (Machop, Male) Timid Nature

Ability: Guts

Moves: Fling, Focus Energy, Karate Chop, Low Kick

Questions of the Chapter:

Do you think Harry will change his attitude in the future?

Which battle is the most interesting for you?

Do you want to see Sip again?

Why does Roxanne want to meet up with Lows?