Hello everybody, we're almost done Hoenn! This'll be the other gym battle, and then the next chapter is the elite four battle. Let's see what happens next! So without further ado, here's chapter 25!
Chapter 25- A Water War
Misty's POV
I had probably one of the strangest birthdays ever. First, Ash isn't there when I wake up, which I was really upset about. And unfortunately for Brock, I took it out on him and everything else, even Elektra. I was just so mad at Ash for not coming back that night. Obviously, I was very frustrated that entire day and when Ash came back, I was just stunned. He acted like he did nothing wrong at all. He said he'd give me my present when he had some time to relax at the hot spring. Later that night, he gave me a Pokeball. I was kinda upset at first that he got me a random Pokemon, but until I opened it and Togetic came out of the Pokeball, I almost immediately forgave him. But after I wiped away my tears of joy from being with my first baby, I did something that no one else thought I would do. I slapped him. I guess it was because it was my first reaction. But after that, I kind of made it up to him by kissing him what seemed like a million times. Ash certainly liked it a lot, but everyone one else was just disgusted by it.
Ever since then, I've been more than happy with Ash. He really is the best boyfriend ever! The last few weeks, we visited many of the other cities here in Hoenn and they really are beautiful. Also, I've noticed that this region always has nice weather. There was really no winter here, even though it is now near the end of summer. Now we're on a ship towards Sootopolis City, which he said I would absolutely love. I asked him why and he said that I need to wait and see. I hope it's something great.
Ash's POV
Misty's birthday was certainly an interesting one. I knew what I wanted to get her, but I had to leave her the entire day. Instead of me telling her that, I thought it would be a good idea and sneak off in the middle of the night and getting it. Brock told me he was suffering throughout the entire day until I got back. I promised him I'd give him a nice surprise. When I gave Misty Togetic, she was confused at first. I think she'd hated it at first. But when she opened it and saw Togetic, she was more than happy. But she slapped me after she hugged Togetic. And after that, she tackled me and began to kiss me. I had no idea how to respond. I was so confused; so I just let her kiss me.
Ever since that night, she'd barely let me go. It's quite nice that I'm actually recognized for being a great boyfriend. We're on our way to Sootopolis City, which I absolutely know Misty will love. It's a town that prides itself on water Pokemon. She'd also love Juan, the town's gym leader. I just hope that she doesn't turn into a fan girl.
Normal POV
"Guys, we're here!" Ash shouted waking up everyone who was taking a nap.
Misty, Brock, Pikachu, Elektra, and Togetic all woke up from their naps and walked over to where the ecstatic trainer was pointing. It was the famous Sootopolis City. The city was a large island with grand buildings.
"Ash, why do you think I would like this city?" Misty asked the trainer curiously, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, it's known for its water Pokemon." Ash answered excitingly.
"Yeah, and I'll know you'll love the gym leader. He's a water type enthusiast who loves showing them off in style." Brock added supporting Ash.
The cruise ship landed onto the landing dock, where there was stairs where the passengers were able to get off the boat. Once they landed, Misty was in complete awe of how the city looked.
"Wow, this city is amazing! It's so beautiful; it's more beautiful than Cerulean." Misty gasped with her eyes sparkling staring at the grand buildings of the city.
"I knew you would love it." Ash bragged with his head up high and chest buffed up.
"Don't get too buff Ash; you still gotta battle the gym leader." Misty looked back at the black haired trainer to remind him.
"Let's get going then!" Ash exclaimed running, but was grabbed by the back of his collar by Brock.
"Ash, don't you think you should give Professor Oak first before you battle Juan?" Brock suggested to the hard headed trainer.
"That would be a good idea." Ash agreed.
The three trainers and three Pokemon walked around the city admiring the large and beautiful buildings while looking for the Pokemon Center. While walking around, they ran into a tall, older man wearing a blue trench coat with a black t shirt and purple jean shorts. He also had a funny hair do; it was black at the base with touches of white. Once Ash got a look at the man, he instantly knew it was Juan.
"Hey Juan!" He greeted excitingly.
"Why hello there; do I know you from somewhere?" Juan asked the young trainer, not remembering him right away.
"Yeah, it's me Ash Ketchum." He reminded him.
"Oh yes, I'm sorry. As you can see, age is catching up to me and I'm forgetting a lot of things." Juan said.
"Hey Juan; it's nice to see you again." Brock said greeting the water gym leader.
"It's nice to see you again as well Brock. I've never met you before." Juan said looking down at Misty.
"Hello, I'm Misty Waterflower from Cerulean City. I'm also the gym leader there." Misty introduced herself to the tall gentleman.
"Oh yes I remember you. You're one of the best gym leaders out there today." Juan complimented the red head woman from Cerulean.
"Oh please stop, you're too much." Misty blushed at his compliment.
"So Juan, are you still the gym leader of this city? I was hoping to battle you for my final badge in Hoenn." Ash asked trying to change the subject. Brock took notice and knew that Ash was getting a little jealous.
"Why yes I am still the gym leader. I will have a battle, but first I need to heal up my Pokemon." Juan replied to the eager trainer.
"We were on our way there too. Why don't we tag along? I really want to get to know you more." Misty suggested sweetly.
"I would like that. I would like to get to know you more as well." Juan replied flirtatiously.
"Oh great, by the time we leave, Misty will break up with me and date Juan." Ash mumbled to himself quietly while crossing his arms. But unfortunately for Ash, Brock heard him.
"Hey don't worry Ash; she's probably just messing with you." Brock encouraged the ticked off trainer.
"Probably, but it still makes me so mad when she does it." Ash complained to Brock.
"Why don't you do it the next time you meet a girl you remember?" Brock suggested to Ash.
"Yeah okay and then have her rip my head off and then break up with me." Ash answered sarcastically.
While Brock and Ash were talking, Juan and Misty were talking as well. They were talking about their love for water Pokemon and how they both got started as trainers. Misty got really interested in the conversation when Juan began to talk about his past experience as a coordinator. While Ash was watching them converse, he was growing jealous every minute.
After 10 minutes of walking, they finally reached the Pokemon Center. Brock decided to join Misty and Juan in their conversation while Ash went to a videophone to call Professor Oak. He picked up the phone and dialed the Professors lab number. After two rings, Oak answered the phone.
"Why hello Ash; what can I do you for today?" The old Professor answered.
"I'm going to need some Pokemon over here. I'm facing the Sootopolis City gym leader Juan." Ash answered the Professor.
"He uses water type Pokemon. Do you know how many Pokemon you're going to use?" Oak asked curiously trying to help out the trainer.
"No I don't, but I think I'm going to bring six just in case." Ash answered quickly.
"That's a good idea Ash. I suggest you use Sceptile, Pikachu, Meganium, Dewott, Wartortle, and Croconaw against him in your battle." Oak suggested to the trainer from Pallet.
"That's a great line up Professor. I can't wait to use them in battle again. How are they all doing?" Ash asked, referring to everyone except Pikachu.
"They're all doing great. They're all getting stronger every day. I should let you know that Croconaw has changed ever since it evolved." Professor Oak informed Ash.
"Really, but how? Is there anything wrong with him?" Ash asked curiously wondering if something bad happened to him.
"No, no nothing like that. His personality changed a little bit. You know how Totodile was always happy and always dancing?" Oak asked him.
Ash simply nodded, remembering him being so hyper put a smile on his face.
"Well, he still dances, but it hurts everyone else, especially when battling. He's grown the most out of all the other Pokemon I mentioned. I thought I should warn you." Oak informed the trainer with a serious look on his face.
"Well, is he still happy?" Ash asked wondering if he totally changed.
"Yes, but only when he battles. Otherwise, he seems mad. It's okay though because that's what included in the changes of Totodile evolution line from what I've studied." Oak explained to Ash.
"Oh, okay. Thanks for the info. I'll send you five Pokeballs then." Ash said while pulling out five Pokeballs to give to Professor Oak in the transfer machine.
After he put them in the machine, they beamed to his laboratory and then Ash received five other Pokeballs containing the Pokemon he will use in the battle.
"Thanks Professor Oak, I'll call you after the battle." Ash said after receiving his Pokeballs.
"Alright Ash; take care." Professor Oak said and then hung up on Ash, indicating the end of the conversation.
"I'm ready for our battle Juan!" Ash exclaimed while walking over towards the group interrupting their conversation.
"Ash, don't be so rude!" Misty shouted at the black haired trainer.
"It's fine Misty; I'll go get my Pokemon and then we can go to the gym." Juan said trying to calm the red headed water trainer.
Misty instantly became attracted to Juan just of the simple fact he loved water Pokemon. She also wanted to see Ash jealous. She's never seen him jealous, but she knew it was working because of the way he was acting. After Juan collected his Pokemon, they all walked to the gym.
The gym was exactly how Ash remembered the last time he entered it. The battlefield was a swimming pool with platforms floating on the water. Both Juan and Ash, along with Pikachu, took a side on the battlefield while Brock, Misty, Elektra, and Togetic sat on the sidelines.
"This will be a three on three battle. Only the trainer will be able to substitute Pokemon. Are the rules clear?" The referee stood in the middle asked the two eager trainers.
They both simply nodded; eager to get the battle started.
"Then let the battle begin!" The referee announced.
"Come on out Seaking!" Juan exclaimed throwing the pokeball unleashing the Goldfish Pokemon.
"Pikachu, you ready to battle?" Ash asked the yellow mouse Pokemon.
"(Yeah!)" The yellow mouse exclaimed, and then jumped onto one of the platforms on Ash's side of the battlefield.
"Now, let the battle begin!" The referee exclaimed raising a red and green flag, indicating that the battle has begun.
"You have the first move Ash." Juan offered with a smirk on his face.
"This is perfect. I remember exactly how to beat Juan. I know it won't be easy, but I know I can do it." Ash thought confidently with a grin on his face.
"Pikachu use thunderbolt on Seaking." Ash ordered.
Pikachu had unleashed his thunderbolt on the Goldfish Pokemon. Juan just smiled remembering this happening in their first battle.
"Seaking, use horn drill to counter the thunderbolt." Juan calmly ordered.
Seaking's horn began to rotate rapidly, absorbing the energy of the thunderbolt and then unleashed it back at Pikachu.
"Oh no, not this again." Ash panicked.
"Ash, I remember our battle as well. You're going to have to do more than that if you want to beat me." Juan said confidently.
Ash clenched his fists in anger trying to come up with a plan to beat Juan using the same strategy. Then he had an idea.
"Now Pikachu, sprint across the field and use iron tail on Seaking!" Ash ordered.
Pikachu sprinted across the field and then his tail turned to complete iron and he slammed it into Seaking. Seaking was flying across the battlefield, still in the water.
"Pikachu, jump on Seaking and use thunder!" Ash ordered.
The yellow mouse obliged and jumped onto the Goldfish Pokemon and unleashed the powerful electric attack. Since they were both in the water, it did a lot more damage. After the attack, Seaking was left there fainted.
"Seaking is unable to battle; the winner is Ash Ketchum!" The referee announced.
"Nice job Ash; way to take the lead!" Misty cheered on her boyfriend from the sidelines.
"This battle is far from over. And Pikachu must be exhausted from that battle." Brock replied with a hint of concern in his voice.
"Alright Ash; I have to say that I'm impressed. You still have those creative tactics of yours. But I'll beat you this time. Go Kingdra!" Juan exclaimed unleashing the Dragon Pokemon from his Pokeball.
"Kingdra huh; well then," Ash began while unclipping the Pokeball from his belt. "Pikachu take a nice rest. I choose you, Croconaw!" Ash exclaimed as the Big Jaw Pokemon came out of his Pokeball.
Croconaw took a ready battle stance instead of dancing happily around as it used to do as a Totodile. Croconaw also looked very angry at Kingdra. Ash was still getting used to it.
"Kingdra, start this off with a dragonbreath!" Juan ordered.
Kingdra took a deep breath in from its single nostril and unleashed a powerful dragonbreath coming for Croconaw.
"Jump to dodge and use hydro pump!" Ash ordered.
The Big Jaw Pokemon jumped using its powerful legs and avoided the attack and then unleashed a powerful hydro pump at the Dragon Pokemon. Unfortunately, it didn't do a lot of damage so after the attack, Kingdra floated tall on the water. And Croconaw landed back onto its side of the field.
"Use draco meteor!" Juan ordered.
Kingdra's began charging up for the attack. Its snout was surrounded by an orange ball of energy. It then pointed up and released the ball of energy into the sky. It continued up until it was above the entire battlefield. After it was high enough, the ball disbursed and meteors formed from it and hit the entire battlefield. It was so powerful it damaged Croconaw greatly. Croconaw was struggling to stand up.
"Come on Croconaw; you gotta get up!" Ash encouraged the Big Jaw Pokemon.
He was still struggling to stand up as he was only on his one knee.
"Move up close and use dragonbreath!" Juan ordered.
Kingdra sped across the battlefield at an incredible rate.
"Wow that Kingdra's fast." Misty said in amazement.
"You should know Misty. You have your own Kingdra now." Brock reminded the red headed trainer.
"Use ice beam on the water to stop it in its tracks." Ash commanded the Big Jaw Pokemon.
Croconaw unleashed a beam of ice from its mouth onto the water, attempting to freeze it. After Croconaw finished its attack, the battlefield was covered with ice, freezing Kingdra in the process. Juan didn't look concerned at all.
"Finish this battle with ice punch!" Ash exclaimed.
Croconaw began sprinting across the now frozen battlefield staring at its target, still frozen in the middle of the battlefield.
"Use flamethrower." Juan ordered calmly.
Although Kingdra was frozen, it heard Juan's command and unleashed a powerful stream of fire from its snout, melting the ice that was surrounding it and eventually broke free. Unfortunately, it couldn't dodge the ice punch. Once it was hit, Kingdra fainted.
"Kingdra is unable to battle; Croconaw wins!" The referee announced.
Juan returned Kingdra into his pokeball. He was impressed with Ash and his Pokemon.
"I'm impressed Ash; no one has been able to take out my Pokemon without taking a single defeat. But you're still not going to win. Go Milotic!" Juan announced as the Tender Pokemon appeared out of the pokeball and began to slither across the frozen battlefield.
"Wow; it's so beautiful!" Misty admired the Hoenn water type Pokemon. She was so hypnotized by it that she had stars in her eyes.
"Thank you Misty; I've raised Milotic ever since it was a Feebas. She's my most powerful Pokemon and I'm about to show you now. Use hydro pump!" Juan ordered.
The majestic beast unleashed a quick and powerful hydro pump right at the Big Jaw Pokemon, who could do nothing but take the hit. Even though it just took the hit, Croconaw was still able to stand. It was staring angrily at the Tender Pokemon.
"Let's go Croconaw; use crunch!" Ash exclaimed.
He launched himself into the air using his powerful legs to charge at the Tender Pokemon.
"Use dive to break the ice." Juan replied.
Milotic effortlessly dove into the water breaking the ice battlefield. Ash was getting nervous as he just witnessed Milotic escaping the attack. Croconaw was standing in the middle of the battlefield inches where Milotic created a hole. Now was Juan's time to strike.
"Attack now!" Juan commanded.
Milotic crushed through the ice and attacked Croconaw with enough force to break the entire field, so it turned back to water. Croconaw was floating in the water unconscious.
"Croconaw is unable to battle; Milotic is the winner." The referee announced.
Ash returned Croconaw and praised it for its good work. He had two Pokemon he could use: either Pikachu or one of the others he got from Professor Oak.
"Since the field is back to all water, I should probably use him." Ash thought reaching for his pokeball. "Sceptile I choose you!" He exclaimed.
The Forest Pokemon came out of its pokeball eager to battle the Tender Pokemon, both Pokemon were glaring at each other. Once the referee announced for the battle to begin, both charged each other without regards to their trainer's orders.
"Sceptile use leaf blade!" Ash commanded.
The leaves on Sceptile's arms turned green and extended as he was getting ready to hit Milotic. Juan wanted to counter, but Sceptile was obviously too quick as the super effective and powerful grass attack directly hit the Tender Pokemon.
"Dive into the water!" Juan ordered nervously.
Milotic dove into the water protecting herself from any attack from Sceptile.
"Pop up and use ice beam!" Juan ordered.
"Use quick attack to dodge!" Ash countered quickly.
Milotic popped its head out of the water and shot a beam of ice where Sceptile was, but it missed because of the incredible speed of the Forest Pokemon.
"Keep at it Milotic!" Juan screamed.
"What can I do to make him stop?" Ash thought as he was watching Sceptile dodging one ice beam after another.
Then he had an idea.
"Sceptile stop where you are." Ash said to the Forest Pokemon.
Sceptile was confused, but he obliged and stopped. Milotic went back under the water, waiting for the order of Juan.
"I don't know what you're doing, but you just lost Sceptile. Now use ice beam!" Juan ordered confidently.
"Perfect; Sceptile use sunny day and aim it right at Milotic!" Ash ordered.
Milotic popped her head out of the water and as soon as Sceptile saw her, he blinded her with sunny day attack.
"What?!" Juan exclaimed surprised by the move that Ash just called.
"Now use solarbeam!" Ash commanded.
The seeds on Sceptile's back were growing brighter as he was charging for the powerful grass attack. Luckily for Ash, it didn't take that long for it to charge because of the sunny day. Sceptile unleashed it right at the Tender Pokemon, who was completely blinded and couldn't move at all. Everyone was blinded for a minute from the attack and once the room dimmed back down, everyone saw Milotic floating on the water fainted.
"Milotic is unable to battle; Sceptile is the winner. Which means Ash wins the battle!" The referee announced.
"Alright!" Ash cheered on his side of the field along with a pretty worn out Pikachu.
"Way to go Ash!" Misty cheered from the sidelines.
Ash walked off his side of the field and met Juan where the rest of the crowd was.
"Congratulations Ash; you've definitely gotten stronger as I barely took out one of your Pokemon. Take this rain badge and get even stronger." Juan informed the raven haired trainer.
"I will; and my best friends and Pokemon will help me out with it." Ash responded while looking at everyone determinedly.
Once they said their goodbyes, they spent the night at the Pokemon Center while Ash and his Pokemon were resting. The next morning, they were on a boat heading towards Ash's elite four battle.
There's chapter 25! Sorry it took so long! A lot of things happened. I was going to do a six on six battle and decided to change it to three on three. School is also in the way, but I do have spring break next week, so more chapters for you! I'm also working now. Hopefully I'll still be able to write up and post as much as I like too. Enough complaining from me; next chapter concludes Hoenn and I shortened Sinnoh. You'll see how. Until next time, see ya! Rates and reviews are appreciated!