Chapter 31 – The Battle Club

"Here are you pokemon fully healed," said nurse Joy.

"Thanks."

They were in the pokemon centre following the loss at the gym.

"So what are you going to do now," said Serena to Ash as he collected his pokeballs.

"We gonna train and try again," Ash said. "Right buddy."

"You bet," said Pikachu perched on his shoulder. "But what are we gonna do."

"Well you could try the battle club."

"Battle club," inquired Cameron.

"Yeah. There places where you can train pokemon. They have battlefields, equipment for training and they do classes on different ways of training pokemon. Mom used to make us go there for swimming lessons when we were little."

"Oh yeah. We have those in Unova."

"Sounds good," said Ash. "What do you reckon Pikachu."

"Pika." He noded in agreement.

The Battle Club was essentially a health club for Pokemon. They had several features. There are computers that show Trainers information about other Trainers and their Pokémon, these can be used to access Xtransceivers and to ask the Trainer for a battle. The main part is a battleground where Trainers come to battle and learn tips from the battle master, Don George. In addition to the battlefields there was also a swimming pool, sauna and a set of changing rooms. At the back of the facility, there is a storage room with security cameras and alarms.

"I wonder who they have to battle here," said Ash through the list of members in the computer. "Hey Trip is here." Trip was still an active member in the battle club and would sometimes frequent the club in Courmarine City when he wasn't running the gym.

"Who," Serena asked curiously. She looked at the screen, which contained an image of the blond haired trainer.

"I met him in Unova," said Ash. "He's the Courmarine city Gym leader."

"He was the first gym badge I won in Kalos," said Cameron. "He's a very good trainer considering he only got his first pokemon just over a year ago."

"He already got his first pokemon a year ago and he's already a gym leader." Serena was very surprised. "He must be good."

Ash looked at the image of Trip on the screen. In all but one of his battles against Trip he had lost. Trip could also be quite arrogant and seemed to take pleasure in demeaning Ash, his pokemon and his home region, although at times he had been quite decent towards him. It made Ash determined to beat him again. He pressed a button on the screen to dial Trips number.

[Pokemon]

Trip was sitting in a small café with Viola and Serperior enjoying a cup of tea and a plate of Macarons.

"So Trip. Serperior," said Viola. "How are things going for you for you know."

Trip liked Viola a lot. They had met at a photography club a few years ago and had kept in touch since. She was kind and understanding. Viola and Serperior were the only two who he could talk to. The only ones who understood him. If he didn't have friends like them he would almost certainly have taken his life by now.

"There good," said Trip. "I'm just so happy when I'm with Serperior."

The Regal pokmon smiled at Trip. "Trip's so much more open to having a relationship now. I think he's finally coming to accept himself for who he is."

Serperior loved Trip and Trip love Serperior. They had been in love with each other since Serpeiror had evolved from Snivy into Servine. But a relationship with Trip had not been easy. Trip had struggled with his feelings and had been in fear of anyone finding out he was romantically involved with a pokemon.

On top of this Unova society didn't help. Bestiality was illegal. If found out Trip would loose his license and Serperior would be released. In addition to this he'd grown up believing he should burry his feelings and be tough making it hard for him to seek help. To make matter worse he battled depression and often harmed himself. But through it all Serperior had done his best to be there for Trip. To take care of him. Stop him hurting himself. And to love him.

"That's great," said Viola. "You are still taking your medication right."

"Yes. That's basic," Trip replied rolling his eye. Although he didn't like being lectured to he was greatful Viola cared so much about him.

"How do you find the Gym leader life."

"You know. I really like it," said Trip.

"It's so beautiful in Courmarine City," said Serperior. "The gym has a great view of the ocean."

Viola smiled. "I thought you'd like it." Viola had been the one to suggest Trip take the leader's position.

Trip's Xtransceivers rang. He looked down at it and saw the call was coming from a battle club.

"Do you mind if I take this," he said

"Not at all," said viola.

He pressed the talk button and an image came onto the screen.

'Oh sweet arceus no,' he thought to himself. It was none other than Ash Ketchum. He was grinning at him from the video display. Pikachu purched on his shoulder.

"Hey Trip," said Ash smiling at the picture of trip that had appeared on the computer screen. "Your still here too. How's it going."

"Ash," said Trip. "What do you want."

"I wanna battle with you."

"NO," was Trip's cold response. This was his and Serperiors time together. He did not want to waste it with this boonie.

"Why not," said Ash pouting a little.

"Because we already had a battle. You lost fair and square. It would be a waste of time coming over there." He hung the receiver up.

"Who was that," asked Viola.

"A trainer called Ash," said Trip.

"Oh yes," said Viola. "He challenged me this morning and lost. I suspect he wants to train for the rematch."

"He lost," said Trip adding an "hardly surprising" under his breath. Trip found Ash, immature, childish and generally irritating.

Trip stood up. "I suppose I should get going now. What time is your train."

"10," said Viola. She checked her watch. "Hmm I should get doing to. Well take care of yourself Trip. Are you sure you don't want to come with me."

"Yeah. I'm sure," he replied. "Ready Serperior."

Serperior nodded. As he raised his cup with its vines to finish the last of the tea. Once it had put the cup down.

"See you tonight."

"Yeah."

The pair shook hands before parting. Trip headed up towards Santalune forest. When he got there his plan was to let his Pokemon out so they could have could play together. While Trip always maintained a cold image he was quite soft inside and his Pokemon really liked him.

His Xtransceivers rang. Ash again.

[Pokemon]

"Come on Trip. Have a battle with me," Ash pleaded.

"I told you no," said Trip.

"Why not."

"Why should I. I've already beaten you. When you think your strong enough. I mean when you actually have reason to think that. Come to the gym and challenge me."

"BUT I AM STRONGER. I'VE BEEN TRAINING SO HARD SINCE WE BATTLED LAST. COME ON TRIP. PLEASE."

"Your infuriating."

Ash turned around to see Trip enter the battle club.

"I could hear your wining from outside."

"I'm wasn't wining," said Ash defensively.

"Hey Trip," said Cameron.

"Hi," said Serena. "Nice to meet you Trip." She offered her hand, which Trip shook. "Aren't gym leaders obligated to accept challenges."

"Yes," said Trip. "In the Gym. This is my personal time. I don't want to waste it when there's no genuine challenge. I get enough weak trainers at the gym."

"I'm not weak," said Ash. He was starting to feel upset. He kicked the computer in frustration. "Come on give me another try. You know I helped you when you got attacked by Team Flare. The least you could do is battle with me."

Trip thought about this. It was true Ash had helped him get Serperior back. Perhaps he was being unfair to Ash.

"Alright," said Trip. "I'll have one match with you. ONE. And I want a triple battle."

Ash's eyes lit up when he said this. "Oh thank-you Trip."

[Pokemon]

The two opposing teams stood at opposite ends of the battlefield. Trip had chosen, Tranquil, Frillish and Mienshao. Ash had chosen Pikachu, Swello and Snivy.

His other pokemon, Oshawott, Axew and Zorua were sitting at the sidelines to watch along with Cameron, Lucario, Serena and Trip's Serperior. Osahwott glared at Pikachu standing just a head of the other two as if leading them into battle. His whole body was poised, crouching on all fours waiting for the command of his trainer.

"I'm as good as you are Pikachu," Oshawott muttered to himself. "It's not fair. Why do you always get to fight. I wanna show Ash that I can be strong too."

The referee, a woman with blond hair raised a flag. "The match between Ash and Trip will begin. The rules are as follows. The first to 10 points wins. A point is scored for each direct hit landed. Two for a critical hit. Five if a pokemon is knocked out. Beg…"

"Osha Osha Osah."

Oshawott ran onto the field and started Pushing Pikachu off.

"Hey. What are you doing," said Pikachu irritated.

"It's my turn to battle," said Pikachu.

"What the," said the referee.

"Ash what's going on," said Trip.

"Oshawott what are you doing," said Ash.

"It's my turn to battle. You always choose Pikachu. I want a turn," he said pouting. Ash bit his lip. He had chosen Pikachu, swello and Snivy because they offered the most favourable match up against Trip. Ash was determined to win his time.

"Come on, Pleaseeee." Oshawott gave him a pleading look putting on his cutest face complete with big wet eyes. Ash couldn't resist.

"Alight Oshawott you can battle." He knelt down next to Snivy. "Snivy do mind sitting this one out."

Snivy rolled her eyes. "No that's okay." She took one look at Oshawott. Shook her head. Then walked over to join Axew and Zorua. Oshawott took his position on the battlefield.

"Osahwott," he proclaimed proudly.

"Are you ready yet," said Trip

"Yes we're ready," said Ash.

"Okay Begin." The referee waved her flag.

Keen to prove himself, Oshawott made the first move. Without even waiting for Ash's instructions he launched Aqua jet at Trips team aiming no where in particular.

"What. Oshawott," exclaimed Ash surprised.

This unfortunately worked to Trip's advantage.

"Mienshao use Aura sphere."

The orb of blue light scored a direct hit at the oncoming Oshawott knocking his back and scoring Trip is first point of the match. The number 1 came up next to his name on the scoreboard along with a blast from a siren.

"Now Tranquil use aircutter."

Tranquil flew at Oshawott ready to strike.

"Pikachu thunderbolt."

Before Tranquil could attack Pikachu sent a massive jolt of electricity in his direction forcing him to dodge and miss his opportunity. Oshawott managed to get to his feet.

"Alright Oshawott use hydro cannon."

"Oshawott." Oshawott sent the powerful jet of water at the opposing pokemon.

"Frillish shadow ball."

The attack was cut off by Frillish's use of Shadow ball creating a large amount of steam.

"Now Pikachu electro ball."

Pikachu used the cover created by the colliding attack to launch the attack. Before Frillish was aware of what had happened it was hit with the super effective electrical attack making the score one all.

Trip responded to this by having Mienshao attack Pikachu with Hi jump kick. The martial arts pokemon jumped high in the air aiming its foot at Pikachu.

"Swello help Pikachu."

Swello took off and dived allowing Pikachu to jump onto its back seconds before Mienshao could hit. Mienshao crashed to the ground hurting itself.

"Frillish use Shadow ball."

"Pikachu thunderbolt." Before Shadow ball could hit Pikachu jumped off Swello's back and fired thunderbolt at Frillish. This was second supereffective direct hit and it took Frillish out the match. Trip returned him to his pokeball as the scoreboard read. Ash 6. Trip 1. Pikachu fell to the ground and twisted himself so as to land gently on his feet.

But it had been a risky move by Ash. In order to distract Frillish to allow Pikachu to make its move, Swello had had to allow himself to take the direct hit from Shadow ball. This brought the score from 6 – 1 to 6 – 2. And it didn't stop there.

"Mienshao arua sphere."

Mienshao threw the ball of aura at Swello. He dodged by diving downwards but Trip had anticipated this.

"Tranquill. Sky attack."

Tranquill dived at full speed to collide with Swello as he dodged the aura sphere. Swello fell to the ground unconscious leaving just Pikachu and Oshawott. The siren sounded again as the scoreboard flashed; Ash 6, Trip 7.

However the attack had brought Tranquill very close to the ground leaving him vulnerable to a physical attack.

"Oshawott get back. Pikachu use volt tackle."

Trip watched in horror as Pikachu sped towards tranquil. "Tranquil dodge it."

Tranquil tried to move out of the way but no good. Pikachu was too quick and was gaining on him fast. If he hit the supereffective attack would certainly knock him out earning Ash a winning five points.

Osahwott was determined to show Pikachu up and he would not let him be the one to decide the battle. He took a run at Mienshao raising his schalcop to attack.

"No you fool," yelled Snivy from the sidelines. "Mienshao can see you coming a mile off."

Mienshao counted the attack with force palm. Being a bigger pokemon the force of the attack sent Oshawott flying. He landed painfull on his back. Trip saw the opportunity and took it.

"Mienshao. Aura sphere."

Mienshao took at run at Oshawott powering up the attack. Ash grimaced. An aura sphere at close range would easily take him out of the match. Pikachu was still chasing Tranquil. Tranquil was doing his best to escape but it would be to no avail. Pikachu could feel himself gaining. Just another few seconds. Then he noticed what Mienshao was doing out the corner of his eye.

'If that hits Osahwott it's game over and Mienshao will hit him before I hit Tranquil,' he thought. 'I need to do something. Oshawott will get hurt if I don't.'

He changed direction running away from Tranquil at Oshawott instead.

"Huh. What's Pikachu doing," said Axew.

"He must be trying to help Oshawott," said Snivy. "We're gonna loose this and it's all his fault. What on earth has gotten into him."

Pikachu pushed Oshawott out of the way of the attack seconds before Mienshao landed it. Unfortunately the aura sphere hit him instead. The impact caused Pikachu to keel over and slide across the battlefield the breath knocked out of him.

Trip saw his opportunity and took it. "Tranquill sky attack."

Tranquill flew up, turned, then dived at Pikachu at full speed.

"Pikachu dodge it," called Ash desperately but it was too late. Tranquill scored a direct hit against Pikachu. Pikachu felt the impact before his world went black. He had fainted earning Trip 5 points. The scoreboard read the result. Ash 6. Trip 12.

"And the match goes to Trip," announced the referee.

"Dam it Oshawott," said Snivy annoyed. "It you had done what Ash said we would have won."

Ash knelt down beside Pikachu. "Are you okay buddy."

Pikachu opened his eyes. He looked a little dizzy but otherwise okay. Axew, Zorua and Snivy came over.

"Pikachu are you okay," said Axew concerned. "That was such a nice thing you did for Oshawott. You're a really nice pokemon."

Zorua licked his cheek.

Snivy was looking at Oshawott. "What the heck Oshawott. Why did you attack Mienshao without Ash's instructions. You cost us the match."

"I did not," said Oshawott. "Pikachu stop volt tackling. That's what cost it us."

"Hey I stopped that aura sphere hitting you," said Pikachu.

"Yeah you should be thanking Pikachu for helping you like that," said Axew.

"What would you know Axew," Oshawott retorted. "You've never been in battle in your life. I knew what I was doing."

"Well it didn't look like it," said Snivy. "It looked like you were showing off. Waving the schalcop everywhere."

"Look it doesn't matter," said Pikachu determined to prevent an argument breaking out. "They'll be other battles."

"Hmmp." Oshawott folded his arms and looked away.

Ash looked up at Trip who had a smug look on his face.

"Didn't I say challenge me when your ready. That's 15 minutes of my life I just wasted defeating you."

"Hey," said Ash defensively. He was upset Trip was acting arrogantly towards him again. It had been very close and he had almost won. "That was a close match. I nearly won."

"You lost because your Oshawott didn't follow your instructions. Swello's good but Pikachu and Oshawott were pathetic. If you don't train them properly they could get hurt in battle so stop acting like at little kid."

"Hey wait a minute…" but it was too late. Trip had already returned his pokemon to their pokeballs and walked out.

"What is with him," said Ash watching Trip leave.