Rocking the Virbank Gym!

Announcer: Our heroes have finally made it to the Virbank City - but it is night so our heroes have decided to stay at the Pokémon Center for the night...


Misty cuddled the sleeping Spheal in her arms and commented, "I'm glad we made it to the Pokémon Center before it got too dark."

Dent stated, "I agree, it is a rather good resting and cooking point."

Iris added, yawning, "Rest sounds good to me right now..."

"Pika pika," Pikachu added, also yawning.

Ash smiled as he replied, "We'll turn in once we check in."

Meloetta continues to follow them. A Gym challenger runs into them, as he runs into the Pokémon Center. They enter the Pokémon Center, as Audino brings Watchog and Swanna into another room to have them treated. The trainer tells Ash that Roxie is a very powerful Gym Leader that uses Poison Type Pokémon. He says that he didn't stand a chance against her. Other Gym challengers tell Ash the same thing, and that one of her Pokémon took out all of theirs. Ash realizes that he must think of countermeasures to use against Poison, as he thinks about which Pokémon he should use. They decide to eat dinner first before strategizing.


Meanwhile, Team Rocket informs Dr. Zager that they lost Meloetta, as they tell him that they didn't know that it could become invisible. Dr. Zager says that he will send them special goggles to use to find it.


The very next morning; Ash walks ahead to find the Gym as Misty, Dent, and Iris follow him. They arrive at the Gym, as it looks like a very old building. They enter the Gym and go down the stairs, as they notice that the Gym is underground. They enter the battlefield, as they see the ending of a battle between Roxie's Koffing and a Gym challenger's Gothitelle. After the battle, Roxie and her band play very loud music, as it hurts Ash, Misty, and their friends' ears and the crowd cheers. The challenger checks on his Gothitelle, as everyone gives a round of applause for his effort. Roxie tells him to come back and challenge her again.

Iris commented, "Wow, she's good."

"Almost as good as Koga," Misty added.

Spheal looked up in confusion and asked, "Spheal?"

Dent questioned, "Who is Koga?"

"He's the gym leader back in the Kanto Region in Fuschia City," Ash explained.

Pikachu nodded and said, "Pika pika."

The challenger returns Gothitelle to its Poke Ball, thanks Roxie for the battle, and runs off to the Pokémon Center. Roxie introduces herself to Ash, as the crowd angrily stares at him. Roxie says that Koffing is her favorite Pokémon, and that she got it at a live concert in the Kanto Region. One of her band members say that Kanto's fans weren't as upbeat as the ones in Unova. Roxie says that her band is called The Koffing, and that they have live performances and battles on the battlefield. She says that the crowd loves both concerts and Pokémon battles.

Misty commented, "Wow, what a crowd..."

Spheal nodded and said, "Spheal, Spheal!"

"How are you going to get their attention, Ash," Iris questioned.

"Yeah, what recipe are you going to use," Dent asked.

Ash answered, "Easy. Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu nodded and replied, "Pika!"

With that, Pikachu jumped off of Ash's shoulder and uses Thunderbolt on the scoreboard, as it shoots off sparks. Roxie is impressed that Ash was able to quiet down the crowd. Ash tells Roxie that he is going for his eighth badge, as he shows her his badge case that now holds seven badges. Roxie suggests to him that they have a six on three battle, with her using three Pokémon and Ash using six Pokémon and only Ash will be able to substitute his Pokémon. Ash is hesitant since he would have an advantage, but agrees to the six on three battle. The band plays music, as the referee announces the rules of the battle.

Roxie pointed at Koffing and commanded, "Let's go, Koffing!"

Just like that, Koffing floats into the battlefield - rather quickly.

Misty commented, "Whoa, that Koffing is fast!"

Spheal nodded in agreement and said, "Spheal."

Iris added, "Yeah, this battle is going to be dangerous for Ash."

Dent questioned, "I wonder what Pokémon Ash is going to use?"

"Pika pika," Pikachu said, as Ash got out a poke ball.

He threw it and yelled, "Boldore, I chose you!"

With a flash of light, Boldore appeared, as the scoreboard displays their Pokémon. Boldore uses Sandstorm, as Koffing takes damage from it. Koffing uses Clear Smog to blow away the Sandstorm and make things difficult for Boldore. Boldore uses Rock Blast, while Koffing uses Gyro Ball to block the attack and send Boldore backward. Koffing uses Sludge Bomb and Boldore uses Flash Cannon, as both attacks collide to create an explosion. Koffing uses Gyro Ball, while Boldore uses Sandstorm to try and block the attack. Koffing's Gyro Ball hits Boldore to knock it out. Ash brings out Unfezant to battle next. Unfezant hits Koffing with Quick Attack.

"I forgot just how strong a Koffing can be," Misty breathed.

Spheal said, "Spheal..."

Iris stated, "Ash better do something quick before he loses the match!"

Dent added, "And fast before a poison ingredient comes their way."

Pikachu also looked worried and said, "Pika pika..."

Roxie commanded, "Will-O-Wisp, Koffing!"

"Gust, Unfezant," Ash countered.

With that, Koffing uses Will-O-Wisp, while Unfezant uses Gust to blow the Will-O-Wisp over to hit Koffing. Unfezant uses Air Cutter, while Koffing dodges the attack. Koffing uses Sludge bomb to hit Unfezant, as it poisons her. Koffing hits Unfezant with Clear Smog, as she coughs and then blows the smoke away. Unfezant wants to keep fighting, which impresses Roxie and her band. Unfezant moves in to use Aerial Ace and Koffing uses Gyro Ball, as they both collide. Unfezant uses Aerial Ace and Koffing uses Gyro Ball, as Koffing's Gyro Ball sends Unfezant to the ground and knocks her out.

Ash brings out Leavanny to fight next, which surprises everyone. Leavanny uses Energy Ball to hit Koffing, as Koffing has green sparks surrounding it. Koffing uses Gyro Ball, while Leavanny uses String Shot to stop Koffing in its tracks. Koffing tries to use Sludge Bomb, as Leavanny spins it around. Leavanny brings Koffing in close, and uses Energy Ball to knock it out. Roxie is impressed, as she returns Koffing to its poke ball. Roxie brings out Scolipede to battle next, while Ash decides to stick with Leavanny. Leavanny uses Razor Leaf to hit Scolipede, as it does very little damage to it. Scolipede uses Toxic on Leavanny to Poison him.

Leavanny uses Energy Ball, while Scolipede dodges the attack. Scolipede uses Rock Tomb to hit Leavanny, and trap him in between a pile of rocks. Scolipede uses Sludge Bomb to knock out Leavanny. Ash says that he is going to believe in his Pokémon so that he will win his eighth badge. Ash returns Leavanny to his poke ball, and brings out Pignite to battle next. Pignite uses Flame Charge, while Scolipede uses Screech to stop the attack. Scolipede uses Sludge Bomb, while Pignite stops the attack by using Flamethrower and both attacks collide and send smoke over Scolipede.

Pignite hits Scolipede with Flame Charge to knock it down. Pignite uses Flamethrower, while Scolipede dodges the attack and hits Pignite with Toxic to Poison him. Pignite uses Fire Pledge to send flames around Scolipede and knock it out. Roxie returns Scolipede to its poke ball. Roxie tosses a Pecha Berry to Pignite for him to eat it, as it cures his Poisoning. Roxie brings out Garbodor to battle next, as Ash scans it with his Pokédex. Pignite uses Flame Charge, while Garbodor uses its arms to dodge the attack. Garbodor lands on top of Pignite, and then hits him with DoubleSlap. Pignite uses Flamethrower, while Garbodor uses its arms to dodge the attack.

Pignite uses Tackle on Garbodor's arm to make it fall to the ground. Pignite uses Fire Pledge, while Garbodor uses its arm to block the attack. Garbodor sends Pignite flying, as he hits the ground hard. Garbodor uses DoubleSlap to hit Pignite. Misty is cheering hard with Iris' help. Pignite is finally able to dodge one of the DoubleSlap attacks, and uses Fire Pledge. Garbodor uses Hyper Beam to break through Fire Pledge and knock Pignite out. Ash returns Pignite to his poke ball, as Roxie doesn't want to use Poison Type moves anymore but Ash convinces her to give her best still. Ash brings out Palpitoad to battle next.

Palpitoad uses Mud Shot, while Garbodor uses its arms to dodge the attack. Garbodor uses Hyper Beam and Palpitoad uses Hydro Pump, as both attacks collide. Palpitoad uses Mud Shot, while Garbodor uses Gunk Shot to break through the attack and send garbage at Palpitoad to Poison it. Garbodor uses Venoshock to hit Palpitoad, as Dent says that when a Pokémon is poisoned, Venoshock deals twice the damage. Ash tells Palpitoad to use Mud Shot, but he cannot move. Garbodor uses Venoshock to hit Palpitoad and knock him out. Ash returns Palpitoad to his poke ball, as he chooses Pikachu as his last Pokémon for the battle.

Garbodor uses DoubleSlap, while Pikachu dodges the attack. Garbodor uses DoubleSlap multiple times, while Pikachu keeps dodging the attack until Garbodor's arms get tied into a knot. Pikachu hits Garbodor with Quick Attack. Garbodor continues to use DoubleSlap, while Pikachu continues to dodge the attack. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt to hit Garbodor and knock it down to the ground. Pikachu comes in with Iron Tail, while Garbodor uses its arms to knock Pikachu down to the ground and then untangles its arms. Garbodor uses Gunk Shot, while Pikachu dodges the attack.

Misty and Iris are cheering hard and loud, even matching the rock band's volume. Garbodor keeps using Gunk Shot, as Pikachu dodges them and becomes surrounded by smoke. Garbodor picks Pikachu up and continually uses DoubleSlap on him. Garbodor's arm starts showing sparks, as it gets ready to use Gunk Shot. Iris grabs Cilan and does something to his face and body off to the side. Garbodor hits Pikachu with Gunk Shot to Poison him. Ash wonders if they can still win, with Pikachu barely able to stand. Misty, Iris, and Dent yell out to Ash. Roxie tells Garbodor to use Venoshock, but Static takes effect and Garbodor becomes Paralyzed.

Pikachu uses Thunderbolt to hit Garbodor. Garbodor uses Venoshock, while Pikachu uses Electro Ball to break through the attack and knock out Garbodor. Ash wins the Gym match, as Roxie returns Garbodor to its poke ball.

Misty yelled, "He did it!"

Spheal added, "SPHEAL!"

Iris stated, "He won, he won!"

Dent added, "Such a flavorful recipe!"

Just as Pikachu collapses, Ash picks Pikachu up. Roxie walks up to Ash and hands him a Pecha Berry to give Pikachu so that he can recover from his poisoning. The crowd cheers Ash's name after the battle. Meloetta was watching the whole battle, as it leaves the Gym.

Roxie handed out the badge and said, "Here is the Toxic Badge and it is yours, Ash."

Ash breathed, "Thanks, Roxie. We did it, buddy."

"Pi pika chu," said Pikachu.

Misty came over and kissed Ash, hard, celebrating another victory.


AK1028: A long chapter but well worth it, I think! Hope you guys enjoyed! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!