Chapter 20
The next day, Ash and his friends are now at the lobby, where Marnie is waiting for them.
"Good mornin', Ash, and to you guys as well." Marnie says.
"Hello, Marnie. What are you doing here if I may ask?" Ash asks.
"Well, that friend of yours already went off to challenge the next Gym." Marnie says.
"You mean Hop?" Alice asks as she nods.
"Kabu's League Card is supposed to help against him, but I ended up with a few copies. So I decide to give you." Then she takes the cards to the group, as they thank her.
"Don't look so chuffed. It's no big deal." Marnie says. "With the card, I bet you'll have no trouble beatin' that "man of fire" Kabu chap, right? Why don'cha get over to Motostoke Stadium and get that Gym Badge already?"
"Urara." Morpeko nods in agreement.
"Well, we will go there." Ash asks, "So are you coming with us?"
"Of course, I am going to challenge him as well." Marnie says.
On the way, they look at Kabu's League Card, Dawn says, "So Kabu is from the Hoenn Region..."
"Yeah. And when we looked at the League Card more and more, it feels like he and Ash has a lot in common." Gloria says.
"Yeah, we both come so close in the leagues, but I manage to win the Alola one." Ash says as they find Hop in front of the stadium.
"Slow moving, aren't you, guys?" Hop says. "I've already gone and earned my Fire Badge." He shows the badge to them.
"So I guess you won against him?" Lillie asks.
"Yeah. That man of fire Kabu is just what you'd expect. Nearly got burnt in my battle with him! Even with my strongest team, it was definitely touch-and-go...but I still won in the end!" Hop says. "Now get a shift on, Ash, Gloria, and even Marnie. I bet you could beat the man of fire, too!"
"No problem." Gloria says as they go into the stadium.
Ash decides to go first as he goes to the counter, then the staff man says, "Hey, a Gym Challenger! That's a welcome sight! We don't have too many challengers, since our Leader Kabu has made his Gym mission so hard..."
"How hard is it?" Ash asks.
"That will be you to find out. But I'll be happy to get you registered at once! If you are here to challenge Our gym, we'll ask you to change into your uniform first..."
He gives Ash the uniform as he goes changing. And as he comes out, he is wearing a red shirt with black stripes, and the Fire Logo on the shirt.
"Wow, this feels much burnin' if you wear like that." Marnie says.
"I know. Now I'll go face the challenge." Ash says as he walks into the challenge field.
Dan is there waiting for him in the middle of the grass field with three gym challengers. He says, "The Gym mission for the Fire Type Gym is this! Catching Pokemon to earn the most points! You can earn 5 points to clear the Gym Mission. In case you are wondering, you'll earn one point for defeating a Pokemon in the tall grass or two points for catching a Pokemon. But you won't be alone in this competition. Other Trainers will be joining you in your battles! Think about what your opponents might do, and try to take the best action to rack up points!"
Ash says, "It seems tough, but I will try."
As the gym mission starts, Ash sees a Vulpix as he sends out his Barraskewda. But another trainer with a Rolycoly is trying to take that Vulpix. Ash decides to go for the battle as to interfere the rival and then defeat the Vulpix with a nice match. And then he does it five times with Litwick and captures a Sizzlipede. Eventually earning 5 points.
"Congratulations on another mission cleared!" Dan says as the trainers and Dan walk towards him. "Clearing Leader Kabu's Gym mission like that...You're positively on fire! Next you will be facing Kabu, the leader of the Fire Gym. On you go, Challenger."
"Thanks." Ash says as he goes to the battlefield.
In the seats, Alice says, "Wow, not only Ash clears, but he also gets a new partner."
"I know." Serena says. "Good for him."
As Ash and Kabu are facing each other, Kabu says, "Prince Ash. If you are here means that you have beaten your sister and her tough Normal-type Pokemon."
"I know." Ash says. "Now I will win against you in order to get forward."
"As you can see we have a lot in common, so show me the same passion that makes you forward. Go, Ninetales!" As the Fox Pokemon appears, Ash says, "Basculin, I choose you."
Ash's red stripe Basculin appears on the field as the match begins. Kabu says, "Ninetales, start off with Quick Attack!"
"Dodge it and use Water Gun."
Basculin barely dodges the upcoming attack and then shoots out water on the Pokemon, causing it to get wet.
"Not bad, Ninetales, use Fire Spin." Basculin is surrounded by the fire, but Ash calls him to use Aqua Ring to make the fire melt. And in the end, Basculin defeats Ninetales with Aqua Tail.
"Brilliant. I can see why you are this talented. But can you fight against my Litwick?" As the second Pokemon appears, it uses Confuse Ray to make Basculin confused, and then finishes with a Hex.
"Return, Basculin." Ash recalls his Pokemon and then sends out Thievul. Litwick uses Will-O-Wisp to make the fox burned, and then it uses Inferno, dealing a lot of damage.
"Thievul, use Night Slash."
Litwick is slashed by the Pokemon as it is sent back, but Litwick uses Hex and deals much more damage. In the end, a Beat Up is able to defeat Litwick, but Thievul is defeated by the Burn.
"Light that fire and get your mind moving, Kabu! There still must be a path to victory!" Kabu yells as he sends out the Pokemon that Ash has never seen it before.
"Wow, is that an evolution of Sizzlipede?" Alice asks.
"That is a Centiskorch." Hop says. "And his only Gigantamax Pokemon..."
"Boldore! I choose you!" Ash sends out his Rock Type Pokemon as they are staring.
"Burn, bright! Centiskorch! Let Gigantamax change your size and your form!" Kabu recalls his Pokemon and then it becomes bigger, and this time it looks like a fire dragon.
"Wow...that is Gigantamax Centiskorch?" Dawn asks.
"I can feel overwhelming power from it..." Marnie says.
Ash also dynamax his Boldore. And then Kabu yells, "Flame always burn upwards! So we will always aim to go higher. You understand, don't you? G-Max Centiferno!"
As the Pokemon shoots out a giant Flamethrower, Boldore is inside of the Fire Spin.
"This is bad. Boldore! Max Rockfall!"
As the Rock Type Pokemon shoots out rocks, it lands on Centiskorch, causing damage as well as making a Sandstorm.
"Not bad. But Max Flutterby!" Then Centiskorch sends out a lot of butterflies as they explode by the Boldore. Dealing some damage. But with the ability Sturdy, it holds on and Ash yells, "We have to end this now! Max Rockfall again!"
Centiskorch tries to dodge the rocks, but in the end it is still hit and then it becomes smaller as it faints.
Kabu recalls his Pokemon and then kneels down to the floor. "Great Pokemon and great Trainer! It's no surprise that you won!"
Ash is worried as he walks towards him, but he stands back up and says, "I'm often regarded as the first real roadblock of the Gym Challenge, and yet you defeat me! I guess that you are still better then me when it comes to experiences. I still have a lot to learn."
"The same here, every battle is like my teacher." Ash says.
"I know now that you and your Pokemon will become a fantastic team. I am glad that I could battle you today! Let me give you a Fire Badge as proof that you've defeated me." And then he gives Ash the fourth badge.
Then Marnie decides to go next, as she dress on the uniform, it looks just like Ash's. "How do I look?" Marnie asks Ash.
"You look great." Ash says as she thanks her, then she goes to challenge the gym.
Dawn asks, "I wonder why she wants Ash's opinion on her gym outfit?"
"Who knows?" Lillie says with a shrug.
In the end, Marnie also wins and then it is Gloria's turn. Gloria also wears the same uniform as Marnie and she also passes the gym challenge. She captures a Litwick in the mission.
Once she and Kabu are facing each other, Kabu says, "Welcome! I am Kabu, the Fire-type Gym Leader. The fact that you are here means you've bested Milo's Grass-type Pokemon, Nessa's Water-type Pokemon, and even Princess Namie's Normal-type Pokemon. That's quite an accomplishment."
He looks at her and says, "Every trainer and Pokemon trains hard in pursuit of victory. But that means your opponent is also working hard to win. In the end, the match is decided by which side is able to unleash their true potential."
He sends out Heatmor first, and Gloria sends out Drillbur. Drillbur uses Dig to make Heatmor's Fury Swipes misses, and then it uses Metal Claw, dealing some damage. Heatmor's Smokescreen manages to make Drillbur confused as it lands a Flamethrower, in the end, it is defeated by the Magnitute 7.
Kabu sends out Salazzle next. And Salazzle uses Toxic to make Drillbur poisoned, and then finishes with Toxic Spikes and Sludge Bomb. So she sends out Musharna next, trying to avoid the Toxic Spikes. And it uses Hypnosis to hypnotizes the Salazzle, and then finishes it with a Psychic.
"Brilliant, but here is my last Pokemon that will send me up high. Arcanine." As the Pokemon appears, Kabu then Dynamax the Pokemon. It uses Max Flare to defeat the Musharna and also make the sun shine brightly.
"Drednaw, you're my hope." Gloria sends the Pokemon out and then Gigantamax it. Kabu says, "That is a brilliant Gigantamax."
"I know. G-Max Stonesurge!" Gloria yells as the Pokemon shoots out Rocks and water, making the Arcanine roar in pain. Arcanine aims for the Max Strike, but a Max Rockfall is able to defeat the Dog Pokemon.
"Clearly, your talent surpassed my many years of experience." Kabu says as he recalls his Pokemon. "I can see what Leon sees in you. You deserve this Badge." Gloria takes the badge and thanks the gym leader.
"Thanks to the Dynamax phenomenon, our Pokemon battles have become part of the Galar Region's culture. And it's the young Trainers who are responsible for keeping our culture alive. Of course, I hope that instead of just keeping it alive, you also help it become something better. We adults will be the pillars for you to build on."
"So now we have 4 badges." Hop says as the group are now outside the stadium. "Now that is a good progress. I figured that if anyone could do it, then we would be the ones...but still!"
"Our matches had you right at the edge of your seat, 'cause we are also the same." Marnie sighs.
Dan walks towards them and he says, "I see that you've done a fine job collecting the Gym Badges from the Grass, Water, Normal and Fire Gyms. I think you've proven your skill well enough to try your hand against the Gyms that await you, starting in the city of Hammerlocke."
Alice looks at the Smartphone and says, "So we have to get back to the Wild Area again to find the city."
"With all the badges we've earned ourselves, I reckon we should be all right even against the fierce Pokemon we find deep in the Wild Area." Gloria says.
"Yeah, we should go find them ourselves." Ash says as they leave the stadium.
But as they are going back to the Wild Area, they see Kabu walking towards them.
"Kabu?" Serena asks. "You are the Gym Leader, but you still came all the way to see us off?"
"There are many Trainers who never manage to gather four Gym Badges, and they just give up on the Gym Challenge altogether... So I make a point to see off any Trainers who are able to defeat me."
Just then, Adam arrives with the other 3 gym leaders that they have defeated. Hop gasps, "It's the King..."
Ash bows and asks, "Father, what are you doing here?" Then the others also bow to him.
"No need to be formal." Adam says. "We just come here to see what you are doing. And I also bring along Milo, Nessa and Namie. Since they are here to congratulate you guys."
Nessa says, "Indeed. It's pretty amazing that you four defeated Kabu!"
"Not a lot of Gym Challengers are able to get a Gym Badge from Kabu'." Milo says.
"So we like to get together to see them off, as a way of showing our support." Namie says.
Kabu says, "Wait, Namie, your voice...you are not talking like a robot..."
"Thanks to my brother." Namie says. "I learned to be myself again."
Adam says, "And for that, I am really thankful for you to do it. Ash."
"It is no problem, Father." Ash says.
Kabu says, "So, allow me to send you off with a proper sporty chant!" Then he closes his eyes and says, "Hustle, hustle, hustle, Hop! Shine, Shine, Shine, Gloria. Get them, get them, get them, Marnie. You can do it, you can do it. Ash."
After the chant, Kabu says, "The Gym Leaders you will face ahead are all tough opponents. But I believe that you will prevail! Believe in your Pokemon and keep pushing on!"
Hop says, "Thanks, you all!"
Gloria says, "We're gonna keep winning! We've got to if we want to face-off in the Champion Cup, after all!"
Then they bid farewell to the gym leaders as Adam and Namie decide to walk with them to the Wild Area.
"Hello, again, Wild Area, my old friend! I've come back to you even stronger than before!" Hop yells.
"So that is where Hammerlocke is, right?" Serena says.
"But I suggest that you should go to the Dustill. It is near the Dusty Bowl and it is where the fifth gym is." Namie says.
"Okay." Ash says.
Hop says, "I'll be catching myself some amazing Pokemon to fill in the next page in the tale of my legend!"
Just then, Bede walks towards them and he says, "Don't waste your efforts. It's not like you would ever make it through the Gym Challenge, anyway."
"Bede? You again?" Gloria groans as well as the others, much to the confusion of Adam, Namie and Marnie.
"The Champion really must have been off his rocker to endorse the likes of you. I mean, it seems Hop here can't even throw a Poke Ball properly."
"Rubbish. More like you don't know enough to recognize greatness when you see it." Hop retorts. "My throws are the greatest, and my bro is the finest Champion the world has ever seen! I am not gonna listen to you insulting him!"
"How tiresome...Fine. I'll battle you over there." Bede sighs. "Maybe that will help you finally understand just how weak you are."
"You're on, then. I know you challenged Gloria to battle in Galar Mine No.2 and lost to her there. And I am her greatest rival! In other words, there's no other way you're beating me!" Hop yells.
"All this prattle about Ash, Gloria and the Champion...do you not have anything of your ow to show?" Bede is annoyed as he walks off, and Hop chases him. "I'll show this wally my real skills in battle!"
As Hop and Bede disappear from their sight, Ash says, "He is going to lose..."
"I agree." Alice says. "So Marnie, what about you?"
Marnie says, "Is it possible that I travel with you?" This causes surprise to the group. "I want to learn more and also train more."
Ash says, "Sure, I guess. Welcome to the team." Then they shake hands.
"So you earn another teammate, good for you. Now Namie and I have to go back to our castle, so I'll see you."
"Bye, guys." Namie says as the group bid farewell to the royalties.
The third Gym battle is done, and I decide to add Marnie into the team as well as the harem. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be more Pokemon hunting.
Ash's Pokemon with him: The ones you know, Corvisquire, Thievul, Thwackey, Barraskewda, Gyarados, Ninetales, Hitmonlee, Carkoal, Meowth, Eevee x2, Milcery x2, Spritzee, Applin, Farfetch'd, Basculin, Vileplume, Ninjask, Hateena, Sawk, Sizzlipede
Alice's Pokemon with her: Drizzile, Greedent, Dubwool, Wooloo x29, Boltund, Eldegoss, Sizzlipede, Diglett, Pikachu, Eevee, Milcery x2, Toxel, Basculin, Salandit, Impidimp
Gloria's Pokemon with her: Raboot, Dottler, Drednaw, Liepard, Unfezant, Trubbish, Klink, Gurdurr, Drillbur, Woobat, Joltik, Ferroseed, Eevee, Milcery, Applin, Cinccino, Musharna, Stunfisk, Throh, Litwick
Dawn's Pokemon with her: The ones you know, Noctowl, Stunky, Hitmontop, Cherrim, Roserade, Eevee, Milcery, Wobbuffet, Drifloon, Chinchou, Bellossom, Xatu, Gastrodon, Shuckle, Croagunk, Sudowoodo
Serena's Pokemon with her: The ones you know, Linoone, Ludicolo, Shiftry, Diggersby, Pumpkaboo, Electrike, Eevee, Milcery x2, Swirlix, Meowstic, Shedinja, Claydol, Binacle, Barboach
Lillie's Pokemon with her: The ones you know, Butterfree, Vikavolt, Hitmonchan, Machop, Mudbray, Ribombee, Goldeen, Eevee, Milcery, Stufful, Wishiwashi, Tsareena, Arcanine, Wimpod, Koffing