Chapter 26: Goldune Gym Battle

Ash and his friends finally arrive at Goldune City, they purchase some Strength Gloves so that they can use it for moving boulders in the future. And then they find the Fossil Research Lab.

"Welcome Queen Delia and Prince Ash. I have been expecting you thanks to Dustin." The scientist says.

"We want to have these Fossils turn back into Pokemon." Ash says as he shows the two Fossils.

"Sure. Just give me a moment and I'll turn them back." The scientist says. "At the same time, why don't you go fight Dustin now?" Delia says. "I'll give you the fossiled Pokemon back."

"Sure, Mother, then we will go." Ash says as he, Alice and Alex go towards the gym.

When they get to the Gym, Alice asks, "Alex, what kind of Gym is Dustin's?"

"Well, Dustin is a specialist in using Ground Types. His strategy is really hard to beat, because can master the Quicksand of course."

"Quicksand?" Ash says. "Is that a new move?"

"Yes, and a hard move as well." Alice says. "But I know you can do it."

But as they get inside, all they can see is a quicksand and an escalator that goes upwards. Ash says, "What is this?"

Alex sighs, "In order to go to the battlefield, we have to go into the quicksand and find him."

"I see..." Ash says as they go into the quicksand, but then it turns out to be a maze as they have to use the Strength Gloves they purchased to open the door. They eventually reach the battlefield and Alice says, "Even my Gym isn't being like this..."

"Yeah..." Ash says as they enter the door.

"Oh. Hey, do I know you from somewhere else?" Dustin asks.

"Are you forgetting us already? We just met an hour ago!" Alex says.

"Just kidding, Alex. Don't be so serious." Dustin says, "And you're the Trainer from the cave! Welcome to my Gym! Glad you made it! So, you want to have a battle? You should know that I specialize in Ground-type Pokémon. They are powerful with high Attack and Defense stats but, normally, they are not the fastest ones. Let's do it ! I won't go easy!''

"Sure."

After stating the rules, Dustin says, "I almost forget, I have a special rule as well. This time my Pokemon will be hiding in the sand field."

Ash and Alice feel the ground rumbling as a Sand Castle, Sand playground and a pyramid appears. "I see, so we have obstacles." Ash says.

"Glad you understand, now here is my first Pokemon: Cassand."

As the bug Pokemon appears, Ash says, "So that is an evolution of Sandugg...if that's the case, then I choose you, Aquad!"

As the Pokemon appears on the field, it is already doing the fighting stance. Ash says, "Let's go for the first move, Aqua Jet!"

"Iron Defense!" Dustin yells as the Pokemon creates the wall to lower the defense. "Good, now use Infestation."

Ash widens his eyes as Aquad is tangled by the bug Pokemon. Ash says, "Hang in there and then use Aqua Slam to break it off."

Aquad slams the Pokemon and breaks free. Dustin says, "You are really interesting, I can really tell. But it is time to make my move."

"Here it comes..." Alex says as Alice nods.

"Quicksand!" Ash sees that Aquad is going into the sand and it is close to the pyramid, the pointy top has also given the damage.

"What the...what's going on here?" Ash says.

"You see, the obstacles here have a special mechanism, when a Ground Attack is used, it can give the opponent some additional damage as well."

"This is really tough..." Alice says.

"Yeah." Alex says. In the end, Aquad is defeated by the Leech Life after buried into the ground.

"Return, Aquad." Ash recalls the Pokemon and sighs, "Then I'll use you next. Peafan."

As the peacock Pokemon appears, Dustin says, "A Flying Type, you are really serious."

"You bet, use Air Cutter!"

The Pokemon shoots out air knives as it defeats the Cassand. Alex says, "Well done, but this time I have some new things to try it out. Oriture!"

As the Pokemon appears, Ash says, "Now it is the evolution of Toron... But as long as I am in the air, the ground type moves won't be a problem."

"Is that so?" Dustin says. "Rollout!"

Ash is shocked that the Pokemon rolls around, and as it goes to the playground, it uses the slide and seesaw to go into the air and knock the Pokemon.

"What?" Alice is surprised. "How is that even possible?"

"Believe me, Dustin not only makes the field on the opponent's disadvantage, but also the advantage to himself." Alex says.

"Peafan, are you okay?" Ash asks as he nods. "Good, use Echoed Voice, stop its rolling!"

Peafan nods and gives a terrifying screech, and then it stops moving as Dustin says, "I see what you are doing. But too bad, Smack Down!"

Ash widens his eyes as Peafan falls down to the ground by the move. "Use Bulldoze!"

With the pyramid's pointy top, Peafan also gets the additional damage as well as stuck in the sand. "Peafan, get out of there!"

"Checkmate, Take Down!" Peafan struggles to leave, but failed as it faints after the move.

Ash says, "This is bad...I only have one Pokemon left..."

"Are you starting to get worried? Since you have one Pokemon left."

Ash says, "I am not quite sure. I will like to try out with her. Ninetales!" As the Pokemon appears from the ball, Dustin says, "A Pokemon from outside the Rikoto Region..."

"Yeah." Ash says. "Now let's begin. Use Icy Wind!"

"Rollout to dodge it!"

As Oriture rolls again, but the Icy Wind manages to trap it, causing Dustin to be in horror. "Now finish with Ice Beam!" \

After Oriture is defeated, Dustin says, "I am surprised. You manage to beat Oriture, not many people are able to beat him and go to the final Pokemon, except that Rick Guy. But here is my final ace. Monstune."

As the final Pokemon appears, Ash says, "We'll start out with Ice Beam!"

"Dodge it and then use Quicksand again!" Dustin says as the Pokemon dodges the ice and traps Ninetales. But this time as Ninetales is close to the castle, it collapse and lands on Ninetales.

"Geo Sphere!" Dustin yells as he thinks that he is going to end him. But Ash says, "Use Frost Breath on the field, and then Iron Tail to get it out!"

Dustin gasps at what Ash is doing, and Ninetales gets out from the trap and then uses Iron Tail to slam at the Monstune.

"Not bad. I see that you are no ordinary trainer. Use Dark Matter!" Ninetales is hit by the attack, but Ash says, "Don't worry. Finish it off with Dazzling Gleam!"

Ninetales shoots out the beam of light and then Monstune is fainted. Dustin looks at the field, it is a mess and he sighs, "I'm stuck in the quicksand...''

Dustin walks towards Ash and says, "That was awesome! I can tell you're gonna go far on your journey! You have earned this." He gives Ash the Sand Badge. Ash takes it and thanks him.

"Awesome, huh?" Dustin sighs and says, "But our battle is really great, the field is a mess..."

Alex says, "Why don't I help you with it? Since we are friends after all."

"Thanks a lot, Alex." Dustin says.

Alice hugs Ash and says, "You did a great job, Ash."

"Thanks, Alice. Ninetales it the one who does everything." Ash says.

"I know." Alice smirks. Then Delia also comes and says, "Looks like I missed the battle."

"Mom? Are the Pokemon ready?" Ash asks.

"Yep." She shows two Pokemon. One is like a T-Rex and the other one is like a Stegosaurus.

Rexite: The T-Rex Pokemon: Rock and Fire Type. While hunting, the flame on Rexite's tail burns more intensely, flickering like a heartbeat. This causes a huge boost in its capabilities.

Stegron: The Stegosaurus Pokemon: Rock and Steel Type. Stegron's plates are highly conductable. They store excess energy from eating and sunbathing in their plates, releasing them when threatened.

"So that was the ancient Pokemon that is in the fossils. It is really amazing." Dustin says.

"I agree." Alex says. "Ms. Ketchum, I am sorry that I will have to stay here for a while, since I really need to have some talk with Dustin and go find Elena."

"Sure." Delia says. "Thanks for a lot of your help."

"No problem." Then they bid farewell to the two trainers as they leave the Goldune City.

Here is a new chapter, Ash has gotten his fourth Gym Badge. In the next chapter will be a new partner for Ash and the group.