The following morning saw Ash and Hilda arise, and heads out the front to meet up.
"So, want to do a bit of training before we take on Burgh?" Hilda asked, to which Ash replied "Sure, I think we could do a bit of training"
"Good. Let's get to the Sewers, and we can train there. Sounds good?" Ash asked, to which Hilda nodded, and they headed out.
Soon, they arrive, and the Neo Plasma Grunt is waiting for them.
"Hey, thanks for your help in driving Team Rocket from the Relic Passage. Here's an Eviolite each for you" the Neo Plasma Grunt said, and he gave them a small, pink-and-white stone each.
"What does Eviolite do?" Ash asked, to which the Neo Plasma Grunt replied "If your Pokémon isn't fully evolved, it's defence stats are increased by 50%"
"Sweet, that'll come in handy" Hilda replied, to which Ash added "Yeah, being able to take hits better is always a good thing, helps give you more time to enact your strategies"
"Cool," Hilda replied. The Neo Plasma Grunt the departed, while Ash and Hilda enter for some training.
Ash decided to give his Eviolite to his Rufflet, while Hilda gave her Eviolite to her Herdier.
It took most of the morning to train up their team, by which time Hilda's Pokémon had reached Level twenty-nine, while Ash's Pokémon had reached Level thirty. That was the level of Burgh's Pokémon, except Leavanny who's one level higher, so Ash and Hilda felt that they were ready.
After lunch, Ash and Hilda approached the Castelia City Gym.
"Hello, are you two here to take on Burgh?" a clown asked, to which Ash replied "Yes. Hilda's here for her fourth badge, and I'm here for my third badge"
"Alright, noted, I'm the referee for Gym battles in Castelia City Gym, so, who will go first?" the clown asked, to which Ash replied, "I think Hilda should go first"
"Alright. Hilda, follow me" the clown said, and he headed inside, with Hilda following. Ash headed for the stands.
When Hilda arrived, an arena rolled up from below, and Burgh stepped onto the other side. Hilda stepped up on her side, and the referee steps onto the referee stand.
"The battle between Hilda of Nuvema Town and Castelia City Gym Leader Burgh will now begin. This battle will be three-on-three, only the challenger can switch Pokémon, and the first trainer to have all of their Pokémon KO'ed loses" the referee said, then Hilda added "Alright. Herdier, let's show them what we can do" and Herdier materialises. Burgh nodded, then responded with "Dwebble, let's go" and Dwebble materialised.
Battle: Dwebble, Shelmet and Leavanny VS Herdier, Dewott and Pansear?
Herdier's Intimidate cuts Dwebble's Attack, which Ash said "Good move Hilda, using Herdier initially to weaken Dwebble"
Hilda then said "Herdier, return" and Herdier was withdrawn. Hilda then added "Dewott, let's show them what we can do" and Dewott materialised.
"Dewott, use X-Scissor," Burgh said, and Dwebble dashed at Dewott, its claws glowed teal and went to slash Dewott.
"Deflect it Dewott, then use Water Pulse" Hilda called, and Dewott was able to briefly block the attack.
"Slash, get those scalchops out of Dewott's hands," Burgh said, and Dwebble's claws glowed white now, and it slashed outwards, not only each hit dealing Moderate damage, forcing Dewott to use it's Sitrus Berry, but also knocking the scalchops out of Dewott's hands, but not before Dewott shot a ball of water at Dwebble and Dwebble only avoided KO by its Sturdy ability.
"Dwebble, end this with X-Scissor" Burgh called, to which Hilda replied "Dewott, strike with Retaliate" and while Dwebble's claws glowed teal, Dewott's body glowed white, and they slammed into each other, both hitting, dealing significant damage to Dewott and activating it's Torrent ability, and also KO'ing Dwebble.
"Dwebble is unable to battle, Dewott wins," the referee said, and Dewott cheered. Burgh withdrew Dwebble, then said "You did a great job Dwebble, now rest up. My next Pokémon will be, Shelmet, let's go" and Shelmet materialised.
"Dewott, use Water Pulse" Hilda called, and Dewott generated a ball of water, shrouded in the blue glow of Torrent, and shot it at Shelmet.
"Shelmet, Mega Drain" Burgh called, and Shelmet dispersed the Water Pulse, to some degree, with tentacles of natural energy, then shot them at Dewott, KO'ing it and restoring a slight amount of health. Shelmet took Minor damage from the dispersed Water Pulse.
"Dewott is unable to battle, Shelmet wins," the Referee said as Hilda withdrew Dewott, and said, "Good job Dewott, now take a long rest". She then got out another ball, and added "Herdier, let's show them what we can do" and Herdier materialised.
"Herdier, avenge Dewott with Retaliate" Hilda commanded, andHerdier rushed at Shelmet while cloaking itself in white energy, empowered by the will to avenge Dewott.
"Protect yourself Shelmet" Burgh called, and Shelmet threw up a shield that Herdier bounced off, hard.
"Now quick, use Acid" Burgh called, and Shelmet shot purple, poisonous liquid at Herdier, dealing minor damage and reducing Herdier's Special Defence.
"Keep the Acid Offense up Shelmet," Burgh said and Shelmet shot more poisonous liquid at Herdier, but Hilda was ready.
"Dodge them Herdier and use Bite" Hilda commanded, and Herdier narrowly avoided the shots, as it channelled Anti-Positive energy into its fangs, and failed to hit due to Shelmet's Protect.
"Dang it. Herdier, keep up the offence, Retaliate" Hilda commanded and, as soon as the shield went down, Herdier cloaked itself in white energy and struck Shelmet, dealing Minor damage.
"Mega Drain Shelmet" Burgh called as soon as Shelmet's shield went down, so although Shelmet was hit, it was able to grab hold of Herdier with a tentacle of natural energy and start draining health.
"Break free from the Mega Drain Herdier, use Bite" Hilda commanded, and Herdier cloaked its fangs in Anti-Positive energy and bit the Tentacle dispersing it, but not before taking minor damage, and Shelmet restored a slight amount of health.
"Now then Shelmet, use Struggle Bug," Burgh said, and Shelmet shot a wave of Teal energy, but Hilda was ready, and called "Herdier, leap over the wave then strike with Retaliate", and Herdier charged initially straight at the struggle bug wave, then leapt over the wave, cloaked itself in white energy and struck Shelmet, dealing minor damage.
"Shelmet, use Acid" Burgh called, and at the same time, Hilda called "Herdier, use Retaliate" and while Shelmet's poisonous liquid hit Herdier, dealing minor damage, Burgh had already commanded "Shelmet, use Protect" and Herdier was unable to hit, and once again, ricocheted off the shield, which allowed Burgh to command "Now Shelmet, use Mega Drain"
"OK, Burgh reacting way faster than I can. I've got to find a way around this" Hilda thought to herself. It was then that she got an idea.
"Herdier, use Thunder Fang on the tentacle, and channel as much electricity as you can through it" Hilda called, and Herdier cloaked its fangs in electricity and bit on the tentacle.
"Shake it off" Burgh commanded, but it was too late, the electricity passed through the tentacle and Paralysed Shelmet, though Heredier still took minor damage from the Mega Drain, and Shelmet restored a minor amount of health.
"Now quick Herdier, use Retaliate" Hilda commanded, and Herdier cloaked itself in white energy and shot at Shelmet. And although Burgh commanded "Shelmet, Protect yourself", Shelmet was immobilised by Paralysis, dealing minor damage.
"Keep up the offensive pressure Herdier, use Thunder Fang" Hilda commanded, realising that Herdier was unable to use Retaliate. and Herdier cloaked its fangs in electricity and bit, dealing minor damage.
"Shelmet, Struggle Bug" Burgh called as soon as Herdier went for the Thunder Fang, Shelmet unleashed the wave of teal energy. Almost as soon as Herdier hit with Thunder Fang, Shelmet struck Herdier with Struggle Bug, dealing minor damage and forcing Herdier off, as well as lowering its Special Attack power.
"Now Herdier, use Bite," Hilda said, and Herdier cloaked it's fangs in Anti-Positive energy and bit Shelmet, not only dealing minor damage but also causing Shelmet to Flinch. However, when Hilda called "Herdier, use Bite again", it was interrupted by Burgh's command of "Shelmet, use Mega Drain", and, instead of damaging Shelmet with fangs cloaked in Anti-Positive energy, Herdier had to bite the tentacle imbued with natural energy to stop it dealing more than one turn of minor damage, and Shelmet restoring a slight amount of health.
"Quick Shelmet, use Struggle Bug again" Burgh called as Hilda called out "Another Thunder Fang". The fangs cloaked in electricity hit, but Herdier was then struck by the wave of teal energy, both taking minor damage.
"It comes down to this" Burgh said, to which Hilda nodded, then replied "That it does. Herdier, use Thunder Fang"
"Shelmet, use Protect" Burgh commanded, but Hilda was ready this time, and called "Herdier, get in close, but do not attack. When the shield goes down, strike". Herdier nodded and stopped just in front of the shield, it's fangs still cloaked in electricity, When the shield went down, despite Burgh commanding "Struggle Bug Shelmet, as soon as the shield falls", Shelmet didn't have enough time to use the move before Herdier KO'ed it with Thunder Fang.
"Shelmet is unable to battle, the winner is Herdier," the referee said as Shellder was withdrawn.
"You did well out there Shelmet, now take a long rest". Burgh then grabbed his last Poké Ball, and said "Now Leavanny, let's go" and Leavanny materialised.
"Leavanny, just wipe out Herdier with Razor Leaf" Burgh commanded, and Leavanny shot many razor-sharp leaves at Herdier, KO'ing it.
"Herdier is unable to battle, the winner is Leavanny," the referee said as Hilda withdrew Herdier.
"Great job Herdier, now rest well," Hilda said. She then got out her last Poké ball, and called "Panesar, let's show them what we can do" and Pansear materialised.
In the stands, Ash said "Pansear is a Fire-type, but it's in base form, Leavanny is in its powerful final form, this is still going to be tough even with the four times effective matchup"
Back to the arena, Burgh commanded "Leavanny, use Slash" and Leavanny cloaked its arm in white energy. Hilda, seeing this, commanded "Pansear, dodge and use Flame Charge" and, initially, Pansear did avoid it, but as it cloaked itself with fire and prepared to charge, Burgh commanded again "Leavanny, use Slash", and this time, Leavanny's aim was true, dealing significant damage, dispersing the fire, but getting Burned in the process. Leavanny then took minor damage from its Burn.
"Pansear, are you OK?" Hilda asked as Pansear pulled itself up. Pansear nodded, and Hilda added "We have to slow it down, use Rock Tomb" and Pansear grabbed a few rocks and threw them.
"Destroy the rocks Leavanny, use Razor Leaf" Burgh commanded, and Leavanny shot razor-sharp leaves at the rocks, destroying them and also, thanks to a critical hit, dealing Moderate damage.
Ash, watching from the stands, said "Hilda's in trouble. She won't be able to win if she can't land another hit"
Back in the arena, it looks like Pansear is down for the count.
But just as the referee started raising the flag to declare Pansear unable to battle, Pansear pulled himself up.
"Pansear" Hilda said quietly, very concerned. Suddenly, Pansear erupted in a red aura, and then, started glowing white, and growing.
"Pansear's evolving" Hilda gasped, shocked, and so was everyone else. After a few moments, the white disappeared, and a much taller ape with a white-collar around its neck was there.
"Simisear!" the new Pokémon called out.
"Alright then, let's do this Simisear, use Flame Charge" Hilda commanded, and Simisear dashed at Leavanny with a speed not seen in its base form. So fast, in fact, that Burgh and Leavanny had no time to react before Leavanny was KO'ed by a flame-cloaked Simisear.
"Leavanny is unable to battle the winner is Simisear, the victor is Hilda of Nuvema town," the referee said and both Hilda and Simisear cheered happily before Simisear ran up and hugged Hilda, which she returned.
Conclusion: Hilda wins.
"Well done, that was a great battle," Burgh said as he walked up to Hilda. Hilda replied "You were a strong opponent"
"Thanks. As recognition of your achievement, here is the Insect Badge, and TM76 Struggle Bug, which isn't very powerful but it lowers the Special Attack of anyone it hits" Burgh said as he gave them to Hilda, who added them to her collection.
"See you around, congratulations," Burgh said, to which Hilda nodded, and departed after withdrawing Simisear. Ash followed close behind.
While Hilda's Pokémon was resting and healing, Ash got ready for his Gym Battle. It was technically three-on-three, but Ash didn't want to use his overpowered Pikachu if he didn't need to.
After lunch, Ash headed to the Gym, and the referee said "Alright Ash, are you here to challenge Burgh?", to which Ash replied "Yes I am, for my third Gym Badge"
"Ah, alright, though I can sense that your Pokémon is on par with Hilda's, so, I'll let Burgh know about that. Follow me" the referee said, and Ash followed. Hilda took her seat in the stands, and, after a quick conversation with Burgh, the referee took his spot as Ash and Burgh did.
"The battle between Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town in Kanto and Castelia City Gym Leader Burgh will now begin. This is a three-on-three battle, only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokémon, and the battle ends when all of one side's Pokémon are unable to battle" the referee said, and Ash called "Alright, sounds good. Pignite, I choose you" and Pignite materialised.
"Dwebble, let's go" Burgh called and Dwebble materialised.
Battle: Pignite and Rufflet VS Dwebble, Shelmet and Leavanny.
"Alright Pignite, use Substitute" Ash called, and Pignite used a quarter of its' health to hide behind a doll to Protect itself. Burgh responded "Dwebble, use Bulldoze" and Dwebble's claws glowed, and it jumped and hit the ground, sending light-brown waves at Pignite.
"Ready Pignite, vault over the Substitute doll and use it as a launching pad to strike with Brick Break" Ash commanded as soon as he saw the Bulldoze coming. As a result, no damage for Pignite and Substitute was destroyed.
"Dwebble, quick use Rock Slide" Burgh commanded and Dwebble called multiple rocks from the ground to rise up and fire at Pignite. However, despite taking Considerable damage from the Rock Slide, it was able to hit with Brick Break, dealing Considerable damage.
"Strike again, this time with Fire Punch" Ash commanded, and that same hand was suddenly cloaked with flames, which it punched Dwebble with, just as Burgh commanded, "Dwebble, use Slash", but before Dwebble could strike, it was KO'ed by Fire Punch.
"Dwebble is unable to battle, Pignite wins," the referee said, and Pignite cheered.
"You did a great job there Dwebble, not take a good long rest," Burgh said as Dwebble was withdrawn. He then said "Now, Shelmet, let's go" and SHelmet materialised.
"Pignite, return" Ash called, and he withdrew Pignite. He then said "Now Rufflet, I choose you" and Rufflet materialised.
Having learned from Hilda's battle, Ash knew what to expect.
"Rufflet, use Rock Tomb" Ash commanded, and Rufflet picked up a few rocks and threw then at Shelmet.
"Shelmet, use Protect," Burgh said, and the rocks were stopped by the shield.
"Just what I was hoping for, Rufflet, use Aerial Ace" Ash commanded, and Rufflet shot at Shelmet, Sky Blue energy radiating from it in streams, and it struck just as Shelmet's Protect fell, dealing Considerable damage.
"Quick Shelmet, use Acid" Burgh called, and Shelmet quickly recovered from the strike to shot poisonous liquid at Rufflet, dealing minor damage.
"Looks like we've got the same idea with our unevolved Pokémon Ash" Burgh called, to which Ash replied "Yeah, using Eviolite comes in handy. Plus from what I've heard, it's going to be a while before Rufflet evolves, so he'll need the help"
"We'll see, Shelmet use Acid" Burgh called, and once again, Shelmet shot poisonous liquid at Rufflet.
"Defog, quick, Rufflet, then Rock Tomb" Ash commanded, and Rufflet flapped it's wings as fast as it could, generating a soft breeze that meant Acid landed just in front of Rufflet. Then, Rufflet threw rocks at Shelmet.
"Another Acid attack Shelmet, then use Protect" Burgh commanded, and this time the poisonous liquid hit just after Rufflet threw the rocks, dealing minor damage, while the shield stopped the Rock Tomb again.
"Another Aerial Ace Rufflet, quick" Ash commanded, and Rufflet struck, once again, as soon as the shield fell, dealing Considerable damage.
"Now end this, quick Rufflet, sue Slash" Ash called, while Burgh called "Shelmet, use Acid", and though Rufflet was hit by the poisonous liquid a third time, taking slight damage, the Slash was enough to KO.
"Shelmet is unable to battle, Rufflet wins," the referee said as Burgh withdrew Shelmet.
"Great work Shelmet, now rest up". Then, Burgh grabbed his third Poké Ball, and said "Leavanny, let's go" and Leavanny materialised.
In the stands, Hilda thought to herself "Ash is dominating. This is the work, and skill, of a Pokémon Master"
Back on the stage, Burgh said "Leavanny, use Slash" and Leavanny's arm glowed white, and slashed at Rufflet.
"Quick Rufflet, use Aerial Ace" Ash commanded, and Rufflet shot at Leavanny, sly blue energy radiating from it in streams, but Leavanny was too fast, and Burgh's command of "Leavanny, switch to Razor Leaf for defence" meant Leavanny sprayed a storm of razor-sharp leaves around itself in a counter shield, which did minor damage to Rufflet and stopped it from getting the hit off on Leavanny.
"Wow, that's two Gym Leaders in a row who has a Pokémon that can utilise Counter Shield" Ash called, surprised. He then said "It won't stop me winning though, Rufflet, use Defog again" and Rufflet blew the wind, which slightly disrupted the leaves being thrown around by Leavanny, but it worked, as, at the instant of enough of an opening, Ash commanded "Rufflet, let's slow this Leavanny down with Rock Tomb" and Rufflet threw rocks at Leavanny, before returning to Defog. And though most of the Rocks thrown were destroyed, one wasn't, and it dealt minor damage to Leavanny and lowered its Speed. The leaves were then thrown, hit for critical, and Considerable, damage, at the order of Burgh while Ash had been busy trying to disrupt the Razor Leaf Counter Shield.
"Leavanny, end this with a Slash attack" Burgh commanded, while Ash commanded, "Rufflet, end this with Aerial Ace". Leavanny's arm glowed white, and it charged at Rufflet, while Rufflet ran at Leavanny with sky blue streaming from it, and they collided, and KO'ed each other.
"Both Rufflet and Leavanny are unable to battle, this battle is a draw. However, as Ash has two Pokémon remaining to Burgh's zero, the victor is Ash from Pallet Town" the referee said and Ash cheered as he withdrew Rufflet.
"Well done, you won me the battle. Now rest well" he said as Burgh also said, as he withdrew Leavanny, "Well done Leavanny, now take a long rest". Burgh then walked up to Ash, and said "Congratulations Ash, as an acknowledgement of your achievement, I grant you the Insect Badge and TM76 Struggle Bug" Burgh said, and he gave them to Ash.
"Alright, thanks Burgh," Ash said. He and Hilda then departed.
Ash and Hilda didn't talk much as Ash set his Pokémon for rest. They just had dinner and headed for their rooms for the night. They would contact their parents about their achievements tomorrow.
