"An archeological trip?" Chloe asked in confusion.
"Sort of, Steven Stone is leading a team in to some unexplored areas of Granite Cave, and I was able to get us three tickets." Professor Cerise said.
"That's amazing! We get to work with a champion!" Goh exclaimed.
"Exactly we leave in two hours, grab your gear and head to the docks." Professor Cerise said with a smile. "Ash hang back a minute."
"So you see the same problem I am." Ash said. "Four of us, and only three tickets."
"Unfortunately the tickets are in my name, so I have to go." Professor Cerise said.
"Hey don't worry about it, I'll find plenty to do around here." Ash said, trying to keep positive.
"Actually I was going to send you on a solo research assignment. The Sea Mauville wreck is nearby Dewford, and I'd like you to see how Pokémon May have made it into a habitat for themselves." Professor Cerise said.
"So I'll need a bit of a different team, no problem." Ash said.
"Glad to see that optimism." Professor Cerise said enthusiastically.
Dewford Island
"Ash? Long time no see." Bea said approaching him.
"Here for a tiebreaker?" Ash taunted.
"Last I checked, I'm still the better of the two of us." Bea retorted. "There's a fighting arena in town, how about we use that?"
"Good, we'll prove once and for all that I'm the better trainer." Ash said confidently.
"In your dreams." Bea taunted.
Dewford Gym
'This will be a three on three battle between Bea of Stow n Side and Ash of Pallet Town. Trainers ready your Pokeballs.' The rotom judge announced.
"Marshtomp I choose you!"
"Come on out Hitmontop!"
"Marshtomp use Mud Bomb!"
"Hitmontop use Triple Kick!"
Hitmontop spun the mud out of the way, going straight for Marshtomp.
"Marshtomp push it back with Whirlpool!"
"Hitmontop use Gyro Ball!"
Hitmontop managed to spin in the opposite direction of the water, canceling out the attack.
"Marshtomp use Dynamic Punch!"
"Hitmontop use Triple Kick!"
Hitmontop spun out of control from the water on the ground, crashing into a wall as a result. Marshotomp's attack connecting soon after.
"Hitmontop use Revenge!"
Marshtomp was flung back from the powerful attack.
"Marshtomp get up!"
Marshtomp shakily got up, as Hitmontop freed itself from the wall.
"Now Marshtomp use Rock Tomb!"
"Hitmontop use Triple Kick to deflect them!"
As a series of rocks surrounded Hitmontop, it began spinning. Breaking free shortly after.
"Marshtomp use Whirlpool!"
"Hitmontop use Gyro Ball!"
"Change up your tactics Ash, you can't win like this." Bea taunted.
"You're right. Now Marshtomp use Dynamic Punch!" Ash called out.
Marshtomp burst through the water, striking Hitmontop down.
'Hitmontop is no longer able to battle'. The rotom judge announced.
"Hitmontop return. Come on out Machamp"
"Marshtomp use Mud Bomb!"
"Machamp use Cross Chop!"
Machamp went straight through the Mud Bomb, hitting Marshtomp, and sending it flying.
"Marshtomp! Are you okay!" Ash called out.
'Marshtomp is unable to battle.' The rotom judge called out.
"Impidimp I choose you!" Ash called out his next Pokémon.
"Machamp use Cross Chop!"
"Impidimp use Torment!"
Impidimp mocked the Machamp until it was angry to the point of going against commands.
"Machamp use Fire Punch!"
"Impidimp use Play Rough!"
Both attacks ended up hitting Machamp in the chaos of everything.
"Machamp use Cross Chop!"
"Impidimp use Thief!"
Impidimp scrambled around, narrowly dodging the attacks, before quickly striking and retreating empty handed.
"Now us Play Rough!"
"Machamp use Power Up Punch!"
Instead of punching Impidimp however, Machamp grabbed him in one hand trapping him.
"Machamp slam him down on the ground!"
"Impidimp get out of there!"
It was too late, Machamp slammed down quickly taking out Impidimp as it had done to Marshtomp.
"Not so tough without Charizard are you?" Bea gloated.
"I'm not done yet. Lileep I choose you!"
"Machamp finish this quick with Cross Chop!"
"Lileep use Acid!"
Lileep ducked out of the way from Machamp's attack before hurling its attack back at him.
"Machamp use Fire Punch!"
"Lileep use Ancient Power!"
Strange rocks hit Machamp, keeping it from reaching Lileep.
"Machamp use Focus Punch!"
"Lileep use Solar Beam!"
At this point it was a waiting game for who couldn't hold it any longer.
"Now!" Both trainers shouted.
The arena lit up in a bright light. Almost a minute later, the light faded and Machamp was defeated.
'Machamp is no longer able to battle.' The rotom judge announced.
"Alright then Grapploct its up to you!"
Ash gulped, he had fought this one three times now, and it had never gone perfect.
"Lileep use Acid!"
"Grapploct use Octolock!"
Immediately Lilleep was wrapped up in the opposing Pokémon's grip.
"Lileep use wrap!"
"Hold it tight Grapploct!"
No matter how hard it tried Lileep was unable to break free and wrap around its opponents. They were just too small.
"Finish it with Close Combat!"
"Lileep stay strong!"
Hit after hit, blow after blow. Lileep took every punch, and kept going. It had to stay strong.
"Wait what's happening!" Bea exclaimed.
A bright light engulfed Lileep and Grapploct. This wasn't like a Solar Beam light though. Moments later Grapploct was thrown up and out of the light. As the light looked like it was absorbed, a new Pokémon stood in its place.
"Cradilly!" Ash exclaimed excitedly. "Let's do this!"
"Grapploct use Octolock!"
"Cradilly use Power Whip!"
As Grapploct came in close, Cradily swung its head, sweeping its opponent away.
"Grapploct get up and use Close Combat!"
"Cradily use Ancient Power!"
Rock After rock was punched away as Grapploct closed in.
"Now use Ice Punch!"
"Cradily use Brine!"
The water froze around Grapploct, temporarily trapping it.
"Now use Acid!"
In Grapploct's dazed state, it was helpless to defend from the oncoming attack. Knocking it out, and giving Ash the win.
"Congrats Ash. I have to admit, you're a better trainer than I originally thought, and we were even on even ground this time." Bea said.
"Thanks Bea, and don't count yourself out yet, I recovered after our first loss, and so can you." Ash said smirking.
"Thanks Ash. Best of luck in your future battles." Bea said heading for the exit.
"With that run out of the way, I guess I should investigate the Sea Mauville then." Ash said to Pikachu.