Episode 378: On the Defense!
Shortly after battling Paul, Sora dialed the number to Reggie's phone.
"Hello," Reggie answered.
"Hey, Reggie. Calling to let you know that I met your brother again today," Sora said. Reggie became anxious about his brother.
"Yeah? And?" Reggie asked.
"Well, I don't know if how to say this, but you were right to worry. He's been acting weird even for him. I don't think it's a natural thing," Sora said.
"I'm hoping that it's not something too serious, because the last thing I need is something happen to Paul. He is my brother," Reggie said.
"Did you bump into him lately?" Sora asked.
"It was after he came back for a rematch with Maylene and he won it this time. All she did was rub it in his nose the last time," Reggie said.
"Yeah, I remember that," Sora said.
"Sora, I wanna ask you something important," Reggie said.
"Okay, ask," Sora said.
"What do you think happened to him? I'm asking because I'm concerned," Reggie said. Sora didn't know if he should just say that an evil Digimon is controlling his actions, and he figured Reggie wouldn't believe him. He had to think of something.
"I don't know, exactly," Sora lied. He didn't want to lie to Paul's older brother, but it was the only way to keep Reggie from freaking out. "But I promise that I'll do what I can to snap him out of it."
"I trust you," Reggie said. Sora hangs up, hoping he was doing the right thing. He knew better than that because he was getting afraid Reggie will find out that he knows something and keeping it a secret.
Kairi wasn't too far as she was listening to what Sora told Reggie.
"You couldn't just tell him?" Kairi asked with concern.
"I don't know we should him that an evil Digimon is controlling him. Come to think of it, I don't if he was going to believe a word of it," Sora said.
"I can understand that, but till, I don't know if it was right," Kairi said.
"You're right, it's not right. But I still would you believe something like that after everything we been through?" Sora asked. Kairi took his hands into hers.
"I can see how have a point," Kairi agreed. "But I would worry if it was you under a villain's control. I wouldn't stop until I got back to your senses." She then gave him a hug and he hugs her back. Later, Sora exchanged Croagunk and Gabite for Cranidos and Shieldon. Kairi has sent over all over the Trash Cloak Wormadam and Bibarel for Jolteon and Leafeon.
Later, Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, and the Digimon started to make their way to Canalave CIty. Along the way, they came along a power plant, that looks like that has been shut down for years. Outside were Voltorb and Drifloon. Sora and Kairi came across the Pokémon. Sora went after Voltorb as Kairi targeted at Drifloon. Sora and Kairi each took out a Pokéball.
"Go! Cranidos!" Sora called out. Cranidos came on out to battle.
"Go! Jolteon!" Kairi called out.
Both Cranidos and Jolteon came on out to battle Voltorb and Drifloon. Drifloon attacks with Omnious Wind as Voltorb comes at Cranidos with Spark.
"Jolteon! Use Thunderbolt on Drifloon!" Kairi ordered.
"Cranidos! Use Headbutt!" Sora ordered.
Cranidos and Jolteon launched their attacks on their opponents. Cranidos landed a hit onto Voltorb as Jolteon landed a shock onto Drifloon. The balloon Pokémon attacked with Will-O-Wisp and sends it right at Jolteon.
"Dodge and use Thunder Fang!" Kairi ordered. Jolteon came at Drifloon and bit the balloon Pokémon and became paralyzed. "Now, use Pin Missle!" Jolteon fires Pin Missle at Drifloon. Once she was certain Drifloon was weakened enough, she took out a Pokéball and threw it. Drifloon flows inside and wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Kairi's Pokémon Box activates and it askes her if she wants to keep Drifloon with her. She choose to send Drifloon over to Professor Oak's lab.
Voltorb comes at Cranidos with Rollout.
"Cranidos! Use Iron Head!" Sora ordered. Cranidos lands an Iron Head on the ball Pokémon. Voltorb's Static kicked kicked. Cranidos became paralyzed and then Mold Breaker kicked in and undoes the paralysis. "Now, use Headbutt!" Cranidos lands a hit onto Voltorb is knocked out. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Voltorb flows inside and started to wobble around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box activates and it asks him if he wanted to keep Voltorb with him. He chose to send Voltorb to Professor Oak's lab.
"And that's that," Sora said. Sora and Kairi hi-fived as did Cranidos and Jolteon. Cranidos started to evolve.
"Cranidos is evolving!" Agumon said. Cranidos had now become a Rampardos.
"Pardos! The newly evolved Rampardos roared.
With that done, Sora calls Rampardos back as did Jolteon. Just then, a lawnmower comes right at the group.
"Hey, what's that?!" Meowth exclaimed.
"A lawnmower literally with teeth!" Ventus siad.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu launched Thunderbolt at the lawnmower and it turns out to be Mow Rotom.
"Is that what I think it is?!" Veemon asked.
"It's a Rotom!" Biyomon said. Rotom came out of the lawnmower and attacked with Shock Wave. It struck Pikachu hard, but Sora wasn't going to call it quits.
"Pikachu! Iron Tail!" Sora ordered. Pikachu jumped and swung his tail at Rotom, but Rotom then avoids Pikachu and heads into a nearby refrigerator and became Frost Rotom. Rotom fires Blizzard at Pikachu. "Dodge and use Iron Tail again!" Rotom got hit by Pikachu's Iron Tail. "Now, Thunderbolt!" Pikachu lands a Thunderbolt at Rotom and came out of the fridge and then Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Rotom flows inside and then the Pokéball wobbles and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box activates and it asks him if he wanted to keep Rotom with him. He chose to send Rotom to Professor Oak's lab.
Over to Professor Oak's lab, Professor Oak was astounded by another successful catch by Sora.
"Another catch in a row! First Sora and Kairi has sent me a Drifloon and a Voltorb, and now this! What did he send me this time?" The Pokéball opens and Rotom came out and does all sorts of mischief over Professor Oak's wiring. "A Rotom?! What's the idea of sending me a Rotom! I think I liked it better that he sent me a Muk just to get back at me for teasing him! But this is even worse! Sora has a twisted sense of humor! Rotom! You stop that this instant!" Rotom didn't listen and kept having some fun with the electronics.
A couple of days later, Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, and the Digimon had all arrived in Canalave City. The group had arrived to the Pokémon Center to have the Pokémon Center to have the Pokémon checked up. Sora's three Pokémon consisted of Cinderace, Monferno, and Urshifu, since being Fire and FIghting. Sora tookhis three Pokémon and trained them hard for the battle.
After some training has been done, Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, and the Digimon all arrived to the Canalave City Gym. A muscular man stepped out and he sees the group.
"Let me guess, you're here to challenge Byron to a match, right?" The man asked.
"That'll be me," Sora said.
"You look eager. What's your name, kid?" The man asked.
"Sora," Sora answered.
"Okay, Sora. But I'm afraid you came at a bad time," the man said.
"Huh?" The group.
"Did something happen?" Sora asked.
"I think you should just see," the man said. He led the group through the Gym. "You see, the Gym Leader's son is here for a visit."
"It's nice to hear that he has a son that ccomes to visit," Aqua said.
"Not as nice as it seems," the man said.
"I LOVE FOSSILS!" A loud voice roared.
"NOT AS MUCH AS ME!" A familiar voice echoed.
"I see what you mean," Meowth said.
"Hey, I know one of those voices," Sora said. The group saw it was Roark in the Gym. Standing on the other side of the battlefield is tall and very muscular man with a very muscular body. He has burgundy hair and shaved beard. He wore a tight white tank top, white gloves, grey shredded work pants, boots, brown cape and carrying a shovel. The two men turned to the group. "I knew it! Roark!"
"Sora! Isn't this a happy coincidence? Kairi, Ven, Terra, and Aqua too!" Roark said.
"Sorry to interuppt, Byron, but a challenger has arrived," the man said.
"It's been a while," Sora said.
"Right back at you, Sora," Roark said. Byron walked up to Roark.
"You know these kids, Roark?" Byrin asked.
"Yeah. This is Sora. Along with his girlfriend Kairi and his cousin Ventus. And these two are Terra and Aqua. Sora has challenged me back at the Oreburgh City Gym and he beat me," Roark said. Byron looked right at Sora. "Sora, I'm sorry to pull this on you, but I'm afraid you're going have to wait. I am not about to let this one go. When it comes to fossil, dad, you won't outdo me!" He growled.
Byron roared, "I'M TELLING YOU I LOVE FOSSILS! ADN THAT IS THAT!"
Roark roared back, "NO WAY! I LOVE FOSSILS WAY MORE THAN YOU!"
Sparks flew between the two of them.
"Roark doesn't seem like the way you told us, Agumon," Veemon said.
"He wasn't like this the last time we were here," Agumon said. Byron chuckled.
"You're soft, boy! You're so soft, going up against you will be a piece of cake! Up with the lights!" Byron called out. Byron led his son and the group to his collection. "Feast your eyes on my collection!"
"A collection of rocks?" Gatomon asked.
"They're not rocks, Gatomon. They're fossils of preshistoric Pokémon," Ventus said.
"Prehistoric Pokémon like the ones Peonia has? And as Shieldon and Cranidos?" Gomamon asked.
"That's right. Byron must have done lots of digging to get this many," Terra said.
"Wow! Look at the size of that Anorith!" Roark said.
"He's impressed?" Hawkmon asked.
"He will have to be. Look at that," Sora said, pointing to the poster above the fossil. It was much larger than a normal-sized Anorith and a human being. Sora knew even his Anorith wouldn't measure up with size. Byron chuckled.
"If I restored this fossil completely, it will be three times bigger than a regular Anorith. So give up!" Byron said as he laughed. Roark growled.
"I'll say this: I don't think I have seen an Anorith as big as this one! But when it comes to Pokémon restored from fossils, there's nothing that tops my Rampardos, for sure!" Roark said.
"Sorry to correct you, but when it comes to Pokémon retored from fossils, my Bastiodon tops everything!" Byron said.
Roark argued, "Come one! There's no Pokémon stronger than my Rampardos!"
"You're wrong again! Nothing can beat my Bastiodon!" Byron argued back.
"Rapardos!" Roark said.
"Bastiodon!" Byron said.
"Rampardos is the best!" Roark said.
"Bastiodon is the best!" Byron countered.
"Here we go again," Ventus said. Sora stepped up and broke up the arguing father and son.
"Guys, guys, guys! You two are going in circles in this. So, how about we settle this with a Pokémon battle and be done with it," Sora suggested.
"Fine," Roark and Byron agreed.
"You up for it, son?" Byron asked.
"You bet. Thought you never ask," Roark said. Byron grinned.
"All right! The battle will be in ten minutes.And remember this! Just because you're my son, doesn't mean I'm going to go easy on you!" Byron said.
"And I won't go easy on you either, dad!" Roark said.
A little bit later, Roark sat down with the group to fill the group in about what was going on.
"I had no idea your dad was Byron," Sora said.
"He sure is. Obviously, we get bit carried away in fossils alike. The real reason I'm here is because my mom sent me over here as a favor and bring my dad over their wedding anniversary," Roark said.
"So, your dad's from Oreburgh City, huh?" Ventus asked.
"Yeah. Before me, my dad was the Gym Leader for the Oreburgh City Gym. My dad left for the Canalave City Gym when there was an opening. The Gym Leader who used to run it, retired and left for Twinleaf Town to be close to his grandkids. And when the Pokémon League asked him to take over the Canalave City Gym, he just hopped on board as fast as an Arcanine's Extreme Speed. He didn't bother consulting this with me or my mom, he just went ahead and accepted. The real reason he took the position was because of the Pokémon fossils on Iron Island. My dad has always done that. He always took his family for granted," Roark said. "Can any of you know what it's like?"
"Sorry, can't say that we do. I know I can't since I never knew my own dad," Sora said. Kairi placed her hand on her boyfriend's shoulder.
"You never your own dad?" Roark asked surprised.
"No. He died before I was even born. It was just me and my mom my whole life," Sora said.
"I'm sorry to hear that. And I'm sorry for making you wait like this, but I just don't want my dad to out-fossling me," Roark said.
"It's no problem, Roark. It's fine. And good luck," Sora said.
"I appreciate it, Sora," Roark said.
Less than ten minutes later, the battle between father and son was about to begin.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The Gym Leader exhibition battle will now get underway! Both Gym Leaders will be using one Pokémon each! And the battle will be over when either one Pokémon is unable to continue battling!" The muscular man announced, acting as the referee. THe Gym Leaders each took out a Pokéball.
"Rampardos! Let's go!" Roark called out as Rampardos came on out.
"I love Bastiodon!" Byron shouted as he unleashes a Pokémon which appears to be a cross between a ceratopsian dinosaur and a bulldozer. Its dark gray, square head resembles a castle wall, complete with four cream-yellow, window-like spots with a black outline, three dark gray spikes on the top, and two larger gray spikes in the upper corners. Its triangular nose extends from the middle of its shield-like head down over its lips and appears to be pierced by a gray, horizontal spike. Four spikes jut downward and four large, blunt tusks protrude upward from its dark gray lower jaw. Its cream-yellow eyes are partially obscured by the nasal spike and spaced-out tusks. Its thick, cream-yellow body is further protected by a gray ridge and dark gray plates on its back, jagged growths on its legs, and a plated tail.
"So, that's a Bastiodon," Sora said, taking out his Pokédex and scanned Byron's Pokémon.
Bastiodon, the Shield Pokémon
The evolved form of Shieldon
Type: Rock/Steel
Any frontal attack is repulsed. It is a docile Pokémon that feeds on grass and berries. When they lined up side by side, no foe could break through. They shielded their young from attacking predators.
"So, which one is much stronger?" Armadillomon asked.
"It looks like it could be a battle between a spear that can pierce anything, and a shield that can't be pierced," Terra said.
"Wow, we're seeing a battle between two awesome Pokémon!" Ventus said.
"Let the battle begin!" The referee announced.
"I'll start! Rampardos! Use Zen Headbutt!" Roark ordered. Rampardos comes at Bastiodon with Zen Headbutt.
"Bastiodon! Iron Defense!" Byron ordered. Bastiodon raised its defense and comes at Rampardos. Both prehistoric Pokémon have made contact with one another.
"Zen Headbutt again!" Roark ordered. Rampardos comes at Bastiodon again.
"Iron Defense! Iron Defense! Iron Defense!" Byron ordered. Bastiodon kept up with Iron Defense. Both Pokémon held their own when colliding their attacks into each other. It was like a spear and a shield.
"There's no defense like a good offense! Rampardos! Zen Headbutt again!" Roark ordered. Rampardos charges at Bastiodon with Zen Headbutt once again.
"Now, Iron Defense!" Byron ordered. Bastiodon uses Iron Defense and pushes Rampardos back.
"The shield beat the spear!" Ventus said.
"He turned the defense into an attack!" Kairi said.
"Rampardos!" Roark gasped.
"Bastiodon! Use Flamethrower!" Byron ordered. Bastiodon fires Flamethrower at the head butt Pokémon.
"Out of the way!" Roark called out. Rampardos dodges Flamethrower, but started to pant.
"Gimmie what you got, boy! Flash Cannon!" Byron ordered.
"Flamethrower!" Roark ordered.
Both Pokémon fired their attacks at one another and they collided and exploded when they made contact.
"Bastiodon! Iron Head!" Byron ordered. Bastiodon came at Rampardos with Iron Head. "Keep on going with Iron Head!" Bastiodon charges at Rampardos with Iron Head.
"Zen Headbutt!" Roark ordered. Both preshistoric Pokémon came at Bastiodon and landed an equal clash into each other. Both Bastiodon and Rampardos had ended up in a double knockout.
"Bastiodon and Rampardos are both unable to battle! This battle is a draw!" The referee announced. Both Gym Leaders call their fallen Pokémon back to rest.
"That was a fine battle, son. Looks like I made the right decision to assign you to the Oreburgh Gym," Byron said.
"Dad, I figured you left me there, just so you could dig up fossils on Fossil Island.
"Not entirely true, son. The reason I named you Gym Leader is because I knew you were ready. As long as I was around, you were always going to be an apprentice. So, I knew you were ready," Byron said. This surprises Roark greatly.
"Dad! I ha no idea!" Roark said.
"I explained it to your mother afterwards, but she understood; after she got done yelling at me," Byron said.
"Mom never told me that," Roark said.
"She didn't have to. She knew you were ready to run the Oreburgh Gym. And when the Pokémon League asked me to take a part of it, I couldn't refuse them since the last Gym Leader retired after running the Gym for thirty-five years," Byron said.
"Wow, looking at those two, I kinda wonder how my mom and dad are doing right now," Ventus said.
"Same for my parents and my grandma," Kairi said.
"Yeah. I think I'll give my mom a call," Sora said.
"Sora, isn't it?!" Byron called out to him.
"Yeah!" Sora responded.
"I'll be more than happy to accept your challenge, but the wait ins't over. I'll need to rest my Bastiodon, so we'll have to have our battle tomorrow," Byron said.
"Not a problem with me, Byron. I can wait. And after seeing what you can do, I'm ready for anything," Sora said.
"I like your spunk!" Byron said.
WIth that said, Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, and the Digimon all left for the Pokémon Center. On the very next day, Sora had prepared for the upcoming match as Byron was ready to go. Roark sat with Sora's friends to watch the match. Kairi has Lopunny out to root for Cinderace.
"So, how do you think Sora will do in this?" Wormmon asked.
"Sora will do fine. He already came all this way," Palmon said.
"Don't be so sure. My dad isn't going to pull any punches with Sora. And he didn't pull any punches with me as you saw," Roark said. "My dad is no slouch and neither is his Bastiodon. Sora is going to find out he's not going to be easy to beat."
"The battle between the Gym Leader, Byron, and the challenger, Sora from Pallet Town is about to begin! Both trainers will use three Pokémon each and the battle's over when wither Pokémon is unable to continue to battle! Only the challenger will be allowed to substitute Pokémon," the referee annoucned.
"I LOVE FOSSILS! AND I LOVE DEFENSE!" Byron roared.
"I plan on giving you everything I have, Byron!" Sora said.
"That's the kind of spirit I like, Sora! If you think you're going to beat me like you took on my son, then you're in a whole new ball game!" Byron said.
"Let the battle begin!" The referee called out. Byron makes the first move, taking out a Pokéball.
"I LOVE BRONZOR!" Byron called out, throwing his Pokéball. Bronzor came on out to battle. Sora took out his first Pokéball and threw it.
"You're up first, Cinderace!" Sora called out. Cinderace does a flip and kicks the air a bit.
"Sora's starting things up with Cinderace! Yeah!" Ventus said.
"Cinderace should have an advantage over Bronzor," Agumon said.
"True, but Type strengths and weaknesses don't always cut it in battles," Roark said.
"He's right. That's somethign Sora already knows," Terra said.
"Cinderace! Start up with Pyro Ball!" Sora ordered. Cinderace kicks up a pebble and kicks it around like a soccer ball. The pebble emits fire and kicks it right at Bronzor.
"Brace yourself!" Byron called out. Bronzor took the hit. It did some damage to Bronzor, but it looked like it didn't do much.
"Huh? How did Bronozr just take damage like it was nothing?" Gabumon asked.
"Bronzor must have an ability called Heatproof. It's an ability that can limit the damge to any Fire Type move against it," Aqua said.
"My dad's been spending countless hours with Bronzor, training it intensity. I doubt Bronozr felt that at all," Roark said.
"Cinderace! Use Blaze Kick!" Sora ordered. CInderace came at Bronzor and landsa kick.
"You can use your fire attacks as much as you want! Bronzor! Rain Dance!" Roark ordered. Bronzor forms rain clouds and it causes the whole battlefield to rain.
"This be part of Byron's strategy. Rain Dance can cut Fire Type moves in half," Terra said.
"Use Low Sweep!" Sora ordered. Cinderace comes at Bronzor with his leg out.
"Dodge and use Gyro Ball!" Byron ordered. Bronzor spins around and around, avoiding Cinderace's Low Sweep and lands a hit. "Now, use Gyro Ball again!" Bronzor comes at CInderace again.
"Use Blaze Kick!" Sora ordered. CInderace comes at Bronzor and lands a kick and collides. Cinderace and Bronzor had taken some damage and fell to the ground beaten. Lopunny was starting to get anxious.
"Get up, CInderace!" Sora called out. Cinderace and Bronzor struggled to get back up. Cinderace stood up, but Bronzor fell faced-down and beaten.
"Bronzor is unable to battle! CInderace wins!" The referee announced. Lopunny cheered and Cinderace blew a kiss to her.
"Way to go, Cinderace. You did great," Sora said. Cindrace smiled. Sora took out Cinderace's Pokéball. "Take five, Cinderace." Byron calls Bronzor back.
"You didn't win, but it was a great," Byron said.
"Wow, Sora's even better than I remember," Roark said. "I haven't felt the heat of battle for a while, and it feels like I have just come back to life!" He took out another Pokéball and threw it. "I LOVE DEFENSE! AND I LOVE STEELIX!" His Pokéball opens and Steelix comes right out to battle.
"Steelix is the evolved form of Onix, right?" Agumon asked.
"Yes. Not only that, but Steelix is much stronger than Onix," Kairi said.
"She's right. And my Onix is nothing to sneeze at," Roark said. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Monferno!" Sora called out. Monferno came right out to battle. "Better be smart about this. He'll just do what he did with Bronzor. OKay, Monferno! Flamethrower!" Monferno fires Flamethrower.
"Steelix! Use Dragon Breath!" Byron ordered. Steelix fires Dragon Breath and overpowers Monferno's Flamethrower and it struck the playful Pokémon. Monferno became paralyzed.
"Monferno's paralyzed!" Meowth gasped.
"That happemed before!" Agumon said, recalling the battle between Sora and Roark. Onix fired Dragon Breath at Piplup and landed a paralysis.
"Right. It was when my Onix used Dragon Breath," Roark said.
"Steelix! Use Bind!" Byron ordered. Steelix grabbed Monferno and gavve him a squeeze. "Wrap it up with Iron Tail!" Steelix threw Monferno on the ground and slams Monferno with Iron Tail. Monferno had been taken down.
"Monferno is unable to battle! Steelix wins!" The referee announced. Sora calls Monferno back and he smiled.
"You were awesome, Monferno. Take a good long rest," Sora said.
"Now, they have two Pokémon left," Patamon said.
"It looks like it's evenly matched, but Cinderace has taken some heavy damage from Bronzor," Gabumon said.
"That's right. My dad's got the upperhand," Roark said.
"He'll find a way around that," Ventus said.
"So, Sora, what will you do now? WHat plan do you have to take down my glorious Steelix?" Byron asked.
"With Cinderace! That's what!" Sora said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Conderace! Back to action!" Sora threw it and Cinderace comes back out to battle the iron snake Pokémon. "Blaze Kick!" Cinderace came at Steelix with Blaze Kick. Cinderace then fell on his right knee.
"Oh no. Cinderace still hasn't recovered from that last time," Biyomon said.
"Steelix might mop the floor with Cinderace," Tentomon said.
"Steelix! Use Iron Tail!" Byron ordered.
"Dodge with Quick Attack! And then, use Low Sweep!" Sora ordered. Cinderace dodged as best as he could. He then came at Steelix with Low Sweep.
"Make the earth tremble! Steelix Iron Tail!" Byron ordered. Steelix smacks Cinderace with Iron Tail. "Now, use Bind!" Steelix sends its tail out to grab Cinderace.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora orered. Cinderace avoids Steelix's attack by running.
"Don't let Cinderace get away!" Byron called out. Steelix came at Cinderace and misses.
"Cinderace! Use Blaze Kick!" Sora ordered. Cinerace lands a powerful Blaze Kick onto the iron snake Pokémon. "Now, use Low Sweep!" Cinderace lands a powerful kick onto Steelix. "Wrap it up with Pyro Ball!" Cinderace kicks a pebble around until it caught on fire and sends it right at Steelix. The fireball lands a hit onto Steelix, earning a knockout.
"Steelix is unable to battle! Cinderace wins!" The referee announced.
"That's two-for-two!" Sora said.
"I can see how you managed to win a badge from my son! But you're not getting pass my Bastiodon!" Byron said, throwing his third Pokéball. "I LOVE BASTIODON!" His Bastiodon came right out to battle.
"I knew he was saving Bastiodon for last," Sora said. Sora saw first hand how Bastiodon was so powerful in the battle with between Byron and his son. "Iron Defense and Iron Head are strong. And Cinderace is pooped from the battle he had with Bronzor and Steelix. I gotta put an end to this fast. Cinderace! Use Low Sweep!" Cinderace comes at Bastiodon with Low Sweep.
"Bastiodon! Iron Defense!" Byron called out. Bastiodon defends with Iron Defense and Cinderace's kick attack does nothing to him. "The perfect defense always make for the perfect victory! Bastiodon! Use Metal Burst!" Bastiodon unleashed Metal Burst and it does some damage to CInderace. The striker Pokémon tries to get back up, but he fell to his side, beaten.
"Cinderace is unable to battle! Bastiodon wins!" The referee announced. Cinderace gets back up. Sora went up to Cinderace.
"You did your best. Now, go and sit with Lopunny. She'll take good care of you," Sora said. Cinderace nodded and went to sit with Cinderace. The Digimon helped him up and he sat with Lopunny and nuzzles him. "I'll win this for you, Cinderace."
"I LOVE DEFENSE! AND I LOVE BASTIODON, TOO!" Byron shouted. Sora took out his third Pokéball and then he threw it.
"This will be your first Gym battle, so go! Urshifu!" Sora called out and Urshifu came on out to battle. Roark was impressed by how Urshifu looked.
"So, Sora has a legendary Pokémon under his belt. And I thought a Riolu with Aura Sphere was amazing. I am impressed," Roark said.
"Urshifu! Get behind Bastiodon and use Dynamic Punch!" Sora ordered.
"Bastiodon! Iron Defense!" Byron ordered. Bastiodon uses Iron Defense to block. Dynamic Punch does nothing.
"Get behind Bastiodon again and use Suring Strike!" Sora ordered. Urshifu rushes behind the shield Pokémon and headed for him.
"Bastiodon! Flash Cannon!" Byron ordered. Bastiodon fires Flash Cannon right at Urshifu. It landed a direct hit. "TIme to shift defense with offense! Now, Bastiodon! Use Iron Head!" Bastiodon charges at Urshifu with Iron Head.
"Get out of the way! Quick!" Sora called out. Urshifu gets back up and jumps out of the way.
"Bastiodon! Turn around and use Iron Head!" Byron ordered. Bastiodon turned around and started to charge at Urshifu again. Urshifu took another hit. "Use Iron Head one more time!" Bastiodon turned around and started to come at Urshifu again. "Use Flash Cannon!" Bastiodon fires Flash Cannon.
"Dodge and get to Bastiodon from behind and use Focus Punch!" Sora ordered. Urshifu heads right towards Bastiodon's back and lands a punch onto Bastiodon. "Keep it up! Focus Punch again!" Urshifu started to give Bastiodon another punch, hoping to end it.
"Iron Head!" Byron ordered. Bastiodon knocks Urshifu with Iron Head.
"Dynamic Punch!" Sora ordered. Urshifu heads for Bastodon to punch him.
"Flash Cannon!" Byron ordered. Bastiodon prepared to fire Flash Cannon, but Urshifu came quick and lands a hit onto Bastiodon. Bastiodon was now confused, but Bastiodon quickly shook it off.
"Urshifu! Focus Punch! Sora ordered. Urshifu came at Bastiodon with Focus Punch.
"Now, this is what Pokémon battling is all about! Bastiodon! Use Iron Head!" Byron ordered. Bastiodon lands a successful hit onto Urshifu with Iron Head. "Let's decide this match! Iron Head!" Bastiodon comes at Urshifu again. "Flash Cannon!"
"Urshifu! Dodge and use Surging Strikes!" Sora ordered. Urshifu avoided Flash Cannon and gave Bastiodon three hits from Surging Strikes. Bastiodon tries to keep standing, but fell due to fatigue.
"BAstiodon is unable to battle! Urshifu wins! The winner of the battle is Sora from Pallet Town!" The referee announced.
"We did it, Urshifu!" Sora praised. Byron walked up to Sora with a smile.
"You worked hard and you whooped me like you did my son, and it was an honor to accept your challenge. Roark told me that you are a Pokémon League Champion, and I just got a first hand look at how that is. So, in recogniztion to your hard work and how you bested by defenses and prized Pokémon, I reward you with the Mine Badge," Byron said, presenting Sora a Gym Badge that is shaped like three stones and three pickaxes combined. Sora accepts his sixth badge.
"Thanks, Byron. That was a great Gym battle," Sora said.
"That means two more badges left to get," Ventus said.
"If you're looking for a next challenge, then you'll find it in Snowpoint City," Byron said.
"And that's where we're heading. We're meeting Riku and Naminé there anyway," Sora said.
With six Sinnoh Gym badges under his belt, Sora is closer than ever to compete in the Sinnoh Pokémon League. But who knows what else will be coming their way?