Before long, the energy in the gym had calmed enough that Misty and Lily were no longer racing around the battlefield. Instead, the two sisters had taken seats in the viewing stands alongside Brock, the referee position having been filled instead by Violet.

Ash shrugged out of his over-shirt, placing it aside along with his bag and cap. He took a moment, seemingly thinking for a moment before nodding to himself as he stepped up to the challenger podium.

"Ready?" Daisy called, having swam her way back to the opposite side of the pool. Now stood on the opposing podium, she held a Pokeball up readily.

"Ready!" Ash shot back, grinning as Pikachu let out a challenging cry.

Both turned to Violet as she raised two white flags. "The Cerulean Gym Challenge between Leader Daisy and Challenger Ash will now begin!" she announced. "You know the rules! Two Pokemon each, withdrawing your Pokemon counts as a forfeit!" The bluenette looked from Ash to Daisy, each one nodding to her in understanding before she dropped the flags. "Begin!"

Daisy moved first, flicking her Pokeball forward and releasing her first Pokemon, a large, orange-and-black fish with flowing white fins and tail, a sturdy-looking horn atop its head.

Ash blinked in surprise. "That's not a Goldeen," he said, though a smirk slowly began to grow on his face. "Guess I should've expected more of a challenge from you, huh?"

"You know, I'm not sure whether I should feel complimented or insulted," the blonde Gym Leader chuckled. "Now, don't keep a lady waiting, young man! My Seaking has been dying for a good battle for a long time."

Ash smirked. "What do you mean?" he teased. "My Pokemon's already on the field. Right, Pikachu?"

"Pika pika!" With a cry of determination, Pikachu leapt onto the nearest pontoon, sparks flying from it's cheeks readily. Both Pokemon watched each other warily, seeming to evaluate the challenge before them.

"Go, Pikachu!" Ash cried, sweeping his arm out. "Use Thundershock!"

On command, Pikachu leapt into action, darting around the pool and leaping from pontoon to pontoon to get a better angle on Daisy's Seaking before letting out a cry of effort. Leaping up, the electric rodent curled in on itself slightly, before releasing a blinding bolt of electricity that arced towards Seaking.

Ash watched with a smirk on his face, quite certain of an early victory, before blinking in surprise as the electric attack hit Seaking's horn and left seemingly no effect on the Pokemon at all.

"Wait, what?" the young trainer asked in shock. "How!?"

Daisy simply gave a coy smile. "Did you truly think I had no counters to a pesky Electric attack like that?" she asked teasingly, before gesturing to the battlefield. "That's why Seaking is always my lead - people always seem to forget about its Lightning Rod ability~"

Brock sat back in somewhat stunned silence as Misty and Lily snickered between themselves, all of them watching Ash slap a palm to his forehead. "Did you know about this?" the Pewter trainer asked, looking between the two sisters curiously.

"Of course we did," Lily replied with a smirk, crossing her arms as she sat back smugly. "It's pretty common for people to grab an Electric Type to challenge us, thinking it'll be an easy win."

"It was kind of funny," Misty continued, still giggling to herself. "There was this big buff guy once, and he thought he could just sweep through here with his Electabuzz. His face when Seaking shrugged off a Thunderpunch was priceless!"

"Ooh, I remember that!" Lily laughed. "Didn't that guy vow to 'show us how a real gym was run' and run off crying?"

Brock simply shook his head in wonder, leaving the two to their new conversation as he turned to watch the match. He winced as, as soon as he was looking again, he saw Pikachu sent flying by a powerful Horn Attack from below.

"Pikachu, are you okay?" Ash called from his side of the arena, crouching down as his Pokemon landed and skidded back on its feet. Pikachu simply shook itself off, scattering the water clinging to it's fur before leaping back into the fray. "That's the spirit, buddy! Now, use Double Team! If we can't fry this fish, we're gonna leave it confused instead!"

As he spoke, Pikachu leapt from its pontoon, seemingly splitting into multiple copies of itself as each one landed on a different platform and continued moving, leaving more copies behind as they moved until the battlefield was filled with identical Pikachu clones. Seaking swam in circles under the surface, clearly confused as to where the true Pikachu had gone.

"An interesting strategy…" Daisy mused, tapping her chin in thought. "But it won't do you much good. Megahorn, Seaking!"

"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"

Leaping from the water, Seaking began throwing itself at any of the Pikachus it could reach, its horn glowing with power as it crashed through its target. The Pikachu that was struck faded into nothing as Seaking slid across the pontoon and into the water again, but not before Pikachu managed to zip out of the formation of it's clones and strike it with a high-speed body check before disappearing into the clones again.

The two combatants continued this way for some time, with Seaking continually leaping from the pool to attack Pikachu only to strike a clone and receive a body-check in return before it could retreat to the safety of the water. When Daisy called for a Water Pulse to catch Pikachu off guard, Ash instead called for Light Screen, giving away Pikachu's position but reducing the damage his Pokémon took in the process.

"There it is," Daisy said with a smirk. "Quick Seaking, use Agility and strike with a Horn Attack!"

Quick as a flash, Seaking darted at Pikachu, leaping from the water once more and driving it's horn into the electric rodent's side. With a cry of pain, Pikachu slid back, panting slightly as Seaking slipped back into the water. Ash smirked when the fish Pokémon flinched, its movements turning sluggish.

"You may be able to negate electric attacks," Ash taunted. "But Pikachu can cover its whole body in electricity!"

Misty blinked in surprise before turning to Brock. "What does that mean?" she asked in confusion.

Brock glanced at her for a moment, raising his brow, before answering. "A lot of Electric Pokemon have the ability to coat their bodies with a low level of electricity," he explained. "Pikachu is one of them. We call this ability Static - when another Pokemon makes contact with the Pokemon, that electricity can give them a mostly harmless shock, but it leaves them somewhat paralyzed as the muscles spasm from the shock."

As Misty turned back to watch the battle, seemingly amazed, Lily rolled her eyes. "Did you seriously not know that?" she asked scathingly. "Geez, you're so dumb sometimes…"

"I don't exactly read up on Electric Pokemon," Misty shot back angrily.

As the sisters began to squabble again, Ash cracked his knuckles readily. "Now Pikachu!" he cried. "Finish this off - use Double Kick!"

"Dodge it Seaking!"

Daisy's command fell on near-deaf ears as Seaking's body seized, the paralysis locking it in place as Pikachu leapt and spun in the air, delivering a powerful one-two strike with its hind legs before using the second strike to spring back onto its pontoon, panting heavily. Seaking rolled in the water for a moment before floating to the surface, eyes dazed and belly-up.

"Seaking is unable to battle!" Violet called from the referee's podium, holding up a red flag towards Daisy. "This match goes to Challenger Ash!"

Daisy sighed, but smiled nonetheless as she recalled her Seaking to its pokeball. "Good job, Seaking," she praised, pressing a light kiss to the sphere before swapping it for her second. Ash blinked in surprise at the two-tone blue Dive Ball she held up. "Now then, shall we begin this second round?"

Ash glanced at his partner before flashing Daisy a grin. "Bring it!"

Nodding, Daisy struck an elegant pose as she tossed her second Pokeball into the ring, a flash of white light releasing a large shape into the waters. Hidden from view, the shape began swimming laps rapidly, seemingly warming itself up before it leapt onto an empty pontoon and posed readily.

Ash stared in awe at the large, blue-skinned, frog-like creature before him, its torso taken up by a large white stomach with a spiraling black pattern in the center. Two bulbous eyes glared at Pikachu in challenge as the Poliwrath flexed readily before slamming a large white fist into an open palm.

"I hope you're ready for a true battle," Daisy taunted, smiling confidently. "Poliwrath here simply loves a good fight, so he should prove a difficult challenge for you!"

Again Ash glanced at Pikachu, seeing his near-exhausted partner panting as it stood unsteadily on it's own pontoon. After a thought, Ash nodded to himself. "Pikachu, come back," he said calmly, simply nodding at Pikachu's shocked look.

"Do you forfeit your Pikachu in this match?" Violet asked, holding a red flag in her hand closest to Ash. At his nod, she held it up. "Challenger Ash has forfeited the match of Pikachu versus Poliwrath. This Gym Challenge is now One-All, next knockout wins!"

"A good move," Brock muttered in the stands as Ash seemed to think his moves out carefully. "Pikachu was on its last legs. As much as it had the type advantage in that match-up, it would have been cruel to allow it to continue."

"But now Ash only has one Pokemon against Daisy's strongest!" Misty said worriedly. "I wonder who he's going to pick?"

"Worried about your boyfriend there, Misty?" Lily teased.

"He's not my boyfriend!"

Pushing the newest round of bickering from his mind, Ash considered his options carefully. He knew Poliwrath was a Water and Fighting Type, so any one of his remaining Pokemon had a good chance at getting him the win. Who would he choose, however… Nodding resolutely to himself, Ash pulled a Pokeball from his belt.

"Made your decision?" Daisy called as her Poliwrath stretched its powerful arms in preparation.

"I have!" Ash declared. Tossing his Pokeball high into the air, Ash released his Fearow, the powerful avian Pokemon spreading its wings wide and flying a lap in the air around the pool before hovering above its trainer. "I choose Fearow!"

Violet nodded from her position. "The match between Leader Daisy's Poliwrath and Challenger Ash's Fearow will now begin!"

Without waiting, Ash thrust his hand out. "Fearow, go!" he cried. "Use your Fury Attack!"

Diving with surprising speed, Fearow struck Poliwrath in the stomach beak-first before continuing with a flurry of continuous strikes, pecking and scratching at the amphibian Pokémon with surprising ferocity.

Daisy winced at the series of blows her Pokémon took before responding in kind. "Knock it away with a Doubleslap, Poliwrath!" she ordered, and Poliwrath complied, delivering a series of powerful slaps for every scratch it took before Fearow let out a squawk of indignation and flapped back, circling overhead and out of reach.

"Your Poliwrath may be good at hand-to-hand combat, Daisy," Ash called out. "But you can't win a fight if you can't hit your enemy! Now Fearow, use Focus Energy!"

As Fearow began its mental focusing exercise, Daisy smirked. "Did you think you were the only one to try that?" she asked teasingly. Before Ash could answer, she thrust her hand out. "Poliwrath! Leap up, and use Submission!"

Crouching quickly, Poliwrath leapt into the air, surprising Fearow as it grabbed the large bird and turned to pile-drive it into a pontoon. While Poliwrath winced as it backed up, rubbing its shoulder tenderly, Fearow had clearly taken most of the blow as it scrambled to its feet and glared at its opponent.

"Fearow won't go down that easily! Go, use your Peck Attack!"

With surprising speed, Fearow blasted itself off of the pontoon and dove straight for Poliwrath, pecking it between the eyes furiously and backing off before it or Daisy had a chance to react. By the time Poliwrath had brought its arms up to defend, Fearow was already in the air again, circling and readying for another attack.

The battle continued in this way for a while, with Fearow narrowly avoiding Poliwrath's attacks often by nothing more than a feathertip as the amphibian pokemon pressed the offensive with leaping physical attacks and sharp-shot Bubblebeams. In return, Poliwrath proved just as nimble as it was powerful, ducking and weaving around Fearow's attempts to dive-bomb it and narrowly avoiding each peck and scratch that was delivered its way.

Eventually, both Pokemon stood on opposing pontoons, glaring angrily at each other as they panted heavily. Likewise, their trainers stared each other down, a fire in their eyes evident as the atmosphere of the battle had shifted from friendly bout to a determined head-to-head clash.

"It's all or nothing now, Fearow!" Ash cried, pointing dramatically. "Peck Attack!"

"Go, Poliwrath!" Daisy ordered simultaneously. "Use Submission!"

As both Pokémon charged, Fearow flying fast and low as Poliwrath leapt from pontoon to pontoon, the air seemed to thicken as all those watching held their breath. The Pokémon clashed in the center of the pool, the force of their power causing the water to erupt in a truly massive splash around them and obscuring both from view for a few precious moments that left the question hanging in the air:

Who would win?

As the water came crashing back down, sending the pool rocking with waves, all eyes fell on the two Pokemon on the central pontoon. Fist met feathered face, beak met mucus-covered forehead, and both Pokémon glared at the other, daring the other to back down. Everyone gasped as, finally, one of the Pokémon fell.

Poliwrath lost its footing, slowly falling backwards before splashing into the water, defeated. Fearow panted heavily, shaking its head to dispel the dizziness of Poliwrath's blow to its head before moving to help it's opponent out of the water and lay Poliwrath out on it's back on the pontoon, where Fearow promptly flopped over to rest as well.

Blinking away her shock, Violet raised a flag in Ash's direction. "Poliwrath is unable to battle!" she declared. "Fearow has won this battle. The victor is Challenger Ash!"

Daisy watched from her position as Ash began cheering, leaping onto the pontoons in the pool before sliding onto his knees and hugging his Fearow happily. Smiling calmly, the Gym Leader made her way onto the field, the pool closing slowly as a cover extended from the edges for her to walk on, leaving only a circle in the center where the pontoons gathered.

"That was very impressive," Daisy said, kneeling down as she reached out to gently stroke Poliwrath's arm. The amphibian stirred at her touch, groaning as it looked up at her before lying back to rest. "You earned your victory today, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. You should be proud."

Ash smiled up at her, supporting his Fearow as it rose to its feet and shook water from its feathers. "It's my Pokemon that should be proud," he countered, smiling. "They put in all the work."

Daisy smiled warmly. "You're a good trainer, Ash," she said, glancing behind her as the others approached. As they did, Seel popped out of the water, a goofy grin on its face as it stuck its tongue out and provided a shining Cascade Badge. "Take it, you earned it."

Grinning, Ash gently took the badge from Seel's mouth, watching as the Pokemon retreated into the water again. Turning, he grinned as his Pokemon, seeing the proud looks in Pikachu's and Fearow's eyes at their victory.

"We did it, guys," Ash said, his voice barely above a whisper as the reality settled in on him once more. Slowly, his grin spread, and his voice grew in volume as he continued. "We did it! We won the Cascade Badge!"

Pikachu and Fearow let out cries of victory as Ash began laughing, before stumbling. Ash winced, pulling out Fearow's Pokeball as he scooped Pikachu into his arms.

"Sorry guys," he apologised, chuckling. "Let's get you both back to the Pokemon Center as soon as we can, eh? You both deserve a good, long rest now." With that, he held the Pokeball out, recalling Fearow into the capsule to rest.

As he stood, his friends joining and congratulating him as Misty's sisters helped Poliwrath to his feet, the Pokemon far too proud to retreat into a Pokeball after it's loss, the good vibes seemed to amplify between them all. Two victories in one day seemed an infectious mood booster for Ash and Misty both, and Brock couldn't help but smile proudly for his friends despite the loss he'd suffered from both in the past. Following a quick round-trip to the Pokemon Center, the group decided to join Misty and her sisters at their home for a lavish dinner before moving on the next morning.

On the south-bound path from Cerulean City, Ash couldn't help but grin widely as yet another battle ended. "And that's ten!" he cried, watching his Pidgeotto fly a victory lap before recalling it.

"Wow mister!" the young trainer he had just finished battling said in awe, eyes practically shining as he stared at Ash. "You're really strong!"

Ash smiled gratefully, rubbing the back of his head as he let out an embarrassed chuckle. "I guess so," he agreed before shaking his head. "But I'm no special. Keep at it, and I'm sure you'll be just as good soon enough!"

"Really!?" the boy cried, quickly recalling his Rattata before turning and sprinting off. "I'm gonna go heal and start training!"

Chuckling, Ash watched the boy go before turning back to his friends. Brock and Misty smiled at him, and the group turned to continue on their way.

"That was pretty mature of you, Ash," Brock complimented. "I'm sure a lot of trainers start to get big-headed after their second badge."

"Oh you have NO idea," Misty groaned with a roll of her eyes. "I couldn't tell you how many trainers start bragging as soon as they win at my sister's gym. None of them could even beat Daisy, I guarantee it."

Ash simply shrugged. "Well, I won't say I don't think I'm good," he said, rubbing the back of his head as he led the way down the path. "But there's always somebody out there better than you, y'know? Even the top Trainers in the world compete against each other to test themselves."

"Can't argue that logic," Brock mused as Misty nodded. He paused, squinting slightly as he looked into the distance. "Wait… what's that?"

Ash blinked as he raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sun. "Looks like a fence…" he mumbled. "Is there a farm or something around here?"

Misty shook her head. "No, I think that's AJ's place," she offered. At Ash and Brock's confused looks, she shrugged. "He was a kid that rolled through Cerulean not long before I struck out. He challenged the gym, lost to Violet, and said he'd try the Gym Challenge again after he got a hundred wins in a row. Rumors started about a 'Wild Trainer' who built his own Gym out here."

Ash looked up as the group approached the fence, seeing the large wooden sign above what looked to be the entrance gate declaring that this was, in fact, AJ's Gym. A counter beneath the sign declared the number of wins this AJ character had earned, the number sitting comfortably at 98.

"He's pretty close, then," Ash mused, before grinning. "Anyone else kinda wanna see what this guy's made of?"

Chuckling, Brock shook his head. "I'm good," he said passively. "But you go ahead if you want to."

Glancing to Misty and seeing her equally excited grin, Ash stepped forward and raised his hand, banging against the gate loudly.

"What're you doin' to mah gym?"

Blinking, Ash turned to the new voice, spotting a green-haired young trainer in a black shirt printed with flame patterns and a pair of cargo shorts. A backpack hung loosely in his hand, and a Sandshrew walked at his side.

"You must be AJ," Ash said with a smile, holding his hand out. "We saw your gym as we were passing by, and we'd like to challenge you if that's okay?"

Raising a brow, AJ looked Ash up and down before glancing to Brock and Misty. "All three of ya?" he asked curiously, nodding as Brock shook his head and pointed to Ash and Misty.

"Just them," the Pewter Trainer said. "I'm just here as support."

AJ shrugged. "Fair 'nuff," he said simply, turning to head into the gym, the gate opening of its own accord as he approached. "Come on then, I gotta drop off these new Pokemon an' then we'll fight."

Nodding, the group followed AJ into his gym, marvelling at what he'd manage to build for himself in what they could only assume was a relatively short amount of time. Aside from what appeared to be his home - a small, simple wooden shack - there was a large, circus-like tent towards the back of the area, with a large, raised platform serving as a battlefield in the center.

"This is pretty cool!" Ash marvelled, looking around in awe. "How did you build all this!?"

"Well I didn't sit back an' wish for it, that's for sure!" AJ laughed, ducking into the large tent in the back. After a moment's pause, the trio followed him inside, looking around in awe.

Within the tent, AJ had seemingly set up not just a Pokemon battling gym, but a training gym, complete with weights, exercising equipment, and a swimming pool. Ash couldn't help but marvel at the Pokemon within the tent as they trained, each one wearing a strange brace that seemed to make it tougher for them to move.

"Impressive, ain't they?" AJ asked as he approached the group once more.

"Seems a little rough," Ash mused thoughtfully, looking around. "What's with the braces?"

"What, my Macho Braces?" AJ smirked, crossing his arms smugly. "Designed them myself. Makes 'em work harder, doubles the gains from trainin'. Course I don't ask anythin' of my Pokemon that I wouldn't do myself." Rolling his sleeve up, AJ showed the edge of one of his braces fastened around his own body, flexing slightly to show how it moved with him.

"Interesting…" Brock mused, kneeling down to inspect a curious Rattata as it approached. "These Pokemon seem very healthy. What kind of food do you give them?"

Again AJ smirked, rolling his sleeve down before buffing his knuckles against his shirt. "My own recipe. A secret, o'course."

Brock nodded in understanding, before a sharp gasp had the group spinning around in alarm. Their eyes fell on Misty, hands over her mouth in horror as she stared at the pool, where AJ's Sandshrew leapt out and shook itself off before moving to climb the diving board once again.

"What are you making your Sandshrew do!?" the redhead demanded angrily, rounding on AJ. The younger trainer held his hands up defensively, raising a brow.

"Not that it's any of your business," he shot back. "But Sandshrew is training his defenses. He's weak to water, so he's building up a resistance with dive training."

Ash watched in a mixture of worry and curiosity as Sandshrew continually clambered up the diving board, stretching for a moment before diving into the pool below, making a splash in its ball form. Every time, it remained beneath the surface for roughly five seconds before leaping out again, spinning rapidly to shake the water off and catching its breath before repeating the process over again. Ash had to admit, despite the discomfort the training clearly put Sandshrew in, the Pokemon didn't seem to be in pain, and as he watched the time it spent under the water increased even if just by a fraction.

"How long has Sandshrew been doing this?" he asked suddenly, cutting Misty off as she prepared to launch into a tirade of reprimands for AJ.

AJ thought for a moment before answering. "Well we got the pool set up first, so… a few weeks, taking every other day to rest?" he offered. "Used to be, it leapt out of the water straight away. Nowadays he can stay under for about ten seconds at a stretch before he HAS to get out."

"Don't tell me you're considering that for your Pokemon, Ash!" Misty demanded crossly.

"No," Ash shot back immediately, shaking his head. "As much as I can see that there are benefits to this training, I don't think it'd be right for me or my team."

AJ shrugged. "Don't matter none to me," he drawled, turning and walking away as a clock chimed in the distance, his Pokemon stopping to listen before dispersing to rest. "This stuff ain't for everyone, but it's right for us."

Misty let out a sigh, massaging her temples quietly before shaking her head. "Well, I guess your Pokemon would have left if they didn't like it," she mused. "So this is their break time?"

AJ nodded. "No point in workin' out if you're just gonna collapse after," he explained simply. "Regular rest breaks to cool down and hydrate, then back to work. Three square meals a day. That's how we roll around here."

"Sensible," Brock agreed, nodding. "But I think there was something else we wanted to do while we were here?"

"Right," Ash said with a nod. "We were wondering if you'd battle us while we're here? It could be some good training before we hit Vermillion City."

AJ raised his brow at Ash curiously. "You headin' for the Gym there?" he asked, waiting for Ash to nod in response before continuing. "What badges you got so far?"

"Boulder and Cascade," Ash replied readily, before motioning to Misty. "Same for my friend. What about you?"

"I got nothin' yet," AJ said with a shrug. "I ain't competin' till I get a hundred wins in a row!"

"Well let's get started then."

Making their way outside, AJ led Ash and Misty towards his battle arena as Brock took up a position to one side, ready to watch. After a brief conversation, Misty joined Brock, arms crossed over her chest as she frowned at AJ.

"Why so upset?" Brock asked curiously as they watched Ash step up to the field.

"I just don't all that so-called 'training' he's doing in there," Misty sighed. "It seems cruel."

Brock shrugged. "Some would say it is," he allowed. "But different trainers find different training methods that work for them. It's not our place to question them as long as the Pokémon are happy and healthy - which AJ's Pokémon seem to be."

Misty sighed again. "I guess…"

They both looked up, ceasing their conversation as Ash and AJ stepped up to the battlefield, seemingly ready to begin their battle.

"So what're the rules of your gym?" Ash called out, rolling a Pokeball between his fingers.

AJ shrugged. "How about a standard challenge?" He shot back. "Two on two, sound good to you?"

Ash simply nodded before tossing his Pokeball out. "Sounds great!" He answered as Clefairy appeared in a flash of light. "Let's go, Clefairy!"

AJ blinked in surprise before smirking. "Full'a surprises there, ain't ya?" He asked, chuckling. "Alright then, go! Sandshrew!"

Ash watched as AJ's Sandshrew leapt onto the field from the sidelines, stretching for a moment before glaring readily at his Clefairy. Clefairy watched the pangolin-like Pokemon's show in seeming interest… before letting out a yawn. Sandshrew bristled at the display.

"Seems like Clefairy is taunting Sandshrew," Brock observed curiously. "Might not be a good idea, but we'll have to see."

AJ clenched his fist at Clefairy's display. "Can't you teach your Pokémon a little respect!?" He demanded of Ash before shaking his head to clear it. "Never mind that! Sandshrew, use Dig!"

Ash watched as Sandshrew leapt into the air before diving into the compacted earth of the battlefield as though it were water, leaving a pit in the earth behind. "Minimise, Clefairy!" He called, smiling as his Pokémon focused its energy inwards before seeming to shrink significantly, suddenly standing at half its original size.

His smile faded when Sandshrew leapt from the earth directly beneath Clefairy's feet, delivering a body-check that sent Clefairy flying back.

"It'll take more than just your cheap tricks to beat Sandshrew!" AJ taunted. "Now go Sandshrew, use Poison Jab!"

Before Ash could react further, Sandshrew leapt forward, its claws becoming surrounded with a sickening aura as it jabbed forwards, striking Clefairy in the chest and sending it flying back to land at Ash's feet, unconscious.

Ash blinked in surprise before kneeling down and scooping Clefairy into his arms, cradling it gently. "Good work," he praised gently, pulling Clefairy's pokeball out and recalling it into the capsule. He then looked up at AJ, a fierceness burning in his eyes. "Impressive."

AJ shrugged. "We didn't win ninety-eight matches in a row by bein' pushovers, y'know."

Nodding, Ash stood up, clipping Clefairy's pokeball to his belt and grabbing another. "Fair enough," he allowed before holding the new capsule up. "But let's see how you deal with this one. Butterfree, go!"

Once again, Ash's Pokemon appeared on the battlefield in a burst of light. Butterfree shook itself awake as it emerged before fluttering into the eye, staring down at AJ's Sandshrew passively.

"No wasting time then!" AJ called with a smirk. "Sandshrew, Poison Jab!"

Sandshrew curled in on itself for a moment before using its tail to launch itself into the air, rocketing towards Butterfree with impressive speed as that same aura surrounded its claws. Butterfree seemed to watch it for a moment before reacting, dodging to one side and letting the pangolin Pokemon soar past into the air.

"Good job, Butterfree!" Ash called, pausing when AJ smirked. "What?"

"This," AJ shot back, pointing into the sky at Sandshrew. "Rollout!"

Ash looked up in shock, just in time to see Sandshrew curl into a ball again and start spinning rapidly in the air, slowly building speed as it rushed back down towards Butterfree. "Look out, Butterfree!" he cried out in worry, only to watch as Sandshrew slammed heavily into Butterfree's back, driving both Pokemon down to the earth with an impact that kicked up a cloud of dust.

Sandshrew leapt out of the cloud and let out a cry of victory, and Ash sank to his knees slowly as the dust cleared and he saw Butterfree lay prone on the battlefield, struggling to lift itself into the air again. Letting out a sigh, he recalled his Pokemon before standing and walking towards AJ.

The green-haired trainer raised a brow as Ash approached, subtly shifting his stance. When Ash stopped in front of him, however, he was shocked as the Pallet trainer extended a hand and smiled.

"Good match," Ash offered, shaking AJ's hand when he took his. "You really are that good. The gyms have their work cut out for them when you challenge them."

AJ stared for a moment before grinning, squeezing Ash's hand tight. "You know it!" he said happily. "C'mon, let's get your Pokemon healed up."

Nodding, Ash turned to follow AJ, pausing suddenly as something caught his attention. Turning back to the entrance of AJ's 'gym', he blinked as he saw a large, red-coloured, rubber ball, roughly half his height in size.

"Was that always there?" he asked suddenly, catching AJ's attention. The green-haired trainer turned, following Ash's gaze to stare at the ball curiously.

"It ain't one'a mine," he offered in confusion. "Wonder where it came from…"

Ash frowned suspiciously, slowly pulling a Pokeball from his belt. "Pikachu, come here," he ordered calmly, watching as his partner rushed over to clamber up onto his shoulder. "You can come out now!"

AJ looked to Ash, clearly confused, before his eyes widened in shock as the ball seemed to tremble before four feet burst from the bottom. The surface of the sphere seemed to split from there before falling to both sides, revealing a pair of Trainers he didn't recognise and a Meowth clinging to their arms.

"This damn twerp!" Jessie spat angrily, fists clenched at her sides. "How did you know we were there!?"

"Never mind that, Jess," James interrupted before Ash could answer. "All of you, hand over the Pokemon now before anyone gets hurt!"

AJ blinked in confusion, looking to Ash for an explanation and jumping slightly when he saw Misty and Brock had joined them without him noticing. Ash noticed him looking and sighed.

"Team Rocket," he said simply. "Criminals who keep trying to steal people's Pokemon wherever they go."

"They're not very good at it though," Brock pointed out. "At least, not from what I've seen."

Jessie growled angrily, releasing her Ekans. "Ekans, shut those twerps up now!"

AJ's eyes widened as the snake Pokemon lunged forwards, acting instinctively as he thrust his hand forward. "Sandshrew, Defense Curl!"

On his command, AJ's Sandshrew leapt into Ekans' path, curling in on itself until its body resembled an almost perfect sphere of sandstone. When Ekans' attack landed on Sandshrew's hide, the serpent recoiled, rubbing its jaw with its tail tenderly.

"Koffing, go!" James called, releasing his own Pokemon as the purple orb floated forward. "Poison Gas!"

AJ stepped forward, a glare crossing his features. "Dig, Sandshrew!" he commanded, watching as his Pokemon dove into the earth. As the toxic cloud dissipated and Team Rocket's Pokemon looked around in confusion, he smirked. "Now, emerge into Rollout!"

Bursting from the ground, Sandshrew flipped over, striking Ekans on the head with its tail before using that to spring forward into a Rollout attack that impacted with Koffing and sent it reeling back. Using the momentum of the attack, the pangolin Pokemon circled around to do the same to Ekans, leaving both Pokemon panting at Team Rocket's feet.

"Wow, they really are pathetic…" AJ murmured, shaking his head. "Whatever. Sandshrew, send these clowns packing with a final Rollout!"

As Sandshrew began speeding towards Team Rocket, a cloud of dust forming behind it, James gulped. Jessie merely sighed. "Three… two… one…"

"What are you doing?" Meowth asked, crying out as Sandshrew's attack impacted and sent the trio flying back from the force, easily clearing the treeline as they disappeared from view.

AJ turned back to Ash, Misty, and Brock, blinking as he saw them all staring at him. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing," Ash muttered before smirking. "You said something about healing my Pokemon?"

AJ smiled before motioning towards the tent. "Follow me."

Just over an hour later, Ash, Misty, and Brock stood outside of AJ's unofficial gym, the green-haired wild trainer stood across from them with a backpack on his shoulder and Sandshrew at his side.

"You could come with us, you know," Ash offered. "Could be interesting."

"Nah," AJ responded casually, motioning with a thumb over his shoulder. "I gotta head back towards Pewter and Cerulean anyway. I do wanna see you at the League again though!"

"Bet on it," Ash laughed, holding his fist out to AJ and recieving a fist-bump in return. "Better be as much of a challenge then as you were today!"

"You know it!"

With that, AJ turned and made his way towards Cerulean, waving over his shoulder for a moment at the group. Ash smiled, glancing up at the sign above the gym, which now showed one hundred and one wins, zero losses, and a large 'Closed' sign.

"Looks like you've got yourself another rival now, Ash," Brock joked, chuckling as the trio turned to continue their own journey.

"I'm still not sure about his training methods…" Misty muttered, speaking up as she turned to Ash. "What did he give you, anyway?"

Ash blinked, holding up the package that AJ had handed him within the tent before they went their separate ways. "What, this?" he asked, shrugging. "Dunno. He just said Clefairy seemed like it liked to battle, and this might help it get stronger." Curiously, Ash began to peel the package open, blinking as he saw one of the braces that AJ's pokemon wore to train within. A small note told him it was called a Macho Brace.

"Huh," Brock mused as Ash and Misty stared at the object in surprise. "Guess he really wants a good battle from you at the League!"

Ash could only smile. Storing the brace away in his backpack, he resolved to get as strong as he could before the Pokemon League - his way.