Chapter 4 Striaton City Gym
Ash and Pikachu are leaving Accumula Town, then she got a call from her mother. "Mom?"
"Hello, sweetie." Delia says. "Professor and I are now back at Kanto. Are you and your Pokemon getting along and enjoying your journey so far?"
"Of course." Ash says. "But that is not the reason why you call, right?"
Delia says, "Yes, I want to talk to you about something. Did you remember that you told me that you could understand what Pikachu is talking about, right?"
Ash nods and Delia continues, "That is because your aura has finally awakened."
"Aura?" Ash is surprised, as she has heard of this term in the Rota Kingdom. "What do you mean about that?"
Delia sighs and says, "As you can see, starting from our ancestor Sir Aaron, it is an ability that is passed down for generations. Eventually, both you and I. You might hear of this whole thing from my sister Ilene."
"Wait, Queen Ilene of the Rota Kingdom is your sister? How come she didn't mention it to me when I was traveling there?" Ash asks in confusion. "But it makes sense..."
"She might have some reasons." Delia says, "Anyway. Not many people know what ability you have, that is why I am worried about you. You have to be careful and take good care of yourself."
"I will, Mother." Ash says as she ends the call. Pikachu says, "So it is your Aura that helps you understand what we are saying."
"And Zekrom was the one that helps me open this kind of ability...this is really odd." Ash says.
After seeing a Purrloin who is looking at her backpack, she says, "Purrloin...Its cute act is a ruse. When victims let down their guard, they find their items taken. It attacks with sharp claws. I have to be careful. But come to think of it, it evolves into Liepard...it is also one of the Pokemon that is good to use..."
After that, she just tries to walk past Purrloin before they can do anything, and Pikachu's spark is enough to scare them away.
When she is about to step foot in Striaton City, she hears a voice. "Ohhhhh! Hi, Ash!"
Ash turns around and finds Bianca. Ash says, "Bianca? What's the matter?"
"Hey, listen! Let's have a Pokémon battle! Pleeeease? The Pokémon I caught have become a little stronger! Ready or not, here I come!" Bianca says.
"And I didn't accept the battle...oh well." Ash says as they have a battle.
Bianca is using Lillipup, and Ash goes for Pikachu to battle. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack."
Pikachu lands the hit on the Lillipup, causing it to be in pain. Bianca says, "B-both my Pokémon and I are going to give it our all! Use Tackle!"
As Lillipup knocks the attack back, Ash has Pikachu use Thunderbolt, causing the Pokemon to faint.
Bianca is surprised that her Pokemon lost easily, but she doesn't want to give up. She says, "OK! This little one is up next!"
She sends out Tepig, while Ash goes for Oshawott. The Water Gun is causing the Pokemon to take a lot of damage because it is a Fire Type.
"Uh-oh... Am I in trouble?!" Bianca starts to panic, and in the end, Tepig faints and Oshawott wins.
"Aww... I couldn't win..." Bianca frowns, and Ash says, "You did your best, it is because I am more experienced with traveling around the regions."
Bianca is feeling better and she says, "Woo-hoo! You are a tough cookie, Ash. I'm gonna work hard on training my Pokémon so we won't lose anymore! OK, bye-bye!"
After that, Bianca leaves Ash and Pikachu alone, and Ash says, "She is quite weird..."
Pikachu nods in agreement as they continue to walk towards the city.
In the Striaton City, Ash and Pikachu notice the Trainer School. Ash says, "There is a trainer's school as well...I wonder if this place is just like Rustboro City..."
As they enter the Trainer's School, she finds Cheren staring at a blackboard and mutters, "When a Pokémon is poisoned, its HP decreases while it is battling."
"Cheren!" Ash greets the boy, who turns around and says, "Hey, Ash. Have you come looking for the Gym Leader?"
"Well, I was just looking around the place..." Ash says.
"I see. Nothing improves your skill as a trainer like battles. That's why challenging the Gym Leaders is great practice." Cheren says. "The Gym Leader was here talking about Pokémon types until just a few minutes ago… Maybe you walked right past him?"
"Really? I haven't noticed." Ash says.
"By the way, Ash, will you have a battle with me? I want to test how important items are in battles." Cheren says.
"Okay. I'll battle you." Ash says.
"Well, let's see how effective my items are… Or maybe I should test how well I can battle without items…? Anyway, this is an indoor match, so let's battle without getting too rough!" Cheren says as he sends out Snivy, Ash goes for Pikachu to battle. Pikachu uses Iron Tail on the snake Pokemon, and Cheren says, "Moves that never miss and moves that can attack first… There sure are a lot of different moves. Use Vine Whip!"
Snivy starts to slam at Pikachu with the vines, and Ash says, "Hang in there, Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu fires the electricity at the snake Pokemon, after dealing some damage, Snivy suddenly takes out an Oran Berry from its body and eats it, recovering its health. Ash is surprised that it holds an Oran Berry, but it is not a match with Pikachu as Snivy is defeated by Quick Attack.
"It's important to choose which item your Pokémon holds…" Cheren sends out Purrloin as his second Pokemon, and Ash goes for Oshawott to battle. Ash is surprised that it is capable of using Vine Whip because of Assist, but Oshawott manages to stay still and finishes the Pokemon with Water Gun.
"I see! Losing to you means that I still have a lot to learn." Cheren says. "So learning to use items well is definitely important, then. Oh, here. Ash. I'll give you these Berries."
He gives Ash a lot of Oran berries, and Ash says, "Thanks."
"If you give a Pokémon this kind of Berry to hold, it will eat it to heal up when its HP goes down in battle. But if you give it man-made items like Potions to hold, they can't use them. Well, good luck then." Cheren says as Ash leaves the school.
When she is walking around, a formally dressed young man with green hair appears and he says, "That is a Pikachu, right? It sure is a rare Pokemon in this Unova Region."
"Well, I am from Kanto. My name is Ash." Ash says. "And you are?"
"Well, I am the Gym Leader of this city." The man says, "Are you perhaps to challenge my gym?"
"Of course. I am challenging the Unova League." Ash says.
"You want to challenge the Gym. In that case... What was the first Pokémon you chose when you step foot in Unova?" The man asks.
"I got an Oshawott from Professor Juniper." Ash says, "But what does it matter?"
"I see. It's weak against Grass-type Pokémon. I think you need to prepare to face that type. I'll be waiting for you inside." The man says as he goes into a restaurant, which serves as the gym.
Ash looks at how many tables and people are having a meal, Ash mutters, "Man...now I am hungry...but I have to challenge the gym first."
Pikachu nods and says, "How about after the battle, we eat here?"
"That might be a good idea." Ash says.
Just then, they find a gym guide and he says, "Hello! I'm Clyde. I'm the guide for Trainers challenging a Pokémon Gym. We appreciate your challenging the Gym. Take this to commemorate the occasion."
He gives her a bottle of Fresh Water, Ash takes it and says, "Thanks, Clyde. I really need some water."
"One basic element of Pokémon battles is the relationship between types. If you choose Pokémon with effective types and effective moves, victory is just a step away! In this Gym, you progress by stepping on the switch with the type that is effective against the Pokémon type shown on the curtain."
"Curtain?" Ash notices the curtain with three panels on the ground. "Oh...I see. Since that is a Fire Symbol, which means that I need to step on Water."
As she does it, the curtain opens up, revealing another curtain and more seats. As this is Water, she steps on the Grass one. And finally, the Grass is weak to Fire Type. And then she sees the same green-haired man standing in front of her.
"Welcome to the Striaton City Pokémon Gym." The man says.
Just then, two more people, one with the red hair, and one with the blue hair, also appears, the red-haired one says, "I'm Chili! I light things up with Fire-type Pokémon!"
"I'm a Water-type specialist, and my name is Cress. Pleased to make your acquaintance." Cress, the blue-haired one, says.
"And my name is Cilan. I like Grass-type Pokémon." The Green-haired man, who is named Cilan, says.
"Three gym leaders? Kind of reminds me of Mossdeep City...but with one more..." Ash mutters.
"Um, you see... As for why the three of us, um, are all here is, well, er..." Cilan says.
"Oh, enough! Listen up! The three of us will decide whom you'll battle! It'll be based on the type of the first Pokémon you chose!" Chili says.
"That is indeed the case. And the partner you first chose was Water type, it seems." Cress says.
"Nothing personal... No hard feelings... Me and my Grass-type Pokémon will...um... We're gonna battle come what may." Cilan says as Ash says, "So I am going to battle you? That's fine for me."
As they go to the battlefield, Cilan says, "So, um, if you're OK with me, I'll, um, put everything I've got into being, er, you know, your opponent."
He sends out Lillipup as his first Pokemon, Ash says, "Then I'll be using Pikachu."
Pikachu goes to the field and the battle begins. Cilan says, "Let's go for Work Up, Lillipup."
Lillipup uses the move to raise its Attack and Special Attack stat, Ash says, "That won't stop me, Pikachu, go for Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu fires the electricity on the puppy, causing some damage.
"Ah! My Pokémon!" Cilan says with horror. "Use Bite!"
"Lillipup bites at Pikachu, because of the Work Up, it is much more powerful, but Ash says, "Use Quick Attack, Slam it to the wall!"
Cilan is surprised to see how Pikachu is charging while Lillipup is still biting the mouse. "Hurry and dodge!"
But it is too late, Pikachu slams the Pokemon into the wall, causing it to faint in the end. Ash says, "Alright, our first win." Pikachu also high five with his trainer, Chili says, "That Pikachu looks very strong indeed."
Cress says, "But Cilan is not going to give up."
Cilan says, "Huh? Could it be? Could I have only one Pokémon left?" He says, "Then let me introduce my partner, Pansage!"
As the Pokemon is sent out, Ash says, "Pansage...it is a Grass Type...I like to have a hard challenge. Oshawott! I choose you!"
When Oshawott is sent out, Cilan says, "Are you sure you are going to use a Water Type on my Pansage?"
Oshawott looks over at its opponent and instantly retreats behind Ash's legs to avoid facing Pansage's menacing glare. Ash sighs, "Oshawott, I know you can defeat him."
Pikachu also pushes him into the field, and after Ash's encouragement, Oshawott is now fired up as it decides to fight for Ash.
"Good, use Tackle!" Ash says, but Pansage dodges the attack by shifting to the side, causing Oshawott to be extremely surprised at Pansage's non-aggressive response.
"Use Bullet Seed!" Pansage fires the seeds, striking Oshawott's back as he tries to flee.
"It seems like you have a lack of affinity with Oshawott." Cilan says, and Ash asks, "What do you mean by that?"
"My Pansage and I have been working really hard with each other, let me show you."
Pansage moves forward, Oshawott is shivering in fear. Pansage then Bites down on his head, leading Oshawott to walk into a rock as he tries to shake off his opponent.
"Oshawott, calm down and use Water Gun!" Ash says, but the Grass Monkey Pokémon dodges the jets of water by repeatedly jumping, thereby causing Oshawott to feel tired from the effort.
"Oshawott, I know you can do it, just aim carefully." Ash says, but none of the jets manage to hit Pansage. Finally, Oshawott's attacks connects, and Pansage is sent backward.
"Nice, but now let me intensify the battle by using Solar Beam!" Cilan says.
Collecting a ball of light at the turf on his head, Pansage grabs it, pulls back, and shoots it at Oshawott. As the light snakes its way across the field, Oshawott, now stunned, is shocked at the thought of what is to come.
"Oshawott! Remember your scalchop?" Ash says, and quickly, Oshawott grabs the scalchop on his belly and holds it out. The strategy works, with the Solar Beam being deflected upwards and through the Gym's roof.
"That was a good way to block the attack, but you are not completely out of the woods."
Pansage follows up with some Bullet Seed attacks, but Oshawott once again deflects them with ease, his scalchop acting as a shield.
"Now let's try this out. Razor Shell!" Ash says as Oshawott readies his scalchop - it glows blue for a while before Oshawott jumps up and prepares to strike Pansage. However, the Grass Monkey Pokémon retaliates with Bullet Seed, sending Oshawott into panic and disarray. As the Water Pokémon struggles, he loses his grip on the scalchop, which flies to the edge of the field. Oshawott stands back up, but Pansage keeps him away from retrieving his scalchop.
"Now it's time for the battle to be served! You have been using simple, deducible, and bland attack patterns and have no compatibility with Oshawott, unlike the bond shared between me and my Pansage, whose attacks have the aroma of a freshly mowed lawn." Cilan says as he strikes a pose. "You have made a poor choice of Pokemon concerning type compatibilities."
"I already said so, Type matchups don't matter." Ash says.
"Is that so? You have become desperate. With your sour attitude, you will just spoil the flavor of Oshawott's battle." Cilan says.
"We'll see about that. Oshawott! Aim your Water Gun at the wall!" Ash says.
His Water Gun ricochets off the wall, between the rocks, and towards his scalchop - the scalchop flies into the air, and Oshawott catches it. With that, he readies another Razor Shell attack, and this time, he manages to hit his target; Pansage is caught by surprise and limps backward.
"Use Bite!" Cilan says.
At that instant, Ash tells Oshawott to use Razor Shell, and both Pokémon rush towards each other, ready to attack. Both score a glancing blow on their opponent; they face away from each other and stand there, motionless. Suddenly, Pansage gives way and faints, shocking Cilan.
"Er... Is it over now?" Cilan mutters.
Oshawott sits on the ground to rest, Ash picks him up and hugs him. "You did great, Oshawott!" Oshawott really likes how Ash is hugging him, and it seems like all his tiredness is gone as well.
"...What a surprise. You...are very strong. Seems like not even Chili or Cress could beat you.." Cilan says. "This is your Trio Badge. You've earned it."
Ash takes the badge and reaches into the air. "I got the Trio Badge!" Ash yells and both Pikachu and Oshawott are cheering as well.
"Gym Badges are proof of a Trainer's abilities. If you have one Badge, Pokémon, including traded Pokémon up to Lv. 20, will obey you without question." Cilan says.
"That's good to know. But now...all that battle is making me hungry...is it possible to get a table of this restaurant so that we can have lunch?"
"Of course." Cress says, "Let me show you the table."
After Cress is taking Ash to her seat, Chili says, "She seems to be an interesting person, don't you think, Cilan?"
"Of course, she is." Cilan replies.
Do you think I am not going to give Ash companions in this story? Then you're wrong about it. Cilan is still going to be Ash's traveling companion. Though Iris...I am not sure if I will add her. I hope you like this gym battle as it is the same as the anime.