Battling the King of the Mines!

"Well kid looks like I was wrong about you, you actually came through with it despite my disbeliefs." Clay had returned to Driftveil and currently stood in front of his Gym while Ash and his friends stood across from him. "If you're still up for it I'll be willing to battle you right now."

An excited expression quickly crossed Ash's face as his fists clenched with excitement. "Of course I'm up for it, my Pokemon and I are eager to earn our fifth Gym badge!"

"Pi Pikachu!" Pikachu flicked his tail as he was eager to help Ash out. With Pikachu getting a power nerf thanks to Thundurus stealing his electricity and going mad with power, Pikachu now had to play catch up with Emboar, Nidoking and Gengar as they were now the strongest members of Ash's team!

"Alright then follow me inside," Clay opened the doors to the Gym and continued speaking to Ash as he led the way inside, taking the opportunity to explain the Driftveil City Gym rules. "Alright so in this here Gym both sides use four Pokemon a piece while the standard Gym rules apply, no cheating and only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokemon unless a move such as Roar or Volt Switch is utilized. Any questions?" Clay asked as he now took his place at the far end of the battlefield. Ash was about to ask what type Clay specialized in but all he needed to do was take a quick look around to realize that due to the smooth dirt field, Clay must be either a Ground or Rock type specialist!

"Nope, let's start the battle please!" Ash flashed Clay an eager grin which the Gym Leader returned as they both reached for a Pokeball and shouted out.

"Krokorok I choose you!"

"Krokorok, let's go!"

Ash's shade wearing Krokorok stood across from a Krokorok that was significantly different and it wasn't just for the lack of sunglasses, while most Krokorok this one was a dark brown color and it's eyes and stripes were a bright yellow color instead, the light red stripes that were present on other Krokorok's was instead a dark grey coloring!

"Kroko!"

"A shiny Pokemon!" Cilan gasped out as he excitedly stared off in the direction of the alternate colored Krokorok!

"Huh, odd how we've come across two so far." Iris noted. "Most trainers only ever see one if any in their lifetime."

"Well I've seen over a dozen!" Ash revealed while flashing Iris a light smirk as her jaw dropped.

"Seriously?!"

"Alright Krokorok use Thrash!" Clay's Krokorok let out a cry as he quickly leaped across the field and began thrashing at his opponent!

"Foul Play!" Ash shouted. "Man it sure feels weird ordering a Dark type attack!" Ash thought to himself as it'd taken him all the way up to that point just to even own a single Dark type Pokemon!

Ash's Krokrok grabbed at the tail of Clay's Krokorok as he attacked him, Ash's Krokorok then gave the tail a hard swing as he proceeded to hurl Clay's Krokorok across the Gym! Clay's Krokorok flailed his arms wildly as he flew through the air before crashing down in front of Clay with a hard thud, his tongue hanged from his mouth while swirls filled his eyes.

"Alright Krokorok, you did it!"

"Pika pi!"

"Kroko!" Krokorok crossed his arms and turned to his cheering friends, a large smirk present across his face before he turned his attention back to Clay as the Gym Leader called out a different Pokemon.

"Golurk, let's go!"

"GO!" A large hulking blue automaton Pokemon cried out as it towered over the battlefield and everyone present!

"Woah that's a cool Pokemon!" Ash's eyes lit up as he stared up at the massive Pokemon while reaching out for his Pokedex in order to scan it.

"Golurk the Automaton Pokemon, it is said that Golurk were ordered to protect people and Pokemon by the ancient people who made them."

"Dark type attacks will still be super effective against it so let's go with another Foul Play!"

"Kroko!" Krokorok raced across the field before slashing at Golurk's legs from behind the colossal Pokemon! Golurk let out a cry before collapsing onto the ground with a loud and heavy thud, dust rose up from the battlefield as Ash and Pikachu began celebrating.

"Alright Krokorok you've beat another!"

"Pika pi!" The two leaped up and down as they cheered their teammate on, Krokorok looked back with a proud smirk before Clay's voice was heard shouting out from behind the dust.

"Focus Punch!" A glowing blue fist punched out at Krokorok and sent him flying! The punch alone appeared to have done the job as Krokorok flew motionlessly through the air before landing in a defeated heap in front of Ash!

"Krokorok return," Ash returned Krokorok to his ball and offered it a light smile. "Take a long rest you've earned it!" He placed the ball back onto his belt and turned his gaze back to Golurk as he reached for another ball.

"Dewott I choose you!"

"Dewott!" Dewott burst out with a joyful expression as he locked his eyes onto his massive opponent!

"Dewott use Razor Shell!"

Dewott removed the scalchops from his waist and raced across the field as his scalchops became engulfed in a watery aura. Dewott then slashed at both of Golurk's legs before swiftly leaping away!

A faint glimmer appeared in Clay's eyes as he gave a light smirk. "Solar Beam!"

Golurk's chest glowed a bright yellow color as he began absorbing sunlight.

"Dewott use Blizzard!" Dewott threw out his arms and let out a shout as a fierce cold wind blew through the Gym with Golurk finding himself getting pelted by snow and ice! Golurk let out a grunt before firing a large beam of yellow solar energy from his chest, the blast struck Dewott and knocked him off his feet! Dewott let out a light groan as he slowly began rising to his feet.

"Dewott return." Ash held up the ball only for Dewott to shake his head as he looked at Ash with a face full of determination! "Alright Dewott you've got this, let's use Rain Dance!" Dewott did a light twirl as a heavy downpour of rain began covering the battlefield and boosting up Water type attacks as a result!

"Then follow up with Razor Shell!"

"Focus Punch!" Golurk's fist glowed bright blue as he swiftly struck out at Dewott, his fist met Dewott's face while Dewott slashed at his arm! Both Pokemon stood standing for a brief moment before collapsing onto their sides as swirls filled both their eyes.

"Golurk return," Clay returned the colossal Pokemon to his ball while Ash returned Dewott to his own ball.

"You were great out there Dewott, don't you worry we'll win this!"

"Seismitoad, let's go!"

"Seismitoad!" A large bulky blue toad Pokemon burst onto the field and released a rather pleasant cry upon feeling the raindrops soaking into his skin!

Ash clenched his fists as he realized that this Pokemon most likely had the Swift Swim ability. He then pulled out his Pokedex where his fears were quickly confirmed.

"Seismitoad the Vibration Pokemon, it increases the power of its punches by vibrating the bumps on its fists. It can turn a boulder to rubble with one punch!"

"Servine I choose you!"

"Servine!" Servine raised up her head as she burst out and flashed Seismitoad a rather unimpressed look.

"Leaf Blade!" Servine's tail glowed a bright green color as she raced across the field and swung her tail at Seismitoad!

"Dodge and use Poison Jab!" Clay shouted. The rain continued to downpour allowing for Seismitoad to swiftly maneuver out of the way of Servine's attack, his fist then glowed a bright venomous shade of purple as he lashed out and struck Servine! Servine let out a cry as her face became tainted in a purple shade, her stance appearing slightly weaker than it once was as Ash clenched his fists.

"Leech Seed!" Several seeds launched from Servine's back and flew through the air to make contact with Seismitoad before ensnaring the toad in a series of vines, slowly sapping away at his health as the battle progressed while Servine started looking more healthier although the Poison quickly cancelled out any health that she gained at least they effectively canceled the Poison so long as Seismitoad remained on the field. This couldn't last forever though so Ash needed to think fast.

"Leaf Tornado!" The small green tornado began forming at the end of Servine's tail as she locked eyes with Seismitoad while the tornado began to quickly grow!

"Poison Jab, let's finish her!" Clay gave a light chuckle as he extended his arm. Seismitoad swiftly leaped forward as he held out his venom focused fist however luck was now on Ash's side as the rain chose precisely that moment to stop, drastically dropping Seismitoad's speed back to normal while Servine fired off her tornado at her opponent! The tornado blasted across the field before swooping Seismitoad up into it, pelting the toad with sharp leaves before launching him off into the air! Seismitoad flew up to the roof of the Gym and smacked against it with a loud thud that caused everyone present to flinch as they were sure that had to have hurt! Seismitoad then dropped onto his back with a soft thud as swirls could be seen within his eyes.

"Seismitoad return," Clay gritted his teeth while Ash and Pikachu cheered.

"Alright Servine, way to go!"

"Pi Pikachu!" The two pumped their fists while Servine raised up her head and flashed them a smile that seemed to say 'Of course I won!' before her body became engulfed in a bright blue light! Her body started becoming more serpent-like as her arms and legs disappeared into her body while she started to stretch out, Ash was quick to realize that Servine was transforming into the Pokemon that he'd seen with Trip in the vision Mew had shared with him back in Dream World although he still didn't know the name of it!

"Serperior the Regal Pokemon, they raise their heads to intimidate opponents but only give it their all when fighting a powerful opponent!"

Hilda gave a slightly jealous look, puffing her cheeks as Serperior raised her head once more while giving Ash another smirk. Although most of his Unovan team had hugged him after evolving Serperior seemed to think herself above such actions and merely gave him a smirk of respect!

"Alright Serperior, let's show Clay your new found strength!"

"Serpe-" Serperior promptly fainted on the spot as her body gave out due to the poison, her tongue hanged out from her mouth as her eyes were reduced to swirls. "Ser..."

"Serperior return, you were awesome out there and I couldn't ask anything more from you!" Ash returned Serperior to her ball before placing it back onto his belt.

"Pika pi!"

"That's right Pikachu, it's all up to you now!" Ash grinned as Pikachu leaped from his shoulder and landed on all fours while his cheeks lightly sparked.

"Pika!"

"Flygon let's go!" Iris screamed like a fangirl and hearts filled her eyes at the sight of the Hoenn Dragon!

"We've got to get one of those!"

"Axew ew!" Axew cried out in agreement.

"Bulldoze!" Flygon slammed his feet against the ground resulting in a massive shockwave that shook the ground beneath Pikachu before the shockwave made it's way towards him!

"Dodge with Quick Attack then leap onto his back!"

"Pika!" Pikachu quickly zigzagged across the field before leaping out onto Flygon's back, Flygon looked back and gave Pikachu a look of annoyance.

"Fly!"

"Fly up into the air and twirl around, shake him off of you!" Clay shouted. Flygon stretched out his wings and took off into the air while Pikachu held tightly onto his back as the dragon moved at an incredibly fast speed!

"Use Iron Tail on his wings!"

Clay's eyes widened before an impressed smirk crossed his face as Pikachu's tail glowed a bright silver, the electrical mouse swung his tail and struck at Flygon's rings right as the dragon began attempting a loop, Flygon's eyes widened before he and Pikachu began quickly falling to the ground as Flygon's wings gave out! "Slow yourself by shooting Dragon Pulse at the ground!"

Flygon opened his mouth and fired off a purple and green pulse of dragon shaped energy as he attempted to slow his descent. "Use Iron Tail once more to halt his attack!"

"Pika!" Pikachu slammed his tail down against Flygon's back, the Dragon let out a pained gasp as his attack stopped. Pikachu then pressed his tail down against Flygon's back before leaping off and safely down onto the ground while Flygon slammed painfully against the ground next to him with a groan, swirled eyes were present behind his goggles. Ash let out a laugh as Pikachu quickly turned and leaped into his arms as the two shared a hug.

"Way to go Pikachu, you did it!"

"Pika!"

Iris' jaw dropped at the sight as she slowly turned her gaze towards Ash. Perhaps she was wrong about him although at times Ash acted immature he definitely had the makings of a future champion and perhaps even a Pokemon master like he dreamed! Iris clenched her fists as she gazed towards the ground while feeling guilty about insulting him.

Clay returned Flygon while a loud laugh emitted from his throat. "That was quite the exciting battle, kid. I thought I almost had you at the end there!" His eyes then focused entirely upon Pikachu as he held out a badge that resembled a cracked piece of earth. "That Pikachu will definitely be quite the powerful Pokemon someday, perhaps it can even rival Cynthia's Garchomp or Lance's Dragonite!" He didn't namedrop Alder implying that he didn't have the same blind pride that a lot of Unovans did around their Champion, although Alder was strong he was definitely not the strongest Champion out there! "You've definitely earned the Quake Badge, now you better at least beat the Elite Four or else you'll be sorry!" Clay lightly threatened before laughing out.

Ash took the badge and showed it off to Pikachu before the two did their signature pose. "We just got... the Quake Badge!"

"Pi Pikachu!"

"So where's the closest Gym?" Ash turned to Cilan as the green haired boy pulled out his map.

"Let's see, that'd be Mistralton City although we've got a lot of ground along with a mountain to pass through before we reach it!"

"Chargestone Cave, good luck kid. Not that you'll need it but plenty of powerful Rock and Electric type reside within and aren't exactly friendly if you stumble across their territory!" Clay laughed.

Iris then took a deep gulp of air as she slowly approached Ash. "Look Ash I-I want to apologize for all those times that I've called you a kid. Seeing Thundurus and Tornadus feuding for thousands of years along with seeing how powerful you've grown along with all that you've accomplished and seen... I was wrong about you, we shouldn't waste our time fighting each other anymore. We need to focus our attention on Team Plasma and the Unova League!" Iris exclaimed as she clenched her fists together. Ash gazed into her eyes with a light smirk before the two bumped fists.

"Apology accepted!"

Another Gym battle done! Next time Ash travels through Chargestone Cave and catches a new Pokemon~