Chapter 39 Showdown at Shalour Gym
The next day has come, Aurora has to leave because of some things in Kanto, so she blesses Ash with good luck before leaving. And then they all go to the battlefield, but they don't see Korrina anywhere.
Then for a while, Korrina skates out of the field and yells, "Time for Lady Korrina's big appearance!"
Once she jumps down, everyone is looking at her with weird faces. Korrina laughs, "Haha, I'm just messing around with you! I know, you're rollin' in the aisles, right? I already know you're a strong Trainer, so let's get this show on the road!"
"You bet." Ash says.
At the sidelines, Froakie is watching as Serena asks, "You want to battle too, right?" Froakie nods and cheers.
"After all, you have been helping him with the training." Mark says, "Let's cheer him on, shall we?"
The Pokemon nods as he cheers. Gurkinn says, "The match between gym leader Korrina and the challenger Ash Ketchum is about to begin, each trainer will be using 6 Pokemon and only the Challenger can make substitutes. And when one loses all their Pokemon, the other one wins."
"I am going to win this battle for sure." Ash says. "We'll see about that, Mr. Confidence." Korrina says.
"Wow, it sure looks like a rivalry." Bonnie comments.
"After all, we Ketchums all have the same fighting spirit." Golly says.
"Mienfoo, let's do it!" Korrina sends out her first Pokemon, as Serena scans it to see what it is.
"Let's have a great battle, Mienfoo. Hawlucha, I choose you." Ash sends out his first Pokemon.
Once the Fighting Type Pokemon appears, Korrina says, "A Hawlucha... then show me what you got."
"You too, don't disappoint us." Ash says.
"Mienfoo, use High Jump Kick!" "Dodge it!" Ash says, but it is too late as Hawlucha is hit. "Wow...so fast..." Ash mutters.
"Let's keep up the pressure, use Drain Punch!" Mienfoo starts to attack as Ash says, "Damn it, Hawlucha isn't speedy enough, block the attack."
Hawlucha blocks the attack, but his energy is drained a little. "Now use Karate Chop!"
"Block it with a kick!" Korrina says as she blocks the attack. East says, "Hawlucha isn't doing well..."
"I can't watch." Bonnie says while hugging her brother.
"Force Palm!" Hawlucha is being sent down to the ground once more, and Korrina says, "Come on, show us with surprises and more, Ash. We're ready."
"Hawlucha, can you continue?" Hawlucha nods and he says, "Alright, use Flying Press!"
"Mienfoo, use Swift!" Ash is surprised, "Not a fighting type move? Try dodge the stars if you can!"
Hawlucha has been trying to do it, but the last one hits him and he falls down before even reaching Mienfoo. "Hawlucha, no!"
"Let's wrap it up!" Korrina says, "Use High Jump Kick!"
Ash sees that the attack is coming and he realizes something, "Hawlucha, wait until it gets closer and then dodge it."
Hawlucha nods and then he waits for the battle and then he dodges it, causing Mienfoo to miss and also deal some damage.
"When High Jump Kick misses, the attacker will take damage equals half of his HP...nice." Mark says.
"Now Karate Chop!" Ash says as Hawlucha manages to hit Mienfoo.
"Use Force Palm!" "Dodge it with Flying Press!" Then Hawlucha dodges the attack and then hits Mienfoo hard, causing it to faint in the end.
"Mienfoo is unable to battle. Hawlucha is the winner." Gurkinn says.
"Nice. Ash takes the first win." Serena says. "I know you can do this."
"Alright, Ash. You might have been in the lead for now, but the battle won't be so easy."
"Here it comes Ash, my second Pokemon...Medicham." As the Pokemon appears, Ash says, "Hawlucha, return for now." He then takes out a Pokeball. "Honedge! I choose you!"
As the sword-like Pokemon appears, Ash says, "Honedge, let's start with Aerial Ace!"
As the sword-like Pokemon charges, Korrina says, "Wait until it comes, and then use Fire Punch!"
Just then, the fire move hits back the sword Pokemon and it is on the ground. "Honedge, are you okay?" Ash asks, Honedge nods, but he is getting the burn.
"It is unfortunate...Honedge gets the burn and it will deal damage every time it uses a move..." Clemont says.
"You can do it, Ash!" Bonnie yells.
"Now Autotomize!" Ash says, deciding to raise its speed. "Then use Shadow Sneak!"
Medicham is hit by the attack straight ahead, and Korrina says, "Not bad, but we're not going down easily. Foresight!"
Ash gasps as the Medicham uses the move to make Honedge visible. "What did Foresight do?" Bonnie asks.
Golly says, "Foresight makes the Ghost Type Pokemon unable to dodge Normal and Fighting Type moves...this is bad..."
"Now use Force Palm!" Korrina says as Medicham hits the Pokemon, causing it to faint in the end.
"Honedge is unable to battle. Medicham is the winner." Gurkinn says.
"I am sorry, Honedge...you did a great job." Ash returns his Pokemon and then East says, "Now both of them have one loss..."
Ash sees Pikachu's worried face and he says, "Don't worry about it." Then he turns to Sylveon, "Want to battle? Girl?"
Sylveon yelps and then jumps to the field. "A Fairy Type, huh? That won't scare me, use Poison Jab!"
"What? A Poison Move as well?" Ash is shocked as Sylveon is sent towards the wall. "Sylveon, hang in there."
Sylveon then nods and Korrina says, "Now use Force Palm again!" "Wait until it comes and then uses Dazzling Gleam!"
Sylveon glows white and then it stops Medicham's attack. Medicham is down on the ground and Ash says, "Attract."
"What? Attract?" Korrina flinches as she sees that Medicham is infatuated. "Snap out of it." Korrina says.
"Now finish it with Moonblast." Ash says as Sylveon shoots out a pink sphere and defeats the Medicham.
"Medicham is unable to battle. Sylveon is the winner." Gurkinn says.
"Good girl." Ash pets the Pokemon and it nuzzles him. Serena says, "Ash is doing a great job."
"But she still has four Pokemon left, we can't be safe for now." Clemont says.
Korrina says, "Here we go, Ash. Machoke, my third Pokemon." As the human-like Pokemon appears, Ash says, "Sylveon, return for now." Sylveon jumps back from the field and then Ash says, "Okay, Fletchinder, I choose you!"
As the firebird Pokemon appears, Korrina says, "Another Flying Type."
"Fletchinder, you'll be great!" Bonnie yells.
"Now use Flame Charge!" "Machoke, run and jump!"
Then Fletchinder misses the attack and then finds that Machoke is above him. "Brick Break, let's go!"
Machoke hits the Pokemon and then sends him to the ground.
"That's powerful..." Mark says.
"Low Sweep, go!" As Fletchinder is about to get up, Machoke hits him hard as it sends him out of the battlefield. But Fletchinder manages to hold on.
"Way to hang in there, now use Steel Wing." Fletchinder charges with his wings glowed, but Machoke blocks the attack, then it throws Fletchinder.
"Razor Wind!" Ash yells, as Fletchinder is thrown into the air and uses the attack, which damages Machoke a little.
"Use Focus Blast!" Korrina yells. "Flame Charge, let's go!"
Fletchinder dodges the attack and then strikes Machoke hard, causing it to faint.
"Machoke is unable to battle. Fletchinder is the winner." Gurkinn says.
"That's three wins for now." Ash says.
"But it is still not going to be easy. Hitmontop, come on out."
As the Pokemon appears, Ash says, "Hitmontop I see...Fletchinder, come back for now." Ash recalls his Pokemon and then says, "Sylveon, I need your help again."
Sylveon jumps back into the field and then Ash says, "Let's start with Attract!"
Mark says, "Sylveon is female, and the Hitmontop family are all males, it will be great."
Korrina says, "Use Gyro Ball to dodge the attack." Hitmontop starts to spin and then it dodges the attack, much to Ash's surprise. Sylveon is also hit by the attack and then it gets sent towards the wall.
"Sylveon, can you continue?" Ash asks as Sylveon is struggling to stand back up. "Shadow Ball." Ash says.
Korrina says, "Use your Triple Kick to send it backward."
One kick sends the Shadow Ball back to Sylveon, and then the other two hits knock her out.
"Sylveon is unable to battle. Hitmontop is the winner." Gurkinn says.
"I am sorry, Sylveon." Ash then takes it to Pikachu, who nods as he takes care of her. Froakie is watching the battle and he keeps cheering for Ash, Ash feels it and smiles, "Thank you, Froakie. Now Leavanny, I choose you."
As the fifth Pokemon appears, Korrina says, "A Bug Type Pokemon I see... but that isn't going to stop me, use Gyro Ball!"
"Wait until it comes and then uses String Shot!" Ash says as Leavanny traps the Hitmontop, much to Korrina's surprise. "Kick the silk out of your body."
"No, you won't. Spin around now!" Leavanny starts to spin around, causing Hitmontop to fly into the air. Golly says, "Wow...I remember that Ash did the same trick back in the Unova..."
"Really?" Serena says.
"But now Hitmontop is unable to move." Clemont says.
"Finish it with Energy Ball!" Leavanny then hits the Pokemon hard, causing it to faint.
"Hitmontop is unable to battle. Leavanny is the winner." Gurkinn says.
"This is why battling with you is really interesting." Korrina sighs. "But Hawlucha, your up next." As the Pokemon appears, East says, "Uh oh...it is a Flying Type. It is not going to do well for Ash..."
"Leavanny, use X Scissor." Leavanny charges forward, and then Korrina says, "Use Bounce!"
Hawlucha jumps into the air, and then it hits Leavanny, causing it to fall on the ground in pain.
"Struggle Bug!" Ash says as the attack deals some damage to Hawlucha, but Korrina says, "It isn't going to help you. Aerial Ace." Then Hawlucha rushes to the Leavanny, knocking it out.
"Leavanny is unable to battle. Hawlucha is the winner." Gurkinn says.
Ash frowns a little and says, "Leavanny return." As he recalls his Pokemon, he says, "Then Hawlucha, I choose you."
Once the second Hawlucha appears, Bonnie says, "A Hawlucha battle. Wow..."
"This sure is going to be heated." East says.
Both Pokemon then use Close Combat at each other, and the two trainers are watching them with intense. But in the end, both Pokemon fainted at the same time. Much to their surprise.
"Both Hawlucha is unable to battle." Gurkinn says.
"But Ash still has two more Pokemon while Korrina has one left." Golly says.
"And we all know what the last Pokemon is." Serena says.
"Good work, Hawlucha. You look totally amazing out there." Korrina sighs. Ash also says the same thing to Hawlucha.
"Now my final Pokemon, the star of my team!" Lucario appears from the ball and Ash says, "Then Fletchinder, I choose you."
As the firebird is out, Ash says, "We have been waiting for you, Lucario."
"The time has come." Golly says. "I wonder how Ash will take on him."
"Lucario, go. Unlock the power within! Mega Evolve!" Korrina then presses the Key Stone and Lucario glows, then it changes its form.
"Mega Lucario..." Ash mutters. "There it is. Flame Charge!"
As Fletchinder charges, Korrina says, "Use Metal Sound!" This causes Fletchinder to stop as they are covering their ears. Ash says, "You can do it, Fletchinder."
Fletchinder hits Lucario hard and it is super effective. "That Fire Type of move sure packs a punch, but let's try out this move. Aura Sphere!" Lucario fires out the blue sphere and then Ash yells, "Fletchinder, use Steel Wing to block!"
Fletchinder dodges the attack, but Lucario appears behind him, much to Ash's surprise. "Power Up Punch!" Lucario then hits Fletchinder, causing it to faint.
"Fletchinder is unable to battle. Lucario is the winner." Gurkinn says.
"It has been a while seen you saw Lucario. The two of us have trained really hard to make sure that our hearts are bonded as one ever since we left at Pomelo Mountain. Now which will be your last Pokemon?"
At the same time, Froakie feels something and then he throws Frubbles at the sides, and then the ones on the sidelines see Team Rocket there.
"Oh no, not you guys again." Mark groans.
"Trying to steal Pikachu when he is battling huh? Such idiots are you."
"And who are you calling idiots?" "Yeah, that is an insult." Team Rocket says.
Serena says, "Let me handle this. Lucario, mega evolve." Serena presses her Mega Ring and then her Lucario mega evolves, then it uses Power-Up Punch to send them flying.
And at the same time, the explosion causes the three at the battlefield to hear it. Gurkinn asks, "Is there something wrong?"
Golly says, "Nothing, we take care of it. Brother, keep doing your battle."
"Is that so?" Ash says. "Then Lucario! I choose you!" As Lucario appears. Ash says, "Lucario, this is the time we are fighting again with Korrina's Lucario. Let's give it all we got up to this point."
"As you wish, Master." Lucario says as Ash presses the Key Stone, also mega evolving his Lucario.
Just then, they aren't moving and then Serena asks, "Why aren't they moving?"
"Because they know that they can't afford to lose this round. They're trying to be extra careful." Clemont says.
"Indeed. This is going to be a true battle of wills." Mark says.
"I've never seen anything like this before." Serena says.
"And I have never been this nervous as well..." Bonnie says.
"Alright, Lucaio. Use Bone Rush!" As Lucario charges. Korrina says, "Draw him in and use Bone Rush as well!"
Then they clash with their bones and then Ash says, "Now use Power-Up Punch!" "Block it!"
Both Pokemon clash once more, but Korrina's kicks it back to his side. "Lucario, Aura Sphere!"
Lucario manages to hit Korrina's and she is surprised, "An Aura Sphere after being hit?"
"That's our battle style." Ash says.
"Then we'll use Aura Sphere as well." Korrina says as the attack hits Ash's Lucario. "No, Lucario!"
Ash's Lucario struggles to stand up and then its aura flares on the field. Korrina says, "You're looking good, Pikachu."
"That's because I am going to win this." Ash replies.
"Then use Metal Sound!" Lucario shoots out the waves and Ash says, "Use yours to block the sound."
As the sounds are reflected, Korrina says, "Aura Sphere!" "Lucario, use Bone Rush to send it back!"
Then Lucario uses the Bone Rush like it is his baseball bat and then it hits the Aura Sphere back. "How is that even possible..." Korrina is shocked as they see both Pokemon are still standing.
"Ash, you and your Lucario are amazing to make that Aura Sphere into a baseball."
"I thought it would be able to wrap this up after striking a home run." Ash says.
"But now it is time to wrap this up. Power-Up Punch!" "You too!"
Both of them punches at each other, they all send back and they all yell, "Aura Sphere!" Then both Pokemon also hit each other with the sphere. But Ash says, "Now finish it with Bone Rush!"
Are the Aura Sphere, Korrina's is not fast enough to dodge the Bone Rush, and finally, it goes down and returns to normal.
Gurkinn sighs and says, "Lucario is unable to battle, Pikachu wins, which means the match goes to Ash, the Challenger!" Gurkinn says.
"Way a go, Lucario." Ash says as he hugs his Lucario, then Pikachu and Sylveon also join in the hug, as well as Froakie.
"Wow, that is an awesome battle." Mark says.
"Yeah, it is very exciting." Golly says.
"Thanks, Lucario has worked hard." Ash says as he pets him.
Korrina is comforting Lucario and says, "Don't worry, Lucario. You did a great job."
Gurkinn says, "Korrina. You did a good job in this battle."
"Well, Ash should be the one who takes the credit for that." Korrina says. "His Pokemon are very awesome, and we still have a lot of work to do."
"Don't forget that as a Gym Leader, you still have a duty to do." Gurkinn says as he shows the badge. Korrina takes it and skates towards Ash.
"Oh! I have been defeated! Alack, alay! Lady Korrina gave a terrible display! This is it. I must give up my title and admit that your strength far exceeds- Just teasing! But here's your Badge. Boy, you'll be rolling in 'em soon!"
Ash takes the Rumble Badge and says, "Thanks a lot, Korrina."
After lunch, Aurora comes back and then she heard the news of the gym battle. She decides to congratulate Ash as she gives him a hug. Then Gurkinn asks, "Now where are you going next, Ash?"
"Well... I am not sure about that." Ash says.
"Coumarine City is the closest city from here." Aurora says.
Serena looks at the guide and says, "Wow, Coumarine City has a monorail. We can ride it there."
"I want to ride it." Bonnie cheers.
Gurkinn says, "The Gym Leader there is quite a stubborn guy over there."
"Yeah, but if anyone can handle it, it will be Ash." Korrina says.
"Then we should go to Coumarine City." Ash says.
"Yeah, but Ash, as you can see, Golly and I decide to stay here for a while." Mark says.
"And I decide to go back to the caverns so that I can train more about Flying." East says.
"So the time has come..." Ash sighs.
"But make sure that you come back soon." Korrina says as she and Ash fist bump, and the two Lucario also do the same, much to everyone's amusement.
Here is the gym battle. Since it is hard to write as I have to think of the battle strategies. But I hope you like it. And you can guess who are the next travel companions.