"Okay Dratini and Pikachu are feeling all better." Megan said cheerfully.

"And so is Ash." Cody said, having taken off the costume. "Any idea on how you even channeled that energy into Dratini, I mean I've never seen a Hyper Beam that powerful before."

"No, I have no clue." Ash said, a faint purple glow still in his eyes. "But I have seen a Hyper Beam like that before. Twice in fact, shortly before I taught Dratini Hyper Beam, we faced an incredibly powerful Snorlax, and then a while later we ran into a wild Dragonite. Both of them had immensely powerful attacks."

"And what's with your eyes?" Megan asked. "Ever since that battle they've been glowing like that."

"I have no idea about that, one of the Team Rocket admins said I have aura? Maybe that's what it is." Ash said.

"Everyone has aura you idiot, it's a life force." Gilbert argued. "And don't go saying you c an harness it, that's just a fairy tale."

"Do you have a better explanation for why Ash's eyes are suddenly purple?" Megan asked.

"No, but I'm sure there's a reason." Gilbert said stiffly. "Doesn't he have a gym battle to do right now?"

"He's right! You should get going!" Cassie said.

"Mind if we tag along?" Cody asked.

"As long as the gym leader doesn't mind, I don't see why not." Ash said, leading the group to the gym area.

Meanwhile hiding in the distance

"I saw father's plans, to combine one of us with the ultimate being, I will make sure it's me, but first I must even the odds." The Ash Clone said, seeing Gilbert now sitting alone through the window.

Back with the actual Ash

"Hello, I'm here for a gym battle?" Ash said, opening the tent flap.

"Took you long enough Ashy Boy." Gary taunted. "Here I was worrying that I'd have to wait for another Pokemon League to come around to face you."

"I'm not here for games Gary, I'm here to fight the gym leader!" Ash argued into the darkness.

"Oh Ash, don't you see. I am the gym leader." Gary said triumphantly. "And if you want my badge, you'll have to earn it."

"You asked for it Gary." Ash said walking to his starting point.

"In my gym we do three single battles." Gary said. "No substitutions at any time."

"Fine." Ash said, moving his hand to another Pokeball.

"Now seeing as I am the mature one here, I'll go first." Gary said. "Come on out Dodrio!"

"If speed is how you're playing then I'll go with Rapidash!"

"Dodrio use Tri Attack!"

"Rapidash dodge it with Agility!"

Each of Dodrio's heads fired off a different elemental attack, first electric, then fire, and finally ice, chasing after the speeding up Rapidash.

"Dodrio use Drill Peck!"

"Rapidash jump and use Stomp!"

Rapidash leapt into the air as Dodrio ran under her, before slamming her front hooves down on the bird, sending it tumbling.

"Dodrio use Rage!"

"Rapidash use Fire Blast!"

A burst of fire shot across the arena illuminating the tent before striking Dodrio and dissipating as the bird launched into Rapidash.

"Rapidash launch it off with Stomp!"

"Dodrio use Rage!"

Dodrio scattered It's heads around trying to peck at Rapidash, only for its outer heads to be kicked together into the center, knocking out the bird.

"Dodrio return!" Gary said, as a green photo with Rapidash appeared on a screen.

"Rapidash great work." Ash said, petting her mane before returning the fire type. "Alright, my start, come on out Vileplume!"

"Arcanine let's go!"

"How is it fair that Gary got to choose second?" Cassie pouted angry at the type matchup.

"Ash will have to be crafty to win this round." Cody said.

"Arcanine use Fire Blast!"

"Vileplume use Petal Dance!"

The flames shot quickly right at Vileplume who was barely able to get a wall of petals up into time to block the attack.

"Arcanine use Dig!"

"Vileplume use Toxic!"

Vileplume launched a burst of poisonous sludge at Arcanine who dove underground, avoiding the attack.

"Vileplume use Petal Dance!"

Petals surrounded Vileplume from every side, effectively locking itself in a cage. Ash and Vileplume weren't prepared for Arcanine to dig out right beneath them, causing Vileplume to fall a few feet, disrupting his attack.

"Arcanine use Flamethrower!"

"Vileplume use Solar Beam!"

Vileplume had just barely managed to send out his attack before the flames were going to strike him. The two attacks fired back and forth, but it was clear that Vileplume's attack was losing power quickly. After a few moments, Vileplume was engulfed in flames and knocked out.

"Vileplume return." Ash said, as a red picture of Arcanine appeared next to the green one of Rapidash.

"It's down to the last match." Megan said.

"Ash is going to have to pull out a tough win for this." Cassie said.

"Alright Pikachu let's do this!" Ash said.

"Did he just?" Megan asked.

"Send out his Pokemon out of turn order." Cody said.

"That's Ash for you." Cassie said with a sigh.

"Come on out Eevee!" Gary said.

"No Blastoise?" Ash asked.

"Can't make it to difficult." Gary said smugly. "Besides Eevee here can take anything you use and throw it right back at you."

"We'll see about that. Pikachu use Quick Attack!"

"Eevee use your Quick Attack!"

The two Pokémon sped across the arena, side swiping one another before spinning back around.

"You may have our speed, but even Eevee can't copy this, Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"

"Eevee, use Mimic."

Pikachu sent out a bolt of electricity only for it to be deflected at the last moment by another Thunderbolt, sending it flying into the air.

"Your Eevee knows Mimic too!" Ash exclaimed.

"It's why I'm undefeated." Gary gloated.

"Well, I'll change that." Ash said. "Pikachu use Thunderbolt again!"

"Eevee use Thunderbolt!"

The two Pokémon sent bolt after bolt of electricity from every angle trying to catch the other off guard.

"Eevee use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu zoomed out of the way just as the bolt of electricity struck, quickly making his way towards Eevee.

"Eevee use your Bite attack!"

"Pikachu use Thunder!"

Eevee lunged onto Pikachu as lightning tore through the tent, shocking both Pokemon in the process, as the smoke finally cleared, Pikachu stood victorious over Eevee. On the screen a green photo of Pikachu appeared, showing Ash as the winner.

"Well Ashy boy, no Ash." Gary said walking up. "Don't think this means you're the better trainer, I have rules I need to keep to after all, but here, the Earth Badge, you've earned it."

"Thanks Gary, and next time let's have an actual battle, no gym restrictions." Ash said, shaking Gary's hand.

"Help me! He's trying to kill me!" Gilbert said, rushing through the tent flaps.

"Gilbert?" Gary asked in confusion. "Who's trying to kill you?"

"Him!" Gilbert said, pointing at Ash. "How'd you get here?"

"I've been here all day, we left you back at the Pokemon Center." Ash said.

"Ash, remember I met a weird version of you too." Megan reminded.

"Right, maybe it's the same fake me." Ash said.

"Not fake, just better, and now that the Meowth's out of the bag, might as well introduce myself." The Ash Clone said. "I'm the better version of you, the one that will bring Kanto to a brighter tomorrow, and I'll prove it right here. Alakazam let's go!"