Greetings everyone Mgunnels3 here and welcome to A promise Kept Ash's, Johto Journey. Before I begin, I do have a few things to say. First is the recent Guest reviews. I appreciate that and a few I will take in mind for Misty and Brock, and while you mentioned the requested ones, sadly Latias, while isn't in the Johto story, she'll make a debut in the next one, not as a capture. Lastly, while the mention of the new form of Scizor is nice and all, I will only give Ash Scizor as its Kanto-Shinnoh Pokemon that'll be included in this trilogy. Lastly, the whole thing with the GS ball. I have plans for it as it will have a Pokemon that'll play a role in the third story. I won't say what, but let's say it's not Celebi like the anime initially had planned but from Shinnoh. That is all I have to say. Let's get this chapter started, shall we?

Chapter 16: Azalea Town gym battle rematch: Heracross vs. Scizor

'For Pokespeech

" For Human Speech

We join our heroes as they are getting ready for Ash's next gym battle. Misty, of course, was refusing to go with Ash and the others to the gym.

"Misty, are you sure that you don't want to provide support for the gym battle I'm sure that Bugsy would make it so his bug-Pokemon won't cause harm towards us?" Ash said to Misty, who sighed at this.

"Look, Ash, I appreciate it, but I do have plans, and I was hoping to have Slowbro to help with that?" Misty said to Ash. "And I'm sure that as a psychic type, he wouldn't be comfortable with being around them," Misty said.

'Sure, I mean she isn't wrong about that, and I think she might want a Slowpoke for her own on her team, and I know a few that are just as smart as me but isn't as strong psychic wise that is,' Slowbro said to Misty and Ash who nodded at this.

"I'll let you command him if something happens while you are out there just in case and be careful," Ash said to Misty, who nodded at this, as did Slowbro. "He's more a team capture regardless of him being on my team or not given his gift to us that is," Ash said.

Ash and Brock left for the gym while Misty and Slowbro went back to the Slowpoke well for a possible capture for Misty. Ash was somewhat disappointed that Misty isn't taking part in the coaching for this gym battle.

"Don't worry, Ash, she'll come back after the gym battle. Until then, do you have a plan for this battle? I take that you'll use Charizard and Pidgeot like last time?" Brock asked while comforting Ash about Misty.

"No, I don't plan on using Charizard in this gym battle as well as Pidgeot as I feel like Heracross needed redemption for his battle against Scizor. Cyndaquil is a baby, so she can't battle, so Houndour it is. But I don't know what the gym rules are and if a 3v3 battle depends on what Busgy's Pokemon are, maybe Totodile or Mareep or Murkrow?" Ash said to Brock, who nodded at this.

The two arrived at the gym, which was a massive greenhouse and had the bug-type feel to it the instant that the two went into the gym. "Wow, this place is worthy of being a bug-type gym," Brock said to Ash, who was looking around and was seeing other bug Pokemon from Metapod to Syther and Pokemon that Ash hadn't seen before. Like Ledyba and Ariados, Ash scanned and got to see what they were.

"Hey, you guys. Welcome to the Azalea town gym," Bugsy said while coming down from a latter from a giant tree of the greenhouse. "I noticed that Misty isn't with you. Is she that scared of bug-Pokemon not to come here?" Bugsy asked Ash and Brock.

"Well, that and she and Slowbro are heading to the Slowpoke well cause Misty might get a Slowpoke for her team," Ash explains to Bugsy, who sighed at this but understood the reason why she wouldn't visit the gym.

The three walked to where the battlefield would be in the gym. "Well, you ready, Ash. I had to turn down a few trainers yesterday for our battle today, aside from the town's restriction not to hold gym battles for the relief of the drought," Bugsy said to Ash, who nodded at this who looked like he was going to ask Bugsy about something. "Huh? What's wrong, Ash? You don't seem yourself, unlike the other day?" Bugsy asked.

"Huh? Yes, I do have a question before we have our battle? Did you battle a trainer with Blue hair and glasses by the name Damian or had the challenger who wanted to fight you by that name?" Ash asked Bugsy.

"Yes, he challenged the gym just before the drought happened. He was ruthless in his battle to the point that I had to leave almost all my Pokemon except Scizor at the Pokemon center to the point that I almost missed my visit to the Dojo when we first met? Why, you ask Ash?"

"Recently, Brock captured a Pokemon that was released by Damian, who was a Pineco," Ash said to Bugsy but stopped Ash before he could finish that sentence.

"I know, that said Pineco. Damian made him self-destruct to cause massive damage and hurt to my Pokemon. And a Charizard that made many of my Pokemon still have nightmares. To the point that the team I had originally planned for you other than Scizor is not going to be used today," Bugsy said.

"So the Pokemon we saw were the ones who were recovering? Or are they the ones that weren't used in that battle?" Ash asked Bugsy.

"Well, most are wild, and most are Pokemon that are mine. I allowed the wild ones here as long as they don't cause harm to the challenges that come by. They don't bother the challenging trainers, and the trainers won't try to capture them," Bugsy explained to Ash while answering his question.

"Make sense. I wasn't planning on doing that as they seemed pleased with being here anyway," Ash reassured Bugsy.

The trio arrived at the battlefield, surrounded by trees and a large trainers box stadium screen. Ash was impressed by this, while this was similar to the battlefield when he faced Falkner. But at least this seems more like a battlefield for bug-types.

Both Ash and Bugsy went to the respected trainer's boxes as the ref for the gym were ready for this battle. "The Azalea town gym battle between Ash Ketchem from Pallet town and gym leader Bugsy is about to begin. When all of one trainer's Pokemon is unable to continue, the match is over. Each trainer is allowed the maximum usage of three Pokemon while the challenger is only allowed to make any substitutions during the course of the battle," The Referee said as Ash was ready for this, as did Bugsy.

"Spinarak comes on out," Bugsy sent out his first Pokemon, which was a spider-looking Pokemon that Ash looked up and pulled out his first Pokeball. "Houndour, come on out," Ash sent out his fire/dark type Pokemon. Bugsy was surprised by this as he knew that Ash had a Charizard and possibly a flying type but knew that Ash wasn't going to traumatize his Pokemon with a Charizard.

"Spinarak vs. Houndour, let the battle begin," The Referee announced.

"Alright, Houndour, use ember," Ash commands Houndour as it launches a strong ember attack towards the Spinarak as it instantly jumped into the trees with a string of silk that it's known to use.

"Alright, Spinarak, use Sludge Bomb," Bugsy commands Spinarak, who launched a glob of Poison towards Houndour.

"Dodge with Faint attack Houndour," Ash commands Houndour, who vanishes quickly and hits Spinarak from behind, sending it down from its web string.

"Ugh, not bad, Ash, but I won't let that get to me. Use Night shade Spinarak," Bugsy commanded as it launched a dark beam from its eyes towards hitting Houndour, sending it back towards Ash, panting as did Spinarak.

"Now use Reversal Houndour," Ash said to Houndour as it used the energy stored from all the damage it took and charged right towards Spinarak hitting it knocking it out.

"Spinarak is unable to battle Houndour wins," The Referee announced as Bugsy returned Spinarak and turned to Ash.

"I must admit Ash. I thought you would bring Charizard to this battle, but a Houndour is better, but this is just the beginning Beedril come on out," Bugsy sent out his next Pokemon, which Ash wasn't expecting.

"Alright, Houndour return," Ash recalled Houndour and pulled out another Pokeball. "Okay, Totodile, come on out," Ash sent out his water starter. "You ready, Totodile?" Ash asked Totodile, who nodded at this.

'Ready, Ash, let's get this battle going,' Totodile said while having that competitive look on his face and eyes while facing Beedril down, not scared of it.

"Beedril use Pin Missle," Bugsy commanded the Bee Pokemon, which launched a stream of pins towards Totodile.

"Use water gun Totodile," Ash commands Totodile as it launches a torrent of water towards Beedril while both moves hit both of the Pokemon. "Use bite Totodile," Ash commands Totodile as it bit down on Beedril's arm.

"Fight back with Twin Needle Beedril," Bugsy commands Beedril, which it slammed its other Needle at Totodile, sending it down to the ground even though Totodile got most of the damage from all of this. It was still standing strong only to be Poisoned.

"Oh no, Totodile is Poisoned," Ash said while he knew that was the side effects from Twin Needle but wasn't expecting that to happen right away. Bugsy was about to command Beedril for another attack, but suddenly Totodile started glowing. It was beginning to evolve.

Totodile was now a Croconaw which Ash looked up though it still had the Poison left over regardless of evolving. "Alright, Croconaw, you evolve," Ash said to his water starter, who looked at himself and puffed his chest at this but was still suffering from the Poison from the twin needle.

"Alright, use Ancient Power Croconaw," Ash commanded Croconaw as it hits Beedril, knocking it out, but the Poison was too much for the water starter as he also fainted from it. "No, Croconaw," Ash said.

"Croconaw, Beedril are both unable to battle," The Referee announced as both Bugsy and Ash returned both of their Pokemon. Ash knew what Pokemon was next and was hoping to get in some damage.

"Well, Ash, I must say I'm impressed by this battle so far, but as I mentioned before, I save this Pokemon just for our battle. Scizor comes on out," Bugsy sent out his main ace. The steel/bug type came out of his ball to the battlefield.

"Houndour, come on out," Ash sent out his fire/dark type again, who was still worn out but was still wanting not to disappoint Ash in this battle.

"Houndour use ember," Ash commands Houndour as it sends out a ember again towards Scizor.

"Dodge and use Fury Cutter Scizor," Bugsy commands Scizor as it moved so quickly that it barely dodged the fire-type move as the Fury cuter hits Houndour.

"Now Reversal, "Ash commands as it manages to hit Scizor after being hit by Fury Cutter. "Now, Ember Houndour," Ash commands Houndour before Scizor could recover from hitting it, but it shrugged it off.

"Use Hyper beam Scizor," Bugsy commands Scizor launching the Hyper beam hitting Houndour and knocking him out.

"Houndour is unable to battle Scizor wins the battle is now tied with one Pokemon each," the Referee announced. Ash returns Houndour, praising him for his battle as he did what Ash wanted Houndour to do against Scizor before turning to Bugsy and pulling out his last Pokeball.

"Well, Bugsy, it's time for that rematch of our bug-type. Heracross, come on out," Ash sent out his bug/fighting type who saw the trees and took a snack on one of the trees. "Come on, Heracross, now's not the time for that," Ash said to his Pokemon as Bugsy chuckled at this.

"Come on, Ash, this place is made for even Pokemon like Heracross, and I'll allow it since he is doing what he is known to do," Bugsy said to Ash. Heracross finished eating his sap from the tree and flew to the battlefield.

The two bug Pokemon stared each other down as they knew that there was no calling the match off this time. Ash remembers the last time he faced against Scizor and knew not to try match blow for blow with Fury Cutter.

"Heracross, use Horn attack," Ash commands Heracross, who charges towards Scizor horn pointing towards Scizor.

"Scizor, double team and then used Fury Cutter," Bugsy commands Scizor as he made copies of itself as the clones were as fast as the original was as Fury Cutter landed a blow after Heracross hits one of the clones.

"Ugh, this is bad, but keep calm. Ash Scizor is fast, but I have to wait for the moment for the real one," Ash thought. "Relax Heracross and focus on which is real. Once you find it, you can strike back," Ash commanded Heracross.

Heracross did as he could tell that the clones were slowly going away, revealing the real one in his meditative state. "Now Reversal Heracross," Ash commands Heracross as it slams its horn straight at Scizor hard.

"Now use Metal Claw Scizor and Reversal," Bugsy commands Scizor as it smashes its right claw into Heracross hard, sending him back and was on the ground struggling to get up. "Now now, Ash, you think that your was the only one that knew that move, we've prepared that move just for Scizor's weaknesses. But it seems like you haven't learned your lesson from the dojo Scizor end this with Hyper beam," Bugsy commands Scizor who launched the Hyper beam towards Heracross.

Heracross's horn started to glow massive amounts of energy and dodged and smashed its horn straight at Scizor, hitting it hard and sending it back, leaving a mark on Scizor's thigh that wasn't reversal horn attack.

"That has to be Mega Horn. It's the strongest bug Pokemon move that is in Heracross's arsenal, not bad Ash, but this match is about to end," Bugsy said to Ash, who nodded at this in agreement. "Scizor use Metal claw and Reversal," Bugsy commands Scizor who's claws glowed and charged at Heracross.

"End this with Mega Horn and Reversal," Ash commanded Heracross. The two Pokemon clashed the two moves right at each other to the point that it caused an explosion that was way too strong for a normal one.

The two Pokemon were barely standing up, panting hard from all of this. It looked like the two were about to faint, but Scizor fainted first as Heracross stubbornly stood on his feet, refusing to faint from this.

"Scizor is unable to battle Heracross wins the victor is Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town," The Referee announced the winner of the battle just in time for Heracross to nearly pass out only to be caught by Ash who was hugging him in celebration of his victory.

"You did great, Heracross," Ash said to Heracross, who held his arm out in acknowledgment. Same with Bugsy, who walked over to Ash and Heracross.

"I must admit, Ash, I thought that would end differently but nicely done. Here the Hive badge is yours," Bugsy handed the gym's badge to Ash, who accepted it.

Ash and Bugsy were leaving the Pokemon center after getting their Pokemon healed after this battle, just in time for Misty and Slowbro to come back along with Maizie with a batch of Pokeballs that Kurt made. For Ash and Brock: One Fast ball, two Lure balls, one Heavy ball, and one Friend ball as Misty had already received her Lure balls before returning to the Pokemon center with Ash.

"Thanks, Maizie. Any news of the GS ball and Misty you caught your Pokemon?" Ash asked both the two.

"I'll start. Yes, Slowbro helped me with a new member of my team, a female Slowpoke who is willing to get stronger to your Slowbro's psychic capabilities," Misty said; however, she turned to Maizie, who looked upset.

"Yeah, earlier, the GS ball was being worked on, and then suddenly it opened, and before we could see what came out, it was gone. All we saw was a blueish-blackish color blur running off but was gone before we could see what it was," Maizie said to Ash, who was surprised by this before thinking about what it was. "All I know is that whatever is in there was in that ball for the last few years, that is all," Maizie said before leaving telling them goodbye.

"I'll contact the league about this as well, Ash? Until then, you should be more focused on your Journey. The next gym is in Goldenrod City. But a word of warning Whitney, the gym leader, is not someone to be taken lightly both her Pokemon and personality-wise. She is ranked pretty highly amongst us gym leaders even enough to hold her own against the last two gym leaders," Bugsy said to Ash, who was surprised by this.

"That is all I can say for now until then. I suggest that you go through the Ilex forest. If you leave now, you'll be there in a month if you don't get sidetracked," Bugsy said to Ash and the others, to which Misty shivers at this. "Relax, Misty, there's not many bug Pokemon there in the forest, and it's the only way to Goldenrod City. Until then, I'm sure that we'll meet again Ash the next time we meet. I hope a rematch can be a thing," Bugsy said while holding out a hand for a handshake.

"Deal Bugsy," Ash said while accepting the handshake. Ash and the others went their separate ways. Bugsy back to his house and Ash and the others towards Ilex forest.

With a gym badge in hand and news about the GS Ball is given to Ash and the others, the Journey in Johto is getting better and better as the Journey continues.

Stay tuned.

Done, this took longer than I thought it would be. Yes, Heracross learned Mega Horn, and I made Totodile evolve while it didn't a gym win, it'll still get more battles later on. As for the GS ball and the mysterious Pokemon. Some of you might get what it is by the description of it. But that'll be after the Hoenn story of the trilogy. Misty is getting a Slowpoke off-screen yes, I did mention that was going to happen given that Misty is scared of bug Pokemon, but she'll get a different evolution of the Slowpoke line. With that said, the Noctowl episode is next, and I do have other plans for Noctowl not being on Ash's team. You'll see when that chapter comes out. See you then.