Chapter 31: Highpoint Gym Battle

Ash and his friends are back at Highpoint City and they are in front of the gym, Ash asks, "Mother, do you know about what Amber's strategy is?"

"She specializes in Fire Type Pokemon since she loved to train back in Mt. Chimney back at the Hoenn Region. And if I remember, this time you will be facing 4 Pokemon."

"I see." Ash says. "And I am ready for that."

Once they get inside the gym, they see that there are some switches and lava on the ground. Amber is standing at the other side of the battlefield and she says, "Hello, guys. Thank you for all you did at Mount Highpoint, they sure are up to something not good."

"Don't worry about it, Amber, we can handle them." Delia says.

"Anyway, our battle as you know, I'm Amber, the Gym Leader of Highpoint Gym. I use Fire-type Pokémon, so I hope you're ready for this!"

Then they see that some of the floors are disappearing except for those with the switches on. Ash says, "What's going on..."

"In this gym, the field will become like this. But don't worry, if you move the switch, then the platforms will change. That is how this gym works." Amber says.

"Okay." Ash says as he goes to the side of the battlefield while the others go to the stands.

"My first Pokemon will be Hottop." As the Pokemon is sent out, she says, "Come on! Show me your skills!''

"You bet, it is a Fire and Rock Type, so I choose Pupool." As the dog appears, it starts to lick Ash, much to his surprise. But then Pupool says, "Not now, Pupool, we are going to battle."

Then the dog Pokemon nods as it faces the Gym Leader's Hottop. Amber says, "Let's start with Stealth Rock."

The Pokemon shoots out some invisible rocks and one of them hits the switch, causing the platform to move. "Get out of there quick, Pupool!"

As the Pokemon jumps to the other platform, he says, "This is really hard. But we will overcome it, use Water Sport first."

Then it splashes on a puddle of water, causing Hottop's Fire moves to get weakened. Amber says, "Hottop doesn't only learn fire moves. Use Rock Slide."

"Dodge it." Ash yells as Pupool jumps to another platform, but he is now stuck as another rock is coming. "Calm down, Pupool, use Aqua Jet on that switch!"

The puppy nods as it does what Ash says, and then another platform rises and lowers, Mark says, "He is getting used to it."

"That is great, Ash." Alice cheers as Pikachu also cheer for him.

"Well, not for long. This lava is artificial, which means that Fire Pokemon can swim in it." Then Hottop swims in front of Pupool, much to Ash and the puppy Pokemon's surprise. "Use Lava Plume."

Even though it is weakened, the move still deals a lot of damage to the Pokemon. But much to the Gym Leader's surprise, Pupool starts to glow and becomes darker blue.

"Wow, it is a Pooldog now!" Ash gasps as he scans the Pokemon.

Pooldog: The Bulldog Pokemon: Water Type. Evolved from Pupool at LV:29. A popular household Pokémon due to their loyalty and gentle disposition. Their drool always hangs from their jowls, if removed, it will reform immediately.

"Evolution I see." Amber says, "But that isn't going to stop me, use Rock Polish." Then the Pokemon starts to raise its Attack stats, but Ash says, "Use your Megalo Fang!" Ash yells as the Pokemon gives the Hottop a bite, causing it to faint in the end.

Amber says, "I was really careless with that attack...but this time it won't happen again. Blitzglow, come on out."

As the Electric and Fire Type Pokemon appears, Ash says, "So that is Blitzy's evolution..."

Alice says, "It floats in the air, which means that it has possibly had the ability Levitate, right?"

"You are right." Mark says.

"Now let's do some tricks. Swift! Aim over Pooldog."

Ash is confused at what it is doing, but then the attack hits the switch and then the platforms that are linked to the one Pooldog is standing are gone. Ash says, "Oh no, we're trapped..."

"Checkmate, Shock Wave." And then Pooldog is defeated by the attack.

"Return, you did a good job, Pooldog..." Ash recalls the Pooldog and then he takes out the second Pokeball. "Now I will need your help, Eclipser!"

As the Pokemon appears, it also floats in the air. Ash says, "Eclipser, this is our first gym battle ever since I found you again, this time lend me your powers."

Eclipser nods and it glows white, Amber says, "I don't know what you just did, but Blitzglow, use Flash!"

The Pokemon glows as the Eclipser can't see a thing. Ash says, "Calm down and use your Psychic powers, then use Power Gem."

Eclipser nods and then it calms down, then the Power Gem also hits Blitzglow.

"Not bad, Swift!" Amber yells.

"Dodge it, and then use Morning Sun!" Ash yells as the Pokemon dodges the attack, and then it glows as its HP is recovering. But much to Amber's shock, Blitzglow gets hit by an unseen force as it faints.

"What's going on? The Morning Sun isn't an attacking move..." Amber says.

"That is Future Sight. I tell it to use it in the first turn." Ash says. "And it works so well."

Delia says, "Future Sight, huh? Interesting."

Amber says, "I have to admit, you sure are your mother's son. But that isn't going to stop me from sending Billaze."

As the Pokemon appears, Ash says, "This must be the evolution of Kidlit..."

By using the Flame Charge, it speeds up and then gives Eclipser a lot of attacks, causing it to faint in the end. Ash says, "Then Milotic, I choose you!"

As the Pokemon appears, Amber says, "A Milotic...it has been a while since I see one..."

"Milotic, Rain Dance!" As the rain causes the field to get wet, Amber says, "Then we'll just have to take some measures, use Body Slam."

But as Milotic is hit and gets paralyzed, Ash says, "Too bad, the ability Marvel Scale also raises the Defense, so that won't work. Use Water Pulse."

"Dodge it." But as Billaze dodges the attack, the attack lands on the switch, and then it causes Billaze to be cornered.

"What?" Amber gasps.

"As the saying goes, I'll let you taste your own medicine. Finish with Hydro Pump!" Ash says. Milotic shoots out the water at the Pokemon and then Billaze faints.

Delia says, "It sure is really exciting...since it isn't usual to see Amber getting cornered like this."

Amber sighs, "Not only do you have your talent as your father, but you also have cunning like your mother. But I will break them apart with my final Pokemon, Magrizzly!"

As the bear-like Pokemon appears, she says, "Sunny Day!"

Then the weather becomes harsh and Milotic can't help but land at the platform. "Then use Solar Claw!"

Ash sees that the claw absorbs the sunlight and then slashes at Milotic, causing some pain. "Milotic."

"Now Storm Throw!" Amber yells as Magrizzly throws the Milotic to another platform, causing it to faint.

"Milotic, return." Ash says. "You did a good job."

"Now what are you going to do next?" Amber asks.

Ash says, "I have promised, after winning four badges, I am going to need their help for battling the upcoming gyms. So I'll choose Ho-Oh!"

Delia, Alice, and Mark widen their eyes to see the phoenix Pokemon appear in front of them. Delia says, "Ash? What's the meaning of this?"

Ash says, "I am sorry, mother, but I promise my Legendary Pokemon that they will have a chance to battle. And I decided to let them battle the Gym Leaders."

Delia sighs and says, "I see...well, I can't blame you for it."

Amber says, "It's fine, Delia. I wanted to battle a Ho-Oh for a long time."

Then Magrizzly uses Slash on Ho-Oh, but then Ho-Oh uses Recover to recover its health. Then it goes for Sky Attack, Magrizzly jumps into the lava to dodge the attack. But Ho-Oh also dives into the lava as well.

"Of course, Ho-Oh is a Fire Type as well." Alice says.

"Yeah. Brother is going to win." Mark says.

"Finish with Brave Bird!" Ash says.

Magrizzly is back on the surface, but it can't see Ho-Oh, until it appears behind him, knocking him through several platforms, and then finally ends on the platform that connects to the wall.

"You blew out my fire..." Amber gasps as she recalls her Pokemon. "Congratulations on your victory! You have won the Blast Badge!"

Ash gets the badge and thanks to her, Delia says, "So how are you feeling, Amber?"

Amber says, "Your son, he is a perfect combination of you and your husband. I am really convinced of that."

As Delia looks at how Alice and Ash are chatting happily, she says, "Well, then I guess that Alice is really lucky to have him."


Back outside, Ash bumps into a person, the person says, "Ow...watch out..."

Ash hears the voice and he says, "Rodney?"

"Oh, it's you, Ash, Alice, Mark, and Ms. Ketchum as well. Good to see you again." He gets back up and says, "So you won the Blast Badge?"

"Yeah, she is really tough, but I managed to win." Ash says.

"That's awesome, I am just about to battle her now. I hope I'll win." Rodney says.

"So you're not going to have a battle?" Mark asks.

"Well, I could do that, but I wanna save my energy for the Gym Battle, you see." Rodney rubs his head with a small laugh.

But much to their surprise, Amber also walks out of the gym, much to their confusion. Delia asks, "Amber, what's wrong?"

"Thank goodness that you haven't left yet. Ash, I have a favor to ask you." Amber says.

"What is it?" Ash asks.

"You see, after our battle, I had a thought..." She then takes out a red orb and Delia is shocked. "That's the Core Stone! You have it this whole time?"

"Yes. Delia." She turns to Ash, "Knowing Gloria, she will realize that I have the Core Stone and she will come back for it... I know this, so I want to ask you this. It's dangerous, but will you take the Core Stone with you on your journey? I know that you will keep it safe.''

"Wait, you want me to keep the Core Stone?" Ash gasps as she nods, then the stone is in Ash's hands.

"What people? What's a Core Stone? What am I missing?" Rodney asks.

"And Who are you?" Amber asks. Alice says, "This is Rodney, he is a friend of ours."

"Rodney, Sorry, but I can't let anyone else know that Ash has the Core Stone, so please keep it a secret!'' Amber says.

"I have no idea what this is about...So, okay." Rodney says.

"Thank you, so please, Ash. Take the Core Stone and keep it safe! I know that it will be safe with you!" She turns to Rodney, "So, Rodney. You would like to battle?''

"Yes please." Rodney says.

"Okay, let's go." "Awesome, see you later." Then Rodney and Amber go back into the gym as the others bid them farewell.

"So where should we go next?" Ash asks.

"There is a long-distance between the sixth gym, so we should go to the Docking Port for Waytide City." Delia says. "It is lucky that the cable cars are open now." Then they go take the cable car back to Docking Port.


Here is a new chapter, Ash has gotten not only the fifth badge but also the Core Stone to keep from both Team Solar and Team Lunar. I hope you like it.

New Pokemon or Evolution: Pooldog