@Mario 64
This was in the original draft, and just didn't make it into the final draft, but Ash is going into contests as another way to become a Pokemon Master. He went through Kanto, Orange Islands, and Jhoto the same as the anime, so this is just a new challenge for him. As for the May pairing, I hadn't even thought of that, but that could be interesting, I might use that later.
@melfonjroliveira
Thanks for the support, like I said the continuation of Trap Ash will be coming in a few months.
"So this is Petalburg City." Ash said looking around.
"Yep, and it's home of my first gym battle. So Ashton, any advice?" Brendan asked eagerly.
"Okay, your first stop isn't the gym, trust me." Ash said.
"Any first stop in a town or city is here at the Pokemon Center. Mudkip and Seedot deserve to be looked at for things we don't notice." Ash said.
"Whoa! Nurse Joy! How'd you get here so fast!" Brendan said in shock.
"She didn't." Ash said. "Each Pokémon Center has a few Nurse Joys."
"He's right." The working Nurse Joy said with a smile. "How can I help you today though?"
"I'd like to have my Pokémon checked up." Brendan said.
"Not a problem." Nurse Joy said, placing a tray in front of Brendan, then a second in front of Ash.
"So, where's Pikachu's Pokeball?" Brendan asked, as Pikachu was carried back.
"Right here, why?" Ash asked, wiggling his backpack looking for the item in question.
"Well, Pikachu is out constantly, and while I get that for when you're in battle, doesn't it seem odd to keep him out at all times?" Brendan asked.
"PIkachu doesn't like being in his Pokeball, so I don't make him stay in it, that's really all there is to it." Ash admitted.
"Oh, I never really thought of that being an option I guess." Brendan admitted.
A while later
"All of your Pokémon are back in perfect fighting condition." The Nurse Joy said, giving Ash and Brendan their Pokeballs and Pikachu back.
"Now the gym?" Brendan asked.
"If you're looking to face the gym leader, then you should head to the north end of the city." The Nurse Joy said. "But be ready, he's incredibly tough."
"Well so am I." Brendan assured.
"Don't get overconfident." Ash muttered.
Outside the Pokemon gym
"So this is a gym, huh I thought it'd be more impressive." Brendan said.
"Each gym is different, some are spectacular on the outside, while others simple outside just like this one." Ash said. "Don't let their appearances fool you though, each gym leader is tough, specializing in a specific type."
"Well then, no point in waiting out here." Brendan said.
"Are you here looking for the gym leader?" A man asked walking up behind them.
The duo turned around to see an adult man, carrying a bouquet of flowers.
"Yes, do you know where they are?" Brendan asked.
"I do, the names Norman, and I'm the Petalburg gym leader." The man said.
"My name is Brendan, from Littleroot. I'd like to have a gym battle." Brendan replied.
"Littleroot huh, my daughter May just left for there for her first Pokemon. Now I need to ask, do you have four badges?" Norman asked.
"Uhh, no, I don't even have one." Brendan admitted.
"Well then, I don't recommend challenging me until then, but if you wish, I won't stop you." Norman said, walking into his gym.
"You never told me about recommended amounts of badges!" Brendan said.
"That's because I didn't know that was a thing." Ash admitted. "Come on, we can come back later."
"No." Brendan said.
"Wait, what do you mean no? You heard Norman, he recommends you have four badges." Ash replied.
"Exactly, that's what he recommends. And I say that I can take him." Brendan said assuringly. "I'm going in."
"Great, he's just like me." Ash sighed, following Brendan into the gym.
"So you decided to give my gym challenge a shot. For now we will count this as a practice battle, however if you do manage to take out my Pokemon, I'll count it as official." Norman said calmly.
"Alright then, come on out Seedot!"
"Vigoroth let's go!"
"Who's that Pokemon?" Ash asked, pulling out his Pokédex.
'Vigoroth the Wild Monkey Pokemon, a normal type.' The Pokédex announced.
"Seedot use Harden!"
"Vigoroth use Slash!"
Vigoroth sped forward, swinging his arms left and right at the grass type, knocking Seedot back a few feet.
"Seedot use Bide!"
"Vigoroth use Slash!"
Vigoroth charged forward again, clashing it's claws on Seedot's hard shell.
"Hold in there Seedot!" Brendan said.
"Vigoroth use another Slash!"
Vigoroth leapt down on Seedot with a crash.
"Seedot is unable to battle, the winner is Vigoroth." A gym trainer announced.
"Seedot return." Brendan said.
"Bide is a powerful move, but only if you can survive the attack. Even something as durable as a Seedot can only hold out for so long." Norman informed.
"Mudkip let's go! Use Tackle!"
"Vigoroth use Encore!"
Vigoroth clapped its claws together as Mudkip bounced off of him.
"Mudkip switch to Mud Slap!"
"Vigoroth use Slash!"
Mudkip disobeyed orders as it leapt at Vigoroth again, only to get swatted away by Vigoroth's claws.
"Mudkip, why'd you charge at him again?" Brendan asked.
"Encore makes it so a Pokemon will continue to use the last attack they used." Norman informed.
"If I can't choose another attack, how can I win?" Brendan said thinking.
"Alright Vigoroth I think that's enough." Norman said, returning the normal type to its Pokeball. "You did exceptional for a new trainer however. I'd recommend heading for Rustburo City, the gym leader there is known for helping new trainers even while they're battling her."
"Thank you for the opportunity to battle you." Brendan said.
"Hey, once you get four badges, come on back and we can have a rematch." Norman offered.
"Really, you'd let that?!" Brendan asked.
"A gym leaders job isn't to turn down trainers, its to help them grow, this battle helped you learn more about your own Pokemon and even their limits, you are welcome to challenge me at any time though." Norman said. "I'll be keeping an eye out for you."
"Thanks Norman." Brendan said.
"What about you, are you going to have a battle with me?" Norman asked Ash.
"Oh, I'm not really one for doing gyms anymore." Ash admitted. "I am looking at the contests held here though."
"In that case, I definitely recommend Rustburo now. There is a contest coming up there in a week or so." Norman said. "Best of luck to the both of you."
"Thank you very much." Ash and Brendan said before leaving.
