Chapter 71: Rocking the Virbank gym pt2
'For Pokespeech
"For human speech
Ash was in the lead with four Pokemon, with Roxie having three in this full 6v6 gym battle as per Roxie's request. Ash knew that Roxie had more Pokemon left in this battle. There was a thirty-minute break between this part of the battle so Ash and Roxie could catch a break, and surprisingly most of the groupies and fans apologized to Ash which he happily accepted.
"So you think Roxie has Pokemon from all six regions, Ash?" Misty asked Ash, who nodded. "Roxie's been touring with her band before she became a gym leader. Surprisingly, they're as popular as you and your sister Misty," Ash said to Misty, who thought her name sounded familiar outside from knowing her from Ash.
"The problem is I think she'll save a Pokemon from the Kalos region for last on her team, and I have no clue what Pokemon in terms of Poison types is in that region," Ash said, which Misty and Brock nodded. "Will, both gym leader and challenger, return to the battlefield to continue the second half of the gym battle," the ref said on the loudspeaker.
Ash walked back to the gym's battlefield as he saw Roxie. "Hope you're ready for my second set of Pokemon. You've taken out one of my strongest ones, and I have one special Pokemon for you to battle, so prepared," Roxie said to Ash, who nodded.
The two made it to the battlefield. "Now we can continue this battle will both sides let out their next Pokemon, and we can begin again," the ref announced. Ash and Roxie pulled out their Pokeballs. "Seviper, come on out," Roxie sent out her next Pokemon. "Joltik, come on out," Ash sent out his next Pokemon.
Both Pokemon came out of their Pokeballs, and on the battlefield, Joltik, while cute, was ready for this battle. Joltik had been training with Zebstrika and stared down at the snake Pokemon to face her. Roxie knew about this Pokemon, and they aren't the type to take lightly.
"Joltik vs. Serviper, let this battle restart," the ref announced. "Seviper, use Flamethrower," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, firing the attack at Joltik. "Double team and then use Electro Web," Ash commanded her, who made copies, and the clones fired the web of electricity at Serviper.
"Coil and then use Poison tail," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who curled up, taking the Electro Web, slithered over and slammed her tail on Joltik, poisoning Joltik. "Now Venoshock and Flamethrower," Roxie commanded her Pokemon.
"Electro ball now," Ash commanded her, who fired the ball, destroying the two attacks and hitting Serviper, damaging her as Joltik was panting before starting to evolve. Ash wasn't even surprised by this moment as this was a thing lately in this gym battle as Joltik was now a Galvantulla though she was the same cute and happy personality minus being Poisoned.
"Bug Buzz and then use Electro ball," Ash commanded her, who fired and used both attacks. "Use Flamethrower and Venoshock," Roxie commanded her Pokemon. As the two Pokemon sent their attacks, both of them were hit, but Galvantulla took the worst of it because she was poisoned and was knocked out, while Serviper had static but was still standing.
"Galvantulla is unable to battle Serviper wins. The match is tied with three Pokemon each," the ref announced as Ash returned Galvantulla to her ball. "You did great take a good rest," Ash said to Galvantulla before turning to Roxie, who smirked.
"She's been raised well, Ash but the last two trainers who faced me had one on their team, so I had ways around that Pokemon," Roxie said to Ash, who smirked at her, figuring that she has faced at least one in her few days as a gym leader before pulling out another Pokeball. "Golett, come on out," Ash sent out his next Pokemon.
"A ghost/ground type figures, but that won't change things. Use Night Slash," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, whose tail glowed dark and charged at Golett. "Shadow Punch now," Ash commanded and instantly slammed his fist into Serviper. "Now, Heavy Slam," Ash commanded Golett.
Golett grabbed Serviper and was about to toss it. "Poison Fang," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who bit Golett, who took it and slammed Serviper into the ground. "End this with Shadow Punch," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who slammed his fist into Serviper, knocking her out.
"Serviper is unable to battle Golett wins," the ref announced as Golett flexed from this though he was now faced with Poisoning effects, then evolved into a Golurk. Roxie returned her Pokemon, thinking she would gain a massive lead from Serviper but figured that Ash had something up his sleeve, but then smirked and laughed.
"Wow, to think that a gym battle like this would be this great," Roxie said as Ash was curious before Roxie pulled out her next Pokeball. "Don't get me wrong, Ash, while I've enjoyed my battles until now, you've been the only one giving me a real challenge," Roxie said to Ash. "Scolipede, come on out," Roxie sent her second to the last Pokemon who was raring to battle.
Ash returned Golurk to his ball, knowing that Scolipede would have Venoshock and he wasn't going to put him through that for right now, and then pulled out his next Pokeball. "Excadrill, come on out," Ash sent out his next Pokemon. Both Pokemon stared each other down as Roxie wasn't phased.
"Use Bulldoze," Roxie commanded her Pokemon. "Drill Run now," Ash commanded as Excadrill managed to get to Scolipede. "Gyro ball," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who spun and slammed into Excadrill hard, sending both of them back to their trainers. Both Pokemon were staring each other down, growling at each other.
"Use Rock Slide," Ash commanded his Pokemon, firing the attack at Scolipede. "Gyro Ball now," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who dodged around the rocks and slammed right into Excadrill. "X-scissors," Ash commanded him, who slashed at Scolipede.
"Giga Impact, now," Ash and Roxie commanded their Pokemon as the two clashed with each other and caused an explosion as Excadrill was standing as Scolipede was knocked out. "Scolipede is unable to battle Excadrill wins," the ref announced as Roxie returned her Pokemon.
"For your first time as a gym leader, cousin. You are doing well as a trainer who has been doing this for almost six years. I can see why you are doing your best," Ash said to Roxie, who smiled when Ash said that and pulled out her last Pokeball.
"Thanks, Ash, and to think that I will be using this Pokemon against you of all trainers, but this is the debut of my latest capture to my Poison type collection and the band, you can say," Roxie said. She strummed her guitar and sent tossed her last Pokemon, a Pokemon that looked very seaweed-like Pokemon that looks very strong.
"Woah, look at that Pokemon," Ash said, now impressed by the looks at the Pokemon, a Pokemon that looks like a dragon, not just a Poison type. "Humph, caught your attention, Ash? Well, meet Dragagle, the only Poison Pokemon that is also a Dragon type from Kalos," Roxie explained, and everyone was amazed by the sight of this Pokemon.
This didn't phase Excadrill as he knew that he had the advantage against this Pokemon, given that both Dragon types can't do much damage to him and Poison types won't touch him. On the other hand, Ash knew that this Pokemon shouldn't be taken lightly, given that he hadn't faced one. "Drill Run now," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who spun and charged at Dragagle.
"Flamethrower now, Dragagle," Roxie commanded her Pokemon. Ash and Excadrill are surprised to hear that as the Flamethrower hits Excadrill, sending him back to Ash struggling to get up. "Now end this with Hydro Pump," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who fired the attack at Excadrill, knocking him out.
"Excadrill is unable to battle Dragagle wins," the ref announced. Ash was surprised by this, still wondering how this Pokemon has both of those moves in its arsenal.
"You see, Ash Dragagle isn't originally a Poison/Dragon type when you first meet its first stage Skrelp. That Pokemon is the same typing as the Tenticruel line until it evolves and has the moveset of what you normally see in dragons," Roxie explained to Ash. Who was surprised by this and knew that his last two Pokemon were in trouble?
"Golurk, come on out," Ash sent out his next Pokemon, who was still feeling the effects of the Poison from his battle against Serviper. "Golurk use Ice Punch," Ash commanded his Pokemon. "Use Psychic," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who used the attack on Golurk to stop him.
"Now Venoshock," Roxie commanded her Pokemon. "Shadow Punch now," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who fired his fist at Dragagle, who was hit, but the Venoshock managed to land a blow on Golurk, who was barely standing from that attack. Roxie was surprised by this.
"Wow, I wasn't expecting that he would withstand that attack. He has to be determined to win if he is capable of taking Venoshock," Roxie thought. "Dragon Pulse," Roxie commanded her Pokemon and fired the attack at Golurk.
"Jump and then Heavy Slam," Ash commanded, who tried to dodge it, but the Poison was too much as the Dragon Pulse hit its mark. "Golurk, no!" Ash said as Golurk was knocked out. "Golurk is unable to battle Dragagle wins. The match is tied with both sides having one Pokemon each," the ref announced as Ash returned Golurk to his Pokeball. Ash turned to Roxie.
"Well, Roxie, I wasn't expecting that you had those moves. This battle was fun," Ash said as Roxie was curious. "I'm not planning on giving up if that is what you are wondering. I'm just thinking about how much fun this battle has been with that. Even if I don't win, at least I tried," Ash said, pulling out his last Pokeball. "Larvesta, come on out," Ash sent out his last Pokemon.
Larvesta let out a burst of flames from its sides and knew he would be needed to win this battle, not just for Ash but for himself. Everyone is surprised, given that the history of this Pokemon is rare. Everyone here was in awe and shocked that they saw one in battle. Roxie wasn't phased, but she will admit that she was honored to face one in battle.
"Use Hydro Pump," Roxie commanded her Pokemon. "Larvesta uses Bug Buzz to counter it," Ash commanded Larvesta, who blocked the water-type attack and started to hit Dragagle. "Now use Psychic," Ash commanded Larvesta, who hit Dragagle.
Roxie was now worried, given how fast Larvesta was using its moves, and clenched her guitar. "Use Dragon Pulse," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who fired the attack hitting Larvesta. "Now use Hydro Pump," Roxie commanded Dragagle, who fired the attack at Larvesta, hitting its mark, which surprised Ash, Misty, and Brock as Larvesta got up. Not wanting to give up.
"Larvesta, you okay you want to quit nothing is wrong with that," Ash said to Larvesta, who shook his head, and Ash smiled. "You are strong and want to help with your family and line, so I believe in you," Ash said to Larvesta, whose eyes widened and nodded and glared at Dragagle as the fire on its head started to flare up. The Flames consumed Larvesta Ash was surprised as Larvesta started to evolve. Larvesta was now a Volcarona in all his majestic appeal. Everyone was in awe of this site.
"Wow, you evolve, Volcarona. Let's do this," Ash said to Volcarona, who nodded. Ash looked up its moves to see if it had anything changed, which it did. A familiar move that he has seen before.
"I'm impressed you've raised this little one well for being one of the few that owns one, but this is the end of the battle, cousin, Hydro Pump," Roxie commanded Dragagle, who fired the attack at Volcarona.
"Quiver dance to dodge and then use Flamethrower," Ash commanded Volcarona, who used the dance to dodge the move and landed the blow at Dragagle. "Now use Hurricane," Ash commanded Volcarona. "Dragon Pulse," Roxie commanded her Pokemon. As the two Pokemon launched their attacks, the two moves clashed, causing an explosion as both Pokemon were panting after the smoke cleared. Dragagle fell, and Volcarona was still in the air.
"Dragagle is unable to battle Volcarona wins, and the winner of this gym battle is the challenger Ash from Pallet Town," the ref announced. Ash was celebrating. As Volcarona is about to fall to the ground, Ash grabs and hugs him in celebration.
"You did great, boy. You earned that win, as well as everyone else," Ash said to Volcarona, who nodded. 'Thanks, Ash, but that battle was tough, and if she hadn't fallen, I probably would have,' Volcarona said to Ash, who nodded. "Get some rest. You earned it, and we will be taking some time off anyway," Ash said, pulling out his Pokeball. Volcarona nodded. "You made your family proud. Now take a good hard rest," Ash said before returning him to his Pokeball.
Ash saw that Roxie returned her Pokemon her Pokeball and then walked over to Ash. "Well, cousin, you beat me in a fair and fun battle. I might rethink my gym's rules to make it fair to my challengers, given that most might not have a full team," Roxie said to Ash, who smiled and nodded. Roxie reached into her pocket. "Here, the Toxic badge is yours. You earned it," Roxie said, handing the badge to Ash, who happily accepted.
The next day, Ash and his friends were getting ready to leave the Pokemon center and meet up with Skyla to take a flight back to Mistraliton City. "You all leaving, huh?" Roxie said as Ash turned to her and nodded.
"Yeah, we will be taking a fight back to Mistraliton and then make our way to Udella Town for some R and R before the PWT happens in that area," Ash said to Roxie, who smiled and then reached into her pocket and pulled out a Pokeball.
"Given that your Birthday is in a few days, I think this is an early birthday present," Roxie said to Ash, who was curious as she let out a Pokemon, which looked like a smaller version of her Dragagle. "Ash, this is the son and pre-evolved form of my Dragagle, Skrelp. I wanted you to have him as my way of thanks for the battle yesterday," Roxie said to Ash, who was taken aback.
"Thanks, Roxie, and I am happy to accept you on the team, little guy," Ash said to the Skrelp. 'So you're the one who beat my momma in battle. Nice to meet you. You seem nice and strong,' Skrelp said. He had an accent similar to a southern one which Ash smiled and nodded.
"He's a bit feisty and can be tough to raise, but you should be able to meet his demands and give him a better life as his trainer," Roxie said to Ash, who nodded as Skrelp looked at Ash. 'I figured that by this point, me taking part in later battles won't be a thing, but as long as I get to roam around in the sea and be in good battles, you won't have problems with me, Ash' Skrelp said to Ash, who nodded.
"Try to get along with everyone is all I ask from you and that you do your best, win or lose. As long as you tried your best, that is all that matters," Ash said as Skrelp let out a water gun to Ash's face, which Skrelp humphs. 'Deal,' Skrelp said before returning to his ball, which Roxie gave to Ash, who happily accepted.
"Well, take care, and hopefully, see you around, and best of luck with him," Roxie said as the gang waved their goodbyes as they arrived at Skyla's plane, which Skyla was waiting for the group.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Skyla. I figured that you have more stops after we return to Mistraliton," Ash said as Skyla shook her head which Ash was curious about. "Nope, one flight to Udella town is my next stop as I too was invited to take part in the Pokemon World Tournament alongside Drayden," Skyla said to Ash, who was surprised.
"But don't you have a gym to run," Brock asked Skyla, who held out her hand. "During this time of year, the gym leaders agreed not to take challengers shortly after the league is over and during the PWT, so it won't be a problem as not many trainers are either starting their journeys or are relaxing from the league," Skyla said. "So what do you say a flight to Udella town free of charge I had to pick up a passenger who is going that way anyway, so we should be taking off soon enough," Skyla said as the group nodded as they boarded the plane right now the seats are empty so far. Still, the plane hadn't taken off as the passenger had arrived, which the group hadn't noticed yet.
"Now, with everyone aboard the plane, we can take off for Udella town. We will be there in this clear weather by tomorrow morning. Make sure that your seatbelts are on as we are ready to take off," Skyla said on the announcement as the plane took off.
The group was in the sky as Ash noticed something invisible was flying past them, heading in their direction. "Huh? Hey, isn't that," Ash said to Misty and Brock, who looked out the window and noticed it. Judging by the image's looks, it looks like a jet. "Ash, you don't think that is a Latios or a Latias?" Misty said to Ash.
"I think so. Given that both can do that, I think we might be having a reunion on our hands if that is who I think it is," Ash said to Misty and Brock, who looked at each other and nodded. Little did the group know it, but the passenger was watching this from afar and had a familiar Sinnoh water starter next to her.
"More than one reunion will be happening, that's for sure," the young girl said with a smile.
With a new gym badge, our heroes make their way to Udella town, the site of the so-called PWT tournament. What is in store for our heroes as their journey continues?
Stay Tuned.
Done and done. This chapter was a long time coming, but we managed to get it done finally as we are done with the third act and now heading to the second to last act, the Udella town/PWT arc. The Udella town portion will be eight to nine chapters long, given that I have a few two-parters in the coming chapters after the next one. A few new captures, and after the PWT, the end of Team Rocket's scheme for five chapters.
Speaking of captures, we can all agree that Skrelp should've been captured for Ash in Kalos. Seriously, this is one of my favorite Poison types and Pokemon in general, and they gave an alright filler episode after all that hype. Rant over its reunions in Udella town next. Also, expect something new on my end to be released story-wise, not part of the two stories I helped edit, and have a part in the editing and suggestions in the coming days. A collab of sorts. Not going to say but let's say some SM fans are going to be happy, but in a different way. See you next time.