Author's Note:
Here it is, the fifth gym battle. Firstly, we get the conclusion to Meditite's mini-lab arc. Not much to say, just expect a continuation of the tough themes being explored from the previous parts. We also get to see more of Max and his starter. I will say, the episode where Ash won his fifth Hoenn badge is probably where a lot of fans (myself included) started to dislike Max. I didn't mind his know-it-all attitude or some little quirks because I thought he'd have a strong arc over the adventure. Which I think they wanted to do... but didn't know how, given how little they showed of him developing... seriously, did we even have a Max focused episode other than the Ralts one? Anyway, that being said, I wanted to change that here and I hope you can already see the difference in this version of Max. Onto the battle, I don't have much to say just I wanted to give Ash a new sort of challenge which other gyms didn't provide. This being his planning ability outside of just regular type advantage. I have also tried my best to integrate Slaking's ability, but it doesn't allow for much interesting strategy's. So, I hope it turned out alright. Oh, and Happy late Easter. Don't forget to vote in the poll, it'll change with chapter 51 and with that, let's begin...
Chapter Forty-Nine: Ash VS Norman: Perseverance
She shivered as her feet touched the cold metal floor. Shaking her body, she glanced around to find two female human's stood by one of the machines in the room. One being much older than the other, but both turned away from her, so she just ignored them. Looking around, she saw a wooden door and made her way out into a more traditional looking hallway with a thicker warm air quickly warming her up.
Walking over to the staircase, she walked down and spotted the door outside, cracked open. Walking outside she took a deep breath. While it wasn't exactly cold, it was much cooler than her usual environment. Setting out across the ranch, she took in the sights around her.
High in the air, two individual battles seemed to be going on. Some sort of orange-fire breathing Pokémon was fighting a grey winged Pokémon with a jagged tail in a close up show of strength. While an orange-dragon was zooming around with a brown bird, even so often clashing into each other. She saw a large group of Pokémon over on the rocky ground, embraced in battle too. Seeing no-one else battling anywhere else, she figured she'd head over there.
As she did, the sound of crying entered her ears. Closing her eyes, she focused in on the emotions radiating out from nearby. A combination of fear and sadness streamed through her. Changing direction, she soon found herself stood by the forest. Meditite was nursing a static filled Hitmontop.
"Hello?"
"Huh?" the psychic fighting type turned towards her, "Kirlia?"
"I'm not your partner," she interjected.
"Well duh, I can tell you and your brother apart," she replied, quickly wiping her eyes, "so... what're you doing here?"
"Came to check out the lab before your trainer ends up sending my brother," she replied, "wanted to sort out any trouble before he got here. What happened to him?"
"Well, erm, Pikachu," she stuttered, "ya see. He was doing some battling then... he kinda came looking for him..."
"The lightbulb did this?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow up. Her eyes travelled over the brown and blue fighting type, slouched against a tree. Massive scratch marks and bruises covered his body. A sort of yellow aura surrounded him with massive bolts of static jumping off. His face scrunched up, "impressive. I didn't think that he had it in him. So, what happened?"
"Wh-what do you mean-"
"Urg, what's it doing here?" the handstand Pokémon grunted.
"It has a name," she spat, walking in front of Meditite. Looming over the fighting type, "don't get up."
"Funny," he spat, grunting in pain, "stupid fairy-fa-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence."
"Your just like your brother... a-"
Her eyes burst open with ESP and picked up the injured fighting type. Pushing her hand forward, she sent him flying through the treelines. His voiced echoed with screams which disappeared on the wind. Taking a deep breath she narrowed her eyes, "don't talk about my brother."
"H-he didn't mean-"
"He meant every word, Meditite," she sighed, "he hates me because I'm fairy type... and had he have not been injured, he would've tried to hurt me."
"N-no he wouldn't," she insisted, going to take off after him. She spotted a red mark around the fighting psychic types upper arm.
"I think he already has," she muttered, grabbing the younger girls hand, causing her to stop, "whoa, slow down. Let me take a look at that."
"B-but Top will need my help."
"He doesn't deserve your help," she replied, "why would you defend him after he's marked you like this? And why haven't you got it looked at?"
"This? It's nothing," she replied, jerking her arm back, "and he didn't mean it. I just couldn't-"
She blinked at the young girls rambling and just raised her hand, flicking the red mark on her arm. She instinctively grabbed it, stopping in her rambles as her eyes widened and a pained cried whimpered out.
"Seems like nothing," she muttered, "come on, we're going to get that looked at."
"N-no, I need to help Hitmontop," she replied, heading off in the direction she sent the pure fighting type, "he-"
"He wouldn't be this concerned if it was you in his situation," she replied, following her through the forest.
"Yes, he would," she declared, stamping her foot down.
"Well, he didn't seem bothered about that mark on your arm," she replied, "guys like that... they're bad news and-"
"And nothing," she replied, "you... you just don't understand him."
Stopping in her tracks, she watched the younger girl continue deeper into the woods. Letting out a long sigh, she turned around. That girl has it bad and it's gonna take something big to knock it out of her. Maybe she'll opt to stick around here, just for when her little sister hits that point.
Tightening her fist, she took a deep breath. Feeling ESP tingle through her veins, she resumed her way to the battle grounds.
Ash smiled widely as he took a mouthful of his breakfast pancakes. Glancing out of the window, he spotted all of their Pokémon enjoying an outside meal in the garden, given that they couldn't all eat inside at the same time. Swallowing his mouthful, he turned back towards the other's.
"-you are certainly taking good care of Treecko, Max," Norman nodded towards his son. The grass type was the only Pokémon inside and eating his pellet Pokémon food underneath the boy's seat. While the little brother-figure dived into his own stack of pancakes.
"Of course!" he mumbled, swallowing his mouth, "after seeing everyone else take care of their Pokémon, I wasn't about to fail him!"
"Oh, my little boy is growing up," Caroline cooed.
He couldn't help but noticed how May rolled her eyes at the praise her brother was receiving. Taking another mouthful of his breakfast, he watched her slowly munch away at her own stack. It looked like her cheeks were puffed out and with a pout, but he had to admit, that could just be because of her food.
"Actually, I've been thinking about something," Max replied. Almost everyone turned towards him with intrigue, except for his older sister.
"What's that son?" Norman asked.
"I want to give Treecko a nickname," he explained, "well... not just him but all my Pokémon."
"And what name do you want to give Treecko?" Serena asked.
"I..." He paused, holding one finger up. His glasses shining with the sun through the winder. Flopping forward, his hand fell, "dunno."
"Why mention it then?" May grumbled from across the table. Quickly, continuing to eat her breakfast.
"Well, that's alright dear," Caroline noted, "it's the thought that counts and I'm sure Treecko would prefer a meaningful name rather than a rushed one."
"Tree!" the wood gecko jumped up behind his trainer's chair. Leaning over the back with a wide smile and sparkly eyes.
He smiled as he saw the two interact. Sighing, he relaxed back into his chair. It was weird seeing them so close but then again, typical starters are raised with the expectation of joining a new trainer... chuckling to himself, he remembered how he and Pikachu were at the start. Closing his eyes, the image of his friend at the front of his head filled his image-
"You alright Ash?"
Opening his eyes, he turned towards the normal type gym leader, "y-yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking."
"What about?" Caroline asked, "if you don't mind my asking."
"Oh right, I didn't tell you guys," he replied, a wide smile taking over. While he told Serena about the phone call to the lab, and the subsequent news. He never really got the chance to tell the others, with everyone being pretty tired after the Petalburg fate, "Leaf and Gary are coming to Hoenn."
"Who are Leaf and Gary?" Max asked.
"Those were your friends, right?" May asked, "or was Gary your twin brother?"
"No... Drake's my brother and-" he sighed, shaking his head, "it doesn't matter. Gary and Leaf are interning for Professor Oak. Well Gary more so, Leaf is working on a book about completing the Kanto-dex and the Professor is helping her publish for some errands."
"Cool!" Max cheered, "we get to meet real life assistances to Professor Oak! It'll be so cool!"
"Not only is Gary his intern but he's also his grandson," Serena chimed in.
"I can't wait to meet him!" He nearly jumped out his seat.
"Calm down, kiddo, first I'm sure Ash has a gym badge to try and win," Norman replied, glancing in his direction with a small smirk.
"Oh, don't worry Norman!" He returned the smirk, jumping to his own feet with a tightened fist up in the air, "by this afternoon, we'll have that badge!"
"Overconfidence will always drown you in this sea which we call reality."
Turning towards the source of the new voice, he found his newest team member walking in with a stack of white Pokémon bowls balanced on his back. He blinked at the near stable tower despite the lack of supports.
"Torkoal... what're you doing here?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the tower.
"Well, we finished eating... I figured it was the least I could do considering the hospitality," he smiled.
A plume of smoke shot out of the top of his shell and blowing the stack with it. With drawing into his shell, he started spinning. The individual bowls hit his spinning shell and bounced off. One by one, they each landed in the sink above. Once finished, his coal Pokémon exited his shell.
"H-how did you-"
"I'm always more interested in what I'm about to do, rather than focus on what I have already done," his fire type cut him off, "but I might reveal my secret to you... one day. But now, I believe we have a prearranged event to partake in."
He blinked as he took in the sight of his fire type... just wondering how much experience he's truly had before they met and what other secrets he's hiding.
Ash felt his heart race as they stepped inside the gym. His fingers tingled with the growing excitement. While every gym battle is exciting, something about really getting to know the leader just adds to the anticipation. Following the normal type specialist through the building, they soon found a young teen dressed in traditional referee's uniform with spiky, dirty brown hair was mopping a corridor, a Taillow perched on his shoulder.
"Morning Kenny."
"Huh?" he blinked, nearly falling to the side. Knocking the bucket sideways, luckily it was on wheels and just rolled away, "morning Mr Maple. Sorry, I must've lost track of time."
"So must've I because last time I checked, I'm meant to be the one to open up in the morning," he replied, crossing his arms, and tapping his foot.
"Hehehe, sorry sir," he mareepishly chuckled, scratching the back of his head as he glanced down to Norman's feet, "it's just that I got use to earlier starts whilst you've been away. You know, the early Taillow gets the Wurmple and all!"
"I don't like that saying," May muttered barely above her breath.
"Here-here!" his small bird squawked from his shoulder in agreement. He blinked as one of his own Pokéballs burst open, revealing his own Swellow. She seamlessly positioned herself on his shoulder and narrowed her eyes her eyes, studying her pre-evolved form.
"I-it can't be..." she muttered.
"Something wrong Swellow?" he asked.
"It's Taillow," she muttered.
"Well obviously its-"
"I think she means she knows this Taillow, Ash," his girlfriend chimed in, collapsing her hands around his.
Before anyone could respond once more, his fully evolved Swallow Pokémon took off. Soaring through the corridor's, the smaller bird followed suit and they disappeared into a different room. Everyone froze, glancing between one another.
"I'm going assume that's nothing I need to worry about," Norman cleared his throat.
"I think my Swellow know's Taillow... possibly from her previous flock," Ash chimed in, "she was the leader of a flock just outside of Petalburg woods when I caught her."
"It makes sense," Kenny nodded, "Taillow came flying into my garden about a week May left the first time. She looked in a bad way, but I healed her up and gave her food. We just seemed to click, and she became my partner."
"So, they probably just want to catch up with each other-" His Pokéball burst open and his Duskull materialised in front of his face.
"Never heard it put quite like that before," he shrugged, turning back to the room they flew into, "ya think there's room for one more? You know the saying, sharing is caring."
"Duskull!" His voice cracked, cheeks burning, "no! No! I don't know what you think they're... just no!"
"I feel like we should move onto the gym battle," Norman declared, "especially because whatever this conversation is... I don't believe I want my children to hear it."
"R-right," he stuttered, recalling his pure ghost type.
Following his friend's father through the gym, he watched him whisper something to Kenny. They soon stepped forward into the battle room they originally used during their first visit here. With Norman crossing over to the far trainer's box and the young teen into the referee's box. With words of good luck from his friends, they took up spots on the spectator's bench behind Kenny. He smiled seeing Max position his Treecko on his lap.
"Now we need to watch closely," he semi-whispered, "watching this first hand could give us some good ideas for our battles or even training."
"Tree." He nodded.
"This is a special gym challenge between the leader Norman and our challenger, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" Kenny declared, "with previously agreed rules, the leader shall limit himself to one Pokémon whilst the challenger has three. Both sides have pre-selected their teams. While the gym leader is stuck, the challenger is able to freely switch between his team. Without a time, limit, the battle will be over when either side has their entire team unable to battle."
"Let's go Slaking!" Norman shouted, tossing his Pokéball into the air. In a flash of light, his massive normal type materialised. Smashing down on the field, causing a small earthquake which almost caused Ash to fall over. Glancing over to his opponent, he swallowed hard.
Lying on his side was a large, bulky, ape-like Pokémon. Most of the shaggy fur was brown, along with the semi-circle patterning under his eyes. While his face, chest, hands, and feet were lighter creamy-beige colour. His eyebrows were thick and jutting, and he had a large, pink, spoink-like nose. A collar of white fur extended around his neck, which went over the top of his head before ending in a small tuft. Each large hand had five fingers, while his feet had two-toes.
Letting out a loud yawn, he scratched his wide belly. Normally, this wouldn't be an intimidating sight. Just a Pokémon tired but he's heard Slaking referred to as Hoenn's Snorlax and he knows full well the pure power hidden within his own large beast. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his Pokédex:
Slaking, The Lazy Pokémon. The final evolved form of Slakoth. Slaking spends all day lying down and lolling about. It eats grass growing within its reach. If it eats all the grass it can reach, this Pokémon reluctantly moves to another spot. Be careful as if angered, they use their stored energy to destroy opponents
Grunting with a twitching nose, his eyes narrowed. A tightened fist slammed down on the ground as he locked eyes with himself. Putting the device back into his pocket, he grabbed his first Pokéball.
"Just so you know, Ash, Slaking here is easily on the level of an elite four member," he explained.
Seeing the gym leader smirk, he closed his eyes and let out a low breath. After all, he knew Norman was just trying to get into his head at this point. Obviously, they already discussed the challenge at length back in Larvaridge and in the time whilst in Petalburg. Running his hand down across his face, he burst his eyes open and glared back at his two towering opponents, "I choose you, Granbull!"
In a flash of light, his pure fairy type materialised on the field in front of him. She stepped forward, smashing her fists down on the floor and her chest, in no-particular pattern whilst letting out a series of grunting noises... it seems Primeape taught her one thing if nothing else.
His eyes skimmed over to the normal type, who stared back with half open-eyes. His lips drooped down into half a frown but opened wide when he yawned as one of his large arms stretched upwards. He knew Granbull's intimidate ability but... Slaking hardly seemed bothered.
"I would say were retreading old ground... but as we both know, Swellow won't be in this battle," Norman noted, "so no rematch is possible-"
"That doesn't matter to us," he replied, cutting the normal gym leader off, "Granbull just loves to battle, regardless of opponent. Right Granbull?"
She turned around and let out a smirk, with a fire in her eyes. Dropping down onto all fours, she let out a low growl and crouched as low as possible. Feeling her battling spirit through his aura, caused his heart to thump harder. Narrowing his own eyes, he gave a side glance to Kenny. Giving a small nod to indicate he was ready, the young teen raised both arms up pointing towards both himself and Norman, respectively.
"Slaking verses Granbull!" Kenny declared, "let the battle begin!"
Norman verses Ash: Round One
"Charge in with Play Rough!"
He smiled as the pure fairy type took off. Thuds with each pounce as she leaped across the field. A pink outline surrounded her body. With one massive leap, she brought her fist down on the stomach of the large opponent. Landing on her two legs, she followed up with a series of punches straight to the gut.
Opening his mouth, the pure normal type let out a loud yawn. Scratching the bit, she initially hit, his hand seemed unaffected by her continuous assault.
"Show me what Primeape taught you!"
Pulling a fist back, she paused for a moment. The pink outline morphed into an orangey-brown. Closing her eyes, she swung the first forward.
Hitting his stomach, the lazy Pokémon let out a low grunt noise. His eyes twitched into a narrow for a brief second.
Winding his own fist back, he quickly returned the punch. Knocking Granbull back across the field.
"Well, I think he at least felt the focus punch," he shrugged.
Granbull grunted herself as she rolled to a stop. Pushing herself back up, she shook her body and returned to both legs.
"Alright Granbull... fancy learning a new move?"
With a small nod, she smirked. He glanced behind her to see Norman with pinched lips together and crossed arms... while Slaking looked ready to sleep.
"Start off with Double edge but keep the energy surge after the impact."
Giving a small nod, she took off across the field. Entering a leaping run on all-four's, a power barrier formed around her. Smashing into his stomach again.
"Now morph your energy into fighting type!" he shouted, "you shouldn't need the strong focus you need to summon it from scratch."
Scrapping her feet against the ground, she continued to try and push her opponent... but to no-avail. An orangey-brown outline bursting out around her.
"Now move like your using play rough!"
She pushed herself to her feet and entered another brutal assault. With each punch, a grunting noise left the pure normal type. He felt a smile form over his lips at the sight. While she might not be the most strategic fighter, she more than makes up for it with her enthusiasm.
As her continuous assault continued, he noticed her breathing becoming ridged. The fighting type energy faded, as her punches slowed.
A loud roar echoed from their opponent. A large hand knocked her sideways once more. Slaking grumbled something incoherent as he finally moved.
"You see Ash, it takes some going to get Slaking motivated... but once he is, well you'll see," Norman explained with a smirk, "now use strength."
Surging with normal type energy, the brown-furred Pokémon stood up. His pure fairy type stood up and charged forward. Smashing her head into his knee but without the built-up energy or momentum for a double edges.
Bringing his own fist down on her head, she collapsed beneath the physical strength. Closing her eyes, she tightened her fist, building up a focus punch.
Swinging her fist upwards, his open hand caught the oncoming move. Unfazed from the blow, he tightened his own fist around her's.
He brought his second arm down and caused her to fall to her knees. Picking her up by the one arm. He delivered one punch straight to her stomach.
"Granbull!"
She went flying across the field and landed right in front of him. Her eyes fluttered open, but she was struggling to move. The floor shook with each step from their opponent whose shadow covered his fairy Pokémon. Raising both his arms above his head, he snatched the device off his belt.
"Return Granbull!" He shouted, holding his device out.
A red light consumed his fairy type and sucked her back inside as the two fists came down where she laid, splintering the wooden floor. The impact and tremor after the smash caused him to fall over.
Watching the large normal type walk back to his trainer, lying back down where he started his battle, he glanced at the Pokéball in hand. With a tight grip on the device, he sighed and relaxed, almost falling onto his back.
"The challenger has recalled his Granbull. He must quickly send out his next Pokémon to continue!"
Clipping his device back to his belt, he hovered his hand over the two other Pokémon selected for the battle. Watching closely, he saw the giant powerhouse resting back in his previous starting position. His mind ran through the two options remaining. Each Pokémon had a specific job, and he knew Granbull wouldn't take him down, she was just there to test his strength and get a good indication for his battle style.
Snatching one device off his belt, he grabbed one device and he held it out, "I choose you, Duskull!"
"So... if we finish this up quickly, do we get to join Swellow and-"
"NO!" he shouted.
"I was just asking," he muttered, turning around. He raised a hand and scratched what would've been his chin, "okay no." He turned back around. "I cannot fight an opponent when they're in the 'draw me like one of your Kalos girls' pose."
"Huh?"
He floated back to his side. A sly smile formed on his face, tapping his shoulder, "ya'll know what I'm talking about, right?" His singular eye glanced between himself and the Spector's bench. Following his eyes, he couldn't help but realise who his ghost type was indicating.
"Duskull!" He yelled.
"What, you too is no secret," he shrugged, "besides, aren't Pokémon meant to take after their trainers? We all know what Sylveon, and Pikachu have been up to." He floated right in front of his face, letting out a long breath. "I may have crossed a line... I see that now."
"Turn around and shut... up."
"Well, if just me talking gets you this worked up, then Serena must be in for a big night!"
"DUSKULL!"
"Giggidy," he whispered with a small chuckle.
Running his hand down over his face. He looked up to the ceiling as he stretched the skin. Feeling a burning sensation from his cheeks. He shook his head and focused back on the field ahead. Noticing Kenny staring at him, he took a deep breath and nodded to indicate he was ready. With the young teen raising both arms, he narrowed his eyes. Focusing on both Slaking and Norman... and not his inappropriate ghost type.
"Slaking verses Duskull! Let the battle begin!"
Norman verses Ash: Round Two
He took a deep breath and tried to regain some sort of composure. Looking ahead over the field, he noticed his pure ghost type floating towards the loafing around opponent. Forming a dark type wall in front of his arms, he punched it. Delivering a payback move to his stomach.
Giving a toothy smile, a series of grunts came out of their opponent. Rolling onto his back, whacking his arms about.
"Duskull, I don't think your gonna really overpower him," he replied, "but you know what you can do?!"
"Look Ash, I know I talk a big game but I'm not sure Slaking is my type," he replied, floating around the laughing opponent, continuing his payback tickle.
"Not what I meant!" he grumbled, twitching his nose, and narrowing his eyes.
The ghost type paused. His giant red eye widening, "oh right!" A series of blue fire balls formed around him, orbiting around him. Diving down, he disappeared into his chest as the fire balls smashed into his fur. Which he lightly patted down as he ghost floated out from his back. "Like I said, being inside him was-"
"Don't finish that sentence," Ash warned.
"You know me," he shrugged, a cheesy grin forming under his skull mask, "I'll try anything once."
"Look out?!" he shouted.
A giant hand flopped down on his ghost type. Black marks forming in the air with purple, jagged outlines. The shadow claw knocking his ghost away.
"Disable!"
Spinning as he flew across the field, Duskull disappeared from sight. Focusing in on his opponent, he noticed their opponent rolling back to his original spot.
With a giant flame engulfing his body, he had to way to stop as Duskull reappeared right above him. A red beam shot down into his face.
Despite the red outline engulfing his body with the flame, Slaking calmed patted out the burn, standing back up. Waving his arms around, he tried to whack his requiem Pokémon, he tried very hard not to get squished. Sighing, he knew what else Duskull could do to help hinder their opponent, but he didn't like it.
"If you think it's safe too then inflict curse!" Biting his tongue, he watched the ongoing taunting game from Duskull.
Flying straight up into the air, he performed a loop. A dark outline surrounded his body and he dived straight into the normal type.
A dark outline surrounded his body. His eyes bulged despite the eyebrows narrowing. Wrinkles consumed his face as his nose twitched in anger. Slamming his closed fists into his chest, he let out an earth-shaking roar. His pure ghost type flew out of his chest, right into his face, panting heavily.
"Okay... Step one... Inflict Curse." Duskull tried to regain his breath.
"So, what's step too?"
"Honestly, I didn't expect to make it this far."
A hand slammed down over him but his simply vanished into to poof of smoke. Feeling the ground shake from the impact, he fell onto his behind as his first caught Hoenn Pokémon re-emerged right in the same spot.
"Alright, he's angry and not thinking straight," he explained, "so get moving and try to use confuse ray."
With a single nod, he shot back up into the air. Flying around like some sort of fighter plane, he weaved in and out of the large flailing hands.
Sometimes he'd vanish in a poof of smoke before reappearing. A series of golden balls formed and floated around. Focusing on the lazy Pokémon's face, he smirked seeing his pupils disappear from his own sight.
Thrashing his feet about, he ghost type continued to float around. Calling out some taunts and names at his angered opponent.
"Duskull!" He shouted, "how about we try out whack a mole next?!"
Giving a thumbs up, the requiem Pokémon dived down into the ground. A giant purple shadow shot across the ground in no particular pattern.
"Now!" Norman yelled.
His fist tightened and glew with a black flame. Zooming across the floor with impressive speed, he punched the ground where the shadow laid. His ghost type flew out and smashed into the nearby wall.
Staring at his opponent, he noticed his pupils return to normal. The redline from the disabled broke off with a loud roar and flex of his muscles.
"Duskull is unable to battle! The challenger will need to reveal his next Pokémon to continue!"
Tearing his eyes off the tall, intimidating Pokémon, he turned to see his pure ghost type lying on the floor. A red swirl replacing his singular eye behind his mask. Walking over to him, he silently kneeled and picked him up. Whispering a word of thanks, he recalled his first Pokémon caught in Hoenn. Feeling the tears sting his eyes, he stood up and clipped the device back to his belt.
Wiping his eyes clear, he narrowed them and walked back to his trainer's box, "b-but how?"
"I trust Slaking to handle battles how he sees fit, so I rarely need to give him instructions," Norman explained from behind his normal type, "so it means when I do speak to him, it's enough to break through any sort of weak confusion status. Even when angered."
"The challenger must select his next Pokémon to continue!"
Hovering his hand over his belt, normally he'd go with Granbull just to keep his last Pokémon secret but... it really doesn't matter here. Watching the still normal type, his face still filled with anger as each control breath travelled through his enflared nostrils. His chest moving in time with them. With his decision made, he snatched the device off his belt and held it out.
"I choose you, Torkoal!"
In a flash of light, his pure fire type materialised and turned to face him. A soft smile rested upon his small face, "so it is my turn... may I ask why so soon?"
Opening his mouth to answer, his eyes widened. Behind the coal Pokémon, he saw the giant burst into flames which only seemed to enhance his anger.
"I-it's bad news," he stuttered.
"There is just news... there is no good or bad," he smiled. Unable to voice his concern, he simply pointed behind him. Slowly turning, his pure fire type gave a long look at the anger-filled ape who burst into flames. Eventually, he twisted his head back to him, "that is bad news. How do you wish I play this?"
"We need to calm him down," he replied, "that way we can regroup before he smashes everyone or thing up."
"That I can do," he nodded.
Turning back around, his coal Pokémon let out a whistling stream of smoke out of the hole on the back of his shell. The red diamonds glowing brightly. While their opponent slammed his fists into his chest with an earth-shaking roar of his own. The calm expression never even twitching on Torkoal's face.
"Slaking verses Torkoal! Let the battle begin!"
Norman verses Ash: Round Three
He narrowed his eyes as the normal type charged forward. Without a ghost type, he couldn't get away with just popping through most of his moves like he did in the last round. Glancing down to the fire type, his eyes bulged seeing him not even attempted to move out of the way.
With a deep breath, a puff of purple smoke blew upwards. Hitting Slaking's face and causing him to cough, stopping in his tracks as he tried to wave it away.
Swinging his head around, Torkoal launched out a single ember fireball. It struck the smog and exploded upon contact. Rather minor due to the small attacks.
Slaking stumbled backwards whilst coughing from the inhaled poison gas. The explosion cleared showing a clear opening for his fire type.
Withdrawing into his shell, he went spinning across the field. A grey outline surrounded the base and he smashed into one shin before rebounding off into the other. Causing their opponent to collapse down onto his knees. As he exited his shell right in front of him.
The normal type snorted in anger and raised a hand. A greenish semi-transparent circle covered his body as the large hand travelled down.
Whacking him like a toddler playing with toys, massive vibrations shook off the shield and shook the entire field. He dropped to his behind from the earthquake. Glancing over to his fire type, he noticed his fire types shell shimmering within the protect shield.
Dropping his shield. The large hand smashed down straight on his back. Throwing his hand back, their opponent cried out in pain.
"Torkoal was strong enough to take a point black earthquake from Slaking?" Norman blinked, "even considering his burn and Granbull's intimidate... that's impressive."
Feeling a wide smile take over his face, he noticed the normal type breathing heavily. With streams of sweat flooding down his face as he rolled onto his back.
Walking over to the suffering opponent, his fire type calmly walked onto his stomach. A red outline surrounded his body as heat radiated off.
"Torkoal?" he blinked, seeing the normal type almost look ready for bed, "how did you do that?"
"One cannot change the direction of the wind," he replied, "so we must learn to change the direction of our sail instead. You did say you'd like him relaxed."
"Rest," Norman commanded.
His eyes widened seeing the giant fall back into a slumber, a mystic light covering his body. After all the work to take him down, he'll be back to normal mostly. He might still be suffering the curse, but the burn would be gone, and he's already pushed through the confusion.
Snatching a device off his belt, he held it out. If Torkoal's proven anything, he can go one-to-one with him, and he'll need to keep him safe for that.
"Torkoal return!" The red light consumed his pure fire type and sucking him back in, off the normal type's body. "Thank you, Torkoal... I think you save this battle and now we won't give up that chance... but rest up because your role might not be done yet."
Smiling and letting out a long exhale of breath, he attached the device back to his belt. Glance across to the snoozing normal type, he frowned. Biting his inner cheek, he took the other Pokéball off his belt. He really didn't need to think his options over, and he really didn't have the time. Slaking might be healing but he's also asleep... if he had a good chance to take the upper hand in this second bout, it's right now.
"Torkoal has been returned," Kenny declared, "the challenger must select his next Pokémon to continue the challenge."
With his lips forming into a smirk, he held his device out and tapped the Pokéball, "I choose you, Granbull!"
His pure fairy type materialised back on the field. Slamming both fists down on the floor, she let out a series of wild grunts and cries. As he wanted her psych herself up, he pinched his lips together. While his brow flurried down into a scowl of confusion.
"Norman..."
"What's up Ash?" the gym leader asked.
"You've hardly spoken and neither has Slaking," he pointed out.
"I'm sure you know from your own Pokémon; some need more guidance than other's. I only give Slaking a pointer here or there unless in a difficult situation because it's how he works best," he replied, "and we know of your little talent for understanding Pokémon so we decided keeping quiet would throw you off."
Rolling his lips into his mouth, he closed his eyes. Letting out a short exhale, he glanced open to see Kenny looking to him. Giving a small nod, he turned his attention back towards the two Pokémon. Granbull stood on all fours with a twitching nose as the normal type continued to snooze away.
"Slaking verses Granbull! Let the battle begin!"
Norman verses Ash: Round Four
Max tightened his grip around his starter as the fairy type bolted off across the field. An orangey-brown outline surrounded her body as she lept. Landing on his dad's normal type with a loud thud, she began smashing her arms and feet down on the lazy Pokémon.
A wide smile overtook his face as she let loose. A brief glance down to his own Pokémon filling his mind with his own challenge... one day.
He could just see it now, a Sceptile zooming around the large normal type. While he tried to punch him, each fist narrowly missing. His fully evolved starter with two long leaf blades, slashing at the weak joints, causing him to land on his knees. With a stylish spin, his wood gecko would bring down one final-
His eyes widened at a loud grunt. Glancing back to the battle at hand, he saw Slaking waking up. His hand lazily swatting at the fairy type.
Her large jaw opened and snapped down. Ice formed and began encasing the padded hand and lower arm.
Seeing his eyes pop open, he couldn't help feeling excitement run through his veins. A wide smile overtook his own face as the normal type sat himself up.
Shaking his hand around, Granbull lazily hung in the air. She let out a low growl as he lazily tried to shake her off.
His eyes darkened and the brow lowered, still feeling Duskull's curse. With a low grunt, he raised his arm, smashing her down to the ground.
She laid on the floor unmoving. He glanced to the side to see Ash fumbling for the Pokéball on his belt. A shadow caught his attention and he turned back to see his father's Pokémon looming over her with raised arms. A red outline surrounded her body as he smashed down on her.
The red light of the Pokéball hit the normal types arm, breaking apart as he stood back up. Falling onto his behind, his eyes drifted to Ash's fairy Pokémon.
She laid on the ground with cuts and bruises over her body, swirls replacing her eyes as Slaking panted heavily.
"Granbull's unable to battle! The challenger will need to send out his last Pokémon to continue this battle!"
Holding his device out once more, the red light shot out once more. Engulfing his fairy type, she disappeared back into the device. Sighing, he closed his eyes and held it against his forehead. The thought of one Pokémon demolishing his team like this... being unsettling. This must be how Vincent felt back in the silver conference when Aerodactyl... went full force against him.
Maybe Paul was right all along. He believed any Pokémon could come through in a match up if given the chance and that's why he's gone with many of his newer team members. Aerodactyl, Snorlax, Dragonite, Alakazam... even Sandslash and Primeape could've probably beat Slaking by now but what's the point in winning an easy battle? That's what Paul would do... maybe-
"Thank you, Granbull," he whispered, feeling a sting in his eyes, "you did great... now rest up."
Opening his eyes, he clipped the device back to the belt. Staring across the field, he saw the normal type specialist stood with a frown and his arms crossed over his chest. He seemed like a giant right now, standing behind his sitting normal type, who slumped over whilst breathing heavily. Using his arms to support himself from tumbling over.
"The challenger must select their final Pokémon to continue."
Taking a deep breath, he took the final Pokéball off that side of his belt. Gripping his device tightly, he pressed the button and a red light shot out. His pure fire type materialised on the floor. Glancing up and down on the opposing side, he turned back. His brow flurried downward in a frown.
"You alright son?" he asked.
"Y-yeah Torkoal," he replied, a slight crack in his voice, "I'm good."
"Always face the sunshine and the shadows shall fall behind you," he replied, turning back to face Slaking, "so... how do you wish I handle it this time? Do you need me to calm him down once more?"
"N-no Torkoal," he replied, "you're the last one left. This round is our last chance. All or nothing."
"Understood," he nodded, "and it is as you say... the bigger they are, the harder they fall."
The normal type grunted, and his nose twitched at the insult. Slowly, he pushed himself up, using all four limbs to stand in front of them. Completely blocking his trainer from their sight. His large shadow covering his coal Pokémon who stared back with the same, calm expression.
"Slaking verses Torkoal! Let the final round begin!"
Norman verses Ash: Round Five
Ash narrowed his eyes as the large normal type took off towards them, leaping across the battlefield with thuds on each impact. His eyes flickered down to his own Pokémon who stood calmly still. A whistle echoed and a thick black smoke shot out of the top of his shell, engulfing both Pokémon.
With one big leap, a red outline surrounded the normal type. Smashing down where Torkoal stood just a moment ago.
He continued to smash his large arms and legs down, like an overgrown baby throwing a tantrum. Spinsters from the wooden floor flying everywhere.
Glancing to the side of the smoke cloud, he noticed his pure fire type. Walking out slowly, a shiny-silver shimmer over his shell.
"To your right!" Norman shouted.
Swinging his arm around, he sent the coal Pokémon spinning. He stopped, facing their opponent, as he charged forward.
A semi-transparent green shield covered his body. Blocking the onslaught of punches from Slaking's rage-filled attack.
Slowly, the pure normal type stopped, falling onto his behind. The protect shield fading as he did so.
Withdrawing into his shell, Torkoal began spinning across the field towards Norman. Zooming past, him, he smashed into the far wall and bounced off, launching himself high into the air. Exiting his shell, an orange-brown outline surrounded his body.
Landing directly on Slaking's chest, he knocked the normal type over with a massive thud. Staring down at the dazed opponent he stood on.
Setting off, he walked over one shoulder and fell onto the ground next to his head. Releasing a thick purple smog from his shell.
Their opponent shot up, coughing with the thick gas surrounding his head. His hands tried to wave it away.
Torkoal simply watched the failing around and launched a single ember. It struck the smog, exploding in his face, but the explosion was bigger than before, and threw him down onto his behind. Blood trickled down from his nose with narrowed eyes. A purple mark forming over the lazy Pokémon's nose.
A red outline surrounded his body, but it quickly shifted into a more earth-brown. With his remaining strength, he smashed down on the ground.
The ceiling lights began rattling and the floor violently shook. Dropping onto his behind, he spotted Norman and the others in similar positions.
He glanced over the field, the wooden floor-boards breaking and shattering around the two still Pokémon. His eyes widened as he examined his Torkoal.
His coal Pokémon calmly stood still in place. With seemingly closed eyes and an unfazed expression on his face despite the powerful move.
"He's using Bulldoze to intercept your earthquake, Slaking!" Norman shouted, "switch quickly!"
Their opponent reached forward and grabbed him off the ground lifting him up. A quick red flash burned through the normal type's hand.
A bright red Torkoal slammed down on the field. Waves of heat radiated off him and their opponent fell backwards holding his burning hand.
Feeling the heat making it difficult to breath, he tried to pant with sweat pouring down his own forehead. His sight became dazed as he tried to make out the battle. Everyone in the room seemed in a similar state to himself... except for Torkoal.
A powerful stream of orange flames shot out. Engulfing the lazy Pokémon's chest, he fell backwards with a thud.
His eyes threatened to close as the coal Pokémon around and approached him. Standing still as the burning red in the room slowly faded. Looking around he noticed the others slowly recovering from their own states of extreme-heat stroke. Their referee slowly crawling over to the lazy Pokémon.
"Slaking... is unable to battle," Kenny panted heavily, gasping for breath, "meaning the winners... are Ash a-and... Torkoal."
Running his hand down his face, he felt a literal bottle of water flick off and soak his shirt. Blinking rapidly, his vision seemed to return to normal as he found his only remaining Pokémon looking up to him expectantly.
"T-Torkoal?" he stuttered, still trying to regain his breath.
"Yes?" he smiled softly.
"H-how?" his eyes rapidly blinked, glancing between his fire type and Norman's fallen normal type. Replaying that final round in his mind, releasing he didn't actually do anything to assist him, "I-I mean... could you have done that from the start?"
"Probably," he shrugged, "but that's the path not travelled so who could really say?"
"Why didn't you then?" he asked, "at least when I first sent you out?"
"At that point you asked me to calm him," he replied, "I thought I was meant to follow your instructions in such situations. Am I not?"
He couldn't really bring himself to answer that. Since catching the coal Pokémon, he's tried to figure out just how many secret's he's hiding and just when he thinks he's knows the guys limit, he surprises him. Gulping, the need for fresh air ever apparent, he found a hand in front of his face. Looking up, he found the owner being none other than Norman. Accepting the gesture, the normal type specialist pulled him up to his feet.
"Well Ash... that was certainly something," he smiled holding his hand out. In his palm laid a badge of two circles connected by a single bar, almost like a lifting weight with purple marks on the far ends with a grey-black middle colour, "congratulations Ash, that Torkoal of yours is something else."
"Tell me about it," he muttered taking the badge in his own hand, "but... thank you, Norman."
"I do have one question, Ash," the gym leader continued as he pulled out his badge case, starting his second row, "you said Torkoal was your newest catch-"
"H-he is..." he stuttered, "I-I mea-n- erm."
"How much of his strength and experience do you actually know?" he asked.
"Clearly not enough," he grumbled, glancing down to the fire type.
A hand slapped down on his shoulder. Glancing up, he found his friend's father laughing which quickly grew into hysterics almost crippling over, "hehehe, I tried to prep Slaking for the three we saw yesterday but... if you didn't know Torkoal hid that power... then we had no chance."
"Yeah, that's great and all but... can we leave now?" May's voice echoed behind them, "it's way too humid in here."
"Good idea, we'll walk you out, right Kenny?"
"Huh?" their ref blinked, "but don't we need to start fixing the field?"
"That can wait until later. Open the windows and get some air in first," he replied, holding out a Pokéball, "then can you run Slaking over to Nurse Joy."
"Y-yes sir," he nodded, taking the device, and disappearing from sight. Following the normal type specialist out of the room, they stood in the corridor, and he could already feel the cool air against his sweaty skin.
"But dad, I thought you had a medical bay built into the gym," Max chimed up.
"I do," he nodded, "but that's no match for a trained professional and after the rounds he did against Ash... he deserves the best treatment."
"Thanks Norman-" He stopped, eyes widening, "right. I need to pick up Swellow before we head out."
Turning and running down the corridor, he found the room his bird previously disappeared into. Reaching for the handle, he froze, remembering exactly what she seemed to be going in there for. Swallowing hard, he reached up and knocked on the door.
"Yeah, come in," his female birds voice echoed.
Attentively grabbing the hand, he slowly turned it and pushed the door open but only a crack. Despite the lights being off, it was still well lite from the windows which allowed him to see Swellow running her wing over the small Taillow. The pre-evolved Pokémon had completely ruffled feathers and laid on her side. His own bird seemed to be fixing her feathers before gliding over to him, landing on his shoulder.
"So... get the badge?" she asked.
"Y-yeah," he stuttered, "d-did you-"
"Yeah..." She nodded, "four times, actually. It was-"
"N-no. Just don't," he replied.
"Suit yourself," she chuckled, stretching her wings, and rolling them around, "so... what was the battle like?"
"Didn't you hear it?" He blinked, "I mean... the walls are pretty thin and-"
"We didn't hear anything outside of our room, trust me," she assured, "but didn't you hear us? We weren't exactly quiet ourselves."
Shivering from the implications, he re-joined his friends and the topic quickly changed. Returning both Swellow and Torkoal he followed the gym leader out of the building and bid him goodbye. The cool fresh air feeling super refreshing on his soaked skin.
"Hey Ash."
"Yeah Max."
"I-I have something to tell you," the young boy slightly stuttered, "... I think given different circumstances; I might've taken your gym badge from dad."
"Really?" He blinked. While he could definitely see the kid doing it, hearing him admit it caught him off guard.
"Yeah," he glanced down, swirling his foot in the dirt, "but since getting Treecko... silly things like that just... don't seem to matter now. So sorry, I know I can be pretty annoying when pointing out the flaws you make in battles and... stuff like that."
"It's alright Max, it's how you learn," he smiled, "and I think I was just as bad at your age."
"Trust me, he was worst," Serena chimed in.
"What do you mean worst?" he asked, tilting his head to the side as he looked at her.
"Max never tried to ride a Rhyhorn... with a broken arm, remember," she declared, placing her hands on her hips.
"B-but that was your mum's Rhyhorn-"
"And you broke your arm when he threw you off on your first lesson."
"B-but-"
"It was also the next day you tried!"
Chuckling nervously, they set off towards the Pokémon centre. Even if they're spending one more night in Petalburg before leaving for Foretree and the meet up with both Gary and Leaf, they not only need to get the team looked at, but they need more supplies and finalise the plans with their friends.
Norman sighed as he put down the glass of water. It's barely been half an hour since the end of his battle with Ash and he's finally starting to feel the effects of Torkoal's heat wave diminish. Relaxing in his chair, he considered scheduling his next champions league gym battle but as he flicked through the remaining numbers for his colleagues, his work phone started ringing.
Pressing a few buttons, it seemed the unknown number was being redirected from their house. Either Caroline answered and knew it was for him or she had left, and it defaulted to this line after not being answered, not that it really mattered. Answering the call, he blinked in surprise at the face on the other end.
"G?" He questioned, seeing his old childhood rival.
"Hey up, Norm," he smiled.
"If you're looking for your nephew, I'm sorry to say Ash isn't here," he replied, "we already had our battle and-"
"Nah, it's not about him... it's my other nephew, actually," he shook his head, "look. I need your help?"
"Since when does the great Green Ketchum need my help?" he asked.
"I'm serious man," he replied, "Drake he's... he's refusing legal representation and-"
"Is he crazy?" he replied, "without a lawyer the prosecution would walk all over him."
"He can be real stubborn," he sighed, "and has a crazy theory that he's using for his defence. If he goes through with it, I think-"
"Look G, I get why your worried but I'm not sure what I could do," he replied, "I mean. He's a fully-fledged trainer, in the eyes of the law he's an adult and able to make his own decisions for his trial. I'm sorry-"
"Norm, he's calling you as a witness," he replied, "and so... I'm just asking you to turn up. If you don't then-"
"Things will look a lot worst for him." Letting out a long breath, he relaxed back in his chair. Pinching the bridge of his nose, "but G... I don't know how I could help as a witness. I mean, I've never met the kid. I was here in Hoenn when-"
"It's not about witnessing the actual thing but something back when you was the gym leader here," he replied, "please. I really need your help to save the kid. He's not thinking straight and-"
"Alright, I see what I can do. But I'm still not sure just what that"
"Thanks," he replied, "and... don't tell Ash, alright. Drake doesn't want him to know any of this."
"Of course."
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