Author's Note:
Here it is, the next gym battle and one of the most unique gyms in the entire series. I really don't have much else to say here. This is gonna be more of a fun time since Fortree had the build up with Metang's trial and following on from this chapter... well, we're in for a wild ride. We also get to see some of my favourite personalities of Pokémon all in one battle. I am using this as practise for really learning double battles, as they'll have a bigger role in the Hoenn league than previous tournaments. Don't forget to vote in the poll and with that, let's begin
Chapter Seventy: Ash VS Tate & Liza: Intuitive
Ash smiled as he walked down the sunny street of Mossdeep. His mind running over the doubles tactics his chosen team have been working on for the last few days. He's tried to ensure any possible pair he ends up using got some practise together since you can't be certain how the battle with transpire, either who the twins will use or what surprise moves they might have up their sleeves.
He found his eye glancing to the side, where Serena walked. She was looking out across the water's edge where her Milotic swam alongside with May's own pure water type. Leaping out and shimmering under the bright sun with the droplets surrounding them. His eyes took in her appear and noticed the sun bouncing off her skin with her hair now reaching just past her shoulder blades. Darting down, he couldn't help but admire her long, smooth legs and flat stomach which her regular outfit showed off.
Feeling his mouth go dry, he turned back to the path ahead and wiped his face with a hand. Inwardly cringing, his eyes squeezed shut as the feelings of her uncomfortableness from the ship radiated off her. Feeling utterly horrible, he tried to just focus his mind on the impending battle.
It didn't take long for them to make the way up to the Mossdeep gym. Stepping inside of the gym, his eyes widened at the sight. A massive battlefield made up the majority of the dome-shaped building. The floor was designed like the surface of the moon with white-rock features and the walls and ceiling were dark blue with stars on them. Semi-transparent lines faded in and out, showing off numerous Pokémon shapes across the ceiling.
"What's up with those lines connected between the stars?" May asked
"Those are constellations which can be witnessed from here in Mossdeep given the right time of year." Liza explained. Both her and her brother walking forward.
"Since it's the middle of winter currently-" Tate muttered as he twisted around. "There. You'll be able to see the Lunatone and Glalie tonight if the sky is clear."
"That's pretty impressive that you know them off the top of your head." Brock noted with a smile.
"We've been stargazing since we we're little," Liza replied, "but enough chitchat, I believe we've got a gym challenge on our hands?"
"Right!" Ash smirked with a tightened fist. He noticed two of the larger moon-creators lit up and the twins walked over to the furthest one, indicating these were the trainer's box since it lacked the traditional battlefield markings. He turned to Serena. "Do you mind letting Snorunt watch with you?"
"Of course not," she smiled. Unclipping the device from his belt, he handed it over to her. Seeing the group walk over to the seating area, he watched them take a seat and Serena let out his pure ice type. With a wide grin, he turned back around.
His brow pulled together seeing their mother, Rachel, in one of the smaller creators about halfway between the two trainer boxes. His suspicions were confirmed when she took her spot opposite the twins as she raised both arms and extended a flag towards each side.
"This will be a gym battle for a Mossdeep mind badge between the leaders Tate and Liza and the challenger Ash Ketchum!" Rachel declared. "Each side will have the use of four Pokémon with two active on both sides at any one time, making this a double battle format! Tate shall reveal his first, then the challenger shall pick one, then Liza and finally the challengers last one! Then we'll proceed as needed for the battle!"
"It launch day, Slowking!" Tate hollered as his device flew high into the air. A light flashed down onto the field, with the familiar looking Pokémon appearing.
A bipedal Pokémon with a marble white crown head piece, and red centre gem, in a spiral shape with two horns near the base. The body was primarily pink, with a pale-yellow muzzle and scaled belly. His feet and hands each had a single-clawed digit, with accompanying clawless thumbs on the latter. Around the neck was a spiny ruff with alternating red and white stripes. He slowly pulled out his Pokédex to scan the vaguely familiar Pokémon:
Slowking, the Royal Pokémon. Kantonian regional variant. A final evolved form of Slowpoke. Slowking undertakes research every day in an effort to solve the mysteries of the world. However, this Pokémon apparently forgets everything it has learned if the Shellder on its head comes off
"A water psychic type," he mumbled to himself. The obvious choice would be Metang, given his numerous electrical moves but he works best with Torkoal and without knowing how the twins battle, it would be a massive risk. Running through his other options, he decided upon one. Taking the device off his belt, he held it out with a smirk on his face. "I choose you, Crawdaunt!"
His water dark type materialised on the field
"What are you looking at?" Slowking asked in a slow, patronizing manner.
"Di fos losa of fi wi match," Crawdaunt declared with his claws snapping for emphasis.
"Primitive." The royal Pokémon visibly rolled his eyes.
"Guess it's my turn." Liza interjected, tossing her own Pokéball up. "Espeon, blast off!"
In a flash of light, the quadrupedal, feline eeveelution with slender legs and dainty paws materialised next to the royal partner. The fur was clearly well kept, with a sheen. One of the front legs stood in front of the other, as she held her head high. Despite seeing a few before, he used his Pokédex for a refresher:
Espeon, the sun Pokémon. A final evolved form of Eevee. Wields an arcane power with which it can predict the weather and even people's thoughts. When bathed in sunshine, the scarlet orb on its brow glows and builds energy
"Now wi cya get di party start," Crawdaunt cheered.
"Urg, can we get this over quickly?" the pure psychic type asked, rolling her eyes at his cheerful rogue Pokémon, "this one is... creepy."
"Oi wah yuh trying tuh say?" he asked with offence.
"Don't let them distract you, Crawdaunt, or throw you off," he called out, unclipping a device off his belt and holding it out, "I choose you, Duskull!"
In a flash of light, his pure ghost type materialised beside his water dark type. Seeing them both together, he chewed down on his inner cheek. While both had a type advantage over their opponents and were certainly tough. Neither we're exactly serious and he knew they could lose focus. Hopefully, their individual antics would be enough to throw off their opponents who seemed well mannered and sophisticated.
"Slowking and Espeon verses Crawdaunt and Duskull," their mother declared, "let the battle begin!"
Tate & Liza verses Ash: Round One
He smiled as two jets of water shot out, striking each of their opponents. One from each claw of Crawdaunt, the two opposing Pokémon skidded back slightly. While his pure ghost type dived into the floor. Creating a shadow on the floor.
Espeon let out a loud cry with eyes glowing golden. A box materialised around them each. Reducing the jets of water to near nothing before impact.
Diving up out of the ground, his requiem Pokémon crashed into Espeon. Throwing the pure psychic type back, he launched out a flurry of blue fire balls.
Bursting into a ball of flames, the eeveelutions eye glew bright red. A red outline surrounded Duskull, causing him to also burst into flames.
"Nice try but with our synchronise ability anything you try to inflict upon us is also inflicted on your Pokémon." Liza smirked. "Espeon let's put that burn out!"
A wave of ESP blasted out and blew away her own flames. Striking his first caught Hoenn Pokémon, he was knocked back and she spun on her heel.
Kicking her back feet up, a heap of dirt off the field landed in his face. Squeezing his one eye shut, Duskull cried out, frantically spinning in a panic.
Clenching his fist, he turned to the other battle. Crawdaunt was using duel bubble beams to hold back the signal beam from Slowking.
"Crawdaunt use water gun to clean Duskull's eye," he instructed, "Duskull use shadow sneak into protect!"
Redirecting one of the streams it morphed into a single jet, washing over his ghost type. His now single stream of bubbles was slowly pushed closer to himself.
Diving into water, Duskull was only there for a couple seconds. A shadow formed on the floor, and it zoomed over to Crawdaunt. He lept out with a green-tinted shield which took the signal beam for both Pokémon.
The signal beam made direct contact and exploded, leaving a cloud of smoke. He smirked seeing the protect shimmer of as Duskull whispered his plan.
A black shadow scurried across the floor running all around their half of the field. Both opponents moved with Slowking attempting to take aim and Espeon chasing him down. His free-flowing, zigzagging movements made sure neither were successful.
He smiled as Espeon landed between the fading smoke and her partner. His boisterous water dark type lunged at her. A green-x-shape in front of his body.
Crashing into the psychic type, he flipped over her and clamped a claw down on her tail. With a massive heave and the continued momentum, she went flying.
Crashing into Slowking, their two opponents ended up in a pile with each other. Flames engulfed the pure psychic type as they struggled to stand up.
Duskull came flying in with the speed from shadow sneak, also burning bright. Spinning overhead, a whirlwind of ghost energy funnelled around them.
There light screen re-emerging through the purple hex, which allowed Crawdaunt to move into place. As his two Pokémon worked together, he glanced behind the display towards the twin gym leaders, who appeared to be in some sort argument.
"It would be right about now that your Slowking should start attacking!" Liza raised her voice.
"Maybe if your Espeon didn't keep getting in the way!" Tate retorted.
"You are such a little kid!"
His attention snapped back to the ghost type tornado as a ring of water erupted out of the base. Breaking up the wind funnel, sent Duskull spiralling down.
A bluey-green ball of electricity formed in front of Espeon's head gem. Shooting it straight into the stream, it broke apart and electrified the current.
"Duskull over and make an opening!" He hollered. "Slowking is the one maintaining the ring!"
His pure ghost type nodded and took off, forming a shadow ball in front of his face. As he floated over the barrier, he launched it straight down.
Ash watched Slowking raise both arms and lifted the ring up to intercept the ghost type projectile. Quickly, lowering the ring, it zapped his Crawdaunt, who tried to change in. While a second shadow ball curtsy of Espeon knocked Duskull back. He frowned hearing the argument continue.
"Their Pokémon are working in perfect unison but they're-" His thoughts stopped, and eyes widened at realisation. A small smirk crept across his lips. "Listen up you two, whilst their trainers are distracted by each other we're gonna overpower them! Ice beam Crawdaunt!"
His rouge Pokémon let out a cry and opened both claws. A thin, pale blue thread of ice shot out and pierced the barrier of water, psychic and electricity.
The swirling vortex came to a slowing stop and a massive explosion ensured. Engulfing both of the opponents in a cloud of smoke.
Duskull wasted no time in diving into the ground, creating a black shadow. Scurrying away, he focused on the impeding cloud on the other side of the field.
A ball of electricity shot out, straight for Crawdaunt. Coating his claws in dark type energy, he swiped the zap canon to the side, a light shock tingling him as the psychic eeveelution lept towards him. Tackling into his head with speed, he skidded against the ground and smirked.
"Now dis a wah mi did looking fi!" Crawdaunt shook off the slight shock with glee in his tone.
Throwing himself to the opponent, he swung his claws around. The two entered a dance, of sorts, with Espeon leading him along the outside of the field.
"It's a trap!" He called out, as Slowking emerged from the fading smoke.
Opening a claw, a jet of water shot out. Hitting the ground where Espeon landed, she slipped. Pushing himself back slightly, a signal beam sailed past.
The feline quickly adjusted her stance and formed another zap canon in front of her head jewel. His water dark type already lept at her and upper cut her with a night slash. Landing to her side, he, used one claw to push her to face Slowking and snapped his other claw down on her tail.
Launching her zap canon, it soared over the field. Slowking raised both hands and closed his eyes, preparing to block the attack.
Leaping out of the ground, Duskull tackled into his back and the royal Pokémon's limbs stretched out. A seeming grey shadow covered his body.
While the zap canon struck head on. His ghost type floated out with a wide eye and massive grin, leaving the water psychic type to collapse behind.
"Slowking is unable to battle," Rachel declared, "meaning Tate will need to send out his second Pokémon!"
He smiled as his buzzing ghost type shot closer, across the field. His entire body seemed to be vibrating with the bottom of the mask-face curled up in a wide grin. Stopping just in front of his second Pokémon on the field, he couldn't help but notice the pure joy radiating off him.
"That was totally wicked!" Duskull exclaimed, "I'm still feeling tingly all over! Is that what intercourse is like?!"
"Duskull!" Ash shouted as his cheeks burst into flames.
"Mi tink fi wi trainas a guh through a dry spell," Crawdaunt replied, "yuh wudda be best tuh aks yellow."
"Right!" Duskull exclaimed, "he can shock Pokémon who I-"
"Stop it!"
An awkward silence ensued as he nervously glanced between his two Pokémon. Both shrugging, they turned back around, and he took a moment to glance around, his eyes landed on the twin gym leaders, who seemed to be staring back with blank expressions.
"Everything alright?" Liza asked.
"Y-yeah," he uttered, feeling a cool wind blow against his face.
"Then we should keep going." Tate shrugged and took out his next Pokéball. "Launch time, Gallade!"
In a flash of light, a humanoid white bipedal Pokémon stood with one leg in front of the other and in a strong battle stance. His lower body consisted of rounded hips with strong legs. A thin green torso had sharp, red horns sticking out of the chest and back. While the arms were shaped like those old-wooden mixed-martial arts weapons, tonfas... if he didn't know any better, he'd guess this is where they got the inspiration from for them, with extendable blades in the elbows. The head resembled a sort of helmet with a white face, red eyes, and a teal head crest. The face also had spikes on either side. His eye landed on a sparking marble in a band around one of the upper arms.
"So, they can use mega evolution too," he muttered under his breath. He pulled out his Pokédex and scanned the opponent:
Gallade, the blade Pokémon. A final evolved form of Ralts. The blades extending from its elbows are sharper than the finest swords. Its swordsmanship, albeit self-taught, is astonishingly impressive. Humans have studied this species for centuries to master their own swords-skills
"So, we heard your one of the trainer's Steven entrusted a key stone too," Tate called out, "obviously, league rules prohibit either side using it unless both sides agree. So, tell us, Ash, do you plan on using a mega-evolving Pokémon today?"
"Unfortunately, not," he replied, "we didn't know you guys could use it too and I didn't bring anyone capable of going mega with me."
"It's alright," Liza shrugged, "we'll just need to beat you the old-fashioned way."
"We'll just see about that," he smirked. "I figured out your secret."
"Oh, and what's that?" Tate asked.
"You two pretended to be mad with each other to throw me off and make me overconfident," he replied, "when you're in a fight with a twin, you don't just quickly switch it off like that. Even if you agree to drop it, there's still a tension but you've got neither of it now."
"Interesting." Liza pinched her lips together. "Guess that means you're one of us?"
"Got a twin brother, Drake, but he's over in Unova," he replied.
"Which means we'll just need to use our other tactics," Tate replied.
Narrowing his brow, he tightened his fist. Both his Pokémon moved back into their original starting positions. The fighting psychic type performed a backflip as the psychic type eeveelution stood in front of him. He felt each thump of his heart through his chest, catching a glimpse of the referee.
"Gallade and Espeon verses Crawdaunt and Duskull," Rachel declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Tate & Liza verses Ash: Round Two
His brows pulled together as the newest Pokémon on the field shot forward. With long strides in his run, he quickly covered the field with his fists tightened and glowing white. A tint of orangey-brown fighting type energy filled them as his ghost dived out of the way into a shadow sneak.
Reaching his water dark type, he started delivering a flurry of swift punches with great speed. Crawdaunt coated both claws in water as he blocked the blows.
Being pushed back by the close combat, he struggled to properly defend himself. The height difference gave Gallade a larger area to attack from.
"Will-o-Wisp!" He hollered.
Leaping of out the ground, his pure ghost type had blue balls of fire orbiting around him. One by one, he launched them over to the duelling duo.
With a frontal-flip, Gallade lept high over the flaming balls. Spinning overhead, his arms glew with bright green grass type energy, taking a scythe shape.
Twisting in his spin, he brought the leaf blade down onto Crawdaunt's back. Knocking Crawdaunt up into the air. With a spin on the ground, he kicked the water dark type in the back and sent him flying straight into the oncoming fire balls. Both his Pokémon crashed together in a burning heap.
"Gallade may be a psychic type but he's also a master of martial arts." Tate taunted. "So, let's keep up the pressure!"
Espeon seemed to take the hint and formed a purple ball of ghost type energy in front of her face. Launching it out across the field, Gallade took off.
Reaching the shadow ball, he seemed to use the passing wind to help move the projectile. His arms glew with a slightly different tint of green, more similar to bug type energy. He took a deep breath at the sight, knowing he planned to hit both Pokémon hard with a type effective move.
"Protect and split!" He hollered.
A green-tinted-semi-transparent shield formed through the flames and blocked Gallade's initial blow. Causing him to stagger backwards from the hit.
Duskull flew out of the protect and punched him in the face with ghost type energy. Continuing over the stumbled blade Pokémon, he entered a shadow.
Crawdaunt lept forward and straddled over the psychic fighting type. His claws were black with a purple outline, whacking night slash down on Gallade.
Espeon let out a loud cry and formed a zap canon in front of her face. It shot off across the field, straight towards his water dark type.
Leaping out of the ground, Duskull tackled the electric ball and knocked it off course into the far side of the field. Tingling from the slight shock, Ash frowned at the gleeful jitter that came out of his requierm Pokémon. "Giggidy!"
The pure psychic type lept forward and brought down an iron tail on his head. Knocking him through the air, he spun around in a dazed fashion.
Liza's eeveelution continued forward with a ball of psychic type energy forming in front. It burst open and engulfed her body as she charged forward.
His pure ghost type dived to the side of the zen headbutt. Tackling into her side as her first paw touched the ground. Delivering a series of punches, his own body seemed to glow with a mystic healing glow. The pain split helping keep his first caught Hoenn Pokémon healthy.
A blur shot across the field, knocking Duskull away. Revealing Crawdaunt scrapping across the floor as his ghost went higher into the air.
Espeon struggled up and faced the rogue Pokémon. Another zap canon formed in front of her face. Launching the ball out, it struck his back, and he cried out in pain. He staggered forward before collapsing down on the ground as Gallade walked back next to the eeveelution.
"Crawdaunt is unable to battle!" Rachel declared. "Meaning the challenge will need to select his next Pokémon!"
Ash sighed as he held out his Pokéball out, the red light struck his water dark type and returned him inside. Letting out a low sigh as he held the device close to his head, whispering, "thank you Crawdaunt. You did great now rest up."
His eyes lingered on the three Pokémon as each returned to their original starting position. While Duskull has been in better shape, he was far from his last legs... so to speak and Gallade walked like he was still new out on the field. Focusing on the eeveelution, she seemed to have a slight limp with staggered breath but as soon as their eyes met, she straightened up to remove the signs of fatigue.
A small smirk formed on his lips. He just noticed the weakest link in the opposing side, so they'll be best focusing on her next round. Glancing around the open field, he reached for his belt. Duskull already has the privilege to attack from all directions so maybe he should double down.
"I choose you, Metang!" He tossed the ball into the air and his middle-staged pseudo materialised next to his pure ghost type.
"A psychic type?" Tate's eyebrow shot up. "You sure are interesting, Ash. Coming at us with our own type specialty."
"There's more to battling then just type advantage," he replied, "and we're ready for this, right guys?!"
Both Duskull and Metang let out a loud cry to emphasis his point, with the latter raising his large metal arms. A small smile crept upon his lips at the sight, he knew Metang rarely got excited through fear of losing control but their training since Fortree has really helped him open up more.
"Then I guess it's time we reveal our next challenge for you." Liza smirked, as both gym leader's gave small claps.
Holes in the ceiling opened up and different sized balls shaped like different planets filled the once empty air. No rhythm or pattern seemed to match the way in which they were laid out, but it would certainly make his aerial assaults more challenging.
"It's not uncommon for challengers to bring some high fliers in an attempt to throw us off-" Tate explained.
"So, we came up with a counter and unique field all at once." Liza finished. "Now are you still confident about this, Ash?"
His eyes flicked around the new sort of field; a familiar tingle of excitement filled his cells at the unique field. Ideas of how they could use them to their advantage already filling his head. With a wide smile, he turned back to the gym leaders. "Of course, we are!"
Holding onto his breath, he refocused on the four Pokémon in front of him. Narrowing down to the eeveelution, he knew that his best chance to win this round would be by focusing on her... although based on the last round, Gallade made himself a target by charging in. He gave the referee a brief glance.
"Gallade and Espeon verses Duskull and Metang," Rachel declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Tate & Liza verses Ash: Round Three
Metang nervously glanced around as his partner dived into a shadow on the floor. The black streak sped away and he followed it but caught sight of the large, humanoid opponent, Gallade, he believes. Who was running straight towards him with glowing hands.
"Thunder punch counter!" Ash's voice screeched.
Giving a small nod, he extended the two metal arms. A crackle of electricity shot through, covering the ends and he instinctively brought them over his face.
The blow from Gallade pushed him back and he shook his body. Peeking out from behind the iron arms, he noticed the fighting psychic type in his face.
Swinging his fists forward, the blade Pokémon leaned back, and his iron arm sailed around. Causing him to spin out as something hit his back... likely a foot.
"Magnet rise and get above the planets!" Ash instructed.
Slamming his two thunder-punches together, he felt the electric charge shimmer through his body. Charging forward, he glanced up to the large balls above.
"Look out!"
His trainer's warning came too late as a powerful wind, curtsy of the blade Pokémon knocked him forward. Feeling the wind currents around him, he grunted and adjusted his body, turning upwards to ride the vacuum wave and pick up speed. Shooting up behind one of the large balls, he sighed in relief.
Curving around the round object, he spotted his partner. Duskull seemed to be playing a game of chase in his shadow form... with the opponent as 'it'.
Reaching the top of the orb, he stopped. Admiring the curved platforms in front of him made him think of the beautiful night sky he saw-
Gallade jumped up and landed on one of the far platforms. He groaned and rolled his eyes, "oh come on."
Charging forward, the blade Pokémon lept from one planet to the next. His fists glowing once more as he closed in but not nearly as quick as before.
"Use the planet!" Ash's voice shouted.
Without thinking, he reached out and gripped one of the thick strings holding one in place. This one was medium sized with an orange coating, but smaller brown rocks seemed to be circled around. Using his sharp metal claws, he cut it free and grabbed the planet.
Swinging his arm out as far as he could. Sending the planet and rings out, it struck Gallade in the side, inches away from another painful blow.
Seeing his opponent knocked over to another planet, his eyes widened. A gleeful tinge surged through his body as he charged after him.
The fighting psychic type landed on one knee and spun to face him. His arms glew green and took a scythe shape, which cut another planets rope.
Standing up, he jumped off the falling orb. Stopping himself, he watched the blade Pokémon twist as he soared over head.
Using his planet-wrecking ball as a shield, the fighting psychic type sliced a leaf blade down. It knocked the wrecking-ball away and smashed into the top of his head... body... Feeling the opponent grab onto him, he barely had chance to react as two feet pushed into his back, knocking him away.
Spinning on an axis, he watched his opponent diving down back to the floor, "Metang! Bullet Punch straight down!"
Turning to a ninety-degree angle he dived straight down. Extending both arms out, the planet dangled behind him as tensed up, causing them to shimmer.
Smashing through the large planet which Gallade previously cut, bits of rock scattered around him. The pink-feline Pokémon appeared right blow.
She was stood in a stance, with glowing eyes. Within a second, he ended up right in front of her and delivered a punch to her side. Following up with his free claw, he sent her flying across the field. Crashing into the far wall behind the gym leaders, she fell down in a heap. "Oops."
"Espeon is unable to battle!" the women declared. "Meaning Liza will need to select her last Pokémon before we continue!"
Ash pinched his lips together as his two Pokémon appeared next to each other. His ghost type was panting slightly with sweat dripping down his forehead but given how many battles he's done in a row; he can't say he's surprised but the more pressing matter was his other Pokémon.
"Erm... Metang?!" His steel psychic type turned to face him. "Why are you holding that... planet?"
The orange orb was about half of the actual planet but with cracks in it, bits kept falling off and even the rings around it seemed to be destroyed. His iron arm Pokémon picked it up and stared at it before turning to look at him with wide eyes.
"Well I... you said... use the planet..."
A smile broke out over his face as he watched the mareepish Pokémon blush. "I was speaking to Duskull at the time... using the planet for shadow sneak to better set up his attack on Espeon... but I guess the second planet did help us win so-"
"That one was Gallade!" Metang blurted out.
"Sure, it was bud-" Duskull patted him on the back. "Either way, thanks. Espeon ended up holding it with psychic and left her wide open."
"So why did you need me to finish it?" he asked.
"Didn't want to get crushed by making her stop psychic," he replied.
"And Duskull, you've done a lot so wanna take a break now?" Ash asked.
"Well actually-"
"-blast off, Gardevoir!" Liza shouted.
In a flash of light, a second bipedal humanoid Pokémon materialised, whose body seemed to resemble a flowing gown. Most of the body was white except for her hair, arms, and the underside of the gown which were all green. The hair curled over the face and down the sides of her head. Looking closely, the face resembled a masquerade mask with red eyes, which had short spikes behind. Each of the long arms had three-fingers on each hand and slender white legs. A red, fin-like horn extended out from the chest, and a shorter more rounded horn stuck out their back. A green band over the chest extended to the centre front horn and connected to the sleeve-like arms. He pulled out his Pokédex to scan the new opponent:
Gardevoir, the embrace Pokémon. A final evolved form of Ralts. Gardevoir has the psychokinetic power to distort the dimensions and create a small black hole. This Pokémon will try to protect its Trainer even at the risk of its own life
Lowering the device, he noticed Duskull having his tongue hanging out below his skull-face, leaving a cartoon-like puddle below him. His eye kept darting over to Ash before lingering back to his new opponent, as Gallade walked up beside her.
"You know, Ash, I appreciate the concern, but I feel a lot more energised for some reason," Duskull muttered, "I can totally do another round... or three."
He jumped to the side as a popping noise echoed and something appeared next to him.
"Too bad for ole Duskie that this is FanFiction and not deviant art." A familiar purple ghost popped in beside him. Jabbing an elbow into his side. "Eh."
"Gengar!" He exclaimed.
"Aww, I missed you too readers," Gengar replied, ignoring her former trainer, "but I gotta go, the author only wanted to make that one fourth wall joke since we've got the upcoming...erm, I mean, Farfetch'd ain't gonna reverse-engineer his biology himself. TTFN, tar, tar for now!"
In a puff of smoke, the ghost poison type disappeared.
"Everything alright over there?" Liza asked.
"I-erm, yeah, I think so." He replied. Muttering something about his former Pokémon under his breath as he wiped his face with his hand. Both his Pokémon moved back into their starting position. Smashed planet still surrounding them as his ghost seemed way more excited than before. "Metang, Gardevoir is part fairy type, so I want you to focus on her... which means Duskull, you go for Gallade."
"Wha-" His ghost went to whine but ended up just puffing his cheeks.
Glancing over to the twins, he saw them both smirk with narrowed eyes. Inwardly smirking himself, he focused on the two evolved forms of Ralts. Part of him wished he had Kirlia here to show case her evolution to her, but he quickly shook his head. Focusing back on the pending battle.
"Gallade and Gardevoir verses Duskull and Metang," Rachel declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Tate & Liza verses Ash: Round Four
Ash frowned seeing the two opponents leap into action. Gallade charged forward as pink-tinted wind blew behind him. Extended his arm-blades out to the side with pure black dark type energy and a purple outline. He sliced down onto his steel psychic types head, knocking him back.
Diving into the ground, Duskull zoomed under the fairy wind with his shadow sneak. He bite down on his inner cheek.
Leaping up from his stance, Gallade flew over the fairy wind as it hit Metang, holding him in place. Bring down another night slash direct onto his head.
"Bullet punch into metal claw!" He instructed.
The iron claw Pokémon shook his body and his arms shimmered into a silver colour. Charging forward, he delivered a flurried series of blows direct into the fighting psychic types stomach, causing his night slash blades to fade. Raising one of his arms, his claws extended out and his swiped down onto his shoulder.
Tate's blade Pokémon rolled with the blow and ended up to Metang's side. Leaping up, he hit his steel psychic type with an uppercut.
Taking him up into the air, he smashed his middle-stage pseudo into one of the planets. Kicking him back down, he crashed into the ground with a thud.
A massive beam of condensed electricity shot down. Engulfing his iron claw Pokémon. He cried out in pain as the brightness covered the rest of the body.
Staring straight into the red-digital-eyes, he noticed the pupils shrink. His mouth went dry, recognising the expression from their first encounter. A short breath trapped in his lungs as he tried to think of what-
"Electricity..."
Torkoal's been the emotional Pokémon's main partner due to his experience and able to easily handle a dangerous situation, but Metang never quiet reached the level of their first encounter... he never thought much off it, but maybe its specifically electricity which triggers his boiling point? It would make sense since this is pretty similar to Sandslash's rage, and he was easily triggered by water.
A blue ball of ESP surrounded his pseudo and broke the charge beam apart. He slowly raised up with a darkened expression.
"Metang?" he asked.
Turning straight up, his arms locked in place and shimmered in a silver metal colour. Charging up at ninety-degrees in the blink of an eye.
His claw collided with Gallade's foot, squeezing it tight. Spinning around, he sent the blade Pokémon down into the ground.
Continuing on his warpath, he reached the fighting psychic type as he skipped over the ground. Crashing into his side and storming towards the wall.
Tate's Pokémon flashed brightly and disappeared from his grasp. This didn't deter Metang, however, and within seconds he smashed into the wall.
Dust and rubble covered the impact, but the iron claw Pokémon turned back around. Scanning the field, Gallade was no-where to be seen.
Ash's steel psychic type wasn't deterred and focused in on the second battle on the field. Currently, both his Duskull and Liza's Gardevoir stood pretty much head-to-head, using hex and dazzling gleam, respectively. The pink and purple lights of typed-energy made it difficult to make out.
The fairy psychic type glanced to the fellow psychic type before disappearing in a bright flash. His iron claw Pokémon didn't seem slow down.
Crashing claw first into his requierm Pokémon, Duskull went soaring across the field. Crashing into the far wall, he didn't phase through either. Slumping down onto the field, his singular red eye turned into more of a swirl as he laid motionless on the floor.
"Duskull is unable to-"
Metang turned around and saw Gardevoir, reappearing from her teleport, with Gallade landing next to her. Both appeared winded but still standing.
Charging towards them both, his iron claws shimmered into the silver colour. A quick flash and both of the Ralts line disappeared, his middle-staged pseudo ran straight through and ended up charging near him. Without a second thought, he lept in the direction of his partner, "Metang stop!"
Squeezing his eyes shut, he braced for the hard impact. A low buzzing sound entered his ear, but no impact followed.
Taking a peak, he noticed the steel psychic type floating right in front of him. His own eyes were squeezed shut and he was vibrating violently. Even the small metal claws on the end of his thick arms twitched as the familiar sizzle of electricity jolted across his entire body.
"-battle," Rachel finished her sentence. "Meaning the challenge will need to select his final Pokémon! I'm also issuing a yellow ticket against Metang for failure to follow the ruling of the referee and continuing after making a call!"
Ash slowly walked up to his iron claw Pokémon and softly patted his head. He noticed the red eyes stare up filled with fear and pain. A look he was all-too familiar with thanks to Sandslash. Feeling the lump in his throat, he thought to keep from tears escaping his eyes.
"Metang... you alright?" he muttered.
"I-it..." He uttered, "awwie."
Feeling his aura activate as his heart stretched, he embraced the middle-staged pseudo as his eyes burst open. A blue tint of aura engulfed them both as the familiar rush of emotions spread over his body. The memory of when they first met filled his mind. Feeling a numbness over his entire body, he stumbled backwards, barely avoiding tripping over his own feet as his vision returned to normal.
"Metang?" he asked in a meke voice.
"Yeah?"
"How you feeling?" he asked.
"Better," his voice cracked slightly, "for now... at least."
"If you wanna stop, I'll understand," he explained, "the choice is yours."
"...what do you think?" he asked.
"I know it hurts now but if we don't try... you can't overcome this hurdle," he replied, "I promised to help you control it but now we know what triggers it-"
"Is it only electricity which triggers me?" he asked.
"I don't know," he shrugged, "Sandslash gets triggered by water but for a long time a lot of stuff set him off. Then again, this isn't even the same sort of-"
"So, I could get triggered without warning again?" he asked to which Ash nodded. "Okay... I want to stay."
"You sure?" he asked to which the steel psychic nodded, "good. And you'll have Torkoal right beside you. Just let me know if you need a break and I'll call you back. I don't want you to hurt yourself."
Giving a small nod, a light cough drew his attention. He turned to see both the twins and their two Pokémon staring directly at them.
"Ash?" Tate called out. "Ya'll wanna explain what just happened?"
"Not really," he muttered, scratching the back of his head with a nervous chuckle. "Any chance we can just finish the battle?"
"Sure," Liza replied, "but regardless of outcome, we want answers about... whatever that was. Deal?"
"Deal." He sighed. Using one of his devices, he recalled the fallen ghost type and whispered a word of thanks before taking out his final Pokéball. "I choose you, Torkoal!"
His pure fire type materialised on the field and slowly raised his head out of his shell. First glancing over to the two fully-evolved forms of a Ralts before taking in his partner, who returned back into his starting position. Finally, he turned back to look at Ash himself.
"May I ask what I missed?" he muttered.
"Final round, only you four left for both sides," he explained, "and kinda realised that we've been going about Metang's training wrong. He might've lost control but were good now and we're ready to keep going... right."
"Yeah." His reply was short and sounded like a struggle for his steel psychic type to even say.
Biting down on his inner cheek, he inwardly frowned at the turn of events, but they knew from the start it would be a long journey to recovery and likely to have step backs. Part of him felt like trying to push Metang after the turn of events was cruel but no pain, no gain. As long as the iron claw Pokémon was happy to continue, he was too... besides, with both Torkoal and the gym leader's ready in case things go wrong, they're in a great place to test the limits.
Taking a deep breath, he glanced back to see his fire type moving into position. Offering a small nod to the referee, he swallowed and tightened his fists.
"Gallade and Gardevoir verses Torkoal and Metang," Rachel declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Tate & Liza verses Ash: Round Five
Ash tensed up as he watched the steel psychic type charge forward, his iron claws sizzled with electricity. Larger sparks jumped off as he crashed into the fighting psychic type near the middle of the field. The debris from the shattered planet scattered around the close combat.
Swinging his feet, legs and twisting his entire body around. Tate's blade Pokémon used his superior agility to keep his pseudo playing catch up.
Although none of his hits really seemed to affect his iron claw Pokémon. His thunder punches swung around but mostly hit the thin air.
Glancing behind the duelling duo, he noticed Gardevoir stood with a shadow in hand. She seemed to be ready to blast it straight into Metang.
Realising Torkoal was allowing him in push himself and hanging back, he decided to go with the plan, "Metang! Bullet punch into Gardevoir!"
Turning on his axis as the blade Pokémon rolled behind his back. His arms locked in place, shimmering a silver colour. Charging forward with great speed.
The shadow ball launched but he punched straight through it. Causing the ghost type projectile to implode without the hint of slowing him down.
Inches away from impact onto the embrace Pokémon, she disappeared. Leaving his steel psychic type to crash into the wall behind.
A massive, condensed beam of electricity struck the cloud of dust and his steel psychic type cried out. The agonised pain in his voice sent a shiver down his back and he glanced down to see Torkoal moving forward, preparing to intervene as Gardevoir reappeared next to her partner Pokémon.
He dived to the side with a thin, silver bullet of steel type energy shooting out. It knocked both fully evolved forms of Ralts to the side.
Skimming over the top of Torkoal's shell, it would've hit where Ash once stood. Glancing back to the scene, his throat went completely dry.
Metang emerged with glowing, blood-red eyes. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared and re-emerged in front of the two opponents.
His claw shot forward and gut punched the psychic fairy type. She went fly backwards but teleported away before crashing into anything herself.
A ball of ESP surrounded the duel psychic types remaining and Gallade was forced up to his feet. He wrapped his large metal arms around his opponent.
Gallade clearly struggled to break free from the ursaring-hug but to no avail. Spinning around on the spot as he raised up into the air, like some sort of sick-inducing carnival ride quickly put a stop to the struggles. Flipping overhead, he let the dazed fighting psychic type go and flop down onto the ground.
Slamming straight down, he crushed the blade Pokémon under his weight. His claw shot down and pinched around Tate's Pokémon's neck.
Turning straight up, the two of them went flying straight up over the remaining planets. The youngest twin ran forward, "Gallade!"
"We need to determine the Pokémon's condition," Rachel instructed, "stop all actions now!"
Metang had other ideas. From below the planets, he noticed the blade Pokémon being frown around like a rag doll. No longer fighting back.
"Torkoal!" He hollered.
Without missing a beat, he looked up and filled the upper field with a widespread heatwave. Burning the remaining strings holding planets up.
As the orbs smashed down on the field, he sent up a separate flame thrower. Striking the steel psychic type in the back. He turned around to face his pure fire type, holding Gallade by the chest. Letting him go and fall down, Gardevoir caught him, glowing with a mystic-semi-transparent light. Lowering him down.
The two twins and Rachel moved closer and investigated. Thankfully, their reactions seemed to be positive as the blade Pokémon is returned to his Pokéball.
His attention snapped back to his own to Pokémon, as Metang charged down. His arms locked in position for another bullet punch.
Streams of flames struck his steel psychic type, slightly slowing him down but not by much. He crashed down into the ground right in front of Torkoal.
Using an arm for a steel-powered upper cut, he sent the coal Pokémon flying. Withdrawing into his shell, he got very close to the ceiling.
Exiting his shell, the fire type came falling down with great momentum. Slamming directly onto his head, he crushed Metang into the dirt. His claws sizzled with electricity, but he let out a massive heat wave through the bulldoze.
Smashing his claws into the ground, massive fields of electricity shot out. This lasted for nearly a minute until Torkoal fell off.
His steel psychic type slowly raised up, but his eyes were clearly wobbling with tears. He could practically feel the guilt and pain from his iron-giant's heart.
"I'm issuing Metang another ticket and is deemed unallowed to continue!" Rachel exclaimed. "Gallade is also unable to continue."
Biting down on his inner cheek, he figured that was coming. Taking out his Pokéball, he walked up to the steel psychic type and embraced him in a hug. Giving a whisper that everything would be alright, he recalled him before glancing over to the gym leaders, with Gardevoir stood in front of them.
"We're happy to continue if you are," Liza replied, "it'll be a one-on-one between Torkoal and Gardevoir."
"Yeah." He nodded.
Part of him was surprised they weren't angrier or refusing to continue but since they were, he wouldn't look the gift rapidash in the mouth. Walking back to his trainers box, his fire type stepped forward and seemed to be drafted by the tall opponent.
"Oh, and we should warn you, Ash, Gardevoir is gonna be a lot tougher." Tate smirked. "You see, my Gallade powered up a lot of his stats during the multiple battles he partook in-"
"-like charge beam helping power up his special attack capabilities," Liza added, "then your Crawdaunt's numerous night slash countering his justified ability to help his physical moves."
"But Gallade isn't able to battle," Ash muttered.
"Maybe not," Liza shrugged, "but Gardevoir knows a move called psych up-"
"-you might want to look it up on your Pokédex." Tate offered, to which he did:
Psych up: Allows the user to copy any enhancements other Pokémon have recently used
"You see, Ash, in double battles there are two sorts of partners you can use." Tate continued. "The first we demonstrated with both Slowking and Espeon-"
"-those pairings use combinations moves." Liza took over. "Like the water ring projectiles. But they're also those partners which work well by effecting each other in battle and they make for a much tougher challenge. So, are you sure you still wanna try this battle?"
"What do you say, Torkoal?" he asked.
"How do you wish for me to approach this opponent?" his fire type asked with the same calm expression.
"I'd like you to win?" He shrugged.
"Very well." The coal Pokémon nodded. "As you wish."
"Battle resume!" Rachel declared.
A pink-tinted ball of fairy type energy formed between the embrace Pokémon's hands. Launching it out, it zoomed across the field with decent speed. A stream of flames struck her moon blast causing it to explode before even getting across the centre of the field.
Her eyes blue bright blue and waves of ESP radiated out, expanding over the entire room. His own body glew bright red, send into a massive heat wave.
The contrasting energies collided in the middle of the field. Pushing back, the two energy's mixed into a tornado, exploding out in a massive explosion.
Trying to peak through smoke cloud, Gardevoir teleport right behind his fire type. Picking him up, they teleported once more straight up into the air.
His coal Pokémon withdrew into his shell, releasing a thick purple cloud of toxic gas. Spinning around, he flew into her stomach as she began coughing heavily. A grey outline surrounded his shell as both fell straight down.
Crashing into the floor, his coal Pokémon bounced off from the recoil. Exiting his shell, he landed right behind the downed opponent.
Struggling to her feet, the embrace Pokémon was on her knees and a purple mark spread over her face. She was coughing heavily from the impact.
"A canon built out of glass, will shatter regardless of the strength of their bombs." Torkoal nodded.
"Huh?" He blinked as his fire type took a deep breath.
Unleashing a massive flame thrower, he set up a fire wall around the two Pokémon. Glowing dark red once more, he turned and walked closer to Gardevoir.
She started sweat profusely and if he didn't know any better was suffering from some illness. Stopping right in front of her, his fire type turned back.
"Simply put." He smiled. "Those who focus all on attack won't be able to survive other hard hitters."
With drawing into his shell. A thick purple smog escaped out. Catching fire, a massive explosion engulfed both Pokémon.
The shell came flying back but his coal Pokémon withdrew and slammed into the ground, skidding to a halt. Holding his breath, he watched as smoke cloud.
He figured Torkoal meant that while Gallade and Gardevoir built upon their offensive strengths, they left their defences and didn't really have a counter for those who could take her hits and hit back. He couldn't deny the efficiency in which he dismissed his opponent but then again, with his Pokémon's skillset-
"Gardevoir is unable to battle!" Rachel declared. "With his Torkoal still stood, the victor of this battle and a mind badge is the challenger!"
Ash sighed as his fire type slowly walked back across the field. Walking out to meet him on the moon-based field, he crouched down and patted his shell as the wise mentor stared up with his typical, calm expression. He whispered a word of thanks and praise to the coal Pokémon.
"That... was quite something." He turned to see both of the gym leaders stood over him. Straightening his own expression, he stood up to meet them and he face Tate as he was the one who just spoke. "You know, I don't think we've ever given out a badge when one of the trainer's Pokémon was TKO-ed."
"Your right," Liza nodded. "And Anabel didn't either."
"Is this your way of saying my battles invalid and I need to rechallenge?" he asked.
"No-" Tate shook his head.
"-we waived the right to that after Metang's elimination," Liza continued for her brother. She held out her hand and, in her palm, sat a heart-shaped gym badge with a small ruby centre. The top was a baby-pink colour, but the bottom was a bright yellow. "As proof of your victory today we present to you-"
"-the mind badge," Tate finished his sisters sentence, as Ash took the badge. Admiring it for a brief moment, he pulled out his case and slotted it in. "So-"
"So what?" he asked, a little absentmindedly, as he focused on the last remaining spot in his badge case.
"We said you'd tell us about Metang and... whatever that was," Liza replied.
"Oh erm," he nervously fiddled with the case, slipping it back into his pocket. "Long story short, he has trouble with his inner power... turns out specifically when overcharged by a powerful electrical bolt."
"So why use him today?" Tate asked. "I mean, did you expect us not to have an electric move?"
"We're literally on an island, surrounded by water," Liza added, "and water's the most common type of Pokémon. We wouldn't be good at our job."
"Actually... it's more like we didn't know of the electrical charge." He nervously scratched his cheek. "Torkoal here had been pushing him with his fire moves and he kept control very well. So, this was more of a test... I guess in hindsight we should've known it wouldn't be that easy."
"Well, Metang is a psychic type-" Liza muttered.
"-if you need help with his control." Tate continued. "We'd be happy to take him. It is our speciality, after all."
"Thanks, but no thanks." He shook his head. "I made a promise to Metang, and I won't break it. No matter what."
"That's very admirable-" Tate nodded.
"-but still-" He held his hand up to stop Liza.
"But nothing," he replied, "I'm not giving up that easily... and beside, his issue isn't exactly related to his psychic typing."
"If, you're sure." Liza sighed. "-so, tell us about that blue... thing-"
"Are you psychic like Serena?" Tate asked.
"No... I'm an aura user-"
He went on to give a brief explanation of the situation. While he wouldn't normally want to divulge this information, after displaying it mid-battle it wasn't exactly like he had a choice. He couldn't specifically say he trusted the twins, either, but after helping them fight off team magma a few days ago. Ash just couldn't shake the feeling like they might have something else up. Like he'd be working with the twins soon on something else... whatever it was.
Once the explanation was over, he returned to his friends, and they set out of the gym. The walk back towards the centre was mostly in silence. Torkoal soaked up more solar energy on the stroll as a silence covered the group of humans. Upon reaching the building, he split off as the others went inside.
Making his way around the back of the medical building, his pure fire type remained by his side. He couldn't help but inwardly smirk, arguably his strongest team member caught in Hoenn barely reaches up to his knee. Letting the moment pass, he took out his Pokéball and released the steel psychic type.
"How you feeling?" he asked.
"Better," Metang uttered, "sorry... for losing control again."
"Don't apologise, we needed to test your limits and we both took the risk," he replied, "but it did open my eyes."
"It did?" he asked.
"Yes... I'm not exactly equipped to help you here so I think you'd fare well from a visit to the lab," he explained, "Pikachu's there so he could help trigger your power in a way to overcome it... and there's also Sandslash-"
"You mean our sessions before were a waste of-"
"No Metang." He cut him off. "It was the right method... just poor execution. So, this will allow you to truly make up for lost time. With both Pikachu and Sandslash, I know you'll be back on track in no time."
"I believe you mentioned this mister slash before." Torkoal noted. "He sounded quite the character from what I've heard."
"Yeah well, he's another of my Pokémon and for as long as I've known him... let's say he's been known to get angry." He continued. "While not the same as yourself, Metang, there's clear similarities so if he could help you with control techniques... I think this is where you'd make the best current progress."
"I must concur," his fire type added.
"And I want you to go with him." Ash turned to his coal Pokémon. "Your able to help subdue him in a worst case but your also his most common practise partner. Having a familiar face since Sandslash can be... well... prickly, and Pikachu will have egg-sitting duties would be great."
"I'd be happy to accompany him." Torkoal smiled.
"I'll be sure to call you back before the eighth gym battle Metang, check how you're getting on and stuff," he continued, "but Torkoal, you'll be sitting the last one out. Not only is it a water type gym but-"
"I don't believe the typing specifically eliminates my capabilities against them," he frowned. "Do you take me as someone unable to fight on the low ground?"
"No," he replied, "but typing wise it's arguably your worst match up and you just got three gyms in a row. So, I'll be letting some others have a go."
"Very well," he agreed.
"I'll leave it for tonight, give everyone a proper chance to rest up after the gym battle and do the rotations tomorrow morning before we set off from here," he explained, "how does that sound to you, Metang?"
"Fine." He uttered.
Inwardly frowning, he knew it wasn't exactly how he promised he'd help him and given his emotional-nature, the steel psychic type is probably incredibly nervous about the turn of events. If he could safely have himself, Pikachu, Sandslash and Torkoal all with him to perform this exercise during their travels then he would but having the vast Hoenn ocean to explore around them... that combination is just asking for trouble if they tried that sort of thing.
Ash grumbled as he rolled over in bed, lifting his arm to block the sun. Squinting from the brightness, he tried to register the room and everything around him. A slight blonde image caused him to smile, realising Serena must already have got up.
"Morning sleepy head." Her angelic voice helped as his vision returned to normal.
Moving slightly to sit up in the bed, he barely had time to register as she levitated herself across the room. Straddling either side, his eyes widened, and mouth went dry at the sight. She was dressed in her regular green-shorts, but her top only had a bikini top on, leaving very little to his imagine.
"I thought this might get your attention," she giggled.
Feeling his eyes drawn to a certain part of her, his mind replayed the situation on the ship. Clenching his fists tight, he forced his eyes shut, not wanting her to feel like that's all he sees or wants from her.
"You don't like it?"
"Huh?" His eyes shot open at the sad tone of her voice. Looking to her downturned face, he noticed the brows pulled together and waves of wrinkles on her forehead. Her lips held tightly together, and her cheeks sucked in slightly to show her chewing on them. "W-what do you mean, like it?"
"Don't do this, Ash." Her voice cracked slightly. "Ever since the boat you've been strange. I thought... It was just the whole-body swap thing b-but-"
Reaching his hand up to cup her cheek, he forced her to look at him, tears welling in her blue orbs. Feeling his heart break of the sight, he shuffled slightly and pulled her into a hug. Moving into a more comfortable position, he ran a hand up and down her back but the two just remained in silence.
"I-I'm sorry," he whispered, "I... I'm sorry that I've hurt you."
"So, you don't find me attractive anymore?" she asked.
"Wha-No!" He felt his cheeks heat up at the louder than he would've liked response. "Of course, I do. Your beautiful. Why would you think that?"
"Because you've been avoiding me since the ship," she replied, "a-and-"
"I thought that was what you wanted," he muttered, "I only wanted to make you comfortable."
"What?" She shot up and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "How could you possibly think-"
"I remembered the walk from May's cabin... at least from your perspective and what you said..." he explained, "and the feelings radiating off you. The fact guys would be checking you out and only holding my hand... it was wrong."
"So, you lost interest because of-"
"I didn't lose interest." He cut her off. "I just thought... you didn't like being creeped upon a-and I felt horrible feeling how you felt... and didn't want to be the cause of it. I-"
His voice died in his throat as her lips pressed against his. Closing his eyes, he tried to match her movements and his arms just wrapped around her. He couldn't be sure how long it lasted but she slowly pulled back and nuzzled her head into his shoulder.
"You're an idiot. You know that, right?" she asked to which his head nodded slowly, not sure what to say. Her hand reached up and cupped his cheek to force him to look at her. "I appreciate the thought but maybe be a little less considerate in that regard."
"What'cha mean?" he asked.
"You really aren't like other guys." She smiled with a small shake of the head and flicking her eyes to look straight up. Moving slightly into a more comfortable position, she lay her head down on his shoulder, arms draped over him. "Why would you ever think you made me feel uncomfortable like that?"
"W-well... it was just the whole situation... and then I realised I kinda did it too-" He sighed. "I just didn't want to risk it."
"Ash... do you know what is the most important aspect of a partner for a girl?" she asked.
"Love?" he asked.
"Good guess but no. Any other guesses?" She asked to which he shook his head. "It has to be someone you feel safe around. If I didn't feel safe with you, then I wouldn't call you my boyfriend... or share a room... or even travel with you, particularly the few times we've been completely alone like setting off for the first time... or when we first arrived in Hoenn."
"So, your saying you don't mind me..." He struggled to say the words as his voice became barely a whisper. "Ya know."
"I actually enjoy it when I catch you checking me out," she whispered, moving up to nibble his ear. "It shows that you're still interested in me... and coming from someone I like to check out gives me the confidence for times like this... so promise you'll stop being so avoidant?"
"I promise," he muttered but got cut off by her lips once more. This time she was more forceful, moving into a straddling position before ending the quick show of affection. "Erm. Not that I'm complaining but don't we need to get ready to meet the others?"
"Nope." She gave a coy smile before poking the tip of her tongue out. "I decided to wake you up a little earlier... so if my plan worked... which it kinda did, we would have an hour or two to celebrate your seventh gym badge."
Smirking at her response, he wrapped his arms around her and twisted. Throwing her onto the bed, he ended up straddling over her.
Connecting their lips once more, he enthusiastically tried to make up for lost time. His hands rubbed her back, but he froze feeling the straps of her bikini top.
"Hehehe," she giggled cutely as he pulled back. Her cheeks were a rosy, pink colour, "what's the matter, Ashy? It's not like this is a new level of intimacy."
Swallowing hard at her coy smile, he closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his racing heart and felt a softer kiss from his girlfriend.
He slowly opened his eyes and let a soft smile rest on his lips. Leaning in once more, he shuffled slightly to the side and relaxed down into her embrace.
While times like this are far from his favourite part of having a girlfriend, he'd be lying if he said he didn't miss being affectionate. This is the perfect way to celebrate any victory, whether a new gym badge or anything else. He really did luck out when he met Serena.
Thanks for reading... Please Favourite, Follow and Review. Also, feel free to ask any questions through PM, I will answer them all, although don't expect too big of spoilers. Don't forget to vote in the polls. I really appreciate the support. Thank you and see ya next time...