Chapter 24 Climbing the Walls
As the city is in their sight, Ash says, "We are here! Cyllage City."
Bonnie says, "Wow, this place is so huge."
Luke says, "And relaxing too. No wonder the sign says that it is the city of peace stalls."
Ash says, "So Serena, where is the gym?"
Serena says, "Let me see." She checks on her tablet and then she finds the gym on it. "It is located on top of the mountain."
They see a mountain with a gym logo in front of them, Clemont says, "Are you serious? That mountain is high."
"Knowing Grant, he must like to climb." Trenor says with a sigh.
"Well, there is a cycling path over at the place, so we can rent some bikes there." Serena says as everyone goes to the cycle store.
There are two people bikes and one person bikes that can be rented, so Clemont and Bonnie choose the former while Trenor and Luke choose the latter.
Ash sees Serena looking at the one person bikes, he says, "Hey, Serena. How about we both ride a two person bike together?"
"Eh?" Serena starts to blush. "I mean...it will work, but I don't want to be your burden."
"Don't worry, you won't be my burden." Ash says he grabs Serena's hand and go to the two people bikes. Ash chooses a blue one that matches Serena's eye color.
"Now let's go." Trenor says as the 4 bikes gets going. At the same time, Serena is hugging Ash tightly as Ash pedals for her.
Once they reach to the top, Clemont is tired and he says, "I don't want to ride a bike again…"
Luke says, "Come on, you ride very well."
"Yeah, you're just too nervous." Ash says. "So Serena, how is it?"
Serena just shut her eyes and keeps trembling. Ash says, "Serena, we are already on the top."
"Huh?" Serena opens her eyes and blushes, "Oh...I just like the feeling of your body...that's all."
"Really..." Bonnie gives a grin that makes both teens blush.
They see a giant wall inside the gym, Ash and his friends are shocked. "Is this suppose to be the gym?" Luke asks.
"How unique." Trenor says.
Ash sees Grant climbing and yells, "Hey Grant!" He turns around and Ash continues, "I am here to challenge you."
"I have been waiting for you." Grant says with a smile, "Now climb up so we can battle."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Clemont asks.
"The battlefield is on top of this wall. So we have to battle on top." Grant says, which shocks the group.
"What, we have to climb up there?" Serena asks.
"There is also an elevator there, just because you don't climb the wall doesn't mean I won't accept your challenge."
Serena sees Ash hesitating, she asks, "So Ash, what will you do?"
Ash smiles and says, "I want to climb it."
Trenor says, "If you are, then me, too."
Luke says, "Count me in."
Bonnie says, "Don't forget about me."
"No, Bonnie. We will take the elevator." Clemont says as Bonnie pouts.
Serena says, "Then I also take the elevator as well."
The three Ketchums climb the wall as Grant smiles, "Very well. I'll meet you there." Then he goes back to climbing.
In mid way, Ash nearly falls off the wall, causing everyone to panic, especially Serena. But Ash manages to get a hold of himself and they reach the top at the same time.
"Nice work, Ash. Now when you are climbing, what do you see?"
Ash thinks for a second and replies, "I was just focusing on getting to the top."
"That is great." Grant says, "By only facing forward, you let nothing get in your way. You let nothing distract you. Instead you focus on one goal: overcome. This is something I take to heart each time I climb and even in Gym Battles."
"I see." Luke says.
Once the others arrive at the battlefield through elevator, Serena also asks Aurora to bring Walt here so he can cheer for his papa.
"The match between Gym Leader Grant and the challenger Ash Ketchum is about to begin. The gym leader will be using three Pokemon while the challenger will be using 5. And when one loses all of his Pokemon, the other trainer wins." The referee says.
"So Ash, you still have your Lilligant and Rhyperior, right?" Grant asks.
"You bet." Ash says.
"Mother, why is Father using 5 Pokemon?" Walt asks.
"Oh, it was suppose to be a full 6 on 6 battle, your father defeats three of his while he only defeated one Kingdra."
"I see." Walt says.
But then, Serena holds her hands tightly and frowns. Bonnie asks, "Serena, are you alright?"
"Oh, I am fine. I am just nervous. That's all."
"But why? Ash is the one battling." Bonnie says.
"I know what Serena feels, since Ash has been training hard for this match, we just hopes that it all paid off." Trenor says.
"Yeah. But let's have faith in Ash." Luke says.
"Now come! Onix!" Grant says as the Rock Snake Pokemon appears.
"You too. Rhyperior." Rhyperior roars before getting all set.
"Now let the match begins." The referee says.
"Rhyperior! Use Rock Smash!" Ash yells as the Pokemon's fist glows, then it gives a hit on the snake.
"Not shot, but Onix. Use Rock Tomb!" Onix then jumps up and summon a barrage of rocks towards Rhyperior.
Everyone is surprised as Trenor says, "He is controlling the rocks!"
"I have never seen it before." Luke says.
"Quick, use Protect." Rhyperior then lights up a green barrier to protect it against the boulder.
"Use Flash Cannon." Onix then jumps up and fires a silver beam attack at Rhyperior.
"Hyper Beam!" Ash yells as Rhyperior shoots out a yellow beam. Both moves clashes and then cancelled.
"Rock Polish!" Grant says as Onix increases his speed. "Then use Rock Tomb again."
This time Rhyperior is trapped inside the boulders, Ash says, "Use Aqua Tail to break through it!"
"No you won't. Flash Cannon!" Grant yells.
Before the tail can break through the rock barrier, the silver beam hits Rhyperior as it gets swirly eyes.
"Rhyperior is unable to battle. Onix wins." The referee says.
"Oh no... Ash lost..." Bonnie says.
"Don't worry, Ash still has 4 Pokemon. He can win this." Serena says.
"Go! Father!" Walt cheers with Pikachu and Sylveon.
Ash says, "The Rock Tomb is something I need to be careful...Froakie! I choose you!"
Froakie appears and it sees Onix and smirks. "Use Water Pulse." Froakie gathers a ball of water and shoot towards Onix.
"Flash Cannon!" Grant says as the silver beam destroys the pulse. "Rock Polish again."
Onix tries to increase its speed, Ash says, "Double Team."
Froakie creates multiple copies and confuses Onix.
"I guess it is time. Rock Tomb!" Grant says as Onix starts to control rocks. Ash says, "Froakie! Jump on the rocks!"
Froakie jumps from rock from rock, and then it goes higher and higher.
"What?" Grant says surprise.
"When you defeated Rhyperior, I know I have to do something with this Rock Tomb. I called this Rock Tomb Climb."
Grant is now sweating as he says, "You're not bad."
"Now Water Pulse!" Up in the air, Froakie fires a Water Pulse at Onix's head.
"Iron Tail!" Onix's tail starts to glow white and charges at Froakie.
"Dodge it!" Ash yells as Froakie dodges and uses the opportunity to climb up Onix's tail to its head.
"What? Onix, shake it off!" Onix tries to shake the frog off, but Froakie hangs on tight.
"Finish it off with Water Pulse!" Ash yells as the attack defeats Onix.
"Onix is unable to battle, Froakie wins."
"Alright, Ash takes out Onix!" Trenor says.
"But still, I wonder what Grant will use next." Clemont says.
"Now Tyrunt, you are next." Grant says as he sends out his next Pokemon.
"A Tyrunt, huh?" Ash says. "Froakie, use Double Team!"
Froakie copies himself as it runs around the Pokemon.
"Rock Tomb!" Grant says as the dinosaur starts to control rocks.
"It can do it as well?" Bonnie says surprise.
"Rock Tomb Climb! Froakie!" Froakie then jumps higher and higher.
"I won't fall for it again, now Tyrunt, jump!" Everyone is surprised that the dino Pokemon jumps higher than Froakie.
"Draco Meteor!" Grant says as the dino shoots out an orange colored ball and it turns into meteors and knocks out Froakie.
"Froakie is unable to battle, Tyrunt wins."
"Who would've thought Tyrunt could jumped that high." Clemont says.
"Draco Meteor… that is more harder." Bonnie says.
"Sure, but Ash can win this." Serena says.
Ash says, "So Draco Meteor, since I have shown the Rock Tomb Climb, I can do the Draco Meteor Climb." Ash says confidently, he winks at Sylveon, who then takes the stage.
"Quick Attack." Sylveon charges and then Grant yells, "Crunch!"
Tyrunt also charges with pointy teeth. "Dodge by jump over his head!" Sylveon jumps over his head and out of range.
"Draco Meteor!" Grant says as Tyrunt shoots out meteors.
"Now do the Draco-Meteor Climb!" Ash yells as Sylveon uses his tail to climb up the meteors.
"No way…" Grant says.
"Ash really did it." Serena says.
"That's right. Sylveon is a Fairy Type. Dragon moves aren't good against it." Trenor says.
"Dragon Tail!" Tyrunt's tail glows purple. "Iron Tail." While Sylveon's go silver. They both clash at each other until they all gets down to the ground.
"That is a nice battle, Ash. But I'll use my favorite move, Rock Tomb!" Tyrunt then starts to throw rocks.
"If you want to play ball, Sylveon will give a swing! Use your feelers to send them back." Ash yells as Sylveon knocks each rock away with the ribbons, lodging one in Tyrunt's mouth.
"What?" Grant is surprised.
"Now finish with Dazzling Gleam!"
Hopping closer on the rocks, Sylveon uses Dazzling Gleam on the helpless Tyrunt, causing it to get smashed into the rock.
"Tyrunt is unable to battle, Sylveon wins."
Sylveon gives Ash a hug, Luke says, "Well, that is way to end the battle."
"But now Grant has one Pokemon left." Clemont says.
Grant says, "I am very shocked, at your Sylveon's power. But now here is my last Pokemon. Go, Aerodactyl!"
The fossil Pokemon roars as the battle begins.
"Sylveon let's start with Moonblast!" Ash says as Sylveon shoots a pink ball at the Pokemon.
"Fly and dodge. Then use Rock Tomb!" Grant says.
Aerodactyl flies into the sky and this time the Rock Tomb while flying causing the rocks to fall in different directions, making it hard for Sylveon to dodge.
"Wow...this Rock Tomb is so powerful." Clemont says.
"But dangerous..." Luke says. "With no knowing of where it lands, Ash will be having a hard time."
"Now use Steel Wing!" Sylveon tries to dodge the falling rocks, but he doesn't notice the Pokemon in front of him as the Pokemon hits Sylveon hard, causing it to faint.
"Sylveon is unable to battle. Aerodactyl wins."
Ash takes Sylveon to Serena, who looks at him with worry. "Ash..."
Ash just silently goes back to his place, then he says, "Lilligant, I choose you!"
Lilligant comes out and sees Aerodactyl. "Use Sunny Day!"
Lilligant sings and the sun goes harsh. "Use Air Cutter!" "Dodge with Razor Leaf!"
Both attacks cancel their Power, then Grant says, "Use Steel Wing!"
"Once it gets close, use Solar Beam!"
Aerodactyl goes forward and it gets hit by the Grass move and gets back.
"Not bad, Ash." Grant says. "It is time to get serious." He takes out the Key stone in his climbing gear and says, "Now Mega Evolve!"
Aerodactyl's leg has a mega stone, it reacts to Key stone as Aerodactyl starts to glow and change forms.
"Mega evolution..." Ash mutters.
"Now use Steel Wing!"
"Dodge it!" Ash says, but Aerodactyl's speed is fast as it hits Lilligant. "No Lilligant!"
"Finish it with Rock Tomb!" Grant says as Aerodactyl uses the same strategy of throwing rocks while flying, causing Lilligant to take the attack and faint.
"Lilligant is unable to battle, Aerodactyl wins."
"Oh no... Ash has only one Pokemon left." Bonnie says.
"Go! Father! Go!" Walt cheers with Pikachu and Sylveon.
"I've got to say Ash. You are one of the best battlers I've ever come across." Says Grant.
"Thanks Grant,but I've got say this battle is very exonerating." Says Ash. "But now it's time to finish this."
"I agree." Grant says. "Show me your last Pokemon."
"Here it is. Steelix! I choose you!"
After the snake appears, Ash says, "Respond to my heart, Mega Evolve!" He presses the Key Stone as Steelix starts to glow. Then a Mega Steelix apeears with crystals floating around it.
"A Mega Steelix, I see. Aerodactyl. Rock Tomb!"
The same trick that defeat the first two Pokemon appears, and Ash smiles, "Now use Dig!"
Steelix digs underground to dodge the rocks. Clemont says, "That is it. If Steelix is under ground, he won't be taking the attacks."
"That is clever." Luke says.
"If you are trying to hide, than I'll get it out. Flash Cannon!" Grant yells as the beams start to shoot into the hole.
"Steelix, create as many holes as you can!" Ash says as Steelix keeps making holes, causing the Flash Cannon to get out in different directions but not Steelix.
"Now what are you planning?" Grant asks.
"You'll see. Now Steelix! Metal Sound!" Steelix shoots out a soundwave, causing everyone to cover their ears. Aerodactyl is hit by the sound as it begins to fly lower.
"Now time for the finale! Rock Tomb!" Ash says.
"What? Dodge it!" Grant says.
But with Steelix underground, the Rock Tomb comes from different holes and shoot Aerodactyl, eventually forcing the Pokemon to land on the ground with swirly eyes.
"Aerodactyl is unable to battle, Steelix is the winner, since the gym leaders loses all of his Pokemon, the victory goes to Ash Ketchum!"
"Ash wins!" Bonnie cheers.
"Wow, taste by his own medicine, he is smart." Trenor says.
Grant returns his Aerodactyl and Ash sends out all 6 of his Pokemon.
"Well done, Ash. You have conquered another wall and that is me."
"Thanks, I couldn't have done it without their help." Ash says as he gestured his Pokemon.
"There are some things that seem out of reach no matter how hard you try. However, it's important that you never give up-no matter the opponent or the odds. I could tell from our battle that you and your Pokémon understand that. To commemorate such an impressive show of teamwork, please accept the Cliff Badge!"
Ash gets the badge and says, "Alright! I got...the Cliff Badge!" And his Pokemon cheers.
Back outside, Grant asks, "So Ash, have you decided your next place?"
"Um...not yet." Ash says. "I didn't know Kalos well yet."
"If that's the case, I suggest we go to the Shalour City! We can go see the Tower of Mastery there!" Serena says.
"Oh, really? Shalour City is next? I never knew we are near." Trenor says.
Grant smiles, "So Ash. Maybe one day, we will have a rematch at the Battle Chateau, is that okay?"
"Sure." Ash says as they shake hands, then they bid farewell to Grant.
In the Pokemon Center, Trenor says, "I guess it is others turn to travel I guess."
Luke says, "I am sorry that we can only travel with you this far."
Clemont says, "It is fine."
"Yeah, I wonder who will we travel next?" Bonnie says.
"Brother!" They see Mark, Golly and East walking towards them.
"Mark, Golly, East. I suppose that you are the ones next?" Ash asks.
"Of course." Mark says. "Good to see you guys again."
"Same here, Mark, Golly. And..." Serena says.
"The name is East." East introduces. "I am Reisa's brother."
"Oh, nice to meet you." Bonnie says.
Golly notices Walt and says, "So Brother, we knew that it is a Palkia, but how do you feel having an adopted son?"
Ash says, "Well. At least I am with Serena."
"Oh Ash." Serena says.
Walt says, "Father and Mother will be together. And I won't let anyone break it."
Everyone laughs before biding farewell to Luke and Trenor.
Here is the Second gym. And the next companions are Mark, Golly and East. What will happen in this journey? Find out in the next chapter when Miette makes her debut.