Chapter 6: Bug badge, battle at the Santalune gym!

Serena clasped her hands to her face with a sigh of dismay, dropping to her knees once again for, in her opinion, a better vantage over the three Pokémon (now entirely uninterested by the dragging ordeal) that had been placed before her by the Professor.

"Why does it have to be so difficult!" She thought to herself as she continued her fruitless deliberations.

Meanwhile Professor Sycamore had ceased the routine pacing of the antique room and seated himself at his study desk and began typing on his computer in a daze looking utterly bored and entirely distracted - sure when he had said "please do take your time, theres no rush." he had meant it, the choosing of a partner Pokémon was a momentous milestone in the life of a new trainer of course, but even his patience had began to run thin with the flow of time and the unending turning of the clock as he waited.

"Alright i think i've made my choice!" Serena announced with joy, holding up a disgruntled looking Fennekin who had been previously enjoying a nap in the glorious rays of sunlight that had found their way through the cracks in the cobwebbed windows that hung slightly ajar overhead.

The Professor's head jerked upright from its drooping over the dated keyboard and flickering monitor, apparently rejuvenated with a new burst of life.

"Excellent!" The Professor cried, biting back the urge to add something along the lines of 'took you long enough'. "Now i'll just sort you a Pokédex as well as a few Pokéballs to get you started and then you'll be on your way."

"Yeah." Serena sighed as she looked in to the eyes of her new partner Fennekin, now evidently more awake as it stared back with an imploring stare of intermingled curiosity and apparent smug satisfaction at being the one chosen. Serena smiled to herself, happy with her final choice, and moments later retrieved Fennekin's Pokéball from the Professor's outstretched palm and recalled the Pokémon back inside.

Despite her rushing feelings of emotional happiness at this new chapter of her life beginning to finally unfold (hopefully free of any more Rhyhorn racing) she couldn't shake the question that had been pressing upon her mind since she had arrived at the Professor's lab that morning, the question that caused her fingers to idly wander into her pocket and grasp the neatly folded handkerchief she had borrowed all those years ago.

"Professor?" She began, hoping to put her racing mind to rest. "Did by any chance a boy come through here a few days ago?"

"My child, this is Kalos' primary Pokémon lab, a lot of young boys come here every day i'm afraid you'll have to be more specific." He replied with a questioning gaze.

"Oh yes of course." Serena said rather taken aback by her own foolishness, "He's got black hair and funny markings under his eyes…. and a Pokémon too, a Pikachu maybe… or was it a Dedenne?"

"You mean Ash?" The Professor asked, when Serena nodded quickly he continued "Sure, he and a few others came by here a couple of days since, made quite the mess i must admit, if you want to catch them i recall they mentioned something about Santalune City so just follow route 4 and you should be there in no time."

He had barely had time to finish this sentence however before Serena had offered him a hasty thankyou and goodbye and rushed from the lab without a second glance, leaving the rustic front door swinging lazily on its hinges - aided by the gentle breeze that had picked up ever so slightly outside.

The Professor shook off his confusion with a slight grin.

"kids these days, always in a hurry for something." He thought to himself as he diverted his attention back to his desk, overflowing with days of neglected paperwork and documents and called for a large coffee. He had a feeling he'd need it.

:***:

Daylight broke the Santalune skyline in a creeping upward climb, illuminating polished and eye catching shop windows - each offering a variety of sales on a plethora of goods, dated fountains that still clung to their former opulence and majesty, several market stalls that sat eerily still in the calm of the early morning air, lastly enveloping a small group of people becoming ever more visible on the not so distant horizon.

Ash, Jack, Clemont and Bonnie let out a monumental sigh of relief, basking in the glory of the heat after the chill of the dawn.

"Finally!" Bonnie let out with an exhale of contentment, "There it is guys, Santalune City, we made it!"

She was of course right, there set at the very end of the winding path that snaked its way through the valley before them was a small settlement; Santalune City itself was nothing compared to the expansive Lumiose City in terms of size, but what it lacked in proportion it made up for tenfold in character. As they watched on from a distance the scenes within the City began to shift as if it had suddenly woken from slumber - black dots could be seen pouring from houses lining the streets and into the many squares plazas dotted about the metropolis causing an indistinct chatter to fill the air signifying the start of a new day.

Contrary to the sleepy buzz of the waking City Jack and Ash were more fired up than ever before - both trainers bounced energetically on their heels as the four edged ever closer to their destination.

But despite this wave of energy and anticipation for his first ever gym battle Jack couldn't shake an underlying feeling of dread, of course he trusted Pokémon entirely and had been training tirelessly to ensure he was ready for the monumental challenge he would shortly face but - as he had heard numerous times - the gym leaders of Kalos remained a series of incredibly skilled trainers that would require immense coordination, power and luck to defeat.

"That's the question." Jack wondered to himself as he approached the gate. "Am i lucky enough?"

"No." He thought, snapping himself out of this doubt. "You're more than prepared, plus you've got Riolu and Chespin who'll of course give it their all."

Ash however was experiencing no such worries, he had of course done this many times before and therefore wore a mask of confidence that was expressed to the point of becoming almost comical. When Jack had questioned Clemont further on this matter the biy had simply replied with a smile and a vague and airy comment about some special strategy.

They made their way up the final stretch of path that inclined rather steeply before stepping finally after days upon days of travelling across the threshold and onto the now bustling streets of the city. It was here that Jack and Ash's eyes misted over like some madmen in a trance, rushing off moments later to track down the Pokémon gym despite having no idea where it may be located leaving Clemont and Bonnie coughing frantically in a cloud of upturned dust. Despite this it was seemingly an eternity before they found themselves at long last standing outside of a looming structure, emblazoned with various crests depicting Pokéballs and lined by gleaming metallic statues of bug type Pokémon set between lush and vibrant hedgerows.

Santalune Gym itself lived up and indeed exceeded Jack's expectations, with its intricately beautiful stained glass windows (depicting clashes between Pokémon of ages past) set deep into carefully cut stone, shaped to project a feeling of intimidating gracefulness.

Stepping up the well trodden front steps that led the way to the ornate dark wood double doors, Jack stretched his open palm to grasp the polished brass handle that stood between him and the challenge within… only to jump backwards in alarm as the door swung open of its own accord enveloping the group in a stuffy draft resemblant of the thick air within a greenhouse; which at first seemed unusual for the modern corridor that stretched out before them painted a brilliant white and was lined with various framed photographs - quite the opposite of a dense canopy of trees.

They advanced deeper into the complex, admiring the collection of shots showing Pokémon living naturally in the wild lining walls as they walked until gradually the corridor widened to reveal the beating heart of the Santalune City gym.

The room was the size of a cathedral hall, but unlike any cathedral Jack had ever visited, topped with a transparent roof made possible by a network of interconnected glass allowing a cascade of natural light to shower the artificial forest that had been engineered to surround the battlefield stretching from one end of the room to the other in a rectangular manner. There was however no sign of any gym leader.

"Uhh hello?" Ash questioned to the seemingly empty room. "Anyone there? We've come to challenge the gym leader."

Silence echoed allowing for several brief moments of awkwardness as realisation and disappointment began to set in.

"Challengers hmm." a discernible female voice rang out from the darkness of a second corridor at the opposite end of the chamber. "Step forward challengers who would dare challenge Viola the bug master, and state your names."

Ash and Jack shared a nervous look before doing as the voice had instructed hopefully anticipating the reveal of Santalune gym leader in return. A young woman - clad in a shirt cut vest-like white top and camouflaged trousers that clashed unceremoniously with the stylish styling of her pale blonde hair and deep green eyes - strode casually from the shadows and was to their confusion stifling a laugh.

"You should see the looks on your faces, I've always wanted to do the whole mysterious entrance thing y'know." Viola chuckled as she stepped onto the battlefield and began to fiddle with an old fashioned polaroid camera strung around her neck.

Ash palmed his face whilst Jack let out an equally as disgruntled sigh. "Alright you got us, can we get to the battle maybe?" he thought to himself biting back the urge to say it aloud.

"Oh lighten up you two!" She exclaimed looking up with finality from the camera display. "Now what was this about a battle? Or two it would seem, so who's going first?"

Jack, considering his inexperience, decided to sit on the sidelines and observe Ash's battle first - hopefully to identify Viola's Pokémon and battle style and formulate a counter strategy around that, and so he nodded to Ash, patted his friend on the shoulder muttering good luck and made his way to the standing viewing area that lined the arena along with Clemont and Bonnie.

:***:

Ash was undoubtedly fired up. In the pit of his stomach he felt the blazing inferno of passion bloom into a raging wildfire of excitement toward his first Kalos challenge. Taking his place at one end of the battlefield that bridged the distance between him and his adversary his face became suddenly illuminated by a confident grin, broadening with jubilation as he grabbed his first Pokéball from his belt and brought it at arms length to face Viola with a flourish.

"You ready Viola? because i'm not gonna hold back!"

"I wouldn't have it any other way." The gym leader shot back with a calm intensity, pulling a Pokéball from her pocket and readying it for battle. "Be prepared to face the full might of the Santalune City gym!"

Before they could start however there was a short pause whilst the referee, a slender woman wearing a floral t-shirt and cargo shorts with a cheery look on her face bounced forward and announced that the battle would be a 2v2 with the challenger being the only side that could switch Pokémon freely.

It was then both trainers finally sent out their Pokémon, through the haze of blue light Froakie appeared on the field in front of Ash and an unfamiliar insectoid Pokémon - with four spindling legs conjoined to a plump orb-like blue body capped with a single antenna stretching skyward - landed likewise before Viola.

Jack slung his bag from his shoulder and after a short period of rushed rummaging withdrew the Pokédex Professor Sycamore had gifted him, a smooth flattened square of red metal that jumped to life in his hands revealing a holographic interface on which a replica image of Viola's Pokémon could be seen.

Surskit the pond skater Pokémon: Surskit appears as if it is skating on water. it draws prey with a sweet scent from the tip of its head.

"Surskit huh?" Jack pondered as he observed the odd blue Pokémon that seemed to glide across the rough and uneven ground with apparent ease. "Thats a new one, looks speedy too so it might be tough to land a direct hit."

Over on the battlefield Ash's grin only widened.

"If it's a fast paced battle you want then that's what you'll get! Froakie use Cut and don't stop!"

Froakie hopped forward with a burst of speed, drawing a blade of blinding white light from thin air and slashing repeatedly at Surskit.

Jack turned to Clemont and Bonnie with a questioning glare, "When did Froakie learn to use Cut?" he implored.

Clemont met his gaze with a knowing chuckle. "You're not the only one that's been training Jack, what you see here is the product of science!"

Meanwhile Surskit continued to dodge the barrage of attacks responding quickly with a well placed signal beam in time with Viola's shout.

"Froakie, dodge it quick and use water pulse." Ash countered, allowing for a break in the action during which Froakie withdrew from its opponent, clasping its hands together to gradually to form a shimmering sphere of spinning water.

"Surskit quick use Signal Beam again." Viola commanded.

Surskit tilted forward and shot a spiralling burst of energy from the antenna on its head toward Froakie, catching it off guard and causing the sphere to vanish in a cascade of water from between its tiny hands as it hastened to avoid the attack.

"Alright Surskit keep it up, don't let Froakie back into this!"

Ash clenched his fists in frustration as the volley of signal beams continued, searching his mind for a possible counter attack to escape this sticky situation.

"This doesn't look good for Ash." Bonnie cried out to her brother as she watched from between her fingers. "If he can't think of anything quick Froakie is going to get hit!"

Clemont however did not seem fazed by any of this. "Bonnie this is Ash we're talking about he's got a plan i'm sure."

Ash flung his arm outwards "Froakie use cut on the signal beam."

Froakie stopped its frantic retreat and conjured once again the gleaming blade, slicing down into the oncoming attack and cleaving it in two causing the two separated strands to ricochet off into opposite sides of the arena.

"Yeah thats it!" Ash cried out "Now Froakie forward and use Water Pulse."

Viola, who had been caught off guard by Ash's outside the box strategy was now snapped back to her senses by the threat of the Water Pulse attack accumulating between the frog Pokémon's palms.

"Surskit that's enough playing around lets make this battlefield our own! Use Ice Beam and then Sticky Web!"

Surskit gleefully replied with a chant of "Surrskit!" before sending a concentrated beam of ice into the air and crashing into the surface of the battlefield freezing it entirely to produce a slick and dangerous icy surface which it then coated with organic webbing.

This chain of moves had however allowed Froakie the time to send a Water Pulse on a collision course straight for the skating bug Pokémon which now collided with a forceful blast, knocking surskit off balance and sending it skidding across the the iced battlefield.

Froakie however was entirely safe from harm, the slippery surface had also forced it into a battle to stay upright resulting in an unceremonious crash straight into one of the many webs that laced the glacial ground.

Even more unfortunately for Ash Surskit was now on its feet having recovered from the attack Froakie had sent its way. Desperation mounted in Ash as he realised the threat of the situation, calling out to Froakie in a fruitless attempt to save his Pokémon from the expanse of web it now struggled within.

Viola smirked with satisfaction. "You put up a good fight but unfortunately you got caught like a fly in my web. Surskit use Signal Beam!"

Froakie struggled against its binds as it was engulfed by a blast of bug type energy causing it to cry out in pain.

The attack ceased as Froakie's head fell back against the web to reveal dazed spirals set into its large yellow eyes.

"Froakie is unable to battle which means the winner is Surskit, will the challenger please send out his final Pokémon."

Ash recalled Froakie to its Pokéball thanking it for its efforts. He then turned to Pikachu who nodded in determination from the trainers shoulder.

"Alright Pikachu i choose you!"

Pikachu leapt from his trainer's shoulder, landing on the ice with an upright grace and sparking with electrical charge.

"She'd better watch out now." Jack nodded with enthralment as he watched on from the sidelines "Pikachu is seriously tough, if anyone can win this battle for Ash it'll be Pikachu."

"Pikachu let's do this buddy, start off with a quick attack to get in close."

Pikachu charged across the ice with propelled momentum, crashing into an unprepared surskit with outstanding force. Surskit recoiled from the magnitude of the attack as Viola called for it to use tackle, which to everyone's surprise Pikachu allowed to connect at point blank range.

This time it was Ash who was smirking as Surskit flinched due to the visible electric charge that now ran through its body.

"Looks like you walked right into my trap." Ash exclaimed as Clemont let out an "Ahh." of realisation from the stands.

"What just happened?" Jack and Bonnie asked the boy with curiosity.

"That's Pikachu's ability static." Clemont explained "Ash charged in with Pikachu to draw surskit in a close quarters physical attack which means Surskit is now paralyzed!"

"smart." Jack thought with content. "I'd expect nothing less from Ash and Pikachu."

Back on the pitch Ash prepared for a his next attack. "Pikachu, use iron tail, hit surskit into sticky web!"

Pikachu's tail hardened with a metallic glow as it pivoted and charged once again at Surskit.

"Surskit use rapid spin quick, get rid of those webs!" Viola ordered in a last effort to prevent the inevitable.

Surskit began to twist but was cut short by a jolt of electricity that prevented its movement and made its limbs rigid and stiff before Pikachu's iron tail collided sending it in a backwards arc into its own web, trapped just as Froakie had been prior.

"Alright Pikachu let's wrap this up with a thunderbolt!"

With this Pikachu leapt into the air clasping its face before unleashing a bolt of pure electricity down onto the trapped Pokémon, knocking it out in the process.

the referee stepped forward for the second time. "Surskit is unable to battle which means Pikachu is the winner. Gym leader please send out your final Pokémon."

Viola withdrew surskit and reached for her final Pokéball.

"This is it Ash you've pushed me to the limit now let's see how you fair against my final Pokémon, Vivillon come on out!"

Viola's ace Pokémon materialised in the air before her: floating majestically on two elaborately patterned pink and white wings that stretched out impressively either side of the grey butterfly-like body.

"Vivillon!" it cried as it circled overhead leaving a faint glittering trail in the air.

Jack once again held up his Pokédex.

Vivillon the scale Pokémon: the patterns on this Pokémon's wings depend on the climate and topography of its habitat. It scatters colourful scales.

Ash looked up at the beautifully patterned Pokémon that danced above their heads, formulating plans and strategies as he observed its flight.

It was now Viola's turn to make a move.

"Vivillon." she shouted out to her Pokémon. "fly above and use sleep powder on Pikachu."

Vivillon affirmed this by soaring in circles above scattering thick powder particles that made the air thick and stuffy, causing drowsiness in both Pokémon and trainer alike.

Ash smacked his face to shake off drowsiness, deliberating on his next move before ordering Pikachu to electrify the surroundings with a thunderbolt. Pikachu hummed with shocking energy before letting out a burst of yellow electricity that vaporised the spores as they fell.

"Now it's our turn!" Ash stated with gusto, clearly whole-heartedly enjoying this battle. "Pikachu use thunderbolt, hit Vivillon right out of the sky!"

Pikachu shot yet another blast of electricity into the air but missed its target as Vivillon easily swerved to avoid the attack. "Don't give up now Pikachu, carry on with thunderbolt!"

"That's enough Vivillon." Viola called from below with a smile. "Let's hit em back with Acrobatics."

Vivillon swooped down almost immediately taking Ash and Pikachu by surprise with its speed as it crashed into the yellow mouse. "Keep it up Vivillon, Acrobatics again and again!"

attacks collided repetitively as Pikachu let out a shriek. Ash grit his teeth, if this carried on he would surely lose, if only he could take the fight to vivillon instead of staying open to attack on the ground. if only….

An idea sprang into his head as his eyes locked onto the thick growth of trees that lines the edges of the gym.

"Pikachu, listen to me buddy you've got to shake it off!" he yelled to his partner.

at this Pikachu mustered what strength it had after its relentless beating to use quick attack straight forwards across the field sending vivillon crashing straight into the unforgiving hardness of the icy floor.

"Ok Pikachu head for the trees." Ash called with restored confidence as his partner Pokémon darted toward the artificial forest.

Unaware of Ash's plan Viola told a dishevelled Vivillon to raise itself once more into the air and search the surrounding greenery for their foe.

"Alright buddy let's finish this with Iron Tail!" Ash shouted to Pikachu, raising a hand to the cap that hung over his eyes and turning it backwards as he did so.

Pikachu shot from the canopy of trees, tail glistening with metallic malice, and slammed its tail into the airborne Pokémon with an acrobatic twirl. Vivillon dropped like a stone from its orbit and collided with the battlefield in a cloud of dust and shattered ice.

"Vivillon is unable to battle which means the victory goes to the challenger Ash!" the referee announced.

Pikachu shuffled around to face Ash and rolled onto its back with a tired "Pika" of intermingled relief and satisfaction which caused his trainer to laugh as he came forward to retrieve his worn out partner.

"We did it buddy." he breathed, crouching down to scoop up Pikachu into his arms "one down seven to go."

"Congratulations Ash!" Viola said as she beckoned towards the referee. "You've beaten me fair and square so the bug badge is yours." In her hand there lay a small brazen disk symbolic of a small bug inlayed with sparkling chunks of emerald glass carved into ovals.

"Thanks Viola." he replied taking his badge and holding it up to the light before retrieving his badge case and setting it into the first slot. "That was a really awesome battle!"

"That it was" she stated offering her hand to shake

"now go and join your friends they seem eager to talk about it."

She was of course correct, there leaning over the banister that separated the battlefield from the viewing area Jack, Clemont and Bonnie all were looking intently in his direction. As he approached they all burst with a flurry of congratulations.

"Wow Ash that was a serious match." Jack said patting Ash on the back as he joined them in the spectators section. "Guess I've got quite the shoes to fill."

"You'll be fine, just keep your head in the game thats all." he responded as another question was shot this time from Bonnie over to his left.

"Did you get the badge? Can we see it?"

Ash thrust forward the badge case he still clutched in his hands as the rest of the group huddled around to take a look.

"Awesome I can't wait to get one of those!" Jack confidently hollered.

Right on cue Viola spoke up once more from the pitch.

"S'cuse me...Jack was it? Are you ready to battle?"

Jack jumped, startled by Viola's presence, almost dropping Ash's badge (which he had been examining closely) in the process. "Yes maam i most certainly am!" he replied, lingering a brief second to hear his friend's wishes of good luck and to receive a fist bump from Ash prior to stepping down onto the field to face his first ever gym leader.

:***:

If Ash had been calm and collected as he took his place at one end of the battlefield, Jack certainly was not. Of course he was ready for his battle and was positively brimming with anticipation but there was the underlying nerves associated with this brand new challenge intermingled with that also.

So with shaking hands Jack reached for his first Pokéball which he readied for battle in a flash of red and black.

"I'll be using two new Pokémon if that's ok with you Jack?" She questioned as she withdrew two Pokéballs from her pocket. "Surskit and Vivillon are pretty worn out from that last match and i wouldn't want to throw them into a fight when they're not up to it."

"Fine by me." Jack responded untruthfully, feeling the weight of his heart as it sank. He had just spent the duration of Ash's match preparing strategies to face Surskit and Vivillon, now he was expected to face two entirely new adversaries?

"Alright then challenger, send out your first Pokémon!" Viola said as she threw one of her two Pokéballs into the air.

Jack hesitated, watching as her first Pokémon revealed itself… to be nothing more than a small chunk of rock.

Visibly confused he raised his Pokédex to scan the would be Pokémon infront of him.

Dwebble the rock inn Pokémon: Dwebble will often make a hole in a suitable rock. If that rock breaks, the Pokémon will become agitated until it locates a replacement.

Jack held up the Pokédex and compared the image plastered upon the screen to the un-moving rock before him.

"Doesn't exactly match the picture…" he mumbled to himself. "but it says here it's a rock type which means a fighting type should be at an advantage."

Making his decision Jack pocketed his palmed Pokéball and brought out a second, wasting no time now in throwing it forward with a cry of "Riolu, I choose you!"

Riolu sprung from the Pokéball in a fighting stance ready to face its opponent… only to be met with the still inactive piece of rock, Riolu turned to Jack with a confused look in its eye to which its trainer could only shrug in perplexity.

Viola at the other end of the field made no effort to remedy the situation and rather showed no signs of bewilderment when Dwebble would not show itself.

"I guess we'll just have to start this ourselves." Jack said to Riolu with a nod of encouragement. "Riolu force palm lets go!"

Riolu started forward, clearing the distance between the two Pokémon in seconds before striking the rock with intense force. The shell however did not move.

"Again Riolu Force Palm."

Riolu struck out against the rock for a second time, but it remained completely still and void of life.

Jack looked over at Viola in a desperate attempt to gain some sort of explanation only to see a grin stretching its way across her face.

"Our turn." she calmly stated. "Dwebble use Dig."

The ground at Riolu's feet erupted as a small orange crustacean Pokémon burst forth to deliver a powerful punch that sent Riolu crashing to the ground.

"Riolu!" Jack cried "Are you ok buddy?"

"Rio." Riolu grunted as it clambered to its feet and took up its fighting stance once more.

"Alright then let's kick this off with a double team, surround Dwebble and then use Force Palm."

Riolu burst into a dozen copies of itself and encased Dwebble in a ring of clones, allowing the crab Pokémon little time to clamber back into its shell to avoid a plethora of attacks from all angles.

It was when the attacks finally subsided that Viola made her next move. "Dwebble use shell smash!" she yelled

Riolu recoiled as the rock shell began to glow with an intense blue aura that then melded into a fiery red glow.

On the sidelines Clemont and Ash grimaced and when Bonnie asked what was wrong they both confirmed that Dwebble had just dropped its defences in order to gain massive amounts of speed and power.

Jack however was unaware of this and simply called for Riolu to use Dig with the aim of getting underneath Dwebble's shell. The command had barely left his lips when Viola called out "Dwebble use Fury Cutter!"

A streak of orange shot from beneath the rock heap towards Riolu, enlarging its claws in a flash of green and striking the aura Pokémon square in the chest. Riolu cried out in pain and fell to its knees.

Jack quickly made his decision, raising Riolu's Pokéball and recalling it for now before readying his second Pokémon for battle.

"Chespin let's show them what we've got!" he exclaimed as he sent forth Chespin's Pokéball with a forceful throw.

Chespin appeared from a flash of light as the Pokéball burst open and landed with a faint thud at Jack's feet, flexing two outstretched vines that had sprung forth from its neck with determination.

Viola didn't hesitate at this sudden switch and immediately called out her next command.

"Dwebble use rollout!"

Dwebble shot forward with incredible speed, set on a direct collision course for Chespin. But this time Jack was prepared. "Chespin use your vines and dodge it!"

Chespin reacted almost immediately by extending the thick tendrils from its neck hoisting itself into the air away from danger as Dwebble's rollout steamed straight underneath it.

"Nice one Chespin, follow it up with Pin Missile!" Jack said with mounting confidence

"Dwebble dodge it and use rollout again!"

Chespin puffed out its chest and shot a volley of glowing green spines at the spinning stone shell rocketing in its direction, but to Jack and Chespin's dismay the propelled spines merely bounced off as Dwebble gained momentum before crashing into the spiny green Pokémon head on…. Despite this however Chespin managed to wedge its vines into the earth behind it and hold its ground with a wincing yell of determination.

Jack, touched by his Pokémon's commitment smiled slightly as he called out for his next attack.

"Chespin grab onto Dwebble and use Pin Missle!"

Chespin fought through pain to catch onto the rapidly rotating shell hammering into its chest, releasing a final shout of "Che-CHESPIN" as the spines on its head began to glow once again with this time a blindingly bright green light, shooting into the air before plunging down toward the two entwined Pokémon in a shockwave blast and a billowing pillar of dust.

Both trainers called out to their Pokémon as the dust settled to reveal both sprawled out on the battlefield swirly eyed and dazed.

"Chespin and Dwebble are unable to battle which means its a draw, both trainers please send out your final Pokémon." The referee announced as both trainers withdrew their Pokémon.

"That was impressive Jack." Viola called from across the battlefield. "I really thought we had you there but you managed to pull it back with a neat little strategy." She readied her second and final Pokéball. "But don't count us out yet we've still got fight in us! isn't that right Pinsir?"

She threw the Pokéball in a wide arc through the air allowing for a hulking brown beetle-looking Pokémon with barbed pincers vicious enough to cleave human flesh set atop a great domed head that housed two menacing eyes and an oddly set mouth vertically lined with sharp and rhythmically shifting teeth.

for the final time Jack raised his Pokédex.

Pinsir the stagbeetle Pokémon: it swings its long pincer horns wildly to attack. During cold periods, it hides deep in forests.

"Looks like a tough one Viola." Jack shouted back. "But don't think that counts us out either, we're just getting started." He said with a grin as he prepared his last Pokémon for battle.

"Riolu let's go!" he said as he pitched the Pokéball forward releasing his partner onto the field.

Riolu it seemed had recovered slightly from its ordeal with Dwebble although its fighting stance seemed slightly disheveled which began to worry Jack slightly.

"Pinsir, let's start things off with swords dance!" Viola instructed.

"Not good." Jack thought to himself. "i can't let her get that attack too high."

"Riolu get in there with force Palm, stop that swords dance."

Riolu sprinted at Pinsir, who had began to glow with a flare of red aura, extending its furry black palm now coated in golden energy.

"Pinsir swat it away with Brick Break." Viola called out. "Don't let it get close!"

Pinsir stopped glowing and instead moved in one fluid motion to strike Riolu square in the chest with the back of its arm. Riolu was propelled backwards by the combined force of its advance and the power of the attack and slammed into the wall of the arena with a pained shout.

Jack clenched his fists so tight he drew blood from his sweating palms. There was no way he could continue to battle like this, not if he wanted to win, there was no way for Riolu to get close enough to land an attack and at this rate Pinsir would be powerful enough to end this battle in one blow.

He shut his eyes and concentrated, reached out through the depths of blue water that had become so familiar to him recently, felt the chilling sensation that encapsulated his very being as he searched for his partner in the murky expanse. Then as if conjured by his will there stood Riolu before him, staring with steely courage into the eyes of his trusted trainer partner and friend. They both nodded.

Jack opened his eyes which now shone with the same strange blue tinge as they had worn many days ago.

"Riolu get up, let's go use double team."

Riolu by some miracle rose cautiously to its feet, ablaze with blue aura that engulfed its tiny form, eyes gleaming with the same blue glow and steely determination. It then burst into more clones than Jack had ever seen it produce, at least 30 Riolu copies engulfed the surrounding area before swarming the now attack charged Pinsir in a sea of blue and black.

"What the-" Viola struggled to regain her composure. "Pinsir use X-scissor get rid of those copies!"

Little by little the vast expanse of Riolu clones began to vanish as Pinsir hacked its way through blue bodies with its now elongated and honed pincers, eventually revealing the original standing within swinging distance in front of it.

"Riolu use force-" Jack had only started to utter his command before Riolu acted, unleashing a lightning fast array of silver coated punches which caught Pinsir off guard before it could ready its defences, causing it to skid backwards through the earthen floor leaving two deeply scored grooves in its wake.

"Pinsir, you ok?" Viola checked with concern. "What was that? I've never seen a move so fast before."

From the stands Ash, Clemont and Bonnie watched on in awe.

"Was that?" Clemont started. "Bullet Punch, yeah." Ash replied with a smile. "Jack and Riolu are really full of surprises aren't they?"

Back in the action Jack let out a ecstatic cry of delight "Nice job Riolu, that's a new move! and looks like it was pretty effective so let's keep it up with a Bullet Punch again!"

"Oh no you don't." Viola muttered under her breath feeling the heat of the battle full on. "Pinsir wait until it gets close."

Riolu darted with agility towards Pinsir who took up a hunched position in anticipation of the oncoming attack.

"Ok Pinsir catch it!" Viola yelled as Riolu skidded to a halt to let loose another quick barrage of punches.

"Rio?" Riolu let out in surprise as two large pincers clamped agonisingly against its sides, locking it in place.

"Pinsir let's finish this with X-scissor!" Viola cried.

Time seemed to slow as Jack was forced to watch in slow motion the events that unfolded next, Pinsir's pincers began to glow as Riolu struggled in its vice like clutches, its flaming aura ebbing away into nothingness as the attack connected and the small blue aura Pokémon dropped to the floor.

"Riolu is unable to battle which means the victory goes to Viola the gym leader!"

The words echoed in his ears as he rushed forward to retrieve his fallen Pokémon, the taste of defeat still sour on his tongue.

:***:

Later that day Jack sat alone outside the Pokécenter idly gazing at a Pokéball as he reran his loss though his head, maybe he had let himself get too carried away? or maybe learning a new move had made him reckless? either way he had lost and was now back to square one, all that training and preparation for nothing really except a false sense of strength. Truthfully it had been a close battle and additionally Viola had extended the offer of a rematch if he chose to take it but he still couldn't shake the loss especially due to the fact he'd just watched such a triumphant victory from Ash prior. "So." he thought to himself "i'm doomed to sulk here until i feel better i suppose."

He heard a faint metallic rumble as the Pokécenter door slid open, revealing a concerned looking Ash who threw himself down in the seat beside him and turned to look his friend in the eye.

"Hey man it's not that bad, we'll just train harder and you'll come back stronger, next time that badge will be yours no doubt about it!"

"Yeah i hope so, although…" he hesitated. "You don't have to stick around here if you don't want to i can manage by myself."

"You're crazy Jack Robin if you think we're just gonna leave you here alone and go on our merry way, no we're a team remember we stick together."

"Just hear me out here, this way you can cover much more ground and lets face it the league is only getting closer and the road is only getting longer, plus you'll have to stick around for days doing nothing much whilst i train for my rematch this way you'll be getting the experience as well as me without being cooped up here."

"Not a cha-" Ash started but Jack cut him off with a glare.

"Ash trust me man i'm gonna stick around here for a bit alone, i'll catch you up i'm fast enough and by then i'll be twice the trainer i am now."

Ash seemingly understood that there was no changing his mind.

"i'll talk to Clemont and Bonnie, i can't promise they'll like the idea but you've got to do what you've got to do i guess… but Jack promise me one thing."

"yeah?" Jack questioned

"Just try and catch up with us as quick as you can, i don't want to leave you in my dust i mean what fun would the league be if one of us isn't there!" He grinned

"Count on it." Jack said raising himself to his feet. "Oh and Ash let's have a battle next time we meet, i want you to see just how strong i'm gonna get!"

"I already can't wait."

:***:

Dusk had fallen lightly over the hills enveloping Santalune City as the hurried chorus of footsteps woke the sleepy City from its drowsy slumber. In her head Serena fought a losing battle, chiding herself for not arriving sooner and hoping that she had not missed the group and that they had not left already. She hastened her step as she skidded around street corners trying to locate the place where she knew he would be.

Suddenly an explosion tore through the quiet tranquility of the evening as a column of thick white smoke shot into the air not too far away. Taking this as a sign Serena bolted towards the source praying with all her might that she might find what or who she was looking for at long last. Approaching the Pokécenter she crashed through the double doored entrance barely waiting for them to slide aside before she bounded across the threshold, pushing through the small gathering crowd to gain a better vantage over the scene. To her disappointment however it was not the raven haired boy she had hoped to find but instead a brown haired one whooping with joy as his Pokémon clashed together with attacks that mounted once again in intensity. There was however a strange familiarity about the boy which caused her to push her way further through the crowd, fighting her humility before cautiously approaching the boy and asking the question that now burned like a wildfire inside her.

"um… hi?" she said tapping the boy on the shoulder, causing him to start in a startled manner before turning his attention to her looking flustered.

"Oh yeah sorry about that i know i was causing quite the commotion with my training but y'know how it is big gym match coming up and all that." he replied completely unaware of the situation.

"No no its nothing to do with that… although you might want to keep the big explosions to a minimum in the future." She said with a slight laugh

"Righttt." Jack let out a sigh of relief which then turned to an air of confusion. "How can i help you then?"

"Well…" Serena started "I was wondering if you knew a trainer by the name of Ash Ketchum?"

End of chapter 6


Yo,

A pretty massive chapter for you lot this time but i figured you deserved it because my uploads of new content have been less than consistent for which i can only apologise and can hope to remedy as my period of prolonged exams come to a long awaited close very soon.

Now to address the elephant in the room. Yes i know its a big surprise to see Ash, Clemont and Bonnie make way for Serena for the time being but in my opinion it will allow of greater development in Jack and avoids some characters not getting as much limelight as others… no offence Bonnie. But yeah that will be the plan for the foreseeable future until i decide to eventually bring them back.

Also i thought i'd say this now just in case anyone wants to comb over the movesets of certain Pokémon in accordance with their level, i am not taking into account levelling in this story as it isn't mentioned much in the show which is what i'm basing the majority of my story on.

But yeah that's it for now, as usual i hope you enjoyed this chapter and make sure to leave a review to tell me your thoughts as i take into account everything you guys want from this story when writing it.

Destros

Oh and also i might be implementing a set upload schedule in the future if that's something you guys would want as opposed to the usual random uploads.