Chapter 24 Hulbury Gym Battle
When they arrive at the Gym in the next day, they see the staff in front of them. Gloria says, "Ash, Alice, will you mind that I go first?"
"Sure." Ash says as Gloria stands in front of the staff. "Hey, there. Gym Challenger! Shall we start the process to get you ready for the Gym mission?"
"Of course." Gloria says.
"Then you have to change into our Uniforms. " She gives Gloria the uniform as she goes to change, once she is done, she wears a top that is white and orange with the Water Type logo on it, the clothes also show her belly. And then the orange, blue and white swim trunks with the number 890 on them.
"Wow...this is the Water Type for females...I wonder what will it be like for males?" Dawn asks as the girls are blushing.
"Well, I don't think that it will be like this." Ash sighs as they go see Gloria enter the Gym mission.
As they get into the stadium, Dan is already there and behind him are a lot of pipes that go with different colors, not to mention that some have water shooting out of them.
"The Hulbury Gym's mission is this!" Dan says. "A challenging maze, and you must clear it if you want to clear the mission. However, some paths in the maze are blocked by water. What should you do then? Try pressing that red button over there, and I imagine you'll figure it out, future champ. Now let the Gym Mission begin."
Gloria says, "This is going to be fun." Then she goes towards the red button, not before battling some of the gym trainers with the help of Joltik and Ferroseed.
As she pushes a button, then the water from the first red pipe changes into the other red path that leads to the dead end as well as pouring the water in it.
"This is going to be easy." Gloria says as she clears the place with no problem.
At the audience, Lillie says, "This challenge sure is associated with water."
"At least the gym uniform of this gym is also a swimsuit." Elena says. "Or else that she will be wet."
After the challenge is done, Gloria is at the other side of the battlefield as she walks from the dark alley. Then Nessa also shows up.
"Welcome, honored Gym Challenger. I think you already realize, but I'm Nessa. Sorry to have made you look for me." Nessa says.
"It is fine." Gloria says. "Since now we can battle with each other."
"I don't doubt my humble mission's difficulty...Yet you cleared it. Your mind as a Pokemon trainer must be quite refined. No matter what kind of plan your refined mind may be plotting, my partner and I will be sure to sink it."
Then the referee states the rules, it is a two-on-two match.
Nessa takes out a Dive ball and says, "Go, Goldeen!" As the Pokemon appears, Gloria says, "Applin! Come on out!"
As the Grass and Dragon Type appears, the battle starts. "Goldeen, use Water Pulse first."
The Pokemon hits Applin as it is starting to be confused. Gloria says, "Damn it...Applin, Rollout!"
Applin starts to roll around, but the confusion makes it turns left as it becomes to spin in circles.
Serena says, "It is confused...what should she do?"
Nessa says, "Horn Attack." But the rolling makes Goldeen misses the attack, much to her surprise. After a few spinning, Applin goes back to normal.
"Good, Astonish!" Gloria yells as the Pokemon scares the Goldeen, causing it to flinch, and then defeats it with a Rollout as it hits the target.
"Return, Goldeen." Nessa recalls her Pokemon and says, "Looks like I'm down to one last Pokemon. I've saved the best for last! Dreanaw!"
As the Pokemon appears. It is a turtle-like Pokemon with a brown shell. "Chewtle's evolution, right?" Ash asks Alice.
"Yeah." Alice says. "And also a Rock Type, which is not good against Applin."
Nessa yells, "Flood the stadium and make it our ocean! Dreadnaw! Time to Gigantamax!"
Nessa recalls her Pokemon and the ball goes bigger, then as it sends out, the Drednaw is standing on two legs as its head is in the shell.
"Gigantamax..." Gloria says in horror.
"This is a little gift from us...I hope you can take it. G-Max Stonesurge!" Nessa yells as both water and rocks attack Applin, causing it to faint.
"What power..." Gloria says. "Return." She recalls Applin and then she sends out Ferroseed as her last Pokemon, but much to her surprise, Ferroseed is injured as it is sent out.
"What..." Gloria says as she looks at the field, "Stealth Rocks? Damn it..."
"I told you not to underestimate me. Now Max Darkness!" As the Pokemon shoots out darkness, it damages the Ferroseed. But the ability of Iron Barbs also hurt it a little.
"Ferroseed, we need you to be strong! Let's Dynamax as well!" Gloria yells as she recalls the Pokemon, causing the ball to get bigger, and then sends it out with a roar.
"I see, you have Dynamax as well." Nessa says.
"Of course. Max Overgrowth!" Gloria yells as the grass attack causes the Pokemon to get a lot of damage.
"Max Geyser!" Nessa yells as the move not only hurts Ferroseed but also causes the rain. But then Drednaw becomes back to normal as its Gigantamax time is up.
"Now it is our chance! Max Overgrowth again!" And this time the giant whips defeat the Drednaw.
"Drednaw is unable to battle, Ferroseed is the winner, which means the match goes to Gloria." Dan yells as everyone is cheering.
"How...? How can this be?!" Nessa is surprised. "*sigh* Now that I've battled you, I think I understand. Continue to seize victories in the Gym Challenge with your Pokemon. You have an incredible spirit that may even be strong enough to challenge the Champion."
Then Nessa walks towards Gloria, she says, "You and your Pokemon are indeed deserving of this Gym Badge." She gives her the badge as she thanks her.
Alice is the second one and then she arrives at the stadium with Nessa waiting for her. "So you are the next one, huh? To think you also got the endorsement from the queen, you seem to be special just like my last opponent."
"Why thank you." Alice says as the match begins, this time Alice is going to have a 3 on 3 battle. "Let's go, Araquanid!" Nessa says.
As the Pokemon appears, Alice says, "A Bug-type, Vespiquen, I choose you."
As the Pokemon appears, Nessa says, "A Vespiquen, it is surely a special choice. But that is if you are faster than me. Lunge!"
Just then, Vespiquen is hit by the full force attack, Alice says, "That won't scare me, use Heal Order, then Air Slash."
Once Vespiquen heals herself, it shoots out air shurikens and Nessa yells, "Dodge it and use Bubble Beam!"
Araquanid swiftly dodges the coming attack, and then bubbles go to Vespiquen and deal a lot of damage.
"Vespiquen, use Attack Order!" Alice yells as the Araquanid gets hurt, but then Nessa says, "Now use Mirror Coat!"
"Dodge the attack!" Alice says as Vespiquen tries to dodge it, but it gets hit. "Use Heal Order!"
After the Pokemon recovers, it goes for another Air Slash, finally knocking out Araquanid.
"Here is my second Pokemon: Gyarados!" Nessa says as Alice gulps a little, the Pokemon is scary-looking, but Alice decides to switch out to Pikachu. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt to deal a lot of damage to Gyarados, but Gyarados uses Dragon Dance to raise attack and speed, and then it goes for Whirlpool to trap Pikachu. In the end, Pikachu manages to defeat Gyarados with Electro Ball, but it is also defeated by the constant damage from Whirlpool.
"Well, down goes my second Pokemon, but here is my third and final. Go! Milotic!"
As the beautiful Pokemon appears, Alice decides to go back with Vespiquen. Nessa says, "And time to Dynamax, make a giant splash in the water with your gigantic body!"
Then Milotic is becoming bigger and stronger, Alice seems to be unfazed and then Nessa says, "Use Max Geyser."
Alice widens her eyes as the strong Geyser defeats Vespiquen in one hit. Gloria notices the rain and says, "Great, I didn't bring an umbrella."
"Well, we are all wet now, so don't worry." Mark replies.
Alice says, "I am sorry, Vespiquen. Return for now." Then she takes out a Pokeball, "Eldegoss, you're up."
As the Pokemon appears, Nessa says, "A Grass Type, what a smart choice."
"Thanks, and Eldegoss, Dynamax time." Alice says as she manages to do the same. It uses Max Overgrowth, causing the rain to end and turn into Grassy Terrain.
"Since water types aren't hurting Grass-type like Eldegoss, I guess Alice is doing a good job?" Trenor asks.
"I don't think it will be this easy." Ash says.
"Milotic, Max Mindstorm!" Then it shoots out the psychic energy at the Eldegoss, causing it a lot of pain. It tries to use Max Strike until Alice calls Eldegoss to use the same. In the end, Milotic is the one that falls and it faints.
Nessa sees how her Milotic falls, she says, "You and your Pokemon are too much. even though I used Dynamax, I am still not able to defeat you." She then gives her the Water Badge and shakes her hand. "Good luck on your challenge."
Ash's turn is next, as he also wears the Gym Uniform, but Ash's is like a diving suit without the goggles, but it also shows his muscles through the clothes as the girls are blushing at the sight.
As Ash walks towards the stadium, Nessa says, "I have been waiting for you, Prince Ash." She says. "You look really handsome in that uniform as well, I am sure that you have been attracting a lot of girls I must say."
Ash blushes a little and says, "I know. But can we go on with the battle for now?"
"Sure. And for this special occasion, I will also Gigantamax for this battle as well. First, here is my Arrokuda!"
As the Pokemon is out, Ash says, "Pikachu, I choose you!"
As Pikachu goes out to the field, Nessa says, "Aqua Jet on Pikachu!"
As the fish is charging towards Pikachu, Ash is calm as he asks Pikachu to use Quick Attack, both Pokemon clash at each other as they also send back.
"Liquidation!" Nessa decides to go for the other Water move, but Pikachu uses Iron Tail to slam it back.
"Thunderbolt!" Ash yells as the move defeats the Arrokuda. Nessa is stunned at first, but she says, "I see why you are the prince, the strength is really surprising, but it will be easier if I want you to drown in the Water of passion. Kingler!"
As the second Pokemon appears. Ash says, "A Kingler? Pikachu, return for now." As Pikachu returns, Ash says, "Hitmonlee, I choose you."
Ash sends out his second Pokemon and Alice says, "Good, with the new Pokemon, it has a lot of energy."
"But I don't think it will be this easy." Lillie says.
Nessa says, "Use the sharp claws you have to our victory! Gigantamax time!"
Then as the same process is going, Kingler becomes surrounded by foams as its claws also grow longer.
"This is what I am not expecting, but High Jump Kick!" As Hitmonlee tries to attack the Pokemon, it dodges and Hitmonlee crashes into the ground.
"Oh no..." Dawns says.
"Ash is giving her a chance to defeat the Hitmonlee..." Alice says in worry.
"Now this is a gift for you! G-Max Foam Burst!" Ash yells at Hitmonlee to dodge the attack, but its knee pain causes it to get dragged into the whirlpool with bubbles, and then it faints.
Ash recalls his Hitmonlee and sends back Pikachu.
"Pikachu, let's show our Gigantamax!" Pikachu nods as it goes bigger. Then Ash yells, "G-Max Volt Crash!" As the move hurts Kingler, Nessa yells, "Max Guard!"
Kingler quickly shields the move for the purpose that it gets lower damage. But then it paralyzes the Kingler.
"Now to finish it off! Pikachu! G-Max Volt Crash!" Pikachu starts a quaking dash again, then it hits the giant Kingler, causing it to get sent to the wall as the Audience there are sweating in surprise as the Kingler becomes to get smaller until it faints on the ground.
Alice and the others sigh in relief as Dawn says, "That is close."
"I agree." Lillie says while using her handkerchief to wipe her sweat.
Nessa says, "Oh my, not only did I get to see your Pikachu battle in action, but I also got defeated by it. You surely are something. Here is your badge."
As Nessa gives Ash the badge, she says, "You'll want to challenge the Psychic Gym Leader next. As you and your Pokemon are now, she'll definitely like to battle you."
As they get outside to the reception room, Gloria says, "Well done, Ash. We all win our third badge."
"Yeah." Ash says. "15 more and we can become the very best."
"But before you go back to Wedgehurst with the train there, you have to remember that we have a meeting with my papa at the seafood restaurant-the Captain's Table." Elena says. "And I almost forgot, I should give these to you once I give you mine."
She takes out six cards to them and Alice says, "Chairman Rose's League Card?"
"Yeah. You know he is the kind of man who gets downhearted if he doesn't take care of things he needs to right away...so we should go there so as not to keep him waiting."
"Sure, let's go there. Since all the battling makes me hungry as well." Gloria says as they leave the stadium.
Here is the third Gym Battle, and I give Nessa two Gigantamax just like Milo for the battle. I hope you like it and in the next chapter, we will be going to the seafood restaurant and then the Wild Area again.
Ash's New Pokemon: Thwackey, Skwovet, Corvisquire, Dottler, Thiveul, Eldegoss, Wooloo, Chewtle, Yamper, Carkol, Applin x2, Arrokuda, Toxel x2, Linoone (G), Meowth (G), Farfetch'd (G), Alcremie x63
Mark's Pokemon: Blaziken, Gyarados, Ninjask, Shedinja, Arrokuda, Dottler, Alcremie (Strawberry, Ruby Cream)
Trenor's Pokemon: Skwovet, Gloom, Swampert, Pumpkaboo, Onix, Basculin, Noibat
Alice's Pokemon: Wooloo x30, Butterfree (Pink), Sizzlipede, Drizzile, Eldegoss, Pikachu, Eevee, Applin
Gloria's Pokemon: Minccino, Tranquill, Liepard, Raboot, Chewtle, Ferroseed, Eevee, Woobat, Kirlia
Dawn's Pokemon: Buneary, Noctowl, Mudbray, Duskull, Piplup, Quilava, Wingull, Gloom, Pachirisu, Wobbuffet, Mamoswine, Togekiss
Serena's Pokemon: Diggersby, Pancham, Drifloon, Budew, Vespiquen, Drilbur, Braixen, Steenee, Chinchou, Nuzleaf, Sylveon
Lillie's Pokemon: Eevee, Hitmonchan, Gastly, Magearna, Shellder, Yamper, Cherubi, Espurr, Vulpix (A)