Chapter 58 Steamdrift Gym Battle Part 1

After staying at the Gym for some time because of Hop, they notice how Hop is defeated by Gordie in the end. Ash says, "Hop lost again..."

"Yeah...I hope he is not that depressed like how he lost to Bede..." Alice frowns a little. "After all, he was really depressed back then."

After Hop walks out of the stadium, he mutters, "Arghhh! I lost! It all went to pot! There must've been something wrong with my strategy, but I did just what I've seen Lee do in battles! Here! Take it! It's the Rock and Ice Leader's League Card. You should check out the Gym Leader you'll have to face, too."

"I already have the Rock one, but I don't mind having the Ice one." Ash says and the others also pick their cards.

"And me... I've gotta figure out what to put on my team once and for all, and no more of this doubting!" Hop says as he rushes out of the stadium.

Ash walks towards the staff member, who says, "Welcome, Gym Challenger. Do you want to attempt the Gym mission? If you want to attempt the Gym mission, you need to change your uniform. The dressing room's that way."

Ash takes the Rock Uniform and changes, all they can see is a similar outfit like Gordie, without the jacket. Once he goes to the staff, she says, "Make sure to receive the Trap Detector up ahead, too. You'll need it for the Gym mission."

"Trap detector?" Ash is confused as he takes the item, and then he walks towards the field and sees that there is a giant sandy road, from the side, Ash can see a staircase.

Dan says, "Would you like to hear the details of the Gym mission carried out here in Circhester? Then allow me to explain a little about the Trap Detector hold in your hands! The reason you'll need it is simple. There are invisible pitfalls everywhere here! If you fall into one, you'll have to start again from the last platform you reached. The detector will vibrate when there's a pitfall in front of you. The closer the hole, the stronger the vibration! Then on with you! Good luck."

Ash says, "This is not going to be fun..."

When he walks on the sand, he can feel that the detectors are vibrating already. Perrserker says, "I wonder what happened if you step on it?"

"I don't want to know about it." Ash says as he continues forward, he also finds a gym trainer and battles before moving on to the next platform.

After Ash steps onto the platforms, they can see the ground shaking and the pitfalls are shown. Alice gasps, "So many pitfalls!"

"Yeah...but it seems like there are some bouncy mats underneath, I guess it would be fine to fall..." Serena says.

At the same time, Delia is also there as Melony is by her side. "Why did you call me here?" Melony asks.

"Why don't you want to see your son's gym battle against my son?" Delia asks. "Maybe it will remind you of what you're missing."

"I already know the consequences, there is no need to watch it." Melony sighs, Delia grabs her hand and says, "Oh, I insist."

When Ash goes to the second platform, he can see that the sandstorm starts to blow, but it is just the slightest. Ash says, "I see...so in the third place, the whole field will be covered by Sandstorm...I have to watch out..."

But unfortunately, Ash falls through one of the traps and lands on the bouncy mat, everyone is looking with horror, but Ash doesn't seem to be hurt as he climbs back to the second platform. And after getting to the third platform, the holes are also revealed.

"That was even more than the second one." Mark says. "Just how much time do they waste to create something as horrifying as these traps?"

"I don't know, but I agree with your words..." Gloria says. "To think we are going to do the same after this...I am starting to worry about it..."

And in the third phase, Ash barely can see anything and only feel the vibration. But with a little struggle, Ash manages to get to the end and reaches the goal.

"It is a good thing that my aura helps a lot." Ash sighs. "I wonder how many times a gym challenge has to do before getting to Gordie in the end..."

Pikachu says, "That sure is a good question. I'm glad that we won't be able to know about it.

"Gym mission cleared!" Dan says, and Ash heads towards the battlefield and finds Gordie there. Gordie says, "Hello to you again, Ash. How are you doing?"

"Great. Gordie." Ash says.

"It is true that my mom was right, I wouldn't be able to beat you as you are already the seven region champion, but that doesn't mean I can just give up the battle. So here I come."

Gordie suddenly shows a backflip and then throws a Poke Ball, sending out a Tyrantrum. Ash says, "A fossil Pokemon this instant...if that's the case, I'll choose Mawile for this battle!"

As Ash sends out the first Pokemon, Gordie says, "Aiming for the type advantage I see. However, I have been prepared for this. Tyrantrum! Show your power with Earthquake!"

Mawile kneels down from the shaking ground, Ash says, "Of course, your Tyrantrum has Ground-type moves. Mawile! Let's go with Crunch attack!"

"Fight back with your Fire Fang!" Both Pokemon are using their jaws, well, for Mawile, the back jaws, to fight.

"I wonder whose jaws are stronger..." Dawn says.

And both of them are sent back as Serena says, "They are in equal power!"

"Use Head Smash!" Gordie yells.

"Astonish!" Ash says, and Tyrantrum flinches a little because of the move. "Good, now go for Play Rough!"

Tyrantrum is defeated after being hit by the physical Fairy-move. Gordie recalls his Pokemon and says, "I'm not going to give up, I'm going to show the crowd about my true strength against a strong opponent like you. Come on! Aerodactyl!"

The second Pokemon is another fossil, and Lillie says, "I thought those fossils aren't found in Galar...where did he get them?"

Mark says, "The truth is, in Crown Tundra, there are actually living fossil Pokemon. I guess he found both of them roaming there."

"Maybe we should check it out." Lillie says.

Aerodactyl goes for Earth Power, causing Mawile to faint. So Ash goes with his second Pokemon: Feraligatr. When Feraligatr dances, the crowd starts to laugh at the performance, and Gordie thinks, "I can't let him steal all the crowd."

"Feraligatr! Hydro Pump!" Ash says. "Aerodactyl! Dodge it and use Stone Edge!"

Aerodactyl dodges the attack and slams its wings to the ground, creating the rocks and damaging Feraligatr. Feraligatr goes for a Protect after Aerodactyl goes for Wing Attack, and in the end, it defeats Aerodactyl with the Ice Punch on the face.

Gordie clicks his tongue and he sighs, "You really are strong, Ash."

"You're not bad, Gordie. To be able to give me a lot of trouble." Ash says with a smile. "Now come to me, your final Pokemon."

"It will be a pleasure. Let's go! Stoujourner!"

"Ston-what?" Ash is confused until he sees a Pokemon that is basically made of three rectangular rocks. "I have never seen that Pokemon before..."

"You're about to be in for a surprise, but first, use Body Press!" The move immediately knocks out Feraligatr, so Ash decides to go with Perrserker as his final Pokemon.

"Now, Stoujourner, become big and show your mighty legs!" Gordie then Dynamax his Stonjourner, and Ash decides to do the same by Dynamaxing Perrserker. Perrserker goes with Max Steelspike, raising the Defenses.

"Max Knuckle!" Gordie yells, and Stonjourner shoots out the Fighting attack on Perrserker, causing him to take a lot of damage. "That really hurts...what kind of move actually is Body Press?"

"If it takes a lot of damage, that means Stonjourner has a lot of defenses...which is not good for a Physical attacker like Perrserker." Rotom says.

"I agree. But I am not going to lose." Ash says.

After exchanging more attacks, Perrserker finally defeats Stonjourner with the Iron Head. Gordie lowers his head and says, "This is much better than I've expected. You really are strong, Ash. I wouldn't be able to go this far..."

"What are you talking about, Gordie? You did beat two of my Pokemon, and your Stonjourner really gives us a lot of challenges. Just because you didn't win against your mom doesn't mean you are weak." Ash says.

"Thanks, Ash." Then they shake their hands and Ash takes the Rock Badge from him.

Back at the stands, Delia turns to Melony and asks, "What do you think of it? Changing your mind about your son?"

"I admit that his Stonjourner seems to be more powerful than last time, but he still has a long way to become a better gym leader." Melony sighs. "After all, even though he is now the same title as me, he still has a lot to learn."

"As Ash's mother, I have the same thoughts as you." Delia nods. "However, do you think it is right to just confine your son into the type that you like rather than the type that he wants to use?"

"It is not that I don't like it, but I was worried about Gordie's behavior. Back before Circhester was separated, you do know what happened, right?"

Delia sighs as they see how Ash and Gordie leave the field, Melony says, "He has the surprising tendency of shutting himself away in the locker room when he is defeated. That's why I wanted him to stay at my gym so that he would try to learn not to act like that. However, you guys agree because you want a Rock-type leader for Galar, right?"

"Maybe. But there are still two more matches, you will see how strong Gordie has become by then." Delia says as Melony sighs, knowing there are still Gloria and Alice.

Here is the first part of the Rock Type Gym chapter, starting from this chapter, all gym chapters will become 3 chapters as I want to write more about the battles with Ash, Gloria, and Alice against the Gym Leaders in each chapter. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be Alice's turn to face Gordie. Can she win the badge just like Ash does? Let's find out and see.

Ash's New Pokemon: Rillaboom, Cinderace, Greedent, Corvisquire, Orbeetle, Thiveul, Eldegoss, Dubwool, Drednaw, Boltund, Coalossal, Flapple, Appletun, Sandaconda, Cramorant, Barraskewda, Toxtricity (Amped/Low Key), Centiskorch, Polteageist, Hattrem, Morgrem, Obstagoon, Perserker, Sirfetch'd, Runerigus, Alcremie x63, Falinks, Indeedee x2, Morpeko, Copperajah, Dracozolt, Arctozolt, Dracovish, Arctovish, Dreepy, Rapidash (G), Weezing (G), Stunfisk (G)

Mark's Pokemon: Blaziken, Gyarados, Drapion, Ninjask, Shedinja, Pawniard, Barraskewda, Rotom, Orbeetle, Delibird, Morpeko, Alcremie (Strawberry, Ruby Cream)

Trenor's Pokemon: Greedent, Riolu, Cramorant, Vileplume, Swampert, Rhyhorn, Gourgeist, Steelix, Torkoal, Basculin, Trevenant, Heliolisk, Noibat, Pupitar, Mawile

Alice's Pokemon: Wooloo x29, Dubwool, Jangmo-o, Salazzle, Vibrava, Lunatone, Butterfree (Pink), Chandelure, Aegislash, Centiskorch, Inteleon, Eldegoss, Pikachu, Glaceon, Appletun, Morgrem, Aromatisse

Gloria's Pokemon: Cinccino, Conkeldurr, Unfezant, Drednaw, Crustle, Copperajah, Cinderace, Golisopod, Ferrothorn, Jolteon, Swoobat, Mime Jr., Fraxure, Liepard, Gardevoir

Dawn's Pokemon: Lopunny, Passimian, Noctowl, Mudsdale, Barbaracle, Dusknoir, Piplup, Typhlosion, Pelipper, Bellossom, Pachirisu, Wobbuffet, Mamoswine, Vullaby, Togekiss

Serena's Pokemon: Diggersby, Pangoro, Drifblim, Roserade, Solrock, Vespiquen, Excadrill, Delphox, Tsareena, Lanturn, Rapidash (G), Shiftry, Sylveon

Lillie's Pokemon: Eevee, Hitmonchan, Rufflet, Hippowdon, Shuckle, Ribombee, Gengar, Magearna, Cloyster, Cherrim, Boltund, Meowstic, Vulpix (A), Dreepy,