Fairy-Type Trickery
Alec's POV
When the sun rose the next day, the group went to the Laverre Gym where Ash was ready to win his sixth badge. "Yes! It's finally today," he said.
[Let's win this,] Pikachu added.
"Hey Sawyer, have you ever watched a Gym battle before?" Serena asked.
"No, it's my first time. My heart's pounding like you wouldn't even believe," he answered.
"But Ash is the one battling," Bonnie pointed out.
"That doesn't mean he can't be excited," Alec told Bonnie.
"I hope you'll be out there cheering," Ash told Sawyer.
"Of course," Sawyer responded.
"Have you figured out how to deal with Valerie's Fairy-types? Judging from her challenge yesterday, it's clear that we don't know much about her battling techniques," Clemont asked.
"I haven't. Not yet," Ash answered.
[We'll work through it on the fly,] Pikachu added.
"Will you be okay?" Bonnie asked.
"Ash will be okay," Serena told Bonnie before looking at Ash. He nodded at Serena before they all walked into the gym.
When they opened the doors, Valerie's four apprentices were waiting for them in the lobby. "We welcome you to the Laverre Gym," they said, bowing.
"I'm here for my gym battle," Ash told them. The girls opened a path for them and Ash went down to the field while the others went up to the balcony to watch.
Sawyer then let out Treecko. "We're spectators today, okay? I know that if we watch their battle closely we'll learn a lot," he told him.
[Alright then,] Treecko answered.
"Hold on, where's Valerie?" Ash asked, noticing that she wasn't on the field.
"No need to rush these things. The Gym Leader will be here shortly," one of the girls, who was in the referee position said. As if on cue, the room darkened and the windows went up to reveal screens that displayed flower petals falling. Valerie then appeared and walked up to her position.
[It's her!] Ethan shouted before his face went lovey-dovey. Alec hit his partner on the head to snap him out of it.
"None of that," Alec told him.
"The time has come. Valerie, the Laverre Gym Leader, is now making her appearance," the ref said.
Valerie did a small bow. "I welcome you all to my gym," she greeted. "I believe your name is Ash, yes? How many gym badges do you have?" she asked.
"I have five of them. And after this, I'll have six," Ash answered confidently.
Valerie laughed. "Such spirit. You're certainly confident, aren't you? But I won't let you win that easily," Valerie said.
"The stronger the opponent's we face, the more we get totally fired up and siked. We're not going to lose this battle no way," Ash responded.
"Alright then. Shall we?" Valerie asked.
"The Laverre gym battle between Valerie, the gym leader, and Ash from Pallet Town, the challenger, will now get underway. Each trainer will have the use of two Pokémon and the battle will be over when either side is unable to continue. Furthermore, only the challenger will be allowed to substitute Pokémon. That's all," the referee announced the rules.
"I'll choose first," Valerie told Ash. "Sylveon, appear," she said as she threw the Poké Ball. [So Sylveon, you ready to battle?] Valerie asked her in a Sylveon voice.
[Of course madam,] she answered.
[Then let's go,] Valerie said and Sylveon turned to a surprised Ash.
"So what Serena said was true. You can talk to Pokémon," he said.
"Honestly, I always wanted to be a Pokémon so I learned how to understand them. I may not be able to understand every Pokémon, but I do know most of what my Pokémon say," Valerie replied. "Not like Alec and Serena," she added.
"She learned how to talk to Pokémon because she wants to be a Pokémon?" Sawyer asked in surprise. "And what's that about you two?" he asked the Yvonne twins.
"We'll explain after the battle," Alec promised.
"Here's my first Pokémon. Fletchinder, I choose you!" Ash shouted. Fletchinder appeared in the air and did a quick flip before landing on the field.
"Battle begin!" the ref announced.
"Let's do this Fletchinder. Now, use Steel Wing!" Ash ordered. Fletchinder sped towards Sylveon and scored the first hit.
"Nice start with a super effective move," Clemont said.
"So Fairy-types are weak to Steel-type moves," Sawyer noted, writing that down in his notebook.
"Are you alright?" Valerie asked Sylveon.
[That was strong,] Sylveon answered.
"We can't underestimate them then. Disarming Voice!" Valerie called out. Sylveon fired pink hearts from her mouth that stopped Fletchinder.
"Now Fletchinder, use Peck!" Ash shouted. Fletchinder dived down but Sylveon jumped out of the way and wrapped her ribbons around Fletchinder's beck and body. Sylveon then started spinning Fletchinder around.
"What a weird way to battle," Sawyer commented.
"Pokémon battles aren't just an exchange of moves. Some trainers know everything about there Pokémon and use that to their full potential," Clemont told him.
"And Valerie is one of those trainers," Alec added.
"We're not done yet. Sylveon, Fairy Wind!" Valerie shouted. Sylveon started spinning her ribbons faster and a pink cyclone appeared.
"That's incredible," Clemont complemented.
"The damage to Fletchinder isn't much, but it's adding up," Alec noted.
"So what do you think Ash? Sylveon's ribbons can be more than flutter beautifully you see. However, though Fairy-types are graceful; they also possess dangerous hidden fangs," Valerie said.
"What's Ash going to do?" Sawyer asked.
Sylveon then stopped using Fairy Wind and started to send Fletchinder to the ground. "Valerie, when it comes to hidden fangs, Fletchinder's got'em too," Ash told her, his words confusing Sawyer. "Heat up Fletchinder and use Flame Charge!" Ash shouted. Fletchinder's body was surrounded by fire which burned down Sylveon's ribbons and Fletchinder recovered from the dive and slammed into her. Sylveon flipped in the air before sliding on her paws across the ground.
"I'm impressed. Giga Impact!" Valerie shouted.
"We won't back down. Use Steel Wing!" Ash shouted. The two Pokémon charged at each other and hit each other as they passed. The tension rose as everyone waited to see the result.
[Woo boy. That was great!] Fletchinder shouted. Sylveon then fell to the ground.
"Sylveon!" Valerie called out. The girls who were cheering for Valerie looked shocked and Valerie turned to the ref. "Cally, make the call," she told her.
"Uh… right. Sylveon is unable to battle. Fletchinder's the winner," she declared.
"Yes! That's one down!" Ash said excitedly.
"That was so cool!" Bonnie shouted.
"Way to go Fletchinder!" Serena cheered.
"Sylveon, return, please. You battle wonderfully. Take a good rest," Valerie told her.
"Wonder what Valerie's next Pokémon will be," Serena said.
"We'll see. Knowing Valerie, she's not done," Alec said.
"Be warned, it won't be the same this time!" Valerie shouted as she let out Spritzee.
"There's that Spritzee," Sawyer said.
[You ready to have fun Spritzee?] Valerie asked.
[Yes darling. Let's go!] Spritzee said enthusiastically.
"Are you ready Ash?" Valerie asked.
"We're always ready. Fletchinder, Steel Wing!" Ash shouted. Fletchinder flew towards Spritzee, who dodged at the last second.
"Now use Trick Room!" Valerie commanded. Spritzee's body glowed blue and a blue, checkered box surrounded the field.
"This is bad. Valerie just turned Fletchinder's speed against him," Alec said.
[What the! What is this?!] Fletchinder asked worriedly.
"Calm down! You gotta stay cool okay!" Ash told Fletchinder.
"Surprised you, didn't we?" Valerie asked Ash.
"What's Trick Room?" Bonnie asked.
"It's a Psychic-type move that swaps the way a Pokémon speed works. The faster the Pokémon is normally, the slower it is in Trick Room," Alec explained.
"So Fletchinder's speed is now against it?" Sawyer asked. Alec nodded.
Though it looked like Ash didn't know what the move was either. "Use Flame Charge!" Ash shouted. Fletchinder surrounded himself in fire and slowly made his way to Spritzee. Spritzee dodged it easily, but Ash kept going with Flame Charge.
"Use Dazzling Gleam!" Valerie shouted. Spritzee's attack knocked Fletchinder back into the Trick Room.
"Use Flame Charge!" Ash shouted.
"What is he doing?" Alec asked. Ash's face said that he had a plan, but Alec couldn't figure out what it was. Fletchinder tried to hit Spritzee, who dodged once again with little effort.
"Gyro Ball!" Valerie shouted. Spritzee spun her body and charged towards Fletchinder.
"We're not done yet! Flame Charge!" Ash ordered. Fletchinder attempted to meet Spritzee head-on, but Spritzee flew beneath Fletchinder before getting above him and slamming the bird into the ground.
"What in the world is Ash thinking?" Sawyer asked, clearly confused.
"Ash has got a plan. Let's just hope Fletchinder will last long enough to do it," Alec answered.
"Keep going Fletchinder! Flame Charge!" Ash shouted.
"Dazzling Gleam!" Valerie commanded. Spritzee's attack knocked Fletchinder back a bit, but he kept trying to attack Spritzee and kept missing.
"It's like Fletchinder's getting slower on purpose," Sawyer commented.
"That's it! That's what Ash is doing!" Alec realized. Trick Room then fell.
"Fletchinder, Steel Wing!" Ash commanded. Fletchinder then took off at Spritzee with incredible speed and hit Spritzee hard with the Steel-type move.
"Of course! Ash kept using Flame Charge so that Fletchinder would get slower, then when Trick Room was finished, Fletchinder would gain a ton of speed!" Clemont realized as well.
"Not so fast. Moonblast!" Valerie ordered. Spritzee fired the pink orb and it made contact with Fletchinder. Fletchinder then fell to the ground.
"Fletchinder is unable to battle. The winner is Spritzee," the referee declared.
"I must say, your use of Flame Charge was quite clever. It's been a while since anyone's surprised me," Valerie told Ash.
"Trick Room was up for too long. Fletchinder took too much damage while in there," Alec stated.
"How's Ash going to win this now?" Sawyer asked.
"Hawlucha, I choose you!" Ash shouted. Hawlucha appeared and did a few poses.
"My, what an amusing Pokémon," Valerie commented.
"Hawulcha's a Fighting-Flying-type, so isn't it weak to Spritzee?" Sawyer asked.
"Ash chose Hawlucha anyway," Serena said.
"Let's see what strategy Ash has in mind," Clemont added.
"You can do it Hawlucha!" Bonnie cheered. Hawlucha responded by making more poses.
"I'm counting on you, okay?" Ash told Hawlucha.
[I'm ready,] Hawlucha said.
"Use Karate Chop!" Ash shouted. Hawucha's arm glowed and he went to attack, but missed.
"Use Trick Room!" Valerie shouted. Spritzee flew up and the blue, checkered box returned.
"They're using it again?" Sawyer asked in surprise.
Hawlucha looked a bit confused though. "Hawlucha! This is the ring for today," Ash told him.
[Understood. Let's go!] Hawlucha shouted.
"Looks like someone is having fun. I'm glad you're enjoying yourselves," Valerie said. "Use Moonblast!" Spritzee fired and sent Hawlucha into the Trick Room.
[I'm good. She's powerful though,] Hawlucha said to Ash with a smile.
"Yep. It's strong alright," Ash agreed.
"My. You can talk to your Pokémon too, right?" Valerie asked.
"Not really talking. It's more like I sense what they mean. I just kind of know," Ash answered.
"You have much promise," Valerie stated.
Ash nodded before continuing the battle. "Hawlucha, X-Scissor!" Ash shouted. Hawlucha went in for the attack, but Spritzee dodged and Hawlucha's attack hit the wall. As Hawlucha made contact, Alec noticed the wall wavered a bit.
"Interesting," he muttered.
[Wonder if he noticed,] Ethan added.
"Noticed what?" Serena asked, but neither of them answered. Looking at Ash, he had a smile on his face.
"Hawlucha! Taking your opponent's attacks is your battling style. Watch Spritzee closely and stay on its tail," Ash told him. Hawlucha stood up and started following Spritzee with his eyes.
"Gyro Ball!" Valerie shouted.
"Hawlucha, catch that!" Ash commanded. As Spritzee closed in, Hawlucha grabbed her while still using Gyro Ball. The move caused Hawlucha to spin around Spritzee. "Use that speed Hawlucha!" Ash shouted. As the two neared the Trick Room, Hawlucha jumped off of Spritzee then the wall, gaining a good amount of speed. "Spin and use X-Scissor!"
"Dazzling Gleam!" Valerie shouted. Spritzee let up her body, but Hawlucha cut through the attack and slammed Spritzee into the wall and the X-Scissor shattered Trick Room.
"What was that?!" Sawyer asked in surprise.
"Very clever Ash. Since Trick Room is a Psychic-type move, Hawlucha's X-Scissor was able to break it down," Alec told Sawyer.
"Whoa! Ash is amazing!" Sawyer exclaimed.
"You did it Hawlucha!" Ash celebrated.
"That's Ash's battling style alright," Serena said.
"We never know what he's going to do next," Bonnie commented.
"Okay, now use Flying Press!" Ash shouted. Hawlucha jumped up and dove on Spritzee.
After Spritzee recovered from Hawlucha's attack, Valerie shouted, "Spritzee, don't let it get too close! Moonblast!" Spritzee fired and Hawlucha was able to dodge.
"High-Jump-Kick!" Ash commanded. Hawlucha rammed his knee into Spritzee, sending her into the roof in a ball of dust. Spritzee then fell out and onto the field.
Valerie didn't say anything, but smiled at the ref. "Spritzee is unable to battle! Hawlucha's the winner! So the victor is Ash of Pallet Town!" she declared.
"Alright!" Ash cheered. Hawlucha then jumped onto Ash in excitement. "Hawlucha that was great!"
[Spritzee. Are you alright?] Valerie asked her.
[I'm… sorry,] she answered.
[You gave it all. Thank you,] Valerie told her before returning Spritzee. "That was truly well done," she then complimented Ash.
"Good work out there Ash," Alec congratulated him.
"Ash. You know how a trainer's heart becomes one when they're backed into a corner during a battle. I wonder why is that," Valerie said to him as one of the other girls approached with the badge.
"I'm not really sure, but I know what you mean," Ash answered.
Valerie smiled. "Here's proof that you won at the Laverre Gym. I present you with the Fairy Badge," Valerie said, giving Ash the badge.
"Thank you," Ash said before looking at his Pokémon. "We got the Fairy Badge!" he cheered and his Pokémon joined it.
"Wow Ash, you were so cool! I wanna know how I can battle like you! You've gotta teach me!" Sawyer shouted, getting closer to Ash's face with each sentence.
"Uh, not sure how to explain that," Ash admitted.
Alec then pulled Sawyer back. "Give him some space, Sawyer," he advised.
"Alec," Valerie started and he turned to face her. "It's good to see you again."
"You too Valerie. Serena said that you had something to tell me?" he asked.
"Yes. Does one of you have a map?" she asked.
"I have my guidebook," Serena said, pulling it out and handing it to Valerie. The Gym Leader typed something in and turned it so they could see.
"After you challenged me, I wanted to know how you were able to communicate with Pokémon so easily, so I went searching for clues and managed to find some clues in Speaker Valley," Valerie started, showing the Valley. "I found some ancient carvings that described people talking to Pokémon. It's also where I learned to talk to my Pokémon. Maybe you'll find some answers there."
"Where is it?" Alec asked.
"Not far from here. On route to Anistar City," Valerie answered. "I'll put in the coordinates so you can take a look," she added. She then handed the guidebook back to Serena.
"Then our next stop is Speaker Valley," Alec said.
[Maybe that will get us answers,] Ethan said.
"We'll see, but it's the best lead we've got," Alec stated.