"What are we doing today, Ash?" Max asked.
"Well, the first thing's going to be to train Delta," Ash said. "If he can get a couple of good Flying-type moves, that's going to really set you up well for Brawly's gym-"
There was a bright blue flash overhead, and a startled crustacean landed on Ash's head.
"What just-" Ash asked, reaching back and catching the Corphish before it hit the ground.
"Ash?" Brock said, blinking. "Celebi just materialized out of nowhere, dropped a Corphish on you and vanished."
"What's going on?" the Corphish asked.
"Ash?" Pikachu began. "I think this is your Corphish."
Ash lifted the Water-type and inspected him. "Oh, yeah, you're right!"
"Why am I not in a Pokéball?" Corphish asked. "Last I remember I was in a Pokéball! And... also somewhere east of Sootopolis."
"...this could take a while to explain," Ash said. "Okay, Max, first thing today's explaining things to Corphish..."
"I kind of guessed," Max agreed. "Then it's training Delta and Guy?"
Ash nodded.
"Okay, so one of the things that you'll need fighting a Fighting-type gym is practice fighting Fighting fighting styles," Ash said, then looked confused.
"...I think I got that right..."
"So, what's the plan?" Max asked, looking at Lucario. "Am I likely to have to fight a Lucario?"
"No, but Lucario's got a few different styles," Ash explained. "So it's a good bit of practice. He's also got moves that are usually not very effective against each Pokémon – Electric moves for Guy and Sparker, Fire moves for Delta, and a Ghost move for Cinder."
"I see!" Max nodded. "Okay, let's start with Delta!"
The Mantyke emerged, and struck a determined pose.
"Okay, Delta, remember – keep moving," Max said. "Don't be afraid to get your distance before coming back in."
"Right," Delta agreed. "Okay – yah! Bubble!"
Lucario raised a hand to block the stream of bubbles, then swept his foot out in a scything roundhouse kick.
"Whoa!" Delta said, bouncing backwards and avoiding the attack. "What do I-"
"Supersonic!" Max said quickly.
Delta adjusted his fall with a flip of a fin, managing to avoid Lucario's next (deliberately somewhat sluggish) attack, and replied with a barrage of resonant sound.
Lucario's ears glowed blue for a moment, and then he began staggering around very deliberately and obviously.
Max and Delta stared for a moment.
"Mango chutney!" Lucario added distinctly.
"Okay, we get the point," Ash said. "You're confused."
"Delta, try a Wing Attack!" Max said. "Now!"
"All right!" Delta agreed, pouncing forwards.
His wing-fin hit Lucario's shoulder with a clang, and the Fighting-type dramatically keeled over.
"Lucario, stop being silly," Ash said, and was answered by a faint chuckle. "Okay, I'll leave you guys to it – don't forget to give Kris some practice, too, she's going to be useful at the Mauville gym."
"Right," Max agreed.
As they continued practising, Ash moved a little way over and sent out Tyranitar. "How's the practice going?"
Tyranitar sighed. "All right... I've not fallen over in a couple of days, but it's still something I have to think about. It's going to be a while before I can fight."
"That's just fine," Ash told him. "Take as long as you want... actually, though, I did have one training idea."
"What's that?"
Ash sent out Corphish. "Okay, Corphish, here's the plan – your job is to use Bubble and not get tagged by Tyranitar. Tyranitar's job is to try to tag you with an attack. My job is to return Tyranitar if he falls over."
"I have mixed feelings about this plan," Tyranitar muttered.
"But what happens if I hit him?" Corphish asked. "Do I win then?"
"Eventually."
"I still feel sorry for those Carvanha," May winced, looking back over her shoulder.
Pikachu's cheeks sparked. "Hey, they attacked first."
"They were being quite aggressive," Brock agreed. "We could have tried to find a bridge, but I think Pikachu's approach was better."
"Couldn't Steelix have carried us across?" Max asked. "I mean, I know it's a big river, but he could have just moved along the bottom and carried the boat..."
"Actually, that might have been a good idea," Brock said. "I guess that's just how it is sometimes, the idea comes along too late."
"Sorry," Max winced. "I should have thought of it sooner."
"It's fine-" Brock began, then blinked. "Wait, did you just see that Mudkip?"
Ash shaded his eyes. "Sure did – you think it's him?"
"I'm pretty sure none of the others are that big," Brock replied, then his eyes widened. "Wait-!"
The Rock-type specialist turned and began to run downslope, sending out Pokémon. "Geodude, block the stream for just a moment! Crobat, Ludicolo, be ready to help me get out!"
"What's he doing?" May asked, as Geodude made a sharp hand gesture.
A rocky wall rose up out of the streambed, forming a wide dam, and the water built up behind it for a moment before spilling over in a shallow cascade.
With a splash, Brock jumped into the deepening pool of water, and took a deep breath before vanishing underneath for a moment.
Geodude kept gesturing, keeping up his earth-manipulation effect and making sure the rocks were ready to distort again, and then Brock burst out of the water holding a very young Mudkip.
Crobat swooped down to lend a claw to his trainer, but then Geodude rendered it unnecessary by gesturing and raising the level of the section of earth underneath Brock – resulting in his suddenly standing on a very shallow pool shore as the rest of the dam crumbled back into the earth.
"I didn't even see that Mudkip," Ash admitted. "Good spot, Brock!"
The much larger Mudkip came slithering down the watercourse a moment later, landing in the muddy area with a splat. "Is she okay?"
"She looks fine," Brock said, giving the Water-type a quick visual examination. "I imagine she's a bit startled, but she should be fine in a few minutes."
Mudkip blinked. "...wait, I was asking the Crobat. You understood me?"
"I did," Brock agreed. "My friend Ash taught me."
Mudkip did a double take. "Ash? Ash Ketchum?"
"...why have all the Pokémon heard of you, Ash?" Brock asked with a sigh.
"It's only some of them!" Ash protested.
"When we were visited by the pale-and-blue Suicune, she explained how come she looked different from the other one," Mudkip explained, reaching out and taking the young one from Brock. "I was really impressed!"
"Hey!" a man called. "Are you trying to steal the-"
He didn't actually understand what Mudkip said in reply, but it was pretty clear that the situation wasn't as simple as he'd assumed.
"...okay, I know," the man said, after being talked at by the big Mudkip for a few minutes. "Why don't you come up to my place, and we'll talk about this somewhere calmer..."
"Thank you again for helping," Mudkip said, looking up at Brock. "I was worried about her."
"He seems to have taken quite a shine to you," Old Man Swamp observed, poking a fire that seemed to be burning peat. "I'm one of the people they come to for Mudkip to send to labs, but that 'un didn't feel like leaving, and..."
He shrugged.
"I see," Max said, looking out over the swampy water. "So this is the natural habitat of Mudkip?"
"One of 'em," the old man said. "Marshy wetlands, that's what they like. They can live in fresh or salty water, it don't matter much to them."
Brock nodded. "Right."
"Sadly, this 'un's getting a bit old," Old Man Swamp went on.
Mudkip gave him a look.
"You are," Old Man Swamp said defensively. "Look at the size of you!"
He shook his head. "You'll evolve, soon. I've been telling you and telling you, you need to pick between havin' a trainer or goin' off into the wild."
"I don't want to work with a beginning trainer!" Mudkip said, shaking his head. "I know how it works, spending months before the trainer's good enough to battle properly..."
"Hey, we're not all like that," Ash said defensively. "Max is pretty good already."
"Thanks!" Max grinned.
May waited.
"Ash?" she asked.
"...being honest, May," Ash said, wincing. "Not so much. I wasn't great either."
May frowned. "Well, if you think that about yourself too, fair enough – I guess."
Mudkip frowned, considering, then shook his head. "No way to tell if the trainer I pick is one of the quick ones."
"There might be," Ash said. "If you went with someone who'd already been a trainer for a while."
"That's a great idea!" Old Man Swamp said, slapping the table with a bang and making everyone jump. "I'm tellin' you, big man, this boy has his head screwed on right!"
"You mean you?" Mudkip asked. "You're clearly tough, I admit... but how do I compete with Suicune?"
"I was thinking of Brock," Ash explained. "He's been a Gym Leader, so you know he's qualified."
The Water-type looked over at Brock.
"What's your speciality?" he asked.
Brock let out a long, drawn out sigh. "Here we go again..."
He raised a finger. "I'm a Rock-type specialist." A second. "With one Rock-type." A third. "He's a good one, but I have more Ground-types than Rock-types."
And a fourth one. "Actually, I have more Pokémon who use illusions than Rock-types... but I'm supposed to be a Rock-type trainer."
"Basically, Brock's speciality is in not being a Rock-type specialist," Ash said, and got a glare for his pains.
"Okay, sure," Mudkip decided.
Ash blinked. "...that was quick."
"The old man's right," Mudkip said. "And I'd like to see what it's like with a gym leader... even if his speciality isn't my Type."
"Sounds good," Brock smiled.
"...I never really noticed that before," Marshtomp said, squinting up at his trainer. "You're a terrible Rock-type specialist."
"That's the first thing you say?" Brock asked, a little hurt.
Marshtomp shrugged, and then gave Brock a firm handshake. "Nice to be back, Brock. What's that you said about illusions?"
"Oh, yeah, that's right," Brock nodded. "You never met Vulpix, and Stantler's new."
He sent out the two Pokémon in question.
"Hello," Stantler said, bowing his head slightly. "Geodude's said a lot about you. He really respects you."
"Glad to hear it," Marshtomp replied, raising a flipper and nodding when Stantler bumped it.
He turned to Ninetales. "So, what's your story? How come you're still with Brock?"
"Suzy offered me the choice, and I wanted to stay with Brock a little longer," Ninetales filled in.
There were a series of flashes as the other Pokémon emerged.
"Good to see you, Forretress," Marshtomp said, nodding to her. "Geodude, how's things? The earth-raising trick's new."
"Just got it working yesterday," Geodude explained.
"Neat."
Steelix got a long look.
"I always forget how big you are," Marshtomp commented. "Hey, Crobat, Ludicolo. Everything okay?"
"Pretty much," Crobat said. "Oh, quick warning, Brock's got a girlfriend, don't be too surprised."
"Knew you'd make it eventually," the Water-Ground type told his trainer.
"...you're the first one who hasn't been surprised," Brock admitted.
Marshtomp shrugged. Then he blinked. "What's that on Steelix' neck?"
Steelix moved to show it off.
"It's my first Mega Stone," Brock explained. "We're still practising with it, but it's a pretty useful upgrade."
"And they're not easy to find," Max put in.
Old Man Swamp poked his fire, and frowned.
"Wonder if I should have told 'em about the Swampertite..."
Transfer complete.
"Thanks, Dexter," Ash said with a smile. "Okay, Noctowl, ready?"
"Shipshape and Bristol fashion, what what?" Noctowl agreed.
"What's Bristol fashion?" Pikachu asked, distracted.
"...not sure. Something about tides?" Noctowl shook his head. "Anyway, onwards and downwards!"
His wings made a near-silent whoooosh as he set off into the mine, and Ash and his friends followed.
"Are you sure this is the best way to convince that Sableye?" Max asked.
"We kind of need to find him first," Ash pointed out. "And Noctowl's best in conditions like this."
"Yah! Power Gem!"
Noctowl dove out of the way, wings whispering in the dark, and red beams emanated from his eyes. "There you are! Bally-"
The next rock didn't miss.
"Ow," he said indistinctly, wobbled in the air, and nearly hit a pillar. "I seem to be at a bit of a disadvantage, what what?"
"What?" Ash asked.
"That's what I said, what?"
"I think Noctowl's confused," Max volunteered.
"Probably," Ash agreed, returning him.
"So, what's next?" Sableye asked. "I hope you don't think I'll just let myself be caught!"
"Foresight," said a voice from just behind him.
Sableye turned, and met Lucario coming the other way.
"Okay, you win," Sableye admitted, as Ash sent him out. "I did agree..."
"If you do want to go free, that'd be fine," Ash said. "Just let me know."
"Right..." Sableye rubbed his forehead. "Being punched is new. I don't like it."
"I didn't hit that hard," Lucario said quietly.
"So, why me?" Sableye added.
"That's one reason I'm saying it's okay if you want to go," Ash clarified. "The reason I caught you is that a friend of mine – Gary – wanted to do a trade, and Sableye was on the list."
"Why was there a list?" Sableye asked.
"He's researching Mega Evolution, and I guess he can get his hands on a Sablenite," Brock contributed.
"Wait, I have a Mega-" Sableye gaped. "If you'd said that I wouldn't have bothered fighting!"
"That's a good sign," Ash grinned.
Gary yawned, blinking away sleep. "Okay, Dee, let's do this."
Initializing.
Dee's transfer device lit up, and then the Pokéball vanished in a flash of light. The screen showed a Pokémon rising up it, then switched to the other one and followed it back down.
Registering trade. Transmitting. Recieving. Trade complete.
"What happens if there's a connection problem halfway through?" Gary asked, suddenly curious.
It works out very well, thank you, Dee replied tartly, and then the Pokéball materialized. Done.
A moment later, it flashed and opened.
"...it's pretty dark here," Sableye said, noting the drawn curtains and the lamp. "What time is it?"
"About four in the morning," Gary said, once Dee had provided the subtitles. "So... I guess you're what Ash caught?"
Sableye nodded, giving Gary an appraising look. (With gemstones for eyes, it was quite easy.) "That's me."
A slightly awkward silence developed.
"So," Sableye said, considering. "Mega evolution?"
"Yeah," Gary agreed. "I know someone with a Sablenite, I can borrow it for a fairly long period of time in order to do experiments."
"Sounds neat."
The silence continued.
"What do Mega Sableye look like anyway?"
"From what Ash has told me, they've got a great big super-hard crystal as a shield," Gary replied. "I heard he fought one when he battled Agatha."
"Agatha?" the Sableye asked.
"The Ghost-type Elite Four for Kanto – she retired recently," Gary explained. "Ash did better against her than I did against Siebold, but then again..." he shrugged. "He did have an unfair advantage."
"Siebold?" the Sableye asked. "Sorry, there's all these names..."
"He's one of the Kalos Elite Four. He's got a Mega Blastoise," Gary clarified. "Fun battle."
Another pause, interrupted by a jaw-cracking yawn.
"I think maybe you should get some more sleep," Umbreon suggested, stepping out of a corner of the room. "I'll introduce him to the others."
Sableye jumped. "Where did you-"
"Sounds good," Gary admitted. "Thanks, Umbreon."
"What did Gary get you?" May asked, interested, as Ash took the Pokéball that had replaced Sableye's.
"I'm not sure," Ash admitted. "He kept it kind of secret."
He sent the Pokémon out with a flash.
"...that's kind of unusual," Brock admitted, looking at the blob-like Pokémon.
"Hi?" the Goomy asked, somewhat uncertainly.
Ash crouched down to be closer in height. "Hi," he said, with a smile. "I-"
Mawile interrupted him. "You're so cute!"
"Am I?" Goomy said, thrown. "Wait... are you a Fairy-type?"
"Yep!" Mawile agreed with a nod. "I'm a Mawile! Nice to meet you!"
She hurried over and extended a hand, bending down slightly.
Goomy looked at it.
"What do I do with that?"
"You shake it!" Mawile explained.
"...what with?"
Mawile blinked, looked closer, and pulled her hand back. "Oh, sorry... I didn't see you didn't have any paws..."
Ash chuckled slightly. "I see you've met Mawile."
"She's a lot nicer than some Fairy-types," Goomy said. "Most Fairy-types I've seen are kind of unpleasant..."
"Then they're not nice Pokémon," Mawile said firmly. "Naughty them!"
"Brawly?" Ash called, waving into the surf. "Excuse me?"
Brawly waved back, small with distance, then hopped up on his board as a particularly dramatic breaker came in.
Adjusting his stance, he rode the fore-curl of the wave, and used it to propel him towards the beach at great speed.
"Whoa!" Max gasped. "Now that's an entrance!"
"I just opened the door," Brock muttered. "I don't see why-"
The wave finally collapsed with an almighty crash, and Brawly's hands went out to either side. He used them to adjust his angle as the surfboard leaped forwards, then guided it to ground out gently as the remaining force of the swash dissipated.
"Cowabunga, dude," he grinned. "Both of you ready for this?"
"We sure are!" Max agreed with a nod.
"Right you are, man." Brawly considered. "Let's have the show right here!"
"You mean battle out on the beach?" Ash asked.
"Sure!" Brawly confirmed. "Okay, let's see... one badge team... right, Meditite, you first!"
Meditite duly emerged, landing with a twik on the sand and readying her stance.
"Okay..." Max nodded. "Sparky, you first!"
The Electrike barked, wagging his tail. "My first gym battle!"
"Watch out, Meditite are tough in close combat!" Max said. "Their ability makes them really strong... Thundershock!"
Sparky launched a beam of electricity forwards, and Meditite dodged to one side with a swish before retaliating with a blast of psychic energy.
"Whoa!" Sparky winced, jumping back to get out of the way. "Uh-"
Meditite charged forwards.
"Thunder wave!" Max said quickly.
Electricity crackled out and blasted over Meditite, despite an attempt to block it with power channelled through her palms, and she slowed noticeably.
She was still quite capable of battle, though, and thrust one palm forwards to hit Sparky hard in the flank.
The Force Palm knocked Max's starter several feet through the air before he hit the ground.
"Ow-ow-owwww..." the canine muttered, shaking his head and coming back to his feet.
Max considered the situation, noticing how Meditite was trying to push through the crackling paralysis. "Okay, uh... right! Close in with Dig!"
Sparky nodded, and dug a hole in the sand of the beach before vanishing into it.
Brawly frowned. "That's seriously wack... be ready to react, Meditite."
Meditite nodded, wincing occasionally as the electricity played over her.
For a long moment, nothing happened. Then the ground erupted, and Sparky lunged up out of the sand. "Spark!"
His electricity-infused tackle hit home hard, making Meditite stagger back a bit, and then she countered with a sweeping kick that knocked him away again.
Waiting until he landed, Max recalled him. "Okay, time for a rest... Delta!"
"A Mantyke?" Brawly asked, interested, as Delta materialized – in the surf. "Don't see many of those around here, man."
"Use the waves for a launch!" Max said, and Delta nodded before going underwater with a splish.
"Watch out, Meditite.." Brawly said. "Don't be caught off guard, you dig?"
There was a crash as a wave broke, and Delta shot out of the foamy crest.
"Thunderpunch!" Brawly said quickly.
Meditite drew back her arm-
"Bubblebeam!" Max ordered.
The Mantyke inhaled, fins coming up to slow his flight, and spat a stream of bubbles at Meditite instead of closing in for a Wing Attack. The jet hammered into his target, making her stagger, and by the time she'd recovered Delta was back in the surf and safe.
Meditite glanced at her trainer for advice, and he shrugged. "Tricky one, man."
"Wing Attack this time!" Max called.
Delta shot out of the waves again, steering high by trading momentum for altitude. He curved in, gliding carefully, and Meditite readied a crackling Thunderpunch.
As she was about to throw it, Max put something he'd noticed to the test. "Bubblebeam to steer!"
The Water-type fired another stream of bubbles, and once more the recoil had a considerable effect on his trajectory. This time they slowed him, pushing him a little higher, and Meditite's punch went very nearly wide.
A tiny spark of electricity jumped across from her crackling fist, and he let out a little ow before diving for good and slamming home a Wing Attack.
That was enough to knock the Meditate Pokémon out, and she flopped backwards into the sand with a soft thwap.
"How was that?" Delta asked, waving from the beach – sand clinging to his wet skin. "It worked!"
"It did!" Max agreed. "That boost you got from the waves was great!"
"Man, I should have done this indoors..." Brawly sighed, returning Meditite. "Okay, kid – you're doing pretty well rolling with the blows so far... let's see how you handle Makuhita! Go!"
Max returned Delta as Makuhita came out, not wanting to risk him on the ground just yet.
"Okay, Sparky," he said, switching Pokémon for the second time that battle. "Your go!"
The Electrike seemed a little better off than he'd been when punted halfway across the beach, and shook himself for a moment before nodding. "Right!"
His fur bristled and crackled, and he crouched down a little – ready to spring.
"Wait..." Max said, cautiously. "Until-"
Makuhita blurred forwards, faster than it looked like it should be able to move. Sparky jumped backwards, trying to get a bit out of the way, but only a moment later Makuhita slammed his hands together with a loud clap in a Fake Out.
Knocked backwards by the burst of air, Sparky twisted to try and land on his feet.
He might have managed to, except he'd been knocked seawards and as such landed in the surf zone – and then a wave rolled over him.
"Does that count as Brine?" May asked.
"Good question..."
Sparky burst back out of the waves, spluttering, and ran through the shallowing water back to the beach. Shaking himself drier, he stuck his tongue out. "Pleh... I think I swallowed some..."
"Thunder wave!" Max said, keeping an eye on Makuhita as the Fighting-type lumbered towards his Pokémon.
"Right!" Sparky agreed, and lightning didn't shoot at Makuhita.
"Eh?"
"It's the salt water!" Ash explained. "It messes with Electric-types!"
"Right!" Max said, realizing. "Uh... okay, keep distant for now!"
Sparky dodged aside from an attempt at a Vital Throw, and scampered up the beach to drier sand. "Right..."
He looked at Max. "What do I do now?"
"I'm thinking..." Max said, frowning – then came to a decision. "Okay, Spark – but don't charge it yet!"
Muscles bunching, Sparky ran in. There was a shower of sparks as he tried to boost and failed, and Makuhita stepped back a pace to get a good swing.
"Thunder Wave!" Max said quickly, just as Sparky jumped.
Electricity snapped over the Electrike's green fur, and then discharged into Makuhita's fist as the Fighting-type hit him with a powerful blow.
Something went sailing into the air as Sparky skidded to a halt on the sand, and Brawly and Max both followed its flight.
"What's that, man?" Brawly asked.
"That's Sparky's Magnet!" Max realized. "Was that Knock Off?"
"Must have been," Brawly agreed. "He does know it."
"Right... okay, that makes it trickier," Max said, eyeing Makuhita. He was occasionally crackling with electricity as the paralyzing Thunder Wave played over him, but still seemed quite able to fight.
"Let's try this, then!" he said, walking over to pick up the Magnet. "Dig!"
Wet sand fountained up again as Sparky dug into the beach, then a splash of water.
"I found the sea!" Sparky reported. "Right..."
"Ready..." Brawly said. "Try and feel the vibrations as he digs."
For several seconds, the main sound was the crashing of the waves.
"Now!"
Makuhita punched down as Sparky burst from the ground. The Electric-type got in one good hit, and then the blow arrived.
Sand plumed up in all directions.
"Whoa!" Max gasped, arm up against some of the sand which had come in his direction. "What just-"
As the sand and spray cleared, two things were obvious.
First, Brawly's Makuhita had evolved – though the new Hariyama was still troubled by the Thunder Wave crackling over him.
Second, Sparky was quite thoroughly unconscious.
"It's Guts, Maku – uh, Hariyama's ability," Brawly explained. "It means he's able to power through any kind of status effect – paralysis, poison, even being set on fire just makes him more powerful!"
Max winced. "Ouch..."
He recalled Sparky. "Hey, Ash – can Meganium heal him?"
"She's not in rotation at the moment, sorry," Ash apologized.
"Okay," Max said, with a sigh. "I guess – do you mind if we take him to the Pokémon Centre after the battle? That would delay yours..."
"That's fine," Ash told him.
"Okay – right, Delta, let's finish this!"
"Tyke!" Delta agreed, emerging and making straight for the water.
"Here we go again..." Brawly sighed. "Dude, this isn't supposed to be a game of whack-a-Diglett."
Max shrugged. "Hmm... so, Guts means that paralysis makes Hariyama stronger... right! Delta!"
The manta-ray briefly hopped out of the ocean, and waved before vanishing back in again.
"Supersonic!"
"Wuh-oh..." Brawly winced. "Hands over your ears, Hariyama!"
The big Fighting-type tried to put his hands over his ears to block the sound, but that didn't entirely work. Joints stiff from the paralysis, he only managed to cover one ear before the screeching-clicking Supersonic echoed out of the surf zone.
It was audible over the crashing of the waves, though barely, for the humans – who winced.
Hariyama was at the focal point, though, and got barraged by a stream of discordant sounds.
He frowned, waving his free hand around to try to fend it off, then staggered a bit.
"Great!" Max said. "Now – Wing Attack!"
Delta launched himself out of the waves, flapped his wing-fins as hard as he could to gain a little more speed, and bored in to hit Hariyama in the shoulder.
His attack went in, and then Hariyama tried to slap the annoying Water-type out of the air.
He missed, and punched himself roundly in the cheek. The impact actually spun him around a quarter turn, and he flopped to the floor.
"...wait, did he just knock himself out?" Brawly asked. He slumped. "Dude... I know my thing is rolling with the waves, but..."
"He did?" Max repeated. Then a grin broke out. "I won!"
"You did all right, little dude," Brawly agreed, coming over to shake his hand. "Won fair and square."
He looked down at the unconscious Hariyama. "I hope that's not going to bruise... that'd be a downer."
"How did we do?" Sparky asked, once revived. "I thought we were doing okay, but then everything kind of went dark..."
"You did well!" Ash assured him. "He had Guts, which meant he was stronger because he was paralyzed, but that just helped Delta finish him off."
He grinned. "You and Delta were a good team!"
"Thanks!" Sparky yipped, wagging his tail. "Maybe we can help to beat the next gym too!"
"That might be difficult..." Max said. "Wasn't it Wattson next?"
"That's right," Ash confirmed. "Sparky, Guy and Cinder would be okay, Delta would be in serious trouble with that weakness."
"Awww..." Sparky sighed. "Okay, good point. I guess we can't do teamwork if he gets knocked out by one Shockwave..."
"Actually, that reminds me," Ash admitted. "I was wondering who to use in my battle against Brawly."
He turned a little, and addressed empty air. "Feel up to a gym battle yet?"
"Not sure," Latios squeaked. "I've got a couple of Psychic moves... do you think it's enough?"
"Your invisibility and flying are the big advantages," Ash pointed out. "And the speed, the speed is a huge thing."
Latios nodded uncertainly, though Ash couldn't see him. "I guess..."
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on what's going on and let you know what you should be doing," Ash assured him. "It'll be fine."
"I guess," Latios said. "Okay, I'll do it."
Ash smiled. "Good. Okay, and as for the others..."
He tapped two Pokéballs on his belt to make sure they were there. "These two first. Then Pidgeot, then Meganium, and then Keldeo if it's a six-a-side."
Pikachu pouted. "No me?"
"I can't use you every gym battle, Pikachu!" Ash replied, a little exasperated. "The others deserve turns too."
"Sure, I just..." Pikachu shook his head. "No, you're right. I'm just being difficult, you do have me fight a lot of the wild Pokémon we run into."
Ash hid a smile, remembering Pikachu refining one of his Shockwave variants on a Barboach which had quickly gone from confused to panicked.
"Tell you what," he said, with a chuckle. "We're going to run into the idiots on Team Magma or Team Aqua sooner or later. You can certainly go for them."
"I like it!"Pikachu said, accepting the concession. "I just wonder-"
"Freeze!"
They turned to the doors, blinking.
A half-dozen or so goons in blue pirate costumes barged through the doors.
"We claim this Pokémon centre for Team Aqua!"
"Mr. Ketchum?" the Joy called.
"Yeah?" Ash replied, glancing around.
"Please don't break the building."
"Got it!" Ash called back. "Think you can handle it, Pikachu?"
Pikachu's cheeks sparked as the various goons sent out Poochyena, Krabby, a Surskit and two Clamperl. "You bet I can!"
Launching himself off Ash's shoulder, Pikachu charged. In two senses of the word.
"Stop that shock rat!" one of the Aqua thugs shouted, and then Pikachu attacked.
He started off with a sizzling Thunderbolt which knocked one of the Clamperl for six, then jumped over the grasping claws of two of the three Krabby and landed squarely in front of the four Poocheyna.
His knuckles cracked. "Right. Force Palm!"
"Force what!?" a Poochyena yipped, and then found out. The impact sent him sailing back through the open doors, and Pikachu's tail whipped out to knock the forelegs out from under another one.
As he strafed that one with a quick Thundershock to keep it down, the other two Poochyena darted out to get some distance.
"Bubble!" an Aqua goon ordered.
Pikachu jumped, avoiding the first rush of the attack, and launched out a crackling wave of electrical energy which left the Surskit and two of the Krabby blasted.
"Stop it, you idiots!" said one of the Aqua members, who seemed to be moderately in charge. "It's just a Pikachu!"
Pikachu landed on sprightly feet, and was bowled over by a rush from the two remaining Poochyena.
The one who'd hit him harder growled, teeth bared, and then Pikachu showed his displeasure with a Thunderbolt that knocked the Dark-type flying. A slap with an Iron Tail made the final Poochyena back off with a whimper, and then Pikachu completed the set with an Electroball that engulfed both the Krabby and the Clamperl.
As the two Water-types collapsed, the Aqua Grunts exchanged shocked glances.
"Run!" one of them shouted, and they legged it for the door.
As they reached it, though, a woman on a large black-and-white Pokémon rode up to it.
"What's all this, then?" the local Jenny asked, dismounting from her Zebstrika.
"...unfortunately, they don't know anything about the wider group's operations," the Jenny said, with a shrug. "Classic cell organization – none of them bothered to even ask about what they weren't being told."
"Right," Brock nodded. "I'm impressed by how quickly you responded, by the way."
She gave a small smile, pleased. "I try to put the effort in – our gym leader's a tough one, but he's not always very... dedicated?"
"I never thought of that," May said, interested. "Well, thanks for the help, I guess."
"Thank you," the Jenny said, indicating Pikachu especially. "Someone might have ended up hurt."
She frowned. "Well, aside from them..."
AN:
More pre-gym stuff. (There's a lot.)
First off... this is what Celebi does when she notices something late. When late means something in metatime... anyway, she was in kind of a hurry.
We have Mudkip/Marshtomp, back and reminded, bringing Brock up to eight all told. And here's the trade!
Well done to those who guessed right what Gary caught. Yes, their goo is green – look at Goodra's art.
Then we have Max's second badge, and a quick pause before it's Ash's go.
(Tip: do not attack a Pokémon Centre with Ash in.)
