Hello again, I've managed to get another one out. Anybody ready to see another Gym battle? Good news, we're heading to Azalea Town and we're about to get one. So let's get this battle set up.

Chapter 14: Buggy Azalea

After a climatic encounter with the Unown, Ash and his friends bid a farewell to Molly and her family as they prepared for the continuation of their journey across Johto. Molly would soon have a chance to leave her mark on the Pokémon world while Ash was free to continue his journey with a new chapter etched into his epic. He knew that one day he would see the results of his actions come around again but the chance to progress now was something that he could not wait for.

Even after the sidestep in their journey, Ash was now only a short distance away from Azalea Town while he prepared for the opportunity to reach the halfway point of his journey. The fellowship left the Hale residence first thing in the morning while looking forward to their next destination with the bump in their journey now dealt with.

The sun was rising and Ash had a sight of Azalea Town in the distance. Will pointed to the town in question, "There we are Ash. The next point of our journey. A fair divergence from the usual city isn't it?"

Ash commented, "It's always nice to get away from a redundant setting. I bet there's a lot to see out here as well."

Karen agreed, "It's nice to be back where I was born. I barely ever get a chance to meet every now and again."

Sabrina observed, "So this is your hometown?"

Karen corrected, "This is where I was born but I didn't spend much of my life actually living here. There's a reason this place only has a notable reputation for being the home of the Azalea Gym."

Ash looked to the outer edges of the town when he realized, "This is the place of the Bug gym leader isn't it?"

Will confirmed, "It is. You've been preparing yourself quite well Ash."

Ash chuckled when he told them, "Boy I had a friend who would have absolutely hated this place."

Sabrina looked to find the Gym nearby when she asked, "So shall we get the first thing we can out of the way?"

Will agreed, "Bugsy is probably waking up right now. He'll certainly be looking forward to a challenge."

Ash prepared his pokeballs when he agreed, "This is going to be awesome. It makes me just want to rush through the rest of the gyms already."

Sabrina placed a hand on his shoulder when she reminded, "Just don't lose your head when you go in there. You don't want your judgement to be clouded by your ambitions."

Inside the giant dome that resembled the Celadon City Gym, Ash felt as though he hadn't even stepped inside a building. A forest was contained with multiple trees and bug Pokémon that observed his entry while his friends followed. Ash saw the battlefield nearby while a few bug catchers were having fun with their environment. Will walked up to them when he asked, "Hey guys. Is the Gym Leader here?"

A young boy looked up to see Will when he nodded, "Oh yeah. Bugsy's been waiting for somebody to challenge him." He stood up when he shouted, "Bugsy! You have a challenger!"

A lavender haired boy around the same age jumped down from a nearby tree when he told him, "Hey Benny this better not be an excuse to… Uh… Uh oh…" Bugsy was in shock when he saw two particular trainers walk into his Gym. Will Serenity and Karen Lee stood in his presence and he wasn't sure how to react. He stood to attention when he greeted, "Uh hi guys. I didn't expect either of you to be here. I'm not being subject to a surprise evaluation am I?"

Will shook his head when he told him, "Oh no Bugsy. Well we are here to evaluate but not you in particular. Your position isn't at risk."

Karen nodded, "We've just been tagging along with an up and coming young man who wants to prove himself to the world. You've probably heard the story several dozen times already."

Both Karen and Will stepped aside when Ash and Sabrina stepped forward when Ash greeted, "Hi, so you're the Gym Leader huh?" Bugsy wasn't sure if the idea of facing either of the Elite Four or a proven League Champion was more intimidating. Either way he had a feeling he wasn't going to get off easy today.

Bugsy hid his fear when he stepped back and greeted, "Oh hi there. I'm Bugsy! I never lose when it comes to bug Pokémon. My research is going to make me the authority on bug Pokémon! Let me demonstrate what I've learned from my studies."

Ash agreed, "You're on. I'm ready for anything." Pikachu and Mew stood back as they watched their owner step up to the battlefield to prepare himself for another decisive battle.

Benny stood in the middle of them when he announced, "All participants. We are now witnessing a two-on-two gym battle between Gym Leader Bugsy Jayne and the challenger Ash Ketchum, Kanto Champion. Ready… Fight!"

Bugsy threw out his first Pokéball when he ordered, "Go! Ariados!"

Ash prepared himself when he announced, "Go! Growlithe!"

At the center of the battlefield of the gym, Ash's Growlithe was face to face with the red spider Pokémon. Ash already had a type advantage against his opponent, but Bugsy wasn't ready to back down at the first sight. Bugsy gave the first order, "A battle depends on more than just one advantage. Ariados! Use String Shot!" Ariados opened his mouth and shot multiple white strings towards Growlithe.

Ash saw Growlithe being wrapped in the thick white material in what should have resulted in his inability to move. Ash was prepared for such a trick however. "Growlithe! Use Flame Wheel!" With the order given, Growlithe's whole body became enveloped in flames as it burned away the white material like it was a pile of dry autumn leaves waiting for its time to be disposed. Growlithe wasn't finished though as he ran towards Ariados and gave a mighty tackle.

Bugsy was in an immediate state of panic when he saw the display. His Pokémon was already subject to his weakness even though he tried to prevent it. He gave another order, "Ariados! Use Sword Dance and then follow with Sticky Web!" Ariados followed the order as he spun around in a circle and felt the flames brush off him. He prepared for a follow up when he prepared a mighty glob of web material from his mouth and shot it towards Growlithe.

Ash responded to the attack, "Growlithe! Fire Blast!" The small canine fired a star-shaped fire attack from his mouth as it soared through the glob of web material with ease and then made contact with Ariados. As the attack was finished, Ariados took the full force of the attack and curled up as he was left in a defeated burnt crisp.

Busy was disappointed but accepted, "You did what you could Ariados. Return."

Ash congratulated, "Great job Growlithe. Return."

Bugsy held onto his other Pokéball when he warned, "Just because you have the type advantage, don't assume you've won."

Ash took hold of his other Pokéball when he agreed, "I won't. Now let's see what else you got."

Bugsy threw out his other Pokéball when he ordered, "Go! Scizor!"'

Ash in the meantime prepared himself, "Go! Charizard!"

At the center of the battlefield, two Pokémon of roughly the same size stood in front of each other. One the faithful draconic Pokémon Ash had raised from the ground up against the bipedal, insectoid Pokémon with its red metallic exoskeleton. Even with both intimidating Pokémon on the field, Bugsy was left to cringe at the clear advantage Ash had against him. "Just one hit from that and it's over…" Bugsy realized in reference to Fire having such a strong effect on both Bug and Steel types.

Bugsy didn't back down however when he ordered, "Make it quick Scizor! Hit him with Iron head!" Scizor responded to the order by having his steel head glow white and then preparing with a mighty charge towards Charizard.

Ash was prepared for the attack however when he ordered, "Charizard! Flamethrower!" Charizard opened his mouth as he released a red-orange stream of fire towards the charging Scizor.

Bugsy saw the immediate danger that he was facing when he ordered, "Scizor! Agility!" Scizor broke his Iron Head attack as he jumped around the stream of fire that Charizard shot out and then moved around his opponent at a blazing speed with only a white trail of energy to signify his previous place. Bugsy watched Scizor escape his firey fate when he ordered, "Double Team and then X-Scissor!"

Scizor glowed white as he created multiple copies of himself and prepared for another attack on Charizard. The two dozen Scizors crossed their arms as they glowed a light purple before charging towards Charizard in an 'X' like fashion. Ash didn't need to be psychic to recognize the challenge that the multiple attacking Bug Pokémon were preparing but it was far from something that would bring his downfall.

Ash countered the tactic when he ordered, "Charizard! Fire Spin! Use it on the third one in the back!"

Charizard heard the order as he opened his mouth and a flame shot towards the Scizor in the back row of the clones. As Scizor was cut off from his attack again, he was twisted around in a mighty flame that seared his body and caused the other Scizors to disappear. Scizor fell to the ground as he was left to endure the first direct fire attack he was hit with.

Bugsy was left with even more legitimate concern at Scizors damage but found he wouldn't have anything to counter with when he heard Ash order, "Now Charizard! Flare Blitz!" Charizards body surrounded itself in red-orange fire before diving down to the ground with the might of a missile as he took aim at Scizor. Before Bugsy could tell Scizor to dodge, a roaring explosion erupted from the ground as a mighty blaze reached up to the ceiling of the Gym dome. The explosion subsided after a few seconds as Charizard flew back and brushed off some of the char from his body after the attack. Meanwhile, Scizor was left in the center of the newly formed crater of the battlefield. He was completely burnt and unable to stand after the powerful attack while his dizzy eyes offered the only sign of him still being alive.

Benny poked his head out of the crater when he confirmed to everyone, "All of the gym leader's Pokémon have been defeated. Ash Ketchum is the winner."

Bugsy returned Scizor to Pokéball when he admitted his defeat. "Wow. You sure are the expert on Pokémon like you've built yourself up to be Ash. My research has a long way to go. In the meantime I have to admit your victory. You earned the Hive Badge."

Ash returned Charizard to his Pokéball when he met with Bugsy to accept, "Thanks Bugsy. I wish this was a bit more climatic but rules are rules I guess." He accepted the badge and added it to his undershirt next to the other three. Even with such a one-sided battle, Ash was still happy about the result. "I'm half way there. This has been going great."

Bugsy congratulated, "I bet it will be exciting to see you in the League Ash. Although I would prefer seeing more powerful trainers like you take up the roster every year."

Will entered the conversation, "It would be nice to see challengers such as him but a man like him only comes every so many years. Let alone one that has a Mew at his side."

Bugsy looked over Ash's shoulder to see Mew and Pikachu still next to the girls and was reminded of Ash's true potential. "Wow and you didn't even use Mew as one of your Pokémon for this battle. I bet Kurt would see you as one of the few aspiring trainers worth his time other than doing business."

Ash was curious at the mention when he asked, "Who's Kurt?"

Karen and Sabrina met with the gathering when Karen answered, "That old guy is still here? Is he still as stuck up about Pokéballs like he was back in the day?"

Bugsy shrugged when he answered, "I don't know, he's been around since I was born."

Karen groaned at the answer when she told him, "You aren't that much older than me kid."

Sabrina asked, "You said that he was obsessed with Pokéballs. Is that the line of business he works in?"

Karen confirmed, "Yeah, Kurt is a very traditional kind of guy and is one of the few people who makes Pokéballs by hand these days. According to him it's his family legacy to make them that's been upheld since people started making them. As you might be able to guess he usually gets business only by passersby trainers who forgot to buy some in another nearby town."

Sabrina agreed with the assumption when she commented, "I never thought there was much of a difference between a Pokéball that was handmade or just made from a factory. The only one that I can think of is that someone probably wouldn't accidently create a Voltorb."

Will offered, "I suppose some of us would probably need to restock on Pokéballs anyway. There can't be any cause of delay in stopping by."

Karen agreed, "I wouldn't mind seeing how he's holding up anyway. I need another one to stay ready."

Sabrina turned her head when she told them, "I think I should check around this town. I sensed something off."

Ash looked around when he commented, "That's weird. I didn't sense anything myself."

Will waved his hand when he offered, "Perhaps you are still excited after winning this battle Ash. We'll let you know if we need your help."

Bugsy accepted, "I have to go to the Pokémon Center to be somewhat ready for more trainers coming this way. I hope I don't have to deal with any more trainers who are as powerful as Ash."

Ash and Karen made their way to the house that Kurt resided in before entering to find a very plain single room household with a kitchen in one corner and a mighty blazing stone oven next to a workbench on the other. A little girl turned to announce, "Grandpa, we have customers!"

A gray haired old man turned to see Ash and Karen enter his house when he removed a green Pokéball from the giant oven with a pair of tongs when he thanked, "Good work Maizie. Prepare the inventory for whatever they might ask for. Ah, and not just normal guests I see."

Karen greeted, "Hey Kurt. It's been a long time hasn't it?"

Kurt nodded, "Yes. So you came to pay this old man a visit eh? And who might this young man be?"

Ash returned the greeting, "I'm Ash Ketchum. The Mew and Pikachu are with me if that's okay."

Kurt studied Ash for a few seconds when he told him, "Pokémon are welcome inside. The only thing I ask is that you leave your shoes on the mat."

Ash untied his shoes while Karen slipped of her yellow heels. Kurt gestured to a nearby table when he offered, "Now then I suppose we will have some business to discuss if there is anything other than sharing memories you had planned."

Ash walked over to the table as he matched Kurt's sitting posture by sitting on his knees when he answered, "Well I would like to get some Pokéballs and I think Karen needs one also."

Kurt told him, "That is what few guests I get these days come for boy. With you however, a boy who has actually mastered training a Mew, you need more than just another Pokéball. Assuming you know everything to know about them of course."

Ash asked, "What do you mean? I've caught a lot of Pokémon and I know how to use them."

Karen smirked, "Now you've got him ready to start."

Kurt told Ash, "Oh you have a lot to learn boy. These Pokéballs that are manufactured so much these days are ones that require more work out of trainers who are aiming to assemble the best team they can create. All because a few men met with the ambition for making a fortune off of the struggle of trainers who are in the same situation. Those people design them so that a trainer has to beat a Pokémon into utter submission just to have a real chance at capturing them. And if they break, then it all brings the trainer back to the Pokémarts to buy even more. I however believe in building a trust between other trainers. I believe that they deserve to be rewarded for being willing to invest a portion of their lives in capturing the wonders of nature that bless our existence. Pokémon deserve the best accommodation that a trainer can offer and the best Pokéball built by hands who have known them for centuries are those who can offer such a way."

Maizie walked up to the table with a long box as she set it on the table between the three when she offered, "That's one of each Grandpa."

Ash asked, "It's nice to hear that you want to Kurt. I guess I could give you a chance."

Kurt drew the box towards him when he agreed, "A wise decision. Of course the purchase you make is all dependent on what it is you hope to catch."

Ash asked, "What does that have to do with anything?"

Kurt opened the box to show two dozen different Pokéballs of different color to Ash and Karen. He explained, "Well boy, have you ever been to the Safari Zone?"

Ash confirmed, "I caught a lot of Tauros there one time."

Kurt pointed to a Safari Ball when he began, "The Safari Ball is indeed a Pokéball that you could use to capture any Pokémon, but it is one that has been designed with the intention of capturing wild Pokémon tagged in the Safari Zones. This allows trainers to capture wild Pokémon the way the zones design them to be caught. This is the difference between a Pokéball you are familiar with and this one. But there is a greater variety that I myself have crafted over the years."

Kurt began to go through the various types of balls when he explained, "This one will offer a greater chance of capturing a Pokémon you have just fished out of the water. This one will make it easier for you to capture a heavy Pokémon, the heavier they are the more likely it will succeed in fact. This one will allow you to have a better chance capturing a Pokémon the longer you remain in battle with it. And this one… well if your Pokémon has its eye on a mate, this one is very effective."

Ash was intrigued by the explanation when he told Kurt, "I didn't know it was possible to have Pokéballs work this way."

Kurt nodded, "You can be a cut above the regular trainer when you follow my words and use the finest Pokéball for a particular situation. So is there any type in particular that you might be hoping to use?"

Karen spoke up, "As you might guess I'd like just the regular kind. Being an Elite Four, the only challenge I have these days is hoping my Pokéball can hold a Pokémon."

Kurt took out a Pokéball that resembled the regular one when he agreed, "I will respect your desire Karen."

Ash thought about what he was being offered when he decided, "Well I am hoping to capture a Dark type Pokémon at some point. More important to me right now would be an Ice type. I probably could also catch another dragon type if I want to go for some extra power. I guess a Steel type would be another one that I could go for. Those are the ones I can think of right away. Which ones would be the best for me?"

Kurt pointed to several of the Pokéballs he had on display when he answered, "The first one you would want is this Dusk Ball. This one works best in a cave or at night. The perfect time when you will most likely find a Dark type. This Dive Ball is meant for water types but it is one that can work wonders on capturing an Ice type. And this Heavy Ball here, this one will easily capture a Dragon or Steel type if you are hoping to capture something as mighty as a Salamence or a Steelix."

Ash accepted, "Okay, I'll give those things a try. You got a sale."

Kurt saw Ash take out his Pokédevice when he prepared to transfer money to Kurt's account but told him, "I'm afraid that I might be a bit more traditional than you had hoped. I don't have a personal account."

Ash was stumped when he heard the confession and asked, "Uh, do you think you can hold them for me for just a little bit?"

Kurt nodded, "These won't be headed anywhere today. Just come back here with the money." Ash walked out and Karen offered Kurt a few Pokédollars when she paid for her Pokéball. Kurt observed, "Didn't know you would garner a taste for younger men Karen. Someone powerful enough to control a Mew is certainly not someone to look down on I must admit."

Karen took her Pokéball when she told him, "I might have had a chance but he's pretty happy in the relationship he has now. I don't really plan on being a relationship breaker. I'm not that head over heels about him."

Kurt commented, "Ah so he's that far already is he? But you wouldn't say no to have a chance to be with him would you?"

Karen looked to the nearest window when she told him, "I think I know what you might be implying old man. Ash has got serious potential but I don't know if he has that much."

Kurt asked, "You mean in handling more than one woman or having the opportunity to gasp that right?"

Karen told him, "Could be one or the other. But everything would have to go just right before we even have the chance to know what the answer could be."

Will and Sabrina made their way to the Slowpoke Well as they looked down into the dark hole where Slowpoke drank their water. Will observed, "You don't seem quite as anxious as you were before."

Sabrina told him, "It's just a few things that have been on my mind. For the most part they've been dealt with. I never thought I would be going through so many emotions at the idea of committing to a relationship."

Will agreed, "You are in the early days of being with Ash just so you remember. I am interested in knowing however, did you manage to have a chance to speak with Karen a little bit?"

Sabrina shook her head, "I haven't had the chance. It's been a short time since we left Greenfield so there might still be a few opportunities."

Will reminded her, "It would be a good idea to do so. You wouldn't even have to concern yourself with any comments she has about him or you."

Sabrina accepted, "I know. I just don't feel the need to do so. This is the first time I ever had to deal with the idea of friends so I'm probably still getting used to the idea."

Will added, "That might be the case. When Ash gave you your humanity he did something that most people don't do for each other. As you progress through life it will be necessary to understand that it is better to be friends with others than be suspicious of their desires."

Sabrina sighed as she continued looking into the well when she agreed, "I'll see if I can work on my relationship with her when we leave town."

Behind the two psychics, the sound of two men panting could be heard as they climbed their way up the mountain and towards the well. One man pulled up the other when he told him, "Come on, we're here at the right time and we got to be quick!"

The other asked, "Why can't we move our store a little closer to here so that we don't have to walk so much?"

The other told him, "Because people are going to get suspicious. That's why… eek!" The two men were shocked to attention as they saw Sabrina and Will in front of them. The man forced his hands behind him when he asked, "Uh… Wow uh… What brings you guys here?"

Sabrina answered, "I was planning on a bit of reflection but it seems that I was sensing something."

Will agreed, "So it would seem. Perhaps it would benefit you to tell us about what brings you both here."

The other man answered, "We were here to uh… Pray! You know we just can't get enough rain after all!"

Sabrina called on her powers as she caused the first man to drop the machete that was in his hands behind him. She looked at the ground when she asked, "Does someone need a permit to bring that to this place in particular?"

Will told her, "No, but I believe there has been a few reports of illegal cutters in previous years. Those Slowpoke won't be able to survive as long if they continue to have their tails cut off. You two wouldn't happen to be the cutters would you?"

The man with the machete panicked when he asked, "So what if you can guess? We were ready for this! Go Koffing!"

The other ordered, "Go Zubat!"

The two Pokémon stood in front of Sabrina and Will but were both undaunted by the sight. "A little exercise doesn't hurt. Go Jynx!"

Sabrina joined in the action when she summoned, "Go Tyrogue!" Jynx and Tyrogue stood in front of the opposing Pokémon prepared for battle. Sabrina gave the first order, "Tyrogue! Use Mega Kick!"

Will ordered, "Jynx! Use Ice Beam!" As the orders were given, Tyrogue gave a mighty kick to the Koffing while Zubat was blasted away with a mighty beam of ice. The two intruding trainers looked on in disbelief when they saw their Pokémon shot across the sky without any hope of being brought back to defend them."

The first one said, "We are in some serious shit! Now what?"

The second one answered, "We push through! It's not like we have any superstitions to worry about!" At those words the machete they had dropped was levitating in the air right behind them as it offered a swipe across the top of their heads only to graze their hair.

Will warned, "It would seem the spirits of the displeased Slowpoke aren't about to let you off that easy." The two men held each other as they ran away screaming at the sight of the machete that threatened to cut them. They ran down the mountain in a roll with only the comfort of getting away from the threat as their reward.

Sabrina allowed the machete to drop to the ground when she returned Tyrogue and commented, "Not even enough for a stretch I have to say."

Will returned Jynx when he agreed, "This sort of thing happens every now and again doesn't it?"

Sabrina accepted, "Even in these cases, I need to become as strong as possible. Tyrogue isn't going to achieve anything if we don't face anything that can improve him."

And there's another one down folks. This tragically one-sided battle was very one-sided but when an Ash Ketchum who's actually competent uses Pokémon to win a battle, there isn't much of a different outcome is there?

The best part is that we are now half way through Johto and Ash will be ready to take on the League. In the meantime I will be adding as much action as possible and giving the characters a chance to develop as well.

Most of this is pretty much just nail-biting buildup before we get to some of the really good stuff though and all of that is going to be coming once we reach near the end.

Until then, I look forward to seeing you all next chapter.