Hey guys. Another update finally. Sorry for missing last week, Hearts of Iron IV is my excuse. But getting underway we'll have a chance to see Ash take on Violet City at last.

Chapter 15: Hey Violet

Ash and his friends had taken a day to cross the road on Route 32 as they came across the next city that was waiting for them. Despite the modest requests from Sabrina and Karen for a brief break from the traveling, Ash had become as excitable as he was in his early days as a trainer. He was half way towards becoming a participant in the Johto League and he did not want to wait another second before he had the chance to claim another championship.

As his friends came upon the view of the next city, Will pointed to the city of nostalgic scents itself that lay on the horizon. "There's Violet City Ash. Just as you hoped we are now within walking distance of another target Gym."

Ash nodded, "That's the place alright. Having one day off from battling has gotten me anxious. I want to just rush in and get another badge."

Karen looked on when she told him, "This is usually the first place that new trainers in Johto go to when they start their journey. After everything I wouldn't be surprised to see another big win for you kid."

Sabrina asked, "Do you plan on moving out as soon as you win this one?"

Ash confirmed, "I want to head out as soon as I can. After this I'll be so close I can almost taste being close to the League."

Sabrina tried to tell him, "You do know that we have to…" Before she could tell him the rest of her reminder she saw Ash rushing off to the entrance of Violet City with absolute headfirst speed and towards the Gym.

Mew stayed behind when she told her, "He is very much in character isn't he? Once he sees something he wants to grasp he just can't let anyone else get in his way."

Sabrina sighed when she decided, "Maybe he'll think a little clearer once he has to consider the situation."

Karen told her, "He probably will. It's not like there's any harm in allowing for the most immediate goals to be taken care of right?"

Will told them, "We had best catch up to him ladies or else we will miss his battle with Falkner." The trainers and the Pokémon following them ran towards the Gym with Ash leading the way as another chapter in the battling history of Ash Ketchum was about to unfold.

Ash in the meantime asked, "Hey Pikachu. You ready for a real workout?"

Entering the Violet City Gym, Ash saw two trainers inside waiting for the next challenger when he announced, "Hey guys. I'm here to challenge Falkner."

The bird trainer named Abe welcomed, "You've come to the right place. You can find him on the top floor if you feel like you're ready."

The bird trainer named Rod added, "I've got to oversee this one. Let's see if you have what it takes to win kid."

Before any of them could make their way to the nearest elevator, Ash turned to see Will, Sabrina, and Karen make their way in as Will commented, "Your enthusiasm is one that I cannot look down on Ash. But at least allow us to have an opportunity to witness another of your achievements."

Sabrina agreed, "Karen informs me that the others after this will be much harder. Perhaps you won't be as anxious to rush in so fast then?"

Ash scratched the back of his head when he told them, "Sorry guys. Just been looking forward to this is all. We're only now getting ready to head up."

Karen invited herself and the others to the battle when she told them, "Let's see if you manage to handle something this easy then oh great champion."

The fellowship of trainers made their way onto the elevator as Rod showed them the way to the top floor before the battle could begin. It was only a short ride up as the elevator doors opened after a minute and allowed a view of the Violet City skyline. Ash walked out with Pikachu on his shoulder when he looked across the battlefield to see a blue haired young man around his age with his arm stretched out and a Noctowl landing on his forearm.

Ash walked forward when he asked, "Hi there. Are you the Gym leader here?"

The blue haired gym leader introduced, "I'm Falkner, the Violet Pokémon Gym leader. People say you can clip flying-type Pokémon's wings with a jolt of electricity… I won't allow such insults to bird Pokémon! I'll show you the real power of the magnificent bird type!"

Ash ran to the box on his side of the battlefield when he accepted, "Nice to see that you're ready to get formalities out of the way so fast. I'm ready for anything you have to throw at me."

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

Falkner threw out his Pokéball when he ordered, "Go! Pidgeot!"

Ash prepared himself for the battle at hand when he ordered, "It's your turn Pikachu! Let's see some action!"

At the center of the battlefield, Ash's double sized Pikachu was still only half the Pidgeot's size but had no reason to be afraid of what was coming. Falkner did not acknowledge this as a trouble however when he ordered, "Pidgeot! Prepare Hurricane!" At Falkner's order, Pidgeot's wings glowed light blue and then began to flap them in order to release a powerful gust of wind in Pikachu's direction.

Ash stood undaunted at the attack when he ordered, "Pikachu! Use Zap Cannon!" Pikachu's entire body was surrounded in electricity before releasing an orb of electric energy towards the Pidgeot mustering the mighty storm. The orb hit Pidgeot square in its chest and caused an immediate stop to the growing wind as it came crashing down to the ground.

Falkner looked to his Pokémon and asked, "Pidgeot? Can you move?" Pidgeot responded by struggling to stand up only to fall flat on the ground again. Disappointed by the results he took out his Pokéball and offered, "Don't be discouraged. You'll do better next time." A red beam drew Pidgeot back into its containment where he would offer his first bird Pokémon a rest.

Ash told him, "I hope it's not too much trouble but I don't plan on swapping out this time."

Falkner prepared himself when he warned, "That's fine. We can just keep this moving. Consider this a compliment, I haven't had to use my strongest in a long while." He drew out his arm when he commanded, "Noctowl! Show them what you can really do!" Noctowl flew off Falkner's arm and towards the battlefield as he prepared to take on Pikachu. Falkner was quick to offer the first attack when he immediately ordered, "Use Synchronoise!"

Ash recognized the attack when he ordered, "Pikachu! Quick Attack!"

Falkner grinned when he convinced himself that he was able to win against an attack that didn't even match the power of Noctowl's psychic attack. He watched as Noctowl flew in the air and glowed a rainbow aura before crashing down to the ground feet first. With a mighty sound the rainbow aura made its way across the battlefield as it spread across the two trainers on both sides.

Falkner looked to see Noctowl fully confident in the success of his attack while seeing Ash still standing. "You seem like you haven't even endured an attack that was devastating to you." He observed

Ash agreed, "It's a good thing I try to diversify my party at all times. That attack would have beat all my electric types if I had any others… Of course that attack would have had to hit."

Falkner's face dropped at the comment when he asked, "What?" He saw Noctowl rise up from the ground only to see Pikachu was still not to be seen defeated.

This concern would have been enough if he didn't hear Ash order, "Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" From the sky above, Pikachu came diving down with a mighty electric shock that came crashing down to Noctowl's location. Noctowl took the full force of the attack as he was shocked to the ground and fell down with a mighty thud at the attack. Pikachu landed safely on the ground as he brushed off the dirt on his arms with a confident display of victory.

Falkner made his way over to Noctowl and scooped him in his arms when he cursed, "My dad's cherish bird Pokémon… Well… A defeat is a defeat."

Rod lifted his arm when he proclaimed, "All of the Gym Leader's Pokémon have been defeated. Ash Ketchum is the winner…" The psychic users at the time were able to hear Rod's sentence complete, "Of this very decidedly one-sided battle…"

Ash made his way to the center where he asked, "Noctowl isn't in too rough shape is he?"

Falkner shook his head, "He had to prepare for days such as these. It would seem that your Pikachu is just that strong after all. As such you've earned this badge." Falkner took out one of the Zephyr badges and handed it to Ash who accepted it eagerly and added it to his undershirt.

Ash felt himself more excited by the achievement when he told himself, "This is awesome. Three more and I'm ready."

Falkner agreed, "And you seem to have gotten the other beginning gyms out of the way as well. I don't know if you're hoping to hear this, but trust me Ash that the remaining three you have left are going to provide more of a challenge than even my strongest could have offered."

Ash nodded, "At least not everything is going to be handed to me. Maybe we'll meet again at the League."

Falkner confirmed, "That will be my job. I do hope you continue to prove yourself."

After another win on Ash's part, the Johto region was now well on its way to being completely won while he continued to make a charge across the land of challengers waiting for him. The fellowship was now traversing across Route 36 with the next city in sight while considering the next destination.

Sabrina congratulated, "I knew Pikachu would always be able to offer a rather… electric display of winning."

Pikachu accepted the scratches to his head while Karen asked, "So what did Pikachu even do? Did he really manage to jump high enough that he was able to avoid that last… and only attack?"

Will confirmed, "That was half of the plan. Ash did tell Pikachu to Quick Attack and that did require him making a very high jump into the air. That would have provided enough of a window of the opportunity to avoid the range of the attack."

Ash confirmed, "That was the idea. I haven't seen Synchronoise before but I've had a little bit of a reminder about what it does when I checked my Pokédex one time."

Sabrina observed, "And because Pikachu was able to make such a leap he had the opportunity to avoid the attack entirely and strike down Noctowl like he was nothing."

Ash agreed, "I kind of feel bad making Falkner eat his words about how flying have a chance against electric types… But hey, I got to keep going forward somehow."

Karen agreed, "It's been such a short amount of time since you even got to this region and you've already been cleaning up house like your life depends on it. You're definitely proving that you earned your Championship in Kanto at least."

Ash accepted the complement when he agreed, "Yeah, this has been pretty fun although I hope the upcoming three are going to provide more of a challenge. My Pokémon really need to be pushed to their limits if they're going to get stronger."

Will pointed out, "That's a fair statement. The Pokémon you have been facing have even been their more powerful choices."

Ash was curious about the point when he asked, "So they weren't holding back on me?"

Karen confirmed, "It's a blessing and a curse. When a gym leader is asked to take on a trainer who has one at least one League, that gives them the authorization to use their strongest instead of ones that allow for the opportunity for newbies to have a chance."

Will added to the explanation, "It could be mostly a blessing however. A gym leader losing against a Champion doesn't count against their annual evaluation."

Ash asked, "That's when a gym leader has to keep proving that he or she is able to maintain their position as a gym leader isn't it?"

Sabrina confirmed the question, "They have to maintain at least an 80% win ratio against trainers who have not proven themselves victorious in a League and there can only be one dozen for each region."

Will added, "And four elite trainers and a champion to represent the most capable in their respective region. Of course there is also the most coveted ranking of all trainers. A Pokémon Master."

Ash confirmed, "Someone who can qualify as a Champion in their region and then claim victory over just one other. That's what I'm hoping to reach for one day.

Karen added "You are at least getting some work put into your guys. You'll have to work hard if you ever plan on taking on any Elite Four members like me and Will here. Not many gym leaders ever had the capability of overcoming the higher ranking trainers of the world. And if a gym leader did beat a member of the elite four… Well that would be an awkward position."

Ash looked forward as he saw the next city in the distance when he asked, "All I have to do is get ready to beat some more gym leaders. That's the only thing I have to worry about right now."

Before there were any other observations to be made, the four trainers saw a helicopter above them with a rope descending to the ground. From the ropes, people in black uniforms descended before rushing towards Ash and his friends. Ash was about to ask who they were but heard Will observe, "Well it would seem that we are about to reap what we have sown."

Sabrina agreed, "This is our doing Ash. We'll drive them away as fast as possible."

Ash stepped up when he told them, "Don't think that's a reason for making me sit this one out."

Karen stepped up when she added, "Any group battle is just more fun for me."

One of the black uniformed men rushed forward before Ash notice a red "R" on the chest area before hearing him announce, "That's them! That's Will Serenity with the Saffron gym leader!"

Another man stepped forward with a Pokéball in hand when he greeted, "Well hello there folks. I'm sorry that things had to come to this. But interrupting our business in Azalea is going to make someone have to pay the consequences."

Will asked, "Is that so? How do you intend to exact your idea of righting what we have done wrong?"

The man offered, "Well we've had a few options in mind. But we decided we could achieve all of them if we just beat your asses into the ground and take you to our new boss. Let's get em' boys!" A multitude of black uniformed trainers ran forward with their Pokéballs in hand while Ash and his friends watched what was about to unfold.

Sabrina pointed out, "There seems to be only twelve of them. Do you believe we can all handle three at a time?"

Ash told her, "If anything I get the feeling from you that this is going to be a little stretching exercise at the worst."

Will confirmed, "We have a plan established. Let's see how well we are able to follow."

On Ash's front he saw three trainers rushing towards him as he grabbed hold of his Pokéball and commanded, "Let's get them Dragonite! Pikachu! Help him out!" At the command Pikachu ran forward with Dragonite appearing at his side while three trainers had already sent out their respective Golbat, Raticate, and Arbok.

Despite the number advantage two of the trainers voiced their concern, "Uh… Guys, I don't think we're high enough up to handle that…"

Another one agreed, "Yeah, he's sending in a serious beast against us."

The third one ordered, "Get to work you pussies! We aren't being paid to quiver at the sight of a little challenge!"

The first trainer agreed, "Ah – Okay! Golbat! Venoshock!"

The second one followed, "Raticate! Hyper Fang!"

The leading one grabbed a berry from his pocket when he threw it and shouted, "Arbok! Fill this area with a Belch!"

The Arbok raised his head into the air as he gobbled the berry and prepared for the mighty poison attack while Golbat fired a purple stream of poisonous liquid towards Dragonite and Raticate made a mighty run towards Pikachu with its teeth shining.

Ash stood his ground when he ordered, "Dragonite! Hydro Pump! Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Dragonite blasted a powerful jet of water from his mouth towards Golbat as it made contact with the poisonous liquid that caused a collision of streams. Pikachu in the meantime summoned a great deal of electricity around his body before jumping out of Raticate's biting area and then made a mighty lightning strike on the pokemon.

Even with the two defeated, the leading trainer stood firm when he watched Arbok prepare to release something from the depths of his bowels. Ash saw the purple serpent Pokémon open its mouth as it released a mighty purple cloud of poison gas onto the field. Ash ordered, "Pikachu! Get ready to attack! Dragonite! Hurricane up to the sky!"

Pikachu made another leap backwards as he watched Dragonite's wings glow light blue before flapping them and creating a cylinder of wind around the three threatening trainers and their Pokémon. The gas of the Arbok's Belch attack was concentrated into one area as the three trainers flew upwards screaming, "AH!"

The three did everything to avoid breathing the attack that was guided towards them but Ash finished the battle, "Use Thunder Pikachu!" Pikachu then fired a massive beam of electricity from his body as it struck down the cylinder of wind while the poison gas dissipated and sent the trainers and Pokémon crashing down to the ground. Inside the small crater, three of the trainers had been reduced to less than a threatening presence.

Sabrina in the meantime had ordered, "Espeon! Help Tyrogue take them on!" The three black uniformed trainers followed, "Houndoom! Gnaw em' good!"

"Murkrow! You got this!"

"Vileplume! Assist!"

Three Pokémon had been sent against the two that Sabrina had before realizing what a disadvantage she would have. She didn't back down however when she ordered, "Tyrogue! Use Brick Break! Espeon! Use Psychic!"

The three trainers didn't have an idea of who the target was but their coordination followed with, "Houndoom! Bite that little guy into submission!"

"Vileplume! Use Stun Spore!"

"Finish off everything Murkrow! Nightshade!"

Everything had proceeded just as Sabrina had foreseen when the three made their attack. She ordered to Tyrogue, "Hit him from beneath! Turn Vileplume against them Espeon!" As the orders were given, Tyrogue ran towards Houndoom as he waited until the canine Pokémon made a leap over him. Tyrogue prepared his hands with a mighty blow as he made an upwards chop into the stomach of the Houndoom above him who was knocked back behind Tyrogue's back.

Espeon in the meantime used her psychic power to grab hold of Vileplume just as it was ready to disperse its yellow paralyzing spores into the battlefield. The plan backfired however when Espeon lifted Vileplume into the air and landed it on the head of one of the black uniformed trainers. The spores were dispersed and the three trainers were locked in place as they found themselves unable to move while Houndoom was left to the same fate.

Sabrina wasn't finished however when Murkrow prepared its Nightshade attack by firing a black beam outlined in red towards Espeon. Tyrogue leapt up and took the full force of the attack as he was pushed back but gave every effort to remain standing. Sabrina saw the effort and ordered, "Attack with Low Sweep!"

Tyrogue charged towards Murkrow as he stretched out his legs and hit the lower belly area of the Murkrow that was still causing trouble for Sabrina. The three black uniformed trainers were literally stunned in place as one commented, "You have to be joking! That's not what we were supposed to be up against!"

Another one agreed, "And this is just supposed to be the gym leader!" The third trainer in the meantime struggled to get her head out of the Vileplume's flower hole.

The other six trainers were not having an easier time as they handled two of Johto's Elite Four. Will had three trainers release their Pokémon one after another.

The first one ordered, "Weezing!"

The second one ordered, "Muk!"

The third one ordered, "Arbok!"

Will looked at the three Pokémon who appeared before him and saw them ready to handle anything he was ready to resist with. He observed, "This would be a challenge for most trainers indeed. But perhaps I should only stick to two just to be fair." He took out two Pokéballs when he ordered, "Gardevoir! Jynx! Go forth!" Will's two humanoid Pokémon stood in front of him when he prepared himself for battle.

The trainers gave the first order, "Weezing! Use Gyro Ball!"

"Muk! Use Gunk Shot!"

"Arbok! Finish your first victim with Crunch!"

Weezing prepared itself for the first attack when he spun forward at a fast speed before a purple ring vertically surrounded his body. He then launched himself in the direction of Gardevoir while Muk hacked up sludge from deep in his throat and hacked out a black bag of garbage in the direction of Jynx. Arbok remained in back as he waited for the first chance to make a leap forward and claim one of the Pokémon as his first victim.

Will saw all of this planned as he ordered, "Gardevoir! Future Sight! Jynx! Avalanche!" Gardevoir's body glowed light blue as she prepared for the first opportunity to attack while Jynx prepared its own retaliation. Jynx's body glowed light blue before a dark cloud appeared over the three attacking Pokémon and dropped what seemed like a mountain's worth of snow on top of the three Pokémon. The attacks of the aggressing Pokémon was rendered null as the three trainers were left in shock by the display of power.

The trainer with a Weezing wasn't intimidated as he shouted, "Weezing! Use Explode!"

The trainer with an Arbok pulled him away when she cursed, "You idiot! You're going to kill us all!" At the center of the giant pile of snow, there was a mighty white glow that shined its way through the freezing obstacle.

Will thanked, "That saves me a good deal of searching. That's where you attack Gardevoir!" Gardevoir's body stopped glowing as the wind began to blow and a rainbow colored sphere of energy appeared where the three attacking Pokémon were located. The powerful attack was enough to pulverize the three Pokémon in the deep pile of snow and result in a minor explosion that didn't match any of the power that a Weezing was capable of.

Will bowed when he offered, "You're welcome."

Karen in the meantime was preparing for her own battle as one trainer after another ordered, "Golbat!"

"Weezing!"

"Raticate!"

Three attacking Pokémon had appeared before Karen when she prepared her Pokémon and warned, "I don't think I can be much of a spectacle but I hope you guys aren't looking for a chance." She threw her two Pokéballs when she announced, "Weaville! Absol! You two are up!" Weaville and Absol stood in front of the three when the battle was about to begin.

The first trainer ordered, "Golbat! Use Air Slash!"

The second one ordered, "Weezing! Use Sludge Bomb!"

The third one ordered, "Raticate! Use Endeavor!" The three Pokémon of the uniformed trainers all charged together with their respective attacks while Weezing lagged behind preparing to launch a mighty bomb into the fray.

Karen was quick when she ordered, "Absol! Razor Wind!" Absol's scythe on his head glowed white as he swung it every which way as multiple crescent blades made their way towards the three. The three attackers were showing visible concern at the attack and offered Karen the next step in her strategy, "Weaville! Fury Swipes!" Weaville disappeared from view as her claws glowed white before making a fast dash through Absol's attack. Absol wildly sliced away at every position where a Pokémon stood. If one of Absol's attacks didn't hit, one of Weaville's did.

After just a short while of slicing action in what very few were able to watch, the three attacking Pokémon all fell to the ground with multiple scratches all over their bodies. The three trainers stood in shock as they endured the remaining blades of Razor Wind that managed to slice through their clothing and leaving them in shock of still being alive.

Karen smirked when she told herself, "I can still surprise myself it seems."

All twelve of the trainers looked on in shock at their major loss when they realized just how easily they were defeated. Each one returned their Pokémon in succession when one of them warned, "This isn't over! We're Team Rocket and we're above the law!"

Another one confirmed, "You just made some bad enemies today! We'll get you next time!"

One of the three paralyzed Team Rocket members asked, "Hey guys! A little help over here please?"

Seven of the Team Rocket trainers who were able to continue running left them behind as they made their escape to prepare for another battle another day while two of them took the ones standing next to the trainer with a Vileplume on her head with them. Mew floated above when she observed, "Well that was quite a scene. I didn't even have to do anything."

Ash agreed, "Yeah I guess you could have taken them all on couldn't you?"

The trainers were prevented from congratulating themselves when Sabrina pointed out, "There's still one of them who is in danger." They were all reminded of the trainer with a Vileplume on her head and how dangerous the scenario was.

Will pointed out, "If it remains there any longer it won't be able to prevent itself from releasing its most poisonous spores."

Mew used her powers and lifted Vileplume off the trainer's head when she gasped for air and was thankful for the chance to not die from her own Pokémon. She watched Vileplume descend softly to the ground as she was set right next to her when she told the trainers, "Okay at least you're all merciful. Don't think this will get you any favors from me."

Ash viewed the silver haired trainer when he asked, "And what were you both trying to achieve by attacking us anyway?"

The trainer answered, "It's plain English isn't it? You cut off our Slowpoke suppliers, we cut you out. And I hope you're ready to meet some of our highest ranking guys. It's not going to be pretty for any of you."

Ash observed, "I guess you care that much. But being with Team Rocket isn't that great a gig. I had two in particular who wouldn't stop trying to get just my Pikachu and I haven't seen them around for a long time."

The trainer recognized, "Jessie Lillis and James Stuart. Yeah we know those losers. They both been demoted to janitor and kitchen duty and haven't seen an operation since. If anything it sounds like you did us both a favor in weeding out some serious pains in our side."

Karen warned, "The point still being that you aren't going to be very accomplished if you keep up the life of a criminal. Next time you'll be getting more than just a victim of a bad battle. If you do anything worse than this we'll be sure the authorities find you."

Will agreed, "We can't charge other trainers on the grounds of just staging a very flashy challenge to another. Just be glad we stopped you before it could escalate any further."

Sabrina crossed her arms as Espeon walked up to her side, "If only we did have the grounds to arrest all of you. Amazingly enough it seems like you are faster on foot than you were on that helicopter. Ash I think we should just leave her here so she can think about what she's in for."

Ash accepted, "Alright. You guys go on ahead." The trainers walked forward as Ash walked up to her and asked, "What should I call you?"

The trainer was confused at first but answered, "I'm… Oakley but what's it to you?"

Ash offered, "If I ever see you around I'll try and give you a warning about what operation we're going to crash."

Oakley looked down at the ground grudgingly as she heard Ash's offer and prepared to leave him and his friends to their journey. The problem being that she was still paralyzed. Her Vileplume still next to her and no one in sight she has left frozen in place from the devastation of her team's recent battle.

She shouted out to them, "You know guys I'm still not going anywhere!" As they continued to walk away she got more anxious when she added, "This isn't nice at all! I don't want to ruin my good pants!" Before she had any other complaints she saw Mew fly up to her and offer a gentle blow. The gentle blow was effective enough that it managed to remove every spore that was scattered on her body and gave her the ability to move again.

Oakley looked at the Mew when she was about to ask a question but heard the legendary Pokémon speak into her mind, "Ash wants you to have another chance."

With her mind cut short of her anger, Oakley asked, "What the hell are you talking about? Hello? What is Ash trying to tell me?" Oakley watched Mew fly over back to Ash and his friends. Oakley was left with a great deal of questions for what Ash had just demonstrated to her but crossed her arms in a show of disapproval when she told herself, "How an idiot like that gets such a powerful Pokémon and doesn't even use it is something I will never understand."

There you are folks. Really did you expect this gym battle to be any less one-sided? Such is the effect of an Ash Ketchum who is actually a competent trainer.

I had to think of something else to fill in for this chapter because the Gym battle was so short, so I decided that the effects of what Sabrina and Will started should just come around. Even a little more world building in while we're at it.

So Team Rocket is still around… Just no Jessie and James on the field. Maybe we'll see them again someday.

And just to confirm, yes that is indeed Oakley from Movie 5.

Five down, only three more to go. I can say for absolute certainty that the next three will be nowhere nearly as much of a one-sided beat down. Even Champions have to actually earn their position and they are done through giving the most intense battles possible. All of this and more when we continue this journey of Johto.

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