Hey everyone, I've got a new chapter in stock for you. Now I know I've been neglecting my other stories for quite some time but lately I've just been feeling uninspired for a few of them. I literally have the rest of Astral written down in summary form, but for some reason I just can't bring myself to write it. As for A Pokemon's Destiny Kanto, I've been working on rewriting the original story (by the way, it has now been two years since I published my first story ^_^). It's been tough and I know it won't get done anytime soon, but when I feel the inspiration come back I'll try to work on it. However, in two chapters of this story we've got a major bombshell coming up and I need to work on that first. In the meantime, R&R, PM, and Enjoy!

Chapter 20

(Jason's POV)

Janice and I were waiting outside the Gym as noon came around, and a man walked out of the Gym. He noticed us and asked, "Are you here to challenge the Gym Leader?" I said yes and he asked us to follow him. "The battle will be three against three, so I hope you have the Pokemon you will use in mind."

I already did, having gone over strategies with Janice before coming here, and he led us to the stadium. It wasn't anything special like Falkner or Bugsy's Gym, but it was certainly unique. Everywhere in the stadium-on the walls, floor, ceiling, literally everywhere-there was pink. The tiles were shades of pink ranging from a mostly white pink to a deep salmon color. There were also floral patterns on the tiles as well, and I felt very uncomfortable.

"Welcome challenger!" I looked over at the new voice and saw a girl at the other end of the gym. She wore a white shirt with a pink stripe down the middle and jean shorts that reached halfway down her thighs. She also had pink hair that was tied down in two ponytails on either side of her face. "I hope you're ready, because I won't go easy on you." I smiled and walked to one end of the arena as she walked to the other.

Janice was led by the man over to a spectator area, where a few chairs were set up. Janice sat down and let out Lucy and Fletch so they could watch too. "Alright challenger, what's your name?"

"Jason Gilman."

"Glad to meet you. So, let's get started." The official stood between us at the edge of the arena and called out, "This will be an official Gym Battle between Leader, Whitney, and the challenger, Jason. Both Trainers are allowed to use three Pokemon each, and only the challenger may be allowed to substitute. Trainers, you may begin when ready!"

"Jigglypuff! Take the spotlight!" She tossed out her first Poke Ball and a small pink Pokemon was released. It had large teal eyes, digitless hands and feet, traingular ears, and a curl of pink hair. I pulled out my Pokedex and checked its data.

"Jigglypuff, the Balloon Pokemon. Looking into its cute, round eyes makes it start singing a song so pleasant listeners can't help but fall asleep." I looked back up at the Jigglypuff and decided to start strong.

"Let's bring it on, Gorz!" He was let out and he roared at the small Pokemon, making both it and Whitney cringe in fear. "Okay Gorz, you ready?"

"Yes, I am."

"Okay, then let's start things off with Steam Roller!"

"Jigglypuff, use Sing!" As Jigglypuff began singing, Whitney covered her ears and I followed suit. Gorz pulled his head, arms and legs into his body, and began rolling towards the Jigglypuff. It began singing, but it didn't slow Gorz down a bit. I figured since he had his head inside he couldn't hear the singing. Gorz continued rolling, and the Jigglypuff noticed it as well. The Jigglypuff jumped out of the way to dodge, but Gorz twisted around and struck it from behind.

I removed my hands from my ears and said, "You got 'em Gorz!" Gorz returned to my side of the field and the Jigglypuff started to get back up. "Okay, now hit it before she can use it again. Steam Roller!" Gorz rolled up again and began spinning.

"Jigglypuff, use Disable!" As Gorz began rolling towards the Jigglypuff, it held its ground and waited for it to approach. The moment it was about to hit, Jigglypuff held out a small hand and pressed onto Gorz's body. Gorz was forced out of his own attack and flew over the small Pokemon.

"No way!" I shouted as Gorz landed. Whitney was smiling, "Disable prevents your Pokemon from using a move for a total of four turns. So what else do you have?"

Gorz stood up and I ordered another attack, "Use Smack Down!" Gorz turned around, but the Jigglypuff jumped in front of it and it began singing. I covered my ears quickly, but Gorz couldn't react fast enough and fell asleep. As soon as it stopped, I uncovered my ears and shouted, "Gorz wake up!"

He was snoring loudly, and Whitney said, "Sorry, but Gorz won't be waking up anytime soon."

I realized she was right and pulled out Gorz's Poke Ball. "Gorz, return." Gorz was returned and the offical called, "Gorz has been substitued. Trainer, you are only allowed to select two more Pokemon. Please send out your substitute." I thought about my options: Ariana I felt could use some more training, and Typhon I wanted to save as a last resort. That left Blaster and Victor.

I pulled out one of their Poke Balls and called out, "Alright, it's time Victor!" The moment Victor was released, a Weepinbell came out.

-Flashback, yesterday-

As I checked on Victor's stats, he began to glow a little. From the previous experience with Typhon, that meant he was close to evolving. "Looks like you're close to evolving, Victor."

"Really?" he asked. "Wow, I can't believe it."

I smiled and knelt down, "Okay, so how about we start training with you. If you evolve, that could be a big help during the Gym battle."

"Yeah, let's do it!"

-Flashback end-

After only a few battles Victor evolved into a Weepinbell, his evolved form. Thankfully, he was able to learn one new move during training, Acid. "Alright Victor, use your Acid attack!"

Victor shot out a spray of acidic liquid from his mouth, and the Jigglypuff was unable to avoid it as it spread over the field. It cried out and instantly fainted, confusing me a little. "What just happened?"

"It's Jigglypuff's type!" Janice called out. I looked to her and she called out, "Jigglypuff is a Fairy-type, which are weak to Poison-type moves."

'Fairy-type? I never heard of a-' That's when I started to remember the information Meema gave me. Some of the Pokemon were reclassified as a new type, including Jigglypuff.

I smiled, "This just got easier." Whitney returned her Pokemon as the official announced it could no longer continue.

Whitney called out her second Pokemon, "Clefairy, come out!" Another pink Pokemon came out, and it had a somewhat similar appearance to Jigglypuff. It had triangular ears, but with dark tips, and its hands and feet had a few digits. It was also more egg shaped than Jigglypuff and it had smaller eyes.

I checked the entry on it, "Clefairy, the Fairy Pokemon. On nights with a full moon, Clefairy gather from all over and dance. Bathing in moonlight makes them float." I put the Pokedex away and I figured it was a Fairy-type as well.

"Okay, Victor use Acid again!" Victor shot out another spray of acid, and Whitney called out, "Clefairy use DoubleSlap!" Clefairy ran under the acid and repeatedly slapped Victor.

"While it's close, Acid!" Victor, after the Clefairy stopped slapping, shot out another spray, causing the Clefairy to cry out. It fainted with one hit and the official called it. "Alright Victor, just one more to go!"

"Yeah!"

Whitney was still smiling as she returned Clefairy, and called out, "Okay you got lucky with those two. Unfortunately my third Pokemon has rarely seen defeat!" She pulled out her third and final Poke Ball and tossed it. "Come out, Miltank!"

The Pokemon that was released this time was a pink cow Pokemon. It had two small horns on its head, and it also had black around its face. It had black hooves and four teats on its belly. I pulled out my Pokedex for a third time and looked up its entry.

"Miltank, the Milk Cow Pokemon. It is said that kids who drink Miltank's milk grow up to become hearty, healthy adults." I remembered Meema feeding me Miltank milk as a baby from a bottle. The milk tasted delicious and I practically craved the stuff until I was about six years old. I put it away and my attention turned back to the battle.

"Alright, Victor. Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

I smiled, "Alright then, use PoisonPowder!"

"Rollout!" The Miltank curled up into a ball and charged straight for Victor as he shot out a ball of poison spores. It weaved across the battlefield, avoiding the spores, and crashed into Victor.

'It's so fast!' The Miltank went back to Whitney and I figured this was why it was hard to beat.

"Okay, use Rollout again!" Miltank curled up again and began to spin faster than before.

"Victor use Acid!" Miltank began weaving again, but Victor sprayed the attack across the field. The Miltank was hit, but it still rammed into Victor pretty hard. "Victor, you good?"

"Ugh, I don't think I can take another hit. And her attacks just get stronger with each hit."

Whitney called for another Rollout and I ordered Victor to dodge. He moved out of the way for the initial hit, but the Miltank spun around and struck him from behind. Victor fell, swirls in his eyes, and the official called it, "Victor the Weepinbell is unable to battle."

I returned Victor and said, "You did great, buddy. Take a well deserved rest."

Since Victor fainted, that left me with two Pokemon: Gorz and one undecided Pokemon. I decided it would be best to send out Gorz now and hope he could withstand the attacks. "Alright, come out Gorz!" As he came out, he was still asleep.

"Come on Gorz, wake up!" He remained asleep, though, and Miltank proceeded to use a fourth Rollout. Since he was asleep, Gorz could do nothing as the Miltank crashed into him and knocked him into the wall.

"Gorz! Wake up!" I could see his eyes twitching and suddenly open, "Yes, alright Gorz get ready." He pulled himself out of the wall and noticed the Miltank.

"What happen? I fighting pink balloon but now I fighting pink cow."

"Victor took care of it. Right now I need you to give it all you've got."

"Right."

"Okay, Gorz, use Steamroller!"

"Miltank, final Rollout!" Both our Pokemon curled into a ball and began to build up speed. They both charged and struck each other head on. Gorz was larger, but Miltank was moving faster meaning it would be close. Both Pokemon were thrown back by the recoil, but Gorz landed on his back.

"Gorz are you alright?" Gorz only groaned and I saw his eyes were swirled.

"Gorz the Golem is unable to battle."

I returned Gorz, "You were awesome, Gorz. Take a rest." That left me with one Pokemon, and there was no doubt which one I should send out.

"Typhon, I need you!" I sent out Typhon and said, "Okay Typhon, this is it. We either make it or break it right here. Are you ready?"

"Yes Daddy!"

"Typhon, use your Flame Wheel!"

"Big mistake, Miltank use Rollout!" Both Pokemon began spinning at high speed, Typhon covering himself in flames, and they charged each other. Miltank was bigger and faster, and when they collided Typhon was sent flying. He was sent straight back to me, and I caught him while he was still covered in flames.

I cringed in pain as the fires burned my hands, and Typhon stopped. The fire also singed my clothes a little and when Typhon saw me holding him he gasped in shock.

"Daddy, you're hurt!"

Janice and Whitney saw it too, but I said to Typhon, "It's alright. I'll be fine. Can you continue, Typhon?" Typhon nodded and I set him down. "Okay, let's go again. Flame Wheel!"

"Rollout again!"

The two began spinning again, and when they charged I said, "Typhon, swerve and hit the Miltank on the side."

Typhon obeyed, swerving out of the way and smashing into the Miltank. I cheered for Typhon, but the Miltank swerved and struck Typhon on the return. Typhon cried out as he was sent into the air and landed back on the ground. Typhon was struggling to get back up, and Miltank was preparing another attack.

"Wait!" I called out. "I wish to forfeit. Typhon can't continue in the state he's in."

"No, Daddy," Typhon said weakly as he stood back up. "I won't lose like this." The official was about to make the call when Typhon started glowing again. Everyone watched in awe as Typhon began to grow and grow. The light finally died down and Typhon was no longer a Cyndaquil. His body was longer, and he stood on all four legs, which were also longer. Flames erupted from the top of his head and on his back, and his eyes opened to reveal intense red eyes.

"Typhon, you evolved!"

"I realized that the only way to beat my foe was to evolve, Dad," he said turning to me. His voice had significantly changed, his formerly cute and high pitched baby voice now sounding more like mine but deeper. "Now I can defeat my opponent."

I looked to the official and said, "I guess we're still in this." The official nodded and we looked to Whitney.

"This is it! Typhon, use Flame Wheel!"

"Miltank, Rollout!"

"Add Flamethrowers into the mix." Typhon curled into a wheel, since his body was now longer, and he began to spin in place, his Flame Wheel growing bigger and bigger. Miltank also began to pick up speed and they raced towards each other. Typhon moved out of the way and crashed into Miltank's side again, causing the Miltank to stop using Rollout and fall.

Typhon returned to my side and the official called out, "Miltank is unable to battle, which means the challenger is the winner." I was surprised and looked to see the Miltank had swirls in its eyes.

I smiled as I jumped into the air, "Yes!" I ran over to Typhon as he ran to me. I dropped down onto my knees, Typhon jumping to me, and caught him in a hug. "You did it Typhon! You did it!"

"I couldn't have done this without you, Dad." Suddenly, I heard Whitney wailing and I looked up to see she fell to her knees crying. I couldn't believe what I was seeing: she seemed so level headed and confident, but now here she was bawling her eyes out like she was a kid who had its favorite toy taken away.

I looked to the official, who was walking over to me, and said, "It's okay. Those who do beat Whitney end up making her cry. She'll calm down after a few minutes." He dug into his pocket and pulled out the badge. "This is your prize, the Plain Badge." I thanked him and looked over to Whitney, who was still crying, and I stood up. I walked over to her and knelt down.

"Uh, are you alright?" I asked her.

Whitney looked up at me, and she said through tears, "No, I'm not alright. You...You're a meanie!" She shoved me in the arm and I heard Janice shout in objection. I stopped her, and turned back to Whitney.

"Look, I'm...sorry, but I was battling for the badge. Was I just supposed to lose on purpose?"

Her crying slowed down to sniffles, her cheeks red from the tears, and she replied, "No, I guess not." She looked up at me and gave a small smile.

"You did really good," I said, "I thought I had you when Victor took out your first two Pokemon, but man that Miltank was really tough." Her crying stopped completely now, and she was now beaming at me.

I smiled too, and she leaned forward. She gave me a kiss on the cheek, which made me blush. She smiled and said, "Thanks for cheering me up. Well, since you have the badge I guess you can head out to Ecruteak City for your next Gym battle." I nodded and we both stood.

Janice was walking over to me, her face a deep red, and she began pulling me out of the Gym.

(Whitney's POV)

Jason was pulled out by the girl who came in with him, and he began asking her to stop pulling his arm. I giggled at that, and went into my office. I saw my computer screen was flashing and sat down in front of it. I opened my inbox and saw two messages, one from Falkner and another from Bugsy. I opened Bugsy's first and read it.

"Whitney, if you battle a trainer named Jason Gilman tell me immediately! He's the boy from Azalea who disappeared ten years ago and he just fled into the forest. The residents of Azalea and I followed him, but we were chased out by wild Pokemon-I think they may be connected somehow. Anyway, he's most likely going to your Gym next, so reply ASAP. And be careful, he has some very powerful Pokemon on hand."

I figured that out for myself, and I checked Falkner's message next. It was pretty much the same thing, telling the gym leaders that Jason was the boy who went missing ten years ago and to know that he has powerful Pokemon on hand. I went back to Bugsy's message and sent a reply. After sending it, I sighed.

'Poor Jason,' I thought to myself. 'It must be hard for you, with everyone chasing after you. Hopefully your life will get better.'

*author speaks in a sing-song voice* But it won't! So with this chapter done, Jason now has three badges and we are one step closer to the Ecruteak gym and that story merge you've all been craving for. Now I want to take this time to let you guys know that I appreciate reviews for whatever reason you may have: whether it's to give constructive criticism or to make a suggestion, I don't care as long as you guys speak your mind. If you guys have read my story, SABL, then you should know that the third chapter had to be rewritten because a reviewer pointed out its major flaws. That's why I want reviews so bad and the reason why I ask for them, because you-the readers-help me to make my stories better than they can be. So with that being said, I would also like to thank "Enker and Treble for making a suggestion, and by the description alone I can already think of a scenario for them. Expect another side chapter some-time in the future. So R&R, PM, and have a Happy Halloween!