Chapter 5: Nowtoch Gym Battle
"There is the exit." Ash says as they all rush towards the light. Once they are outside, they find them at the city.
"So this is Nowtoch City..." Serena says in awe at the sight of a lot of buildings.
"You are correct. This is built in the valley and this place is very serene." Aurora says.
They book a room in the Pokemon Center before heading toward the Gym. But just as they are there, they find a man standing there. He notices the group and asks, "Oh! You! Are you maybe...perhaps...here to see Maria?"
"Who is Maria?" Ash asks in confusion. "Is she the Gym Leader?"
"She is the former Champion of Tandor until she retires to be a Gym Leader." Aurora says. "Let me guess? You must be her biggest fan?"
"Yeah, but she's hardly ever at her Gym..." The man says. "You can probably find her at home. I can't go there, because of...Reasons."
"Sure." The three of them roll their eyes at the person. "But you still can! Here! Take this."
They get a key from them and Serena says, "You stole Maria's house key? How could you..."
"No, you got it wrong. I just made copies. Her house is in the southeast part of the town." The man says.
"But that is still wrong. You can't just copy other people's keys..." Ash says.
"He is right." Just then, a woman comes to their aid and says, "Look, I told you this before. I am not the Champion anymore, all right? I am retired! And I am just a Gym Leader now."
"But Maria...you were the strongest trainer in Tandor..." The fan says.
"So that is Maria?" Ash asks Aurora and she nods. The fan just says, "But, Maria...you were the strongest trainer in Tandor...So talented, young, and beautiful...Why would you throw away all that fame? Your fans still love you!"
"I am not interested in being famous anymore! I just want to lead a normal life, run my Gym, and not have to deal with creeps like you. Seriously, it's not OK to make copies of people's house keys! I am calling the Rangers." Maria threatens.
"No, please! I-I'll leave you alone. I promise." Then the man runs off. Maria yells to him, "Good. You aren't allowed at my Gym anymore. So get lost, and don't make me say it again."
After he is out of their sight, Maria just sighs and says, "I am sorry that you had to see that. I am not normally an angry person, you know."
"We do know about it." Aurora says, "Long time no see, Maria."
"Same here, Aurora. I remembered that your mother took my title after I retired." Maria says. "And who are those two children?"
"They are basically young adults, but this is my brother Ash and his girlfriend Serena, We are on a quest to find our Mother." Aurora says.
"So you know our mother?" Ash is surprised. "And she is the Champion of this region?"
"Well, she did win all of us after all. But, once you win the Tandor Championship, you can never escape it. Everyone knows your name...Sometimes, it's enough to make me want to skip town. But then, who would run the Gym? She was just lucky that she has a daughter that helps her escape the fame."
Aurora raises her hands and says, "I am sorry. I am just doing mother's orders." Ash is looking at her with a little weird expression. Since she is an Arceus, how the hell that she becomes a part of his family?
"Well, ignore the questions for now. I assume that Ash is here for the Normal Badge? I am sorry that I've made you wait long enough. Let's go inside so you can show your skills."
As they enter the gym, Maria goes to prepare as Ash asks Aurora. "Aurora, do my parents really know you? I know you are Arceus and you have to power to get what you want."
Aurora just smiles and says, "Why are you questioning me? Do you think I really act to be as your sister? I do apologize that I hide some secrets from you. But as you can see, I had this form for years before you even meet me. And I have been in this region to help out both Mother and Father in everything I can. All of the words are real."
Ash just nods in silence and he is still skeptical of it. But he decides to ignore that as Maria is ready for their Gym Battle.
"Hi, again~ So, I don't think we were ever properly introduced." Maria says as the three of them just give her a blank look. "Ash, right? I like it. Welcome to the Nowtoch City Pokemon Gym. I am Maria, the Normal Type specialist...but you know that already! Of course, most folks know me as "Maria, Champion of Tandor"...Those days of my life are over, though."
"I know, my mother is the new champion." Ash mutters.
"Now I supervise young Trainers like you, on their way to greatness. It's a long, difficult battle, all the way up to Champion...have you got what it takes? Your very first test in the Tandor League...begins now."
"I think that some of the dialogue is unnecessary." Aurora mutters. "Oh well, Gym leaders have to do their job after all."
She sends out her first Pokemon, which is an Owten. Ash says, "Eletux, I choose you." As the Water Starter appears, the battle begins.
"Now let's start with the Quick Attack." Maria says as the Pokemon starts to charge at the Pokemon.
"Eletux, dodge it!" Ash yells, but the attack is so fast, as Electux gets hurt. Ash grits his teeth and says, "Eletux, use your Thunder Shock!"
After taking some damage, Eletux is commanded to use Tackle, but Maria just says, "Charm."
The attack causes Eletux to stop from its cute face, and Maria says, "Too bad for you."
"No, I am not going to lose. Use Tackle again." Maria asks to use Charm again, but this time it doesn't do it. Maria realizes that Owten is paralyzed.
"Oh no!" Maria gasps as Ash smiles, "Finish it with Water Gun." Eletux shoots out a spray of water and causes it to faint.
"Owten return!" Maria says. "I have to admit, I am impressed with your skills, but here is my second Pokemon. Feleng!"
As the kitten-like Pokemon appears on the field, Serena is attracted by its cuteness. But Ash just says, "Use Thunder Shock."
"No, you won't. Dodge it and then use Yawn!" Donna says as Ash gasps, the attack causes Eletux to fall asleep. "Oh no..." Ash says as Feleng defeats the Eletux with a Scratch attack.
"Return, Eletux, you deserve a good rest." Ash says. Serena is watching in the stands with Pikachu, Pikachu says, "Aw man...he lost..."
"Don't worry, right now it is only a tie, Pikachu." Serena says as she rubs the mouse's ears, causing it to squeal.
"Primeape! Come on out!" As the Pokemon appears, Maria says, "A Fighting Type. But that is not going to work once the Sing is here." Donna says.
"I know, but I know I can win as well. Let's start with a Bulk Up!" Ash yells.
Once Primeape is charging, Donna says, "Let's see how you do it. Encore."
Ash widens his eyes as all Primeape can do is Bulk Up. "This is bad..." Ash says.
"Now Fury Swipes." Ash can only asks Primeape to dodge the attacks, but dodging all the time isn't doing well.
Once the Encore ends, Ash smirks and says, "Now finish with the Final Gambit."
Maria widens her eyes as the Bulk Up powers the attack and both Pokemon faint in the end.
"Final Gambit is such a trick move." Aurora says, "Since it knocks out the user to give damage equal to the health. Since it is also a Physical attack, it deals a lot of damage to the opponent.
"Return, Feleng..." Maria says. "That is a crazy idea, to make my Encore to raises its attack stat and then finish with a powerful move. Nice thinking."
Ash smiles, "Thanks, but we still have one more Pokemon, so we are not going to give up yet."
"You're right. Here is my final Pokemon, Felunge!" Maria throws the Pokeball with style.
The final Pokemon appears on the field and Ash says, "Let me guess, it is the evolution of your Feleng?"
"Of course. Let me see how you fight with this Pokemon." Maria says.
"Since you show me the Pokemon I have never seen before, it is natural that I do the same, here I go, Pikachu!"
As the Pokemon appears, Serena says, "Go! Pikachu! You can do it!"
Pikachu nods while cracking his electricity. Maria says, "A Pikachu... I can tell that it is strong. But we will be using this move, Low Kick!"
As the Pokemon rushes toward the Pikachu, it gives it a kick and it sends backward.
"Oww... that sure is painful..." Pikachu mutters.
"Pikachu, I know you can hold on." Ash says as the Pokemon nods. "Use Quick Attack."
As Pikachu uses the move, Maria smiles, "Let me give you a Yawn."
Pikachu is hit by the yawning bubble as it gets drowsy, Ash says, "Pikachu, Electro-Ball to the air and make yourself awake!"
Pikachu nods and he hits himself, Serena says, "That was the same thing he did back in Santalune Gym..."
"And it worked somehow..." Aurora says.
"That is such a way to make itself up. But we are far from done. Encore."
"Dodge it and then use Iron Tail." Ash yells as Pikachu jumps into the air and then slams on the Felunge, dealing a lot of damage.
"Just how the hell he is still going on?" Ash thinks as he is amazed at the defense. "Surprised? If you want to know, my Felunge has the Intimidate ability, so your damage isn't doing anything."
"Then I have other plans. Thunderbolt." Pikachu just keeps shocking the cat Pokemon, eventually, it can't keep on with the attacks and it faints.
"I am sorry, Felunge." Maria sighs to her Pokemon. After that, Ash also gives Pikachu a hug, but he is also very tired. "Take a good rest, Pikachu."
Maria also recalls her Felunge and then walks towards Ash. "There is the fighting spirit I wanted to see, you're deserving of this Normal Badge!"
She shows the badge, which is a square badge with yellow and pink colors, Ash takes the badge and thanks her.
Serena comes to the battlefield from the stands and says, "Congratulations, Ash. You won against your first gym in this region."
"Thanks, I couldn't have done it without your help." Ash says as Serena blushes a little.
"It is nothing...You are the one that battles, not me..." Serena says while turning around.
Aurora smirks and says, "You know, you two really are cute together."
The two people are now blushing even redder, Maria says, "Congrats!~I gotta say, the spirit you showed in battle...you remind me of when I was just starting out. Try and hold on to that determination, and I'm sure it'll take you far!~"
"Thanks." Ash says.
"As you travel together with your Pokemon, the bond between you will grow stronger. It was fun battling you, Ash. Good luck on your journey~"
After that, they bid Maria farewell and leave the gym.
Here is a new chapter, Ash won his first badge, but there are some questions that is regarding to Aurora that Ash wants to know, and what will happen in the future.
Ash's Pokemon: Pikachu, Eletux, Birbie, Barewl, Dunsparce, Primeape
Serena's Pokemon: Sylveon, Orchynx, Chyinmunk, Tonemy, Owten
Aurora's Pokemon: Spiritomb, Raptorch, Cubbug, Grozard