"Now you may think apologizing to someone is for certified bozos in cheesy rom-com movies. But look at me you'll see that it is no laughing matter" Jacq boosted sitting on his desk next to Goh.

"Ya, if you look at yourself it's actually kind of sad" Salvator sighed stroking Raichu's back fur.

Today was the day Goh was going to apologize to Ash face to face. However, he was having some stage fright. That was how Jacq put it Jacq Salvator had offered to help coach Goh through his emotions.

"I just, don't know about this what if Ash doesn't like it and I just end up making a total ass of myself"

"Oh, s'il Vous plait, Goh you are just saying sorry it's just gonna be you Ash, and us teachers" Salvator reassured him.

Goh froze "Wait Teachers as in all of you!"

"Ya, since qualifying for the world coronation series opens today Dendra wanted to battle with Ash"

"What are you guys gonna try and battle him?"

"No I know my team doesn't stand a chance" Jacq replied.

"To zhe samoye, I don't want Raichu getting hurt trying to fight battles he can't win" Salvator petted Raichu again who purred with delight.

"So you want me to just apologize like that to him in broad daylight surrounded by people!"

"No, of course not if you want you can say it after the battle it shouldn't take that long" Jacq reassured him putting his hand on Goh's shoulder.

"Well, well, well would you look at the time Ash should be here any minute" Salvator looked down at his watch. "Ránhòu duò duò let's get going then" Salvator ushered Jacq and Goh out of the room down the hallway.

"Alright, Don you ready to go?" Juliana asked.

"Agias!" Don bellowed a responding yes. It was Monday so Katy's gym in Cortondo would be open Juliana wanted to get there as fast as possible before there were too many challengers.

"Alright, let's go!" Juliana tapped Don on the back. Don shoot forward taring across terrain faster than any Cyclizar Juliana had ever seen.

"Ahh, oh fuck how did Florian say you drive this thing!" Juliana screamed as she held on to Don's feathers/handlebars for dear life as the city of Cortondo came into view she realized Don wasn't going to stop.

"Don, Don, detener antes de matar a alguien!" Juliana screamed as Don blazed past the welcome to Cortondo sign nearly knocking it over.

"Talón, talón!" Juliana pulled on Don's handlebars causing him to skid to a halt sending Juliana flying off and landing in front of the doors of the Cortondo gym.

"Oh my goodness are you okay!" two people ran over to help Juliana up. One was a dark-skinned girl wearing a bright pink dress a Spritzee sat atop her head like a tiara.

The other person seemed to be from Johto he was wearing a dark navy hoodie with a matching navy mask covering his mouth behind him a Dunsparce slivered between his shoes.

"Oh ya, I'm fine my ugh, just a bit rusty on the Cyclizar" Juliana frantically returned Don to his Pokeball hoping that nobody would question the giant red lizard running around at mock-chicken.

"Nashi" the boy held out his hand.

"Oh, sorry Nashi doesn't speak Paldean very well he's here from Johto on the foreign exchange program" the other girl explained.

"Oh, ya I should introduce myself I'm Cherry nice to meet you"

"I'm Juliana it's nice to meet both of you"

"So I'm guessing that you're here to challenge Katy for the badge?"

"Yup that's what I intend to do same as you guys I reckon"

"Yup Spritzing here was phenomenal" Cherry patted Spritzee on the head.

"Like a Ledian" Nashi helped out his badge with did look a bit like a Ledian or Orbeetle.

"Well I should probably get going I should get going before more people show up" Juliana hurried off into the dressing room.

"Good luck!" Cherry and Nashi yelled as walked into the dressing room.

Once she was in the dressing room Juliana let all of her Pokémon out of their Pokeballs.

"Alright, so what's your guy's game plan?" Don asked.

"Well check this out" Salvador launched a glowing purple orb from their mouth the orb split into multiple small spikes.

"Hmm Toxic Spikes smart move Salvador"

"I hope that Juliana will send me out first I use Toxic Spikes then Tulio and Rebelde can finish the rest of the bugs off, right Tulio?"

"Yep sounds like a great plan from the plan maker of the party right Rebelde?"

"Ya, ya, whatever Donald duck" Rebelde replied as he sat with his arms against the wall.

"Why did Juliana catch him seam's like total pompadour that one?" Don asked

"She didn't Juliana's mother couldn't take care of him so she sacked him on us" Juliana watched her Pokémon talk to each other although she couldn't understand them.

"Alright, guys time to go out and shine" Juliana returned everyone to their Pokeballs and walked out into the battlefield.

"Greetings my name is Katy I'm the owner here at the Patisserie Soapberry" Katy introduced herself.

"Oh that's right I'm not at my shop I'm on duty as the Cortondo gym leader" Katy laughed.

"Forgive me I'm Katy the gym leader of the Cortondo Gym"

"Little sweets that bring happiness with just one bite, Bug-type Pokémon hiding in foliage... Both are small and yet very powerful"

"Don't let your guard down unless you would like to find yourself knocked off your feet!"

"Don't take my Bug-type Pokémon lightly. You will be in for a world of pain if you do! Nymble go"

"Wooper Vamos!" Juliana sent out Salvador the Poison Fish Pokémon stared down Nymble.

"Nymble dear use Pounce!" the Grasshopper Pokémon sprang forward pouncing on Wooper causing her to stumble backward.

"Wooper Toxic Spikes" Wooper fired a purple orb from her mouth the orb split into many smaller spikes that scattered around the battlefield.

"Use Pounce Again!" Nymble pounced on Wooper again slowing her down.

"Wooper Poison Tail!"

"Nymble dodge it then use Assurance" Nymble easily jumped over Wooper's tail kicking her with its back legs.

"Wooper return" Juliana knew Wooper was slowed down by Nymble's Pounce attacks to battle properly.

"Charcadet Vamos!" Rebelde landed on the field completely ignoring Juliana.

"Nymble love use Double Kick!" as Nymble sprang forward Juliana tried to get Charcadet to dodge but he didn't listen.

"Rebelde Escúchame! You little!" before Juliana finished her sentence Charcadet was smacked by Double Kick.

"Char!-ca!-det!" Charcadet finally snapped into reality the flames in his eyes burning brightly.

"Nymble love use Pounce" Nymble leaped forward prepared to Pounce on Charcadet.

"Char!" Rebelde went for Clear Smog blowing a clear white smog at Nymble causing Nymble to miss her Pounce.

Juliana just watched she knew that Charcadet wasn't going to listen to her.

"Nymble dear use Assurance"

"Char!" Charcadet launched a Fire Spin at Nymble surrounding her in a ring of fire.

Nymble kicked Charcadet in the face sending him stumbling onto his back. The flames of Fire Spin enveloped Nymble frying the little grasshopper and knocking her out.

"Nymble is unable to battle Charcadet is the winner!" the referee announced.

"You thought very well my sweet little Nymble, Tarountula go!" the String Ball Pokemon landed on the field grimacing as he was poisoned by the Toxic Spikes.

"Charcadet return"

"Wooper Vamos!"

"Tarountula love, use Bug Bite" Tarountula sprung forward fangs glowing green biting down on Wooper's head.

"Poison Tail!" Wooper swung her glowing purple tail around smacking Tarountula off of her"

"Tarountula use Assurance" Tarountula smacked Wooper with his eight legs doing extra damage from being hit by the Poison Tail.

"Tarountula love use Feint" Tarountula sprung forward slashing Wooper with its front leg.

"Mud shot!" Wooper fired a ball of mud at Tarountula slowing the spider down.

"Tarountula use Struggle Bug" Tarountula's body began to glow bright red revealing the spiky red energy from its body.

"Mud shot again!" Wooper fired another ball of mud at Tarountula both attacks connected after the dust cleared Wooper was still standing well Tarountula sat curled in a ball and fainted.

"Tarountula is unable to battle Wooper is the winner!"

"Oh? You're quite good, aren't you? How should I roll things out from here? Teddiursa go"

"Now, my little Pokémon! Time to break free from your cocoon and come into your own!" Katy shouted holding out her Terra Orb. The orb began to glow Katy threw it across the battlefield lightly bumping Teddiursa on the head. A massive burst of light green crystals. The crystals exploded in a crescendo of crystallized energy.

Teddiursa stood with a pair of crystalized antennae staring down at Wooper.

"Poison Tail!"

"Teddiursa love, use Fury Cutter!" Teddiursa's claws glowed light green colliding with Wooper's Poison Tail with a burst of bright green energy.

"Woop-aa!" Salvador went flying backward landing on the ground fainted Teddiursa stood victorious flinching from the poison from the Toxic Spikes.

Juliana needed to think quickly she hadn't realized how strong Terastallizeing was and Charcadet was already damaged from Nymble.

"Quaxly, Vamos" Tulio landed on the ground flicking his hair back with confidence.

Juliana held out the Terra Orb Nemona gave her the ball began to glow Juliana tossed it at Tulio who high-fived it in response. Ocean blue crystals surrounded Tulio who burst forth with a crystalized water spout on his head.

"Teddiursa love, us Fury Cutter"

"Aqua Jet!" Quaxly shot forward slamming into Teddiursa who slashed him with Fury Cutter creating a burst of blues and greens.

"Teddiursa dear use Fury Swipes"

"Wing Attack!" Quaxly's wing glowed light blue smacking into Teddiursa's sharp claws the two traded Fury Swipes and Wing Attacks.

"Teddiursa dear use Covet" Teddiursa ran forward paw glowing bright beige.

"Quaxly dodge it" Tulio sidestepped and twirled around, dodging the Covet.

"Now Water Gun!" Quaxly shoot a powerful stream of water from his mouth hitting Teddiursa straight in the stomach the bear stumbled backward arms flailing about.

"Finish with Aqua Jet!"

"Teddiursa love, use Fury Cutter!" the Aqua Jet and Fury Cutter collided, creating another dazzling display of blue and green.

"Quax-quaxly!" Tulio fluttered down to the ground Crystals on his head vanished.

"Teddy" Teddiursa lay on the ground eyes swirled over and fainted.

"Teddiursa is unable to battle Quaxly is the winner the victory go's to Juliana"

"All of my sweet little Pokémon dropped like flies!" Just like that Julianna won her first gym badge.

Ash stepped into the Pokémon center with Pikachu and Lucario. He was on his way to the academy and wanted to stop by to check on how the Finizen he rescued from Team Galactic was doing.

"So Nurse Joy how is the Finizen doing?" Ash asked.

"Well I spoke about it with a Marine Biologist and I have some bad news she said his sonar system has been severely traumatized it's unlikely he would be able to survive in the wild again"

"What so what's going to happen to him?"

"Well, he's probably going to be sent to the Aquarium in Cyllage city" Ash suddenly got one of his crazy Ash ideas.

"Would I be able to take Finizen?"

"You mean like catch him?" Nurse joy asked.

"Ya, like catch him"

"Well, ya I suppose you can he'll definitely be safe with a world champion" Nurse Joy showed Ash into the back of the Pokémon center where Finizen was swimming in a kiddie pool.

"Hey, Finizen"

"Fin!" Finizen seemed to perk up when he saw Ash.

"Finizen how would you like to come with me"

"Fin-zin?" the dolphin questioned.

"If you come with me then I could help you get stronger so bad people like Team Galactic can't hurt you"

"Fin?" Finizen turned to Pikachu and Lucario to confirm.

"Is what he's saying true?" Finizen asked.

"Indeed young dolphin if you agree to travel with Ash like I did when I was a youngster you can become incredibly strong" Lucario replied.

"Ya, what he said you can become super strong with Ash" Pikachu added.

"Fins!" Finizen turned to ash bumping him on the chest with his snout to say yes.

"Well alright, then buddy look's like you're coming with me" Ash held out a Diveball taping Finizen on the head with three shakes Finizen was caught.

Ash walked through the gates of the academy all the teachers were waiting with Dendra well Iris and Goh were waiting Cinderace hopped over to great Lucario.

"Hey Ash how's it going," Iris asked.

"Great there's something I got to show you" Ash threw his Diveball into the pond Finizen popped out and began swimming around.

"Ash you caught Finizen!" Goh and Iris exclaimed in shock.

"Ya, well Nurse Joy said that he won't be able to survive on his own in the wild so I decided to take him in"

"Well I'm certainly surprised but I'm happy for you Finizen really suits you" Iris exclaimed.

"Anyways, you to watch Finizen for me I got a battle to win" stepped onto the battlefield with Dendra.

"This battle will be a best out of two single battles" Clavell announced "Trainers you can begin"

"Medicham go" Dendra announced sending out the Meditate Pokémon.

Ash looked back at Lucario who gave him a nod.

"Lucario I choose you!" Lucario jumped forward to face Medicham.

"Medicham start off with Zen Headbutt" Medicham's overhead started glowing light blue Medicham jumped forward swinging at Lucario.

"Lucario use Bullet Punch!" Lucario shot forward catching Medicham off guard with a flurry of bullet-fast punches.

"Medicham use Fire Punch!" Medicham's fish glowed bright red swinging it at Lucario.

"Dodge it! Lucario jumped around Medicham dodging the Fire Punch. Behind Lucario Ash saw Finizen watching eyes shining in wonder.

One of the Fire Punches finally hit Lucario sending him stumbling backward.

"Alright, Medicham use Drain Punch!" Medicham's fist started glowing green running forward at Lucario.

"Lucario use Steel Beam!" Lucario fired a beam of metallic gray energy from between his hands the blast easily overpowered Medicham sending him tumbling backward Lucario fell to one of his knees as the Steel Beam took quite a lot of energy from him.

"Medicham use Zen Headbutt"

"Dodge it" Lucario swirled onto his back dodging the Zen Headbutt.

"Awesome, now use Aura Sphere!" Lucario fired a ball of blue aura at Medicham who had no time to react the Aura Sphere exploded in a burst of blue energy knocking Medicham out.

"Medicham is unable to battle Lucario is the winner" Clavell announced.

"Hariyama go" Dendra shouted sending out the Arm Thrust Pokémon.

"Lucario come back" Ash returned Lucario to his Pokeball he already knew who he was going to send out next

"Sirfetch'd I choose you!" Ash sent out Sirfetch'd who bowed in front of the crowd.

"Hariyama use, Arm Thrust!" Hariyama charged forward hands glowing white.

"Use Detect" Sirfetch'd ducked under Hariyama evading the attack.

"Use Brutal Swing!" Sirfetch'd swung his leek around smacking Hariyama in the face.

"Hariyama use, Focus Punch!" Hariyama's fist started glowing Hariyama swung forward hitting Sirfetch'd before he could put up his shield.

"Hariyama use, Heavy Slam!" Hariyama leaped into the air ready to land on Sirfetch'd.

"Sirfetch'd use Brutal Swing on your leek shield"

"Ka-mon!" Sirfetch'd smacked his shield with Brutal Swing the shield started glowing bright red the shield frisbeed across the battlefield hitting Hariyama and knocking her out of the sky.

"What are you kidding me!" Dendra screamed.

"Now let's finish this with Meteor Assault!" Sirfetche's body became surrounded with a yellow aura he then charged Leek, sword first at the still-falling Hariyama slicing through her and causing a large explosion behind him Sirfetch'd staggered back from the strength of the attack.

When the dust from the explosion cleared Hariyama was laying on the ground knocked out.

"Hariyama is unable to battle Sirfetch'd is the winner the victory goes to Ash" Clavell announced.

"Way to go Sirfetch'd!" Ash cheered.

"Ka-mon" Sirfetch'd bowed to Ash in reciprocation.

"Oh, my god thank you so much Ash that was the most fun I've had in years" Dendra cheered helping her Hariyama up.

"Seam's like someone else enjoyed it" Goh pointed to Finizen who was doing flips in the pound in excitement.

"Oh ugh by the way Ash um, there's something that I wanted to tell you" Goh stammered out.

"I um well I've been thinking well I wanted to say that well I never said that" Ash watched in confusion as Goh stammered over his words. Behind him, Salvator and Jacq faceplanted hard.

"Suddenly Goh's phone started ringing he turned it on to listen.

"Hello Oh hi Mr. Cerise how can I help you?" Goh's face sank.

"What do you mean there's a situation at the lab?"

Juliana and Tulio walked confidently out of the Cortondo gym holding the Bug Badge between her hands.

Juliana looked down at her phone to see she had gotten a text message from Arven.

"Hey, I found where the Stony Cliff Titan nests can you and Florian meet me at the Stony Cliffs after dinner

"Congratulations on winning the gym badge" Cherry and Nashi ran over to congratulate Juliana.

"Pastry Soapberry want to go?" Nashi pointed to the bakery down the street "What Nashi's trying to say was we're grabbing a bit to eat at the Patisserie Soapberry would you want to join us?"

"Ya, sure that sounds like a great idea" Juliana followed them down the road to the famous café.

"Hey, Juliana!" Juliana looked up from her pastry to see Florian walk in with his Fuecooc.

"Hey, there Florian" Juliana responded Fuecoco walked over to greet Quaxly.

"Hey, Tulio man how's it going"

"Oh, my goodness Miguel you should have seen me in that gym Juliana used the weird magic crystals on me and I looked absolutely fabulous!" Tulio boosted.

"What about you Miguel?"

"Man me and Aceituna were competing in this contest and you should have seen it man I was all like I'm going to use Ember and then Aceituna was panicking like oh, no we're all gonna die!"

"How's it going how was your contest the other day"

"Oh, Well it was okay well, I'd rather not talk about it"

"Well you beat me in the first round so I think you did pretty well"

"Wait Cherry I didn't know that you did contest battling" Juliana exclaimed. '

"Why not? Why should someone have to choose between one type of battling"

"Did someone say something about battling?" Nemona appeared out of nowhere behind Juliana.

"Qué oh, hi Nemona didn't see you back there" Juliana stammered Cherry and Nashi looked terrified to be so close to Nemona.

Nemona's Sprigatito hopped off her shoulder and walked over to Quaxly and Fuecoco.

"Hello, there boys"

"A crap man it's the weird cat!" Fuecoco growned.

"Do you know what I did today?"

"Ugh no Sprig what did you do today" Tulio answered.

"I was sniffing some rosemary sniffing rosemary makes me feel like I'm listening to 80's songs. Keep singing son" Sprigatito started swaying back and forth seemingly in a trance.

"That ball of fur's got a screw loose" Miguel whispered to Tulio.

"So I heard that you took on the first gym did you win"

"Well ya, it was pretty easy"

"Yes! I knew you could do it I'm so happy I convinced you to take on the gym challenge a good job past me!" Nemona high-fived herself.

"So I couldn't help but notice who are you talking to here?"

"This is Cherry and Nashi they also one there gym battles"

"Oh, that's so cool I would love to battle you guys" Nemona shouted excitedly.

"Well, Nemona that's a very kind offer of you, but I don't feel like battling again. Wiglett, Tandemaus, and Spritzee are still pretty tired isn't that right Spritzing"

"Spritz!" Spritzee chirped sitting on Cherry's head.

"No battle me and Nokocchi are very tired" Nashi threw up his hands in defeat"

"What about you Juliana?"

"Same as Cherry and Nashi my team is still too tired to battle"

"Well ok then I know there are a few people here in Cortondo who want to battle me I got to choose if I want to use my Electric/Ice team or Steel/Fairy team"

"Anyway all see you around maybe we can battle next time" Nemona yelled as she ran out the door.

"Sheesh, that girl is intense" Cherry sighed.

"She's powerful I here," Nashi remarked.

"Ya I swear it's like she gets off on Pokémon battles or something," Florian said with a slightly sarcastic undertone.

"Now I have to go to go help Arven with that titan of the cliffs with some rocks or something"

"You mean the Stony Cliff Titan?" Cherry remarked.

"Ware, did you learn about them from?" Juliana asked.

"I read about it in a book back in Laverre it was a book called Aculture"

"You know our friend Arven wanted us to help him find these titans you guys could come with us?" Florian suggested.

"Sure," Cherry and Nashi said in unison.

"Alright then meet us at the Stony Cliff's after dinner"

End Credit song (HandClap by Fitz and Tantrums)

Alright, another chapter, and finally a gym battle is done Yippee :)

Also, Ash caught Finizen ya I'm sure a lot of people would expect Ash to catch Finizen if he went to Paldea myself included will get to see more of him next time.