A/N: The name Ryuu means dragon spirit.

Misty stood in for her sisters on occasion, and Forrest replaced Brock, so it is possible.

To my knowledge, Aerial Ace was never used in Johto. So Ash won't be familiar with the move.

Enjoy.

The Marion City Gym

Chapter 2 – Marion City

'So this is Marion City.' Brock looked up from his new map (a free gift with the guidebook), before nodding. 'Nice place.'

'It looks like it came out of a history book.' Misty, on the other hand, was a little creeped out. 'I think ghosts would have a better time here than back in Ecruteak City.'

'Oh, I think it's too bright for that,' Brock counted, before looking around. 'I don't see streetlights though-oh.' He broke off as his eyes travelled to the array of lanterns closer to ground. 'Oh, lanterns huh. They must save quite a bit on electricity bills.'

'I don't care,' Ash interrupted. 'I just want to find the Gym.'

'Oh, don't be impatient,' the red-head scolded. 'This is an interesting place…if a little spooky.'

'It's a city specialised in Psychic Pokémon,' Brock reminded. 'So I doubt there will be many Ghost Pokémon around here. Psychic Pokémon are weak against them after all.'

'That's true.' And Misty sighed in relief. 'Well, I think I'd like to look around a little first.'

'I thought you were only interested in water Pokémon,' Ash grumbled. 'Can't we do that after the match?'

'I'm afraid the Gym Leader's still out of town,' an unexpected voice said behind them.

'Oh?' Brock turned around, finding an old man leaning on his walking stick. 'I'm sorry, you are?'

He bowed, somewhat stiffly. 'I'm Ryuu Kimura.'

The old man would up proving himself agile and endurant for his age, taking them around the entire city: its old statues, museum collections and even the old Pokémon centre. The last place they stopped was a temple of sorts, long walls and a low ceiling covering them. The gardens weren't nearly as large and encompassing as Bugsy's at the Azalea Gym, but it still put Delia Ketchum's to shame. Vines crept up poles of clay and flowers grew behind paths of rock and streams of pure water. Upon the low gate were two Weepinbell, and the shadows of more Pokémon could be seen beyond its barrier, along with shadows of other Pokémon behind.

'Weepinbell are weak against Psychic types,' Ryuu explained. 'However, that is what makes them excellent guards…for one normally does not take into consideration those who are defined to be weak.'

'Giving another philosophy lesson Grandfather?' a new voice asked, somewhat crisply as its speaker came into view.

'Simply advice,' the old man replied, turning to the black-haired boy who walked into view.

And from the moment he appeared, every newcomer present knew him to be someone not to be trifled with.

'And you are supposed to mind the Gym.'

'The Gym can mind itself for a few minute,' the boy replied, before looking at the newcomers and sighing. 'Challengers?'

'Are you the Gym Leader?' Ash stepped forward, and before waiting for an answer, he presses on. 'I am Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, and I demand a gym battle.'

The other folded his arms. 'I am not the Gym Leader, but if you wish for a battle, you may have one.'

'And the badge?'

Blue eyes met obsidian with a smirk. 'We'll cross that line should we come to it.'

'I'm glad this place isn't as creepy as Sabrina's place,' Misty whispered to Brock as they stood on the sidelines. 'It's actually rather peaceful.'

And it was. The low lights and the sweet scent from the candles helped it along. The battleground was not a plain brown board like it had been in Kanto's Psychic Gym, but a field of grass and water and rock.

'I do hope Ash knows what he's getting into though,' the red-head muttered, holding Togepi. 'He beat Sabrina on pure luck.'

'He's come far since then,' Brock pointed out.

Ryuu stood as the judge after the introduction on both sides were completed.

'The official match between Koji, acting Gym Leader of the Marion City Gym, and Ash Ketchum from Pallet down will now begin. Both sides may use four Pokémon, but during the battle only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions.'

Kouji fingered the Poke-balls on his belt, before switching to his pocket instead. After all, in an official match, he should use the Pokemon specified to the Gym.

'Natu, go!'

'Natu huh.' Ash glanced at Pikachu. 'Ready buddy?'

'Pika,' Pikachu agreed, hopping onto the field.

Ryuu raised his hands. 'The first match is Natu verses Pikachu. Begin!'

'Pikachu, thunderbolt!' Ash began.

'Teleport!' Koji countered, before pausing for a fraction as the thunderbolt inched closer.

Have I got the wrong Natu?

But then the flying psychic did Teleport, letting the electricify fizzle into the air. Hiding his relief, Koji ordered an Aerial Ace.

'Aerial ace?' Ash stared blankly as Natu dove for Pikachu and vanished. 'Wha-?'

'Pikaaa-' Pikachu suddenly went flying as the flying Pokémon appeared again and scored a hit.

'Be careful!' Brock shouted from the sidelines. 'That's a special flying type move! The Pokémon vanishes from sight just before the attack hits!'

'Got it,' Ash muttered. 'Pikachu, another Thunderbolt!'

'Again Natu,' Koji ordered, and once again, the electricity missed as Natu vanished.

'Pikachu, listen for it!'

The electric rodent closed his eyes, listening for the bird.

'Thunder now!'

'Teleport!'

There was a cry of pain before the small flying Pokémon escaped.

'You got it Pikachu,' Ash cheered.

'That's a strong Pikachu,' the older raven commented. 'However, this Natu has a special attack against Thunder Pokemon.' He turned to the Natu. 'Sunny Day!'

'What's Sunny Day do?' That was the second attack that was unfamiliar.

'It lowers the accuracy of Thunder Type attacks by 50%,' the acting Gym-leader answered.

'But also brightens the field,' Brock commented. 'So that should make the Aerial Aces more predictable.'

'You think so?' Koji asked rhetorically. 'My brother trained his Pokémon better than that.' He turned to Natu. 'Aerial Ace!'

'Thunderbolt!' Ash tried, but Pikachu's attack missed its mark. After all, a 50-50 chance was not to be taken lightly.

'Try filling this stadium with Thunder!' After all, there was no-where to flee from it.

But fate had a different idea. In fact, it had a bit of a sense of humour, as it brought about the same counter as Sabrina's.

'Psychic!'

Pikachu squealed in pain, digging its toes into the ground as it took the reflected thunder.

'Pikachu!'

His eyes snapped open.

'Good.' It was relief more than a desire to win that spoke. 'Quick Attack!'

'Teleport!' But alas, Natu was too slow, and the small Pokémon fell.

'Natu is unable to battle,' Ryuu declared. 'The winner is Pikachu.'

Koji recalled Natu with a quick word of thanks, before selecting his second Pokémon, his strategy having nothing to do with Pokémon types as the Poke ball in his hand also contained a Pokémon weak against Electric attacks.

But Sunny Day was still active. It was just bad luck the Thunder had hit.

Koichi had a batter knack for that sort of thing.

'Cloyster, go!'

'Oh wow.' Misty's eyes sparkled at the sight of the water Pokemon.

The old jdge raised his arms again. 'Cloyster verses Pikachu. Begin!'

'Try another Thunder Pikachu,' Ash ordered.

Pikachu let loose an electric attack, before wavering slightly. The attack failed to connect however, as Cloyster simply closed its shell against the blast that sizzled off.

The electric mouse ceased its attack, taking the opportunity to pant.

'Pikachu's tired,' Brock noticed.

'Toxic spikes,' Koji ordered, and the poison attack easily took the electric rodent out.

'Pikachu is unable to battle. Cloyster is the winner.'

As Ash retrieved Pikachu, Brock looked over the shell Pokémon. 'Whoever trained those Pokémon did a very good job,' he commented. 'Teaching attacks of different varieties rather than focusing on a single type. 'While Pikachu is strong against water Pokemon, it is not strong against water or poison attacks. But it will be interesting to see which Pokemon Ash chooses next, as grass Pokémon are strong against water types but weak to Psychic, and Ash has no more electric Pokémon.'

'I choose Bulbasaur,' Ash said soonafter.

Misty face-palmed her head. 'I'll bet he forgot this is a Psychic gym.' She paused. 'Can Cloyster use Psychic attacks?'

'We'll see.' Brock rested his chin on his thumb.

'Cloyster verses Bulbasaur. Begin!'

'Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!' Ash shouted.

Cloyster simply clammed its shell again.

'Keep on trying,' Ash urged.

'It's no use,' Koji replied. 'Cloyster's shell is too strong for that. And his stubbornness.' He added the last part under his breath.

'Vine Whip,' Ash tried.

Cloyster groaned, but held fast.

'Cloyster's loosing hit points,' Brock murmured. 'But it's still strong. If it chooses to attach, Bulbasaur could still be in trouble.'

'Enough Bulbasaur.' Ash gritted his teeth. This was proving even more difficult than the last battle. Although…

He looked at the close shell.

Maybe…

'Surf!' Koji commanded.

Now…

'Leech seed!'

And Bulbasaur's powerful energy-sucker dove through the torrent of water and into the depths of the shell.

'What?'

Cloyster roared out with pain as its power drained.

'Solar Beam Bulbasaur!'

Normally, the time for charge-up was enough for a counter-attack to get in, but Cloyster was powerless within the vines that gripped the fragile body of his shell.

And so the Solar Beam hit, knocking out the water Pokémon.

Koji recalled Cloyster as his grandfather declared the grass Pokémon's victory. The third Pokémon was an easy choice, but before he could call it out, an explosion interrupted them, followed by the cries of several Pokémon.

There were cries that only two found familiar, but that was more than enough to stop the match.