Author's note: This chapter is mostly based on BW episode 94, and yet again, this is a long chapter.
And, oh yeah. Because Kotetsu's dub name is not yet confirmed as of the time this chapter and the previous chapters featuring him were posted, he will be referred to by its Japanese name.
Chapter 18
Making a Splash
It was morning. Fresh from eating breakfast in Cynthia's villa, the nine, including Kotetsu were walking on a trail in the forest, with Ash, Kotetsu himself, Kyon, and Brendan behind Cilan, Iris, and the rest of the members of the SOS Brigade.
Kotetsu exclaimed, "Once I get the last badge, I'm off to the Unova League!"
Ash responded, "And we even get to battle each other!"
Kyon asked Kotetsu, "And speaking of badges, what are those?"
This led to Ash and Kotetsu gasping in shock and knocking themselves down to the ground.
"You don't know what are badges?" exclaimed the two.
"Well, I never knew what they are," Kyon replied to both Ash and Kotetsu, "And why do you collect those?"
"The same thing we Pokemon Trainers do in every region," Ash replied to Kyon, "Try to enter the Pokemon League and become Pokemon Masters!"
Kotetsu added, "And to do that, you have to defeat all 8 Gym Leaders."
Kyon said, "Let me get this straight. Step one, collect all 8 badges. Step two, win the Pokemon League. Final step, Pokemon Master?"
Ash replied, "Exactly."
Kyon concluded, "You're obviously missing a third step."
"What are you talking about, Kyon?"
Meanwhile, Cilan, Iris, Haruhi, Yuki, Mikuru, and Itsuki were walking in front of Ash, Kyon, Brendan, and Kotetsu.
"That Ash, he and Kotetsu are definitely fired up," Cilan remarked.
"Somehow, I still believe that Ash is such a little kid," replied Iris.
Haruhi asked, "Hey, Kyon. I was wondering if I-"
When she turned her back, Kyon was gone, along with Ash, Brendan, and Kotetsu.
"Where did that Kyon go?" wondered Haruhi.
"And where's Ash and Brendan?" Iris asked.
The six went back, heading to a junction with a signpost in it.
"There's no way they would head for the other direction!" Iris muttered, "That's another reason why Ash is still such a kid."
Haruhi exasperated and said, "I wonder where that Kyon just went off to. If he doesn't show up, he's gonna get a penalty!"
Now in another trail, Ash, Brendan, Kotetsu, and Kyon were still walking.
Kyon spotted Brendan reading a manga.
"Stop reading manga while you're walking," Kyon said to Brendan.
The latter replied, "But it's a new copy of Kujibiki Unbalance. Do you wanna read it?"
"Just continue reading it later."
"Fine," Brendan muttered as he returned the manga back into his bag.
Suddenly, Meloetta showed its presence and caught up, staying beside Ash.
"Ash, who's that Pokemon?" asked Kotetsu.
"Meloetta," replied Ash.
Kotetsu introduced himself and his Riolu to Meloetta. "It's nice to meet you, Meloetta. I'm Kotetsu, and this is my partner, Riolu."
Meloetta smiled with its eyes shut.
Kyon wondered, "I was wondering if we were following Haruhi and the others."
Brendan responded, "Yeah, that's a good question."
"Haruhi?" Ash asked, realizing that they were separated.
"That means, we're lost!" Kotetsu exclaimed, causing Ash to gasp.
"Where are you, Iris and Cilan?" Ash and Kotetsu exclaimed.
When Ash started looking for Iris, Cilan, and the rest of the members of the SOS Brigade who were with them, he suddenly fell down a cliff. Fortunately, he groped some blades of grass.
"Ash, are you alright?" asked Kyon and Kotetsu as they tried to take Ash's hand.
When Brendan decided to help the two out, they eventually pulled Ash to safety, already exhausted.
Ash thought, "I don't think we could be able to look for Iris and the others."
"Have no fear, the map is right here," replied Kotetsu as he pulled out a white piece of paper.
"That would be nice," Kyon replied.
Suddenly, Kotetsu yelled, "Gahhhh!"
"What is it, Kotetsu?" Brendan and Kyon asked.
"I think I brought in the wrong map!"
"Whaaaaat?"
"That means were still lost," Kyon muttered and frowned.
The four went into a fork in the trail.
"I think we should go to the left," said Kotetsu.
"But we're supposed to be heading right!" Ash exclaimed.
"Why so serious?" asked Kotetsu.
Ash replied, "Because I said so!"
"If only there was a more valid explanation than that," Kyon muttered.
Meloetta noticed something on top of its head. It turns out, it was already raining.
"It rained," Kyon said.
"It rained?" Ash and Kotetsu wondered.
The four then ran off to look for some shelter.
When they spot a cave, Kotetsu said, "We can find some shelter in that cave over there!"
Brendan, Kyon, and Ash all agreed, and so the four went off inside the cave.
Inside, Ash's Pikachu, Kotetsu's Riolu, and Meloetta dried themselves up. Ash and Brendan were drying up their caps as well.
Ash wondered, "I wonder when's the rain gonna go away."
Kyon replied, "I don't think it will take a short while before the night comes."
"Perhaps I might have some food stored in my knapsack," Ash said as he fished out for something to eat.
"I wonder what's in store," Brendan and Kyon thought curiously.
"That can't be! Looks like I'm out of something to eat," said Ash.
Kotetsu and Brendan both laughed as the former also tried to fish out his own knapsack for something to eat.
"Why isn't there any food?"
"Kotetsu, what's wrong?" asked Kyon.
"Looks like I'm also out of food."
Brendan, Ash, and Kotetsu all laughed, except for Kyon, who was rather in a deadpan mood.
"What's up, Kyon?" Ash asked.
"I'm starving."
"Perhaps Brendan can check if he has food with him as well."
Unfortunately, Brendan checked his bag with no sign of food as well.
"Bored now," said he, "I do have a drink, but I don't think all of you will like it."
Unbeknownst to the four, Meloetta suddenly left out of the cave.
"Perhaps we should read some manga while we wait for Meloetta," suggested Brendan.
"I was thinking of that way too," said Kotetsu.
Meloetta eventually came back with an apple on its hand.
"An apple? Thanks!" remarked Ash and Kotetsu, thanking Meloetta, who pointed where it picked up the fruit.
"Perhaps we should pick up some more," said Kyon.
"Alright, we must do what Kyon just said. Get some more apples," said Brendan.
Ash and Kotetsu took refuge from the rain in a blanket as they left the cave to pick up some apples. Only Kyon and Brendan remained inside the cave.
Suddenly, Brendan pulled out yet another two manga from his bag.
"What's that?"
Brendan answered, "Which one do you want to read, Perfect Crime Party, or Gintama?"
Kyon was distraught.
"If you don't wanna read either one of them, perhaps I would want to give you something to drink instead."
Brendan pulled out a certain orange bottle.
"What's that?"
Brendan sang, "Morning Rescue!"
Kyon facepalmed, saying, "I would want to drink that, but if it involves an obligatory reference to a certain deconstruction magical girl anime, I'll pass."
In a few minutes later:
Now back in the cave, they ate the apples that they picked up outside.
When all the apples were eaten. . . . .
"I'm stuffed," said Brendan, "Kyon, did you eat up?"
When he noticed Kyon, he was already asleep.
"That Kyon, he must be already exhausted," he said.
When Brendan, Kotetsu, and Ash eventually went to sleep with Kyon, they were all awakened by Meloetta.
"What's up, Meloetta?" Kyon asked.
Meloetta alerted them that it stopped raining. They then left out of the cave.
"I guess the rain stopped. We must resume to where we left off," said Kotetsu.
Kyon replied, "We're even lost. How do we even get to reach Haruhi, Iris, and the others?"
Kotetsu said, "I have a compass right here." He then pulled out a compass.
"Ash, I think the Humilau Gym is right over there," he added, pointing his finger to the left.
"But we have to head right to go there!"
Kotetsu laughed and said, "The truth is, I don't know how to look for the right direction even with a compass on hand."
Ash, Brendan, and Kyon frowned and deadpanned.
Kyon muttered, "It's a good thing it wasn't a compass that never points north."
The next morning:
Ash, Kotetsu, Brendan, and Kyon are now back on the trail. They notice that it was morning.
"We are now one step to earning the last badge," said Kotetsu, "To the Humilau Gym!"
The four then ran off, now approaching to the shore.
"I wonder where's the gym you've been talking about, Kotetsu," Kyon asked.
In all of a sudden, the four were all surprised by a gushing wave of water, which was revealed to be caused by the emerging of a Wailord.
"That Pokemon's huge," Kyon remarked, "Who's that Pokemon?"
Kotetsu replied, "I think it's a Wailord."
"Wailord?"
Riding on top of the Wailord is a certain shirtless man in blue tights, carrying a net loaded with Poke Balls.
Meanwhile, Haruhi, Iris, Cilan, Mikuru, Yuki, and Itsuki were outside the Humilau Gym, waiting for Ash, Kyon, Kotetsu, and Brendan.
"I wonder where that Kyon just went," Haruhi thought.
"Same goes for Ash," Iris added, frowning.
"Man, I'm so bored," muttered Haruhi.
Iris's Axew suddenly pointed its finger, causing Iris to react.
"What is it Axew?"
Iris's Axew pointed its finger because Ash, Kotetsu, Brendan, and Kyon were nearby, riding on a Wailord with a familiar face.
When the four all disembarked, Haruhi was in a worried mood.
"Kyon, where have you been? You're still going to get a penalty," Haruhi said.
"Actually, we ended up going the wrong way, that's why the four of us got separated," replied Ash.
"Hello there! If all of you are unaware of who I am, I'm the Gym Leader of Humilau City, Marlon!" Marlon introduced himself.
"Marlon?" Kyon thought.
(scene transition)
When the eight see Kotetsu as he and Marlon make their respective positions in the battlefield, Ash remarked, "The battlefield is cool!"
"Not to mention, the aroma and flavor is very decent at its best," Cilan added.
Kyon asked Cilan, "Uh, Cilan. I wonder why is the battlefield located in the water."
The latter replied, "The Humilau Gym is a Water-type Gym, which means, Marlon specializes in Water-type Pokemon."
The platform to the battlefield removed itself as the match between Marlon and Kotetsu was about to commence.
"Welcome to the Humilau Gym," said Marlon.
"I'm Kotetsu, and it's nice to meet you."
The referee announced, "This is a two on two battle between Marlon, the Gym Leader of the Humilau Gym, and Kotetsu, the challenger. Only the challenger is allowed to switch their Pokemon. The battle ends when both Pokemon on one side are unable to battle."
"Is that fine with you?" asked Marlon.
"Yes," replied Kotetsu, "Let's win this, Riolu!"
Riolu was not with Kotetsu when he said that.
"Where's Riolu?" Kotetsu asked.
"Riolu's right here!" Ash exclaimed, stating that Riolu was with him and the gang. Kotetsu was completely cut off as the platform had already disappeared.
"Gahhh! I'm in despair!" exclaimed Kotetsu, "I can't battle with Riolu, so I'm totally in despair!"
Almost everyone exasperated. Cilan muttered, "What a flavor."
Kyon deadpanned, saying, "Does he rely on Riolu more often for every battle?"
"Ummm. What should I do?" thought Kotetsu. After stretching his headband, he exclaimed, "Of course!"
"What's up with him?" asked Kyon.
Itsuki replied, "Kotetsu has probably gotten an idea which Pokemon should he use instead of Riolu."
"I wonder what is the Pokemon that he is going to use," Mikuru said, referring to Kotetsu.
"Go for it!" Ash cheered. Kotetsu replied, "I'm fine, and I'll take care of everything!"
"Alright, begin!" the referee announced.
"This is my first Pokemon, Jellicent!" Marlon sent out a Jellicent.
"I'm gonna bring out a Ferrothorn!" Kotetsu responded as he sent out a Ferrothorn. The Thorn Pod Pokemon landed on a circular platform that floated on the water.
Cilan, Iris, and Kyon all exasperated.
"How can that Pokemon be able to move all around if the battlefield is full of water?" muttered Kyon.
"I wonder if he had kept that in mind," thought Haruhi and Ash.
"You can go first, challenger, because it would be fine by me," said Marlon.
"In that case, use Pin Missile!"
Using Pin Missile, Ferrothorn fired white-streamed arrowheads targeting at Jellicent.
"Dodge it!" Jellicent dived to avoid the Pin Missile.
"Now use Shadow Ball!"
"Ferrothorn, dodge!"
Ferrothorn jumped from the platform to avoid Pin Missile.
"Now use Thunderbolt!"
Ferrothorn shot out Jellicent with a Thunderbolt, knocking it out. However, just before Jellicent fainted, it was imbued in a dark aura as it shook strangely, also causing Ferrothorn to do the same.
"Jellicent is unable to battle. Ferrothorn wins!" the referee announced.
"Alright, Ferrothorn! Well played!" exclaimed Kotetsu.
Ash exclaimed, "Looks like Kotetsu is gaining the lead!"
"That's weird," thought Haruhi, "I wonder what did Jellicent just do before it fainted."
"You did your best, Jellicent," said Marlon, as he recalled Jellicent back to its Poke Ball, "Here's my next Pokemon, Mantine!"
The Gym Leader summoned a Mantine.
"It's a Water and Flying-type, which means it would be expected to go down after a Thunderbolt," said Haruhi.
"It is?" asked Kyon.
"Well, Kyon, Water and Flying-types are both weak to Electric-type moves. Because Mantine is of both said types, it would be down after a Thunderbolt," replied Haruhi.
"The truth is, there are Pokemon that are extremely weak to a specific type of move, they can even be taken down in one hit," added Itsuki.
Cilan thought, "You're correct, Itsuki, but I was wondering. . . . . . "
"This would be very easy. Ferrothorn, use Thunderbolt!"
Unfortunately, the Thorn Pod Pokemon became unable to use its attack.
"As you can see, Jellicent's ability is Cursed Body, and it is now in effect, therefore Ferrothorn cannot be able to use Thunderbolt," informed Marlon.
"What?!" Kotetsu uttered as he became stunned.
"What's Cursed Body?" asked Kyon.
Yuki replied softly, "Cursed Body is an ability that disables move data from being used if it makes contact on a Pokemon with this ability."
"You mean, a Pokemon can't be able to use the attacking move if it is used against a Pokemon with Cursed Body?"
"Yes."
Kyon muttered, "That can't be right if Thunderbolt can't be used on a Pokemon that's extremely weak to that move. Marlon's tactic is amazing."
This left Mikuru, Iris and her Axew to become very intimidated.
Cilan concluded, "So it was all just as planned. Marlon is obviously a Gym Leader, so that means he has a tactic to compensate for Mantine's weakness."
Kotetsu's Riolu became scared as Pikachu and Meloetta try to comfort it.
Kotetsu gritted his teeth. He said, "If Thunderbolt won't work, use Pin Missile!"
"Counter it with Steel Wing!"
Ferrothorn gets hit by Mantine's Steel Wing before it could attack.
"Use Bullet Seed!"
Unable to attack, Ferrothorn gets another hit, this time by Mantine's Bullet Seed.
"Get up, Ferrothorn!" exclaimed Kotetsu.
"Finish it off with Psybeam!"
Unable to attack, Ferrothorn took the third hit from Mantine's Psybeam, thus knocking it out.
The referee announced, "Ferrothorn is unable to battle. Mantine is the winner!"
"Ferrothorn. . . . . . ," the frowning Kotetsu muttered, "Thank you, and return!"
Ferrothorn was then recalled.
"What else should I do?"
"Mantine can fight in midair," Cilan theorized, "If this keeps up, Kotetsu loses."
"Kotetsu, don't give up just yet!" Ash exclaimed.
Haruhi added and cheered, "If you throw in the towel too early, you can't be the best!"
"What should I do?" Kotetsu thought to himself. When he stretched his headband and released it back, he exclaimed, "Of course!"
"I wonder what's the Pokemon that he's going to summon next," thought Kyon.
"I'm gonna take advantage of the field, so I'm going for Samurott!" Kotetsu sent out a Samurott.
Mikuru, Ash, and Kyon both asked, "Who's that Pokemon?"
Ash scanned the Pokedex and it said, "Samurott, the Formidable Pokemon and the final evolutionary form of Oshawott. A swing of the sword in its armor can take out an opponent. A simple glare from a Samurott silences everybody."
Kyon asked, "Miss Nagato, what is Samurott's type?"
"It is solely a Water-type," replied Yuki.
"Mantine, start off with Bullet Seed!"
"Dive into the water to dodge, Samurott!"
Samurott dived down into the water to avoid Mantine's Bullet Seed.
"You have to keep that in mind that Mantine fares well underwater," informed Marlon.
Kotetsu replied, "That's what I want to expect."
Haruhi thought, "If Mantine is good at battling underwater, I wonder if it will take out Samurott in a pinch."
"Haruhi, you have to consider that Samurott is also a Water-type, meaning it would obviously fare well underwater too," added Kyon.
"Samurott, prove that you are also skilled in the water!" exclaimed Kotetsu.
As Samurott dived into the water, Mantine also did the same.
"Mantine, Bullet Seed!"
Samurott dodged the Bullet Seed as it swam away from Mantine.
"Now use Hydro Cannon!"
Samurott hit Mantine with Hydro Cannon.
"Miss Nagato, what's Hydro Cannon?"
Without hesitating, Yuki replied, "Hydro Cannon is a Water-type move that inflicts high data damage, however, it forces the Pokemon to recharge in the following turn if it hits."
Itsuki added, "Basically, Hydro Cannon is just like Hyper Beam, but in the case of Hydro Cannon, it's a Water-type move."
"Finish it off with Aqua Jet!"
Samurott hit Mantine and sent it midair. This left Marlon unfazed and the gang surprised.
"Now what's Aqua Jet?" asked Kyon.
Haruhi responded, "It's basically a top priority move! Cilan, can you explain any further to Kyon what is Aqua Jet?"
Cilan added, "Aqua Jet is a Water-type move that goes first most of the time. No wonder Samurott was doing great."
"Samurott landed a direct hit on Mantine. Not bad!" remarked Iris. Ash remarked, "That was great work!"
Ash's Pikachu, Kotetsu's Riolu and Meloetta continued to cheer.
Samurott and Mantine went back to their respective platforms, with the latter now appearing to be injured.
"Mantine, Bullet Seed!"
"Counter it with Razor Shell!"
Using its seamitar, Samurott repelled away the Bullet Seed with Razor Shell.
"Mantine, use Steel Wing!"
"Samurott, double up your Razor Shell!"
The two Pokemon charged their attacks at each other. They both landed at the opposite sides of the battlefield.
There was a moment of silence. Kyon thought, "I'm suspecting that Samurott is going for the get-go."
Mantine was shown to be fainted. The referee announced, "Mantine is unable to battle. Samurott wins, and the winner is the challenger, Kotetsu!"
"Alright!" exclaimed Kotetsu as he jumped for joy.
"Mantine, return," said Marlon as he recalled Mantine.
Samurott swam back to Kotetsu as its trainer said, "You did very well, Samurott!"
Now beside the battlefield, Kotetsu approached Marlon.
"You managed to use the field to your advantage," said Marlon, "That was a great battle."
"Thanks."
"This badge is proof of your victory at the Humilau Gym, the Wave Badge," said Marlon as he presented Kotetsu the badge itself.
"Alright, I earned the Wave Badge!" Kotetsu exclaimed as he displayed the badge with pride. He then placed it in his own badge case.
Haruhi convinced, "Kyon, this gives me an idea. Because watching the gym challenge isn't enough, perhaps you should challenge Marlon as well!"
Kyon replied, "We're not even full-fledged Pokemon Trainers."
Marlon added, "Haruhi's idea is a good one, however, we should call it a day. We should meet tomorrow."
That afternoon, the gang are now back in the road, congratulating Kotetsu for his victory.
"You're now eligible to participate in the Unova League," Cilan said to Kotetsu.
"Thanks, Ash," replied the latter, "Thanks, everyone. Ash, let's meet again in the Unova League! See you all soon!"
Kotetsu said goodbye to Ash, his friends, and the members of the SOS Brigade as he and his Riolu set off.
Haruhi thought, "I'm so bored. Is there someplace to rest for today?"
"I think there's a Pokemon Center right ahead," Cilan replied.
In the Pokemon Center, Ash and the gang were offered mooncakes for dinner by Nurse Joy. After dinner, the boys and the girls slept in two separate rooms.
While the rest were asleep, Brendan and Kyon went back to the dining table. The only light focusing on the table itself was lit up.
Brendan crossed his hands, covering his face. He was even wearing a pair of glasses.
"What are we doing here?" asked Kyon.
"I'm trying to think which Pokemon should I let you borrow for your battle with Marlon tomorrow," replied Brendan.
"And what's with those glasses you've been wearing the whole time?"
"I'm trying to crack a certain pose."
"You mean, the Gendo Pose?"
"Yes, Kyon, you're exactly correct. It's captain obvious who always does that in Neon Genesis Evangelion."
"Do you have to make it necessary to do poses based on what characters in anime are doing?"
"Ok, enough of that, because we should go right to the point," said Brendan, as he pulled out all six of his Poke Balls.
Kyon thought, "That was close enough for Brendan to make a non-sequitur."
"Now, pick two Poke Balls, and the ones that you pick will be the ones that you will use for tomorrow's match with Marlon."
After Kyon picked two Poke Balls at random, Brendan said, "You have chosen. . . . . wisely."
"Don't tell me you're making a subtle movie reference, right?"
Kyon had a deadpan look on his face when he said that line.
The next morning:
In the Pokemon Center, Brendan, Ash, Iris, Cilan, and the five members of the SOS Brigade were in a table, eating breakfast.
"Kyon, you should prepare yourself against Marlon," said Haruhi, "It's for the sake of experiencing what being a Pokemon Trainer feels like."
Kyon thought, "It's very ironic that I'm not even prepared for this."
The nine then left for the Humilau Gym. When they arrived, Kyon asked Brendan, "I don't know if I can be able to defeat that Gym Leader and leave Haruhi impressed."
Brendan replied, "I decided to let you select the ones that are good choices against Marlon's Pokemon."
"The ones at random?"
"Exactly. The Pokemon that I am lending you are the ones I showed to you last night."
"But what about Jellicent's Cursed Body?"
"Don't worry about Cursed Body. If you command the right strategy, you'll be saved," Brendan replied, "Good luck on your battle!"
On the Humilau Gym:
Haruhi, Iris, Cilan, Mikuru, Itsuki, Yuki, Ash, and Brendan watched beside the battlefield along with Meloetta.
Kyon and Marlon took their respective positions as the referee announced, "This is a two-on-two Pokemon battle between Kyon, the challenger, and Marlon, the Gym Leader of Humilau City. Only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokemon, and the battle ends when both Pokemon on one side are unable to battle."
Marlon said, "Kyon, this challenge existed because your best friend Haruhi wanted to show you what a real gym battle is all about."
The referee announced, "Battle, begin!"
"Jellicent, go!" Marlon sent out Jellicent.
"Go, Eelektross!" Kyon did the same to the same Eelektross that he loaned from Brendan in the Junior Cup.
"I'll make the first move. Jellicent, Shadow Ball!"
"Eelektross, dodge it!"
Eelektross dodged Jellicent's Shadow Ball.
"Now use Substitute!"
Eelektross created a copy of itself.
"Jellicent, use Scald!"
Jellicent's Scald ends up hitting Eelektross's Substitute. As a result, the latter was spared.
"Now use Hyper Beam, Eelektross!"
Haruhi yelled, "A Normal-type move like Hyper Beam doesn't work on a Ghost-type like Jellicent!"
Kyon gasped, "What?"
Eelektross's Hyper Beam simply passed through Jellicent without hitting it at all.
"Jellicent, use Water Pulse!"
"It's a good thing Eelektross can still attack if Hyper Beam misses," Kyon thought, "Use Thunderbolt!"
Eelektross's Thunderbolt hit Jellicent, penetrating through Water Pulse. The latter was then knocked out, but unbeknownst to Kyon, Eelektross's body shook and was imbued in a purple aura, indicating that Cursed Body was activated.
The referee announced, "Jellicent is unable to battle. Eelektross wins!"
Haruhi dragged Mikuru, who was in a cheerleader's outfit and cheered, "Go for it, Kyon! Marlon has only one Pokemon left!"
Marlon recalled Jellicent back to its Poke Ball.
"Mantine, go!" he then said as he sent out his second and last Pokemon, a Mantine.
"Mantine is weak against Electric-type moves," Kyon thought, "Use Thunderbolt again!"
Unfortunately, Eelektross failed to use Thunderbolt as the move was already disabled by Cursed Body.
"Why can't Eelektross use Thunderbolt?" Kyon wondered.
Marlon replied, "It's obvious that my Jellicent's ability is Cursed Body. You already know what happened to Kotetsu's Ferrothorn from yesterday's battle, so you'll expect it the same way."
Iris was becoming nervous, saying, "Looks like Kyon ended up in yet another scenario of a Thunderbolt disabled by Cursed Body."
Haruhi lambasted Kyon, yelling, "You should have been careful when to use Thunderbolt!"
"But Hyper Beam can't hit Jellicent," Kyon thought.
"So that means, Eelektross can only stick to Hyper Beam or Grass Knot for the offense," he thought, "Eelektross, use Hyper Beam!"
"Mantine, dodge it and use Bullet Seed!"
Eelektross fired Hyper Beam, but it was avoided. Mantine then fired Bullet Seed.
"Use Substitute!"
Eelektross once again created a decoy of itself that took the attack for it.
When Eelektross became exhausted, Itsuki remarked, "It appears to me that Eelektross is becoming exhausted."
Cilan replied, "If it keeps using that attack, it would deplete some of its health. Kyon, be careful."
"Eelektross, use Hyper Beam one more time!"
Eelektross fired its attack, hitting Marlon's Mantine.
"That was a good one, Kyon," remarked Marlon, "Are you forgetting that Eelektross can't attack in the next turn if Hyper Beam hits?"
Kyon gasped in shock when Marlon said those words.
"Finish it off with Psybeam!"
Because Eelektross did nothing to dodge the attack, it was hit by Mantine's Psybeam. As a result, it was knocked out.
"Eelektross is unable to battle. Mantine wins!" the referee announced.
Haruhi yelled, "Even if you lost one Pokemon, you can still win it!"
Ash said, "Looks like both Kyon and Marlon are down to one Pokemon remaining."
Cilan added, "Eelektross was only hindering itself and its health by using Substitute."
Kyon recalled Eelektross back to its Poke Ball.
"Go, Hydreigon!" Kyon sent out Brendan's Hydreigon.
"Looks like you've got a powerful Pokemon in your arsenal, Kyon," Marlon remarked, "But Mantine's not going to stand back. Mantine, use Wing Attack!"
"Hydreigon, use Dragon Rush!"
Both Pokemon clash their attacks at each other. But neither appeared to be taking damage.
"Mantine, use Bullet Seed!"
"Hydreigon, use Charge Beam!"
Charge Beam and Bullet Seed clashed, resulting in an explosion.
"Hydreigon, aim your Dragon Rush to where Mantine is!"
Hydreigon cleared the smoke using Dragon Rush, but Mantine is not where Hydreigon expected to be.
"Mantine, use Ice Beam!"
"Intercept with Charge Beam!"
Both attacks collided, resulting in yet another explosion.
When the smoke cleared, both Pokemon were still flying on the field. . . . . .
. . . . . . . . that is, until Hydreigon fell into the water, eventually revealing to be knocked out.
"Hydreigon, no!" yelled Kyon.
"Hydreigon is unable to battle. Mantine wins, and the victor goes to Marlon of the Humilau Gym!"
Kyon's defeat led to Haruhi frowning as the former recalled Hydreigon back to its Poke Ball.
When both Marlon and Kyon left the battlefield, the former approached the latter and said, "Even though you lost, at least you have gotten the chance to face off against a Gym Leader like me."
Haruhi frowned, saying, "You should've done any better to defeat him. Oh well, at least you did your very best."
When the gang went back on the road that late afternoon, everyone suddenly formed a circle with Kyon in the center.
Brendan clapped his hand and said, "Congratulations!"
"Congratulations!" Iris said, also clapping her hands.
Pikachu and Meloetta also cheered, doing the same.
After Ash, Haruhi, Mikuru, Cilan, Itsuki, and Yuki quoted the same word and clapping their hands at the same time, Kyon muttered, "I don't get the idea what are all of you doing."
"Well, for starters, we were reenacting a well known scene from Evangelion just to cheer you up," Brendan replied.
"So that explains why you were all forming a circle with me in the middle of it, clapping your hands and saying 'Congratulations' like it was nothing," Kyon muttered, "You're all reenacting the last scene of a certainly confusing final episode of that aforementioned mecha series."
Kyon may have lost out to a gym leader, but on the bright side, he has already learned what is the whole premise of Pokemon battling in general. . . . . . . .
On the next chapter:
When Ash and friends visit a supermarket to buy bento boxes for dinner, they are warned that in order to get a bento box, they must participate in Pokemon battle brawls in order to get one. Will all of them make it? Find out in the next chapter of The Best Wishes of Haruhi Suzumiya!
References: Some of the references here are pretty subtle and are hard to find.
Pinky and the Brain
South Park
Kujibiki Unbalance
The Dark Knight
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Bakuman
Gintama
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Pirates of the Caribbean
Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei
Death Note
Please Teacher
Author's note #2:
Brendan reads a copy of Kujibiki Unbalance, a manga that is related to the Genshiken manga and anime.
Perfect Crime Party, also known as PCP, is one of the manga published by the two male main characters of Bakuman.
When Brendan gives Kyon a bottle of Morning Rescue, it ends with the latter referencing Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
When Kyon wonders what is Aqua Jet, Haruhi quotes a line that is similar to Mizuho's catchphrase in Please Teacher.
Kyon makes a reference to the infamous Step Three: Profit meme in South Park.
When Brendan gives Kyon a bottle of Morning Rescue, an obligatory reference to Puella Magi Madoka Magica is made.
There are two references to Evangelion in this chapter:
- Brendan does the Gendo pose.
- The infamous last scene of the last episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion is reenacted after Kyon's match with Marlon.