Author's Note:
Here it is, the final gym battle before the Orange League. It will also have another league competitor show up, not a major appearance, just a cameo. I have changed this gym a fair bit but not as much as some of the other gyms. Also, the four Pokemon Ash uses are the only ones he hasn't used yet, as each of his Pokemon by the end of this chapter would've took part in one Orange League gym. Remember to vote in the latest poll, it will be up until the end of the Power of One arc. With that, let's begin...
Chapter 16: Ash VS Luana: Partnership
The two Snorlax's are across from each other, it has been three days since the brother's birthday and each day Ash has been training hard with not only his Snorlax but all his Pokemon. Drake has been helping Ash train Snorlax. While it was a slow start, Snorlax is proving to be one strong Pokemon.
"Good job Snorlax, you'll be great in the gym battle tomorrow." Ash praised his normal type.
"Return Snorlax." Drake recalled his normal type. Without another word, he started to walk towards the Pokemon centre.
"You are stopping already?" Ash asked his brother.
"It is night time already." Drake pointed out. For the first time in hours, Ash looked into the sky and noticed that the moon was already in place of the sun. "Besides I haven't given Ponyta her brush today.".
Ash smirked as he watched his brother walk back into the centre, before they started travelling together never would he have thought that Drake would be so diligent to brush one of his Pokemon. Of course, Ash has a few Pokemon that like that sort of thing from time to time but Drake has made a point to brush Ponyta every day since he caught her. It is actually quite a sweet thing to see.
Ash was brought out of his thoughts by his stomach growling. He sighed as he realised he was so focused on training that he skipped dinner, turning towards his normal type, he found Snorlax fast asleep.
"Well done, Snorlax. Sleep well." Ash recalled his Snorlax before making his way to the cafeteria in the Pokemon centre.
The next morning the group is walking through the streets of Kumquat island. It was around ten in the morning and the sun was shining. They got the gyms location from the resident Nurse Joy and are on their way over there right now.
"So, Ash, who are you planning on using?" Misty asked.
"Well I have prepared Dragonair, Muk, Snorlax and Charizard for the gym." Ash answered. "I am hoping I can use all of them.".
"I wouldn't get my hopes up, Ash. Most gyms run on a three on three format." Drake explained. "But you could be in luck, since Cissy ran a five on five format.".
"I'm surprised you don't have any objections to Ash using Snorlax, Drake." Misty spoke up. "I mean, you were so subtle about your thoughts back to when he used Muk in the Celadon gym.".
"But back then, Muk hadn't even been caught for a full day." Drake explained. "Snorlax maybe new but they are strong as a species and he has been training hard these last few days. I think he is ready for a gym challenger, maybe even to go against one of the other league competitors.".
"But you don't think he would be good in the champion battle?" Ash asked, knowing that if he makes it then he will be facing the champion in a six on six match.
"Well, not really. Considering the only Pokemon we know he has is a Dragonite, we know he is to be taken seriously." Drake explained. "Before you decided on your team for him, you need to get to that battle and not to mention look up to see which other Pokemon he has been known to use.".
"How do we find stuff like that out?" Ash asked.
"Hmm, I'll show you when we make it for Pummelo Stadium. When the grand festival is on should leave a lot of training hours for the league." Drake explained. "For now, just focus on your gym battle. No point in getting to far ahead of yourself before you need to.".
The group continued walking across the coast line of Kumquat Island as they made their way towards where the gym is supposed to be located. Although something weird started to happen, the tranquil atmosphere was replaced by what sounded like a heard of Tauros stampeding.
"SONNY BOY!" A female voice rang out across the island.
"What was that?" Misty asked.
The question was soon answered as the stampeding sound grew louder and what looked to be a middle-aged woman came charging towards them. The women was quite large and had medium length red hair. She was clearly very excited, and was aiming straight for the group.
"SON! I'VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!" The women shouted as she continued to dash towards the group.
Now the group were both confused and scared. They were the only people around so what is this women on about? Unfortunately, their confusion stopped their instincts from telling them to move before it was too late. The women enter the group and knocked Drake away, along with Cubone. The two girls were able to move to the side to avoid the same fate. Pikachu was able to tackle Togepi who was walking by himself next to the girls as well. Ash tried to join the girls, but it was too late, he was soon being smoothed by a massive hug from the women. This only added to the groups confusion as Ash struggled to escape.
"I am so happy to see you again! You have no idea how happy I am that you've returned!" The women cried as she continued to smoother Ash. "My love! My world! My pride! My joy! My heart! My son!". Ash continued to struggle and soon pushed his face out of the women's stomach.
"Urg, excuse me... Not to be rude... But who are you?" Ash asked as he tried to catch his breath from the smothering.
"What!?" The women exclaimed as she pulled Ash into another massive hug. "Oh Travis, don't you recognise your own mummykins? You really have been away for a while.".
Now the group, including Drake who was able to recover from his hit were just confused. This was clearly a case of mistaken identity... Either that or the Ketchum family has some weird family problems... One's other then what involve the boy's aunt Yellow and aura. Soon Drake decided was enough and step forward.
"Ma-am, he isn't your son Travis." Drake interrupted the smoothing. "His name is Ash and he is my twin brother. Plus, we already have our own mother back in Kanto.".
This made the women loosen her hug, much to Ash's relief. He was able to escape the women's grasp but not for long as she was soon peering at him closely, like she was trying to interrogate him. Soon a look of realisation crossed the women's face.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry." The women instantly apologised. "It's just that you look exactly like my son, Travis.".
"Travis?" Ash echoed as Pikachu jump onto Ash's should. Togepi also chirped at his daddy's feet, holding his stubby little arms up to which Ash picked the fairy type up. Despite growing up and being able to walk on his own, Togepi still enjoys being held by his daddy.
"I guess Ash must look a lot like Travis." Misty spoke up, as she & Serena crept closer now that the cost seemed to be clear.
"Yes. My little Travis decided to go off on his own, and even started with a Pikachu I caught for him." The women replied. "I last spoke to him about a month ago, and he said he was in Johto and recently caught a Togepi... I guess when I saw you with both these Pokemon... It must've been wishful thinking.".
"Well he sounds pretty cool, if you ask me." Ash spoke up. "I bet he loves Pokemon, just like I do.".
"Oh, he does." The women replied. "I can tell if you two were to meet, then you would get along like a house on fire. I keep trying to get him the chance to challenge the Orange league, but the rules are so tight that even someone in my position can't bend them that much.".
"That's what I'm doing, the main reason we came to this region was, so I could challenge the gym for my final orange league gym." Ash explained.
"Someone in your position..." Drake mumbled to himself. "Does that mean you have a strong placement in the league structure?".
"Oh, you could say that." The women replied as she got a glint in her eye. "My name is Luana, and I am the Kumquat Island gym leader.".
"You're the gym leader!" Everyone exclaimed.
"Of course." Luana smiled. "So, Ash, if you follow me we can get the battle underway.".
Luana started to walk away towards the way she originally approached from. The group started to follow behind her, since she was no-longer charging towards them, the group had to admit that Luana is very nice. Although something was bothering Drake.
"Luana, if you are the gym leader, then I assume you looked up Ash when you found out he was challenging the league." Drake spoke up. "If that is the case, then how come you mistook Ash for Travis. Surely you would've been expecting him.".
"Well I did do my research, but that doesn't mean I spent a long-time analysis his appearance." Luana answered. "The one thing I look at when looking up the challengers are their Pokemon and battle style in their league matches. I didn't give his league picture more than a passing glance.".
The group continue towards the Kumquat Island gym.
"Why are we outside of this hotel?" Serena asked.
The group was currently stood outside of a five-star luxury hotel, and the group was pretty confused as to why this was. It was miles outside of the groups price range, so they would've just gone past it without a second glance. Why did Luana lead them here?
"Well this is my hotel, I own it." Luana explained. "It is also where I hold all my orange league gym battles.".
"So, do I have a test to past like the other gyms?" Ash asked.
"Oh no, my gym is all about strategy and teamwork." Luana asked. "Adding another level of difficulty would waste not only my time, but could bother some of the guests since the battlefield is in an isolate location and any sort of test would probably involve the rest of the hotel.".
The group followed Luana as she lead them into the fancy resort. The place was massive, if they didn't know any better than they would guess that it was bigger than the professor's ranch, and this is only the lobby. Other than a few dozen guests, they could also see numerous workers like receptionists and bell boys/girls.
"Once our match is over, you can feel free to use the hotel and all of its facilities to your hearts content." Luana continued. "I see all the challengers as personal guests, and allow them to spend a night free of charge.".
"Oh wow, thank you." Serena thanked.
"I can wait to see what sort of things this hotel has to offer." Misty added dreamily. "A spa, pool, hot spring...".
"All of the above plus more." Luana replied as the group continued to walk through the lobby until they reached a lift. Stepping inside, a worker was stood by the control panel. Once all of them were inside, the boy pressed the bottom button labled gym. They lift started to go lower below the lobby.
The group walked through the gym in the basement of the hotel, the gym looked like it was set up for training both people and Pokemon based on the equipment on display. The group continued through a pair of double doors which lead into the battlefield. It was actually a lot like the league battlefield except it doesn't have the open roof. Something seemed to bother Drake about the location of the battlefield.
"Luana, is it really safe to have a gym under the Hotel?" Drake asked. "Pokemon battle can get very explosive and easily causes a lot of damage. Wouldn't that cause the risk of shaking the hotel or even making it crumble down?".
"Normally yes, but the room has been built with a shock absorbent metal in all the walls, including the roof and floor." Luana explained. "Even an Earthquake from a Groudon wouldn't get through.".
"Would a Groudon even fit in here?" Drake muttered under Luana's laugh.
Looking around the room, the group spotted one of the bell boys from the hotel walk in, but now he was dressed in a referee outfit. The bell boy walked over and took his place in the ref's box. Since it was obvious the referee was ready, Ash and Luana took their positions in the trainer's box.
Serena took Togepi off Ash, and gave him a good luck kiss on his cheek. She made her way over to the benches behind the referee with Misty and Drake. With everyone in place, it was time for the final gym battle to begin.
"This is a four on four battle between the gym leader Luana and the Challenger Ash Ketchum." The ref declared. "The battle format will be double battles, while the challenger is able to make substitutions at will the gym leader may not. However, if one of the challenger's Pokemon is declared unable to continue then the battle is over. There is also no time limit. Understand?".
"Yeah." Ash answered.
"Yes." Luana answered.
"In addition, the gym leader shall reveal her two Pokemon first." The ref added.
"Marowak, Venomoth. You're up." Luana shouted as she released her two Pokemon. Ash scanned them both with his Pokedex:
Marowak, The Bone Keeper Pokemon. The final evolved form of Cubone. Marowak is the evolved form of a Cubone that has overcome its sadness at the loss of its mother and grown tough. This Pokemon's tempered and hardened spirit is not easily broken.
Venomoth, The Poison Moth Pokemon. The final evolved form of Venonate. Venomoth is nocturnal—it is a Pokémon that only becomes active at night. Its favourite prey are small insects that gather around streetlights, attracted by the light in the darkness.
The group looked at the two Pokemon with interest. Cubone especially looked at the Marowak. he has been training hard to try and catch up with the rest of Drake's team, he will make sure to watch the ground types movements to learn for when his evolution comes along. From the look of the two Pokemon, they are both very well raised and ready for battle. No wonder Luana doesn't require a qualify test if she has four Pokemon all like this.
"Then I'll start with Snorlax, Charizard. I choose you!" Ash shouted as he threw the two Pokeball. In a flash of light, the Sleeping Pokemon and the Flame Pokemon appeared on the battlefield. Charizard let out a massive battle cry as Snorlax... Yawned.
"Marowak and Venomoth VS Snorlax and Charizard... Begin." The ref started the battle.
Ash VS Luana:
"Marowak, start with Bonemerang." Luana declared. "Venomoth use Gust.".
The Bone Keeper Pokemon threw his Bone towards Snorlax. The ground type is smart enough to know that a Charizard is more likely to dodge the incoming attack when compared to a Snorlax. Venomoth started to flap her wings which created a powerful wind. The gust attack did little to the two opposing Pokemon, but the bone seemed to speed up and started to spin faster.
Due to it moving so quick, neither Ash or his Pokemon had a chance to react. The bone struck Snorlax on the head and bounced off into the air. Without needing any instruction, Marowak started running before leaping into the air. He was able to snatch the moving object with pin point accuracy.
"Quick Charizard, get Marowak whilst he's in the air!" Ash shouted.
Charizard roared before shooting off into the air. He was on a direct course for the ground type who was falling back to the ground. Ash smirked as he couldn't see a way for Marowak to avoid Charizard.
"Confusion and Bone Club." Luana instructed.
Venomoth had her antenna's stand on end as they glew with a light blue out line. Marowak also gained this light blue outline, and started to fly past Charizard almost like a flying type. Charizard wasn't prepared for this, and thus couldn't stop the ground type.
Once again, Marowak was aiming for the normal type. This is typical of Luana and her Pokemon know it, but focusing on one Pokemon it will go down much quicker, thus throwing the challenger off. Ash knew he couldn't let them keep up this lead they have had so far. Lucky, he saw a way to defend the others.
"Flamethrower Charizard. Straight ahead!" Ash shouted. "And Snorlax use Defence Curl.".
Charizard, who turned around momentarily when Marowak flew past him, looked straight forward and unleashed a massive Flamethrower out of his mouth but didn't have time to properly aim. He trusted Ash when he said straight ahead. The flames went straight for Venomoth who didn't have chance to dodge, and the painful attack caused her to cancel her Confusion.
Due to Venomoth not keeping her Confusion attack up, Marowak was no-longer able to fly. The ground type was shocked when he started to fall but was trained enough to respond accordingly and held his bone in front of him which means it is going to hit Snorlax directly on the head.
The Sleeping Pokemon curled up into a ball as lights appeared around him, raising his physical defence. Marowak fell down in front of the normal type, and the bone hit the normal type but didn't appear to affect him.
"Rollout, and get in the air Charizard!" Ash hollered.
Charizard acted quickly and got into the air as Snorlax started to roll across the field. Marowak was barely able to jump out of the way of the normal type, as Snorlax rolled across the field. Venomoth was barely able to move out of the way of Snorlax. The normal type continued rolling before slamming into the wall, Snorlax stood back up while being a little dizzy on his feet.
"Double Edge & Quiver Dance." Luana instructed.
Marowak started running at the dazed Snorlax with a sort of power barrier surrounding him. He has nearly the entire room to cover before the attack will land but just from past experience, Ash knows this will be a powerful hit.
Venomoth was floating in the air as lights appeared around her, which showed her special defence, special attack and speed all increase. While Ash was sure the bug poison type was dangerous, Marowak seems to be the main attacking force of these two which makes Ash see him as the major threat at this moment in time.
"Quick Charizard, use Seismic Toss on Marowak!" Ash shouted.
Charizard roared and dived down past Venomoth and towards the charging Marowak. Ash failed to notice the smirk which crept onto Luana's face. By making one Pokemon out to more of a threat then the other means Venomoth is free to cause trouble. It is one of her favourite strategies.
"Toxic." Luana requested.
Venomoth quickly fired a blob of purple sludge out of her mouth. Charizard, who wasn't paying her any attention, couldn't dodge the incoming attack and the sludge landed on the fire flying types back. The sudden impact made Charizard lose focus and crashed into the ground as Marowak continued and landed his Double Edge on the normal type. Luckily, Snorlax was able to absorb the hit pretty well.
"Charizard return!" Ash quickly recalled his now poisoned flame Pokemon. While he knows Charizard has plenty of fight left in him, he automatically loses if one of his Pokemon faints, so he doesn't want to risk it. Ash's quickly made his decision and switched the Pokeballs "I choose you, Muk!".
The Sludge Pokemon appeared on the battlefield and let out a battle cry. That Toxic trick won't work on Muk, and Luana has no-clue what ability his Snorlax has so it has to be worth the chance to bluff her. Plus, Ash wants to keep Dragonair secret as she is honestly the strongest Pokemon he is using in this battle.
"Your Muk?" Luana questioned. Like the other gym leaders, Luana has done her research on her challengers which means studying all the Pokemon Ash used in the Indigo League. Obviously, she didn't know about Snorlax, but she wouldn't let that deter her. "I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting you to use him. This will be interesting.".
"We will show you, interesting." Ash replied confidently. "Shadow Sneak on Venomoth.".
Muk dissolved into the ground becoming little more than a black shadow. In the blink of an eye, the Shadow shot across the ground and into the air before Muk reappeared in front of Venomoth, striking it fast.
"Poison Jab!" Ash shouted.
The Sludge Pokemon quickly pulled his arm back as it glew a bright purple. Not giving Luana or Venomoth the chance to counter, Muk hit Venomoth directly with the poison type move. It was strong enough to know Venomoth away as Muk fell back onto the field. The Poison Moth Pokemon ending up hitting Snorlax's stomach.
"Body Slam, Snorlax!" Ash hollered.
Snorlax, acting on a little common sense, fell forward crushing the bug poison type underneath him. Despite being a well-trained Pokemon, Venomoth couldn't withstand the weight of a Snorlax. As the Sleeping Pokemon stood up again, Venomoth was lying on the field with swirls in her eyes.
"Venomoth is unable to battle." The ref declared. "Please switch your Pokemon, Luana.".
"Return Venomoth, good job." Luana praised her Poison Moth Pokemon. She quickly swapped her Pokeballs. "Go Dodrio!". The normal flying type appeared on the battlefield and scrapped its foot like it was ready to run. Ash scanned it with his Pokedex:
Dodrio, The Triple Bird Pokemon. The final evolved form of Doduo. Watch out if Dodrio's three heads are looking in three separate directions. It's a sure sign that it is on its guard. Don't go near this Pokémon if it's being wary-it may decide to peck you.
"Jump Kick." Luana instructed. One of Dodrio's heads spotted which direction Luana gave a quick glance, the Triple Bird Pokemon is one of her oldest Pokemon and thus knows her technique of giving away who she wants to be the target.
Jumping into the air, the normal flying type didn't want to give away which Pokemon she is targeting. In one swift movement, she turned towards Dodrio and stretched one of her legs out before falling towards Snorlax.
"Quick Muk, use Shadow Sneak and Protect Snorlax!" Ash shouted.
While not ideal, Ash knows a fighting move would do a lot more damage to a Snorlax when compared to his Muk. The Sludge Pokemon started to dissolve into the ground again. Ash knows a ghost type move wouldn't touch Dodrio, but it is the only way for Muk to move at a decent speed.
"Not this time, Earthquake!" Luana shouted.
Marowak jumped into the air and landed in front of Muk, caused the battlefield to shake, along with the room they are currently in. The super effective attack forced Muk to reappear on the field unable to protect Snorlax. Dodrio landed her Jump Kick on Snorlax's head.
When combined with both the Earthquake and his previous damage, Snorlax was looking very on edge and panting heavily. Yes, Snorlax are very strong Pokemon but Luana's Pokemon are very well trained so it is no surprise they could cause a lot of damage towards him.
"Return Snorlax!" Ash shouted as he quickly recalled his normal type. In a battle where he isn't able to lose a Pokemon, he doesn't want to take any risks, unfortunately that has put him behind them all. Ash switched the Pokeball for his Ultra Ball. "I choose you, Dragonair!".
The Dragon Pokemon appeared on the battlefield and let out an elegant but might battle cry. She held herself in a royal but threatening pose. She isn't too happy about having to share her battlefield with the sludge hugger but as long as he stays out of her way, everything will be fine.
"Well, now things are getting interesting." Luana commented. "Marowak, use Ice Beam. Dodrio, agility.".
The Bone Keeper Pokemon jumped into the air before a sort of ice ball appeared in front of his mouth. A powerful Ice Beam shot out of the ball and was aiming directly for Dragonair.
Dodrio started running towards Muk, with a light blue outline as she gained running speed. Ash knew he couldn't let Luana chose the match ups, as it would mean he will be playing catch up.
"Dragonair, use Wrap on Dodrio." Ash instructed. "Muk, Ice Punch on Marowak.".
Dragonair leaped into action the moment the words left Ash's mouth. She charged straight into the Triple Bird Pokemon and thanks to the combined speed to the both of them, meant Dodrio couldn't avoid her. Using her slim body and fast reflexes, Dragonair wrapped her body around the normal flying type before slightly levitating in the air, as to limit it ways of struggling.
Muk extended his arm as his fist turned to ice. The frozen hand took the Ice Beam head on, and seemed to be absorbing its energy. Ash smiled as he saw the training paying off. Muk's body is built to absorb attacks, but mostly physical ones. Luckily, Drake devised a way for him to absorb more special based moves, but it requires him to use the same energy that he wants to absorb.
With the Ice Beam having no effect on the sludge Pokemon, Muk extended his arm to strike Marowak head on with the powerful ice move. Marowak had his attack cancelled as he was sent flying into a wall. Despite taking a lot of damage, the ground type was still able to battle although was wobbly as he tried to resume a battle stance.
Ash realised he also couldn't leave Dragonair on restraining Dodrio, no-doubt Luana would figure out a way to escape and the princess wouldn't be best pleased with that role.
"Use Thunder Wave, Dragonair. Then let Dodrio go." Ash instructed his Dragon with a wink. The princess smirked as she knows all-to-well exactly how to let her prisoner go. "Muk, use Shadow Sneak into Poison Jab.".
The Jewel on Dragonair's next glew a sort of mystic blue colour, as several sparks of electricity jumped out and struck Dodrio. The normal flying type cried out as she became paralysed. Once Dragonair was sure the status condition had been inflicted, she raised Dodrio into the air before releasing her grip and Slamming her prisoner down to the ground.
Muk dissolved into the ground before shooting across the field with incredible speed as a shadow. He slammed into the ground type as he reappeared directly in front of Marowak. Not giving the Bone Keeper Pokemon a chance to recover, Muk landed a powerful Poison Jab attack. Marowak was thrown into the wall, then fell onto his stomach with swirls in his eyes.
"Marowak is unable to battle." The ref declared. "Please switch your Pokemon, Luana.".
"Return Marowak, good job." Luana praised her ground type. She quickly swapped her Pokeballs. "Go Alakazam!". The Psi Pokemon appeared on the battlefield and entered a battle stance. Ash scanned it with his Pokedex:
Alakazam, The Psi Pokemon. The final evolved form of Abra. Alakazam's brain continually grows, infinitely multiplying brain cells. This amazing brain gives this Pokémon an astoundingly high IQ of 5,000. It has a thorough memory of everything that has occurred in the world.
Ash sighed as he realised the battle was only just getting started. Alakazam are known for being incredibly strong Pokemon and the fact that it is the evolved form of one of Serena's best battlers doesn't ease Ash for the battle a head. Still, he decided the best plan would be to take out Dodrio.
"Muk, use Sludge Bomb on Dodrio." Ash instructed.
Muk opened his mouth and launched several blobs of purple toxic sludge. Dodrio has been trained enough to try and dodge without being instructed to but the paralysis took over. The Triple Bird Pokemon was about to take the poison type attack.
"Psychic." Luana instructed.
Alakazam is her oldest partner, all she needs is the one word and he knows exactly how she wants him to attack. The Psychic type's eyes glew blue as a powerful wave of psychic energy shot out from his body. It intercepted the Sludge Bomb's, making them implode in the air but the psychic wave continued towards Muk.
"Dragonair, protect Muk with Dragon Rush!" Ash shouted.
Dragonair let out an elegant battle cry as dark blue dragon type energy surrounded her body. Her eyes even glew a dark yellow colour. Shooting across the field, she burst through the psychic wave with the Dragon Rush protecting her. Alakazam saw the incoming threat and didn't need to be told to dodge. He ended the Psychic attack before it reached Muk, and he levitated out of the way, dodging the princess and her attack. Dragonair crashed into the wall but quickly got up looking very angry. How dare this thing make her look like an idiot?
"Drill Peck." Luana ordered with a smirk.
Dodrio started to run towards Muk but wasn't going at nearly her fastest because of the paralysis. Ash noticed the sparks were still showing over the normal flying types body and wondered what Luana was planning, the female bird isn't exactly in a prime battling condition so why send it on a head-on attack?
"Use your body to stop it, Muk. Then finish it with Ice Punch." Ash instructed.
Muk started to expand his body as Dodrio stepped onto the sludgy puddle. This combined with the paralysis made Dodrio come to a standstill. Luana made no attempts to stop the sludge Pokemon as he coated his fist in ice and punched the normal flying type in her centre. The Triple Bird Pokemon was sent flying, and landed on her back with swirls in her eyes.
"Dodrio is unable to battle." The ref declared. "Please return your Pokemon, Luana.".
"Return Dodrio, good job." Luana praised her normal flying type as she returned her. "Thank you, Ash, now that you have taken Dodrio out you have given me a great advantage.".
"What do you mean?" Ash asked.
"It may not be nice, but Dodrio was a sitting Psyduck. That is why I let you take her down so easily." Luana explained. "You will learn that in a battle, not all decisions you make are nice ones. But you still have to choose. And now that only Alakazam is left, he doesn't need to worry about protecting anyone else.".
Ash looked at Luana with a hard stare, he would've expecting to hear something like that from Drake back before they made amends or from Paul or someone. Then again, if they did say that then Ash probably would've just have ignored it tried to prove them wrong but if a gym leader in the Orange League said it then maybe there is something behind it.
There is a battle that needs to be done and while Dragonair is fighting fit, Muk is a sitting Psyduck against Alakazam while the rest of his Pokemon aren't really in much of a battling condition. Although, knowing how Dragonair likes to battle, he may have a way around that.
"Dragonair, do you think you can handle Alakazam on your own?" Ash asked his Dragon type.
"Of course." Dragonair replied in a confident tone.
"Very well, I trust you." Ash replied as he pulled a Pokeball out. "Return Muk.". The Sludge Pokemon was returned to his Pokeball and Ash quickly clipped it back to his belt with a word of thanks. He hesitated over the other Pokeballs.
"Challenger, as this is a double battle format, you need to bring out a second Pokemon." The ref instructed.
Great, normally a two on one match up would give Ash the advantage but in this situation, he would have to make sure Alakazam couldn't just attack that Pokemon to end the match early while having Dragonair in the proper battle. Still, if he does need to use one he knows exactly who.
"I choose you, Snorlax!" Ash shouted as he released his normal type. The Sleeping Pokemon appeared on the battle field, looking ready to faint and still panting heavily. Ash wasn't going to waste a second in his plan. "Snorlax, use Rest!".
That was like music to Snorlax's ears. He wasted no time in falling onto his back, falling into a deep sleep. His body started to light up, as his health was slowly being recharged. Dragonair rolled her eyes before entering a battle stance to restart the battle.
"Extreme Speed into Wrap!" Ash shouted.
Dragonair shot off like a bullet towards the Psi Pokemon. Alakazam was in a battle stance but wasn't completely ready to handle Dragonair's speed. She slammed into the Psychic type before wrapping her body around Alakazam like she did Dodrio. Knowing Ash well enough, she also unleashed another Thunder Wave.
"Teleport." Luana instructed.
Alakazam glew white before he reappeared next to Dragonair. The Dragon type had her body which was holding the Psi Pokemon in place sort of collapse in on herself, which only added to the princess' anger. While Teleport is one of Alakazam's more difficult tricks to deal with, Luana's doesn't enjoy using it too much so he only uses it when absolutely needed.
"Shadow Ball." Luana instructed.
Unfortunately, she never got around to teach Alakazam an Ice, Fairy or Dragon type move so he doesn't have a real type advantage over Dragonair, plus Dragon's resist psychic so even if the princess isn't fully evolved doesn't mean she is at the disadvantage. Plus, there is that healing Snorlax to deal with.
Alakazam formed a Shadow Ball in front of his chest before throwing it at the Dragon type. Due to her slim and agile body, Dragonair was able to avoid the ghost type move which imploded into a wall behind her. Alakazam quickly formed a second Shadow Ball and launched it again to keep up the pressure.
"Return it with Aqua Tail!" Ash shouted.
Dragonair coated her tail in water barrier as the second Shadow Ball was blasted towards her. The Princess didn't attempt to avoid it like last time and instead whacked the ghost type move with her water covered tail. The Shadow Ball was sent back towards the Psi Pokemon.
"Psybeam." Luana commanded.
Alakazam held his two spoons in front of himself as a sort of beam made up of multicoloured psychic type energy shot forward. The Psybeam struck the Shadow Ball, making it implode upon impact, as the psychic type move continued towards Dragonair.
"Dragon Rush!" Ash shouted.
Dragonair let out another elegant cry as she powered up another Dragon Rush attack. Shooting forward the princess was again protected from the Psychic type attack thanks to the Dragon type energy. Neither Alakazam or Luana had a chance to react as the princess slammed into the Psi Pokemon. Alakazam was sent flying back and slammed into the sleeping Pokemon who absorbed most of the impact, but didn't even twitch in his sleep.
"Recover." Luana instructed.
Alakazam started to glow as the injuries he just received from the Dragon Rush were being healed up. Ash knew Alakazam couldn't take to many hits as he isn't built for defence. Lucky, Dragonair still has a secret weapon to handle Psychic types.
"Extreme speed... Then use your tail." Ash instructed.
Luana and Alakazam were confused as so far Ash has been pretty straight forward about his attack plans, sure he hasn't need to tell them to do everything like to avoid in coming attacks but that is just a sign of being an experienced trainer. This one change was enough to throw the gym leader and ace off. Of course, she has had faced many opponents who give out battle commands like this, but she wasn't expecting this from Ash mainly because of how into the battle she gets, which only adds to their surprise.
The princess shot off towards the Psi Pokemon with incredible speed. She slammed into the Psychic type once again and he went flying towards another wall, but swinging her tail around as it was coated in red and black, dark type energy. She used Brutal Swing and got a second powerful hit in.
"Now finish it with Dragon Pulse!" Ash hollered.
As Alakazam flew into a wall, the princess fired a blue beam of dragon type energy out of her mouth. The Psychic type was engulfed by the powerful hit. Smoke covered the result of the onslaught of attacks for about a minute, with no movement or sounds coming from within. Once the smoke faded, Alakazam was found on his stomach with burn marks and swirls in his eyes.
"Alakazam is unable to battle." The ref declared. "With all four of her Pokemon unable to battle, Luana has been defeated which means the winner of this match and the Kumquat gym badge is the challenger, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town.".
"Awesome Dragonair, you was amazing!" Ash charged out into the field and embraced the dragon type with a hug. He would've done the same to Snorlax, but the normal type is still asleep. Ash can't help but think that the Sleeping Pokemon is already fully healed but just doesn't want to wake up.
Dragonair rolled her eyes at the show of affection, it is undignified for a princess to show affection to someone else, but Ash has been a good subject for her. With a sigh, she reluctantly returned the gesture by wrapping her tail around Ash, as her own sort of hug.
In a flash of light, both Muk and Charizard appeared on the field. Charizard was still suffering from the effects of the Poison while Muk was looking exhausted, but the sludge Pokemon didn't let that stop him. Muk joined Ash and Dragonair in the victory hug, much to the dragon types dismay. Charizard pulled himself together to add in his own celebration by firing a weak Flamethrower at the trio. Muk and Dragonair were able to move out of the way so only Ash was hit.
"You... Were awesome as well... Buddy." Ash chocked before he fell over.
Luana had thanked and returned her Psi Pokemon before approaching the soot covered Ash. She looked at the group of four Pokemon and trainer with a light smile on her face. Despite having varying personalities and they might not all get along, you just had to see Dragonair's reaction to Muk's hug to know that, they all have a close bond with Ash which is exactly what the Orange League is about.
"Congratulations Ash, as proof of your victory here at the Kumquat gym it is my pleasure to present you with the Jade Star Badge." Luana told her victorious challenger as Ash picked himself up, whipping the soot of his face.
Luana held her hand out and on her palm, was one of the badges. It is shaped like a conch shell with a small pale cream gemstone in the centre. Ash looked at the badge with a smile before he picked it up and placed it with his others. Pikachu flashed the V sign, but everyone seemed to notice something was off about Ash.
"Thank you, Luana." Ash thanked as his friends approached him.
"Ash, what's wrong?" Drake asked.
"What do you mean?" Ash replied with a look of confusion.
"Normally when you earn a badge or catch a Pokemon you spin around and shout out about what you just did." Serena answered.
"Oh that." Ash replied with a light chuckle. "I just figured, with me being twelve now and about to compete in the Orange League, it is time I grew up and stop doing that. Everyone already knows what I've done so far.".
"Well for now you can enjoy the facilities of the hotel." Luana explained to the group. "The receptionist would have prepared the room for you as well.".
"I should probably get the guys a check-up with Nurse Joy." Ash replied.
"Oh, no need for that." Luana replied. "Our spa and relaxations has a full medical bay to heal the challengers and my own Pokemon. They will be fighting fit in no time.".
Once Charizard, Snorlax, Muk & Dragonair had been healed up, the group set off around the hotel for their own thing. Luana mentioned the league offers a boat ride for the competing trainers back to Pummelo stadium. To give Lapras a break after all her travelling, Ash and the others exchanged their on-hand teams by using the hotel phones and exchanging their teams. After today, the real training for the Orange League begins.
Ash exchanged his team for: Pikachu, Blastoise, Haunter, Sandslash, Aerodactyl and Snorlax. Serena also exchanged her team for: Kadabra, Kingdra, Eevee, Kabuto, Magneton and Jigglypuff. Misty also exchanged her team for: Starmie, Seaking, Tentacruel, Psyduck, Vaporeon and Poliwag. Finally, Drake went with: Charizard, Pinsir, Victreebel, Machamp, Cubone and Ponyta.
With the new teams the group set off around the hotel. Misty, Blastoise, Kingdra, Starmie, Seaking, Tentacruel, Psyduck, Vaporeon and Poliwag went into the outside pool which had more than enough space for all of them. The weird thing about Psyduck is, he didn't mutter a word to Ash in the brief time together. Since being given the Calm Mind TM by Rudy, he hasn't spent any sort of time with the aura user.
Serena went to the spa with: Haunter, Eevee, Kabuto and Jigglypuff. Haunter mentioned having to look her best for the big movie part she is going to have, whatever that meant. Eevee and Jigglypuff just wanted to feel pampered and spend time with Serena. Kabuto, while he isn't exactly the spa type was too shy to join the other water Pokemon in the pool and refused to leave Serena's side.
In the gym was Ash with: Pikachu, Sandslash, Kadabra, Charizard, Pinsir, Machamp and Cubone. Despite only just winning his fourth gym badge, Ash was in mood to relax, he was pumped up for the league. With Serena's birthday coming up next week, he didn't want to waste any time. Not to mention, some of the Pokemon like Sandslash, Kadabra and Pinsir just would train regardless and a few others decided to join them, but Ash let his own Pokemon decide where to go, just like the others.
Finally, in the garden was Drake with: Aerodactyl, Snorlax, Magneton, Victreebel and Ponyta. Aerodactyl and Snorlax are asleep in the sun. Magneton is just mindlessly floating around with no-activity currently in mind. Victreebel, was going to prank some of the other guests but was told to be on his best behaviour. Ponyta was too timid to leave Drake's side so she enjoyed a brush from her trainer.
Soon it was time for the sun to set. The group met back up and enjoyed a full three course meal for both the trainers and Pokemon. They surprisingly even catered for Snorlax. Once the meal was finished, the group retired to their room. It was very big, the main part was a lounge type room, with two separate bedrooms and a bathroom all attached on. The group are now sat around the lounge.
Ash has a sleeping Togepi in his hands, with Serena resting her head on his shoulder, these two are sat on the couch. Pikachu is lay on the back of the couch, not quite asleep but resting after a hard training session. Misty is sat on the arm chair with her Poliwag in her hands, despite not being a baby Pokemon, Poliwag has been acting like it but that will likely change when she evolves. Drake is sat on the floor with Cubone on his lap, who, like Pikachu, is exhausted, but not quite asleep.
"So, Ash, how does it feel to have all four badges needed to compete in the Orange League?" Serena asked.
"It feels great, I can just feel the Orange Trophy in my hands." Ash replied as he shot her an excited smile.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Ash." Misty teased. "You still have a long way to go before even getting the chance to face the champion. Speaking off, have you decided who your gonna use?".
"... Hmm, not really." Ash answered the question after a little bit of thought. "Drake, who do you think I should use?".
"I wouldn't make that decision yet. We have a two-week boat ride to Pummelo stadium, then we have the week of the grand festival." Drake replied. "I would just spend the first two weeks making sure all your Pokemon are in top form, then do the research when the Grand Festival is on.".
"Research?" Ash questioned.
"Yes, look up those you are competing against." Drake answered. "They all have league records, so you can find out which Pokemon they have on their teams, view their old league battles and plan accordingly... They will likely be doing the same with you and your team.".
"So, they will have Ash's full history? That doesn't seem fair." Serena butted in.
"Not quite, Serena." Drake replied. "The league records only hold information gathered at the leagues the trainer has competed at. For Ash, they only have the Indigo League. It means any Pokemon used in that league, as well as all the trainer's battles can be viewed. Ash's Lapras and Snorlax won't be made known... Not until they are used in a league battle, and Blastoise will still be down as a Wartortle... It is the same for all the trainers.".
"So, they will know which Pokemon I have but I will have access to the same information?" Ash repeated. "Man, this research and planning sounds difficult.".
"I'll help you when we get to Pummelo, but until then just focus on making sure everyone is in top condition." Drake repeated. Before anyone could respond, a certain ghost poison type came floating through the lounge, juggling with three balls.
"Da, da, dadada, circus. Da, da, dadada, Afro. Circus, afro, circus, afro. Poke-a-dot, poke-a-dot, poke-a-dot. Afro!" Haunter sang as she continued to juggle.
"Um Haunter... What are you doing?" Ash reluctantly asked.
"I am getting in a last-minute rehearsal before the big movie arc over the next three chapters." Haunter replied matter-of-factly.
"I'm not gonna say it." Ash promised himself. Haunter smirked as she accepted the challenge.
"Although what I could really use is something much bigger to juggle..." Haunter mused before a light bulb went off above her head. "Hey author, can you write in that the Hotel is under construction and has three of those big digger thingies'.".
"I'm not gonna say it." Ash repeated to himself.
"Hello, author. Are you there?" Haunter popped out of the screen as the author wrote this part, to grab his attention but he too was ignoring her, so she returned to the group. "Well if you won't listen to me then I guess I'll need to spoil that at the end of the movie you reveal more about We...".
"Shut it Haunter!" The author warned.
"I'm gonna say it..." Ash sighed, having enough of the whatever Haunter was up to. "WE! ARE! NOT! IN! A! FAN FICTION! HAUNTER!".
After a full night's sleep and full breakfast at the hotel restaurant, the group was packed up and ready to get a move on as they received word from Luana that the league boat had arrived for them. As the group stepped out of the automatic doors, they saw a familiar face. Alvin, one of the six competing trainers in the League was on a battlefield. Currently out were his Butterfree and Cubone who were in some sort of battle.
"I guess Alvin still needs to battle Luana, and is getting ready for the match." Ash replied thoughtfully. He would've suggested going over to speak with him, but he looks pretty busy and they don't really have time to waste, so they continued on their way towards the dock.
"He looked to be pretty serious, Ash." Misty spoke up as a teasing smirk crossed her face. "Are you sure your up to that sort of challenge at the league?".
"Of course, I am." Ash replied confidently.
"Toge Toge!" Togepi chirped an agreement.
"Hehehe, Togepi seems to think so." Serena giggled.
"Seren-a." Togepi chirped again. Now Ash's eyes widened, Togepi has been trying to say more words recently with him trying his hardest with Serena's name. While not perfect, especially with the last 'a', this was the clearest he has said it.
"Togepi..." Ash whispered as he looked at the fairy type. The Spikeball Pokemon cheered and hugged his daddy, it didn't take a genius for the group to work out that the fairy type just said something. Unfortunately, only Ash is capable of understanding the Pokemon.
"D'aww, that is soo cute." A familiar female voice cooed from behind the group. Upon hearing the voice, the group turned around to find Leaf stood behind them. Ash, Misty and Drake were surprised to find the adventurer, but Serena smiled and welcomed the girl with a hug.
"Glad you could make, Leaf." Serena told her friend.
"Well I said I would come back for when my bro faces the league." Leaf replied. "I am just glad I was able to catch ya before you left.".
"What do you mean?" Ash asked.
"Leaf called me a couple days ago, when you was training." Serena explained. "I told her how you planned to take on the gym yesterday. And she said she was on a nearby island and that she would try to catch us up.".
"Well this is great, now all we have to do is get to Pummelo and win the Orange League." Ash declared as he looked around. Since Leaf joined up, the group didn't stop walking when Leaf showed up, so they were able to make it to the dock.
It didn't take long for the group to find the boat they were supposed to be getting, as it was a decent size but not a massive cruise liner like the rest of the boats. On the boat was a female in her mid-twenties, wearing a black cap with some green hair sticking forward and dressed in orange baggy clothes.
"Hey there!" The female shouted down to the group as she jumped onto the dock and off her ground. "I'm Maren, and I was sent by Drake the orange league champion to escort you to Pummelo stadium.".
"Hey Maren, I'm Ash." Ash introduced himself. "These are Pikachu and Togepi.".
"I'm Serena." Serena spoke up.
"And I'm Misty." Misty added.
"Drake." Drake stuck his hand up, this is actually the first word he uttered since Leaf joined the group.
"And I'm Leaf." The hyper active girl jumped in.
"Well it's nice to meet you." Maren explained. "We're gonna be on the sea for about two-weeks, and we aren't set to stop on any islands except some deserted ones for night. If you're ready to go, we can set sail. Of course, your Pokemon are free to be released once were out on the sea, and as long as they don't damage the ship you can do your training.".
"Sounds good to me." Ash replied, excited.
"Then let's get you all on board." Maren smiled as she started to help the group enter the boat.
Once the group was on board the boat, and they were out to sea. Maren showed them around the ship, which didn't take very long. With all four badges in hand and Leaf re-joining the group, it wouldn't be long before the league started. Of course, Serena would have her birthday whilst they were out on the water, but it seems like the Orange Islands adventures is coming to an end... What could possibly happen before the league though?
Thanks for reading... Please Favourite, Follow and Review. Also, feel free to ask any questions through PM, I will answer them all, although don't expect too big of spoilers. I really appreciate the support. Thank you and see ya next time...