Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

Chapter Ten

"Wake up, Ash. It's almost time for your gym battle with Norman."

"Five more minutes, Brock." Ash groaned before turning away from Brock and falling asleep again.

"Well, I tried. Pikachu, it's your turn." "Awesome!" With that, Pikachu shot a thunderbolt at Ash that promptly woke him up. After that the group had breakfast together with May. "So Ash, where are you going after this battle?"

"We're heading to Fortree for the next coin, and then Sinnoh and Unova for the last four coins. How about you?"

"I'm not sure. All the contests are on hold until the cup is over."

"Really, why?"

"Not sure. I guess most people are going to be focused on the cup since it's such a big event."

"I guess so."

"Well guys," Brock interjected, "it's time for the battle. Ready Ash?"

"You bet!" With that the trio rushed off to the Petalburg Gym. When they arrived at the gym, they could hear explosions from inside. It sounded as though there was a fierce battle going on inside. Our heroes opened the doors to see Norman and the Commissioner engaged in a battle. Norman had a tired Bouffalant on his side of the field while Gowly had his Lucario who was appeared relaxed.

"Bouffalant use earthquake!"

"Lucario dodge by using psychic to jump out of range!"

As Bouffalant summoned a powerful earthquake, Lucario jumped far out of range. While up in the air, Gowly gave his next command.

"End this with extreme speed paired with close combat!"

Lucario dove towards Bouffalant faster than anyone could see and then proceeded to attack with close combat. The super effective move proved too much and Bouffalant collapsed.

"The winner is Lucario and therefore the winner of this one-on-one match is Gowly!" Announced the referee.

"Wow, I've never seen Dad's Bouffalant be beaten that badly." May commented on the battle as she and the others made their way to the center of the field where Norman and Gowly were conversing.

"Well, you've beaten me again, Gowly."

"But you came closer to beating me this time. You've grown a lot from your time as a novice trainer traveling through Hoenn with me."

"Thanks for the kind words, but anyways, I want you to meet my daughter May and her friends Ash and Brock."

"Hey" Brock said.

"Hi" May responded.

"Hel-" Ash broke off before he finished saying hello. He stared at Gowly and felt two sensations simultaneously. The most powerful sensation was one of awe. Standing before Ash was his childhood hero and idol to many. Ash had always wanted to be a master and champion just like Gowly. The second sensation was much more subtle and it went almost unnoticed by Ash. It was a feeling of familiarity. Ash felt as though he knew the Commissioner on a deep, intimate level. It was a foreign feeling, and Ash decided that the familiarity was just the fact that he had seen Gowly on TV several times. Laughing the feeling off, Ash continued with his usual introduction. "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."

"I'm delighted to meet all of you. Are any of you trainers here for the Normal Coin?"

"I am!" Ash responded enthusiastically.

"Splendid! Norman, are you ready for this battle? I did stop by unexpectedly."

"I'll be fine. I still have five pokémon ready for this battle. Let's get this battle started!"

"Can you wait a moment? I need to return Lucario to Pokémon Isle. I want to watch this battle so give me a few minutes."

"Sure, you can use my pokémon transporter." Norman replied.

When Gowly returned, Ash and Norman made their ways to their respective side of the field. Gowly, May, and Brock made their way to the stands.

A ref stepped up to his box and began the battle. "This will be a three-on-three battle between Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town and our very own Norman of the Petalburg Gym. There will be no substitutions and the battle is over when one side has lost all three of his pokémon. Battle, begin!"

"Go Sawsbuck!"

"I choose you, Heracross!"

"Well, it looks as though Ash has the advantage, and Norman knows it." Gowly commented from the stands.

"What do you mean?" May inquired.

"When Norman gets nervous in battle, his fists clench, as they are now." Sure enough, Brock and May could see Norman clenching his fists as his sides. "That doesn't mean that Norman has already lost, it simply means that he's worried. But let's see what happens."

"Sawsbuck, use swords dance."

"Heracross use megahorn!"

"Counter with your own megahorn, Sawsbuck!"

The two pokémon collided and were in a tie. Neither pokémon was moving at all. Heracross had the same type attack bonus while Sawsbuck was using added power thanks to its swords dance. Norman's hands slowly unclenched as he took control of the battle.

"Now jump up and use megahorn!"

"Heracross dodge and use focus punch!"

As Sawsbuck came hurtling towards Heracross, Heracross jumped away in the nick of time and delivered a crippling focus punch straight to Sawsbuck. After both pokémon returned to their side of the field, May, Brock, and Gowly could see that Sawsbuck was tired and Heracross looked fine.

"Use rest and sleep talk Sawsbuck!"

"Oh no!" Ash exclaimed, realizing that rest would fully heal Norman's pokémon. Quick, use focus punch!"

Once again, the two pokémon ran at each other with Sawsbuck using return. Heracross, being awake, dodged Sawsbuck and knocked it out with focus punch.

"Sawsbuck is unable to battle. The winner of the battle is Heracross!"

"You know Ash; I've been told by many people that I need a pokémon that can counter fighting types." As Norman said this, he gave Gowly a knowing look. "So meet Staraptor! Start strong with brave bird!"

As Staraptor was released from its pokéball, it became encased in a red and blue light before charging at Heracross. Rather than dodging, Heracross took the attack head on.

"And that takes care of Heracross. Wait, what?" Norman was shocked and Heracross was still standing.

"I had Heracross use endure, so he's still ready for action. Now use horn attack!"

"Dodge and end this with aerial ace!" Heracross proved too slow to dodge the lightning-fast attack and fell to the ground, knocked out.

"Heracross is unable to battle. The winner of the battle is Staraptor!"

"Well, I know how to beat flying types. Go Pikachu! Start strong with thunderbolt!"

"Dodge and then follow it up with aerial ace!"

"Now Pikachu, ready an iron tail for when that Staraptor gets close."

"Quick, Staraptor, change to close combat!"

"No!"

The fighting type move was able to overpower the steel type iron tail and pummeled Pikachu with some serious damage.

"Quick Pikachu, thunderbolt!"

"Pikachu zapped the retreating bird, and soon both pokémon were panting.

"Staraptor, end this with final gambit!"

Both pokémon were knocked out thanks to the effects of the devastating move.

"Staraptor was tired from that thunderbolt, so I had to end this battle quickly. I doubt my aerial ace, close combat combo would have worked a second time, so I used final gambit to knock out both pokémon. I think you know who's coming next, go Slaking!"

"I choose you, Gallade!"

AN: Hi everyone. Sorry I fell off the planet for a while. School takes a lot out of you. But I promise regular, weekly updates over the summer. I just have one question. Should I pair Ash with May, Misty or no one? I was thinking either May would travel with Ash since the contests are on hiatus or Misty would meet up with him at the actual cup. Let me know what you guys think.