Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
Chapter Eleven
"I think you know who's coming next, go Slaking!"
"I choose you, Gallade!"
The commissioner took a deep breath before slowly exhaling. "It seems as though Ash has the advantage, but Norman is relaxed."
"What do you mean, sir?" Brock asked.
"Look at Norman's hands. They're unclenched, relaxed even. That shows that even with the type disadvantage, he has the situation under control, or at least Norman thinks that."
"Ok Gallade, use drain punch!"
"Wait for it and then use shadow claw!"
Gallade's fist started glowing and then slammed into Slaking who shook off the attack. Slaking then stood up to his full height and attacked Gallade with a dark fist. Gallade was sent flying.
"Interesting." Gowly murmured to himself and to the other two competitors. "Gallade must be a newly evolved pokémon because that attack didn't deal that much damage. Or it could be Slaking's massive HP stat. On the flip side, Gallade took a ton of damage from the super-effective ghost type move coming off of Slaking's huge attack stat. It doesn't help that Gallade has extremely low defense. A few more shadow claws will defeat Gallade."
"Wow, you have pokemons' stats memorized?" Brock inquired.
"I have to." Gowly replied. "When you get to the highest level of battling, everything counts and everyone looks for something to gain an edge. Typing matters, as do stats. Natures, evs, and ivs also play a huge role. Although, the most important thing is to remain friends with them. As much as people want to be good at battling and memorizing various stats, they forget that the most important thing is that friendship brings results. But let's get back to the battle."
"Try to regain health, Gallade, by using drain punch!"
The psychic-fighting pokémon rushed at Slaking and slammed a glowing fist into Slaking. Gallade then jumped back, and he looked significantly better after healing himself through drain punch. Slaking, on the other hand, was looking a bit tired.
"Alright Slaking, end this with giga impact!"
"Oh no! Gallade, use destiny bond!"
"What, no!"
Slaking smashed into Gallade, knocking him out. Seconds later, Slaking also collapsed to the ground.
"Both Slaking and Gallade are unable to battle. This match is a draw!"
After returning their pokémon, Ash and Norman met in the middle of the field where they were joined by Gowly, Brock, and May.
"Well, a tie. I don't believe that's ever happened in one of the coin battles." Gowly remarked.
"So what should we do? You didn't cover this in the handbook we received with the coins." Norman inquired.
"Simple, the two pokémon last used must face off in a one-on-one battle within twenty-four hours. That battle will determine whether or not Ash gets the normal coin. It's all up to Gallade and Slaking."
"I guess that's fair." Brock remarked.
"I'm going to go heal Gallade and train really hard for tomorrow's rematch. Norman, you've beaten me once, I've beaten you once, and now we've tied. This battle will determine it all, and I'm not going to lose!"
"I'll give it my all as well Ash. Don't expect smooth sailing!"
"I won't, but I gotta go train. See you tomorrow, Norman. Commissioner, it was an honor to meet you!"
"Likewise, Ash. Good luck tomorrow. I, too, will probably be taking my leave now. I have a meeting to get to. Have fun training. Hop to it!"
"Bye Gowly" Norman said and then proceeded to shake hands with Gowly.
With that, both Ash and Gowly left the gym. Ash made his way towards the Pokémon Center, and Gowly flew off towards Pokémon Isle on his Salamence. Brock and May then left the gym and headed towards Ash.
"Umm, Ash, we need to talk."
"What is it, May?"
"I got a call from Drew last night, and he told me about pokémon musicals in Unova. Those are still going on for a few months. I'll compete in those and then I'll join you guys at Pokémon Isle for the Cup."
"That's fine, May. You following your dreams is the most important thing. We'll miss you, but you got to do what you got to do." Ash answered.
"When do you leave May?" Brock inquired.
"Tomorrow night, so hopefully, I'll see you beat my dad, and then I'll depart for Unova. Drew's already there."
"Ok May."
"But don't let that stop you from training! You're going to have to work harder than that to beat my dad!"
"Ok, ok. Gees, you sound like Max."
"I DO NOT!"
'Great,' Brock thought to himself, 'May's turning into Misty.'
"Before you two kill each other, Ash you should probably start training because Nurse Joy is coming over here with your pokéballs."
And so, Ash began to train with his Gallade to beat Norman. He first went to the PC though, and had Prof. Oak send him his Snorlax as a sparring partner. 'Snorlax has the same typing and high defenses like Slaking,' Ash thought to himself. 'This should be good practice for Gallade.'
-Line Break-
'Hmm. Ash was unable to beat Norman on his first try.' Gowly thought to himself as he flew towards Pokémon Isle. 'Then again, he did use a newly evolved pokémon. I might as well stick to the plan. We'll see whether or not he is the Chosen One at the end of the Cup.'
The Commissioner then called Jackie and told him to continue monitoring Ash and his friends. Just as Salamence was about to tire, Pokémon Isle came into view. Putting on a final burst of speed, Salamence landed at the base of League Tower, the international headquarters of the Pokémon League. After recalling Salamence, Gowly entered the Tower and rode up to his office. He entered the room with a portrait of Lucario overlooking his desk and a Lucario sitting at the desk.
"So how did meeting Ash face-to-face for the first time go?" Lucario inquired.
"It went splendidly. Although, he did have an odd expression on his face when he looked at me."
"He recognized you?!"
"I don't think so. He shook it off quickly. Probably thinks he saw me on TV or something. Anyways, how did your research go?"
"After exploring the aura, I finally found the final plate. It seems to have Fairy-Aura attached to it."
"That would make sense. Every plate we've found so far has been connected to a type. And so far we have sixteen plates. I thought we were done, but then Sycamore discovered the fairy type. That's why I had you scour the aura to see if a fairy plate also existed. I guess there is now an eighteenth type. No normal plate though?"
"None that I've been able to find."
"Interesting. Well, according to legend, the Original One is a normal type, so I guess He doesn't need a normal plate to change into a normal type. Do you know where the fairy plate is?"
"Yes, but you won't like it."
"What do you mean? Where is it?"
"In Kalos, by the Pokémon Village."
"Grr. Kalos is so far! And the Pokémon Village is by that weirdo, Wulfric!"
"Master, it isn't nice to insult people, and besides, don't you want all the plates?"
"You're correct as usual. Fine then, I'll enter all of this information into the database, and then we'll fly out tomorrow."
"Why are you recording all of this again?"
"In case something happens to me, Cynthia should know what's going on and where the plates are."
"Do you trust her that much?"
"I have to. She's my Deputy Commissioner and will take over if I am unable to perform my duties. I want her to know how to access the safe that's housing the plates. She should then scatter them around the planet. We wouldn't want Giovanni getting his hands on these."
"Agreed."
"Well, old friend, rest up because we have a long flight ahead of us."