Author's note:
I was hoping I could get 2 chapters done in one week since it took me so long to post chapter 30, so I hope this makes up for it.
Chapter 32: A gogoat duel
Ash and the others got up and had breakfast before heading over to the gym. Once they got inside they saw the entire gym was filled with all sorts of plants and vegetation. So many different flowers and bushes grew on the ground and across the walls. Not in a overrun forest kind of way, but in more of a garden fashion.
"This place is beautiful!" Serena said.
"Ramos is quite the gardener" Clemont said. As they walked farther in, they could see a few trainers and grass type pokemon tending to the many plants inside. Ash approached a young woman with a Bellstrout near her.
"Excuse me, we're here to challenge the gym leader".
"Oh , follow me he's tending to the Hydrangea right now" The young woman lead them through the garden to a set of bushes with violet flowers on them. Standing in front of them was a short and skinny elderly man. He wore a green button up shirt, black gardening gloves, a green beret, and had a man was carefully watering each of the bushes with a precise amount of water.
"Excuse me Ramos, but these two trainers wanted to challenge you" The young woman said. Ramos turned and saw the group.
"Ahh welcome young trainers, my name is Ramos and this is my beautiful garden".
"It's a pleasure to meet you Ramos" Ash said shaking his hand.
"Follow me and I'll show you to the battlefield" As Ramos led the group through the gym, they were lead past countless plants throughout the gym.
"Ramos , your garden is the most beautiful one I've ever seen" Serena said.
"Thank you young lady. I've dedicated my life to this garden, it's like my child. Ever since I was a boy I have always been fascinated by plants. I've found that by understanding plants, I have understood pokemon better".
"How so?" Red said.
"Both plants and pokemon are able to grow and thrive on their own. But with proper attention and care, they can grow stronger and more beautiful than they ever could have without attention and care".
"That's a good point" Ash said.
"Exactly" Ramos said. Eventually they were led to a large grassy battlefield with white grass marking the battlefield.
"So who would like to go first?" Ramos asked.
"I would" Ash said.
"Very well, I offer my challengers two options when challenging me. You can either face two of my pokemon in a double battle , or my most powerful pokemon" Ramos said.
"Hmm" Ash thought about what he should do. It would be interesting to challenge Ramos's most powerful pokemon, then again he had never done a double battle with two of his pokemon before, plus he would be giving two of his pokemon experience instead of one. He quickly asked Pikachu through their aura connection what he thought.
Pikachu said he should do a double battle.
"Alright I think I'll do the double battle, and I know who I want to use" Ash said.
"Very well, let's begin" Ramos walked to one side of battlefield while Ash went to the other. Red and the others went to the side opposite to the side the ref was standing on.
"This gym battle will be a two on two match of the gym leader Ramos, and the challenger Ash Ketchum. Whoever knocks out both of their opponents pokemon is the winner".
"Alright I choose you, Hawlucha and Tyrunt" Ash said throwing their poke balls forward. Tyrunt roared as he slammed his massive feet into the ground. Hawlucha did a front flip before landing on his feet and spreading his wings out.
"Interesting choices, time for you to meet my pokemon" Ramos said as he took out a pair of poke balls and threw them forward. The first one was a small, blue, and round pokemon with three large cotton spores around its head. The other was a large bell shaped yellow pokemon with two large leaves for arms and a leaf covering the top of it's head.
"What are those?" Serena said opening her pokedex.
"Victreebel the flycatcher pokemon:Once ingested into this Pokémon's body, even the hardest object will melt into nothing. Jumpluff, the Cottonweed Pokémon. Jumpluff catches a simmer of wind to spread its cotton-like spores and make offspring."
"Victreebel start off with sleep powder, Jumpluff mix in some Stun spores with it". Jumpluff leapt into the air and floated there as its cotton spores let out a series of smaller yellow spore. Victreebel opened up the leaf of his mouth as a thick green dust came out and mixed with the stun spores as it floated towards Ash's pokemon.
Ash was amazed at how fast Ramos had taken control of the battlefield. His Jumpluff filled the air up high with stun spores while his Victreebel filled the air down low with sleep powder. Ash knew he was going to have to think and quick.
"Tyrunt help Hawlucha launch himself as high into the air as possible, then use Ancient power around yourself". Hawlucha leapt onto Tyrunt's head as the dinosaur hurled him up with incredible power. Hawlucha got up and above the stun spores just before they could reach him. Meanwhile on the ground, Tyrunt's eyes glowed violet as he rose several large rocks out of the ground and moved covered himself with them. Tyrunt quickly laid down and the ground to make it easier to cover himself with the rocks.
Tyrunt immediately knew what Ash wanted him to do when he said cover himself in Ancient power, thanks to their aura connection and training. As the sleep powder and Stun spores flew close to Tyrunt, each one landed on the rocks covering him.
"What? None got through to him" Ramos said.
"Looks like Tyrunt knew what Ash wanted him to do" Clemont said.
"Our training with Felix has certainly been paying off" Red said.
"Victreebel use Razor leaf to cut through those rocks, Jumpluff use Stunspore in the air".
"Tyrunt use Ancient power on Hawlucha, then use Dragon tail".
"What?" Everyone watching the match said. Tyrunt and Hawlucha already had an idea of what Ash was going for. Tyrunt snarled as he hurled two boulders up at Hawlucha, then smacked away each of the incoming razor leaves with his tail. As the two boulders flew up at Hawlucha , he didn't even try to move.
"Hawlucha use Wing attack!". To everyone's' surprise , Hawlucha smashed the two boulders away from him with his powerful wings. One boulder flew straight into Jumpluff as he prepared to let out more sun spores, plowing the small pokemon into the ground. The other boulder smashed right onto the top of Victreebel's head.
"That was incredible" Serena said.
"Looks like Felix was right" Red said recalling what Felix said about pokemon knowing their trainer's strategy.
"Very impressive young man, but my pokemon are very resilient" Ramos said as both his pokemon forced the rocks off of them and got up.
"Jumpluff use Bounce on Hawlucha. Victreebel use Vine whip on Tyrunt's legs" .
"Hawlucha meet him in the air with wing attack, and prepare to use our counter air strategy". Hawlucha could already tell what Ash wanted him to do, as they had practiced it before. He was to fly at Jumpluff head on until they were very close. Then he was to re-angle his wings at the last moment and fly directly above his opponent , thus allowing him to use flying press on Jumpluff.
"Tyrunt show him your true strength, and strike back". Hawlucha flew into the air straight at Jumpluff. Meanwhile as Victreebel wrapped his vines around Tyrunt , the dinosaur began making harsh steps backward, dragging Victreebel forward and onto his stomach. Tyrunt then grabbed the vines with his jaws and pulled Victreebel at him. At the same time Tyrunt prepared to smash his tail into Victreebel as soon as he got close enough.
"Jumpluff spin! Victreebel cough!" Ramos shouted. Jumpluff began spinning himself as he flew forward. Suddenly stun spores flew out and into the air around him covering Hawlucha in them as he got too close. Meanwhile on the ground Victreebel opened his mouth and coughed up some sleep powder dust right into Tyrunt's eyes.
"What the?" Ash said in complete shock. Jumpluff slammed into Hawlucha and knocked him out of the air. Meanwhile As the sleep powder began to take effect, Tyrunt stumbled backwards. Victreebel raised his leaves and slashed Tyrunt across the face with leaf blade.
"Perfect Jumpluff follow-up with Bulletseed. Victreebel use Razor leaf".
"Tyrunt Dragon rage on the ground and then Dragon tail. Hawlucha use Wing attack and then spin into aerial ace". Tyrunt struggled to stay awake, but was able to blast the ground in front of him a burst of dragon energy. When the dragon rage hit the ground it burst into an explosion of dragon energy that incinerated the 4 razor leaves and the sleep powder in Tyrunt's eyes. Now fully awake, Tyrunt's tail turned violet as he smashed the residual dragon energy back at and into Victreebel, hurling him back towards Ramos.
Meanwhile in the air, despite being paralyzed Hawlucha managed to shake the stun spores off him and fly towards Jumpluff while spinning. Because Hawlucha was spinning, he was able to knock away each of the seeds with his talons. Once he was directly over Jumpluff he slashed him with aerial ace.
"Hmmm, impressive Ash. Victreebel use razor leaf and coat it. Jumpluff Stun spores with seeds in them". Victreebel opened his mouth and spit out some Sleep powder before unleashing a series of Razor leaves that got covered with the Sleep powder.
"Hawlucha keep spinning to keep those stun spores off you. Tyrunt protect yourself with Ancient power". Tyrunt's eyes glowed violet as he lifted up a series of rocks and put them in front of him. The Razor leaves made contact with the boulders several bounced off them, but a few managed to cut through and hit Tyrunt. When they did, the sleep powder started to affect Tyrunt.
Meanwhile Hawlucha spun around to keep the Stun spores off of him. However, Ash began to notice that there were some seeds mixed in with the sleep powder. When the seeds made contact with Hawlucha they split open and roots entangled Hawlucha.
"Leech seed!" Ash said realizing what was happening.
Hawlucha and Tyrunt were not both on the ground , struggling to get back up.
"Jumpluff use Bounce, Victreebel use Leafblade". The two pokemon rushed forward as Ash's pokemon struggled to recover. Hawlucha felt his energy being drained away by the Leech seed , while Tyrunt struggled to stay awake.
Victreebel slashed Tyrunt across the face as Jumpluff smashed into Hawlucha.
"Come on guys don't give up now! Fight on until the end!" Ash shouted. Tyrunt's eyes sharpened as he growled and roared. Moments later Tyrunt started glowing white and growing larger.
"Tyrunt" Ash said.
"He's evolving" Red said. The others watched in amazement as Tyrunt completed his evolution. When he was complete, Tyrunt was now 16 feet tall, had a teeth full of banana sized teeth, and had a large set of red and white feathers growing on the back of his head and neck.
"Graww!" Tyrantrum roared.
"Awesome! Tyrantrum get them away from Hawlucha!". Tryantrum sprinted forward and smashed his head into Ramos's pokemon, hurling them both back toward s him. Tyrantrum lowered his head and ripped the Leech seed root off of Hawlucha with his teeth.
"Tyrantrum launch him into the air! Hawlucha use Flying press". Hawlucha leapt onto Tyrantrum's head as he was hurled into the air.
"Victreebell use Sleep Powder, Jumpluff into the air with Stun spore".
"Earthquake!" Ash screamed. Tyrantrum leapt up and then crashed back into the ground, creating an earthquake nearly as massive as the one Grant's Tyrantrum made. Serena and the others were nearly knocked off their feet by the quake. Victreebel was hit with the full impact of the Earthquake and was knocked out.
Jumpluff tried to get up into the air, but Hawlucha fell down straight down and smashed the smaller pokemon into the ground. As Hawlucha got up he saw Jumpluff with swirly eyes.
"Both of Ramos's pokemon are unable to battle, the winner of the battle is Ash" The ref said.
"Alright! We did it!" Tyrantrum roared in victory before sprinting over to Ash. He knocked Ash onto the ground and started licking him. Just before Ash could get up , Hawlucha sprinted over and leapt onto Ash.
"That was amazing. Ash's poekmon worked so well together" Serena said.
"Tyrunt evolving certainly helped" Clemont said. When Ash got up, Ramos came over to him.
"You are an excellent trainer young man, you clearly take very good care of your pokemon. I'm very happy to give you this plant badge" Ramos said as he gave Ash a small badge that looked like a leaf.
"Thanks Ramos" Ash showed his new badge to Hawlucha, and Tyrantrum.
"We won our fourth gym badge guys, and it's all because of you" Ash said.
"Hawl", "Graww". Ash walked back over to the others as Red stepped forward.
"Ash that was amazing, you and your pokemon were in such good synch" Serena said.
" We just battled like we trained" Ash said.
"I don't know how Felix trains you, but it must be impressive with results like this" Clemont said.
"I'm guessing you're the next challenger young man" Ramos said to Red.
"I'm ready to battle".
"Well then I'm guessing you want to battle my stronger pokemon?".
"Yes".
"Good, he's been looking forward to a good battle against a good challenger".
"Do you think Red can beat Ramos's super powerful pokemon?" Bonnie said.
"Well most of his pokemon are very effective against grass types" Serena said.
"That's true, but I think I already know who Red is using" Ash said. As Red got to his end of the battlefield he took out a pokeball.
"I know this is your first time in a gym battle, but we've trained hard for this. I choose you Gogoat!" Red's Gogoat came out and huffed as he scratched the ground with his hoof.
"He's using Gogoat? But he's only had him for a few days" Serena said.
"Red's been training with Gogoat hard every day since he caught him. I had a feeling he'd choose him" Ash said.
" Gogoat are you ready?" .
"Bahh!" Gogoat shouted.
"Gogoat, interesting choice. He's mine" Ramos said as he took out a green and brown pokeball and threw it forward. To everyone's surprise, a very large and powerful looking Gogoat came out.
"Another Gogoat!" Clemont said.
"This should be interesting" Ash said. Red was now a little concerned, he knew that he and his Gogoat had been training hard the last few days. But Ramos's Gogoat was clearly older and more experienced than his.
"Alright , Gogoat start off with Seed bomb then rush him". Red's Gogoat unleashed a barrage of explosive seeds into the air , then rushed forward with his horns held down. Red and Gogoat had practiced this strategy before, and Gogoat was easily able to move through the explosions.
"H'mm interesting strategy, but it won't work young man. Gogoat intercept those seeds and then use Wine whip" Ramos's Gogoat unleashed a barrage of explosive seeds that hit and destroyed the rest of Red's Gogoat's seeds. Once they were gone, Ramos's Gogoat quickly whipped a pair of vines around Ash's Gogoat's legs. Ash's Gogoat was tripped up by this and flipped onto the ground.
"Bulldoze!" Ramos shouted.
"Gogoat cut yourself free with Leafblade, then Seed bomb!". Red's Gogoat tried to slash the two vines, but every time he got close, Ramos's Gogoat jerked him towards him with his vines. Once he got close enough Ramos's Gogoat smashed into Red's Gogoat with Bulldoze.
"Dam, he's good" Red said.
"Don't let up Gogoat, follow up with with Seed bomb and go over him".
"Gogoat rush him with Double edge". Red's Gogoat ran through the barrage of seeds at the same time Ramos's Gogoat did. Red watched closely as the two Gogoats got in close to each other. Just before they could clash, Ramos's Gogoat leapt directly over Red's Gogoat and slashed him across the back with aerial ace.
"Gogoat!" Red said. His pokemon crashed into the ground as Ramos's Gogoat landed beyond him.
"That's one skilled Gogoat. Red's Gogoat hasn't even landed a hit yet" Clemont said.
"Come on Red, don't give up now" , "PIka!" Ash and Pikachu shouted. Red's Gogoat got up and growled at his opponent. Red could feel how angry and determined his Gogoat was at getting the older Gogoat through their Aura connection.
"Gogoat are you ok?" He asked him through his Aura. Without warning, Red's Gogoat rushed forward and tried to hit Ramos's Gogoat with Double edge.
"Gogoat wait!" Red shouted.
"Gogoat Leech seed". Ramos's Gogoat unleashed 3 seeds into Red's Gogoat's fur that quickly grew into a series of roots that entangled Gogoat, draining his energy. Red's Gogoat tripped over the roots and crashed into the ground.
"Gogoat no!".
"Gogoat use Bulldoze".
"No! Gogoat you have to break free now!" Red shouted. Ramos's Gogoat sprinted forward and picked up momentum before slamming into Red's Gogoat, knocking him out cold.
"No" Red said.
"The challenger's Gogoat is unable to battle, the winner is Gym leader Ramos" The ref said.
"Red lost" Serena said in disbelief.
"Well done my old friend, you showed that young whippersnapper what you can do" Ramos said as his Gogoat came back over to him. Red slowly walked over to his Gogoat and knelt down next to him. He could see the disappointment in his pokemon's eyes and feel his self hate through their Aura connection.
"I'm sorry Gogoat, I failed us" Red said. Ash and the others walked up behind Red.
"Red, it's going to be ok. Everyone loses sometime" Ash said as he put his hand on his brother's shoulder. Red didn't respond to his brother. Ramos came over to Red with his Gogoat. He handed Red a green herb.
"Here this revival Herb should help your pokemon recover". Red thanked Ramos before he fed the herb to his Gogoat. Red's Gogoat was able to get back onto his feet, but he still looked just as defeated.
"I should probably get him to the pokemon center" Red said.
"Don't be discouraged young man. If you want to face me again, I won't be going anywhere for a long time". Back at the pokemon center , Red sat at a table alone as he waited for Nurse Joy to return with his Gogoat. Ash and the others sat at another table watching Red.
"I've never seen him like this before" Ash said.
"I don't understand, Red's lost battles before. Remember at the battle Chateau" Bonnie said.
"This is different" Ash said.
"How?" Serena said.
"Ever since he caught Gogoat he's been training him for this gym battle. He's told me every day how he tried to bond closer with his new pokemon and get him pumped up for this gym battle. Every time he trained with Gogoat he assured him that he was becoming a stronger pokemon and that they were becoming closer. Now his Gogoat lost, plus he lost control of him during the battle. Red isn't upset because he lost, he's upset because he feels he's failed as a trainer" Ash said.
"I guess I never thought of it that way. Poor Red" Serena said.
"Ash you're his brother, maybe you should go talk to him" Serena said. Red got up when Nurse Joy brought out Gogoat's pokeball.
"Thanks Nurse Joy" Red said as he walked out of the pokemon center. Ash got up walked up to Red.
"Hey Red, I know you're upset but I'm here for you to talk".
Red sighed.
"Thanks Ash, but I'd rather be alone right now".
"Red I".
"Ash! I just want to be alone" Red said as he walked out of the gym. Serena and the others came up behind Ash.
"I guess he just needs some time to himself" Ash said.
Red was sitting near the edge of the ridge overlooking the Azure bay. He had already let his Gogoat out of his pokeball and tried talking to him via Aura, but Gogoat didn't respond to him. He simply laid down with a very defeated and look of low self confidence on his expression.
Red looked over at his Gogoat again before staring at the ground in front of him.
"I know you're there Felix, I just want to be alone right now" Red said. Not a moment later, Felix and his Lucario leapt down from a nearby tree and sat down next to Red.
" Haven't I taught you by now. You're never alone".
"You know what I mean Felix".
"I know you lost today. But that's not what's bothering you is it". Red looked over at his Gogoat again and sighed.
"No it's not. I've lost battles before , but this one was different"
"How?".
" It's what I did before the battle".
"What did you do wrong exactly" Felix said.
"The day I caught Gogoat I opened up an Aura connection with him. I was able to see his true personality and desires. I saw that Gogoat had a spark to be the biggest and strongest that he could be. To always strive for victory and true excellence. I liked it about him, too much. So instead of training him like I trained my other pokemon, I fed into his personality, telling him together he'd be stronger than he could ever be. That together we'd be unstoppable".
"Ahh, there it is. You trained him to be a champion, making him think that he couldn't be beaten. Now that he has been, he feels worthless. Like everything he ever did with you was for nothing".
"Exactly, that's what I'm really upset about. I didn't just fail in the battle, I failed a pokemon trainer and as an Aura guardian".
"Red, failure is part of life. Whether if be in on the battlefield, or in training. Everyone makes mistakes and no one is perfect. Would you like to hear how I was almost discommunicated from the Aura guardians?".
"What?" Red said.
"When I was twenty years old, I had been in the Aura guardians for several years. Lucario and I had already accomplished so much for the Brotherhood that I believed myself above the rules and ways of our order. One day when I was in the Kanto region with Lucario and two other Aura guardians. We had been sent to stop a group of men who were poaching baby Seel's near the Seafoam Islands".
"What happened?".
"We came across a fishermen on the way there and I was so anxious to stop the poachers that I took the man and ravaged his mind with my Aura powers, to try and force him to tell is what he had seen that day".
"You did!?".
"That's not all, when we found the Poachers I was so enraged at what they were doing that I confronted them directly. It quickly turned bad when the poachers revealed they had guns and Arcanines. We won the fight but both of my brothers took bullets in the legs and arms. Plus my own Lucario was badly hurt'.
"You broke all three tenets of the creed" Red said. The Aura guardian creed that Felix had taught them was 3 tenants. "Stay your powers from the innocent, Hide in plain sight, Never compromise the Brotherhood".
"When we returned the Mentor was furious with me. He intended to force me from the brotherhood , but reconsidered because I was so young". Felix had also taught them that the Mentor was the head Guardian for each region.
"He stripped me of my rank in the brotherhood and forced me to start over again. In time I realized what I had done. Lucario eventually forgave me , and eventually I redeemed myself. Eventually the Mentor sent me on another mission to save a young man who had been kidnapped by team rocket. I followed the tenants of the creed and saved him. The mentor was pleased at how I had grown and restored my rank, and forgave me. So you see Red, no one hasn't made mistakes in their life. What matters is what we do to make up for those mistakes".
Red took Felix's story to heart and realized he was right. He couldn't just sit there and mope about what he did, he had to fix it.
"You're right Felix, I need to fix this".
"I'm glad you understand. You've grown so much since I fist saw you all those years ago".
"I'm so glad I have you Felix. Growing up without a father, but having someone like you to look out for me and Ash. Be there for us, give us wisdom. You're like our father" Red said as he hugged Felix.
Felix tried to hide it from Red, but he had an enormous amount of guilt going through him. His Lucario stared at him.
"Tell him now".
"If Ash was here perhaps". Red went over to his Gogoat and knelt down next to him.
"Gogoat I need you to know that what happened at the gym was my fault , not yours. I trained you to think that you couldn't be beaten, and that we were invincible together. But this is wrong, you need to understand that loosing is part of life. That we won't win every time, but that we fight our hardest every time".
Gogoat turned his head towards Red.
"I know you feel like you aren't strong, but you are. But part of being strong is being able to take defeat and come back from it. The truth is no one is unbeatable. Every time we get into a battle we could lose. But even if we do lose we learn from out mistakes and become stronger because of them. Now we can either stay here and feel sorry for ourselves, or we can get right back into training and show Ramos's Gogoat that we get right back up after being knocked down.
"Bahh!" Gogoat roared as he got up. Felix watched as Red and his Gogoat trained for the rest of the day.
"Charizard use Flamethrower!" Red shouted. His Charizard unleashed a furry of flames down at Gogoat as he sprinted around each collection of fire. Gogoat wasn't sprinting towards Charizard, but Pangoro who was standing directly under Charizard.
"Gogoat use Double edge. Pangoro use Hammer arm" As Gogoat came in and tried to smash Pangoro with his horns, Pangro smashed his own arm into Gogoat first, hurling him back several feet. Despite being hit with the powerful move , Gogoat got right back up and turned back towards Pangoro.
"Gogoat use Double edge, Pangoro use Hammer arm". Once again Gogoat tried to smash into Pangoro, but was hurled back by Pangoro. Red was very pleased when he once again saw Gogoat getting up with a determined look on his face.
"Gogoat forward. Pangoro use hammer arm". Once again Gogoat sprinted forward at Pangoro as Pangoro prepared to use Hammer arm.
"Leaf blade!". Instead of taking Pangoro head on, Gogoat went in low and sliced the inside of his legs. The slashes and force from the attack hurled Pangoro onto his stomach.
"Double edge!". Just as Pangoro tried to get up Gogoat turned around and smashed his horns into Pangoro.
"You got him!" Red was very impressed, Red finally got Gogoat to move past simply trying to overpower his opponent and didn't lose his temper when he was overpowered.
"Great work Gogoat let's keep it up". Red and Gogoat continued training for the rest of the day. After sunset, Red was sitting at the same place he was earlier that day , with all of his pokemon out.
"Great job today guys, I think Gogoat and I are ready for a rematch with Ramos" Red said.
"Grauu",
"Groow",
"Squak".
"Bahh!". Charizard and the others gave Gogoat some words of encouragement.
"Just remember Gogoat, win or lose, all I want is your best" Red said. Gogoat nodded. Later that night Red came into his room at the pokemon center. When he came in he saw the lights were already off.
"Ash and Serena must already be asleep, I should be quite" Red said as he slowly walked over to the bunk-bed. When he got to the bed he changed into a pair of work out shorts and was about to climb up when he noticed that Ash wasn't in the bottom bunk.
"Huh? Where's Ash?" Red looked over at Serena's bed and saw Serena cuddled up against Ash.
"He fell asleep in her bed again? Or was it on purpose?".
The next morning Red was up bright and early with his Gogoat already out of his pokeball. When Ash and the others got up to get some breakfast, they saw Red and his Gogoat had already finished theirs.
"Good morning" Red said.
"Red, you're already up" Ash said.
"Yup, Gogoat and I are up and ready for our rematch".
"Bahh!" Gogoat said confidently.
"Well I guess he did just need some time to himself" Serena said. After the others finished their breakfast, the group went down to the gym. Inside, Ramos was tending to some of his white roses when he saw Red and the others.
"Back already young man".
"I'm ready for another battle".
"Very well, will it be a tag battle or my Gogoat?".
"Your Gogoat".
"Very well, to the battlefield". Ramos stood on one end, while Red stood on the other.
"This will be a one on one match between the leader Ramos, and the challenger Red. The first one to knock out their opponents pokemon is the winner" The ref said.
"You can do this, I know you can. I choose you Gogoat!". Red's Gogoat came out and huffed.
"Gogoat again? Why not Charizard , or Pangoro?" Bonnie said.
"Because Red knows his Gogoat needs this" Ash said.
"Gogoat " Ramos said as his Gogoat came out and gave Red's Gogoat an intimidating stare.
"Gogoat start off with Seed bomb" Ramos said.
"Gogoat evade them like we practiced , then slice him". Gogoat quickly ran through the barrage of explosive seeds even better than he did the previous day.
"Gogoat Vine whip on his legs, then rush him". Ramos's Gogoat whipped his vines forward as Red's Gogoat leapt up over an explosion. The vines wrapped around Gogoat's legs and hurled him into the ground. Before Red or his Gogoat could respond, Ramos's Gogoat sprinted forward and slammed into him with Bulldoze.
"Oh no, it's going just like yesterday" Bonnie said.
"Not quite" Ash said as he and Pikachu looked closer. Red's Gogoat got up and gave Ramos's Gogoat a cocky smile.
"Bahh" He said. The previous day, whenever Ramos's Gogoat hit him, Red's Gogoat just got angrier. Now it seemed like he was staying more level.
"Gogoat show him your Seed bomb, keep them close to the ground. If he tries to rush you knock him forward" Red said.
"Gogoat launch a few of your own Seed bombs to intercept, then aerial ace". Ramos's Gogoat ran forward while selectively launching seeds into the other Gogoat's seeds. Once he got close enough, Ramos's Gogoat leapt up into the air and came down at Red's Gogoat.
Red's Gogoat tried to leap up and hit his opponent first with a better angle, but Ramos's Gogoat came down too fast. Overpowering Red's Gogoat and slashing him across the face with aerial ace.
"Oh no" Serena said.
"This isn't good" Clemont said. Red's Gogoat rolled backwards before getting up. Ramos and his Gogoat were very surprised to see Red's Gogoat with the same cocky smile on his face.
"We're not giving up, even when our opponent is stronger than us" Red said. Red's Gogoat got up and scratched the ground with his foot.
"Bahh" He said in a cocky tone. Now Ramos's Gogoat was getting a little upset. He huffed and growled.
"Gogoat use Vinewhip into Bulldoze" Ramos's Gogoat whipped his vines around Red's Gogoat's legs as quick as a flash and began pulling Red's Gogoat forward. Just before Ramos's Gogoat could get close enough to smash into Red's Gogoat, Red's Gogoat realized how similar the situation was to his training with Pangoro the day before.
"Slice him like Pangoro!" Red screamed. His Gogoat went in low and sliced Ramos's Gogoat's legs with Leaf blade. The resulting force made Ramos's Gogoat trip and front flip over Red's Gogoat crashing into the ground.
"Double edge!". Before Ramos's Gogoat could get up, Red's Gogoat turned around and rammed his horns into Ramos's Gogoat's side.
"He got him!" Serena said.
"He's not the same Gogoat as when he first caught him" Ash said. Red could feel how happy his Gogoat was to finally land a hit on his opponent.
"Lets keep it up Gogoat, use Double edge again".
"You're stronger than that whippersnapper. Bulldoze" The two Gogoat's clashed with Ramos's Gogoat quickly gaining the edge as he pushed Red's Gogoat back.
"Keep your head low" Red said as his Gogoat struggled to keep himself from being hurled back. Ramos's Gogoat pushed down harder and harder on Red's Gogoat until his head was under Ramos's Gogoat's head.
"Seed bomb just one" Red said. His Gogoat smiled as he launched a single Seed bomb under Ramos's Gogoat's stomach. The explosion forced Ramos's Gogoat up and off him.
"Double Edge!" Red's Gogoat slammed his horned into Ramos's Gogoat's now exposed underside, hurling his opponent onto his back.
"Great job Gogoat!".
"Bahh!" Gogoat said with confidence.
"He's turned it around" Serena said.
"Red's Gogoat isn't just trying to overpower his opponent. He's using strategy" Ash said.
"Gogoat lets finish him with aerial ace" Red said. His Gogoat ran forward and leapt up as Ramos's Gogoat got up.
"Gogoat Vine whip him!" Ramos's Gogoat wrapped his vines around Red's Gogoat's legs and pulled him into the ground.
"Good now pull him forward and use aerial ace". Ramos's Gogoat began pulling Red's Gogoat forward as he prepared to use aerial ace.
"Get a footing and use Leaf blade" Red's Gogoats did his best and remembered what his trainer said.
"Win or lose, all I want is your best" Red's Gogoat finally got his footing and slashed the two vines with Leaf blade, cutting them in half. The resulting force made Ramos's Gogoat stumble backwards.
"aerial ace!" Red shouted. His Gogoat sprinted forward and leapt into the air just as Ramos's Gogoat regained his footing.
"Seed bomb!" Ramos shouted. His Gogoat was about to unleash Seed bomb, but was too late. Red's Gogoat slashed him across the face with aerial ace. Knocking him out cold.
"Gogoat" Ramos said.
"Leader Ramos's Gogoat is unable to battle. The winner is the Challenger!" The ref said.
"We won! We won Gogoat!" Red's Gogoat sprinted over and knocked Red over when he reached him. Gogoat lowered his head and licked the side of Red's face.
"Woah , that was amazing" Bonnie said.
"Red and his Gogoat did what I did after I lost to Viola. They moved on and came back better prepared" Ash said. Ramos stepped over to his Gogoat and gave him a revival herb.
"You battled well my old friend. I couldn't be prouder". Ramos and his Gogoat walked over to Red and his Gogoat.
"Very impressive young man, you and your Gogoat have grown much since our last battle. You've earned this plant badge" Ramos said as he handed Red a plant badge.
"Our fourth badge" Red said as he showed it to Gogoat. Ash and the others came over to congratulate him.
"Red that was amazing" Serena said.
"You did it bro, we're both halfway to the pokemon league" Ash said.
"Thanks guys" Red said. Later that day while the group was at the pokemon center, Felix was up on the cliff side with his Lucario.
"He won his battle. He's learning well, I think it was time he lost a battle. It was good for him" Felix said to his Lucario. He nodded to his trainer. Felix looked back at the ocean and began to think about Red and Ash.
"I haven't told them even after all these years, I told myself it was to protect them. Maybe you're right, they deserve to know the truth" Felix said.
Author's note
Yup Red lost his first gym battle, I think it was time he learned to loose. Anyway I'm sorry that I put 3 battles in one chapter but I only want to spend one more chapter in Courmarine city. I feel if I spent 5 chapters instead of four I'd overstay my welcome in this city.
The next chapter will be Serena's next battle Chateau tournament and it will be a big one.
So until next time, please review, comment, suggest, or ask.