Back to the story!

Ash looked at Cheren, who returned the gaze. He then straightened his tie once again, and walked to his side of the battlefield.

"You're the boy who returned to Kanto to save your friend, yes?"

"How did you know?"

"The gash on your head and the Pikachu that's constantly by your side. Have you met a girl named Bianca?"'

"Yes! She constantly ran into me in the Unova region. I never know where she comes from. How do you know her?"

"We both started out on our journeys at the same time. We were rivals along with this other boy. Or was it a girl? Anyway, back home, she seemed to talk about you quite alot."

"So, how did you get to be the Water-type gym leader?"

"As I did my job as gym leader in Unova, I also encountered many types of Pokemon. The one type that stood out to me was water. After that day, I studied the patterns of water types, their movements, what moves they could learn, how they could evolve, and how they can use their physical attributes to their advantage in battle."

"Wow! You sound like a strong opponent."

"Don't say that."

"Why?"

"I want you to judge me after you battle me. Are you ready?"

Ash looked at his Pikachu, who had an advantage over Water.

"Your Pikachu looks ready. Let us begin. Blastoise, come on!"

Cheren threw a PokeBall to reveal a Blastoise. Pikachu ran to the side opposite him.

"Ash, I only have four Pokemon to battle with. However, these aren't four ordinary Pokemon. Hit me with your best shot!"

"PIKACHU! THUNDERBOLT!"

Pikachu landed a direct hit on the Blastoise, however, the Blastoise stood unfazed.

"Ah, I see you're using types to your advantage. Of course, I know that Water is weak against Electric-type attacks. However, I also know the weakness of Electric types. Blastoise, use Earthquake."

The ground suddenly started to shake. Pikachu tried was trying to keep his balance, but failed.

Hmmm...Blastoise is strong! But it's not faster than Pikachu. Ash thought.

"Pikachu! Jump onto Blastoise's shell!"

"That won't be so easy. Use Rapid Spin!"

Pikachu soared through the air and prepared to land, but was blown back by the Rapid Spin.

"Now, charge at Pikachu, Blastoise."

With the Rapid Spin, Blastoise raced towards Pikachu.

I can't get Blastoise if he's in that shell! Wait! That's it!

"Pikachu! Watch Blastoise closely, and use Thunderbolt on the hole in his shell!"

Pikachu watched Blastoise close enough to see when the holes on each side of his shell would appear. He then produced a Thunderbolt that severely damaged Blastoise, and forced him to reveal himself.

"Well done. You've managed to counter my Rapid Spin. I commend you. However, this battle has lasted much too long. Blastoise. Use Skull Bash on Pikachu."

"Pikachu, Iron Tail!"

The two attacks cancelled out, and they both leaped back until Blastoise fell. Cheren was silent.

"Blastoise, return. Well done, Ash. You've impressed me. But it's time for my second Pokemon. Quagsire, come out!"

A Quagsire appeared, and joyfully danced at its spot. Pikachu was ready to continue, but Ash picked up Pikachu.

"Sorry, Pikachu. This Pokemon is part Ground-type, remember? If you use any of your attacks, it won't be that effective."

Ash placed a disappointed Pikachu down, and grabbed a PokeBall.

"Noivern, I choose you!"

Noivern appeared and stared at the jolly Quagsire, who was still dancing.

"Interesting choice. I look forward to see how your Noivern can beat my Quagsire. Let's begin."

"Noivern, Boomburst!"

An explosive noise echoed inside the entire room, causing Cheren to cover his ears, and causing Quagsire to get slammed into the wall. Quagsire got up, this time, extremely angry.

"You see, my Quagsire hates it when people interrupt its dancing, much like Mr. Mime and the interruption of its miming. Quagsire, use Rock Slide!"

Stones appeared above Noivern and were heading towards it fast. Noivern didn't hesitate to weave in and out of the falling rocks. Noivern then headed straight for Quagsire.

"Perfect! Noivern, Dragon Pulse!"

"Perfect indeed! Quagsire, Slam!"

Quagsire dodged the attack by jumping into the air, and landing on Noivern, who went crashing to the ground.

"Finish this with Stone Edge!"

"Noivern, quick! Get up!"

However, it was too late. The sharpened stones came up from below and sent Noivern flying. Noivern fainted. Quagsire began to dance again.

"Noivern, return. Hawlucha, I choose you!"

The luchador-like Pokemon appeared in front of Quagsire and began to pose.

"Interesting...your call, Ash!"

"Hawlucha, High Jump Kick!"

With amazing speed, Hawlucha landed the move that inflicted incredible damage on Quagsire.

"You've trained this Pokemon well...however, so have I. Quagsire! Use Yawn!"

Quagsire released a large Yawn, which made Hawlucha stumble about to avoid falling asleep.

"We have to finish this quick! Hawlucha! Flying Press!"

Hawlucha took to the skies and was able to land the Flying Press. However, Quagsire held on. Hawlucha fell asleep.

"Now that your Pokemon has landed, I am free to use any move I please. Quagsire, Rock Slide."

Rocks landed on Hawlucha, causing severe damage.

"HAWLUCHA, WAKE UP! COME ON!"

No response.

"Stone Edge, Quagsire."

Stones headed straight for Hawlucha, who had just woken up.

"Yes! Jump, and land straight on the rocks!"

Hawlucha jumped before the jagged stones came up, and he ran on the tips.

"Now! High Jump Kick!"

The attack landed and knocked out Cheren's second Pokemon.

"Great job, Ash. Now, prepare to face my third Pokemon."

"Hawlucha, return."

"Now, Ludicolo! I choose you!"

Cheren's Ludicolo also began to dance when it appeared.

"OK, Pikachu, you can come out now!"

Pikachu ran back in.

"This shouldn't take long. Ludicolo, Ice Beam."

"Counter with Thunderbolt!"

The Ice Beam was successfully countered by the Thunderbolt.

"Ludicolo, Focus Blast."

"Electro Ball!"

The two attacks landed, and both fainted.

"Ludicolo, return."

"Pikachu, return."

"I have one Pokemon left. He is also my strongest Pokemon. Now, go, Gyarados!"

"Charizard! I choose you!"

"I look forward to seeing how you will win this one, Ash. Now, Gyarados, strengthen our bond even more, and Mega Evolve!"

Undergoing a transformation, Gyarados emerged with a new appearance. Charizard stared his opponent down.

"All right, Charizard, we can do this! Use Blast Burn!"

"Hydro Pump!"

Gyarados took to the skies and aimed a Hydro Pump at Charizard. They both received an attack, Charizard receiving the most damage.

"Water Veil, Gyarados!"

Charizard will get hurt with that Water Veil. I got it!

"Charizard, Solar Beam!"

Charizard charged a Solar Beam, and again, Gyarados took to the skies.

"Oh no, you don't! Now, Gyarados Fire Blast!"

"Dodge, Charizard! Keep charging it up!"

Gyarados missed the Fire Blast, and Charizard continued to charge the Solar Beam.

"Gyarados, extinguish the Solar Beam with Flamethrower!"

Gyarados used Flamethrower and chased his opponent. However, Charizard's Solar Beam was already charged.

"Fire, Charizard!"

Charizard not only broke the Water Veil, but landed a super effective hit on Gyarados. He still stood, though.

"Finish this with Seismic Toss!"

Charizard grabbed Gyarados and rotated him twice before slamming him on the ground. Gyarados fainted.

"You did it, Charizard! Great job!"

"Gyarados, return. It seems I still have much to learn. However, you still won, so move on to the next challenge. I'll tell Bianca you said hi."

"Thanks!"

"Congratulations, Ash!"

Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie ran up to Ash.

"That was a fantastic battle! I was on the edge of my seat!" Clemont said.

"Thank you!"

They rode the elevator down, and the Water door closed.

"Where to next?"

"Why don't you try the purple room?" Bonnie suggested.

"Ok, then!"

They entered the purple room and rode the elevator to the battlefield. Ash gasped when he saw who his opponent was.

"Welcome, challenger! I am-ASH?!"

"IRIS?!"

TO BE CONTINUED...