"...And there you are, Ash! Torterra should be with you in just a moment." Professor Oak announced jovially, as he'd placed an occupied Poké Ball into the transfer device offscreen.

Moments later, a flash of light materialized in the exchange device that was attached to the video phone in Viridian City's Pokémon Center. Ash took the ball in his hand and smiled, fastening it to his belt.

"Thanks, Professor! That's… five Pokémon I have with me," he counted between the five Poké Balls on his belt, and Pikachu atop his shoulder. "I guess that means that I need one more."

"You still haven't sent over Torkoal," Professor Oak pointed out, frowning. "Is everything alright?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah! He's fine," Ash said. "He's doing some training alongside Blaine, for the moment." He smiled with pride, though he felt the slight sting of his partner being away for a bit. He shrugged it off, knowing it was for the best.

"I see! A Fire-type expert like that should be great for him," Oak nodded. "So, do you have anyone you'd like to come with you in mind…?"

"Let's see…" Ash hummed. He'd gathered so many Pokémon, by now, that it was getting hard to keep track of them all. He could see how confusing it might get if he'd caught even more in Unova. Though, behind Professor Oak, he spotted the strong red crown belonging to his Kingler.

"Oh, Kingler's there!" Ash said happily. "What about him? I haven't had the chance to put him in a Gym Battle, yet."

"Ku-kiii…" Kingler popped up in the frame, awkwardly scratching his crown with his claw.

"Huh?" Ash asked, puzzled by the hesitation.

"You see, the thing is," the Professor explained, "it's almost tea time! Kingler and I were about to enjoy a brew and work on our poetry! I have my daily broadcast early in the evening, and he often helps me with my creative process!"

"You don't say?" A bead of sweat rolled down Ash's forehead, his nonplussed smile betraying him. He was a little bewildered and the slightest let down, but ultimately, he couldn't stay mad. "Well, I'm glad Kingler's got a hobby! But, that still leaves who to bring along with me."

"I do wonder… If we could only narrow down the Pokémon you haven't rotated already," Oak said, cupping his chin with his thumb and index finger.

A howling, whistling wind sounded like it was drawing ever closer in the background, before a dark teal wisp flew across the screen.

Oak shouted in surprise, falling backwards in his chair. Ash winced when he heard the older man hit the ground. "Ow! My hip…"

"Professor!" Ash exclaimed. "Are you alright!?"

"I… I think so. Though, I'm having trouble getting up," Oak could be heard from offscreen. "Oh!"

Suddenly, the man was floating back into view, outlined in a blue glow, along with his chair. He was placed gently back in his seat, before being joined by a small blue ghoul.

"Mis, Mis!" Misdreavus cried, bowing her head apologetically.

"Ah, Misdreavus…! Thank you. I know you didn't mean any harm, but do try to be more careful," Oak chided, readjusting his lab coat. "My old bones can't take your pranks like your peers."

Misdreavus nodded, and then came about as close to pressing her face against the screen as possible. "Mis~! Misdreaavus!" She attempted to nuzzle the camera before seemingly disappearing; Ash could only assume she'd flown through it, before zipping back around.

"Misdreavus! Now, what a surprise." Ash smiled. "You're not being too hard on the Professor, are you?"

"Not as far as terrorizing me, personally," Oak replied, after Misdreavus backed off from the camera. "But, she's found a little alliance with Gengar and Glalie for all sorts of troublemaking."

"Now, Misdreavus," Ash scolded, folding his arms. The ghost met him with a grin, unperturbed.

"Now, it's not like it's been a bad thing for her. She's actually been spending a lot of time training with the two of them, while you've been on your journey! She's picked up a few new moves, Tracey tells me… Ah, and I think that solves our problem!" Oak said happily, raising his index finger. "Ash, why don't you take Misdreavus with you as your sixth?"

"Hey, that's a great idea!" Ash said. "What do you think, girl?"

"Mis! Mis!" Misdreavus nodded adamantly.

"Wonderful! I'll send her right over." Professor Oak recalled Misdreavus, and after a moment's passing, her Poké Ball appeared in the slot next to the video phone.

"Awesome!" Ash picked up the Poké Ball, only for it to pop open on its own immediately. A streak of light escaped it, shooting past Ash's head. He looked around for his unruly ghost. How could he have already lost sight of her…!?

"Erm, Ash…!" Professor Oak stammered out.

"Wha— ah!" A sudden, freezing gust hit the trainer's back, covering him in frost. His skin turned a touch blue, and he hugged his arms to retain some heat. "N-n-n-nice to see you, too," he said through chittering teeth.

"P-p-pi-pika-chu," Pikachu said, less than amused.

Misdreavus laughed, circling back around to face them.

"Oh, my… That Icy Wind is compliments of Glalie, I'm afraid! Good luck with her, Ash!"

Ash shook off the cold to the best of his ability, recovering quickly as he often did. "Thanks, Professor. I've got my team now, so I'll catch you later!"

"Goodbye and good luck, Ash!" Oak waved, before the screen went dark.

"You ready for your battle, Ash?" Dawn asked, approaching from the other side of the lobby. She noticed Misdreavus afterward, watching the ghoul circle her and Empoleon. "Oh, I guess Misdreavus is coming along! Actually Ash, that reminds me. Remember the gift you got her?"

"Oh, right!" Ash shrugged off his backpack to search it. "Dawn and I won a tag battle competition, not too long ago." He pulled out the stone he'd won from Ernie. Varying shades of lustrous purple expanded from the stone's core, progressively lighter towards its outer edges.

"Mis!?" Misdreavus hovered over Ash's shoulder, peering at the stone with curiosity.

"It's a Dusk Stone," Ash explained. "If you use it, you can evolve into a Mismagius, and get a lot stronger!" Ash reconsidered those words as soon as they slipped past his lips. Were he paying attention to those around him, he might've seen the look of wonder in Misdreavus's eyes.

Instead, his own promise played in his head like a film reel on repeat. 'She could get stronger… we could stronger. We want to— no, I want to.' He chastised himself, shaking his head. After the clash in Saffron, being stronger was something he'd thought about an awful lot. More than he'd like to admit. 'Even if it's for a good cause… Misdreavus isn't here just to help me win. What if I'm pressuring her?'

That thought alone was enough for him to pull back the stone, and put it back in his bag.

"Mis…!?" Misdreavus asked, questioning Ash with wide eyes. "Misdreavus! Dreav?"

"Sorry," Ash said. "I know that was real out of the blue. You don't have to evolve just yet, if you don't want to. Heck, you don't have to at all!"

"Dreav…" Misdreavus trailed off, looking at her trainer with utter confusion.

"Ash…?" Dawn frowned, watching her boyfriend with a good deal of confusion, and just a touch of concern. It reminded her an awful lot of how he'd held back the Razor Fang from Gliscor. Even that had been strange for him, but something about this seemed… off.

"Pikapi," Pikachu muttered, sharing a look with Dawn. He had a similarly bad feeling.

Nevertheless, Ash smiled and shook his head. "Look, we'll have plenty of time to think about that after the battle, alright? For now, let's go beat the Viridian Gym!"

"Mis… dreav!" If Misdreavus still had any reservations, they faded into the background for the time being, as she circled her trainer, ready to rumble.

"Well… If you say so! And we'll be cheering you on, all the way!"

"Empol!"


"So, this is the Viridian Gym!?"

Standing in Viridian's northeastern-most corner was a monument of Viridian's greatest pride, and its greatest shame. A small fountain sat at the foot of the grounds, where Empoleon had hopped in for a quick dip. Marble pillars stood in symmetrical columns, leading up to the Gym itself; an amalgamation of sturdy stone, and tasteful carvings. One bend of the roof climbed higher than its other half.

"It's like an ancient work of art… Whoever designed it must have a real eye for aesthetics." Dawn cooed, walking back and forth to admire their current destination.

Ash was in the midst of mentally preparing himself for the coming fight; adjusting his gloves, and tapping the end of his sneakers against the dirt. Dawn's praise made him flinch, when he recalled just who the Gym used to belong to. He and Pikachu exchanged a displeased look. "Let's… maybe not focus on who the Gym used to belong to."

Dawn frowned, looking over at Ash. "Huh? But, why?"

"It's not important," Ash shook his head. Dwelling on him was the last thing he wanted to do, right now. "I'd rather focus on the here and now. Right, Pikachu…?"

"Pika!" Pikachu immediately nodded, taking the hint from his trainer.

Beside Ash, Rosa tilted her head at her trainer's odd behavior. Something definitely seemed off about him, but she had no clue as to why. But, the promise of their coming battle won over any insecurity, and she flexed her biceps, which were as lean as a Lucario's ever were. ~Yeah! Pa's right. We have a Gym Battle to win!~

"Well… alright," Dawn accepted, albeit confused. Luckily, she too was easily distracted by the spectacle of a fight, and quickly rallied herself towards their goal with a fist in the air. "Then let's head in there, Empoleon, and root for the winning team!"

"Pol! Empol!" Empoleon leapt stylishly out of the fountain, twirling to stand behind Dawn.

Watching his girlfriend and her starter alike, Ash smiled, letting a belly-laugh slip past his lips. Their support was palpable, and for the moment, made the grimy ichor of their greatest enemy's influence evaporate. Inhaling and exhaling, Ash adjusted the brim of his cap, and cast a bold, determined gaze at the structure before them. "Right… Then, let's do this, everyone!"


Large, heavy double doors were unwieldy, but they were no match for Ash. Just a push parted the stone barriers to entry, allowing daylight into what turned out to be a dark, dreary interior. Ash's own shadow was cast as far into the Gym as the sunshine. His silhouette stood out in the doorway, with Rosa, Dawn, and Empoleon flanking him. He hesitated; something was off.

"Did we come in on an off-day…? No one's here."

"If we did, it'd just be locked, right?" Dawn suggested.

"I guess you're right… But, still." Ash frowned.

~We're not alone,~ Rosa replied. She stepped fearlessly into the dark, guided by her sixth sense. If she felt confident, then Ash supposed he could, too.

"If we're not alone, then someone either hasn't paid the electricity bill, or they've got a sick sense of humor." After Dawn and Empoleon stepped in behind him, he released the doors, and stepped into the dark. He couldn't see a thing, but from the light cast by the sun, just a second ago, he'd seen a straight path forward. His steps echoed off the high ceilings, and he squinted for any meager source of light.

There was none. Ash opened his mouth to ask Pikachu to provide some, when suddenly, a glaring spotlight came down directly upon him. It cast a glow of diminishing returns throughout; it was enough to show Ash that he was standing in the middle of the battlefield.

"Well, well, well." A terribly familiar voice echoed throughout the facility. "Who else could it be, but Ashy-boy…?"

"That voice…!?" Ash's eyes widened, and then the reality hit him like a truck; his face fell in disbelief. When he looked at Pikachu, he saw the same bewilderment in his partner. This definitely wasn't his imagination. "You can't be serious."

"I'm afraid I'm as serious as it gets." The same, nasally voice sounded as it always did, if not a bit deeper and more gruff with age. A second spotlight came down, revealing a second teenager, standing tall, and with that same old spiky auburn hair that, frankly, rivaled a Manetric.

Gary Oak made his grand appearance, with his chin tilted upward and his signature grin. One hand rested on his hip, while his other held a remote. "I was wondering when I'd see you here, you know. You sure took your sweet time." He tapped another button on the remote, and suddenly, the Gym filled with light. Its interior was the same bold and somber blue as last time, with fine columns and a grandiose air.

"Wait a minute, wait a minute…!" Dawn exclaimed. "Gary's the Gym Leader!?"

"Afraid so, Dawn!" Gary grinned, pocketing the device, now that he'd had his moment of theatrics. Then, he frowned, his nose scrunching up. "...Wait a minute. Did you just call me by my name!? And here I thought I was 'Poetry Man's Grandson,' to you."

Dawn smiled, shaking her head. "I've learned my lesson. Just like me, you have your own legacy to carve out, separate from your grandpa. Just like me and my mom."

"Well, then! I'm pleasantly surprised, Dawn. That's-"

"Can we not change the subject!?" Ash loudly interrupted. "I feel like we're just ignoring the Donphan in the room, here. Since when were you a Gym Leader?"

"Piiika!" Pikachu agreed.

"Heh, impatient as always." Gary teased, shrugging his shoulders. "But, I guess I do owe you an explanation, Ash. The truth is, the Viridian Gym's been looking for a permanent replacement for ages, now. Agatha didn't want to hold the floor forever, you know."

"Now that you mention it," Ash interjected, "Bertha did say something about her finding a replacement."

"She ran the idea by me, actually. Said something about how my grandpa wasted his potential as a researcher, and that I don't have to… At first, I brushed it off. I like learning about Pokémon, and bringing that knowledge to the rest of the world. Being a Pokémon Master is a dream that's been long behind me. So, I wasn't interested. But, Gramps had his own opinion. He said that there're many different paths to understanding Pokémon. Facing all sorts of trainers, and gearing myself towards testing them is its own path."

"I guess that makes sense," Ash replied. "Is that when you decided to take up her offer?"

"Actually, it wasn't," Gary shook his head. "I still wasn't sure about the idea… But, then, I happened to run into you in Sinnoh. Remember that talk we had about the Gym Challenge?"

"Now that you mention it, I do," Ash said. "It was your idea that I do this, in the first place."

"That decision I was trying to make was honestly what inspired me to make that pitch to you. I saw you pedaling in circles after your training, and honestly, I'd hate to see you get cocky again and rest on your laurels. There is plenty to learn from facing experts who know things you don't. If that could steer you towards being a better trainer, then think of all the other Pokémon Trainers I could help out… Think of what I might learn from them! So, I decided that day to accept the Pokémon League's offer. I knew you'd be coming around here, sooner or later, so I threw myself into training."

The brunet suddenly took on a stern, fiery expression, meeting Ash's eyes, and raised a fist. "I decided that you'd be my first, true test as a Gym Leader! My former rival, who now, more than ever, needs a real push towards the Pokémon League! If my battle doesn't put you on the trajectory to win the Indigo League Conference, then my suggestion to you will have been pointless!"

"Gary…" Ash echoed his old friend's name, finding himself just short of speechless. Today's revelation had caught him totally off-guard, and frankly, he was touched. He walked towards his opponent, carrying an uncharacteristic look of softness. He could get fired up in a moment, once the battle began. "I… don't know what to say, except 'congrats.' But, if you knew that day, why didn't you tell me? Why not tell me when we met back in Pallet Town?" Ash smirked. "Let me guess. You had some super-serious reason to catch me by surprise? Didn't want me to prep too well for our coming battle, or something like that?"

"Hm?" Gary blinked, then laughed. "No way. I honestly just wanted to see the look on your face!" Reaching over, he shoved Ash's hat down, ruffling it into his hair.

"I should've known," Ash deadpanned. Snorting, he reached up and swatted Gary's hand. "Same old Gary," he smirked, adjusting his hat back into its proper place. "Well, with that out of the way… I won't disappoint you! Let's get right to it!"


Ash and Gary stood on opposite ends of the drawn battlefield, with the hired referee standing halfway between the two trainers. Rosa and Pikachu accompanied Ash, while Gary was alone.

Off to the side, Dawn stood alongside Empoleon. "You can do it, Ash! Show 'em what you're made of!"

Ash smiled, and gave Dawn a thumbs-up.

"This will be a full, six-on-six battle," the referee announced. "Both trainers will fight until all of one side's Pokémon are unable to continue. The challenger is allowed to switch Pokémon at any time, while the Gym Leader may not! There will be no time limit! Begin!"

"As the Gym Leader, I'll start!" Gary threw his first Poké Ball. "Garchomp, I choose you!"

A snarling, screeching dragon appeared from the Poké Ball's confines, standing upright from a hunched posture to stretch out her fins. Golden, ring-like irises glowered upon Ash. "Gahhhr!"

"A Garchomp…" Ash gasped. "Then, that's the Gabite we ran into, from the cave!"

"She sure is! I'll tell you, Ash, we found a real ornery one, that day. Getting along was nearly impossible, at first… But, it seems she just needed an outlet for her aggression! And a few shiny objects to hoard, now and then. I guess those rumors about dragons held some truth, after all. Now, she's a monster in battle, and we've been pushing her limits! I hope you're ready."

"Oh, don't you worry," Ash replied, smirking. "But if you're going with a Pokémon you caught this year, then I guess I will, too. Rosa, I choose you!"

Ash pointed onward, and the Lucario leapt onto the open battlefield, raising her guard.

"Little Rosemary was a baby when I last met her, wasn't she…? That's a pretty bold move, Ash."

"Not much younger than Garchomp, I bet," Ash replied. "She's been getting stronger and stronger lately, like you wouldn't believe. If you go underestimating her, then don't say I didn't warn ya."

"Hmph! Suit yourself. I guess that would be a good measuring bar for our progress. Garchomp, Flamethrower!"

"Use Aura Sphere!" Ash countered.

For the first time in an official battle, Rosemary gathered a teal glimmer of light above her paw, and willed it to bloom into a fully-realized Aura Sphere. With a roar, she tossed it forth, right into the path of flames that Garchomp spewed.

Red flames wrapped around steady blue life energy, shoving against one another before reaching an impasse. Both attacks burst into null in a tie.

"Use Dual Chop!" Gary ordered. Garchomp flexed her fins, and shining emerald extensions sharpened them. She leaned forth and sprinted towards her foe.

"Copycat!" Ash countered. Rosa analyzed the technique unfolding before her, and replayed it in her mind. Each of her paws gained glimmering scythes; just in time for Garchomp to swing down upon her.

She crossed both of her blades above her head, crossing them to endure the weight that hammered down upon them. The force was beginning to make her footing buckle; Rosa snarled, and swung her arms outward to throw Garchomp's weight off her.

The Mach Pokémon was disarmed, but quickly struck back with a vengeance, slashing at Rosa horizontally, first with one fin, and then the other.

Rosa backhanded each slash, doing her best to bat them away, and leaning away to avoid being slashed. She regrouped her paws together, and a full-body swing aimed at Garchomp's side.

Garchomp quickly retaliated, slashing Rosa across the face. The Lucario howled, losing her footing. But, she turned her piercing red gaze back on Garchomp, and slashed Garchomp across the chest. A small victory in a larger battle… or, at least it would have been, if it didn't hurt.

"Riah!?" Rosa shrieked, hopping back to hold her forearm. There was a scratch on its surface, and Dual Chop had shattered.

"Rosa!" Ash called out in worry. What'd just happened?

Gary smiled coolly. "You fell for it. Flamethrower!"

"Gahh!" Garchomp opened her maw, and unleashed a fiery storm point-blank.

"Substitute!" Ash called in a hurry.

A shining, blue projection of a Lucario appeared directly in front of the real deal, eating the fiery bath that Flamethrower cast. Rosa distanced herself while her copy was obliterated.

Rosemary exhaled, dusting leftover embers off her fur.

"That was a close one… But, why did she get hurt when she hit Garchomp?" Ash pulled out his Pokédex, and pointed it at their foe.

"Garchomp's ability: Rough Skin. Inflicts damage to the attacker on contact."

"Right, Rough Skin… I never knew Garchomp had that." Ash grimaced. "That could be bad. Whenever we hit 'er, Rosa's gonna take damage, too." He retrieved Rosa's Poké Ball, pointing it towards her. "What do you say we change course, and you hang back for a while?"

Rosa looked back to Ash with a look of bewilderment; disappointment, even. ~What, already!? We were just getting started…~

"I know, girl. I know you're pumped for your first Gym Battle since evolving, but…"

"Her first?" Gary echoed, raising a brow at Ash. "I know you'll be battling with her regardless, since this is a full battle, but you've put your Pokémon in quite a situation, here."

"Because I believe in her!" Ash argued back reflexively.

Rosa was looking back at Ash, still. She'd been thinking back on the wisdom she'd been taught in picking her battles. She was ready to accept his decision and return to the fight later, albeit reluctantly. But, hearing his words of encouragement stoked her fighting spirit. They were here to prove themselves. To get stronger! ~First since evolving doesn't mean first, period! I fought hard at the Pewter Gym, and the Fuchsia one, too! This ain't my first rodeo.~

"Rosa's got a point," Ash agreed. "We can't keep getting stronger, if we run away from adversity. We'll take it, head-on!"

Gary frowned at Ash's curious choice in wording, but didn't say anything.

That meant Ash had the floor. "Aura Sphere!" He chanted, drawing a palm back behind his head, just as his Lucario did.

"Use Dig," Gary countered. As Aura Sphere flew towards Garchomp, she dove and burrowed under the field, avoiding the sphere's initial path.

But, Aura Spheres weren't so easily deterred. The orb followed Garchomp's life energy, and sank into the cavern she dug out. Moments afterward, a thunderous rumble went off underground, and flashes of light leaked from cracks in the field.

"Garchomp!" Gary called out. Perhaps he'd underestimated just how persistent that move was.

"We've got 'em, now!" Ash grinned, and thrust a hand forth. "Rosa! Copycat!"

Rosemary committed Garchomp's Dig to memory, and dove headfirst to burrow beneath the earth. With Garchomp having just taken an Aura Sphere, she'd continue piling on the damage.

From the surface, though, suddenly, the ground burst open. Rosa was sent flying back, knocked skyward by a nasty uppercut from Garchomp. Howling, she tumbled back and landed on all fours.

"Rosa!" Ash exclaimed. "Are you alright?"

"Rol…" Rosa held her head, recovering her bearings. ~Yeah… Yeah, I'm good.~

"After that Aura Sphere, I was sure she would've gotten the drop on 'er."

"It looks like you're not reading the writing on the wall," Gary tutted. "How embarrassing."

Ash frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Twice in a row, now, you've tried using Garchomp's Ground and Dragon-type moves against her. Copycat is a nasty move, in the right hands, but right now, all you're doing is trying to beat us at our own game! A Pokémon using a move that matches their type is always going to have a small advantage over one who isn't. In other words," Gary summarized, "you're playing a losing game."

Ash grimaced. He should have taken something like that into account. He had to do better than this. But, he couldn't just call Rosa back, could he…? Not after he'd already made a point.

With no response from Ash, Gary continued. "Suit yourself. Garchomp, Draco Meteor!"

A bright orange glow appeared in Garchomp's core, and rose until it was held between her claws.

"Draco Meteor…" Ash echoed the move's name. Maybe he didn't need to overpower Garchomp's moves. He just had to turn them against her! "Rosa! Copycat, STAT!"

The Lucario's eyes gleamed blue, as she analyzed the move she just witnessed. Her paws were stationed together, pouring a great deal of her energy into a bright, fiery orb between them. Her body suddenly felt a bit weaker, and the energy was so mighty that holding it felt unwieldy.

As Garchomp fired the meteor, Rosa chucked hers on a direct collision course towards it.

Gary watched the meteors soar, sliding his hands into his pockets.


"Pol!?" Empoleon squawked, his eyes widening greatly in panic. This was insane; not one, but two Draco Meteors at once!? "Pol! Empoleon!"

"Empoleon, calm down!" Dawn eased. "It's not like they're Gible's."

Empoleon wasn't having any of it. He was already waddling towards one of the Gym's recesses, hiding from around a corner. A bead of sweat rolled down Dawn's head.


Draco Meteors crashed into one another. Even from the sidelines, the detonation was blinding. Strong oranges and bold yellow illuminated the grandiose interior like the sun itself. Then, the hellfire rain of meteors came down; a peril to Rosa and Garchomp, alike.

"There!" Ash waved a hand, seizing the moment. "Use Substitute!"

An ethereal, translucent blue copy of Rosemary spawned in front of her head, leaping into the path of the closest cluster of energy shots raining down.

"Garchomp! Dig!" Gary had commanded simultaneously. Just as the Mach Pokémon dove, explosions shrouded it in smoke and embers. Deafening explosions followed, one after another.

Ash guarded himself from the smoke, until it started to clear. Rosa stood in plain sight. The field around her was battered with detonations and holes dug into it, with smoke rising from numerous craters. Gary's end was still veiled in ashy clouds.

"Talk about a gutsy move," Ash heard Gary from beyond the debris. "One Draco Meteor right into another?"

"Maybe," Ash replied, "but gutsy's my style. It worked, didn't it?" Even as he justified his gamble, though, he watched the smoke clear, and Garchomp was nowhere to be seen. A smoking divot in the ground where Garchomp had explained it all. Ash grimaced. "She dodged it."

"You may want to have your eyes on your Pokémon, as well as mine," Gary lectured.

Ash did as told, and gasped at Rosa's condition.

The Lucario was hunched over, panting heavily. Although Draco Meteor hadn't touched her, she seemed to be exhausted.

"Look at the condition your hard head has put her in," Gary scolded. "She's used Substitute twice, not to mention the other damage she's taken. And now that I've baited you into using Draco Meteor…"

"Baited!?" Ash interrupted. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you'd shown your hand in copying our attacks. Draco Meteor's an amazing move, but it uses a lot of a Dragon-type's energy up. After it's used, their special attack drops by half. Now that you've done the same, her Aura Sphere's half as strong! And attacking physically will just hurt her more."

Ash growled through his teeth, realizing he'd been cornered, and played for a fool. He should probably be taking notes from Gary's chiding; deep down, he knew that. But, being so thoroughly dog walked at the beginning of the match made his pride take precedence.

Ash fought a streak of heat across his cheeks, and doubled down. His eyes darted across the field; Garchomp was still underground. "That's fine. We'll just finish this with our next attack!"

"Hmph! Suit yourself," Gary replied. "Garchomp!"

The ground in front of Rosa began to break and cave in. Garchomp's muffled cry could be heard from underground.

"There!" Ash shouted. "Reversal!"

Blazing power channeled into Rosa's paw, weaponizing all the damage she'd taken. Her closed digits blazed fiery essence, and sparks danced off her wrist spike. The ground broke, and she roared, swinging at Garchomp.

To her bewilderment, she swung at thin air; the follow-through of her punch decimated floating debris, but made no purchase with the Mach Pokémon. She turned her attention to the cavern dug out before her.

Two golden, glowing eyes stood out against the darkness. Rosemary gasped.

"Flamethrower," Gary shouted.

Before the Lucario could retreat, a red blaze swallowed her.

"Rosa!" Ash exclaimed, helpless to rescue his Pokémon from the trap they'd run into.

The flames were less intense than they'd been at the beginning of the battle, but that didn't matter all that much, now. They fizzled away, revealing an exhausted and scorched Lucario, with burn marks spotting her blue fur. She stumbled, then collapsed.

"Lucario is unable to battle! Garchomp is the winner!"

"...Thank you, Rosa. Return." Ash looked despondent as he recalled the Lucario, staring down at the occupied Poké Ball. "You deserve a rest."


"Poor Rosa… She was really amped up, too," Dawn lamented.

"Empol…" Empoleon huffed, crossing his wings. How anticlimactic!

"No need to worry," Dawn replied, patting her starter's shoulder. "This is only round one. I'm sure Ash will come back with a vengeance!"


Ash absently rolled Rosa's Poké Ball in his palm, ruminating over the round that'd just transpired. 'What's wrong with me, today…? It's my fault that she lost, just now.'

"Pikapi." Pikachu dashed up Ash's shoulder, patting his shoulder. "Pika Pika. Pikachu."

"...Yeah. I know. It's just like the mistake we made, against Surge. Our pride blinded us to making the right move. We can't let that happen, again."

"I'd like to remind the challenger that it's their turn to send in their next Pokémon," the referee called. "If you don't substitute in a reasonable timeframe, you will be disqualified."

"No need to rush it," Gary intervened, raising an open palm. "There's no point in battling if a trainer isn't at their best. But, that does raise the question," Gary said, meeting Ash's gaze. "Can you deliver on that, Ash? Or did you come in on a bad day?"

"Tch…" Ash tutted, furrowing his brows. Not a chance. He'd just lost his cool. He was always hot headed. He just needed to reel it in. So, he did, taking a long breath. Inhaling, and exhaling. "...Nope. I couldn't be better!"

"Good," Gary replied. "Then, let's continue!"

"I agree!" Ash tossed his next Poké Ball. "Misdreavus! I choose you!"

"Miiiis~!" The ghost howled, soaring about the fray to circle Garchomp. She stopped in front of Gar, looking between the brunet and his Pokémon. She began to connect the dots on just who she was fighting.

"Well, well. Look who it is," Gary said, smirking. "That's the Misdreavus who helped lure out my Garchomp, isn't it? Something tells me she'd like a rematch with your Pokémon, Ash." Gary seemed to be right, as Garchomp's golden eyes glowered at the ghost. "And, so would I."

"Well, well. We meet again! T'is been a fair few cycles of the moon since our last bout, has it not?" She spoke to Garchomp in terms that neither Ash nor Gary would understand.

Garchomp said nothing, only growling at her. She seemed to remember her face. That, or she was eyeing the decorative jewels around Misdreavus's neck.

"What's this? Still just after my gems…? Your desires are as shallow as your character, both of which make a puddle look like a deep sea trench!" Misdreavus scoffed, and returned to Ash's end of the field. "No matter. Have at thee, then!"

"I think Misdreavus agrees," Ash replied. "So, let's not keep her waiting! Icy Wind!"

As any ghost brought a chill with their presence, Misdreavus did the same.

"Garchomp! Flamethrower!" Gary countered.

"Yes!" Ash cheered, as flame fed into bitter cold. Steam and frost alike bloomed from the center of the field, veiling Misdreavus and Garchomp alike in white. "Charge in, Misdreavus!"

Misdreavus stretched into an erratic sequence of patterns through the vapor. Ghastly as she was, she could move about as she liked, until she spotted a hint of Garchomp's fins. The largest of their fins was the first she spotted; the one on Garchomp's back. "Mis~!" She cried, closing in.

"Will-o-Wisp!" Ash shouted.

Garchomp swerved around, just in time to find a haunting blue flame right before her eyes.

"Didn't fancy me giving you the cold shoulder? Very well! May you enjoy the fiery passion of hell!" Misdreavus cried, as Garchomp ignited in a blue blaze.

The mist scattered from the flames, and Misdreavus returned to Ash's side.

"Will-o-Wisp, huh? I'm surprised, Ash." Gary tutted, frowning at Garchomp's condition. "To see a status move like that from you, I mean. It's usually not your style."

"Sure! Learning from my opponents was the point of my Gym Challenge, wasn't it? You said it first," Ash replied, smiling. "But, in this case, it was Misdreavus's idea. I guess a little birdie told her about Surge using it against me." That little birdie being Gengar, Ash assumed.

"Well, I can't argue with that logic," Gary replied, shrugging. "But, now Garchomp's attack is halved… You give me no choice, Ash! Garchomp, Draco Meteor!"

A glowing core appeared in Garchomp's belly, before rising up into her maw. Though smaller than the last, it was wielded like a mighty weapon, nonetheless.

"There it is," Ash whispered to himself, smirking.

"Pika," Pikachu mirrored Ash's expression. He saw where his trainer was going with this.

Gary gave them a questioning look, but had nothing to add, as Draco Meteor launched. It carried towards the high ceiling, before finally exploding.

"There it is!" Ash shouted. "Let's take a page from Deidra's book. Use Psychic, to bring the meteors back to Garchomp!" He raised a hand, closing it in a triumphant grasp.

Misdreavus's eyes shone a vibrant blue. She exerted her will upon every single meteor, freezing them in mid-air. Albeit with some effort, with its power halved, she managed.

"Use Dig, to dodge it!" Gary called.

Garchomp leapt forward to dive, only to recoil in a burst of flames. Her burn struck.

Draco Meteor came down, ambushing her from all sides in a nasty explosion.

"Gah-hah…!" Garchomp growled, stumbling out of the smoke.

"Now," Ash gestured forward, "use Hex!"

An eerie, disturbing image of an eye was conjured, its dark tendrils snagging around Garchomp's fins. The illusion and its target both exploded in a blaze.

The secondary effect of Hex took its toll on Garchomp, who fell flat with swirls in her eyes.

"Garchomp is unable to battle," the referee called. "Misdreavus is the winner!"


"Nice!" Dawn cheered, jumping up in celebration. "Way to go, Misdreavus!"

"Pol! Empoleon!" Empoleon ran back out to dance in celebration. Way for her to give that meteor-launching brute a taste of her own medicine!


"Return, Garchomp!" Gary recalled his Pokémon, quietly thanking her before returning his attention to Ash. "Well, that was quite the comeback. You caught me off-guard, Ash. But, let me rewind for just a moment… You said something about Deidra, just now?"

"Deidra? Yeah, how come?" Ash asked. Immediately afterwards, the pieces clicked together for him. "Wait… You've battled her, haven't you? She's won eight badges."

"I'd be truly surprised if it was only eight," Gary replied, frowning. Even from Ash's perspective across the field, he looked remarkably stern. "I hate to admit it, but she won without breaking a sweat. That Metagross of hers was a monster."

It wasn't new information, but hearing it from Gary's own lips made Ash's frustration begin anew. She'd faced him first. She'd won first. She'd staged a challenge far greater than the one Gary anticipated from him. In hindsight, he knew now that Deidra hadn't been fibbing.

"A waste of my time. Metagross was more than enough for this League. Kanto's Gym Leaders lack conviction."

If he was still this far behind Deidra… Even after facing Blaine, and Team Rocket… Ash couldn't help but feel like all of his progress paled in comparison to her. "If I can't compare to her… Am I actually getting stronger?"

"Pikapi," Pikachu spoke his trainer's name, patting his cheek, as if to tell him not to worry about it. Not right now, anyway. "Pika-chu!" He pointed towards the field. He had a battle to win.

"I take it you battled her, too," Gary observed, shaking his head. "The look on your face says it all."

"What's that mean?" Ash replied, reflexively.

"It means that you're still trying to surpass her, obviously. But, standing there looking mopey about it won't bring you any closer. She wasn't interested in learning from the Gym Challenge, which means you have one big advantage over her." Gary said, and to Ash's surprise, spoke with passionate conviction that he rarely heard from him. "You can take this battle with me, and learn from it!"

The auburn-haired trainer of Pallet threw another Poké Ball forth. "So, quit your sniveling, and give our battle meaning, Ash!" Electivire spawned before Gary, flexing his tails.

"Gary… You're right!" Ash affirmed, adjusting the brim of his cap. "Let's do this! Misdreavus, Will-o-Wisp, now!"

Misdreavus conjured a halo of blue flames, and slung them towards Electivire with a spin.

"Use Protect," Gary countered. Electivire raised his hands, and a green translucent bubble surrounded him. Will-o-Wisp struck it, one flame after another, dying out.

Ash frowned. "So, he still uses that move."

"Rain Dance, now!"

A feral, proud cry from Electivire opened up the heavens; black storm clouds gathered over the field, and a sudden downpour started.

'Rain Dance… If I learned anything from our battle with Misty, I know what's coming next,' Ash thought to himself. "Misdreavus, use Psychic!"

Misdreavus lifted Electivire, and harshly threw him into the Gym floor. The Electric-type kicked up mud and dust, digging his tail into the field to flip back onto his feet. He grunted, shaking his head to regain his bearings.

"Not bad, but not enough," Gary replied. "Use Thunder!"

Blinding light burst from Electivire, and up into the clouds overhead. As flickers of gold danced through them and towards Misdreavus, Ash had to think quickly.

'We can't dodge it… But maybe we can stop it,' he decided. "Hold it off with Psychic, Misdreavus!"

Misdreavus found herself in the shadow of a golden, crackling pillar, and stubbornly exerted her will against it. A blue bubble surrounded her, pressing back stubbornly against the attack.

But, the effort didn't hold. Thunder landed, making Misdreavus cry out in pain.

"Misdreavus!" Ash shouted. 'Psychic wasn't strong enough… not nearly enough!'

Misdreavus was visible after Thunder faded, but she didn't look half as lively as before. Static danced over her, in fact, indicating paralysis.

"That's no good," Ash said. "Misdreavus, are ya hanging in there?"

"Mis!" She cried back stubbornly.

"Alright, then let's try slowing them down. Icy Wind!"

"Protect!" Gary countered. This time, the shield withstood bitter winds, freezing over before cracking and shattering. Electivire was untouched.

"Got you," Ash said. "Misdreavus, up close! Hold 'im with Psychic!"

Misdreavus had used the time she'd bought to zip in, even with her reduced speed, and stopped before Electivire. With a numb body and no time for quips, she willed him to hover above her.

Then, she recoiled. Paralysis struck, and her foe landed loudly on his feet.

"Damn it," Ash swore. "No turning back now. Will-o-Wisp!"

"Thunder!" Gary shouted.

Both Pokémon prepared their attacks. Electivire, fresh and healthy, struck first. A nasty Thunder swallowed Misdreavus.

Ash's shout for her couldn't be heard over the deafening boom.

"Misdreavus is unable to battle. Electivire wins!"

"Well, you tried, Ash." A simple observation. There was no scorn, but no substantial praise to it, either. And really, Ash couldn't blame him; he'd accomplished little in that exchange at all.

Meanwhile, the effects of Rain Dance ceased.

'Did I learn anything from that to help Misdreavus get stronger?' Ash asked himself. 'Anything at all?'

It was a question he didn't have an answer to, yet. He recalled the playful ghost, staring at her Poké Ball. "Thank you, Misdreavus. Take a good long rest." That gratitude became a note for later, though, and he became more stern to reflect the current situation.

"So, we lost that round… But, there's more where that came from! Go! Torterra! I choose you!"

"Terra!" The Continent Pokémon stomped down upon the battered field, pooling with rain water that splashed under his feet. He stood proud and tall, basking in the artificial weather. Face-to-face with another Electivire, he glowered at his foe. He wouldn't suffer the same loss twice.

'If I can get him to waste Protect again, we can get a solid attack in. With Torterra, he can't just keep blocking us, forever,' Ash schemed. "Torterra! Energy Ball!"

A shimmering ball of natural energy was summoned in front of Torterra's beak. He fired.

"Electivire! Thunder!"

"What!?" Ash exclaimed, as a bolt of lightning swallowed and detonated Torterra's attack. He grimaced, now aware that his path forward wouldn't be quite so simple. "Fine. We won't be shut out that easily. Use Rock Climb!"

Torterra lifted his upper body, and slammed his weight back into the earth. A rocky elevation suddenly jutted up under Electivire's feet, and the tortoise charged forth into the scattering smoke and ash. He found the ramp upwards, and threw his entire mass at Electivire.

Electivire was rattled, and thrown into the air.

"Electivire," Gary called, "grab onto Torterra, and use Ice Punch!"

Electivire's cable-like tails snapped out, and wrapped around Torterra's tree trunk. The connection pulled the cables taut, and reeled the Electric-type in. Swinging over his foe, Electivire dropped down from above with a fist reared back.

Freezing energy encompassed it, and smashed down into Torterra's shell. Torterra cried, freezing energy spreading over him. Electivire's downward chop smashed him through the elevation provided by Rock Climb, driving him into the ground below.

"Torterra!" Ash cried, as Electivire disengaged. The trainer grimaced. "So, they've got Ice Punch. Are you alright, big guy?"

"Ter…" Torterra groaned, shaking his head. Rubble rolled off of his shell, chipping away at the frost that clung to his moss. He was sore, but he wouldn't go down nearly as easily as last time.

"Good," Ash replied. He'd been worried for his partner, for just a moment. "Energy Ball!"

Torterra shot another orb at Electivire.

"Knock it back at them, with Ice Punch!" Gary ordered.

Electivire backhanded Energy Ball, only to suffer the pressure of the attack's power. He briefly struggled, before flash-freezing the Energy Ball. Its beautiful, colorful core became a prism trapped within a coating of ice.

"They froze it!?" Ash exclaimed.

Electivire followed through, smacking it back towards Torterra.

Torterra roared in pain, buckling down on one leg. Two super-effective Ice-type moves in a row were taking their toll, and he felt cold.

Ash frowned. This was getting dicey pretty quickly. If the battle continued at this rate, Torterra would be knocked out. "Hang in there, Torterra! Let's get some stamina back with Giga Drain!"

Glowing green tendrils shot out of Torterra's shell, snapping towards Electivire.

"Protect," Gary ordered, as a glowing bubble intercepted the projections, and disarmed them. "You're going to have to do better than that, Ash!"

"Be careful what you wish for, Gary." Ash hardened his gaze, as he committed to doing just that. "Torterra! Time to eat an Energy Ball!"

"Say what, now?" Gary frowned, taken aback.

The glowing orb was conjured before Torterra's beak, and the Grass-type chomped down upon it. Grass-type energy surged back through him, imbuing him with a sudden surge of natural power. The moss on his back began to shine a bright lime color, and the leaves on his trees came to match.


"Yes! There it is!" Dawn cheered excitedly. "The move that inspired Ice Armor! Get them, Torterra!"

"Empoleon!"


"Now, this is certainly new," Gary remarked.

"It's a technique we picked up in the Sinnoh region, when Grotle faced the Tower Tycoon, Palmer!" Ash boasted. "It was an accident, the first time around, but now, it's a great and reliable way to give Torterra the boost he needs!"

The brunet laughed, shaking his head. "I shouldn't expect anything less unique from you, I guess. But are you sure it'll be enough?"

"See for yourself," Ash replied, smirking. Throwing a hand forth, continued. "Torterra! Leaf Storm!"

A roaring tempest of glowing leaves blasted across the field; whipped together in spiraling winds, the supercharged plant life posed a threat that dwarfed Electivire in size.

"Electivire! Protect!"

Electivire threw its bulky, brutish hands forward, summoning a shield that endured wave after wave crashing against its shell. But, its impenetrable defenses began to crack, with bright green fractures running through the bubble's surface. Electivire struggled, grunting in effort to push back against the onslaught.

Leaf Storm proved too powerful, and battered Protect until it shattered, sweeping Electivire up in its remainder. The cyclone seized and sliced the biped, before slamming him down against the ground.

"It broke through Protect!?" Gary exclaimed. Then, the Gym Leader grimaced, a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek. "That is some serious power… I guess that's what you get, with one of Ash's Pokémon…"

"You've got that right," Ash replied. "Now's our chance. Use Giga Drain!"

A recovering Electivire stumbled out of the rubble he'd found himself in, leaving him defenseless against the two projections of energy that tangled and seized him, limbs and all. "Elech!" He cried, as he was yanked in, and slammed against what remained of the rocky elevation from Rock Climb.

His energy quickly started to leave him, and did its part to replenish a weary Torterra.

"Electivire! At this rate…" Gary grimaced. His hands were tied. "Use Rain Dance, immediately!"

Just as Electivire was sapped of the last of his strength, he roared to the heavens. Another bout of Rain Dance started to shower the fray, before the Electric-type went limp.

"Electivire is unable to battle! The winner is Torterra!" The referee claimed.

"Return, Electivire!" Gary recalled his own Pokémon, smiling down upon his Poké Ball. "You did your part. Thank you."

Great work, Torterra!" Ash praised, punching the air in celebration. "You helped us get some back some momentum. You're the best!"

Torterra turned back to Ash, panting heavily. Even after Giga Drain's reprieve, he looked to still be catching his breath. "Terr," he uttered happily. If nothing else, he was proud.

Gary watched on without a word. Whatever he'd been thinking, it was merely a footnote, as he called on his next Pokémon. "Scizor! I choose you!"

The blood-red armored insect appeared before Gary, snapping his claws.

"A Scizor… Torterra's looking pretty winded," Ash thought aloud. "There's no point in wearing him out even further. You can return and rest for now, big guy!" He pointed his Poké Ball at Torterra, returning them in a beam of red light.

Gary tilted his head in curiosity. "You're fighting with a level head now, Ash? That's refreshing!"

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up! If you can fight with the weather, though, Gary, then so can I!" Ash made his next pivotal choice of the battle. Rather than grab another capsule, though, he offered his arm with an upturned hand to the Electric Mouse at his side.

"Pika!" Pikachu beamed, taking the hint. He ran up the length of Ash's arm and around his shoulder.

Smiling just the same, Ash extended his other arm, allowing Pikachu to run down the length of his wrist. Once those fleety feet found his wrist, Ash flung it upwards to catapult Pikachu. "Pikachu! I choose you!"

"Pikapi!" Pikachu tumbled forth, landing on all fours. He met Scizor's eyes, smirking. Electricity danced off his red pouches, and highlighted the rain droplets that came down about him.

"So, I get to fight Pikachu, now." Gary rested a hand on his hip. Eyes gleaming with curiosity, he smiled. "I'm honestly excited to see what the little guy's been up to."

"We're about to show you! But first, we have a gift from our battle with Misty!" Ash declared excitedly, throwing a hand high in the air. "Pikachu! Thunder!"

Pikachu supplied the raging storm clouds with a blinding pillar of electricity, his shriek just audible over the loud bolt he'd set off.

Flickers of bright light danced through the clouds, quickly gathering directly over Scizor.

Gary stared up at the clouds, his brows furrowing with concern. "That could be a problem… But, it's one we've prepared for. Scizor! Bullet Punch, now!"

Thunder crashed down upon Scizor's rising claws, reverberating through the room with a deafening boom. Lightning danced and crackled across the field, scorching and snapping at broken surfaces that were pooling with rain water.

"Bullet Punch…!?" Ash mouthed out, watching the scene with bewilderment. Scizor seemed to be struggling, nearly buckling under Thunder's wrath. "What's he up to…?"

Scizor's metallic claws flashed silver and gold intermittently, shouldering the weight of Pikachu's Thunder. "Scii… zor…!" Scizor hissed, buzzing his wings to set himself upright. Thunder finally came to an end, isolating his burden to two shining claws, leaking excess electricity.

"They stole Thunder from us," Ash noted, brows raised in surprise. "But it doesn't look like Scizor can hold it for long."

"Probably not, but he doesn't have to," Gary replied. "Scizor, now!"

Scizor punched in rapid succession; not to strike Pikachu directly, but fire off a blinding barrage of bolts, captured from Pikachu's Thunder.

"Dodge that, Pikachu!" Ash urged.

Pikachu dashed and rolled, avoiding the first of several. But, he'd tumbled headfirst into a shock, recoiling from it. The remainder of the barrage blasted him one after another, clouding Pikachu in smoke.

The black smoke soon dissipated, leaving a standing Pikachu, who shook out his fur. "Pi…!"

"So, you've got an answer to Thunder. You must've thought out everything, Gary," Ash said. "Not gonna lie, I'm impressed.

"Naturally," Gary replied. "I wouldn't be doing my job as the toughest Gym Leader, if I didn't make the most of all of my Pokémon's attributes, to help them fight at their best. I think that's something you'd know as well as I do, Ash."

"You're right about that," Ash replied. "Pikachu! Quick Attack!"

"Scizor! Bullet Punch!"

Pikachu dashed his way across broken ground, with the rain's downpour rhythmically tapping at his fur. He increased his speed, his entire body highlighting with a silver trail, as Scizor zipped into view. A blur of red took up his field of vision, and the gold gleam of its eyes targeted him.

Pikachu lunged forth, bashing his skull into Scizor's fist. He felt the dull ache and recoil, but powered through it with his built up momentum, disarming the insect. He powered on and smashed into Scizor's chin before kicking off his forehead to somersault to their right. "Pi-ka!"

"Zor…!" Scizor reeled from Pikachu, reasserting himself. Immediately afterward, the sound of Pikachu landing and blitzing back alerted him. He turned and swung a Bullet Punch at his approaching form.

Pikachu made a quick left turn, rolling to the side of Scizor's punch. His paws dragged through the muddy field to reassert his momentum, and he smashed himself into Scizor's abdomen.

"Grab him!" Gary commanded hastily.

Scizor snatched Pikachu's lightning bolt tail while he was in range, holding him up.

"Damn it!" Ash swore.

"You can't run from us, now… But I know better than to just let you shock us! Bullet Punch!" Gary ordered.

Using his one free claw, Scizor pummeled Pikachu. With swift punch after punch, the mouse's body was pounded senseless. In a follow-up, the insect released Pikachu, and spiked him down off the broken field. Pikachu bounced several times like a stone skipped, before sliding onto all fours.

Pikachu shook himself out, regaining his bearings, as well as dislodging the mud from his fur.

"If that wasn't fast enough, then we'll do you one better! Agility!"

"Scizor, Swords Dance, now!" Gary countered.

Both combatants raised their battling capabilities further, with Pikachu stretching into a yellow blur that darted from one end of the field to the next, and Scizor spinning with a series of poses to amp his fighting spirits. Both Pokémon obtained a red glow as a visual cue to their growth.

"Pikachu! Quick Attack!"

"Scizor, Double Team!"

Pikachu charged Scizor, twice as fast as he'd been previously. He launched himself at his opponent, only to pass right through them. He landed, skidding to a halt.

"Pikachu! Look around you," Ash coached. There were a multitude of scizor occupying the battlefield, now; each of them identical. "Take them out, with Quick Attack!"

"That worked once, Ash, but it won't again!" Gary replied. "Bullet Punch!"

Pikachu made it through another copy, before a dull pain clocked him in the back of the head. Reasserting himself, he found himself surrounded by Scizor, surrounding him with phantoms of lightning-fast attacks. Another blow uppercutted him into the air before he could identify his foe, and then he was subsequently smacked down again.


"Pikachu's in trouble," Dawn frowned, balling up her fists. "He may be stronger and faster, but he's caught in the middle of a real jam, if he can't find Scizor! Think of something, Ash…!"

"Empol! Empoleon!"


"This is a pain," Ash grumbled. "Pikachu, are you good?"

Pikachu picked himself up out of the mud, shaking his fur out. He turned back to Ash to shout his answer. "Piiika!"

"Great!" Ash pumped a fist. "Then let's clear up this battlefield. Use Thunder!"

"Pikaaaaa… Chu!" Pikachu flexed his stubby biceps, launching lightning into the clouds.

"It's not like you to make the same mistake twice, Ash!" Gary called, in tandem with his next move. "Bullet Punch, again!"

Each iteration of Scizor raised their claws. Each one of them was struck down by flailing bolts of lightning. Each left a scorched mark on the earth below… except for one, making a great effort to shoulder the weight of Thunder.

"You're right, it's not!" Ash answered, grinning. "Now we know where the real one is! Pikachu, Electro Ball!"

"Pi-ka!" Pikachu smirked, mirroring his trainer, and took to the air. The end of his tail gathered an orb of lightning, growing larger and larger in size, dwarfing his silhouette. "Pika-Pika-Pika…!"

Scizor, as well, had taken to the air, with both pincers wielded behind his back, with electricity leaking wildly from them. Both Pokémon faced off, with heart-stopping shocks wielded at their disposal.

Suddenly, the rain stopped. Droplets ceased, and storm clouds cleared to give the Gym back over to the ambient lighting, rather than dreary grays. The timing was uncanny, and served as enough of a distraction for Pikachu and Scizor to release their charge.

"The rain stopped…! That figures," Gary remarked, resting his hands on his hips.

Ash, meanwhile, saw a glowing opportunity. "Pikachu! Return!"

"Pika?" Pikachu tilted his head, but obeyed, running back to the trainer's box to stand by his best friend's side, looking up at his smiling trainer with a look of curiosity. What'd he just hatched?

Seizing the moment, Ash grabbed a Poké Ball off his belt, and slung it backhanded. "Pidgeot! Use Heat Wave!"

The Poké Ball's light materialized in the form of a large avian, who threw her wings outward with a shrill cry. Dwarfing Scizor, Pidgeot showed off beautiful wings of brown and beige, and colorful crests sloping down her head and tail. "Pidjooo!"

"Hmph!" Gary huffed. "So predictable. Scizor, U-Turn!"

"Zor!" Scizor shot towards Pidgeot, with a green glow trailing him.

As Pidgeot geared back her wings, Scizor jammed his claw into her belly. She recoiled, squawking indignantly as her feathers channeled shimmering red embers. Her foe retreated, and she beat her wings to unleash scalding winds in his direction.

Waves of red and orange washed across Gary's end of the field, hot enough to distort Ash and company's view of the stage of battle. With a super-effective counterattack twice over, Pidgeot had struck a decisive blow.

"I was waiting for that." Ash said, proudly adjusting the brim of his cap. "I get why you called out Scizor, and set up the rain before it. Scizor's got a huge weakness to Fire-type moves, but I can't take advantage of that when they're weaker. All I had to do was wait it out… Huh!?"

"Well, you're half-right, Ash. I have to give you credit for that much," Gary conceded, smiling to himself. A shake of his head, though, only denoted pity. "Your biggest mistake, though, is thinking that my plan stopped there."

Before Gary stood not Scizor, but instead, another one of his partners. Tall and proud, a fluffy cream-colored mane contrasted with black stripes over a bold orange coat. Gary's Arcanine had taken the heat, quite literally, and what's more, it looked all the more vibrant for it.

An orange, fiery glow drifted off Arcanine's lustrous fur, and in his eyes, there was no sign of fatigue; if anything, his gaze carried the intensity of a roaring inferno. Arcanine howled.

Ash grimaced, as the shade of his cap's brim covered his eyes. "That glow… It's just like…!"


Dawn gasped, a hand ghosting over her mouth. "It looks just like Houndoom's Flash Fire!"