The time has finally come for Davis to earn his sixth badge. After meeting Lieutenant Steel, Davis got a glimpse of how strong he is. It made him more excited to battle him more.

"Welcome back to my gym, Davis." Steel said as the two of them stood facing each other in the gym.

"Well, I don't intend on leaving Texstar City without my badge." Davis said.

"You're certainly confident. That's good." Steel said. "Tell me, how many badges do you currently have?"

"I've got five right now." Davis said.

"I tend to find the number of badges helps me read the level of strength of my opponents." Steel said. "Since you have five, I'm expecting you to put up a decent challenge."

"Don't worry. You'll get it." Davis said as he was set on winning that badge.

Pokemon

It's a battle, win or lose

It's the friends you make

It's the road you choose

We've got the right stuff

So make your mind up

And find the courage inside of you.

If you're strong, you'll survive

And you'll keep your dream alive

Let the battle begin

Pokemon

Be the best you can be and find your destiny

It's the master plan

The power's in your hand

Pokemon

(Davis' voice) Steel Resolve

"The gym battle between Lieutenant Steel, the gym leader, and Davis, the challenger, is about to begin!" Maxwell said as he was being the ref. "Each side will use three pokemon. The battle will be over when all three of one side is unable to battle! Only the challenger will be allowed to substitute pokemon."

"We saw what Escavalier can do." Tetsu said. "I wonder what this other pokemon can really do."

"We'll find out soon enough." Cletus said.

"Time to show me how much you want that badge. Pawniard, let's go!" Steel said as he chose his first pokemon.

"Pawniard!"

"What is that?" Davis questioned as he pulled out his pokedex.

"Pawniard, the Sharp Blade Pokemon. A dark and steel type. Pawniard take good care of their blades because a chip can be fatal. They fearlessly challenge any foes."

"A dark-type that's also a steel-type. Well, let's see which steel is sharper." Davis said as he chose his pokemon. "Mawile, let's go!"

"Mawile!"

"A battle between a fellow steel-type. Very well. Let's see what you can really do." Steel said.

"Let's not keep them waiting! Mawile, start out with Fairy Wind!" Davis ordered.

"Mawile!" Mawile started the battle by twirling her jaws and unleashed a gust of sparkling wind, but Pawniard endured against the attack.

"Stay tough, Pawniard. Metal Claw!" Steel ordered. Pawniard pushed right through the the wind with the blades on its arms glowing. It was like the wind wasn't stopping it. When it reached Mawile, it slashed against her and knocked her down.

"It was like Fairy Wind didn't even slow it down!" Davis said.

"I train myself and my pokemon in tough conditions so we can endure whatever is thrown at us." Steel said. "I'm afraid you're going to need more than a gust of wind if you want to beat my Pawniard."

"How about this? Use Brutal Swing!" Davis called. Mawile charged in and was getting ready to attack.

"Grass Knot." Steel ordered. Pawniard's eyes glowed green and grass grew right out of the ground with it tying around Mawile and tripping her. "Now use Guillotine!" Pawniard had dangerous energy flow through its blades. It jumped in the air and was about to come down on her.

"Dodge!" Davis called. Mawile rolled out of the way and Pawniard crashed into the ground.

"Careful, Davis! Guillotine can take you out in one hit!" Cletus called.

"I know, but that Pawniard is tough." Davis said as the first battle is already a struggle.

"Grass Knot must be for when his opponents use ground-types." Tetsu said. "Using that combined with Guillotine is a clever strategy. I sure hope Davis knows what he's doing down there.

"Use Grass Knot and hold Mawile in place!" Steel said. Pawniard caused grass to grow again and it tied around Mawile and trapped her in place. "Guillotine once again!" Pawniard jumped in the air and was getting ready to finish this.

"Use your jaws and stop it!" Davis called. Mawile used her jaws and was able to grab Pawniard before Guillotine could hit. That was certainly unexpected. Mawile thrashed Pawniard around with her bashing Pawniard against the ground. "Now give it a good throw and use Fairy Wind!" Mawile tossed Pawniard in the air and used the attack with Pawniard getting blasted by wind. "Finish this with Iron Head!" Mawile broke free from the grass and charged right at Pawniard. Just before Pawniard hit the ground, Mawile smashed Iron Head against it and was able to knock it out.

"Pawinard is unable to battle! Mawile is the winner!" Maxwell called.

"Nice shot, Mawile!" Davis called. Mawile didn't wait around as she jumped right into his arms and cuddled up with him. "Uh... That might be a little early. Why don't you return for now." He said as he brought her back in her pokeball.

"Not bad, Davis." Steel said as he brought Pawniard back. "You think outside of the box, and I like it. Let's see how you do against this one. Forretress, let's go!"

"Forretress!" Seeing that pokemon, Davis brought out his pokedex.

"Forretress, the Bagworm Pokemon. A bug and steel type, and the evolve form of Pineco. It remains in its shell, but what is underneath is a mystery."

"Just like Escavalier. Well, I was hoping to save this one for Escavalier, but it looks like I need it now." Davis said. "Mightyena, I choose you!"

"Migh!"

"Mightyena?! Why would he be using a dark-type against a bug-type?!" Tetsu said.

"I think you're forgetting about that one attack Mightyena knows." Cletus said.

"Let's finish this in one shot! Mightyena, Fire Fang!" Davis called. Mightyena and Davis didn't wait. Mightyena had fire blazing around its fangs and went on the attack. Steel was surprised, but was able to counter.

"Forretress, Flash Cannon!" Steel said. Fortress fired a shining beam and blasted Mightyena before Mightyena's attack landed. "So Mightyena knows a fire-type move. I see... Even that won't be enough. Forretress, time to use Spikes!" Fortress spun around and shot spikes out with them scattering everywhere.

"What is that?" Davis questioned.

"Davis, you've got to be careful now! Every time you switch your pokemon around, they're going to take damage!" Cletus warned.

"That's right. That's what Spikes does, and that will limit your options." Steel said. "Now use Gyro Ball!" Forretress started spinning around with power.

"Iron Tail!" Davis called. Mightyena hardened its tail and smashed it right against Forretress with both sides being pushed back. "We need to end this fast and now. Mightyena, power-up with Howl!" Mightyena howled and was increasing its power. "Now finish this with Fire Fang!" Mightyena leaped right at Fortress and was planning to end this battle right now.

"Sorry, but I'm ending this battle on my terms. Forretress, Explosion!" Steel called. Forretress build as much power as it could with Mightyena landing its attack. That's when a large explosion went off and both of them got caught in it. When the smoke cleared away, both of them were taken out.

"Both pokemon are unable to battle! This match ends in a draw!" Maxwell claimed.

"No way! I can't believe he actually used Explosion!" Tetsu called as that was certainly a surprise.

"Sometimes a soldier must be willing to do what they must." Steel said. "Even if it means sacrificing yourself for the team, you've got to try and take a win." That attack was certainly a surprise, and now Davis has lost an edge over Escavalier. He'll have to improvise now.

"What Steel said might be true, but he's now down to just one pokemon. Forretress would have been better by going first." Tetsu said as they brought both of their pokemon back.

"Unless Pawniard gets a read on the challenger's strength. A move like Guillotine is helpful as well." Cletsu said. "That Lieutenant Steel holds nothing back. He uses intense, powerful, and tricky attacks to try and push a trainer."

"Well, you've done decently well." Steel said. "Now, let's see how you do for that badge. Escavalier, let's go!"

"Escavalier!"

"There it is. I had hope to use Mightyena, but that's over. Get in there, pal." Davis said.

"You got it." Imperialdramon said as he walked out on the field. Steel was most curious as to what kind of power this pokemon has. Just as Imperialdramon took his final step, a series of small explosions went off around him.

"Don't forget that the effects of Spikes is still in effect." Steel said.

"That's not going to stop us! Get in there with Focus Punch!" Davis said. Imperialdramon gathered power around his fist and went on the attack.

"Agility!" Steel said. Escavalier moved with incredible speed and was able to get behind Imperialdramon before Imperialdramon landed his attack. "Now use X-Scissor!"

"Escavalier!" Escavalier slashed against Imperialdramon right in the back and did some damage. Imperialdramon tried striking it with his arm, but he missed as Escavalier got in front of him.

"Now use Fury Attack!" Steel ordered. Escavalier unleashed a series of attacks right against Imperialdramon with Imperialdramon taking some damage. "Keep using Fury Attack! Wear him down!" Escavalier didn't stop with the attacks and just kept going.

"Hang in there! Fight back with Focus Punch!" Davis said. Imperialdramon tried fighting through the damage he was taking and tried landing another attack. Imperialdramon managed to land the attack and knocked Escavalier back. "Now use Brick Break!" Imperialdramon tried using the attack right on Escavalier's head, but Escavalier crossed its lances and was able to block the attack.

"You've got to be kidding." Imperialdramon complained. It trying pouring on the pressure, but Escavalier was holding up.

"Agility! After that, X-Scissor!" Steel ordered. Escavalier moved incredibly fast and was able to escape Imperialdramon's hold and then slashed against him. "Now use Fury Attack!" Escavalier kept the attacks going with Imperialdramon trying to endure it.

"Blast it with Dragon Pulse!" Davis said. Imperialdramon tried blasting Escavalier with the attack, but Escavalier was able to move out of the way at the last moment and the attack missed. "That Escavalier is so fast and strong. There's got to be a way to beat it. Imperialdramon, let's end this here and now! Dragon Rush!" Imperialdramon gathered dragon power around himself and was getting ready to deal one powerful strike.

"Pulling out all the stops, are we? So be it." Steel said. "We'll do the same thing! Smart Strike!" Escavalier gathered it's steel power in its lances. It held both out and went for a powerful strike. Imperialdramon charged in to match that power. Both pokemon tried to push the other back. The two powers collided and tried to gain the other upper hand. Imperialdramon did his best, but Escavalier put on more power and pushed back enough with Imperialdramon sent flying back.

"Imperialdramon!" Davis called as he flew past Davis and smashed into the wall. When they all could see, they saw that Imperialdramon was knocked out of the battle.

"Imperialdramon is unable to battle! Escavalier is the winner!" Maxwell called.

"No way! Imperialdramon really lost!" Tetsu said.

"Escavalier is so powerful!" Cletus said.

"All he has left is Mawile, but Mawile's attacks won't do much against a steel-type or a bug-type." Tetsu said.

"Mawile should be able to endure those attacks, but won't be able to keep that up." Cletus said. "If Davis wants to win it, he needs some sort of break."

"Sorry, Davis..." Imperialdramon groaned.

"Just hang in there. You'll be okay." Davis said. He looked at Escavalier and could see it was breathing heavily. That last clash took some strength, but Escavalier still has some fight to it. "There has to be a way to..." Davis tried to figure out a way out of this mess until he saw something. He looked at Escavalier and saw some cracks were forming in its lances. That last clash did more damage than it looked. "That's it! Maybe there is a way! Mawile, let's go!"

"Mawile!" Just as Mawile came out, the effects of Spikes kicked in.

"Spikes activates again." Steel said. "You've done well so far, Davis, but your Mawile doesn't have the power to beat my Escavalier. So, what is it you plan on doing?" It was looking bad, but Davis was pushing on ahead.

"Let's finish this, Mawile! Fairy Wind!" Davis said. Mawile unleashed the attack, but it just blew against Escavalier like Escavalier wasn't bothered by it.

"You'll have to do better than that. Fury Attack!" Steel said. Escavalier went straight at Mawile and tried unleashing a series of attacks. Mawile tried to avoid the attacks, but they just kept coming. "Now use X-Scissor!" Escavalier slashed against Mawile and landed the attack with Mawile taking more damage.

"Just hang in there, Mawile. Our chance will come." Davis said.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but I'm impressed. It seems that no matter what we throw, your resolve is as strong as steel." Steel claimed. "I'm pleased to see that, but we must end this. Fury Attack!" Escavalier went on the attack, but that was when Davis saw the chance.

"Brutal Swing at full force!" Davis said. Mawile swung her jaws around and smashed them right against Escavalier's lances. When that happened, it caused them to break apart. It was a surprise to all of them.

"What just happened?!" Tetsu said.

"It must have been during that last battle!" Cletus said. "The power from Smart Strike and Dragon Rush was so powerful that it damaged Escavalier's lances! With its lances damaged, it's going to be difficult to fight back."

"This battle is over! Fairy Wind!" Davis said. Mawile used the attack as powerful as she could with Escavalier taking some damage. "Now use Iron Head at full power!" Mawile brought out all the power she could and smashed right into Escavalier as she bashed her head against it. Escavalier took some real damage from the attack with it sliding against the ground and was knocked out.

"Escavalier is unable to battle! Mawile is the winner, and victory goes to the challenger!" Maxwell declared.

"Yeah! I won!" Davis cheered as he has won again. Mawile nearly collapsed after that battle, but Davis caught her. "Guess that took more out of you than I thought, but you were awesome." He said with Mawile cuddling up to him.

"Escavalier, return." Steel said as he brought his pokemon back. Steel was most pleased with how this battle went. Davis thought outside of the box and his resolve remained strong. Now that the battle was over, Davis and his pokemon were being awarded the badges. "Davis, you battle hard and well. A gym leader is to bring out the best of the trainer and their pokemon, just like how a general brings out the best of their soldiers. You did exactly that. You should feel real proud of yourself and your pokemon. Here is proof that you won here. This here is the Honor Badge." He said as he handed a badge that looked like military dog tags.

"Thanks a lot." Davis said as he received the badge. "Yeah! I just got the Honor Badge! Number six!"

"Yeah/Migh/Mawile!"

Davis has done excellent work. He fought a well hard battle and didn't waver over anything. He now has his sixth badge and only needs two more to enter the Centros League. There's still hard fought battles to come, so don't miss any of it when they do.

To Be Continued...