The time has finally come for Davis to battle for his eighth badge. He's met Vanessa, Flint's mother and the Calforn gym leader, but he still needs to defeat her knowing it won't be easy.

"Welcome, Davis. I hope you're ready for this battle." Vanessa said. Everyone was at the gym and it was time for the battle. Cletus, Tetsu, and Flint were watching from the side and they had Growlithe watching. They weren't the only ones. Some fans of Vanessa were there as well and were watching and cheering for her.

"You're Mom has drawn in quite a crowd." Tetsu said.

"Yeah. Some of her fans like to see her battles." Flint said. "By the way, what's with the Growlithe?"

"This Growlithe belongs to Davis, but they haven't been together for long. Davis thought it would be good for Growlithe to watch this battle, especially if Vanessa is going to use Arcanine." Cletus explained.

"Davis probably doesn't want to take any chances either, but that means the only pokemon Davis can use is Imperialdramon, Mightyena, and Cloyster." Tetsu claimed. "I sure hope he really is ready for this."

"Tell me something, Davis. How many badges do you currently have?" Vanessa asked.

"I've got seven of them. When I beat you, I'll have all eight to get in the Centros League." Davis claimed.

"I see." Vanessa said. "I'm your last challenge before than. In that case..." She had an employee of hers walked over with a series of pokeballs and selected which ones she was using. "I'll use my best pokemon against you."

"Oh boy. Davis is in for it now." Flint said as they are all expecting a red hot battle.

A new adventure, another day

One more challenge that comes our way

Its up to me and you

I know what we've got to do

We are together now

Friends forever now

Whatever comes our way, we won't run away

Standing tall

And one for all

It's our destiny

Pokemon

(Davis' voice) Turn Up the Heat

"The gym battle between Vanessa, the gym leader, and Davis, the challenger, will now begin! Each side will be allowed to use three pokemon! During the battle, the challenge will be allowed to substitute pokemon! The battle will be over when all three of one side's pokemon are unable to battle! When you both are ready, you may begin!"

"Don't underestimate me just because I'm a pretty face. Ninetales, let's go!" Vanessa called out.

"Nine!"

"Awesome! A Ninetales! Of course she would have that pokemon!" Tetsu said as Davis pulled out his pokedex.

"Ninetales, the Fox pokemon. A fire-type, and the evolve form of Vulpix. Ninetales' tails are said to possess supernatural powers that allow Ninetales to live for a thousand years or place a curse upon a person for a thousand years."

"Okay, well I know who to use. Cloyster, let's go!" Davis said as he called on his choice.

"Cloyster!"

"Cloyster... I love Cloysters for their black pearl-like faces, but that doesn't mean you're going to win so easily." Vanessa said.

"Let's find out! Cloyster, start this battle by using Water Gun!" Davis ordered as Cloyster shot water around.

"Dodge it!" Vanessa ordered as Ninetales jumped around and avoided each shot thrown at it. "Now let's use Flamethrower!" Ninetales breathed out flames and tried blasting Cloyster with it, but Cloyster closed up its was able to take the attack like it didn't really bother it. "It seems you raised your Cloyster's defense rather well."

"You're going to need more than that to get around Cloyster's shell." Davis said.

"Is that so? What about this then? Let's use Energy Ball!" Vanessa said with all of them surprised. Ninetales gathered energy around its mouth and shot it in an orb.

"Quick! Iron Defense!" Davis ordered. Cloyster hardened its shell, but the attack still landed and Cloyster took some damage.

"Ninetales knows Energy Ball?!" Tetsu with astonishment.

"She must use it for water-types!" Cletus said.

"That's my mom. Beautiful, powerful, and smart all in one package like her pokemon." Flint said. It was looking bad as the fans were cheering for Vanessa, but Growlithe was doing its best to cheer for Davis.

"That won't stop us! Water Gun!" Davis ordered.

"Extrasensory!" Vanessa said. Both pokemon used their attacks, but Ninetales used psychic-like energy and was able to block the attack. "Now let's use Energy Ball once again!" Ninetales used the attack again and blasted Cloyster with Cloyster starting to take some damage.

"Water Gun is all we have." Davis said as he didn't like this situation. "Ice Beam and Ice Shard won't do enough damage."

"Let's turn up the heat even more. Even your Cloyster won't be able to handle this attack." Vanessa warned. "Use Inferno!"

"Iron Defense!" Davis called as Cloyster tried strengthening its defenses again. Ninetales unleashed a blast of a powerful blue flame. The attack blasted against Cloyster and caused a large explosion to go off. Cloyster tried its best to withstand the attack, but the power was too much and Cloyster couldn't go on.

"Cloyster is unable to battle! Ninetales is the winner!" The referee declared with her fans cheering for Vanessa. Cloyster losing so soon was quite a surprise.

"I hope you weren't planning on relying on Cloyster." Vanessa said as Davis brought Cloyster back.

"I know better than that, but Cloyster did seem like a safe bet." Davis said.

"So what now? That Ninetales is powerful." Imperialdramon said.

"We're just as powerful! Mightyena, let's go!" Davis said as he chose his next pokemon.

"Migh!"

"Mightyena, let's show them that we mean business! Power-up with Howl!" Davis called. Mightyena unleashed a loud howl and was increasing his power. "Now let's use Bite!" Mightyena charged right at Ninetales and ready to take a bite out of this battle.

"Ninetales, Flamethrower!" Vanessa called. Ninetales attacked with some flames, but Mightyena jumped right through the flames and bit down on Mightyena.

"Nice! Now use Iron Tail!" Davis called. Mightyena hardened its tail and swung it around as it smashed Iron Tail right against Ninetales and pushed it back. "You're doing great, Mightyena! Let's use Bite one more time!"

"I don't think so! Use Energy Ball!" Vanessa called. Ninetales gathered energy and attacked with it, but Mightyena was ready for it as Mightyena used his teeth and bite right through the attack. Vanessa and Ninetales surely didn't expect that.

"Keep the attack going!" Davis said. Mightyena went straight at Ninetales and attacked Ninetales once again with enough force that knocked Ninetales right out.

"Ninetales is unable to battle! Mightyena is the winner!" The ref declared with her fans moaning, but Davis surely liked that he was winning.

"Ninetales, return. You shined beautifully." Vanessa said as she had Ninetales return to it's pokeball. "Well, your Mightyena is certainly a powerful one."

"You bet. I know I can always count on a loyal companion like Mightyena." Davis said as he petted Mightyena's head.

"You certainly have a great relationship with your pokemon considering you have a lot of trust and faith in them. I can see why, but I can't just give you my badge on that alone." Vanessa warned. "Let's see how you do against this one. Flareon, let's go!"

"Flareon!"

"Flareon... That's one of Eevee's evolve forms." Davis said as he took out his pokedex.

"Flareon, the Flame Pokemon. A fire-type, and the evolve form of Eevee. It fluffs out its fur collar to help cool its body temperature when it can reach over a thousand degrees."

"Of course she would have a Flareon as well. That Flareon looks incredible." Tetsu said.

"You better believe it." Flint said. "Just like my mom kept explaining, all her pokemon are beautiful. The more beautiful they are, the more powerful they are as well."

"That Ninetales was surely powerful considering what we just witnessed. I wonder how things will unfold with Flareon." Cletus said.

"Let's win this one just like the last one! Mightyena, let's use Bite!" Davis called as Mightyena charged right at Flareon to attack.

"Flareon, Fire Fang!" Vanessa said. Flareon had fire form around its fangs and went on the attack. Mightyena tried to bite Flareon, but Flareon dodged it and took a bite out of Mightyena instead.

"I know it might not do much damage, but let's show them that your fire can burn just as powerful!" Davis said. "Show them your Fire Fang!" Mightyena used the same attack as Flareon as Mightyena bit Flareon's tail and gave it a powerful throw. Flareon slid against the ground, but was still standing. "Now use Iron Tail!" Mightyena hardened its tail and went on the attack. Mightyena smashed its tail against Flareon, but Flareon was able to endure the attack. "Oh man. That Flareon is tough."

"You haven't seen anything. Flareon, Fire Spin!" Vanessa ordered. Flareon unleashed a spiral of fire and surrounded Mightyena with it and had no way of getting out. "I'm afraid there's nowhere to run now! Flareon, Shadow Ball!" Flareon started running in circles and tried blasting Mightyena with a series of attacks that blasted against Mightyena. The attack was coming from different directions and all Mightyena could do was just stand there and take it. The heat from the fire was making this more difficult.

"Hang in there, Mightyena!" Davis encouraged.

"Mightyena won't last much longer!" Imperialdramon said.

"But what can we do?" Davis said as all he could do was watch as Mightyena was taking some damage. "Just hang in there, Mightyena!" Mightyena was trying his best to hold on. Mightyena certainly didn't want to let Davis down and found the power within. The power was unleashed as Mightyena unleashed a dark blast from it's mouth. The power rippled through the area and blasted against Flareon and dispersed the fire. "I don't know what happened, but I'm taking it! Iron Tail!" Mightyena charged straight at Flareon and smashed his tail against it with it being knocked out.

"Flareon is unable to battle! Mightyena is the winner!" The ref declared.

"No way... Mom actually lost two pokemon in a row?" Flint said as he couldn't believe it.

"That was awesome! What attack was that Mightyena just used?" Tetsu said.

"I believe that was Dark Pulse. Mightyena just learned how to use it, and it couldn't have come at a better time." Cletus said.

"You're Mightyena learning a powerful attack like Dark Pulse in the middle of a battle is truly impressive. I think that shows the deep trust and bond between you two." Vanessa said. "Davis, you're truly something impressive."

"Wow. A model actually said I'm impressive." Davis said as he felt bashful.

"Oh great. He's going to let it go to his head." Tetsu said.

"I've never seen Vanessa into a trainer."

"Can you blame her? The guy is really good."

"This Davis might really win. This is getting exciting." They could all hear the crowd and it sounds like some of them might be switching to Davis' side.

"Sounds like the crowd is with him." Flint said.

"Yeah. Davis might actually win this and it's exciting." Cletus said.

"You're doing rather well, Davis. Your pokemon are battling beautifully, but I can't let you win. Arcanine, let's go!" Vanessa said as she chose her last pokemon.

"Rar!" That's her last pokemon, but Mightyena wasn't looking good with how it was panting.

"Mightyena isn't looking so good. We better end this now or Mightyena won't last." Davis said. "Mightyena, use Howl and then use Dark Pulse!" Mightyena tried howling to give himself extra power. Once he did, he used his new attack.

"Extreme Speed!" Vanessa called. Arcanine moved with incredible speed and avoided the attack. It was almost unbelievable. Arcanine smashed right into Mightyena with Mightyena being pushed back. "Now fly and use Aerial Ace!" Arcanine attacked with speed again with a different attack with Mightyena being knocked back again. Mightyena got hit hard and was knocked out of the battle.

"Mightyena is unable to battle! Arcanine is the winner!" The ref declared.

"Unbelievable! That Arcanine is incredibly fast!" Tetsu said.

"How is Davis going to deal with that?!" Cletus said.

"Sorry, guys. There is no competing with Arcanine's speed." Flint said as he loved seeing his mother and Arcanine battle.

"Mightyena, return." Davis said as he got Mightyena back. "Arcanine sure is fast, but you can be just as fast and tougher. Right?"

"Yeah." Imperialdramon said as he walked out on the field.

"I've never seen a pokemon quite like you. Let's see how beautifully you shine." Vanessa said with Imperialdramon standing ready to battle. Since this is the last battle, this is their last chance to win it and get that badge.

"Let's do this, pal! Brick Break!" Davis ordered. Imperialdramon jumped at Arcanine as fast as he could. He tried striking his arm down, but Arcanine was able to dodge it with Imperialdramon only hitting ground.

"She really is fast!" Imperialdramon said as he was still astonished with Arcanine's speed.

"Now use Crunch!" Vanessa said. Arcanine opened up her mouth and bit down on Imperialdrmaon as hard as she could.

"Knock it off with Focus Punch!" Davis said. Imperialdramon gathered power in his fist and smashed it against Arcanine with Arcanine being pushed off. "Get some distance! Let's try attacking out of Arcanine's reach!" Imperialdramon flew back and was up in the air. "Now use Dragon Pulse!" Imperialdramon unleashed the dragon blast and it blasted right against Arcanine.

"I'm afraid that won't be enough to save you." Vanessa said. "Arcanine, Fire Blast!"

"Heads up, Davis! That's a powerful fire-type attack!" Cletus warned. Arcanine gathered all its fire power and unleashed it with the flames spreading in five directions. Imperialdramon got blasted by the attack and it was powerful. Not only was it a fierce explosion, but Imperialdramon was knocked right out of the air.

"I'm afraid we're not done! Arcanine, Extreme Speed!" Vanessa ordered. Arcanine charged at Imperialdramon and smashed against him with him sliding agaisnt the ground.

"Are you okay?!" Davis called.

"Sort of..." Imperialdramon said as he got back up.

"You've done rather well, but I think it's time we end this. Fire Blast at full power!" Vanessa said as she was ending this. Arcanine unleashed a powerful blast of fire and set it straight at Imperialdramon.

"We're not backing down!" Davis called.

"You got that right!" Imperialdramon said as he charged straight to the attack. He held out both of his hands and was able to block the attack. No one was expecting that.

"Unbelievable! I can't believe he caught that attack!" Flint said.

"Don't back down, Arcanine!" Vanessa ordered as Arcanine tried adding more fire to the attack, but Imperialdramon was holding on.

"How is something like this possible?!" Flint said.

"I've never seen a trainer like Davis or a pokemon like Imperialdramon." Cletus said. "It's like the stronger the opponent, the more power they draw from the battle itself. I don't know how to explain it other than that these two seem to thrive in battle."

"It's not just Imperialdramon. Davis can bring that out with all of his pokemon." Tetsu said. "That's how Mightyena was able to use Dark Pulse in the middle of a battle. It's like he can bring out their full potential. He unlocks something in them." This truly was impressive with Growlithe and many others cheering for Davis and Imperialdramon.

"Go, Imperialdramon! Show that we won't back down!" Davis said.

"Right! We have a flame that burns brighter than any fire-type!" Imperialdramon claimed.

"Let's see if you're saying that after we use our full power!" Vanessa said. Arcanine threw everything she had in this attack and caused the attack to combust with a powerful explosion going off. That explosion was intense and it would have been difficult for a regular pokemon to comeback from that. "I think that's it."

"It's not." Vanessa and others were surprised. The smoke cleared away and showed Imperialdramon was still standing. Even with his hands giving off smoke, he was able to block that attack off. "No way!" She said with she and Arcanine shocked.

"Told you! We've got out own flame that really burns! Imperialdramon, Dragon Rush at full power!" Davis ordered. Imperialdramon gathered all his dragon power and ready to unleash it.

"Aerial Ace!" Vanessa called as she tried to fight back. Both sides flew right at each other and clashed against each other. The two of them pushed and fought as hard they could. It was a valiant effort on Arcanine's part, but Imperialdramon pushed through and knocked Arcanine back with Arcanine being smashed right into the wall. Arcanine dropped to the ground and was knocked out.

"Arcanine is unable to battle! Imperialdramon wins and the victory goes to the challenger!" The ref declared.

"He did it!" Tetsu cheered as all of his friends and many others were amazed with what Davis just did.

"I can't believe it! Mom actually lost!" Flint said as this was a sight to behold.

"Way to go! I knew you could do it, big guy!" Davis cheered as he hugged Imperialdramon.

"We're going to the Centros League!" Imperialdramon cheered.

"Arcanine, you were lovely. Get a good rest." Vanessa said as she brought Arcanine back in her pokeball. She was amazed with what Davis did and it was surely an amazing battle. You don't see a trainer like that very often.

...

Later

"Davis, it was truly a great battle." Vanessa said as they all stood outside the gym with the sun going down. "You and your pokemon are truly no less than amazing. It's been quite a long time since I had a battle like that one."

"Thanks a lot, Vanessa." Davis said.

"And here it is. This is the Hot Badge." Vanessa said as she gave a badge designed like a flame. Davis took it proudly and held it right in his hand.

"Yeah! I finally got the Hot Badge!" Davis cheered.

"Yeah!" Imperialdramon cheered as this victory felt like it was his and everyone's.

"You really did it!" Tetsu said.

"You finally have all eight badges." Cletus said.

"That's right! You have all eight! That means you can compete in the Centros League." Vanessa claimed.

"And it also means I've got some catching up to do." Flint said as he can't let Davis outdo him.

"Vanessa, do you know where the Centros League is being held?" Davis asked.

"I do. There's still some time before it starts." Vanessa claimed. "The Centros League will be held in Yorker City."

"Yorker City?! That's the biggest city in the entire Centros region!" Tetsu said.

"That sounds great to me. Centros League, here I come!" Davis said as he can't wait. He has all eight badges and the Centros League is now in sight.

Davis has finally managed to get all eight badges. Now that he has, it will be off to the Centros League. Carrying the torch of battling with him, Davis believes he is ready for it. You don't want to miss what is to come.

To Be Continued...