Episode 276: Balance of Power
Before I start this chapter, I was originally going to make it one chapter, but I decided to break it up into two chapters instead. And here is the long-awaited chapter of the battle in the Petalburg City Gym. So, enjoy!
Finally, the big day had come. Sora and Norman were having their battle.
"Sora, I have been looking forward to our battle ever since we met. And I know you told meast nught, but just because you and Kairi are friends with my kids, doesn't mean I'm gonna go easy on you," Norman said.
"I don't want you to, Norman. It wouldn't be much fun if you did," Sora said.
"This is it. I knew this day was gonna come eventually," Kairi said.
"Yeah, the day my dad mops the floor with your boyfriend," Max said.
"I just can't wait how this turns out," May said.
"Are you saying that dad doesn't stand a chance of winning?" Max asked, getting upset at her sister.
"I never said he was going to lose, Max," May said in her defense. "I just don't want to see either one of them lose."
"She's saying it's hard to choose which side to be on since it's her dad and friend out there," Brendan said.
"I'm sure it's going to be fine," Lisia said.
"People are going around saying, that dad is so strong, he could be a mamber of the Elite Four. I know Sora is an awesome Trainer, but he doesn't stand a chance against dad," Max said.
"Max, I think you need to cut back on the soda," May said.
"She's right, hun. I know this is the first time seeing your dad in a Gym battle, but you need to relax and enjoy it," Caroline said. "I have a feeling that it's going to be a good one."
"I know you can take him, Sora. He's no different from the other Gym Leaders you faced in the past. You came out on top and you didn't take giving up as an option," Kairi said in her thoughts. Kenny took his place as the referee of the battle.
"The battle between the Gym Leader Norman and the challenger Sora Ketchum will begin now! Both Trainers will be using three Pokémon each! When either the challenger's or the Gym Leader's Pokémon are unable to continue, then the match is over! Only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions during the match!" Kenny announced.
"Are you ready, Sora?" Norman asked his opponent.
"When you are," Sora said. Norman took out a Pokéball.
"For my first Pokémon, I choose Slakoth!" Norman said as he threw it. His Slakoth sways around on the battlefield. Sora grinned since he knew he was going to start up with Slakoth. He took out his Pokéball as well.
"Then, my first is going to be, Meditite!" Sora shouted as he threw it. Meditite does a few a meditation pose and floats in the air upon entry.
"A Meditite. A Fighting-type is a smart move since Slakoth is a Normal-type," Norman praised his opponent.
"Thanks. Meditite! Use Ice Punch!" Sora ordered. Meditite's fist emits ice and she heads right over to Slakoth to land an icy punch. Slakoth just sways with ease. "Wha?!"
"Slakoth dodged?" May asked. Max was giddy to see Slakoth dodge with ease.
"I didn't know Slakoth could do that," Ethan said.
"Neither did I. How could a Slakoth just do that?" Naminé said. Riku stroked his chin.
"Slakoth! Use Shadow Claw!" Norman ordered. Slakoth comes at the Meditate Pokémon with its claw, emitting a dark aura.
"Dodge and use Low Sweep!" Sora ordered. Meditite attempts to give the sloth-like Pokémon a kick, but Slakoth easily avoids the attack. "Again?!"
"Way to go, Slakoth!" Max cheered.
"Don't let him throw you off, Meditite! Stay in the game!" Kairi called out.
"Slakoth! Hidden Power!" Norman ordered. Slakoth forms small circles and sends it right at Meditite.
"Detect!" Sora ordered. Medicham uses Detect to dodge Slakoth's Hidden Power. It goes right by her.
"Was that a dodge?" May asked.
"Detect works the same way as Protect. When a Pokémon uses Detect, it won't be hit by an attack," Ethan said.
"A close shave for Sora," Leaf said.
"Also I know why Norman chose Slakoth as his first choice," Riku said. Everyone all looked at him.
"What do you mean?" Max asked.
"Meditite is small, fast and limber. That would normally work with a regular opponent, but it doesn't work with Slakoth. Even with the type advantage in Sora's favor, it doesn't matter if it's in speed or power in the attack tries, Slakoth manages to swirm out of the way. And because of that skill, it gives Norman the unique ability to fight at whatever pace he chooses. That makes Slakoth the perfect Pokémon to start," Riku said.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"Eevee?" Angel asked.
"That's exactly right, Riku. Well said," Caroline said.
"Sora will turn it around. I know it," Kairi said.
"No he won't. He's going to lose," Max said.
"Okay Meditite! Ice Punch!" Sora ordered. Meditite comes at the sloth-like Pokémon with her ice emitting ice.
"Dodge and use Blizzard!" Norman ordered. Slakoth avoids Meditite's Ice Punch and get hit by Slakoth's Blizzard. Meditite has taken some damage from Slakoth's Blizzard. Sora took out Meditite's Pokéball and calls back the Meditate Pokémon. He takes out another Pokéball.
"I better start thinking big Go! Hariyama!" Sora called out as he threw it. The Pokéball opens and Hariyama has entered the battle.
"Why did Sora call Meditite back?" May asked.
"Sora didn't want to risk losing right off the bat, so he had to switch Meditite for Hariyama," Kairi said.
"A smart move to make," Lisia said.
"You're right, Lisia. Let's see if Hariyama can make the difference here," Rei said.
"You ready to go, Hariyam?" Sora asked.
"Yama!" Hariyama said.
"Slakoth! Blizzard!" Norman ordered. Slakoth fires Blizzard, but Hariyama wasn't slightly bothered by the blizzard being blown at the Arm Thrust Pokémon.
"Hariyama! Use Force Palm!" Sora ordered. Hariyma lunges his large hand forward and he lands a hit onto Slakoth. It lands a critical blow on the sloth-like Pokémon, sending it flying against one of the walls. Slakoth had been taken down.
"Slakoth!" Norman gasped.
"Slakoth is unable to battle! Hariyama wins!" Kenny announced.
"No way. How could dad's Slakoth's lose this one?" Max asked, feeling disappointed.
"Max, it's going to be fine," Caroline said, assuring her son. The siblings turned to their mother.
"What mom? What is it that you're trying to say?" May asked.
"You'll see. Just keep watching," Caroline said. Norman calls Slakoth back to its Pokéball.
"Sora, switching your Meditite with your Hariyama was a wise decision, and I'm quite impressed with its hands. I never expected it to block Slakoth's Blizzard. Your hard work is really paying off," Norman said. He takes out another Pokéball. "Will it be enough?" He throws it. "Vigoroth! Go!" The Pokéball opens and Vigoroth enters the battlefield in a fierce manner.
"I knew Vigoroth was next," Sora said. He remembered seeing Vigorth in action when Brendan battled Norman and lost. Sora wasn't going to make the same mistake with his Pokémon like Brendan did. "You ready to rock, Hariyama?" His Hariyama nodded in confirment. "Great! Use Arm Thrust!" Came at Vigoroth with his hands, but Vigoroth had dodged Hariyama's Arm Thrust with incredible speed. "Man, that's fast!"
"Vigoroth, let's go! Hammer Arm!" Norman ordered. Vigoroth comes down and swings its arms, striking Hariyama hard.
"You okay, Hariyama?" Sora asked.
"Yama," Hariyama said, retaking his stance.
"Your Hariyama's tough. Vigoroth! Use Hammer Arm again!" Norman ordered.
"Hariyama! Use Bulk Up!" Sora ordered. Hariyama's muscles tightened up, giving off an orange flash, building up his attack and defensive power. Vigoroth lands a hit onto Hariyama, but it does so little damage to him.
"Bulk Up?" May asked.
"It builds up a Pokémon's attack and defense. That Hammer Arm did only a little bit of damage," Riku said.
"And it looks like Hariyama's going to do some heavy damage on Vigoroth if he plays his cards right," Ethan said.
"Harimaya! Use Arm Thrust!" Sora ordered. Hariyama kept using Arm Thrust, but Vigoroth was dodging from left to right. Hariyama was getting exhausted from the Arm Thrusts he was doing, so he called Hariyama back and he took out Meditite's Pokéball and threw it. "Meditite! Back to action!" Meditite came back out to battle. "Meditite! Use Ice Punch!" Meditite came right at Vigoroth.
"Dodge and use Slash!" Norman ordered. Vigoroth swings its claws right at Meditite, landing a hit on her. She was knocked out from Vigoroth's attack.
"Meditite is unable to battle! Vigoroth wins!" Kenny announced.
"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Excellent job, Vigoroth!" Norman praised his Pokémon.
"Roth, Roth, Roth!" Vigoroth said, swinging his arms.
"Can you believe Vigoroth just beat Meditite with just one attack?" Max asked, feeling proud. May was starting to get bored.
"Why not? This battle is so exhausting I'd believe anything," May said.
"Norman has an impressive strategy. Slakoth are slow moving Pokémon, but when evolving into a Vigoroth, it gains speed. It'll be enough to confuse any challenger," Riku said. "It's a pretty good plan. It allows Norman to test the limits and abilities of his opponents."
"Dad is better than I thought," May said.
"Well, what did you expect?" Max asked.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said. Sora takes out Hariyama's Pokéball and throws it.
"Back to action, Hariyama!" Sora called out. Makuhita is sent back out, still a bit shaken by the battle with Slakoth.
"Hariyama again. Not surprising to see that you want to finish what you started," Norman said.
"You know it, Norman," Sora said. "Go at Vigoroth and use Vital Throw!" Hariyama ran towards Vigoroth with the intent of throwing Vigoroth.
"Dodge it, Vigoroth!" Norman called out. Vigoroth avoids Hariyama with lightning speed. "Now use Slash!" Vigoroth comes at Hariyama to swipe at him.
"Block it with Arm Thrust!" Sora ordered. Hariyama uses his Arm Thrust and it blocks Vigoroth's Slash.
"Nice block!" Kairi cheered.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Eevee!" Angel added.
"Flamethrower!" Norman ordered.
"Flamethrower?!" Sora exclaimed. Vigoroth fires Flamethrower right at Hariyama. "Bulk Up!" Hariyama bulks his body up again to raise his attack and defense and it did little damage like with Blizzard.
"It's so cool that dad can get Vigoroth to use Flamethrower," Max said.
"It's just your father's way of showing how fired up he is," Caroline said.
"Hariyama! Low Sweep!" Sora ordered. Hariyama came at Vigoroth to bring him down.
"Dodge it, Vigoroth!" Norman called out. Vigoroth avoids Hariyama's attack. "Now use Slash!"
"Dodge it, Hariyama!" Sora called out. Vigortoh swipes his claws at Hariyama, and he avoids the Slash despite his large size. Hariyama avoids Slash again and again. Sora was hoping it'll tire out Vigoroth.
"I wasn't expecting your Hariyama to be able to dodge Vigoroth's Slash. And I'm impressed by your resolve, Sora. It's not over yet. Vigoroth! Flamethrower!" Norman ordered. Vigoroth fires Flamethrower right at Hariyama.
"Block it!" Sora called out. Hariyama blocks Flamethrower with his large hands. Norman was caught by surprise by what he is witnessing.
"What?!" Norman exclaimed.
"Vigoroth's Flamethrower backfired?" Max asked.
"Way to go, Hariyama!" Kairi cheered.
"Eevee!" Angel also cheered.
"Now use Vital Throw!" Sora ordered. Hariyama grabs Vigoroth and gave the wild monkey Pokémon an effective throw and slams into the ground hard. Vigoroth had been taken down.
"Vigoroth is unable to battle! Hariyama wins!" Kenny announced.
"Now dad has one left to use," Max said.
"Wow, Sora is just full of surprises," May said.
"Now that Norman has one left to use, Sora is going to be finding the next opponent more challenging than before," Lisia said.
"I think you're right, Lisia. And I have a good idea on which one Norman will be sending out next," Riku said. Norman calls back his Vigoroth.
"Thank you, Vigoroth. You battled hard. You deserve a good long rest," Norman said. He looked over to Sora. "You're even better than I thought you were, Sora. You took down two of my Pokémon and you only lost one. I have been saving the best for last." He took out his Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Slaking!" The Pokéball opens and his Slaking stomps onto the ground.
"Hariyama! Use Vital Throw, like before!" Sora ordered. Hariyama comes at the Lazy Pokémon to throw Slaking, but Norman saw that coming.
"Slaking! Power-Up Punch!" Norman ordered. Slaking lands a powerful punch attack onto Hariyama. He takes a few steps back.
"No way!" Sora gasped.
"Now use Hyper Beam!" Norman ordered. Slaking fires Hyper Beam and it lands a critical blow onto the arm thrust Pokémon, earning a knockout.
"Hariyama is unable to battle! Slaking wins!" Kenny announced.
"Now both Sora and Norman has one left," Kairi said.
"That means dad is close to winning," Max said.
"It looks that way," Leaf said. Sora calls back Hariyama and takes out his next Pokéball.
"This is it. The final round of one of the toughest Gym battles I ever been in. I'm gonna have to give it everything I've got, so there's no backing down and no running away," Sora said in his thoughts. He throws his Pokéball and called out, "Go! Combusken!" The Pokéball opens and his Combusken enters the battlefield and glares at Slaking. Slaking glares right at Combusken.
"So, it's another Fighting-type Pokémon you've sent out. And I don't doubt that it's the same Torchic you've caught since you and the rest first came to the Hoenn region," Norman said.
"Just you know, Norman, I am not going to throw in the towel. Give me everything you've got! I'm ready for anything you can dish out!" Sora said.
"I like your spirit, Sora. Just be careful what you ask for," Norman said.
"Combusken! Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Combusken charges towards Slaking with a full force of his body while covered in flames.
"Block it, Slaking!" Norman called out. Slaking held out its hands. Flame Charge makes contact with Slaking. Combusken lands his feet and his speed went up. Kairi hoped it landed a hit, but Sora knew it would be too easy. And he was right because Slaking was still standing.
"So cool!" Max cheered.
"How was Slaking able to take Combusken's attack like that?" May asked.
"Slaking's hands must be built up like it has steel platings put in," Lisia said.
"And that's not all. Because Slaking is known as the Lazy Pokémon, attacks like Flame Charge won't rouse any interest," Norman said.
"Gotta try something else. But what?" Sora wondered. He thought maybe he could try speed over power. It was a long shot against a powerhouse like Slaking, but it was gonna be worth it. "Combusken! Quick Attack!" Combusken ran towards the lazy Pokémon with incredible speed.
"Grab hold of Combusken, Slaking!" Norman called out. Slaking grabs Combusken in its arms.
"Oh no!" Sora gasped.
"Now, throw it!" Norman called out. Slaking threw Combusken to the side.
"You call that power," Max said.
"That's for sure. Slaking's got more than a strong defense," May said.
"Yes. Slaking has some some muscle and speed," Lisia said.
"And I thought it was just body fat," Lyra said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"You can do it, Sora," Kairi said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Use Power-Up Punch!" Norman ordered. Slaking came at the Young Fowl Pokémon to land a punch. Sora knew it increases in power after in every use, so he had to attack.
"Combusken! Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Combusken darts into Slaking and cancels out Power Up Punch. "Now use Fire Punch!" Combusken's fist emits fire and lands a punch onto Slaking. "Now use Double Kick!" Combusken gave Slaking a couple of kicks. Was it enough to take Slaking down? Sora knew it would be too easy if it did. Slaking raises its arms and starts pounding on its chest.
"All those attacks made Slaking angry," Caroline said.
"I'd be mad too if I was hit like that," Brendan said.
"Doesn't sound good," May said.
"Slaking's really getting into the battle now," Lisia said. Max was at the edge of his seat, eager to see his dad win. Kairi wanted to see her boyfriend win it.
"I wonder is Sora is ready for this," Caroline said.
"He is ready," Kairi said. "He is not going to walk away from this."
"Alright Slaking! Earthquake!" Norman ordered. Slaking jumps and slams its feet into the ground, making the whole battlefield shake.
"Jump, Combusken, jump!" Sora called out. Combusken jumped to avoid Slaking's Earthquake. "Use Fire Punch!" Combusken comes at Slaking with his fist emitting fire and attempted to land a punch, but Slaking grabs the Young Fowl Pokémon by the arm.
"Good! Now send it flying!" Norman called out. Slaking hurls Combusken right into the ceiling.
"Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Combusken charges towards Slaking with his body covered in flames.
"Hyper Beam!" Norman ordered. Slaking fires Hyper Beam right at the Young Fowl Pokémon.
"Dodge and keep going!" Sora called out. Combusken avoided Hyper Beam, but Slaking directed the beam right into Combusken's path despite his speed and lands a hit. Combusken lands on his back as Slaking pounds its chest in triumph.
"Slaking is just too strong!" May exclaimed.
"Especially when Slaking can use Hyper Beam!" Kairi said. "But I know Sora isn't going to give up." Combusken gets back on his feet and starts panting.
"Combusken got up?" Max asked, surprised.
"Combusken isn't giving up,"
"You okay, Combusken?" Sora asked.
"Wait, Sora!" Norman called out to him. He looked at the Gym Leader. "Slaking's Hyper Beam has taken a lot out of your Combusken. There's no shame in calling it off. It'sa trainer's responsibilty to think about the well-being of their Pokémon." Sora knew Norman was right. He had to considering giving up, but Combusken refused to call it quits. Sora looked at his Pokémon and saw how determined he was to win. Sora knew how determined he was when he was a Torchic. Sora then reconsidered since he saw how his Combusken wanted to keep going.
"Are you sure you wanna keep going, Combusken?" Sora asked. Combusken nodded. "If you wanna stay in this, then I'm going to support you one hundred percent. Your fire isn't easy to put out and we're going to prove it here and now. Let's show how passionatley your fire burns!" Combusken starts giving off a red glow. Kairi knew what it was. She saw this before.
"What's going on with Combusken?" May asked.
"It's Blaze," Kairi said.
"Blaze?" May asked.
"Blaze is an ability that Fire-type Pokémon like Charmander, Cyndaquil, Torchic, and their evolved forms all share. When their energy is down, the power of their Fire-type attacks increases. The power of Combusken's Fire-type attacks should be now much stronger than they normally would be," Kairi said.
"Why did it wait until now to show up?" Max asked.
"Combusken had to hear Sora's voice to reach him and that's what caused it to come," Kairi said. "Combusken didn't want to let down Sora or any members of Sora's team, so he was able to call into his inner strength."
"That's total dedication," Kris said.
"We just gotta believe in Combusken's strength," Naminé said.
"Naminé's right. We all gotta believe in Combusken," Ash said.
"Let's do this thing!" Sora said.
"Looks like the real battle is just beginning," Norman said. "Slaking! Use Earthquake!" Slasking slams into the ground, making the battlefield shake once more.
"Jump and use Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Combusken jumps and uses Flame Chrge in the air.
"Stop Combusken now!" Norman called out. Slaking attempted to get hold of Combusken, but he was going too fast for the ape-like Pokémon to catch the young fowl Pokémon.
"Double Kick!" Sora called out. Combusken gave Slaking a couple of good kicks. Norman wasn't going to call it quits either.
"Use Hyper Beam!" Norman ordered. Slaking fires Hyper Beam fires another Hyper Beam, but misses because Combusken is much faster than before.
"Use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Combusken lands a darting attack onto Slaking, making it take a few steps back.
"Yes! I knew Sora would turn it around," Kairi said.
"With Combusken's agile ability, Slaking's Earthquakes won't land a hit," Lisia said.
"Fight, Combusken!" Leaf cheered.
"I'm impressed by your strategy, Sora. But to beat Slaking, you're going to need strength as well," Norman said.
"You're right about that, and I'm going to give it to you," Sora said.
"Let's finish this, Slaking! Power-Up Punch!" Norman ordered. Slaking ran towards Combusken to land a powerful punch onto Combusken.
"Okay Combusken! Fire Punch! Give it everything you've have!" Sora called out. Combusken did the same thing with his fist emitting fire. Both Pokémon ran towards each other and they both landed a hit. They took a stance as Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, and Marill were hoping for the results for Sora's win. Rei knew it could go either way. Max was hoping that Slaking had won it. May and Lisia didn't care who won it, just as long it was over. Sweat ran down Sora's face waiting to see who was going to fall first. Norman did the same thing. Combusken fell on his knee as Max was sure his dad was going to win it, much to the dismay of Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel. Rei was calm. The rest of the group grew anxious. Slaking smirked, feeling determined that it had overpowered its opponent, but its injuries kicked in and fell onto the ground beaten.
"Slaking is unable to battle! Combusken wins! Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town wins the battle!" Kenny announced.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes! I knew he would win!" Kairi cheered.
"Yes!" Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, and Brendan all said. Ethan and Brendan hi-five each other.
"Pika, Pika, Pikachu!" Pikachu said, giving Angel a spin in his arms.
"I can't believe it! Sora actually beat dad!" May said.
"Once again, he pulled it off! He didn't give up even once," Lisia said. Norman walked up to his Slaking.
"You put up a great battle, Slaking," Norman said, praising his Pokémon. Slaking didn't care that it won just as long it made its trainer proud.
"Wow, dad actually lost this one. I guess you can't win 'em all, right Max?" Caroline asked. No answer came from her son. She turned to him. "Max? Huh?" She saw how upset Max is for seeing his dad lose the battle. Max was certain Norman was going to win it, but his hopes were crushed. Norman calls back his Slaking and walked up to Sora and he smiled.
"Sora, I haven't enjoyed a battle like this in a long time. I can now see why you're a Pokémon League Champion. All that display you showed me tells me that you deserve to win. And this Balance Badge is proof of that," Norman said, holding out a badge that is shaped like two circles, counterbalancing each other or a barbell. "Here."
"Thanks, Norman," Sora said. Before he could accept his latest badge, Max ran down towards them.
"NO WAY!" Max yelled and took the badge from his father and ran off.
"Max, what's wrong? Where are you going?" May asked.
"Honey!" Caroline said.
"Max, what's gotten into you?" Riku asked.
Norman knew how upset his son is for seeing him lose. Max ran to the greenhouse and locked the door. He started to cry. Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Lisia, Rei, Norman, Caroline, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, and Marill have caught up with him.
"Come on, Max! Why are you doing this?" May asked, trying to understand her brother's reason.
"Max, open the door, please," Caroline said.
"Why, daddy? Why did you have to lose?!" Max cried. Tears ran down his cheeks. "Why did you have to lose, huh? Now you're saying you had a great time battling, but you lost! I don't like it! This doesn't make any sense at all!"
"Max, you've got to remember that dad's a Gym Leader. And you know how Gym battles work," May told her brother.
"Dad lost! Why aren't you upset?!" Max exclaimed.
"I am upset, Max! It wasn't easy having to watch dad lose that battle, but he fought as hard as he could and that's what's important," May said.
"Gym Leaders don't work hard and hold battles just to keep winning all the time," Rei said.
"BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S OKAY TO LOSE!" Max yelled.
"Yes, it does!" Norman finally spoke. Max was shocked to hear his own father say that. "Losing is an important part of being a Gym Leader. If you battled hard and done your best, then defeat can be quite a teacher. Think about how hard Sora and his Pokémon had battled together, never once accepting defeat as an option. Sora used the strength he always had and that's what led him to victory."
"Your dad's right, Max. You can learn from your losses just like you learn from your winning streaks. I lost some battles before and it wasn't the end of the world. And your dad losing isn't the end of the world either," Sora said.
"That is something you should take to heart, Max. You know I would always stand by Sora's side even if he did lose. And I know your dad will always be your hero even if he didn't win. That is something more important than any Gym Badge or Contest Ribbon," Kairi said.
Feeling touched by those words, Max unlocked the door and stepped out with the tears wiped off his face. He looked up to his father.
"Hey, dad, when I do become a trainer, will you have a battle with me?" Max asked. Norman smiled.
"Sure. I'm already looking forward to it, son," Norman said. Max turned to Sora with a regretful look on his face.
"Sorry, Sora. You earned this badge," Max said, holding out the Balance Badge.
"It's okay, Max," Sora said, taking the badge from Max. "I do appreciate that you're taking it better now." He ruffled Max's hair. He smiled, knowing Sora has forgiven him for how he acted. He placed the Balance Badge with the other four Badges. "Five down, three to go." Kairi was proud of her boyfriend and she kissed him on the cheek.
"So where's the next Gym?" Ash asked.
"That'll be in Fortree City," Norman said. "I know you'll go far in your journey, Sora. The same can be said with the rest of you."
"Thank you, dad," May said.
"I'm looking forward to our battle, Norman. I have gotten stronger since we last battled," Brendan said.
"That's good to know, Brendan. We can have our battle tomorrow if you're up for it," Norman said.
Now that Sora has won his fifth Gym Badge, he now only needs three more to earn his place in the Hoenn Pokémon League, but Brendan will have his turn to battle Sora next, so stay tuned if you wanna see more.