Chapter 15: Fist of the Mind
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN POKEMON
Otherwise enjoy!
Ash and Gallade had finally reached Stow-on-Side after travelling through Route 6, though it was already dark by the time they had reached the small town, as the amnesiac Trainer walked into the small darken town with his partner Pokémon, wondering where they were going to stay for the night.
"It's already dark, I wonder if this town has an inn?" Gallade questioned, as Ash chuckled.
"There isn't one but there is a Pokémon Center, which we can use to stay for the night." Ash responded, pointing at the red roofed building.
Deciding to rent a room in the Pokémon Center for the night, Ash and Gallade soon entered the building to see two familiar people he hadn't met for a week since parting in Hulbury, as the two people in front of him were Rose and Oleana, though they hadn't noticed Ash entering the door since they were busy speaking with Nurse Joy.
"Father, Miss Oleana, what are you two doing in Stow-on-Side?" Ash asked with pure surprise, making the two adults turn their head to see Ash.
"My, if it isn't Reil! What a surprise to see you here!" Rose responded with the same surprised tone, as he walked over to his adoptive son.
"Are you perhaps here to challenge Allister to a Gym Battle?" He asked, making Ash nod his head.
"That's right, though I can only have my Gym Battle tomorrow." The amnesiac Trainer answered, remembering that it was already nighttime.
"How about you rest with us for the night? I have a small house in Stow-on-Side." Rose offered, making Ash shake his head.
"As good as that is father, I must refuse. After all, I want to do what every Trainer does." Ash said with refusal, making Rose chuckle lightly.
"I understand, and be careful in your Gym Battle with Allister, Reil. I heard that Allister has a collection, of powerful Ghost Type Pokémon." Rose responded with pure understanding, while giving Ash a short warning.
After his words, Rose soon left the Pokémon Center with Oleana behind him, as Ash turned his head to Nurse Joy, before fishing out five of his Poké Balls as he handed the five spherical devices to the pink haired nurse, with Gallade walking over to her as well.
"Could you look after my Pokémon, Nurse Joy?" He requested, as Nurse Joy nodded with a smile.
"Of course, please leave your Poké Balls on the tray, and we'll take care of them right away." She instructed, while laying down a metallic tray with six Poké Ball holes on the table.
Obeying her instructions, Ash soon laid his five Poké Balls onto the tray, right as a large pink ovoid Pokémon came out from the door on the left, before lifting the tray with its short arms, before walking towards the door it had just came out from, while signalling for Gallade to follow.
As Gallade vanished into the room with Nurse Joy's Pokémon companion, Ash turned his attention to the pink haired nurse, but before he could speak, Nurse Joy started to open her mouth, as she kind of knew what Ash was going to ask her.
"If you like to stay for the night, we are more than happy to accommodate you." She told the young Trainer, before handing him a small card.
"This is the key card to your room, we'll bring your Pokémon to you once they have been healed, and please enjoy your stay." She said with a bow, as Ash took the key card.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy." He thanked, before walking through the door on the right.
As Ash walked into the room rented to him by Nurse Joy, he soon set down his bag on the table before sitting on the bed, before fishing out his Rotom Phone to get any information he can on Allister, in order to have an easier time during his Gym Battle.
"A Ghost Type specialist, who has the power to SEE ghosts?!" Ash mumbled, before exclaiming out the last part about Allister's info.
Ash continued to scroll through the profile, learning that Allister's ace Pokémon is Gengar who has the ability to Gigantamax, and has various powerful looking Ghost Type Pokémon, with a few commonly known ones such as his Cursola and Runerigus.
After scrolling through Allister's profile for a while, the door to his room soon opened to reveal Gallade carrying his five Poké Balls, as the Blade Pokémon walked towards his Trainer before handing him his five Poké Balls.
"What were you looking at, Reil?" The Blade Pokémon questioned.
"I was just looking up Allister's profile, after all, it's better to gain more information about our opponent before fighting." Ash answered, while taking his Poké Ball off Gallade's hand.
"Allister's a Ghost Type Trainer, so it's definite that I'm at a disadvantage." Gallade responded, figuring that his Psychic and Fighting Type combination would be of no match against Allister's team of Ghost Pokémon.
Ash soon let out a huge sigh before laying down on his bed, with his Rotom Phone placed beside his body, with the Blade Pokémon joining him by sitting down beside him.
"Well, I guess we'll think of a strategy once we challenge Allister to a fight." The Psychic and Fighting Type Pokémon told his Trainer, as Ash chuckled lightly.
"I guess that's what we'll do." He responded, before putting his Rotom Phone beside his pillow.
"It's best if we turn in for the night, if we want to have energy to fight Allister tomorrow." Ash added, with Gallade turning off the room's light, encasing the room in total darkness.
"Good night." Ash mumbled, before closing his eyes to rest.
As the night passed by slowly in his sleep, Ash was now turning around on his bed, as cold sweat started to flow down his head, as the nightmares he had before came back to him.
"As...h..." The voice in his dream sounded, seemingly clearer than before.
"Ash... Our... Lans..." The voice in his dream spoke up, seemingly trying to hold a conversation but it was impossible for him to tell what the conversation was.
Before his dream could continue any further, Ash suddenly jolted up from his bed with cold sweat trailing down his head, as the amnesiac Trainer held his head in pain, with his breathing getting heavier with each breath.
"Ash? Was that my name before?" He mumbled, before looking into the darkness of the room.
"Whose voices were those talking to me in my dream? Who were they to me?" He continued to murmur under his breath quietly, making sure not to wake Gallade up from his sleep.
Deciding not to think about his dream too much, Ash soon laid back down on his bed with one hand above his head, as he slowly closes his eyes.
"I just hope the dream can tell me more about myself." He thought to himself, before drifting off into slumber.
The next morning soon came about, as Ash got up from his bed still thinking about the dream he had yesterday, with Gallade hopping down from the bed above him and onto the floor.
"What's the matter, Reil? Had a bad dream yesterday?" Gallade questioned, noticing Ash's troubled face.
"Yeah, it was the same dream I had before." He answered, before shaking his head.
"Let's put this behind us for now, we still have a match to fight today." Ash brushed off, before carrying his bag.
Obeying Ash's suggestion, Ash and Gallade soon got out of their rented room, before handing the key card back to Nurse Joy with a smile on his face.
"Thanks for letting us stay for the night, Nurse Joy, we appreciate it." He thanked, as Nurse Joy took back the key card with a smile.
"You're most welcome, we wish you the best of luck in your Gym Challenge." She responded with a bow.
Ash and Gallade soon exited the Pokémon Center before making their way towards the Stow-on-Side Gym, where their fourth challenge was waiting for them, and after arriving at the entrance of the gym, Ash and Gallade soon entered the building, which strangely had two symbols.
After entering the Gym to challenge Allister to a fight, Ash and Gallade were faced with a rather empty lobby and a rather empty field, with Allister nowhere in sight, confusing both Trainer and Pokémon as to where their opponent had gone.
"Are you perhaps a Gym Challenger?" A stern voice sounded from behind him, making both Ash and Gallade turn to see the source of the voice.
Upon turning around to see who was talking, Ash sighted a bare footed young girl just about his age, though she was extremely well-built in body, the girl also wore a black body suit with a white uniform top tied with a bow, as well as a pair of white shorts with the number "193" imprinted on it.
"I am, my name is Reil, I came here to challenge Allister to a Gym Battle." Ash told the girl, as she remained stern in expression.
"I'm afraid you came at the wrong time, Allister just left early yesterday in the morning and won't be back until tonight." The girl responded, making Ash sigh.
With Allister out of his Gym, it was impossible for Ash to take on his fourth Gym Battle, and having heard from the girl that Allister won't be back until nightfall, it would mean that he had to wait for more than half a day until he could take on his fourth Gym Battle.
"More than half a day until I can earn my fourth Gym Badge, I didn't expect this to happen." Ash mumbled, while putting a hand on his head.
"I have an alternative suggestion, if you want to hear it." The girl spoke up, making Ash look at her.
"I'm Bea, the Co-Gym Leader of this Gym alongside Allister. Instead of waiting for Allister to return, how about you challenge me to a Gym Battle." Bea suggested, making Ash open his mouth as he didn't expect the Stow-on-Side Gym to have two Gym Leaders.
"I understand that I'm not one of the eight Gym Leaders in this year's challenge, though the choice is yours to make." Bea added, patiently waiting for Ash's decision.
"Alright, I'll accept your challenge." Ash responded, as Bea nodded her head.
"We'll meet back in the stadium in 15 minutes, may the best Trainer win." Bea told the amnesiac Trainer, who nodded.
During the 15 minutes time window, Ash was sitting in the changing room in his Gym Uniform with his entire team of six Pokémon, as the entire group was situated around their Trainer, with Ash placing his chin on his head.
"From the way Bea stands, she might be a Fighting Type specialist." Ash mumbled, making Gallade sigh.
"The worse matchup for our team, since everyone except for me are Steel Type Pokémon." Gallade added, pointing out their team's greatest weakness.
"It's actually half the team, Gallade. Let's us not forget that Coviknight is part Flying Type, and Metang is part Psychic Type." Ash corrected, before getting up from his seat.
"Regardless of disadvantage or not, we're going to win this fight!" Ash proclaimed loudly, followed by the cries of every one of his Pokémon.
When the time for the Gym Battle to take place came about, Ash was waiting in his side of the tunnel before stepping out into the open field to see countless audience situated around the entire stadium, as Bea emerged from the other side of the tunnel with the stern express on her face, as both Trainers walked to the center of the field.
"Again, I get that I'm not one of the eight Gym Leaders for this year's challenge, but I hope we have a great battle." Bea spoke up, as Ash gave her a smile.
"A challenge is a challenge, regardless of year's Gym Leader, and I also hope we have a great battle." Ash responded, with Bea nodding her head.
Both Trainers soon walked towards their side of the field, as a small Rotom Drone zoomed down towards the field from the sky, before setting itself in the center of the field, before looking at both sides as it turned its head back to the front, while revealing a screen above its head.
"The Gym Battle between Gym Leader Bea and Gym Challenger Reil will now being! Each Trainer will use five Pokémon, and the battle will be over when one side is unable to continue." Rotom ruled out, before looking at both sides again.
"Both Trainer are to send out their Pokémon at the same time!" It yelled out, as both Bea and Ash took out a Poké Ball each.
"3!"
"2!"
"1!" At this signal both Ash and Bea enlarged their Poké Ball.
"Go!"
"Go, Hawlucha!" Bea shouted, while throwing her Poké Ball.
"Bisharp, come forth!" Ash yelled out, before throwing out his Poké Ball.
Both Poké Ball burst open in the air, as Bisharp appeared before Ash with his blades raised, meanwhile in front of Bea appeared a bird-like Pokémon which stood on both legs, with white lower body and legs and a red upper body.
"Hawlucha vs Bisharp, begin!" Rotom announced.
"Bisharp, use Night Slash!" Ash ordered.
The Sword Blade Pokémon's arms soon glowed in a black light, before projecting out two long blades as he charged at Hawlucha with high speed, though Bea was calm as she watches Bisharp close in on Hawlucha.
"Hone Claw!" She commanded while kicking the air.
The moment Bisharp swung his blade at Hawlucha, the Wresting Pokémon simply leaped in the air with a summersault, easily evading Bisharp's attempt to attack it as it landed on Bisharp's hand before leaping further into the air, with sharp claws formed on both its hands, as it simply twirled around in the sky, before landing on the ground glowing in a red light.
"Aerial Ace!" Bea commanded while punching the air.
Hawlucha at Bea's command, immediately vanished from view, as it rammed a fist into Bisharp's abdomen while causing the Steel and Dark Type Pokémon to flinch, as the force of the ineffective attack send Bisharp a considerable amount of distance back to Ash's side of the field.
"Fire Punch!" Bea commanded this time raising her fist.
Hawlucha's hands soon engulfed in flame, as it charged at Bisharp with blinding speed, only for Ash to issue Bisharp a command, as the Wresting Pokémon closed in on the Sword Blade Pokémon.
"Iron Defense!" Ash ordered.
Bisharp quickly crossed his arms before turning his entire being into steel, right before Hawlucha slammed its blazing right hand against his reinforced hands, causing a miniature explosion to occur, as the Wrestling Pokémon leaped back to Bea's side of the field, as the smoke cleared to reveal a slightly wounded Bisharp.
"Bisharp, return!" Ash called out, while returning Bisharp back into his Poké Ball.
After recalling Bisharp back into his Poké Ball, Ash soon kept the device back into his pocket before taking out another one from within, before enlarging it in his hand as he aimed it at the field.
"Magneton, come forth!" Ash called out, while throwing out his Poké Ball.
Ash's second Poké Ball soon burst open to reveal the Magnet Pokémon, as Bisharp's picture soon greyed out with Magneton's picture appearing in the second box beside his picture, as Bea chose to remain with Hawlucha.
"Aerial Ace!" Bea commanded while kicking the air.
"Reflect!" Ash ordered in retaliation.
Hawlucha quickly vanished from view, as it swiftly reappeared before Magneton who under Ash's instructions, created a rectangular rainbow barrier right as Hawlucha slammed its fist against the barrier, before being rebounded back to Bea's side of the field as it landed on the floor.
"Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded.
The Magnet Pokémon body immediately spark with electricity before firing off a large bolt of lightning at Hawlucha's direction, but as Hawlucha had just landed on the ground with no available time to fully recover its footing, the bolt of electricity soon found themselves on their target, as the Electric Type attack shocked Hawlucha violently, causing it to stumble a few feet backwards with sparks of electricity around its body, displaying paralysis.
"Great, now Hawlucha shouldn't be able to move around so much." Ash thought to himself, eyeing at the paralyzed Wrestling Pokémon.
"Now, Flash Cannon!" Ash commanded.
Magneton quickly created a silver orb between its three spheres before firing off a beam of silver energy at Hawlucha, as Bea stood in her spot unfazed and stern before giving off her new set of commands for Hawlucha to follow.
"Flying Press!" She commanded while kicking the air with her right knee.
The Flying and Fighting Type Pokémon quickly leaped into the air with speed too swift for a Pokémon with Paralysis, causing the Flash Cannon attack to hit the ground where it was originally kneeling, as the Wrestling Pokémon appeared above the Magnet Pokémon, before slamming its entire being onto the Electric and Steel Type Pokémon, causing it to fall from the sky and onto the ground hurt as a rainbow barrier appeared around it before vanishing.
After Hawlucha was finished with executing its move, the Wrestling Pokémon quickly leaped back to Bea's side of the field, while getting into a battle-ready position, as Magneton got up from the only slightly hurt by Hawlucha's Flying Press thanks to the effects of its Reflect.
"How is Hawlucha able to move so quickly even though its paralyzed?" Gallade questioned, as Ash shook his head.
"I don't know the answer, but I guess it's one of Hawlucha's Ability in action." He responded.
"Fire Punch!" Bea commanded, raising her left fist into the air.
This got Ash's attention back onto the field, as Hawlucha rushed at Magneton with its hands engulfed in flames, only for an idea to come into Ash's head as he looked at Magneton who was still high in the sky, before shouting up to his Pokémon.
"Magneton, split into three and use Thunderbolt while rotating!" He ordered a seemingly impossible command, confusing not only his opponent but the whole stadium.
Obeying Ash's command, Magneton soon separated its three spheres before unleashing a torrent of electricity from each head, as it started to rotate rapidly, causing small streams of electricity to rain down on the field, acting as a form of shield for Magenton and a prison for Hawlucha who was on the offense.
The seemingly impossible stunt shocked the whole stadium, as it wasn't long until Hawlucha was blast out of the area affected by Magenton's Thunderbolt, as the Magnet Pokémon ceased its rotation before connecting all three heads together, as Bea pulled out her Poké Ball.
"Hawlucha, return!" She called out, while recalling the Wrestling Pokémon back into its Poke Ball.
The Stow-on-Side Gym Leader soon kept her Poké Ball before taking out another, as she enlarged it in her hand before pointing it at the field.
"Go, Falinks!" She called out.
Her Poké Ball soon burst open to reveal a group of six small Pokémon wearing a form of yellow helmet with a red horn in the center, with the one at the very front wearing an additional bottom armour with a longer horn than the rest, as Ash took out his Rotom Phone just as the six small Pokémon formed a line together.
"Falinks, the Formation Pokémon, Fighting Type. Falinks relies on the strategy of their leader during combat to win, Falinks is also able to march through any terrain such as small holes and when it is marching, their leader will place its shield at the front to prevent harm from coming to its members."Ash's Rotom Phone detailed out.
"Falinks, No Retreat!" Bea commanded, raising her right fist.
The five members of Falinks soon separated from their formation as each of them gave a loud cry starting from the back as small flames burst from their body all the way to their leader who gave the loudest cry, as the five soldiers threw away their shields before glowing in a deep red light.
"Close Combat!" Bea ordered.
Obeying her command, Falinks soon rushed at Magenton together as a group as Ash looked at the squad of six Pokémon, before issuing his own command for Magneton to follow.
"Use Thunderbolt to defend yourself!" Ash ordered.
Magneton soon unleashed a torrent of electricity in similar fashion to when it used it against Hawlucha at Falinks, but much to Ash's surprise the Formation Pokémon easily evaded the attack as each members used the other as either a steppingstone or as a minor boost to get closer to Magenton, right before one of the Falinks slammed its feet into Magenton's body causing the Thunderbolt to vanish, with the rest of the formation continued their assault with each member kicking Magneton once, before their leader send the Magnet Pokémon down onto the floor with a powerful headbutt, causing a large cloud of dust to form.
"Magneton!" Ash called out, as the cloud cleared to reveal an unconscious Magneton.
"Magneton is unable to battle!" Rotom declared, as Magneton's picture was blacked out.
Ash soon took out Magneton's Poké Ball before recalling the Magnet Pokémon with a word of praise, as he kept it into his pocket, right before he turned his head to Gallade who nodded his head, as the Blade Pokémon walked into the field as Ash's third chosen Pokémon.
"Close Combat!" Bea commanded.
Falinks immediately charged at Gallade upon hearing Bea's command to attack, as the five members that was behind their leader soon separated from formation before charging at Gallade from individual directions.
"Brick Break and fend them off!" Ash commanded.
Gallade's hand soon glowed in a white veil as the Blade Pokémon started to defend himself from Falink's assault, parrying one attack after the other while dodging the attack he wasn't able to parry, as the two Trainers watch their Pokémon clash on the field, but even with Gallade's best effort the Blade Pokémon was still having a difficult time fending off every single Falink as a few members of the Formation Pokémon managed to get a few hits in against Gallade.
"Gallade might have the reflexes, but they have the numbers, it's just too difficult to fend off six Pokémon at the same time." Ash thought to him, before looking at the battlefield.
The longer Ash watched the battle unfold, the amnesiac Trainer soon noticed that the leader of the Falink squad was hardly participating in the fight, and only went in when there was no clear chance of it getting hit by Gallade, as an idea came to Ash's mind.
"Falink followed the order of their leader, but if their leader is knocked out of the running." He mumbled.
"Gallade, use Teleport and Psycho Cut!" Ash shouted, giving Gallade his new order.
As one of the Falinks soldier came to strike Gallade from behind, the Blade Pokémon quickly vanished from sight causing the soldier to kick another one of its companions, as Gallade appear behind the leader of the Falinks, with his blade glowing in a purple light before swinging it at the leader of the Formation Pokémon, sending it flying into its squad of Falinks knocking two of them over, scattering the group of Pokémon all over the field.
Bea was slightly surprised at Ash's fighting style, as two of the scattered Falinks quickly got onto their feet, the Falinks leader immediately leaped to its feet before gathering back its squad and once again forming their formation as Gallade teleported back to Ash's side of the field, with both Pokémon getting ready for another round of combat.
"I only have one shot in taking out Falinks, if we can time this right, we win." Ash thought to himself, as he looked at Gallade who nodded back at him.
"Poison Jab!" Bea shouted in command, while letting out her fist.
The horns on all of the Falinks' helmet soon glowed in a purple veil, as the Formation Pokémon broke apart their formation before rushing at Gallade one by one, starting with the ones at the very back while firing themselves at the Blade Pokémon like missiles, only for Ash to give a light grin which Bea did not fail to notice.
As two of the five smaller Falinks closed in on Gallade, the Psychic and Fighting Type Pokémon quickly vanished from sight with Teleport causing the two troopers to miss their target, as Gallade reappeared behind of the leader before launching it at the rest of the Falinks troops sending them crashing into one another and onto the floor as the leader finally hit the ground after smashing through three of its own, showing no signs of movement, as Rotom went to check on its condition before raising its hand in Ash's direction.
"Falinks is unable to battle!" It declared.
The screen displaying the Pokémon used by both Trainers soon showed Falinks' picture being darken out, leaving both sides with only four available Pokémon to use, as Bea took out her Poké Ball to recall Falinks back into its Pokémon as the beam traced itself to the Falinks leader before tracing itself to the other troopers as it finally flowed back into the Poké Ball, as Bea took kept it back into her pocket.
"I must say, you have a very interesting way of battling. Though don't think the rest of this fight will be easy, Reil." She commented, before taking out another Poké Ball.
"I'm not planning on taking this lightly, Bea, though thanks for the remark." Ash responded, waiting for Bea to show off her new Pokémon.
"Go, Hawlucha!" She called out, as she threw her Poké Ball into the field.
The device soon burst open to reveal the wrestling Pokémon, as it landed on the floor with grace, though the wounds from its battle with Bisharp and Magneton were still visible on its body, but the electricity that once coursed through its body was no longer visible on its body, as Gallade got into a battle stance.
"Aerial Ace!" Bea ordered fiercely.
As Hawlucha's hands glowed in a white light, the Wrestling Pokémon quickly dashed towards Gallade before raising its fist to strike the Blade Pokémon, as the Psychic and Fighting Type quickly caught the raised arm of his opponent without Ash's command, as the amnesiac Trainer gave out his own order.
"Psycho Cut!" Ash ordered loudly.
Gallade's right hand suddenly created a blade of psychic energy, as he quickly tossed Halwucha into the sky before sending off a blade of psychic energy at the Fighting and Flying Type, immediately scoring a hit on the Wrestling Pokémon, while creating a cloud of smoke with Hawlucha's silhouette flying out of the cloud, as it landed on the ground more injured than before.
"Flying Press!" Bea commanded with raised voice.
Hawlucha quickly leaped into the air on Bea's command, before performing a somersault midair as it dove down upon Gallade with its entire being, as Ash waved his hand to the side to give his Pokémon an order to follow.
"Jump back and use Brick Break!" He ordered.
As the Wrestling Pokémon got closer and closer to himself, Gallade quickly leaped backwards to avoid being hit as the Blade Pokémon's right fist glowed in a white light, with Bea slightly smirking at Ash's command, as if to have already knew what he was thinking.
"Fly in with Fire Punch!" She ordered.
Hawlucha's fist quickly got engulfed in flames as it swooped in on Gallade having seemingly cancelled Flying Press, leaving the Psychic and Fighting Type Pokémon with no choice but to strike back, as both Pokémon clashed their fist together, creating a mixed cloud of dust and flames as both Pokémon flew out of the smoke and back to their Trainer's side of the field, with Gallade heavily wounded with a visible burn on his arm, though Hawlucha was visibly out cold.
"Hawlucha is unable to battle!" Rotom announced loudly after checking the status of the Wrestling Pokémon.
The screen soon blacked out Hawlucha's picture from Bea's side, leaving her with only three usable Pokémon, while Ash still had four of his with only his Magneton being knocked out of the running by Bea's Falinks, as the Fighting Type Gym Leader took out her third Poké Ball before enlarging it in her hand.
"Go, Grapploct!" Bea called out, while tossing her Poké Ball into the field.
The device soon burst open to reveal an octopus-like Pokémon with a black body and a blue head, standing on three of its tentacles while utilising another four for battle and once around its waist for balance, as Ash took out his own Rotom Phone to scan the Pokémon before him.
"Grapploct, the Jujitsu Pokémon, Fighting Type. Grapploct's body is entirely made of muscle, allowing it to utilise its body for powerful gripping force, Grapploct is also capable of fighting on both land and water. According to research Grapploct is often in conflict with Golisopod." Ash's Rotom Phone detailed out.
"Grapploct, Liquidation!" Bea commanded, clenching her fist tightly.
Grapploct's four arms was soon surrounded in a veil of water at Bea's command, as each arm extended out a small sword made of water, right as the Jujitsu Pokémon leaped at Gallade with all arms raised, giving the Blade Pokémon very little time to prepare.
"Psycho Cut!" Ash ordered.
Gallade's two hands soon got engulfed in psychic energy which was soon turned into a blade, as the Psychic and Fighting Type Pokémon swiftly used his newly made blade of psychic energy to defend himself against Grapploct's attack, the moment the Jujitsu Pokémon swung down its hand to strike him.
Ash and Bea watched as both Gallade and Grapploct swung at one another with great ferocity, though the favour was more towards Grapploct as Ash could see that Gallade was still worn out from his battle with Falinks and Hawlucha to have enough strength to strike Grapploct properly, with Grapploct dodging each strike made by the Blade Pokémon by utilising its flexible body.
"Gallade isn't going to last if this keeps up." Ash thought to himself, before eyeing at the field.
From what Ash could see with his own eyes, Gallade has already taken a few hits from Grapploct's attack without being able to retaliate against the Jujitsu Pokémon due to his exhaustion, though Ash decided to go with one last attempt to hit the Fighting Type Pokemon.
"Use Teleport and Shadow Sneak!" Ash commanded.
Gallade quickly teleported away from Grapploct's location gaining a great amount of distance from the Jujitsu Pokémon, right before sending a black shadow towards Grapploct's feet as the figure rose from the ground to attack the Fighting Type Pokémon, but to Ash's and Gallade's shock, the Jujitsu Pokémon swiftly swung all four of its arms in a circular formation, sending the blade outwards as extensions cutting not only the shadow that was behind it, but hitting Gallade twice at the same time, one on his head and the second on his body, sending the Blade Pokémon back to Ash's side of the field.
"Gallade!" Ash called out in concern.
Rotom quickly flew down to check on Gallade's condition and upon confirmation that the Blade Pokémon was unable to continue to battle, the drone's voice soon boomed out.
"Gallade is unable to battle!" It declared loudly.
Ash quickly moved into the field to carry his injured Pokémon out of the arena as he placed the injured Gallade beside him, as the Blade Pokémon looked at Ash apologetically.
"I'm sorry for the lost." He worded out, as Ash shook his head.
"Don't be, you did great so just leave the rest to us." He reassured his partner.
Ash than reached into his pocket to take out another Poké Ball from within, as he enlarged the device in his hand before aiming it at the field.
"Corviknight, come forth!" Ash called out.
Ashs third Poké Ball soon burst open to reveal the Raven Pokémon as Corviknight quickly took to the skies, as Bea looked at her soaring opponent before taking out her own Poké Ball from his pocket, before aiming it at Grapploct.
"Grapploct, return." She recalled, as the beam struck the Jujitsu Pokémon and absorbing it back into the Poké Ball.
After recalling the Fighting Type Pokémon, Bea soon took out her fourth Poké Ball from her pants, before enlarging it in her hand as she aimed it at the field.
"Go, Sirfetch'd!" She called out.
Bea's Poké Ball soon burst open to reveal a white duck-like Pokémon who stands proudly while wielding a leek as a sword in its right hand while wielding a leaf-like shield on its left hand, as the new Pokémon swung its sword to the side, before giving off a rather dignified stance with Ash taking out his Rotom Phone.
"Sirfetch'd, the Wild Duck Pokémon, Fighting Type. Sirfetch'd grows stronger by enduring countless tough battles and holds deep pride in its leek, a chivalrous Pokémon who fights fairly, Sirfetch'd will only take part in a fair combat." Ash's Rotom Phone detailed out.
"Corviknight, Steel Wing!" Ash ordered.
"First Impression!" Bea commanded.
As Corviknight's wings took up a white glow of light, Sirfetch'd suddenly disappeared from sight as it immediately appeared before the Raven Pokémon before swinging its sword to hit Corviknight in the face, sending the Flying and Steel Type Pokémon backwards slightly with Sirfetch'd dropping to the floor.
"Leaf Blade!" Bea ordered loudly.
Sirfetch'd sword soon took up a green glow, as it charged at Corviknight who was in the air before leaping up to strike the Raven Pokémon only for the Flying and Steel Type to fly even higher, causing the Wild Duck Pokémon to miss its attack.
"Hurricane!" Ash shouted out to Corviknight.
The Raven Pokémon quickly flapped his wings to summon a large cyclone of wind, as the huge tornado of wind sucked in the Wild Duck Pokemon before throwing the Fighting Type Pokémon all over the air within itself, as Bea looked unconcerned about the trouble her Sirfetch'd was in, as she calmly looked at her Pokémon.
"Use Brutal Swing to destroy the Hurricane!" Bea screamed her orders to Sirfetch'd who was inside of the cyclone of wind.
Sirfetch'd sword soon glowed in a deep black light, as it swung it with force incredible enough to disperse the Hurricane summoned by Corviknight completely, shocking both Trainer and Pokémon as Sirfetch'd gracefully landed back on the ground before taking on a knight-like stance.
"Meteor Assault!" Bea told her Pokémon.
Sirfetch'd soon steadied itself before narrowing its eyes at Corviknight who was in the sky, as a large amount of energy was gathered around its body in form of a yellow aura, Ash and Corviknight watched as Sirfetch'd pointed its sword outwards as the aura was soon transferred from its body to its leek, causing the aura to burst apart and coating its entire being in an overwhelming aura.
With its preparations completed, Sirfetch'd immediately charged at Corviknight with its entire being as Ash looked at the Raven Pokémon who nodded back in response, hinting to Ash that he wanted to try and take on Sirfetch'd's attack.
"Brave Bird!" Ash commanded.
Corviknight's body was soon engulfed in a blue aura in the form of blue flames, as the aura shaped itself into a bird right with Corviknight charging at Sirfetch'd, as the two Pokémon clashed with one another causing a massive explosion in the center of the field as a huge gust of wind blew pass both Trainers, forcing Ash to cover his face while Bea remained unfazed by the aftermath.
Both Pokémon soon flew out of the smoke as they each crashed down to the floor, looking heavily wounded with Sirfetch'd dropping its leek due to the aftermath of using Meteor Assault, while Corviknight once again took flight but with lower elevation due to his injuries, as both Trainers took out their own respective Poké Ball.
"Return!" Both Ash and Bea said in sync, as a red beam shot out to absorb the Pokémon back to their own Poké Ball.
As Ash was wondering who he can send out to face Bea's Pokémon, the Gym Leader soon took out her Poké Ball before tossing it into the field to reveal an uninjured Grapploct, as the Jujitsu Pokémon took up a fighting stance, as Ash took out his own Poké Ball.
"Lairon, come forth!" Ash called out, throwing out his fifth Poké Ball.
The choice of his own Pokémon shocked not only Bea and the crowd, but Gallade who was beside him as well, as Ash's choice of choosing Lairon was absurdly weird because of the Iron Armor Pokémon's major type disadvantage.
Ash's Poké Ball soon burst open to reveal the Iron Armor Pokémon as Lairon gave out a loud roar, getting himself pumped to face his opponent as he glanced at Grapploct who was still extremely calm to face off against its opponent.
"Grapploct, Liquidation!" Bea ordered.
Grapploct's arm soon emitted a blue light as the light immediately turned into a small sword of water, right as the Jujitsu Pokémon leaped at Lairon to deliver a few blows, as Ash waved his hand to the side having thought of a countermeasure.
"Iron Defense!" He yelled out.
Obeying Ash's command, Lairon's body immediately turned into steel as the Iron Armor Pokémon stood his ground, at the exact same moment the Fighting Type Pokémon swung down its attack upon the Steel and Rock Type Pokémon, and despite hitting Lairon with a super effective move, the Water Type attack seemingly did not do much damage thanks to the effects of Iron Defense.
Ash and Bea watched as Grapploct swung its Liquidation attack upon Lairon countless times, with each hits shaving off bits of the Jujitsu Pokemon's stamina, whist Lairon was still holding his own ground by tightening the defense of his body, as Bea looked at Grapploct with another plan in mind.
"Octolock and lift Lairon off the floor!" She commanded, shocking Ash of her words.
Grapploct immediately wrapped its tenacles all over Lairon's body, with two of its arms wrapped around his underbelly, and another two around his neck with Ash watching in shock and its wasn't because of the move, but because he knew that Lairon would be in big trouble if Grapploct was successful in lifting Lairon off his feet.
However, just after Grapploct was done constricting the Iron Armor Pokémon, the crowd watched in shock alongside Bea and Ash, as Grapploct attempt to lift Lairon failed with the Jujitsu Pokémon failing to even lift Lairon the slightest off his feet, and each attempt made by the Fighting Type Pokémon only made the tentacles that was wrapped around Lairon's body more tangles than before.
"Grapploct couldn't lift Lairon, but why?" Ash questioned himself, as he watches Grapploct's continuous attempt to lift Lairon off his feet.
"Grapploct, release Lairon and use Close Combat!" Bea shouted from across the field, knowing that it would be bad if Grapploct continued to waste its stamina trying to lift Lairon.
Though, much to Bea's horror, because of Grapploct's continuous attempt at lifting Lairon off his feet has failed, the tentacles that was constricting the Iron Armor Pokémon had gotten too tangled up to remove, as Ash grin at the fortunate situation he was given.
"Superpower!" He shouted to the Iron Armor Pokémon.
Lairon's body immediately started to bulk up in size, as the muscles around his legs grew larger with a tremendous amount of red aura surrounding his body, right before delivering a powerful back kick to the Jujitsu Pokémon who was entirely defenseless into the air, sending the Fighting Type Pokémon back to Bea, as it hit the floor with a loud crash creating a small cloud of dust in the process.
As the smoke started to dissipate, the sight of Grapploct became clearer to see, with the Jujitsu Pokémon being left to lie on the floor both exhausted and unconscious, as Rotom flew down to check on its condition.
"Grapploct is unable to battle!" It declared loudly.
The crowd immediately cheered in a frenzy voice, as Bea calmly recalled Grapploct back into its Poké Ball, before taking out another from her pocket, as she enlarged the device in her hand before aiming it at the field.
"Go, Sirfetch'd!" She called out, throwing her Poké Ball into the field.
Bea's Poké Ball soon burst open to reveal the Wild Duck Pokémon who was still heavily wounded from its battle with Corviknight, as Ash took out his own Poké Ball before aiming it at Lairon.
"Lairon, return." He recalled, calling back his Pokémon.
Keeping Lairon's Poké Ball in his pocket, Ash took out another before enlarging it in his hand, while three of his Pokémon were injured with Lairon having the highest stamina amongst the three, Bea's fifth Pokémon was still unknown to him, as he looked at the field.
"Bisharp, come forth!" He called out.
Ash's Poké Ball quickly burst open to reveal the Sword Blade Pokémon, who was still wounded from his battle with Hawlucha during the first round, as the Dark and Steel Type Pokémon got into a battle stance, watching as Sirfetch'd did the same by raising its sword and shield.
"The battle is almost at its end, Reil." Bea told her opponent, with Ash cracking a smile.
"That's right, but we'll be the one winning this fight." He responded with confidence, forcing Bea to chuckle lightly.
"We shall see who will be the victor of this battle." She answered, as both Trainers locked eyes with each other.
"Night Slash/Brutal Swing!" Ash and Bea shouted, from across their field.
Bisharp immediately created a blade of dark energy on both his arms, while keeping his sight on Sirfetch'd who's own sword was coated in a black aura, as both Pokémon dashed towards one another before clashing their respective blade against the other, and as their blade clashed together, both Bisharp and Sirfetch'd immediately showed signs of pressure, with both Pokémon trying to force the other to yield their blade.
However, after clashing for a few minutes in an attempt to overpower the other, both Bisharp's blade and Sirfetch'd's sword slid off the other, with both Pokémon sliding backwards as a result of their equals in strength, and because of their injuries both Bisharp and Sirfetch'd was barely able to remain on their feet.
"Guillotine!" Ash shouted in command.
"Meteor Assault!" Bea roared out to her Pokémon.
Bisharp immediately gathered the remainder of his strength to create a large white blade on each hand, nearly the size of his own body as the Wild Duck Pokémon stomped on the floor with its feet before preparing its sword and shield, with its body soon bursting out a tremendous amount of energy, which was soon transferred to its sword, and it wasn't long until its body burst out in a large yellow aura.
With their preparations completed, both Pokémon immediately charged at one another before delivering a strike to the other as they crossed the field to the opposite side, with their blades still raised high, leaving their Trainers and the crowd to watch in anticipation as Sirfetch'd soon wheezed in pain before falling to the floor dropping its sword and shield, with Rotom proceeding to check on its condition.
"Sirfetch'd is un-"
Right before Rotom could fully declare its announcement, the whole crowd watched as Bisharp soon fell to the ground from his injuries, laying completely still on the battlefield completely out cold from his battle with Sirfetch'd.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!" Rotom announced, after making sure that neither Pokémon could continue.
The screen immediately blacked out both Bisharp's and Sirfetch'd's picture, leaving Bea with her unknown fifth Pokémon and Ash with Corviknight and Lairon.
"This is the last stretch, Bea's definitely going to use a Pokémon who can Gigantamax." Ash thought to himself, while taking out another Poké Ball.
Up in the audience seat, Rose was in the row alongside Oleana, as the two watch the battle between Ash and Bea side by side, fascinated by the battle before them, though Oleana looked quite puzzled at Ash's last Pokemon of choice.
"I wonder why Reil would propose to use Lairon instead of Metang, who's a Steel and Psychic Type." She mumbled out, only for Rose to chuckle lightly.
"May be weird to most people, yes. But I'm sure Reil has his own plan for using Lairon over Metang." The chairman answered with a smile, wondering how the battle will unfold before them.
Bea soon took out her fifth Poké Ball from her pocket, before grasping it hard in her hand after enlarging the device, before aiming it at the field in front of herself, ready to face Ash with her final Pokémon.
"Go, Machamp!" Bea shouted, while throwing out her Poké Ball.
As Bea's fifth and final Poké Ball burst open to reveal her last Pokémon, what emerged from her Poké Ball was a large and bulky four-armed Pokémon with black marking resembling briefs and wearing what seems to be a championship belt around its waist, as the Pokémon started to flex its bulky muscles, with Ash taking out his Rotom Phone.
"Machamp, the Superpower Pokémon, Fighting Type. Machamp's arms are known to be able to move mountains and known to know nearly every martial art in the world and is also able to deliver swift punches." Ash's Rotom Phone detailed out.
Ash soon kept his Rotom Phone back into his pocket as he quickly swapped his Poké Ball around, knowing that if Bea is going with Machamp as her final Pokémon, it surely has the capability to Gigantamax.
"Corviknight, come forth!" Ash called out.
Ash's Poké Ball immediately burst open to reveal Corviknight, who's condition compared to his opponent was considerably bad, as Corviknight still bore heavy injuries from his battle with Sirfetch'd after clashing against the Wild Duck Pokémon's Meteor Assault with his own Brave Bird attack.
"Bulk Up!" Bea shouted in command.
Upon hearing Bea's command, Machamp immediately started to flex its muscles harder than during its first appearance, as the muscles around not only its arms but its entire body started to grow in size with a deep red glow, increasing its strength and defense.
"Hurricane!" Ash ordered loudly to Corviknight.
At Ash's command, Corviknight immediately flapped his wings to summon a large hurricane which blew through not only the battlefield but towards Machamp who held its ground against the super effective attack, as the stones around the Superpower Pokémon started to float into the air at high elevation.
"Fire Punch and Thunder Punch!" Bea ordered, issuing two different orders.
Hearing Bea's command, Machamp soon slammed its fists together with its upper arm engulfing in flames, whist its lower arm was crackling with yellow electricity right as the Fighting Type Pokémon slammed the ground with its fists, creating a large wave of fire mixed in with electricity towards Corviknight who was unable to evade due to him performing Hurricane, as the duo type attack struck Corviknight head-on.
"Corviknight!" Ash shouted in concern, as the Raven Pokémon flew out of the smoke more injured than before.
Seeing Corviknight's injury, Ash soon recalled the Raven Pokémon back into his Poké Ball, before exposing his Dynamax Band as purple particles of light started to emerge from his Dynamax Band before flowing into his Poké Ball, causing it grow twice in size before being tripled of its original size, with Ash holding the gigantic Poké Ball with both hands.
"Time to Gigantamax, Corviknight!" Ash yelled out, before throwing the giant Poké Ball into the field.
As the gigantic Poké Ball burst open with a blinding purple flash, the sky above the area soon darkened as a dark purple soon formed, with the silhouette of Corviknight appearing in the field, as the figure soon grew in size comparable to a mountain as the light broke apart to reveal Corviknight in his Gigantamax state.
Seeing that Ash had Gigantamax his Corviknight, Bea soon took out her own Poké Ball before recalling Machamp back into its Poké Ball, as she exposed her Dynamax Band to the crowd with purple particles of light flowing out of her Dynamax Band and into her Poké Ball, turning it white as it grew in size as with Ash's Poké Ball.
"It's time to crush them into dust!" Bea shouted, before throwing her Poké Ball into the field.
As Bea's Poké Ball burst open to reveal the silhouette of Machamp covered in light, the figure soon grew in size to be comparable to a mountain, as the light burst apart to reveal the Gigantamax version of Machamp, who's black marking grew down to its ankles, with its arms spotting on orange markings with three red clouds indicating its Gigantamax states around its waist.
"Corviknight, use G-Max Wind Rage!" Ash commanded.
Corviknight soon gave a loud screech before flapping his wings to summon a tornado large than his Hurricane attack, as the cyclone soon made its way to Machamp's location with the feathers around Corviknight following suit to attack their target, as Bea soon punched the air with her fist.
"Max Lightning!" She ordered fiercely.
Machamp swiftly stomped its feet on the ground with its arms raised into the sky, as a huge bolt of thunder soon struck down from the skies and onto the field, effectively tearing apart Corviknight's G-Max move in once strike, shocking both Trainer and Pokémon at how easily their opponent had nullified their move.
"Max Flare!" Bea shouted fiercely to her Pokémon.
Machamp's upper arm's fist soon got engulfed in flame, as it slammed them together to create a large sphere of fire before slamming the fist of the lower arm at the large ball of fire, as the Superpower Pokémon fired off the Fire Type Max Move at Corviknight.
"Max Guard!" Ash commanded in haste.
Corviknight quickly summoned a large hexagon barrier in front of himself, as Machamp's Max Flare collided with his barrier, resulting in a massive explosion as the area where Corviknight stood was covered in a large cloud of smoke, worrying Ash was the result of his Pokémon as Corviknight was still heavily wounded to put up any decent fight, and true to his worry, a glowing purple light was seen within the smoke.
As particles of light flew out of the smoke cloud which soon faded, Corviknight was on the ground completely unconscious, as Machamp stood strong in its Gigantamax form, with Ash taking out his Poké Ball from his pocket, before aiming it at the Raven Pokémon.
"Great work out there, take a good rest." Ash told his fallen Pokémon, as a red beam shot out to recall the Flying and Steel Type.
Ash soon kept Corviknight's Poké Ball into his pocket, before taking out Lairon's Poké Ball from within as he enlarged the device in his hand, as he gazed at the enlarged opponent before him.
"Lairon, come forth!" Ash called out, throwing out his final Pokémon.
As his Poké Ball burst open to reveal his last standing Pokémon, the Iron Armor Pokémon gave out a loud roar of confidence, being absolutely ready to face his oversized foe without fear, with Rotom raising its hand to declare the final battle.
"Final battle, Machamp vs Lairon, begin!" It shouted in declaration.
As Lairon locked eyes with his oversized foe, so did Ash and Bea as the two Trainers gazed at each other from across the field from their respective side, with Bea breaking the contact as she clenched her fist tightly.
"Let's end this in one strike! G-Max Chi Strike!" She roared out fiercely, while stomping the ground with her feet.
Machamp gave off a deafening roar as all four of its fists started to glow in a bright orange light with the light covering its fist entirely, right as the Superpower Pokémon brought down all four fist upon Lairon who stood on four on the ground, as Ash waved his hand to the side.
"Iron Defense!" He instructed, hoping that the defense would be enough to withstand Machamp's G-Max Move.
Lairon immediately hardened his own body by turning his entire being into steel, right as Machamp's attack struck down upon him from above, resulting in a huge explosion as the whole crowd watch in anticipation of the result, with Machamp decreasing in size after the attack as a result of its Gigantamax ending.
As the smoke starts to clear out, the figure displayed Lairon who was still standing strong as the steel coating around his body disappeared, showing slight wounds on his body despite being hit by a four times effective attack, casting away Ash's anxiety.
"Not bad, I see you managed to withstand Machamp's attack but how long will you last?" Bea complimented, as she looked at Lairon's condition.
"We're going to last until the end and win this fight!" Ash responded, having full faith in Lairon's strength.
At Ash's response, Bea closed her eyes briefly before opening them once again, as he gazed at her Pokémon who's Gigantamax just ended, with a strong amount of orange aura surrounding its fists, indicating it to be the lasting effect of its G-Max Move.
"Very well, then let us end this fight." Bea told her opponent, before eyeing at Machamp.
"Cross Chop!" She roared out.
"Superpower!" Ash too commanded his own attack.
Machamp soon formed the top arm into an "X" formation, right as the entire arm glowed in a bright orange light, meanwhile, Lairon's body turned extremely bulky in size as a crimson aura surrounded the Iron Armor Pokémon, strengthening his body, with both Pokémon locking eyes with one another.
It wasn't long until both Pokémon charged at one another, before clashing their attacks together with Machamp's arms clashing with Lairon's head, as both Pokémon tried their best to force the other to yield by force, though it was Lairon who was being pushed backwards by his opponent's attack.
"Lairon, don't give up! I know you can win this fight!" Ash shouted to his Pokémon, hoping that his voice can give his Pokémon an additional boost in morale.
Hearing Ash's voice of faith and hope in him, Lairon started to push Machamp back by stepping forward once, shocking the Superpower Pokémon as the Iron Armor Pokémon's entire body started to emit a large amount of blue light, as his shape started to change surprising Ash, Bea and Machamp, and as the light burst apart, Machamp was immediately flung back to its Trainer with a loud crash.
What came out of the light was a slightly larger Lairon now standing on two legs, the armor formerly covering his back now stretched itself to cover his face as well, with two protruding horns out from holes on his head, with a longer tail and a pair of elbow and knee guards.
"AGGRON!" The newly changed Lairon roared out in pride, as Ash took out his Rotom Phone to check out his newly evolved Pokémon.
"Aggron, the Iron Armor Pokémon, Steel and Rock Type. Aggron's horns is capable piercing through the toughest steel and can be used as a ram to bring targets down, Aggron also searches through bedrocks for iron to eat to strengthen its armor." Ash's Rotom Dex detailed out.
Machamp quickly got back on its feet finally recovering from the shock of its opponent evolving in front of itself, as Aggron stomped on the ground hard enough to create a small fissure, before locking eyes with his opponent from where he stood.
"Aggron, you evolved!" Ash shouted in excitement, causing Aggron to smirk back.
"The battle isn't over yet, Reil. Cross Chop!" Bea shouted.
The pair watched as Machamp once again crossed its upper arm in an "X" formation, as it charged at Aggron with its arm glowing in a bright orange glow, with Ash looking at his newly evolved Pokémon.
"Let's try out your new move, Heavy Slam!" Ash commanded.
Aggron immediately gave out a loud roar, as his entire body was soon coated in a silver light right before charging at the Superpower Pokémon with his entire being, but as the two Pokémon collided with one another, Aggron's attack easily flung the Superpower Pokémon back to its Trainer's side of the field with a loud crash.
"How did Aggron overpower Machamp so easily?" Gallade questioned, only for Ash to shake his head.
"I don't have a clue, I thought you would, Gallade." The amnesiac Trainer responded, only for Gallade to shake his head.
As they turn their gaze back on the field, Machamp slowly got back on its feet wondering to itself how it was so easily overpowered by its opponent's move, as Bea looked at her Pokémon from where she stood.
"Fire Punch and Thunder Punch!" She ordered, once again using the combination attack, she had used against Corviknight.
Machamp once again slammed its fists together, as its upper arm's fists was engulfed in flames, with its lower arm's fists crackling with electricity, before slamming all four fists onto the ground to create a wave of fire crackling with electricity at Aggron, though the Iron Armor Pokémon wasn't the least fazed by his opponent's attack.
"Earthquake!" Ash commanded, issuing to Aggron his other new move.
Hearing Ash's command, Aggron immediately raised his right leg before slamming it onto the ground to create a powerful shockwave, which burst out from his right leg as the shockwave tore through Machamp's attack with the shockwave launching the Fighting Type Pokémon off its feet, as Ash clenched his fist tightly, ready to end the battle at the given moment.
"Finish this off with Heavy Slam!" Ash yelled out to Aggron.
Aggron immediately leaped into the air, as a large silver aura soon coated his entire body before dropping himself down upon his opponent, and because Machamp was still recovering from being staggered by Aggron's Earthquake, the Superpower Pokemon didn't have enough time to evade and was forced to take the attack, as Aggron successfully landed upon his opponent, creating a large cloud of smoke.
The Iron Armor Pokemon soon leaped out of the smoke cloud with a proud look on his face, as he looked back at his opponent who was revealed to be unconscious, the moment the smoke cloud disappeared from the field.
"Machamp is unable to battle, Aggron wins! With no available Pokémon, the winner of this Gym Battle is Challenger Reil!" Rotom declared loudly.
Upon declaring the victor, the crowd immediately went into a frenzy at the battle they had just witnessed, as Bea walked over to her fallen Pokémon before helping Machamp to its feet, with Ash and Gallade doing their best to support Aggron who was tired from his battle.
"That was a great battle, Reil. I was truly surprised when your Aggron evolved." Bea told the Trainer before her while extending her hand.
"It was a great battle for us as well, Bea, though Aggron's evolution equally surprised us all." Ash responded, as he shook Bea's hand.
Up in the audience seat, Rose who was sitting beside Oleana turned to look at his secretary who couldn't believe the level of battle she had just witnessed between Ash and Bea.
"Battles are always unpredictable in many ways, so even if the matchup is indeed bad, it is never truly over until the battle says so." Rose spoke out, before getting up from his seat.
As the two starts to leave the battlefield, at the back of the audience stood Bede on one side and Marnie on the other, as the Spikemuth Trainer clenched her fist, knowing that Ash's strength is stretching further and further from her own, with Bede feeling the same as the boy simply let loose a small scoff as he left the audience.
In the lobby after their battle where Ash stood with Gallade having recalled Aggron back into his Poké Ball, as the pair was soon approached by Bea who had just exited the Gym's battlefield to greet her challenger after their fight.
"Even though we had a great battle, I'm afraid I'm unable to give you the Ghost Badge." Bea told him apologetically, as Ash shook his head at her words.
"It's alright, while we didn't get a badge, we at least got more experience." Ash responded, before hearing a sound of clapping from behind him.
"Well said, Reil!" A familiar voice boomed out, making Ash turn his head to see Rose and Oleana walking up to them.
"Father, Miss Oleana." Ash called out in joy, confusing Bea at his sentence.
As Rose and Oleana reach the pair in the lobby, the sound of the Gym's door opening was heard, as a young boy nearly the same age as Bea walked in wearing a mask on his face, and that boy was easily identified as Allister, the Co-Gym Leader of Stow-on-Side, as the Ghost Type Gym Leader looked at the group of people in front of him.
"I saw the battle from the television on my way back, you did great against Bea." Allister commented, looking at Ash.
"I know the introduction is late, but I'm Allister, the Co-Gym Leader of Stow-on-Side with Bea." Allister introduced himself formerly, as Ash gave him a smile.
"I'm Reil, a Gym Challenger." Ash introduced himself.
Allister soon stretched his hand into his pocket, as the Gym Leader took out what seems to be a badge with a ghost symbol on it, before stretching his hand out to give the item to Ash, confusing the amnesiac Trainer at the display.
"Here is the Ghost Badge of Stow-on-Side, you earned this Reil." Allister told the Trainer, as Ash's mouth was still open.
"But I thought you weren't going to return until tonight?" Ash said in a confusing tone, as Allister chuckled lightly.
"That was the plan, but my 'friends' didn't show up today, so I returned early." The Ghost Type Gym Leader answered, with a tone enough to send chills down Ash's spine at the word 'friends'.
"But if it's about the Gym Badge, I would have been disqualified either way since I wasn't here to take the challenge, and beating Bea herself isn't a small feat either." Allister added, before placing the bade in Ash's hand.
As Ash looked at the Gym Badge in his hand, the amnesiac Trainer gave a smile as Allister excused himself with a bow before leaving the lobby with Bea, as the two Gym Leaders walked through the big door, leaving Ash alone with Rose and Oleana.
"That was indeed a well fought battle, Reil, the battle you displayed was truly remarkable." Rose told his adoptive son, as Ash gave him a smile.
"Thanks, though my challenge has only just started." Ash responded, knowing that he still has four more Gym Leaders to go, and one by one is probably going to be stronger than the last.
"That means that your next destination is Ballonlea." Oleana chimed in, telling Ash of his next destination.
Upon hearing Oleana's words, Ash took out his Rotom Phone to check where Ballonlea would be as he noticed that the town was beyond a forest known as Glimwood Tangle, which was located between Stow-on-Side that was south of the forest with Ballonlea at the other end towards the north.
"If I remember, Opal is a very interesting character." Rose mumbled out, while scratching his chin slightly.
"Interesting character?" Ash said in a confused tone, only for Oleana to chuckle lightly as she looked at Ash.
"Telling you would just take away the surprise, don't you think?" She answered, causing Ash to chuckle lightly, knowing that Oleana was right.
"We shan't hold you back for too long, Reil, both Oleana and I wish you luck with your endeavour in Ballonlea." Rose told the boy, with Ash nodding with a smile.
"The next time we meet, father, I'll have more great news to tell you!" Ash shouted as he ran out of the door with Gallade by his side.
As the pair watch Ash disappear from view, the chairman of Galar couldn't believe in his heart at how fast Ash had grown as a Trainer, as he chuckled soundly with a smile before departing from the Gym with Oleana.
Alas, I am back with a new chapter! I know the hiatus has been too long so here I am!
Otherwise,
PEACE!