Part XXXVIII: The Sweet Scent of Battle
It had been a week since Ash had upset Misty in the finals of the HopHopHop Town Contest and set the circuit abuzz for a few days following his victory. He hadn't intended to do so but beating one of the circuit favorites who just so happened to be unbeaten not only on the current circuit but had the longest active regular Contest win streak did that. Even Misty broke her usual media blackout regarding the circuit to see what they were saying about Ash.
All in all it was a mixed bag. Some pundits were speculating that Misty might be on the decline following a stunning upset but that was quickly quashed by the fact that had Dratini not evolved in the finals Misty likely would have won it on points. Others were wondering if Ash would continue on the circuit and if so, what was his potential as a coordinator. Lastly some were considering it a fluke win by someone who wasn't a coordinator and that after seeing Ash's style any coordinator who was a legit contender for the Ribbon Cup could easily figure out how to counter it.
For his part Ash really didn't care about the rumors. He was surprised that he had won but glad for it as he now could claim he had won one Contest ribbon, something he planned on getting framed and added to his trophy collection when he got home. For now it was in a ribbon case alongside his half of the unofficial Terracotta Town Ribbon. Other than that Ash had been focusing hard on training over the last week and ensuring that one of his Pokémon learned a new move in preparation for his full battle with Erika.
The only other thing to come out of the Contest was that Misty had received an official warning for swearing on live TV for her uncontrolled curses at multiple points in the final. Cursing was only banned in live Contests and as Misty had entered the HopHopHop Town Contest it was aired due to her status as a favorite on the circuit so her curses had been heard. She was told that if she cursed again she would be immediatly disqualified from that particular Contest and further violations could lead to more sanctions. Of course that was nothing compared to verbal tongue lashing her mother gave her after the Contest and how unlady like it had been of her to repeatively curse in a Contest.
Misty had learned her lesson and promised to keep herself in check in the future so as to avoid sanctions. She supported the notion of free speech but understood that as a private organisation that was airing a Contest during the day, the Contest Commitee was well within their rights to enforce such a policy. However, all of that was behind them now as they got ready for Celadon City.
Ash had wanted to face Erika as soon as he could she had informed him that she couldn't face him just yet but that she had set aside a day in a week's time that she would close the gym for his challenge. The reason being that it had been a busy week for Erika as she was facing several challengers while also releasing her latest perfume line so it was to hectic for her to devote the time needed for a full battle. At her first free moment she would face him.
In all honesty it worked out pretty well for them. The week off allowed them to do some more training for certain members of Ash's team that he hadn't battled with for a while as they were all Kanto Pokémon so for 3 of them it had been years since he'd used them in battle. In Dragonair and Gengar's case however, they were still new enough to need the extra practice the week allowed them. Ash's newest Pokémon were good and the Contest had allowed them get a lot better but Ash knew that there was never too much training.
In their free time from training they saw the city and the famous department store while stocking up on supplies, and gifts, for the next few weeks. It was an odd feeling for them as they hadn't had this much time to prepare within a city for a challenge but in the end it was needed as they had a lot to sort out for after Celadon and the forced week in the city allowed them to prepare.
The main thing that Ash and Misty had to make sure they were ready for was the Wallace Cup as it was coming up. They would still have 2 weeks between Ash's battle with Erika and the Cup so the plan was to spend an additional week in Celadon preparing for it. In that time they would contact May about the arrangements and then meet her in Petalburg City for the second week where they would be able to do final preparations for the Cup as close to it as possible.
May had already left them a message to tell them that Zoey was coming and had invited Georgia, who she was still in contact with after introducing her to Candice before heading out to Unova, to it. The Unova Dragon Buster had agreed to come and enter as a way to practice with some new ice types she'd caught before traveling Hoenn on her own to get more experience.
Georgia's presence added to the fun and drama of the Wallace Cup as apparently Iris and Cilan had reconnected when the latter had visited Blackthorn City and were now planning on heading to Hoenn together to see the region. After hearing about it from Misty while they were all in Unova together, both bad decided that they would also participate in it. They had let may know and asked if she was ok with it and May had graciously accepting them as fellow former traveling companions of Ash. Georgia and Iris were not going to get along when they realized the other was there.
Of course that wasn't the only rivalry that Ash and Misty were going to have to deal with at the Wallace Cup. It appeared that Petalburg City would be the nexus for all drama filled rivalries as Dawn had made good on her promise and was entering the Wallace Cup as well to train her water types in a new way and to hopefully meet Wallace himself and pick his brain about training. She had already told them that she was really looking forward to it and Misty had a feeling that Dawn would make everything a lot more interesting for her.
However all of that was on the back of their minds as they walked up to the young couple walked hand in hand up the path to another gym, it was finally time for Ash's battle with Erika so that had all their focus right now. This was become a routine for them and Misty was already in her cheerleader outfit with Piplup on her head also dressed up for it so that she didn't have to change and could get right to cheering for Ash.
As they entered the path in the small park that led to the gym Misty had to blink a few times as she processed the design of the Celadon City Gym that stood in front of them. It was located in a large square in the park so the usual theme of most Kanto gyms being in parks or park like places stayed the same with this gym.
The gym itself was accessible by 4 paths that cut through the square with grass between them and trees lining the grass in a well-kept and neat manner. The greenery was certainly impressive. However none of that was anything compared to the Gym itself.
It was a circular structure with a set of stairs leading up to a glass door and floor length windows that circled the first level of the gym. Even that was just standard for Kanto gyms. No what stood out was the roof of the gym, that was what confused Misty. It was done in the style of a Gloom's head down to the white spots and orange leaves, though unlike Misty's Gloom who only had one large spot per flower bulb, this design had several smaller ones. To say it was odd was an understatement. Misty had now seen 5 Kanto gyms and this one was by far the strangest one yet. Somehow she had a feeling one of the 3 remaining gyms would top it.
"Um Ash, was it always like that?" Misty asked as they walked down the path. "You know, the odd roof thing?"
"What?" Ash asked as Misty snapped him out of his last minute, pre battle plans for Erika and looked up, getting a little nervous seeing it for the first time since the incident when he was last here. "Oh yeah it was like that when I first faced Erika. As I told you back in the diner, Erika's starter Pokémon was a Gloom, she saved it when it was younger and they became friends. Gloom is why she is a grass type expert and by far her favorite Pokémon. I guess she decided to pay homage to it with her gym, which is also a giant greenhouse for grass types by the way. If its anything like before it is will be interesting on the inside."
"Huh, I guess that makes sense if she is a grass specialist." Misty said as she noticed that Ash was oddly nervous and she had a gut feeling that it wasn't to do with the battle as Ash rarely showed his battle nerves. "You said that last time you were here you saved her Gloom from a fire, right?"
"Yeah I did." Ash said with a nod as they began to climb the stairs up to the entrance. "It was the right thing to do so I did it without thinking. We were in the middle of a battle but because of the fire it was never finished. This is my chance to actually finish it and beat Erika."
As if on cue, the front door to the gym opened and a woman walked out and waited for them outside the front door as they climbed up the last few steps. As with the other leaders that Misty had not met prior, she studied the woman who had to be Erika with a critical eye. The fact that she was female only added to Misty's critique, though the messages they had exchanged back when Ash was sick also made Misty curious as to what Erika was like.
However for once Misty felt no threat from another woman or irrational jealousy towards her. It didn't hurt that at a glance Erika looked like she was in her late 20s or early 30s making her the oldest of the female gym leaders she'd met so far, though Misty knew better than to ask a fellow woman her age. She also had a respectful but professional look on her face with mixed emotions in her green eyes as she looked at Ash and her.
Like Misty she was a dark haired girl though Erika kept her hair short, just past her jawline, while Misty preferred her hair long. Erika's hair was held back with a red headband that showed off an uneven and choppy fringe and accented her cute face well. It was a simple look but one the woman pulled off flawlessly.
Her outfit was also simple with no elaborate stylings like Sabrina's outfits. Erika wore a green short sleeved dress that gently hugged her body but not in any seductive or provocative way and came down to just above her knees. The short sleeves and front were a standard muted green while the stripes down the side and matching collar thing were a light green that was almost white. The only non-green items were held a small red bow and her upper right chest and a pair of simple red shoes that completed the look.
"Hello Erika, it's been a while." Ash said as they reached the top of the stairs his tone oddly respectful as he confirmed that the woman was indeed Erika. "I am glad to see that you are looking well."
"Ash, I am see that you too are doing well after your little illness last month." Erika as she offered her his hand which he shook after letting go of Misty's. "I also see that you have learned a few manners since last time, apparently getting a girlfriend has taught you a thing or two about not insulting a woman."
"I, er, learned my lesson from then." Ash admitted sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck and blushing slightly for some reason. "I am sorry for all of that by the way, I, er, spoke without thinking and ended making things worse in the end."
"It's ok." Erika said smiling for the first time and breaking the slight formalness as Ash visibly relaxed. "I let my own temper get the better of me as well after what you said and acted a little too hastily, I am usually not like that. You showed dedication and determination to face me no matter what you had to do so I honored that with the battle you wanted. Then you showed bravery in saving Gloom from that fire so I forgave you. Besides, that was years ago anyway and we have both grown since then. This is different and I am looking forward to actually finishing our match this time."
"Same." Ash said with a smile of his own. "And I know better than to run my mouth again without thinking first. Though at least now I know that you are the gym leader so I won't do anything to jeopardize my standing here."
"Alright that is it." Misty said a little more forcefully that she meant and blushed slightly in embarrassment as both Ash and Erika looked at here. "Sorry but I have been hearing bits and pieces of what happened but not exactly what it was. I know Ash likely did something incredibly stupid when you met but what was it?"
"You must be Misty." Erika said not offended at all and offering her hand to Misty with slight twinkle in her eye that Misty thought might be amusement or maybe mischief. "Pleasure to put a face to your name. Trust Ash's girlfriend to know his nature though I am sure you are a good influence on him. You man has a lot to learn about women."
"Oh I traveled with him in Sinnoh long before we became a couple." Misty said as she took Erika's hand and couldn't contain her surprise when she felt the small callouses and faint scars on it. "I know his nature and his density when it comes to us very well."
"I guess after a while it may be endearing to the right person." Erika said taking her hand back but not before noting Misty's surprise. "I can certainly see how his determination might attract a certain kinda girl."
"Yeah that was just one of the many things that made me fall for Ash." Misty admitted with a small smile at all the thing that made Ash the man she loved before refocusing on the story at hand. "But that is beside the point, what did Ash do last time that he won't tell me about? I think as his girlfriend I should know anything embarrassing he did."
"Walk with me Misty and I will tell you everything, you are correct, as his girlfriend you have a right to know." Erika said surprising Misty by taking her arm in a friendly gesture. "Ash, if you could please get the door for us that would be lovely."
"Er sure." Ash said as he opened the door and the women walked into the gym, Ash following confused behind them with a sinking feeling in his gut. "After you."
"Thank you." Erika said kindly as they entered the greenhouse. "I felt after our messages and seeing your clear concern for Ash's well-being when he was sick that you and I could have some girl talk before the battle and get to know one another a little more. A nice stroll in my greenhouse always helps me get ready for battle as it reminds me of why I love grass types and how they harmonize with nature. Plus this will teach Ash some more patience, I have feeling he's still not fully learned that lesson."
"It's amazing." Misty said marveling at the lush greenhouse as soon as they were inside it, it was like a proper mini park in here complete with trees, flowers and grassy plains for all kinds of grass types to enjoy and play in. "Reminds me of Gardenia's gym back in Sinnoh only larger and more natural than hers."
"Ah Gardenia yes we have met a few times in the past." Erika said as they walked Ash confused behind them but going with it so as not to set off Erika's temper again by complaining and just going with it. "I respect her as a fellow grass type specialist but her love for the type is a little disturbing if you ask me, and when she saw my grass types she was way too enthusiastic about them, but she's clearly passionate about grass types and knows how to raise them well. She likes to travel a lot and find new ones as well."
"Yeah we met her on one of those expeditions." Misty said remembering their introduction to the Eterna City Gym Leader. "And again in a town we were passing through where she was promoting Pokémon battles and had another adventure with her."
"Yes Gardenia is a bit of a free spirit and likes to adventure." Erika said with a nod. "Personally I prefer being here and working on the greenhouse and my perfumes while training my own grass types. It's a lot of hands on work that leaves their mark, that is why you were surprised when you shook my hand earlier. I am often working with spikey things so I have a few scars from them."
"That makes sense, I should have thought of that fact given how well maintained this place is." Misty said realizing that anyone who kept this place up was bound to show that in their hands. "Sorry."
"Don't be, it is something I take pride in." Erika said. "I may look like a delicate flower but even the most beautiful rose has her thorns. Ash learned that first hand."
"He does tend to learn best that way." Misty said with a slight tease in her voice. "I've seen it plenty of times."
"Hey." Ash said from behind them. "I always learn my lesson though, after making the mistake."
"True you haven't commented on the smells in here yet." Erika called back to him.
"The smells?" Misty asked as she sniffed the air and realized there was a really pleasant smell in the gym. "There is a nice smell here. Does it have anything to do with your perfumes?"
"It is a variant of what I create in my show." Erika said with a nod. "In here it is pure and raw and not refined for perfumes. I use the scent naturally given off by Glooms to create my perfumes. Most love them, one annoying kid decided to insult the smell to my face."
"I am sorry for that." Ash muttered. "I didn't know that you were the gym leader here and just spouted my mouth off without thinking when I got a whiff of the scent. Glooms are known to have a distinctive scent that if you're not used to can be overpowering. I didn't mean to offend you; I was just a stupid kid."
"Wait that is what Ash did?" Misty asked her eyes widening slightly. "He was vague as to what actually happened only calling it a misunderstanding."
"It was of a sorts, his Pikachu and friends all loved it but he chose to insult it so I banned him from my shop and greenhouse for his insolence." Erika said. "That was before he realized that the greenhouse was the gym and I was the Celadon Gym Leader."
"Yeah I learned to avoid speaking before thinking that day." Ash admitted. "You never know who might be the gym leader. Course I still fail to always watch my tongue but I know that I should now."
"But Ash still faced you." Misty pointed out ignoring Ash for the moment so that she could get the full story from Erika. "How did he overcome your ban?"
"Yes Ashley, how did you get past you ban again." Erika said with a teasing tone in her voice that had Ash spluttering. "Why don't you tell your girlfriend your creative solution."
"Ashley?" Misty asked before looking back at a now blushing Ash that wouldn't meet her eye and confirming what Erika was implying. "No way. You dressed as a girl to get around your ban?"
"I was upset and made a bad deal that I thought would work." Ash admitted quietly, he had been hoping to avoid explaining this because he was ashamed of who he'd made the deal with but he should have known that Erika would bring it up. "Team Rocket wanted to get in as well for their own reasons, which they lied to me about by the way, and persuaded me to dress up as a blond girl called Ashley. I was to pretend to be their daughter who had come to challenge Erika for the Rainbow Badge."
"It would have worked to but for your Pikachu." Erika said surprising Misty at how convincing Ash had been as a girl. "He figured you out while we were all fooled."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a helpful nod, unlike the humans he knew his Ash no matter what stupid disguise he used. "Pika, Pikachu."
"Wait, not even Brock saw through it?" Misty asked stunned at that revelation. "I thought he could almost always do that or at the very least know if a girl was pure of heart as he never hit on Team Rocket or Team Galactic women he met."
"Nope he didn't see through it either." Ash confirmed. "I think me and James are the only two who have managed that fear. However, Pikachu did see through it and zapped me for it."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said proudly, he would do it again, he wasn't going to let his friend make a fool of himself just for a badge, well that and he was ignoring Pikachu at the time. "Pikachu."
"Pip, Piplup." Piplup said approvingly from Misty's head, he would have done the same for his trainer if she was being a fool. "Piplup."
"After that I realized just how dedicated Ash was to face me." Erika said. "It impressed me so I granted him his challenge. He was doing well but then those criminals from Team Rocket set fire to my greenhouse and Ash risked his life for my precious Gloom. That is what earned him my forgiveness, friendship, and the Rainbow Badge, despite how it all started."
"You really know how to make an impression even after you have to remove your foot from your mouth." Misty said shaking her head. "Though I don't know why you didn't tell me, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's not like I haven't seen you in a dress before."
"That wasn't why I was embarrassed." Ash said shaking his head. "It was my behavior and actions that I was embarrassed about. It wasn't my finest moment during that journey."
"He's done it since?" Erika asked confused as Misty smiled at her boyfriend, he was trying to do the right thing but knew he'd been in the wrong and she couldn't fault him for that. "When?"
"It was during one of our earlier adventures in Sinnoh." Misty explained turning back to the older woman who still had her arm. "We were at a place called the Mountain Hut Maid Café, a place in Sinnoh famous for its Moomoo Milk. We went there for it and learned that one of the waitress's Miltanks wasn't producing milk so Brock decided to help her. As a Pokémon breeder he knew what to do with her so that the waitress and her Miltank could bond. Of course the waitress had to be with Brock so Ash and I volunteered to cover for her in the café while they worked with her Miltank."
"And let mee guess, it was a very specific dress code." Erika said. "One that both you and Ash had to follow."
"Yup, classic Maid outfits." Misty confirmed. "Really sticking to the theme there. Ash was a sight for sure in one of them."
"Yeah but you looked great in yours." Ash said causing Misty to blush at his complement. "In hindsight that is, I, er, didn't notice things like that back then."
"Yeah well I wasn't in the greatest place mentally at the time." Misty admitted which got a concerned look from Erika so she explained. "I'm a coordinator and that was back when I was at the deepest part of my slump, right after my second straight Contest where I failed to advance past the appeals so I was really upset. I was putting on a brave face but it was cracking and I didn't know what to do."
"That's awful." Erika said sympathetically.
"It was, I was thinking of just giving up on my dream of becoming a Top Coordinator." Misty admitted remembering how sad she'd been that day. "That was when I saw how determined Ash was to teach his Turtwig a new move despite constant failures and it inspired me to continue. He even saw me crying but was so supportive that I couldn't stay upset at myself. It would be a while before I fully recovered but it was a start of my climb back to my dreams. One of the points in our adventure that looking back on is part of how I developed feelings for Ash. They were already there before that moment, it just helped further cement them."
"I see." Erika said. "Ash does have his own ways to help out, even if he isn't great with people when he first meets them."
"You have no idea." Misty said and Erika laughed while Ash just grumbled behind them. "We fought a lot during the first days of our journey together but got past it and, well, you see what we are now."
Ash was about to say something in protest when they walked past some trees and he saw the dirt battlefield and small bleachers to one side that was where Erika hosted her gym battles. They had come to the battlefield at last. All thoughts of embarrassment at his past actions in this gym were driven from his mind as he grinned at the sight before him. It was almost time for his full battle with Erika.
The bleachers had a few of Erika's apprentices on them at on end eagerly waiting to watch their master in action as it was a learning experience. One, likely Erika's top student, was standing in the ref's position at the hallway point, patiently waiting for them to take their spots. One thing Misty noticed was a big space off to the side of the small stands that didn't have Erika's students near and was likely Ash's end of the battlefield.
"Well here we are." Erika said letting go of Misty's arm and walking over to her end of the battlefield, the end where her apprentices were. "We can start in a moment once you are both ready. I get the feeling that if you're wearing an outfit like that for the match then there is more to this than I am seeing."
"Yeah, I need to set up my cheering section, it's a tradition at this point." Misty said before giving Ash a quick, chaste, kiss for luck. "Win this babe."
"I will, this is long overdue." Ash said as he and Pikachu headed over to their end to take their spots, the battle was about to begin so it was time to get in the zone. "Nothing will stop me this time."
"Good, I want to finish this as much as you do Ash." Erika said as he reached his box, turned and faced her. "This has been too long coming."
"Erika, do you mind if my Pokémon watch this?" Misty asked as she walked to the stands. "They're all ready but given the proximity to the battlefield it may not be wise."
"Not at all." Erika said shaking her head. "So long as they don't get involved or start using moves that distract us then I am fine with it."
"They won't t, they know what to do, but, well, there is another thing that is different." Misty said nervously. "This is the first gym that has enough space for one of them to watch as well. He's a little big but I want him to watch and he can stand off to the side of the stands for it. Usually he can't because he's not exactly stand friendly."
"Define big?" Erika asked curiously.
"He's a Mamoswine." Misty answered.
"Mamoswine?" Erika asked her eyes wide at that revelation, that was certainly not a Pokémon she would have thought that Misty had in her roster. "That wasn't what I was expecting to see today but that should be fine. Just make sure you return him if he starts getting too excited. A Pokémon that big can cause problems even without using a move."
"Will do, I know full well how problematic his size can be." Misty said taking out his ball and pointing it to the space she'd seen for him, opening it, and letting the massive Twin Tusk Pokémon out. "Mamoswine we have space for you, you can watch Ash battle this time. Isn't that great? You just have to remain calm and not cause a problem, can you do that for me?"
"Mamo!" Mamoswine said happily with as he sat down heavily and waited to watch his friends battle at last more than willing to stay in this position if it meant he could watch the battle.
"Alright guys, its's time." Misty said throwing up her 4 Poke Balls. "Let's get into position and cheer for Ash again!"
They burst and Buneary, Eevee, Pinsir and her own Gloom appeared all dressed up in their cheerleader outfits and took their position in the stands. Misty joined them with Piplup in front of her and they all got ready. The match would start soon though Misty didn't realize that she had just caused an accidental delay.
"You have a Gloom!" Erika exclaimed happily as she ran over to them from her position, looking at the Gloom specifically while Ash just blinked in surprise at Erika's reaction. "I knew there was a reason why I felt a connection with you Misty and this has to be it. She is a beauty by the way. You have raised her really well. You have to tell me how you got her to look this good, my own Gloom doesn't shine like this."
"Wait you can tell she's a girl?" Misty asked confused. "We only know because of Ash's Snivy's Attract not working when we were training for his battle against Forrest in Pewter City."
"Oh yes Gloom is a Pokémon species with noticeable gender difference." Erika said as she crouched down to look Misty's Gloom in the eye but didn't touch her out of respect. "See how yours has only one white spot per bulb."
"Yeah I noticed that your gym's design was different in that regard." Misty said looking at the one large white spot that Gloom had on each of her buds. "I don't know what it means though. I got her as an Oddish out in Viridian Forest, along with Pinsir, and when she evolved it was like that. I don't know the species well beyond the one that I have as I've not seen many others in my time so I didn't know there was a difference."
"Oh yes the females only have one large spot rather than a few small ones that males have." Erika said with a smile. "As you observed my gym is styled after a male Gloom's flower. We will have to trade stories after this over tea and perfume after the battle. I have some tips for you to make your Gloom stronger and I am sure I can learn something from you about how to make mine even more beautiful."
"Sure, sound fun." Misty said with a smile, she was more than willing to learn more about her Gloom from and expert and impart her own wisdom on Erika in return. "But not right away, Ash and I will have get his Pokémon to the Pokémon Center afterwards and likely need a rest. However, we are around all week so there is time to discuss Gloom care for sure. I can show you how to make Poffins, that is what I use for Gloom's appearance."
"I'd like that, I actually don't know how to make Poffins as they aren't a Kanto thing so it will be useful to learn from someone who knows how to make them." Erika said before her ref coughed and she blushed slightly. "Sorry, got distracted by a Gloom, it happens more often than you would think."
Erika got up and left Misty and her confused looking Gloom and hurried back to her side of the battlefield. As soon as she was there she turned and faced Ash and grinned at him. Ash grinned back; it was time to battle.
"Hopefully there will be no interruptions this time." Erika said pulling out a Poke Ball. "And full rosters so come at me with all you got Ash because I am not going to make this easy. Prove to me you really did deserve the Rainbow Badge by beating all 6 of my Pokémon today."
"I have been waiting for this since you accepted my challenge." Ash said as he fell into his battle zone. "I even made sure to use a team of Pokémon native to Kanto to really bring it back to the time when we first faced off."
"Good then show me how good you have become." Erika said before nodding at the ref. "Let's start this battle."
"The full battle challenge between the challenger Ash of Pallet Town and the Celadon City Gym Leader Erika is about to begin." The ref said raising her flags over her head. "Because Ash has already won the Rainbow Badge this is not an official match and as such both trainers can substitute Pokémon as they see fit. The winner will be the first trainer to defeat all 6 of the other trainer's Pokémon. Begin!"
"Pikachu I choose you." Ash said pointing out as his starter happily bound out and onto the battlefield. "Show Erika what you can do my friend."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said in challenge, he was ready to do just that.
"In that case I may as well match your starter with mine, I was going to start with him anyway." Erika said as she threw out her Poke Ball. "Gloom, fragrance!"
A familiar looking Gloom materialized in front of Erika. It had several small white spots on its buds so after what Erika had just said Ash realized that her Gloom was indeed male. That didn't matter though, Gloom was just another Pokémon that Ash had to beat today. It was time to begin his 5th full battle challenge.
"Pikachu start this off with an Electro Ball!" Ash ordered.
"Pikachu." Pikachu said as he built up the ball of electricity on the end of his tail and then fired it at Gloom.
"Gloom, dodge and use Giga Drain!" Erika countered.
Gloom leapt to the side and easily avoided Pikachu's attack and set his feet. He then sent out one of his own but Ash wasn't going to let that hit Pikachu.
"Pikachu use Quick Attack to dodge and hit back." Ash ordered. "Keep the Quick Attack up so that Gloom can't dodge it."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said as he broke to the side and barely avoided the attack, only managing because of his Quick Attack.
Then, as soon as he was away from Gloom's attack, Pikachu turned on a dime and activated his Quick Attack again. This time Gloom wasn't ready for it and Pikachu's enhanced speed from the attack closed the distance before Erika could counter and Gloom was hit in the face at full speed by Pikachu. The only problem was that it brought Pikachu in range of Gloom and Erika wasn't going to pass up an opportunity when it presented itself.
"Now Gloom, Stun Spore!" Erika ordered. "Use gravity to your advantage."
Gloom easily flipped in the air so that his head was pointing down. Then he opened the flower up and used gravity to accelerate the attack as he didn't have to force it out in this position. The orange spores instantly bathed Pikachu from head to toe in the status-based attack. Almost as soon as he was hit, Pikachu began to spark as the paralysis took hold.
"Pikachu quick use Iron Tail." Ash said hoping that the affects hadn't hit Pikachu yet or if so that they wouldn't trigger on this move. "You can do it buddy."
Pikachu gritted his teeth and leapt up trying to turn his tail to steel. Unfortunately the paralysis took effect and the move failed only wailed in frustration while still airborne. Gloom had landed on his feet by now and Erika wasn't going to waste this chance to take down Pikachu when he was vulnerable. She knew how close Ash was with Pikachu and removing him from the battle this early so that the Mouse Pokémon was no longer a factor was a good strategy.
"Gloom, Petal Blizzard." Erika ordered. "This is why we use status attacks; it ensures we don't miss."
"Gloom." Gloom moaned and lowered his head and attacked as Pikachu was trying to get his move to work.
A maelstrom of pink petals shot out and struck Pikachu while he was still in the air. Ash could see how the move got its name as it was reminiscent of a standard Blizzard attack just with petals and not bits of ice, though they seemed to be just as solid as the ice. The attack slammed into Pikachu, throwing him back and across the battlefield to Ash in an arc, the electric type wailing the entire time.
Pikachu slammed into the ground hard and rolled back towards Ash stopping a few feet in front of his trainer. He was clearly injured and dirtied up but he was still standing, or at least trying to, as his body sparked from the paralysis. That was until Erika finished her combo.
"Giga Drain." Erika said calmly before Ash could react.
"Dodge it!" Ash yelled but it was in vain.
Gloom attacked again and this time Pikachu wasn't strong dodge. The attack hit him in the side as he tried to get away and he wailed as bubbles of his energy shot out of him and into Gloom healing the grass and poison type in the process. Pikachu stood for a moment longer before falling face forward and hitting the dirt with swirls for eyes.
"Pikachu is unable to battle." The ref said raising a red flag towards Ash. "Gloom is the winner."
"You did great Pikachu." Ash said scooping up his slowly coming too starter. "That was an unexpected combo for sure. Take a good rest with Misty and support our team when you're ready."
Erika didn't do anything and let Ash take Pikachu to the side and give him to Misty to look after so that he was out of the way. Instantly she gave him and Oran berry to regain his strength and placed him on the stands so that he could recover and join the cheering when he was ready. Almost as soon as Misty stood back up Buneary and Eevee were on either side of Pikachu jostling to help him out and glaring at each other as they tried to be the one there for their desired mate.
"Not bad Erika, you still favor status attacks I see." Ash said coming back to his spot as he pulled out his second Pokémon's Poke Ball. "An interesting strategy, one few I know employ."
"It helps overcome the many disadvantages of grass types." Erika said with a shrug. "Gloom, you want to stay in?"
"Gloom." Gloom said with a nod of determination, he had just healed himself, he was good for another round or two at least.
"Ok then." Erika said with a smile. "Alright Ash, who's next?"
"My newest Pokémon and one who I was hoping to use against Gloom if I got a chance as there is something I want to try out that I couldn't the other week." Ash said much to Erika's confusion before he threw out his Poke Ball. "Gengar, I choose you!"
Gengar burst forth with a maniacal laugh as he gauged his battle situation. His red eyes focused on the familiar Pokémon he was facing. It was another Gloom though a male this time and not his trainer's mate's Gloom that he had gotten to know well over the last month until he had beaten her in that Contest thing, well Dragonair had but he'd helped. That didn't matter to Gengar, he was going to take down this Gloom as well and this time he'd do it alone.
"Gloom, Giga Drain!" Erika said staring the second matchup off.
"Gengar get in the air and dodge it." Ash said and Gengar shot upwards at once. "Time to try something I thought of during our match with Misty last week but didn't use because it was a double battle. This is why I was planning on using Gengar against your Gloom Erika. Gengar, use Psychic. Pull Gloom towards you!"
Gengar didn't question his trainer's orders, he simply acted on them and trusted Ash to know the right thing to do. His eyes and hands glowing blue, Gengar reached out and grabbed a surprised Gloom in the psychic type power before Gloom could react to what was going on. Slowly Gloom, now also glowing blue because of Gengar's attack, floated upwards as Erika tried to order him to break free. Then, with a thought, Gengar yanked the now struggling Gloom towards him and ended the attack.
"Now send Gloom back down with an Ice Punch!" Ash ordered revealing his plan.
Gloom wailed but Erika couldn't do anything, Gloom's speed was too fast to get an attack off and with no aerial mobility he couldn't dodge. Gengar in the other hand wasn't as limited. Encasing his right fist in ice, Gengar cocked his arm back and then as Gloom reached him punched him hard in the face, only just managing to complete the combo in time. Gloom seemed to stay there for a split second before he was driven down hard and fast, right into the unyielding ground of the battlefield, kicking up a cloud of dust in the process.
When the dust settled it was clear that the back to back super effective attacks had been too much for Gloom to handle. Gloom lay in the center of the small crater, limbs splayed and swirls for eyes.
"Gloom is unable to battle." The ref said raising the red flag and pointing it at Erika this time as a laughing Gengar floated back down to the ground to gloat about his victory. "Gengar is the winner."
"Alright go Gengar." Misty and her Pokémon cheered from the stands as Erika recovered from her shock and recalled her Gloom. "Thank Arceus you didn't do that to us last week, though you still surprised us then."
"You did great old friend." Erika said with a smile at her Poke Ball. "That was not what I thought Ash would do, it seems that out of the box thinking is something he is good at. Not a combo one often sees for sure. Don't worry, I will not let that happen again in this battle. Not bad Ash, you said you wanted to try that against Misty? When? I'm assuming your target was her Gloom as well."
"We faced each other in the finals of the HopHopHop Town Contest last week." Ash said simply. "Misty was going for the ribbon with her Gloom and Pinsir. I was going for practice and in the finals Gengar and another one of my new Pokémon. So they were up both part of our teams in the final. I had this idea then but no time to use it given that it was a double battle."
"I see, well that is another story you two will have to tell me later when this is all over." Erika said as she pulled out her next Pokémon. "For now we continue. Victreebell, Fragrance!"
As soon as the Flycatcher Pokémon appeared Ash knew that he had to substitute Gengar for another Pokémon. He could easily use Gengar in this match and probably won but he had a different Pokémon in mind for this matchup. He'd been saving this one especially for this evolutionary family as he was expecting one of the Pokémon from it to appear in this battle given who he'd faced last time he was at the Celadon Gym.
"Gengar return, take a break and get ready for when I need you again later on." Ash said recalling Gengar and pulling out a new Poke Ball surprising Erika by substituting his undamaged Gengar. "Muk, I choose you."
"Muk?" Erika asked confused as Ash threw out his Poke Ball. "You have a Muk?"
The ball burst and the Sludge Pokémon appeared before them with a wobble of its amorphous body. Muk had a wide and happy grin on its face as it prepared for its first battle in years. Muk really wanted to hug Ash and this new woman that it was facing but after hugging Ash and his mate all month he knew that this was why he had been recalled to his trainer's side.
Muk was here to battle for Ash again. It had been a while since he had gotten that chance. Battling wasn't really his thing but still, Ash wanted him for this purpose so he could do it for Ash. That way when he won he could hug Ash even more so it was a fair tradeoff. Plus their training had been a lot of fun so why not enjoy this.
Erika for her part went from confused to borderline repulsed as Muk's scent hit her. It wasn't as bad as she had expected given the Pokémon's reputation but it was certainly pungent and not something that appealed to her olfactory senses that had gotten used to the pleasant aromas of her perfumes over the years. Well that and after saving her precious Gloom from a Grimer as a child she'd had a dislike for it and its evolved form ever since.
As Erika raised a hand to her nose briefly in a rude but impulsive gesture. In the process she finally understand why Ash, who was clearly unaffected by Muk's odor, had insulted her perfume all those years ago. People had different taste preferences after all, so why not different smell preferences. The perfume business was built on that notion after all but until now Erika hadn't understood that.
"I must apologize for something." Erika said as she recovered and breathed through her mouth until she had gotten used to the smell as much as possible. "I was wrong last time."
"Huh?" Ash asked confused.
"When we first met I was offended by your insults towards my perfume and by extension my Gloom." Erika explained. "But now I can see that some people react to smells differently, I just wasn't used to it back then as few ever disliked my perfume. Now, though, I am getting a full whiff of your Muk's, er, unique aroma and it isn't something I can say I enjoy."
"You should have smelt it when I caught it back in Gringey City." Ash said with a grin, this was an unintended bonus of using Muk that he hadn't thought about but was rolling with it. "It was so bad that it seeped through the Poke Ball and stank up everything around us. It was so bad that I had to send it back to Professor Oak. Since then its smell has gotten a lot better and it loves people so much that it usually stays with Professor Oak. I almost never use Muk but I am practicing with all of my Pokémon this year and this was the best gym for that. This is Muk's first battle with me in years."
"Well in that case I'm honored to be the one to test out your Muk." Erika said and she meant it, Ash was training against her and he'd decided that she was the one who got to face a seldom used Pokémon of his which meant that she had something to offer Ash's training that the other gym leaders couldn't. "Well in that case, let's start this matchup. Victreebell, Leaf Blade."
Victreebell cried out and attacked Muk, the leaves on it glowing green and elongating into blades as it leapt towards them. Ash just smirked and stood there waiting for the attack to come. Muk knew as well and kept smiling at his opponent the entire time as Victreebell reached it and attack. There was a reason why Ash occasionally used Muk, it defied Ash's usual style and came in handy against a strong grass type like Victreebell.
That was shown as Muk just stood there and took the attack as if it was nothing. The blades struck Muk multiple times and it just smiled and absorbed the blows with its slimy body. All Victreebell was getting out of this was fatigue as it kept striking Muk but it was having little effect on the fully evolved poison type. It was just like Ash's battle in the Indigo Conference the first time round only it was a Victreebell, not a Bellsprout, the attack was different and this time Muk was probably taking more damage just because Victreebell was a stronger Pokémon.
"Victreebell fall back." Erika said surprised that this was happening, she wasn't a fan of Muk and because of how a Grimer had treated her Gloom when Erika had saved him she hadn't faced many in the past, now she was regretting that avoidance. "Use Vine Whip!"
Victreebell shot out a pair of vines from its mouth area. Then it split them up and brought them down on either side of Muk's face. All they did was bounce off while Muk laughed. Ash grinned as Victreebell continued to whip Muk, getting more and more frustrated as time went on that it was barely doing a thing. It was time to use Muk's skills.
"Muk pin the vines against your side." Ash ordered as the vines came in again, this time aiming for either side of Muk's body.
"Muk!" Muk yelled as it raised its arms and brought them down right on the vines as soon as they make contact with its body, pinning them to its side with its arm and sludge so that Victreebell couldn't retrieve them.
"Yes now hit it with a Sludge Bomb." Ash ordered. "It's can't dodge while you're holding it."
Muk opened its mouth and sent out a series of purple sludge balls right at Victreebell. Victreebell struggled to move and retract its vines but it couldn't, they were held tight by Muk and its slime, plus it was too tired to withdraw them after all the minimally effective attacks. All Victreebell could do was just take the hit as the balls of sludge struck it directly in its face, doing a good chunk of damage to it. Ash knew he had it, he just needed to finish it.
"Now Muk, pull Victreebell in." Ash ordered and Muk did that yanking the vines and pulling the dazed and injured Victreebell towards it before it could resist the move. "And hit it with Body Slam."
"Muk." Muk said happily as it jumped up right as a fatigued Victreebell reached it, its facial expression seeing to show its resignation at its impending fate.
Muk then landed on the grass type with all of its weight and pinned it to the ground. There was a little resistance and Muk's body distorted in places as Victreebell tried in vain to get Muk off it but it soon stopped. When it did Muk happily slid backwards off it to reveal a slightly crushed Victreebell lying on the ground with swirls for eyes.
"Victreebell is unable to battle." The ref declared raising a red flag towards Erika. "Muk is the winner."
"Alright go Muk!" Misty said cheering as her Pokémon, minus a still waring Buneary and Eevee, mimicked her. "Show them that Ash is more than just offense. Sometimes defense can win as well. You earned your hugs after that battle."
Misty meant it; she had not expected this. She had been surprised when Ash had told her that Muk would be one of the 3 Kanto Pokémon he was bringing in to face Erika after he caught Gengar. She had seen him with Muk in Sinnoh and had the experience of being hugged by Muk in Pallet Town when they first visited Professor Oak but she had never thought that Ash would actually use it in battle. Muk always struck her as one of Ash's special Pokémon that never fought but that wasn't the case apparently. Apparently Ash did occasionally use Muk in battle.
It also appeared that Muk was atypical in Ash's battle style as Ash used it as a defensive Pokémon taking the shots because of its absorbent body and then countering which wasn't his usual style. She had seen them training over the last few weeks and had plenty of unexpected Muk hugs in the process, but she had no idea how Ash had intended on using Muk in battle given the nature of Muk's training.
Now she got her answer to that query. It made her remember just how amazing Ash was and how he was more than he appeared to be. She couldn't wait to see what was coming next in this battle, though she doubted she'd be as surprised as she was with how Ash used Muk.
"Victreebell return." Erika said still reeling from that matchup, it hadn't gone at all how she had thought it would but she knew better than to underestimate an opponent more than once and know she knew how Ash used his Muk she could counter it, she had just the Pokémon for the job. "That was not what I thought it would be. I need to get over my negative feelings for that evolutionary family and learn how to face one in battle. Ash, if I may ask, what made you think of using Muk in this battle?"
"Simple, I have done so before in a way so I figured I'd do so again to see if Muk still had it, just against a stronger Pokémon this time." Ash said surprising both Erika and Misty. "Back when I first entered the Indigo Conference I had a feeling I would need Muk in a battle against a strong Bellsprout I saw there so I brought it in and used it like this. Muk's body is perfect for defense as it is so absorbent, especially against grass type moves that have a minimal effect on poison types. I knew that you had a Weepinbell because you used one in our last battle so it was a safe assumption you would use it or Victreebell today. After that I just had to use Muk and tire Victreebell out before countering."
"I see well this one will be different, I promise you." Erika said impressed at Ash's forethought both in what she may use and to use his Muk the way he did as she pulled out her third Pokémon while Misty just gaped at how well-planned Ash's strategy had been for Victreebell. "Exeggutor, fragrance!"
Erika threw out her Poke Ball and moments later a Pokémon that Misty had never seen before appeared before the gym leader. It looked like a thick, short, coconut tree with legs and no arms so clearly a grass type. The only thing that was really different was that instead of coconuts it had three heads that showed that it was a Pokémon. Despite the middle of a battle, Misty had to bring out her pokedex to analyze it.
"Exeggutor, the Coconut Pokémon." The pokedex chimed helpfully making Misty smile that her assessment of it was correct. "It is called "The Walking Jungle." If a head grows too big, it falls off and becomes and Exeggcute."
"Huh interesting breeding system." Misty muttered putting the pokedex away and getting back to cheering. "Oh well, it's going down! Come on Ash, you can do it! Win baby win!"
"Muk return, you're outmatched against a part psychic type and I will need you later." Ash said recalling Muk and throwing out a different Pokémon to replace it. "Gengar, you're up again."
Gengar burst forth with a laugh and looked at his new opponent, coming back into the battle once more after a brief rest. He was ready for more opponents to beat and show Ash just how good he was. Gengar had a lot to prove to Ash after what Ash had done for him, this was just a start. This new opponent was different for sure. Regardless, it was still going to go down, hard.
"I see that Gengar is back, interesting choice." Erika said already planning her strategy for the ghost and poison type. "This will be fun."
"Yes it will be." Ash said with a grin. "Gengar, Night Shade."
"Hold your ground Exeggutor." Erika called out as Gengar shot out a pair of black and purple beams from his eyes at the grass and psychic type. "You can't dodge that move so be prepared for a counter. Trust me and act when I say."
"Exeggutor." Exeggutor said lazily from its 3 heads as it braced itself for the incoming attack.
The Night Shade hit Exeggutor clean in the chest causing it to howl in pain, stagger back, and go down to one knee but it wasn't as bad as Ash would have liked. Night Shade had a set damage amount based on the opponents experience so even though it was a ghost type move that was super effective against a psychic type, it didn't do as much as Ash would have liked. That didn't matter, it was mainly a distraction to get in close while also making sure that Exeggutor took damage in the process.
"Get in and use Ice Punch!" Ash called out. "Your opponent is weakened; this is our chance."
"Gengar." Gengar said as he shot off, skimming the ground at full speed, his fist encased in ice and ready to strike which was exactly what Erika had been hoping for, she needed Gengar to get up close and personal for the attack to work.
"Now Exeggutor, Hypnosis!" Erika yelled just as Gengar was about to be in range of Exeggutor.
Still on one knee, Exeggutor suddenly looked up and attacked. Gengar was too close to dodge or avoid it and was hit by the sleep-inducing attack full in the face. It was clear that even when the attack wasn't a grass or poison type, Erika still liked the status effecting attacks. Instantly Gengar was asleep and he crashed into the ground hard, the ice shattering on impact, and skidding towards Exeggutor.
"Follow up with Psyshock." Erika said firmly. "This is our chance, let's not waste it!"
Exeggutor did as commanded and sent out a wave of psychic type power that hit Gengar clean in the chest and hurled him backwards, skimming his sleeping body across the battlefield like a stone across water. Ash grimaced at the hit because thanks to Gengar's poison typing it was super effective rather than being not very effective at all if Gengar had been a pure ghost type. Gengar eventually slowed down as he rolled towards Ash still asleep and badly damaged.
"Come on Gengar get up!" Ash yelled completely forgetting that he could substitute for a moment in the heat of battle. "I know you can do this. Wake up!"
"Finish this with Leaf Storm!" Erika commanded knowing that she had it if Ash kept Gengar in.
"Exeggutor." Exeggutor said as it twisted its body and sent out a series of sharp leaves in a blistering storm right at Gengar.
Gengar stood no chance. The Leaf Storm struck his sleeping body and did its work, Gengar's earlier damage more than enough for the less effective grass type attack to finish the job. Gengar was pushed further towards Ash until it was at his trainer's feet in a cloud of dust. Ash had to cover his eyes to protect them from the dust and remaining leaves blowing past him in the wake of the attack. When Ash opened them he saw that Gengar was on its back at his feet with swirls for eyes.
"Gengar is unable to battle." The ref said raising her red flag to Ash's side of her. "Exeggutor is the winner."
"Gengar return." Ash said with a sigh as Erika's apprentices cheered for her. "That was annoying, I am usually so good with defending against that move after facing Fantina but it was too quick to dodge, well that and I wasn't expecting it so it took me by surprise. I should have substituted you as soon as you were put to sleep, that was my fault and I take full responsibility for it. Don't worry I know who to use now and he will be motivated to win for you."
"Exeggutor stay in." Erika commanded; she would have liked to take it out but she had a feeling she would need as many fully healthy Pokémon for Ash's remaining Pokémon so best to stick with Exeggutor for now. "You're hurt but can still fight, let's get some experience fighting like this as we wouldn't be allowed to sub out in a gym battle anyways. Do your best to take down as many of Ash's Pokémon as possible, it will make things easier for the others when their times come."
"Exeggutor." Exeggutor said with a nod clearly knowing what it was being asked to do and accepting it, he wouldn't let Erika down.
"Not a bad trick, one I usually have a defense for but you hit me when I was too close to avoid it." Ash said pulling out his next Poke Ball. "But I know sleep attacks to well to be beaten by one of them again, especially with this Pokémon. Dragonair, I choose you!"
Ash threw out the ball and a moment later the second stage Dragon Pokémon that had only recently evolved appeared before him, coiling his long body in anticipation of battle. Erika was surprised to see that Ash had a rare Pokémon like Dragonair in his roster but overcame that in a moment, it was going to be a challenge and she needed to get some hits in on just in case Exeggutor lost.
Erika also knew the ability that all Dragonairs had and set her jaw. Shed Skin was a small bane for her as it negated her usual battle style enough that she couldn't rely on it so she would have to fight this Pokémon on Ash's terms. However, Erika wasn't a gym leader for nothing, she wasn't some one-trick Ponyta, she could use other styles as well and Ash was about to learn that first hand.
"Dragonair, get in close with Agility." Ash ordered and Dragonair took off at Exeggutor as fast as he could. "Stay alert though."
"Exeggutor, use Leaf Storm again, don't let it get close." Erika ordered and Exeggutor began to twist its body but this time Ash was ready for it, well that and Dragonair was awake to dodge it. "Blow it back to Ash!"
"In the air Dragonair." Ash called out. "Show off what we've worked on."
The had been practicing this ever since Dragonair had shown that he could fly after he evolved. Extending the wings by his head, Dragonair flapped them once as he leapt up and shot high into the air. Erika's mouth fell open at the sight as Dragonair easily cleared the impending Leaf Storm and was still bearing down on Exeggutor at full speed.
"Now Dragon Tail form the air." Ash ordered with a grin.
Dragonair roared as his tail glowed blue before he folded his tiny wings in and coiled himself into a wheel that spun through the air making a beeline for Exeggutor. Erika ordered a dodge but it wasn't enough to get away due to Dragonair's Agility enhanced speed. At the last moment Dragonair uncoiled and lashed his tail down right onto Exeggutor's head with as much force as he could deliver, driving the Coconut Pokémon to its knees before flipping back and landing harmlessly on the ground so that Dragonair was to face his foe.
"Finish this with another Dragon Tail!" Ash called out.
Dragonair didn't say anything, he didn't need to. He just activated his tail again and twisted his powerful body so that it slammed hard into the still downed Exeggutor's side with enough force to hurl it sideways, sending it off the battlefield and towards the small concrete stands. Exeggutor or Erika didn't have a chance to react before the blow landed, that was how fast Dragonair had been.
Erika's students instantly scrambled and leapt out of the way as close to 270 pounds of unconscious Pokémon flew right at them. Exeggutor slammed into the stands hard kicking up dust as it shattered the concrete on impact. Dragonair calmly slithered back to Ash not looking at the destruction he had just caused, he was too cool for that. When the dust settled Exeggutor was now in a new crater in the stands, one that Ash winced at knowing Erika's temperament might not like the destruction of some of her stands, with swirls in all 6 of its eyes.
"Exeggutor is unable to battle." The ref said after a moment's pause given the destruction and not raising a flag as she was still recovering from what she'd seen. "Dragonair is the winner."
"Exeggutor return." Erika said recalling her vanquished Pokémon from its new crater, more impressed by the power of the move than by the destruction, she was a gym leader so destruction came with the territory. "You did great my friend, that was just a little more power than you could handle after fighting Gengar. That Dragonair is fast even by Dragonair standards."
"Woo go Dragonair, keep winning for Ash." Misty cheered as her Pokémon joined in, though Mamoswine, now complete with spare a pom pom Misty had stuck on his forehead, at least didn't jump up like the others but did roar his approval. "Keep it up Ash, halfway there."
"Not bad, that Dragonair of yours has plenty of power." Erika said with a nod as she pulled out her fourth Poke Ball. "You have some strong Pokémon Ash."
"I have made some great new friends on this journey, Dragonair is my other new capture this year though I caught him as a Dratini." Ash said before looking at the crater in the stands. "Um, sorry for the damage."
"It is fine." Erika said dismissively. "I expect some damage in battles, this isn't like last time so it isn't a problem though it is more than usual, I will give you that. Plus Celadon is known for their construction companies, they'll relish the opportunity to fix the gym for me."
"Ok good." Ash said with a sigh of relief. "Want to continue Dragonair?"
Dragonair nodded as he turned around to face the other trainer in preparation for his next opponent. The last time he had been in one of these battles with Ash, he had failed to win his first matchup against that Kadabra, though the others had been supportive afterwards. Now he had defeated a flying water type, an annoyingly cute pink Pokémon, both of his trainer's mate's Pokémon and that sentient tree thing, he was on a roll and full of confidence. It was time to show just how valuable he was to Ash; he would continue to protect his trainer and his team.
"Excellent, I look forward to beating it with a Pokémon that's changed a bit since the last time you saw it." Erika said with a smile as she sent out her 4th Pokémon. "Tangrowth, fragrance!"
The large Vine Pokémon burst forth and landed in front of Erika, its long arms swinging idly by its sides. Ash was confused at her words for a moment until he remembered the Tangela that Erika had used in their first match, it couldn't be, could it?
"Did your Tangela evolve since I was last here?" Ash asked for confirmation.
"Yup and my Weepinbell as well, that was the Victreebell you beat earlier." Erika said with a nod also confirming Ash's earlier, unvoiced, suspicions that Erika's Victreebell had been the Weepinbell he'd faced before. "I have been a leader for many year so it was only natural some of my Pokémon would evolve. My Gloom is like your Pikachu I believe; he really doesn't want to evolve so I never use a stone for him but the others did so I let them chose."
"I see well then I am happy to beat all 3 I faced from last time." Ash said with a grin. "This being the last one to complete the set."
"Good luck, my Tangrowth is one of my best." Erika said. "But this is what you asked for when you challenged me."
"Yes I did." Ash said eager for the challenge. "Dragonair, Dragon Rage!"
"Tangrowth dodge it." Erika countered. "Leap into the air and towards Dragonair. Get in close to it."
Dragonair opened his mouth and outshot the blue burning dragon made of dragon type power. It charged down the battlefield right at Tangrowth. However, Erika's Tangrowth was clearly strong, powerful and fast as it easily leapt up and over the attack and barreled down on Dragonair who was still sending out the attack.
"Now Tangrowth, Stun Spore." Erika said, she knew that this wouldn't last but she needed the window it would create, she was banking on it.
"Dragonair dodge." Ash ordered but Tangrowth was too close now for that, it was even faster than Ash had anticipated having cleared the Dragon Rage in a way that left Dragonair little time to dodge.
The orange pours of that attack shot out of Tangrowth and doused Dragonair instantly paralyzing him, all before Tangrowth landed right in front of Dragonair. Ash knew that this wasn't great but so long as Dratini's ability didn't change upon evolution he was good, he just needed to force Tangrowth away so that Dragonair had time to activate and complete Shed Skin.
"Now hit Dragonair with Brick Break!" Erika ordered.
"Back up Dragonair and use Dragon Rage again." Ash ordered hoping that distance and the attack that followed would force Tangrowth away and give Dragonair the time he needed.
Part of Ash's plan happened as he envisioned it. Despite the paralysis, Dragonair leapt back and avoided the fighting type move with ease, Tangrowth's glowing hand cracking the ground where Dragonair had been seconds before, but as soon as Dragonair landed his ability kicked in without warning. Suddenly Dragonair glowed a soft white and began to shed his skin to rid himself of the paralysis. This was the opening that Erika had actually been waiting for, the split second that Dragonair couldn't do anything and she could land a hit from this close range.
"Ancient Power!" Erika ordered.
A ball of glowing prehistoric power appeared in front of Tangrowth. It held the ball between its hands for a moment and then fired it at Dragonair. Dragonair was still in the process of Shed Skin and had no chance to dodge it. The attack slammed into him and blasted him backwards to land in a painful heap, though he was done shedding his skin so the paralysis was no more. He was injured but he wasn't out of it just yet.
"Dragonair get up and use Thunderbolt." Ash said hoping that Dragonair had the energy for it but Erika wasn't going to give him the time to attack.
"Finish it with Power Whip." Erika ordered and Ash had to admit, this was a Pokémon that Erika was going for power with and not her usual status-based strategy with the exception of a stun spore that Ash had a feeling had worked as intended and showed him a drawback to Shed Skin. "This match is ours Tangrowth!"
As Dragonair raised his head determined to fight on for Ash and his team as he began to form the electric type attack in its mouth just as Tangrowth lashed out. Its vines whirled violently through the air before slamming down on Dragonair hard right as Dragonair was about to finish the move. The failure caused a backlash and the move exploded in Dragonair's mouth and sent him backwards hard, though not before a small spark escaped his mouth and arced high and to the side.
No one paid it any attention as they were focused on the battle, well no one except a now frantic Piplup that was scrambling up the stands and cursing his height as he fled the moment he heard that Dragonair was using that move. Alas it was like with Gabite's Drago Meteor and the spark, nowhere near as powerful as a full Thunderbolt but more than enough to damage a water type like Piplup, hit him and fried the Penguin Pokémon on the stairs behind Misty.
He fell back in a singed heap and grumbled at his rotten luck when it came to Misty's mate's dragon types. He vowed his revenge on all of them, after Misty found him and fawned over his poor state that is, he wasn't beneath milking this for all the Poffins that it was worth after all.
No one saw Piplup though, they were all focused in the battle at hand. The failed attack coupled with the Power Whip was all too much for the Dragon Pokémon. When the smoke cleared Dragonair was on his side with swirls for eyes.
"Dragonair is unable to battle." The ref said raising the red flag to Ash. "Tangrowth is the winner."
"Dragonair return." Ash said recalling his Pokémon with a smile at the Poke Ball once it was back inside it. "You did great buddy, that was more aggressive than I thought Erika would go against me. Looks like Shed Skin has a drawback we need to work on for the next battle. We can't become reliant on it now, can we. Looks like there's some special training for us this coming week."
"Never underestimate your opponent Ash." Erika said getting Ash's attention before she surprised him by returning Tangrowth, it was the first time all battle that she'd substituted a Pokémon out. "I have a favorite strategy that is true but it isn't my only one. I know that Dragonair has an ability called Shed Skin which allows it to recover from status problems, I made sure to know all Pokémon with that ability just in case as it is a good counter to my strategy."
"Yeah I shouldn't have done that." Ash admitted as he pulled out a new Poke Ball. "You showed me something in that match that I need to work on."
"I've faced my fair share of snake-like Pokémon that have that ability so I have experience against it." Erika said as she pulled out her next Poke Ball. "When I do face one, I have to go on the offensive against it. Only my Tangrowth and Victreebell are really suited for that strategy though so I think I will save Tangrowth for later and use a new Pokémon to kick off the second half. It is 3-3 now so we are halfway done."
"That we are." Ash said as he threw out his Poke Ball. "My turn for an old face from our last battle. Bulbasaur I choose you!"
Ash's Bulbasaur, one of his oldest continuous Pokémon and the mediator of the ranch burst forth with a wide grin on his face. It had been a long time since Ash had used him in battle. it was time to remind Ash and the others why he was as good as ever even if he didn't want to evolve like many of the others did.
"I see yes that is an old face and one that also doesn't want to evolve it seems." Erika said with a nod as she threw out her 5th Pokémon to even up the known Pokémon in the battle. "Bellossom, fragrance."
The ball burst and the small Flower Pokémon appear with a sing of its name. Ash was always amazed that this was one of Gloom's evolutions as it looked nothing like Gloom. In fact it was both smaller than its pre-evolved form and it lost its poison type on evolution, the only Pokémon Ash knew to either of those upon evolution.
Still, Bellossom was a fully evolved Pokémon despite its appearance so it would be a tough Pokémon to face. Neither would have much of an advantage other than possibly poison type moves but Bulbasaur didn't know any, only grass type moves despite also being a poison type. This was a match that would solely come down to skill.
"Bulbasaur Vine Whip." Ash ordered. "Lift Bellossom up."
"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur said happily as he sent out his vines right at Bellossom.
"Bellossom dodge and close the distance on Bulbasaur." Erika commanded in response.
"Bella." Bellossom said as it tensed the leaves of its skirt before leaping up and towards Bulbasaur.
Ash had met a few Bellossom in his time, even dealt with a war between then and a group of Vileplume that had evolved into the wrong forms back in Johto, but he hadn't really faced one in battle before. Apparently their small size and light weight made them very nimble in the air, or at least Erika's was trained for it as this one easily dodged the vines with a spinning grace that wouldn't have been out of place in a Contest and got past the initial attack.
It was now bearing down on Bulbasaur faster than Ash had expected. Bellossom was now between the vines and approaching faster than Bulbasaur could withdraw them. This gave Erika that advantage and she used it to the fullest.
"Hit it with Stun Spore." Erika said as soon as Bellossom landed and began closing the last bit of distance between it and Bulbasaur.
"Bella!" Bellossom yelled lowering her head and sending out the orange powered from the petals on its head and right into Bulbasaur's face as she reached him.
The attack instantly took effect and Bulbasaur coughed and spluttered, backing away as he was paralyzed. Still, it was not an exact attack and Ash knew that he could still attack at times as the paralysis effect was somewhat random. Time to see if this was one of those times when the paralysis wasn't triggered.
"Bulbasaur hit it with Razor Leaf." Ash said praying to Arceus that the attack worked but knowing he shouldn't rely on luck and already planning a backup strategy.
"Bulbasaur." Bulbasaur said as he lowered his head and shot out several leaves from his bulb right at the still in front of him Bellossom.
Bellossom was too close to dodge the attack, that had been the drawback of getting in close, if the paralysis didn't trigger then Ash could counter. That was why the spinning, sharp, leaves slammed into Bellossom who wailed as it was thrown back and hit the ground hard just beyond the still present crater from Gloom's earlier defeat. Bellossom rolled for a moment before getting up a little battered but otherwise fine, a pissed off look on its face as it dusted off its leaf skirt.
"Bella." Bellossom huffed clearly displeased at getting dirty.
"Bellossom keep that Bulbasaur on edge with a Magical Leaf." Erika ordered. "Use the time it allows you to build up sunlight for a Solar Beam."
"Damn that's not good." Ash said as Bellossom sent out the single odd leaf that Ash knew wouldn't miss after having seen it in action when his newly evolved Meganium used it against Sabrina. "Bulbasaur try and knock it away with Vine Whip!"
Bulbasaur tried, he even managed to get the attack off but the leaf curved and avoided the vines in an unnatural way, living up to its name in the process. Seconds later it hit Bulbasaur clean in the face and he was flipped backwards to land in a heap though the damage was minimal given Bulbasaur's multiple resistances to grass type moves, even if it was a strong attack to begin with.
All the while Bellossom was building up power for a Solar Beam while Bulbasaur had been distracted. Ash saw his chance; he just need his attack to go off to hit Bellossom and do some more damage to it.
"Bulbasaur Razor Leaf!" Ash ordered.
"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur yelled as he tried to attack but the paralysis condition kicked in and he spasmed painfully, unable to move.
"Damn, being on the receiving end of that really sucks." Ash grumbled.
"Bella!" Bellossom screamed as the Solar Beam finished charging and burst forth from her.
The blast of powerful grass type power tore across the battlefield and slammed into the still spasming Bulbasaur's forehead. It was times like these where remaining a first stage Pokémon hurt him, he couldn't take as much damage as his evolved forms. So while the Solar Beam may not be the most effective move due to its type against Bulbasaur, the move itself was still powerful that coupled with the damage that Bulbasaur had taken it was too much for him to handle.
The force of the impact blasted Bulbasaur backwards and past Ash faster than he could react. Ash whipped around in time to see Bulbasaur crash into a tree with enough force to crack the trunk of it. Bulbasaur then fell to the ground and lay at an angle thanks to his bulb, his legs up in the air and swirls for eyes.
"Bulbasaur is unable to battle." The ref said raising the red flag she had to Ash's side. "Bellossom is the winner."
"Bulbasaur return." Ash said with a smile as he recalled one of his oldest continuous Pokémon that wasn't his starter. "You did great buddy, that was just too much for you in the end. I think it's time we teach you a poison type move for future use. Now that is what I was expecting from you Erika, I've never seen a grass type Pokémon move like that."
"I'm not one of the best with the type for no reason." Erika said with no arrogance in her voice, she was just stating a fact after all. "Bellossom and I have trained a lot to move like that. She is an evolved form of Gloom so I want her to be her best when I use her."
"I can see that." Ash said as he pulled out he next Poke Ball, he was down to two Pokémon and he was saving his last for the moment, he wanted to even things up with Erika first before he used his 6th Pokémon. "Muk, you're up again."
"Muk!" Muk said happily as it burst out again and landed with a thud ready to battle again so that it could celebrate with Ash afterwards.
"Bellossom return." Erika said surprising Ash again with a second straight substitution. "What? I faced your Muk earlier so I know what it can do. I have a better choice to face it."
"Then send it out." Ash said with a wide smile as he had a feeling he knew who Erika was going to use. "If it is who I think it is then great, Muk and I have been waiting to try something against you and Bellossom wasn't the right fit for it, at least not in here."
"Then show me." Erika said as she tossed out her Poke Ball. "Tangrowth, get back in there."
Tangrowth reappeared in front of Erika again. Ash smiled; it was just the Pokémon he was hoping for. What he had panned was risky given the gym and his history in it but he had to try it, he and Muk had been preparing for it all month. It was just better against a larger target than a smaller one like Bellossom.
"Muk Sludge Bomb." Ash said switching up his strategy and going on the offense right away much to Erika's surprise after last time. "You're not the only one who can switch things up when not expected Erika."
"Clearly." Erika said as Muk began firing balls of sludge at Tangrowth. "Tangrowth dodge them and get in close again."
"Let it come to you." Ash said as Tangrowth leapt to the side to avoid the first balls of the Sludge Bomb and began to run at Muk, it's arms flapping behind it while it dodged the continuous attack. "Just like that."
Tangrowth leapt back so that it got right in front of Muk as the last of its sludge balls was dodged without any hitting it. It was now close enough to ensure that it wouldn't miss and Erika knew she had to go all out to beat Ash's Muk.
"Power Whip!" Erika ordered. "Let's see it absorb all of that."
"Hold on Muk, I know you can do it." Ash said gritting his teeth. "This is what we trained for."
"Muk!" Muk yelled as the vicious whip of vines slammed into it causing its body to bounce and ripple with the impacts.
Unlike the attacks before this one actually hurt. Not a lot and nowhere near enough to take Muk out of the battle but if it took a different attack that wasn't a grass type move then it was done for. However all Muk had to do was take this one before Ash could counter and then it would be all over for Tangrowth.
Muk may prefer hugs to battle but when it came to the latter, he would still win and show the others that he was as good as those who regularly battled with Ash when it wanted too. Two victories today would really show that and Muk knew it. Well that and it would ensure he got even more hugs for his successes.
"Now Muk, show off your new move we worked on all month." Ash said as the attack ended and Tangrowth breathed hard from the effort, clearly pissed that Muk was still wobbling in front of it. "Fire Blast!"
"What the fuck!" Erika swore in a very uncharacteristic way her eyes wide at the attack Ash had just commanded. "Since when can a Muk learn that move!"
"Since Professor Oak told me one could." Ash said with a grin as Muk opened his mouth, the inside glowing red as the move formed. "Muk spends most of its time with the Professor in his lab so he has studied Muk the most of all my Pokémon. I asked him if Muk could learn a fire or ice type move in preparation for this match and well I learned that he could learn a few of them. This was just the one that it found easiest."
Tangrowth's eyes went wider than its trainers as it realized that it didn't have the energy to dodge the attack. Clearly the Muk knew it as it was grinning at Tangrowth as the move formed. All it could do was try to mitigate the damage.
"Muk!" Muk bellowed as the 5-point star of fire burst out of its mouth and blasted right into Tangrowth's body.
Tangrowth didn't stand a chance. The super effective move collided with it center mass and launched it screaming backward. Tangrowth flew almost the whole length of the battlefield before landing in a heap on the ground near Erika with a thud. However it still wasn't out yet as it slowly tried to get to its feet. Ash wasn't going to let that happen, not while he had the advantage.
"Finish it with Sludge Bomb!" Ash ordered.
"Muk!" Muk said as he belched out another Sludge Bomb.
"Dodge Tangrowth." Erika pleaded. "I know you can do it."
This time, however, Tangrowth couldn't dodge it and the balls of sludge slammed into it as it was getting to its feet. Tangrowth was thrown back to the ground and lay still as the last of its strength left it. When the attack subsided, Tangrowth was on its back, arms wide and swirls for eyes.
"Tangrowth is unable to battle." The ref said raising a red flag to Erika. "The winner is Muk."
"Yes go Muk, show why even the Pokémon Ash seldom uses are great!" Misty cheered happily glad that the move Ash had spent the last month teaching Muk to use had paid off for so well. "You can do it Ash, only 2 Pokémon left to beat and you already know one of them."
"Tangrowth return." Erika said recovering a little, she was more rattled by the fire than the loss if she was being honest because after almost losing Gloom to one she had developed a slight fear to it. "That was not something I could have predicted. I need to make sure I know what moves Pokémon can learn that aren't normally associated with them, or at least do so for the ones I usually face just to be prepared. Not bad Ash, teaching a poison type a fire type move to face a grass specialist is not what one would expect."
"Yeah it was an idea to give Muk more versatility in battle." Ash said. "I was hesitant to use it in here after last time but with Tangrowth the risk was minimal so long as it was close enough to Muk."
"I thank you for your willingness to be considerate when using fire type moves." Erika said with a slight bow of her head in thanks. "But know that I have an extensive sprinkler system that was installed during the renovations after our last battle, as well as a team of Lombre on standby just in case. I can't ask challengers to not use it so just because I don't like it, that wouldn't be fair of me, so I have to be as prepared as possible."
"I understand, thanks for the info." Ash said as he returned Muk. "But I won't need to use that move again. I have something else in mind for your last two Pokémon."
"Don't get overconfident." Erika said as she pulled out a Poke Ball that Ash couldn't tell if it was new or not, her next words showed that it was the later. "I won't just let you win. Bellossom, come on out again."
Erika threw the Poke Ball and Bellossom reappeared on the battlefield. It was clear that she was saving one fully healthy Pokémon for last and Ash had a gut feeling he knew what it was given the other Pokémon Erika had used so far. Ash pulled out his own last Poke Ball and expanded it, his heart racing knowing who he was about to use.
"I'm not overconfident, I just know that this Pokémon is good." Ash said. "While it has been a while since I used it in battle, I know that it is still strong."
"I see, I will take it as an honor that I get to face it as well as your Muk." Erika said with a small smile at that. "Bring it Ash, who is your last Pokémon."
"I choose you!" Ash said throwing the ball out. "Primeape."
The ball burst open and one of Ash's oldest Pokémon from during his first adventure appeared before him. In fact Ash had had Primeape in his rotation back when he was last in this building and opted not to use it against Erika given how raw and aggressive it was. Now that it was well trained and honed into a fighting type champion it was ready to fight and Primeape had something to prove to Ash. He was back with Ash and he had a lot to show his trainer.
"That isn't a Tauros." Misty said from the sidelines her own eyes bulging in surprise. "After Bayleef gave me an impromptu ride on one when we first met I know the Pokémon well. Ash, explain. Now."
"I see you have really kept this one a secret even from your girlfriend as well." Erika said shaking her head as she looked at the Pig Monkey Pokémon bouncing on the balls of its feet ready to fight. "Tut, tut Ash, you shouldn't do that. Please, do explain."
"Many years ago, shortly before we met Erika, while I was on the way to Celadon City, I ran into a Mankey." Ash explained feeling bad that he had kept it from Misty but it had been a surprise and he'd certainly achieved that. "I tried to catch it but hit it with a rice ball of all things instead. In revenge it stole my hat after attacking me. Then after a run in with Team Rocket it evolved into a Primeape out of rage and went into a frenzy against and beat us all up. After several attempts, I defeated it with Charmander, caught it and then used it on Team Rocket."
"Ok that explains how you caught it but why haven't I ever seen it, let alone heard of it." Misty said a little annoyed. "I thought I knew all of your Pokémon Ash."
"Yeah well I kinda, er, forgot about it." Ash admitted sheepishly. "After leaving Celadon we ended up at a fighting type Pokémon tournament called the P1 Grand Prix and I won. This guy there called Anthony saw promise in my Primeape and offered to train it for me to make it the best it could be, after another run in with Team Rocket of course. I wanted that so I accepted his offer and left Primeape in his and his daughter's care. After that I was often on the road and never really met another one so I accidentally forgot about it. That is until Anthony approached me in the diner the other day."
"Wait that was who it was?" Misty asked as things began to click into place. "That was how he knew you?"
"Yeah he was in the diner on his way to Saffron City to check out the dojo there and see if any of the Pokémon had promise." Ash said remembering his conversation with Anthony. "When he realized who I was he approached us. After you left to give us some privacy he told me who he was and it all fell into place and I remembered."
"So he gave you back Primeape there?" Misty asked still trying to understand everything. "And you kept him on you for two weeks without telling me?"
"Not exactly." Ash said shaking his head. "He didn't have Primeape on him but told me all about how my Primeape had been doing. Turns out Primeape is a major champion now on the fighting type circuit but still misses me and watched all my conference tournaments. He promised to send me Primeape at Celadon City for when I got here after he reached Saffron if I wanted it back, which I did, so he made the arrangements. So when I reached Celadon and while you were napping I sent Tauros back so that I could use Primeape here. We had a touching and painful reunion and have been training in secret since. I wanted to surprise you so I didn't tell you, sorry."
"Well consider me surprised, again." Misty admitted. "We will have words about this later thought, but for now win this. I want the full story of your Primeape and any other Pokémon you may have forgotten to tell me about."
"I promise." Ash said with a sigh of relief, he didn't like deceiving Misty but he couldn't let the surprise out until the right moment, well that and he wanted to bond with Primeape again and given the Pokémon's temper coupled with how long he'd left it in training Ash had to do it alone. "After this I will tell you the whole story that Anthony told me."
"That is great but I have one more question of my own before we continue." Erika said butting in and reminding Ash that they were still in the middle of a battle. "It sounds like you had it on you last time you were here. Why didn't you use it then? It is clearly a powerful Pokémon."
"It is but well back then Primeape was a new Pokémon with a lot serious anger issues." Ash said with a sigh. "I was afraid that its aggression might lose me the match either due to going over the top or you easily beating it because it was in a fury. Now its trained I don't have to worry about that. So, shall we resume?"
"By all means, I want to see what this Primeape can do." Erika said as she got set for the matchup. "You kept it out last time, let's see what several years of special training has done for it."
"Alright Primeape, Mega Kick!" Ash ordered.
"Bellossom use Magical Leaf!" Erika countered as Primeape charged forward. "Get a good hit in there before it reaches you."
"Change targets." Ash yelled. "Kick the leaf!"
Ash wasn't sure if it would work but he figured it was worth a try at least. Magical Leaf was an attack that didn't miss but theoretically that didn't mean that it couldn't be countered with another attack that destroyed it. Primeape's stopped his charge and focused on the off leaf with hs beady and well-trained eyes. Then at the last minute lashed out with his foot.
The Mega Kick collided with the leaf just before it reached Primeape and was destroyed. The ensuing explosion caused him some damage but he knew how to deal with it thanks to his years of training with Anthony and his fighting types had honed Primeape's reflexes to a fine edge and he could easily avoid the worst of it. As such, Primeape spun with the blast before continued to run towards Bellossom, using the distraction to get in close and trusting Ash to give an order in time.
Erika and Bellossom just stared in slack jawed amazement with matching expressions at the counter Ash had used. This Primeape had been trained by a true master and with Ash as its regular trainer it was going to be tough to beat it. Ash wasn't going to pass up this surprise development in the matchup.
"Primeape hit it with Close Combat." Ash said using one of Primeape's two new moves as Primeape neared Bellossom. "Show me what you learned."
Primeape chittered happily glad that Ash had given an order in time as it closed the last few feet to Bellossom and struck before either Bellossom or her trainer could react. The series of close quarters punches and kicks slammed into Bellossom's small body faster than the eye could see doing a ton of damage to her. It was probably enough to win but Ash wasn't taking any chances in this battle. He was going to ensure he ended it now.
"Finish Bellossom with Seismic Toss." Ash ordered.
Primeape suddenly grabbed the battered and staggering Bellossom under her arm and leapt up before Erika could get off an order to her Pokémon. The powerful muscles in Primeape's legs carried him to over halfway to the high ceiling in one leap. Then, at the apex of his jump, he flipped Bellossom over his shoulder and threw her to the ground as hard as he could.
Bellossom was so stunned form the Close Combat that she didn't have time to wail as she hurtled down to the unyielding ground. She hit it hard enough to make an audible noise despite her light frame and she was too light to kick up much dust or do more than slightly crack the surface of the battlefield, an impressive achievement in its own right.
The result was as expected, however. As splayed and bruised Bellossom on the ground with swirls for eyes while Primeape landed nearby and raised his fists in the air doing a happy dance at his first victory for Ash in years. He had won many battles over his time with Anthony but this was his first with Ash in a long time which made it sweeter than anything before.
"Bellossom is unable to battle." The ref said raising a red flag toward the gym leader as a shellshocked Erika recalled her Pokémon. "The winner is Primeape."
"Way to go Primeape, I see that you trained hard for Ash ." Misty cheered causing Primeape to turn to her in confusion as he hadn't seen her before but she kept talking. "We haven't been introduced yet but I am Ash's girlfriend and his cheerleader when he and his Pokémon fight, these are my Pokémon and we all support you."
Primeape just nodded curtly and scampered back to stand in front of Ash in preparation for his next opponent. One thing he had trained hard in over the years was his anger and he could control it most of the time so he didn't attack the odd human cheering for him. Well that and he could smell the pheromones pouring off her, she was his trainers mate and very much in heat for Ash so she deserved Primeape's restraint, for now. He would challenge her Pokémon, especially thar really big one off to the side that he'd never seen before, after this and see if she was good enough for Ash.
"You did great girl, that was just too fast for us after we let our emotions get the better after our attack was blocked, something we didn't anticipate but now know is a possibility to account for in the future." Erika said as she put the Poke Ball away and pulled out her last Pokémon. "Well that Primeape is good I'll give you that Ash but as you might expect, I have save my best for last. He can handle your remaining two Pokémon; I am sure of it."
"Then send him out." Ash said as Primeape began jumping and punched the air lighty, clearly excitedly for more battle. "I think Primeape and I have a lot of catching up to do and this will be part of it."
"I can see that so I will make sure you get that chance." Erika said as she threw out her last Pokémon. "Vileplume, fragrance!"
The Flower Pokémon burst out of the ball and landed in front of Erika already in a battle stance. Ash nodded; this was the Pokémon he had expected to be Erika's last remaining one. After a Gloom and Bellossom she had to have a Vileplume on her as well, it just made sense. Ash also knew that this one wouldn't be easy if it was the last. Likely this one had been with Erika for a long time and was well trained. It looked like it as it had a grin on its face and the gleam of a warrior in its eyes as it stared at Primeape.
Primeape saw this as well and nodded ready for the match. This was a worthy Pokémon for him to beat and reassert himself with Ash, it had the bearing of a fighter despite its type and he could respect that. Primeape was back with his trainer and they had many battles to make up for lost time. He would finish this one and win it for Ash.
"Time to end this Erika." Ash said fully planning on winning this match even with Muk still battle worthy, he wanted the final victory to go to Primeape today. "Primeape, get in there with a Close Combat."
"Stop it and send it back with a Petal Dance." Erika countered as the match began.
Ash gritted his teeth as the storm of petals burst from Vileplume and hit Primeape as he ran forward. They did a fair bit of damage and would last on the battlefield for a while but what Ash feared more was the aftermath of the attack. Once the petals died down Primeape would be confused and he would have to switch out for Muk to prevent Primeape from hurting himself. This was Primeape's battle to win so Ash had to finish it now.
"Keep pushing forward Primeape, I know you can do it." Ash encouraged as Primeape forced his way through the petals slightly slower than before but still making good progress towards Vileplume who hadn't moved from his spot. "Get in close use Close Combat."
"This is your chance Vileplume." Erika said. "Hit it with Sleep Powder."
The Petal Dance was more than just constant damage with confusion at the end for Erika, it was about slowing down Primeape's impressive speed down to land the sleep-inducing status attack her Vileplume knew. With the petals around Primeape had to slow enough for Erika to employ her favored strategy and beat Primeape. Then she could deal with that damned Muk.
That had been her plan all the way up until Vileplume lowered his head and shot the sleep powder right into Primeape's face just as it reached him. That should have stopped it, only it didn't. Primeape just shrugged it off and hit Vileplume in the face with a fist as it was now too close for the latter to get out of the way.
"How!" Erika asked her eyes wide in shock as Primeape's Close Combat landed though not doing as much damage as it had against Bellossom due to Vileplume's poison typing.
"Must be his ability." Ash said amazed he's learned it at the right moment but then again that was often when he learned them. "I know there is one that can completely negate sleep inducing attacks but I didn't know what it is."
"I'm pretty sure that its Vital Spirit." Erika said as she winced at the brutality of the Close Combat attack that Primeape had unleashed on Vileplume in the midst of the petals just glad that it wasn't as bad as it looked. "I know that it's Vigoroth's ability but I guess Primeapes can have it as well."
"I'm not complaining, gives me a chance to end this with another new move Primeape learned while it was training." Ash said as the Close Combat ended leaving a dazed but still standing Vileplume. "Primeape, finish this with Fire Punch."
"Vileplume!" Was all Erika could shriek before Primeape attacked.
Primeape had encased his right fist in fire before he launched a savage upper cut that hit Vileplume under his mouth. It was almost slow motion as the super effective attack landed. Vileplume gasped as he was thrown upwards and back Primeape's burning fist following through all framed by the fluttering petals as if they were confetti.
Slowly Vileplume arched backwards before falling almost gracefully to the ground with a thud and a small bounce as Primeape's fist reach the apex of its own arc. The petals fell to the ground as Primeape lowered his fist and stood over Vileplume looking down on him with a smug grin of victory. Vileplume's eyes were swirls. Ash had won.
"Vileplume is unable to battle." The ref said raising her flags to end the match, first the red on to Erika and then the green one to Ash after lowering the red one. "Erika is officially out of Pokémon. The winner is the challenger Ash of Pallet Town."
"Primeape return." Ash said as soon as the Petal Dance ended and the confusion was taking hold of Primeape. "Sorry about that Primeape but I can't have you confused right now but I promise that we will all celebrate together later."
Misty for her part had leapt up in joy at Ash's impressive win. Then she had proceeded to throw down her pom poms and ran right at Ash as he congratulated Primeape in its Poke Ball. As soon as Ash had put the ball away Misty had launched herself into his arms and was kissing him hard just as she had done after the last 4 gyms while he twirled her in the process. Neither of them noticed Erika walk over and have some quiet words with her students.
"That was amazing Ash." Misty said when they broke for air. "I can't believe you won that and with Muk and Primeape as your main Pokémon in the battle no less. That was not how I thought this match would go."
"Thanks it was a challenge for sure and a lot closer than it looked." Ash said with a smile. "It was just what I wanted. Erika pushed me to the very end."
"That is good to hear." Erika said with a smile of her own as she interrupted them with her ref right behind her causing the couple to break apart and blush a little in embarrassment. "I had a lot of fun in that battle, more so than most I have, and it was filled with surprises I didn't see coming. You truly deserved that Rainbow Badge I gave you all those years ago Ash."
"Thanks, I am just glad we finally finished our match." Ash said as Erika extended her hand which Ash shook firmly and respectfully as two opponents should after a long, tough battle. "It took a long time but it was worth it when it happened."
"That it was." Erika said looking around the battlefield. "A little more destructive than I usually deal with but it was a full battle so I should have expected a larger cleanup operation afterwards."
"This was actually less than usual for me when I engage in a full battle." Ash said with a little embarrassment. "Usually it's a little more in the crater department though."
"Really?" Erika asked interested. "So compared to your other full battles this year how does the damage here rank?"
"4th out of the 5 so far." Ash admitted after a little thought on the last ones. "Forrest and I almost tore down parts of the Pewter Gym and left several new dents. Surge decided to detonate his Electrode while it was half buried and blew a massive crater in the Vermilion Gym's battlefield and that was just the largest crater that day. Then in the Saffron Gym I dug several tunnels under the battlefield that led to a few craters from Pokémon hurled onto the ground. Only the Cerulean Gym was relative untouched minus a few pool floats though that was after its earlier repairs."
"Yes I heard about that through the grapevine." Erika said recalling the stories she'd heard of why the Cerulean Gym had been closed for a few weeks around the start of the gym season. "Several trainers mentioned that Dawn had had a strong challenger who had somehow managed to hurl her Gyarados into a glass ceiling that had to be reinforced after that just in case. I must ask, is that even possible? A Gyarados isn't a small Pokémon and given the fact that Cerulean is a water gym the ceiling there has to be large enough to accommodate one comfortably so it seems a little farfetched to me."
"Oh it's is doable with enough power, anger at the gym leader, and a fully evolved Pokémon that gets a few good hits in on the same spot." Misty said causing Erika to turn to her. "I should know, I am the challenger who did that."
"Wait you did it?" Erika asked her eyes wide as Misty confirmed it. "You're the annoying red haired insecure beauty for Sinnoh who challenged Dawn because she was jealous and … oh, yeah, I should have seen it as soon as I met you. I didn't put two and two together until you said that it was you."
"Huh?" Ash asked confused while Misty ground her teeth, Dawn was going to pay for this annoyance even if it was technically true.
"Is that what Dawn has been saying." Misty growled out. "I will have to have words with her when we see her in Hoenn so that I can correct the record."
"Well that and how she accidently tried to put a Piplup through a concrete wall." Erika said looking over to where Misty's now recovered Piplup, though no one knew the pain he'd been through, was celebrating with her other Pokémon and discussing the battle they'd just watch. "Yeah in hindsight I should have figured it out. I knew that Dawn traveled with Ash, I remember her from last time, and this all makes sense. I just didn't realize she had feelings for him, that would explain everything."
"Oh she still has those feelings." Misty said as Ash just stared at the conversation between Misty and Erika not really sure what was going on. "That came up within minutes of our first meeting and is a constant annoyance I deal with every time we meet. At the end of Ash's battle with her she accidentally flashed us because of her excuse of a bikini. I had to cool her off for that. I am surprised you didn't notice when they were here, from what I've heard she wasn't exactly good at hiding her feelings for Ash."
"I was a little more preoccupied last time." Erika said with a shrug. "Between the rude boy I'd met that day trying to challenge me, the cross dressing, the battle, the fire, and Ash saving Gloom, I didn't really have the time to focus on Dawn's interactions with him and I only saw a few of those. Course it all makes sense once I know the context. When we get tea and discuss things this week Misty you will have to tell me everything."
"Oh there is a lot to tell." Misty assured the older woman. "Dawn and I have an interesting relationship for sure."
"I can tell." Erika said before changing the subject. "On a better note, I actually have something to give you Misty, for the future of course."
"For me?" Misty asked confused. "Why?"
"You were so polite and respectful when you messaged about Ash's fever that I knew you had a kind heart just like me, well most of the time." Erika said as her student approached and handed Erika two objects that Erika had asked her to retrieve. "You truly love him and I could tell that from your messages and how apologetic you were that you couldn't be here when you had planned. He's really grown up since our last meeting, I can clearly see that, and I am sure that you are a big reason why. Then after meeting you confirmed it to me and seeing you had a beautiful Gloom as well; well I couldn't resist after that."
"Um ok well thank you but you shouldn't." Misty said but Erika held up a hand for silence.
"It is something I believe that all Gloom trainers should have." Erika said as she held out two stones to Misty, one was spikey and orange, the other gray with a leaf in it for some reason. "The orange one is a Sun Stone and will evolve a Gloom into a Bellossom when touched. The other one is a Leaf Stone that will evolve a Gloom into Vileplume, again when touched. All I ask is that you let your Gloom make the choice herself when she is ready. Evolution is a tough choice for some Pokémon, especially stone based evolution as it can be forced on them, so she should be the one to make it."
"Of course and naturally I will let her make the choice if and when she's ready." Misty said bowing low and accepting the stones from Erika. "Ash used to keep a Thunder Stone for Pikachu if Pikachu ever decided he wanted to evolve but Pikachu has never wanted to and he's since lost the stone so the worry is gone. I will keep them safe and secure until Gloom wants to evolve and then she will make her choice. I will never force it upon her."
"Good." Erika said before startling Misty by pulling her in for friendly hug. "Now you should return your Pokémon and take Ash to the Pokémon Center to get his Pokémon healed up. I expect to see you both here for tea tomorrow after the gym closes for the day. I will leave a message at the Pokémon Center once the gym is closed."
"Aren't you coming with us?" Ash asked as Misty hurried off to return her Pokémon, speaking for the first time in a while as he'd figured that Erika wanted to talk about the stones with Misty only. "You have 6 Pokémon in need of healing as well."
"I am a capable healer in my own right." Erika said gesturing to her large greenhouse. "Plus I have all I need here to achieve that. I prefer the natural method anyway, plus it helps me and my students improve our skills when it comes to the more holistic healing techniques. My Pokémon will be up and running by tomorrow don't you worry."
"Ok well thank you again for the battle Erika." Ash said with a bow that Erika returned. "It was an honor to finally finish it."
"My pleasure, I hope to see you again soon Ash." Erika said before she turned and joined her students to begin working on her Pokémon. "Take care and enjoy your victory, you earned it."
Misty joined him a moment later a happy Piplup on her head as he'd already planned his coming revenge on them, and a still dazed Pikachu in her arms. Ash took his own starter from his girlfriend and a smile at her. Misty then linked her arm in his before they left the gym. It had been a good battle and they now had a week before leaving for the Wallace Cup. Ash was looking forward to a quiet week training and enjoying Celadon before their next adventure.
That all came to a crashing halt as soon as they left the gym and walked into an excitable man in a lab coat muttering to himself as he tried to enter the gym. As they all tumbled down the stairs, Ash had a feeling that things was about to get really interesting.
