Part LI: Poison is in the Air

Ash and Janine stood facing each other in the large dojo in Koga's mansion that served as the Fuchsia Gym's main battlefield. It was 2 days since Janine had confronted Ash, Misty and Brock at the café and now the time for their battle was at hand.

Thanks to their earlier talk, there had been no need for pre match pleasantries like Ash and Misty had engaged in with the last 3 leaders when they arrived. Instead, they had met Janine and Aya at the entrance to Koga's estate in the woods outside of Fuchsia City that served as the gym, surprising Misty with both its location and appearance as it was different from the last 5 Kanto gyms she'd seen and had gone straight to the dojo. With Janine present they were able to avoid all the nasty traps that the gym housed.

The large, spartan, room was completely bare just as it had been last time. All it had were wooden floors with the outline of a battlefield painted on them this time, thin wooden walls, a high ceiling and enough space on the sides for Brock and Misty to sit or stand and support them.

The biggest annoyance, for Misty that was, was that there were no stands for supporters so she could only have Piplup and Buneary out for the battle as they were small enough to be at her side for it. As always, her and Buneary were in matching pink cheerleader outfits, something Brock remembered from Sinnoh as it had been one of the early signs that pointed to Misty liking Ash, while Piplup was in his male version. Brock meanwhile was in a kneeling position waiting for the battle with a medical bag next to him just in case.

The only other person present was Aya who had already complimented Misty on her outfit and its color, given her own outfit Misty could guess that the older woman really liked pink. Aya was serving as the ref for the battle, Ash hadn't objected to it, and so she was in her position at the midway point waiting for the match to start. The time had come, Ash's 6th full battle challenge was about to start.

"Been a while since I was here." Ash said as he got into his battle zone, Pikachu ready by his side. "It feels bigger than last time and the markings are new I think seeing as I don't remember them from before."

"Right on both fronts." Aya said with a nod, she spoke because Janine hadn't been present the last time Ash had been here. "The markings were put in 4 years ago when it became mandatory to have them while the space was enlarged to both fit a full-sized battlefield and because someone had a habit of destructive battling."

"Not my fault." Janine said defensively. "Dad always preferred control and precision, and while that has its uses, I prefer raw power at times. I blame my rivalry with that damned Pike Queen and her aggressive style for having to adapt to it."

"Lucy?" Ash asked confused as Brock tensed slightly but neither Ash nor Brock noticed it. "What does she have to do with anything?"

"Long story but we're rivals who go all the way back to our trainer days." Janine said. "So long before she was a Frontier Brain who decided to set up shop near here but my history with her is irrelevant. Let's start this Ash, I am eager to see just how good you really are. I've heard a lot about your talents, now it is time to see if you can live up to them."

"I hope so though I can't promise a lack of damage." Ash said with a grin. "I'm also not known for avoiding it."

"Good, makes this more fun." Janine said her own grin widening. "Come on Aya, get this started already."

"Patience will always be something that eludes you dear niece it seems." Aya said with a sigh as Janine just glared at her. "Fine, we will start this but patience training is being amped up tomorrow. Anyway, this will be a full battle between the challenger Ash of Pallet Town and the Fuchsia City Gym Leader Janine. Because Ash has already earned the Soul Badge this will not be an official gym battle and as such both trainers can substitute at will. The winner will be the first trainer to defeat all 6 of the other's Pokémon. Begin!"

"Pikachu, I choose you." Ash said and instantly Pikachu scampered out ready to battle.

"Pika pi." Pikachu said in challenge to Janine.

"In that case I will go with the one Pokémon I share with my father and aunt, our family's specialty so to speak." Janine said as she tossed out a Poke Ball. "Venomoth, spew your acid!"

Janine's Poke Ball burst open and the Poison Moth Pokémon burst out of it. The duel bug and poison type that was a staple of this family beat its lavender wings at a steady pace as it faced Pikachu. Ash's 6th battle had begun.

"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Ash ordered and Pikachu instantly charged at it.

"Dodge and use Supersonic." Janine countered.

Pikachu leapt up but at the last minute Venomoth flew to the side and Pikachu sailed past it without making contact. Then Venomoth looked at Pikachu and sent out the yellow rings that was Supersonic. Ash gritted his teeth; he was not going to let Pikachu be confused for a third time in one his battles against the gym leaders of Kanto.

"Block it with Electro Ball." Ash called out unsure if that would actually work but it was worth a shot. "We won't be confused again Pikachu."

"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled in agreement as he formed the ball on the tip of his tail and sent it at the Supersonic while still in midair from his missed Quick Attack.

The ball slammed into the rings and it all blew up. A dark gray smoke filled the air as Pikachu landed safely on the wooden floor but that whole area of the battlefield was shrouded in smoke obscuring both Pokémon. This wasn't good and Ask knew it.

"Pikachu return to my side as it clears." Ash said and Pikachu ran to his voice and shot out of the cloud running on all fours as he made his way back to Ash.

"Fly up and use Toxic." Janine called out. "Keep it up until you hit it."

Venomoth flew upwards and emerged from the cloud to hover above it. It then sent out a series of purple balls of poison right at the retreating Pikachu who was now zigzagging to avoid the attack. Ash grinned though, he knew what to do, it was a little crazy but crazy was what he did best.

"Pikachu, dodge that with Quick Attack." Ash ordered. "Run back into the cloud and trust me."

Pikachu didn't question Ash as he turned, avoiding another ball of poison in the process and charged forward at full speed, almost completely avoiding the continuing Toxic attack. He wasn't' completely successful as some of it did graze his tail but he ignored the pain. His trust with Ash was unshakable, he knew that Ash had a plan and he would follow it through until either he or Venomoth was out cold or called back to their respective trainer. As such he charged into the still present cloud of smoke

"Now what are you doing." Janine said her eyes narrowing at what was going on in front of here. "Keep an eye and antennae out Venomoth, something's coming, I can feel it."

"You're right." Ash said with a grin. "Pikachu, Iron Tail."

"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled as he leapt out of the smoke right behind Venomoth,

All Venomoth could do was turn and stare in shock as Pikachu turned his tail to steel, flipped in the air and then brought it down right one Venomoth's head in one smooth, well-practiced, move. Pikachu had made sure to note where his opponent was hovering before he ran into the smoke so that he was in position for an attack the moment Ash gave the order.

The steel type move struck Venomoth between the eyes and drove it down and into though the smoke and into the wooden floor with an audible thump. The force of the move dispersed the last of the smoke as Pikachu flipped forward and spun before landing so that he could face Venomoth waiting for Ash's next order.

"Finish this with Thunderbolt." Ash commanded before Venomoth could get up.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled once more as the electric type move blasted out of his cheeks and slammed into the grounded Venomoth before it could move.

Venomoth spasmed in pain and flashed as the electric type attack rocked its body on the floor while Janine just looked on in surprise at the sudden combo. The move ended a second later leaving a slightly crispy, smoking and blackened Venomoth lying on the floor with swirls for eyes.

"Venomoth is unable to battle." Aya said raising an arm to Ash's side of the battlefield. "Pikachu is the winner."

"Alright Pikachu, show them how good you are." Misty cheered while Brock nodded his approval and Ash praised his starter. "Keep it up Ash, you got this."

"Bun, Buneary." Buneary said doing her own special cheer for Pikachu and giving her crush a seductive wink that made Pikachu blush in embarrassment at the attention.

"Venomoth return." Janine said recalling her Pokémon. "You did well my friend, that was a good use of the environment and misdirection to beat me which I can respect. It is something to learn from for sure."

"I'm facing a ninja; a little sleight of hand is a must." Ash called out as Janine put Venomoth's Poke Ball away. "Plus it's an airborne Pokémon so had the mobility over me, something that I needed to counter."

"Both good strategies against my Venomoth." Janine said. "Not bad Ash, you started out good but there's a long battle ahead of us and I have stronger Pokémon."

"I expect as much." Ash said with a grin. "So send out your next one for me to beat."

"Let's see how you fair against this one." Janine said as she pulled out her second Poke Ball and tossed it out. "Weezing, spew your acid!"

The ball burst open and the two headed, purple, floating Poison Gas Pokémon appeared in front of Janine with a slight wheeze and a billow of gray smog from its many holes. Ash grinned, this was a Pokémon he knew well and he had just the Pokémon to face it as an old memory came back to him for the second time that year.

"Pikachu, return." Ash ordered surprising Janine but Pikachu did as ordered while Ash pulled out a Poke Ball. "Been a while since I got to beat a Weezing, this will be fun and my next Pokémon has some experience against one from when we first met."

"Pikachu." Pikachu nodded though he had wanted to face it, he missed blasting that fool's Weezing and he was in the mood for some nostalgia. "Pi, Pikachu."

"Well here it is." Janine said opening her arms wide and grinning at Ash. "So who will you use now."

"One you won't expect." Ash said returning her grin. "Porygon2, I choose you!"

"Yeah, that wasn't what I expected." Janine admitted her eyes slightly wide as she returned to a normal stance before the Virtual Pokémon that she'd never seen before burst out of its ball and looked at the Weezing. "This will be a good challenge for me to face such an unknown Pokémon, thank you."

Porygon2 scanned the floating Pokémon in front of it and searched its memory banks to first identify it as a Weezing and then to see if it knew it. It didn't know this particular Weezing but it knew it had faced one before in the Computer World back when it was a Porygon and had first met Ash. Good, Porygon2 was going to beat one again for Ash. It was starting to really enjoy battling and winning for its trainer, this would just be another victory for it to brag about with its new friends.

"If that's a surprise then you'll love this one when it triggers." Ash said with a grin. "Porygon2, Conversion2."

"Now what does that do." Janine muttered as Porygon2 shimmered briefly but otherwise nothing seemed to happen. "Must be a stat boosting move of sorts. Well, let's see if it can hold up to this. Weezing, Sludge Bomb."

"Dodge Porygon2." Ash said, while he wanted to activated Conversion2, Porygon2 had to be hit for it to trigger so he was using it as a safeguard for when that happened. "And use Psybeam."

"Weezing." Weezing wheezed out before it sent out a large ball of sludge from its larger head's mouth.

Porygon2 flew to the side with ease and avoided the attack as if it was nothing, the ball of sludge splattering on the floor behind it leaving a mess where it had hit. Then, as Porygon2 was preparing to launch its Psybeam, something happened that shocked everyone. It shimmered again and changed color becoming a dark, steely, gray.

"Dodge that attack!" Janine ordered which Weezing did by floating up and over the peculiar beam that was Psybeam shot out, Porygon2 being the only one not surprised when his unique move triggered upon dodging, all it needed to trigger was the attack not the hit after all. "Ok, what in Arceus's holy name just happened."

"Conversion2 triggered." Ash said just as surprised as Janine. "But it shouldn't have, Porygon2 has to be hit to trigger it. At least that's what I thought had to happen."

"Does it?" Brock asked from the side. "According to who?"

"Dr. Akihabara, he was the one who told me." Ash said still puzzled. "Though he did say that he'd not really tested the move after it was upgraded along with Porygon2 upon evolution. I've only used it once before in battle and that was against Zoey in the Wallace Cup. Her Waterfall hit so I didn't question it."

"Hmm." Brock said rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "It would appear that it works slightly differently than that. I think it's just the last move used by the opponent that triggers it."

"Really?" Ash asked and Porygon2 bobbed its head in confirmation wondering why his human hadn't known that about his special move. "That's great! Now I don't have to take damage to use it which makes it even better."

"This is all well and good but can you please tell me what just happened." Janine said a little annoyed at what was going on. "Why is Porygon2 now dark gray."

"Oh that's because it's now a steel type if I had to guess." Ash said as if it was nothing. "At least I think so, I can't think of any other types that are resistant or immune to poison type moves that are associated with that particular color."

"Oh that makes…" Janine began before the implications of what Ash had said hit her. "Wait. What!"

"Conversion2 is a move that only Porygon2 and its evolutionary family can learn." Ash explained, something he had a feeling he would have to do every time he used the move. "It allows Porygon2 to change its type to one that is either resistant, or in this case immune, to the type of the last move you used against it. I thought that Porygon2 had to be hit for it to activate so I was using it as a precaution for that moment but this is much better than I could have expected, of all the possible types, Porygon2 became a steel type which is immune to Poison types."

"Really well in that case I only have one move for you." Janine said with a grin. "It's either this or switching out but with that annoying move I may as well defeat Porygon2 now. Enjoy this Ash. Weezing, we can't fight it so you know what to do. Explosion!"

"Weezing." Weezing said as it flew forward to be closer to Porygon2 before it suddenly blew up.

The explosion was massive though not as large as Electrode's had been when Ash had faced Surge but then again that was an Electrode, those things seemed to exist just to blow up whenever they wanted to. Smoke filled the air as the powerful, sacrificial, attack went off and they all had to cover their eyes and Porygon2 gave an odd wail. That didn't stop them from hearing the clear sound of something heavy hitting the floor with a loud thud.

Moments late the smoke cleared to reveal what had happened. Thankfully, because of Weezing floating there was no damage on the floor other than some scorch marks right beneath where it had been when it exploded. Well that and a very unconscious Weezing with swirls for eyes lying in the middle of the scorch marks.

However, Weezing was the only Pokémon on the floor which shocked everyone present. As the smoke cleared, a still hovering but very confused and tarnished looking Porygon2 blinked at the sight before it. It was still standing, though a few feet back from where it had been before the attack, and there was no doubt that it had taken a good chunk of damage.

"Weezing is unable to battle." Aya declared raising a hand to Ash's side as soon as she had recovered. "Porygon2 is the winner."

"How?" Janine asked her eyes wide. "How is that thing still conscious."

"Explosion is a normal type move." Brock explained from his seat. "And Porygon2 is currently a steel type which, in addition to its immunity to poison type moves, is resistant to normal type moves. In fact, steel types are the nest defensively with most types not being effective against it. Any other type, other than rock or ghost types, would have been taken down by that as well though."

"Great, just my luck to deal with this." Janine grumbled as she returned Weezing. "This isn't on you Weezing, I'm the one who lost this matchup. Porygon2 was never anticipated because few even knows it exists and even less have ever seen one. Combine that with a move like Conversion2 working like that and we were doomed from the start. This happens sometimes, don't worry about it. We will avenge you."

"Go Porygon2."Misty cheered finally recovering from the shock, seriously she'd been with Ash for months and seen him battle countless times she should be used to this but she knew deep down that Ash would always find new ways to surprise her and she loved that about him. "You show them just how good a move like Conversion2 is. Keep it up for Ash."

Porygon2 just gave its usual computer-like sound and flew back to Ash and hovered in front of him ready for the next opponent, its steel typing staying until it was either defeated, removed, or the match ended. It had just survived a suicide attack; it had showed how tough it could be and now it would face a new foe to beat for Ash.

Janine glared at it as she pulled out her third Poke Ball. It was time to up the power in this battle and use a duel type that could at least use moves that would work on a steel type, a type that was her bane as a poison type specialist. Ash had proven he was as good as advertised with the first two but he would have something new to deal with when he faced Janine's third Pokémon as it was her least expected Pokémon.

"Tentacruel, spew your acid!" Janine yelled throwing out the ball. "Time to bring out one of my top 3 for you Ash."

"I look forward to it." Ash said grinning at Janine's choice of Pokémon, it was technically a poison type after all even if he wouldn't have listed it a likely choice in this battle but it worked well for Ash, before the Poke Ball burst open and the large Jellyfish Pokémon appeared in front of her. "Porygon2, stay in for now, we got this."

"Is Tentacruel part poison type?" Misty asked Brock. "It should be for Janine to use it but both Forrest and Sabrina used Pokémon that weren't of the type they specialize in so I'm not sure."

"It is." Brock confirmed with a nod. "It's usually overlooked as it is a clear water type but it has a secondary poison type and is skilled with poison moves."

"Huh I didn't know." Misty said though she probably should have guessed after the ones that they had run into at the end of their Sinnoh journey together. "Water types are really versatile it seems."

"Well they are the most common type of Pokémon." Brock said surprising Misty. "So with that many Pokémon, there are a bound to be lot of combos out there."

"It's the most common type?" Misty asked confused. "More so than normal types?"

"Yup, most of the world is water and that's not including things like rivers and lakes so it's naturally the most common type." Brock confirmed. "It surprises people to learn but it is true. Most trainers, even specialists like Janine, have a water type because of there is bound to be one crossed with their specialty."

"I guess that makes sense." Misty said as Ash and Janine sized each other up waiting for one to make the first move. "We have seen Sabrina use a Slowpoke which is a water and psychic type and Dawn's roster no doubt had several duel types in it so I really shouldn't be surprised."

"Certainly Dawn does." Brock said. "Her Corsola is a rock type as well as a water type, her Gyarados is also a flying type and her Starmie a psychic type. As far as I am aware only fire doesn't have a duel type with water though some like Empoleon and Bibarel are the only known Pokémon with their type combos, those being water and steel and water and normal respectively."

"I see." Misty said glad that Brock was around to explain things like this again. "Well the Tentacruel explains the high ceilings though it is odd to see one out of the water."

"I'll admit Janine, that wasn't the Pokémon I was expecting." Ash said bringing everyone's attention back to the impending battle. "But I am glad for it because I am prepared for water types. Porygon2, Discharge."

"Of course because that Pokémon just has to know an electric type move." Janine grumbled at the frustrating Porygon2; Ash had already pushed her to a point few managed but it was time to break out something nasty for him. "Very well, let's do something a little different and prepare for the future. Toxic Spikes."

Porygon2 sent out the field affecting Discharge attack that easily hit and fried Tentacruel causing plenty of damage to it. However, it still got off its Toxic Spikes attack that landed all over the battlefield turning it purple temporarily before sinking into the wood. Ash groaned, that was an attack that would be a problem for the rest of the battle and with a wooden floor, and no Infernape to burn it away, he had no way to get rid of it.

"I see you are planning ahead Janine." Ash said as Tentacruel shook of the last of the Discharge showing that a single super effective move wouldn't take it down. "That will be a problem for me for sure."

"What can I say, you're worth it." Janine said. "I'm strong but I need to use a few tricks against you it seems, this is just one of them. Consider it an honor, I rarely use status or specialty moves like that, I save them for trainers who earn my full arsenal. Now let's see you deal with this move, Scald!"

"Dodge that Porygon2 and use Tri-Attack." Ash countered as Porygon2 flew up and just avoided the boiling water attack glad that he'd gotten Janine to show him all of her skills even if Toxic Spikes were going to be annoying to deal with. "I wonder if it can survive that move."

"Dodge that and hit it with Giga Drain." Janine ordered. "Get underneath it so that it can't avoid the attack."

Porygon2 charged up the three colored balls of Tri-Attack and sent it as Tentacruel. However, Tentacruel skittered forward before falling on its belly and sliding along the floor to avoid it, the three beams slamming into the wood behind it and cracking the spot where Tentacruel had been. Then Tentacruel sent the Giga Drain upwards as soon as it was beneath Porygon2.

This time Porygon2 couldn't dodge it. The attack slammed into its underbelly and instantly health was drained from it and into Tentacruel who was eagerly waiting for it. It wasn't much but it was enough to give Tentacruel a boost and throw Porygon2 off enough for what Janine needed.

"Scald again." Janine called before Ash could react. "Finish it."

This time the blast of hot water slammed into the still reeling Porygon2 and sent it flying skywards until it was suddenly stopped by hitting the vaulted ceiling. That had been too much for Porygon2 and its color returned to normal as it fell down to the field and landed with a thud on its side right in front of Ash. It was clear that it was out as it had swirls for eyes.

"Porygon2 is unable to battle." Aya declared holding out an arm to Janine's side for the first time all battle. "Tentacruel is the winner."

"Porygon2 return." Ash said recalling his Pokémon. "You did great buddy, held your own against an Explosion, not many Pokémon can claim that, and you gave that Tentacruel a good run but it was sturdier than I had expected. I can now beat it though."

"Pikachu." Pikachu said wanted to get in and deal with the water type.

"No Pikachu, I will need you later, I have just the Pokémon for this." Ash said as he pulled out his third Pokémon. "Besides, I need to push myself and your too good for that Tentacruel."

"Pikachu." Pikachu reluctantly agreed, he could handle that oversized squid easily it was true.

"Then send it out." Janine said impatiently. "Tentacruel and I are waiting, we can take at least one more before I will need to substitute I think and I want Tentacruel to get the experience."

"We shall see." Ash said as he threw out his ball. "Dragonair, I choose you!"

Dragonair burst out of his ball and landed on the battlefield with a roar. That roar changed to a yell of pain as the Toxic Spikes triggered and that attack hit him. It wasn't too bad as Dragonair breathed heavily from it and glared at his latest opponent, pissed at already taking a hit and ready to take it out on his foe.

It looked like today he'd be beating the tentacle monstrosity that was a Tentacruel. Good, he'd heard tale of this Pokémon and was looking forward to adding another win to his growing record of victories. A fully evolved Pokémon like Tentacruel would do the job nicely.

"Dragonair, we will need all we can get for this so use Agility." Ash called out. "I want you at your fastest for this."

Dragonair instantly activated his speed boost move and grinned at Tentacruel. He knew that when his speed was boosted things were about to get wild.

"Let's test that speed, shall we." Janine said. "Tentacruel, Scald!"

"Charge Dragonair, dodge it and then get into the air." As called out. "Use your mobility to your advantage."

Dragonair instantly sped forward, his coiled muscles easily propelling him forward as he followed his trainer's orders. With a quick twist of his long body he dodged the boiling water as if it was nothing before he extended his wings and leapt into the air, flapping them once he gained more height as he was bore down on Tentacruel.

"Now use Dragon Rage!" Ash called out switching up their usual aerial move combo but Dragonair felt that there was a reason to this. "See if it can avoid that."

"Barrier!" Janine countered and Ash grinned, he was seeing what Tentacruel's last move was and Dragonair's ranged dragon type attack had worked perfectly for that.

Tentacruel looked up and erected the psychic type Barrier defensive move just as Dragonair opened his mouth and shot out the blue flaming dragon that was his Dragon Rage. The attack slammed into the physical barrier and washed over causing some but not much damage. The main advantage of it was that it showed Ash that the Barrier was at an angle above Tentacruel so it gave him an idea how to get around it.

"Dragonair dive to the ground and use Dragon Tail." Ash called out and instantly Dragonair shot forward at Tentacruel, his tail glowing with power as he hit the ground and shot forward on his belly towards Tentacruel. "Sweep low and aim for its tentacles."

"Jump up and avoid it." Janine called just as Ash knew she would.

Tentacruel tensed its tentacles and as Dragonair swept his tail at it, leapt straight up and over the glowing dragon type attack. It was a good dodge but put Tentacruel in a helpless situation for a brief moment. Ash was not one to squander the moment, it was time to show Janine Dragonair's last move, one that was perfect for Tentacruel.

"Now Dragonair, Thunderbolt!" Ash ordered.

"Piplup!" Piplup yelled in fear at those words and dove behind Misty hoping to be safe behind his human, this time she'd take the spark not him he was sure of it.

Dragonair grinned as he spud his body and rolled onto his back to look up at the underbelly of Tentacruel who looked down at him its eyes wide in shock at seeing Dragonair there. This was what Dragonair's trainer had been setting up for him, a clean, clear, defenseless shot with a super effective move.

Dragonair wasn't going to disappoint Ash. Still on his back, Dragonair opened his mouth and blasted the electric type attack out and into Tentacruel's underbelly but not before giving the shocked Pokémon a quick wink before attacking.

The super effective move slammed home while Tentacruel was still defenseless in midair and it was fried for the second time that day. It let out a wail of pain as it was thrown upwards though there was not enough power for it to reach the ceiling. Instead it just arched forward and landed, spasming with electricity and tangled tentacles, on its bulbus head near mid field.

The quick, impressive, series of events had captivated everyone so much that no one notices a small spark shoot off Tentacruel's still convulsing body. That spark had a single destination in mind. It tore across the room low to the ground, between Misty's slightly parted legs, and into the side of Piplup's head as he cowered there.

"Piplup!" Piplup swore as he was fried yet again before he was thrown into the wall and fell to the floor in a smoking heap but because of the intensity of the battle and the fact that Tentacruel was still not out yet no one saw Piplup get hit.

"Finish this Dragonair." Ash called out. "Dragon Tail!"

Dragonair again pivoted on the ground again, rolled over and leapt at his downed opponent, beating his wings once to build up speed. As he was in the air, he coiled up into a roll, his tail glowing with dragon type power as he prepared for his favorite move.

Tentacruel had fallen onto its side and was trying to right itself but out of water it wasn't the most graceful creature so it was still on its side when Dragonair passed over it. As Dragonair was over his foe, he uncoiled his body and struck, his tail lamming into the side of Tentacruel's bulbous head before Janine could react, not that Tentacruel could have done anything.

The force cause the Jellyfish Pokémon's head to bounce of the floor as Dragonair recoiled himself and spun past to avoid being hit by it. Dragonair finished his move by twisting in midair, uncoiling and landing on his stomach so that he could skid to a halt sidelong in front of his trainer, a smug smirk of triumph on his face.

He had good reason to be triumphant. Tentacruel had fallen back to the floor on its side, its tentacles limp around it, and though Dragonair couldn't see its eyes, he knew that they were swirls. The series of events had Janine and Aya's mouths agape at the result. That had been a combo that neither had expected and Dragonair had looked amazing in the process.

"Tentacruel is unable to battle." Aya said when she'd recovered and raised an arm to Ash's side of the battlefield. "Dragonair is the winner."

"Woo go Dragonair." Misty cheered happily while Piplup grumbled from behind her, he would have his revenge on her later he swore. "Show them how graceful and powerful you are. That Dragon Tail keeps getting better and better the more you use it."

"You did great my friend, once it was under us and revealed that it had an electric type move we were done for but you held in really well so we can definitely get better from this loss." Janine said to her now returned Pokémon before putting the ball away and pulling out her 4th Pokémon and looked at Ash. "Alright Ash, it seems you know how to fight with snakes as well, I can deal with that easily after putting up with Lucy's preference for years. Time for your to deal with my snake. Arbok, spew your acid!"

Janine then threw out her Poke Ball and it burst open. Ash grinned as he saw the familiar, purple Cobra Pokémon with a scary looking face on its hood that was now hissing at him. Like with Weezing, Ash had spent his first 3 years of his Pokémon journey beating up an Arbok and Weezing on a near daily basis, this was a Pokémon he could handle with ease.

"Pikachu." Pikachu said forcefully tugging at his pants leg, this time he was going to take down an old Pokémon he knew how to battle and he would make Ash see that this Arbok was his. "Pi Pikachu."

"You want in Pikachu" Ash asked and Pikachu nodded. "But what about the Toxic Spikes?"

"Pikachu." Pikachu said knowing the risks and accepting them for the chance to face Arbok.

"Alight, Dragonair return." Ash said returning Dragonair for the moment. "Take a rest buddy, I'll need you again later. Pikachu get out there."

"Pikachu." Pikachu said as he leapt forward and braced himself for the Toxic Spikes.

As soon as he landed the Toxic Spikes triggered and he was injured by them. Rather than yell in pain or anything, Pikachu just gritted his teeth and grinned through it at Arbok who looked a little surprised that Pikachu hadn't shown any pain at the attack. Good, this would make the battle easier.

"Quick Attack!" Ash ordered to get it started.

"Just what I was hoping for." Janine said as Pikachu launched himself at Arbok as fast as he could. "Arbok, Sucker Punch."

Arbok moved faster than the eye could see. One minute it was in front of Janine, then next it had slammed into a speeding Pikachu and returned to its starting position before Ash could blink. Pikachu had been thrown back and bounced off the floor for a moment before righting himself, landing on all fours and glaring at the hissing Pokémon he was facing. This Arbok was a lot more competent than the moronic one he'd known years ago.

"What was that?" Ash asked confused. "How'd you land that before Pikachu's Quick Attack."

"Sucker Punch is a dark type move with priority over pretty much any offensive moves as far as I know." Janine explained. "It allows Arbok to hit first so long as you're attacking as well. Time for a little power up. Arbok, use Coil."

Instantly Arbok coiled itself up and concentrated for a moment before relaxing. It was a move that was clearly a status boost though Ash hadn't seen it before but with no attack coming it was clearly a move done to boost something. Ash didn't care though; he was going defeat this Arbok regardless.

"Pikachu, Iron Tail." Ash ordered.

"Block it with Dragon Tail." Janine countered.

Pikachu charged forward and leapt high into the air, his tail turning to steel before he flipped over and brought it down on Arbok with all his strength. For Arbok's part it had activated its own tail-based attack with Dragon Tail and brought it around and up to block the move. It was the opposite of when his Charizard faced Steelix in Ash's battle with Forrest when Steelix had blocked Charizard's Dragon Tail with an Iron Tail.

There was a defining boom as the attacks clashed and the Pokémon pushed against each other for a few second ds trying to exert their strength over the other. They were evenly matched and in the end Pikachu just had to push off and backflip away while Arbok rolled back to put distance between them with neither taking any damage from the exchange. Neither Ash nor Janine wasted a moment as they both ordered follow up attacks.

"Thunderbolt!" Ash called out.

"Gunk Shot!" Janine said at the same time.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled as he sent out his best move.

"Charbok!" Arbok replied opening its mouth and blasting out the garbage that made up Gunk Shot.

What happened next surprised everyone though in a match with Ash this probably should have been expected. Rather than collide with each other and blow up as expected, the moves proceeded to miss each other and continued on their paths without anything stopping them. Both Pikachu and Arbok's eyes went wide as the moves barreled down on them and hit home.

The Thunderbolt slammed into Arbok and fried it at the same time the Gunk Shot hit Pikachu in the face. The powerful poison type move, stronger than usual because of the attack boost Coil had given Arbok, blasted Pikachu back and past Ash and into the wall behind him while Arbok collapsed from the electric type move its body spasming with electricity for a few seconds.

"Pikachu!" Ash yelled turning to see his starter imbedded in the wall for a second before he fell forward and landed face first on the floor with swirls for eyes.

Meanwhile Arbok groaned, bringing their attention back to the battlefield to see Arbok, charred and in pain with one eye closed, slowly rising up before giving out a war cry. It was still standing despite taking a direct hit and was ready for more.

"Pikachu is unable to battle." Aya said before raising an arm to her niece's side. "Arbok is the winner."

"Stay Ash." Misty said putting down her pom poms and running over to pick Pikachu up. "I got Pikachu. Focus on winning the battle."

"Will do." Ash said turning back to the battle and trusting his girlfriend to look after Pikachu as she had done in several of the past battles Ash had had.

Misty rushed over to Pikachu and gently picked him up before returning to her side. Brock instantly went to work on helping Pikachu recover, as well as Piplup when he realized that Piplup needed some attention for some reason, while Buneary helped with Pikachu. He nodded at Misty to indicate that he had well in hand it so she should go back to supporting Ash. Misty nodded back and picked up her pom poms to continue her cheer routine for her love.

"Not bad Janine." Ash said as he pulled out a Poke Ball. "I didn't see both attacks landing like that coming but let me remind you how a real Dragon Tail works. Dragonair, you're up again."

Ash threw out the Poke Ball and Dragonair burst out once more. Again the Toxic Spikes triggered and he had to grimace in pain at the odd move that affected his entrance to the battle.

Now he was pissed at having to deal with that twice. He wasn't sure who had made the field like this but that didn't matter. He had plenty of strength left and it looked like he would take out this other snake thing this time.

"Dragonair, in the air and use Agility again." Ash ordered and instantly Dragonair was int the sky and boosting his speed once more. "Now hit Arbok with Dragon Rage."

"Sucker Punch again." Janine called out.

"You can't dodge that but roll with it and keep pushing forward." Ash said and Dragonair trusted Ash as he opened his mouth. "I was expecting this, just keep it up Dragonair and we will win."

Before Dragonair could get his move off, the purple snake moved faster than he see. One moment it was there, the next it had hit him and was back where it had been hissing a challenge at Dragonair. Dragonair had rolled with the hit, coiling his body in the air as he was thrown to the side but he kept going forward and closed down on the other Pokémon still just as Ash had asked of him.

"Dragon Tail." Ash called out and Dragonair grinned, now it was on and he was going to get this snake back for that hit.

"You too Arbok." Janine said. "Block its Dragon Tail with your own Dragon Tail."

Dragonair once again coiled up as he shot and spun at his foe, his tail glowing with power as he built up speed. At the last moment he lashed down, uncoiling as he did to increase his speed. That was when something odd happened. The purple snake on the floor had gotten its own tail up and blocked the attack just in time with a Dragon Tail of its own.

Oh Arceus no. Dragonair was not going to let some non-dragon type block him with his favorite move. With a roar, Dragonair pushed through the other Pokémon's defense, showing it what a true dragon type could do with the move, and slammed his tail into its hissing face with enough force to bounce them both off the floor and into the air. Arbok was stunned and in pain but Dragonair was not and Ash was going to use this small window for all it was worth.

"Dragon Tail again." Ash yelled and Dragonair didn't need to be told twice to use it.

Instantly his tail was glowing with power. He couldn't fully coil as he would have liked so he just flipped and brought his tail down again and into his opponent's largest target. This time there was no attempt to block the attack. Dragonair's tail slammed into Arbok just under its jaw, right in its hood and he drove it down and into the wooden floor as hard as he could.

As Dragonair landed a second later and knew that he'd won. He didn't even look at his opponent. His back was already to Arbok so he simply slithered back to Ash, his head held high as he left his defeated foe in his wake. Cool Pokémon didn't look at their victories.

There was no doubt that Arbok was defeated. The force of the attack had been enough to break through the wooden floor and crack the earth beneath it. Arbok was on its back, its hood in the hole, tail in the air, head back, forked tongue lolling out and swirls for eyes.

Again Janine was boggling at the defeat of another one of her Pokémon. She'd just lost 4 Pokémon while only taking out two of Ash's and all had gone down in different, interesting ways. Well except Weezing who had had to sacrifice himself but that was more due to that Conversion2 move forcing her hand.

Ash was certainly good; Janine would have to watch him in the Indigo Conference this year to see how well he did in it because she could tell he was going to go far in it. However, he still had to beat her and her last two Pokémon were no pushovers. They could get her back into this battle and push Ash to the very end at the same time.

"Arbok is unable to battle." Aya said raising a hand to Ash as Dragonair reached him and turned awaiting its next opponent pleased at another multi-victory performance. "Dragonair is the winner."

"That's it Ash, keep it up." Misty cheered from her position. "You got this, beat Janine and show just how amazing you are."

"Arbok return." Janine said recalling her latest defeated Pokémon and looking at the Poke Ball. "You did well taking down Pikachu my friend. That Dragonair is something else though and its Dragon Tail is the best I've ever seen. We will work on yours to get it to that level, it will be hard to beat you then. Don't worry, we will get back in this match."

"I hope so." Ash called out; he could feel himself getting confident with his lead, he was going to try and win this without losing more than one of his remaining Pokémon, he knew it. "I'll take down whatever you sent at me."

"Then show me you can." Janine said with a smile at Ash's cocky tone, that was good it would make him reckless and she could exploit the and her next Pokémon was one that could do that with ease. "Time for you to face my strongest in terms of raw power and show me you're as good as you think you are. Drapion, spew your acid!"

The ball burst open and the large, purple, segmented Ogre Scorp Pokémon burst forth with a roar of challenge as it flexed its claw things. Dragonair grinned at that challenge. This monstrosity of claws and fangs was clearly a strong, fully evolve, Pokémon. It was more than worthy of his skills. He would defeat it for his third victory and further cement his reputation as one of Ash's better Pokémon.

"Well that is certainly a powerful Pokémon." Ash admitted as he began to think how he'd deal with it; he'd faced one before in the Sinnoh quarters under Paul's control so he knew it could be beat but it was a strong Pokémon with a very flexible body that usually took a few Pokémon to defeat. "But it will still go down. Dragonair, Dragon Tail!"

Dragonair grinned as he shot forward, leaping into the air and at the other Pokémon. As with before he coiled up as he hurtled towards it. However Janine didn't say anything right away, she just grinned, this was the overconfidence she was looking forward to because she could easily counter this and get back into this battle.

"As soon as it extends twist out of the way." Janine ordered calmly. "Then grab it with your claws and hold it in place."

Drapion just followed his trainer's orders. He knew what was needed of him and paid close attention to the spinning dragon type barreling down on him. As soon as he saw it extent its body, he twisted his segmented, flexible, body to the side and leaned back to avoid the glowing tail.

Dragonite's tail swished through empty air and his eyes went wide in shock at the rare miss. That shock turned to pain a pair of sharp, claws grabbed him in in midair, easily latching onto his long body and clamping down tightly. Dragonair was at this Pokémon's mercy and he didn't like it one bit.

"Now that's more like it." Janine said with a grin as Ash stared in shock at what had just happened, the level of training and skill it took for Drapion to pull that off without moving its lower body showed just why Janine was a gym leader. "Cross Poison. It can't dodge that."

Dragonair tried to avoid the attack but in his current predicament he just didn't have the strength to do so. He was already injured from the two bouts of Toxic Spikes and the Sucker Punch. Add in that he was in midair and Drapion didn't have far to go to land the attack ensured that it would hit

He probably could have weathered one Cross Poison but Arceus was against him in that moment. 2 victories were enough apparently as fate was not on Dragonair's side this time. Drapion let go of Dragonair and slashed him with the poison infused in its claws, landing a clean shot on Dragonair's midsection and driving him down to the ground.

Unbeknownst to Ash, though known to Dragonair as he had felt it directly, the attack was a critical hit and Drapion's ability was Sniper which enhanced the power of a critical hit. That made taking a shot like that hard for a Pokémon that wasn't at least resistant to poison type attacks to survive it.

Between that and the earlier injuries Dragonair was now well past his limit. He was out cold before he even hit and bounced off the ground until he lay motionless, his eyes swirls and finally defeated in this battle.

Janine sighed in relief, that Dragonair had been an annoying thorn in her side for too long today. She didn't doubt that Ash's 3 remaining Pokémon would be just as tough to face but that win had clearly deflated Ash's confidence enough to remind him that he wasn't invincible. Janine just needed one more win to even this up and remind Ash that she wasn't a gym leader and a former Pokémon League Conference winner for nothing.

"Dragonair is unable to battle." Aya said raising an arm to Janine as Ash returned Dragonair for the last time that day. "Drapion is the winner."

"You did great buddy, that Drapion looks really good though so don't feel bad, you won two battles and that's something to be proud of." Ash said before putting Dragonair's ball away and pulling out the next one and looking at Janine. "That's one well trained Pokémon Janine, I'm impressed. I've tangled with a Drapion before so I know how tricky they can be, you won't be able to pull that off a second time."

"As you should be, Drapion is one of my top 2 Pokémon and I only use him for real challenges like you." Janine said back. "Now send out your next one so I can even this match up. Drapion, stay in and win this for me."

"We shall see, my next one has a type advantage so a worthy challenge for your Drapion." Ash said with a grin as he tossed out his Poke Ball. "Torterra, I choose you!"

"Ah Sinnoh on Sinnoh, this will be fun." Janine said with a grin as Torterra materialized and landed on the battlefield, roaring in pain as the Toxic Spikes triggered but not taking much damage from the poison type attack. "And a ground type at that, a good challenge for Drapion just as you said though that grass type won't help you much."

"I'll make sure it is." Ash said. "As for the grass type, try this. Torterra, Energy Ball."

"That is a cute move." Janine said with a laugh. "That won't do much to Drapion though."

"I know which is why I'm doing this." Ash said with a grin of his own. "Swallow it Torterra."

"Um what?" Janine asked her grin vanishing as she blinking in confusion when she saw Torterra proceed to swallow the Energy Ball. "You really are full of surprises Ash."

Ash nodded as Torterra began to glow with power. The tree on its back grew, the leaves turning a bright, glowing, green and it roared in challenge as the power up boost took effect. It had been ages since Torterra had done this but it was just what it needed.

"What was that for?" Janine asked still confused at what she was seeing. "I can't say I've ever seen a Pokémon do that."

"A while back, when Torterra was still a Grotle, it accidentally swallowed an Energy Ball in a battle with one of the Sinnoh Battle Frontier Brains and his Rhyperior." Ash said smiling. "We learned that doing so will power up its grass type moves and against a poison and dark type like Drapion it is a needed power up. Now Torterra, Leaf Storm!"

"That will be hard to defend or avoid." Janine said as Torterra sent out a maelstrom of leaves that seemed faster and more numerous than usual at Drapion. "So take it but let's use Swords Dance in the process for a nice boost as well."

Drapion just nodded as he began to dance just as the leaves hit him. It was more effective than it should have been but still mitigated by his typing and caused minimal damage at best. Plus the leaves didn't stop him from dancing to boost his attack for this battle and later ones. He would need it against a tough and fully evolved Pokémon like Torterra.

"Now Torterra, Energy Ball." Ash ordered. "This time shoot it at Drapion."

"Dodge and get in close for another Cross Poison." Janine countered.

"Keep the Energy Balls up." Ash said as the mandibles or pincers or whatever they were called Ash wasn't quite certain glowed with poison and it charged at Torterra. "Don't let it get close."

Torterra roared in agreement, he was too slow to effectively dodge an attack like Cross Poison that required the other Pokémon to bet up close and personal so he needed to hold Drapion off instead. He began sending out Energy Balls as fast as he could at the charging Pokémon.

Drapion twisted his segmented body and skittered from side to side to avoid the balls showing off an impressive amount of agility in the process. He wasn't fully effective at it as at least two balls scored glancing blows but they barely did anything to slow him down as he closed the distance.

As soon as he reached Torterra he slashed his claws at it as hard as possible, striking its head and forcing it to wail in pain as it took a step back and lowered its head in the process. The attack alas wasn't a critical hit and Torterra's ground typing advantage countered its grass typing weakness to poison type moves making the attack normal effectiveness but it still hurt.

"Torterra, throw it off with Rock Climb!" Ash called out.

Torterra bellowed and reared as his claws extended on his forelegs while Drapion backed up slightly to free up space and avoid the other Pokémon before Torterra slammed down on the wooden floor, hard. Instantly a rock pillar burst from the earth beneath the floor sending splinters of wood everywhere as it forced its way through it causing Aya, Brock and Misty to all hit the deck to avoid the shrapnel.

Neither Ash nor Janine were fazed by the new development, though Janine did have to gracefully avoid a few splinters that shot at her while keeping a constant eye on the battle. Drapion looked confused as he was propelled up on the top of the rock spire until it nearly reached the ceiling. While he was still going up, Torterra's front claws extended and it began charging up the rock as fast as it could bearing down on Drapion to finish the attack.

"Knock it down with another Cross Poison." Janine ordered. "Don't let it pull this attack off."

Drapion roared as he activated his attack and slashed his poison infused claws just as Torterra reached him. The claws met Torterra's head and for a moment the two strong Pokémon were stuck in a tense stalemate as they pushed against one another in a battle of strength and will.

In the end Drapion's strength was greater than Torterra's and he threw the Continent Pokémon down to the ground with enough force to send it through the wooden floor and into the earth below it. This time the attack was. a critical hit thus triggering Drapion's ability and badly injuring Torterra but still in it, barely.

"Finish it with another Cross Poison." Janine roared as the Rock Climb move ended and the pillar began to fall back into the earth.

"Come on Torterra, get up I know you can do it." Ash yelled but it was in vain, there was nowhere for Torterra to go and avoid the attack.

Drapion had leapt down as soon as the pillar began to fall away and used gravity to increase his speed as his claws once again glowed with poison. Torterra's bulk worked against it as it was wedged into the crater and couldn't move. All it could do was brace itself as the attack hit its exposed underbelly. This time there was no critical hit but that wasn't needed, Torterra had been at its limit before the attack and fainted as soon as it was hit, Drapion backed up to stand in front of his trainer with what passed for a smile on his face.

"Torterra is unable to battle." Aya said getting up from the floor, ignoring a large wooden splinter in the wall behind her, and making sure that Torterra's eyes were swirls before declaring the match and raising an arm to Janine's side. "Drapion is the winner."

As Ash returned Torterra to see that the battlefield was a mess. The entire center of it just an earthy lump with fragments of wood scattered around it, and in the walls from the Rock Climb. There was a small crater that Drapion was now standing over where Arbok had been driven through the floor by Dragonair and a much larger one in front of Ash where Torterra had just been. The crater was large deep but the earth crater it gave Ash and idea, it was time to see just what the Toxic Spikes had affected.

"You did great Torterra, that was a tough opponent and you had no good attacks but still landed some that will be the difference later, we will see about learning a ground type move for the Indigo Conference, I promise." Ash said the Poke Ball before putting it away and pulling out the next one as his eyes met Janine's. "Well Janine it is all tied up now, that Drapion is really good. The last one I faced was just as tough to beat but it was beaten in the end and so too will yours."

"It's all about training and knowing the right moves to teach and how they work best with his ability." Janine explained the way only an experienced gym leader could. "And that's what I've done with Drapion. Cross Poison has a higher than average critical hit ratio and I've discovered that Drapion's ability is Sniper which boosts the power of a critical hit. Combine them and well there's a reason why he's my tank when I battle."

"I can see that but I still have 2 Pokémon left and neither will be easy to beat." Ash said as he tossed out the Poke Ball while keeping in mind what Janine had said, that combo was a nasty one to deal with for sure and made Drapion a strong Pokémon to face just as he had wanted from this battle. "Torkoal, I choose you!"

Ash threw out the ball and his Torkoal burst forth belching smoke as it did. He had made the throw so that Torkoal would land in the earth that was now visible because of Torterra's defeat and not on the wood around it. It was time to see if Ash's theory was correct or not.

As soon as Torkoal landed on the earth nothing happened. No wail of pain, no activation of the Toxic Spikes, nothing. Ash grinned as Torkoal walked out of the hole to stand on the little wood between it and the large earth patch in the middle of the battlefield and looked at its opponent. Apparently it was facing some large, ugly, scary looking poison type.

"Yes I was right." Ash said pumping his first in celebration as Janine looked on in puzzlement. "Now I don't have to deal with that for the rest of the battle."

"Why didn't the Toxic Spikes trigger?" Janine asked. "They should have triggered as soon as Torkoal landed on the ground."

"You used them on the wooden floor, not the earth beneath it." Ash reminded her. "So I decided to test a theory I had as soon as I saw the crater that Torterra left. I theorized that only the wood had been effected and not the earth. Turns out I was right, only the wood has the attack in it. As we have broken through it, in multiple places, the earth is unaffected."

"Interesting, I never thought about that." Janine said her brows furrowing in thought. "Normally the floor remains relatively intact and I don't use Toxic Spikes often enough to have considered this outcome. Oh well, I admire the creativity so let's see what that Torkoal can do."

"You read my mind." Ash agreed. "Torkoal, Heat Wave."

"Dodge and get in close for a Cross Poison." Janine countered once again falling back on Drapion's best move.

Torkoal opened his mouth and sent out a wave of hot air right at Drapion. It was a wide attack and Drapion had to skitter far to the side and take a long arc to reach Torkoal to avoid, it's claws glowing with poison the entire time.

Drapion didn't fully avoid the attack as he felt the heat hit his legs but the damage was minimal as he bore down on the fire type he was now facing. Drapion's wider attack path had been what Ash had been planning for as it gave Torkoal just enough time for one more move.

"Iron Defense." Ash ordered as Drapion neared Torkoal.

Instantly Torkoal pulled himself into his shell and it flashed like steel in the sun as his defense boosted. The timing was just right as a few seconds later Drapion's poison infused claws hit the shell pushing it back a little but doing less damage than it normally would have just as Ash had expected. The bonus was that Drapion was now to close to Torkoal to dodge Ash's next attack.

"Flamethrower." Ash called out as Drapion backed up slightly from the shell in front of him.

The Ogre Scorp Pokémon had no time to avoid the attack as Torkoal popped its head out of its shell, just its head as that was all it needed, opened its mouth and blasted a gout of flame right into Drapion's now stunned face. The fire washed over Drapion before he roared in pain and staggered back as Torkoal kept the attack up long enough to fully get out of its shell and stand up facing its foe. Still, Janine knew that her Drapion still had some left and countered even as the flames were still bathing Drapion.

"Cross Poison one more time." Janine roared over the flames. "I know you can do it Drapion."

Drapion bellowed as he pushed through the flames, his claws glowing once more, and slashed down with all his might. Torkoal had just finished its attack and couldn't dodge in time as the claws landed on its head. There was no critical hit this time and Torkoal's elevated defense kept it conscious but as Torkoal was thrown backwards the potential side effect of Cross Poison triggered. Torkoal was poisoned, a purple line appearing under its eyes as the status attack took hold of it.

Torkoal bounced off the ground and over Torterra's crater before landing on its feet. He was wobbly as he stood up to face a now really pissed off and charred Drapion glaring at it. Then the poisoning rocked its body and the little strength it still had vanished and Torkoal collapsed, legs splayed and eyes swirls as Ash gaped at the sight before him.

"Torkoal is unable to battle." Aya declared raising an arm to Janine. "Drapion is the winner."

"What happened there?" Ash asked as he returned Torkoal confused as to how Torkoal had fainted. "I thought that Torkoal still had some left in the tank."

"Poisoned." Janine said simply Drapion backed up to be on her side breathing heavily and clearly injured but still in the battle. "I saw it on Torkoal's face just before it fainted. It's a potential side effect of Cross Poison and Torkoal got it after that hit. Once it racked its body it must have been enough to take it down."

"I see well that was unfortunate but you did great buddy, that Drapion can't have much left thanks to you so it will go down quickly and it will come down to our last Pokémon in this battle." Ash said with a smile at the Poke Ball before putting it away and pulling out his last Pokémon and looking at the Poke Ball. "You're all I have left so it's up to you to win this for me. Pignite, I choose you!"

Ash threw the ball out and second stage Unova fire type starter burst forth landing in the crater just as Torkoal had. Again the Toxic Spikes did not trigger before Pignite clambered out of it and crossed his arms glaring a challenge at the large thing in front of him that he was about to battle and defeat for Ash.

He'd never seen something like it but it was breathing heavily and clearly damaged based on the charring on its upper body. Pignite snorted, this thing would go down soon and he'd ensure it, he'd have to ask the others what it was, why it was so damaged and why it was pissed off but that would come later. Hopefully there was another challenge for him, he had to show up a lot of Pokémon back home who'd already bragged about their victories this year. Today was his chance to earn his own bragging rights.

"A Unova Pokémon, not a common choice out here." Janine said looking at the fire and fighting type with an unreadable expression on her face. "Not a bad choice. Drapion's almost done, no point in swapping him out just to possibly have to come back in this state if you beat my last remaining Pokémon. Best to take down some health before I have to use my starter."

"I spent last year in Unova so I have a fair few Pokémon from there." Ash said simply. "And I couldn't agree more, that Drapion has been a problem for me for far too long just like the last one I faced. I really need to figure out how to quickly beat one. I have a lot of training to do seeing as it took 4 of my Pokémon to bring down one of yours but it ends now. Pignite, Flame Charge."

"Block and push it back with Cross Poison." Janine ordered as Pignite wrapped himself in flames and charged leaving a scorch marks on the wood and the earth as he passed over it en route to his opponent.

Drapion instantly activated his best and favorite move and brought his poison clad claws up and in front of him to block the flaming pig that was charging at him. His trainer was right, he was nearing his limit and couldn't dodge it but he still had strength in his body and he wouldn't stop until he was put down. Time to show the pig who was stronger and finish this for Janine.

Pignite slammed into the crossed arms of Drapion as they clashed and pushed against each other with their moves for a few seconds. As with Torterra one had to break however this time it was Drapion who broke and not Ash's Pokémon. His strength just wasn't there anymore after that Flamethrower and Pignite was fresh. The latter broke through and Pignite slammed into Drapion's upper body with all his strength.

The fire type attack was the last straw for Drapion as he was blasted backwards by the Flame Charge, unconscious almost as soon as he was thrown away from Pignite. However, he was still sailing fast and right at Janine who had to dive out of the way and roll away as her Pokémon flew over her and into the thin wall behind her. Drapion then proceeded to continue through the wall leaving a large hole in it before finally crashing to the ground in a courtyard outside in an unmoving purple heap.

"Drapion is unable to battle." Aya declared after first going outside, clambering through the hole in the process, and confirming that Drapion was out before returning with her ruling. "Pignite is the winner."

"Alright Pignite, finally that Drapion has been defeated." Misty cheered happily from her position glad that Ash had at last defeated Janine's tank, he needed that win after losing 3 straight Pokémon to it. "Only one more Pokémon left Ash, you can do it."

"Drapion return." Janine said as she got up and pointed her ball through the hole in the wall before looking at it with a loving smile. "You were amazing my friend, got me back into this battle and even gave me my first lead by taking down 3 of Ash's Pokémon. You fought until the very end just as I expect from you. Take a good long rest. It's one on one now and I will win this."

"Then come at us." Ash taunted glad that he'd finally defeated that Drapion and ready to win the battle himself as the end of it neared. "As you said, it's one on one now so this is it. Winner of this match wins the whole battle so let's make this good."

"I know and I am glad that it has come down to this." Janine said pulling out her last Poke Ball. "Time for you to meet my oldest and best Pokémon, the cornerstone of my lineup and my beautiful baby girl who is always by my side. Ariados, spew your acid!"

Janine tossed out her Poke Ball and the Long Leg Pokémon burst forth to land on all its many legs right in front of Janine. Misty shivered involuntarily at the sight of an Ariados. She'd dealt with her fair share of this Pokémon in the past and still hated seeing one even if it was thanks to a group of Ariados that she was able to initially bond with Piplup.

Piplup too would not be happy with seeing one but he wasn't protesting so Misty could draw strength from her starter and continue cheering for Ash. Plus Ariados was a bug type which gave Ash an advantage due to Pignite's fire type. It was going to be close though, this Pokémon was clearly Janine's best so Ash had a challenge on his hands to defeat it.

"Pignite, start this off with Flamethrower." Ash ordered.

"Dodge and get high for a Pin Missile Ariados." Janine countered instantly.

Pignite opened his mouth and blasted a gout of fire right at Ariados. She wasn't having any of that annoyance from her opponent and instantly shot a web up to affix to the ceiling before yanking herself clear of the fire that scorched the wooden floor black but missed her. Ariados then began to swing herself from her web as she launched several Pin Missiles at Pignite.

All Pignite could do was raise his arm and take the hits from 4 missiles. The bug type move was not at all effective against Pignite but it was a distracting nuisance and that was what Janine was going for.

"Now hit it with Poison Jab." Janine ordered as Ariados swung forward on her web.

Ariados did just that. As she sent out her last missile and broke her web before she flipped in the air, the tips of her forelegs glowing purple, as she came hurtling down onto Pignite. Pignite had just lowered his arm after the last Pin Missile had hit it when the forelegs of Ariados slammed into his chest injecting him with poison, sending him staggering back and poisoning him in the process. Pignite howled in pain as he steadied himself and remained standing.

"Sent it back with Brick Break." Ash called out.

As soon as Pignite heard that his right fist glowed with fighting type power and he punched out at Ariados who was too close to dodge it. The blow hit it in the head and Ariados flipped back more pissed than hurt from the fighting type move that wouldn't do much damage to her. Janine didn't mind though, she had Pignite right where she wanted it and pressed her advantage.

"Night Shade Ariados." Janine ordered.

Pignite was still reeling as a wave of poison rocked through him and couldn't react as Ariados seemed to shimmer in a mirage. A second later Pignite was thrown backwards by the ghost type attack that was stronger than normal due to Ariados's high level.

Pignite fell back into the crater he had started in with a howl of pain that got worse as the poison coursed through him again eating away at more of his health. He rose to a knee, his eye closed, and glared at the spider in front of him. He was in pain, nearing his limit but he wasn't done yet.

He was going to win this for Ash, for his friends both with their trainer and back home and show his worth as one of Ash's better Pokémon. Pignite knew that he had the experience, he had been holding it back waiting for the right moment to unleash it. Well this was that right moment. For the second time in his life, Pignite triggered the change deep in his cells and embraced it with a roar as he began to glow with a bright white light.

"No way!' Ash yelled happily as he saw the white glow envelope Pignite in the crater.

"That's how Ash does it!" Misty cheered happily while Brock just smiled at the sight.

"You have got to be shitting me." Janine swore as she watch what was happing right when she was nearing her victory. "Oh well, this is something that can happen in battle. We can deal with this Ariados."

Pignite grew taller, his body thickened, his arms widened and a flaming beard appeared around his jaw. The white glow soon faded and Emboar roared as he finished his evolution. The poison wracked his body but he ignored it this time, he was fully evolved now and ready to show Ash his full worth as he stepped out of the crater. Ariados now skittering back a wide-eyed look of worry on her face at her now fully evolved opponent.

"That's it Emboar." Ash said happily and quickly attacked while Janine and Ariados were still recovering. "Fire Pledge."

"What's that move?" Janine asked as Emboar roared and punched the ground with his firs. "Well whatever it is, dodge it Ariados. Don't let a fire type attack hit you."

Ariados wanted to but the shock of the evolution and the first sign of the attack that Emboar was using rooted her in place. A pillar of flame had shot up right in front of Emboar then another in front of that pillar as the first fell down. The pillars continued until they surrounded Ariados in a ring of burning pillars so that she couldn't move or avoid, only stare at them in wide eyed fear. Then they all converged into one massive plume of flame right on top of Ariados who wailed in pain at the super effective attack that had just hit her.

When it faded Ariados was somehow still standing, a testament to how well Janine had raised her, but she was shaky and blackened from the attack. Ash knew he had it, this battle was his.

"Finish this with Brick Break!" Ash yelled.

Emboar matched that yell as he leapt forward, his fist glowing with power as he cocked his arm back, the poison hitting him mid jump but not enough to end him, his sheer will drove him on to win this for Ash and all his friends. Janine called out a dodge but Ariados had no strength left in her body. She was amazed she'd withstood that powerful fire type attack but even with a high resistance to fighting type moves she knew she couldn't survive the attack so she just lowered her head and closed her eyes as she accepted her defeat with an elegant grace.

Emboar's fist slammed down on top of Ariados's head with enough force to drive her into the wooden floor and crack one of the few remaining portions of the now black wood. Emboar took a step back as another wave of poison rocked his body and forced him to one knee but he grinned, nonetheless. At his feet was his opponent, all her legs splayed around her and swirls for eyes. He'd won.

"Ariados is unable to battle." Aya declared raising an arm to Ash's side for the final time. "Emboar is the winner. Janine is now out of Pokémon so the winner of this full battle is the challenger Ash of Pallet Town."

"Ash, Emboar needs this, it's poisoned." Brock yelled as soon as the match was over and tossed a Pecha berry, one of many he'd brough in his bag due to the high chance of poisoning, to Ash. "That will help cure it."

Ash caught the familiar berry as he hurried to Emboar who was rocked with another bout of poison and nearing the end of his strength. Ash quickly gave Emboar the berry who ate it gratefully and breathed a sigh of relief as the poisoning vanished and his health stabilized. As soon as he was clear Ash hugged him in a bone crushing embrace.

"You did it Emboar, you won and you evolved in the process." Ash said happily hugging Emboar back and ignoring the pain. "I thought that I was done for with that Drapion turning the tides and that Ariados starting strong against you but you pushed through and won it. I'm so proud of you and all my Pokémon who battled hard today to ensure that we won."

"Ariados, return." Janine said with a smile as she recalled her oldest and closest Pokémon and looked down at the ball in her hand. "You did great girl, had that Pokémon not evolved we probably would have won though that Fire Pledge attack may have still been as devastating regardless. Looks like dad was right, Ash is as good as he said he was."

As this was going on Misty was waiting for the right moment and as soon as Ash was done congratulating Emboar and had returned him for a good rest, she threw her pom poms down and rushed him, avoiding the damage on the battlefield as best she could. It had been his most intense battle yet but Ash had once again pulled off the victory, it was time for his reward.

All Ash could do was look up at the sound of Misty running at him before she was once again in his arms and kissing him hard just as she had done after each of his full battle victories this year. Ash enthusiastically responded as he held his girlfriend close while Janine rolled her eyes at the sight and Brock looked on in pride at his friends' display of love, something he'd never thought he see given Ash's density when it came to women.

They stayed like that for a moment before Janine loudly cleared her throat and they broke apart blushing furiously. Misty would give Ash the rest of his reward tonight in the Pokémon Center. Piplup had apparently gotten hurt during the battle despite not being in it so he would spend the night with Pikachu getting seen to so she and Ash would have plenty of privacy tonight, but that would be later after celebrating Ash's win with Brock at his place.

Misty quickly backed away so that Ash could speak with Janine after their battle as Janine approached them across the remains of her battlefield. This was something that could only be done between the two combatants so Misty gave them their space.

"Well that was certainly as destructive as advertised if not more so." Janine said as she stopped in front of Ash and they surveyed the damage to her gym. "A very good match Ash, you are as good as advertised and you pushed me hard all the way until the end. I look forward to watching you in the Indigo Conference later this year."

With that Janine placed a fist in her palm as many trained in the ninja arts did and bowed low to Ash in a sign of respect to him for his win and his skills in battle. Ash mirrored her moves and bowed as just as low to show he respected her just as much as she respected him before he too rose.

"Thank you Janine, that was a really good match." Ash responded meaning every word. "I got a little too cocky in that I think, that Drapion humbled me and forced me to really win it in the end which I needed in that battle. This was just what I wanted from my training regime this year. Thank you."

"Well you were very good at the start." Janine admitted. "My Drapion is strong with a devastating attack and ability combination that is tough to overcome unless you use a steel type. However, you made mincemeat of my first 4 Pokémon, including me to sacrifice one though in hindsight I probably should have just withdrawn Weezing for later so I have my own training to do as well."

"Still my tendency to get a little too cocky was something I needed to be reminded of." Ash said before wincing as he looked around again at the damaged gym with more earth than wooden floor, wood embedded in the walls, cracks, and a large, Drapion sized hole in one wall. "Sorry about the damage by the way."

"It happens and this is good for us." Janine said dismissively. "Aya and I could use some manual labor to keep us humble. I'll close down for a few days to fix this place up, though if there is a sudden surge of challengers we have a backup battlefield in the courtyard we can use just in case."

"That is good." Ash said with a smile. "If you need help let me know, I am partially responsible for this."

"Nonsense, this is my duty as a gym leader to clean this up, only me and my aunt should have to deal with this." Janine said dismissively as Aya tried to protest her sudden conscription in cleaning up what was essentially Janine's mess. "You should get going and celebrate with your girlfriend and Brock, after first getting your Pokémon seen too. I have to do the same. Keep getting stronger Ash and you will be a force to be reckoned with come the Indigo Conference. Brock, I look forward to seeing you back here in a week or so for our own little match."

"Of course Janine." Brock said before bowing to Janine who bowed back. "I'll let you know when I am free."

"I look forward to it." Janine said. "Now you should get going and have fun, it was a pleasure to face you Ash, I hope we meet again one day."

Ash nodded in agreement and bowed again before exchanging goodbyes with Aya, as did Misty and Brock, before they turned and left the gym to Aya and Janine. Ash and Misty walked out hand in hand, their Pokémon on their usual perches and Brock by their side just like old times.

Ash had won again, his 6th full battle victory, it was time to get his Pokémon healed up and celebrate like they were back in Sinnoh. Tomorrow they would have to decide what to do next but tonight was for Ash. It was time to have fun.