Part LXXXVIII: The Lepidopterarium

"Welcome to the Santalune Gym!" Viola, the gym leader said happily, as she greeted Ash, Misty, May, and Serena just inside the building. "Are you ready for our battle Ash?"

"Definitely." Ash said with a grin of determination. "I can't wait to win my first gym badge."

"That's the passion I like to see but I won't make it easy for you." Viola said as she turned and led them deeper into the gym and past many pictures of bug type Pokémon from various regions that really showed off Viola's talent with a camera. "Means this will be a great battle."

As the cheery blond gym leader led them through the gym, they looked around the interior of it. As with most gyms Ash had been in, except the odd dual purpose that most Unova gyms liked to serve, this gym was clearly dedicated to Viola's type preference. That meant that it was perfect for bug type Pokémon.

That said Ash could easily have been confused into thinking that it was a grass type gym as the main room of the gym was a large greenhouse with lush trees and greenery surrounding a sunken battleground in the center that was made of earth. It reminded Ash a bit of how Erika and Gardenia did their gyms though the battlefield was clearly separate from the trees which it wasn't in the grass type gyms he'd been in.

What really gave the type away were the Pokémon present. The trees and ground around them were filled with bug types from all the regions that Ash had been to and likely some from the two he hadn't visited but he didn't have the time to inquire further into that.

Then again Ash knew from Misty and Serena's chat with Viola and her sister Alexa the day before that Viola had traveled all over the world taking pictures of bug types in 8 regions. That could account for the variety of bug types present as she likely caught Pokémon in those regions as well.

As Ash looked around, he was really reminded of the Castelia Gym out in Unova more than the grass type gyms he'd been to in Celadon and Eterna City. It was very similar only more rectangular and not the odd shape that Burgh liked to use in his gym.

"It's like the Castelia Gym in a sense." Ash said as they reached the battlefield and his friends stayed up as Ash and Viola descended into the sunken battlefield. "That's the last bug type gym I was in. I barely remember the bug type one out in Johto, that was so long ago that it's hard to recall it."

"You've been there?" Viola asked sounding impressed. "Yeah, it's similar to Castelia's gym. I based the idea of how Burgh laid out his gym only with my own style. I was last in Azalea Town, that's where the Johto bug type gym is if you forgot, a few years ago and while it's nice it's a little too natural. I love nature but I want my challenger's spectators to have a good place to watch and Bugsy never got that."

"It works well." Ash said finally recalling his meeting with Bugsy and his gym at the mention of his name as he stopped in his box and Viola continued walking to her end of the battlefield. "My friend Dawn really didn't like how Bugsy had his gym, but she hates bug types, so it wasn't great for her. One thing all three bug type gyms I have been to have all shown is how bug and grass types are similar in a lot of ways."

"That they are, as are poison types as the three often have dual types between them." Viola called out as she walked. "But bugs have their own distinctive advantages that the other two types don't have, so long as you know the right moves to use that is."

"That they do." Ash said. "Bug types are strong against psychic and dark types, not many types have that kinda advantage. Course the tradeoff is weaknesses to ice, fire and flying. Bug types also tend to evolve quickly and don't have many powerful offensive moves, but any specialist can overcome that."

"Such is the nature of types; they have their strengths and weaknesses in all aspects." Viola said as she reached her end and turned to face Ash. "Now shall we do this?"

"Yes, I've been waiting a long time for this." Ash said with conviction in his voice as he noticed the usually cheery woman was suddenly hyper focused as she pulled out a Poke Ball. "I haven't earned a new gym badge since before I saw Misty in Unova, so it's been a while since I got one."

"You can do it Ash!" Misty called out from the cheering section in her usual cheerleader outfit shaking her pom poms enthusiastically. "Win again."

"Even if I didn't guess from yesterday or seeing you two holding hands when you arrived, I could tell that Misty was your girl." Viola said with a smile. "She did mention her boyfriend but never confirmed it, not that it was hard to guess who she was talking about."

"Oh, she wore that in Sinnoh long before we started dating." Ash said. "For a few gym battles at least."

"And you didn't realize she liked you from that?" Viola said cocking an eyebrow. "Most girls don't just dress as cheerleaders for someone they see as only a friend."

"Ash is oblivious." Misty called out as Serena and May nodded from next to her though neither were dressed up, Misty hadn't persuaded them to do so yet even if May had done so for the Indigo Conference Final, but Misty would get them to do so before the Lumiose Conference. "And in fairness so was I to my feelings for him back then, it just felt right."

"Most men are." Viola said with a laugh as Alexa came in and made her way to the ref spot her Helioptile on her shoulder. "Then again sometimes we don't notice our own feelings at first and it takes a special event or the right nudge to realize them."

"Sorry I'm late." Alexa said interrupting them. "I forgot that this was the time of the battle. Nice to see you again Ash, are you really sure you're ok with me refereeing it?"

"Of course, I've had family members officiate many of my gym battles." Ash said as he pulled out his first Poke Ball. "I trust you to be fair."

"I will be, I am a journalist, so I know how to be fair." Alexa said as she took her spot. "I can see that you are both ready, so I won't delay it anymore."

"Good." Viola said eagerly. "Come and show me what you got Ash Ketchum. I want to see what the Indigo runner up and the man who revealed fairy types to the world can do against my bug types."

"I won't disappoint you Viola." Ash said.

"Alright then let's get this gym battle underway." Alexa said ending the trash talking to get it started. "The official Santalune City Gym battle between the Gym Leader Viola and the challenger Ash from Pallet Town is about to begin. Both trainers will have the use of two Pokémon and the winner will be the trainer who defeats the other's Pokémon first. Only the challenger can substitute his Pokémon. Is that understood?"

"Yes." Ash said as Viola nodded in agreement and he fell into his battle zone where he was most comfortable.

"Then begin." Alexa called out.

"Fletchling, I choose you!" Ash said throwing out his Poke Ball.

"Surskit, go!" Viola said throwing out her own ball. "I am always focused on victory Ash just as I am with my camera when taking a picture."

The balls burst open and the Pokémon appeared on the battlefield. Ash's new Fletchling hovered in front of him as the Hoenn bug and water type appeared before Viola. Ash hadn't faced many of the four-legged bug types, but he knew how to handle one. He had a flying type and thus the advantage in both type and mobility in this matchup.

"A Fletchling, interesting." Viola said. "A good choice against me but I am not a gym leader for nothing Ash, I can handle flying types with ease. As the challenger you get the first move."

"Very well, let's start this off with Razor Wind." Ash called out.

"Dodge and counter with Ice Beam." Viola said as the battle began.

Fletchling instantly flapped his wings to produce the blades of wind that Razor Wind was known for. As he was doing this Surskit formed a ball of light blue ice in its mouth and fired it off at Fletchling. Fletchling knew that the super effective attack would hit but he also knew that if he took it then he would get his attack off and it would hit in return. A trade off he was willing to make to land his own attack.

The beam of ice flew true but just before it struck the small Fletchling just as he finished prepping his move and the blades of air shot out and around the Ice Beam. Thanks to the delay in the move, Surskit didn't have time to dodge as the normal type attack hit and blasted it back, rolling as it did over the battlefield.

Still Fletchling took the ice type attack and somersaulted through the air but steadied himself just in time to avoid hitting the ground. It did a lot of damage and at his level of experience he couldn't take another Ice Beam, but he trusted Ash even if they had only recently met. His trainer was determined and clever, he knew that he would give the right order and lead him to victory.

"That's it Fletchling, follow that up with Peck." Ash called out.

"Surskit, stop it with Sticky Web." Viola said in response.

"Dodge it, show off your flying skills." Ash said encouragingly. "I know you can do it."

Fletchling tweeted as he put all his flying type power into his glowing beak and flew at full speed at his opponent. As he flew, Surskit began to send a series of sticky nets from its mouth at Fletchling. Fletchling just focused on landing his hit as he easily flew around, between, under, and over the nets as he bore down on the bug and water type.

He'd been perfecting his flying skills ever since he could fly, it was how he was able to steal food so well, and Ash had upped his practice since catching him, so this was nothing to him. In short order he closed in and slammed beak first into Surskit.

The super effective attack sent Surskit flying back as Fletchling sored up and into the sky with a flip and a chirp of triumph at the hit. However, Surskit was still fighting and slowly got to its feet. Ash was impressed, he'd expected it to be out by now, but it was still fighting so he had to focus on it.

"Ice Beam." Viola called out.

"Dodge that." Ash said as Surskit fired off the attack as fast as possible.

Fletchling was putting distance between himself and his opponent when the attack was sent at him and he felt it more than saw it coming. He instinctively dodged and corrected his path to dive at Surskit, his wings glowing as a new attack filled his brain. What better way to show it off then to use it now even if it probably wasn't that effective as he had a feeling this thing was not a pure bug type.

"Wow you learned Steel Wing." Ash said recognizing the shine in Fletchling's wings that differentiated Steel Wing from Wing Attack. "Use it."

"Surskit, Protect." Viola countered realizing that Surskit didn't have the strength to avoid the attack. "Stop it."

Almost instantly a protective shield formed around Surskit moments before Fletchling arrived. The Steel Wing slammed into it but did nothing against the powerful defensive attack. However, Ash just grinned. As good as Protect was, it was almost impossible to use twice in a row and Fletchling was close enough to ensure a hit that would win this match for Ash and he knew just the attack to use.

"Peck." Ash called out as soon as the Protect ended.

Surskit and Viola didn't have the time react. As soon as he got the order, Fletchling's beak glowed with flying type power and he slammed it down onto Surskit's head from right above it. The super effective attack was too much for the Pond Skater Pokémon and it collapsed, legs splayed and eyes swirls.

"Surskit is unable to battle." Alexa said raising a hand to her sister's side as Fletchling flew into the air and tweeted his victory song. "Fletchling is the winner."

"Alright go Fletchling." Misty cheered from her spot shaking her pom poms while May and Serena just cheered normally for the victory. "Only one more left."

"Surskit return." Viola said with a smile as she recalled her Pokémon and looked at the ball. "You did great buddy, that Fletchling is faster and more agile than most of its kind which surprised us. Don't worry we'll fight flying with flying now and it won't be able to counter my next Pokémon the way it countered you."

"You want to stay in?" Ash asked and Fletching tweeted in confirmation as Viola put away her Poke Ball. "Alright then do so."

"Interesting Ash, let's see if you can handle my other Pokémon as well as you did Surskit." Viola said as she pulled out her second Poke Ball and tossed it. "Vivillon, go!"

The ball burst open and a beautiful butterfly like Pokémon burst forth. It was the typical style for Pokémon like it with large wings that started out hot pink, went into a dark pick with and ended in black with light pink, turquoise and dark pink markings on the wings. It's light and dark gray body was the standard affair for a bug type with a large head, narrow body, legs, and antennae. Ash knew that it was the last form of Scatterbug, and it was the Pokémon Ash predicted Viola would use.

"Let's see what the Pokedex has to say about you." Ash said pulling out his Kalos region Pokedex and scanning Vivillon.

"Vivillon, the Scale Pokémon and the final evolved form of Scatterbug." The Pokedex chimed helpfully. "The patterns on this Pokémon's wings depend on the climate and topography of its habitat. It scatters colorful scales."

"So, it has many different appearances." Ash said putting his Pokedex away. "Kinda like how Shellos and its evolved form have two patterns depending on where in Sinnoh it's from."

"Correct." Viola said with a nod. "Depending on where you caught the Scatterbug, which likely was born there, will depend on what the wing pattern of Vivillon will be. Unfortunately, this makes the patterns rare in other areas so Scatterbugs are often targets for poachers as they can sell the different Vivillon at high prices so always be vigilant and try and stop it."

"Interesting, the patterns I mean, I hate Pokémon poachers so don't worry I will stop any that I meet." Ash said seriously. "Thanks for the tip. I wonder what Serena's will be though."

"Like many bug types, Scatterbug evolves quickly so if your friend has one it should be a Vivillon soon." Viola said. "Though as I don't know where she caught it, I can't say what pattern it will be. Enough small talk, come at me Ash."

"With pleasure." Ash said grinning again. "Get in close with Steel Wing."

"Keep it at a distance with Gust." Viola countered. "Send it back and follow up with a Psychic as soon as you've blown it back. Ground that bird."

Fletchling activated the attack again and his wings glowed with steel type power as he flew at full pelt at the flying type he was now facing. At the same time Vivillon began flapping its wings really fast kicking up a series of high-speed winds with its wings. Fletchling wasn't even halfway to Vivillon when the attack hit him.

He tried to power through the Gust. He'd faced high winds in the past back when he was a wild Pokémon, but this was different to what he'd experienced in nature. This was a concentrated, powerful, blast from a fully evolved Pokémon. In the end that was the deciding factor. Fletchling was just too small and weak at his current stage to overcome the strength of Vivillon's Gust.

His strength waned and the Gust broke through instantly sending him tumbling back in the powerful blast of air. As soon as this happed Vivillon stopped the Gust attack and its eyes glowed blue with psychic type power. Before Fletchling could recover, the attack had hit him, encasing him in a blue glow, and Vivillon flicked its head.

Fletchling was hurled down to the ground at high speed and slammed into it with a crash and small cloud of dust was kicked up from the impact. When it settled it showed a battered Fletchling on his side twitching slightly with swirls for eyes.

"Fletchling is unable to battle." Alexa said raising a hand to Ash's side as he stared in amazement at how fast the battle had been ended but then again Fletchling had been hit by an Ice Beam earlier and the combo was likely more than enough to take it out which simply meant that they would have to train harder to get stronger. "Vivillon is the winner."

"Fletchling return." Ash said recalling his Pokémon and looking at the ball in his hand. "You did great buddy, that loss is on me for not subbing you out. We'll work on dealing with those kinds of winds in the future and when you evolve you will be able to deal with them better, I know that."

"Fletchling is too small to withstand that Gust." Viola said simply as Pikachu tugged Ash's pants and he nodded at his starter knowing what he wanted as this was the Pokémon they'd expected to face. "But it is clearly a good Pokémon already so when it evolves it will get a lot better as Fletchling's normal type becomes a fire type upon evolution. However, let's end this, we both have one Pokémon left. Who's your last?"

"My starter and best friend." Ash said with a grin as he pointed out to the battlefield. "Pikachu, I choose you."

"Pikachu." Pikachu said happily as he ran out and onto the battlefield eager for his first victory in this new region.

"I was expecting your Pikachu after I saw it yesterday." Viola said with a nod. "Show me what he can do."

"Pikachu, start this out with a Quick Attack." Ash said and instantly Pikachu began to run at full speed at the hovering Vivillon.

"Send it back with Gust." Viola responded once again going for distance over close quarters battling as most of Vivillon's attacks were ranged ones.

As good as her Vivillon was, it wasn't as fast as Pikachu when facing Pikachu's oldest and most well-honed move. Pikachu was a blur and leapt into the air before Vivillon could even begin to beat its wings and slammed into its body at full speed sending it flipping back. However, Vivillon wasn't Viola's best Pokémon for no reason. As soon as it was stable, it resumed the Gust attack and the high-speed winds slammed into Pikachu before he hit the ground again.

The force of the Gust made Pikachu roll a little on landing but with the angle it wasn't as effective, so he was able to get onto all fours and try to steady himself. Viola wasn't going to let the happen.

"Get in low and keep it up Vivillon." Viola called out. "Blow that Pikachu away so you have time to charge a Solar Beam."

"Pikachu, I know you can hold on." Ash said putting all his love into his voice as Vivillon lowered to just above the ground and kept the Gust up, this time from a better angle.

Pikachu just grit his teeth as the renewed blast of air hit him and began to shift him back little by little. At this angle it was a lot stronger and he didn't know if he could hold out against it much longer. Neither did Ash as he looked at the situation trying to find a solution. Pikachu needed more stability to resist the winds Gust kicked up and that was when it hit him. Ash grinned, this was how he fought best.

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail." Ash called out. "And drive it into the ground."

"Pikachu." Pikachu grunted out knowing exactly what Ash wanted and grinning as well at the idea.

"Huh?" Viola asked in surprise at Ash's orders as Pikachu's tail turned to steel.

Pikachu then slammed his tail back and into the ground behind him, the attack easily cutting into the ground and providing him with an anchor. Almost at once he stopped sliding back and Ash knew he had an advantage. He wasn't going to waste it.

"Thunderbolt!" Ash said.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled as Iron Tail ended but his tail remained anchored in the ground and he sent out his favorite attack right at an exhausted and surprised Vivillon.

Vivillon was still trying to use Gust to push Pikachu back and had no chance to avoid the super effect attack. The electric type attack slammed into it and fried it with a wail of pain. The Gust almost immediately ended and Vivillon fell to the ground smoking and spasming a little but still in the battle.

As effective as Thunderbolt was it wasn't enough to take it out. Still, Ash saw something that he could use and instantly pressed his advantage knowing that this would work thanks to the Iron Tail earlier.

"Follow that up with Quick Attack Pikachu." Ash said.

"Dodge it." Viola said as she formulated a quick plan of her own to beat Pikachu. "And hit it with Sleep Powder as Pikachu passes you."

What happened next went exactly as Ash had planned, a rarity for him in battle but he'd take it. Thanks to having his tail wedge into the ground, Pikachu was a shade slower with his Quick Attack then usual as he had to extract it before he set off and that slight delay gave Vivillon just enough time to leap to the side and just out of the way so that Pikachu would speed past it and into a cloud of Sleep Powder.

Vivillon managed the first half easily and leapt to the side just in time to avoid the speeding Mouse Pokémon. The second half never happened as Vivillon's right wing landed in a Sticky Web left over from when Surskit used it that was still on the ground and stuck fast.

The Scale Pokémon let out a wail of surprise and forgot its attack and Ash instantly capitalized. Had Vivillon leapt to the other side it wouldn't have landed in the web as there was no web there, but Pikachu had made sure it would leap to the needed side having realized Ash's plan as well.

"Finish this with Thunderbolt!" Ash said triumphantly.

"Psychic." Viola countered using the only move she could really use at this time but alas it was all in vain.

As soon as Pikachu had missed, he had turned and stopped his attack, skidding on the earth as he did thanks to his speed, and unleashed his Thunderbolt the moment Ash had called for it. The attack again struck home slamming into the stuck Vivillon center mass and frying it while destroying the Sticky Web it was stuck in in the process.

Two super effective electric attacks plus the opening Quick Attack were too much for Vivillon. It was out cold before the move ended, flopping back to the ground without any fanfare, swirls for eyes showing that it was out, and that Ash had won the battle.

"Vivillon is unable to battle, Pikachu is the winner." Alexa declared first raising her hand to Viola's side and then moving it to Ash's. "That means that Viola is out of Pokémon. Therefore, the winner is the challenger Ash from Pallet Town."

"We did its Pikachu." Ash said as Pikachu ran at him and leapt into his arms to celebrate. "I knew you could do it."

"Vivillon return." Viola said with a small smile as she addressed the Poke Ball. "That was well done my friend but alas we did not expect Ash to use an Iron Tail to stabilize Pikachu against your gust or to use Surskit's attack from the round before to negate your mobility advantage. That was some serious tactics, but I'd expect no less from someone who almost won the Indigo Conference."

Misty couldn't take it anymore. She threw down her pom poms, vaulted over the ledge of the spectators' area landing in a crouch before she ran at Ash as he celebrated with Pikachu. She'd done this all through Kanto and there was no way she was going to stop it here in Kalos.

"What is Misty…" May began before Misty almost tackled Ash and gave him a deep kiss, Pikachu having wisely leapt out of the way in time. "Oh, that's what she's doing. Should have expected that."

"Why do I feel like this will be a common occurrence we're going to have to deal with whenever Ash wins." Serena said with a sigh as Ash pulled Misty in close and she looked away in both discomfort and loss as she wished she was the one kissing Ash.

"Because they are a really cute couple even if it hurts to see that." May replied as she began to make her way to the steps deliberately not looking at the kiss to avoid causing herself more pain at the sight. "Come on, let's congratulate Ash."

As this was happening Ash and Misty were enjoying their usual victory celebration that lasted until Viola loudly cleared her throat from next to them. They broke apart blushing and turned to face Viola and her sister who had made their way to them.

"Young love is always nice to see." Viola said with a smile before she held out her hand to Ash as Misty backed away to give them some space. "But why don't you hold off for a bit, I would like to congratulate Ash on his victory first."

"Sorry about that." Ash said embarrassed as he took Viola's hand and they shook. "That was a good battle Viola."

"That it was, good use of the field, moves and the remnants of the first battle to your advantage." Viola said with a smile. "I've never seen anyone use Iron Tail like that or use Sticky Web from a prior battle to such an effect. I'll have to keep the latter in mind for future challengers."

"Well, the latter was more an opportunity I saw after Pikachu landed his first Thunderbolt." Ash admitted. "I've always been good at this out of the box thinking in battle, so it worked for me. I landed the first hit because of the Iron Tail, but I needed a way to ensure that I could neutralize Vivillon's maneuverability advantage to land the second Thunderbolt."

"And it worked to perfection." Viola said as she held out her hand, showing a brown badge with what looked like green bugs eyes on it and a loop at the top. "And in recognition of your victory you have earned this, the Bug Badge."

"Alright." Ash said as he took the badge and then struck his usual victory pose, the first time since he'd won the HopHopHop Town Contest and his first gym badge since he'd won the Toxic Badge at the Virbank Gym in Unova. "I got the Bug Badge."

"Pi, Pikachu." Pikachu said leaping up and celebrating with him.

"Good luck in your future Ash, I look forward to watching your progress when you make it to the Lumiose Conference." Viola said with a smile. "So, who's next for you?"

"Clemont so it is back to Lumiose City." Ash said. "Via a nearby village that is hosting the first Contest in Kalos so that Serena can compete in it."

"That will be a tough one, he's good with his electric types." Viola said.

"I know but I have May here who knows Clemont so she can train me." Ash said. "I'll be more than ready to face him when I return to Lumiose City."

"That I will, we can start tomorrow." May said with a smile and a glance at Misty to give her a small nod understanding what she wanted. "Once your team is fully healthy, we can spend the day prepping your Pokémon for what they will face. Clemont will be harder than most second gym leaders you have faced in the past."

"Great idea May." Misty said with a grin. "And while you work with Ash, Serena and I can go shopping for poffin ingredients and have a girls' day to ourselves."

"Really?" Serena asked confused looking at Misty. "Are you sure you don't want to help Ash?"

"I do but May is better plus we've not had any true alone time so this will be good." Misty said to her. "I think we need it."

"We do?" Serena asked though she had a very good idea why Misty of all people would want to be alone with her. "Why?"

"You know why." Misty said simply and confirming what Serena thought Misty wanted. "But we can address that tomorrow. We should get back to the Pokémon Center and celebrate with Ash."

"Great idea." Viola said. "Ash has earned it. I hope to see you guys again this year."

"Me too." Alexa said with a nod as her Helioptile agreed from her shoulder.

"Same here." Ash said with a bow to the women who returned it before they turned and left.

Ash and his friends also turned and left, grabbing their stuff as they did before heading back to the Pokémon Center to get Ash's Pokémon healed and celebrate his first Kalos gym badge. It was a good start and tomorrow Ash would begin training for his second gym battle with May while Misty and Serena went out to the latter ready for her first Contest that was coming up soon.

Only Serena was nervous about the coming day but then again, a day alone with your crush's girlfriend who likely knew about your crush and was going to talk to you about it was always nerve wracking. All Serena could hope for was that it went well, she'd been preparing for this ever May had told her that it would be coming so she had to get ready for it actually happening. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day for sure.