The day was stretching into afternoon, and Ash felt a familiar itch in his trainer's spirit. With the time ticking away while they waited for Clay, the Driftveil City Gym Leader, to return, Ash couldn't resist the urge to get some training in. Driftveil City had an aura of strength and resilience about it, and that atmosphere was practically begging for a battle.
Cilan, always supportive of Ash's dedication, decided to join him in some practice training. The two friends sought a nearby training area, eager to hone their skills.
But the day had more surprises in store for them. As they practiced their moves and strategies, their training was unexpectedly interrupted by the arrival of a familiar face - Cilan's brother, Chili. Chili had a new companion with him, a Tepig. This Tepig was no ordinary catch, for it was a pokemon rescued by Don George from an abusive trainer in one of his Pokemon Battle Clubs. As if this news weren't enough, another revelation followed. Ash's eyes widened as he saw that Cilan's Chimchar had evolved into a Monferno.
"What is it with Fire-type starter pokemon and abusive trainers," Ash sighed sadly, as he observed Tepig, Monferno, and his Agni play together. "Did you know that Agni would have ended up with an abusive trainer, had he not failed psych evaluation?"
"It has my blood boiling!" Chili scowled."How could anyone treat their pokemon like that? They should have their Trainer License revoked!"
"Luckily, they are safe with you now, brother," Cilan assured his older brother.
"It does not matter now! I came here to challenge you to a battle Cilan!" Chili turned to his little brother with a dramatic flair.
"Really? You came all the to Driftveil City to challenge me?" Cilan sounded surprised, before a wide smile spread through his lips. "I am always up for a battle!"
Despite Chili's fierce determination, his Simisear faced defeat at the hands of Cilan's Simisage. Frustration bubbled within Chili, and he couldn't help but lay the blame on his loyal Simisear, who, in a fit of anger, stormed off and disappeared into the distance.
Intrigued by the situation, Cilan decided to dig deeper into the matter. He reached out to his other brother, Cress, who was still stationed at the Striaton Gym. Cress revealed that Chili had been enduring a long streak of losses in his battles recently. Seeking advice, Chili had turned to Cress, but the truth had been delivered bluntly and honestly, which had not sat well with him. Feeling hurt, Chili had left the Gym, his pride wounded.
Cilan couldn't stand seeing his brother in such mood, and he offered to help. He believed that every trainer had a unique bond with their pokemon, and perhaps Chili and Simisear needed to strengthen their partnership. With a thoughtful evaluation, Cilan saw that their fiery temperaments matched perfectly, and both liked to eat when frustrated or angry.
Taking a proactive approach, Cilan suggested that Chili teach Simisear a non-Fire-type move to create a more balanced team. They decided to start with Solar Beam, a move that would add a new dimension to Simisear's battling style. The days that followed were filled with rigorous training sessions, laughter, and determination. All of them joined in, their shared goal to help Simisear learn this new move.
Finally, the day came that Simisear successfully mastered Solar Beam. Chili was overjoyed, his pride in his partner renewed. Eager to put their newfound skills to the test, Chili challenged Cilan to a rematch, this time with Simisear by his side. It was a battle of growth and determination, and this time, Chili and Simisear emerged victorious.
With his confidence restored, Chili bid farewell to his brother and friend, his heart filled with gratitude for their support. He set off to return to the Striaton Gym, ready to face the challenges ahead. Just as the sun began its descent, Nurse Joy delivered the long-awaited news. Clay, the formidable Driftveil City Gym Leader, had returned and was prepared to accept Ash's challenge.
The anticipation and excitement filled the air as the following day, after a goodnight rest, Ash readied himself for the battle that lay ahead. Cilan had to practically stop him from jumping off bed and rushing towards the gym as soon as the sun rose. With an amused laugh, Cilan prepared Ash breakfast and made sure that all of the dragons were well-fed and rested for the upcoming battle.
Once, they were given the stamp of approval from Cilan, they all took off towards the Driftveil City Gym. Where a grumpy Gym Leader with a cowboy hat greeted them. From the interested glint in his eyes, Ash and Cilan realized that Gym Leader Clay had recognized them. How many Gym Leaders will recognize him? Had Drayden-sensei gloated about them to everyone in the Unova Pokemon Circuit?
How embarrassing...
Luckily, Clay was not one for small talk and rapidly had everyone take their positions. As he had just returned from his trip and he was still a little bit tired, this battle will only be a three vs three match. Ash was kind of disappointed, but a short battle was better than no battle.
With a determined look on his face, Clay took the first step, sending out his trusted partner, Krokorok. The Ground/Dark-type pokemon emerged from its Poke Ball with confidence, his intimidating demeanor sending a clear message that he was ready to defend its turf. Krokorok's reputation as a tough and cunning fighter preceded him.
On the other side of the arena, Ash made his choice. With a swift motion, he sent out Ladon, his Garchomp. The imposing Dragon/Ground-type pokemon emerged with a powerful roar, his large, fin-like wings spread wide. Ladon was no stranger to tough battles, and his mere presence made their opponents weary.
"So, that is the famous Ladon, named after the legendary dragon of the times before Arceus," Clay commented, his gaze of Ladon was appraising. "A worthy name for a sturdy dragon."
Ash smirked, as Ladon roared defiantly. Clay and Krokorok sneered in return, they were not intimidated by their little scene. The battle commenced with Clay issuing his commands with a gruff confidence, rooted in years of experience. Krokorok responded eagerly, prepared to carry out hhis trainer's orders.
The arena's sandstorm immediately kicked into gear, summoned by Krokorok's Sandstorm attack. The swirling sands created a hazardous environment, one that would test the skills of both trainers and their pokemon. Unfortunately, for Clay and Krokorok, Ladon and Ash were quite used to sandstorms, using them many times in their strategies.
As the battle raged on, Krokorok launched a vicious Bite attack, attempting to clamp his jaws down on Ladon's tough hide. Ladon, however, was equally swift in his response, evading the attack with a graceful sidestep. It was clear that Ash and Ladon had prepared well for this battle. Ladon retaliated with a Sandstorm of his own, matching the sandstorm that shrouded the arena. The swirling sands added an extra layer of chaos to the battlefield, making it challenging for both pokemon to maintain their footing.
Clay wasn't one to back down, and he ordered Krokorok to use Stone Edge. Sharp, jagged stones materialized in the air around Krokorok before hurtling toward Ladon. Ash's quick thinking came into play as he commanded Ladon to employ his Dragon Claw. With impeccable timing, Ladon swiped through the oncoming stones, shattering them into smaller fragments that scattered harmlessly across the arena.
The battle reached a fevered pitch as the trainers continued to strategize and issue commands. The gym's sandstorm showed no signs of relenting, adding to the intensity of the clash. Finally, after a series of well-executed maneuvers and tactical choices, the pivotal moment arrived. Ash seized the opportunity and gave the command he had been waiting for. Ladon unleashed his powerful Dragon Rush, a move that combined speed and strength to deliver a devastating blow.
Krokorok, though formidable, couldn't withstand the sheer force of Ladon's Dragon Rush. The attack struck true, sending Krokorok flying backward, defeated. The referee raised his flag, declaring Ash and Ladon the victors of the battle, which had Cilan erupting in applause.
"That's what I am talking about!" Ash cheered, fist-bumping Ladon. "That's my boy! You were awesome!"
"Even for those pokemon that were born for sand, it is hard for them to navigate a sandstorm during a battle," Clay commented, as he returned his fainted pokemon and took out his second Poke Ball. "Especially, intense ones like the one we had created. You've trained your dragon well. But let's see how he can handle us. Palpitoad, you are up next! Don't waste a second, Hydro Pump!"
Palpitoad unleashed a powerful Hydro Pump, directing a high-pressure torrent of water straight toward Ladon. The attack was swift and forceful, creating a formidable current of water in its wake. But Ash was prepared, and he signaled Ladon to use Stone Edge to break the Water-type attack and protect the dragon at the same time.
Ladon's reaction was a testament to the countless hours of training they had undergone. With lightning speed, he unleashed many stones through the oncoming Hydro Pump, dispersing the pressurized water and preventing any damage. Clay marveled at the precision and synchronization between trainer and pokemon, while Cilan cheered his friend on.
Clay ordered Palpitoad to follow up with Sludge Bomb, hoping to catch Ladon off guard with the ranged attack. However, Ash had his strategy locked in place. He commanded Ladon to employ Double Team, creating multiple illusionary copies of himself. The Sludge Bombs exploded, but they found only the illusory duplicates. Ladon emerged unscathed, revealing his true location as he prepared for his next move.
Ash knew that seizing the momentum was crucial, and he had a plan. Ladon unleashed his Dragon Pulse, a combination of speed and strength that sent it hurtling toward Palpitoad. The forceful impact struck Palpitoad with stunning precision, leaving him reeling.
Clay, always one to adapt and strategize, made his final attempt to turn the tide. "Rock Smash, Palpitoad!" Palpitoad, despite his weakened state, summoned his remaining strength to execute the attack.
But Ash wasn't about to let victory slip through his fingers. With a confident command, Ladon responded with an Earthquake that shook the battlefield to its core. The ground trembled beneath Palpitoad's feet, disrupting his focus and causing his Rock Smash to miss its target battle reached its conclusion as Ladon's Dragon Breath struck true, defeating Palpitoad and securing Ash's victory.
"Two for two, Ladon!" Ash cheered, jumping on his dragon for a hug. Laughing when his pokemon levitated him a little, spinning him around in the air. "Put me down, you jester! We have a battle to finish!"
"That you do. Let's see how you can handle my partner, Excadrill!" Clay summoned his third and last pokemon to battle. "Let's start with Rapid Spin!"
Excadrill wasted no time, using Rapid Spin to propel himself forward with a flurry of drilling rotations. He aimed to close the distance between himself and Ladon swiftly. Ash, on the other hand, had a clear strategy in mind. He commanded Ladon to meet Excadrill head-on with a Dragon Tail, a powerful move that was second nature to the Dragon-type.
The collision between the two pokemon created a shower of sparks, with Ladon's Dragon Tail meeting Excadrill's spinning fury. The impact was intense, but Ladon's resilience and power allowed him to maintain his position. Clay, impressed by Ash's tactical approach, decided to switch things up. He ordered Excadrill to use Drill Run, a high-speed charging move with a drilling twist. Excadrill burrowed into the ground, creating an unsettling tremor across the battlefield as he aimed to strike Ladon from below.
Ash remained composed, his eyes locked on the shifting terrain. He knew that Ladon's Dragon/Ground-typing would be advantageous in this situation. As Excadrill burst from the ground, Ladon was ready. Ash swiftly commanded Ladon to use Dig, a move that allowed him to tunnel below the surface.
Cilan watched with bated breath as the battle continued beneath the battlefield. Ash and Clay's commands echoed through the earth as Ladon and Excadrill clashed underground, their fierce struggle hidden from view. It was a testament to their unwavering determination to emerge victorious. Moments later, Ladon emerged from the ground, a victorious glint in his eyes. He had outmaneuvered Excadrill in their subterranean battle, landing a decisive blow with his Dig attack. Excadrill, weakened and disoriented, struggled to regain his footing, as he also climbed back from underground.
Ash seized the opportunity. With a commanding shout, he ordered Ladon to finish it with a Bulldoze, a devastating Ground-type move that sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield. Ladon stomped down on the ground and created a shock wave on the ground. The shock wave then crashed towards Excadrill. The ground trembled beneath Excadrill, and he was unable to withstand the force of the attack.
Excadrill was defeated, and the victory went to Ash and Ladon. Cilan, Ash, and Ladon erupted into cheers, as they celebrated the victory.
"You are stronger than what I saw during the Lily of the Valley Conference," Clay commented gruffly. "A warning though, keep in mind that from now on the other Gym Leaders will come at you harder than before. As the thirteen pillars of Unova, we cannot allow a young trainer like you to sweep past through us." Ash beamed in pride, as Ladon roared in victory. "But for now, celebrate your well-earned victory. Here's the Quake Badge, you deserve it."