Chapter 9

When we get back to Floccesy Town, we find Rosa who has finished battling two school kids. I ask, "So how is it going?"

"The training is doing well." Rosa says. "The battles really help a lot."

Alder says, "Indeed, although I want to have a battle with you, I hear that you want to challenge the gyms, right?"

"Of course." I say. "Though I haven't gotten any..."

Alder says, "As for the newly opened Pokémon Gym in Aspertia City, I heard a new Gym Leader has arrived there. You should go and test how strong you've become!"

Then we bid farewell to Alder and head outside, but we find a man named Mr. Medal. He gives us a Medal Box, which lets us participate in the Medal Rally competition. We can earn a variety of Medals during our adventure by meeting various conditions, like finding hidden items or evolving a Pokémon.

But it turns out that Alder is back at the cliff and he says, "Excuse me! I forgot to tell you something important! I just told you to challenge the Gym Leader. Aspertia's Gym Leader is a very strong Pokémon Trainer! But you have nothing to worry about! If you think hard about what the Pokémon at your side can do, and what you should do as a Trainer, victory will be yours! And then you should take on stronger and stronger Trainers... Actually, take on the Gym Leaders of each city! Working together with your Pokémon is what makes you grow as a Trainer. As you and your Pokémon grow stronger, your world will get broader!"

We nod as we bid him farewell, and I'm excited to learn that Aspertia Gym Leader is strong.

Then we are back at Aspertia City, we have been trying to find the gym, Rosa and Nate take us to the Pokemon Trainer's School. I ask, "So you're saying that this school is also a gym?"

"Of course." Rosa says.

We then find a teacher and he shows us around the area. "This is a school dedicated to the education of aspiring Pokemon Trainers, we teach our students everything they should know, and they will be full-fledged trainers by the time they leave. Being prepared is our number 1 priority, that's what we do."

"That sounds awesome." Cilan says.

"After they graduate from the school, we want to nurture them, and what good way to accomplish that, we'll have our own gym right here." The teacher says.

Nate says, "And that's the gym leader over there. Cheren!"

I flinch after hearing the name, he used to be Hilbert and Hilda's rival and also the one who was there when Team Plasma happened. Cheren says, "Nate, Rosa. It's nice to see you again."

"Hello, Cheren." Nate says. "Nice to see the kids like you."

"Iris and Cilan. It is surprising to see you two here. How are you?"

"We're doing great. We're actually traveling with these four here."

After we introduce ourselves, I ask, "So you're the gym leader, may I have a battle with you?"

"I just became a gym leader, the truth is, I've only been a gym leader for a short time." Cheren says. "I know you came a long way to see me. But the thing is, the battlefield is still being built, which means the gym hasn't been open yet."

"That sure is a problem for sure. But I swear that Burgh told us that the gym is already finished..." Golly says.

The teacher says, "If that's the case, why don't you use the school grounds for the gym? I mean, even though the gym battlefield isn't done, we can still use them. The students will also like to see a gym battle in front of them."

"That sounds fine for me." I say.

"I guess you're right." Cheren says that he still has some classes to teach, so Nate and Rosa decide to show us around. Iris says, "Something seems not right. Cheren doesn't seem to be happy...Maybe he doesn't really like to battle..."

"Do you think Cheren is all right?" Alice asks.

"He's quite dedicated. He also tends to overthink his actions a lot." Nate says.

"But he's still a good friend for Hilbert and Hilda." Rosa adds.

As we are exploring, we find that Axew, Pikachu, and Absol are missing, and then the intercom is turned up to full blasts scaring all of us.

"Pikachu! Absol!" "Axew! What are you guys doing in here?" We scold them and then we have to apologize for our Pokemon's actions. All of a sudden, a group of the school's Minccino are seen running through the campus because they were scared by the intercom.

"Those Minccino are raised and lived in the school..." Nate says.

"I almost forgot how you two also worked here as volunteers as well." I say.

"Yeah, but if they were able to get outside, does that mean the other Pokemon..." Rosa says as we all rush to the Pokemon House. We find that all the Pokemon are missing. We decide to split up and locate all the Pokemon.

Once we manage to get all the Pokemon back, Cheren also hears what's going on and helps out. And he explains that there is one Pokemon left, a Shinx. Running around the school, we spot the missing Pokémon cornered by two students and it seems very scary. Shinx tries to use Discharge on the students, but Cheren manages to get them away before they are hurt.

"Shinx, you've got to stop." Cheren says. He holds the Pokemon, only to be attacked by another Discharge. Cheren keeps calm and assures Shinx that everything is going to be alright. Finally, Shinx calms down.

"So why would you try something like that?" Cheren asks the two students. "You're not Pokemon trainers yet. So why are you capturing it when they can be dangerous."

"You see... we're the ones who let all the Pokemon out..." A student reveals. "It's my fault because we didn't close the door. We're sorry!"

And we realize that the intercom must be the reason why the Pokemon run off, and we sigh. Cheren forgives them and assures the students they will be great Pokémon Trainers one day.

Now that the class is over, it is finally time for my first gym battle, even though it's not in the gym but in the schoolyard. The gym guide is also here and he says, "Hello! I'm Clyde, the guide for Trainers who challenge Pokémon Gyms."

"Wait, so you have a name?" I ask.

"You never asked." The gym guide says, "Pokémon Gyms are facilities for testing Trainers' abilities! Put simply, if you can defeat the Gym Leader, it means you're a really good Trainer! If you run out of Pokémon that can fight during a Pokémon battle, you lose! So having a lot of Pokémon with you might work to your advantage!"

Cheren says, "Ash, before you can battle me, like other gyms, you'll need to face gym trainers." He then turns to two students, "We have a challenger! You two, take your places!"

Two trainers are now standing on the battlefields, and Cheren says, "If you can defeat these two, then I'll be your opponent!"

The first trainer is a Youngster Pedro. He says, "Cheren saw potential in me and made me a Trainer in this gym!"

So this is a Normal-type gym, and he goes for Patrat and Lillipup. I decide to go for Lillipup to battle, Lillipup uses Baby Doll Eyes to lower the attack stat of Patrat, and then finishes with Tackle and Covet. Lillipup is defeated by Pikachu with a Double Kick from him. "You're strong! Or should I say your Pokemon are strong?"

"My Pokemon is fine." I say as I meet the next gym trainer, which is a lass who is also called Serena. "Now I'll show you all of the things I learned from Cheren!"

She uses a Lillipup and Patrat as well, so the two of them are easily defeated.

"Just as this is your first Gym challenge, this is my first Pokémon battle as a Gym Leader! Let's both do our best and have a battle we can be proud of!" Cheren says. I'm surprised that there isn't a gym battle before and I'm the first one. Interesting.

"Alright, Cheren, let's do this!" I say. "Tepig, I choose you!"

Tepig emerges from its Poké Ball with a burst of energy, snorting flames from its nostrils. On the other side of the field, Cheren sent out his Patrat. He remains calm and collected. "Patrat, start us off with Tackle!"

Patrat charged at Tepig, attempting to slam into it. However, Tepig unleashed a stream of fiery embers, hitting Patrat and dealing significant damage. The Patrat struggled to get back up.

Cheren frowns slightly but remains determined. "Alright, Patrat, let's go for a Quick Attack!"

Patrat springs forward, using Quick Attack to close the gap between itself and Tepig. It strikes Tepig with impressive speed, but the Fire-type Pokemon holds its ground.

"Tepig, finish it with Flame Charge!" Tepig's body ignited with flames as it charged at Patrat. The Fire-type move was super effective, and it knocked out Cheren's Patrat.

"One down, two to go," I say. Cheren calls out his second Pokémon. "Lillipup, you're up next!"

When Lillipup appears, it goes for Work Up, which raises the Attack and Defense stat. "Use Bite!"

Tepig is bitten by the Pokemon as it winces in pain, and with the Tackle attack, Lillipup is down.

"Tepig, you did a good job." I recall him and I go for my second Pokemon. "Oshawott! Show them what you've got!"

I send out Oshawott, and both of them exchange determined glances before the battle continues.

"Lillipup, use Tackle!" Cheren commands. Lillipup charges at Oshawott, attempting to knock it off balance. However, Oshawott uses his Scalchop to help him withstand the attack.

"Oshawott, use Water Gun!" I say. Oshawott fires a powerful jet of water, hitting Lillipup and pushing it back. Lillipup is soaked and slightly disoriented.

Lillipup lunges at Oshawott with Take Down. The collision between the two Pokémon sent ripples through the battlefield. Both Pokémon are worn out, and I yell, "Oshawott! Use Aqua Jet!"

But much to my surprise, Oshawott's Aqua Jet isn't working as it is flying anywhere, it is lucky that in the end it crashes onto Lillipup, but both of them are knocked out at the same time.

"Looks like we really need to train with Oshawott with the Aqua Jet..." Alice frowns.

"As a Gym Leader, I aim to be a wall for you to overcome!" Cheren smiles as he sends out his final Pokemon, which is a Pidove.

"Pikachu! It's your turn!" Pikachu jumps onto the field.

Pidove flaps its wings, creating a strong Gust that sends Pikachu reeling. "Pikachu! Use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu overpowers the wind current and charges at Pidove, and then it strikes Pidove, dealing a significant blow and knocking it back.

"Pikachu, finish it with Thunderbolt!" I yell.

Pikachu releases a powerful Thunderbolt attack, hitting Pidove and dealing super effective damage, and Pidove is defeated.

"That battle has made me feel really glad you were my first challenger as a Gym Leader… I give you this in honor of the strength you and your Pokémon showed!" Cheren says as he gives me the Basic Badge, which used to be Nacrene City's badge.

"Here is your first Gym Badge, the Basic Badge! This is an important milestone! With this Badge, Pokémon up to Lv. 20 will obey you, including traded Pokémon."

Then a lot of students are also cheering for Cheren since they also want to win the gym badge. Cilan says, "You have done a good job as a gym leader. You have managed to set path for these students as well."

"You think so?" Cheren smiles, "Maybe you're right. Perhaps I was overthinking things."

"That is also nice to see you doing well." We also find Hilbert and Hilda there. Nate says, "You two are here and you didn't give us a call?"

"Sorry, but it sure has been a while, Cheren." Hilbert says.

"Hilbert, Hilda! It has been two years." Cheren smiles.

"So A gym leader, huh? Who would have thought about that?" Hilda says with a smile. "And congratulations on your first badge, Ash."

"Thanks." I say. Then we also notice Hugh rushing inside and he says, "Are you the Gym Leader? One, two, three-let's battle!"

"You look like a tough Trainer. Understood. Just let me heal my Pokemon first." Cheren says as he leaves, and Hugh yells, "What was that weak answer?! I'm definitely going to take you down!"

Then he rushes off, and Hilda says, "Being a Gym Leader is even harder than I imagined..."

"I have to agree with it." Rosa says. "That also reminds me, you can go to Virbank City for the next gym. It is after Route 20."

"Virbank City! We definitely need to go there!" Cilan says, much to our surprise, then we bid farewell to the family and head there.

Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, you can see that Ash finally gets his first gym badge. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be the Pokestar Studios chapter.

Ash and Alice's Pokemon:

Charizard x2 (In training), Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Pikachu, Lapras, Meganium, Espeon, Steelix (Crystal), Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Milotic, Absol, Infernape, Lucario, Abomasnow, Magnezone, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Patrat, Lillipup, Purrloin, Musharna, Pidove, Blitzle, Woobat, Timburr, Tympole, Sewaddle, Tirtouga, Archen, Zekrom, Egg

Golly's Pokemon:

Gastly, Yamask

Eve's Pokemon:

Houndoom, Mightyena

Iris' Pokemon:

Lapras, Aggron, Excadrill, Archeops, Axew, Druddigon, Hydreigon

Cilan's Pokemon:

Pansage, Maractus, Dwebble, Ferrothorn