The first thing we did when we got to Coumarine City was to go to the Pokemon Center, as Ash has Goomy checked out. When we found him, more like landed on Ash's head, he was quite dehydrated, we aided him the best we could but it was always better to have professional medical help. While Ash was waiting for Nurse Joy to give his Goomy a clean bill of health, the rest of us were going to our rooms and setting everything up. Once that was done and Ash had his Goomy back, it was time for Max's gym battle!
As we stood before the Coumarine City Gym, my eyes widened with awe and wonder. The gym's unique location atop a towering tree, known as the Pledging Tree, captured my attention immediately. The giant tree stood tall and proud, its branches stretching out in all directions, forming a natural labyrinth of green foliage. I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement, one that was echoed by my companions, though I could see in Max's case it was also mixed with a touch of nervousness. The sheer beauty of the gym, combined with the knowledge that Gym Leader Ramos awaited him within, stirred a sense of anticipation deep within Max's heart.
Taking a moment to absorb the breathtaking surroundings, I marveled at the meticulous arrangement of Ramos's garden and the tranquility it exuded. The colorful flowers and vibrant greenery seemed to whisper tales of the strong and nurturing bond between trainers and their Grass-type pokemon. With a deep breath to steady his racing emotions, Max stepped forward, as we followed behind. This was his gym battle after all.
We silently went to take our seats as Max took his position as the challenger. The referee spoke up, once Ramos stood in place. "This is a gym battle between Max Maple and Coumarine City Gym Leader Ramos! it will be a 3vs3 battle, only the challenger can return pokemon! Are you ready?" Both trainers nodded. "Then, let the battle begin!"
Ramos took the initiative and sent out his first pokemon, a Jumpluff, with her fluffy, cotton-like body floating gracefully in the air. Max quickly responded by choosing his Litleo, fiery and courageous, ready to take on the challenge. Litleo stepped forward, his fiery mane flickering with determination. Max's voice resonates through the arena as he commanded, "Litleo, let's start strong! Use Flamethrower!"
Litleo let out a powerful burst of flames from his mouth, sending scorching embers soaring towards Jumpluff. The attack hit its target with precision, engulfing Jumpluff in a blazing inferno. The grass and flying-type pokemon let out a cry of pain as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"That's a Flamethrower taught by Charizard," Serena giggled.
"Charizard does not know the meaning of holding back," Ash agreed, shaking his head fondly.
Ramos, undeterred, calls out his next move, "Jumpluff, use Acrobatics!" Jumpluff quickly darted towards Litleo, spinning in the air with dazzling speed. She collides with Litleo, dealing a blow that had Litleo stumbling backward, feeling the impact but remaining resilient.
Max'a voice was filled with determination as he shouted his next command, "Litleo, show them your strength! Follow up with Fire Fang!" Litleo's jaws ignited with fiery energy as he lunged towards Jumpluff, clamping down with a blazing bite. The flames intensify, causing Jumpluff to cry out in pain and discomfort.
"Is it me or is Max' starting to resemble Ash more with each battle?" I turned to my faithful partner Lucario.
"While the girls Ash's trained got used to his crazy strategies and use them in contests, Max's is starting to be influenced by Ash's commanding aura and being able to become one with his pokemon during battles," Lucario agreed. "Both show good mentorship, just in different areas."
"Max is too much of a scholar for him to be influenced by Ash's crazy methods," Gary chuckled. "Though, that does not mean that he is a bad trainer. Just that he battles differently."
"If anything it shows that he is a good student," I agreed. "Being able to take in what he needs from his lessons and add them to his own battling style."
I quickly returned my attention to the battlefield as Ramos commanded, "Jumpluff, use Cotton Guard to bolster your defenses!" Jumpluff surrounded herself with a protective layer of fluffy cotton, significantly raising her defense. Ramos looked concerned but maintaining his composure.
"Litleo, we need to finish this! Hit Jumpluff with your most powerful attack—Flamethrower!" Litleo channeled his inner strength, releasing a torrent of scorching flames that engulf Jumpluff. The Cotton Guard defense proved insufficient against the intense heat, and Jumpluff finally succumbed to the flames, fainting gracefully.
We erupted in cheers as the referee declares Jumpluff unable to battle. Ramos recalled his fallen pokemon and prepared to send out his next challenger. The tension in the air was palpable as the battle continued. Both trainers, Max and Ramos, braced themselves for the thrilling match ahead. Ramos wastes no time in sending out his next pokemon—a Weepinbell. The grass and poison-type pokemon slithers onto the battlefield, his vine-like appendages ready for battle. Max and Litleo stand their ground, their determination unwavering.
Max assesses the situation, his voice filled with confidence, "Litleo, we've come this far. Let's keep up the momentum! Use Flamethrower!"
Litleo unleashed another torrent of scorching flames towards Weepinbell. The powerful attack engulfed the grass and poison-type pokemon, causing it to writhe in pain. Weepinbell's type disadvantage became apparent as he struggles to endure the fiery onslaught.
"Weepinbell, retaliate with Razor Leaf!" Ramos called out, as Weepinbell released a flurry of sharp leaves, aiming to strike Litleo. However, Litleo skillfully dodged the majority of the projectiles, only receiving a glancing blow.
Max seized the opportunity, his voice resonating with determination, "Litleo, counter with Fire Fang!" Litleo lunged forward, jaws ablaze, and clamps down on Weepinbell. The fiery fangs sink into Weepinbell's flesh, causing him to cry out in pain. The combined damage from the Fire Fang and previous Flamethrower taking its toll on Weepinbell.
Ramos remains focused, determined to turn the tide of battle, "Weepinbell, use Slam!" Weepinbell charged toward Litleo, swinging his vine-like appendages. The impact sent Litleo tumbling backward, but he quickly regained his footing.
Max encourages his pokemon, sounding so much lik Ash that it brought a smile to my face. "You're doing great, Litleo! Shake it off and retaliate with another Flamethrower!" Litleo shook off the effects of Slam and unleashed another intense wave of flames upon Weepinbell. The grass and poison-type pokemon writhed in agony, its strength waning.
"Well, Litleo has mastered the few moves he knows," Ash commented with a frown. "But after this battle I will have them start learning new moves, it's Flamethrower and Fire Fang. I know those moves work against a Grass-type pokemon, but it relying on them all the time is not good."
"Weepinbell, try to slow him down! Use Poison Powder!" Weepinbell released a cloud of toxic powder, aiming to poison Litleo. However, Litleo nimbly evaded the poisonous particles, thanks to his speed and agility.
"Like there!" Ash pointed out. "If Litleo had been any less quick, he would have been poisoned! He needs to learn defesnive moves as well!"
"I did not think I would ever hear Ashy utter those words in my life," Gary snickered.
"I have grown up!" Ash protested, cheeks red.
"You sure have," Gary chuckled, as Ash pouted snuggling to his boyfriend side.
I smiled at the fondly, even as I missed Reggie. Kalos will be my last journey with Ash, before I return to Sinnoh. I promised Reggie to move in with him and I can't wait to fit. I miss my boyfriend and his annoying little brother too much.
"Litleo, this is our chance! Finish it off with a powerful Flamethrower!" Max clearly sensed an opportunity for a decisive move, as his voice was filled with excitement. So much excitement, that it had me turning back to the battlefield.
Litleo channeled all of his remaining energy into one final Flamethrower attack. The searing flames engulfed Weepinbell, overwhelming the weakened pokemon. Weepinbell collapsed, unable to battle any longer. We erupted in thunderous applause, again, as the referee announced Weepinbell's defeat. We cheered even louder as Max's Litleo began to glow with a radiant light. The evolution process beginning, and before the astonished eyes of everyone present, Litleo transformed into a majestic Pyroar of extraordinary power.
Max's eyes widened with joy and amazement. He could hardly contain his excitement as he shouted, "Litleo, you did it! You've evolved into Pyroar!" Pyroar roared with newfound strength, his fiery mane blazing with ferocity. Max and Pyroar locked eyes, even from where I was sitting I could see Max's pride and excitement as clear as day. A wide grin spreading across his face. "You've evolved into an incredible pokemon!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with exhilaration. However, Max time for celebration was cut short as Ramos presented his next challenge—a formidable Gogoat. "You did an incredible job! Now rest and recover!" Max returned his Pyroar, relying on Ash's teachings that a recently evolved pokemon need rest after such a transformation. I could see Ash beaming from where he was cuddling with Gary. "You are up Pidgeotto!" He called out his second pokemon. "Alright, Pidgeotto, it's your time to shine! Show them your aerial prowess! Begin with a powerful Wing Attack!"
Pidgeotto gracefully took to the skies, his wings cutting through the air with remarkable speed. He swooped down towards Gogoat, striking him with a fierce Wing Attack. The impact sent Gogoat stumbling backward, momentarily disoriented by the attack.
"Gogoat, retaliate with Vine Whip!" Ramos swiftly retaliated, as Gogoat whiped his thick vines towards Pidgeotto, attempting to restrain the agile bird. But Pidgeotto's nimble reflexes allowed him to evade the majority of the vines, sustaining only minor scratches.
Max seizes the opportunity, his voice filled with determination, "Pidgeotto, let's keep up the momentum! Follow up with a Quick Attack!" Pidgeotto darted forward with astonishing speed, delivering a swift and forceful blow to Gogoat. The impact catches Gogoat off guard, causing him to stagger under the pressure.
"That Pidgeotto could match up Ash's Pigeot in speed one of these days," I commented.
"Most likely, when he evolves," Ash agreed, smiling proudly. "Speed rocks!" Pikachu clearly agreed. "Pika-pi!"
Ramos assessed the situation, his expression unwavering, "Gogoat, use Razor Leaf to keep him at bay!" Gogoat unleashed a barrage of sharp leaves, attempting to impede Pidgeotto's movements. However, Pidgeotto utilized his agility to evade the majority of the leaf projectiles, emerging unscathed.
Max's excitement intensifies as he senses victory within reach. His voice filled with determination, as he commanded Pidgeotto, "Now, Pidgeotto, show them the full extent of your power! Use Twister!" Pidgeotto flaps his wings vigorously, creating a swirling tornado of wind. The gusty vortex engulfs Gogoat, inflicting damage and disorienting the grass-type pokemon. Gogoat struggles to maintain his footing, weakened by the assault. He shouted, his voice laced with determination, "Pidgeotto, one final push! Finish it with a powerful Wing Attack!"
Pidgeotto, fueled by his trainer's unwavering belief, executed a devastating Wing Attack. The powerful strike connected with Gogoat, sending him crashing to the ground, unable to battle any longer.
We celebrated loudly as the referee stepped forward, announcing Max as the winner. Ramos walked towards the celebrating trainer and pokemon, handing Max the Plant Badge, the symbol of Max's hard-earned victory.
One of many to come!
