"Are you sure you're ready for this Ash?" Brock asked.
"Yes, I'm sure, besides weren't you the one telling me I should try my hand at this again, at least a bit?" Ash pointed out.
"Yes, I just didn't think you'd jump right on the offer." Brock admitted.
"I've had a change of heart, and another one of the coordinators is doing both, the guy I faced Nando, so I might as well try again, at least for a bit." Ash said. "It's not like I'm signing up to take part in the Sinnoh League anyways."
"I guess you're right." Brock realized, seeing just how much more mature Ash was since they last traveled together.
"Alright Ash, glad to see you haven't gotten cold feet and backed out of our battle." Roark said. "How are you feeling about this?"
"Nervous, unsure, a little rusty, but I'm ready." Ash said confidently.
"Good to hear! In my gym for your first badge it's a three on three match against my rock types." Roark explained.
"Sounds good to me." Ash said.
"Good, now as a reminder only the challenger may switch out at any time, and the battle will be over when all of one sides Pokemon are unable to battle. Are both trainers ready?" The gym worker asked.
"Ready!" Ash said.
"Good, then come on out Geodude!" Roark called out.
"Sneasel I choose you!" Ash exclaimed.
"An ice type, interesting choice. Geodude use Rock Throw!"
"Sneasel use agility to dodge it!"
Geodude launched itself across the arena with Sneasel picking up speed to move out of the way from his landing.
"Geodude use Tackle!"
"Sneasel use Ice Shard!"
Sneasel spun around, firing a shard of ice at Geodude, ice forming on its body as it slammed into Sneasel.
"Geodude use Rock Throw!"
"Sneasel use Ice Shard!"
Geodude slammed himself down on Sneasel, knocking the ice out of their claw in the process.
"Sneasel return, come on out Cranidos! Use Headbutt!" Ash called out.
Sneasel was returned to it's Pokeball as Cranidos slammed it's head into Geodude knocking it backwards.
"Geodude use Seismic Toss!"
"Cranidos use Headbutt!"
Cranidos rushed forward only to be grabbed and tossed around by Geodude.
"Cranidos use Pursuit!"
"Geodude use Hidden Power!"
Cranidos rushed forward again, only to get knocked around by strange orbs coming from Geodude.
"Cranidos is unable to battle, the winner is Geodude." The gym judge declared.
"You did your best Cranidos, we just let you try too soon." Ash said, recalling the rock type. "Pikachu you're up, use Iron Tail!"
"Geodude use Hidden Power!"
Pikachu spun through the air, avoiding the orbs before slamming his tail into Geodude, launching it across the arena.
"Pikachu use Quick Attack and Iron Tail!" Ash called out.
Pikachu picked up incredible speed, slamming the side of his tail into Geodude for massive damage.
"Geodude is unable to battle, the winner is Pikachu." The gym judge called out.
"Great work Geodude, you showed him just how we do things here. Onix, come on out!"
"Dejavú." Ash said in surprise. "I'm guessing you don't have a sprinkler system here?"
"No, it's a rock type gym, we use a foam suppressant." Roark said. "Why do you ask?"
"When I fought Brock he had sprinklers." Ash chuckled.
"Ahh, rookie mistake." Roark chuckled. "Onix use Slam!"
"Pikachu dodge it with Quick Attack!"
Pikachu sped out of the way of Onix's mighty tail as it came crashing down to the ground.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail and Shock Wave!"
"Onix use Screech!"
Pikachu rna back across the arena, his tail spinning behind him building up electricity and hardening as Onix gave a mighty roar, the small electric type slamming his tail into Onix's horn.
"Onix use Double Edge!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu ran away as Onix slammed into the floor, knocking him into the air.
"Sneasel switch back in, use Ice Shard!" Ash said, catching Pikachu as he fell.
"Onix use Stealth Rock!"
Onix launched stones from the ground as Sneasel fired a single shard of ice, striking Onix and knocking it back a bit.
"Sneasel use Metal Claw!"
"Onix use Double Edge!"
Sneasel raced around Onix's falling tail, narrowly dodging the impact before climbing up and striking the head for massive damage.
"Onix use Slam!"
"Sneasel use Ice Shard!"
Sneasel rolled off of Onix, tucking behind Onix's attack before firing off a shard of ice at the massive Pokemon.
"Onix use Double Edge!"
"Sneasel use Ice Shard!"
Onix slammed their tail down on the ground, sending rocks and dust into the air as Sneasel fired a shard of ice straight through the dust, freezing Onix solid.
"Sneasel finish this, use Metal Claw!"
Sneasel flipped over the rocks, slicing down the entirety of Onix's frozen body for massive damage.
"Onix is unable to battle, the winner is Sneasel." The gym judge declared.
"Full of spunk that one, he might enjoy battling more than contests." Roark chuckled.
"Yeah, I'm seeing that too." Ash admitted seeing just how naturally battling was for Sneasel.
"Enough compliments, it's time I end this with a Cranidos of my own!" Roark exclaimed. "Use Head Smash!"
"Sneasel use Metal Claw!"
Sneasel readied their claw only to get knocked back with incredible force by Cranidos's attack.
"Sneasel use Agility!"
"Cranidos use Flamethrower!"
Sneasel ran off only to be engulfed in a stream of flames.
"Sneasel is unable to battle, the winner is Cranidos!" The gym judge declared.
"Great work Sneasel, you'll get 'em next time." Ash said. "Alright Pikachu, let's end this!"
"Cranidos use Head Smash!"
"Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
Pikachu spun around, striking his tail on the head piece of Roark's Cranidos, blocking his attack.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Cranidos use Flamethrower!"
Pikachu sent a bolt of electricity out that pierced through the flames, striking Cranidos.
"Cranidos use Focus Energy!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!" Pikachu sped across the arena, closing the space between him and Cranidos, slamming into the rock type.
"Cranidos use Head Smash!"
"Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
Cranidos slammed it's head into Pikachu's gut, the electric type unable to react at such small quarters being launched back across the arena.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Cranidos use Flamethrower!"
Flames shot from Cranidos's mouth as Pikachu was recovering, engulfing the electric type and knocking him out.
"Pikachu is unable to battle, the winner is Roark and his Cranidos." The gym judge declared.
"Good match Ash, I hope I didn't discourage you from battling again." Roark said, offering his hand out to Ash.
"You didn't knock me down that much, but I think I'll need a bit more practice before I take you on again." Ash said. "How about it Brock, want to tag along?"
"I wish I could Ash, but I'm still needed back at Pewter, and I've seen just how much you grew during your time in Hoenn, you'll do fine once you get back into your groove." Brock said supportively.
"Alright, well then I'll see you around." Ash said with a smirk, feeling his Pokenav go off. "Huh, Brendan, I wonder what he's calling for? I guess I'll see you guys later, for now I need to take this probably." Ash said, before leaving the gym.