I want to let you guys know; there will be Sundays when I'm not able to update the series. It could all from low motivation to illness, so please don't get disappointed if I happen to skip other Sundays in the future.
This Gym battle will be a combination of the game and the anime.
Disclaimer: I do not own any Pokémon characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 13: Gettin' The Bugs Out
I was still a little shaken up after witnessing such a gory scene with people harming Pokémon like what Team Rocket and Proton did the other day. That was a memory I would probably never forget, even though I wanted to erase it.
Thankfully, none of the Slowpokes had perished, despite all the blood loss. Nurse Joy and the villagers in Azalea Town came together to treat every single one of them. My brother, friends and I helped out as much as we could. I had to retreat early because I felt so lightheaded after seeing blood for a long time. I nearly fainted, so I returned to the town with Ash and he stayed with me. The next day, we learned we were now called the heroes of the Slowpokes by the townsfolk for saving their "Gods".
Kurt had thanked us for saving the Slowpokes and assured their tails will grow back after some time. He told us if we collected some Apricorns he would happily make special Poké Balls for us. He gave us one Fast Ball each as part of the gift and his granddaughter Maizie showed us where Apricorns grew north of Azalea Town. Ash and Misty ended up picking a Blue Apricorn each. Brock took a Black Apricorn and actually caught a wild but fast Pineco with the Fast Ball. I had a difficult time choosing which Apricorn I wanted to pick. I didn't want to copy my friends nor grab a White Apricorn, which could be used to make Fast Balls. After lots of thinking, I decided to pluck a Green Apricorn.
It would take at least two days for Kurt to make the Poké Balls, so Ash and I decided to go and challenge the Gym because the Gym Leader Bugsy was back from his trip to the nearby Ilex Forest.
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The inside of the Gym looked like a giant greenhouse with a miniature forest at the first sight. It was a little humid too, but it was acceptable. We were greeted by one of the Gym Trainers who worked under Bugsy by the entrance and he escorted us inside.
"Wow! It looks like a forest in here!" Ash commented as we looked around.
"Piika…", Pikachu said in awe.
"The Azalea Gym does its best to provide the best environment for not just rescued Pokémon but also for the type specialty", the Gym Trainer explained.
"What's the Gym's type specialty?" Brock asked.
We walked under a tree when the Gym Trainer answered. "It's bu-"
"BUGS!" Misty screamed right behind us.
I jumped by the sudden shriek and turned around to see what was happening. A Spinarak hung down from the tree straight into Misty's face. She panicked and ran out of the Gym. "I'M OUTTA HERE!"
"Misty!" Ash called and ran after the scared girl.
"Pika pika!"
"Umm… As I was about to say, the Azalea Gym specializes in bug-type Pokémon", the Gym Trainer sweat dropped.
"Misty's worst nightmare…", Brock cold sweated.
"Mm-hm…", I nodded worriedly. "I hope she's okay."
"I'm sure Ash can take care of Misty", Brock smiled with a weird and amusing gleam in his eyes. "I can tell Ash's growing up…"
"Huh?" I tilted my head to the side confusedly.
"Never mind", Brock shook his head. "I'll stay and cheer for you, Ashley."
"Thank you, Brock", I nodded softly. "I'm still a little nervous facing a Gym Leader by myself…"
"You shouldn't be", a new voice spoke up. "None of the Gym Leaders in Johto bite their challengers."
A young child, maybe one or two year older than me and my brother, walked toward us. At the first glance, I thought that person was a girl with purple hair, but then I noticed it was just a boy with some feminine features.
"Gym Leader Bugsy!" the Gym Trainer greeted.
"You're the Gym Leader?" I asked curiously.
"Yep, I sure am", Bugsy nodded. "I became a Gym Leader last year. I may still be young, but I've got potential to grow and learn. That doesn't mean I'll go easy with the challengers. Who wants to challenge the Gym?"
"Me", I raised my hand. "And my brother."
"So I've got two challengers today", Bugsy smiled. "That works great. Let's go to the battlefield."
The battlefield was in the middle of the Gym surrounded by trees and bushes. The Gym Trainer walked to the referee section while Bugsy and I took our places in the corners. Brock stood a few meters behind me so he wouldn't distract me.
"The Gym battle between Gym Leader Bugsy and challenger Ashley Ketchum is about to begin!" the Gym Trainer called. "Each Trainer will use three Pokémon and the battle is over when one's Pokémon are unable to continue battling! Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon!"
"Ashley, huh?" Bugsy repeated my name. "You wouldn't happen to be one of the Trainers who saved the Slowpokes from Team Rocket?"
"Uh… Yeah, that's me", I replied. "My brother, our friends and I tried saving them."
"On behalf of Azalea Town, I thank you guys for saving them", Bugsy bowed softly. "It's part of my responsibilities as the Gym Leader to protect the town, but I was away training. I appreciate you guys saving the Slowpokes, but don't think I'll go easy on Azalea Town's heroes!" He grabbed a Poké Ball from his belt. "I choose you, Metapod!"
I immediately grabbed one of my Poké Balls and threw it in response. "It's time to shine, Trica!"
"Metapood!"
"Fuurret!"
"Begin battle!" the Gym Trainer announced.
"Trica, use Fury Swipes!" I shouted.
"Fuurrr!" Trica growled as she ran toward Metapod who stood still on the field.
"Metapod, use Harden!" Bugsy shouted.
"Metapod!" Metapod chirped before its cocoon shone and hardened the surface. Trica clawed Metapod a couple of times, but the Fury Swipes attack barely left any marks on it.
"Metapod, use String Shot!" Bugsy called.
Metapod fired silk from a tiny opening of the cocoon toward Trica.
"Dodge it, Trica!" I yelled.
"Furr!" Trica jumped backwards and made a twirl in the air before landing in front of me.
"Now, use Quick Attack!" I shouted.
"Fuuurr!" Trica screeched as she ran quickly toward Metapod.
"Metapod, use Harden!" Bugsy shouted.
"Metapood!" Metapod shrieked as its cocoon glowed again by the move, increasing its defense. Trica tackled the bug Pokémon, but it didn't do any major effect. It did however push Metapod back a bit.
"Your Furret is strong, but Metapod's defense can tank more than a Stomp from a Miltank", Bugsy smirked.
I remained silent as I analyzed the situation. Metapod's defense was increased meaning physical moves weren't so effective against it. So the only option I had was to use a Pokémon that had a special attack. "Trica, return!" I recalled her before I switched Poké Balls. "I choose you, Mystic!"
"Prii!" Mystic chirped happily when he came out of the Poké Ball.
"You're gonna use Mystic already?" Brock asked behind me.
"Yes", I replied. "But I have a plan."
"A Togepi?" Bugsy blinked surprisingly. "You sure you wanna use a baby Pokémon in a Gym battle?"
"I've been training with Mystic and I've got faith in him", I explained before throwing a smile at my partner. "No matter the outcome, I know you will do your best, Mystic."
"Togiprii!" Mystic smiled widely.
"Don't blame me for going rough!" Bugsy yelled. "Metapod, use Tackle!"
"Metapood!" Metapod shrieked and jumped up in the air to use the chosen move.
"Mystic, use Charm!" I shouted.
"Priii!" Mystic chirped as he intensely stared at Metapod. I couldn't see his face, but I could tell Metapod got charmed by the fake admiration. It still ended up tackling Mystic, but it did little damage. Mystic skidded backwards before he came to a halt.
"Mystic, use Sweet Kiss!" I shouted.
"Togi!" Mystic chirped before he ran toward Metapod.
"Metapod, dodge it!" Bugsy called.
"Metapood!" Metapod hissed and jumped up before Mystic could kiss it.
"Mystic, use Metronome!" I shouted.
"Togi, togi, togi… Prii!" Mystic waggled his tiny arms before they glowed in a white light. A pair of tentacles made of energy flew from his arms toward Metapod who had landed on the ground. It was about to jump to dodge the move, but the tentacles caught it and squeezed it.
"Metapoood…!" Metapod shrieked.
"Metapod!" Bugsy yelled in a soft panic.
"We caught it!" I nodded determinedly. "Now, Mystic, finish Metapod with Extrasensory!"
"Togipriiii!" Mystic's body glowed in a blue and pink aura before he sent the psychic powers at Metapod. Metapod got caught in the powers and got thrown up in the air as soon as the Bind move was over. The cocoon Pokémon flipped around in the air before it crashed down to the ground.
"Metapod! Are you okay?!" Bugsy called concernedly.
"M-Meta…", Metapod whimpered in pain, not moving a budge.
"Metapod is unable to battle! Togepi wins!" the Gym Trainer called.
"Great job, Mystic!" I praised my baby Pokémon. "You were amazing!"
"Togiprii!" Mystic chirped happily.
"Metapod, return!" Bugsy recalled his defeated Pokémon and smiled warmly at the Poké Ball. "You were great. Take a good rest." He then swapped to his second Poké Ball and turned his attention to me. "That sure was a surprise. I've never thought a baby Pokémon would be capable of defeating one of my Pokémon."
"Mystic and I had some special training shortly after he hatched", I replied. "And I'm glad it paid off."
"We'll see whether that training paid off for my next Pokémon", Bugsy smirked. "Go, Kakuna!"
"Kakuu!" Kakuna hissed aggressively after it came out from the Poké Ball.
"A Kakuna…", I mumbled to myself. Mystic had an advantage against Kakuna thanks to his Extrasensory attack, but the chances of him getting poisoned in return were high. However, he was the best option so far, and I wanted to save my third Pokémon for Bugsy's last Pokémon.
"Mystic, do you feel strong enough to continue battling?" I asked.
"Prii!" Mystic nodded determinedly.
"Then let's continue!" Bugsy exclaimed. "Kakuna, use Poison Sting!"
"Kakuuuna!" Kakuna fired some poisonous barbs from a tiny hole on its cocoon.
"Counter with Extrasensory, Mystic!" I called quickly.
"Priiii!" Mystic activated his psychic powers and unleashed them toward Kakuna. The barbs got caught in the energy and dissolved while the rest of the power went toward the cocoon Pokémon.
"Dodge it, Kakuna!" Bugsy called.
Kakuna sprayed a silk thread at a tree and used it to swing itself up from the field. The Extrasensory move missed and threw up dirt in the air instead. I quickly turned my eyes to the tree where Kakuna had jumped to, but I couldn't see it.
"Where's Kakuna?" I asked out loud.
"It must be camouflaging!" Brock called. "It's taking advantage of the vegetation in here!"
"I originally planned to use this method with Metapod, but I thought I should save the surprise for later", Bugsy smirked.
The dirt lingered in the air, so I couldn't see Mystic as he was engulfed by it. The next thing I heard was a shriek from him and he bounced out of the dirt cloud, landing on his backside. "Mystic, are you okay?!" I called worriedly.
"Togi…!" Mystic chirped before he got up on his feet.
Kakuna was back on the field, unscratched and a few leaves stuck on its body. "Kuuu…!" it hissed threateningly.
"Mystic, use Metronome!" I shouted.
"Togi, togi, togi… Prii!" Mystic waggled his glowing arms as he took a deep breath. He then blew a shower of white energy spikes from his mouth toward Kakuna. I couldn't exactly recognize that random attack because there were other attacks similar to it.
"That's Spike Cannon!" Brock exclaimed.
"Kakuna, use Harden!" Bugsy shouted.
"Kakuuu!" Kakuna's cocoon glowed as it hardened to withstand the Spike Cannon. The spikes bounced off the surface and scattered around the bug-type Pokémon.
"Mystic, use Sweet Kiss!" I shouted.
"Togi togii!" Mystic chirped before he ran toward Kakuna to give it a kiss.
"Dodge it, Kakuna!" Bugsy yelled.
Kakuna fired a new String Shot at another tree and swung itself up, Mystic barely missing it. Kakuna hit the tree and caused leaves to come off. Once all the leaves fell down to the ground, Kakuna was nowhere to be seen.
"The same trick again…", I gritted my teeth as I tried coming up with a strategy to counteract the sneaky move. Most psychic moves could be altered depending on the Pokémon's experience and skills, so…I had to try something new that could either work with Mystic or not.
"Mystic, concentrate on your psychic powers and use Extrasensory to send a pulse across the field!" I shouted.
"Prii?" Mystic looked confused by my command, but he nodded and closed his eyes. His body glowed in the psychic colors as he tried concentrating on how to shape the psychic pulse.
"Now, use Poison Sting, Kakuna!" Bugsy shouted.
Kakuna jumped from a tree and fired a shower of barbs toward Mystic. I couldn't stand there and do nothing. I had to give my Pokémon the command.
"Release the Extrasensory!" I yelled.
"Priiii!" Mystic shrieked and opened his eyes, unleashing the psychic powers that had surrounded his body. The mystical energy went through the field and air like a pulse and canceled the Poison Sting attack. Kakuna had just landed on the field when it got thrown up by the force of the power and crashed onto the ground.
"Kakuna, you okay?!" Bugsy called worriedly.
"K-Kakuu…", Kakuna hissed as it wiggled on the ground, trying to get up.
"Let's finish this!" I shouted determinedly. "Mystic, use Extrasensory!"
"Togipriii!" Mystic used his mystical powers one more time and hit Kakuna straight on. The shockwaves sent the cocoon Pokémon back so it crashed down to the ground one more time.
"Kakuna!" Bugsy yelled worriedly.
The Gym Trainer inspected Kakuna's condition before raising his arm. "Kakuna is unable to battle! Togepi wins!"
"Amazing! Mystic took out two Pokémon!" Brock clapped his hands.
"Wow! Who would've have thought?" Ash chuckled behind me.
I looked over my shoulder and spotted my brother and Misty. "You're back", I commented.
"Yeah, we made it just in time to see Mystic take out Kakuna", Ash explained as he had an arm around Misty's shoulders. The girl still looked uncomfortable and kept looking left and right to avoid any other bug-type Pokémon.
"You okay, Misty?" I asked.
"Y-Yeah… Kinda…", Misty looked a little pale, but otherwise okay. Togepi looked concerned about her "mother".
"Return, Kakuna!" Bugsy recalled his fallen Pokémon. "I'm very impressed. Your Togepi has quite the punch."
"Thank you", I nodded before I grabbed Mystic's Poké Ball. "Mystic, you should take a good long rest."
"Prii!" Mystic chirped as I recalled him to his Poké Ball.
"Well, it comes down to the last Pokémon of mine", Bugsy smirked as he switched Poké Balls. "He's the bug warrior and the leader of my bug-type Pokémon! I choose you, Scyther!"
"Scytheeer!" Scyther hissed as soon as he came out from the Poké Ball.
"Oh no, a Scyther!" Brock gasped in terror.
"That's gonna give Ashley some trouble", Ash commented.
"Piiika…", Pikachu whimpered worriedly.
I could tell Scyther was well-trained. No wonder, because every Gym Leader's ace Pokémon were always the hardest to defeat. The best option against Scyther would be Cedric because of the four times weakness, but I had no idea how strong Scyther was. I had to test its strength to get a better understanding.
"I choose you, Trica!" I shouted and threw her Poké Ball.
"Fuurr!" Trica purred once she was out on the field.
"Trica, use Quick Attack!" I shouted, making the first move.
"Fuurret!" Trica shrieked before she ran fast toward Scyther who stood still.
"Scyther, use Double Team!" Bugsy yelled.
"Scy-scy-scy!" Scyther's voice echoed as he made duplicates of himself. Trica ran straight through one of the illusions and made it fade away. She quickly braked and turned back, only to see she got surrounded by the Scythers.
"Furreeet?" Trica chirped as she looked around, trying to find the real Scyther.
"Calm down, Trica!" I shouted. "Panicking will only distract you, so listen to my voice!"
"Scyther, use Fury Cutter!" Bugsy shouted.
"Scytheer!" the multiple Scythers roared, their scythes reflecting the sunlight that poured through the windows at the ceiling.
"Use Defense Curl, Trica!" I quickly called.
Trica yelped and curled her slim body into a ball before she got thrown around like a soccer ball by the Scythers that struck her repeatedly with the Fury Cutter attack. The last Scyther struck her with its scythe and threw her toward a tree.
I immediately came up with an idea. "Trica, keep using Defense Curl, but roll with your body!" I yelled.
Trica didn't respond verbally, but she started moving her curled body like she was using Rollout. Instead of getting thrown into the tree, she bounced back on it toward the real Scyther, since the copies had dispersed after they had attacked simultaneously.
"Now! Use Fury Swipes!" I shouted.
"Fuurreeet!" Trica shrieked as she uncurled herself, her claws extended and ready. She scratched Scyther on the head and pushed him back. The scratch marks bled lightly, but it didn't look like it bothered Scyther so much.
"A simple Fury Swipes isn't enough to take down Scyther", Bugsy commented before his eyes turned serious. "Scyther, use Swords Dance!"
"Scyyyther!" Scyther screamed before he twirled around with the body glowing in red.
I cold sweated at the sight. Swords Dance increases a Pokémon's attack move a lot, so if he used a stronger move next time it could knock Trica out of the match! I had to use the chipping strategy.
"Quick, Trica! Use Quick Attack!" I shouted.
"Furreeet!" Trica yelped before she dashed toward Scyther who kept using Swords Dance.
"Scyther, use Slash!" Bugsy yelled.
"Scytheeer!" Scyther shrieked and stopped twirling around like a ballerina. He raised one of his scythes and swung it toward Trica.
"Dodge it!" I yelled quickly.
"Furr!" Trica yelped as she barely dodged the scythe and ran around Scyther before tackling him on the back.
"Scyythe!" Scyther groaned in pain after the Quick Attack.
"Scyther, finish this with Fury Cutter!" Bugsy shouted.
Scyyther!" Scyther hissed with an aggressive glare before flying toward Trica who panicked at the incoming attack.
"Use Defense Curl!" I yelled.
However, my command came too late. Scyther struck Trica with both his scythes and threw her at a tree. I flinched at the impact when Trica hit the trunk. She released a painful cry and slid down to the ground, whimpering weakly.
"Trica!" I shouted worriedly. "Trica, are you okay?!"
"F-Fuuurr…", Trica whimpered in response, unable to move her body.
The Gym Trainer ran to Trica and checked her condition. "Furret is unable to battle! Scyther wins!"
"Oh no… Ashley's done to two Pokémon…", Misty mumbled behind me.
"Togi?"
"But Trica got some hits on Scyther", Ash pointed out. "The rest of her Pokémon should be able to defeat it."
"Pika pika."
"Except Scyther's attack is high because of Swords Dance", Brock said. "Ashley has to choose the next move carefully."
"Trica, return!" I recalled her to her Poké Ball. "You did great, Trica. Rest well." I strapped the Poké Ball to my belt and analyzed the situation. I knew Scyther's all four moves, so it was helpful. However, Scyther's Swords Dance was the biggest obstacle. I could only use Mystic and one more Pokémon. In a better scenario, I should have used Hikaru because he also has an advantage against Scyther.
Nonetheless, I had to improvise and finish the battle quick. "I choose you, Cedric!" I shouted after throwing his Poké Ball.
"Laar!" Cedric chirped as he got out of the capture device.
"A Larvitar…", Bugsy gritted softly. "Scyther, be careful!"
"Scyt!" Scyther nodded in response.
"Cedric, let's lower Scyther's defense with Screech!" I shouted.
"Larvi…TAAAAAR!" Cedric took a deep breath and screamed so loudly it echoed inside the Gym. The visible soundwaves went toward Scyther and actually hit him, engulfing his body. He shrieked in pain and covered his ears with his scythes.
"Scyther, use Double Team!" Bugsy called.
Scyther must have heard the command through the Screech because the next thing I knew, Cedric was surrounded by copies of Scyther and the real one was hiding among them.
"Larvi?!" Cedric panicked and looked around him after he stopped screaming.
"Calm down, Cedric!" I shouted.
"Calming down won't give you a victory!" Bugsy shouted. "Scyther, use Fury Cutter!"
"Scytheer!" the Scyther copies screeched before they flew toward Cedric.
"Sandstorm, go!" I yelled quickly.
"Laaar…VITAR!" Cedric's body glowed in a sand brown color before he screamed and stared a sandstorm. The dirt from the battlefield got thrown up and was mixed with the sand. I grunted as I shielded my eyes from the sand. In times like these, I should use a pair of goggles.
I could barely see what was happening, but the copies of Scyther were gone now thanks to the sandstorm, which gave Cedric an advantage. The real Scyther was visible and almost hit Cedric, but he got distracted by the sandstorm and hit the ground instead after my Pokémon jumped away in time.
"Cedric, use Bite!" I shouted.
"Taar!" Cedric shrieked before he jumped and bit Scyther's free arm.
"Scyytheeer!" Scyther screamed in pain and moved his arm violently to shake Cedric off. Cedric did let go of Scyther and jumped back to get some space between them.
"Scyther!" Bugsy coughed by the sand that he must have breathed in. "Use Swords Dance!"
"Scytheer!" Scyther shrieked as I saw his silhouette twirling around again, body glowing in red showing his attack was increasing. I had to end the battle now!
"Cedric!" I coughed after I swallowed some sand. "Use Rock Slide!"
"Laar!" Cedric's silhouette jumped up and glowed briefly before massive boulders were summoned above him. He threw his arms toward Scyther, causing the boulders to fly toward the bug-type Pokémon.
"Scyther, use Slash on the boulders!" Bugsy yelled before coughing harshly.
"Scytheeer!" Scyther roared and flew up to meet up with the boulders. I could barely see him slashing a few of the boulders in half before they could hit him, but he couldn't slash the thicker ones that struck him. He crashed down to the ground with the boulders burying him. Cedric landed on the field in front of the crash site and growled while staring intensely at the scene.
The sandstorm subsided and revealed a pile of boulders in the middle of the battlefield. Scyther laid on the ground half-buried by the boulder and was stuck between them. "Scyyy…", he groaned weakly.
"Scyther!" Bugsy gasped loudly.
The Gym Trainer took a quick glance at the fallen Pokémon before raising the arm. "Scyther is unable to battle! Larvitar wins! The winner of the Gym battle is challenger Ashley!"
"You did it again, Ashley!" Ash cheered happily.
"Pika pikaaa!"
I smiled widely at the realization that I had won my second Johto Gym battle in such a short time. "You were amazing, Cedric!" I said happily.
"Larvitaaar!" Cedric screeched happily and ran to me so I could give him a hug. I crouched down and opened my arms for him. He had gotten heavier over the couple of weeks, so I couldn't carry him.
I made a mental note to spoil Trica and Mystic too once we're back to the Pokémon Center.
"Congrats", Bugsy walked to me after he had recalled his Scyther. "You really caught me off guard with your Pokémon, especially Togepi. Few Trainers battle with baby Pokémon, so it was a big surprise."
"Mystic wanted to battle, so I wanted him to have some experience", I replied, standing up after I had finished cuddling with Cedric.
"I can tell you'll become a great Trainer in the future", Bugsy nodded before he held out his palm with a Ledyba-like badge. "As proof of defeating the Azalea Gym, I give you the Hive Badge."
"Thank you", I said before I gently took the badge. I turned it around to see every part of it as happiness and pride swelled up in my chest. "Two badges down, six more to go."
"And soon I'll catch up to you, Ashley", Ash commented before he threw an arm around my shoulders, which made me giggle in response. "When'll you be ready for our match, Bugsy?"
"Give me half an hour to heal my Pokémon and I'll gladly accept your challenge, Ash", Bugsy responded before smirking teasingly. "I won't go easy on you too."
"Bring out the best you have, Bugsy", Ash retorted with his classic smirk.
The battle between the boys were a little different than what I had with Bugsy, but Ash still won in the end after improvising like what I did. So we both had two of the Johto badges at the end of the day.
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Ashley's party:
Cedric the Larvitar (male)
Trica the Furret (female)
Hikaru the Flaaffy (male)
Mystic the Togepi (male)
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Ash's party:
Ivysaur (male)
Pikachu (male)
Wartortle (male)
Heracross (male)
Chikorita (female)
Cyndaquil (male)
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Misty's party:
Goldeen (female)
Staryu (genderless)
Psyduck (male)
Togepi (female)
Poliwag (male)
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Brock's party:
Geodude (male)
Onix (male)
Zubat (male)
Vulpix (female)
Pineco (male)