This is the last chapter based on the Johto League Champions season. We're soon heading to the Master Quest season and I have many plans for it, including some surprises that I hope you will look forward to.
Disclaimer: I do not own any Pokémon characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 32: Machoke, Machoke Man
The ferry arrived to Cianwood City without any troubles in the early evening. The first thing we did was to visit the pharmacy so Janina could pick up the medicine. Since it was too late to go and challenge the Cianwood Gym, we went to the Pokémon Center and got a room to stay for the night.
We woke up early the next morning so Janina could catch the noon ferry and go back to Olivine City. We stood on the dock and waved goodbye to the little girl while she waved to us. "See you soon, Janina! Tell Jasmine we'll visit her Gym as soon as we can!" Ash shouted.
"I will!" Janina shouted. "Good luck with the Cianwood Gym! And thanks for all the advice about Onix, Brock!"
"It was my pleasure, Janina!" Brock called back. "Tell Jasmine I miss her!"
Misty playfully bonked Brock's head. "You and Jasmine are not a couple, Brock."
We stayed on the dock and watched the ferry until it became one with the horizon. I took a deep breath of air smelling the salt and seaweed. I was relieved the ferry trip went well and no accident happened, but I think I still prefer staying on dry land than being out in the ocean.
"Let's go find the Cianwood Gym and challenge the Gym Leader!" Ash called out excitedly. "The sooner the faster we can return to Olivine City and challenge Jasmine!"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu cheered excitedly.
"Okay", I said and lightly pumped my fists, feeling excited for the upcoming Gym battle. "And you can go first, Ash."
"Of course I'm going first!" Ash grinned. "The battle with Janina doesn't count as a Gym battle."
"Are you sure you feel ready, Ash?" Misty asked. "The only Pokémon in your party that works great against fighting-type Pokémon is Noctowl."
"I can make it without any Pokémon that are super-effective against fighting Pokémon!" Ash declared determinedly. "I've had other disadvantages before, but I always pushed through and won those battles!"
"You're right about that, Ash", Brock chuckled as he opened his guidebook. "Let's see where the Gym is-"
"Machooke!"
"Again, Machoke! Focus your inner energy!"
"Huh?" the four of us hummed in surprise at the sound of noises coming from the little beach next to the dock. A large, hefty, muscular man with brown hair and moustache and only dressed in a pair of white pants with a black belt was training together with a Machoke. They were sparring and practiced both offensive and defensive moves.
"Now, Machoke, let's finish this training with a Submission!" the man shouted at his Pokémon.
"Maaaah!"
I gasped in terror when Machoke actually grabbed the man and rolled across the sand with him and then threw him several meters away. That move could've broken many bones in him.
"Sir!" Ash yelled and rushed immediately to assist the man. We followed my brother without saying a word since we were all worried about the man's well-being. Machoke rushed to his Trainer just as we made it to him.
The man grunted in slight pain while Ash helped him stand up. "Easy, sir. You took a big hit", my brother said.
"Are you sure you're okay, sir?" Misty asked worriedly.
"Togiprii…", Togepi chirped sadly.
"Taking a Submission attack with no gear isn't safe", Brock lightly scolded the man.
I was about to voice my concern when I halted myself. There was something about this man that made me suspicious. Not in a bad way, more in a good way. He was dressed similarly as Elite Four member Bruno and he was a fighting-type specialist. This man here was training with a Machoke in Cianwood City where there was a fighting-type Gym…
He could be the Gym Leader or an apprentice.
"I… I-I'm just so happy!" the man suddenly started crying happy tears. "That was the best Submission ever! You hear that, Machoke! The best!"
"Maaachooke!" Machoke cried waterfalls and rushed to its Trainer so they could hug each other.
"I'm so proud of you, Machoke! All the training has been worth it!" the man cried and patted his Pokémon's back.
"Machoke choooke!"
I was a little flabbergasted at the sight of a big man crying like that. I had never seen it before, but I guess even adult men can be emotional.
The man wiped his tears and turned to us. "Hey, you sports! I've never seen you four in town before. Are you visitors?"
"Y-Yeah, kinda, sir", Ash replied hesitantly. "We're looking for the Cianwood Gym."
"The Gym, eh?" the man's eyes gleamed for a second as a smirk appeared on his lips. "Sounds like you sports wanna participate in the Johto League."
"Just me and my sister", Ash corrected him.
"I'll gladly show you the way to the Gym…if you can keep up with our training!" the man exclaimed and began marching in a perfect rhythm. "C'mon, move your knees and start marching! One two three four, one two three four!"
"Y-Yes, sir!" Ash shrieked and began marching with Pikachu next to him.
"I guess I have to do that too…", I mumbled and started marching after the group with Misty and Brock behind me. It felt a little refreshing to get some exercise, especially since we marched in a calm pace.
Before I knew it, we marched right past the fighting Trainer who was already exhausted, but he pushed himself to make it to the finish line. His Machoke was in the lead and marched easily to a dojo downtown. My limbs were starting to ache, so it was a huge relief we made it to our destination.
Machoke's Trainer jogged the last bit and collapsed on his knees, taking deep breaths to collect his energy. "W-What's the matter, s-sports? You out of shape or somethin'?"
"I guess somebody is…", Misty mumbled quietly.
"Are you sure you're okay, sir?" Brock asked and gently patted the adult's back. "Don't strain yourself."
"How much further are you going to take us?" Ash wondered.
"I think we're at the Gym, guys", I said just as a group of young children between seven and thirteen stormed out of the dojo with other fighting-type Pokémon.
"Welcome back, Master Chuck!" the children shrieked in joy.
"Master Chuck?" the four of us repeated as the man named Chuck stood up and smiled at the children.
"Students, did you finish your training?" Chuck asked.
"Yes, Master!" the children replied simultaneously with their Pokémon.
I quickly connected the dots. It was just as I suspected. "You must be the Gym Leader, sir", I spoke out.
"That's right!" Chuck nodded with a warm grin, one that reminded me of Dad's proud smile that was a hazy memory in my heart. "I'm the Cianwood Gym Leader! The name's Chuck! What are your names, sports?"
"I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town", Ash introduced himself.
"Pika pika!" Pikachu cheered from my brother's shoulder.
"I'm Ashley, Ash's twin sister", I nodded softly.
"I'm Brock, a Pokémon Breeder."
"And I'm Misty, a water-type Pokémon Trainer."
"Togipriii!"
"So I assume you twins wanna battle for a Storm Badge each?" Chuck asked.
"That's right!" Ash nodded eagerly.
"Very well, I accept your challenge!" Chuck nodded. "But! Before that… We're gonna have lunch that my beautiful wife has cooked for us! You four shall join us too!"
"Us?" Ash, Misty and Brock repeated in surprised voices. I was just silent, wondering if we really were allowed to impose.
"You cannot fight with an empty stomach! And it is lunchtime!" Chuck explained and patted his stomach. "You need lots of nourishment and then burn off the calories with a tough battle!"
"Maachoke!" Machoke nodded, agreeing with the Gym Leader.
"W-Well, when you put it like that…", Ash spoke just as his stomach growled for food. "Then we'll take up on your offer."
XXXXXXXXXX
It was a very delicious meal we had for lunch. I still felt bad for imposing, so I decided to help Chuck's wife with the cleaning once we were done. That meant I missed half of the Gym battle between Chuck and Ash, but my mind felt more at ease after helping the wife with the clean-up.
Ash had quite the challenge against Chuck, but he managed to win with Pikachu and Bayleef. Bayleef carried the victory by staying focused, using Chuck's strategy to focus inner energy and Body Slam Machoke into submission. The Gym Leader rewarded Ash with a Storm Badge and asked me to return a couple of hours later so his Pokémon could rest after this intense battle.
Just as requested, we returned to the Gym two hours later and Chuck and his Pokémon were ready to battle. Now it was my turn to channel my focus along with my Pokémon to win my own Storm Badge. Chuck's students sat next to the indoor battlefield just like before and Ash and our friends stood behind me while Chuck and I took our places.
"The Gym battle between Gym Leader Chuck and challenger Ashley Ketchum is about to begin!" the referee called, being one of the students. "Both Trainers can only use two Pokémon each. The battle is over when one side's Pokémon are unable to continue battling. Only the challenger can switch Pokémon!"
"I expect a great battle just like the one I had with your brother, lass!" Chuck said as he called out Poliwrath. "Are you ready, Poliwrath?"
"Poli!" Poliwrath growled and flexed his muscles.
So Chuck was starting with Poliwrath in this match as well. I knew immediately which Pokémon I needed to use against it. "I choose you, Hikaru!"
"Rooooh!" Hikaru bleated as his tail and ears sparkled, eager to have a good battle.
"Begin the battle!" the referee yelled out, raising the green and red flags to commence the match.
"Focus your energy, Poliwrath!" Chuck yelled. "Belly Drum!"
"Pooolii!" Poliwrath began punching himself on the abdomen, a red aura enveloping him as his strength was increased to max.
"Careful, Ashley! With Belly Drum, Poliwrath can defeat Hikaru with one single physical move!" Brock warned me.
"I know!" I shouted back, my eyes never leaving the field. And I also knew that Belly Drum had one weakness; the user loses half its health, so Poliwrath got very weak as a result.
"Hikaru, increase your strength with Charge!" I shouted.
"Roooooh!" Hikaru bleated as his body started sparkling. He was charging himself to make his electric attacks stronger.
"Poliwrath, use your focus to land a Dynamic Punch!" Chuck yelled.
"Poliiii…!" Poliwrath growled as he clenched his right hand into a fist glowing in powerful warm colors. He ran toward Hikaru who had just finished charging.
"Spit Cotton Spore on Poliwrath's face, Hikaru!" I shouted quickly.
"Amparoooooh!" Hikaru opened his mouth and exhaled a cloud of cotton that flew straight onto Poliwrath's eyes. The dual-type Pokémon was forced to stop in its tracks and try cleaning its eyes from the soft material.
"Polii! Polii!"
"Poliwrath, try washing the Cotton Spore off with Water Gun!" Chuck yelled.
Poliwrath quit panicking and sprayed water from the middle of his abdomen upward so it rained down on him like a shower. The cotton was slowly coming off, so I had to act fast.
"Hikaru, use Thunder Punch!" I shouted.
"Roooh!" Hikaru's right arm began sparkling as he ran toward Poliwrath who wiped the cotton off his eyes. The frog Pokémon opened his eyes just as Hikaru punched him on the abdomen, the electricity stored in that Thunder Punch electrocuting him extra now that his body was completely soaked.
"POOOLIIIIWRAATH!"
"Oh no, Poliwrath!" Chuck yelled worriedly.
Hikaru's punch threw Poliwrath down to the ground, crashing onto his back. The impact threw some dirt up before it dispersed and landed onto the fainted Pokémon. The referee took a closer look before raising the green flag. "Poliwrath is unable to battle! Ampharos wins!"
"Great job, Hikaru!" I praised my Pokémon.
"Roooh!" Hikaru bleated happily, his tail orb sparkling a little.
"That was a quick match!" Ash commented happily in the background.
"Pika pika!"
"Yeah, and Poliwrath didn't even land a hit on Hikaru, so he's still in full health", Misty added.
"Togi togiprii!"
"Maybe, but Chuck still has his ace Pokémon", Brock said. "And I'm concerned about one thing with Machoke."
"I'm so proud of you, Poliwrath, even though you lost", Chuck cried happy tears as he recalled his fallen Pokémon. "You deserve a good rest." He wiped his tears off and straightened his back, puffing his chest out. "You worked great with your Ampharos, lass. Very few have managed to defeat Poliwrath with their first Pokémon."
"Thank you, Chuck", I giggled embarrassingly and rubbed the back of my head. Ash had Pikachu battling Poliwrath, but he got defeated after getting overwhelmed by the frog's strength. It was thanks to Pikachu that Bayleef defeated Poliwrath with ease after weakening him with one Thunderbolt.
"But the battle is far from over!" Chuck exclaimed and threw another Poké Ball, calling out his Machoke. "Machoke, it's your turn, my friend!"
"Machoook!" Machoke roared before having a quick session of hyping himself up by striking Chuck with repeated Karate Chops. I felt a little uncomfortable watching that, so I turned away until they were done. Machoke stepped back to the field and flexed his muscles. Hikaru growled at him in return and stood ready to battle.
"Begin the battle!" the referee announced.
"Machoke, focus your energy! Karate Chop!" Chuck yelled.
"Maaah!" Machoke roared and dashed toward Hikaru.
"Cotton Spore, Hikaru!" I yelled.
"Rooooh!" Hikaru exhaled a shower of cotton toward Machoke.
"Dodge it, Machoke!" Chuck shouted.
"Chook!" Machoke jumped up and dodged the Cotton Spore beam.
"Hikaru, use Thunder Shock!" I shouted quickly as I hadn't expected Machoke to jump.
"Ampha…ROOOOH!" Hikaru screeched and unleashed electricity at the fighting-type Pokémon. Machoke shrieked as he got electrocuted, but he wasn't down.
"Fight through, Machoke! Cross Chop!" Chuck shouted.
"Maaah…!" Machoke growled as he pushed himself through the electric move and struck Hikaru. Hikaru cried out in pain and crashed onto the ground.
"Hikaru, are you okay?!" I called worriedly.
"R-Rooh…!" Hikaru grunted as he slowly got up on his feet, bruises already forming on his body. Based on his condition, I could tell Machoke had landed a critical hit attack with his Cross Chop move. Hikaru had to weaken him as much as he could before the end of this battle.
"Alright, focus some more, Machoke!" Chuck shouted. "It's time for Submission!"
"Machook!" Machoke roared and dashed toward Hikaru. I was panicking internally as I didn't know what I should do, until I got an idea.
"Hikaru, use Charge as much as you can!" I shouted. "Don't dodge the move!"
"What are you doing, Ashley?!" Ash called out behind me, surprised by my commands.
Hikaru didn't question my order and turned limp before he began charging himself. Machoke grabbed him and started rolling across with battlefield with him, locking himself onto Hikaru with both hands and feet.
"Now! Unleash your strongest Thunder Shock!" I yelled.
"What?!" Chuck gasped as he realized my intentions.
"Ampha…ROOOOOOH!" Hikaru's body sparkled just he screeched and unleashed a powered up Thunder Shock. Machoke didn't have time to release his grip on my Pokémon, so he got electrocuted. He quickly stopped rolling and threw Hikaru onto the ground, panting deeply before he rested onto one knee, his body sparkling by the remnants of Thunder Shock.
"R-Roooh…", Hikaru grunted and shook in pain as he had landed on his stomach, bruised and dirty after being rolled around like a ragdoll.
"Ampharos is unable to battle! Machoke wins!" the referee declared and raised the red flag.
Chuck began crying happy tears for the umpteenth time. "You did it, Machoke! You endured that Thunder Shock and defeated Ampharos with a brilliant Submission!"
"M-Machooke", Machoke cried as well before he stood up, lightly flexing his arms before he grunted by the paralysis.
I sighed softly in relief before I grabbed Hikaru's Poké Ball. "You did your very best, Hikaru", I praised him with a smile. "Rest well and your comrade will take care of the rest." I recalled him to the capture device before I switched to my second Pokémon. "I choose you, Lily!"
"Espeoon!" Lily barked as she was materialized on the field.
"That's a great choice, Ashley!" Ash called excitedly. "Psychic-type Pokémon resist fighting-type moves!"
"Don't count the Pokémon Eggs yet, guys", Brock warned.
Neither Chuck nor Machoke looked bothered about facing Lily. In fact, they looked rather amused. I had to stand my ground and watch carefully in case they had a backup plan against psychic-type Pokémon.
"That's a cute Pokémon you got there, lass", Chuck complimented. "But it's gonna take more than cuteness to defeat us!"
"I know, and Lily's more than just cute", I retorted with a smirk. I was actually feeling a little excited about this match. "Lily, this is your first Gym battle, so listen to my voice and you will do well!"
"Oon!" Lily nodded with a soft bark.
"Begin the battle!" the referee announced.
"Machoke, focus your energy!" Chuck yelled.
"Maaah!"
"Lily, use Confusion!" I shouted.
"Espeooon!" Lily barked as she activated her psychic powers. A blue aura enveloped Machoke, the psychic power holding him back from moving. The fighting-type Pokémon grunted as Lily added little more pressure before she canceled Confusion.
"M-Maachok…", Machoke panted as sweat ran down his body.
"You endured that well, Machoke!" Chuck praised his partner. "Now, return the attack with Payback!"
"Oh no!" I shrieked in terror, realizing the plan. Chuck had intentionally allowed me and Lily to attack first so Machoke could use the dark-type move and deliver twice the damage.
Machoke enveloped himself in a dark aura before he dashed as fast as he could at Lily despite being paralyzed. I noticed it was an opening for a surprise move.
"Use Sand Attack, Lily!" I shouted.
Lily turned around and kicked up sand and dirt with her hind legs. Machoke gasped at the surprise move and closed his eyes before the sand could touch them. It didn't make him slow down, no. He kept running forward and tackled Lily so hard she flew up. "OOOON!"
"Lily!" I shrieked worriedly as she crashed onto the ground. Machoke stopped in his tracks and started poking his eyes to get rid of the sand while Lily struggled to stand up. "Are you okay, Lily?!"
Lily grunted softly as she slowly got up on her paws. Her fur was dirty and I couldn't see bruises, but I knew she was in lots of pain after that Payback attack. If I couldn't use Confusion, even though I was certain it could knock out Machoke, it wasn't worth it especially after that big hit.
"Lily, use Quick Attack! Don't let Machoke get a chance to attack!" I yelled.
"Eoon!" Lily howled as she dashed toward Machoke whose eyes were red by the irritating sand.
"Machoke, brace yourself!" Chuck warned his Pokémon.
"Mah?"
Lily struck Machoke on his side and continued running around in circles, making illusions of herself like in a Double Team, and repeatedly used Quick Attack over and over again, weakening Machoke so he was down on one knee.
"We're almost there!" I encouraged Lily. "Finish it with Swift!"
"Machoke, focus the last of your energy and use Payback!" Chuck yelled.
"Maah…!" Machoke pushed himself up on his feet and got enveloped in a dark aura. However, his paralysis affected him and forced him down on his knees again.
"Machoke!" Chuck called concernedly.
Lily jumped up in the air with her tail glowing. She swung her tail and fired multiple energy stars from it that went straight at Machoke. The fighting-type Pokémon shrieked as the energy stars hit him until the final one struck him on the chin, making him fall onto his back. Lily landed gracefully on the field, but panted deeply as her eyes never left Machoke.
The referee checked Machoke before delivering the final words. "Machoke is unable to battle! Espeon wins! The winner of the match is challenger Ashley!"
"Alright!" Ash and Misty cheered happily along with their Pokémon.
"You did it, Lily!" I exclaimed happily and got down on my knees so she could run into my arms.
"Eon!" Lily barked as she cuddled against my chest. I carefully caressed her fur and made sure not to add pressure on her hidden bruises.
"You two and Hikaru did a great job", Brock commented as I got up carrying Lily in my arms.
"Thank you, but that Payback move surprised me a lot", I said.
"Yeah, that caught me off guard too", Ash nodded and rubbed the back of his head. "He never used that move in our match…"
"Ashley", Chuck spoke up as he and Machoke walked over to us. "That was an excellent battle. I enjoyed it firmly just like the battle with your brother."
"Thank you, Chuck. I enjoyed it too", I nodded with a small smile. "This battle was very exciting."
"Eon!" Lily barked.
"It's a great honor to have great battles with Trainers like you two", Chuck nodded before he held his hand out, revealing a badge in the shape of a brown knuckle. "Here's the proof of you defeating my Gym; the Storm Badge. Congratulations!"
"Thank you, Chuck", I nodded before I took the badge and showed it to Lily. "Look, Lily. We got the next badge thanks to you. You've grown so much in such a short time."
"Oon!" Lily smiled.
"Now we both have five badges each, Ashley!" Ash exclaimed eagerly. "Only three left, and one is so close I can almost feel it in my hand!"
"Pika pika!"
"Slow down, hotshot", Misty sighed. "Janina is still on her way back to Olivine City with the medicine, so Jasmine might not be ready to battle yet."
"You lot have met Jasmine?" Chuck asked curiously.
"Choke?"
"Yeah, we met her yesterday, but she was unable to battle because her Ampharos is sick", Ash explained. "So we followed her apprentice to Cianwood to pick up medicine and challenge you before we head back to the mainland."
"Hrm, I've heard about her Pokémon being sick since many Trainers before you were sent here when she rejected their challenge", Chuck said with his arms crossed. "I hope she soon gets ready to accept challengers 'cause the Johto League is only months away now."
"I'm sure everything will be fine, darling", Chuck's wife said as she walked over to him. She turned to us with a smile. "If you have to wait a little longer before Jasmine opens her Gym again, how about visiting the Whirl Islands?"
"The Whirl Islands?" Ash, our friends and I repeated confusedly.
"It's a group of islands not far from Cianwood where there are lots of rare and powerful Pokémon", Chuck explained. "They're also the source of myths and legends, so it's become quite the attraction spot for Trainers. They even host a Whirl Cup around this time of the year where Trainers can only battle with water-type Pokémon."
"A water-type specialized competition?!" Misty exclaimed in joy with her eyes glowing like Staryus. "I wanna go! This is the perfect opportunity for my Pokémon to shine!"
"Togi togiprii!"
"I don't mind taking a detour with new adventure", Brock chuckled before his cheeks turned pink. "And maybe I can find myself a lovely wife there…"
"I'm all in for it!" Ash nodded. "What about you, Ashley?"
"It sounds like fun", I replied. "Maybe I can also find some dragon-type Pokémon there, since some are known to be living in the ocean like the Dratini family."
I still hadn't found a Dratini and I was eager to catch one so I could truly become a dragon tamer.
"Here, take this", Chuck's wife held out a card to us. It had a picture of a ferry and said Whirl Islands in capital. "You need this card to get onboard the ferry to the Whirl Islands. It leaves Cianwood City tomorrow morning, so make sure you wake up in time."
"Thanks, ma'am", Ash smiled before he took the card.
"Now, I hope you stay over for dinner", Chuck's wife clasped her hands. "I'll cook you a very special meal that will give you energy to battle in the Whirl Cup."
"That's my wife! Cooking the best dishes in the world!" Chuck grinned widely. "And make sure to remember this, sports; eat well, sleep well and train hard for the Johto League and beyond!"
"We will!" the four of us replied.
Ash and I may not be able to battle Jasmine yet, but we could prepare ourselves by training on the Whirl Islands. I was looking forward to look around for a Dratini or other dragon Pokémon that might possibly live there.
As for the Whirl Cup… Maybe I should join if I used my water-type Pokémon that were living in Professor Oak's laboratory.
XXXXXXXXXX
Did you guys know the move Payback was never shown in the anime? I got very surprised when I looked up some details about the move and found out no Pokémon ever used it in the series. I thought that maybe James' Inkay in XY knew it, but I mixed it up with Foul Play.
Do you happen to know any other moves that never appeared in the anime? Let me know in the reviews, please! I'm very curious.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ashley's party:
Cedric the Pupitar (male)
Hikaru the Ampharos (male)
Mystic the Togetic (male)
Victor the Houndoom (male)
Axel the Scyther (male)
Lily the Espeon (female)
XXXXXXXXXX
Ashley's Pokémon at the Lab:
Trica the Furret (female)
XXXXXXXXXX
Ash's party:
Pikachu (male)
Bayleef (female)
Cyndaquil (male)
Croconaw (male)
Shiny Noctowl (male)
Dunsparce (male)
XXXXXXXXXX
Ash's Pokémon at the Lab:
Heracross (male)
Wartortle (male)
Tauros (male)
Ivysaur (male)
Snorlax (male)
XXXXXXXXXX
Misty's party:
Goldeen (female)
Staryu (genderless)
Psyduck (male)
Togepi (female)
Poliwhirl (male)
Chinchou (female)
XXXXXXXXXX
Brock's party:
Geodude (male)
Onix (male)
Crobat (male)
Pineco (male)