The Azalea Gym resembled a forest garden, which was not surprising since the Gym was a bug-type gym. Ash saw Caterpies, Metapods, Weedles and Kakunas in the trees, seemingly enjoying their time. Ash also spots a boy, who he first mistook for a Pokemon.
"Here to challenge the Gym?" the boy asked.
"Yup! Where's the Gym Leader?" Ash asked.
"You're looking at him" the boy grinned, "My name is Bugsy and I'm the Azalea Town Gym Leader. I specialise in bug types as they are my favourites. I accept your challenge… er…"
"Ash, Ash Ketchum from Pallet" Ash answered.
"I accept your challenge, Ash Ketchum!" Bugsy declares. "After you help me get down from this tree. I accidentally kicked the ladder when you guys suddenly came in" Bugsy admitted with a sheepish smile.
Ash helped set the ladder back and Begsy climbed down.
"Thank you, but don't expect me to go easy on you just because you helped me get down from this tree" Bagsy smirked. "We'll have a three-on-three battle, no switching around during battles. You may switch after the end of a round, but not before or after another round starts."
Ash agrees to the terms and Bugsy leads him to the battlefield, which is surrounded by trees on all sides, like a clearing in the middle of the woods.
Bugsy took out a Pokeball, as did Ash, and the two let out their respective first Pokemon.
"Ledian, the Five Star Pokemon, It is said that in lands with clean air, where the stars fill the sky, there live Ledian in countless numbers. There is a good reason for this - the Pokémon uses the light of the stars as its energy."
Ledian buzzed as it took place, and Farfetch'd took a stance as if holding a sword. Bugsy called for Swift and Ash called for a Fury Attack. Ledian buzzed, bright yellow stars shooting out from the black spot on its forehead. Farfetch'd dashed forward, thrusting and stabbing away all the stars that Ledian sent her way. Ledian dashed forward with Comet Punch and Farfetch'd met it with Swords Dance, parrying and deflecting Ledian's punches with her leek. Ledin zoomed away before charging again with Double Edge and Farfetch'd (boosted by the power of Swords Dance) met it with Slash. Leek and Head connected with a loud slam, kicking up dust under the two Pokemon. Ledian flew back, stumbling in the air before shooting more Swift stars. Farfetch'd charged, using Swords Dance to bat away the stars before using Agility to get behind Ledian and slashing it hard across the back. Ledian went down with a thud and Farfetch'd landed gracefully on the ground.
The first round went to Ash.
Bugsy called Ledian back and sent out his next Pokemon.
"Ariados, the Long Leg Pokemon, evolved form of Spinarak. Ariados's feet are tipped with tiny hooked claws that enable it to scuttle on ceilings and vertical walls. This Pokémon constricts the foe with thin and strong silk webbing."
Ash called back Farfetch'd and sent out Cyndaquil.
Ash wasted no time in calling for a Flamethrower. Bugsy called for Spider Web and Ariados swung out of the fire's path and into the trees. It continued to spit out Spider Web, covering the battlefield with its sticky webs and trapping Cyndaquil. Ariados followed it up with Night Shade and two beams of dark energy burst towards Cyndaquil. The Fire Mouse Pokemon had nowhere to escape and she was hit with the Night Shade, sending her flying into the sticky web. Ariados jumped down and scurried towards Cyndaquil quickly, using Fury Swipes when it got close. Ash told Cyndaquil to curl up into a ball and Cyndaquil did so, covering herself in flames and beginning to spin. The sticky web burned away and Cyndaquil shot forward and collided against Ariados, sending it tumbling into the trees. Cyndaquil rolled around the battlefield covered in flames, burning away the web that Ariados had set up.
Bugsy called for Night Shade again and Ash called for a Flamethrower. The two moves collided, kicking up dust. A streak of fire shot through the dust but missed Ariados by a long shot. Ash kept his displeasure to himself. Charizard had always hit his opponents in such circumstances. But Cyndaquil was not Charizard, and he needed to focus on Cyndaquil.
Ariados fired another set of Night Shade and Ash commanded Cyndaquil to use Flame Wheel and charge. The Night Shade rolled off of Cydaquil's flaming form from the motion as Cyndaquil rushed forward. Ariados jumped out of the in the last moment and Cyndaquil smashed the tree Ariados had been perched on.
Bugsy called for a Spider Wed and Ash ordered Cyndaquil to keep his Flame Wheel going. The webs burned the moment they touched Cyndaquil and the Fire Mouse rushed to Ariados again, missing the mark once more. Bugsy called for Night Shade and Ash called for Quick Attack. Cyndaquil stopped spinning, skidding to a stop before zipping around the Night Shade and hitting Ariados. Ash had Cyndaquil follow it up with a quick Flamethrower that hit the Pokemon and slammed it into the trees, knocking it out this time.
"You're good" Bugsy grinned, calling Ariados back before sending in his next Pokemon, a Scizor.
Ash called the exhausted Cyndaquil back, complimenting how well she did on her first Gym Battle. He then sent out his next Pokemon, his Golbat.
Both Pokemon net mid-way right as the match began at blinding speed, Scizor with Metal Claw and Golbat with Wing Attack. Golbat flew back post-impact and rushed in again with Wing Attack. Scizor countered with Metal Claw, but grabbed Golbat by the wings this time and slammed him into the ground. Scizor reared its head back and slammed it into Golbat's head before stepping back. Golbat flew up, blinking furiously as he did so. Scizor went in with Metal Claw and hit clean even after Ash ordered Golbat to dodge. The hit from before had stunned Golbat.
Golbat struggled to his feet, swaying a bit from the hits. He quickly shook his head and took to the skies before coming in with a Wing Attack. Scizor stood its ground and just when Golbat hit, Scizor's claw glowed white and it hit Golbat hard for a counter. Golbat fell coughing and Scizor rained Metal Claws on the fallen Pokemon. Ash shouted for his Golbat to get out of the way and Golbat pushed himself up, Metal Claws raining down on his back.
And suddenly Golbat was glowing.
Scizor squinted its eyes before being forced back when the glow got too intense. The glowing form took to the skies and vanished in a blur, appearing behind Scizor. The Pokemon let out a cry of pain when the form latched onto its back. Scizor thrashed around to get the glowing form off of it but it did not let go. Scizor slammed its back on a tree but the glowing form was gone before it did. It was floating in front of Ash now and slowly the glow faded.
"Crobat, the Bat Pokemon, evolved form of Golbat. Crobat sneaks up on its intended prey using wings that barely make a sound. This Pokémon rests by hanging on a tree branch with its rear legs that serve as wings."
Ash stared at his now Crobat in shock. He didn't know Golbat could evolve in the first place!
Bugsy called for Scizor to use Metal Claw and Crobat dodged them smoothly and easily as if he knew the move was coming. From close up Crobat used Confuse Ray, before flying away at high speed (faster than it was as a Golbat, as noted by Ash). Scizor thrashed around in its confusion, hitting itself all around the field before finally snapping out of confusion but with injuries from the thrash around.
Ash called for Wing Attack and Bugsy called for Metal Claw. Crobat flew in at high speed, easily dodging the Metal Claw and hitting Scizor cleanly for a Wing Attack. Scizor staggered, before falling forward.
Ash whooped in joy at his victory before shrieking when Crobat slammed into him. The Pokemon was smiling, resting its body on Ash's back.