Chapter 29

Fairy-Type Trickery

I have experienced Laverre City Gym Leader Valerie's remarkable skills firsthand. It was rather unexpected, but Cocoa and I managed to pull off a victory, earning the Diamond Heart, a Normal-type Pure Heart. The following day, it was Ash's turn to face this Fairy-type Trainer in a Gym Battle. His sixth Kalos Gym Badge is on the line. What will his strategy be?

The next day, after breakfast, we returned to the local Gym with our newest friend, Sawyer. After all, he had yet to challenge this Gym as well. As we approached the Gym, Sawyer had some information to share with us. "I did some checking around for us," he said, "and some sources have confirmed that Valerie's specialty is Fairy-type Pokémon."

"Is that what it is?" Ash asked. "Thanks for the heads-up. That Mega Audino thing yesterday really threw me off."

"Judging off what we witnessed last night," Clemont commented, "there's a lot we don't know about Valerie's battling technique. Do either of you know how to deal with her Fairy-type?"

"Not yet…" His Pikachu chirped in agreement.

"Will you be okay, Daddy?" Magearna asked.

"Daddy will be fine," Serena interjected. "Ash usually comes up with his best battle tactics in the heat of a battle. His coordination with his team is the key to his success, in the Gym, or otherwise."

The boy from Pallet Town smiled. "You got that right!" and he quickly pecked her on the cheek.

We made our way inside, and there waiting for us were the Gym assistants from the day before… all four of them. "We welcome you to the Laverre Gym," they all said at the same time and bowed in courtesy. "Who is the challenger among you?"

"Me and Ash," Sawyer answered. Then he placed a hand on his shoulder. "You can go first. I'm more of a 'watch-and-learn' kinda guy."

They then moved away from the staircase, allowing us to enter into the battlefield. The battlefield itself looked very elegant. It had this zen-garden feel to it, with fully-grown trees and everything. Ash and Pikachu moved to their position on the field, while the rest of us found the spectator's stand.

While we waited for Valerie to emerge, Sawyer released Treecko from his PokéBall. "We're spectating today, buddy. I know if we watch their battle closely, we'll learn a lot. I'll be sure to take plenty of notes."

'And we will, too,' Squishy told him in agreement.

"Learning is fun!" Bonnie commented.

Suddenly, the lights started to dim on us. We were a little confused, but then the windows grew brighter, shimmering in pink, with the illusion of sakura petals.

"Like a designer's Gym should look!" James commented.

Then, the Gym Leader emerged, surprisingly from an elevated platform. She stepped into her spot on the battlefield and greeted her opponent with a bow. "I welcome you all to my Gym… again," she greeted us. "Ash Ketchum, I presume? How many Gym Badges do you have?"

"Right now? Or after I win this battle?" he asked, jokingly.

Valerie laughed. "Such spirit. I'll give you points for confidence, but I won't let you win so easily."

He started cracking his knuckles. "Just the way I like it!"

One of Valerie's assistants stepped up to act as referee. "The Laverre City Gym match between Valerie, the Gym Leader, and Ash, the Challenger, will now commence. Each Trainer shall have the use of two Pokémon, and the battle will be over when either Trainer's Pokémon is unable to continue. Furthermore, only the Challenger will be permitted to substitute Pokémon."

"I'll choose first," Valerie revealed her first choice - a Sylveon, Eevee's Fairy-type evolved form. "Sylvie Sylv Sylvie?"

"Veon!" her partner replied.

"Veon Syl Syl!"

Cocoa's eyes widened. "Wow! That was actually decently intelligible."

"That's what I said!" Meowth added.

"Hey, how'd you learn to do that?" Ash asked.

Valerie giggled. "Honestly, I've always wanted to be a Pokémon myself, so I managed to learn how to speak with them. I'll admit I can't communicate with every Pokémon, but I can understand most of what mine are telling me."

"I cannot possibly be more jealous…"

"I use Fairy-type Pokémon in my Gym. I happen to be quite strong, so watch your step."

"Here's my first Pokémon. Fletchinder, I choose you!" He released the Fire and Flying-type from its PokéBall. Fletchinger flew around the room and landed in front of its Trainer.

The Gym assistant raised an arm in declaration. "Battle BEGIN!"

Ash VS Valerie
Fletchinder VS Sylveon
BATTLE BEGIN!

Ash made the first move. "Fletchinder, use Steel Wing!" His feathered friend charged at the opponent, its wings shimmering in silver, and struck Sylveon at full speed.

"Wow, that was perfect!" Serena commented.

"And it was super effective!" Clemont added. As they were speaking, Sawyer quickly wrote in his notebook.

Sylveon was hurt, but quickly shook it off. "We can't underestimate them can we?" Valerie commented. "But this time it's our turn! Disarming Voice!" Sylveon opened its mouth and released a beam of purple hearts in a loud shrieking voice at the opponent. Fletchinder was unable to dodge, but it held strong anyway.

"Use Peck!" Ash called out. Fletchinder flew at Sylveon once again, its beak glowing brightly. Sylveon was able to dodge the attack per Valerie's orders. Additionally, its feelers wrapped around the Flying-type's beak and neck, and it spun its opponent around the room.

"Oy vey!" Meowth gasped. "Is that even allowed?"

"Pokémon battles aren't just about exchanging moves," Clemont answered. "Some Trainers know everything about their Pokémon's skills and will use them to their fullest potential."

"What do you think, Ash?" Valerie began. "Sylveon's ribbons do more than just flutter beautifully. While Fairy-types are graceful, they also possess dangerous hidden fangs. Now, Sylveon, use Fairy Wind!"

The opposing Pokémon then held Fletchinder overhead and produced a cyclone that battered the Fire-type around for a while.

"Watch out for the pretty ones…" Jessie commented.

"Come on, Ash!" I called out. "Fletchinder, be strong!"

After the Fairy Wind died down, Sylveon prepared to smash Fletchinder into the ground. Ash saw his chance. "Now, Fletchinder! Use Flame Charge!" Fletchinder's body combusted as it spread its wings. It smashed into Sylveon and broke free of its grasp. "Maybe not in the physical sense, but Fletchinder has its own fangs."

Valerie smiled, impressed with her opponent. "Giga Impact!" Sylveon glowed as it charged at Ash's partner.

"Steel Wing!" The two clashed into each other, stopping after they fully passed each other. Fletchinder was injured, but still held its ground.

Sylveon, on the other hand, flopped gracelessly to the ground. Everyone who worked at the Gym looked shock, even the referee. "Kali, make the call…"

"Oh, right…" the referee replied, her cheeks turning red. "Sylveon is unable to battle! FLetchinder wins!"

"Off to a good start!" Ash smiled while the rest of us cheered.

Sawyer started jotting things down in his notebook. "So that proves Steel-type moves are super effective against Fairy-type Pokémon."

Valerie recalled her Sylveon to rest and recover. Then she pulled out another PokéBall. "Be warned! It won't be so easy this time!" She tossed the Ball, and it released a small pink avian Pokémon. "Spritz Spritz?"

"Spritz Spritz!"

"Dexter? Analysis please," I asked.

"With pleasure, Brianna," he replied as he pulled up the data.

Spritzee
The Perfume Pokémon
A Fairy-type
Spritzee gives off a fragrance that delights anyone who smells it. A change in its diet will alter the fragrance it produces.

"Challenger Ash," Kali called out. "Will you be substituting your partner?"

"No, thank you," he replied. "I'm gonna stick with Fletchinder."

"In that case, let the battle resume!"

"Fletchinder, use Steel Wing!" Ash called out, and Fletchinder made its dive at the smaller bird. Though Fletchinder was fast, Spritzee was able to evade the attack.

"Now, use Trick Room!" Valerie commanded. Spritzee's body glowed light blue, and a large light blue transparent rectangle appeared around the battlefield.

Some of us have never seen this move before. However, I could hear some of the comments from the Gym assistants below. "Valerie's using Trick Room! She's totally serious now!"

"Keep calm, Fletchinder!" Ash called out. "Just keep your eyes on Spritzee and your ears on me! Now, use Flame Charge!"

"ASH! NO!" Clemont shouted.

But it was too late. Fletchinder had already combusted and charged at Spritzee. But something weird was happening… Fletchinder was moving slower than ever before, like it was trying to fly through some thick jelly. Spritzee was able to evade easily.

'What's happening?' asked Diancie. 'I thought it got faster with the Flame Charge.'

"Trick Room is a Psychic-type move which messes with the speed of any Pokémon within!" Clemont explained. "The faster a Pokémon actually is, the slower it becomes in Trick Room, and vice versa!"

"Now, use Dazzling Gleam!" Valerie ordered. An explosion of sparkle erupted from Spritzee's body. Fletchinder was too slow and unable to dodge, and it was shoved against the Trick Room's ceiling.

"Well, well… finished already!" Valerie laughed.

Ash adjusted his cap. "Flame Charge again!" Fletchinder tried again, moving slower and slower with every attempt.

"Gyro Ball!" Spritzee folded itself into a ball and spun rapidly. It zoomed around the room like a rocket and slammed into Fletchinder's back.

"What in the world is Ash thinking?!" Sawyer questioned.

"I'll bet you he has some sort of strategy," James commented, "but what?"

Fletchinder picked itself up, albeit weakly. "Fletchinder, way to hang in there! Flame Charge, one more time!"

"Dazzling Gleam!" Spritzee struck Fletchinder with tremendous force. It continued to dodge the Flame Charges Ash called.

Then, suddenly, the Trick Room started to fall apart. Valerie looked concerned. "Oh, dear… we've run out of time…"

Ash smirked with confidence. "Steel Wing! Let's go!" Fletchinder slammed into Spritzee like a speeding bullet.

"Of course!" Clemont smiled. "Now I understand what Ash was thinking! He kept using Flame Charge so that Fletchinder could attack at full speed when Trick Room wore off!"

"Keep it up, Fletchinder!" Ash yelled with praise.

"Not so fast! Moonblast!" A pink sphere of energy formed in front of Spritzee, which was launched at Fletchinder. It was too fast to evade, and it was just enough to knock out the last of his HP.

"Fletchinder is unable to battle! The winner is Spritzee!" Kali shouted. The rest of the Gym assistants cheered for their Gym Leader.

"Too bad, Ash," Valerie commented, "but I must admit your multiple Flame Charges were actually a great idea. It's been a while since I've been surprised like that."

"Thank you," replied Ash as he retrieved Fletchinder into its PokéBall.

"Ash took much too long," Cocoa commented, "and he paid a hefty price. How does he plan on winning this?"

Our Kantonian companion pulled out another PokéBall and pitched out his second choice. "Hawlucha, I choose you!" Hawlucha popped out and stood triumphantly, as though he had already won the battle.

"A Fighting-type Pokémon?" asked Valerie. "That's quite an interesting choice…"

The rest of us had to agree with her. Fighting-type Pokémon have a disadvantage against Fairy-types, so we had to wonder what Ash's strategy was this time.

"I'm counting on you, Hawlucha! Use Karate Chop!" The Wrestling Pokémon made his move, his right wing glowing brightly. But Spritzee was able to dodge without any issue.

"Trick Room!" Valerie called out. The blue panels began to form around Spritzee and its opponent.

Hawlucha was surprised and a little uncertain of what to do. But then Ash called out to him in reassurance. "This is your ring for today, Hawlucha! Just keep your cool, and you'll be great!" He nodded in understanding.

"Looks like somebody's having fun… we want you to enjoy yourselves! Moonblast!" Spritzee fired the attack and slammed Hawlucha into the Trick Room wall.

Ash's chosen partner picked himself back up and glanced at his partner. "Cha Lucha!"

"I agree," he replied. "That's a lot of power for a little bit of body mass."

"My, my," Valerie cut in, "you can talk with your Pokemon, too?"

"Well, not really talking. It's more like I understand what they're trying to say. I just kind of know, you know?"

"You have much promise as a Trainer."

"Thank you," Ash replied before returning to the battle. "Now, Hawlucha, use X-Scissor!" Hawlucha's claws glowed light blue. He then threw his claws together in front of him, and a light blue X appeared in front of his claws. It ran at Spritzee, but missed and crashed into the Trick Room's wall.

"What is he thinking?" Sawyer asked. "Fairy-type Pokemon are resistant to Bug-type moves!"

"I don't know…" I replied. "I know that look on his face. He has an idea!" All we could do was watch and see what he was planning.

"Hawlucha!" Ash called out. "Watch Spritzee closely, and stay on its tail!"

"Use Gyro Ball!" Valerie commanded. Spritzee started to charge her attack, spinning more and more rapidly.

In the split second that it flew toward Hawlucha… "Catch it!" shouted Ash. Hawlucha grabbed Spritzee and held it tight. Spritzee's speed was too much, and Hawlucha began to spin with it. "Use that speed!" Hawlucha released himself and flew into the wall on purpose. Using that same energy, he sprung toward his opponent.

"That's what I call thinking fast on your feet!" Jessie commented.

"Don't underestimate us! Dazzling Gleam!" Spritzee fired off the attack.

"We won't! X-Scissor!" Hawlucha began to spin like a drill, and the move formed in front of him. It drilled through the Dazzling Gleam and drove Spritzee into the wall… which started to crack. Hawlucha continued his improvised attack, and in seconds, Spritzee's Trick Room shattered.

Valerie fell to her knees, spellbound by the falling pieces of her Trick Room. Ash, on the other hand, pumped his fists. "IT WORKED!" Pikachu jumped around in joy.

'What… just… happened?' Diancie asked.

"I get it!" Clemont commented. "X-Scissor wasn't for Spritzee… it was for Trick Room. Bug-types have an advantage against Psychic-types."

"I've never seen a move used like that before!" Sawyer added. "Ash is amazing!"

"That's his battling style - thinking outside the box!" Serena smiled.

Valerie, having finally collected herself, brushed the dust off her legs. "I cannot possibly be more jealous… Your communication with your Pokemon is perfect!"

"Thank you!" Ash grinned. "Now, let's finish what we started, shall we? Hawlucha, use Flying Press!" His partner jumped and slammed his body into Spritzee.

Spritzee was hurt, but still standing. "Spritzee, don't let it get too close. Moonblast!" The attack was launched.

"Dodge it, quick!" Hawlucha backed to his left and charged at the opponent, ready to deliver the final blow. "Now, use High Jump Kick!" He leaped up and drove his knee into Spritzee's beak. In reaction, Spritzee was smashed into the ceiling.

And that was that. Spritzee fell to the ground like a feather. Valerie then looked at Kali with a smile, and she came back to her senses as the referee. "Spritzee is unable to battle! Hawlucha is the winner! The victor of this battle is Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!"

As Ash and his partners formed a small group hug, Valerie caught Spritzee in her arms. "You gave it your best effort, Spritzee…" and she lightly kissed its forehead. "I'm very proud of you, and Sylveon as well."

Those of us on the sidelines came to Ash, cheering for his victory, but we gave Valerie a warm congratulation as well. "What an amazing battle!" Sawyer complimented. "I'll be sure to make a note of this experience!"

After placing her Spritzee into its PokeBall, Valerie approached us along with one of her assistants. "That was truly well done! I haven't been this inspired in quite some time!" The assistant then handed her the Fairy Badge. "Here is proof that you defeated the Laverre Gym. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Ash bowed respectfully to her opponent. Then he accepted the Gym Badge and placed it into his case. "That's six… only two more to go!"

Valerie then looked at our newest friend. "Now then… Sawyer, was it? Linnea told me of how you came to challenge me yesterday. You've been awfully patient in your pursuit of a Gym Badge. I don't normally do this, but I'm going to tweak the rules a little in your favor!"

"Really?" Sawyer asked in delight. "Thank you so much! I'll need any advantage I have for a powerful Trainer like you!"

"Just allow me to revitalize my Pokemon, and I'll be all set." She then turned for the door from whence she came.

As she left, Sawyer then turned to Ash. "I have so many questions! I really wanna be able to battle just like you! So I have to know how you battle like that! You've gotta teach me!" With every sentence, he took a step closer, and Ash felt a little more discomforted.

Jessie laughed. "Looks like someone's become a fan of yours!"

"Well, I don't quite know how to explain… maybe it'll be easier if I showed you with a battle." Ash then guided everyone to another battlefield nearby, so that the assistants could clean up the battlefield in our aftermath (somebody gets paid to do it).

Because of Ash's improvised strategy, dubbed the Trick Room Breaker, Ash has defeated Valerie in the Laverre City Gym and earned his sixth Kalos Gym Badge. Now, both of us had only two more Badges to earn before entering the Kalos League. Where would we go next? Stay tuned as the journey continues…