Confession time. The idea for a region based on Australia was mine, but I took some inspiration for it from a guy named Mr. Buddy on YouTube. And he's also the one who gave me the inspiration for Team Shade and a couple of my FakeMon. But no worries: I actually talked to him on Twitter and he's assured me he's cool with it. But my point is you guys should totally check out his video: "What If Australia was a Pokémon Region?" That video was a great inspiration to me, so you guys oughtta give Mr. Buddy some credit for this. Plus some Pokémon like Choaking, Solarfly, and Lunoth were inspired by fanart I'd seen. And I did not come up with the names Garnet and Jade.
I'm a criminal, okay! I stole other people's property and lied to you by saying it was mine! Lock me up! Throw me in jail and throw away the key!
...
HA! Okay, I'm done now. But really, these other people are the ones who deserve credit. It's all over the Internet, so you must find them!
"So, where to next fellas?" said Meowth. "We've got Pokémon to snatch!"
"Hold your Ponytas, Meowth," said Jessie, setting a suitcase down on a bench. "I need to finish my unpacking!"
"Did you really need to bring so many sweaters, Jessie?" James said.
"Sorry, but need to be prepared for every season," Jessie declared. As she opened the suitcase however, a small, pink, round blur popped out.
"Huh? What was that?" Jessie wondered aloud. Suddenly, the pink thing formed right in front of them, all three of them suddenly began to panic.
"No! Not you! ANYONE BUT YOU!" they cried.
Welcome back to Corwald City, where the time has come for Ash to challenge the gym for his first Ralia Gym Badge!
Ash, Pikachu, Serena, Vernon, and RotomDex walked up to the Gym, a large orange building with a V-shaped symbol with a PokéBall in the middle at the top.
"Time make my first impression on the Ralia region!" Ash said with a determined look on his face. Pulling out his PokéBall, he threw it in the air and out came Humbeat, who flew down next to Pikachu on the ground.
"You guys ready for this?" Ash said.
"Pika!"
"Beat, Humbeat!"
"Then let's do it!" Ash knocked on the door and it was opened by a small Machop, who greeted them with, "Machop, Ma."
"Uh, hello?" Ash said, confused.
RotomDex quickly scanned the Pokémon and said, "Machop, the Superpower Pokémon. A Fighting Type. It undergoes difficult training in the mountains while attempting to master all forms of martial arts. It's entire body is muscle, with are never exhausted or strained. Evolves into Machoke at level 28 and into Machamp when traded."
"A Machop, huh?" said Serena. "This must be a Fighting-type Gym."
"Excuse me, but is the Gym Leader in?" said Vernon.
"Machop," Machop motioned for the group to follow him inside. The Superpower Pokémon led them through a large area where there were multiple martial artists sparring with each other, chopping wooden boards, or attempting to climb tall walls. They eventually saw a bunch of brick walls in their way, but Machop motioned for them to stand back as it suddenly used a Brick Break attack to chop through the first wall. They continued through a small maze, with Machop chopping through more walls, until finally, they made it to a man sitting down on a mat facing away from them.
"Um, excuse me, sir," said Ash. But the man did not move or acknowledge him. "Excuse us, hey!" Still nothing.
"I think he may be meditating, Ash," said RotomDex. "Perhaps we need to come back later?"
Suddenly, the man vanished in front of them. Shocked, Ash stepped backwards, until something knocked him down. He tried to get up, only to find a foot now on his chest, belonging to the mysterious man.
"Ughn," Ash groaned as he tried unsuccessfully to get the foot off. "What was that for?"
"You were not on guard, child," the man said. "That left you vulnerable. You must be prepared at all times." At this, the man got off of Ash and gave him a hand up. "I am Kai, the master of this fine dojo, but to you-" He pulled out a hidden necklace that had the Pokémon Gym logo an the end. "-I am the Gym Leader."
Kai was a relatively tall man with a white beard, a red bandana with a dragon on it wrapped around his head, and fighter's outfit and black belt around his torso.
"So you're the Gym Leader, huh?" said Serena. "What's with the necklace?"
"All Gym Leaders are required by the Pokémon League to wear them." Vernon explained.
"Do you do this to all your challengers?" said Serena.
"Only they ones who aren't prepared," said Kai. "This young grasshopper has much to learn." He turned around and walked towards the rest of the dojo. "I assume Machop has already shown you around?"
"I guess," said Ash, as he and the others followed him. "Is this your Machop?"
"Not quite," said Kai. "I brought him in from the wild and trained him to help challengers find their way around the Gym."
"Look, I came here for a Gym Battle, and if you're the Leader, then I challenge you to a battle!" insisted Ash.
"Patience, grasshopper," said Kai. He walked up to a section of the Gym where some of the martial artists climbing up the wall. One person in particular was trying to pull himself up but kept slipping down.
"Ugh, I give up, Sensei!" he said. "I've been trying for hours!"
"Young man," said Kai, putting his arm around him, "I believe your task for today was to get to the top of the wall. I never said you had to climb it."
"What do you mean?"
"Sometimes, the answer is lying in plain sight," said Kai. "Take a good look around."
The man looked around the area, until he spied a small trampoline lying nearby. "Of course!" he exclaimed, as he ran over to leap on the trampoline and launch himself onto the top of the wall.
"C'mon!" said Ash. "I've waited forever for this battle!"
"Hmm, no patience, can't block a simple backhand, perhaps you are no worthy of my teachings," said Kai, walking away with his eyes closed. "There is no need for me to fight you. Good day."
"What? Please, sir, I didn't mean-" Ash stammered.
Serena suddenly walked in front of him. "Please, sir, my friend is just a little impatient because he's been so excited about this battle. Cut him some slack. He needs this badge."
"Pokémon battles are not about fun," Kai insisted. "They are about discipline, about a Pokémon and its Trainer learning to think as one."
"Then teach me the way, Sensei!" Ash insisted.
Kai looked intensely at Ash's pleading eyes, until his closed his again and sighed, "Very well, follow me to the battlefield."
Ash faced Kai on the other end of a large area with Serena, Vernon, RotomDex, and Machop sitting on the bleachers up above. In between the two battlers, a student of the dojo stood on the end and said, "The battle between Master Kai, the Gym Leader, and Ash, the challenger, will now begin. Both combatants are allowed to use two Pokémon, and the battle will end once both Pokémon on either side are unable to battle. Also, only the challenger can swap out his Pokémon."
"Your move, grasshopper," Kai said simply.
"This is clearly a Fighting-type Gym," Ash muttered to himself, "so Humbeat, I choose you!"
"Huuumbeat!" said Humbeat as it soared into the arena.
"Then I will choose," said Kai as he pulled out a PokéBall and threw it, "Jumjoey!"
The PokéBall exploded as it turned into a blue Pokémon that resembled a young kangaroo, with boxing gloves on its fists, flattened ears, and a black stripe around its waist to resemble a belt.
"Who's that Pokémon?" said Ash aloud.
RotomDex quickly flew towards the arena and scanned the Pokémon. "Jumjoey, the Kick Pokémon. A Fighting Type. Jumjoeys are capable of jumping over seventeen times their own height. They join mobs of Brawllabys and Kangarumbles at a young age, but to earn the mob's respect, they must hone their kickboxing prowess. Evolves into Brawllaby at level 15 and into Kangarumble at level 30," RotomDex continued to explained this as he flew back and forth between the bleachers and the arena.
"I must ask you to refrain from flying into the arena during the battle!" Kai warned.
"Oops, sorry," RotomDex answered sheepishly.
Serena and Vernon decided to cast out their own Pokémon onto the bleachers, and Serena said to them, "Get ready, guys. This is gonna be so cool!"
Braixen and Floattery reacted enthusiastically, but Chrysaluxe quickly dived under the seats, still a little shy.
"Hey, come on out, Chrysaluxe!" Serena said, as she tried to pull the bug Pokémon out of there.
"Okay, battle begin!" said the referee.
BATTLE BEGIN!
"You first, youngster," Kai said.
"Okay, Humbeat, use Wing Attack!" called Ash.
Humbeat's wings lit up and it charged forward. However, Kai simply said, "Leap," and Jumjoey leaped up into the air, easily soaring above Humbeat's attack.
"Now use Double Kick!" Jumjoey's soared downwards and kicked Humbeat down to the ground.
"Shake it off, Humbeat!" said Ash. "Use Drill Peck!" Humbeat quickly shook of its damage and began rapidly pecking at Jumjoey. However, the other Pokémon anticipated to attack, and was fast enough to dodge.
"You disappoint us," said Kai. "Now use Power-Up Punch!" Jumjoey's fist turned orange and launched Humbeat into the air.
At this point, Serena had reluctantly put Chrysaluxe back into its PokéBall, and turned around to see the battle. "Hang in there, Humbeat!"
"Razor Wind!" said Ash. Humbeat quickly shook off the Power-Up Punch and stirred up the wind to launch razor-sharp currents of air at its opponent. Jumjoey looked at its trainer and noticed a certain expression on his face. It nodded and closed its eyes. As the Razor Wind approached it, it simply jumped up and down to stay of the attack's way.
"It dodged an attack without even looking!?" said RotomDex shocked.
Vernon was staring at Kai. "Kai didn't even have to say anything. Is the trust between him and Jumjoey that strong?"
"C'mon, guys, pull it together!" called out Serena.
Ash was getting frustrated, and called out, "Use Drill Peck again!"
As Humbeat dove in for another attack, Kai and Jumjoey shared another look and as soon as Humbeat got close, Jumjoey used Power-Up Punch again and drove Humbeat into the ground.
"No! Humbeat!" said Ash.
"Focus Blast!" said Kai. Jumjoey charged up a blue energy shot between its hands and blasted it at Humbeat, and when the smoke cleared, Humbeat was lying on the ground with swirls in its eyes.
"Humbeat is unable to battle, Jumjoey wins!" called the ref.
"Humbeat!" Ash called out as he ran out onto the field and picked up his Pokémon. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." He pulled out his PokéBall and returned the bird Pokémon. "Get some rest, okay?"
"I don't believe it," said Serena. "Ash and Humbeat didn't even get a single attack in!"
"If Kai and Jumjoey have trained together so well, Ash has gotta use his head if he wants to win, rather than just charging in like that," said Vernon.
"Sir, there is another trainer inside right now," said a lady outside the Gym. "You're gonna have to wait."
A young boy about Ash's age wearing glasses and having a black mop head of hair crossed his arms in front of him. "I came all this way and you're saying the someone beat me to it?"
"You are allowed to come in and see the fight going on if you like," the lady said.
"Very well," he said. "Maybe I should scope out the competition."
Who's that Pokémon?
It's kicking mastery lets it loose 10 kicks per second. It emits sharp cries to intimidate foes.
"Okay, Pikachu, I choose you!" said Ash, pointing his finger.
"Pikachu!" said Pikachu, leaping onto the battlefield.
"Use Thunderbolt!" said Ash.
Pikachu leaped into the air and lit up its body with electricity, unleashing a bolt of lightning at Jumjoey.
"Dig your tail into the ground," said Kai. Jumjoey did so, and the electricity was dispersed harmlessly into the ground when it did so.
Ash groaned and said, "Quick Attack!" Pikachu dashed forward, but this time, Jumjoey was not quick enough to dodge, and was launched across the battlefield.
"Awesome! Now follow up with Iron Tail!" said Ash. Pikachu's tail turned silver and started whacking Jumjoey across the face.
"Grab that tail!" said Kai. Jumjoey grabbed Pikachu's tail, causing Pikachu and Ash to gasp. "Now send it flying!"
The boy from outside suddenly arrived and began watching from the background. Jumjoey sent Pikachu flying back towards Ash. When the boy saw Ash, he thought, "Is that kid seriously trying to use a Pikachu here?"
"Use Quick Attack again!" Pikachu charged forward, but seeing the expression on Kai's face, Jumjoey fell backwards, lifting Pikachu up into the air with its feet, sending it crashing.
"Why wouldn't the kid use something with a type advantage?" thought the boy.
Ash groaned, and said, "Use Volt Tackle!" Pikachu charged at Jumjoey, who did not dodge this time, but instead, took the shot. Pikachu pushed it across the floor, but as soon as Volt Tackle wore off, Pikachu felt the recoil damage take place.
"Now, use Power-Up Punch!" Pikachu was hit with the attack, and stumbled over.
"No, Pikachu!" said Ash.
"Once more, Power-Up Punch!" Jumjoey hit Pikachu with the attack again, and this time, Pikachu couldn't get up.
"Pikachu is unable to battle! Jumjoey wins!" called the ref. "The victor is Master Kai, using only one Pokémon!"
"I see what Kai's plan was," said Vernon. "Power-Up Punch's power increases the more you use it."
"Precisely," said RotomDex.
"No, Pikachu!" Ash called, running out onto the battlefield. He held his partner in his hands, and Pikachu looked up at Ash squeaked an apologetic, "Pika."
"It's not your fault, Pikachu," said Ash. "We should just get you out of here."
"You have potential," said Kai. "A shame you could not apply it properly."
Ash just carried Pikachu up to the bleachers, where Serena and Vernon met up with him.
"It's okay, Ash," said Serena. "Let's just go to the Pokémon Center."
"Yeah, you're right," said Ash. The group walked out of the gym, somehow missing the the boy in the background.
"Pitiful," he said aloud. "Simply pitiful."
It's Combusken!
"Okay, Mr. Ketchum, your Pokémon are all better now," said Nurse Joy. As her Squibble walked outside the treatment room, it inflated itself and allowed Pikachu and Humbeat to bounce off of its head. Pikachu landed in Ash's arms and Humbeat landed on his shoulder.
"I'm really glad you're all better, guys," said Ash, grinning. "I'm sorry about what happened in there."
"You certainly should be," came a voice. The group turned around to see the boy from the background, sitting in a chair. "You've got a lot to learn if you want to become a good trainer."
"And who are you?" said Vernon.
"Name's Florian." said the boy. "I saw your battle against Kai. Do you not know thing one about battling?"
"What, did you come all the way here just to make fun of me?" said Ash. "I gave it my best shot and Kai just had a different battling style than I'm used to."
"Not a great first day as a trainer, eh?" said Florian.
"Actually, I've been a trainer for a long time now." said Ash.
"Well, that's just sadder," said Florian. "Been trainer so long and you fail at the first Gym? Why not use one of your oldest Pokémon?"
"I wanted to get used to the Pokémon of this region," said Ash.
"Surely, your starter could have at least pulled it off."
"Actually, Pikachu here is my starter."
"Wow. Just wow," said Florian. "You've kept your Pikachu this long and yet it's still not tough enough. Maybe you should try to evolve it, at least?"
"Pikachu doesn't want to evolve. And that's because he doesn't need to!" said Ash. Pikachu started glaring at Florian at this, electricity emitting from it's cheeks.
"Look, kid," said Florian, "If you really want to win battles, you've gotta show some concern for it!"
"Hey, I don't need to listen to this!" said Ash. "I just wanna get ready for the rematch against Kai."
"You know what, kid?" said Florian, standing up. "You want me to show you what I mean? Why don't we have a battle right now?"
"Fine by me!" said Ash, glaring. Pikachu leapt onto the ground and charged itself up with electricity.
Ash and Florian stood on opposite sides of a parking lot, getting ready to battle. Florian pulled out a PokéBall and threw it, saying, "Deino, to battle!" A white flash of light transformed into a large Deino, which growled in Ash's direction.
RotomDex scanned the Pokémon and said, "Deino, the Irate Pokémon. A Dark and Dragon Type. Since it cannot see, it constantly bites things to get a good feeling of its surroundings. Evolves into Zweilous at level 50 and into Hydreigon at level 64."
"Alright," said Ash, "Pikachu, I choose you!" Pikachu leapt off his shoulder and entered the battlefield.
"You're going with that Pikachu again?" said Florian. "Don't you know Dragon types resist Electric types?"
"That doesn't matter," said Ash. "Pikachu has handled type disadvantages before and he can do it now."
"Pika, pi!" Pikachu said furiously.
"I hope Ash knows what he's doing," said Vernon. "He's gotta think things through, or it'll just be the Gym Battle all over again."
"C'mon, Ash! Pikachu!" Serena called out. "Show them what you can do!"
"Glad your girlfriend's giving you the vote of confidence," Florian said.
"Wha- she's not my girlfriend!" Ash insisted, trying to shake it off.
In the background, a certain Charmor of a different color emerged its head from behind a nearby bush, intrigued by the approaching battle. "Char..." it muttered to itself.
BATTLE BEGIN!
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" said Ash.
"Pika, pika!" Pikachu's body was outlined in white, and it charged towards Deino. However, when the attack made contact, Deino didn't even flinch.
"It just took the attack?" said RotomDex. "Incredible!"
"Deino and I have been training together since I was five, kid!" said Florian. "Believe it or not, we know more about battles than just that. And Quick Attack will not faze him."
"Deino," Deino growled.
"Now use Dragon Rage!" Deino's mouth opened and it launched a blue sphere of energy at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, look out!" said Ash. Pikachu ducked, and the attack just barely missed.
"Use Slam!" called Florian. Deino leapt up into the air prepared to bring its tail down on Pikachu.
"Block it with Iron Tail!" said Ash. Pikachu's tail turned a metallic silver and blocked the attack.
"Now use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu's whole body lit up and it unleashed a bolt of lightning at Deino, shocking him intensely. "Pi-ka-chu!"
Deino shuddered for a breif moment, but it looked back at Pikachu nonetheless. "Show 'em what you got Deino!" called Florian. "Use Dragon Rush!" Deino's body was covered in a purple aura and it flew towards Pikachu, knocking him back. Fortunately, Pikachu was able to quickly shake it off.
"Don't give up, Pikachu!" said Ash. "Use Iron Tail again!" Pikachu ran up to Deino and began bashing its face across with several Iron Tail.
"Use Crunch!" said Florian. Deino prepared to move, but suddenly, its body lit up with yellow sparks. "What?" said Florian.
"What was that?" said Serena.
"It must have been Pikachu's ability, Static!" said RotomDex. "If an opponent makes contact with it, it may get paralyzed!"
"If he's paralyzed..." Ash thought. "Pikachu, use Electro Ball!"
"Pika!" Pikachu formed a ball of lightning on the end of its tail, and hit Deino in the neck with it. Thanks to Deino's now lowered speed, the attack did much more damage. In the background, an impressed Charmor's face lit up with amazement. "Char, char!" it said to itself.
"Grr," said Florian. "Can't lose... Use Dragon Breath!" Deino was able to hit Pikachu with a torrent of purple and blue flames.
"Use Iron Tail again!" said Ash. Pikachu's tail turned silver again and tried to attack, but Florian called for Crunch, and Deino caught Pikachu's tail in its mouth.
"Now send it flying!" Deino tossed Pikachu in the air, but Ash called for a Thunderbolt, and Pikachu blasted Deino with electricity again before landing painfully on the ground. At this point, both Deino and Pikachu struggled to get up.
"Gotta finish this quick..." thought Ash. "Use Volt Tackle!" Pikachu charged forward, being surrounded in a veil of arrow-shaped electricity.
"Use Dragon Rush!" Florian commanded. Deino charged forward with Dragon Rush once again, and the two collided, the ground underneath them crumbled. Pikachu and Deino glared and growled at each other, their foreheads touching, both pushing back against the other. Suddenly, there was an small explosion, and when the dust cleared...
... both Pikachu and Deino were lying on the ground with swirls in their eyes.
"That's it!" said RotomDex. "It's a tie!"
Both trainers ran out onto the field and grabbed their Pokémon and secretly looked at each other in shock.
After they both got their Pokémon back from Nurse Joy, they wandered over towards the Gym again.
"So, you've got some skills, I'll admit," said Ash.
"Thanks," said Florian. "But you, my friend, only got lucky."
"Excuse me!?" said Ash, before Vernon grabbed his shoulder.
"Ash, c'mon, he's not worth it," said Vernon.
Suddenly, they witnessed a pink blur rush past them, and everybody looked around confused. Suddenly, the blur landed right in front of them, and Ash and Pikachu were horrified when they saw-
"Jigglypuff!" Ash screamed. Jigglypuff was simply overjoyed to see it had an audience again and pulled out its microphone to sing, "Jig-gly-puff, ji-ggly, jig, jigglypuff."
Ash and Pikachu woke up to see Vernon, Serena, and RotomDex looking over him concerned.
"Ash, you're okay!" Serena smiled.
"Ugh, how long?" muttered Ash, as he massaged his head.
"About fifteen minutes," said Vernon. "That Jigglypuff was a feisty one, eh?"
"Aw, no," said Ash. "Does that mean-"
"Oh, yes," said RotomDex, turning to selfie camera mode and showing Ash and Pikachu the embarrassing scribbles now on their faces.
Serena couldn't help but giggle. "It's not funny!" Ash insisted.
"Sorry, guys," said Serena. "It's almost adorable what happened!"
"Wait," Ash realized, "how come you guys have no scribbles on your faces?"
"We plugged our ears," said Vernon. "You only fall asleep if you hear the song. Everyone knows that. Why didn't you guys cover your ears?"
Ash and Pikachu looked at each other, and Ash wondered out loud, "Yeah, why didn't we?"
Suddenly, the doors to the Gym opened, and out come Florian. He spotted Ash on the ground, and slowly burst out laughing. "I still can't believe a little, old Jigglypuff did that to you!"
"So, what, you went into that Gym while I was unconscious?" said Ash.
"Yep."
"So now you see how hard it was for me?"
"Nope," said Florian. He held out a badge shaped like a flexed, muscular arm. "Read it and weep, kid. The Muscle Badge."
"What? How?" said Ash, standing up.
"Simple," said Florian. "Unlike you, kid, I'm not a fool."
Ash growled and said, "Stop calling me, kid! It's Ash! Ash Ketchum!"
"Well, Ash Ketchum," said Florian, walking away, "I'm afraid I've got more battles to fight. Of course, if you ever want my advice, just give up. Go home. You're training, your Pokémon battling, you're nothing but a joke!"
As Florian left, Ash was left steaming, but Serena told him, "Don't listen to him, Ash! I know you, and I know you're a lot better than he gives you credit for!"
Ash slumped his shoulders and looked downward, and said, "I don't know, Serena. I just wish victory came as easily to me as it did to him."
"It could, you just need a little training," said a voice. The group turned around to see Kai in the Gym's doorway. "I see your weaknesses, but I can help you hone your skills, and counter them. Why don't you come with me? I will train you and your Pokémon to become powerful."
Ash looked to his friends, and then back at Kai. "Okay, just let me wash off the marker first."
"Yes, please do," said Kai.
Team Rocket suddenly woke up to see the marking Jigglypuff left on their faces. "Well, that was just embarassing," said Meowth.
Suddenly, a communicator in James's pocket began buzzing. He pulled it out and turned it on, showing an image of Giovanni on the screen.
"I'm glad I caught you three," Giovanni said, "because I need- wait, what's wrong with your faces?"
"Don't wanna talk about it," James said.
Giovanni shook his head and said, "Whatever, I have a little job I need you to do. You're in Corwald City right now, right?" Jessie, James, and Meowth nodded. "Perfect. I have a very important mission for you to complete. So try not to mess this up!"
"You can count on us, boss!" the Team Rocket trio said in unison. Suddenly, however, Jigglypuff hopped up on to the bench and grinned at seeing Team Rocket again. It pulled out its microphone and sang, "Jig-gly-puff, ji-ggly, jig, jigglypuff."
"No, not... again..." said Jessie, feeling groggier by the second. Soon enough, she and her teammates fell over and fell asleep again.
"What're you..." said Giovanni, before Jigglypuff's song slowly got to him too. At this Jigglypuff got angry, and took the cap off of its microphone to turn it into a marker, and began doodling on the screen with Giovanni's image on it.
Quite a day, huh? Ash seems to have found a new rival, but can he train hard enough to defeat Kai and earn his Muscle Badge? And what could Team Rocket be up to? Answers to come as the journey continues!
TO BE CONTINUED...
By the way, that Machop was an idea I had for the games. In each Gym, you will be given a Pokémon to assist you through the Gym's maze. Here, the Machop will use Brick Break to get brick walls out of the way. And Kai's name, I chose because it translates to "victory" or "warrior", though I also had Kai from Lego Ninjago, or Kai from Kung Fu Panda 3 in mind.