Notes: Ashley's Pokemon:
Hope (Pikachu) Female
Clint (Spearow) Male
Amethyst (Vivillon) Female
Gale (Pidgeotto) Female
Mustard (Beedrill) Male Erika's Pokemon:
Meadow (Leafeon) Female
Rafflesia (Gloom) Female
Ichigo (Shiny Lokix) Male
Venom (Beedrill) Male Brock's Pokemon:
Quake (Onix) Male
Bolin (Shiny Grotle) Male
Geodude (N/A)
Zubat (Male)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter TextWe find our trio near Cerulean City, the resort city nestled within the hills. It looked like paradise, nestled within the rolling green hills that hid a deep, winding cave system beneath the surface. Outside of the caves was where our heroes were now, soft blue waters gently lapping against a riverside shoreline.
"Pika!" Hope said, bouncing a volley-ball back to Erika with a flick of her tail. "Chu-pi!"
"Looks like she's having a ball, huh?" Brock joked, holding out a berry to his still freshly-caught Zubat. "Wow, you like these things, don't you? You're probably going to clear me out, aren't you bud?"
The Zubat chirped and nuzzled up against his trainer affectionately.
"If you keep eating these, you're going to turn into one soon!" Brock said. "Soon I won't have a Zubat, but a Razzbat! …huh, what do you think bud? Razzberry, what do you think about that, as a name?"
The Zubat let out a happy squeak before flying off with one of Brock's donuts.
"Hey, my donut!" the older teen said. "Zubat used Thief and it's super effective…"
Ashley could only laugh as she did her morning stretches.
Soon the group were heading back towards the city proper. Rejoining civilization, the trio were greeted by a massive billboard.
"Cerulean City," Ashley read off it. "The Floral Lagoon City."
On another nearby billboard, the end of a ad was playing. On it, the youngest of the four Waterflower sisters flashing a peace sign on the back of her massive gyarados.
"Huh, so she finally got one, huh?" Brock said. "I might have to test my own skills against her sometime. Still, I'm surprised."
"Surprised by what?" Ashley blinked, with Hope tilting her head curiously.
"Well, Misty, she's always been afraid of Gyarados since she was a little girl," Brock replied. "I didn't realize she'd actually gotten over her fear. I wonder what changed?"
"Heh, well it's not like Gyarados are anything to be afraid of, right bud?" Ashley grinned, as she petted her Pikachu. "4x weakness to electric attacks, if she tries to use it against us she's going to be in for a shocking surprise!"
"I wouldn't count your Torchics before they hatch, Ashley," Brock advised. "Misty's a strong trainer, she's come a long way in the past few years, and really turned her gym around."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh right, you wouldn't remember," Erika said. "This was a few years ago, her sisters used to be the ones running the gym. Well, when I say running the gym, they uh, oh how do I put this…?"
"It wasn't really a gym really," Brock said, shaking his head. "They'd turned the gym into their own pool for synchronized swimming shows. Honestly, I was worried the gym would get shut down the next time the yearly inspection came around."
"...seriously?" Ashley said, sounding actually rather offended. "Misty's sisters turned a gym into… That's just insulting, for both trainers and their pokemon who came all this way to… what, did they give out badges for free as well?"
"Pretty much."
"Aw come on!" Ashley groaned. "Did they not even care? That's just wrong, on so many levels."
"Like I said, the gym was on the verge of being shut down," Brock said with a sigh, rubbing his temples. "They wouldn't have even made it past the first hour before the Joy from the League shut them down."
"Joy?" Ashley blinked. "As in Doctor Joy?"
"Yeah, every year the League sends an inspector, a Joy with powerful Pokemon to see if the gym leaders are keeping their Pokemon in shape. Last year, one came around with a Latias. Nearly defeated me," Brock said. "Nearly."
"Yeah, because you were too starstruck by Joy's beauty, weren't you?" Erika said, snarkily.
Ashley could only wonder what the big deal was. Sure, the Joy family was pretty but they weren't that pretty.
She halted in her tracks, looking up at the billboard of Misty and she blushed. Ashley's eyes followed up her long legs, and realized just how good the orange-haired teenager looked in her swimsuit.
"Treat your Pokemon right," the ad said as she stroked her Psyduck's feathers. "And they'll treat you in kind."
"I see the beautiful mermaid Misty is as popular around here as ever," Erika said before spotting the look on Ashley's face, thinking to herself: "Hehehe, it seems you're blossoming into a lily flower, Ashley!"
"What?" Ashley looked back at her. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing, don't mind me," Erika said. "Don't you have a gym battle to get to? Your next badge won't just fall out of the sky."
Ashley grinned and punched her fist into an outstretched, open hand. "Alright, time to make sushi out of this mermaid. Hope and I are going to sweep her gym!"
Erika sighed, gently knocking Ashley on the head with her fan. "How many times have I told you, a lady must always be humble. Besides, before you challenge anybody, your Pokemon need rest and recuperation in a proper bed after Mount Moon. Type advantages aren't everything, Misty's trained her Pokemon to resist electric attacks. She's not your average trainer who will just fall that easily."
Ashley sighed, rubbing the top of her head. "Sorry Erika…"
—-
Entering the Pokemon Center, the trio were greeted with a lazy-looking member of the Joy clan. As she sat behind the counter, her hair wasn't even up in the usual style and just hung past her shoulders. With a yawn, the Joy barely looked up from her newspaper. Her name tag read 'Samantha'.
"Hello, welcome to the Pokemon Center. Please state the nature of your medical emergency. My name is Samantha Joy and I'll get to you as soon as I can."
Ashley sweat-dropped, looking at her starter who shared a similar skeptical look. Hope let out a concerned: "Pika-pi?"
"I know, I hear you bud, but she's a licensed member of the Joy family so everything should be just fine right?"
Erika stepped forwards. "This is Ashley for her second gym badge and we're all here for a checkup after venturing through Mount Moon."
Samantha let out another yawn, barely looking up at her. "Did you say Ashley? Could you give me your full name?"
Ashley blinked before replying: "Uh, Ashley Leaf Ketchum?"
Samantha nodded "Yeah, I thought so. I've got a package for you here, hold on a second. CINDI, GET IN HERE!"
A large black Machamp, dressed in a nurse's uniform walked in, carrying a package in her four arms.
Samantha handed a rather nervous Hope and Ashley's other Pokeballs to her Machamp. Turning back to Ashley, she handed her the package.
"Your mom sent these ahead of you, said you'd need new pairs of clean underwear," Ashley blushed at the Joy's words as Erika giggled behind her. "And she also asked for you to call her as soon as you can."
Ashley turned razz berry red, nodding. Erika for her part, was at war with herself. On one hand, she was trying to suppress her giggles and not laugh too hard and just nod in sympathy. On the other, Delia was hilarious at how accidentally embarrassing she was to her daughter.
"I… yeah, I'll call her right now," Ashley said, her face still a bright red. "Thanks for telling me."
—-
Ashley, sitting in front of the phone, tapped her foot against the floor antsily.
"Come on mom… pick up, pick up…" she said, somewhat irritably. "I don't have all day, I've got a gym battle to win. This should be easy, I don't want to be held up! I want to win!"
"Oh hi honey!" her mom said, finally picking up. In the background, Mimey was carrying plates. "I'm so glad you called! Did you get your underwear? I found the cutest matching pikachu themed bra and panties and made sure to get you three pairs! I also found that line that Diantha promotes and I got 3 pairs of those as well!I know how much you admire her. I tried to look up online the brand Cynthia wears but I couldn't find it. Hmmm, maybe I should see if I can find her number and just call her"
Ashley was as red as could be, her face looking like a Cherish Ball and prayed to Arceus to be struck down with one of His attacks. "Uh yea, I got the package mom thanks but what was it you wanted me to call for?"
Her mom was still rambling on about underwear, only stopping to say: "OH! Right, I managed to set you up an appointment so you can get yourself set up with a D cells prescription. Cerulean City has one of the leading experts in the Kanto region on gender dysphoria."
Ashley felt her eyes begin to grow watery again, and as she dabbed at them she could barely speak."You did? Mom… You did that for me?"
She felt a wave of pure bliss wash over her, the world feeling just right in that moment.
"I…" Ashley sniffled, at a bit of a loss for words. "Thanks mom…"
"Anything to help my daughter blossom into her true self," her mom said.
"It's that easy, huh?" Ashley asked.
"Well of course it is silly, it's not like there are crusty old men blocking access to any of this stuff, are there?"
Ashley started to cry tears of joy. Finally! Finally, this sickening tightness she has felt for so long would start to go away. Once again, she pictured that blooming flower inside her starting to blossom, and grow stronger. Wiping away more tears, her voice wavered even as she spoke.
"Mom, thank you so much, you're just so good to me even if you do embarrass me sometimes. You're the best mom in the world and I just love you so much. I know I'm not always the best so… daughter but I love you so much and I just want you to be proud of me."
Her mom smiled. "Oh honey… I've always been proud of you, since the day you were born. Your stubborn, stupid father refused to see it, but I do. I would do anything for you Ashley, you're my entire world."
In the background, her Meowscarada looked offended.
"I know, I love you too, Gatito," Delia said, stroking the cat's head as he let out a 'mraaooowww'. Satisfied, the grass cat walked off.
"Oh mom, check this out" she flipped open her badge case to show off the gleaming, shining, sparkling boulder badge inside: "I got my first badge on my first try. That's how amazing of a trainer I am. Later today I'll have taken down Misty too! You're talking to a future world champion, and I'm going to absolutely crush anyone in my way. Not even Gary's going to stop me on my climb to the top!"
Her mom smiled. "I'm proud of you dear but don't let your victories go to your head. Listen to your mother, the voice of experience. Treat every battle as if it's a championship match and never assume victory until your opponent's last Pokemon falls."
Ashley, of course, was only half listening. "Yeah yeah, I know mom. You sound like Erika."
"Well, Erika is a very intelligent young lady. Yes, she might be a bit… overbearing but she's one of the top trainers in Kanto for a reason. I wish I had a mentor like her when I was starting out," Delia sighed. "You're lucky, Ashley. Don't take her for granted."
The two chatted for a while before eventually Ashley hung up.
"...I'm so lucky," Ashley said to herself in thought. "I've got the best mom ever, I have to win today. I promised her I would and I don't want to let her down. If I'm ever going to surpass dad… I have to do this, I just have to. Mom never got to see her dream realized, the least I can do is make sure she sees mine. Mom… You should have been Kanto's champion, and mark my words. A Ketchum will take Lance's title."
Far away, back in Pallet Delia smiled to herself. "I do hope I sent her enough underwear. Still… What did she mean that I embarrass her sometimes? That's impossible, I just want to tell her how much I love her. I'm sure she knows."
—-
Erika meanwhile, was standing near a magazine rack idly flipping through flower and garden magazines while she waited on Doctor Joy to return. Suddenly, she was Tackled to the floor by a burst of red and blue. It was super-effective.
"Gyaaaaaaah!" Erika shouted, seeing Starlys.
"ErikaerikaerikaitsgreatwonderfulfanatsticimgettingDcellpillsbecausemymomsetupanappointment," Ashley said, her mouth going a mile a minute.
Erika tried to decipher all of that, though apparently a certain teenager knew Extreme Speed as well judging by her verbal vomit.
"Ok, first let me get up please," Ashley blushed and rubbed a hand through her hair, laughing in embarrassment.
"Hehehehe, sorry. Was just so excited."
"I can tell," Erika deadpanned. "Now take a deep breath, and tell me again."
Ashley sucked in a breath, even as she paced back and forth trying to explain what had just happened.
"My mom set me up an appointment with a doctor here in Cerulean to help get me a D cell prescription!" Ashley said, bouncing in place.
Erika pulled her in for a hug. "I'm so happy for you!"
Ashley smiled back, nodding and a little teary again.
"Th-thanks and sorry I tackled you, I was just so excited," she blushed. "Thanks Erika, for helping me get this far. I know I don't say it often enough but…"
"No problem," Erika said. "It's my job as a gym leader, and fellow woman to look out for a girl taking her first steps into both Pokemon training and femininity."
"Thanks for not smacking me with the fan, by the way…"
"Do you want me to?" Erika teased.
"Me and my big mouth…" Ashley sighed.
Then, Samantha and her Machamp returned.
"Here you go," the Joy said with a yawn, handing over their Pokeballs. "Nothing you should have been worried about, just standard fatigue. Thank you for using the Cerulean City Pokemon Center, please come again!"
She yawned again.
"Speaking of fatigue…" the Joy said, going back to her desk and laying her head back. "I need a nap… Cindi, take over for me will you…?"
"...please come again?" Ashley blinked, looking at Brock. "...it's like she expects me to get creamed."
"She's just being polite, don't worry," Brock said.
"Well, she doesn't need to worry! I'm going to sweep the whole gym, right Hope?"
"Pika!"
"Listen, you two go on ahead," Brock said, waving them off. "I've got some supplies I need to restock on, we're running a bit low on a few things and it's a long way to the next city."
He smiled.
"Besides, I get the feeling I'll be imposing if I come along," Brock said. "Your next stop, it seems like it should be just you two, y'know?"
Which was how both girls found themselves in front of a receptionist's desk. Behind the desk was a goth-looking person. Their name plate read 'Masha', listing their pronouns as they/them.
They were doing their nails, which were the colors of the non-binary pride flag. They leaned forwards, brushing a strand of dark hair out of their face.
"Welcome, your mom booked an appointment under…" Masha checked their computer, their shirt reading 'CHS' with an Omastar on it. "Is one of you Ashley Leaf Ketchum?"
"That's me!" Ashley said, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. "...crap crap crap, I forgot to ask my mom who I'm here to see!"
Masha starts typing away the keyboard clickety-clacking as they typed away. "Let's see, it looks like you're here to see Dr. Satoko and you're in luck actually. She had a cancellation so she can see ya now."
"...Huh, sounds like the name Mom wanted for me, before she changed her mind. Sato… something or other," Ashley thought aloud.
Masha's feet were up on the desk, showing a skirt and tight leggings.
"Do you want me to come with you, Ashley or do you want me to wait here?" Erika asked.
"No… I want you with me," Ashley said, hugging her close. "You're kinda like my big sister, even with how you get on my case about not being a proper lady whatever that means."
Erika teared up a little, and returned the hug. "Thanks… I've always wanted a little sister, and it's my honor to be your big sis when you needed one."
A short time later, the two young women and a Pikachu were sitting in a patient room. A tall woman, with dark hair entered the room and to Ashley's shock she had a Pikachu on her shoulder as well. Looking up at the gorgeous women, Ashley wondered if that's what she'd look like in a few years.
"Hello, I'm Dr. Satoko, and you must be Ashley and," the doctor said in a pleasant voice "Oh you're the Celadon City gym leader. I wasn't expecting to see you here, I take it you're acting as support for young Ashley?"
"As her sister," Erika said, proudly as Hope and the doctor's Pikachu chased each other around the room.
"Well I only recently learned being transgender was even, heh well a thing but I've always felt like something was off. Like I was wearing shoes one size too small.
Satako nodded as she explained the whirlwind the past few weeks had been for the young trainer.
The doctor chuckled as she smiled. "Most trainers, they don't go through half of the stuff you do in a whole year. It seems you don't do anything by halves, do you? Well I think it should be alright to get you a standard prescription for D-cells. They should be ready for you to pick up tomorrow."
Ashley felt her heart rate, and before she could stop herself, she hugged the doctor tightly. "Thank you thank you thank you…"
"It's okay dear, it's what I'm here for. You're not the first, I'm just happy your egg hatched."
"...egg? I'm not a Pokemon from a nursery…"
Erika and the doctor laughed.
—-
Ashley was dancing. Literally dancing as she exited the clinic. In fact, she danced all the way to the rather large gym. All around her, billboards advertised the next water ballet starring Misty the Battling Mermaid.
"Well well well if it isn't Ashley, late as usual. So I'm guessing you're to watch me in my glorious rematch victory over Misty?"
Ashley groaned, hearing the most hated voice in the world to her. The voice, belonging to the most vile, disgusting person she'd ever known.
"Hi Gary…" Ashley said before drawling sarcastically: "I thought today was too nice, if I'm being honest. So, as if on cue…"
"Pi pika pi!" Hope said, giving Gary a 'look' and snapping her fingers in disappointment.
"So what are you doing here?" Ashley said. "Huh, Gare-bear? What, did you want to laugh at my supposed inevitable defeat? Or did you just want to gloat and rub your new victory in my face like always? Gotta say Gare, you're getting predictable."
"Hah, well yeah you're right about the inevitable defeat part. Did you hear me, or are you lost in your own head again?" Gary said. "I said, are you here to watch my rematch? Maybe you'll learn something, so stick around."
Ashley started to laugh, slapping her knee. "Wait rematch as in a 2nd match? The great Gary LOST? The super star trainer, the Pride of Pallet and grandson of Professor Oak LOST? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"PI PI PIPIPIP," Hope rolled off Ashley's shoulder laughing as well.
Gary just rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I lost, so what?"
"Misty can't be so tough, if she can beat you! Just watch and learn, Gary…" Ashley said, patting him on the shoulder. "Maybe this time you'll learn something huh? Stand aside, let a real Pokemon trainer show you how it's done."
"Yeah, I'm sure. The only one walking away from this gym with a badge will be me. You're right, Ashley, I am the Pride of Pallet meaning I'm an ace trainer. Me and my Squirtle, Leonardo have been training non-stop so just watch, Ashley. You should probably take notes, not that it'll help. After all," Gary said, rather smugly. "If I couldn't beat Misty on my first try, what hope do you have? Better go back to Pallet, before you embarrass yourself."
"No way Gary, I was here first you can wait till I've had MY match" Ashley shouted angrily, the two drawing quite a lot of attention from passersby.
"You're making a scene, Ashley. Proper ladies don't do that," Gary said, mockingly.
"I'm making a scene?" Ashley rolled her eyes. "You're the one who's bragging about being the super star grandson of Professor Oak. It's a shame you're considered handsome, for someone with such an ugly personality. I swear, you're the reason gene pools need lifeguards."
"Sorry Ashley girl, but I registered for my rematch so I have a time slot reserved just for me. I'd say you can go after me but look at that. It seems Misty is putting on a show so she wont have time to battle a worthless trainer like you today. You can come back tomorrow though but hey at least you can watch ME win! Smell you later!" Gary said, with a laugh as he walked into the gym.
Ashley fumed. "Who does he think he is and what is with this register crap he clearly just made up!"
She was about ready to storm into the gym but Erika gently grabbed her shoulder.
"Actually some gyms do have a registration system in place, if they have other duties that require the gym leader's time. In this case Misty and her water ballets are a major part of Cerulean City's economy. She only has so many hours a day she can perform gym battles. While I don't believe Misty is too busy most days, you do have to register in advance," Erika explained.
"Oh…" Ashley slumped in disappointment. "Wait so do you and Brock have to do registrations too? I mean Brock's gym was kinda small so I'm guessing he dont need them but what about you?"
"I don't require them. Yes, I do host classes in my gym about perfume and caring for Pokemon but those rarely get in the way of accepting challenges." Erika went on to explain. "You'd be correct though in saying Brock's gym is just a gym. As far as I know, at least now that Flint's back, he doesn't have any further responsibilities."
Ashley sulked. "Can't believe I have to wait another day before I can get my 2nd badge. It's not fair, doesn't Misty know the world's greatest pokemon trainer is here? Surely that's more important than a loser like Gary wasting her time after she already beat him?"
Cue Ashley being smacked with Erika's deadly fan of doom.
"Really now Ashley this arrogance of yours is really getting out of hand" Erika admonished her newly appointed little sister.
Ashley rubbed her head and muttered "Yeah yeah…" as she walked off.
"Ashley, even if he was incredibly rude about it, Gary does have a point. Maybe you should take up his offer and watch his match. It'd let you see what Misty's capable of and what strategies she uses."
"Nah I'm good, nothing I need to learn. Hope will cream her."
"Pika-pi!" Hope said, her cheeks sparking in excitement.
"...besides, it's not just arrogance. It's not just me wanting to win," Ashley admits. "It's not just that… This, well mom got robbed of her dream. She should have defeated Lance, she… I want her to see a Ketchum on the champion's throne. This isn't just my dream, it's hers too."
Erika nodded. "I understand. All the same… are you doing this for your sake, or just for hers?"
—-
Ashley was on Cloud Nine, having picked up her first prescription of D-cells. She felt like nothing could stop her today.
"Hope, see that?" Ashley said, pointing to the sky. "Our lucky star is shining today!"
"Pika-pi?" Hope blinked, straining her eyes to try and see it under the hot Cerulean sun.
"What star? Do you mean the sun?" Brock asked. "Doesn't it shine on everyone?"
"Agh, I didn't mean it's actually shining!" Ashley facefaulted. "It's just a figure of speech! But are you ready to win today, little buddy?"
"Pika!" Hope said, looking as confident as her trainer.
She burst into the gym, throwing open the front doors. The receptionist, named Suzie according to her name tag, looked up from her phone, rather annoyed.
"Can I help you, little girl?" the receptionist, lowering her glasses to look down at her.
"I'm the world's greatest Pokemon trainer and I'm here to beat Misty into the ground," Ashley loudly declared.
"PIKA PI PI!" Hope chanted.
Erika gritted her teeth in annoyance at her companion while Brock shook his head.
"Very well, I'll inform Misty she has a challenger," Suzie said, in the fakest sweet tone ever said while thinking: "...Misty's going to eat that little brat alive, and send her home crying."
—-
Ashley, entering the gym, saw it was a collection of swimming pools. Sitting atop a lifeguard's tower was Misty with a white jacket over her swimsuit. She smiled at the young trainer and Ashley blushed at how pretty she was. She had a nice smile, it felt very warm and caring.
"Shame I'm going to have to wipe that smile off her face when I win…" Ashley said to herself.
"Well, you must be my challenger. You're definitely a new face! Trainers who want to turn pro have to have a policy about Pokémon! What is your approach when you catch Pokémon? My policy is an all-out offensive with Water-type Pokémon!"
"Quality over quantity!" Ashley answered.
"A good answer, I heard you already beat Brock," Misty said, before waving at her fellow gym leader. "So I'd be correct in assuming you have one badge and one badge only?"
"I have 1 badge and I've only been on my journey for about a week and a half. I know, I know that's impressive. Sorry if I have to ruin your reputation but I'm taking that Cascade Badge!"
"Well, aren't you confident? But you'd better not take me too lightly. My water-type Pokémon are tough!" Misty said, as she stretched and Ashley tried not to stare at the older girl's muscles for too long.
A woman with short green hair walked up to Misty holding a large tray of pokeballs, saying: "Uh m-m-ma'am here is your selection of pokemon."
Misty smiled sadly at Ashley, and then turned to the green haired woman. "Thank you Jessica, I know exactly which pokemon to use for this battle. Now Ashley, this will be a three on three battle. No time limit. Be warned though, I won't be as easy to defeat as Brock. Misty, the world-famous beauty, is your host! My sweet Pokémon are ready! Are you?"
Ashley cracked her knuckles. "I was born ready!"
"As the gym leader I'm required to send my pokemon out first, so go Elisa!"
A spinning purple star flew out of the Dive Ball, and landed on the opposing platforms. The ruby gemstone in the star Pokemon's center sparkled and shined in the sunlight, the pokemon reflected in the crystal clear blue waters.
Brock's eyes widened. "...That Starmie, isn't it…?"
Erika nodded. "...Yeah, Misty's signature. Her starter, actually. I can't watch… This is going to be over quickly. As much as Ashley needs to be humbled, I really hate watching any Pokemon be completely overpowered."
Ashley smirked. "All right then GO Clint! I choose you!"
She tossed the pokeball and out pops her Spearow. He tipped his hat at Misty before gesturing at Starmie with his wing pointed like a finger. He let out a caw, glaring at the sea star with his one good eye.
Jessica had taken a spot to the side to act as referee.
"B-b-begin!" she stuttered out.
"CLINT GO IN FAST WITH A WING ATTACK!" Ashley shouted, and Clint flew up high and darted downwards with his wings glowing.
Misty didn't look worried at all.
"Dodge it and hit him with a Water Gun,'' Elise quickly darted to the side evading the Spearow's attack. She blasted the bird hard with a water gun. Clint was thrown back, hitting one of the platforms and letting out a caw of pain.
Ashley winced seeing her second ever Pokemon hit the ground like that.
"Clint, get up! Now use Fury Attack!"
Clint's claws sharpened, and he flew towards the water type with his talons poised to strike at the Pokemon's gem.
"Quick Elise, now use Harden!" Misty commanded, and her Pokemon flashed with Starmie's body hardening like solid rock.
"Clint, now use Double Team we won't let them catch you again!" Ashley said, and Clint flew faster, leaving after images of himself behind.
Misty nodded, before smirking as she said: "Good strategy, but there's always a way around it. Elise, use Swift!"
Elise turned on their back and spun like a cyclone firing golden stars everywhere. Each of the clones were taken down one by one, and Clint was sent flying.
"Now follow it up, with a Rapid Spin straight into the water!" Misty said, and her starter spun around even faster before rocketing upwards towards Clint like a meteor.
"CLINT!" Ashley shouted in a panic as the Starmie burst out of the water. Clint fell to the ground, unconscious.
"C-Clint is unable to battle, and the winner is Elise!"
"Clint, return…" Ashley said, a red beam shooting from her pokeball returning Clint to his ball.
Hope glared, eager to get in there and shouting: "PIKA PI PI!"
"Not yet buddy once you go out there it's an easy win for us. We need to let someone else get a chance. Let's go Mustard!" Ashley said, tossing her next Pokeball.
"BZZ BZZ!" the Beedrill said, thrusting his stingers a few times like a professional boxer.
"Oh boy…" Misty said, sweating slightly at the angry-looking oversized bee. "...why did it have to be a Beedrill?"
"Round 2, start!" Jessica declared, as a bell rang.
Mustard, go in for a Fury Attack!" Ashley said, and the Beedrill rushed forwards with his twin stingers glowing.
"Elise, Harden again! You can take a-a-a b-bug!" Misty said, her voice wavering a little at the sight of the giant bee.
Ashley grinned. "Just what I was hoping you would do. Now combine your Poison Sting with your Fury Attack!"
Mustard's stingers dripped purple poison as he stabbed at the Starmie over and over.
Misty nodded. "I'll give you credit for that one, combo moves aren't something most trainers as green as you think up this early on. But the battle, it's far from over. Elise, Confuse Ray!"
Elise's gem flashed and Mustard buzzed around in a daze, even as his opponent shuddered from the delivered poison.
"Mustard, just power through. I know you can do it and go for a Bug Bite!"
Mustard floated there, tilting his head and not really sure what to do.
"Elise, now! Hyper Beam!"
Ashley's jaw dropped, seeing the starfish charge up a glowing golden beam. Letting the beam fly, it slammed hard into Mustard, making him go flying.
Mustard floated up from the bottom of the pool, completely knocked out. "Mustard is unable to battle, the winner is Elise! Trainer, please send out your last Pokemon!"
Ashley tried not to think about how much she was sweating. "We got this… right little buddy? Hope, wipe that smile off her face!"
"This isn't looking good for Ashley, is it? I'll give her credit," Brock mused aloud. "She refuses to back down even when she's lost."
"That's the pride of a trainer," Erika said, her tone one of respect. "If she turned away now, she'd never be able to live with herself. Pokemon trainers are always pushing themselves, learning and growing."
"Though I think the lesson here is never get too cocky," Brock said. "As arrogant as Gary is, he's got a gift for training his Pokemon, even if his attitude needs a bit of work. Now let's hope Ashley will take the lesson Misty's teaching her to heart."
Hope eagerly hops out onto the platform, cheeks sparking. "PIKA PIKA PI!"
"Round three, begin!" and Jessica rung the bell.
"Hope, Thunder Shock!" Ashley said, and Hope let the bolt of lightning fly.
"Light Screen!" Misty said, and a screen of pure light sprung up between Hope and Elise. The screen took the lightning bolt even as Elise once more shuddered from the poison. "Now follow up with your Psybeam!"
"Hope quick, leap up into the air and straight at Elise and then go for Quick Attack and combine it with your Iron Tail!"
Hope rushed at Elise before bringing her silvery tail down on top of the starfish. Elise slammed into the platform, her gem slightly cracked and still flinching from the poison.
"Another good move, but still it won't be enough. Elise, Recover!"
Elise glowed, her injuries healing and looking as fresh as when the battle started.
Ashley let out a groan and growled. "Oh come on… Seriously? Come on Hope, we can still win this!"
"Pika!" Hope said, pumping her fist and crackling with electricity.
"Wait… What's that move?" Ashley said, before she took out her pokedex and read the entry. "Spark, huh? A pokemon covers itself with electricity allowing it to do physical damage with said electricity."
Ashley smirked.
"Alright, perfect time too! Hope, combine your new Spark with your Quick Attack! Grab onto them!"
Hope burst forward like a rocket slamming into Elise, before latching onto them.
"Now, Thunder Shock!"
Hope unleashed a jolt of electricity, even as Elise let out a groan of pain from the earlier poison.
"Keep at it, you've almost got this. Knock that rat off with your Rapid Spin!"
"Hold on tight! Don't let go!" Ashley said, and to Hope's credit she did manage to hang on a little even as Elise spun like a top. Eventually though, she was flung off, with the Pikachu staggering about in a daze.
"Recover, again!"
"Oh no you don't not this time. Hope, interrupt it with another Thunder Shock!"
Hope, managing to regain her bearings fired off another golden zap of electricity.
"Dodge it!" Misty said, Elise leaping to the side. "Now, Double Team!"
Suddenly, the gym was filled with Starmies.
Ashley quickly analyzed the situation. "Which one is the real one? No way she would hide under the water, not with Hope's electric type attacks so it must be one in the air… Wait, I know! She's going to use this as a chance to do another Recover. I'll wait to see which one glows, and then go for a full assault before Elise even has a chance to strike!"
"Now Elise, Recover!"
Ashley felt time begin to slow down, but she shook her head. "No, I can't rely on Aura for every battle. I have to do this… with my own strength!"
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a glow in the water.
"Now, come out with a Rapid Spin!" Misty said, even as her Pokemon flew out of the pool slamming into Hope.
Ashley grit her teeth. "Hope, just hang in there. We can still win this!"
But Misty wasn't going to let Ashley get in any openings. "Elise, Water Gun!"
Hope let out a cry of pain as she was knocked backwards into the pool, and that's when Ashley saw the look on Misty's face. One of pity, and sympathy.
"Time to finish this up, and I know just how to do it," Misty said. "Now show the little mouse a real electric attack. ELISE USE THUNDER BOLT!"
Elise glowed yellow even as clouds gathered in the sky above them. A golden bolt of electricity ripped through the skylight, and raced through the water.
"PIIIIIIKAAA PI!" Hope let out a pained scream, and floated towards Ashley, completely unconscious.
"I… I lost…" Ashley said, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. Gary was right, she couldn't have possibly won.
"Hope is unable to battle, and the winner is the gym leader Misty in a clean sweep!" Jessica declared, waving a flag.
Ashley leapt into the water, and held her Pikachu close, saying: "I'm sorry I failed you Hope, you deserve better. I'm not a great trainer, I'm not even a good one. I should have seen this coming, instead I was arrogant and I got cocky a-a-and…"
"Everyone's like this at first," Misty said, kindly putting a hand on her shoulder. "And you did put up a good fight, even when you were outmatched. You just need to train a bit more, that's all. Now get your Pokemon to Joy, and when you're ready for real, come back and challenge me again. I'll be waiting."
Ashley felt numb to everything, barely able to nod back even as she felt Erika bring her into a hug. And she let the tears fall.
Notes: And that's a wrap for this chapter. Ashley has had her first loss and it was a BRUTAL one. Can she recover from the sting of defeat and rise to new heights? Find out next time in the 2nd Badge Part 2: Misty the Unbeatable?