I don't own Pokemon or it's characters, but I own Denise and my other OCs

Enjoy!

Pokemon: Friends to the End

Chapter 107: Dealing With Defensive Types!

Ash's Gym battle with Byron was about to begin as Roark prepared to officiate the match.

"Hey, Ash!"Dawn called out. "Lots of luck!"

"You'll do great!"Denise assured with a smile.

"The battle between Ash the Challenger and Byron the Gym Leader will know begin!"Roark announced. "Both sides will use three pokemon each and the battle will be over when all three from one side aren't able to continue! In addition, only the challenger will be allowed to substitute pokemon!"

"I love fossils!"Byron shouted confidently. "And I love defence!"

"I know Byron's defence style is not going to make it easy but there is no way I'm going to lose!"Ash thought.

A confident smile grew on Ash's face.

"Just wait and see, Byron!"Ash said. "I'm going to get that Mine Badge for sure!"

"Pika pika!"Pikachu agreed.

Byron placed his shovel down.

"That's the kind of spirit I like!"Byron yelled. "But mark my words, if you think it's going to a walk in the park! I've got news for you!"

Roark smiled at his father before responding.

"Let the battle begin!"Roark announced.

"Bronzor, let's go!"Byron shouted.

The pokeball opened and Bronzor appeared.

"Knowing Bronzor is a Steel and Psychic type there is no question a fire type is best for this job!"Ash commented and took out a pokeball. "So Chimchar, I choose you!"

The pokeball opened and Chimchar appeared in the battlefield.

"Chimchar!"

"I can't believe it!"Roark responded with a surprised expression. "I know that Chimchar!"

Roark recognizes Chimchar from his battle against Paul.

"Right."Ash agreed with a nod. "Chimchar used to be Paul's not so long ago but now Chimchar's in my team."

Ash looked at Chimchar.

"Chimchar, ready to battle?"Ash asked.

"Chimchar!"Chimchar responded.

Chimchar immediately jumped up, ready to fight.

"Chimchar, Flamethrower!"Ash ordered.

Chimchar fires Flamethrower at Bronzor.

"Bronzor, brace yourself!"Byron ordered.

Bronzor stays in place and resists the attack thanks to Heatproof, something Byron trained for.

"How does Bronzor can handle Chimchar's Flamethrower?"Dawn asked.

"Piplup."Piplup said.

"Then that has to be heatproof."Brock answered. "Bronzor has the ability to heatproof so that means it can limit the damage from any fire types it encounters."

The referee nodded in agreement.

"Byron's spent countless hours with Bronzor, training intensively."the referee admitted. "I doubt Bronzor could feel that attack at all."

Denise bit her lip a little bit.

"I should be careful at that ability when I battle Byron."Denise thought firmly.

"We need more power!"Ash said. "Chimchar, Flamethrower! One more time!"

Chimchar fires Flamethrower at Bronzor one more time.

"You use that as much as you want!"Byron answered. "So what!? Bronzor use Rain Dance!"

Bronzor uses Rain Dance to change the weather and dampen Chimchar's abilities.

This caused Ash to become shocked.

"It's all part of Byron's strategy."Brock stated. "Using a water type attack to try and throw Chimchar off its game."

"Chimchar use Dig now!"Ash ordered.

Chimchar dug into ground as the Rain Dance wears off.

"Dig is a defensive move!"Byron commented. "I'm impressed with Ash!"

Bronzor floated around while looking for Chimchar.

"Alright!"Ash shouted. "Come out!"

Chimchar comes out of the ground.

"Flamethrower, quick!"Ash ordered.

Chimchar fired Flamethrower towards Bronzor.

"Bronzor, dodge and use Gyro Ball!"Byron ordered.

Bronzor uses Gyro Ball to dodge and hit, knocking Chimchar down.

Ash and Pikachu gasped at the sight.

"Awesome at both offense and defence just like a Gym Leader."Brock responded.

"Come on, Chimchar!"Denise protested. "You can do it!"

Chimchar stood up from the ground.

"And now Bronzor use Gyro Ball again!"Byron ordered.

Bronzor fires a second Gyro Ball towards Chimchar.

"Chimchar, Flame Wheel, go!"Ash ordered.

Chimchar meets the attack head-on with Flame Wheel.

The collision creates a huge explosion, bringing both Bronzor and Chimchar down.

Everyone in the gym gasped, seeing Bronzor and Chimchar having trouble to stand up.

Ash and Byron began urging their Pokemon to get up.

"Quick! Chimchar!"Ash called out. "Stand up!"

"Pika pika!"Pikachu shouted.

"Show them what you're made of, Bronzor!"Byron encouraged.

Though both struggle to get up, Bronzor collapses, unable to battle.

"Bronzor is unable to battle!"Roark announced. "Chimchar wins!"

Chimchar smiled weakly at his victory.

"Success!"Dawn remarked.

"Pi piplup!"Piplup chirped.

"So Ash takes the early lead."Brock complemented.

Denise smiled in approval.

Chimchar walked up to Ash.

"Chimchar, you were great."Ash remarked.

"Pika pikachu."Pikachu responded.

"Chimchar."Chimchar answered with a tired smile.

"I think it's time for you to take a good rest."Ash suggested.

Ash returned Chimchar in it's pokeball while Byron returned Bronzor.

"You didn't win, but it was a great battle."Byron assured with a smirk and looked at the pokeball. "Excellent defense, Bronzor!"

"They got you there, Dad."Roark commented.

"I haven't felt the heat of battling quite a while and it's like I've just come back to life!"Byron shouted and did another explosion. "I love defence!"

"Ash, don't start celebrating just yet."Roark reminded.

"Don't worry, Roark!"Ash assured with a smile. "I know that the battle is just getting going!"

"I'm not finished yet!"Byron warned and took out a pokeball. "I love Steelix!"

The pokeball opened and Steelix appeared in the battlefield.

"Alright Buizel, I choose you!"Ash stated.

The pokeball opened and Buizel came out from it.

"Steelix is a Steel and Ground Type."Dawn remarked. "As a water type, Buizel should have the advantage."

"Piplup."Piplup chirped.

"You think so?"the referee asked. "An advantage based on types doesn't always decide who the winner will be that's for sure."

"True."Brock agreed. "But I think Ash probably understands that."

"I'm sure Ash can do this."Denise commented confidently.

"I'll bet Byron uses his strong defence thing again."Ash thought. "If I try a head on attack, it'll just bounce off and hit Buizel!"

"Is something wrong, Ash?"Roark asked. "You have the first move!"

"Right!"Ash replied. "Sorry, Roark!"

"Getting a little bit scared of my steely defence! Are you, Ash?"Byron questioned with a smirk.

"Nah!"Ash snapped. "Not a bit!"

"Then make your attack!"Byron challenged. "Come and get me, I dare you!"

Ash gritted his teeth.

"Okay, guess I better get things moving!"Ash thought.

The Pallet Town Trainer called out to his water pokemon.

"Buizel, Water Gun!"Ash ordered. "Let's go!"

Buizel fires Water Gun towards Steelix.

"Steelix use Screech!"Byron ordered.

Steelix uses Screech, negating Water Gun and affecting Buizel.

"Buizel!"Ash called out.

"Steelix stopped Buizel in its tracks!"Brock said. "That's some defence!"

Denise's eyes widen in realisation.

"Hey! That's the same tactic Roark used to negate Pikachu's attack!"Denise admitted with a small frown.

"Your right, Dennie!"Dawn agreed. "I guess Roark was taking a page from the family playbook!"

"Alright, Steelix use Bind!"Byron ordered.

Steelix binds Buizel with it's tail.

"Buizel!"Ash shouted. "No!"

"Pika pika!"Pikachu gasped.

"Now Steelix finish it up with Iron Tail!"Byron ordered.

Steelix tosses Buizel into the air.

"Buizel! Look out!"Ash warned.

It was too late.

Steelix uses Iron Tail to defeat Buizel and knock it down.

"Buizel is unable to battle!"Roark announced. "The win goes to Steelix!"

Byron smirked while Ash and Pikachu rushed up to Buizel.

"Buizel, your alright?"Ash asked.

Buizel nodded at his trainer causing Ash and Pikachu to smile at him.

"Don't sweat."Ash assured. "You were awesome. Return."

Ash returned Buizel in it's pokeball.

"Now they're each left with two pokemon."Brock stated. "It seems to be evenly matched, but..."

"Chimchar has already taken a bit of damage."the referee reminded. "I think Byron's got the upper hand."

"No way!"Denise argued. "Ash is gonna win this! Both of us have been training a lot for this!"

"That's right!"Dawn agreed.

Piplup nodded. "Piplup!"

"So Ash what will you do?"Byron asked with a smirk. "How are you going to take down my glorious Steelix, hm?"

Ash turned around and took out Chimchar.

"I'm betting it on Chimchar that's how!"Ash answered. "Chimchar, I choose you!"

The pokeball opened and Chimchar appeared again in the battlefield.

"Chimchar!"

Chimchar, Flamethrower!"Ash ordered. "Go!"

Ash sends Chimchar back, who pushes Steelix using Flamethrower.

Chimchar landed on the ground, but winced a little.

"Chimchar!"Ash yelled out.

Brock, Dawn and Denise gasped in shock at the sight.

"Chimchar's got the advantage by type except..."Brock started.

"Chimchar still hasn't fully recovered from the last time!"Dawn finished worriedly.

"Come on, Chimchar."Denise thought worriedly. "Be strong."

"Strong defence!"Byron complemented. "Alright, Steelix use Iron Tail!"

"Chimchar, dodge and use Dig!"Ash ordered.

Steelix used Iron Tail, but Chimchar evaded and dug into the ground.

"Make the earth tremble!"Byron shouted. "Steelix, Iron Tail!"

Steelix used Iron Tail on the ground, getting Chimchar out of the ground.

"Chimchar!"Ash yelled out.

"Good!"Byron remarked. "Now Steelix use Bind! Let's go!"

Steelix goes to bind Chimchar.

"Chimchar, dodge and then use Dig again!"Ash ordered.

Chimchar quickly dodged and dug into the ground.

"No flimsy defense is gonna get past us!"Byron stated. "Quick, Steelix use Iron Tail!"

Steelix pushes Chimchar out of the ground by Iron Tail.

Brock, Dawn and Denise gasped at the sight.

"Now use Bind, Steelix!"Byron ordered.

Steelix prepared to bind Chimchar.

"Pikachu!"Pikachu shouted in fear.

"Dodge it, Chimchar!"Ash ordered.

Chimchar dodges Steelix's tail.

"Steelix make sure Chimchar doesn't get away!"Byron ordered.

Steelix goes to attack Chimchar, but the holes caused by dig make it fail to attack.

"What the?!"Byron said in disbelief.

"The battlefield's been weakened, thanks to Chimchar's Dig!"Brock commented.

"Chimchar, Flame Wheel!"Ash ordered. "Go!"

Chimchar used Flame Wheel and Steelix get defeated.

"Steelix is unable to battle!"Roark announced. "The winner is Chimchar!"

"Awesome, Chimchar!"Ash chuckled. "You did it!"

"Pikachu!"Pikachu cheered.

Chimchar smiled at his second victory.

"Yes, I can see how you managed to win a badge from my son."Byron stated. "But you're not getting past my Bastiodon! No way!"

Byron threw out his last pokeball and Bastiodon appeared in the battlefield.

"Bastiodon!"

"I knew he would save Bastiodon for last."Ash said quietly.

Ash remembers that Bastiodon can defend itself via powerful attacks with Iron Defense.

"Bastiodon's Iron Head is really impressive and on the top of that, Chimchar is pretty wiped!"Ash thought. "Chimchar's gonna run out of steam soon, so we've gotta wrap this up! We gotta!"

Ash opened his eyes to call out Chimchar's order.

"Chimchar, Flamethrower!"Ash ordered. "Let's go!"

Chimchar fired Flamethrower towards Bastiodon.

"Bastiodon, Iron Defence!"Byron ordered.

Chimchar uses Flamethrower, only to be deflected Bastiodon's Iron Defense.

"Perfect defence always makes for the perfect victory!"Byron commented. "Bastiodon, Metal Burst! Let's go!"

Bastiodon used Metal Burst to pierce through Flamethrower and hitting Chimchar.

"How did-"Denise started.

"Bastiodon using Metal Burst in order to return all the damage took from the attack."Brock explained.

"Chimchar, you can do it!"Dawn called out.

"Piplup piplup piplup!"Piplup shouted.

However Chimchar was too exhausted and fainted on the ground.

"Chimchar!"Ash yelled.

"Pika pika!"Pikachu said.

"Chimchar is unable to battle!"Roark announced. "Bastiodon is the winner!"

"Poor Chimchar."Denise thought sadly. "You fought so hard."

Ash returned Chimchar in it's pokeball.

"Chimchar, you did great."Ash assured. "Time for a good rest."

"I love defence and I love Bastiodon too!"Byron yelled out.

Ash gritted his teeth and took out his third pokeball.

"Time for my last pokemon!"Ash stated. "Gliscor, I choose you!"

Ash sends his Gliscor into the battlefield.

"Gliscor!"

"What's he doing?"Dawn asked in confusion. "If Ash wanted to attack from above, wouldn't Staravia be better?"

"Piplup?"Piplup asked.

Denise shook her head.

"No, sis."Denise answered. "Staravia may be a Normal Flying Type, but it wouldn't stand a chance against Bastiodon. Since Flying Types are weak against Rock Types."

"Not only that, Ash has carefully chosen Gliscor after carefully considering Bastiodon's moves."Brock added. "This is Gliscor's first battle, so we should expect great things."

"Okay, Gliscor!"Ash called out. "Fly up!"

Gliscor flew up in the air.

"Go up to Bastiodon from behind!"Ash instructed.

Gliscor flew and goes behind Bastiodon.

"Now use Steel Wing!"Ash ordered.

Gliscor uses Steel Wing to attack Bastiodon.

"Bastiodon, Iron Defence!"Byron ordered.

Bastiodon uses Iron Defense for protection and bounces Gliscor away.

"Now Gliscor, come from behind again!"Ash ordered.

Gliscor goes behind Bastiodon again.

"Gliscor, Fire Fang go!"Ash ordered.

"Bastiodon, Flash Cannon!"Byron ordered.

Gliscor uses Fire Fang, but gets hit by Flash Cannon.

"Oh no!"Ash screamed.

"Pika!"Pikachu shouted.

Gliscor hits the ground.

"Time to shift from defense to offence!"Byron admitted. "Now Bastiodon use Iron Head!"

Bastiodon charged forward to hit Gliscor with Iron Head.

"Gliscor!"Ash called out. "Get out of the way! Quick!"

Gliscor stood up and managed to get away from Bastiodon's Iron Head.

"Bastiodon, turn around and use Iron Head!"Byron ordered.

Bastiodon turned around and hits Gliscor with Iron Head.

"Now for the real match!"Byron stated. "Alright, Bastiodon use Iron Head one more time!"

"Gliscor!"Ash called out. "Heads up!"

Gliscor gets hit again by Iron Head.

"This is it, Bastiodon!"Byron replied. "Use Flash Cannon!"

Bastiodon fires Flash Cannon at Gliscor.

"Gliscor, spread your wings to dodge it!"Ash ordered.

Gliscor dodges Bastiodon's Flash Cannon.

"Now jump on Bastiodon's back!"Ash ordered with a smile.

Gliscor goes behind Bastiodon and hangs on it, surprising Byron.

"Gliscor use Fire Fang!"Ash ordered.

Gliscor hits Bastiodon with Fire Fang causing the Shield Pokemon to cry out in pain.

"Awesome!"Ash remarked. "Now keep it up!"

"Not with us!"Byron responded. "Throw it off, Bastiodon!"

"Hang on, Gliscor!"Ash protested.

Though Bastiodon shakes itself, it does not get Gliscor away and gets hit by another Fire Fang.

"No!"Byron shouted. "Be careful!"

Bastiodon stomped and gets Gliscor away from it's back.

"It's time for Flash Cannon!"Byron ordered.

Bastiodon prepared to fire Flash Cannon.

"Gliscor knock Bastiodon off of it's feet with your tail!"Ash ordered.

Bastiodon uses Flash Cannon, but Gliscor uses it's tail to knock Bastiodon out and it misses.

"What's going on?!"Byron questioned.

"Yeah, Gliscor!"Ash chuckled.

"Pikachu!"Pikachu cheered.

Both Gliscor and Bastiodon were now both feeling weak from their attacks.

"They're both both running out of gas."Ash thought. "This next attack is gonna decide the battle!"

Ash looked at Gliscor.

"Gliscor use X-Scissor and attack straight on!"Ash ordered.

Gliscor uses X-Scissor to hit Bastiodon.

"Now this is just what Pokémon battling is all about!"Byron commented and yelled. "Bastiodon, Iron Head!"

Bastiodon uses Iron Head to negate the Bug type move and hits Gliscor.

Gliscor hits against a rock.

"Bastiodon, let's decide this match!"Byron ordered.

Bastiodon charged forward for a final attack.

"Gliscor, take cover!"Ash ordered.

Gliscor goes behind the rock.

"So we'll smash through that rock."Byron stated smugly. "Iron Head!"

Bastiodon smashed the rock with Iron Head, but Gliscor was not seen.

"Where is Gliscor?!"Byron questioned.

Gliscor swooped down to hit Bastiodon.

"Heads up!"Byron warned. "Bastiodon, Flash Cannon!"

Bastiodon fires Flash Cannon towards Gliscor.

"Gliscor, Sand Attack!"Ash ordered.

Gliscor uses Sand Attack to blind Bastiodon.

"Oh no!"Byron said in disbelief.

"Let's finish this up with Fire Fang!"Ash ordered.

Gliscor uses Fire Fang to hit Bastiodon.

With a Fire Fang, Bastiodon was defeated and Ash wins the battle!

"Bastiodon is unable to battle! Gliscor is the winner!"Roark announced. "Victory goes to Ash of Pallet Town!"

Ash and Pikachu cheered at their victory.

"Alright!"Ash laughed in joy. "Gliscor! You did it!"

Gliscor was so happy and it swooped down on Ash.

Brock, Dawn and Denise rushed up to Ash.

"That was great, Ash."Dawn remarked.

"Piplup."Piplup chirped.

"I knew you could do it."Denise chuckled.

"Great, how you considered Byron's and your pokemon's type and played up Gliscor's strong points."Brock complemented.

"Thanks Brock."Ash responded and smiled at Gliscor. "But in the end, it was Gliscor's spunk. Not bad at all for your first Gym battle, Gliscor. Not bad at all."

Gliscor grinned and sticked his tongue out.

Later that Evening...

"You sure worked hard, it's hard to beat Dad and your pokemon are so well trained too."Roark admitted. "Ash, congratulations."

"So in recognition of having broken through my perfect defences and beating my prized pokemon as well, I hereby present to you the Mine Badge."Byron admitted.

Byron gives Ash the Mine Badge and the trainer took it.

"Byron, thanks so much!"Ash replied and held up the Mine Badge. "Wow! Check it out! I got the Mine Badge!"

Pikachu, Chimchar and Gliscor cheered at their victory.

Denise smiled at Ash before looking at Byron.

"So now that Ash has won his badge, it's my turn, right Byron?"Denise asked.

"That is correct and I am not going easy on you."Byron warned.

"I know."Denise assured confidently. "And I am going to win it, no doubt."

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter:)

(Next is Denise's battle against Byron and the stray pokemon incident, which I am actually excited to publish once I've completed it!)

Denise's Team:

Grotle (Male): Solar Beam, Heavy Slam, Seed Bomb and Bite

Vaporeon (Female): Water Gun, Shadow Ball, Hydro Pump and Aurora Beam

Luxio (Male): Spark, Night Slash, Wild Charge and Ice Fang

Kirlia (Female): Psychic, Ice Punch, Magical Leaf and Confusion

Hoothoot (Male): Silver Wind, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Supersonic

Drifblim (Female): Ominous Wind, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp and Astonish