Our heroes are off to their next adventure at the Fuchsia gym, and they pass through a deep forest where they find themselves... Completely lost. Again.

Although Laoise believes it's kinda nice, being out here in the middle of nature and learning to appreciate it up close... except the only downside was there's no plumbing.

They'd stopped for a break by a small waterfall. Brock was brushing the fur of Suzy's Vulpix. Laoise had been drinking from her filtered water bottle.

"Well, let's get going. Me and Laoise gotta get to that Fuchsia gym and win another badge." Ash stood up.

Misty said, "Wait a minute. Let's wait for Psyduck."

Psyduck finished getting a drink of water from the little waterfall four feet away.

Misty chided, "Psyduck, cold water can make a headache even worse."

Psyduck looked at her blankly.

"Or a good brain freeze coulda fix it right up." Laoise suggested.

"Sometimes I just look at that Psyduck face and I get a headache." groaned Misty.

Brock complimented the Vulpix, "What beautiful hair. Suzy's such a great breeder."

Misty offered, "Hey, Brock! How bout a trade? That Vulpix for my Psyduck."

Brock refused, "No way!"

"It wouldn't take much time to brush, cause Psyduck only has three hairs."

"But Vulpix belongs to Suzy, so technically it's not Brock's 100%." Laoise pointed it out.

Ash said, "Come one, guys. We better get going."

Unknown to them, a Pokémon was watching them from the treetops.

Soon, our heroes come across a plank that crosses a gorge with a river running through it. Pikachu then spots something. It looks like one of those old Japanese mansions, which was exactly where they were headed, though the place was seemingly deserted.

As our heroes walked in, the very same Pokémon watched them from the trees as our heroes enter.

"Hello, is anybody here?" Ash called.

Misty called. "Is anyone home?"

Brock said, "Seems deserted."

"Maybe they're out back?" suggested Laoise.

"Hello?"

Misty leaned against a wall, but suddenly fell through it, as it's actually a trap revolving door.

"You say something, Misty?" Laoise turned but was perplexed to see Misty wasn't there.

Pikachu turned curiously, "Pikachu?" So did Ash, finally noticing Misty's absence.

Brock asked, "What's wrong? Where's Misty?!"

Pikachu stared, "Chu!"

Laoise glanced around, "Where'd she go?"

Ash was just as bewildered. "She's gone!

Frowning curiously, Brock examined the wall, "Guys, this is a secret door."

"Secret door?" Ash questioned.

"Like a secret compartment or something?" Laoise wondered.

"When you touch this wall," Brock knocked the door and the secret is revealed. "It opens."

Inside in an empty area was Misty sitting in a 'W' position, rubbing her hip. "Ow. Guys, what kind of crazy place is this?"

Brock looked around, "It sure isn't your run of the mill mansion."

"Pikachu." Pikachu commented.

The group then heard something and soon see the same Pokémon that was watching them: a Venonat.

"Venonat."

It was an insect Pokémon with a spherical body covered in purple fur. A pink pincer-like mouth with two teeth, stubby forepaws, and a pair of two-toed feet were visible through its fur. There is also a pair of white antennae sprouting from the top of its head.

Laoise pulled out Dixie. "Venonat, a bug Pokémon. It's eyes function as radar, allowing it to see in the dark."

This had the shorter girl smile, "That is a pretty handy ability for pokémon to have on your side."

"Hey, that's not a run of the mill Pokémon." Ash grinned.

Laoise commented, "I think it's kinda cute, even if its a Bug type."

Misty was baffled. "You think that thing is cute?!"

The Venonat then walked away through the door and further into the house.

Ash called after it, "Hey, wait up! Where's the owner of this place?!"

The Venonat turned expectantly. "Venonat."

Misty got up holding Pikachu. "Maybe it wants us to follow it, Ash."

Pikachu agreed, "Chu."

Brock stared, intrigued, "Let's go see."

Everyone soon started following the Venonat, until Ash suddenly gets electrocuted and fell over.

Ash groaned. "Pikachu! Why did you do that to me?!"

Pikachu shook his head, "Chu, chu!"

"But Ash, Pikachu was following you and he didn't attempt it, either." Laoise reported.

"Well, if he didn't do it, then…" Ash sat up.

Brock pointed, "Guys, look there!"

Sure enough, the culprit was revealed to be a scowling pokèmon hiding in the floor. It was a spherical Pokémon that resembles a buttonless Poké Ball with eyes. The top half is red, while the bottom half is white. Because of its resemblance to Poké Balls, it is thought that it was created when one was exposed to an energy pulse.

"Doesn't look friendly!" Ash got out Dexter. "Wonder what it is."

"Voltorb, the identity of this creature is unknown. It has an extreme personality, uses electric attacks, and, at times, self-destructs."

Laoise backed up a step, "Only this one doesn't seem too happy to see us!"

The others looked as nervous as she felt.

Ash said, "This place gets weirder and weirder!"

The four headed up some stairs, taking care not to step into empty gaps, and into another floor of the mansion.

"Where'd Venonat go?"

Misty pointed ahead. "Look! Over there!"

The Venonat was waiting for them at the end of the hall but as they approached it hurried away.

"Hey! Wait up!"

However, as Ash ran forward, he bumped into what appeared to be an invisible wall. Laoise stopped in time.

Misty walked up. "Ash, what is it? What happened?"

"It's an invisible wall!"

"An invisible wall?" Misty and Laoise helped Ash up after he fell over.

"Well, we're just gonna have to find another way to reach…Ow, my nose!" Laoise turned to one hallway only to bump into another invisible wall.

"Alright, this place is really giving me the creeps." Misty said.

Brock nodded, "Right. We better get out of here while we still have the chance."

"Yeah. Come on, guys, let's go."

However, as they walk back the way they came, they run into another invisible wall.

"It's another invisible wall!" Brock said.

"There should have a sign that say beware of walls!" Laoise quipped, "This isn't doing my nose or forehead any favors!"

"I think we've fallen into somebody's trap!" said Brock.

"A trap?!" sputtered Ash, Misty and Laoise.

"I hope they're not trying to trap us so they can steal our Pokémon."

Everyone else gasped at the thought.

Brock then became teary-eyed. "Cause I don't want them to take Vulpix!"

"Come on, guys. We gotta get out of this place." Ash peered through the window. "Maybe there's an exit." As Ash looked through the window, the wall he was hanging on to tipped over!

"Ash!"

For dreadful moment, it looked as though he'd fallen to his doom, however Ash was hanging onto the side of it. Laoise, Misty and Brock managed to pull him up just in time.

Brock said, "This is a dangerous place if you're not careful."

The four heard a door open and saw the Venonat they were following.

Ash frowned, "Venonat! It's you! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!"

Right as he charged, Venonat jumped back through the door it came out of. Once he reached what looked like an empty room, Ash saw three shuriken coming at him!

In seconds, the star shaped blades hit the wall, but the others are concerned for Ash. They all burst into the room, but can't find Ash. Then the door soon turned to reveal Ash pinned to the wall by multiple shuriken, to the surprise of our heroes.

Soon, laughter is heard as a woman descended from the rafters and in front of our heroes.

"Born in darkness, living in darkness, such is the fate of the ninja. I am Aya, ninja warrior." It was woman with long dark green hair tied up in a ponytail dressed in the electric pink suit of a ninja.

Misty questioned, "But don't you think that color is a little bright for a ninja?"

"I don't need your fashion report. But tell me, didn't you enjoy my little star treatment?" Aya revealed a shuriken.

Ash protested. "You can't just chuck throwing stars around! It's dangerous!"

Misty agreed. "That's right!"

"She's kinda hardcore." Laoise grinned admiring Aya's athletic prowess. It made her think of the strong warrior women of Greek myths, the Amazon women.

However, Brock wasn't listening and approached Aya. "I think that electric pink suits you perfectly, and you certainly look lovely."

Yet Aya swatted Brock's hand away and then pushed him down and held him back with her foot, to the shock and embarrassment of the others.

"This is a training camp! It was your fault you let your guard down."

"Let my guard down?" Ash said from his position.

"I will not let you all leave this mansion without having a Pokémon battle with me, first."

Our heroes are both confused by to Aya's order for a battle as the Venonat they were following appeared behind Aya's legs.

"This Venonat informed me that a group of stupid looking people and a familiar face had entered the mansion."

Ash growled, "For your information, we're not the stupid ones around here! I accept your challenge!" Ash tried to move before remembering he's pinned to the wall by the shurikens. "But first, could you let me down from here?"

Nearly everyone fells over in embarrassment.

Soon, Ash is freed from his predicament and takes his place on the battlefield.

Aya declared. "One Pokémon for each of us. Choose yours, now."

Ash threw his pokéball. "Bulbasaur, I choose you!"

Bulbasaur materialized

"I select, Venonat!"

"Bulbasaur, Tackle, now!"

Bulbasaur uses Tackle, but Venonat jumps on its head and launches a Stun Spore attack, which Bulbasaur blows away. It then replies with its Vine Whip, though Venonat evades it and scores a direct hit with its Psybeam. Bulbasaur then finishes it off with Leech Seed before its vines quickly entangle the Insect Pokémon and drain it of its energy. Aya recalls Venonat, just as a Voltorb appeared and used Self-Destruct, filling the room with smoke.

Misty gasped. "It's that Voltorb!"

Laoise yelped. "Watch it! It might blow up!"

Right on cue, the Voltorb self-destructed. And in the smoke, a man appeared behind Aya.

"You still have a lot to learn, Aya." A man's voice spoke.

Aya bowed "Honored brother, I have failed!"

The man was Aya's brother appeared.

"You're Aya's older brother? My name is Brock. You sure have a very nice sister. It's a pleasure to meet..." Brock jabbered.

Before Brock can finish, Misty whacked him with a mallet.

"This is no time to kiss up, Brock!" Misty scolded.

There stood a man with black spiky hair. He wore dark ninja outfits, along with a red scarf. He was the brother to Aya.

"Uhm excuse us, Mister, my friend Ash and I wish to know if we're on the right track to the Fuchsia to earn our next badge." Laoise said calmly.

"None of you will be permitted to leave this venerable mansion, unless you do battle with me."

Ash demanded, "Who are you?"

The man replied, "I am Koga, the Pokémon master of the Fuchsia gym."

Misty caught on, "Oh, so this is the Fuchsia gym."

"That is correct."

"Wow, we found it!" Laoise gasped.

"Well, that's fine with me and Laoise. We were looking for the Fuchsia gym, now we'll each win one of your badges." Ash declared.

Koga unveiled a scroll to show two pink heart shaped badges, "For both of you, this Soul badge will be yours, if you defeat me, of course. So, who will start first?"

Laoise raised her hand, "I will, sir."

If her earlier reading on the Kanto gym areas was correct, that meant the Fuchsia gym specialized mostly in Poison types.

Koga nodded approvingly at Laoise's enthusiasm. "Very well, let us begin."

The battle arena was as unconventional as the gym itself. Brock stood observant, Misty watched nervously while Ash cheered Laoise on.

"Let us see how good you are." Koga said.

"This battle will be three on three! Trainers, select your Pokémon, and let the battle begin!" Aya declared.

"Storm, you're up!" Laoise called out her female Pikachu.

"Pika!" Storm looked ready to do battle.

Koga sent out his Pokémon. "I will lead with Golbat."

The Golbat was a large, blue, bat Pokémon with purple wing membranes. It has small eyes with slit-like pupils, along with tiny triangular ears with purple insides, and a massive mouth with two fangs in each jaw. It had short legs with long, tiny feet.

"Storm, Swift attack!" commanded Laoise.

Storm leapt and swung her tail, launching a flurry of golden stars. Golbat dodged nimbly through the air, its leathery wings carrying it aloft with ease.

Koga assessed his opponent calmly. "Wing Attack, Golbat."

With a piercing shriek, Golbat dove at Storm, wings aglow. "Counter with Iron Tail!"

Storm's tail shone metallic grey as she swung to block the blow. The attacks collided with a clang, sending sparks flying.

"Now Thunderbolt!" said Laoise. Storm's jolts shocked Golbat out of the sky. But still it remained able to battle.

Koga nodded appreciatively. "Your Pikachu has spirit. But can she stand up to Poison Fang?"

Golbat's fangs oozed venom as it swooped in. "Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Storm zipped around with blinding speed, colliding a critical hit from behind.

At last Golbat collapsed, swirls in its eyes. The spectators cheered Laoise's first victory. But she and Storm were just getting warmed up...

"Golbat is unable to battle! The challenger's Pikachu wins!"

"Great shot Storm! One down, and two to go!" Laoise cheered.

Koga recalled his Golbat, "An impressive first round, but you won't be so lucky in the next one." He got out his second Pokéball. "Weezing, you're up next."

This time a Weezing materialized, but this one was slightly bigger than the one that belonged to James from Team Rocket.

But Laoise kept her head. "A Weezing, huh? Watch out for those Smokescreen attacks, Storm," warned Laoise.

Storm took a wary stance, bracing for anything.

Koga began the next round. "Smokescreen, Weezing."

A billowing black cloud engulfed the arena. Storm's vision was obscured. But Laoise knew her partner's skills went beyond sight.

"Storm, listen for its movements and use Thunder Wave!" she instructed.

Though unseen, Storm's keen ears discerned Weezing's location. Her paralysis inducing shockwaves lit up the smog, striking their mark.

"Now Swift, let's clear this out!"

Storm's golden stars cut right through the haze, revealing an immobilized Weezing. "Finish it with Thunderbolt!"

A crackling blast eliminated Koga's paralyzed Pokémon. The Gym Leader eyed Laoise with newfound respect.

"Most impressive. But your greatest challenge still remains..."

He tossed his final Poké Ball. "Muk, it is your turn!"

A tower of purple sludge emerged, towering over Storm. But she stayed determined to win this for her trainer!

But the final round could prove to be harder than the last two.

"Stay frosty, girl." Laoise reassured, this was going to take quick reflexes. "Use discharge."

"I see, switching tactics now," said Koga appraisingly. "But Discharge will not be enough. Muk, use Minimize!"

Muk shrank down until it was nearly invisible. Storm's electric explosion exploded harmlessly around its diminished form.

"Now follow with Sludge Bomb!" cried Koga.

From out of nowhere, balls of toxic muck pounded into Storm with shocking force. She staggered, struggling to stay standing against the super effective attack.

"Hang in there girl, counter with Thunder!" said Laoise urgently.

Summoning her last reserves, Storm unleashed a massive blast of lightning. For a moment Muk reappeared, engulfed in the crackling charge. When the flash faded, it had shrunk down even tinier than before.

Koga observed calmly. "It seems your Pikachu has forced Muk to use all its strength. The final blow will decide this. Muk, use Body Slam!"

Like a landslide, Muk's gigantic form came crashing down upon the exhausted Storm. When the dust cleared, both Pokémon lay unmoving...

The others had gasped in shock as did Laoise.

"Storm? Are you okay?" Laoise squeaked, genuinely worried for her pikachu.

Finally the Muk pulled back, looking woozy. It would seem Storm's attack had helped lessen the blow somewhat.

"Pika...chu." The pikachu stood up dizzy, but began spitting and waving her front paw in front of her nose from disgust.

Understandable, the Muk smelled horrible especially this close. Pikachu couldn't blame Storm, he'd winced in sympathy.

Laoise breathed a sigh of immense relief when Storm staggered back up. "Thank goodness you're alright, girl!"

Storm responded tiredly but with determination. She had come too far to back down now.

Koga observed the battlefield calmly. "It seems this match has reached its climax. Both Pokémon are at their limits. The next move will decide victory."

Laoise nodded, her mind racing. Muk had the advantage in both size and stamina. But Storm was faster, and more clever. An idea struck.

"Storm, wait for Muk to attack, then dodge and use Quick Attack!"

Koga signaled to Muk, who launched another Body Slam. But just before impact, Storm zipped nimbly aside. She plowed into Muk from the side with a fierce glancing blow.

Muk teetered, losing its balance on the unstable arena floor. With a thunderous splat, it collapsed - and did not rise.

"Muk is unable to battle. The challenger's Pikachu wins, making Laoise the victor!" declared Aya.

The chamber erupted into cheers as Laoise swept Storm into her arms, overjoyed with their hard-fought triumph.

Koga smiled, retrieving Muk's Poké Ball. "You have more than earned this Soul Badge, young lady." Hew bowed once.

Laoise accepted the badge, bowing her head modestly. "Thank you, sir."

Pikachu hopped over, congratulating Storm on her victory, "Pikachu pi!"

"Pika..." Storm flushed sheepishly.

Laoise recalled Storm. "Thanks, girl. Return. Time for you to rest up, you did great." And she turned to Ash. "Okay, Ash. Once Koga heals his Pokémon, you get battle him."

Ash nodded, "Alright."

Soon enough Ash began his battle with Koga sends out Pidgeotto. Koga sends out his own Venonat. Since he just beat Aya's Venonat, Ash is sure he will win. Koga warns him that his Venonat is more experienced than Aya's and in an instant, Venonat then evolves into Venomoth. Koga tells Venomoth to use Stun Spore. As he did before, Ash uses Whirlwind. But the Stun Spore gets through, paralyzing Pidgeotto, and Venomoth uses Sleep Powder putting Pidgeotto to sleep. Ash recalls Pidgeotto and sends out Charmander. Venomoth uses Stun Spore again, but Charmander blocks it with Flamethrower.

At that moment, Team Rocket arrives on the scene by breaking thought the ceiling and performs a theatrical kabuki rendition of their motto, Jessie and James tried to walk forward, but end up tripping and falling on top of Meowth.

James complained, "Jessie, it's too hard to move in these costumes!"

"A ninja mansion calls for a kabuki star. We have to wear these outfits!" Yet she too was having trouble.

"Yes, but..."

Meowth groaned, "If you can't move, we'll lose the Pokémon!"

Laoise inadvertently blurted out, "You kinda look like cavemen trying to play dress up in Japanese clothes."

James and Jessie scowled at Laoise's comment but soon Jessie and James changed to their usual outfits and send out their Pokémon.

Koga said, "We'll have to join forces to vanquish them!"

Ash, Aya, and Koga send in Charmander, Venonat, and Venomoth, respectively, to battle, but James throws a fistful of a sticky thread at them, immobilizing them. Pikachu then steps up, only to meet the same fate from Jessie.

Laoise attempted to use one of her pokèmon only to have the sticky thread shot at her hand, sticking the pokéball to her right hand. She tried shaking it loose, but it was stuck.

Misty tried hers, "We need you now, Starmie!"

However, instead of Starmie, Psyduck breaks out of its Pokéball and materializes unannounced.

"Psyduck?! You're not Starmie! This time, I'll chose Staryu…!"

However, Psyduck blocks the way for Staryu to materialize.

Misty snapped, "You're Psyduck, not Staryu! Don't you understand?! Fine, then! Go if you want to."

Psyduck instead hugged Misty's leg.

"Psyduck, you're driving me crazy!" Misty flailed, Ash had to hold her back.

Psyduck walked onto the battlefield.

"What attacks can Psyduck do?"

Ash cheerfully held up his Pokédex, "Here, ask Dexter."

He consults the Pokédex, which lists Tail Whip. Misty tells Psyduck to use Tail Whip, but Psyduck wags its tail to no effect whatsoever, much to Misty's irritation. The Pokédex then lists Psyduck's second move as Scratch, which Psyduck does use on Arbok, but it doesn't work. Arbok bit Psyduck's head, worsening its headache during the "attack" . Laoise visibly winced at the sight.

Koga pulls a cord, opening up several ceiling panels and unleashing a large amount of Voltorb on the trio.

Meowth asked, "What are they?

"I don't know what they are, but they're in the way!" Jessie fired a sticky web at the Voltorb and reeled them in.

"This is a nice little catch."

Meowth held up one of the Voltorb in his right paw, "I don't know what these things are, but I can use them to practice my bowling game!"

But James looked terrified. "That's a Voltorb!"

Meowth stared, "A Voltorb?"

The Voltorb Meowth was holding then self-destructed on the spot…

Which gave our heroes, Koga and Aya a chance to escape into another room. Brock then notices that the room is slanted, and Koga explains that it is a strategy to confuse any opponents.

Ash tried to remove the net from Charmander and Pikachu, but to no avail. "No good, I can't get it off. How bout your electric attack, Pikachu?"

Pikachu tries to, but nothing happened.

"This gunk isn't affected by electricity!"

"Aw man, this stuff musta been made with rubber." Laoise frowned, after trying to the stick substance from her hand still holding the pokéball.

Then Team Rocket busted into the room.

"There you are!"

James remarked, "For some reason, I seem to be losing my liquiebrium."

"Don't you mean equilibrium?" Laoise corrected.

Jessie and James started to slide due to the slant.

"Dey built dis place like a fun house! Da floor is slanted!" Meowth picked up a Voltorb. "Maybe dey'll have some fun wit dis Voltorb."

Meowth rolled the Voltorb to our heroes like a bowling ball and it self-destructed. The smoke cleared to reveal Psyduck running around in panic.

"What's with this loser Pokémon?" Meowth stared in bewilderment.

Misty chided, "Psyduck, you're just gonna get hurt out there! Return!"

However, Psyduck dodged every single attempt by Misty to return it to the Pokéball.

"He won't stay still." Laoise shook her head.

Finally Meowth grew increasingly irritated with Psyduck and he kicked the panicking duck aside. "Out of the way!"

Psyduck landed at James' feet.

"Let's snatch this Pokémon, too!" James said cheerfully, grabbing Psyduck.

"We don't need Pokémon like that!" Meowth knocked Psyduck back to our heroes with a hockey stick, only for it to get back up and panic again.

"Even rejected by Team Rocket." Misty groaned.

Brock commented, "It looks like its headache's getting worse."

"Hold on, I got him." Laoise wrapped her arms around Psyduck to try and pull him back but even then, the duck wouldn't calm down.

"Look, you come here, right now." Misty said, taking Psyduck.

Soon, Psyduck went limp in her hands, but soon unleashed a powerful attack that froze Team Rocket in place.

Brock's jaw dropped, "Hey, this must be one of Psyduck's attacks!"

Ash gets out Dexter inquisitively.

"Psyduck's attacks. Number 3: Disable."

Psyduck then lifts Team Rocket up with another move.

"Psyduck's attacks. Number 4: Confusion."

Psyduck used Confusion to throw Team Rocket against the walls.

"Wow, I didn't know he could do that!" Laoise was surprised.

"Psyduck's attacks are pretty good!" Misty was amazed.

Psyduck's Confusion attack sends Team Rocket blasting through the roof and into the skies.

James said, "This place looks a lot nicer from the air!"

"It also looks like.." Meowth said.

"Team Rocket's blasting off again!"

Back inside the mansion, Psyduck's power melted the netting around the Pokémon who were caught and from Laoise's right hand and her pokeball.

"Yeah, Thank you Psyduck." Laoise was relieved and she lightly patted the Psyduck on his head. It felt like a duckling's fuzz only considerably shorter.

"Psy?" Psyduck didn't seem to mind and looked at her.

"And you had that kind of power all along?" Misty asked her Psyduck.

Dexter seemed to answer, "When Psyduck's headache becomes severe, it uses amazing power."

"Psy y y duck." Psyduck grabbed his head.

Brock commented, "That kind of talent's a real pain."

"Oh yeah." agreed Misty.

Both Koga and Aya were very impressed.

Koga smiled, "Magnificent! That was quite an impressive display."

Aya added, "I was very impressed by your performance."

Both Koga and Aya kneeled in front a surprised Misty.

"Young lady, would you consider trading your Psyduck for my Venomoth?" Koga offered.

Aya soke next, "I'd gladly trade my Venonat."

Misty hugged Psyduck, "Well, I wouldn't trade Psyduck for any Pokémon in the world."

Ash chuckled, "Misty, you couldn't wait to get rid of Psyduck!"

Brock said, "A woman's heart can be a very fickle thing, Ash."

"Hey, think we should tell them Misty's just afraid of bug types?" Laoise asked.

"Nope. Better to just smile and nod." Brock replied.

Koga then said, "A Pokémon like that, would certainly merit one of our Soul badges."

Ash remembered that he still had a gym match to win. "That's right! We still haven't finished our match!"

Soon, the group heads outside to resume the match.

Ash and Koga resume their battle outside in the courtyard. Koga's Golbat makes the first move, swooping on Ash's Charmander with a Wing Attack. Charmander keeps Golbat away with his Ember attack, though Koga responds with Screech. Despite the high frequency, Charmander launches a series of Flamethower attacks, burning Brock's face and Golbat's wing in the process. The attack surrounds Golbat and engulfed it in flames, to Koga's shock, and Golbat fell down the hard way in defeat.

Koga nodded, "You have beaten me. And Psyduck saved my Voltorb from being stolen by those thieves." He got out the Soul badge. "This Soul badge rightfully belongs to you."

Ash took the badge. "A Soul badge! Alright!"

"Way to go!" Laoise cheered.

Koga turned to his sister, "We both have got a lot to learn about battle. We will now train even harder, Aya."

Aya nodded, "Yes, brother."

So after earning a Soul badge, our heroes continue along on their Pokémon journey. Laoise couldn't wait to tell her family as soon as they reach a place with a phone.

Misty still being in slight disbelief at the power that Psyduck actually possessed. "You know, you did a really great job back there, Psyduck. I hope success doesn't go to your head."

Psyduck looked at Misty, "Psyduck?"

To be continued...

Author's note: Aaand that was the sixth gym battle for Laoise and Ash. But they better not get cocky, the next two gym leaders are tough. Especially knowing what we know now...

The next chapter will be one of the best episodes of the first season which features one of my sister's favorite pokémon, don't miss it. Plus I've got big plans for the chapter after that.