The battle between Max's Poochyena and Keanu's Nincada was excellent.
Even though he has lost every single battle he was in so far, Keanu has proved to be a good trainer but his problem is lack of confidence and inexperience.
Max on the other hand has confidence, but just like Keanu, he has no experience in battle. Yes, he has trained his Poochyena a lot since he caught him, but still there is a difference between just training, and battling against opponents.
Both of them have proven to be good in training, but relatively bad in battling and tactics, which is the main reason for the lack of the winner in the match, as it has ended in a draw.
At first it looked like that Keanu has the advantage, since his Nincada had some serious power because of the training, and Nincada's Hidden Power move was the strongest move Keanu's Pokemon had, which has almost ended Poochyena right at the beginning.
The only reason Poochyena was able to hold so long and survive to pull a draw was because Max trained him hard, and Poochyena, even though small, had stamina and speed, which Nincada didn't have.
In the end, none of the two young trainers could say that they were happy with the results, but Keanu was able to have a battle and get some fighting experience and confidence, which is what he lacked. Max was not happy that he didn't win, though he was happy for Keanu, who has decided to go and do some more battling, instead of just staying and training at one place.
Yes, he will still rebuild his secret base at the same place it used to be, and will make it bigger and better, but will also travel, catch Pokemon and battle. With any luck, one day he will be competing in the Hoenn League.
After May, Max and Birch said goodbye to Keanu, and he said goodbye to them, the siblings and the Professor went back to the Pokemon Center, while Keanu went back to the cave to see what he can salvage, and how much work he has to do, to rebuild the base.
XXX
Right now, its dinner time, and the gang along with Professor Birch are all in the Pokemon Center cafeteria, eating, and talking about their day.
"So, how was your training today?" Birch asked Ash and Serena.
"It was ok," Serena said. "We had several sparing matches between out Pokemon to see how far they are, and what they have to work on to become even stronger, but besides that, we didn't do much."
"What about you," Ash asked? "You all seemed out of it for some reason ever since you came back, and I have a feeling it has nothing to do with the happenings of the few days ago. Did something happen?"
May, Max and Birch looked at each other, and Birch decided to explain how their day went from the beginning to the end.
Ash and Serena listened carefully, and didn't interrupt as they wanted to get the full picture before they ask questions.
Once Birch was finished with the story, Ash sighed and rubbed his temples. "This is just great," he said to himself in frustration and slight anger. "This is exactly what I needed now."
"Do you know what's going on, Ash," Serena asked, a little concerned by the way Ash reacted to the news of what Team's Aqua and Magma were looking for.
"I do," Ash said with a sigh a grave tone of voice. "From what I've learned during my training, many of this worlds Legendary Pokemon have some item or something that can control them. Groudon and Kyogre are two of those Pokemon. The items that can control them are Red and Blue Orbs."
As Ash said this, May, Max and Serena's eyes widened, while Birch almost had a heart attack.
"As for the Cave of Origin, it is said to be the cave where life begins," Ash continued. "Its opposite landmark is Mt. Pyre, said to be the place where life ends. I believe, that Teams Aqua and Magma believe that they can find either clues to where they are, or outright find either Groudon or Kyogre in that cave."
"T-This is bad," Birch said while sweating. "If they awaken either of those Pokemon, they can doom not only the Hoenn Region, but the entire world."
"You are right," Ash said. "It would be bad if Groudon and Kyogre are awakened, but unless they are controlled by Teams Aqua and Magma, I don't believe they will start the battle."
"Why not," Serena asked? "From what I understand, they are the opposite force. One represents the land while the other seas. So why wouldn't they battle if they are awakened?"
"Because every time the two started the battle, they were stopped and sent to slumber by Rayquaza," Ash said, and May, Max and Birch had a look of understanding on their faces.
"Max, you remember what Zinnia said, how Rayquaza stopped Groudon and Kyogre when they were at war and threatened to destroy the world," Max nodded. "Well that happened twice, and I doubt Groudon and Kyogre would want to be defeated for the third time. They would much rather stay in their domain then battle Rayquaza, who is stronger than both of them."
"But if they are controlled…" Birch left his sentence unfinished, as there was no need. Everyone knew what would happen.
"Then they will destroy everything in their path, and unless Rayquaza shows up again, it would be very hard to stop them." Ash said.
"Can they be stopped without Rayquaza showing up?" Birch asked Ash, who seemed to know a lot about all this, and is the best one to ask.
Ash thought about it for a moment, and said. "Yes, I believe they could be stopped."
"How?" May asked.
"Well, the easy way would be to take the Red and Blue orbs from Team's Aqua and Magma," Ash said. "The hard way would be to defeat them both, which can be done," there were looks of disbelief on everyone's faces. "But I would need to pull out the big guns, and I honestly don't want to do that, which is why we need to stop Team's Aqua and Magma from awakening them in the first place."
Everyone but Serena wanted to ask what the big guns were, but decided that it might be better for them to not know. At least for now.
"But how do we stop them," May asked? "It's not like we know where to find them."
"No, we don't know where to find them," Ash nodded in agreement with May. "But we don't have to search for them, as I'm sure that we will run into them during our journey."
"What makes you say that?" Serena asked.
"We run into Team Aqua in Rustboro City, and now you run into both teams here on Dewford Island," Ash said, getting looks of comprehension from everyone. "I doubt we will fail to cross paths in the future considering we still have the majority of the Hoenn Region to travel through."
"Hm, I guess you are right, Ash," Birch said. "But will you be able to stop them if you run into them?"
Ash shrugged. "If they are anything like Team Rocket was, then there shouldn't be any problem," he said.
After that, they all finished the dinner, and went to sleep, so they can rest for the next day of training, in case of Ash and Serena; and research, in the case of Birch, May and Max, who will again go with professor and research some Pokemon around Dewford Island.
Just as planned, from the early morning, Ash had some training with his Pokemon, and then after breakfast, Serena joined him.
May and Max left the Pokemon Center with Professor Birch and went to search for some Pokemon that Professor Birch wanted to see in their natural habitats.
During the exploration and research, May, Max and Professor Birch have visited an old gold mine, in which they found Sableye who has made that old mine its home. The Dark/Ghost dual type has given them a lot of trouble as it has proven to be a true trickster and has played with them for a while. But, in the end, it ended when May grew tired of running around the mine, and getting lost in the process, so she challenged the Pokemon to a battle, and if she wins, she will catch it.
May decided to send her Silcoon to battle Sableye. She knew it was risky, as Silcoon can't move as fast, nor as much as Sableye, or has access to the same amount of moves the Dark/Ghost Type has, but she wanted to see her Bug Type gain some experience in battle and evolve.
The battle was tough, but May was right to send her Silcoon to battle, because during the battle, Silcoon ended up evolving into a Beautifly. On top of that, after she evolved, Beautifly ended up defeating Sableye, and May caught it.
After she caught him, May released Sableye from his Poke Ball, and asked him to show her the way out from the mine, as they were pretty deep, and she can't get out alone.
An unhappy Sableye nodded in agreement, but first he led her to a mine control room, where he pulled out a Mega Stone from a hole in the floor, and gave it to May, who was wide-eyed at what she was seeing in front of her. She didn't know which Mega Stone it was, as she has only seen one before, Steelixite, which Serena found, but she decided to ask Professor Birch as she thought maybe he would know, and if he doesn't, she can always ask Ash, who knows almost everything.
She also decided to have Ash ask Sableye how he found the Mega Stone in the first place, and where. There shouldn't be any problem with that, as Ash can understand Pokemon.
It was a very happy May and slightly unhappy Sableye, who came out from the mine, and reunited with Birch and Max from whom May was separated during the run around the abandoned mine.
When asked how she got Sableye, she said she defeated him in battle, and that her Silcoon evolved into a Beautifly. She was congratulated for that, but then she showed Birch and Max the Mega Stone that Sableye gave her, and they were both floored.
May did ask him, but unfortunately, Birch didn't know which Mega Stone it was, though he suspected it was one which has connection to Sableye. Sableye nodded at that, and so May knew that the stone will allow Sableye to Mega Evolve, but just in case, she will ask Ash.
XXX
After the group of three left the abandoned gold mine, they went to another part of the forest, where they ended up having to help several Seedot to find another tree from which they can suck moisture. That part of the forest has been partly destroyed during a land slide, and some trees were destroyed, while some lost moisture, so Seedot were unhappy, and couldn't find other trees.
Once Max, May and Birch helped them, Max got a desire to capture one Seedot, as he wants to train it and then one day evolve into Nuzleaf and maybe even Shiftry once he becomes a trainers and is good enough to handle that Pokemon.
In a short battle, Max and his Poochyena defeated the only of the several Seedot who accepted the challenge, and has captured him.
By that time, it was already getting late in the afternoon, and so Birch has decided that he has had enough research, so they went back to the Pokemon Center so that Max and Birch can pack everything and be ready to leave for Petalburg City the next morning.
While May and Max were exploring the Dewford Island that day, Ash and Serena have been training like crazy in preparations for their gym battle against Brawly in Dewford Gym.
The training was mostly battles, as they have decided that their Pokemon knew enough moves for now, and they only need battle experience, and to perfect those moves. Of course, not training your Pokemon new moves, doesn't mean they can't just learn them suddenly. Like in Treecko's case.
By the end of the day, and before Max and May returned with Professor Birch, Ash's Treecko has learned to use Bullet Seed, and right after evolved into Grovyle, which is what gave him the edge over Serena's Mudkip to pull a win in the sparing match.
Ash was happy for his Pokemon, while Grovyle was overjoyed as he is no on the same level as Ash's Combusken, who he didn't want to let get too far from him.
When the two decided to end the days' training, they talked about when they will challenge the gym, and have finally decided to do it tomorrow, so that Max can watch the battles before he leaves with Professor Birch.
Of course, they first have to talk with Professor, and see when he was planning to leave tomorrow, and if he can push it to the afternoon if he was planning to leave in the morning.
XXX
When everyone gathered at dinner, and before Ash could ask Professor Birch when he and Max plan to leave tomorrow, May brought up the fact that her Silcoon evolved and that she has caught Sableye.
Ash and Serena were happy for her and congratulated her, but then May showed them the Mega Stone, and Ash's and Serena's eyes widened in surprise.
"Where did you find Sablenite?" Ash asked.
May looked at the Mega Stone and then at Ash, before she asked. "Is that what it's called," Ash nodded. "Well, after I caught Sableye, he took me to the mine control room, and pulled out the stone from under the floor, and then he gave it to me.
"We figured it had to be a Mega Stone for Sableye since he had it, but we weren't sure, and didn't know its name.
"I actually wanted to ask you to talk to Sableye and ask him where he found it."
"Sure, I have no problem with that, as I'm also interested." Ash said, so May pulled out the Poke Ball with Sableye, and released him right next to the desk where they were seating.
"Hey Sableye," May called, and her new Pokemon looked at her. "Can you tell Ash where you found the Mega Stone you gave me?"
Sableye looked at May as if she was crazy. How was he going to do that, when humans can't understand Pokemon Language?
"If you are wondering how will I understand you, then don't worry," Ash draw Sableye's eyes on him. "I can understand Pokemon Language, so everything you have to say, I will understand it."
"You can?" Sableye question with some doubt in his voice, and Ash nodded, confirming he understood him.
Sableye looked at Ash for a few moments, as if judging him, before he let out what looked like a sigh. He then said how he found the stone some time ago deep into the gold mine where he lived, and where May found him. He also said how he took it and kept the stone hidden as he didn't exactly know what it is, but knew it had some connection to him, since he could feel the power of the stone resonating with his own.
When May caught him, and then released him to lead her out of the mine, he remembered about the stone, and since he didn't want to leave it there, he gave it to May; as it might be useful in the future when they find out what they can do with it.
Ash translated all that Sableye said to May, who was a little surprised that Sableye just stumbled upon the stone, but was also happy because it means that she now has a Pokemon which can Mega Evolve, as well as a Mega Stone for that Pokemon. All she needs now is Key Stone.
"I will see if I can find a Key Stone for you, May," Professor Birch said to May, who smiled widely.
"Really Professor?" She questioned.
"Of course," he said. "But don't get your hopes up to high, because I might not be able to find one. I will certainly try, and ask some people who might know where to find one. If I do find it, I will give you a call, and tell you about it, and if I don't, I will still call you and tell you so you might try to find it yourself."
May nodded as she was satisfied, and then continued to eat, while Ash asked Professor Birch, when he plans to leave tomorrow with Max.
"Well, we were planning to leave in the morning," Birch said. "I like my field research, but I can't leave my assistants alone for too long."
"Hm, can you maybe move the trip until later in the afternoon?" Ash asked, getting raised eyebrows from everyone but Serena.
"Why?" Birch asked.
"Well, Serena and I decided to challenge Brawly tomorrow morning so that Max can watch the battles before you leave," Ash said, and Max's eyes widened, before he looked at Birch with expectant look in his eyes.
Seeing a look in Max's eyes, Birch smiled, and agreed to move the trip to tomorrow in the afternoon, so that Max can watch Serena's and Ash's matched. Besides, he was also interested in seeing how the two battle with Pokemon who haven't had as much training as the ones they used in the Silver Conference, who were all highly trained.
XXX
The morning of Ash's and Serena's battles at the Dewford Gym, has finally arrived.
Right now, everyone was in the Pokemon Center hall, where Ash and Serena are taking back their Pokémon. Last night, they have left all of their Pokémon with Nurse Joy, so she can give them a checkup, and have them prepared for the battles.
After they took their Pokemon, and strapped the Poke Balls on their belts, they both left the building, along with May, Max and Professor Birch.
As they were all walking toward the Dewford Gym, Max asked. "Have you decided which Pokemon you will use in your matches?"
"I have decided to go with Taillow and Combusken." Ash said, and then Serena said she will go with Zubat and Kirlia, who she brought back from Oak's Ranch.
"Hm, so you are both going with Flying and part flying type, as well as Fire and Psychic type," Birch commented, while rubbing his chin in though. "Not a bad choice, since Flying Types have an advantage against Fighting. Serena's Kirlia also has advantage, while Ash's Combusken can stand on equal ground with Fighting types."
"I don't really care about the type advantage since that doesn't work most of the times in a high level battles," Ash said. "Brawly will definitely have a way to counter Flying type moves. He wouldn't be a Gym Leader if he couldn't, though I'm not sure if he could counter Kirlia."
"Why wouldn't he?" Max asked, really interested.
"Well, Fighting Type Pokemon are weak against Flying, Psychic and Fairy Type Pokemon," Ash said. "But trainers usually come with Flying Type Pokemon to battle Fighting Type Pokemon, so Psychic and Fairy stay mostly unknown as they are rarely used. That's why I'm saying that Brawly will probably have a way to counter Taillow, but not Kirlia, who is Psychic and Fairy Type."
"Then why did you chose Taillow," May asked. "You could have chosen Grovyle or any of the other Pokemon you have with you."
"I chose Taillow since he didn't have a lot of battling so far," Ash said. "The same with Combusken. They mostly trained and rarely battled, which is why I want to give them a chance to prove themselves."
The others nodded at Ash's reasoning, and then Max asked Serena for the reason she chose Zubat and Kirlia.
"Well, I also thought that Brawly will be surprised by a Psychic and Fairy Type Pokemon, thus, Kirlia comes out," Serena said. "As for Zubat, well, he is a new Pokemon and I want to see him in a battle which is not a sparring match."
Max nodded, satisfied with the explanations, so after that, they walked toward the gym in relative silence.
XXX
It took another 10 minutes for the gang along with Professor Birch to arrive in front of the Dewford Gym, which was a pretty big building located on top of the cliff overlooking the sea.
Serena and May marveled at the place, as they thought it was very beautiful, before they followed Ash to the entrance.
Ash was about to knock on the door and call the gym leader to announce he has challengers, when suddenly, the door opened, and there stood a blue haired man in his twenties. He was wearing a red shorts and orange shirt, and had a surfing board in his arms. Behind him there were three girls, one blue haired, one brown haired and one red haired.
They all stood at the door, and looked at Ash and the others in confusion. "Who are you, dudes… and girls?" Brawly asked, though he added 'girls', after he saw Serena and May narrow their eyes at him.
"I'm Ash," Ash pointed at himself, and then at Serena. "This is Serena. The others are May, Max and Professor Birch. Serena and I are here to challenge you to a gym battle."
"Oh, so you are here for the Gym battle," Brawly said, but then he rubbed the back of his head. "I'm really sorry, dude, but I was just on my way to do some surfing. I mean just look at these waves. They are calling me."
Ash and the others looked at each other, and then toward the sea, where they saw that there are some really good waves to surf on.
Now seeing this, Ash normally wouldn't have a problem to postpone the match, but since Max and Birch had to leave today, he will have to push for the matches to happen right now.
"Look, normally I wouldn't have a problem to postpone the matches, but we have a problem here," Ash said, and got raised eyebrows from Brawly and the girls behind him. "Max and Professor Birch have to return to Petalburg City, today, which is why we came here now, so that Max can watch the battles. So, I would have really appreciated it if we can have the matches now."
Brawly found himself in a big dilemma. On one hand he really wants to go surfing, but on the other hand, he can't just refuse this guy (who really looks familiar for some reason), when he only came to challenge him today so the kid with him could watch the battle.
After a minute of thinking, Brawly sighed, and said to two of his girls to go and have some fun, while he finishes with the battle. The third girl, whose name the gang learned to be Shauna, will also stay to be the referee for the matches.
Brawly and Shauna then led the way to the gym, while Ash and the others followed. Once they were inside, they saw that the inside of the gym is really big. There are some bleachers on the right side from the entrance, and the floor is tiled. On the floor, the battlefield is marked as well as the positions on which the battlers are to stand, just like in any other battlefield.
Brawly went to the farther side of the battlefield, and stood on his position, while Shauna stood at the side of the battlefield where the referee's position is marked. Brawly then asked. "So, who will be first?"
It was decided that Serena will be first, so she walked and stood on her position, while Ash and the others went to the bleachers to watch the match.
Shauna announced the match, said it will be two-on-two battle, and Brawly went and released his first Pokemon. "Machop, I chose you!" Brawly shouted and his Machop came out from its Poke Ball, and stood ready to battle.
Serena thought for a moment which Pokemon to go with first, and after she realized that Machop is probably the weaker of the two Pokemon Brawly will use, she decided to go with her weaker Pokemon.
"Zubat, I chose you!" Serena called her Pokemon, who came out from the Poke Ball, and floated in front of Serena, looking at his opponent.
"Hm, a Zubat," Brawly said while rubbing his chin. "I was expecting Flying Type, but I didn't think it will be dual Poison/Flying."
"I could have gone with Taillow, but she had some battles already while Zubat didn't, so I thought to start with him." Serena shrugged.
"I hope you aren't underestimating me by choosing a less experienced Pokemon to battle my Machop," Brawly asked with a smile, though his eyes were slightly narrowed.
"Not at all," Serena said. "But sometimes it's better to start a battle with a weaker Pokemon so they can gain experience, and continue with the stronger."
Brawly's smile widened. "You are right about that, Serena." He said, and after that, seeing that none of the two trainers has anything else to say, Shauna started the match.
"BEGIN!" Shauna shouted.
XXX
The battle was pretty good, actually.
In the first round, Serena's Zubat has put up a good fight, and even though he was not very experienced in battle, and was at a lower level then Brawly's Machop, he did have the type advantage, which allowed him to stay on equal ground with the opponent for about 10 minutes. By then, both Pokemon got tired as they were throwing all of the attacks they knew at each other, and were dodging the opponent's attacks, which is why they were at their last leg, so to say.
That's when the miracle happened. Zubat glowed and evolved into Golbat, learning Air Slash in the process. He showed this when he used that move to defeat Machop right after evolving, giving Serena a lead in the match.
In the second round, Brawly sent out his Makuhita, while Serena decided to switch her newly evolved Golbat, and has sent out Kirlia, much to Brawly's surprise, as he wasn't expecting Kirlia, and was sure Serena will send another Flying Type.
Ash's earlier words have once again proven to be true, when Serena's Kirlia, has made short work of, clearly very powerful Makuhita. The problem for Brawly and his Pokemon was that they were used to fighting Flying Type Pokemon, and didn't know what to do against Psychic and Fairy Type.
After Kirlia won the round, and Serena the match, Brawly even admitted that this is actually the first time since he became a gym leader that he has battled against Fairy or at least part Fairy Type Pokemon and was very surprised.
Brawly gave Serena the Knuckle Badge as a proof that she has won the battle in Dewford Gym. This was Serena's third gym badge, and she was happy that she was almost at the half-way mark so quickly since she came to Hoenn Region. It's even better that she won every battle so far without losing and having to return for a rematch, as that would have been a waste of time.
Ash and Serena then switched places, and while Serena went to the bleachers to sit with May, Max and Birch, Ash stood on the challengers spot on the battlefield, and listened Shauna as she announced the match.
"Taillow, you are up first!" Ash called his first Pokemon who came out from the Poke Ball, and floated in front of Ash.
Brawly smirked as he saw another Flying Type, and took one of his Poke Balls, before he released his own Pokemon. "Medicham, I chose you!"
"BEGIN!" Shauna shouted again, and so the second match of that day started.
"Medicham, start with Thunder Punch," Brawly said to his Pokemon, whose right arm crackled with electricity and then Medicham jumped high into the air to get to Taillow and punch him, but Ash had a way out of this.
"Use Double Team!" Ash countered, and Taillow glowed white, before he created five copies of himself. Once copy was hit by Medicham and dispersed, but four more were left along with the original.
"Use Psycho Cut!" Brawly said.
Medicham drew his left arm from right to left horizontally with great speed, and created a purple crescent-line blade of energy, which then flew at Taillow and his copies. All of them were hit at the same time, and while the copies were dispersed, the real Taillow was hit and flew backwards before he fell on the floor behind Ash.
"Are you OK, Taillow," Ash asked his Pokemon seeing that he was trying to stand back up. Ash knew that Taillow was ok, as the attack, while not weak, wasn't really strong either, though it did hit, and Taillow has taken some damage.
Taillow got up and flew back into the air, nodding at Ash. Ash smirked. Now it was time to counter. "Use Air Slash!" Ash called his next move.
Taillow started to flap his wings, releasing multiple light blue glowing saw disc-like energy blades from them at Medicham. Medicham jumped from left to right to backwards to dodge the air slashes, and while it was mostly successful in dodging them, some did land a hit, and dealt Medicham some damage.
"Come on, Medicham, we can do this," Brawly shouted, and Medicham was ready to continue. "Use Brick Break!"
Again, Medicham jumped into the air to get to Taillow, this time, its right arm glowing white, before it tries to karate chop Taillow.
"Dodge, then use Wing Attack!" Ash said.
Taillow dodged to the side, making Medicham miss and fall back to the ground on its feet, before Taillow flew from high in the air toward Medicham, and hit it with his right wing across the face, making Medicham fall on the floor, while rubbing its face to dull some pain.
Medicham stood back up, now with an angry red mark across the face from the hit. "Use Ice Punch!" Brawly said.
Medicham's hand glows bluish-white, and then it punched at Taillow from the ground, making an ice ball fly at Taillow from the distance.
This move caught Ash and Taillow slightly off-guard, but they reacted quickly, and Taillow put up Protect in front of himself, which was able to stop the ball of ice, as it collided with the greenish barrier and fell on the floor.
"That was a close one," Ash commented, before he went with his next move. "Use Air Slash, then Aerial Ace!"
Taillow again flapped his wings and sent multiple light blue disks of energy at Medicham, who again started to dodge them, and was about as successful as before.
When the disks stopped raining down on Medicham, it looked up and saw Taillow coming at it while engulfed in streaks of white light.
"DODGE!" Brawly shouted at his Pokemon seeing it was in really danger, but it was too late, since Taillow suddenly disappeared and the next moment was already on Medicham, hitting it with his body and sending the Fighting/Psychic Type Pokemon flying into the distance, before it crashed into the floor, rolled few meters, before it stopped.
After about half a minute of Medicham not getting up, Shauna declared a round in Ash's favor. "Medicham is unable to continue, the winner of round one is Taillow!"
"Well, that was an interesting match," Birch commented while watching from the bleachers. "That Medicham was really well trained, and Ash still managed to win. It proves he is really good trainer."
"Yeah, Ash always knew how to fight opponents who were better trained then his Pokemon," Serena said and then frowned for a moment. "Better said, the opponents who were trained longer than his Pokemon, since I doubt there is anyone who trains their Pokemon better then Ash."
Birch didn't know what exactly Serena meant since he never saw Ash train his Pokemon, but Max and May knew, and they agreed with Serena.
They all returned to watch the second round which is about to start.
Brawly has already returned his defeated Medicham, and has sent out his second Pokemon, which is Machamp.
"Taillow, return," Ash recalled his Pokemon, and took another Poke Ball from his belt, before he released it. "Come out, Combusken!"
With both trainers choosing their Pokemon, Shauna started the second round. "BEGIN!"
Brawly again started first by having his Machamp use Bulk Up. Ash return this by having his Combusken also use Bulk Up. This way both Pokemon raised their attack and defense power for the next move.
"Machamp, use Dynamic Punch!" Brawly said.
As all four of Machamp's fists becomes surrounded by a bluish-white aura, it went to punch Combusken with one of them, but that was a mistake on Brawly's part because Ash had his Pokemon fire a Flamethrower at close range which caught Machamp unprepared, and burned him pretty badly.
"You seem to have forgotten that my Pokemon is also a Fire Type, Brawly," Ash said as he looked at Brawly and his burned but still battle ready Machamp.
"Yeah, I admit you caught me by surprise with that Flamethrower," Brawly said. "I was sure you will go with some Fighting Type move."
"Never assume anything, and expect everything," Ash said. "That way, you will be caught off guard less times then if you expect something."
Brawly nodded, and told his Machamp to use Focus Blast. Machoke put all four of its hands together and formed a sparking light yellow orb of energy in between them. It then hurls the ball at Combusken.
Ash didn't even have to tell his Combusken to dodge, as he did it anyway, but then Machamp came in with red glowing eyes, and started to punch and kick Combusken, as it was using Close Combat.
Once Machamp stopped, Combusken fell on his knees, and was breathing hard. He was covered in bruises, but was still not out of the match and proved it by standing back up, ready to continue.
"Flamethrower," Ash went with another Flamethrower, though this time Machamp dodged it, and Brawly told his Pokemon to use another Dynamic Punch.
Unfortunately for them, Combusken's Flamethrower was just a distraction so he can catch Machamp with the next move.
The feather crest on Combusken's head and his feet were glowing metallic light blue, and he kicked Machamp straight in the face, sending it flying all the way outside of the battlefield until it crushed into the gym wall.
"What the…" Brawly wondered in disbelief? "Machamp, are you ok?" He shouted at his Pokemon, as he was really worried now after that powerful Mega Kick."
Somehow, Machamp managed to get up, thought its face was bruised and there was even blood flowing from its busted lip. Machamp returned to the battlefield, and Brawly sighed in relief that he is still in the match, though he knew that he will most likely lose it in the end even if Machamp defeats Combusken, as it will have to go against Taillow after that, and was already near its end.
Knowing that he is going to lose in the end, Brawly wanted to at least take out Ash's Combusken, he had his Machamp use Bulk Up again to push up its attack to the max. "Now, use Mega Kick!"
Ash decided to also go with Mega Kick, and just watch how this will end.
Both Pokemon came at each other with their right feet glowing metallic light blue, and then they kicked at each other.
Since Machamp was bigger and had longer reach with its legs, its Mega Kick landed right at Combusken's face. Of course, Combusken didn't go out without landing one final kick, so even though he couldn't' reach Machamp's face to kick it one last time, he was able to kick Machamp in the stomach.
Both Pokemon flew from each other after the Mega Kick's landed, and they fell on the gym floor behind their trainers, where they stayed unconscious.
Ash sighed at this, as he was hoping his Combusken will win the round. But even though Combusken was in slightly better state and had the advantage, Machamp's Mega Kick was powered up with Bulk Up, and hit Combusken in the face, which was enough to take him out from the battle.
The good thing is that Combusken landed one final kick on Machamp, which was enough to take it out as well since it was already at its end.
"Both Pokemon are unable to continue," Shauna shouted! "This round ends in a draw, and since the challenger has one Pokemon left while the gym leader has none, the match goes to the challenger, Ash!"
"Congratulations, Ash." Brawly said after he returned his Machamp and approached to Ash. Ash accepted the congratulations, and shook hands with Brawly.
"Thanks' Brawly," Ash said. "It was a great match, and I thank you for that. It helped me get my Pokemon to a greater level then they were."
"Well, I'm happy for you, Ash," Brawly said, and then handed Ash the Knuckle Badge, which was Ash's third badge in Hoenn Region.
Serena and the others also approached to the two, along with Shauna, and they all congratulated Ash on is win, and a good battle.
XXX
With the battles over, Ash and the others left the Dewford Gym, and were walking toward the docks where Professor Birch and Max are to take the ferry which will take them to Rustboro City, and from there they will head to Petalburg so Birch can drop Max of with his parents.
Just to make sure, Ash asked Max one more time if he was sure about this, and Max confirmed his earlier decision. Even though the last two days he has been better, he still thinks a lot about what happened with Swampy, and needs help to get over it.
Nodding at Max's answer, they all went to the docks, and after Birch bought a ticket for himself and May bought for Max, the two went to board the ferry, while Ash, Serena and May went back to the Pokemon Center where they will spend the rest of that day, and that night, before they leave Dewford Island the next morning.