As N came face to face with the doors of Striaton Gym, he stopped in his tracks. Was he sure that he's doing this? Never did N see a single match of battles, be it in television or in person. He didn't like it. He didn't like that Pokemon are being forced to do the will of their trainers.

Yet here he was, standing at the porch of this oddly designed Pokemon gym. Looking around, this building can qualify for a restaurant. A wing snapped him out of his reverie.

"Are you going in or are you just gonna stand there like a weirdo?" Pidove-Zorua asked.

N gave his friend a disapproving look. "I am not a weirdo."

"Yeah. Standing still there for five minutes does not totally make you a weirdo. Passers-by are looking at you now."

N winced. Zorua did have a point. But still there was hesitation as he clutched the door handle. He promptly turned it—

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! I wanna have a gym battle!"

That was Ash! His voice was promptly followed by squeals from… girls? Curiosity taking over him, N flung the door open just in time to see the introductions of the three waiters, one of which was the connoisseur, Cilan.

"This is the Striaton Gym—" Cilan said.

Chili, the red-haired waiter, followed, "—and the three of us—"

"—we're triplet brothers—" the blue-haired Cress supplied.

"—and we're the gym leaders! Now, it's showtime!" they announced, in unison.

The room immediately transformed into a rocky battle arena that left Cilan, Chili, Cress, and Ash at the bottom floor while the spectators – mostly the triplet's cheerleaders – filed upstairs to a balcony in which they can watch the battle. Misty and Iris had already run inside and meeting eyes with Zorua, N reluctantly followed the two ladies.

Despite not watching a gym battle, N knew that you have to defeat the designated gym leader to get a badge to qualify for the Unova League. Ghetsis, his father, had talked to him about the benefit of breezing the gym challenge so that when N defeats the reigning champion, he would have immediate influence on the people. As such, they will listen to him about his ideals, his truths, his principles and can convince them to liberate their Pokemon.

N, disliking battles, did not turn the idea down. He knew his father was correct, but he didn't like it, so he merely put it in consideration. It was why he was traveling right now, to do a little bit of exploring and soul-searching about his aspirations. He reiterated that he didn't want any member of Plasma to be following and shadowing him around and he was mostly thankful because they respected his decision. Mostly.

His father broke this when he sent the Shadow Triad after him to inform him of this new team infiltrating Unova. He understood the dire need of information that led his father to break his promise, but he sent the Shadow Triad back to his father with a message to send to not disturb him anymore. He could only hope that his father would respect his once again bolstered decision.

His heart sunk as he watched Ash use his Pokedex to scan Pansear, Panpour, and Pansage. He had hoped that Ash wouldn't rely on a piece of technology that was made to oppress the Pokemon in an excuse to study them.

"So, Ash, who among us would you like to battle?"

N, along with everyone, had been surprised – shocked even – that Ash had declared he was gonna battle all three of the gym leaders. Especially N, who saw the same overlap of voices from Ash and Pikachu again, their eyes and determination burning with the same amount of passion. It was incredulous to think of a Pokemon willing to battle… but this Pikachu… was the same as his trainer.

"This is my first gym battle in the Unova region, and I'd like to battle as many Pokemon as I can. So please, say yes," Ash appealed, bowing as did Pikachu.

Misty sighed, "Figures."

Iris and N looked at her. Misty was surprised to see N here but nevertheless took it in stride.

"What do you mean, Misty? I can't believe Ash would make it difficult for himself," Iris huffed, and Misty chuckled.

"You know, Iris, you remind me of myself when I started traveling with Ash. I didn't believe he'd be half as good the trainer he is now. But the thing you have to learn about Ash is that it's Ash. He's unpredictable," they followed Misty's gaze as it softened and glazed with respect and admiration, "but his heart is in the right place."

Misty added, "He's not making it hard for himself. He genuinely just loves battling because he told me it's the best way to get to know his Pokemon and the Pokemon he's battling against. Right?"

As she turned towards the listening and remaining Pokemon who were out to see the first gym battle of their trainer. Rufflet sagely nodded as Larvitar cheered for Ash.

"Gible likes battling because he discovers something new about himself. Battling makes Gible strong. Gible loves Ash because Ash is a good trainer."

N was genuinely surprised as he let his gaze fall down to Gible who was watching the arena carefully. He expected all of them to refute Misty, but they agreed with it, without hesitation. N couldn't wrap his mind around it. Misty, then, smiled at Gible seemingly understanding what he said as Iris, N, and Zorua bit the information she gave them.

Chili and Ash had taken their sides of the battle arena and Ash promptly sent Tepig.

This came off as a shock to Cilan, who was refereeing for the meantime, and N.

"Tepig? Wouldn't a water-type like Oshawott would be a better choice?" N pointed out. Again, he wasn't ignorant of who and what type advantages and disadvantages in battles are. It certainly is a useful knowledge when you deal with hurt and injured Pokemon when you determine who might have attacked or hurt them.

Ash, hearing this, expressed, "You see, I promised Tepig I'd use him at my first battle in my first gym in Unova."

Ash delivered the first hit as he asked Tepig to Tackle the fire monkey, but was immediately barraged with Fire Punch, Flamethrower, and Dig. It was then that N noticed this Tepig was a lot skinnier than the Tepig he has met before. Its fur was patchy, and his body was leaner. N could also see some marking around its snout, and he gripped the railing so hard as he arrived at the conclusion that Tepig was badly treated.

Anger flared around N as his mind went thinking about how this was an example of why Pokemon must be liberated because they are being neglected by their trainers. His mind had gone to a tangent wherein he had blamed Ash for his nature and abuse of Pokemon. His eyes promptly went towards Rufflet, Gible, and Larvitar but they seemed so fine compared to Tepig.

Was favoritism at play here? But if it was, then, shouldn't Tepig be here in the balcony rather than at the arena? N's mind was getting clouded and Zorua had to snap him out of it by slapping a wing and trilling just in time to see Tepig dive towards Pansear's hole on the ground and emerging with Pansear bitten on his tail as Tepig held on to him using his teeth with fiery disposition.

By now, Tepig should be down, this N knew as the fire pig was slammed hard on the ground but with encouragement from Ash, Tepig stood up and spun Pansear around, tossing it across the field. N wondered why Tepig was still pushing through despite the pain, the Plasma King was frustrated he couldn't do anything, but he had wished this battle will surely end.

As Pansear struggled to stand up and regain his balance, Ash ordered an Ember and Tackle to which the fire pig charged at Pansear and hit him hard with the wall which caused Pansear to faint. N let out a breath of relief he didn't know he was holding. Tepig, stance proud, walked towards Ash without hesitation. N was baffled. If Tepig was maltreated – which he is, N knew – why was he going to Ash without reservations?

"That was a close battle. But he could have ended it faster with a water-type like Oshawott. Ash was lucky," Iris expressed.

Misty quipped, "It wasn't luck. It was Ash and Tepig's perseverance. Besides, Iris, you know that he did promise Tepig."

Iris nodded in understanding. N glanced at Misty hoping that the girl would expand on the topic to which Misty did sense.

"Tepig was abandoned by its trainer because it never won any battle using a rope tightly tied around his snout to keep it from following him. The poor thing couldn't eat properly for weeks until we found it running around looking for food in the Battle Club in Accumula Town."

N was enlightened. It wasn't Ash who neglected and mistreated Tepig, it was its previous trainer. N had to wonder why Tepig chose to be someone else's Pokemon after his experience with one, but he supposed he could just ask Tepig once this battle was done. N also had a newfound respect for Ash as he was the one who nurtured this Pokemon back to regain its health which is something difficult for trainers to do. Was he experienced in abandoned Pokemon? That was another question N had for Ash.

Mentally, N was kicking himself and blaming himself for not going to Accumula when he got the time beforehand. He could have rescued the poor thing himself. What would have happened if Ash and his friend weren't there in time to save Tepig? N didn't want to imagine but the image was there anyway. Sensing N's distress, Zorua, as a Pidove, let out a soft coo as he nuzzled N's cheeks for comfort.

"It wasn't your fault, N."

At the battlefield, Cress stepped up to the game as he reached the opposing podium and sent out Panpour. Ash then sent out Pikachu. N leaned forwards as he wanted to watch how this Pikachu battle out for its trainer.

Despite its type advantage, Pikachu was having difficulties in landing attacks on Panpour. This showed how Cress was a formidable battler and opponent, having Ash and Pikachu thinking on the fly. N could see that the battle was too long for Ash's liking as he was gritting his teeth in frustration, his eyes moving as if watching for a moment to strike.

"Pikachu, Agility! Then use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu blur as he built up its speed, almost fast that the eye couldn't determine where he is, which promptly confused Panpour and Cress. Pikachu let out a battle roar as he smirked and hit Panpour repeatedly with Quick Attack.

"Oh no you don't! Panpour, use water gun around the field!"

Panpour immediately sent out a barrage of water gun sent flying everywhere which caused Pikachu to slow down and slip. Ash gritted his teeth.

"Pikachu, get up and use Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu charged himself with Thunderbolt but before he can aim it at Panpour, Cress ordered Panpour to use Water Gun and aim it at Pikachu's feet to prevent it from sending the attack. Pikachu tiptoed and gritted his teeth in frustration which was a mirror reflection of the expression on Ash's face. Interesting, N mused as he gripped the railings too hard.

Zorua saw this and snickered, but not bothering to tell N about it.

"This been going on far too long! Panpour, Double Team and then Scratch!"

Ash shot back. "No way! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on the battlefield!"

"Thunderbolt on the battlefield?" Cress said as he did a doubletake. Iris, N, and Cilan were confused as well. What was it supposed to do? N, however, noticed how Pikachu's eyes glinted in recognition of that order as if it was something they had had in their sleeves.

Pikachu jumped and fired a strong Thunderbolt on the field, strong enough to break the rocks and send it flying towards the copies of Double Team Panpour had made. A particular huge rock hurtled towards Panpour and sent him flying across the arena but did a backflip to land safely. Pikachu and Panpour sized each other up, panting as they catch their breath, and smirked to each other – a Pokemon way of saying they were having fun battling each other.

This was an alien concept to N who was looking at Pikachu and Panpour in awe. Cress, seemingly the first one to recover from the clash of power, ordered Panpour to aim Water Gun at Pikachu again. Ash, then, smirked to which Cress noticed.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Look around the field. It's damp with water," Ash replied. Everyone then noticed that there were puddles of water in the rocky battlefield as Panpour had used Water Gun after Water Gun earlier, and the water had no way to seep through the ground. Cress's eyes widened as he ordered, "Panpour, Scratch then Mud Sport!"

"Oh no you don't! Pikachu, Counter Shield!"

Everyone blanched as they repeated his order. "Counter Shield?!"

A question formed in everyone's mind as they figured out what kind of move Counter Shield is but it was about to be answered as Pikachu matched Ash's crazed grin which sent shivers down N's spine.

"Pikachuuuuuuuuuu!"

As Panpour neared, Pikachu started to spin around as he used Thunderbolt and yellow sparks were released everywhere. The battlefield lit up like a light show as Pikachu continued spinning, the water conducting electricity, Panpour hit the Counter Shield and was promptly electrocuted. An explosion happened as Panpour got blasted off and hit the ground hard, his eyes in swirls.

There was a silent moment and then Misty cheered as it was clear that Panpour was unable to battle. Chili and Cress were just about to get over from the shock and Cilan's eyes were sparkling as he watched Pikachu and Ash do some sort of victory dance.

Chili coughed next to Cilan which brought him back. "Panpour is unable to battle! As such the winner of the match is Pikachu and Ash from Pallet Town. This Gym battle is decided, the challenger has earned the Trio Badge!"

Ash refused to take the badge, to the surprise of everyone, again. Apparently, this was being surprised by Ash day but Misty resigned to this that now she was back traveling with Ash, it's being surprised by Ash Ketchum every day.

"But you already got two wins!" Iris shouted.

"I already said, I'll be fighting them three!" he replied to which Cilan relented.

"That was something… amazing. Don't you think so? N? N?"

N was snapped out of his stupor at his awe over the skill of Pikachu and Ash. He was sweating, feeling invigorated by the battle that he just witnessed. He then let go of the railings which he just noticed he was squeezing fairly tight during the battle. Ash had won the battle… but why was he still insistent on fighting senseless?

Misty's words rung at the back of his mind.

He genuinely just loves battling because he told me it's the best way to get to know his Pokemon and the Pokemon he's battling against.

N glanced back at Ash and Cilan who sent out Oshawott and Pansage, respectively. Despite his better judgement, N stayed. It was an alien feeling. He actually wanted to stay – and he did – ignoring the tight knot on his stomach which accounted for guilt of being interested to see some trainer's battling.

Iris glanced at Ash, then to Oshawott, then to Rufflet, then to Misty. Misty understood what Iris wanted to ask and she just shrugged. She also didn't know why send out Oshawott against someone whose type was effective rather than send out Rufflet. Well, Misty knew, her time being a gym leader and with Ash that type advantage isn't everything, so she just focused her sight to the ongoing battle.

Iris, resigned, sighed and did the same.

Cilan had went on to a tangent how Oshawott and Ash has a dissonance and lack of affinity with each other, something that Ash felt strongly against. Just because Cilan was a Pokemon connoisseur didn't mean there wouldn't be lapses and oversight. Ash knew Oshawott was just as battle-hungry as he was but merely lacked experience – experience that he will get in this battle.

As Cilan ordered a Solar Beam, Pansage let the sun's energy accumulate on the tuft of his head, before raising his two hands to grab it. Pulling backwards, he shot the beam towards Oshawott's terrified face, light snaking across the battlefield. Everyone in the room thought that the move was the finisher.

"Oshawott, deflect it!"

However, thanks to another show of Ash's quick thinking, Oshawott, despite being terrified, grabbed the scalchop on his stomach and used it as a shield, deflecting the beam upwards – breaking the glass roof of the gym and much to the shock of everyone in the room.

"Now that's a defensive tactic! I've seen quite a few Oshawott in my time, but that's a first!"

Ash exclaimed, "Just you wait, you'll see that my Oshawott's a cut above the rest!"

"Impressive! No point holding back," Cilan complimented and ordered Pansage to use Bullet Seed, which the monkey obliged but was kept deflected by the scalchop.

As Oshawott readied a Razor Shell mid-air, Pansage shot Bullet Seed, making the sea otter panic and lose grip of his scalchop, which flew to the end of the field. Oshawott tried to move his feet and run but he was kept in place by Pansage's Bullet Seed, making it so that he won't reach the scalchop. Cilan went on again, commenting on how simple Ash and Oshawott is, compared to the exquisite aroma he and Pansage had.

"You made a mistake of using Oshawott against a grass-type like Pansage," Cilan commented.

Ash was confident as he said, "Type advantages aren't everything! There's more to Pokemon battles than just type advantages, so don't sell my Oshawott short!"

"Now, now, I think you're becoming desperate, Ash. That sour attitude of yours will spoil Oshawott's battling style," Cilan evaluated.

Ash flashed a smirk and said, "Let's see about that! Oshawott fire a Water Gun at that wall!"

"The wall?!" Everyone repeated. Oshawott looked back at Ash, trying to make sure he heard the right command and Ash just nodded while saying, "Trust me on this one Oshawott!"

Determined, Oshawott aimed his Water Gun on the wall. The water bumped to the wall and shot back as it angled towards a rock, the water ricocheting all over the battlefield, then hitting the scalchop, sending it flying to the air.

"Catch it, Oshawott!" Not even needing the command, Oshawott dashed off to jump and retrieve back his scalchop. Cilan's eyes widened in amazement at another display of skill Ash managed to deliver to him, to them, this day. Oshawott readied another Razor Shell, this time hitting Pansage squarely on its face.

"Pansage, use Bite!"

"Oshawott, Razor Shell!"

The two rushed and charged towards each other, both attacks hitting a blow against each other. They faced away from each other, standing motionless. For a moment, no one moved. Suddenly, Pansage let out a pained whimper and fell to the ground, fainting, to the shock of Cilan and the cheerleaders.

"Yes! We did it, Oshawott!"

Oshawott let out a sigh of relief and allowed himself a smile. Had the battle dragged on any longer, he would pass out himself. Oshawott saw Misty and Iris cheering, together with Larvitar and Gible. Rufflet gave him a look and nod of acknowledgement, to Oshawott's pleasure. The sea otter saw N donning an awestruck face as he released his grip from the railings.

Oshawott would have observed more but the three gym leaders had approached them. Pikachu and Tepig were both back on Ash's side with Oshawott. Pikachu congratulated his teammates.

"Congratulations, guys! You both did well on your gym debut!"

Tepig let out a proud snort. "Thanks!"

Oshawott huffed, "It's only what you can expect from the great Oshawott."

Pikachu only chuckled.

"Well, well, Ash, you trained your Pokemon well. There's no question about your acquisition of the Trio Badge," Cilan said.

"Yeah, not after you floored the three of us in our own gym," Cress quipped.

Chili remarked, "It was a hot battle! Never felt so fired up before!"

Ash grinned as he picked up the badge, two points from each tip shaping into diamonds, the vertical badge made up of three diamonds. Flexing it, he raised his hands and shouted.

"I got the Trio Badge!"