Chapter 10 Sepertine Gym Battle

The next morning, Ash and Alice finally arrive at the gym for the gym challenge.

Alice gives some advice, "Ash, I want to give you a tip. Donna uses Poison-Type Pokémon. This means that Grass-type and Bug-type attacks don't work well against her, so be careful. And she will be using three Pokémon for her battles."

Ash smiles, "Okay, thanks."

Alice is captivated by Ash's smile, which captures her heart. She smiles back, giving him the courage he needs to defeat the gym. Once they step inside, they see that the gym is designed like a maze, made of bushes adorned with red and white roses.

Ash admires the scenery, "Hey Alice, those roses sure are beautiful."

Just as Ash is about to approach the roses, Alice quickly grabs his hand to stop him.

She warns, "Well, the gym here sure looks like a maze of rose hedges and trees. Ash, be careful not to get poisoned by their thorns. But I am sure that you can make it."

Ash nods, "Okay. I'll be careful."

Both of them blush at how close they are to each other. At that moment, Donna approaches them from the other side of the battlefield.

Donna greets them with a smile, "Oh hey, Ash, hey Alice! I'm glad you came! Did I miss something?"

Ash and Alice quickly break out of their close position, both blushing in embarrassment. Donna notices but decides to brush it off, not wanting to pry.

Donna gestures around, "Well, this is the gym... well, my gym, I guess. It used to belong to my dad, so I just started growing my roses here."

Ash nods in approval, "I can tell, and you really did a good job."

Donna smiles warmly, "I've loved Poison-type Pokémon since I was born. They can be tough, but beautiful, too. Just like every rose has its thorns! Let's do our best, okay? Choose up to three Pokémon for our battle, and we should get started! Here is my first Pokémon! Tadart!"

As she sends out her first Pokémon, a half-tadpole, half-frog-like creature with a leaf attached to the tip of its tail appears.

Ash observes the leaf on the tail and thinks aloud, "I have to guess that it is not only a Poison Type but also a Grass Type. So, Budcheep! I choose you!"

As Budcheep appears, it flies into the air and growls. Just as the match begins, Tadart suddenly disappears inside the maze.

Donna commands, "Camouflage is now set, first, Leaf Darts while moving!"

Ash quickly yells, "Budcheep, dodge it!"

But because Tadart's color is very similar to the bushes, Budcheep can't see where the attack is coming from, and it gets hurt.

Ash grits his teeth, "Budcheep, Wing Attack on the hedges!"

Budcheep manages to cut through the hedges and hits Tadart, sending it backward.

Ash smiles, "Nice job, Budcheep."

Budcheep tries to cheer, but suddenly falls in agony. Ash notices a purple tint on Budcheep's face and realizes what's happening.

Ash exclaims, "What? You got poisoned, but how?"

Donna smirks, knowing exactly what's going on.

She explains, "Every Gym Leader in the Rikoto Region has field effects on their side. For example, the maze is also poisonous, so I would think twice if I were you. Tadart! Use Growl!"

Ash sees Tadart charging its attack. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

Ash says with determination, "I know, Alice told me about this." He opens his eyes wide with determination. "But I can still do this. Use Sing!"

The two Pokémon battle with their voices, but in the end, Budcheep's Sing goes through the attack, causing Tadart to fall asleep.

Donna, worried, exclaims, "Oh no..."

Ash seizes the opportunity, "Time to deliver the final attack! Finish it with Echoed Voice!"

Budcheep continues to growl, with the attack growing more powerful each time. Tadart eventually can't hold on and faints.

Donna recalls her fainted Pokémon, "Tadart, return!" She looks at Ash with determination. "I have to admit, I am impressed with your skills, but here is my second Pokémon. Spidox!"

A black spider-like Pokémon appears on the field, with a red "H" marking on its back. Ash glances at Budcheep, noticing that it is still poisoned.

Ash looks at Budcheep with concern, "Budcheep, do you want to continue?"

Budcheep nods, determined despite the pain from the poison. Ash nods back, "Now, Budcheep, give him a Peck!"

Donna quickly counters, "No, you won't. Dodge it and then use String Shot!"

Spidox jumps onto the hedge and shoots out silk. Ash gasps as the poison continues to affect Budcheep, preventing it from dodging the upcoming attack. In the end, Budcheep gets tangled in the silk and is thrown to the ground, fainted.

Ash recalls Budcheep, "Return, Budcheep, you deserve a good rest."

Alice watches from the stands with Pikachu. Pikachu frowns at the sight of Ash losing his first Pokémon. Alice reassures him, "Don't worry, Pikachu. Right now, it's only a tie." She rubs Pikachu's ears, causing him to squeal with enjoyment. "Ash has two more Pokémon, and so does Donna... I wonder how it will go."

Ash, determined, throws another Pokéball, "Moonky! I choose you!"

As the monkey Pokémon appears, it roars, ready for battle.

Donna observes, "Ah, the same Moonky that you captured yesterday. It is a Psychic-Type, a good type match-up for Poison Types. But you do know that Spidox is also a Bug Type, which has an advantage over Psychic Types, right?"

Ash nods, "I know, but I believe I can win as well. Moonky, let's start with Confusion!"

Donna counters, "Dodge it and then use Bite!"

Spidox successfully bites Moonky's arm, and Moonky gets poisoned by the Poison Touch ability.

Ash groans, "Oh man... Now even Moonky is poisoned as well?"

Donna smirks, "My Gym is a Poison Gym, and Poison is my favorite. Now bind him!"

Spidox clings tightly to Moonky's arm, and Moonky struggles to shake it off.

Ash thinks aloud, "Damn it, now it's going to be just like Budcheep... what should I do?" He notices the trees in the gym and suddenly comes up with an idea. "Those trees are poisonous, so I couldn't risk Moonky... wait... Moonky is already poisoned." A smirk forms on his face. "Moonky! I have a plan! Use Agility and swing on those trees."

Moonky grins, and Donna looks confused. Moonky starts jumping on and off the trees, spinning around like a wild monkey, causing Spidox to get dizzy.

Donna, panicking, shouts, "Quick, Bite him and slow him down!"

Spidox bites down harder, causing Moonky to lose balance and fall off the tree, much to everyone's surprise. In the end, both Pokémon are found lying on the ground, fainted, with Moonky on top of Spidox.

Donna recalls her Pokémon, "Return, Spidox..." She nods in acknowledgment. "That was a crazy idea. Since Moonky was already poisoned, the trees didn't affect him, and then he used nature to attack my Pokémon. Nice thinking."

Ash smiles, "Thanks, but we still have one more Pokémon to go."

Donna throws her Pokéball with style, "You're right. Here is my final Pokémon, Feva!"

The final Pokémon appears on the field, and Ash takes a good look at it. It looks like a small girl with purple hair and a purple dress.

Ash, intrigued, says, "Since you showed me a Pokémon I've never seen before, it's only natural that I do the same. Here I go, Gardevoir!"

As Gardevoir appears, Alice is surprised at Ash's choice.

Alice asks in surprise, "Wait, you're using Gardevoir already?"

Donna gasps in awe, "I've never seen a Gardevoir before, but I can tell that it's strong."

Ash nods, "She is strong, of course. After all, she is one of the Pokémon I brought here from another region."

Donna remains determined, "I see, but we will use this move to our advantage. Feva, use Fever!"

As Feva shoots out the move, Gardevoir suddenly becomes ill. Ash notices that, instead of the usual purple indicating poison, Gardevoir's face has turned red.

Ash, surprised, exclaims, "Wait, Gardevoir is burned..."

Pikachu, puzzled, asks, "Burn? Not Poison? I thought this was the Poison Gym..."

Alice sighs, "No, this move is her specialty. It inflicts a burn instead of poison. But it's just as serious."

Ash encourages Gardevoir, "Gardevoir, I know you can hold on." Gardevoir nods, determined. "Use Future Sight."

Gardevoir's eyes glow as the Future Sight is set, now waiting for the right time to strike.

Donna, unfazed, commands, "Let me give you a Punishment for that Future Sight."

Feva strikes Gardevoir hard. Gardevoir falls but manages to get back up, showing her resilience.

Donna presses on, "Use Fever again!"

Ash quickly responds, "Teleport as quickly as you can!"

Donna urges Feva, "Don't let her escape!"

Gardevoir and Feva engage in a fast-paced game of dodge, with Gardevoir successfully evading Feva's attacks. Donna grows frustrated as Feva begins to tire.

Ash seizes the moment, "Now this is the end. The Future Sight is unleashing its power!"

Donna gasps as the powerful Psychic-Type move descends from the air and strikes Feva, causing it to faint.

Donna gently hugs Feva, "I am sorry, Feva. I need a bit more training..."

Ash hugs Gardevoir, but notices Gardevoir struggling due to the fever. "I'm sorry that you still have your fever." He quickly uses a Burn Heal on Gardevoir. "Take a good rest," he says as he recalls the Pokémon.

Donna also recalls her Feva and then walks toward Ash.

"Even though I lost, that was a good battle! I've got a lot more to learn, it seems. I'm happy to give you this," Donna says with a smile. "That's the official Gym Badge of Serpentine City, the Thorn Badge!"

She shows the badge, which has a pink circle with purple thorns on the outside. Ash takes the badge and thanks her. Alice and Pikachu come down to the battlefield from the stands, and Pikachu hops onto Ash's shoulder, nuzzling him.

Ash laughs, "Stop it, Pikachu. It tickles." He pets Pikachu affectionately.

Alice walks up to Ash and smiles, "Congratulations, Ash. You won against your first gym in this region."

Ash thanks her, "Thanks, I couldn't have done it without your help." Alice blushes after hearing his comment.

She turns around shyly, "It was nothing... You were the one battling, not me..."

Donna, observing them, comments playfully, "You know, you two really look like a couple. Maybe you should become one."

Both Ash and Alice blush even redder at the suggestion. Before things can become more awkward, Rodney walks into the gym.

Alice, surprised, asks, "Rodney? What are you doing here?"

Rodney greets them, "Oh, hey, Ash, Alice. So, Ash, how did your battle go?" He notices the badge in Ash's hand. "You won? Wow! That's a cool badge!"

Donna smiles, "So you're my next challenger? I'll accept your challenge."

Rodney nods, "Oh, and you should head back over to the Trainer's School and see what Mr. Bella has for you after winning the gym match. I'll catch you later!"

Ash and Alice nod, and they make their way to the Trainer's School. When they arrive, they find Mr. Bella teaching students about battling.

Mr. Bella notices them and smiles, "Ah, you're back... And what's that? The Gym Badge! Congratulations! Now, as I said before, I will give you something that will help you on your journey. But seeing as how you managed to get the Gym Badge so easily, I'd like you to battle my students. It may help you, as well as them, become better trainers. After defeating them, I'll give you that special item I promised."

Ash and Alice agree to help, and after defeating four students with ease, they return to Mr. Bella.

Mr. Bella nods approvingly, "Well, well, you've beaten all of my students! As promised, here is your reward for beating them!"

He hands Ash a pair of Clippers. Ash takes them, looking confused.

Ash asks, "What can we do with this?"

Mr. Bella explains, "Simple. Your next destination will be Crestlight City, which you'll need to reach by going through Dullfern Forest. Believe me, there are a lot of spider webs on the way."

Alice thanks him, "Okay. Thanks for the gift." She leaves with Ash.

Ash gets his first badge in the Rikoto Region, and what challenges will come after they arrive at Dullfern Forest? Find out in the next chapter.