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Rewatched the battle with Erika and realized something. She wasn't the one who forbade Ash from entering the Gym. Her Gym Trainers did, she had no idea. So the majority of the bashing she gets is for something she didn't even do.

That really sucked to realize even though I don't like the anime version of her.

Episode 11

Vine Wrapped

xxxx

"How much longer are we going to sit here?" Gary inquired with a sigh.

"As long as they're eating," Ash replied, his eyes focused on the Rockets. He nearly groaned when the young couple kissed. They've been flirting for an hour! He turned to stare at the Spearow circling the criminals in the sky. Ten minutes, then I'm giving them to Gore and King for target practice. Better yet, it'll be Vulpix.

"Let's just find another spot, I'm sure there's another good one around here," Gary suggested pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Nah, cuz the moment we leave, they're going to move," Janine responded with a shrug.

"She's right, you know," Ash pointed out while patting Bulbasaur's head. The saurian barely noticed, her nervous gaze fixed on the predators in the sky.

"Happens eve~ry time," the girl said with a nod. Crowie squeaked quietly as though in agreement.

"That's ridiculous!" Gary snapped rolling his eyes.

"See! Ya mentioned it and now they're leaving!" Janine intoned with a grin.

"That's a… coincidence," Gary muttered, his eyes wide.

"It's not," the dark-haired girl stated with certainty.

"Can we just dig the damn hole?" Ash interrupted as he rose. Bulbasaur hopped off him and took a few moments to enjoy the sun's rays as she stretched. They turned when Gary released his Diglett and Eevee. Diglett was a mole Pokemon that looked to be about six inches tall, it had a big, pink nose and an extra thumb on each paw. Ash furrowed his brow when the Eevee hid behind Gary's leg. The little fox eyed Bulbasaur as though she was a hungry Houndoom intent on making it her next meal. "What's wrong with your Eevee?" he asked, glancing down at Bulbasaur. The cow tilted her head to the side as she stared at the cowering fox with confusion.

"She reacted the same way to Saur," Janine noted tapping her chin.

"When I found her she looked like she'd been hit by a Vine Whip, so maybe she got into a fight with an Ivysaur or something," Gary said with a furrowed brow as he knelt to lift the shivering vixen. Eevee calmed slightly when the boy began to rub her behind her eyes, but she continued to glare at Bulbasaur.

"Well, I guess she can stand watch then," Ash offered with a shrug. The boy knelt and lifted Bulbasaur onto his shoulder. "Watch the trees for birds and bats," he muttered. The saurian snorted and turned her gaze on the surrounding trees. They're weak, but you don't need to be strong when you have Zubat and Golbat. A cold feeling settled in his stomach. Even if this is the only option we have, it's reckless at best. We slip up and we'll die.

"Can you stand watch?" Gary asked quietly as he stroked the vixen's side gently. Eevee crooned before leaping off his shoulder. "Good girl," the brown-haired boy said with a small smile. "I need you to use Dig as quickly and quietly as possible, and get us under the wall," he told the ground-type mole. Diglett squeaked before scurrying to follow the command.

"I should get me a Nido," Janine mumbled as the mole began to tear into the earth at an unnatural speed. "So one last time, everyone know what to do?" she asked louder.

"Of course!" Gary responded with irritation in his tone. "We try to find Hellfang and Mr. Fuji on our way to the center. When find the center, we defeat the Rockets guarding it and call Sabrina, then try to stay hidden until she can get some trainers here!" he snapped. Ash narrowed his eyes. It seemed he wasn't the only one beginning to understand their situation.

"Just checking," Janine mumbled with a pout.

"I was wondering, wouldn't it be better to split up?" Ash asked glancing at the kunoichi. "You were trained in the ninja arts, so you can probably sneak around without much trouble and find your sister's Houndoom," he continued when she looked confused.

"Yeah, that would work, but the thing is, my Dad would have a hard time getting around Misdreavus and Haunter, and they've definitely got some of them by now," she explained, leaning against a small tree. Ash couldn't help but notice the anxious look the girl was sending the hole that Diglett had disappeared in. "Besides that Rocket from yesterday would be a tough one to beat on my own, if I could beat 'im, and there are some of 'em that are way stronger than him," she finished with a scowl.

"Way stronger than that guy," Gary repeated paling slightly.

"One of their Executives, Archer I think, gave Uncle Eric a lot of trouble back in the day," Janine said after a moment. "And everybody knows how strong Giovanni was," she added quietly averting her eyes.

Ash stiffened and scowled at the name. Twelve years ago Giovanni Mariani was one of the most admired men in the United League. He was so respected, that when the time came for Champion Agatha to retire many Gym Leaders had pushed for him to be her successor. It seemed the entirety of Kanto and Johto had been shocked when the woman selected her adopted son instead. A significant portion of those leaders had considered her selecting Bruno a black mark on an otherwise impressive reign. According to what his grandfather had told him accusations of nepotism were common after the announcement. Of course, no one dared to accuse the Champion to her face.

Ash couldn't find it in himself to fault them for that. Anyone who would take pride in being called the Witch of Lavender was someone to be cautious with. Shortly after the Champion's inauguration Giovanni disappeared for over a year. The hero returned as the leader of Team Rocket. Ash clenched his jaw. That war, those terrible four years… No matter how you slice it was all because he didn't get his way. He felt sick when he came to a realization. Gods, if Agatha had chosen him this region would be under Team Rocket's thumb already.

He blinked when he saw a small hand waving in front of his face. "What?" he snapped crossing his arms over his chest.

"We can go under now!" Janine responded with a small frown as she pointed at the large hole with a proud Diglett in front of it.

"Oh, right, sorry 'bout that," he apologized with a flush.

"We're cool! I'm going in first!" Janine said over her shoulder as she strode to the hole.

"No, my Diglett I'm going in first!" Gary snapped as he and Eevee slid into the hole after Diglett.

"Like kids," the trainer muttered, rolling his eyes. Bulbasaur turned to look at him curiously. "Just remembered something," he whispered. "Will you be okay underground?" Ash asked with a furrowed brow. She warbled and butted his cheek, making the boy wince slightly. I should really try to find her a better influence than Gore.

xxxxx

"I heard they only let themselves be trained by girls," Janine observed tilting her head to the side. Vulpix hissed at Diglett when he tried to approach her. The mole squeaked and scurried away from the vixen when she swiped at him. Fortunately for Ash, Gary's attention was on the sky. He sighed, relieved before turning to observe their surroundings.

Fortunately, the area was deserted and didn't seem to have been used for some time. Actually, that's probably why Janine had us come out here. Well, that was what he inferred from the grime on the windows and the chilly feeling in the area. The white houses of the neighborhood all had purple roofs. He winced when he saw a brown door that looked to have been torn off its house. A Gengar probably ran wild around here.

"Well, it certainly wasn't easy," Ash muttered with a scowl. He yanked Vulpix off the ground when she pawed the ground in front of an unimpressed Wedge. Good thing Gary has so many small Pokemon. He glanced down at Bulbasaur, who was staring at the still glaring Eevee, and then at Vulpix who was glaring at Wedge. "Enough!" he snapped. Vulpix turned away from her victims reluctantly and looked at him. "I need you to make that ghosts don't get the drop on us." The vixen stared at him for a moment before hissing and glancing away.

"We should hide the hole and get out of the open," Janine suggested as she stretched. Crowie flew from her trainer's shoulder to scour the area with her Supersonic. The Zubat flew over the plain white houses twice before soaring back onto Janine's shoulder. "Nothin' at all," the kunoichi announced. "I'm going to have her check behind the wall to be safe." Crowie squeaked petulantly. "Not that I think you missed anything!" the girl added quickly.

"Good idea. Don't you figure that you should release that Venonat about now?" Ash asked. On top of their Supersonic, Venonat had excellent vision, and telekinetic attacks. While her psychic abilities would be a bit limited by the environment, Venonat would still be incredibly helpful.

"I, uh, left her with my Aunt Aya," Janine told him averting her eyes. Gary gave her an odd look, then he shrugged and continued to keep watch.

"Okay," Ash responded with a shrug as he searched for something to cover the hole with. A board would be too obvious and there aren't any doors. Not that it would matter, that would be just as obvious. He shrugged and strode to the door. He lifted the top of the door without much difficulty, but found dragging it to be far more difficult. "Help me out, right?" the boy called to his Pokemon. Bulbasaur scurried to his side with her vines extended while Vulpix sauntered toward him. "Don't rush yourself now, I know you have tons of important things on your mind, princess," Ash muttered rolling his eyes.

The vixen glared at him before lowering herself to help push the door. Ash grunted as they moved the door. If the boys were out this would be easy. He shook his head, dismissing the thought. King's reaction to seeing a strong Rocket would probably be to challenge them. Honorable, but not the best for such a delicate situation. Houndour seemed well-behaved, but he had only been caught last night Ash couldn't completely trust the dog to be quiet. Not that he particularly trusted Vulpix, but he didn't have any other choice at the moment.

Gore was Gore.

The boy snarled as he shoved the door over the hole. Ash coughed when dust flew into his face. "All clear?"

"Yup!" Janine responded with a grin.

"Then, let's go," Gary said, turning to face them "It's already eight and we have an entire town to cover to get to the center," he finished lifting Eevee onto his shoulder. Wedge floated on his other side, while Diglett was returned to his Pokeball.

"Be careful and be quiet," Ash told his Pokemon in a whisper. Vulpix rolled her eyes and trotted in front of him. Bulbasaur remained by his side.

xxxxx

His earlier assumption had been correct. The part of Lavender they had entered in was abandoned. Somehow I pictured something more dramatic. It was smarter to enter the deserted part of the Noble Town though. "Why do we have to patrol here? No one has lived here for years!" a nasally voice demanded quietly. Ash stiffened and glanced down at Bulbasaur. The saurian's ears perked up, then she hissed and nudged his leg. The trainer gulped, he couldn't tell where the voice was coming from. What do I do?

"Hide!" Janine hissed as she and Crowie darted behind a rose bush. Gary and his Pokemon sped behind a bush near her hiding place. Ash glanced to his right, and found an alley. He moved to hide in it, but was cut off by Vulpix. The vixen hit his leg with a paw and pointed to a house with a large, broken window on the other side of the street. The boy looked between her and the alley with a furrowed brow.

"C'mon, ya can't say this isn't stupid!" the nasally voiced complained again, this time far louder than before.

"Shut up and do yer job! Or else the boss'll have your head!" a boyish voice growled. They were getting closer. Vulpix snarled and spat a spark of flame at his foot. He squawked, then turned and sprinted to the house with his Pokemon on his heel.

"Locked," he muttered after trying to open the door. He bent and lifted his Pokemon quickly, drawing a surprised squeak from Vulpix, and rushed to the window. They squawked as Ash tossed them through the window. The boy hissed when a few shards of glass cut into his palms, but managed to push himself onto the windowsill and slide into the house.

Bulbasaur crooned and nudged his injured hand gently. "It's okay, I promise, just be quiet for now," Ash whispered as he lifted her in his lap with his other hand. Vulpix glared at him when he extended a hand to her. "Fine, but be quiet and stay close," he whispered rolling his eyes. The vixen huffed, albeit quietly, and turned her back to him.

"But I still don't get-"

"Look once it's done, it's done! Check the houses!" a new, deeper, older voice interrupted. Ash's breath quickened when he heard boots crunching on gravel near him. "Damn kids these days complain 'bout everything," the man muttered as he turned the door handle. The man snarled when the door wouldn't open and began to turn it more insistently. A Pokeball being opened made him stiffen. The hairs on the back of his neck rose and Bulbasaur burrowed deeper into his side. "Alright then use-" his command was cut off by a screeching sound reminiscent of pieces of metal scraping against each other. "Where the hell did this-"

"Flame Burst! Swift!" Gary barked, making Ash's eyes widen. The boy flinched when he heard the flame explode. The Rocket's Pokemon snarled in a manner that the trainer instinctively knew to fear. This Pokemon's strong. He drew King and Gore's Pokeballs so quickly he nearly dislodged Bulbasaur. He heard Aria hoot a challenge that the Rocket's Pokemon returned with a low growl.

"Magmar, shouldn't be here," the man muttered. The criminal released what he believed to be two Pokemon. "You with me! Mega Punch! Take them alive!" he ordered. A whirring sound not unlike a generator responded before the first creature charged Aria. "And I want you to go back up those two idiots!"

"Energy Ball and Ember," Ash ordered in a whisper. Bulbasaur snorted quietly and crawled out of his lap. Vulpix gave no sign that she heard him, but the temperature rising slightly was all the answer he needed.

"On what?" the Rocket asked in a sly tone as a shadow fell over the boy.

"Crap," the boy muttered. "On him!" he cried. Vulpix shot a spark of flame at the man that he only just managed to evade. "Sleep Powder!" The saurian dispersed her Energy Ball and shot a cloud of green dust at the retreating man. A shriek, then a gust of wind blew the powder away from the man. "Get out there!" Ash barked as he leaped to his feet. He winced as he brushed the shards of glass off the windowsill with his arm. Bulbasaur leaped through the window first with Vulpix a step behind. He glared at the Rocket.

The man was tall and pale with green hair. Unlike the other Rockets he met, with the exception of Jessie and James, he wore a white uniform with a large red R in the middle of it. A brow rose at his hair color. If I did that I think Mom would fry me. The Rocket was scowling at his Pokemon fiercely enough that even Vulpix looked unnerved. He looked up and saw what blew away the Sleep Powder. A giant bat with blue fur and purple wings hovered above the criminal. Across the street Aria, Eevee, and Wedge were fighting with, and struggling with, a large, bipedal electric-type. Its cat-like features yellow, near golden, fur and black stripes made its species clear.

Ash gnashed his teeth. The Electabuzz must've stood at least five feet tall. Its powerful arms were almost as thick as Vulpix, and its legs were only slightly less impressive. Wait, where's the other Pokemon? There was definitely something else here a minute ago. He shook the thought away and released Gore and King. The Piloswine snorted a greeting and King gargled. "We're in a fight!" Ash barked pointing at the Rocket. King flipped toward his opponent with an eager gleam in his dark eyes.

"Air Cutter!" the Rocket snapped. Golbat shrieked as its wings glowed blue, then it flapped them furiously. Several small blades of wind raced at his team with impressive speed. King shot a spray of bubbles and Gore shot a gust of chilly wind. Ash flinched as the frozen bubbles were torn through by the Air Cutter. The trainer blinked when Gore's hair was only ruffled a bit.

Golbat screeched as an orb of purple flame slammed into its right wing and a green orb crashed into its left. "Haze!" the Rocket ordered as the bat spiraled to the earth. Golbat's eyes snapped open and it spat a black fog that completely consumed it.

"Icy Wind and Powder Snow!" Ash ordered with a scowl. Gore and King's chest expanded as they spat gusts of chilly wind at the fog. A massive, blue blade shot out of the Haze with incredible speed. The ice-type moves struggled for a moment, then the Wind Slash tore through the young team's attacks. Gore squealed and leaped away from the attack and King ducked under it.

The blade cut into the frail house, making the trainer cover his face. Ash gulped. It might've torn through the house! No point in staying in here then. That suited him just fine. Hiding behind a wall while his Pokemon did battle didn't suit him anyway. Ash crouched after sliding off the windowsill. He glanced at his brother when Electabuzz roared again. Can't leave him alone with it. "Let's make quick work out of this guy!"

Xxxxxxxx

Gary Oak had been regretting that he'd let himself be talked into coming back to Lavender since he'd made the decision. Great one help me, listening to Ash in a dangerous situation! There's a reason his partner is a pig whose only talent is eating! Electabuzz whirred and shot an impressive blast of electricity at the tiny Eevee. The vixen activated Dig with a squeal. She shrieked when a string of electricity clipped her tail, but seemed mostly unharmed.

Aria and Wedge rushed Electabuzz from opposite sides with fire and lightning wreathing them. The cat Pokemon gave them bored looks as he sidestepped the Spark and Fire Punch with ease. It cocked both of its glowing fists back then he smashed Gary's team with Mega Punch. Why isn't he ordering his Electabuzz too? Does he think Ash is the bigger threat? Gary ground his teeth. "Flame Burst, Sonic Boom!" Gary yelled in his desperation to be heard over the battle.

Electabuzz squared itself with a snarl as a blade of energy and the orb of flame collided with his muscular chest. The beast only gave an annoyed grunt making the boy pale. Then the beast bent his knees and narrowed his eyes. Electricity surged around its body, then Electabuzz thrust his arms to the sky with a roar. Gary flinched when Aria materialized in front of him. He understood why, when an electrical flare that covered their side of the street. His partner extended her arms with a hoot and determined glint in her eyes. Part of the flare surged toward them, but Aria nullified it just before it could hit them. The brown-haired boy licked his lips as the temperature increased. "You okay?" he asked quietly once the attack died down.

The prideful fire-type gave him a glare making Gary hold his hands up. "Try not to teleport too much if you can help it," he suggested as he fell to a knee. He grabbed his necklace and rubbed it. Electabuzz looked more annoyed by Aria's mastery of Air Lens than truly intimidated. Diglett's probably too tired to fight and Abra can't help either. If that's the case, then our only chance would be plan B. I just hope Wedge isn't going to pull a Gore. "It's time to try Instant Burst, use it on my mark," Gary ordered his gray-eyes narrowed.

Aria hooted excitedly and punched the air a few times heating it as she did. Electabuzz roared and charged the smaller Pokemon. The Magmar met his charge with glee. She wove under the comparative giant's Mega Punch and slammed a flaming fist into its side. The great electric-type hissed and swung wildly at Aria. His punch was cut off by a blade of white energy becoming acquainted with his back. Eevee burst from the earth with a growl and shot the yellow stars of Swift at the same place. Gary smirked smugly. Even an adult Electabuzz can't stand up to my team!

Electabuzz howled and flailed at his comparatively tiny opponents. Eevee dove underground again, Aria teleported away, but Wedge had no such means of escape. The magnet shrieked as it was thrown into the air by the beast's punch. "Can you fight?" Gary demanded his eyes locked on the now furious Electabuzz. I get the feeling we may have only just pissed him off. Wedge responded with a grinding sound that Gary, to his disappointment, still couldn't fully understand. The boy may not have understood it, but he received his answer when the magnet flew back into the battle with a determined shriek.

Xxxxxxx

Ash furrowed his brow when the Rocket released another Pokemon. The Pokemon was a large, black dog with white horns that curved back in a manner reminiscent of a ram's. It had two bones wrapped around each of its legs and another three on its back. A Houndoom? There has to be some irony there. I figure this is his last Pokemon, so it's best to be sharp. He tugged on the bill of his hat as his mind ran through scenarios. The majority ended one way. Unfortunately, that way wasn't in his favor.

With a fire-type on the field Bulbasaur was now at two disadvantages. To make matters worse, its attacks could overheat Gore. A ham joke came to him then, but he shook it away. "Girls you get Golbat, it's halfway done, so it should be easy," the trainer muttered glancing in their direction. Vulpix sniffed and Bulbasaur barked as they turned to the hissing bat. Starting to look like Houndour might be necessary here. But I don't know if I can depend on him yet. Houndoom barked and spat a stream of flame at Gore which the Piloswine returned with his Icy Wind. To Ash's horror, the flame quickly began to overwhelm the powdery wind. "Rapid Gun!"

King chirped and fired three streams of cold water into the fire-type's side. The Water Guns tore at the dog's skin, drawing blood and a yelp. Gore squealed and charged the stumbling hound. "Flame Burst! Gust, don't let yourself get hit!" the Rocket snapped with a snarl. Houndoom spat an orb of flame that exploded in the Piloswine's face. The boar tripped and squealed angrily as he shook his head rapidly. The dark-type inhaled to shoot another stream of flame when a rippling orb of water crashed into his side. Houndoom gave a surprised bark as he was knocked onto his side by King's Water Pulse.

"Mud Shot!" Ash whispered, with a grin. The fire-type shot a stream of flame, but it was overwhelmed easily by his partner's forceful stream of mud. The dog rolled away from the attack before leaping to its feet with a snarl. Mud attacks could suffocate fire attacks, and in the case of Piloswine, lower a fire-type's body temperature. Thank the gods for Dexter. King strode up to Gore and waved his claws at the large fire-type. "I'm going to help the girls," he muttered, knowing Gore could hear him. A moment later the swine snorted something at King quietly.

When Gore received a hiss, Ash turned to the other battle. He twitched when a surge of heat and a flash of electricity made themselves known. He ignored his brother's struggle in favor of his own. I can't help him right now, if I'm dead. Still, he found a part of him ached to help the boy he had grown up with.

He was relieved to see Vulpix and Bulbasaur weren't hurt, aside from the odd scratches caused by Air Cutter, and looked more frustrated than anything. Golbat seemed content to evade their attacks until one of its allies could help it. Even grown Grass-type's don't have much that can work on a flying Pokemon, so it's up to Vulpix to seal the deal here. He narrowed his eyes when the bat evaded another Ember and Energy Ball with ease. Ash sighed, there wasn't any other choice. He released Houndour.

Houndour barked and licked his face enthusiastically. "Look I love you too! Now go get that Golbat!" Ash snapped. Houndour blinked, and sniffed the air. "Ignore the Houndoom!" he barked pushing the dog toward the girls' fight. The dark Pokemon whined, but ran to join the fight obediently. Ash glanced at the Rocket. The green-haired man was barking orders at his Electabuzz who looked to have been struggling with Aria, Wedge, and Eevee. King shrieking and Gore squealing made him flinch. "Make sure you use Mud Shot and don't use ice moves!"

"Houndour, keep using Ember! Vulpix use regular Ember from the other side, Bulbasaur, Sleep Powder and Vine Whip!" Ash commanded in a rush. Vulpix and the dog shot barked, then they shot small flames at the Golbat. Bulbasaur squared herself before firing a large cloud of green dust into the air. Golbat screeched as its wings were consumed by a blue glow and flapped its wings.

The Air Cutter sliced through the Ember attack with ease. Houndour squeaked, while Vulpix used Quick Attack to dodge, and shot a far larger flame at the blades of wind. Ash covered his face, when the flame touched the Sleep Powder, and exploded. Golbat shrieked as it was consumed by the explosion. Ash uncovered himself with wide eyes and stared at the smoke that surrounded Golbat. We should probably not use fire with that again. At least, not until we practice with it more. "Good job! Now go ge-" Golbat burst from the smoke with a shriek of fury and wind enclosing its wings.

The bat smacked Vulpix away with a wing, sending her tumbling several yards away. It turned toward Houndour with a snarl only to receive a green orb blasted into its back. ""Use Bite on its wings!" Ash screamed as the bat tried to take flight. Houndour barked and charged the bat, but Ash knew he wouldn't make it. Bulbasaur raced past the dog with a white glow surrounding her. The poison-type squeaked, more in surprise than pain, as the saurian rammed it and knocked it onto its back.

Houndour leaped onto the bat with a bark. Bulbasaur flinched at the sound and jumped when the fire-type dug his fangs into the bat's right wing. Ash narrowed his eyes as the dog began to shake his head furiously. "Enough!" Ash roared as he sprinted to the dog. The black dog snapped to him with a snarl. Green vines wrapped around the dog's throat, making him squeak and flail. "Release him!" Ash barked as he slid to a stop next to Bulbasaur. The saurian mewled as she glanced between Ash and Houndour. "For me," the boy said, rubbing her bulb.

Bulbasaur unwrapped her vines slowly. The dog whined and sucked air in desperate gulps. "You okay?" Ash inquired as Vulpix she trotted up to him favoring her left front paw. The vixen gave him a deadpan look and pointed to her ball with a tail. "You did great," the boy muttered as he recalled her and the still gasping Houndour. Looks like I'll need to have a talk with him later. Ash flinched when Aria gave a pained shriek. "We gotta go help, the boys," the raven-haired trainer declared, rising. The saurian snorted an agreement.

Xxxxx

Gary released Diglett with a frown. The mole squeaked a greeting as he took in his surroundings. The ground-type's eyes seemed to pop out of his skull when he saw Electabuzz. "I'm not telling you to fight him. I want you to use Dig under him, and don't come out until you've made a big tunnel," the trainer said peering into the mole's brown eyes. Diglett's eyes lit up at the command. "Come out a few feet away from the tunnel right?" Gary barked as the ground-type dug into the earth at an unnatural pace.

The boy winced when Aria took a Mega Punch to the chest. That's going to ache tomorrow. If there is a tomorrow for us. Electabuzz howled and charged the disoriented fire-type. Wedge shot a silver stream of energy into his side that made him snarl. He turned toward the magnet with bared fangs. Wedge stared back, unintimidated and unimpressed. Eevee shot out from beneath the electric titan and bit him with jaws consumed by dark energy.

"Thunderbolt!" the Rocket snapped with a grin. Electabuzz shrieked and threw his arms in the air as he was wreathed in electricity.

"No," Gary whispered as his brave, little Eevee squeaked and shrieked in agony. Aria burst into view with a flaming fist cocked back. Electabuzz could only squeak as she slammed it into his jaw. Then, Wedge rammed the beast's ribs with Spark. The two hopped and floated away respectively from his wild punches. The difference between an adult Electabuzz and a newly evolved Magmar is bigger than I thought! He bit his lip and rubbed his necklace again. Aria just can't hurt him! If only she were a year older… He had to hope Diglett was swift enough. His eyes snapped open when he heard a bloodthirsty bark. Gary crouched beneath the flare of flame that soared over his head and exploded on impact.

Gary wiped the sweat from his brow. The Houndoom's Flame Burst had only just missed him. "Ash tell your Bulbasaur to stop running in this direction! And you focus on Electabuzz!" he barked when Aria glared at Houndoom.

"Confusion!" his green-haired opponent snapped. Electabuzz thrust its arm out and sent a wave of pink energy at the distracted Magmar. Aria howled as she was sent tumbling back. Electabuzz thrust its arm at the fire-type again with a howl of victory. Wedge in front of the Confusion and narrowed his eye. The magnet flinched and was sent back a yard when psychic energy slammed into him, but didn't look to be hurt by the attack.

Wedge, Mirror Shot!" The magnet shrieked and shot a small, silver blast at its opponent. Electabuzz snarled and batted it away with only a small wince.

"Enough! Finish them! Houndoom you too!" the Rocket yelled scowling in disgust. The bipedal tiger's body was covered by a layer of electricity as it darted toward the team. Wedge stood its ground and blasted Sonic Boom after Sonic Boom at Electabuzz who covered himself with his muscular arms. It was at that moment that Diglett sprang from the earth and shot a spray of mud at the electric-type's feet. Electabuzz stumbled, then he fell when the mole used Scratch on his leg.

"Instant Burst!" Gary roared.

"Get up!" the Rocket screamed, his face as green as his hair when Aria flared her flames. The Magmar rematerialized behind the Electabuzz with a howl and shot an orb of flame into his neck. The Flame Burst exploded and Electabuzz screeched before its arms gave out. "Ho-Houndoom finish them Flame Charge!" the man stuttered, taking a step back.

Houndoom barked and stopped its feet as flames surrounded it. Then, the earth beneath it gave out. Ash's Krabby chirped and shot Water Gun after Water Gun into the trapped hound's side, making it hiss. A green orb and a large chunk of ice bombarded the hound from the other. A moment passed, then, Houndoom fell. Ash grinned and Gary smiled. So that's where Diglett dug the hole eh?

xxxxx

You guys remember Bulbasaur's first fight? Cause Eevee sure as hell remembers.

Also the name of Lyra's partner is supposed to be pronounced. (EE-fe) or (W) (EE-fyuh)

I rewatched Ash vs Paul at Lake acuity for some ideas. Didn't really help, but it was cool.

Would have been absolutely hilarious if Monferno learned Air Lens after evolving. Seriously I'm sitting here thinking Paul was on his way to flawless victory, but with Air Lens Electabuzz would've been beaten down like an Elekid by Monferno. Which would mean he, the Pokemon threw Paul away, would have owned his Electabuzz and likely would have defeated another couple Pokemon.

As far as six on six battles go, I have to say Ash vs Drake is my favorite. Pretty decent strategy, a reasonably powerful opponent who didn't feel like the creators were doing him favors - Paul I'm looking at you - and great use of the field.