"Alright, there's the gym." Ash said, as the trio approached the building on the shore of Humilau City.
"Doesn't this gym look like it goes a bit too far out?" Rosa asked, looking at how far into the water it went.
"It's probably just to save land space, most of the buildings are on the water out here." Elliot pointed out.
"I'm sure you guys are just overthinking things." Ash reassured, opening the doors to the gym. "Or this gym is a set of docks and buoys in the ocean."
"You weren't kidding about water gyms being unique in their layout." Rosa admitted.
"Hello there, are you three here for a gym battle?" A man asked, swimming over to a ladder by them.
"Uhh, yeah, my names Ash Ketchum and I'm here for my eighth gym badge." Ash said.
"Oh I know who you are." The man said, pulling himself out of the water in a single move. "I've seen your first three movies."
"Cool, so I'm guessing you're the gym leader?" Ash asked.
"That's right, names Marlon, and in my gym, water types run free." Marlon said with a smirk. "So you said this would be your eighth gym badge?"
"That's right." Ash said.
"Well congratulations on making it this far, and thank you for picking my gym for your final badge." Marlon said as he walked around to the other side of the arena. "If your friends want them, I have some ponchos, but they don't tend to help with how wild my battles tend to get." Marlon said, pointing to a bucket.
"So Marlon, what are the rules for this fight?" Ash asked.
"The rules are simple, four on four, only you can switch out, and of course, the last standing Pokemon wins the match." Marlon said. "Now as gym leader, I'll go first. And since I like to start things big, come out Wailord."
"That thing is massive!" Rosa exclaimed, seeing the water type taking up a large portion of the water area of the gym.
"What were you expecting?" Elliot asked.
"I don't know, I know we saw some on our way here but those were wild ones." Rosa said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said, ready to go into the battle.
"Hold on buddy." Ash said.
"Pi!" Pikachu argued.
"I know you want to fight, this is literally your best matchup, but I want to keep you for when he pulls out his ace." Ash said with confidence.
"Pi!" Pikachu said excitedly, knowing he'd be the one in the final match.
"Now come on out Serperior!" Ash called out, the water type landing and wrapping around a buoy. "Use Leaf Storm!"
"Wailord use Rain Dance!"
Wailord let out a roar, a rain storm coming down from the ceiling as Serperior flicked his tail, sending a storm of leaves straight at Wailord's head.
"That was smart of Ash to lead with a Leaf Storm and Serperior." Elliot commented.
"Yeah, but with how big Wailord is, he pushed all the platforms around, Serperior can't get close." Rosa said.
"Not a problem for us! Serperior use another Leaf Storm!"
"Wailord use Ice Beam!"
Wailord opened his mouth, sending a freezing beam out as the damp air in the arena cooled, slowing down Serperior's attack enough to allow the water type to dive out of the way.
"Serperior after them! Use Aqua Tail!"
"After them how?" Rosa asked, as Serperior dove into the water.
"Like that I guess." Elliot responded, surprised at how easily Serperior moved underwater before striking their tail into Wailord, creating a wave on the surface.
"Wailord use Scald!"
"Serperior dodge it!"
Wailord let out a wave of energy, heating up the water around him and by extent Serperior, causing the grass type to fling back out of the now heated water.
"Serperior are you alright?" Ash asked.
"Perior." Serperior said as confident as ever.
"Take a break for now." Ash said, calling the grass type back. "Lucario let's do this! Use Thunder Punch!"
"Wailord use Scald!"
Lucario dove through the blast of scalding water as Wailord surfaced, only to be struck by the Thunder punch right on its back, sending sparks across the massive water type.
"Lucario use Aura Sphere!" Ash called out.
Lucario sent out a ball of yellow aura, slamming into the recovering Wailord as it's floating became stagnant.
"Wailord return you were amazing." Marlon said. "I didn't expect to see a Serperior that could swim, I'll give you that, but let's see if that Lucario of your can fight my next Pokemon. Come on out Mantine!"
"Another fish like Pokemon?" Rosa asked in confusion.
"It is a water gym." Elliot said.
"Yeah but Dewott's a water type and not a fish." Rosa pointed out.
"Mantine is a lot more than a water type." Ash said. "Lucario return! Dewott you're up!"
"Why'd he switch in Dewott over Lucario or switching back to Serperior?" Rosa asked.
"It's because Mantine isn't just a water type, they're also flying types." Marlon explained. "At least Dewott can keep up in the water."
"That's the plan." Ash said with confidence. "Dewott use Razor Shell!"
"Wott!" Dewott exclaimed, launching his scalchop at Mantine, the calcium piece slicing across the top of the water, striking across Mantine.
"Mantine use Air Slash!"
Mantine swam around, leaping into the air and spinning over Dewott and his platform, striking the side and sending Dewott into the water.
"Dewott you've got this!" Ash said, tossing the extra scalchop into the water.
"Dewott!" Dewott said leaping out of the water and grabbing it before diving back in.
"Mantine, you can handle him." Marlon said.
Mantine swept down to the base of the arena where Dewott stood, now dual wielding his scalchops.
"Wott! Wott!" Dewott exclaimed, launching both of his scalchops around in arch formations as Mantine used its higher speeds in the water to dodge out of the way, before sending out a signal from their antennae, confusing Dewott as he was struck twice by both of his scalchops that were returning.
"Dewott are you okay?!" Ash asked as his water type was launched back out of water, his scalchops floating to the surface.
"Dewott return." Ash called out. "Guess I was hoping for too much for you to be able to handle this one too. Pikachu I need you to come out!"
"Pika Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed, running onto a platform.
"Use Thunderbolt!"
"Mantine use Scald!"
Mantine leapt out of the water, sending out a blast of hot water, easily outmaneuvering Pikachu's bolt of electricity.
"Pikachu, use your tail as a conductor!" Ash called out.
"What's his plan with that?" Rosa asked.
"I think I get it." Elliot said, as Pikachu dipped his tail into the water.
"Now Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash called out.
"Mantine get out of there!" Marlon called out.
"But wait, that's the ocean, he can't electrify all of it." Rosa pointed out.
"I don't need to, just enough of the arena to either stop or trap Mantine." Ash said, as the area electrified with Pikachu's attack, leaving The flying type slowly circling above. "Now Mantine can't attack without loosing altitude and can't go into the water without getting zapped."
"Mantine use Ice Beam!"
Mantine sent out a beam, freezing the surface of the arena, allowing them to land.
"Pikachu break free with Iron Tail!" Ash called out.
Pikachu flipped out of the frozen ice, breaking out with his Iron Tail attack.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Mantine dodge it." Marlon called out.
Pikachu sent out a bolt of electricity as Mantine skidded across the ice, only to slide right into the bolt of electricity, knocking them out.
"Mantine you were fantastic, come on back." Marlon said. "Now Carracosta come out!"
"Pikachu take five." Ash said, recalling the electric type. "Now Serperior come on out!"
Serperior landed on one of the platforms, avoiding slipping on the icy surface.
"Carracosta use Shell Smash!"
"Serperior use Energy Ball!"
Serperior flicked his tail, sending an energy ball out at Carracosta, only for the large turtle like Pokemon to release a burst of energy and quickly moving out of the way.
"Carracosta use Rock Slide!"
"Serperior use Aqua Tail!"
Carracosta slid across the ice, sending out a flurry of rocks out at Serperior who could do nothing but defend himself against the onslaught.
"Serperior use Wring Out!"
"Carracosta use Shell Smash!"
Serperior lunged at Carracosta, wrapping themselves quickly around the turtle Pokemon and squeezing as the energy bursted out once more from it's shell.
"Carracosta use Crunch!"
"Serperior use Leaf Storm!"
"Hey Elliot, what does Shell Smash do exactly?" Rosa asked.
"It's a trade off move, it lowers the users physical and special defenses in return for raising their physical attack, special attack, and speed." Elliot explained.
"So with two of those, Carracosta's defenses are nearly gone." Rosa said.
"I doubt it, but it's speed and strength are incredibly increased as much as it's defenses have been lowered." Elliot pointed out as both Serperior and Carracosta were momentarily obscured by the swirling leaves.
"Wait, I think I can see something." Rosa said, as the leaves cleared, showing Carracosta and Serperior collapsed on the ground in defeat.
"Carracosta return." Marlon said, holding out his Pokeball. "You were great, now come on out Jellicent!"
"Serperior, thanks for your help." Ash said, recalling his grass type. "Now Pikachu, lets end this! Use Charge Beam!"
"Jellicent use Energy Ball!"
The large blue jellyfish sent out an energy ball that came from his mustache as Pikachu fired a piercing beam of electricity through the orb and striking Jellicent at the same time as Pikachu was knocked back by the energy ball.
"Elliot, the arena, look!" Rosa said in shock, seeing the water splash a bit as Pikachu rolled backwards. "It's melting."
"Meaning that Pikachu is on a short timer before he has very little space to fight." Elliot commented.
"Pikachu use Charge Beam!"
"Jellicent use Shadow Ball!"
Charge Beam once more pierced through Jellicent's orb like attack before striking the water type as Pikachu was thrown back from the shadow ball, the ice cracking apart.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Jellicent use Scald!"
Pikachu sent a bolt of electricity straight forward, destroying the shot of hot water as it zapped Jellicent, causing the water type to shudder and dip slightly.
"One last time, use Thunderbolt!"
"Use Shadow Ball!"
Pikachu leapt into the air, dodging Jellicent's shadow ball before counter firing a Thunderbolt straight down on Jellicent, knocking them out.
"Jellicent return, you were great." Marlon said, before walking back around to Ash. "As were you Ash and Pikachu. That was a wonderful battle we had."
"Thank you Marlon." Ash said.
"And of course, in recognition of your victory, I present you with this, the Wave Badge, and with it you now are viable to enter the Vertress Conference." Marlon said.
"That's great Ash!" Rosa cheered.
"Do you know how we can get to the Vertress Conference?" Elliot asked.
"Of course, head west until you reach the badge gates, after that just follow the path to the plateau." Marlon said calmly.
"Wait, Marlon." Ash said pausing. "Brycen had me come here specifically to fight you, rather than himself, do you know why that might have been?" Ash asked.
"Hard to say, I'm still a new leader myself, but if Brycen wanted you to come and fight me then he must have wanted you to enjoy you final gym battle before the league." Marlon said casually. "Either way, I wish you the best of luck in the league."
"Thanks again Marlon, hopefully we'll see you around." Ash said, as he and the others left.