Let's get the last part of this two-parter going, shall we?
Chapter 13: The Nacerene Gym battle Pt 2 and Training.
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
Ash and the others just left the Pokemon center while Ash was concerned about Oshawott, not just Snivy, especially after all that. Ash sees the Battle Club that Lenora mentioned the other day. Ash, Misty, and Brock entered the Battle Club and saw Don George.
"Welcome, you three. Lenora told me that you were coming here to train," Don George said to Ash and the others, who figured that Lenora asked Don George for help with Ash's team. Don showed Ash around the training facility and saw a greenhouse. The heat inside of the greenhouse felt good on Snivy's scales as she jumped off Ash's shoulders and coiled herself up to the warmth.
"We're not on vacation, Snivy. You can relax later?" Ash said to Snivy, who moaned as Don walked over to Ash.
"Let her stay here for the time being, Ash. We'll train with her later; she is more experienced than Oshawott. Who needs it more?" Don George suggested to Ash, who sighed and nodded as Snivy smiled at this and enjoyed the greenhouse. On the other hand, Pikachu was looking at her beauty for some reason. This made her cute. Ash and Don arrived at the pool area meant for water-type Pokemon. "This is the pool area. It is used to teach many water-type Pokemon various moves from the usual water gun to hydro pump," Don George explains to Ash, who nods at this and lets Oshawott out of his ball, who looks better than he did yesterday.
"Hey, Oshawott, how are you feeling after yesterday's battle?" Ash asked Oshawott, who looked up, smiling at Ash, trying to put on a brave face.
"Oh, who am I kidding, Ash? I'm still shaken from that Thunderbolt and am hoping to get better against that," Oshawott said to Ash, who noticed that Oshawott wanted to get better and win this gym battle. Oshawott looked at the pool of water and dove right in, and did backstrokes in the pool.
"This isn't a swimming pool Oshawott. We are here to train," Ash said to Oshawott, who snapped out of it in his relaxation of the pool, heard a slight chuckle, and saw a familiar Servine Trip's Servine.
"You know how to amuse me, Oshawott," Servine walked over to the pool, trying to be excellent. Oshawott sighed at this and tried to ignore him. "Look, I'm not here to fight, and I want to try and be friends again, especially after I heard what happened to you," Servine said nicely, which Oshawott sighed and swam towards him.
"You know that I'm still mad at you, Servine, and I'll play nice, but right now, our friendship is rocky, you know that," Oshawott said to Servine, who sighed at this as he knew that something had happened to their friendship but didn't know what.
"You two can chat later, Oshawott. Until then, you can start training," Ash said to both starters, who nodded at this as Servine left the pool area. "Alright, Oshawott, let's get started, shall we?" Ash said to Oshawott, who nodded in determination to this.
"You should join with him, Ash, as this training is done for the trainer and the Pokemon?" Don George said as Ash went to change and saw Snivy walking back to where the pool was just in time for Ash to get into his swimsuit.
"Now there's something you don't see daily, your trainer in his swimwear? I thought you were training with Oshawott, not taking a dip in the pool Ash?" Snivy said while crossing her arms upon seeing this, which made Ash embarrassed at what she said.
"Don George asked me to participate in this with Oshwaott. Why don't you come with me to see how it's going, Snivy?" Ash asked Snivy, who nodded at this. As the two went to the pool area, Snivy saw what Ash meant a massive pool with a waterfall and an enormous target near the wall.
"Looks like either Hydro pump or Aqua jet, in my opinion, Ash, just the way it looks," Snivy said to Ash, who nodded at this.
"Yeah, by the way, it looks like I'd say more Aqua jet because of the way Don asked me to swim with Oshawott," Ash said to Snivy, who nodded in agreement but was concerned about Oshawott given what that move installs and his situation growing up.
"Aqua jet indeed, Ash. While I don't have anything new to teach Snivy here other than helping her with her speed in dodging the shadow balls and being ready for anything else coming her way, I feel like Oshawott is the one who needs a new move more than her?" Don George said to Ash while walking towards Ash.
"That's fine with me. You okay with that, Snivy?" Ash asked Snivy, who nodded at this. She wouldn't let Oshawott have all the fun, and she now wanted to get stronger with Ash to win this gym battle.
"Ready, Ash? I'm not going to let this get to me. I need to strengthen to show why I left Amelia and choosing you as my trainer was right," Snivy said.
Ash nodded at this as he dove into the pool and swam alongside Oshawott as the two picked up the pace. The faster the two were, the stronger the water current built around Oshawott. Ash sent Oshawott towards the waterfall as an Aqua jet formed around it. However, Ash didn't notice this, but Oshawott's eyes were closed during this, and he barely missed the target, which Snivy noticed and didn't say anything about it as she promised Oshawott not to tell and let Ash figure it out.
"So close, man, that was nearly perfect. I thought we got it on the first try with that," Ash said to Oshawott, who was in a daze from hitting the wall Snivy chuckled at this.
"That was indeed close, Ash. I must admit that was amazing," Snivy said.
"We can leave it at that for now, Ash; we can continue later with Snivy. Until then, I'm sure that Oshawott could use something to eat after all that," Don George said to Ash, who nodded at this, as did Oshawott and Snivy. Ash and the others were having lunch when Ash saw Servine coming over again to talk to Oshawott and Snivy.
"Not bad, Oshawott. I remember you were trying to master that move back at the ranch," Trip's Servine said to Oshawott, who smiled at this and nodded.
"Thanks, Servine. I hope it's enough for the gym battle tomorrow,' Oshawott said to Servine and Snivy, who smiled at this. 'It took a few years, not months if you forgot that I used to try to train a lot growing up, Servine," Oshawott said.
"I know that, Oshawott. We used to train a lot as kids. It always ends with draws between our spars," Servine said with a chuckle as Oshawott had a small laugh. While he is still mad at Servine, he will admit that Servine keeps his friendship. "Look, Oshawott. I don't know what happened between us, but I'm still the same Snivy you knew growing up, and deep down, I wanted you to be picked all the time. Deep down, I think Trip would've liked you as well, but we can't change that," Servine was interrupted by Oshawott.
"I do want our friendship to go back to normal, but you broke one of your promises growing up, and I'm not sure if you are keeping your other promise we made as kids either," Oshawott sighed as that caught Servine was surprised about hearing this. "If you apologized, I might have forgiven you, but you said it yourself. You didn't do it when many Pokemon said it was a Snivy that looked like you," Oshawott said to Servine, who now knew who was responsible.
"I know what promise you and I made and haven't forgotten, but I am not lying that it wasn't me. Remember, I wasn't the only Snivy at the lab, which all three of us knew, and if you don't believe me, I will get to the bottom of it, but you do need to trust me, Oshawott. I don't want this to continue, and I am sorry for what happened to you," Servine said as this took aback Oshawott. He initially expected it to be another, but Servine was the only one who knew about his secret. That's why he suspects him.
"Okay, Servine. If you say what you are saying, I, too, had my suspicions about him, but I'm still going to have issues with you till that truth comes out okay. Our friendship is still on the rocks, and I still hurt all this time. Until then, I need some space right now, please understand," Oshawott said to Servine, who nodded as Oshawott got up and left for the time being as he left the room, which Ash noticed all this going on.
"I still see him as a younger brother, but I don't think saying that is going to keep our friendship alive," Servine said before turning to Snivy, who nodded in agreement. Snivy and Servine were catching up as Ash noticed Trip was walking towards Ash.
"Hey Trip, I thought that was your Servine that I saw talking to Oshawott," Ash said to Trip, who nodded at this.
"I'm here to help you out, Ash?" Trip told Ash, who was taken aback by this, as did Misty and Brock. "The league came to me asking to help you out upon hearing what had happened to Snivy from you, Ash. I told them that I would be happy to."
"Thanks, Trip. I'm surprised you were asked to help, but the more, the merrier," Ash said to Trip, who nodded. "I was just told that the league officials will be arriving the day after tomorrow, so today's training and tomorrow's gym battle will be the deciding factor to get stronger before facing Amelia," Ash said.
"I ran into her earlier. She's for sure the type who gets what she wants. And is unaware of what is going on minus what her family is known for being one step ahead of things and abusive," Trip told Ash.
"I'm taken that the league told you this, Trip?" Ash asked Trip, who shook his head at this.
"My family knew her family before you and I met," Trip told Ash. Snivy was taken aback hearing this, as did Ash. "Amelia's family is wealthy, and I knew that her brother has also been in trouble with the league. Those two are the only ones who still have their trainer's license. I only met Amelia as her brother was always away whenever I saw them," Trip said to Ash, who looked down.
"Did you inform the league of this about you know her before you became a trainer? That is Trip," Ash said, now worried that Trip knowing Amelia might compromise this operation, Trip nodded at this but pulled something out of his ear, and Ash was caught off guard. It was another translator.
"They did, Ash. But not enough for her to recognize me. When I saw her at the trainer's market in town, she didn't remember me even when I called her name out to try to test that out," Trip explained.
"That or she is such a stuck-up that she only sees herself as the most important person that friendship means nothing to her. It was a risk, but it seems like it worked, Trip," Ash said to Trip, who nodded at this.
"They trust me enough to give me this translator, Ash, as I, too, have a past with the league. That I don't want to talk about right now, but let's say that one of my family's Pokemon was taken from us and will be on my team as a family gift," Trip said to Ash. Who was taken aback by this and knew that many Pokemon were taken recently and would have to look it up later?
Snivy was done eating and was ready to train. Ash noticed this and went to find Oshawott. Ash saw that Oshawott was preparing with his scalchop in the pool area. He was determined to get stronger, mastering Aqua Jet or getting better with his blade.
"We should leave him alone. He's been through enough, Ash, and I think him coming to watch Snivy train will only slow him down," Servine said to Ash.
"I have to agree with Servine on this, Ash," Trip said to Ash, who nodded and turned to Oshawott.
"Hey, we will train with Snivy at the greenhouse area. Oshawott, if you need me, we'll be there before coming back to train with you," Ash yelled out to Oshawott.
"Will do, Ash, and thank you for giving me this space for this training," Oshawott said to Ash. Ash noticed that Oshawott looked very different, both size and confidence-wise. Servine saw this and knew what was going on as he felt this when he was a Snivy. The group went to the greenhouse and noticed an oversized tennis ball machine in the middle of the room.
"This machine is going to help with Snivy's speed since Lenora is known to use her moves as quickly as her combo with Roar and Mean look moves, so I want Snivy to be as quick on the draw when it comes to that combo," Don George explained to Ash and Snivy. "This time, you don't need to be involved with Snivy Ash. Just make sure that she dodges in time."
"Will do, Don George; you ready for this, Snivy," Ash said as Snivy gripped her hand at this, showing that she was always ready.
"Good luck, Snivy. I hope you'll get it down, pat," Pikachu said to Snivy, who smirked evilly at this as Pikachu was worried.
"Oh no, Pikachu. You may be participating in these gym battles, but you'll join me in this training. As your speed is lacking, and he doesn't want you to be slacking when the league comes up," Snivy said to Pikachu, who was taken back by this.
"Hold on. I agree to train with my teammates; you're the one taking part in the gym battles, not me," Pikachu said, turning to Ash, who crossed his arms.
"I hate to say it, buddy. But she has a point, and you put your foot in your mouth by saying that. Best of luck, Pikachu," Ash said to Pikachu.
"Ash, you and Snivy owe me for this?" Pikachu said to both of them Snivy humphed at this.
"Okay, Ketchup will do Pikachu, but it's not Snivy who deserves to give you anything," Ash said, and Snivy nodded at this.
"Ugh, fine, that'll do," Pikachu said as they were in position for the machine. It started up and fired the tennis balls slowly, but it was made to go faster with each dodge. It got to the point that Snivy and Pikachu were matching speed pace-wise. This continued throughout the night as it was enough to prepare for tomorrow's battle.
Meanwhile, during all that. Oshawott was outside the battle club, holding what looked to be a rock or stone in his paw. "I haven't forgotten our other promise, Servine not sure if you did, but tomorrow will make it or break it with my training. I can't let you get too far as a starter," Oshawott said while gripping the item in question while keeping it not on him but under his scalchop.
Ash had already made it to the gym's battlefield the next day. Trip and Servine were at the sidelines with Misty and Brock as he wanted to see how far their training had gotten them.
"I knew that you would make it, young man. I hope that all that training will pay off for you," Lenora said to Ash as Oshawott and Snivy stood ready for this battle.
"The Nacrene City gym battle rematch between Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town and Gym leader Lenora is about to begin," Hawes announced. "As before, both sides are allowed only to use two Pokemon each, while both can switch out Pokemon at any time. The battle is over when both Pokemon on either side cannot battle. Now you two choose your Pokemon," Hawes announced.
"Oshawott, you're up first," Ash said as Oshawott went to the battlefield, ready to fight. Lenora pulled out her Pokeball.
"Herdier, come on out," Lenora sent out her newly evolved Lilipup, which Ash and Snivy were surprised by this as Ash looked the Pokemon up.
"I guess that battle was enough for it to evolve, huh?" Ash said to Lenora, nodded at this.
"Seems like that isn't the case with these two, but let's see how much your training has gotten you," Lenora told Ash, who nodded at this.
"Oshawott vs. Herdier, let the battle begin," Hawes announced.
"Okay, Oshawot, use a Water gun," Ash commanded Oshawott, who launched a water gun attack as it was faster than last time, managing to hit Herdier right on target.
"Not bad? Use Thunder Fang Herdier," Lenora commanded the Herdier, using the current to send the electric attack back at Oshawott.
"Dodge with Aqua Jet," Ash commanded Oshawott as it dodged out of the way.
"Not bad use Roar before it can reach Herdier," Lenora commanded her Pokemon as it did before it could reach Herdier sending Oshawott back to its ball. Snivy again came out as expected by Lenora as she returned Herdier. "Watchog, your up," Lenora sends out her next Pokemon. "Mean Look Watchog," Lenora commands her Pokemon to use their Normal strategy, which landed on Snivy, but this time it didn't catch Ash off guard.
"Alright, Snivy, use Leaf Storm," Ash commands Snivy, who launches her attack, hitting Watchog and doing some damage.
"Use shadow ball, Watchog," Lenora commanded Pokemon, who used the ghost-type move to destroy the Leaf Storm. "Now use Ice Fang before they can recover," Lenora commands her Pokemon, which used that move as it was getting closer Ash was waiting patiently, as did Snivy just as it got closer.
"Now Leaf Storm Snivy," Ash commanded her as it managed to damage Watchog as fast as it came to Snivy, sending it back. "Now finish it with Aqua Tail and Leaf Blade, Snivy," Ash commanded Snivy, who combined the two moves to hit and knock Watchog out.
"Watchog is unable to battle Snivy wins," Hawes announced as Snivy smiled proudly but knew this was just the beginning as Lenora returned Watchog.
"Well done, young man. Using Watchog's response to the moves like that was well played, but you won't win this easily. Herdier, come on out," Lenora let out her last Pokemon.
"Snivy, use Attract," Ash commanded Snivy and launched that attack which didn't work on Herdier, who just shook it off like it was nothing.
"Nice try, young man, but Herdier is Female that is going to cost you. Charge in with Retaliate Herdier," Lenora told Ash, who was taken aback by hearing this as it charged in quickly and slammed right into Snivy hard, sending her back to the wall knocking her out.
"Snivy is unable to battle Herdier wins. The match is tied with both sides having only one Pokemon left," Hawes announced. Ash ran over to Snivy, now wondering what hit her.
"Retaliate is a move in that the damage is doubled when the other team member is knocked out. You may have won that fight, but your most experienced Pokemon of the two is knocked out, Ash," Lenora explained to Ash, who pulled out Oshawotts Pokeball and sent him out, ready to win. "I see that you aren't going to give up, huh, Ash? Oh well, use Wild charge Herdier," Lenora commands Herdier as it charged into Oshawott's location.
"Dodge it with Aqua Jet Oshawott," Ash commanded Oshawott as it started to jump out of the way.
"Oh no, you don't use thunder fang now," Lenora commanded as Herdier caught Oshawott's tail through the Aqua Jet, causing more damage as it was still in the current, sending Oshawott to the ground, who was struggling to get up.
"Oshawott, you want to give up. It's not worth it," Ash said to Oshawott, who stubbornly got up, refusing to let this get to him. Servine is now worried about him. This was past Oshawott's limits, even for him.
"I give him this. He's stubborn as a Taurus, but this is the end. Wild charge Herdier," Lenora commands Herdier, who charges towards Oshawott as if something is happening to him.
Oshawott started glowing and evolving just as the Wild Charge connected, only to be held back with not one but two chalcones. Oshawott was now a Dewott as Ash scanned him to see this. Servine was impressed by this. As Dewott's left, Schalchop glowed and smashed through Wild Charge, sending the normal-type Pokemon back hard.
"Woah, Dewott, that was Revenge," Ash said to Dewott, who looked like he wasn't done as it launched an Ice beam towards Herdier, hitting it hard but not freezing it.
"I'm an impressed, young man. That shows how much he wanted to win this battle for you. But I think this round is the end of this. Use Wild Charge and Retaliate Herdier," Lenora said and commanded Herdier.
"Use Revenge and Razor Shell Dewott," Ash commanded his water starter. As the two Pokemon's moves clashed, the two were on opposite sides of each other tired and wounded. Both were going down, but Herdier fainted, not Dewott.
"Herdier is unable to battle Dewott. Wins the match goes to Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town," Hawes announced as Ash ran to Dewott with Snivy and Pikachu. Dewott smiled before passing out from this much damage as Ash held Dewott in his arms.
"I must admit, Dewott, you have gotten stronger over the time we last battled, and I know that Ice Beam was meant for when you fight me again. Not bad I agreed to be the older brother when we were younger and be there for you, and now you earned your rest, little-step brother," Servine thought, knowing that if said this might make Dewott believe that he thinks small of him. Ash returned to Dewott to his ball as he was outside the gym with Lenora.
"Well, Ash, I must say you impressed me once again. Here the Basic Badge is yours," Lenora handed the gym badge to Ash, who did his Normal celebration of winning a gym badge.
"I must admit, Snivy, you've gotten stronger the last time I battled you with your original trainer. Nicely done," Lenora told Snivy, who was surprised that she remembered her. "Of course, I remember my challengers Pokemon. You were the one who gave Watchog a run for her money back then. Ash is a good trainer, and I must say you earned this win with him and Dewott Snivy," Lenora said to Snivy, who nodded at this and wagged her tail upon hearing this.
"Ash, I just contacted the league recently, and they told me that they'll meet you in the town's Marketplace tomorrow morning, but you'll have to approach Amelia. That'll happen before you can continue your Journey," Lenora informed Ash. They nodded at this and thanked Lenora before he, Misty, Trip, and Brock headed back to the Pokemon Center, knowing that he and Snivy would have to confront Amelia tomorrow.
With the evolution and the gym battle win, things are looking up for Ash. Now he has to confront Amelia for Snivy's sake and the right to keep Snivy as the Journey continues.
Stay tuned.