Chapter 36: A gym leader's Strength
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
We continue the battle club as Bianca is wrapping up her battle with her newly caught Excavalier.
"Use X-scissors," Bianca commanded her Pokemon as it used the move against a Whimsicott, knocking it out.
"And with that, folks, Bianca has made it to the next round, and now time for the next battle," the announcer said as Bianca ran over to her Excavilier, hugging it, which enjoyed her enthusiasm and praise. Ash and the gang were happy she was doing well since they last saw her, as she seemed to be taking advice on how to battle to the best of her ability and let them fight their way.
"There will be an hour break, and the subsequent battle between Misty and Daniel will be next," the announcer says, as Misty shows that she is ready for her battle.
"You seem eager, Misty," Ash said to Misty, who nodded and turned to Ash.
"You bet it's been long since I had a regular match that isn't a gym battle. I'm thinking of using Frillish in this battle, and she rarely has been used since I caught her in Castellia city," Misty said to Ash as Ash nodded.
"I'm surprised you aren't using Ducklett, though?" Ash asked Misty, who shook her head.
"I plan on using him later in the tournament, as I promised Frillish I would use her in my next battle," Misty explained as Ash nodded.
"She'll be fine. I've taken you'd rather use your new Pokemon for the early rounds, Misty?" Ash asked, and she nodded.
"I'm saving the others for ones that'll give me a challenge, like your friends or Cilain or Burgh," Misty explained. Ash sighed and patted her shoulder.
"Don't underestimate your opponent, Misty, regardless of their appearance," Ash warned Misty as Misty smiled at that statement just as the hour was about to end.
"Will the next two contestants come to the battlefield," the announcer says.
"Well, it's my turn. See you later, Ash," as she left, not before kissing Ash on the cheek, taking what Ash said to heart though she was confident that she'd win, which both Ash and Brock were watching from the sidelines, as did Iris and Cillian.
"Now for the next battle, so let us introduce our trainers," Misty and Daniel walked toward the battlefield. "In the red corner, don't let his appearance fool you as he had taken part in this competition before and made it to the top 50 from Driftvile City, Daniel," the crowd cheered as they recognized him as he arrived at the trainer's box.
"Now, one of 3 trainers came here from the Kanto region for a real treat for you folks. She's one of the gym leaders of the Cerulean City gym. She has become known to be one of the region's elite six gym leaders and the Sensational sisters' youngest sister. Give it up for Misty Waterflower," the crowd cheered even louder. Ash was curious as Cilian walked over, shocked by this announcement.
"Ash, I didn't realize you were traveling with a well-known gym leader, let alone that high ranking?"Cillian asked Ash, who was confused by what he meant.
"Uh, what do you mean, Cillian? I've never heard of that before," Ash asked.
"The elite six are one of the strongest gym leaders. Every region has one sound as if she was labeled as one recently or has been for quite some time," Cillain explained to Ash, who was curious about this as Brock noticed.
"You had battled 3 of them before Ash 4 if you included Koga, but he'd sadly stepped down as gym leader recently," Brock said to Ash, who nodded to acknowledge.
"I heard that he'd offered to be a member of the elite four, and his daughter was the new gym leader," Ash said to Brock, who nodded.
"You heard correctly for the others, and they're the following gym leaders: Pyce, Wallace, Valkner, Drayden, and another young gym leader in Kalos. From what Misty told me, she was added to it when we were in Sinnoh, and she's ranked 4 of them," Brock said to Ash.
"The elite six are known to be the strongest trainers and are not to be taken lightly in battles," Cillian explained to Ash as Ash turned to Misty, who was about to start her battle.
"Misty sure has changed since the last time I saw her, that's for sure," Ash said to Brock. Brock nods in agreement.
"They're the second-highest rank, with the elite four being the highest. Even losing in battles won't affect their rank." Brock said.
"I wished Misty had told me about that before, but I understand she didn't want to let her status affect the journey," Ash said to Brock, who nodded but knew that Misty had her reasons.
"Maybe she wasn't expecting to participate in Tournaments here, or she wanted to be treated just as a normal gym leader," Brock said as Ash sighed and nodded.
"Will, both trainers, let out their Pokemon," the referee said.
"Herdier, your up" Daniel sent a Herdier to the battlefield.
"Frillish, come on out," as her female Frillish came out of her ball. The two Pokemon were ready to battle.
"Frillish vs. Herdier, Daniel has the first move. Let the battle begin." The referee said.
"Okay, Herdier, use Thunder Fang," Daniel commanded his Herdier as it charged in with the said move.
"Water Pulse now," Misty commanded Frillish as she sent out the water pulse, which canceled the moves out. "Now use Psychic before it can recover," Misty ordered as it landed a hit on the Pokemon before it could recover.
"Nicely done, but that's what I wanted you to do. Use Shadow Ball," as it sends the ghost-type attack straight at the half-ghost type sending her back towards Misty.
"Ash was right. I can't let my guard down, but this is just the beginning," Misty thought as she knew that this wasn't going to be a cakewalk as she thought.
"Use Shadow Ball again," Daniel commands his Pokemon, who fired another Shadow Ball towards Frillish.
"Use Ice beam quickly, "Misty commanded her Pokemon as Daniel grunted Frillish managed to land a hit and hit the battlefield covering it in ice as the Herdier struggled to stand on the ice.
"Clever, but that won't matter. Used shadow ball," Daniel commanded, firing the attack again. Misty smirked at this as Daniel noticed.
"That won't work again this time. Use Mirror Coat," Misty said and commanded Frillish. As it sent the move back, but not as a ghost-type move. "Now, use a sludge bomb," Misty commanded again, not letting this moment pass her as it caught Daniel off guard, hitting it now poisoned.
"This is bad," Daniel said.
"Now finish it using an energy ball," Misty commanded, wanting to end this match. As it landed, a massive blow knocked it out.
"Herdier cannot battle Frillish wins, and moving to the next round is Misty," the ref announced. Just as Misty was about to celebrate, Frillish started to glow, which caught everyone's attention, including Misty, as Frillish was a Jellicent now, and Misty was happy.
"Congrats Jellicent. You did a great job out there." Jellicent nodded and hugged her happily. Misty chuckled as the two walked off after Jellicent let go. The ice melted after the battle was over.
"The match between Brock and Dino will begin soon," the announcer said as Misty made her way to Ash and was happy that Misty had won.
"Congratulations, Misty, on your victory in today's battle," Ash said. Misty nodded, noticed Ash's surprised expression, and knew that Brock had explained what was happening while Misty was gone.
"Thanks, Ash though judging from your face Brock told you about my status as a gym leader, huh," Misty said as he nodded.
"He and Cilian did, actually, but I understand why you wouldn't tell me this, but let us not keep any more secrets, please," Ash said, to which Misty nodded.
"I promise, Ash; sorry I had to reveal it to the registration," Misty said.
" Why didn't you show your gym badge would help. I had to do that," Cilian said.
"Well, I did, but they still needed more proof, so I had to tell them my status, given that my sisters are also the gym leaders, and I had to show them this," Misty said, annoyed as she showed a symbol of sorts of the elite six which has Misty's name on it as the group was amazed by this as Ash knew that Misty was annoyed by the Cillian's question.
"Hey, let's drop it before an argument happens," Ash said, knowing Misty and her annoyance with Cilian. Both of them nodded in agreement. "Besides, it's Brock's turn," Ash said as the group nods as it is Brock's turn for his battle.
"Now for the next match, another trainer vs. gym leader battle similar to the previous battle," Brock and Dino came out to their respected trainer's boxes. "From Icirrus City and another returning trainer who made it to the top 10 of last year's battle club Dino," the announcer said as the crowd cheered, "And from the Kanto region, the former Pewter City gym leader now turned to Pokemon doctor give it up for Brock," the announcer said as the audience was curious about this but cheerful but letting it go.
"Now, trainers, let out your Pokemon." The referee said as Brock and Dino pulled out their Pokeballs.
"Darmanitan, your up" Dino let out his Pokemon.
"Steelix, your up," As Brock sent it out, the two Pokemon glared at each other as they awaited orders.
"It's determined that Brock would get the first move. Let the match begin," the ref said.
"Use stone edge, Steelix," Brock commanded Steelix as Steelix sent many rocks towards the said fire type.
"Counter with Superpower," Dino commanded Darmanitan as the fire type was charging in the attack and was doing minor damage thanks to the fighting type move.
"Stop it with dragon breath and then use earthquake," Brock commanded Steelix as it managed to stop the fire type before it could land a hit and could not move as much when the earthquake hit. Dino was trying to figure out how to get out of this.
"Use focus blast," Dino ordered as Brock noticed that Dino was desperate to get this win.
"Counter with a heavy slam," Brock called as its tail slammed hard onto the fire, knocking it out in a record fashion. Dino didn't stand a chance in this fight. "Just because you made it that far one year doesn't mean that luck will strike twice," Brock said.
"Darmanitan is unable to battle Steelix. Wins moving on to the next round is Brock," the referee said as Brock congratulated Steelix just as Dino returned his Pokemon and left the stadium.
"He's probably a sore loser, and winning is the only thing he is known for," Brock said as he returned to Steelix and headed back to Ash and Misty, who were cheering.
With Misty and Brock winning their battles, the battle club is getting even more enjoyable as the battle club continues.
Stay tuned