Greetings, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to Ash's Unova Journey My Version. I will tell you that Zorua is female in this story. I might make a few mistakes with her gender, but she is female. I will name her in the next chapter, but I still want suggestions. Let's get this two-parter started.
Chapter 51: Dazzling the Nimbasa Gym pt 1: Bianca's determination.
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
'Telepathy'
We joined our heroes as they arrived at the Nimbasa City gym.
'So this is where we are going to be heading next? Doesn't it seem so special to me?' Zorua said to Ash and the group. Ash sighed at this.
"Look, I know you are new to all this Zorua, but if you are going to travel with us. This will constantly be here in Unova," Ash said to Zorua, who was in a Pikachu Illusion. She had come up with a new Illusion when said device Professor Oak told her would be coming tomorrow.
"I must admit, though, Zorua. This place hadn't changed the last time I was here as a kid," Ash admitted to Zorua, who was curious about this. "I thought that Elisa had remodeled it, and yet it looks the same as it was back then."
"That's because this isn't the gym," A familiar voice called out to Ash and the others. It was Bianca, her father, and a young lady with Blond and black hair. Zorua was curious about who these people were but needed to be more trusting of them because she had never met them before.
"Relax, Zorua. The young girl with the hat is our friend," Servine said to Zorua, who turned to her. "The man next to her is her overprotective father, and from its looks, the other lady must be the City's gym leader."
Ash removed his hat and showed gratitude toward Elisa. "Elisa, it's been a long time since my family last visited here six years ago," Ash said nicely to Elisa, who smiled at Ash, patted his head, and then petted Pikachu and Zorua's heads which Zorua didn't want to be petted.
"You can drop the Illusion, Zorua. I was informed about this from the league," Elisa said to Zorua. She was surprised by this, as did Bianca and her father.
'I guess Professor Oak worked fast on that, but I rather not, please understand,' Zorua said, humphing.
"Duly noted, young miss," Elisa said before turning to Ash. "And I remember you, young man, but if you are here for a gym battle, sadly, my gym battle is booked for today," Elisa said to Ash, who nodded at this and realized that today was the day that Bianca would prove that she is worthy of continuing as a trainer.
"That's fine. We can battle tomorrow, then. I'm in no rush," Ash said to Elisa, who nodded as the group walked into the new gym, which was more of a modeling area and looked more like what Elisa is known for.
Everyone is amazed by this. Even Zorua was given how most females like these types of things, whether she was a Pokemon or not. Misty lets out her Emolga. Who was looking at this and was showing off as if she was in a role? Everyone laughed at this.
"Sorry about that. It runs in the family of being in a diva role like that," Emolga apologized.
"Ah, you have an Emolga, I see, Misty?" Elisa asked Misty, who nodded as Emolga noticed who Elisa was and knew why she was let off her ball. Emolga idolizes Elisa, not just because she owns an Emolga but who she is known for. Misty explains that their Emolga's might be related to each other, and she brought her not just to confirm this but to watch the battle.
Elisa nodded at this and let out her own Emolga, a few inches taller than Misty's Emolga.
"Big sis," Misty's Emolga said to Elisa's Emogla, hugging her, who returned it.
"I miss you, little sis; how have you been," Elisa's Emolga told her sister.
"Doing well, just happy to see you and little sis again in the past few days," Misty's Emolga said, hiding what she was told yesterday back from breaking down emotionally. Her big sister noticed that something was wrong, as her little sister wasn't known for hiding things. Misty confirmed that their Emolga was related to each other, and Elisa recognized her.
"I thought you looked familiar? You were always watching my modeling stuff in the past, but I guess some things haven't changed," Elisa said as Misty's Emolga blushed as her sister giggled at this. "Now that is out of the way, Bianca; you ready to battle now?" Elisa asked Bianca, who nodded at this.
"Yes, mam, I am ready whenever you are," Bianca said to Elisa as the two went to the battlefield at the end of the runway of the new gym.
Bianca and Elisa were in the trainer's boxes. Ash, Misty, Brock, Zorua, and Emolga were on the sidelines where Bianca was. Bianca's father was behind Bianca, where Misty and Brock would usually be when Ash was battling.
"The Nimbasa gym battle between Bianca from Nuvema Town and gym leader Elisa will begin," the ref announced. "Both sides are allowed the maximum usage of three Pokemon, and the match is over when all three Pokemon on either side cannot battle. During the battle, only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions. Now, will both sides let out their first Pokemon," the ref said as Elisa and Bianca took out their first Pokeballs.
"Zebstrika comes on out," Elisa sent out her first Pokemon Bianca hesitated but remained calm.
"Escavalier, come on out," Bianca sent her first Pokemon. Ash noticed Bianca was nervous and knew this was harder for her than she thought.
"Zebstrika vs. Excavalier, let the battle begin," the ref announced as Bianca was ready to kick things off.
"Escavalier, use X-scissors," Bianca commanded her Pokemon, who charged in with his glowing lance.
"Use Flame charge," Elisa commanded her Pokemon, who charged in as the two moves clashed, sending each other back to their retrospective trainers.
"Ugh, I can't let her keep using that move, or we are in big trouble," Bianca thought as she was losing focus Zorua and Ash noticed this.
"Bianca, don't give up," Ash said to Bianca, who snapped out of it, looking at Ash. "Remember, it's not just you who wanted to prove a point to your father. It's your Pokemon as well," Ash said to Bianca.
"Ash," Bianca said, remembering the day before she battled against Ash in the battle club. Her Pokemon were willing to fight for her and be by her side no matter what. A tear went down her face as she saw Escavalier turn to her. And smiled and nodded at her. "Your right. This isn't just my battle but my Pokemon's and my family, my team," Bianca said, clenching her fists. "Okay, use Reversal," Bianca commanded her Pokemon, who charged in, slamming his lance at Zebstrika, sending her back hard. Escavalier shouts, showing that he isn't going down that easily.
'I must admit, while I never met the girl, I can see why her Pokemon respect her and why this battle means a lot to her,' Zorua said aloud. 'But can she keep that determination of hers throughout this battle?'
Ash nodded and turned to see that Bianca had more than a fighting-type move under her sleeve.
"Use Wild charge," Elisa commanded her Pokemon, who charged in with said move.
"Giga Impact," Bianca commanded her Pokemon, who charged in as the two Pokemon clashed in a struggle causing a shockwave and explosion.
The smoke clears, revealing that Zebstrika is down and out, as Escavalier still stands strong, paralyzing him.
"Zebstrika is unable to battle Escavalier wins," the ref said as Elisa returned her Pokemon to her ball.
"Not bad, Bianca. You are doing well so far, but I think you can keep it up," Elisa said to Bianca, who was still determined to continue. Bianca's father watched this and had to admit she was doing well. He still needs to see if Bianca's Pokemon were willing to win this badly for him as Bianca's did.
"That's one Pokemon. Another two left Bianca to go; you do better than I thought I would give you," Bianca's father said to Bianca as she ignored him to focus on the battle.
"He needs to leave her be. She's doing her best, and yet he's piling on the pressure on her," Escavalier said, not happy that he was criticizing this battle. He sees Elisa send out Emolga next as Misty's Emolga is ready to see how strong she has gotten since the last time she saw her.
"Emolga use Acrobatics," Elisa commanded her Pokemon, who swarmed around Escavalier.
"Reversal now," Bianca commanded her Pokemon, only for the damage to be too much for the Pokemon as Escavalier was knocked out. Bianca was surprised by this.
"Escavalier is unable to battle Emolga wins," the ref announced as Bianca ran over to her Pokemon, upset, but Escavlier smiled.
"We're fighting for you to continue our team's Journey. Don't give up," Escavalier said, refusing to return to his ball to see the end of this. Bianca placed him on the sidelines as she pulled out another ball.
"Cincinno, come on out," Bianca sent out her next Pokemon as Cincinno came out of his ball, ready to fight, as Elisa and her Emolga smirked at this.
"Use Electro Ball," Elisa commanded her Emolga, who fired the electric attack at Bianca's Pokemon.
"Dodge it with Dig and then Tail slap," Bianca commanded him, dodging the ball of electricity, jumping behind her, and slapping his tail at Emolga multiple times. Emolga was sent to the ground growling at him. Cincinno felt the side effects of hitting Emolga cause of her Static ability.
"Clever, Elisa lets Bianca get the upper hand on Emolga. To get that ability going, you need to do more than," Bianca's father stopped his thought as he noticed that Bianca wasn't phased by this but smiling at this. "She's smiling?" Everyone thought upon seeing this.
"I had a feeling that this might happen. I might not be bright when it comes to many things," Bianca said as Cincinno smiled at this. "But with his help, this battle has just begun. Echoed voice," Bianca commanded her Pokemon, who launched his attack at Emolga, sending her to the wall.
"Use Attract," Elisa and Bianca commanded their Pokemon, who used the said attack only to hit both their Pokemon. However, as if his move was more effective, Cincinno wasn't as affected as Elisa's Emolga. "Now's my chance. End this with Facade," Bianca commanded her Pokemon, who slammed into Emolga, knocking her out.
"Emolga is unable to battle. Cincinno wins," the ref announced as the Attract on Cincinno ended. Ash and the others were surprised that Bianca thought that ahead of time. On the other hand, some parts of Emolga thought her sister wasn't as strong as she believed, and Emolga shook her head.
"What was that thought? Don't tell me I'm thinking like my Team Rocket self again," Emolga thought as Misty noticed this something was seriously wrong with Emolga's line of thinking. Emolga saw that her sister had returned to her ball Emolga took this advantage to leave now, given that she saw how her sister battled.
"Not bad, Bianca. You've shown that you have grown as a trainer; I definitely can say that you have earned your right to continue your Journey, don't you think, sir," Elisa said to Bianca's father, who recovered from the shock of what he saw earlier and nodded. Bianca was surprised upon seeing that her father would agree with this.
"We should continue as a normal gym battle, Bianca. Eelectrik, come on out," Elisa sent out her final Pokemon, which Ash looked up Servine, on the other hand, had seen this type of Pokemon before and knew that if Elisa had one, this battle was going to be hard and not just for Bianca.
"Now the real battle begins," Servine said aloud as Ash turned to Servine.
"What do you mean, Servine? Do you know something that we don't?" Ash asked her.
"Let's just say this Pokemon's evolutionary line isn't something to be taken lightly. That's all I'm going to say," Servine explained to Ash as Zorua nodded.
"Eelekrik, use Wild Charge," Elisa commanded her Pokemon, charged at Cincinno.
"Reversal now," Bianca commanded her Pokemon, who charged only for the Paralysis was too much, making him struggle to continue the attack as the Wild Charge hit him, knocking Cincinno out.
"Cincinno is unable to battle Eelekrik wins. The match is now tied with one Pokemon on each side," the ref announced. Bianca returned her and placed her Pokemon beside Escavalier, only to turn to Elisa still with determination.
"I won't give up on this battle, no matter what. Emboar, come on out," Bianca sends out her fire starter. Both Pokemon stared down, as did Bianca and Elisa, ready to fight. "Emboar, use Flamethrower," Bianca commanded him, who fired its attack at Eelekrik.
"Aqua tail now," Elisa commanded her Pokemon, whose tail glowed blue, slamming right at the Flamethrower but not dissipating the flames, only for the Flamethrower to hit Eelekrik and send him back.
Bianca smiled at this. She learned from her battle against Ash's Servine, knowing how to apply pressure on that move. Servine noticed this and smirked at this.
"She's learning from her past mistakes," Servine thought, seeing this.
"Now use Hidden Power," Elisa commanded her Pokemon, who fired a power of Psychic energy right Emboar.
"Head Smash Emboar," Bianca commanded her Pokemon, who charged right into the move and slammed into Eelekrik. This battle was getting down to the wire, and one thing that is for sure is that this was the last move on both sides.
"Use Wild Charge," Elisa commanded her Pokemon, who charged at Emboar.
"Head Smash," Bianca commanded her Pokemon as the two Pokemon collided with each other this caused a Shockwave that caused an explosion. The dust settled only to see both Pokemon were down and could not battle anymore.
"Both the gym leaders Pokemon and the Challengers Pokemon cannot battle. The match ends in a draw," the ref said as Elisa and Bianca were shocked by this. Bianca's Pokemon were smiling at this. They gave it their all, and that's what matters.
Bianca ran over to her Pokemon, picking him up. "You did great, Emboar. Take a good rest," Bianca said to Emboar, who smiled and nodded at this. Only to hear clapping from Ash, his friends, and her father, who walked over to her.
"I will admit, I went overboard with all this, Bianca. I'm sorry, I just wanted to be a father to you, but I overstepped my bounds," Bianca's father said to Bianca, who wiped a tear from her face. "Take good care of your Pokemon, and they'll take good care of you."
"I have to agree with your father, Bianca, you did well today, and you earned this badge regardless of the match ending in a draw," Elisa said, handing the gym badge to Bianca, who happily accepted this.
"Thank you, Elisa. I appreciate this, and I will take that advice," Bianca said, bowing to her, almost dropping Emboar as everyone was letting out a burst of small laughter at this, not at Bianca's expense.
"Now, Ash, tomorrow will be our battle. Until then, get some rest and think up what you plan to use," Elisa said to Ash, who nodded.
"If you don't mind, Ash, we want to watch your battle tomorrow," Bianca's father asked.
"Sure, it's only fair given that I watched Bianca's battle today," Ash accepted the suggestion. Misty noticed that Emolga had gone missing and was nowhere to be found.
'She left shortly after her big sister's battle ended. She looked like something was on her mind,' Zorua told Misty, who now knew what was happening. Today must be the day.
Now that Bianca had won her battle, Ash turned to face Elisa. Will Ash win or draw like Bianca did as the Journey continues?
Later that night.
Emolga was in the tree, trying to shake off those negative thoughts. "Ugh, why are these thoughts getting to me?" Emolga said, looking at her paws. "She battles well, but it wasn't enough to impress me as my little sister did."
"Humph, seems like the Team Rocket you are returning, and I didn't do anything now," Buizel said near the tree's root where Emolga was. Emogla glided down to him.
"You're doing this? Don't lie. You must have manipulated me during our talk last night. You are known for doing that when no one is looking. You can't fool me, Buizel, you did that with that boy's Servine, and now you are doing this to me," Emolga said with a tear, and Buizel held his paw to her eye to wipe it. Emolga couldn't do anything about him being around her.
"You've been away from Team Rocket so long that you've forgotten your sadistic and spoiled personality. I didn't do anything. The longer Zoroark is out, the more the old you who was under Team Rocket's control is taking over. Even before you were a Team Rocket member, you always looked down on others, and you know that, Emolga, you don't remember that. After all, we have your memories," Buizel said as Emolga looked down at this. She hated to admit it, but he was right. She could feel Zoroark's dark ball working on her mind since her talk with Buizel.
Buizel handed her a comunicator. "Take it and return to the real self, and you can work for this part of you or is what I just said too much for you to think straight," Buizel said; Emolga hesitated but remembered what Buizel said.
"You promise you will free me once I bring you ten Pokemon. No more demands for me to return or having Zoroark control over my actions or thoughts," Emolga said to Buizel, who sighed.
"That is what I was told, Emolga. I'm making no promises that might be the case?" Buizel said to Emolga, who was taken aback by this and noticed that Buizel was acting strange.
"This isn't like you. What is going on, Buizel? You sound distraught," Emolga said, hesitant to put her communicator on.
"You would too if your son was in your next target area and you aren't taking part in it, but my mate is," Buizel said to Emolga, who looked down and now understood why he's been calmer around her and not his usual self. "Emolga, before you return to Team Rocket, please go easy on my son. He may be like me, but he doesn't deserve to be like his parents are now; if the twerps must capture him, let them. I rather him be with them than be under our master's control," Buizel said.
"I never met him, so I don't know what he looks like," Emolga was interrupted by Buizel.
"He's a member of my mate's evolutionary line with my personality; if you don't remember who she is, she was the second in command before you joined the team," Buizel said.
"I figured that she would be your mate, but I saw her in action a few times in the field, but I guess time to stop the delay as I can feel Zoroarks grip growing stronger on me," Emolga sighed and nodded before putting the communicator on her paw.
She was covered in dark energy as she was now under Team Rockets' control. Emolga snickered as she was finally back in Team Rocket's possession and no longer held back by her old self. She did not realize that the grey on her fur was slightly darker than usual.
Stay tuned.
Done and done, man. This took longer to write, but this episode needed a few changes to work with Bianca, even if it ended in a draw. Trust me. I have more surprises coming up in this gym battle-wise. I also changed Elisa's last Pokemon to something more worthy of being her leading ace. Now for Ash's turn next chapter, and don't worry about Ash bringing only one Pokemon to this battle. That won't happen. But let's say he will make one mistake he wasn't aware of in this battle. Pay attention to Elisa's final Pokemon in this chapter. That's all I will say, see you next time.