Chapter 68: Showdown in the Opelucid Gym pt1: Rematch
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
Ash and his friends finally arrived in Opelucid City, the site of the final gym badge of the Unova Region originally. Ash and his friends were at the Pokemon center as Ash debated what Pokemon he would use in this gym battle.
"You are always thinking about what to use whenever we take a gym challenge, Ash?" Zorua said in her human form. The more that she's been traveling with Ash and the others. Ash nodded.
"Especially given that this is the final gym battle if I choose not to participate in the other gyms," Ash said to Zorua.
"Do you know who you will be facing gym leader-wise?" Misty asked Ash, who looked down as Zorua was confused.
"What do you mean I thought there's always one gym leader?" Zorua asked Misty, confused as the group realized something.
"Oh right, you joined the team after the Battle Club," Misty told Zorua.
"Opelucid City has two gym leaders, Drayden, my step-uncle, and his granddaughter, Iris. We met her before we met you again. She's a dragon-type specialist. Drayden is the town's mayor and the original gym leader of the city's gym," Ash explained to Zorua, whose head was hurting from the explanation.
"Why don't you just battle both of them?" Zorua asked.
"I'm planning on it, Zorua, but that depends on if both of them are okay with it," Ash said to Zorua. Zorua sighed as Ash noticed Iris and Drayden were walking toward Nurse Joy. "Ah, Iris, Uncle Drayden," Ash said to the two of them as the two turned to see Ash walking towards them.
"Ah, Ash, it's good to see you again, little nephew. I heard you were planning on coming here to my city from Brycen," Drayden said to Ash, who nodded. "Iris told me about your suggestion about battling both of us in a gym battle, and that would be a good idea given that you weren't the last trainer who challenged both of us today."
Ash was confused by this. "Such a kid, Ash. One of your rivals from the battle club challenged us today. We are getting our Pokemon healed for tomorrow's battle against you," Iris said to Ash, who sighed.
"You can stop calling me that, Iris. I'm almost sixteen, so how will this battle work, a two-on-one double battle or one at a time?" Ash asked.
"One at a time, Ash. Double battles aren't the gym's specialty anyway," Iris told Ash.
"Our gym battle rules is a 3v3 battle with the standard rules of gym battles with you only allowed to make substitutions," Drayden explained to Ash, who nodded. "Iris will be the first one you will battle. And then you will battle me after a small break. However, pick your Pokemon carefully because you won't be using the ones you used against Iris against me for fair reasons," Drayden explained to Ash, who understood the reason behind that suggestion.
"The match will begin tomorrow at noon, so take care, Ash, and see you tomorrow. It's good seeing you again," Drayden told Ash, patting his head. Ash chuckled at this and nodded as the two left to the other part of the Pokemon center to give Ash some space. Ash explained what happened earlier to Misty and Brock, who were curious but surprised that Ash's suggestion went through.
"I think I might use Scraggy and Fraxure in this battle, given that they are family to Iris's Haxorus," Ash said to Misty and Brock.
"What about Garchomp? I mean, he is also related to her, Haxorous?" Misty asked Ash, who shook his head.
"No, I feel like he's done enough, and he did pass the torch to the two of them for this region," Ash said to Misty, who nodded in understanding and was about to say something.
"It's a good thing that I haven't left yet, Ash," A familiar voice called out to Ash. It was Trip.
"Ah, Trip, I have taken that you were the challenger who battles Drayden mentioned earlier," Ash said, who nodded.
"You're quick to catch on, Ash, and you know my family's connections to Scraggy and Fraxure, Ash. I want to see how much stronger they've gotten since the battle club, given that they are my Haxorous's children after all," Trip said.
"Of course, Trip, I was thinking that they might be in separate battles, though," Ash said to Trip, who sighed and nodded. "The problem is that I need to know what four Pokemon to use in tomorrow's match, given the restrictions and all," Ash said.
"I won't tell you what Pokemon they used in my battle today. If you were going to ask me, it's only fair, and you probably would've done the same if you battled before me," Trip said, crossing his arms as Ash nodded.
"Wasn't planning on it. I figured that they have different teams from each other," Ash said to Trip, who nodded and crossed his arms.
"You are right about that. Aside from their main Aces, unless one of them changes up their line-up, you should be up against Haxorous as both their last Pokemon, given that Iris used her in the tournament," Trip said. Ash nodded as he figured that, and Ash knew that Drayden's Haxorous was infamous and had known him since he was a kid. Ash went to make a phone call.
The next day came as the group was now at the gym. A gym with black and white dragons is etched into a rock in the building. Ash and Iris were in the trainer's boxes inside the gym, ready to start the battle. Misty, Brock Zorua, Servine, Pikachu, and Trip were on the sidelines. Drayden was the ref for this gym battle.
"The Opelucid City gym battle's first match between challenger Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town and co-gym leader Iris will begin. This will be a 3v3 elimination battle with both sides allowed only to use three Pokemon each. Only the challenger can make substitutions during the battle," Drayden announced. "Now, will both sides release your first Pokemon, and we can begin."
"Ash, this battle won't end in a draw like last time, so you better prepare yourself," Iris said to Ash, who nodded. "Dragonite, come on out," Iris sent out her first Pokemon, who let out a roar. Ash figured that she would use her in this battle.
"Alright, Braviary, comes on out," Ash sent out his first Pokemon, who took flight. Given the size of the gym, it was big enough for flying types. The Trip was curious about Ash owning a Braviary but let it go.
"I see you're not going to use the Pokemon you used against me in the battle club, huh? Ash?" Iris said to Ash, who nodded.
"I figured that my team is something you're familiar with, so I switched things up," Ash said, nodding.
"Braviary vs. Dragonite, let the battle begin," Drayden announced.
"Dragonite, use thunderbolt," Iris commanded her Pokemon, whose antenna sparks and sends an electric attack at Braviary.
"Dodge it and then use Brave Bird," Ash commanded him, who dodged it and charged right at Dragonite.
"Dragon Rush now, Dragonite," Iris commanded her Pokemon, who charged at the Brave Bird attack. As the two attacks clashed, the two Pokemon flew past each other. Even though Braviary used a risky move like Brave Bird, he didn't seem to take damage. "Sheer force, I figured that your Pokemon would use that to your advantage in return for more power and no drawback," Iris said to Ash, who smirked at this.
"I did some research about that and wasn't aware of that until looking it up," Ash said. "Now, use Shadow Claw," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who charged in at Dragonite.
"Use Dragon's dance and then Ice Punch," Iris commanded her Pokemon as the two Pokemon clashed their moves.
"Rock Slide now, Braviary," Ash commanded his Pokemon, which Iris wasn't expecting.
"Dragon rush now," Iris commanded her Pokemon, who used the move to try and dodge the rocks being sent at her, only to be slammed by a Brave Bird, sending her to the ground and knocking her out.
"Dragonite is unable to battle Braviary wins," Drayden announced as Iris returned her Pokemon.
"Ugh, I wasn't expecting that to be used against me," Iris said to Ash.
"That's Ash for you. He's more known for being unpredictable, that's for sure," Misty said as Iris pulled out her next Pokeball.
"Well, time to make it more unpredictable. Haxorous, come on out," Iris sent out her next Pokemon, which Ash wasn't expecting to see her early as her last Pokemon as Ash let Braviary stay out in this battle.
"Braviary, use Shadow Claw," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who charged at Haxorous.
"Dragon claw now," Iris commanded her Pokemon, who slammed her claw right into the Shadow claw. "Counter now," Iris commanded her Pokemon and slammed her body right into Braviary, sending him to the ground Braviary was knocked out.
"Braviary is unable to battle Haxorous wins," Drayden announced as Ash returned his Pokemon.
"You forget that Haxorous has Counter, Ash? Given that you own a member of her evolution line on your team," Iris said to Ash, who shook his head.
"Was hoping to get around that or at least try to fight around it," Ash said to Iris, who sighed.
"You know that was predictable, given that Braviary is more of a power attacker in physical attacks," Iris said to Ash, who pulled out his next Pokeball.
"Gengar, come on out," Ash sent out his next Pokemon. "You ready, Gengar," Ash asked him, who nodded.
"Ready as always, Ash; I won't let the team down," Gengar said to Ash.
"A ghost-type figure, given that Counter won't work against him. You're no fun anyway, Ash. Use Dragon's Dance and Night Slash, Haxorous," Iris commanded her Pokemon, who charged up and then at Gengar.
"Gengar use, Psychic," Ash commanded his Pokemon, whose eye's glowed and stopped Haxorous. "Now Sludge Bomb," Ash commanded him, who launched the attack at Haxorous, hitting her and sending her back, luckily not poisoned. "Gengar uses Shadow Ball," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who fired the attack right Haxorous close range, landing her knocked her to the ground.
"Haxorous is unable to battle Gengar wins," Drayden announced as Iris returned her Pokemon.
"So, who's left, knowing Iris she's used Flygon, Emolga, and Excadrill, but maybe she might have something else in mind against Gengar," Ash thought. Iris smiled after seeing that Ash had this planned from the start.
"I must say, Ash, you've impressed me so far. The looks on your face made me think that you figured I would use a different Pokemon in this battle," Iris said as Ash nodded as pulled out another Pokeball. "You're right. This is the first time she's been used in this battle saved for you, Ash. Come on out," Iris sent out her last Pokemon, a Hydreigon, which Ash was surprised.
"Gengar, are you going to be okay battling Hydreigon? I mean, it is a dark/dragon type," Ash asked Gengar, who nodded.
"Don't worry about me, Ash. This is the type of battle we agreed upon," Gengar said to Ash, who nodded, not going to argue with him.
"Gengar use Focus Blast," Ash commanded his Pokemon, firing the attack at Hydreigon.
"Flamethrower now," Iris commanded her Pokemon. They launched their attack at the focus blast, causing an explosion as Gengar was about to disappear. Only Hydreigon was right in front of him. "Dark Pulse, now," Iris commanded her Pokemon, who fired right into Gengar hard. "Draco Meteor," Iris commanded her Pokemon, who fired the attack at Gengar, knocking him out.
"Gengar is unable to battle Hydreigon. Win the match is tied with one a piece," Drayden announced as Ash returned his Pokemon.
"Ash, this is similar to how our battle was when we last faced each other," Iris said to Ash, who sighed as he pulled out his last Pokemon.
"This is one of the Pokemon. One of your Pokemon knows too well," Ash said to Iris. "Scraggy, come on out," Ash sent out his last Pokemon as Scraggy looked much stronger the last time Iris saw him and was close to evolving from his looks.
"His training with Haxorous's cousin improved the last time I saw him. I have taken that Fraxure is on your second team Ash," Iris said to Ash, who didn't respond. "Anyway, don't think I will go easy on him just because he's young. Hydreigon uses Tri-attack," Iris commanded her Pokemon.
"Dragon's dance and then Brick Break," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who dodged the Tri-attack and slammed his arm into Hydreigon.
"Dragon's tail now," Iris commanded her Pokemon, who slammed her tail right against Scraggy.
"Focus Blast now," Ash commanded Scraggy, who launched the attack at the Dragons Tail, using it to his advantage.
Both Hydreigon and Scraggy were on the ground of the battlefield but got up quickly. Scraggy was starting to glow and evolve, which everyone was watching as Trip smiled, seeing that his Pokemon's son would be fully evolved and happy to be there. Scraggy was now a Scrafty.
"I figured that this would happen, Ash, given that he showed signs of it when Scraggy let out of his ball, but don't think that this will be the end; use Flamethrower," Iris commanded her Pokemon, who fired the attack at Scrafty.
"Focus Blast now," Ash commanded Scrafty, who fired the attack through the Flamethrower, causing it to hit Hydreigon hard.
"Draco Meteor," Iris commanded her Pokemon and fired the attack at Scrafty.
"Dragon's Dance, and then use Head Smash," Ash commanded his Pokemon. Scraftysped up and slammed his head into Hydreigon hard, sending her to the ground and knocking her out.
"Hydreigon is unable to battle. Scrafty wins. The winner of the first part of this battle is Ash from Pallet Town," Drayden announced as Ash ran over to Scrafty, exhausted and passed out in Ash's arms.
"Hey, rest, boy, you earned it," Ash said as Ash was about to pull out his Pokeball as Scrafty shook his head.
"I want to see my sister battle, Ash, please," Scrafty pleaded with Ash, who nodded as Iris went over to Hydreigon and praised her for the battle before returning her to her ball.
"There will be an hour break, and then we can have our match once it's over," Drayden said to Ash, who nodded. Ash needed a break from all that anyway, and battling on empty won't be good as he got something to drink beforehand.
An hour passed as the next battle was about to begin. Ash and Drayden were on the opposite side this time, and Iris was now the ref of the battle.
"And the second battle of the gym battle will now resume. The battle will be a 3v3 elimination battle and the same rules as before," Iris announced. "Now, will both trainers release their Pokemon, and we can get this battle going."
"Druddigon, come on out," Ash sent out his first Pokemon, which Drayden noticed and knew who it was.
"I see. You have my Druddigon's son. Sadly he won't be used in this battle, little nephew," Drayden said to Ash, who figured that might be the case as Drayden pulled out a Pokeball. "Garchomp, come on out," Drayden sent out his first Pokemon Ash was surprised by this and figured that this must be the relative Garchomp mentioned in the battle club.
"Druddigon vs. Garchomp, let the battle begin," Iris announced.
With the first part of Ash's gym battle now over. Ash now faces off against Drayden, the mayor and prominent gym leader of the Opelucid City gym. What does Drayden have against Ash, and how will Ash handle him? As the battle continues.
To Be continued.