Greetings, everyone Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to Ash's Unova Journey, my version. We are two chapters away from the fourth act of the story. Once this two-parter is done, I will take a break to return to Johto. Before I begin, I'm asking this fellow writer are you also having trouble when it comes to looking up views on their recent chapter, and nothing needs to be shown? Still, the reviews do because the last chapter had that issue, and I had it before in this story, and Johto is just asking. Let's get this chapter going, shall we?
Chapter 70: Rocking the Virbank Gym pt 1
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
We joined our heroes as the plane they were taking had just arrived at Virbank City, the site of Ash's next gym battle.
The group got off the plane. "Ah, Virbank City, this place looks different from what I thought it would be," Ash said as it did look a bit run down, similar to Grengi City back in Kanto.
"That's Virbank for you, Ash. It may run down, but it is where most of Unova's oil refinery and movies come from," Skyla said while exiting the plane.
"Thank's again, Skyla, for taking us here. I know it's way out of the way from Mistraliton," Ash thanked Skyla, who nodded.
"Surprisingly, I have a package and business here in Virbank, so you came at a good time," Skyla said to Ash, who nodded. "I'll be leaving two days after today, so if you want a ride back, let me know," Skyla said to Ash, who nodded as Skyla went on her way as the group went their separate ways.
The group tried to find the Pokemon Center before heading to the gym tomorrow. As they made their way past a building, a significant vibration came from it as Zorua covered her ears.
"Ugh, why does that noise have to be loud," Zorua complained.
You okay we barely hear anything?" Misty asked Zorua as this annoyed Zorua.
"You humans forget that I'm a fox Pokemon and canines/foxes have a strong sense of hearing," Zorua said.
"I think it might be good to find that Pokemon center soon," Brock told Ash for Zorua's sake. Ash nodded just in time to see someone making his way out of the building, looking like he's been through a tough battle as Ash followed him to the Pokemon center. Ash and the gang arrived at the Pokemon center shortly after the trainer did to see him getting his Pokemon healed.
"Man, I didn't expect the new gym leader to be this strong," The trainer said as Ash and the others overheard this.
So that building that you left is this newly built gym, I heard," Ash said to the young trainer, realizing it was Tim who Ash faced from the Battle Club.
"Ah, Ash, it's been a while since the battle club. Yeah, that is the gym, alright," Tim said to Ash. "The gym leader is challenging even for the replacement for Brycen. She's good when it comes to Poison types," Tim said.
"So it's a poison-type gym. We haven't seen that since Kanto," Misty said to Tim, who nodded.
"The problem is it wasn't nerves. It's how the gym is structured. It's not just a gym but a place where the gym leader plays music in her battles," Tim said.
"That's the sound you were hearing earlier, Zorua," Misty said, who nodded. "The problem is it's not normal music. It's more rock music than the gym leader. From what I've heard, she is the leader of a band, and her gym rules are ridiculous for a gym, but you'll find out for yourself if you are battling her tomorrow," Tim said. Only to see a white-haired girl walking in to get her Pokemon healed. "That's her, the gym leader."
Ash and the others noticed, and Ash recognized her and walked over to her. Misty was now wondering who she was. And why was Ash excited to see again who was healing her Pokemon? "Roxie, is that you?" Ash said to the young girl, who turned around.
"Ash, wow, I heard from your mom that you were in Unova. The last I was in Kanto wasn't expecting you to be here in Virbank," Roxie said to Ash, who nodded.
"Yep, I was told by Drayden that this gym was opening up and Brycen was retiring, so I decided to come here to challenge the gym, not expecting you to be the gym leader," Ash said to Roxie, who chuckled.
"Ash? Who is this, and why are you so happy to meet her?" Misty asked Ash in a severe tone, given that Misty was his girlfriend.
"Easy, Misty, before you jump to conclusions, I think introductions are in order," Ash said to Misty, who glared at Ash.
"Ah, your Misty Waterflower is among the top six best gym leaders. Nice to meet you; I visited Cerulean recently. My name is Roxie, the Virbank gym leader and leader of a rock band as well," Roxie said as Ash cleared his throat to Roxie, trying not to tick off Misty even more.
"Aren't you forgetting something, Roxie?" Ash said to Roxie, trying to clear the air with Misty.
"Oh, right, Ash and I are cousins actually from his dad's side of the family," Roxie said. Everyone was surprised by this Misty turned to Ash, who nodded.
"Yeah, Roxie and I are cousins. She's here in Virbank with her father. The last I heard, who was my dad's brother? She was originally from Kanto before she moved here," Ash explained.
"Sorry, you guys, just the whole cousin's thing usually don't fly with girlfriends, but I'll make an exception, for now, Ash," Misty said to Ash, who sighed.
"Changing the subject, please, Roxie. I want to know your gym rules to plan a strategy for tomorrow. If you don't mind me asking, I heard it's different from the others?" Ash asked Roxie, who nodded.
"The battle rules are a 3-on-6 gym battle," Roxie said, and Ash and the others were surprised to hear this. "I wanted to bring out the best in my challengers. So I wanted to let my challenger use all their Pokemon to battle mine to see how strong the trainers here in Unova are compared to Kanto or the other regions," Roxie said to Ash, who understood why she would do that now.
"However, given that this is you, Ash, I will make an exception to the part on my end using three Pokemon. I will also be using six Pokemon, but don't expect an easy battle against me tomorrow, so better bring your best," Roxie said as her Pokemon was healed and left.
"Can she choose that type of rule?" Misty asked Brock, as her gym rules aren't like that, to which Brock nodded.
"Misty, I'm surprised that you would understand that many gym leaders have a right to set rules as long as they give the challenger the allow to make substitutions rule," Brock said to Misty.
"I know it's just since I've been a gym leader for three years. It's been difficult understanding stupid rules like that," Misty said as Ash talked to Professor Oak about getting a few Pokemon to join his team tomorrow. "He waste's no time, does he?" Misty said to Brock.
"Yeah, given that this is his cousin, I can see why he's making big preparations for this gym battle, sadly he only has one psychic type, and that's Solosis, and given that Poison types are multiple typings, who know what she uses," Brock said to Misty. The latter nodded as Ash finished his phone call, walked over to Misty and Brock, and turned to Pikachu.
"Say Pikachu, since we aren't in the typical gym battle, you want to take part in this battle tomorrow?" Ash asked Pikachu, who shook his head.
"Nope, we made a deal unless it's the league, a massive tournament, or being challenged. I will not be participating in any gym battles during this Journey, Ash, and let the new Pokemon do that," Pikachu said, crossing his arms.
"Right, but that is no longer needed, given that we are past the eight gyms and all," Ash said to Pikachu, who shook his head.
"A gym battle is a battle, Ash; remember, this will replace the Icicle badge," Pikachu said as Ash sighed. "Alright, Pikachu, I won't use you tomorrow," Ash said to Pikachu.
"Sorry, guys, I'm going to stay out of watching this battle at the gym given that my ears couldn't take just being outside the gym, and we can watch it on TV over there from the looks of it," Zorua said to Ash and the others who nodded.
"I wasn't going to ask you to do that," Ash said to Zorua, who nodded.
"I'm staying out of this battle as well, Ash, sorry, but grass-types and Poison don't go well that, and I can spend time with Zorua tomorrow," Servine said to Ash, who nodded in understanding.
"I'm coming with you, Servine," Pikachu said Servine, who glared at Pikachu.
"I know what you are trying to do, Pikachu, and it isn't working," Servine said as she held her arms in a gesture. "If you that dead set on winning my love again, you can join us tomorrow. Since you aren't in the battle, we'll be watching the battle in the room," Servine said to Pikachu, who sighed and nodded.
The next day comes as Ash and the others are outside the gym. Ash was ready to face off against Roxie as the group entered the gym, only to hear the music getting even louder. Luckily as had some earplugs, just enough to silence the music but not talk. They opened the door only to see a gym battlefield with a monitor and a crowd of Roxie's fans, as Ash was today's primary challenger. The crowd turned to Ash with cold hard stares like he was just another challenger.
"That's enough. You'll treat my challengers with respect, or you can leave. Especially given that the boy with the hat is my cousin," Roxie said via the microphone, which the group stopped and accepted her wishes.
"Wow, you sure have ways with words, cousin," Ash said to Roxie, who nodded as she walked towards the center of the battlefield with her bandmates in the background, ready to get this battle and concert started.
"I'm still new at being a gym leader, so this town still is getting used to challengers taking part in our concerts," Roxie said before turning to the group. "I wish you all treat this seriously as this gym battle isn't just about winning my reputation as a new gym leader at stake as well. Giving fair challenges is part of it, and seeing my fans here even try to intimidate the challengers will make me look bad," Roxie said as the group calmed down.
"So, can we start this gym battle? I'm looking forward to it, and I'm fine with the music as we came prepared. I'd say focus on the battle, but it is your gym," Ash said to Roxie, who smiled and nodded before going to the trainer's box. Ash did the same as the ref was in the middle.
"Now, the Virbank city gym battle will now begin. As per Roxie's request, this gym battle will be a full 6v6 battle, with the challenger only allowed making the substitutions. With that said, let out your first Pokemon with both sides, and we can get this battle going," the ref announced.
"Ash, because we are family doesn't mean I will hold back today. You'll be facing members of the Poison Pokemon that I've caught over my tours in multiple regions. Crobat, come on out," Roxie sent out her first Pokemon, a Crobat. Ash had a feeling that she would use Pokemon from other regions, but what Pokemon he didn't know.
"Okay, Deino, come on out," Ash sent out his first Pokemon. Both Pokemon were shown on the scoreboard, and Roxie was surprised that Ash owned a Deino.
"Wow, Ash, you've gotten a rare and strong Pokemon here in Unova," Roxie said to Ash, who nodded.
"Yeah, he just joined the team recently and figured this would be a good first battle for him," Ash said.
"Deino vs. Crobat, let this full Pokemon battle begin," the ref announced as Ash and Roxie were ready to start the battle.
"Crobat, use Air Slash," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who launched it at Deino.
"Deino, use Dragon Pulse, and then Dragon Rush," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who used the attacks as he blasted the Air slash and charged at Crobat.
"X-scissors, Crobat," Roxie commanded her Pokemon as the two attacks clashed, sending Deino to the gym ground Crobat looked like it barely took damage. Roxie smirks at Ash.
"Not bad, Ash. Most trainers have trouble just with this mon alone, not since my last challenger has someone given Crobat a good challenge and moved past her," Roxie said to Ash, who knew that she was tough, but this was ridiculous that most trainers struggled with one Pokemon.
Ash looked up Deino's moves and saw Deino had something up his sleeve or his teeth for this battle which Ash now understood why Deino wanted to join Ash's team. "Zen headbutt now," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who charged at Crobat.
"X-scissors," Roxie commanded her Pokemon as the two Pokemon clashed.
"Got you, know use Ice Fang," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who chomped on Crobat's wing. Roxie was surprised that Deino knew that move which Deino sent her to the ground. "End this with Dragon Pulse," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who fired the attack knocking Crobat out.
"Crobat is unable to battle Deino wins," the ref announced as Roxie returned her Pokemon. The crowd in her gym booed Ash, and she glared at them.
"Ugh, you must remember that this is part of gym battles, or have you never seen one outside my gym," Roxie said to the crowd, who shut up after that. "This is your last warning. I won't make my music part of the gym battle if you don't shape up," Roxie said to them before turning to Ash. "Sorry cousin, like the last challenger, this makes it hard to battle when you just want to make them welcome and have fun," Roxie said to Ash, who nodded.
"Don't worry about it, Roxie," Ash said just as Ash and Roxie noticed that Deino was starting to glow and evolve, which Ash was surprised by.
Deino was now a Zweilous; however, his right head was starting not to want to battle, while the left one, the original head, was shutting him down.
"Zweilous, you are going to be okay, I have dealt with this before, and I don't want you two not to be against each other or me as a trainer for you?" Ash asked the two of them.
"Shut it, Ash. You're my trainer, but I'm not like him," the right head said, only for his left head to slam right into the other. "He's the reason we evolved, I'm in charge, and this will be that when we have a third head, please," the left head said, which the right head sighed and nodded. "Sorry, Ash."
"It's fine to let's work together as a team, shall we? After all, I'm giving you a good battle and holding my end of the bargain, or are you backing down on it," Ash said, concerning which the two shook their heads and agreed to Ash before turning to Roxie.
"I didn't let out my next Pokemon because I had a feeling this would happen given what their evolutionary line is known for being like Dodrio in Kanto. But I guess it makes sense given that you were being patient with my fans here," Roxie said to Ash, who nodded. Roxie pulled out her next Pokeball. "Weezing, come on out," Roxie sent out her next Pokemon.
Ash knew this Pokemon would be some problem, given that he's battled a few with Team Rocket.
"Zweilous, use Dragon Rush," Ash commanded his Pokemon as he charged at the gas Pokemon.
"Gyro Ball now," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who spun at Zweilous, sending him to the ground.
"Sludge Bomb and then Venoshock," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who fired the two attacks at Zweilous, knocking him out. Ash wasn't surprised.
"Zweilous is unable to battle Weezing wins," the ref announced as Ash returned his Pokemon, giving praise.
"Whirlepede, come on out," Ash sent out his next Pokemon. She knew Poison-types would be a good match-up for her, given that her defense and power shout could handle this Pokemon, which Roxie gushed over her.
"Ah, you have one. I have her final stage on my team. We are family. She looks cute," Roxie said to Ash, which made Whirlepede blush in cuteness from the praise. "Anyway, let's get this going. Use Flamethrower," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who fired the attack.
"Protect and then use Steamroller and then Pin Missle," Ash commanded her, who protected herself from the Flamethrower and then used both attacks to slam right into Weezing, sending her back. "Now use Bug buzz," Ash commanded her, who fired the attack at Weezing.
"Gyro ball," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who was charging at the Bug buzz attack but was struggling to get closer to Whirlepede, only for Weezing to spin to the ground and be knocked out.
"Weezing is unable to battle Whirleped wins," the ref announced as Roxie returned her Pokemon Ash was celebrating as Whirlepede made a whirl of her body before she started to evolve. This gym battle might show how well many Pokemon Ash will have that will evolve during this Journey. Whirlepede was now a Scolepede, no longer being held back by her movement cause of her second stage.
"Now that's a beauty," Roxie said to Ash, who rubbed the back of his head at this. Roxie is a big fan of Poison types for a good reason. "Now, time to give this gym a good time, Drappion. Come on out," Roxie sends out her next Pokemon. Ash and everyone were surprised to see this Pokemon, even Pikachu, who was watching this on tv.
"Regretting not taking part in this gym battle Pikachu," Servine said to Pikachu, who sighed and nodded.
"A deal is a deal we've had battled that Pokemon before Scolepede should be careful of her pincers," Pikachu said to Servine and Zorua, who nodded.
"Scolepede, use Bulldoze," Ash commanded, who slammed her feet on the ground sending shockwaves throughout the gym.
"Jump and then use Aerial Ace," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who jumped in the air and dove right at Scolepede.
"Mega Horn, and watch out of those Pincers," Ash commanded and said to Scolepede, whose antenna glowed and slammed right into Drappion before it could use its pincers on Scolepede.
"Night Slash," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who slashed her Pincers at Scolepede, sending her to the ground.
"Giga Impact," Roxie commanded her Pokemon.
"Mega Horn," Ash commanded as the two Pokemon clashed instantly, causing a massive explosion that wasn't cleared up for a few minutes. The smoke revealed that Scolepede was down and out as Drappion stood firm, and everyone was surprised by this strength.
"Scolepede is unable to battle Drappion wins," the ref announced as Ash returned Scolepede to her Pokeball. Ash was surprised that Roxie would own a Pokemon like Drappion, not almost a year after the Sinnoh league. But Ash knew that Drappion was strong but not unbeatable as Ash pulled out his next Pokeball.
"Drilburr, come on out," Ash sent out his next Pokemon, who was ready to battle, and this was the type of Pokemon that a half-Buizel like Drilburr wants in a challenge.
"A ground-type cleaver was thinking that you would use one against me in today's battle," Roxie said to Ash, who nodded. "Brick Break now," Roxie commanded her Pokemon.
"Metal Claw and Drill Run," Ash commanded his Pokemon as the two Pokemon charged at each other. Drilburr managed to outmaneuver Drappion's Brick break attack. Drilbur managed to land a blow on Drappion.
"Night Slash," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who managed to slam its pincer at Drilburr, sending him back to Ash. "Use Sludge Bomb," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who fired the attack at Drilburr.
"Dig, get out of there," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who dodged the Sludge bomb thanks to his speed in getting underground.
"Oh no, you don't use Brick Break on the ground," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who slammed her pincers on the ground sending a shockwave and hitting Drilburr. "Drilbur is fast, much faster than I can give him. But I've planned on my opponent using dig to get around my Pokemon, so you are going to do better than that to beat my precious Drappion," Roxie said to Ash as Drilburr was getting up as Ash was about to return him.
"Don't, Ash, please; I can handle her," Drilburr said to Ash, who sighed and nodded. Drilburr growled at Drappion and started to glow, which Ash was surprised again. Drilburr was now and Excadrill, which didn't faze Roxie.
"I'm not sure if you don't realize it, Ash, but your newly evolved Pokemon now is at a problem against my Drappion. As most of her moves weren't effective against a pure ground type, and Brick Break is strong against it, Excadrill," Roxie said to Ash, who remained calm about this situation.
"Excadrill use Rock Slide," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who launched the attack at Drappion.
"Giga Impact now," Roxie commanded her Pokemon, who was being hit by the rocks through the attack, and Exacdrill dodged the Giga Impact with his speed.
"Now you use Giga Impact Excadrill," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who slammed right into Drappion, knocking her out. Roxie was surprised by this.
"Drappion is unable to battle Excadrill wins," the ref announced as Roxie returned her Pokemon. Excadrill looked at Ash, nodding, indicating that he was okay with being back in his ball for the time being, which Ash did.
With Roxie down to three Pokemon, Ash's gym challenge is getting even more enjoyable. What else does Roxie have on her team that will change the tide of battle? As the gym battle continues.
To Be Continued.