Greetings everyone. Mgunnels3 here, and welcome to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. Before I begin, I do have a few things to say. First is the recent Guest reviews. I appreciate that, and a few I will take in mind for Misty and Brock, and while you mentioned the requested ones, sadly Latias, while isn't in the Johto story, she'll debut in the next one, not as a capture. Lastly, while mentioning the new form of Scizor is nice and all, I will only give Ash Scizor as its Kanto-Shinnoh Pokemon that'll be included in this trilogy. Lastly, the whole thing with the GS ball. I have plans for it, as it will have a Pokemon that'll play a role in the third story. I won't say what, but let's say it's not Celebi like the anime initially had planned but from Shinnoh. That is all I have to say. Let's get this chapter started, shall we?
Chapter 16: Azalea Town gym battle rematch: Heracross vs. Scizor
"Human speech"
"Pokemon speech"
We join our heroes as they are getting ready for Ash's next gym battle. Misty, of course, was refusing to go to the gym with Ash and the others.
"Misty, are you sure you don't want to support the gym battle? I'm sure that Bugsy would make it so his bug-Pokemon won't cause harm towards us?" Ash said to Misty, who sighed at this.
"Look, Ash, I appreciate it, but I do have plans, and I was hoping to have Slowbro to help with that?" Misty said to Ash. "And I'm sure that as a psychic type, he wouldn't be comfortable being around them," Misty said.
"Sure, I mean, she isn't wrong about that, and I think she might want a Slowpoke for her own on her team, and I know a few that are just as smart as me but isn't as strong psychic wise, that is," Slowbro said to Misty and Ash who nodded at this.
"I'll let you command him if something happens while you are out there just in case, and be careful," Ash said to Misty, who nodded at this, as did Slowbro. "He's more a team capture regardless of him being on my team or not giving his gift to us," Ash said.
Ash and Brock left for the gym while Misty and Slowbro returned to the Slowpoke well for a possible capture of Misty. Ash was somewhat disappointed that Misty wasn't taking part in the coaching for this gym battle.
"Don't worry, Ash; she'll return after the gym battle. Until then, do you have a plan for this battle? I take that you'll use Charizard and Pidgeot like last time?" Brock asked while comforting Ash about Misty.
"No, I don't plan on using Charizard in this gym battle as well as Pidgeot, as I feel Heracross needed redemption for his battle against Scizor. Cyndaquil is a baby, so she can't battle, so Houndour it is. But I don't know what the gym rules are, and if a 3v3 battle depends on what Busgy's Pokemon are, maybe Totodile, Mareep, or Murkrow?" Ash said to Brock, who nodded at this. The two arrived at the gym, a massive greenhouse with a bug-type feel to it the instant they went there.
"Wow, this place is worthy of being a bug-type gym," Brock said to Ash, looking around and seeing other bugs Pokemon from Metapod to Syther and Pokemon that Ash hadn't seen before. Like Ledyba and Ariados, Ash scanned and saw what they were.
"Hey, you guys. Welcome to the Azalea town gym," Bugsy said while coming down from a ladder from a giant greenhouse tree. "I noticed that Misty isn't with you. Is she that scared of bug-Pokemon not to come here?" Bugsy asked Ash and Brock.
"Well, that and she and Slowbro are heading to the Slowpoke well cause Misty might get a Slowpoke for her team," Ash explains to Bugsy, who sighed at this but understood why she wouldn't visit the gym. The three walked to where the battlefield would be in the gym.
"Well, you ready, Ash? I had to turn down a few trainers yesterday for our battle today, aside from the town's restriction not to hold gym battles to relieve the drought," Bugsy said to Ash, who nodded at this and looked like he was going to ask Bugsy about something.
"Huh? What's wrong, Ash? You don't seem yourself, unlike the other day?" Bugsy asked.
"Huh? Yes, I do have a question before we have our battle. Did you battle a trainer with Blue hair and glasses named Damian, or had the challenger who wanted to fight you by that name?" Ash asked Bugsy.
"Yes, he challenged the gym just before the drought happened. He was ruthless in his battle to the point that I had to leave almost all my Pokemon except Scizor at the Pokemon center to the point that I almost missed my visit to the Dojo when we first met. Why, you ask Ash?"
"Recently, Brock captured a Pokemon that was released by Damian, who was a Pineco," Ash said to Bugsy but stopped Ash before he could finish that sentence.
"I know, said Pineco. Damian made him self-destruct to cause massive damage and hurt to my Pokemon. And a Charizard that made many of my Pokemon still have nightmares. To the point that the team I had originally planned for you other than Scizor will not be used today," Bugsy said.
"So the Pokemon we saw were the ones who were recovering? Or are they the ones that weren't used in that battle?" Ash asked Bugsy.
"Well, most are wild, and most are my Pokemon. I allowed the wild ones here as long as they don't cause harm to the challenges that come by. They don't bother the challenging trainers, and the trainers won't try to capture them," Bugsy explained to Ash while answering his question.
"Make sense. I wasn't planning on doing that, as they seemed pleased with being here anyway," Ash reassured Bugsy. The trio arrived at the battlefield, surrounded by trees and a large trainers box stadium screen. Ash was impressed by this, which was similar to the battlefield when facing Falkner. But at least this seems more like a battlefield for bug types. Ash and Bugsy went to the respected trainer's boxes as the ref for the gym was ready for this battle.
"The Azalea town gym battle between Ash Ketchem from Pallet town and gym leader Bugsy is about to begin. The match is over when all of one trainer's Pokemon cannot continue. Each trainer is allowed the maximum usage of three Pokemon. In contrast, the challenger is only allowed to make any substitutions during the battle," The Referee said Ash was ready for this, as did Bugsy.
"Spinarak comes on out," Bugsy sent out his first Pokemon, a spider-looking Pokemon that Ash looked up to, and pulled out his first Pokeball.
"Houndour, come on out," Ash sent out his fire/dark type Pokemon. Bugsy was surprised by this as he knew that Ash had a Charizard and possibly a flying type but knew that Ash wouldn't traumatize his Pokemon with a Charizard.
"Spinarak vs. Houndour, let the battle begin," The Referee announced.
"Alright, Houndour, use ember," Ash commands Houndour as it launches a strong ember attack toward the Spinarak. It instantly jumps into the trees with a string of silk that it's known to use.
"Alright, Spinarak, use Sludge Bomb," Bugsy commands Spinarak, who launches a glob of Poison toward Houndour.
"Dodge with Faint attack Houndour," Ash commands Houndour, who vanishes quickly and hits Spinarak from behind, sending it down from its web string.
"Ugh, not bad, Ash, but I won't let that get to me. Use Nightshade, Spinarak," Bugsy commanded as it launched a dark beam from its eyes towards hitting Houndour, sending it back towards Ash, panting as did Spinarak.
"Now use Reversal Houndour," Ash said to Houndour as it used the energy stored from all the damage it took and charged right towards Spinarak, hitting it and knocking it out.
"Spinarak is unable to battle Houndour wins," The Referee announced as Bugsy returned Spinarak and turned to Ash.
"I must admit, Ash. I thought you would bring Charizard to this battle, but a Houndour is better, but this is just the beginning; Beedril, come on out," Bugsy sent out his next Pokemon, which Ash wasn't expecting.
"Alright, Houndour, return," Ash recalled Houndour and pulled out another Pokeball. "Okay, Totodile, come on out," Ash sent out his water starter. "You ready, Totodile?" Ash asked Totodile, who nodded at this.
"Ready, Ash, let's get this battle going," Totodile said while having that competitive look on his face and eyes while facing Beedril down, not scared of it.
"Beedril, use Pin Missle," Bugsy commanded the Bee Pokemon, which launched a stream of pins toward Totodile.
"Use water gun Totodile," Ash commands Totodile as it launches a torrent of water towards Beedril while both moves hit both of the Pokemon. "Use bite, Totodile," Ash commands Totodile as it bit down on Beedril's arm.
"Fight back with Twin Needle Beedril," Bugsy commands Beedril, which slammed its other Needle at Totodile, sending it down to the ground even though Totodile got most of the damage from all of this. It was still standing strong, only to be Poisoned.
"Oh no, Totodile is Poisoned," Ash said while he knew that was the side effect from Twin Needle but wasn't expecting that to happen right away. Bugsy was about to command Beedril for another attack, but suddenly Totodile started glowing. It was beginning to evolve. Totodile was now a Croconaw which Ash looked up though it still had the Poison left over regardless of evolving.
"Alright, Croconaw, you evolve," Ash said to his water starter, who looked at himself and puffed his chest but still suffered from the Poison from the twin needle."Alright, use Ancient Power Croconaw," Ash commanded Croconaw as it hit Beedril, knocking it out, but the Poison was too much for the water starter, and he also fainted from it. "No, Croconaw," Ash said.
"Croconaw and Beedril are unable to battle," The Referee announced as Bugsy and Ash returned their Pokemon. Ash knew what Pokemon was next and hoped to get in some damage.
"Well, Ash, I'm impressed by this battle so far, but as I mentioned before, I saved this Pokemon just for our battle. Scizor comes on out," Bugsy sent out his leading ace. The steel/bug type came out of his ball to the battlefield.
"Houndour, come on out," Ash sent out his fire/dark type again, who was still worn out but still wanting not to disappoint Ash in this battle. "Houndour, use ember," Ash commands Houndour as it sends an Ember again toward Scizor.
"Dodge and use Fury Cutter Scizor," Bugsy commands Scizor as it moves so quickly that it barely dodges the fire-type move as the Fury cuter hits Houndour.
"Now Reversal, "Ash commands as it manages to hit Scizor after being hit by Fury Cutter.
"Now, Ember Houndour," Ash commands Houndour before Scizor can recover from hitting it, but it shrugs off.
"Use Hyper beam Scizor," Bugsy commands Scizor launching the Hyper beam and hitting Houndour and knocking him out.
"Houndour is unable to battle Scizor, wins the battle is now tied with one Pokemon each," the Referee announced. Ash returns Houndour, praising him for his battle as he did what Ash wanted Houndour to do against Scizor before turning to Bugsy and pulling out his last Pokeball.
"Well, Bugsy, it's time for that rematch of our bug-type. Heracross, come on out," Ash sent out his bug/fighting type, who saw the trees and took a snack on one of their trees. "Come on, Heracross, now's not the time for that," Ash said to his Pokemon as Bugsy chuckled.
"Come on, Ash, this place is made for even Pokemon like Heracross, and I'll allow it since he is doing what he is known to do," Bugsy said to Ash. Heracross finished eating his sap from the tree and flew to the battlefield.
The two bug Pokemon stared each other down as they knew that there was no calling the match off this time. Ash remembers the last time he faced Scizor and knew not to try to match blow for blow with Fury Cutter.
"Heracross, use Horn attack," Ash commands Heracross, who charges towards Scissors Horn, pointing towards Scizor.
"Scizor, double team and then use Fury Cutter," Bugsy commands Scizor as he makes copies of itself. The clones were as fast as the original was, as Fury Cutter landed a blow after Heracross hit one of the clones.
"Ugh, this is bad, but keep calm. Ash Scizor is fast, but I have to wait for the moment for the real one," Ash thought. "Relax Heracross and focus on which is real. Once you find it, you can strike back," Ash commanded Heracross. Heracross did as he could tell that the clones were slowly fading, revealing the real one in his meditative state. "Now, Reversal, Heracross," Ash commands Heracross as it slams its horn straight at Scizor hard.
"Now use Metal Claw Scizor and Reversal," Bugsy commands Scizor as it smashes its right claw into Heracross hard, sending him back and on the ground, struggling to get up. "Now, now, Ash, you think you were the only one who knew that move? We've prepared that move just for Scizor's weaknesses. But it seems like you haven't learned your lesson from the Dojo Scizor ends this with a Hyper beam," Bugsy commands Scizor, who launches the Hyper beam towards Heracross. Heracross's horn started to glow massive amounts of energy, and they dodged and smashed its horn straight at Scizor, hitting it hard and sending it back, leaving a mark on Scizor's thigh that wasn't a reversal horn attack.
"That has to be Mega Horn. It's the strongest bug Pokemon move in Heracross's arsenal, not bad Ash, but this match is about to end," Bugsy said to Ash, who nodded at this in agreement. "Scizor, use Metal claw and Reversal," Bugsy commands Scizor, whose claws glowed and charged at Heracross.
"End this with Mega Horn and Reversal," Ash commanded Heracross. The two Pokemon clashed the two moves right at each other to the point that it caused an explosion way too strong for a normal one. The two Pokemon were barely standing up, panting hard from all this. It looked like the two were about to faint, but Scizor fainted first as Heracross stubbornly stood on his feet, refusing to faint.
"Scizor is unable to battle Heracross wins. The victor is Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town," The Referee announced the winner of the battle just in time for Heracross to nearly pass out only to be caught by Ash, who was hugging him in celebration of his victory.
"You did great, Heracross," Ash said to Heracross, who held his arm out in acknowledgment. Same with Bugsy, who walked over to Ash and Heracross.
"I must admit, Ash, I thought that would end differently, but nicely done. Here the Hive badge is yours," Bugsy handed the gym's badge to Ash, who accepted it.
Ash and Bugsy were leaving the Pokemon center after getting their Pokemon healed after this battle, just in time for Misty and Slowbro to come back along with Maizie with a batch of Pokeballs that Kurt made for Ash and Brock: One Fastball, two Lure balls, one Heavy ball, and one Friend ball, as Misty had already received her Lure balls before returning to the Pokemon center with Ash.
"Thanks, Maizie. Any news of the GS ball and Misty? You caught your Pokemon?" Ash asked both of the two.
"I'll start. Yes, Slowbro helped me with a new member of my team, a female Slowpoke who is willing to get stronger to your Slowbro's psychic capabilities," Misty said; however, she turned to Maizie, who looked upset.
"Yeah, earlier, the GS ball was being worked on, and then suddenly it opened, and before we could see what came out, it was gone. All we saw was a blueish-blackish color blur running off, but it was gone before we could see what it was," Maizie said to Ash, who was surprised by this before thinking about what it was. "All I know is that whatever is in there was in that ball for the last few years, that is all," Maizie said before leaving and telling them goodbye.
"I'll contact the league about this as well, Ash. Until then, you should be more focused on your Journey. The next gym is in Goldenrod City. But Whitney, the gym leader, is not someone to be taken lightly, both her Pokemon and personality-wise. She is ranked pretty highly amongst us gym leaders, even enough to hold her own against the last two gym leaders," Bugsy said to Ash, who was surprised by this.
"That is all I can say for now until then. I suggest that you go through the Ilex forest. If you leave now, you'll be there in a month if you don't get sidetracked," Bugsy said to Ash and the others, to which Misty shivered at this. "Relax, Misty, there is not much bug Pokemon in the forest, and it's the only way to Goldenrod City. Until then, I'm sure we'll meet again, Ash, the next time we meet. I hope a rematch can be a thing," Bugsy said while holding a hand for a handshake.
"Deal, Bugsy," Ash said while accepting the handshake. Ash and the others went their separate ways. Bugsy returned to his house, and Ash and the others approached Ilex forest.
With a gym badge and news about the GS Ball given to Ash and the others, the Journey in Johto is improving as the Journey continues.
Stay tuned.
Done; this took longer than I thought it would. Yes, Heracross learned Mega Horn, and I made Totodile evolve while it didn't help a gym win, it'll still get more battles later on as for the GS ball and the mysterious Pokemon. Some of you might get what it is by the description of it. But that'll be after the Hoenn story of the trilogy. Misty is getting a Slowpoke off-screen. Yes, I did mention that would happen, given that Misty is scared of bug Pokemon, but she'll get a different evolution of the Slowpoke line. That said, the Noctowl episode is next, and I have other plans for Noctowl not being on Ash's team. You'll see when that chapter comes out. See you then.