Greetings everyone, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. Before we begin, I want to ask those reading these stories to review my other story, the Unova one. I know that I am begging, but I need feedback on my work, as the rewriting is exhausting and challenging when it's all for not. With that said, let's get this gym battle started, shall we?
Chapter 21: A Goldenrod Opportunity: Ash vs. Whitney
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
We joined our heroes as they arrived at a house outside Goldenrod City. It was the house that Ash's Uncle lived in, which brought many memories to Ash.
"This is the place, guys. At my Uncle's house, we are here to get Ursa ring's Pokeball so he can be a part of my team before we head into the city for the gym," Ash said to everyone. Who was amazed by this place? It wasn't some shack on the outskirts of town. It was almost the size of a mansion, even more, significant than Ash's house.
"Ash, is your Uncle rich or something?" Misty asked Ash while looking around. Ash was looking in the house using the key his Uncle left under the doormat for him to go in.
"He used to be the city's gym leader, Misty, and was in the running for champion along with another gym leader here in Johto before Lance became the current champion," Ash said to Misty, who was surprised by this, as was Brock.
"Ash's Uncle was stronger than you think, but family and Lance were his last challenge before becoming one, but we lost to him with one Pokemon left," Ursaring told Misty.
"My cousin is also on a Journey at the moment as a trainer, and he is my Uncle's son here, but that's all I know because I haven't seen him since the last time I visited here," Ash said as Ash was looking around for Ursaring's Pokemon and found it on the nightstand in the living room. "Ah, there it is. This is your ball, right Ursaring?" Ash asked Ursaring, who nodded at the question.
"Yeah, it is Ash. He usually puts my Pokeball there," Ursaring told Ash, who picked it up as it recently dings with a blueish color.
"Ash, that means that the transfer of ownership is now done, as the league made sure of it according to your Uncle before letting you have him," Brock said to Ash, who was looking at the Pokeball. It was his now the owner of one of his Uncle's best Pokemon belonging to him.
"Ash, now I'm your Pokemon. My moves are Slash, Ice and Thunder Punch, Counter, and one other move you saw I used at the daycare. I think your Uncle called it Brick Break, a fighting-type move. I follow your orders from now on and will not have any disobedience or struggles with me," Ursaring bowed to Ash, who nodded at this.
"No need for the bowing, Ursaring, and you can still treat me as your former trainer's nephew, Ursaring," Ash told Ursaring, who nodded at this and stood up when Ash said that, showing respect for Ash, not wanting him to do that.
"Will do, Ash. Thank you for giving me this chance again," Ursaring said as Ash nodded and returned Ursaring to his ball. Ash and the gang were leaving the house.
"Thank you, Uncle, and I will take care of him as you want me to. Now, it's time for us to head to the city and the gym," Ash said as Misty and Brock nodded at this and headed towards the city. Ash and the others arrived in the city. It was bigger than Celedon City, that's for sure.
"Man, this city is bigger than the last I was here. From what my Uncle told me, the gym is at the center of town," Ash said while heading to the center, only to see it was closed.
"Oh no, I'm sorry to inform you that the Goldenrod City gym is closed for today as it is the gym leaders' day off. Sorry for the inconvenience. Signed Gym leader Whitney," Ash read the note on the gym's doorway as they heard a voice heading their way.
"Oh, another Challenger for the gym," A Clefable said, who was walking with a Pink haired lady with a white shirt and shorts walking towards Ash and the gang.
"Hi there, I take that you are here for a gym battle. I'm Whitney, and I'm the gym leader. This is one of my partners, Clefable," Whitney introduced herself as Brock tried to do his usual shenanigans with females, only to be slapped by Clefable.
"Do that again, and that slap will be harder," Clefable said to Brock, who took the hint even though he understood what Clefable said.
"These are my friends Misty and Brock, gym leaders from Kanto, and I'm Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town. My Uncle used to run the gym before," Whitney interrupted Ash.
"Ah, your David's nephew. Nice to meet you. He told me that you would be challenging my gym soon before he left for the Whirl Islands," Whitney said to Ash, who sighed at this.
"That's my Uncle for you. He is always thinking ahead," Ash said to Whitney, who giggled at this.
"You are indeed his nephew, so you want to have a gym battle, Ash?" Whitney asked Ash, who was taken aback by this as Clefable looked like she wanted to battle as well.
"But what about your day off, Whitney? I know it's important for gym leaders to have it at least once or twice weekly?" Ash asked Whitney, who held her hand out like its okay.
"Don't worry about it. Ash and I can have it tomorrow as many trainers take a long time to get here, and most take the time to take in the sites before coming here," Whitney told Ash. "That and I couldn't turn down a challenge from the former gym leader's nephew."
"Okay, Whitney, I challenge you then," Ash said to Whitney, who looked determined. "I'm aware that you are as tough as the last two gym leaders here, and that is what I like to hear," Ash told Whitney as the group entered the gym.
"Then I won't go easy on you, Ash. You are the type of trainer that I want as a challenger, so I'll be using my toughest team, not just Clefable here," Whitney told Ash as she told her judge about who Ash is and who wants to challenge the gym, who nodded in agreement to the change of days off. Whitney and Ash were in their respective trainer's boxes as the gym's referee was ready to judge the battle.
"Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town challenges Whitney to a gym battle. Both sides will use three Pokemon. The match ends when all three Pokemon on either side cannot battle. During the battle, only the challenger is allowed to make any substitutions. At stake is the Plain Badge," The ref announced.
"I'm ready for a real rumble. How about you, Ash? You ready for this type of battle," Whitney told Ash, who smiled at this.
"Bring it, Whitney. I'm ready for anything," Ash told Whitney.
"Careful, Ash, we don't know what Pokemon she uses outside of Clefable," Brock said to Ash, who looked at him in acknowledgment of this and thought.
"I might know two of her Pokemon, and if she has what I think she does? This battle will be harder than she is letting on," Ash thought before turning to Whitney.
"Furret comes on out," Whitney sends out her Pokemon as Ash scans it to see that it is the evolved form of the Sentret that Casey had on her team.
"Venomoth, come on out," Ash sent out his Pokemon, who was nervous but had some training with Ash since he joined Ash's team. "Don't worry about it, Venomoth. Just do your best, and we'll get through this as a team," Ash told his Pokemon, who nodded at this.
"Furret vs. Venomoth, let the battle begin," the ref announced, raising the flags to indicate the start of the battle.
"Venomoth, use Sludge Bomb," Ash commanded Venomoth, who launched a sludge bomb at Furret. It wasn't big, but it was strong enough.
"Use dig Furret and then Headbutt," Whitney commanded her Pokemon, who dug underground, barely dodging the attack as it jumped out of the hole, ready to use Headbutt on Venomoth.
"Use Psychic Venomoth and then Giga drain," Ash commanded his Pokemon as both moves hit Furret, sending it to the ground as it got up. Those moves did significant damage, but Venomoth had trouble doing enough of it.
"I can see that you just caught it, Ash, but you're doing well raising it, but it has trouble with getting those moves to land," Whitney told Ash, who now understands how Daniel had trouble with Venomoth but he wasn't going to let that deter him.
"Use Psychic Venomoth and then use Sludge bomb," Ash commanded his Pokemon.
"Use Safeguard Furret," Whitney commands her Pokemon, who used that move before it was knocked out with both activities.
"Furret is unable to battle Venomoth wins," the ref announced as Venomoth was happy as it got a win. Venomoth fluttered towards Ash in happiness as it was his first time in a real battle, and he did well.
"Good job Venomoth but we have just begun the gym battle, but you did good," Ash told Venomoth, who nodded at this and smiled.
"Thanks, Ash, and I will do my best," Venomoth said to Ash as Whitney returned Furret to its Pokeball.
"Not bad, Ash. But as you said, this is just begun. Clefable, you're next," Whitney told her Pokemon, who went out. Ash returns Venomoth.
"Chikorita, come on out," Ash sent out his grass starter, who was ready to battle.
"Clefable, use Attract," Whitney commanded her Pokemon. Ash was ready for this move as it did nothing on Chikorita, who snickered when it did nothing. "I see you had a female Pokemon for that move, clever Ash, but that isn't going to let me down," Whitney told Ash, now catching on to why that movie didn't work.
"Let's just say that was something that my Uncle warned me about when it comes to Pokemon here in Johto, and many trainers also mentioned that you use it," Ash told Whitney. "Now use sleep Powder Chikorita," Ash commanded his Pokemon, not realizing the last move that Furret used before it was knocked out.
"Nice try, Ash, but that won't work on Clefable as Safeguard won't let it for a while as it protected my Pokemon from those types of attack," Whitney told Ash, who just realized what happened.
"Now use Metronome Clefable," Whitney commanded her Pokemon as Clefable twirled her fingers to start the move.
"Chikorita uses Razor Leaf," Ash commanded her, who launched its attack at Clefable, which interrupted the move sending her back hard.
"Use Fireblast Clefable," Whitney commanded her Pokemon, knowing that Ash wouldn't let her use that move again as it made Clefable more Vulnerable.
"Dodge it now and use a Vine Whip," Ash commanded Chikorita, who dodged it quickly and slammed its vines at Clefable harder than when it slapped Brock. "Finish it with a Body slam, Chikorita," Ash commanded Chikorita, who pounced on Clefable hard, knocking it out.
"Clefable unable to battle Chikorita wins," the ref announced as Chikorita smiled at this. Still, suddenly she started to glow and grew taller as she evolved, which she overlooked that she evolved.
Ash scans his new grass starter. "Congratulation, Chiko, I mean Bayleef, you did a good job," Ash said to Bayleef, who now noticed that she evolved and smirked at this and was acting very arrogant and sassy at her victory.
"Why thank you, Ash, now let's see what this gym leader has in store for me to win," Bayleef told Ash, now overconfident by her win.
"Now's not the time to be overconfident, Bayleef. If her final Pokemon is what I think it is, we will have some trouble," Ash told Bayleef, who ignored his warning as if she could beat anything as Whitney returned her Pokemon.
"I must say, Ash. I'm impressed by your display today. I can see why your Uncle had so much confidence in you, and you are right about my last Pokemon, which I'm surprised you know about. Miltank, come on out," Whitney sent out her last Pokemon, a big cow-based Pokemon that Ash didn't even need to look up. He knew the real battle started here.
"What a joke. This is going to be a pushover," Bayleef said out loud while waving the leaf on her head away in SAS. Miltank, upon hearing this, was madder than ever as no one ever said that to her, and Bayleef smirked upon seeing Miltank's reaction to it, proving her point.
"Miltank, use Rollout attack," Whitney commands her ace, who charges in and rolls at Bayleef, striking her.
"I try warning you, Bayleef Miltank isn't the type to be taken lightly or made fun of," Ash told Bayleef, who now regretted not listening to him sooner. "Now use Razor Leaf Bayleef," Ash commanded her. She launched the attack, who dodged the attack quickly and hit Bayleef, sending her back to the wall hard, knocking her out.
"Bayleef is unable to battle Miltank wins," the ref announced. 'Who's the pushover now, huh, Bayleef?" Miltank said to the knocked-out Bayleef. Ash returned Bayleef and pulled out another Pokeball.
"Venomoth, come on out," Ash sent out Venomoth earlier. "We need to get some footing against Miltank. We can't let that move to get stronger," Ash said to Venomoth.
"Look up my other moves, Ash. I might have something to help that," Venomoth told Ash, who did as told. He saw a move that could stop the Rollout dead in its tracks.
"We need to keep this up, Miltank; use Rollout," Whitney commanded her Pokemon, who rolled to where Venomoth was.
"Use Disable Venomoth," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who did as told as it connected as Miltank fell forward to the ground now that it was out of its rolling.
"Clever, Ash, but don't think that is only what Miltank knows. Use Return attack," Whitney commanded her Pokemon, who slammed itself into Venomoth hard and barely survived it. "Now end this with Stomp," Whitney commands her Pokemon as Ash notices the safeguard is done.
"Now use stun spore Venomoth," Ash commands his Pokemon, who did use that move just after Miltank used her move on him, knocking it out, unaware that the move had hit its mark.
"Venomoth is unable to battle Miltank wins. The match is now tied with both sides having one Pokemon left," the ref announced. Ash returns Venomoth.
"Now, Ash, this is the last round, so give me your all and don't disappoint," Whitney told Ash with a rugged look.
"Heracross, come on out," Ash sent out his last Pokemon, which was his bug/fighting type Whitney hadn't battled against once as a gym leader and knew she was in for a challenge.
"Now, this should be interesting, Ash. Miltank uses Fire punch," Whitney commands her Pokemon, who charges in with a fist in flames.
"Counter it with Mega Horn Heracross," Ash commanded his Pokemon, whose horn glowed and charged in, slamming against the fire punch and into Miltank, who grabbed his horn with her paw.
"Seismic Toss Miltank," Whitney commands her Pokemon, who sends Heracross up and tosses him to the ground hard as the Disable no longer affects Miltank.
"While I'm impressed, Ash, this battle is over. Miltank uses Rollout to end this battle," Whitney commanded her Pokemon, who launched its attack towards Heracross only to feel the effects of the stun spore attack's paralyzing effects hit her. "Miltank, you okay?" Whitney asked Miltank, who was growling at this as it realized what had just happened.
"I figured that disable would be done at some point in this battle, so I had to stop that move somehow, " Ash told Whitney, who was surprised by this.
"Well, Ash, of all the trainers I've battled, you planned. As most come up with the most convoluted strategy for me, this is the first. Time to end this, Miltank. Use Fire Punch," Whitney commands her Pokemon.
"Use Mega Horn Heracross," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who attacked Miltank as the moves clashed again. "Now use Reversal before it can use Seismic Toss Heracross," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who slammed his horn into Miltank hard, sending her to the wall. Miltank was struggling to get to the battlefield as she was hurt badly. This was why she rarely used moves other than Rollout but fell when she arrived at the battlefield.
"Miltank is unable to battle Heracross wins. The winner is the challenger Ash from Pallet Town," the ref announced. Ash ran to hug Heracross, who returned it as this was their second gym win for Ash. Whitney ran over to her Miltank and petted it before returning it to its ball and turning Ash.
"I can see why he's your nephew David. He's a lot stronger than you think," Whitney thought before smiling and walking towards Ash. "Great job. As you did great, and I can see how strong you are even on your own," Whitney said to Ash, who nodded at this.
"Thank you, Whitney. I figured that Miltank would give me some trouble. I don't think you remember me as a kid, but I used to visit your family's ranch back before you became a gym leader. That is why I knew that Miltank would be your last Pokemon," Ash said to Whitney, who was surprised by this.
"I thought your name sounded familiar, Ash, but a loss is a loss. Here the Plain badge is yours," Whitney handed Ash, who happily accepted the badge. The group was about to head to the Pokemon Center.
"The next gym is in Ecruteak City, with a massive historical heritage here in Johto. But before you leave, you should come with me to the ranch tomorrow on my day off as thanks for the battle today," Whitney told Ash and the others, who nodded at this as they got their Pokemon healed.
With the gym battle over and a new shiny badge in Ash's hands, the Journey to the Johto league has just begun as the Journey continues.
Stay tuned.
Done; this chapter is now over. When this episode aired, I never saw the first part as I slept through it and watched part two. When I finally watched it, this episode was too long for a one-sided sweep regarding the infamous Miltank, which I surprisingly had no issue with when I first played the games. I got lucky or was over-leveled back then. Either way, we are done with the story's first act, and I have plenty of things to come for this story as Damian will make his debut appearance pretty soon. Sooner than you think, but not the next chapter. It's the Miltank farm episode that is next. Catch you guys next time.