Greetings, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. Before we begin, I apologize for not posting for the rest of the week. Memorial Day weekend is rough for many retail workers like me, but I am back to working now. Let's get this gym battle started, shall we?
Chapter 57: Macho, Machamp, Man
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
We join our heroes as the boat arrives at Cianwood City, the following gym battle site. The group arrived at the pharmacy where the medicine for Sparkle was.
"Here you go, the specific medicine for the condition for the tender of the Lighthouse," the pharmacist said, handing Janina the medicine she happily took. "Thank you very much, and I will make sure that Jasmine will get it," Janina said as the group left for the docks. Janina was going to get on board the returning boat.
"I promise that I will make sure that Jasmine will get this; Ash and I will keep you in touch on Sparkle's condition and how Ampharos is doing," Janina said to Ash and the others. Ash nodded.
"Thank you, Janina, and I know you will take care," Ash said to Janina.
"Sadly, the gym will be closed until further notice. I won't participate as gym leader until Jasmine is ready," Janina said as Ash nodded.
"To be honest with you, Janina, I would've been fine battling you, but it is for the best just make sure that you learn from this," Ash said as Janina nodded and went on board the ship took off.
"Off she goes, so let's ask around where the gym is," Misty told Ash. "I wonder what the gym leader is like and what he or she specializes in," Brock said.
"What? I do remember his name is Chuck. He's been a gym leader longer than most other gym leaders, with Pryce the Mahogany gym leader the longest?" Ash explained. "As for what he specializes I believe he's a fighting-type gym leader."
Misty and Brock were about to say something when they heard a man grunting and noticed a heavy-weight man with Muscles training with a Machamp who was taking the brunt of his attacks. "Wow, look at that," Misty said. The group ran over to see this as the man and the Machamp noticed the group.
"Huh, I took you kids are here for a gym battle," The man said as Ash nodded.
"I took you are Chuck," Ash said to Chuck, who was impressed that Ash knew about him.
"Yes, I am, Chuck, the gym leader. I'm surprised that you heard of me," Chuck said.
"Well, being the nephew of a former gym leader, I do learn a few names gym leader-wise," Ash said, which Chuck noticed and chuckled.
"Ah, David's nephew. A few days ago, he was just here, and I walked into that," Chuckle said. "So, what's your name since you know mine," Chuck asked Ash.
"It's Ash Ketchem, and I'm from Pallet Town, and these are my friends who are also gym leaders from Kanto, Misty, and Brock," Ash introduced his friends.
"Well, hop to it," Chuck said, running in place as the group was surprised upon seeing this. "If you wanted a battle that badly, you might as well show how well you run to the gym. I'd show you," Chuck said as the group sighed and worried because of Chuck's weight for this. The group followed Chuck to what looked like a dojo-like house.
"Well, here we are, the Cianwood gym," Chuck said as many young students ran out to Chuck to greet him. Ash and the others head inside only to be greeted by offered lunch by Chuck's wife. "I mean, might as well given the run to here, and it's only fair for fellow challengers," Chuck said.
During the meal, Ash and the others can tell that regardless of Chuck's "physic," he's a very dedicated teacher and how they look up to him.
"So, I have taken that you are also here to participate in the competition, not just the gym battle, young man," Chuck's wife asked Ash, curious about her. "Oh, I guess that you don't know there's a fighting tournament that will be happening tomorrow, and my flabby husband here will participate in it," she said.
"Hey, who are you calling flabby, dear? But you are right. It's the P1 Grand Prix. It's taking place here in Cianwood City this year as it's been taking place in either Kanto or Dewford Island in Hoenn," Chuck explained. Ash was surprised to hear this was happening, which Chuck noticed. "You've heard of that competition?" Chuck asked, and Ash nodded.
"Yeah, Brock and I participated in it in Kanto two years ago. I won it with my Primape," Ash said as Chuck laughed.
"Ah, that would explain how strong Primape was. The last tournament we took part in, you raised her well, Ash," Chuck said, and Ash sighed at this, happy to hear Primape was doing well. "You might see the two of them here in the tournament. Sadly, from what I've heard, this year is small contestant-wise," Chuck said. "Well, you ready for that gym battle, Ash," Chuck asked Ash, who was taken aback by this but nodded. Ash and Chuck were in the dojo, and the trainer's box judged the gym battle as one among the students.
"The Cianwood city gym battle between Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town and gym leader Chuck will begin. Both trainers will use three Pokemon each, and the match is over when all three Pokemon on either side cannot battle. Only the challenger is allowed to make any substitutions during the match."
"You ready for this, Ash? You already know that Machamp is one of my Pokemon," Chuck said to Ash, who nodded and bowed, showing respect to him.
"Hitmontop, come on out," Chuck sent out his first Pokemon, which Ash scanned and realized was one of the evolutions of Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee.
"Skarmory, come on out," Ash sent out his first Pokemon, who was ready to participate in this battle.
"Clever, a flying type against a fighting type gym, but this won't be easy for you to beat," Chuck said to Ash, who nodded and knew that fighting type Pokemon has different moves for different types of Pokemon and situations.
"Skarmory vs. Hitmontop, let the battle begin," the ref announced as Ash and Chuck was ready to get this battle going.
"Hitmontop, use Hidden Power," Chuck commanded his Pokemon, who launched its attack at Skarmory.
"Double team and then use Aerial Ace," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who used the attacks and went towards Hitmontop.
"Hitmontop, use Tripple Kick," Chuck commanded his Pokemon as it spun, landed blows on the clones, and hit Skarmory, who also hit the Hitmontop.
"Now, Brick break," Chuck commanded his Pokemon, whose legs launched at Skarmory.
"Drill Peck now," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who clashed as the two were evenly matched. This was the type of battle that Skarmory asked for when she joined the team.
"Use Return now, Skarmory," Ash commanded her, who charged right at Hitmontop, hitting it.
"Use Endeavour Hitmontop," Chuck commanded his Pokemon, whose body glowed and slammed right into Skamory Ash was curious about what that move was about but noticed that she wasn't knocked out. But knew that something was up.
"Drill peck now," Ash commanded her, who slammed her beak right into Hitmontop, knocking it out.
"Hitmontop is unable to battle Skamory wins," the ref announced.
"You did it, Skamory," Ash said, noticing Skarmory was panting heavily.
"That was a tough battle Ash and never had I been this tired, but I won't go down this easily," Skarmory said as Chuck returned his Pokemon, smirking and laughing.
"Not bad young man. You've raised that Skarmory well, but this was a warm-up time for the real fight. Poliwrath, come on out," Chuck sent out his next Pokemon. Skamory smirked and was ready to fight more.
"Alright, use Aerial ace Skarmory," Ash commanded her, who dove right at Poliwrath.
"Mind reader and then use Dynamic Punch," Chuck commanded his Pokemon, knowing that Ash would use Double team as the Mind Reader hits Skarmory. Skarmory tries to maneuver around Poliwrath, hitting it only for the Dynamic Punch to hit her, sending her to the ground knocked out.
"Skarmory is unable to battle Poliwrath wins," the ref announced. Ash was surprised by this as Chuck laughed. "Surprised by that, Ash? Normally, Skarmory would survive that move, given how strong a defense she is known for. That is where that last move Hitmontop used came in," Chuck said. Ash was surprised by this.
"The opposing Pokemon will share the same amount of damage that the Pokemon who used the move Endeavour had when it was used, meaning all that damage Skarmory was doing was leading up to her loss," Chuck said as Poliwrath showed off from that. "That and the combination of Mind Reader ensures that moves with a hard time hitting will hit."
"I see. I can't be too reckless in this battle," Ash said. "Well, luckily for you, that Hitmontop is the only one on my team that knows that move, young man," Chuck said as Ash pulled out his next Pokeball. "Bayleef, come on out," Ash sent out his next Pokemon.
"Ah, a grass-type clever, but you know what water types are known to be as well," Chuck said. "Use Ice Beam," Chuck commanded his Pokemon, who fired the attack right at Bayleef.
"Bayleef, use Earthquake," Ash commanded, who slammed her legs into the ground, making the Poliwrath lose his footing and canceling the Ice beam as Poliwrath got up.
"Use Mind Reader and then Dynamic Punch," Chuck commanded his Pokemon.
"Bayleef use Vine Whip. Stop him," Ash commanded her, who launched her vines right at Poliwrath, grabbing him, launching him in the air, and slamming him hard.
"Ice beam now," Chuck commanded his Pokemon, firing it at her and hitting her right as the vines retracted. Bayleef was in pain but managed to want to fight more.
"Bayleef, use Solar Beam," Ash commanded, who charged up and fired it at him.
"Use Ice Beam," Chuck commanded his Pokemon as the two moves hit the other, knocking each other out.
"Bayleef and Poliwrath both are unable to battle. The match is tied with one Pokemon left on both sides," the ref announced as Bayleef and Poliwrath returned to their balls.
"Well, Ash, I must admit that you impressed me here today, and I can see why you won the P1 Grand Prix, but that won't save you against my last Pokemon, Machamp. Come on out," Chuck sent out his last Pokemon. Ash pulled out his last Pokeball.
"Murkrow, come on out," Ash sent out his last Pokemon.
"Another flying type, eh? Let's see how you will handle yourself," Chuck said as Murkrow wasn't scared of the big Pokemon before her and knew she would have trouble against him.
"Murkrow, use Drill peck," Ash commanded her, whose beak spun and charged right at Machamp.
"Thunder Punch now, Machamp," Chuck commanded as the two Pokemon were close to each other Murkrow managed to land a blow before Machamp could touch her, using her speed and size to maneuver it. "Now, Cross Chop," Chuck commanded his Pokemon, who slammed his arms into Murkrow hard as she recovered from that attack. It was going to take more than that to beat her.
"Lucky shot," Murkrow said, growling at Machamp.
"Use Psychic now, Murkrow," Ash commanded her, who used the attack to hit Machamp. Chuck was surprised.
"Focus your energy and then use Vital Throw," Chuck commanded as Machamp got out of the psychic, grabbed Murkrow, and tossed her hard.
"Murkrow!" Ash said as she struggled to get up from the move used on her.
"Ugh, catch the license plate of the Snorlax that hit me," she said.
"I must say, Ash, she's more stubborn than most trainers that I've faced here in my gym, but this is the end; submission now," Chuck commanded his Pokemon, who charged right at Murkrow, who had that gleam in her eye as that is what she was waiting for.
"Aerial Ace, Murkrow now," Ash commanded her Pokemon, who slammed right into Machamp just as it was about to use its move, sending him to the ground, struggling to get up, as Murkrow smirked.
"Machamp, use Vital Throw," Chuck commanded his Pokemon, who charged at her.
"Aerial Ace and Drill Peck end this Murkrow," Ash commanded her, who charged right to each other as Murkrow landed the final blow on Machamp, knocking him out.
"Machamp is unable to battle Murkrow wins. The winner is Ash from Pallet Town," the ref announced as Ash celebrated and ran over to Murkrow, hugging her, who smiled and let Ash though she was exhausted from this battle.
"You did great, girl. You fought well," Ash said to Murkrow, who smiled.
"Thanks, Ash, but that would've ended poorly if he didn't use a close-range move like that," Murkrow said to Ash, who nodded.
"You earned that win, girl. Now take a good rest," Ash said before returning her to her ball.
"Well, Ash, I wasn't expecting this battle to end like that, but you earned that win today," Chuck said, walking over to Ash. "Here, the Storm Badge is yours," Chuck said.
"Thanks, Chuck, and I do appreciate the gym battle and the badge," Ash said to him, accepting the gym badge.
Later, Ash and Chuck got their Pokemon healed at the Pokemon Center as Ash was on the phone with Janina to see what Sparkle was doing and let her know about his gym win.
"That's great to hear, Ash. And thanks for asking about Sparkle. She's doing well now that the medicine is working. However, sadly, Jasmine is still not up for taking challenges until Sparkle gets fully healed. Ampharos is doing well too. She's been watching her mother, ensuring that she gets well and taking good care of the Lighthouse," Janina said.
"That's understanding, Janina, and tell her and everyone else that I am happy that they are doing well, and I am fine with waiting until further notice. Until then, we might be heading to the Whirl Islands during that time. See you later," Ash said as Janina nodded and ended the call.
"Sorry that your gym battle against Jasmine isn't going to happen sooner, but I think you should take part in the tournament here in Cianwood City, Ash, either with a fighting type of your own or your Primape if it's up to battling with you," Chuck said to Ash who nodded.
"I do have another fighting type on my team, but I'll see if Primape wants to participate with me since her coach also has a Hitmonchan on his team," Ash said.
"The tournament starts tomorrow afternoon, so be ready for that, as I will be participating in it," Chuck said before leaving.
Ash turned to Misty and Brock, and they nodded, knowing this would be an excellent way to pass the time before Sparkle got better.
With a new gym badge in hand, Ash set his site on a new tournament in his current location. What is in store for our heroes? As the Journey continues.
Stay tuned
Done and done. Yeah, this chapter is longer than my usual gym battles, and for a reason, as you will notice, I changed the amount of Pokemon for the gym battle. Get used to it, as that will be a thing for the rest of the remaining gym battles of the story and more than one chapter for the final two gym battles. That said, it's the P1 Grand Prix next, as I have my selection of trainers for that tournament, so there is no need for suggestions. But I will say this. Even though this tournament will be as short as the last one, I have a good amount of trainers for it, but it will be small compared to what I have planned for the Whirl Cup. See you next time.