Last time, Paul and Maylene's battle finally ended, as Paul emerged as the victor.
Thus the bitterness between the two is now gone and Paul finally acknowledged Maylene as a strong gym leader.
Scott gives Paul and his friend's information on the P1GX and Maiden's Peak, two places that are worth visiting.
Paul decides to compete in the P1 Grand Prix, using his Hariyama.
A day passes.
Paul gets his Hariyama back on his team while Sawk rests for a while, but is given the chance to observe the training.
Hariyama is hitting some large rocks with his hand's palms, destroying each easily, however it needed more quickness in its speed. "Hariyama, you need to attack faster, if you don't then your opponent will see an opening and that could be a problem!"
His large Fighting-type Pokemon nodded, training more and putting more energy into its arms.
"This training is getting intense," Hilda commented.
"Yes, Hariyama is strong, but its speed in its arms is a little lacking," Daisy said, putting her hand under her chin. "At this rate, Hariyama's chances of winning the P1 Grand Prix might be difficult."
"Right, if he uses Hariyama in his battle against Greta-," Barry began to say, as he tried to find the right words. "Might be harder."
"My thoughts exactly," Daisy agreed, with a nod.
"I think I can help," A voice said, there stood Brawly. "I can see the little man needs help." He took out a Pokeball. "I think I might know-how."
The Hoenn gym leader walked towards the purple-haired trainer. "Hey, Paul!"
That got the trainer's attention before he put his hand out in front of his Hariyama. "Break time!" The Arm Thrust Pokemon stopped and look in the direction his trainer was looking at.
"Listen up little dude!" Brawly called out ecstatically. "I have an idea!" He threw his Pokeball.
"Hari-Yama!" Brawly's own Hariyama stood up and strong stomping its feet on the ground creating strong vibrations.
"That's strong," Paul thought, seemingly impressed. "So, is there a reason you're showing me your Hariyama?"
Brawly just laughed, but then took out a surf broad. "Listen up, back then Hariyama along with some other Fighting-type Pokemon of mine did training, we would surf!"
Paul wasn't following this, which Brawly noticed. "Hah! Hah! I see you don't get it, it reminds of the Ash, little man!" He recalled, how Ash thought his surfing was just playing, however, that fact was wrong.
Brawly then gave the boy a serious look. "Fact is, your Hariyama needs more training, it's strong I can see that, but its lack of speed in its arms needs improvement."
"So, do you have some idea?" Paul asked.
Brawly chuckled. "Of course man, surfing isn't just about riding the waves of the ocean, in other words, I believe one should "go with the flow", rather than trying to oppose nature's forces."
Paul wasn't getting this. "Huh?" Brawly chuckled a little while rubbing his head. "Tell you what, come to my battle with Greta, this afternoon, you might be able to get some answers."
Hilda was intrigued. "So you're battling Greta now?"
Brawly laughed. "You bet little miss, our battle is going to sweet!"
Barry was excited at this detail. "Alright, a battle between a gym leader and battle frontier brain, this is going to be great!"
Daisy giggled. "I too want to see this match."
Paul was a little puzzled at this suggestion, however seeing what Brawly was talking about might give him some answers. "Very well, I accept that invitation."
"Great, you dudes be in there at noon!" Brawly proclaimed excitedly.
A short time later.
Everyone went to the Wheel Frontier.
Greta was prepared for the wheel. "Brawly, spin the wheel, whatever number shall 1, 2, or 3, we don't know, but the number shall be the same number of Pokemon we shall use!"
The Hoenn gym leader placed his hand on the wheel. "Alright, it's time dudes!" He spun the wheel with all his might.
"So whatever number the wheel stops will show how many Pokemon both trainers can use in their battle," Daisy was intrigued.
"Sounds like something that a game show would have," Barry said, looking interested.
Paul remembered this, though what mattered now was that this battle should help him no only with the P1 Grand Prix, but with his battle against Greta someday.
The wheel began to slow down, which everyone noticed. "It's slowing down," Barry muttered.
The arrow on the wheel stopped on the number 2. "We shall use two Pokemon each!" Greta proclaimed.
"Yeah!" The students cheered.
"Sounds like fun, let's put a battle for the dudes to enjoy!" Brawly shouted ecstatically.
Though they each had to take off their shoes and socks, it felt a little strange for Paul, though it was the rules.
Greta had her Hariyama and Medicham while Brawly had his own Hariyama and Machoke.
"The battle will between Greta the Battle Frontier Brain and Brawly the Fighting Type gym leader will begin, the battle will be over if either side Pokemon can't continue to battle!" The Karate Referee announced.
Brawly and Greta stared at each other with their battle faces showing.
"NOW BEGIN!"
"Hariyama you start! Guss!"
Greta's Hariyama went to the battle ring.
"Hariyama, you're up!"
Brawly's own Hariyama went to the battle ring.
Both Hariyama's were staring intensely at each other reading to brawl.
"Hariyama Arm Thrust!" Greta commanded.
"Hariyama uses your Arm Thrust too!" Brawly commanded too.
The two Thrust Pokemon collided their Arm Thrusts attacks as they struggled to push each other which two did and sled backward slightly.
"Their power must be even," Paul said.
"Despite Brawly being a gym leader," Barry commented.
"Brawly seems to have gotten stronger," Daisy seeing the strength from Brawly's Hariyama. "It's about a few years since Ash saw him, so no doubt that's he's gotten stronger than ever."
"Hariyama uses Focus Punch! Guss!"
Greta's Hariyama focused its energy into its fist which glowed light blue and extended its fist towards its opponent.
However, Brawly's Hariyama evaded the attack slowly like in slow motion.
"Ah!" Greta exclaimed as her own Hariyama did too.
"That was fast!" Hilda exclaimed in surprise.
"No." Everyone looked at Paul. "It wasn't fast, it's more like Brawly's Hariyama just absorbed the attack."
"How can Hariyama do that?" Barry questioned.
That was a good question, to Paul, things were getting intense, Greta is strong like she was against Reggie, Brawly's Hariyama was able to absorb the attack and stand firm as if nothing happened.
"I don't what you did, but your Hariyama is tough!" Greta proclaimed. "However we're getting warmed up!"
"So am I!" Brawly roared out. "We're just getting warmed up too and things are about to get heated up!"
Brawly's Hariyama stomped its feet onto the ground. "Hari-Yama! Hari-Yama!"
"Hariyama use your Focus Punch!"
Hariyama did the same attack and with quick speed, but Greta saw this. "Quick! Dodge it!"
Greta's Hariyama dodged it as the attack slightly passed landing a little scratch. "Gusss!" She exclaimed. "Talk about fast!"
Brawly grinned. "Greta, you're a Battle Frontier Brain, I give you credit for that, however for my Pokemon and myself, we go with the flow!"
Greta smiled. "I see in that case let's get serious!" Her own Hariyama gave a serious look to her face. "Now Hariyama use Bulk Up!"
The Arm Thrust began to bulk up its body which glowed red.
"Now Hariyama's attack and defense increased," Paul said.
"Right and that might give Brawly some problems too," Hilda added.
"Brawly is in trouble now," Barry said looking concerned.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Everyone looked to see Maylene. "Brawly isn't a fool, you can see he looks so calm."
She was right, Brawly didn't seem worried. "Maylene, do you about Brawly's battling style, he mentioned going with the flow and to become with nature instead of fighting against it." Daisy wondered.
Maylene crossed her arms with a smile. "Yes I do, first off, did you see how Brawly Hariyama slowly dodged Greta Hariyama's attack?"
"Yes, it was like in slow motion or something," Barry answered.
"Right, but it was like riding on a wave," Maylene replied. "Meaning riding the waves of the ocean."
"You mean like surfing?" Hilda guessed.
"Correct, Brawly's style is to go with the flow and to become one with nature instead of fighting against it," Maylene explained. "I know it sounds strange however he mentioned that Ash did question his way of battling."
"Why did Ash do that?" Barry asked suddenly curious.
"Ash thought Brawly was playing around however Brawly is a serious battler and gym leader," Maylene explained. "Fact is Brawly's way of battling and training helps his Pokemon master their balance by surfing."
"Mastering their balance, you mean like when surfers practice surfing they'll hope to master to balance to keep them steady?" Daisy answered.
"Right, not only that his surfing techniques help deflect damages his Pokemon receive," Maylene replied with a nod.
"I wager that helps his Pokemon built up energy as well, right?" Paul assumed.
Maylene chuckled a bit. "I expect nothing less of the trainer that beat me a second time." Taking that as a compliment Paul just smiled a little. "Anyway my words might not be much but you all see more of what I mean."
Greta's Hariyama continued to use Focus Punch while Brawly's Hariyama dodged the attacks.
Brawly stayed calmed. "Hariyama use Force Palm!"
The Arm Thrust Pokemon ran up to the opponent, Greta saw the move quickly. "Hariyama dodge it!"
But before her Pokemon could Brawly's Hariyama eventually grabbed it and a huge light green blast from its hand and took some serious damage.
"Ah!" Paul, Hilda, and Barry exclaimed in shock.
Seeing the speed that was just displayed was astounding, Brawly's Hariyama was fast, the damage that Greta's Hariyama took must've been a critical hit.
"Hariyama, are you alright?" Guss!" Greta questioned.
Hariyama took some serious damage but kept its ground. "Gusss!" Greta proclaimed. "Let's finish this, Hariyama Focus Blast!"
"Hariyama, use Force Palm on that attack!" Everyone gasped at the bizarre command.
Greta's Hariyama powered up a blue light of energy and tossed it towards Brawly's Hariyama, but the Focus Blast was deflected by the Force Palm.
"No way!" Barry exclaimed.
Paul's eyes widened with surprise. "But how?"
Greta's Hariyama was hit by its attack right in the chest. "No!" She shouted.
Maylene grinned. "This is Brawly's battle style he deflects his opponent's attacks and uses it to build up energy."
"Which made Brawly's Hariyama attack even stronger."
Paul realized that was similar to what he did against Ash, taking his pokemon's attacks and waiting for the moment to strike however Brawly deflected opponents' attacks to build up energy which was able to Hariyama's power stronger.
"Now let's wrap this up!" Brawly stated. "Hariyama uses Focus Punch!"
"Hariyama Focus Punch too!" Greta commanded.
The two Hariyama's collided their attacks together which created an explosion that blew air around the area.
The smoke from the explosion cleared and the Pokemon that was still standing was Brawly's Hariyama while Greta's was knocked out.
"Great's Hariyama is unable to battle Brawly's Hariyama is the winner!" The referee announced.
"Brawly's Hariyama is strong and fast!" Barry proclaimed with stars in his eyes.
"Yes, he demonstrated deflecting his opponent's attacks and to build up energy to make his Pokemon's attacks even stronger," Daisy added.
Paul was impressed as well as his own Hariyama was.
Greta returned her Hariyama to its Pokeball. "Hariyama you take a good rest." She smiled. "Guss! I think it's time I get serious!"
Brawly smirked. "You spirited as always so let's continue this battle!"
"Gusss! Medicham let's go!" Greta tossed the Pokeball.
"Medi-cham..."
"What Pokemon is that?" Hilda got out her Pokedex and scanned the new fighting Pokemon she was seeing. "Medicham the Meditate Pokemon. Medicham can harness psychic powers through yoga. Being at one with nature, it can make itself vanish completely."
"A fighting and psychic type," Barry said. "Brawly is at a type disadvantage."
"Maybe so but Brawly won't let his guard down so easily," Maylene said with a grin.
"The second match begins!" The referee announced.
"I'll start this time! Guss!" Greta stated while pumping her arms. "Medicham use Focus Punch!"
"Hariyama!" Brawly called.
Just as his Arm Thrust Pokemon was about to dodge the Meditate Pokemon's attack surprisingly landed a hit right on Hariyama's cheek.
"Hariyama!" Brawly yelled in shock.
"That was fast!" Hilda exclaimed sharing the same reaction.
"That's right! Guss!" Greta said. "My Pokemon speed and relentless physical moves make me a tough opponent!"
"Then you were holding back, weren't you?" Barry questioned.
Greta rubbed her head a little. "Well yes, but there was something I need to show you guys." Of course, was referring to Paul but no one knew at least not everyone. "That speed-based strategies don't work against me but they help me magnify my Pokemon's attacks."
"Just like when Brawly uses his Pokemon to deflect attacks and use them to build up energy," Daisy pointed out impressed.
Paul began to realize that this is more just a battle it's also a lesson to teach about strategies that are based on speed. "I remember when my brother battled her he tried to outrun her but proved useless however he used attacks from above and behind which helped him defeat her."
Greta wasn't done talking yet. "As you probably know the role models I look up to are not just Brawly but also Chuck, I continue to train to focus to improve my strength."
"To focus to improve my strength," Paul wondered. "I see Greta says that speed-based strategies help her magnify her Pokemon's moves while Brawly's style of working with nature helps him build his Pokemon energy by deflecting attacks."
Realizing that was also half the reason that Hariyama barely made Regirock flinch in pain. "Hariyama was strong but it lacked speed in its attacks." He glanced at Sawk. "Sawk is strong but if it can't improve its speed and strength more then my chances of winning against Greta and the P1 Grand Prix are slim."
"Hariyama let's continue this battle!" Brawly proclaimed pumping up his arms.
"Hari-Yama!" His Thrust Pokemon agreed.
"Guss! So shall we!" Greta sharing the same spirited attitude.
"Medicham." The Meditate Pokemon clenched its fists.
"Go Hariyama Force Palm!"
"Medicham use Ice Punch!"
The two fighting Pokemon's attacks collided but the ice punch completely overpowered the Focus Punch which froze Hariyama on the spot.
"Hariyama!" Brawly shouted with widened eyes.
"Now let's end this round! Gusss!" Greta pumped up her muscles. "Medicham use Force Palm too!"
Medicham put out its palm and placed it on the frozen Hariyama which created a green light then exploded that shattered the ice and seriously dealing damage.
The icy mist was created due to the shattered ice and once it cleared up, on the ground was Hariyama unconscious with dizzy eyes. "Hari...Yama..." The Arm Thrusts Pokemon groaned in a low tone.
"Hariyama is unable to battle! Medicham is the winner!" The referee announced.
"That was intense!" Barry shouted in utter amazement.
"Yeah! Medicham isn't a pushover!" Hilda added as she checked the Meditite Pokemon. "Look at it! It's not even tired either."
"That's the endurance of fighting pokemon owned by Greta," Daisy commented.
"Hariyama return!" Brawly called back his Pokemon to its Pokeball. "You did great big guy so take a good test." He took out another Pokeball. "Time to take out my newest Fighting Pokemon."
"Wonder what Fighting-type he'll use this time," Hilda wondered with curiosity.
"Come on sent it out already!" Barry said impatiently.
Paul groaned in annoyance. "Geez, you have to be so loud?"
"Lucario come out!" Brawly tossed the Pokeball out.
"Rrrrr!" The jackal-like pokemon grunted.
"Whoa, that's a Lucario!" Hilda said.
Maylene was surprised. "I didn't know he had that Pokemon."
"Why is that?" Barry asked. "I mean you two were training here before we arrived."
"True but he didn't have that Pokemon back then," Maylene replied. "He must've been hiding it for this moment."
"A Lucario! Guss!" Greta proclaimed all fired up. "This should be a good and final match!"
Brawly couldn't agree more. "I'll make sure of that too!"
Lucario was ready to brawl as well. "Rrrrr!"
"Lucario use Swords Dance!"
The Aura Pokemon began to dance while its body glowed red.
"Now its attack stats will increase," Hilda pointed out.
"That may be but Greta's Medicham is a high-level Pokemon and so he'll have to increase its power to do some damage," Paul said with a calm look on his face. "Sawk you getting the strategies that we're seeing?"
Sawk glanced at his owner and nodded which Paul did the same. "Good but is there more to be seen."
"Medicham let's finish this with Focus Punch!" Greta said.
The Meditate Pokemon pulled back its arm and extended its fist forward which glowed in a light blue.
"Lucario use Extremespeed!"
In a flash, the Aura Pokemon was gone in an instant just as Medicham landed its attack. "Where'd Lucario go?"
Greta wasn't too worried. "Did you know those speed strategies won't work against me?"
Brawly just smiled. "I know but I wasn't only using that move to dodge your attack." He explained as his Aura Pokemon appeared behind Medicham.
"That was fast!" Hilda exclaimed.
"Extremespeed is an attack that not only for attacking but also ensures to be the first attack," Daisy explained.
"Just like Quick Attack!" Barry pointed out.
"Lucario use Force Palm!" Brawly commanded.
Lucario placed its paw on Medicham's back which caused an explosion and knocking onto the stomach.
"Medicham!" Greta shouted in shock.
"Now use Bone Rush!" Brawly commanded again.
Lucario handed its paws out creating a light blue bone and attempted to swing it at Medicham.
Greta was worried but a small smile formed on her face. "Perfect." She whispered. "Medicham use Telekinesis."
Medicham's eyes glowed blue and Lucario began to float up.
"What is going?" Brawly asked.
"Is Lucario floating in the air?" Barry questioned.
"That's Telekinesis," The group looked at Hilda. "It's a move that's used in Unova. When a Pokemon uses that move the target starts to float in mid-air and which makes it easier to hit for three turns,"
Paul was surprised and remembered that move wasn't she used when she battled Reggie. "She must've taught her Medicham to use that."
"Lucario tried to get back onto the ground!" Brawly yelled with concern.
No matter out Lucario tried it was still floating and even tried to back to the ground but only went down slowly like in slow motion.
"Use Focus Punch again!" Greta commanded.
Medicham attempted to land another Focus Punch on Lucario again.
"Lucario use Aura Sphere!" Everyone gasped at the bizarre command.
Surprisingly Lucario launched its attack while floating which hit Medicham in the chest. "Just because Lucario is floating doesn't mean it can't use some of its attacks," Brawly said with a proud smile.
"He won't give up that easily," Hilda said.
"He's a guy I can respect," Paul added.
"Lucario use another Aura Sphere and finish this!" Brawly commanded.
This time Greta had an idea. "Wait there for the right moment!" Everyone was confused at this command but that didn't stop Lucario from powering up its Aura Sphere and once it was fully charged it fired its attack.
"Medicham use Hi-Jump Kick on the Aura Sphere!"
Medicham used its strong kick to deflect the Aura Sphere which sent it back directly at Lucario landing a direct hit.
"Lucario!" Brawly exclaimed.
"Whoa, that was a good move!" Daisy shouted in amazement.
Paul remembered that it was similar to when Barry's Empoleon used Steel Wing to deflect Ursaring's Focus Blast.
"Now Medicham finish this up with Focus Punch and give it all you got!" Greta commanded even more fired up.
Brawly wasn't giving up that easily. "Lucario Use Bone Rush at full-power too!"
The two of the strongest Fighting Type Pokemon charged towards each other as they swiftly passed each other.
The two Pokemon stood still for a moment as both of their owners looked at them wondering which one will be left standing.
Lucario and Medicham smiled at each other for a moment.
Lucario then felt its injuries and fell backward on its back fainting with dizzy eyes.
"Lucario is unable to battle! Medicham is the winner!" The referee announced. "The winner is Greta our Battle Frontier Brain!"
"Medicham! You did it! Guss!" Greta cheered all excited.
Brawly recalled Lucario and smiled at its Pokeball. "Lucario you did great a job now take a long rest."
"That was a good battle!" Barry shouted excitedly.
"Yeah! Brawly you did great!" Hilda added.
"I couldn't agree more," Daisy said with a proud look on her face.
Paul smiled softly. "I admit it was good to watch."
Brawly smiled at the other group. "Thanks, dudes!" He looked directly at Paul. "Did you learn something from this battle?"
Paul nodded. "Yes, I have a plan that I could think of." He glanced at Sawk. "Sawk let's do some more training!"
The two ran out instantly.
"Paul wait!" Barry followed.
"Me too!" Hilda was next to follow.
Daisy giggled. "Youth is something to see these days." She turned to look at the top fighting trainers. "Brawly and Greta thanks for showing us those strategies."
Greta smiled. "Guss! I'm looking forward to battling Paul!" She pumped up her arms. "So make sure that boy is ready!"
Daisy giggled again with a smile. "I will." She began to follow her friends.
"We'll be watching Paul in P1 Grand Prix!" Brawly called.
Daisy glanced while waving in approval. "Okay!"
So with the battle between Brawly and Greta concluded with Greta emerging as the victor. The group learned some new strategies and ways of training.
Paul learned some himself by watching the battle.
The question is can he train his Pokemon in time for the P1 Grand Prix and his future battle against Greta, find out soon.
End of chapter