"Hello, boss!" Liza said cheerily as the video call crackled to life. "We're pleased to report - are you petting your Houndoom again?"

"Yes," said the boss of Team Rocket. "You caught me at a rather bad time, if I'm honest. Make it quick."

A low growl from the other side of the call indicated that Houndoom agreed.

"Falkner and Korrina are headed to Johto," Liza reported. "And we earned quite a bit of money selling some garbage at a Pokemon race. As for the kid, we're still following him. He's got a Noctowl now."

"A Noctowl?" the boss of Team Rocket asked. "After the Legendaries, that seems rather sane."

"Oh, and the Noctowl's entire flock of Hoothoot."

"Ah, yes, that makes more sense," said the boss of Team Rocket. "Well, you know your mission. Keep following him." The call ended.

Liza glanced over at Drake and Aron. "So, we know the kid's gone back to Celadon. Should we follow him?"

"Nah, we know he's headed back up this way to Fuschia next," Drake opined. "I'm gonna spend some time training Haunter and Ditto. They acquitted themselves well at the Power Plant, but they'll need to get stronger if they want to be on Dragonite's level."

"Ditto!" said Ditto.

"See, Ditto agrees," said Drake.

"No, dat's just what he always says," Aron pointed out.

"To be honest, I agree with Drake," said Liza. "Lunatone could use a bit of training as well - I've been making inroads into teaching her Hypnosis, but no luck so far."

"Dat could be useful," Aron admitted. "Alright, training day it is."

Haunter rubbed his hands excitedly. "Haunt!" he said, voice eager as he and Ditto turned towards Dragonite, ready for a sparring match.

Dragonite heaved a long-suffering sigh, then lunged for Ditto with a Body Slam, and in an instant the battle was joined.

"So who are you bringing for your rematch with Malva?" Clay asked as the group of three walked towards the Celadon City Gym. Thankfully, the return journey had been uneventful, with no random wild Pokemon attacks or annoying problems to solve.

"Well," said Ash, "Noctowl's with her flock and I'm not sure she wants to battle for me anyway, I'm definitely not bringing Scizor or Genesect, and Litleo - I mean Pyroar - deserves some rest after that race. So that leaves Kubfu, Primeape, Tympole, Kricketune, Aegislash, and of course Hisuian Growlithe."

"I doubt you will be using Kricketune or Aegislash," Cyrus noted, "due to their type disadvantage."

"Actually, I will be using Aegislash," said Ash. "See, one of the main reasons I lost last time was because I got put at a disadvantage early. And I'm not going to fall into that trap this time!"

"And Aegislash figures into that?" Cyrus asked.

Ash nodded.

"Well," said Clay, "as long as you've got a plan, go on in. Show Malva how much you've improved."

"Oh, I plan to," said Ash, already shoving open the doors to the Gym. "Malva!" he called.

No answer came, though the flame pillars were still shooting up and the arena was still well-illuminated.

"Malva?" Ash called again, sounding less sure.

"Well, well." The voice came from the side; all three Trainers turned to see Malva striding out of the darkness beyond the light of the flames. "Look who's back. My apologies for the theatricality, but I saw you coming down the path and simply could not resist." Her eyes flicked down to Hisuian Growlithe, standing on the floor next to Ash. "What are you doing back here?"

"What do you think?" Ash grinned. "I'm here for a rematch! My team and I have both trained a lot, and I think we're ready!"

Malva stared at Ash through her red-tinted glasses, her eyes darting from the boy's determined face to the equally determined-looking Hisuian Growlithe standing beside him. And then she shook her head. "No."

"What?" Ash gaped; behind him, both Clay and Cyrus looked similarly shocked. "What do you mean, no?"

"I mean no, I do not accept your challenge," said Malva dismissively. "Look at you, still standing there with an unevolved Hisuian Growlithe by your side. All that says to me is that you haven't learned a thing. That this is just going to go the exact same way as last time. And, as your fellow Gym Leaders should have told you by now, a Gym Leader is perfectly within their right to refuse a battle if they perceive the challenger to be unworthy of their time. So why, Ash Ketchum, should I even bother accepting your challenge?"

Clay glared at Malva. "That rule's meant for abusive Trainers and to stave off back-to-back challenges from the same Trainer! Not this, Malva!"

Ash stepped forwards. "If I'm not worth your time, then what do you want me to do that would make me worth your time?"

The smile that Malva gave Ash was not at all nice. "Evolve your Hisuian Growlithe," she said. "Then I'll consider you worth my time."

Abruptly, one of Ash's six Pokeballs exploded outwards, releasing Aegislash into the air. The Steel/Ghost-type rose up in front of Ash, his single eye narrowed in fury at Malva. "Slash!" he cried angrily. "Slash! Aegi! Aegi! Slash!"

There was a brief pause, as Aegislash clearly realized that Malva couldn't understand him. "Aegi," he muttered, a bit anticlimactically.

Malva raised one eyebrow. "Now that's interesting. How did you manage to obtain an Aegislash, much less earn the loyalty of one? Very few Trainers can boast of such a feat."

"I beat him in a race," Ash replied. "It's a…bit of a long story."

Malva nodded slowly. "I see," she said. "All right, consider me intrigued. I suppose I will deign to rematch you after all. Same rules - four-on-four, no switches allowed. But if I win this battle, then I will not even consider allowing you to challenge me again until you have evolved your Hisuian Growlithe. Am I understood?"

"You bet," said Ash. "But I'm not going to lose again!"

A few minutes later, the two were standing on the battlefield along with a referee, while Clay, Cyrus, and their Pokemon watched from the balcony above.

"Both of you, release your Pokemon!" the referee called.

Malva smirked. "Pyroar!"

"Primeape!" Ash retorted.

The Fire/Normal-type and the Fighting-type appeared on the field simultaneously. "Your Primeape won't have such an easy victory this time," said Malva.

"We'll see about that," Ash retorted, just as the referee shouted for the battle to begin.

"Pyroar, Flamethrower," Malva told Pyroar instantly.

"To the side!" Ash cried. Primeape lunged to his right, evading the stream of fire that issued from Pyroar's jaws. "Now charge with Low Kick!" Ash called.

"Counter with Fire Fang," Malva ordered.

Pyroar lunged for the charging Primeape, flames dancing around her jaws. Primeape spun, swinging his foot into Pyroar's teeth; an explosion of energy sent them both stumbling backwards, though Pyroar looked like she'd come off worse from the exchange than Primeape. "Echoed Voice!" Malva called immediately; Pyroar inhaled and unleashed a burst of sound, the waves surging across the arena in an instant and slamming into the staggering Primeape.

"Keep going!" Ash cried. "Use Thrash - don't let her get attacks off!"

"Meet it with Fire Fang and Headbutt," Malva retorted. "Find openings."

Primeape lunged for Pyroar again, Pyroar rose to meet him, and Ash watched as the two came together in a whirlwind of flaring energy. Within a few seconds, it was obvious that Pyroar had the upper hand in this exchange. The Fire/Normal-type was impressively lithe, meeting some of Primeape's wild punches with the crown of her skull or her flaming teeth, ducking others and landing quick strikes and bites that tore off pieces of Primeape's fur. Malva smiled thinly as she watched the exchange. "Did you really think the same exact strategy would work on me again?" she asked mockingly.

She's right - I did think that. Ash felt a low growl rising in his throat as he watched the two scuffle. I need a plan. She's already revealed all four of her moves - so now I know she's using the same ones as last time. But how do I counter them?

A moment of inspiration came to Ash as Pyroar twisted around another of Primeape's furious punches and lunged in with a Fire Fang. Quickly, he raised his voice. "Primeape, take the hit and grab her!"

Primeape spun at Ash's command, reaching out with both arms. "Back!" Malva snapped, but Pyroar had already committed to her strike. Even as her fangs tore into Primeape's body, Primeape's arms clamped down upon Pyroar in a textbook bear-hug, trapping the Fire/Normal-type in his grip.

"Now use Seismic Toss!" Ash yelled.

"Echoed Voice, point-blank!" Malva countered.

Pyroar exhaled a blast of sound right into Primeape's face. Primeape didn't flinch. An evil grin crossed the Fighting-type's face; Pyroar's eyes widened in sudden fear.

"APE!" Primeape bellowed, bending over backwards at his waist and taking Pyroar with him.

"Oh, come on," Kubfu muttered from inside his Pokeball. "Now he's just copying me."

A loud crack sounded as Pyroar's head slammed into the floor, shortly followed by the rest of her body as Primeape let go and allowed her to land on her back. Before the momentarily-stunned Pyroar could get up, Primeape rose, twisted, and unleashed a vicious Low Kick into Pyroar's form, knocking the Fire/Normal-type across the arena. Pyroar rolled for several feet before finally skidding to a stop; snarling, she rose, her body trembling with the effort.

Primeape was wounded, too, but he still stood strong, his eyes narrowed at his weakened opponent. Malva frowned. "Echoed Voice, Pyroar," she ordered. "Keep him at bay - he lacks ranged attacks."

Ash grinned. "I figured you'd do that, Malva!" he cried. "Thrash again, Primeape - just like in the first fight!"

Malva's frown deepened as Primeape surged forwards, charging straight through the Echoed Voice despite the clear pain its passing inflicted upon him. "I'm prepared for that this time," she retorted. "Flamethrower - it can't dodge."

"Take it!" Ash yelled as Primeape closed in, fist drawn back. Pyroar inhaled, and just as Primeape reached her a massive gout of fire exploded outwards from her jaws, engulfing Primeape in its blazing embrace.

Pyroar was thrown back into the wall; Malva recalled her instantly. Ash watched as the remnants of Pyroar's final attack began to flicker out. Slowly, a shadow began to become apparent in the dying embers; Ash's grin grew as the shadow raised its arms in exhausted victory.

"Amazing job, Primeape!" Ash cried as the Fighting-type staggered out of the flames. "That was incredible!"

"Lampent." Malva's tone was short and sharp.

As the Fire/Ghost-type materialized on the battlefield, Ash allowed his grin to shift into a smirk. "See, I figured you'd do that, too," he said. "I forfeit Primeape! And, according to your own rules, you can't switch out Lampent now!"

Ash didn't see it, but behind him Clay was beaming and even Cyrus was cracking a smile.

Malva, if possible, looked even more irritated. "Very well," she said. "Then send out your next."

"You've already met him," said Ash. "Go, Aegislash!"

As Ash's own ghost materialized on the field, Malva inclined her head. "Well, now. This will certainly be interesting, if nothing else. Lampent, Flame Burst."

"Shadow Sneak and Head Smash!" Ash cried swiftly.

Malva's eyes actually widened as Aegislash, with a snarl of "Slash," dematerialized in a burst of ghostly energy, easily evading Lampent's blast of fire. He reappeared right next to the Fire/Ghost-type, already shifted into his Blade Forme; before Lampent could react, Aegislash flung himself headfirst into his adversary's form. Another mighty crack echoed across the room as Lampent was sent flying into the wall behind Malva, eliciting a cloud of dust from the impact point.

Malva took a deep breath, closing her eyes momentarily, before turning to the form of her Lampent, still embedded in the wall. "Very well," she murmured. "Get up, Lampent, and use Flame Burst again."

"King's Shield this time!" Ash called. Aegislash twisted, shifting into Shield Forme, and raised a modified Protect barrier that intercepted Lampent's Flame Burst. The blast exploded against the barrier, momentarily shielding Lampent from view.

Which was something Malva took full advantage of. "Forwards - hit him with a Will-O-Wisp."

"Shadow Sneak!" Ash cried as Lampent exploded out of the dissipating cloud of flames, ghostly fire blazing across both his arms. Aegislash teleported away, shifting into Blade Forme as he did so; Lampent's left arm swung through the dissipating cloud of ghostly energy Aegislash left behind.

"Flame Burst behind," Malva ordered. Instantly, Lampent twisted, reaching out with his right arm, and unleashed another fiery blast - just as Aegislash materialized directly in its path.

There was no time for Aegislash to change forms again. "Meet it with Head Smash!" Ash yelled.

"Will-O-Wisp, now!" Malva countered.

Aegislash surged forwards, his steely body glistening tan with stony power, and rammed full tilt into the oncoming Flame Burst. At the same time, Lampent lunged, reaching out with one arm tinged with ghostly fire. The energy of the Flame Burst exploded in all directions from the impact of Aegislash's body, and both of the dueling Ghost-types were engulfed in the raging fires.

From within came the dull sound of an impact; a second later Lampent went sailing back out of the cloud of flames, tumbling end over end through the air. As the flames dissipated, though, Ash saw Aegislash struggling to keep aloft as spectral flames flickered across his entire body.

Darn it - I thought that Head Smash might be enough to block the burn!

"Hex!" Malva cried; Ash noticed that she was no longer displaying the casual nature she'd exhibited throughout their last bout. A thrill shot through him at the realization that Malva was actually taking the fight seriously.

"Dodge!" Ash called. "Keep away from Lampent, and counteract the Burn with Swords Dance!"

Aegislash dove out of the way of the ghostly blast that issued from Lampent's outstretched arm, maintaining his Shield Forme even as his body began to glow with power. Malva issued a flurry of orders in response; Lanturn obliged, unleashing crackling Hexes and fiery Flame Bursts alike at Aegislash, but the Steel/Ghost-type dodged or deflected them all, continuing to power up with Swords Dance all the while.

Malva grimaced. "Charge him!" she cried. "He can't dodge point-blank shots!"

"You've set up enough!" Ash yelled. "Use Head Smash!"

Aegislash charged once again, shifting into Sword Forme and rushing towards the oncoming Lampent with tan energy rising around his already energy-wreathed body. As they closed in on one another, though, Ash couldn't help but feel like he was missing something. Even with the Burn, Aegislash will come out on top in a direct confrontation. So why would she-

"Now, Lampent!" Malva shouted. "Energy Ball, and follow up with Hex!"

Ash's eyes widened. "Shadow Sneak, Aegislash!"

Aegislash wasn't fast enough. Even as he began to shift, Lampent's Energy Ball slammed into him, shattering the Rock-type Head Smash before it and clearing the way for the burst of ghostly energy that shot into his body. Aegislash materialized directly in front of Ash and instantly dropped to the ground, his body clattering against the floor as he writhed in pain from the successful Hex.

"Flame Burst before he recovers!" Malva ordered.

"Get up, Aegislash!" Ash cried. "King's Shield!"

Aegislash's eye flashed open. "Aegi!" he snarled as he shifted into Shield Forme just in time to deflect Lampent's Flame Burst. Before Ash could call out another order, Aegislash sprang back into Blade Forme and disappeared in another Shadow Sneak.

"Behind you!" Malva cried.

But instead, Aegislash appeared above Lampent. "SLASH!" he bellowed as he dropped; a Head Smash surged across his body as he slammed straight into the top of Lampent's head, sending the Fire/Ghost-type careening down into the floor with enough force to make another crater. Malva didn't even wait for the smoke to clear; she simply raised Lampent's Pokeball and recalled him.

"Nice work, Aegislash!" Ash congratulated as Aegislash Shadow Sneaked back to a point in front of him.

"Aegi," Aegislash replied, though his body was still shuddering from the Burn.

Malva wasted no time in releasing Fletchinder. Ash's eyes narrowed as he beheld the Pokemon that had finished him off last time. It occurred to him that he still had no idea what Malva's final team member was. That's a problem to be solved later - right now, I have to figure out how to beat this freakishly fast Fletchinder.

Both Malva and Ash's voices rose up at the same time. "Agility!" "Shadow Sneak!"

In the blink of an eye, Fletchinder flashed to the side as Aegislash teleported to where it had been floating. Aegislash's blade sliced through empty air as Fletchinder flew clear. "Flame Charge!" Malva called.

"Head Smash!" Ash yelled.

Aegislash whirled, but just like in Ash and Malva's first battle, Fletchinder's ridiculous speed enabled the Fire/Flying-type to strike before Aegislash could activate his technique. The Steel/Ghost-type was sent reeling as Fletchinder winged away; twisting, Fletchinder came at Aegislash again with insane rapidity.

"Shadow Sneak away!" Ash cried.

Aegislash teleported a split second before Fletchinder shot through the space he'd just been occupying. Again the Fire/Flying-type twisted and came at the materializing Aegislash; this time, though, he was rather far away. Ash grinned as he raised his voice again. "King's Shield!"

"Break away!" Malva cried, but Fletchinder's sheer speed carried him too far forwards; he rammed straight into the now Shield Forme Aegislash's impenetrable wall and bounced off, wings flailing madly as he struggled to regain control. "Shadow Sneak!" Ash called, recognizing that Head Smash would likely be too slow again; Aegislash shifted back into Blade Forme and teleported, materializing behind the staggering Fletchinder, sword upraised.

"Drop with Quick Attack!" Malva ordered.

In the blink of an eye Fletchinder tucked his wings, activated a surge of energy around him, and dropped to the floor in under a second, moving so quickly that not even Aegislash's Shadow Sneak-enhanced swipe was able to connect. Ash grumbled under his breath. How is a Pokemon that fast legal here? Does Malva really expect an ordinary Trainer to be able to counter this?

As Fletchinder rose back into the air, flying back towards Malva in preparation to come around for another charge, Ash racked his brain for a plan. Fletchinder's single weakness was clearly his momentum - Ash knew he'd somehow have to take advantage of that in order to win. King's Shield hadn't worked, since Fletchinder had just been able to recover - Ash realized at that point that he should've just ordered Aegislash to use Head Smash. Fletchinder's momentum would have carried it right into the attack, and that almost certainly would have finished it off.

I have to bait Malva into doing that again. But I don't have much time…between Lampent, Fletchinder, and that Burn, Aegislash can't fight for much longer.

"Keep up with Shadow Sneak!" Ash called as Fletchinder charged again; he knew he had to wait for the right moment to try and bait Fletchinder. Aegislash teleported to a point directly to the side of the charging Fletchinder, but Fletchinder was once again able to wing away, twist in midair, and charge straight for Aegislash, forcing him to rapidly teleport out of the way.

Three times in merely a few seconds did the two Pokemon flash through the air in similar fashion, Aegislash evading Fletchinder's charges by a hair, before Ash managed to find his voice again. "Back to me with the next one!" he called.

Aegisalsh evaded a fourth Flame Charge and teleported to a point in front of Ash. Fletchinder whirled and streaked towards him again, flames dancing around his form. Ash grinned. "Now, Aegislash! Head-"

"Quick Attack to the side!" Malva barked.

To Ash's shock, Fletchinder twisted at a terrifyingly sharp angle and soared off to the right just as Aegislash sprang forwards. "Finish with Flame Charge!" Malva cried as Aegislash, once again, just missed the rapidly moving Fletchinder. In the blink of an eye Fletchinder twisted, shrieked triumphantly, and dove straight into Aegislash's side with a sickening crunch.

"Aegislash!" Ash cried as the Steel/Ghost-type fell to the ground, unconscious.

"You telegraphed your plan far too heavily," Malva chided as the preening Fletchinder retreated to her side of the battlefield. "Both Fletchinder and I were ready for that sort of trick. You're going to have to do better than that."

Ash groaned. It seemed like every time he made a plan for this stupid Fletchinder, it pulled out another new trick to evade it. He looked down at Hisuian Growlithe. "All right, bud," he said, "you're up. Time to take some revenge."

Malva smirked at the sight. "I do hope you've at least taught it a Rock-type move," she said. "Not that it's going to help."

"I'll show you!" Ash called. "Hisuian Growlithe, use Rock Tomb!"

Hisuian Growlithe manifested several rocks from the floor of the Gym arena; with a loud bark he tossed them at Fletchinder. Fletchinder simply blurred away from the attack; this time, though, instead of twisting, Fletchinder's flight path formed a sizable arc as the Fire/Flying-type curved towards Hisuian Growlithe, flames flickering across his body once again.

He's trying to make it so that his path's more adjustable, Ash realized. It'll help with his momentum weakness, sure…but it also means he's coming more slowly.

"Spread a Flamethrower, Hisuian Growlithe!" Ash ordered.

He could have sworn he saw Malva chuckle at the order. Another bark heralded an onslaught of flames, a sheet of fire expanding towards the oncoming Fletchinder.

"Up and over!" Malva commanded.

"Rock Tomb upwards!" Ash yelled immediately.

Fletchinder soared over the wall of flames and began to arc back down towards Hisuian Growlithe, only to be forced to bank even further towards the ceiling to avoid Hisuian Growlithe's flung Rock Tomb. Still, he evaded both attacks; before Ash could call out another order, Fletchinder whirled and streaked straight downwards towards HIsuian Growlithe's back.

"Dodge!" Ash yelled, but Fletchinder was too fast. Hisuian Growlithe's attempted leap was cut short as Fletchinder rammed beak-first into the small of the Fire/Rock-type's back. Hisuian Growlithe was hurled into the floor with a yelp of pain, while Fletchinder rebounded off him and streaked back into the air, cawing victoriously.

"Rock Tomb!" Ash commanded. Hisuian Growlithe staggered to his feet, glaring up at Fletchinder. He raised another flurry of rocks from the floor and tossed them at Fletchinder, trying to spread them out so Fletchinder couldn't dodge away, but the Fire/Flying-type simply tucked his wings and dove between two of the flying rocks even as he lunged for Hisuian Growlithe once more.

Malva scoffed. "Just as I thought - you expected just having an attack with type advantage would get you a free win. I've had enough of this - use Quick Attacks. Beat it down."

"Meet it with Bite!" Ash called, but again Hisuian Growlithe was too slow; his jaws had scarcely begun to glow with energy when Fletchinder slammed into his back again, dropping him once more to the floor. Fletchinder bounced off, whirled, and came back in again, swooping back and forth to strike Hisuian Growlithe with attack after attack in rapid succession.

Wham. Wham. Wham.

Ash clenched his fists, trying to think of a way out.

Wham. Wham. Wham.

But there was none. Malva was right. It was just like last time - Rock Tomb's type advantage didn't mean a thing if it would just miss like all of Hisuian Growlithe's other attacks.

Wham. Wham. Wham.

A sudden idea struck Ash, and his eyes widened as Fletchinder began to come in for another strike. "Hisuian Growlithe!" he yelled at his stumbling Starter. "Trap yourself with Fire Spin!"

Malva blinked; the sheer strangeness of Ash's order clearly stunned her into silence for a moment. By the time she realized what Ash was doing and called for Fletchinder to break off, it was too late. Fletchinder's charge hit home, slamming right into Hisuian Growlithe's side-

-and bringing him straight into the middle of the whirling circle of flames that had just flared up on all sides of the Fire/Rock-type.

"Bite!" Ash yelled. "And don't let go!"

Hisuian Growlithe let out a loud, gleeful bark as he twisted and slammed his teeth down on the wing of the ensnared Fletchinder. The Fire/Flying-type let out an agonized shriek, struggling to break free, but for all his speed his strength did not match, and Hisuian Growlithe's grip held him tightly. "Finish with Rock Tomb!" Ash ordered.

Malva looked furious, but she gave no more orders to her stricken Fletchinder. The Fire/Flying-type struggled furiously, eyes widening as he beheld several more large rocks rising up from the ground at Hisuian Growlithe's command. Raising his talons, he raked them across Hisuian Growlithe's face, trying to dislodge the Fire/Rock-type.

But before he could do more than achieve a few tiny scrapes, the rocks fell, engulfing Fletchinder in an immensely cathartic avalanche.

Ash nearly collapsed to the ground in sheer relief - only the realization that Malva still had one Pokemon left stopped him from doing so. But still, he'd finally beaten that ridiculous Fletchinder, and he still had two Pokemon left. Well, one and a half - Hisuian Growlithe had taken plenty of hits - but still, he was quite hopeful they'd be enough.

Malva let out a sigh as she recalled Fletchinder. "An Arcanine would have had a much easier victory, you know."

"Maybe," Ash replied. "But Hisuian Growlithe doesn't want that. And I'm not going to force him, no matter how much additional strength that would provide."

"Hmph." Malva almost smiled. "You know, that kind of sentiment would likely convince half the Gym Leaders in Kanto to just give you their badges."

"Really?" Ash asked.

Malva nodded. "However, I am not one of those Gym Leaders. So don't think you've won just because you defeated Fletchinder. After all…he's not my Ace."

That Ash had somewhat expected, but even so the proclamation made him somewhat nervous. How can a Pokemon be stronger than that Fletchinder? And, more importantly, can I really defeat a Pokemon stronger than that Fletchinder?

"It's time to finish this," Malva announced, "once and for all. Go…Houndoom!"

I decided to split this fight into two parts for three reasons: this is a very major battle for Ash, the fight with Fletchinder had a pretty climactic atmosphere, and the rest of the chapter was taking so darn long to properly write.

Hope you all enjoy regardless!