"Dig, dig, diglett, lett, dig."

"THEY - SAY," Genesect translated, "THAT - THESE - MOUN-TAIN - FOR-ESTS - ARE - THEIR - HOME. AND - THAT - YOUR - DAM - WOULD - FLOOD - THE - FOR-ESTS - AND - DIS-PLACE - THEM. THAT - IS - WHY - THEY - HAVE - BEEN - IN-TER-FER-ING - WITH - YOUR - WORK."

The foreman's eyes widened. "I didn't know that! I'm so sorry - I wouldn't have dreamed of forcing so many Pokemon to flee their homes if I'd known! I'll stop work on the dam immediately!"

Clay smiled. "Y'know, Cyrus, I never really realized before how much easier it is to solve problems with proper communication."

"Genesect's translation ability is certainly quite useful," Cyrus replied. "Perhaps, when he gets stronger, Psyduck will be able to utilize telepathy to achieve a similar effect."

"Now that would be useful," Clay murmured. "Speaking of useful, maybe I could convince one of those Diglett to join my team? I could really use a third now that Tympole - sorry, Palpitoad - is with Ash."

Cyrus raised an eyebrow. "And yet you did not even slow down for that Vulpix in Breeder's Lane."

"Again, Ground specialist," Clay retorted, "and I mean that."

Unfortunately for Clay, none of the Diglett seemed interested in joining a Trainer's team, though they did politely thank Clay for asking before departing to reassure their friends and families that no, they wouldn't have to move out. With that particular adventure resolved, Ash, Clay, and Cyrus resumed their walk to the now not-very-far-away-at-all Fuchsia City.

Well, Clay and Cyrus resumed their walk, anyway.

"That still feels like cheating," Clay murmured, glancing over at Ash, who was happily taking in the surrounding landscape while Hisuian Arcanine carried him down the path.

"If he has a Pokemon capable of carrying him, he has every right to use it," Cyrus pointed out.

"Fair," Clay murmured. "Maybe I should try for an Onix. Those can carry people…"

"Hey, look!" Ash pointed forwards, where a cluster of black rooftops could be seen protruding over the horizon. "I think that's Fuchsia City! We're almost there!"

"And I suppose you're going to challenge the gym immediately?" Clay asked.

Ash shook his head. "Of course not! First, I need to get Hisuian Arcanine to the Pokemon Center - he's probably tired from the long journey. Then I'll challenge the Gym."

Clay chuckled good-naturedly. "He never learns, does he?"

"It has gotten him this far," Cyrus replied. "And besides…I think we both know this Gym is a bit softer than Malva. If he got past her, he should not have much trouble here. Especially with his team."

Clay winced. "Yeah…"

As Ash and company approached the Pokemon Center, a young girl dressed as a ninja and clutching a Meowth burst through the doors and ran straight into Hisuian Arcanine.

"The fact that this is not one of the weirder things to happen to us is rather offputting," Cyrus remarked.

"Oh, wow!" Ash slid off Hisuian Arcanine. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," said the girl, rising shakily to your feet. "Sorry about that, it's just…" She gestured back towards the Pokemon Center. "That guy's surprisingly intimidating for a nurse."

"Tell me about it," Ash, Clay, and Cyrus chorused.

"Anyway…" The girl stared at Hisuian Arcanine. "That's a weird-looking Arcanine. Looks strong, though! Are you here to challenge mo - the Fuchsia City Gym?"

"Yes, I am!" said Ash. "I'm Ash Ketchum!"

"Ash Ketchum…" The girl frowned. "I swear I've heard that somewhere before…anyway! I'm Janine, but you can call me Aya! That's my ninja name!"

"You have a ninja name?" Ash chuckled. "That's so cool!"

Clay and Cyrus exchanged amused glances.

Janine pointed dramatically at Ash. "The Fuchsia City Gym is a Normal-type Gym!" she announced. "And as a Normal-type Trainer myself, I must test you to see if you are ready to face mo - the Gym Leader! Meowth and I challenge you to a battle, Ash Ketchum! I want to face your strongest Pokemon!"

"My…strongest?" Ash blinked. "No offense, Aya, but my strongest might be a little bit…um…"

Janine playfully punched him in the shoulder. "Don't worry!" she said. "Meowth and I have been training hard for years! We might not look too strong, but we're tougher than you think. Now accept my challenge, and send out your strongest!"

Ash shrugged. "Okay. Go, Genesect!"

Janine blinked. "Oh no."

Fifteen Seconds Later

"Oh, wow." Janine exhaled as she returned her rather charred Meowth. "I'd heard about Genesect before, but I didn't expect it to be that strong. And I definitely didn't expect you to be its Trainer."

"Are you serious?" Cyrus muttered under his breath. "How did I never know about Genesect when this random child did?"

Janine's shoulders slumped. "Well, that answers that. You're definitely ready to battle Mom."

"Mom?" Ash asked.

Janine froze, then facepalmed. "Darn it! Sorry…yeah, the Fuchsia City Gym Leader is my mother. And I have to go tell her that a new challenger's in town. Wait, actually, I have to get Meowth back to the Pokemon Center first! See you, Ash! Smoke bomb!" She threw down a sphere that exploded into a cloud of smoke.

When the smoke cleared, she was gone. Though the swinging door of the Pokemon Center (plus the fact that she'd announced her destination beforehand) made it rather obvious where she'd disappeared to.

"That was weird," said Ash. "Anyway, Normal Gym, huh?" He smirked. "Now that's a Gym I can bring out my best against."

"THAT - BAT-TLE - WAS - UN-SA-TIS-FY-ING," Genesect muttered as he stalked back to Ash's side.

"Kubfu, Primeape, Scizor, Aegislash, Genesect." Ash glanced around at the five Pokemon in question. "All of you have some sort of type advantage and/or resistance against Normal-types, which is why I chose you five to come to the Gym with me. Only you five, because Hisuian Arcanine's still resting up in the Pokemon Center. Now, I'm gonna have to use both my Fighting-types in the Gym Battle, and Aegislash, you're the only one of my Pokemon that's immune to Normal-type moves, so you're on as well. Lastly…Scizor. I haven't used you since Lucian, so I think you're up too."

Genesect looked away, rumbling slightly.

"Hey, it's okay!" Ash stepped up to him. "Look, you got the battle with Aya, so it's only fair."

"THAT - WAS - NOT - A - BAT-TLE," Genesect pointed out. "THAT - WAS - PEST - CON-TROL. THAT - IS - ALL - YOU - SEEM - TO - USE - ME - FOR - NOW-A-DAYS. THAT - AND - AC-TING - AS - YOUR - PER-SO-NAL - TRANS-LA-TOR."

"Genesect, you know why you couldn't go into Malva's Gym," said Ash. "And I don't just want to sweep through every Gym in Kanto with you! Look - I promise I'll use you in the next Gym, no matter what it is. I mean, it's not like it's gonna be Fire-type, right? So you'll be fine."

Genesect sighed. "UN-DER-STOOD."

Ash beamed. "Thanks, Genesect." He turned to the rest of the team. "Now, who's up for heading to the Gym?"

It turned out that finding the Fuchsia City Gym was an event all on its own. Every building in the city looked completely identical, and unlike the Pokemon Center, there weren't any helpful signs outside any of the buildings denoting them as the Gym.

There were, however, several posters.

"'Help Wanted - Those Dam Diglett'?" Ash read off one. "Wasn't that the situation we dealt with on the way here?"

"Yeah," said Clay, trying not to crack up at the sign. "We should probably take that down."

Ash moved to the next one. "'Visit the Island of Giant Pokemon'? That looks fun."

"It is also quite far out of our way," Cyrus pointed out. "Perhaps you could visit once your eight Gym Badges have been obtained."

"Yeah…" Ash shifted his gaze over to one across the street. His face paled. "'Come See The Ghost Of Maiden's Peak: Live In Fuchsia City'? No thanks!"

"Huh." Clay peered closer at the poster. "That's dated a couple days ago - looks like whatever this is has already happened."

"Oh, thank goodness." Ash wiped his forehead. "Now if only there was a poster advertising where the Gym is…"

"Hi-ya!"

A smoke bomb suddenly went off next to Ash. Acting on reflex, his hand went down to his Pokeballs and released one of his Pokemon. There was a whoosh, a thud, and a cry of "Ouch!" As the smoke cleared, Ash, Clay, and Cyrus all saw Scizor pinning Janine to a wall by her kimono with one claw and clutching her Meowth with the other, looking very annoyed. Janine's Meowth was hissing angrily at the Steel/Bug-type, but couldn't do much entrapped as it was.

"What was that for?" Janine asked angrily.

"Sorry, Aya!" Ash called. "Scizor, return!"

As Scizor returned, dropping both Janine and Meowth, Clay let out a cough. "I apologize, but we've been assailed one too many times by criminal types."

"Oh." Janine nodded understandingly. "I get it…whoops." In an instant she was all smiles again. "Now, that Scizor…whoa. That was a proper ninja Pokemon! I'll have to get myself one of those…though it's not exactly a Normal-type, so…oh, right!"

Janine facepalmed again. "I forgot that I'm supposed to direct people who beat me to the Gym! Follow me, please!"

Twisting, she dashed off, not bothering with the smoke bomb this time. Ash hurried after her; Clay and Cyrus followed, exchanging another glance as they did so. "I guess that's how challengers are supposed to find the Gym," said Clay. "I'm willing to bet there's several other Trainers just like Aya, roaming the streets and seeking out Gym Challengers."

"That sounds like an understandable conclusion to come to," Cyrus replied.

After about five minutes of racing through the streets of Fuchsia City, Janine reached a nondescript house near the edge of town. Turning on her heel, she yanked open the door and raced through. "Mom! Mom! We've got a challenger!"

A warm, motherly voice rose up in answer. "Oh, good. Please, come in. I was just finishing up lunch."

Ash followed Janine inside, with Clay and Cyrus following close behind. Before them, standing over a kitchen counter, was a tall woman wearing casual clothing and a chef's apron; Ash's gaze was instantly drawn to the large head of blue-colored hair bundled atop the woman's head, looking almost akin to a Pokemon's nest.

The woman's eyes lit up as she beheld Ash's companions. "Clay! Cyrus! Well, this is certainly a surprise."

"Hey, Johanna," said Clay. "Sorry I didn't send word ahead."

"Oh, please, you're always welcome," Johanna replied. "Whether for business or pleasure! Though, judging from my daughter's words, this is a mixture of the two?"

Clay nodded. "This is Ash - we've been journeying across the region with him. He's a good kid with a strong team, and…well…I think both Cyrus and I needed a vacation of sorts."

Cyrus agreed with a silent nod.

"So you're the Gym Leader here?" Ash asked.

"That's me," said Johanna. "Welcome to my Gym! Which, by the way, is also my house. Would you like something to eat? Goodness knows I always seem to make more than enough food for myself and Janine…"

Lunch, as it happened, was delicious; Gladion wasn't the worst cook, but Ash (somewhat guiltily) had to admit that Johanna's food was miles better than anything Gladion had ever prepared. Due to the deliciousness combined with his excitement for the upcoming Gym Battle, Ash set what had to be some kind of record for scarfing down sandwiches at speed, something that set all three adults in the room (plus Janine) to chuckling.

At length, though, with lunch polished off, the group rose and began to move deeper into the house. As they walked, Ash stepped up beside Johanna. "Your daughter's really cool!" he said.

"Why, thank you!" Johanna smiled broadly. "I'll admit, I was a little worried when she started dressing as a ninja and calling herself Aya. Figured she'd watched one too many of those Schbielpunk movies…"

"Schpielbunk, Mom," Janine corrected.

"Yes, that." Johanna sighed. "But she clearly enjoys it. Even chose Meowth as her first Pokemon because it's 'ninja-like'. I won't pretend to understand it, but she's my daughter, and I'll support her no matter what she decides to do for her career. But I digress. You didn't come here to listen to me ramble on about my family."

Johanna opened a door at the end of the hallway, revealing a fairly large room that Ash could instantly tell was a battle arena. Though it looked the same as the rest of the house, with a wooden floor and painted walls, what furniture there was (mostly chairs and tables) had all been pushed off to the side, leaving a large space in the center of the room for Pokemon to duel in. Clay and Cyrus quickly headed for a few of the chairs on the right side of the room.

"Janine, would you care to act as our referee?" Johanna asked.

"Of course, Mom!" Janine scurried over to the left side of the room.

"And as for you, Ash…" Johanna's smile shifted to a more challenging smirk. "Are you ready for our battle?"

"You bet I am!" Ash grinned back at Johanna. "Don't worry, I'm well-prepared for a four-on-four!"

Johanna nodded slowly. "I see. Well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint you - my Gym Battle is somewhat of a different format than the other Gym Leaders of Kanto."

Ash blinked. "What?"

"Unlike other Gym Leaders," said Johanna, "I don't simply test the base strength of your Pokemon. Instead, I prefer to look at how well your Pokemon work together. Therefore, instead of a typical four-on-four Single Battle, my Gym Challenge is a two-on-two Double Battle."

"Double Battle?" Ash frowned. "You mean, like two Pokemon fighting two others at the same time?"

Johanna nodded.

"So like Drake and Liza always seem to be doing," Ash concluded. "Cool! I know how to do those!"

"Then you shouldn't have too many problems defeating me," said Johanna. "Janine, if you could?"

Janine inhaled, then began to call out. "This will be a two-on-two Double Battle between Challenger Ash and Gym Leader Mom! Wait, no-"

"It's all right, Janine," said Johanna. "Now, Ash, let's start this show! Go, Glameow and Kangaskhan!"

The two Pokemon in question appeared on Johanna's side of the floor, the dainty-looking Glameow looking almost comically tiny next to the massive form of Kangaskhan.

Ash frowned, pondering his options. Kubfu and Primeape were rivals more than partners, so that wouldn't do. He didn't trust Aegislash to work well with anyone yet. And he wasn't sure that Primeape liked Scizor all that much, so…

"Kubfu, Scizor, you're up!" Ash threw his first two catches out onto the battlefield.

"Battlers, begin!" Janine yelled, clearly not wanting to bother going through any formalities.

"Don't waste time!" Ash ordered instantly. "Kubfu, attack the Glameow with a Brick Break! Scizor, charge the Kangaskhan with a Fury Cutter!"

"Fu!" "Zor!" Both Kubfu and Scizor charged their targets, readying their powerful attacks.

"Fake Out the Kubfu, Kangaskhan!" Johanna called. "Glameow, use Hypnosis on the Scizor!"

In the blink of an eye, Glameow and Kangaskhan lunged forwards. Kangaskhan slammed straight into Kubfu, knocking him to the side; the Brick Break dissipated, the energy fading as Kubfu lost concentration on the attack. Glameow sprang in the other direction, a stream of Psychic power surging out towards Scizor. "Dodge!" Ash ordered; Scizor twisted, blurring out of the way with a Quick Attack, and narrowly managed to avoid Glameow's Hypnosis.

"Back, Glameow, and Charm on the Kubfu," Johanna continued. "Kangaskhan, Aerial Ace. Don't let up."

Ash gulped - Aerial Ace from a Pokemon as big as Kangaskhan was definitely going to hurt Kubfu. "Keep away from that, Kubfu!" he warned.

Kubfu backpedaled, avoiding Kangaskhan's body as she flung herself at him. But even as he did so, Glameow stepped out from behind Kangaskhan, blinking suggestively. Pink light shone in her eyes, and Kubfu unexpectedly stumbled, his strength momentarily failing him. Kangaskhan promptly cannoned straight into the Fighting-type, hurling him away with her massive bulk.

"Scizor, stop that Kangaskhan with Bullet Punch!" Ash cried.

Scizor twisted and lunged for Kangaskhan, forcing the massive Normal-type to pause her charge in favor of raising an energy-clad fist in defense. "Hypnosis again!" Johanna called swiftly, but Scizor once again reacted just as quickly, drawing away with a Quick Attack and causing the stream of Psychic power to uselessly strike the wall behind him. Kubfu rose, shaking off the momentary loss of strength, and stepped forwards to stand by Scizor's side as Kangaskhan similarly drew back.

Ash grimaced as he watched the two Normal-types, Glameow peeking out from behind the dominating form of Kangaskhan. It was obvious that Glameow's entire purpose was to support Kangaskhan, using Charm and Hypnosis to screw with opposing Pokemon and giving Kangaskhan openings to beat them down. And Ash knew that if either Scizor or Kubfu were struck by a Hypnosis, Glameow and Kangaskhan would be free to gang up on the other Pokemon; there was no way Scizor or Kubfu would be able to last long on their own against such an effective team.

But they're not on their own. They're together, and they have to fight together. I let Kangaskhan and Glameow separate them once - I'm not letting that happen again.

"Kangaskhan, knock them off balance with Bulldoze!" Johanna called. "Glameow, Charm on that Kubfu!"

This time, though, Kubfu was prepared; as soon as the order left Johanna's lips, Kubfu turned his head away from Glameow. Glameow's eyes flashed, but Kubfu was unaffected, and he was quick to lunge out of the way of the rumbling wave of energy that Kangaskhan sent towards him and Scizor.

Scizor, on the other hand, leaped over the Bulldoze and sprinted towards Kangaskhan, priming a Bullet Punch. "Follow him!" Ash told Kubfu, not wanting them to get separated.

"Kangaskhan, meet that Scizor with Dizzy Punch!" Johanna called. "Glameow, follow - Hypnosis again!"

Scizor and Kangaskhan dashed for one another, the former ducking Glameow's Hypnosis as he did so; Kubfu and Glameow sprinted along behind their respective teammates. Scizor was moving faster than Kangaskhan, though; as they reached one another, both threw their punches with impressive speed and strength, but Scizor's was simply swifter. His claw struck Kangaskhan in the face, while her Dizzy Punch flew wide; Scizor rapidly took advantage, hauling back and flinging a follow-up Fury Cutter into Kangaskhan's shoulder to send her reeling.

"Aerial Ace, Glameow!" Johanna cried; before Scizor could turn to face the new threat, Glameow impacted the Bug/Steel-type with a full-force tackle, sending him stumbling away.

But though she'd rescued her teammate, she'd left herself open.

"Kubfu, now!" Ash cried. "Brick Break!"

"Kub!" Kubfu sprinted forwards, hurtling towards Glameow with one fist drawn back. Glameow was caught off-balance, and there was no way Kangaskhan would be able to get in front of her before Kubfu's attack hit home. But even as Kubfu closed in, Johanna cried out. "Kangaskhan, get Glameow out of there!"

And as Kangaskhan surged forwards, Ash realized that while Kangaskhan couldn't get in front of Glameow before Kubfu landed his punch, she could certainly reach Glameow.

Kangaskhan's fist lashed out, wrapping around Glameow; the massive Normal-type twisted and tossed Glameow away, interposing herself between Kubfu and Glameow at the same time. Kubfu's Brick Break slammed straight into Kangaskhan, eliciting a groan of pain from her. "Back!" Ash cried as Kangaskhan spun, throwing a wild Dizzy Punch that Kubfu was easily able to duck.

"Hypnosis!" Johanna's cry came just as Glameow landed back on the floor. Instantly another beam of Psychic power lanced out towards Kubfu, who was still in the process of dodging Kangaskhan's flailing Dizzy Punch. "Kubfu!" Ash cried.

And then Scizor leaped in front of Kubfu, his claw glistening with the Dark-type energy of Pursuit, and punched the Hypnosis right out of the air.

Ash grinned in relief - he would never have thought of that on his own. "Nice job, Scizor! Follow up, you two - Fury Cutter and Brick Break!"

"Glameow, use Charm!" Johanna countered. "And Kangaskhan, Aerial Ace!"

Scizor had his eyes locked on Glameow as he countered her Hypnosis; before he could break eye contact, Glameow's eyes flashed and Scizor stumbled as his strength failed him. Without Scizor's support, Kubfu's Brick Break was simply met with an Aerial Ace from Kangaskhan, and the Normal-type came out the clear winner in that exchange, flinging Kubfu away once again.

"Now use Bulldoze, Kangaskhan!" Johanna called. "And Glameow, Hypnosis again on the Scizor!"

"Quick Attack forwards, Scizor!" Ash ordered in response. "And Bullet Punch that Kangaskhan!"

As Kubfu rose slowly to his feet behind Scizor, the Bug/Steel-type leaped forwards and into the air, dodging both the Hypnosis and the Bulldoze. Kubfu's eyes widened as the wave of earth continued surging across the floor, heading straight for him. Before Ash could call out an order, Kubfu steadied his stance, hauled back, and punched the oncoming Bulldoze hard enough to split the attack completely in two. A low rumbling noise echoed across the arena as the remnants of the wave flew past Kubfu on either side, not even touching him.

In the meantime, Kangaskhan tried to defend against Scizor's charge, but just like before, the Bug/Steel-type's Bullet Punch was simply too fast. The Normal-type staggered as Scizor's fist embedded itself in her face. Her follow-up Dizzy Punch hit only empty air, and Scizor was quick to retaliate with two more Bullet Punches, striking Kangaskhan's stomach and doubling her over.

But even as Kangaskhan staggered, even as Kubfu began racing towards the fight, Johanna's voice rose up again. "Charm, Glameow!"

Once more, Glameow's eyes pulsed with light; once more, Scizor stumbled as his strength was momentarily stripped from him. Kangaskhan's own eyes narrowed as she saw her opponent stagger; before Scizor could recover, Kangaskhan twisted, using her own stagger to increase the momentum of her spin. The back of her right arm slammed into Scizor's face, sending him flying straight into the charging Kubfu; the two fell sprawling to the floor as Kangaskhan rose back to her full height, still clearly ready to continue the battle despite the hits she'd taken.

Ash glared at Glameow; the small Normal-type was standing near Johanna, keeping her own gaze locked on Kubfu and Scizor. This fight was getting frustrating; every time it seemed like Scizor and Kubfu were gaining the upper hand against Kangaskhan, Glameow created an opening to let the larger Normal-type recover and rebound. I can't beat Kangaskhan with Glameow supporting her, that much is becoming clear. The only way I can win this is by beating Glameow first. But neither Scizor nor Kubfu have any ranged attacks - and without those, there's no way Scizor and Kubfu can possibly get past the wall that is Kangaskhan and take out Glameow.

Ash gritted his teeth. If neither Kubfu nor Scizor had any ranged attacks, then they would just need to improvise. And as Ash thought of what ranged attacks Kubfu and Scizor could possibly improvise, his mind flew back to when they'd almost trapped Glameow before.

When Kangaskhan had tossed the smaller Normal-type away and out of danger.

Ash smirked, as much at the strangeness of his upcoming order as at the potential turning point in the fight. "Scizor!" he cried. "Throw Kubfu at Glameow!"

Kubfu blinked. "Fu, Kub?" he queried, a second before Scizor's claw clamped around his midsection. Kangaskhan's eyes widened and she quickly tried to rush forwards, raising up her arms in a wild attempt to block Scizor's throw.

But she was too slow. Spinning, Scizor let fly, hurling Kubfu across the arena. His body flew right past Kangaskhan before she could reach out and intercept him. Johanna, to her credit, reacted immediately. "Dodge it with Quick Attack, Glameow!"

But Glameow wasn't able to react nearly as fast as her Trainer. Before she could tap into Quick Attack, Kubfu's flying body slammed straight into her, knocking her to the ground. Kubfu himself also fell, but he was up faster than Glameow, and before Glameow could even begin to get up he was on her with a Brick Break at the ready.

"Aerial Ace, both of you!" Johanna called.

Ash's smirk widened - he'd finally succeeded in separating Glameow and Kangaskhan. "Counter with your own, Kubfu!" he cried. "And Scizor, use Bullet Punch - dodge and strike!"

Scizor ducked Kangaskhan's Aerial Ace and retaliated, once again using his greater speed to rapidly overwhelm Kangaskhan with swift strikes. On the other side of the field, Glameow managed to hurl herself forwards clad in the telltale sky-blue energy of her own Aerial Ace, but Kubfu was quick to follow Ash's order, and his strength was clearly greater than that of Glameow's; the small Normal-type was sent staggering away, and Kubfu pounced, landing a strong Brick Break that flung Glameow to the floor with a loud crack. It was at once clear that Glameow was nowhere near as hardy as Kangaskhan; already she was breathing heavily, struggling to get up.

"Back, Kangaskhan!" Johanna ordered, recognizing there was no way Glameow could beat Kubfu in a straight fight. "Bulldoze at them both - Glameow, dodge away with Quick Attack!"

"Not happening!" Ash yelled. "Kubfu, grab her and Endure! You can take it, she can't!"

Crouching, Kubfu hurled himself at the rising Glameow. The small Normal-type's body began to glow with the energy of her Quick Attack, but before she could dart away Kubfu's hand shot out and grabbed her tail. Glameow screeched in pain as Kubfu yanked her backwards, her paws scrabbling on the wooden floor as she fought for grip.

"Kangaskhan, wait!" Johanna cried, but Kangaskhan's foot was already coming down.

A loud rumbling noise sounded as Kangaskhan's Bulldoze erupted outwards, a wave of Ground-type energy headed straight for the struggling duo of Kubfu and Glameow. Still keeping a firm grip on Glameow's tail, remaining steady no matter how much Glameow tried to pull away, Kubfu clenched his jaw and tapped into Endure.

Glameow let out one final wail as the Bulldoze slammed into both her and Kubfu. Both went flying, their bodies sailing through the air, but while Kubfu landed on his feet, legs shaking but still standing, Glameow hit the ground limply and didn't get back up.

"Now, Scizor!" Ash yelled.

Kangaskhan only had a moment to look alarmed at the defeat of her partner before she was abruptly distracted by Scizor's fist slamming into her face. She staggered, and Scizor pressed, refusing to let up. Blow after blow rammed into the stumbling Kangaskhan, and as she tried to flail desperately at Scizor with a Dizzy Punch, Kubfu leaped in from the other direction and punched her in the leg with a Brick Break, sending Kangaskhan toppling to the floor.

"Enough!"

Johanna's cry stayed Kubfu and Scizor's hands. The Gym Leader, having already recalled Glameow, now raised Kangaskhan's Pokeball and recalled her as well. "I've seen enough," she said, "to know how that was going to end. Congratulations on your victory, Ash."

"Woohoo!" Ash threw his hands into the air. "Great job, Scizor and Kubfu!"

The two Pokemon stepped back over to Ash, their expressions tinged with excitement at the victorious battle. Janine, however, didn't look nearly as excited. "Sorry, Mom. I shouldn't have brought him…now Glameow and Kangaskhan are hurt…"

"Don't be silly, Janine," Johanna said comfortingly. "That's just how battles go. If I won every battle I took part in, I wouldn't be a very good Gym Leader, now would I?"

"I guess," Janine murmured.

"It is the place of a Gym Leader to encourage growth," said Johanna. "And this young man has shown growth aplenty. I am quite glad you brought him here, and I don't want you to be afraid to bring any others in the future, okay?"

"Okay," said Janine, stroking her Meowth.

Johanna turned to Ash and swiftly stepped over to his side of the arena. "That was quite an excellent performance," she said. "Though it did seem that the trick you pulled wasn't exactly planned?"

"Yeah…I did sorta improvise that one." Ash scratched his head embarrassedly.

Johanna chuckled. "Don't be embarrassed. Improvisation is a necessary skill for battling. But I doubt I will be the last person who challenges you to a Double Battle. In fact, did you not mention a pair of Trainers that have been battling you in similar fashion?"

"Oh, yeah!" Ash said. "Drake and Liza!"

Johanna nodded. "Yes, them. If I may offer a suggestion, you might want to try devoting some of your team's training specifically to Double Battles. I think it would result in overall improvement to your battling prowess."

"I'll try it," Ash promised. "Thanks, Johanna!"

"Oh, and before I forget…" Johanna stepped across the floor and handed Ash a Gym Badge. "Here is your Ribbon Badge. And, if I may offer one more suggestion, you might want to try heading for the Safari Zone next. There are quite a few rare and powerful Pokemon in there! I have a personal fondness for the Tauros line, myself - you mind find it useful to catch a Tauros."

"Huh…Tauros." Ash grinned. "I like the sound of that! Thank you, Johanna! Safari Zone, here we come!" Twisting, he dashed off, leaving Clay and Cyrus to scramble after him in a manner that looked as if they had done it several times before.

"I'll follow them!" Janine announced. "I shall watch from the shadows and ensure they are unmolested as they leave town, like a good ninja does!"

"Yes, Janine," said Johanna, beginning to walk back towards the kitchen. "Just as long as you're back in time for dinner."

"Of course!" Janine cried. "Gotta go, Mom! Bye! Smoke bomb!"

"No smoke bombs in the house, Janine!" Johanna called after her fleeing daughter.

Janine/Aya is (I think) the first unrandomized anime character who was really affected by the randomizer. In the original anime, she was being trained as a ninja by Koga. But I didn't really think Johanna would be nearly as gung-ho about ninja training as Koga, so I changed Janine/Aya's ninja training from a career path to a childhood 'phase'. I also got lucky that Johanna's pretty much the only 'mother' character who actually has some sort of Pokemon battling team in canon - I combined her Glameow from the anime with her Kangaskhan from the games, and made her battle a 2v2 Double Battle partially because it fit with her canon battling style and partially because those were the only two Normal-types she actually has.

Also, yes, next chapter is the Safari Zone, which I know everyone has been looking forward to. Including me. I'm definitely looking forward to the reactions to what Ash's 30 Tauros are actually replaced by...