"Here we are, back in Virbank." Ash said with a stretch.
"And the studio still isn't ready for you today so there was no point in rushing back here." Rosa said.
"Of course there was." Ash said confidently. "Because now I can take on the gym here today, and do my movie tomorrow."
"Do you ever stop and just I don't know, want to enjoy your time in a city?" Rosa asked.
"Was there something you wanted to do?" Ash questioned.
"I don't know but you always seem so one track minded." Rosa groaned.
"Pi." Pikachu said, his ears picking up as he sniffed the air.
"What is it Pikachu?" Ash asked, as the electric type hopped off his shoulder, running down the street.
"BWARP!" Lillipup barked excitedly, squirming free and chasing after Pikachu.
"Lillipup what's gotten into you?" Rosa asked, chasing after Lillipup as Ash quickly followed.
Back near the Virbank Complex
"Alright everyone there you go." A boy with red hair said, seeing Lillipup and Pikachu running over to join the gathered Pokemon. "Come on you two eat up too, there's plenty to go around."
"Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed, running over to his Pokemon.
"Lillipup you know you shouldn't run off like that." Rosa scolded. "Sorry if they bothered you."
"Not at all, I'll take it as a compliment that even trainers Pokemon were attracted to my food." The boy said. "I'm Crispin by the way."
"I'm Ash, and this is Rosa." Ash said. "Are you from around here?"
"Sort of, my parents live here, but I attend the Blueberry academy." Crispin said.
"The what?" Ash asked looking to Rosa for any input only for her to be confused as well.
"No worries, it's not a very known academy." Crispin said. "So what brings you two to Virbank, neither of you look like locals."
"I'm actually from Pallet Town and I'm here to take on the Virbank City gym." Ash said, pulling out the Basic Badge he'd gotten from Cheren and showing it to Crispin.
"Don't trainers usually keep their badges in a case?" Crispin asked.
"Yeah, not really sure where to get one, I'll be honestly I'm usually just given one." Ash admitted.
"Well if you're challenging gyms you must be tough, so I'll make you a deal." Crispin said rolling up his sleeves. "If you agree to a battle, you and your Pokemon can stay for lunch, and if you win I'll even give you a spare case that I was given."
"Deal." Ash said.
One lunch break later
"Alright Crispin what are the rules for your challenge?" Ash asked, stretching for a moment.
"Three on three." Crispin said. "Now prepare to feel the heat! Darumaka I choose you!"
"Come on out Riolu!" Ash called out.
"Darumaka use Incinerate!"
"Riolu use Double Team!"
Three Riolu joined Ash's as they ran about, dodging the flames from Darumaka, closing in on the fire type.
"Riolu use Force Palm!" Ash called out.
"Darumaka use Rollout!"
Darumaka rolled out of the way of Riolu's attack, rolling into two of the clones and dispersing them.
"Riolu use Ice Punch!"
"Don't you know that Ice isn't good against fire?" Crispin asked.
"Yes, I also know not every offensive move is only offensive." Ash said, as the ground in front of Darumaka froze, stopping the fire type in his tracks. "Now Riolu use Force Palm!"
Riolu and the remaining mirage leapt forward, striking Darumaka and sending it rolling into a curb.
"Darumaka use Fire Fang!"
"Riolu split up!" Ash called out.
The two Riolu leapt out of the way of Darumaka's attack, landing on scaffolding above.
"Use Incinerate!"
"Use Force Palm!"
Darumaka let out a stream of flames at the two Riolu, dissipating the clone as the real landed a finishing blow, knocking out Darumaka.
"Impressive, but we're not done yet." Crispín said, recalling his Darumaka.
"Neither are we." Ash said, recalling Riolu. "Snivy come on out!"
"Magby I choose you!"
"Snivy use Energy Ball!"
"Magby use Clear Smog!"
A white cloud poured out of Magby's mouth, surrounding Snivy as a ball of energy shot out towards Magby, knocking the fire type back a bit.
"Snivy use Tackle!"
"Magby use Ember"
Magby unleashed a flurry of embers, striking Snivy causing the grass type to stumble and fall.
"Magby use Focus Punch!"
"Snivy get up and dodge it!"
The onslaught of fire and poison attacks was too much for the grass type as they succumbed to the focus punch, knocking them out.
"Snivy you did your best, the types just weren't in your favor." Ash said, recalling the grass type.
"Great work Magby, take a long rest." Crispín said. "Now for my third Pokemon come out Combusken!"
"Pikachu let's show them who they're fighting! Use Iron Tail!"
"Use Double Kick!"
Pikachu leapt at Combusken, striking the fire and fighting type to knock them off balance.
"Now use Thunderbolt!"
"Use Flame Pledge!"
Pikachu sent out a bolt of electricity striking Combusken before being engulfed in a small amount of fire.
"Pikachu use Volt Tackle!"
"Combusken use Aerial Ace!"
The two Pokemon rushed forward, colliding with one another as Pikachu skidded to a stop behind Combusken while the fire type stumbled once more.
"Now use Iron Tail!"
Pikachu spun around, striking Combusken as the fire chicken fell to the ground in defeat.
"Combusken return!" Crispín said. "I have to say Ash, I'm pretty impressed with your skills."
"You're not half bad yourself Crispín." Ash said with a smirk.
"Well here as promised." Crispín said holding out a badge case. "The school gives these out like nothing, I have plenty."
Ash took the case with a crest on the center of it.
"That's the academy's crest by the way, but the case is really durable." Crispín said.
"Thanks, this will be really helpful." Ash said, placing his Basic Badge inside. "Hope we'll see you around some time Crispín."
"Same to you Ash." Crispín said. "I'm sure a few of my friends would love to meet you if you ever came to visit."
"Maybe we will, who knows?" Ash said with a chuckle.