"So if the movie is done, why are we still here?" Rosa asked still holding Ash's egg, as she, Ash and Elliot walked through the set.
"This area is still part of the city, and while it's technically closed off for the day for filming, there is someone here that I'd like to battle." Ash said.
"Ahh Ash, good work today again." Sabrina said. "I don't think the two of you have been properly introduced, this is Elesa the gym leader here in Nimbasa."
"It's nice to finally meet you." Ash said. "When we're not in spandex costumes that is."
"It's good to meet you, Sabrina was just telling me you're quite the battler off stage as well." Elesa said. "And who are these two?"
"Oh, these are my friends, Rosa and Elliot, we've been traveling through Unova together." Ash said. "I was actually wondering about something though."
"Let me guess, you'd like an actual gym battle?" Elesa said.
"Is it too much to ask for today?" Ash asked.
"Not at all, we can use the arena behind the coaster." Elesa said, leading the group into the roller coaster attraction. "So Ash, how many badges do you currently have?"
"I have three badges right now from the Unova Region." Ash responded. "Alright then, how does a four on four fight sound?"
"Works for me." Ash said confidently.
"Ri Ri!" Riolu said in agreement.
"Pika!" Pikachu declared enthusiastically.
"Alright, I will act as judge for this battle. As stated this will be a four on four match between Elesa the gym leader, and Ash the challenger. During the match only the challenger is allowed to swap Pokemon at any time, and the match will be over when all four of one sides Pokemon are unable to continue battling." Sabrina said.
"Well then, we can begin." Elesa said. "Emolga come out!"
"I know how to fight them, Riolu, you're up first!" Ash said confidently.
"Not a great choice, Emolga is a flying type." Elliot commented from the stands.
"And with Riolu being a fighting type, a flying type like Emolga has advantages." Rosa half asked.
"Exactly, not that many Pokemon are a truly good type matchup against a Pokemon like that." Elliot commented.
"Riolu use Rock Slide!"
"Emolga use Aerial Ace!"
Riolu summoned a series of rocks, launching them at Emolga as the electric type easily outmaneuvered them, completely unencumbered.
"That Rock Slide tactic might have worked to slow them down in the movie, but you aren't the undisputed hero here." Elesa reminded, as Emolga struck Riolu into the air.
"Riolu use Blaze Kick!"
Riolu spun around, launching right at Emolga in mid air, his leg engulfed in flames, striking the electric type.
"Emolga use another Aerial Ace!"
"Riolu counter with Zen Headbutt!"
Riolu launched forward, head first at Emolga only to be struck into the air once more.
"Now Emolga use Volt Switch!"
Emolga charged forward one final time, striking Riolu before returning to Elesa, a Flaaffy taking their place.
"Hey that's illegal, you can't switch mid battle!" Rosa argued.
"It's the move, Volt Switch, it deals damage and switches out the Pokemon in the process." Elliot commented. "Nothing in the rules about that."
"But that means Ash won't be able to control the battle, if Elesa can switch her Pokemon any time they know Volt Switch." Rosa realized.
"And in real competitive battles, that's how that works." Elliot pointed out.
"Flaaffy use Take Down!"
"Riolu use Force Palm!"
Flaaffy rushed forward, slamming into Riolu, knocking him into the wall of the arena.
"Riolu is unable to battle, Flaaffy is the winner." Sabrina declared.
"Riolu return! Come on out Snivy!" Ash called out. "Use Energy Ball!"
"Flaaffy use Volt Switch!"
Flaaffy rushed forward, pushing through the Energy Ball and striking Snivy back before switching back out for yet another Pokemon.
"Which Pokemon is that?" Ash asked.
"Joltik, a bug and electric type." Elesa commented.
"Snivy return! Come on out Darumaka! Use Fire Fang!"
"Joltik use Thunder Wave!"
Darumaka came out, only to be immediately hit by a wave of static electricity, freezing her in place.
"Joltik use Energy Ball!"
"Darumaka use Rollout!"
Darumaka rolled up, charging at Joltik and pushing through the Energy Ball and striking Joltik for heavy damage.
"Joltik use Volt Switch!"
Joltik rushed forward, slamming into Darumaka before switching out for another Pokemon, the fire type still stalled from her paralysis.
"Yet another switch." Rosa groaned as a large black and white Pokemon came out.
"Zebstrika use Stomp!"
"Darumaka use Fire Fang!"
Zebstrika galloped forward, slamming a hoof down on Darumaka as the fire type bit their leg for some damage.
"Zebstrika use Stomp again!"
"Darumaka use Fire Fang!"
Zebstrika reared their front hooves up into the air before slamming them back down on Darumaka, knocking out the fire type.
"Darumaka is unable to battle, the winner is Zebstrika!" Sabrina declared.
"This isn't fair, Ash's Pokemon are fighting their best, but every time one of Elesa's get tired, she can just switch to someone new!" Rosa argued.
"Not much that we can do about that, if Volt Switch is her tactic, Ash just has to be able to find a way around that." Elliot commented.
"And you think he can?" Rosa asked.
"With Snivy already having been out, and Emolga and Joltik both being good against him, I doubt it." Elliot sighed.
"And as strong as Braviary is, even he isn't strong enough to overcome the type disadvantage." Rosa pointed out.
"Hey peanut gallery, you know I can hear you still!" Ash said a bit annoyed.
"Right, sorry Ash!" Rosa admitted.
"Snivy come back out! Use Energy Ball!"
"Zebstrika use Flame Charge!"
Zebstrika engulfed themselves in flames, rushing forward and crashing into Snivy, sending the grass type tumbling back.
"Zebstrika use Flame Charge!"
"Snivy use Aqua Tail!"
Snivy was ready this time, striking Zebstrika before being launched back once more.
"Finish them, use Flame Charge one more time!"
"Snivy use Vine Whip and aim low!"
Snivy unleashed a series of blows at the ground in Zebstrika's path before being struck a third time in a row by the electric types attacks.
"Snivy is unable to battle, the winner is Zebstrika!" Sabrina declared.
"Snivy return! Alright Pikachu, let's show them we're not to be messed with. Use Quick Attack!"
"Zebstrika use Stomp!"
Pikachu sped across the battlefield, easily avoiding Zebstrika's hooves before slamming into them from the side.
"Use Volt Switch!"
"Use Iron Tail!"
Zebstrika charged at Pikachu, electricity sparking off of them as Pikachu leapt into the air striking Zebstrika atop their head with his hardened tail, dropping them to the ground.
"Zebstrika is unable to battle, the winner is Pikachu!" Sabrina declared.
"Zebstrika return." Elesa called out. "You finally managed to knock one of my Pokemon out, but it won't matter. Joltik come back use and use Bug Bite!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu raced across the battlefield but stopped, unable to spot where Joltik was until he felt a sharp pain in his neck.
"Is that Joltik?" Rosa asked noticing the yellow mass on Pikachu's back.
"Yes and against electric types, Joltik's big bite is quite shocking." Elesa said with a laugh as Pikachu began to be drained.
"Pikachu knock them away with Iron Tail!" Ash called out.
Pikachu focused on where he could feel Joltik, slamming his tail down hard as the small bug leapt away, causing only Pikachu to be hit.
"If Pikachu knocks himself out from his own attack is he really strong or really weak?" Rosa asked.
"I honestly don't know how to answer that." Elliot admitted.
"Pikachu throw something it can't latch onto, use Thunderbolt!"
"Joltik use Energy Ball!"
"Pi!" Pikachu said excitedly, trying to build up a charge.
"Oh right, Joltik has a tendency to use larger electric types as a battery." Elesa commented as Pikachu was struck by the energy ball.
"Pikachu, stand down." Ash said in defeat.
"Ash." Rosa said in shock.
"You're good Elesa, I'll give you that, but you're not unbeatable, I'll come up with a new strategy and I'll be back for my badge next time." Ash said.
"The sign of a strong trainer is knowing when enough is enough for their Pokemon. I have no doubt you'll find an answer for our next match." Elesa said with a friendly smile.