Our heroes arrived in Esterfall City, where Ash's next Gym Battle is to take place. When they arrived, however, the Gym Leader, Olga's grandmother, decided to ask Olga herself to be Ash's opponent. Now Ash will have to defeat Olga herself in order to win his fourth Gym Badge.
Ash was standing in a clearing in front of the forest, with his friends sitting off to the side.
"So, Ash," said RotomDex, "have you decided who you will be using?"
"You bet!" said Ash as he pulled out three PokéBalls. He tossed them and out came Platide, Charmor, and Koaleaf.
"Come on, guys," said Ash. "Olga's a tough Trainer, so we can't hold anything back!"
"Char!"
"Platide!"
"Leaf!"
At the Gym, Olga was practicing with her grandmother, facing her Reflectre with Froslass.
"Use Ice Shard!" Froslas shot a bunch of ice shards at Reflectre, but the mirror Pokémon dodged it with some Teleport moves.
"Not so fast!" said Olga. "Use Freeze Ray!" Froslass managed to hit Reflectre with an orb of blue energy, freezing it instantly. "Yes! Now use Ice Shard!" Froslass pummeled Reflectre until it managed to break free of the ice.
"I think it's time, Froslass. Ready?" Olga held up her Key Stone, and it began to glow. Froslass closed its eyes as the light reached it. Olga. Closing her eyes, Olga tried to concentrate, but the light suddenly flickered out.
"No! No! Grr, why didn't it work?" she said.
"Olga, you need to learn to be patient," said Mona. "You can't expect to be perfect at everything right away. You and Froslass will be able to do this when the time is right."
Olga just grumbled. "I just- I need to be ready when Ash comes. He's a tough Trainer, so I need to be ready to match him."
"Olga, I wouldn't have asked you to face him if you weren't ready," said Mona. "If you keep spending your time being afraid of failure, then failure will be all that awaits you."
Olga looked down at the floor, but then she saw Froslass giving her a reassuring smile. "Yeah, you're right. Let's keep practicing."
Who's that Pokémon?
This Pokémon is cloaked in the souls of its comrades who perished during a punishing journey to the river of their birth.
Ash and the others made their way inside the Esterfall City Gym. They suddenly met with Lampent, who helped light the way for them as they made their way through the Gym's maze. Eventually, they arrived at the arena, which was pitch black. But then, torches started to light up, revealed Mona standing in the middle of the battlefield.
"Ah, welcome, young Ash," she said. "Are you ready for your Gym Battle?"
"You bet!" said Ash. "I've been waiting a long time for this!"
Mona grinned and said, "That's nice to hear. Now then, let's meet your opponent."
A torch lit up behind the battlefield. Olga walked out to her side of the arena, and looked at Ash with determined eyes.
"Alright, Ash, we're finally here!" she said.
"Yeah, this is gonna be so much fun!" said Ash. "But just you wait, Olga! My Pokémon and I are gonna show you just how strong we are, and we'll win that badge!"
Platide, Koaleaf, and Charmor came out from behind Ash, and they all cheered with a burning passion for battle.
"I know, Ash," said Olga. "But don't forget, this is a test for me, too! I'm about to prive to my grandmother that I'm a worthy Gym Leader! So I won't hold anything back!"
"I'd be upset if you did hold back, Olga!" Ash said.
It's Basculegion!
Ash and Olga stood on opposite sides of the arena. Serena, Vernon, Pikachu, and RotomDex sat in the bleachers to the side, while Mona stood between Ash and Olga as the referee.
"Pika pi!" said Pikachu, its arms crossed.
"It's okay, Pikachu," said Serena, petting its head. "Ash'll have you in his next Gym Battle for sure."
"This will be a three-on-three battle!" Mona said. "Only the challenger can substitute Pokémon, and the battle will be over when all three Pokémon on one side are unable to battle! Now, bring out your first Pokémon!"
"Okay, Koaleaf, you're up first!" Ash pointed his finger. Koaleaf jumped onto the field, ready to go.
"So this will be Koaleaf's first Gym Battle, huh?" said Serena.
"Ash chose his Pokémon for this fight carefully," said RotomDex. "I'm sure he knows what he's doing."
"Here's my first Pokémon!" Olga said, throwing out a PokéBall. Out of it burst a Reflectre.
"What?" said Vernon. "She has a Reflectre as well?"
"Sorry I couldn't show you my whole team before now," said Olga, "but now we're coming at you as a team!"
"Alright, battle begin!" said Mona.
BATTLE BEGIN!
"Koaleaf, use Leaf Blade!" said Ash. Koaleaf's arms turned into blades and ran to slash at Reflectre.
"Use Teleport!" Reflectre vanished just before Koaleaf could make contact. It then reappeared behind Koaleaf, and Olga called for a Shadow Ball, which sent Koaleaf flying.
"Grr, don't let that stop you, Koaleaf! Use Razor Leaf!" Koaleaf tried to steady itself in midair, and it unleashed some leaves at its foe.
"Teleport, again!" said Olga. Reflectre vanished, and it reappeared behind Koaleaf, and hit it with a Dark Pulse.
"Man, how are they supposed to stop Teleport?" said Serena.
"It may not be a very mobile Pokémon," said RotomDex, "but with its Teleport, it can stay on the move and out of reach!"
Koaleaf crashed on the ground, as Ash growled. However, by his feet, Charmor and Platide both cheered for their friend.
"Coem on, Koaleaf, you can do this!" said Ash. Koaleaf rose to its feet and faced Reflectre. "Great, now use Energy Ball!"
Koaleaf gathered a green ball between its hands and launched it, but Reflectre simply Teleported again, but this time, Ash was ready. "Turn around and use Leaf Blade!"
Koaleaf turned its arms into blades and turned to slash just as Reflectre appeared. The attack made contact, and sent Reflectre sliding back.
"Nice move!" said Serena.
"I wonder what Olga will do now?" said Vernon.
However, as Ash looked over at Olga, she didn't seem very worried. I wonder, is she still planning something?
"Use Dark Pulse!" Reflectre fired its attack, but Ash called for a Leaf Blade, and Koaleaf slashed through the attack. Then, Olga called for a Shadow Ball, but Koaleaf slashed through that too.
"I think she's toying with him," said Serena.
"Use Teleport," said Olga. Reflectre vanished again, but Ash told Koaleaf to use Leaf Blade again.
"That's strange," said Vernon. "Why would she do that? It didn't work last time..."
Koaleaf slashed Reflectre just as it reappeared. But then, the glass on Reflectre suddenly cracked open, and a big purple wispy thing with angry red eyes.
"Huh? What's going on!?" said Ash.
"Uh oh," said RotomDex. "It's Reflectre's ability, Shatter! If it takes enough damage, its glass shatters and it lets out the spirit within, which increases attack power!"
"I see," said Vernon. "That was Olga's plan."
"What do you think, Ash?" said Olga. "This is Reflectre's real power! Thanks for helping me unleash it!"
"Oh, boy," said Ash. "Koaleaf, brace yourself!"
Koealeaf readied itself, but Olga called for a Shadow Ball. Ash asked Koaleaf to slash through it with Leaf Blade, but the Shadow Ball proved too strong, and it exploded in Koaleaf's face.
"Grr, use Energy Ball!"
Koaleaf launched its attack, but then Olga said, "Intangibility!" Reflectre turned intangible, and the Energy Ball flew through it.
"Whoa, what's that move?" said Serena.
"Intangibility," said RotomDex. "It protects from any attack."
"Great," said Vernon. "Between Teleport and Intangibility, Ash will never be able to get a hit in!"
Olga said, "Sorry, Ash, but I told you, I won't hold anything back! You think you deal with it?"
Ash growled, but then he grinned and said, "Hey, I asked you to give me everything you had. But we got a few surprises of our own!" Platide and Charmor cheered for Koaleaf, who stood up again ready for more.
"Now, use Leaf Blade!" Koaleaf charged forward and tried to slash Reflectre, but Olga called for a Teleport. Ash tried to tell Koaleaf to turn around at attack when Reflectre reappeared. But when Koaleaf turned, Reflectre didn't appear.
"Use Dark Pulse!" Koaleaf was hit by the attack, as Ash looked to see where Reflectre had actually landed.
"You didn't think I was gonna use the same trick again, did you?" said Olga.
Ash growled as he tried to think of a plan. Suddenly, though, he heard Charmor squeaking at his feet. He looked down, and he saw Charmor pretending to spin around.
Ash quickly understood what Charmor was trying to say, and he turned to Koaleaf to say, "Hey, Koaleaf, I have an idea! I want you to use Razor Leaf, but spin around!"
Koaleaf looked at Ash confused, but it did as it was told and spun around, throwing Razor Leaves all over the place.
"Reflectre, use Intangibility!" said Olga.
Her Pokémon turned intangible, but Ash said, "Don't let up, Koaleaf! Keep going!"
Koaleaf didn't let up. It kept shooting Razor Leaves. Eventually, Reflectre was forced to stop being intangible, and the leaves slashed it.
"Get out of there! Use Teleport!" said Olga. Reflectre tried Teleporting away, but no matter where it went, it couldn't escape from the Razor Leaves.
"Now! Koaleaf! Grab it!" Koaleaf jumped up and managed to grab Reflectre, who struggled to get away.
"Looks like it can't use Teleport or Intangibility as long as Koaleaf's got a hold of it!" said RotomDex.
Suddenly, Koaleaf opened its mouth, and its teeth turned black, and it bit down on Reflectre.
"Huh? Was that Crunch?" said Ash.
Koaleaf let go as Reflectre's spirit got sucked back into the mirror, and the glass repaired itself. Mona stepped forward to see it and said, "Reflectre is unable to battle. Koaleaf wins."
Charmor and Platide cheered as Ash said, "Nice! You did it, Koaleaf!" Koaleaf jumped up and down in celebration.
"They did it!" said Serena.
"That's not bad!" said Vernon.
"Pika pika!" said Pikachu.
Olga recalled her Pokémon, and said to the PokéBall, "You did great, Reflectre. Thank you so much." She stared down Ash on the other side of the arena, and she said, "I'm not through yet, Ash. Go, Phantomb!"
She threw her next PokéBall, and out came a new Pokémon. It looked like a tombstone, but with purple wispy arms, and angry red eyes on the stone.
"Who's that Pokémon?" said Serena.
RotomDex scanned it and said, "Phantomb. The Headstone Pokémon. A Rock and Ghost Type. It is believed that this Pokémon comes to be whenever a restless spirit possesses its own headstone. They haunt graveyards and attack any intruders. Does not evolve."
"Well, if it's a Rock Type, then at least Koaleaf will have the advantage," said Vernon.
"Come on, Koaleaf, we got this!" said Ash. "Use Razor Leaf!"
Koaleaf unleashed its attack, but Olga said, "Use Phantom Force!" Phantomb disappeared into a purple portal before the leaves could hit.
"That won't stop us!" said Ash. "Koaleaf, you know what to do!" Koaleaf readied its Leaf Blade attack.
However, Olga grinned to herself. As another purple portal appeared, Olga yelled, "Now! Use Intangibility!" Phantomb turned intangible, and Leaf Blade phased right through it. "Now, use Shadow Ball!" Phantomb hit Koaleaf with its attack, and it fell to the ground with swirls in its eyes.
"Koaleaf is unable to battle," said Mona. "Phantomb wins."
Ash recalled Koaleaf and said to its PokéBall, "You did great, Koaleaf. Thanks a bunch." However, Koaleaf suddenly burst back out of its PokéBall, standing at Ash's feet.
"Leaf, Koaleaf!" it said.
"Oh, I see, you wanna stay cheer the others on, don't ya?" said Ash. Koaleaf nodded. "Alright then." Ash turned to Platide and said, "You're up next, Platide."
"Plat!" Platide jumped out onto the field as Koaleaf and Charmor cheered it on.
"Aw, that's nice," said Serena. "Ash's Pokémon are close enough to always give each other their support."
"Pika pi," said Pikachu.
"Alright, Platide, use Aqua Jet!"
Platide charged forward wreathed in water, but Olga said, "Phantom Force!" and Phantomb disappeared into the portal.
"No you don't!" said Ash. "Platide, spin and use Aqua Jet!" Platide span on the ground, spraying water everywhere. When Phantomb reappeared, it was washed away by the water.
"Yeah!" said Vernon. "They're washing away any place for it to hide!"
"Stop it with Bulldoze!" said Olga. Phantomb smashed down on the ground, shaking it and throwing Platide off balance. "Now! Use Rock Tomb!" Phantomb summoned a bunch of rocks and threw them at Platide.
"Use Aqua Tail! Climb them!" Platide wreathed its tail in water and bounced off the rocks to close in.
"Phantom Force!"
Phantomb disappeared into the purple void, so Ash said, "Spin and use Aqua Jet!"
Platide span and sent water everywhere, but Olga told Phantomb to use Intangibility. When Phantomb reappeared, the water phased right through it, and it hit Platide and sent it flying.
"No!" said Ash.
"Leaf, leaf!" Koaleaf said. Ash looked down at it, and saw it pretending to grab something with its arms.
Ash quickly understood and looked back at Platide. "Platide, spin and use Aqua Jet again!" Platide did as it was told, spraying water everywhere. Olga told Phantomb to use Phantom Force again, but then Ash said, "Platide, stop!"
"Huh?" Stop?" said Serena. "What's he doing?"
Ash and Platide waited for Phantomb to return, and when the portal reappeared, Ash said, "Now, Platide! Grab it!" Platide grabbed onto Phantomb as it tried emerging from the portal.
"Oh, I see," said Vernon. "Phantomb can't use Intangibility and Phantom Force at the same time, so Ash had Platide grab it before it was finished with Phantom Force."
"Now! Use Aqua Tail!" said Ash.
"Grr, Shadow Ball!" said Olga.
Both moves connected and sent both Pokémon flying. However, Platide was able to get up, but Phantomb remained motionless.
"Phantomb is unable to battle!" said Mona. "Platide wins."
"Yeah! You did it, Platide!" said Ash as Koaleaf and Charmor cheered and Platide celebrated.
Olga recalled Phantomb, and said to its PokéBall, "Thanks, Phantomb. You did a great job out there." However, she suddenly sighed to herself and closed her eyes.
"What's wrong, Olga," said Mona, causing Olga to open her eyes again. "You're not giving up that easily, are you?"
"Yeah, Olga!" said Ash. "You promised to hit us with everything you've got! Don't stop now!"
Olga looked at them, before he nodded and said, "Yeah, you're right. I'm not done yet!" She threw her last PokéBall, and out came Froslass. "Get ready to feel the power of my number one partner!"
"Yeah, we've been waiting for you, Froslass," said Ash.
"Froslass, use Freeze Ray!" said Olga. Froslass formed a blue orb between its hands and threw it at Platide, freezing Platide instantly.
"Huh?" said Ash. "What was that move?"
"That was Freeze Ray!" RotomDex called out. "It can freeze any opponent instantly!"
"Now use Shadow Ball!" Froslass launched a purple orb at Platide, and it exploded on it, though Platide remained frozen.
"That won't stop us!" said Ash. "Use Aqua Tail to break free!" Platide banged its tail against the ice, breaking it open.
"Use Snowscape!" Froslass summoned a snowstorm before vanishing.
"Oh, boy," said RotomDex. "That's its Snow Cloak ability."
"Platide, spin and use Aqua Jet!" Platide did as it was told, but Froslass was able to slip through all the water with Snow Cloak.
Eventually, Froslass got close, and Ash said, "Use Aqua Tail!"
However, Olga grinned and said, "Catch it with Crunch!" Froslass grabbed Platide's tail its mouth and Olga said, "Shadow Ball!" Froslass hit Platide with a Shadow Ball, and Platide fell to the ground with swirls in its eyes.
"Platide is unable to battle, Froslass wins," said Mona.
"Guess, that's it for Platide," said Serena.
"No worries," said RotomDex. "Charmor is going to win this!"
"Yeah, it'll have the advantage over Froslass, at least," said Vernon.
"Pika," said Pikachu.
Ash went out on the battlefield and picked up Platide and carried it back to his side, setting it down. "You just stay here and cheer for us, okay, Platide?"
"Plat!" said Platide.
"Okay, Charmor," said Ash. "It's all up to you." He pointed his finger and said, "I choose you!"
"Charmor!" Charmor said, jumping out onto the field.
"Okay, use Flame Wheel!" said Ash. Charmor rolled forward, wreathed in flames. Unfortunately, Froslass easily evaded with Snow Cloak.
"Grr," said Ash. "Hey, Charmor, I've got an idea! Let's turn up the heat! Use Counter Shield!" Charmor span and shot out flames, and the flames seemed to cause the snow to start melting in midair. As a result, Froslass wasn't able to hide in it anymore.
"Awesome! Now go!" said Ash. Charmor jumped up and hit Froslass with a super effective Flame Wheel.
"Grr," said Olga. "Now what?"
"Fros!" Froslass called back to its Trainer, looking at her with determined eyes.
"...Yeah, you're right! We can't give up!" Suddenly, Olga's Key Stone glowed. Looking at it, she grinned. "What do you say, Froslass?"
Froslass nodded and showed off the Froslassite around its neck. Olga held up the Key Stone, which resonated with the Froslassite, and Froslass began to transform.
"Let's do it, Froslass!" said Olga. "Respond to my heart! Let us fight as one!" Froslass gained what looked like a big skirt, and more ice on its arms to make it look more pronounced, and an icicle on its forehead like a horn.
"Whoa!" said Vernon. "It Mega Evolved?!"
"Pika pika!" said Pikachu.
"Amazing!" said Ash. "But that won't stop us! Use Flame Wheel again!"
Charmor charged forward, but Olga said, "Use Intangibility!" Froslass became intangible, and Charmor phased right through it.
"Now use Freeze Ray!" said Olga. Froslass threw a blue orb and froze Charmor solid.
"Grr, you can break free, Charmor!" said Ash. "Unleash your flames!"
Charmor let out its flames from under its shell. However, Olga yelled out, "Use Shadow Ball!" Froslass threw a purple orb at Charmor before it was thawed out, sending it flying as the ice shattered.
As Charmor landed, it found itself struggling to get up.
"No! Hang in there, Charmor!" said Ash.
"Come on, Charmor, you can win!" said Serena.
"Don't give up!" said Vernon.
"You got this!" said RotomDex.
"Pika pika!" said Pikachu.
"Leaf, Koaleaf!" said Koaleaf.
"Platide!" said Platide.
Hearing everyone's cheering, Charmor got back up and glared at Froslass.
"Wow, Charmor's got guts, huh?" said Olga.
"Yeah," said Ash. "Charmor and I have been working together to help it grow stronger and more powerful. And now we're gonna show you our power!"
Olga looked at Charmor, standing up and looking at Froslass with determined eyes. She couldn't help but admire its determination. She certainly understood the urge to become better.
Charmor's flames roared to life, leaking out of its scales. Then, its body started to glow.
"Huh?" said Ash. "Charmor, are you..."
"Charmor is evolving!" said RotomDex.
When the light faded, Charmor was taller, on two legs, a flame on the tip of its tail, and spikes on its shoulders.
"Whoa! You evolved into Shellbur!" said Ash.
"That's amazing!" said Olga.
"Shell!" Shellbur said, its flames lighting up.
"Yeah, now we're talkin'!" said Ash. "Use Flame Wheel!"
Shellbur rolled forward, wreathed in flames.
"Intangibility!" said Olga. Shellbur phased right through Froslass.
"Use Ember!" Shellbur spat a ball of flame.
"Ice Shard!" Froslass threw ice shards to cancel out the flames.
"Man, it's like they're even!" said Vernon.
Ash growled. "I just can't seem to get a hit in!"
"Leaf! Koaleaf!" said Koaleaf. Ash looked down to see Koaleaf pretending to grab something.
"Yeah, you're right," said Ash. He looked at Shellbur to say, "Shellbur! Counter Shield!"
Shellbur spun in the ground and unleashed its flames. "Intangibility!" said Olga.
Froslass turned intangible to avoid the flames, but Ash said, "Don't stop, Shellbur! Don't let up!" Shellbur continued to spin, ensuring the flames had Froslass surrounded. Even though it was intangible, it couldn't escape.
"Get out of there, Froslass!" said Olga.
Froslass tried to slip out of the Counter Shield but Ash told Shellbur to move underneath it. Even when it try to fly higher, the shield grew bigger to keep it surrounded. No matter where Froslass went, Shellbur made sure to stay beneath it. The shield followed Froslass, but then, Intangibility started to wear off.
"Don't let that stop you, Froslass!" Olga said. "Snowscape!" Froslass summoned some snow, and it seemed to help douse the flames.
"Now, use Shadow Ball!" said Olga. Froslass managed to summon a Shadow Ball and throw it at Shellbur.
"Use Iron Defense!" Shellbur turned its shell hard, and it endured the Shadow Ball. "Now grab it!" Shellbur quickly jumped up, grabbing into Froslass.
"No!" said Olga.
"Now give it a Counter Shield but close up!" Shellbur held Froslass down and spun to unleash flames again, lashing again Froslass.
"No way! Crunch!" said Olga. Froslass managed to bite down on Shellbur, allowing it get free. "Let's finish it! Shadow Ball!"
"Ember!" said Ash.
Both Pokémon unleashed their attacks, and both attacks landed. The Pokémon were sent flying, and they laid down on the ground motionless.
Everyone held their breath as the Pokémon rose back up. They stared each other down for what felt like an eternity, but then, Froslass fell back to the ground, and its Mega Evolution wore off.
Mona sighed as she said, "Froslass is unable to battle. Shellbur wins. The winner is the challenger, Ash!"
"Yes! You did it, Shellbur!" said Ash. He, Koaleaf, and Platide ran up to Shellbur and gave it a huge hug as they all celebrated.
"They did it!" said Serena.
"Data updated!" said RotomDex.
"That was amazing!" said Vernon.
"Pikachu!" said Pikachu.
Olga walked out into the battlefield, picking up Froslass. Her Pokémon looked up at her with apologetic eyes.
"It's okay, Froslass," said Olga. "We did so well together. We even used Mega Evolution. I'm so proud of you."
"And I'm proud of you," said Mona, walking up to her. "You guys were amazing."
"Really?" said Olga. "But we lost and..."
"So what if you lost?" said Mona. "I told you, you can't be afraid of failure, Olga. You have to remember, you must never stop growing. There is always something more to learn. And you did so well testing Ash. I couldn't ask for a better successor!"
"Huh?" said Olga. "You mean-"
"That's right!" said Mona. "I think you'll be taking over the Gym after all. I'll keep mentoring you, and you'll only become better. And someday, you'll take over as leader of the city."
Olga felt tears of joy welling up in her eyes as she smiled. "Thanks, Grandmother!"
Outside the Gym, Ash and Olga stood before each other with their Pokémon and the others beside them.
"That was an amazing battle, Ash," said Olga. "I really learned a lot back there."
"That was a team victory," said Ash looking down at his Pokémon. "Koaleaf, Platide, and Shellbur, we all did that together!"
"Yeah, I suppose so," said Olga. "No matter what, I know you guys will keep getting better, stronger, together!" Lampent flew over and tossed Olga a badge that was shaped like a Pac-Man ghost, colored purple. "Here, you earned this. The Spectre Badge."
"Thanks so much, Olga," said Ash as he took the badge. "Alright, I just got the Spectre Badge!" he celebrated as his Pokémon cheered. Ash then snapped the badge into his badge case.
"To think, you're already halfway done with the Gyms, Ash!" said Serena.
"Nice work!" said Vernon.
"Thanks, guys!" said Ash as he turned to Olga. "So, I guess this is the end if the road for us, huh?"
"Yep, I'm staying to keep training with Grandmother," said Olga. "I hope you can beat the Ralia League, Ash. I'll be cheering for you!"
"Thanks, Olga," said Ash. He and his friends then turned to leave, waving goodbye.
"Goodbye, you guys!"
And so, Ash has another victory and badge under his belt. And now, Charmor has become Shellbur, too! And he and Olga will only continue to get stronger. More to cone, as the journey continues!
TO BE CONTINUED...
So, if you haven't figured it out, the Lampent is to light up the dark maze of the Gym by floating above your head as you go through it.