The Journey Continues

It's the infamous Looney Tune and I'm back with another chapter as promise. As mentioned at the end of the previous chapter, this one takes place directly after Sabrina's gym battle against a trainer named Amanda. Following the battle, Ash and Gengar are now embarking on some serious for their battle. Let's see how it'll go from here, shall we?

14

"TA-DA! Delphox, you're all done." With one last swift from the brush, Delphox placed her branch back into her fur. She stood next to Pancham and Sylveon in front of the mirror, gazing at one another's fur as they were glowing from top to bottom. "Kay, Meowstic. Now it's your turn to get brushed," Serena announced.

If Serena could describe the sparkle in Meowstic's eyes, she would compare it to when she was a child waking up on Christmas morning. Using her own Psychic, Meowstic levitated herself on top of Serena's lap and got prepared to be brushed.

"Kay. You're all done." After Serena finished brushing Meowstic, the Psychic Pokémon joined her teammates in front of the mirror. But Serena's mind was focus on Ash.

They just got back from watching an intense gym battle between a trainer and Sabrina, the Saffron Gym Leader. The same gym leader Ash would be battling for his third gym badge. While she has faith in Ash, Serena would be lying to herself if she wasn't a bit concern. It was one thing to battle against a Pokémon capable of mega evolving. But Ash needed to find a way to maneuver around Future Sight and find a way to defeat Mega Alakazam that could use Recover to heal itself. If there was only something Serena could do to help her friend.

Seeing Meowstic making herself float into the air and twirling, a light bulb turned on in Serena's head. "Maybe I can help out," she stated to herself.

"Help out with what?"

Serena turned to Ash hovering over her. Pikachu was right on his shoulder as always while Gengar was floating. "Gengar is look well. I'm guessing you're getting ready to start some serious training."

"You bet. Me and Gengar have some work to do if we have a chance against Sabrina tomorrow."

"Why don't you let me and Meowstic help you train?" Serena suggested while carrying Meowstic in her arms. "After all, Meowstic is a Psychic-type Pokémon as well."

"Oh yeah."

However, Meowstic jerked her head to the side with her eyes closed. It was acting as if she wasn't listening to Serena's proposal. "Don't be like that, Meowstic. It's good to help our friends." But Meowstic wasn't budging. She gave a glimpse at Gengar with her right eye for a quick season before closing it again. "I'll make your favorite macaroons if you agree to battle alongside Ash and Gengar with me."

Meowstic opened her eyes long enough to see her trainer nodding her head in agreement. Serena knew she could bribe Meowstic with either sweets or accessories. Once that was settled, the childhood duo stepped outside of the Pokémon Center and walked over to the nearby battlefield. Ash already took position on his side while Serena did the same. "You ready, Meowstic?" She asked. Meowstic nodded her head before jumping out of her trainer's arms. "You see, Ash, Meowstic can also use Psycho Cut and Psychic in addition to Confusion.

"One obstacle that'll stand in our way against Sabrina is Alakazam's Psyshock attacks," Ash pointed out.

"Don't forget Alakazam using Psychic and Future Sight," Serena added. "But I suggested focus on one step at a time."

"Right. Gengar, get ready."

Gengar nodded to Ash's statement with its usual smirk on his face.

"Alright, Meowstic. Use Psyshock."

The female Meowstic formed a purple orb of energy from her left hand before she fired three dark purple beams from that same orb. "Dodge them, Gengar," Ash commanded.

Gengar evaded the first dark purple beam like it was instructed. The second beam was not a problem either. The third and final beam almost made its mark Gengar wasn't paying attention, but it evaded that one as well. But it didn't stop Meowstic from firing two more rounds of Psyshock at the Ghost-type Pokémon. Nevertheless, Gengar dodged each beam with ease. "Awesome. Way to dodge those beams, Gengar," Ash cheered.

"Impressive, but our training is only just begun. Psyshock again!"

Meowstic formed another purple orb except from both hands, releasing four beams from each one. "Dodge it!"

Despite the numbers of beams increasing, Gengar was able to elude them one by one once again. Meowstic continued releasing Psyshock after Psyshock, but Gengar kept dodging every single one of her beams. "Gengar's speed is really impressive," Serena complimented. "Me and Meowstic have been working on improving her Psyshock, but Gengar was able to maneuver through them without any problems."

"But you still got long ways to go."

Ash and Serena turned to a familiar man standing inches away from the battlefield. "Preston? What are you doing here?" The former questioned Sabrina's referee.

"Lady Sabrina wanted me to drop off some injured Pokémon. Just so happens to see your 'training'," Preston explained. "It's impressive, but I hope you don't expect to defeat Lady Sabrina."

"Why did you say it like that?"

"Gengar's speed is impressive. I can clearly see it's been raised well battling wise. But it's going to take much more than speed if you stand a chance against Lady Sabrina tomorrow. What do you say if I help you train with a Pokémon battle?"

"A Pokémon battle?"

Preston nodded his head, taking out a Poke ball and showing it to the challenger. "My partner not only can use Psybeam, but Future Sight as well. Something you also need to find a strategy to work against. What better way than to come up with a strategy than a battle with Lady Sabrina's top subordinate?"

"You had me at a Pokémon battle. Right, Gengar?" Ash asked Gengar, to whom he agreed. "You don't mind. Do you, Serena?"

"Not at all. I'm sure a battle against Preston would be more beneficial for you than battling me."

"Allow me to introduce my partner."

Preston wasted no time and tossed out his Poke ball into the battlefield.

"Gallade, let's go!"

Standing tall on both feet in front of the Psychic trainer was a white and green Pokémon with head crest and spikes from both sides of its face. "Gallade, the Blade Pokémon. A Psychic and Fighting type," her Rotom started off explaining. "When Gallade feels it's necessary to protect someone, it extends its elbows like sword blades and then fights with fierce attacks."

"Looks powerful. Ash better not let his guard down," Serena thought out loud before noticing something shining around Gallade's neck. It was small, the multicolor the item possessed was still a huge getaway. "Is that…?"

"Alright, Ash. The first move is all yours," Preston proclaimed.

"Kay. Gengar, use Night Shade." Ash's order prompted Gengar to fire a dark crimson beam with a red outline from both of its eyes. When the beams supposedly made a direct hit, the other half of the battlefield was covered in smoke. Once the smoke cleared, not only was Gallade still standing, but his tonfa-like arms were covering its face.

After Gallade put his arms down, a smirk crept up on Preston's face. "Clearly you can do better than that," he taunted.

"You better believe it. Gengar, Will-O-Wisp!"

Gengar's body became outlined with an orange energy. Clapping its hand together, a ring of light purple and pink balls formed around its body before releasing each fireball at the opponent. "Future Sight." Preston commanded.

"What?" Ash voiced out.

Four wormholes opened around Gallade and each one of the fireballs that Gengar released were sucked into one. After that, the wormholes disappeared. "Close Combat!" Preston ordered.

Extending his arm blades glowing orange, Gallade kicked and slashed all fireball after fireball, obliterating all of them except one that exploded in his face. Gallade opened his eyes to discover Gengar was inches from his face with its left fist surrounded with blue energy. "Now use Ice Punch!" Ash ordered.

"Dodge it now!" Gengar nearly missed hitting its opponent. Instead, it's right fist hit the ground and that part of the battlefield was covered in ice. "Using Will-O-Wisp not only as offensive, but as a diversion too? I'm impressed," Preston complimented, earning him a chuckle his opponent. "You're the kind of trainer Lady Sabrina told me about. That also means I have no reason to hold back anymore," he concluded by lifting his necklace from inside his shirt to reveal the pendent.

"A Key Stone?" Ash and Serena asked.

"Now it's time for this battle to truly begin." Preston pressed on the Key Stone and three beams of lights from the stone collided with the three beams of lights coming from the Mega Stone that Gallade was carrying around his neck. "Gallade, time to Mega Evolve!"

Gallade roared to the sky while it was surrounded by a bright red light. Once it stepped out, Gallade's appearance changed quite a bit. Its entire body turned white excluding the head that had elongated spikes. Red plates emerged from its arms and two cape-like protrusions appeared on its back. "Jeez. Mega Gallade looks stronger than ever," Ash commented.

"Why, thank you, but its stronger than it appears. Use Psybeam!"

Mega Gallade leaped into the air and pointed its arms at its opponent, firing two multicolored beams from the tip of its arms. Oddly enough, both beams were not aimed at Gengar, but the ground around it, surrounding the Ghost-type Pokémon in a thick cloud of smoke. Gengar flew out of the smoke to scanned for any signs of Mega Gallade. The Mega Evolved Pokémon suddenly came from behind.

"Behind you!" Ash warned.

"Too slow!" Preston yelled as the Mega Evolved Gallade greeted the Ghost Pokémon with a powerful kick from his right leg. "And that's just the start."

"Huh?"

Suddenly, four wormholes surrounded Gengar and each one blasted a fireball. The same fireballs that came from Gengar's Will-O-Wisp that it launched that Gallade. However, it was being used against its own user, and it was effective too. "Gengar!" Ash screamed.

Gengar fell backward but was able to stop itself from falling. Rubbing its face for a second, Gengar followed by shaking his head for another second. Ash felt his nerves tensed up for a bit, but they were able to relax after seeing Gengar giving him a thumbs up. Nevertheless, Ash realized he had to do something different. Otherwise, there was no way he could win; let alone stand a chance against Sabrina.

Speaking of Sabrina, something came in his mind Ash realized. Shortly after Preston mega evolved his Gallade, he commanded it to use Psybeam. When Mega Gallade fired its Psybeam, the attacks moved in a similar form like Sabrina's Mega Alakazam did when battling against Amanda's Mega Heracross. Since the beginning of their battle, not once did Preston ordered Gallade to evade one of Gengar's attacks. Neither did Sabrina when she was still battling Amanda.

"Judging by that look on your face, you're finally picking up what's going on," Preston echoed.

Ash nodded with a smile on his face. "This is Sabrina's battling strategy," the Pallet Town trainer concurred. "You're showing us what we're up against tomorrow."

Preston nodded his head yet again. His arms were folded, and he had a blank expression on his face. "Exactly. You've raised Gengar well, but it takes more than having a type advantage to beat Lady Sabrina. You saw what happened to Amanda and Heracross," Preston reminded Ash. "If this is what you plan on bringing to tomorrow's gym battle, you don't stand a chance against Lady Sabrina."

Ash was chewing every word Preston was spitting out. He was never one to admit it, but his opponent was right. If Ash and Gengar showed up to the Saffron Gym like they were, they could kiss that third Kanto gym badge goodbye.

"Then we'll just have to keep attacking head on. Right, Gengar?'

Gengar gave Ash the thumbs up. All while it was snickering with its signature grin appeared on its face. "Use Psybeam!" Preston commanded.

Mega Gallade leaped into the air once again and fired another multicolored beam from each beam from each arm. "Use Ice Punch!" Ash responded.

Gengar proceeded forward while surrounding its right fist with an icy blue energy. The Ghost Pokémon punched one of the beams, stopping the beam in its track and turning it into some kind of multicolored ice sculpture. That was before Gengar evaded the second multicolored beam before it destroyed the ice.

"Keep your eyes peeled, Gallade. Gengar had to be close by," Preston warned. Mega Gallade scanned the battlefield and its surroundings for any signs of Gengar. Just as Preston predicted, Gengar suddenly appeared behind Mega Gallade, but holding a dark purple ball of energy in its hands.

"Now use Shadow Ball!" Ash commanded.

"Psybeam. Quick!"

Mega Gallade aimed its arms and got ready to fire. However, Gengar threw its Shadow Ball directly at the mega evolved opponent just as the tip of its arms started to glow. Both Pokémon's faces were just an inch or two away from making contact. Mega Gallade didn't stand a chance to counter, and it was hit with a direct attack. When Gengar retreated to its side of the field, Mega Gallade was still standing. Although covered in bruises, Gallade was still in its mega evolved form. "Impressive. You used my own ruse against us," Preston commented. "But I still got a few more tricks up my sleeve."

The battle continued until the afternoon sky was beginning to change colors from blue to orange. Ash and Preston agreed to pause the battle due to the latter's duties back at the gym. Once the sun has died down for the day, Preston returned to have a meal with Ash and Serena at the Pokémon Center. All their Pokémon were also out of their Pokeballs. While they were eating their food, a conversation between the three trainers was going on. "That was a helpful battle, Preston. Now, me and Gengar have a good defense against Psybeam. Thank you for everything."

"Save your thanks for tomorrow after you claimed the Marsh Badge," Preston responded to Ash's gratitude.

"Sabrina is powerful. I see how anyone could lose to her," Serena proclaimed. "All there is left is find a way through Psychic and Future Sight. Not to mention, Alakazam can use Recover to heal itself and it can mega evolve. Do you have a strategy in mind for that?"

"Nope. Of course, I don't." When Ash clarified he had no strategy in mind, Serena's entire face freeze with her eyelids wide open. "Overthinking it is not going to solve anything. Gengar, it's back to some serious training after dinner."

Gengar agreed with Ash with a mouth full of Pokémon food. Everybody was eating when Preston suddenly started laughing out of nowhere. "You really are an interesting trainer, Ash. It's no wonder Lady Sabrina talked so highly of you," Preston complimented.

Ash chuckled in response, digging his left hand in the back of his hair. "I didn't expect Sabrina to have a mega evolved Pokémon. She must have been doing some serious training over the years."

"And it's all because of you."

"Really? Me?"

Preston nodded, taking another sip from his drink. "I doubt you noticed me, but when I first saw you, I was in a separate room practicing my telekinesis when I saw a certain trainer with a hat and a Pikachu beside him."

"Really?"

Preston nodded his head after taking a sip from his drink. "Muscle over mind," the referee teased. That little mock caused the Pallet Town trainer's nose to turn a beak red. "But after your last battle, Lady Sabrina decided to go on a journey herself."

– FLASHBACK –

Following her battle against Ash Ketchum, Sabrina called for an emergency meeting in front of her gym with both her parents and all her subordinates. "You're stepping down as gym leader?"

"I must, father, but this is only temporarily."

"Then what are going to do, honey?" Sabrina's mother asked her daughter.

"I've decided to go on a journey."

Sabrina's parents and her subordinates were all taking back by the sudden news. But sticking to her announcement, Sabrina turned her head to the clear blue sky. "Haunter and my battle with Ash showed me what I was missing," Sabrina started explaining. "I spent most of my life focusing on my abilities that I lost touch of my humanity. It's time I step out of the gym and train with my Kadabra emotionally, catch more Psychic Pokémon, and grow more as a gym leader."

"Great Sabrina, I must advice you to reconsider stepping down," one subordinate suggested. "Nobody will ever come close to having the same standards as you."

"My decision is final." Sabrina walked over to a young Preston. "Preston."

"Yes, Great Sabrina."

"Your work around the gym and your strong bond with your Pokémon is just what this gym needs. Until I return, I'm placing my Saffron Gym in your hands from here on out."

Preston just stood there staring at Sabrina. His lips slowly pulled away from one another, but he couldn't come up with a response for a moment. It happened so fast and unexpectedly. Numerous pairs of eyes went away from Sabrina and turned their attention directly at Preston. It was going to tough, but Preston was undyingly loyal to Sabrina. "I promise I won't let you down," he finally responded.

– FLASHBACK ENDS –

"Ever since stepping down, Sabrina journeyed all around the world," Preston resumed. "Her last journey was in the Kalos region. She did some special training with another gym leader that also specializes in Psychic Pokémon."

"You're talking about Olympia?"

"Yep," Preston confirmed Serena's question. In addition, he followed it with how Olympia's training was the result in Sabrina's Kadabra evolving into Alakazam. Hearing that Sabrina did some exclusive training with Olympia didn't came as a shock to neither Ash nor Serena since both of them specializes in the same type of Pokémon.

"No doubt Sabrina has gotten stronger. Defeating her won't be easy," Ash stated, then proceeded in eating the rest of his dinner.

"Ash? What's the rush?"

Ash didn't answer Serena's question. He was too busy gobbling his food before watching it down with his drink. "Gengar, time to resume training."

His statement prompted Gengar and Pikachu the last of their meals too. The two Pokémon followed their trainer back outside to the battlefield. "Hey, Ash! Hold on!"

Serena's calls for Ash were in vain, not that it really matters. "Is he always this energetic?" Preston asked.

"Yes. Anything involving training and battling, Ash is usually like this," Serena answered.

"Well, time for me to go. I'm looking forward to seeing what he has to offer tomorrow. You guys have a goodnight."

"Bye and thanks for helping Ash train."

Serena exchanged farewells with the referee as he walked out of the Pokémon Center. She looked out the window to find her love interest going over his plans with Gengar. Seeing the level of determination and commitment her childhood friend had always put a smile on Serena's face. She admired Ash's drive when she felt a tug on her dress.

"What, Meowstic?" Meowstic was pointing outside with Ash and Gengar. "You want to watch them train some more?" Prompted by her Pokémon's request, Serena gobbled the rest of her food. "You're right. Let's go cheer on them."

However, Meowstic shook her head in denial. Although she was still pointing at Ash and Gengar. Braixen, Pancham, and Sylveon all appeared to agree with Meowstic too. "I get it now. You guys don't want to just cheer for Ash and Gengar; you want to help them train."

Seeing all her Pokémon nodding their heads, it prompted Serena to slam both her hands on the table. "You're right. Ash needs all the help he could get," she said to her team. "I actually have an idea."

And that marks another long overdue chapter. Did you enjoy this chapter? Leave a comment and hopefully I'll see everyone next time with Ash and Sabrina's long waiting gym battle. As always, stay safe and stay tuned.