The day before the Gym battle was spent with Ash ensuring his Pokemon was doing alright and relaxed. They also watched the battle between Ruby and Anthony only this time they were accompanied by a few trainers and Roxanne. Ruby did not use Orion as he did not want to destroy the place but his Swampert was incredible and really gave Anthony's Pokemon a run for their money. The battle had Ash and his Pokemon all fired up for their own Gym battle though Ash tried to help his Pokemon relax. Guess battle maniacs will always be battle maniacs no matter what.
Ash, "Ready for the Gym battle?"
Phanphy, "Phanphy."
Eevee, "Vui."
Absol, "Ab!"
Abra -Yes Meema. We are ready. My armor stopped irritating me too.-
Ash smiled, "That's good."
Taillow, "Tai taillow."
Treeko, "Treeko."
Noctowl, -Ready.-
Phantump, "Phan."
Lucario, -Remember it will be a three on three battle for the badge. There are eight of you who qualify for first Gym battle. Do not sulk Meganium, Feraligatr, Typholsion, you know the rules. Anyway, do not be upset if you are not picked.-
The Pokemon chirped their agreement though they might feel a bit annoyed at not being chosen they understood. Not to forget most people needed just two wins to get the badge so only two out of seven of them might get to battle. Lucario would be holding the pokeballs while Ash would choose one of them at random. They had trained together for a long time now and Ash trusted them to give it their best shot, no matter who he chose to battle Roxanne and her Pokemon. They headed to the Gym building just one hour before their scheduled match and observed the first few battles going on.
Max, "Huh! I was not expecting to see someone taking the A class level challenge."
Ash, "Some people battle for the badge, others battle to prove they are strong."
May, "Cool! But I don't know if I could simultaneously battle so many people before battling the Gym leader."
Gou, "It is not for everyone. You did this in Kanto Ash."
Ash nodded, "Because my Pokemon wanted it. They wanted to be strong and independent. This was the fastest way."
Molly, "When I hit my right age, I am going for it too. I want my Pokemon to be strong and stand on their own too. Just in case something happens to me like before."
Mudkip jumped on her, "Mud mudkip mud."
Shroomish nudged her too, "Shroom."
May, "It is a good idea. Honchkrow is already very independent. Ponyta and Staryu are half way there."
Max, "I am surprised you got Ponyta to come here. She is always nervous to go out without her mom."
May, "Ponyta wanted to join me. I was pretty surprised too but I guess she is growing up."
Referee, "The battle has ended. Challenger please head to the next level."
The challenger nodded and started to walk towards the stairs which would take her to the next level. Ash wondered why she looked familiar but decided to not follow that line of thought. It was his turn next to battle Roxanne for the Gym badge after all, he half wondered if he should challenge the Gym for an A class battle. But Hoenn was not like Kanto, in order to do an A - class challenge you had to wait a few days as the challenge slot was always booked. While Ash was patient enough to wait for a few days, his Pokemon however were not and could get antsy.
Referee, "This is a Gym battle for the Stonw Gym badge. The challenger is Ash Ketchum from Pallet town challenging the Gym Leader Roxanne."
Roxanne, "I hope you know the rules, only first evolution Pokemon without the effects of Everstone are allowed."
Ash, "Don't worry. None of the Pokemon I have chosen for this fight have evolved yet, they just went entered the adult phase of the first level Pokemon."
Roxanne, "That's good. I look forward to how you do in this fight."
Referee, "This is a three on three match. The side with first to wins or the side with last Pokemon standing will be the winner. The challenger is allowed to substitute their Pokemon but the Gym Leader is not allowed. Choose your first Pokemon."
Roxanne, "Let's go Nosepass."
Nosepass, "Noseee."
Ash, "Time to shine."
Abra, -I am first. Yay!-
Referee, "Begin."
May, "This will be an interesting battle."
Ash, "Calm mind Abra. This is your first official battle so let's have fun."
Abra, -Yes Meema.-
Roxanne, "How sweet! Nosepass rock throw."
Abra however stayed calm despite being pelted with rocks. The young psychic was instead calmly moving out of the way of incoming projectiles. Nosepass narrowed his eyes at his opponent and shot more projectiles at him making Abra move and dodge faster.
Ash, "Use teleport."
Abra, -Got it!-
Abra started to teleport around the Gym making Nosepass confused but he was not going to give in that easily. Abra teleported just as one of the projectiles was about to hit him and appeared behind Nosepass. The stone that was about to hit Abra hit Nosepass instead making him confused on being hit. It did not stop at one however and everytime Nosepass used rock throw, Abra teleported the rock right back in Nosepass's direction instead.
Roxanne, "Thunder wave."
Ash, "Thunder punch."
Abra used the thunder punch to collect the wave at on point before rushing towards Nosepass to punch him. Nosepass though was not affected too much by the electric attack did wince from the punch that was delivered by the baby Pokemon. Roxanne had to admit she was a little impressed by the baby psychic who was turning out to be quiet the menace.
Roxanne, "Nosepass do not fret stay calm."
Ash, "Abra rain dance."
Abra, -Yes, one dance coming up.-
Roxanne, "Take down now."
Nosepass hurtled towards his opponent with the intent to take him down whole Abra collected the rain water using his psychic abilities. Just as Nosepass reached Abra, the water shot out at the rock Pokemon hitting him on the face stopping him.
Ash, "Now, thunder punch."
Roxanne, "Nosepass quick dodge it."
Abra however was faster and punched Nosepass with the electric attack knocking him out of the field. The Referee waited for a few seconds before announcing Abra as the winner of the first round of battle. Abra was exhausted and flew back to Ash flopping on his arms letting a long sigh out.
Ash, "You were awesome Abra. Get some rest now."
Abra, -Yes please, I will admit it was fun though. Very different from dealing with the members of Team Rocket.-
Ash, "I can imagine."
Roxanne, "The little one is very impressive. I must say was not expecting that."
Ash, "It may look like we are rushing learning the different elements but with what we have been dealing with, we didn't really have much choice."
Roxanne nodded sympathetically, "I do not blame you for that. I would not doubt do the same thing truth be told."
Ash, "Yes, shall we continue?"
Roxanne, "Of course, come out Aron."
Aron, "Aaa."
Ash, "Alright, let's do this."
Phantump, "Phantump."
Referee, "Challenger has one victory under him so if he wins this match he will win the Gym badge. Begin."
Ash, "Phantump shadow ball."
Roxanne, "Dig to dodge."
Gou, "Ash really went blind choice with this match. He did not even check which pokeball he was picking."
May, "Yeah, probably because they are of the same strength. Plus it's not like he let type weakness stop him before."
Max, "Ash us kind of ruthless in battle isn't he?"
Molly, "I think it's cool. I want to be the same way when I grow up. Gentle and sweet outside battle and a total badass while in the middle of a battle."
May, "That is pretty cool, isn't it?"
Gou, "Yes, I guess so."
Max muttered, "I am just glad he is not on our enemy's side."
May, "I don't know why but I get the feeling even if he was he would win every Pokemon's love and they would over throw the bosses and make Ash the boss."
Molly, "Umm... I can see that happening too."
Max, "Same!"
Gou, "Yup, I mean even though he is not acknowledging it. I am pretty sure both Jhoto and Kanto want him as the Champion."
May, "He is going to put off challenging the current Champions as much as possible, isn't he?"
Max, "Yup, he hates paperwork, especially when it comes to politics."
Molly, "I heard him grumbling about sicking Lugia on some politician from Jhoto once."
Gou, "Yeah, let's help him avoid this as much as possible. I get the feeling the Legendary Pokemon would happily do it too."
May shivered, "Imagine if it was Groudon or Kyogre."
Max, "Don't even joke about that."
Ash, "Phantump, leech seed."
Roxanne, "Rock slide, do not let those vines touch you."
Phantump threw multiple leech seed around while Aron created rock slide after rock slide to avoid being hit by the vines. Phantump tilted his head at the walls of rock that Aron had surrounded herself with, first she used metal claw to dig now a wall. If Phantump did not know any better he would think Aron was a performer Pokemon, or maybe she influenced by one.
Ash, "Phantom force."
Roxanne, "Aron be careful. Prepare automize to increase your speed of dodging."
Aron nodded and her body glowed in steel type energy for a bit indicating the use of the automize move. Phantump was watching from the shadows as he planted leech seeds around Aron and giggled creating a creepy atmosphere. Aron shivered when she heard the giggle and looked around wearily, ready to dodge any attack coming her way.
Ash, "Will O Wisp."
Roxanne, "Dodge!"
Phantump attacked using Will O Wisp that seem to appear out of nowhere in Aron's eyes and she ran. But despite the speed Aron was still entangled in vines as she fell, that is when they noticed the leech seed on the ground. Aron growled as she started biting the vines off her body but Phantump was already in front of her.
Ash, "Giga drain."
Phantump, "Phaaaaan."
Roxanne, "Aron, use metal burst to cut through the vines."
Aron however was already out cold, the multiple leech seeds had taken out a lot of her strength and now she had fainted. On seeing the out cold Aron the ghost and grass type pulled back and chirped at Ash who smiled at him.
Referee, "Aron is unable to battle. Phantump has won the match. The challenger has won the first badge, the Stone badge."
Roxanne, "That was actually impressive. I was not expecting to deal with a ghost and grass type."
Ash, "Phantump has been working hard. He is only a few years old but he is a real hard worker. Even though he looks like he is in dream land most of the time."
Roxanne watched the young ghost float around his trainer, "He is very close to you."
Ash, "After what happened to him, I am not surprised to be honest."
Roxanne nodded, "Well then, allow me to present you with the Stone badge."
Ash, "Alright we got the Stone badge."
Phantump, "Phan."
Lucario, -You and Abra did really well. You should be proud.-
Phantump nodded, "Pha."
Diance chirped, "Ance."
Max, "Congratulations Ash."
May, "You got your first Hoenn badge."
Molly, "You guys were awesome."
Gou, "I got a lot of great shots too."
Ash grinned, "Cool."
Lucario, -Meema, your phone is ringing.-
Ash, "That's odd. I will be right back."
Roxanne, "I have to admit I was not expecting see the Princess of Kalos in my Gym one day."
Lucario, -Lord Mew would not take no for an answer.-
Roxanne, "Right! I heard about Lord Giratina visiting you."
Lucario sighed, -He left a warning.-
Gou, "Which is worrying if you think about it."
May nodded, "Lord Giratina is a Lord of Sinnoh. It makes you wonder what might be happening that it prompted him to come to Hoenn."
Roxanne, "I really can't say. I will keep an eye out however."