ALL NOVEL Chapter 3: Grass
Grass Pokemon, one could say, ran in Mao Blood, and while a Ketchum in name, Ash was no different. Delia Ketchum(Maiden's name Mao), and a foreigner hailing from Alolan after her marriage, had a beautiful garden, one that caused wild Grass Type Pokemon to flock to the Ketchum home. Her flowers were the envy of Pallet town, her vegetables, the largest anyone had ever seen grown, and her berries the tastiest anyone had ever eaten. And while Ash loved all Pokemon, no matter typing, Grass Types seemed to flourish under his caring hands. They had a special place in his heart, from the smallest of Flabebe, to the tallest of Exeggutor, Ash couldn't help the spark of adoration that lit in his chest whenever he laid eyes on them.
When his time to venture out into the world came, Ash had no question about what his first Pokemon would be. And while he almost missed the chance, Bulbasaur was the first Pokemon to join his team. Admittedly, Bulbasuar hadn't taken to him immediately, once a wild Bulbasaur that watched over other Wild Pokemon, he had been turned over to Professor Oak, as the young woman that lived in said forest wanted Bulbasaur to experience the world alongside a trainer, and Bulbasaur haven't exactly been a willing participant of the idea. It wasn't until Spearow attacked them, and Bulbasaur saw Ash throw himself in front of the angry flock, that Bulbasaur warmed up to the hyperactive, and ambitious trainer.
Ash had always wanted to be a Pokemon Master. That was his dream, and the dream he intended to follow. What that meant exactly, even he wasn't exactly sure, he figured he'd know when he achieved the goal, and he had no plans to change his goal even the slightest. That is, until he challenged the Celadon City Gym.
Celadon was probably the gym he had been looking forward to the most. Erika was a Grass Type Gym leader, and growing up he had watched every one of her expedition matches alongside his cousin, Mallow, even if they had to be on call to watch together most of the time. In a way she had become his Idol, and he wanted to battle her with his Pokemon, and get her opinion on how he was raising Bulbasaur.
But as they say, Never meet your heroes.
A small part of Ash wanted to blame Misty. If she hadn't insisted on going into the perfume shop, dragging Brock along to flirt with the sales women, then Ash wouldn't have bad mouthed perfume, and wouldn't have been banned from the gym(Truth was, growing up with the natural scents of fresh flowers, and greenery, and delicious organic food made Ash turn his nose up to things like Perfume(that included candles, and lotions, other things like them). They were just too strong smelling for him, and oftentimes poor imitations of the real thing that cost a ridiculous amount of money.) But, even Ash could admit that it was poor manners to badmouth a company's product in the shop in front of the store clerks. But getting banned from the gym simply for disagreeing with a Gym Leader's views(especially biased views seeing as she was the owner of the perfume company) seemed a bit much to him.
Yes, eventually he had gotten to battle Erika, but that was only after he had crossdressed to get through the front door, and had to lie about liking perfume, and they couldn't even finish their battle because the building started burning. He was offered a Rainbow badge after saving Erika's Gloom, but in the end Ash couldn't bring himself to take it. He felt disillusioned, and the offering felt hollow, so he turned the badge down and got his fourth badge from a smaller official, but not as well known Gym.
Ash was by no means the smartest person out there, Misty could attest to that and Gary would happily regale tales from their school days, but even he knew what Erika had done wasn't right. It made him wonder how many other trainers were banned for speaking their minds, for simply disagreeing with Gym leader Erika, and disliking her product. And after a bit of research the next morning, he found out that what she did was very much illegal.
Gym Leaders were allowed to test their challengers, to assure that they were ready for the challenge of battling the Gym Leader, it was a practice not really kept up with in the current days, not like it was when Ash's own father took his first journey through Kanto, but the test had to be unbiased. Simple puzzles that anyone could work through with some Gym Trainers sprinkled through to test the challenger, and while tests or quizzes were allowed, Gym Leader Bais was strictly forbidden. Since he was traveling with a former Gym Leader, and a Honorary Gym Leader, he decided to ask them how to report the gym.
Brock's face twisted into something serious, like the look he had on his face when Ash had first Challenged the Pewter Gym. "To be honest, there isn't much you can do." Ash opened his mouth to protest but Brock cut him off. "You can file a complaint with the Pokemon League, but I'm going to be honest, there isn't much they can do either.Pokemon Gyms in Kanto are family run for the most part." Brock pulled out some paper and drew a square at the top, another two below it, and four others below that. "This is the Gym Leader," He pointed to the uppermost square. "If the Gym Leader no longer wishes to lead, or is injured, or takes a vacation the gym is passed down to a family member that the Pokemon League tests." He motioned to the boxes under the first one. "If the Gym Leader has no family, but has an apprentice then the apprentice takes over. In the instance where they have no family nor an apprentice the Gym is shuffled down to one of the Gym's students/Gym Trainers." Finally he pointed to the very bottom row of squares. "So if the Pokemon League did get rid of Erika, seeing as she has no family in the Position to take over-"
"-The gym would just go to one of her underlings that would probably be the same as her." Ash sighed, frowning at the paper.
Brock nodded solemnly. "Celadon is also an extremely important city, so it's not like the League could just do away with the Celadon Gym completely either."
"Well, there is one way to get a new gym leader put in place." Misty stated, drawing their attention. "If a Pokemon Trainer with a Type Specialist the same as a Gym Leader challenges the Gym Leader to a six on six match, with League officials as the judges, the League can decide to transfer ownership to the other trainer, especially if the Gym has complaints filed against it."
"Really?" Ask turned to Brock for confirmation, who nodded an affirmative.
"That's how Erika acquired the Gym in the first place." Misty explained before groaning in frustration. "My sisters wouldn't stop talking about it for weeks when it happened a couple years ago."
"It will be hard to find someone to challenge her though." Brock sighed. "Type Specialist trainers are slowly declining, and those that do exist usually seek tutelage under a Gym Leader."
Ash furrowed his brows and looked beside him, where Bulbasaur was curled up, leaning against his thigh while listening to his trainer's conversation. Feeling watched the bulb Pokemon raised its head, crooning when Ash reached out to pet him. A flash of something flickered in Ash's eyes, and Bulbasuar found himself being hoisted up into the air by Ash. "We're going to do it!" He declared.
"Bluba?"
"Ash, what are you talking about?" Misty sputtered.
"Bulbasaur, we're going to train really hard, and build our team, and then we're going to come back and show Erika what a real Grass Type Gym Leader can do!" A confident grin spread on Ash's face, and Bulbasaur smiled back.
"Bulbasaur!"
"I thought your dream was to be a Pokemon Master?" The red haired girl questioned.
Ash readjusted Bulbasaur in his hold and turned towards her. "It is, and I'm not giving up on that dream, being the new Grass Type Gym leader will simply be a stepping stone! Right Bulbasaur?"
"Bulba, Bulbasaur!"
Brock gave him a proud smile. "Well, I'm in for the long hall! I'll be there to help you any way I can."
Misty sighed dramatically. "Alright, I guess I'll help you out too."
Warmth blossomed in Ash's chest. "Thanks guys!"
—--------
Long goal in mind, Ash still intended to participate in the Kanto Pokemon League. Brock hounded him on proper Grass Type care, and food, while Misty guided him through the Politics of Gym Leading, ensuring that he wouldn't be thrown into an environment he wasn't ready for. Being a Gym Leader wasn't just battling kids after all, there was the teaching aspect, protecting the town or city the gym resided in, and of course classes and oftentimes additional or secondary work tied into the gym. Gym Leaders were paid a small sum from the Pokemon League, but the funds weren't much and often times only used to keep the Gym up to date and functioning, not enough for the Gym Leader to actually survive on, it was why the Cerulean Gym doubled as an Aquarium/Water Show, and why the Celadon Gym Leader had a Perfume company in the first place.
The next three years however, after going to Johto for Professor Oak, were dedicated to traveling the world, building his team, and studying under other Grass Type Gym Leaders. He even visited Hoenn, despite the lack of Grass Type Gym, in search of any Grass Types that would make a good addition to his team. He especially enjoyed his trip to Alola with his mother, where he was able to battle against Mallow, aspiring chef and Trial Captain. Misty did eventually have to leave him to take over her own Gym, and Brock had found his path through Medical School.
And finally after years of training, traveling, and learning along the way, after difficult battles, and losses, and wins of all kinds, Ash Ketchum returned to Celadon City in early Febuary, in the off time before the Gym Season was due to start.
Getting a League Official to foresee the Challenge hadn't been as Hard as Ash had thought it would be. He hadn't been the only one unhappy with Erika, apparently, and the League had jumped at the chance, and it actually took some searching to find an unbiased judge to foresee the challenge.
Originally Delia, Mallow, Brock, Misty, Gary(ex-rival and #1 pain in the butt), Cilan(a friend from Unova that he trained under for a few months), and Professor Oak had wanted to sit in on the match, but the League Official, Hayden Lils, had denied them. The match would be broadcasted live, but other than Hayden, Ash, and Erika(and their Pokemon), no one else was allowed entry into the field to minimize any cheating. So the group gathered at the Pokemon Center, hogging one of the televisions to watch the match that Ash had been preparing for for a long time.
"The Battle between Ash from Pallet Town and Erika of Celadon City for the rights of Celadon City Gym Leader is about to start!" Hayden called from where he stood on the referee's platform, a Hypno beside him to help alert him to any cheating. "This match will be Six on Six, trainers are required to substitute between matches. No cheating, and no held items. If Cheating is discovered the one doing so will immediately be disqualified. Am I Understood?"
"Yes."
"Yes sir."
"Alright, Trainers at the ready?" Hayden looked between both trainers, getting nods of affirmation. "Begin!"
"You're going to regret challenging me for my rights as Gym Leader." Erika frowned, throwing out her Pokemon at the same time as Ash. "Bellossom let's protect our Gym!"
"Bellossom!" Bellossom chimed sweetly, the small grass type's petals making a bell like chime as he moved.
"Alright Leavanny, I choose you!"
"Leavanny~" Levanny cooed, prepared for battle.
"As the Challenged, Erika has the first move." Hayden ordered.
"Lets see how well your Pokemon Battles after a dose of Bellossom's Sweet Scent!"
"Ssom!" Bellossom sang, a pink glittery dust drifting from the flowers on her head towards the bipedal duo type Pokemon. Levanny's eyes fluttered slightly, a relaxed look taking over his features as the scent sunk in.
"Now follow that up with Razor Leaf!"
Bellossom acted in an instant, swinging her flow petals while shooting fast, sharpened leaves towards Leavanny.
"Protect yourself with XScissor!" Ash ordered. Levanny crossed his arms in front of him, the sharp leaf-like appendages glowing green with Bug Type Energy, and putting a swift end to Razor Leaf. "Now use String Shot!"
"Leavan~ny!" Levanny tossed his head and fired a powerful Sting Shot that wrapped itself around Bellossom, who wasn't able to dodge out of the way despite Erika's warning yell. Bellossom started struggling in the hold, but was unable to get free.
"Pull her towards you and use XScissor!"
"Petal Blizzard, quickly!"
Large globs of pink petals started for form, whipping around while Levanny tried to jerk Bellossom towards him. Levanny let out a cry as Petal Blizzard hit, and staggered back, pulling Bellossom into her own move before Stringshot snapped. Levanny fought to get out the Petal Blizzard, finally able to jump away with mild injury due to his dule typing, but Bellossom wasn't as luck, having taken some damage from her own attack.
"Are you alright Levanny?" Ash called worriedly.
"Leavanny!" Levanny cooed confidently.
"Thats my buddy!" The trainer grinned proudly.
"Oh my dear Bellossom, are you okay?" Erika fretted.
"Bel-Bellossom." The Pokemon crooned softly in response.
Erika growled softly. "Alright Bellossom, use Sunny Day and then Solar Beam!"
"Stop her with a String Shot XScissor!"
String Shot from Leavanny's mouth, but it was not fast enough, as two beams of light shot towards the sun, causing the battlefield to become warm, and the sunlight above to amplify. Seeing as Bellossom was stationary though, String Shot took hold, yanking Bellossom towards Levanny, and the awaiting XScissor. Bellossom cried out before dropping unconscious from the Bug Type move.
"Bellossom is unable to battle!" Hayden called out quickly. "Leavanny is the winner of the first match."
"Alright!" Ash cheered, chuckling as Levanny ran over to him, tired from the battle but happy by the win. Ash happily praised his Pokemon, patting his head before returning him to his ball. "Get a nice rest Leavanny, you earned it." Pocketing Leavanny's Pokeball, Ash threw out his next Pokemon. "Bulbasaur, I choose you!"
"Bulba!" Bulbasaur took the stage with a determined growl.
"You did so well Bellossom, take a good rest." Erika said softly to her Pokeball before pocketing it, and taking out another. "Alright Vileplume, you're up!" A sour look passed over the Gym Leader's face. "You never evolved your Bulbasaur? Are you taking this battle seriously at all?!"
Ash couldn't resist the scowl that painted itself on his face. "We're one hundred percent serious about this."
"Bulba Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur nodded in affirmative. Bulbasaur had decided long ago that he didn't want to evolve. He wanted to get stronger as a Bulbasaur, he wanted his and Ash's goals to be reached as a Bulbasaur, and he would do so. He was just as strong as his teammates, if not more so, despite not evolving, and he would prove so.
"First move goes to the victor." Hayden announced. "Let the second match Begin!"
"Put Vileplume asleep with Sleep Powder." Ash ordered. Bulbasaur's bulb opened just enough for white powder to start flowing through the air towards Vileplume.
"Blow it away with Petal Dance!" A flurry of pink petals shot from Vileplume's center, dispersing the sleep inducing spores, and spiraling towards Bulbasaur.
"Vine Whip on the rafters!"
"Wha-?!"
Erika's question was cut off as Bulbasaur's vines shot towards the rafters above, clutching onto the medal beams and hoisting Bulbasaur upwards, and out of way, and right into a beam of sun.
"Solar Beam!"
"Saur!" Flipping around, Bulbasaur prepared his Solar Beam. Due to the previous Sunny Day used by Bellossom, and being closer to the sun, the move powered up faster, and fired down towards Vileplume.
"Quickly use Moonblast!" Vileplume powered up a large pink orb and aimed towards the yellow beam. The two moves collided, causing shock waves that caused Bulbasaur to fall towards the ground, barely catching himself before he could plummet to the ground. "Now Sludge Bomb!" Swiftly, Vileplume shot a large glob of sludge, hitting Bulbasaur right in the face.
"Saur!" Bulbasaur growled in pain, unable to open his eyes due to the gunk smudged on his face. Panic filled the small bulbasaur as he realized he couldn't see.
"Bulbasaur calm down!" Ash yelled, halting the panicked Pokemon. "We can do this, just trust me buddy!" Sighing to ground himself, Bulbasaur nodded in understanding, ears perking in alertness.
"Another Moonblast Vileplume!" Erika ordered gleefully.
"Razor Leaf straight ahead and then use Vine Whip on the right!" Sharp leaves spirals ahead, shredding Moonblast to bits before vines shot out, wrapping around Vileplume with little issue. "Give her a throw!"
Vileplume cried out as she was halled upwards, getting thrown into the air where she started flailing until she was hit into the ground. "Plume!"
"Oh no Vileplume!" Erika shrieked. "Can you get up?"
"Vi-Vile-" Vileplume stuttered while trying to stand. Vileplume stood after a few moments, but was heavily damaged.
"You can do it Vileplume!" Erika encouraged. "Use Petal Dance."
"Razor Leaf."
The sharp leaves and swirl of petals flew past each other. Vilepulme cried out in pain as the leaves struck her, and Bulbasaur was swept up in the petals. The attack was too much for Vileplume though, as the Grass/Poison Type collapsed.
"Vileplume is unable to battle! Bulbasaur is the winner, meaning Ash is the victor of the second match!" Hayden called out, marking Ash's second point down.
"Great job buddy, take a good rest!" Ash cheered, returning Bulbasaur so he didn't stumble with the gunk still on his face. "Sawsbuck its your turn!" A Sawsbuck silently took the field, his hoof stomping determinedly into the battlefield ground. He looked a bit different than what was usually seen, having a thick dark brown pelt, white tufts over his legs, and thick white chest fur while his horns were bare, and a startling white.
"You won't win that easily, Lets go Parasect!" Erika called out after returning Vileplume, releasing a bug Pokemon with a mushroom-like shell.
"Erika has the first move!" Hayden called out. "Begin!"
"Brick Break Parasect!" Parasect leapt forward, her claws glowing a startling white.
"Double Kick!" Sawsbuck turned his back on the other Pokemon, and bucked his back legs backwards, causing the two moves to clash.
"Spore!" Golden powder fluttered through the air, setting into Sawsbuck as he was so close.
"Ah Sawsbuck, wake up!" Sawsbuck crumbled in on himself, falling asleep on the battlefield as the spores took hold. "Come on Sawsbuck!"
"Brick Break again Parasect!" Erika ordered. "Keep it up!"
"Para!" Parasect skittered forward, hitting the sleeping Pokemon, and causing him to slide against the floor before being hit with another Brick Break.
"Sawsbuck…" Ash worried, watching as the deer was hit again, unable to do anything in his slumber. By some miracle, dark brown eyes shot open, Sawsbuck having been able to shake the spore. Relief colored Ash's face. "Before she can attack again, Leaf Storm, quickly!"
Sawsbuck let out a short, loud grunt, a twister of glittering green leaves shooting out from his horns, cutting off Parasect's attempt at another Brick Break. With Parasect being caught up in Leaf Storm, Sawsbuck pulled himself back up, but he was injured from the repeat attack.
"Parasect get close with Fury Cutter!"
"Mega Horn Sawsbuck!"
Sawsbuck's antlers started shining a bright silver, the antler's seeming to grow in size as he stormed towards Parasect, meeting the Bug/Grass Type's furiously slicing claws head on.
Erika smiled with self satisfaction. "Solar Beam!"
"Sawsbuck get out of there!" Ash called, but it was no use, as Sawsbuck took the Solar Beam at close range, resulting in him crumpling to the grown, passed out and unable to battle.
"Sawsbuck is unable to battle, Parasect is the Winner and Erika is the winner of the third match!"
Ash sighed and recalled Sawsbuck. "Good work Sawsbuck, thanks for all your help." He sighed, feeling a twinge of self depreciation as he fished out his next Pokemon.
"Amazing Parasect!" Erika cheered, recalling Parasect with a self assured aura. She shot Ash a small smile and Pulled out her next Pokeball.
"Let's continue our winning streak, let's go Victreebel!"
"Tree!" Victreebel cried as he took the field.
"Trevenant I chose you!"
A large white tree looking Pokemon with startling orange leaves stood before Victreebell, its singular eye darting around in interest. "Trev.."
"As the victor, Erika gets the first move again." The Pokemon official voiced, feeling like a broken record, but official challenges were very serious and had a certain decorum. "Begin!"
"Stun Spore Victreebel!" Erika called, starting off the battle.
"Trevenant Will-O-Wisp!" Ash ordered just a tic later.
Large, fiery wisps of blue formed between Trevenant's hands before firing towards Victreebel, blowing through Stun Spore before hitting Victreebel, burning the Grass/Poison Type and dealing a fair bit of damage.
"No Victreebel!" Erika worried. "Are you okay?"
"Eee!" Victreebell nodded.
With a look of relief, Erika pointed ahead. "Use Leaf Tornado!"
A large burst of Leaves spiraled towards the Trevenant.
"Dodge it with Phantom Force!"
A glowing violet portal appeared under Trevenant, and she vanished into it, dodging Leaf Tornado entirely.
"Be careful Victreebel, we don't know when they could attack. Get your Sunbeam ready." Victreebel nodded again, absorbing the sunlight while tensely looking around. Trevenant suddenly materialized behind him, hitting Victreebel as she did so. Victreebel cried out in pain, and fired his Sun Beam attack, blasting Trevenant at close range.
"Quickly use Wood Hammer!" Despite the Sun Beam being fired at her, Trevenant formed a green hammer, and slammed it down on Victreebel.
"No Victreebel!" Erika cried out as Victreebel passed out.
"Victreebel is unable to battle, the winner of the fourth match is Ash and Trevenant."
"Great Job Trevenant." Ash praised, recalling the Ghost/Grass Type fondly. "Cacturne, I choose you!" Cacture hopped out of her Pokeball, unlike male Cacturne she had only three front spikes, the middle of which was larger, and sharper than the other two.
"How is this happening?" Erika sighed, returning Victreebel to his Pokeball. She knew she hadn't been training her Pokemon as well as she should be, running a high end perfume company took a lot of time, so the only real training her Pokemon got was from challengers, and she knew that there had been fewer coming around before the season ended, but still, she thought she would be doing better than a kid who hadn't even evolved his first Pokemon. Frowning, she fished out her next Pokemon. "Tangrowth lets turn this around!" The large bundle of vines garbled as she took the field.
"Ash gets the first move! Begin!" Hayden called out.
"Start out with Poison Sting!" Cacturne was swift to attack, sharp, purple poisonous barbs shooting from her mouth towards Tangrowth, who was too big to dodge in time.
"Quick Tangrowth, Vine Whip!" Multiple teal vines shot towards Cacturne, wrapping around her before she could jump away. "Now Constrict!"
"Turne!" Cacturne growled in pain as Tangrowth started to squeeze.
"Energy Ball!" Glittery green grass energy formed by Cacturne's mouth before soaring towards Tangrowth, causing Tangrowth to loosen her grip just slightly.
"Ancient Power!" Tangrowth shimmered a bright white before the power separated and formed into a large, silver ball that soared and hit Cacturne, the Pokemon stationary due to Constrict.
Ash grit his teeth, trying to think of an out, before smiling at an idea that formed. "Use Cotton Spore!"
"Cacturne!" Puffs of cotton spawned around Cacturne, worming between the vines, and loosening the grip.
"I don't think so!" Erika grinned. "Ancient Power!"
"More Cotton Spore Cacturne!" More cotton surrounded Cacturne, protecting her from most of Ancient Power's attack while Cacturne tried to wiggle free. "Alright! Now use Sucker Punch!" Still hidden behind a mound of cotton, Erika couldn't see that Cacturne had been able to actually escape. Running along Tangrowth's vines, Cacturne stormed towards Tangrowth, punching her with Sucker Punch when she got close enough.
"Grow!" Tangrowth cried out in shock.
"Vine Whip Tangrowth!"
"Dodge and then use Poison Sting!"
Cacturne weaved and dodged Vine Whip, leaping up and away from Tangrowth's many vines before showering poisonous barbs at Tangrowth whenever she could.
"Ancient Power!"
"Energy Ball!"
Silver and green orbs collided, causing a small explosion that caused both pokemon to go flying, crashing into opposing walls and passing out.
"Both Cacturn and Tangrowth are unable to battle, the fifth match is a tie." Hayden called out. "Please send out your final Pokemon."
"You were great Cacturne, good work!" Ash praised, returning Cacturne and pulling out his last Pokemon. He ran his thumb over the red and white ball carefully. "Alright Sceptile, it's up to you!" He murmured, "Sceptile I choose you!"
"Sceptile!" Secpile growled as he took the field, bushy tail swaying and sharp yellow eyes flashing with power.
Erika frowned as she returned Tangrowth, and pulled out her final Pokemon. She hadn't had him for very long, which was something of a worry, but he was her last hope and she had faith in him. "Leafeon, come on out!"
"Feon!" Leafeon growled as he exited his Pokeball.
"This is the final match for the Celadon Gym rights, after this battle I will compile my thoughts before coming to a conclusion." Hayden warned, petting Hypno beside him. "Are the trainers ready?" Both dark haired trainers nodded, different levels of determination flaring in their eyes. "In that case, Erika, as the challenged, has the first move. Begin!"
"Razor Leaf Leafeon!" Leafeon tossed his head, razor sharp leaves tearing through the air towards Sceptile.
"Dodge with Agility!" In a flash, Sceptile dodged, whipping around the stage in a blur of green. "Get in close and use Bullet Seed!"
"Swift!"
Sceptile appeared right in front of Leafeon, opening his maw as seeds sailed towards Leafeon, but Leafeon's Swift was just as fast. Bullet Seed and Swift sailed past each other, smacking both Grass Types with the opposing moves. Sceptile staggered back, using his heavy tail to regain balance, while Leafeon dug his claws into the soft ground below his paws.
"Leaf Blade Leafeon!"
"You use Leaf Blade too Sceptile!"
Leafeon's head leaf glowed a bright green, while with leaves on Sceptile's arms glowed similarly. In a flash both Leaf Blades collided, hitting each other with precision. But, Sceptile had more experience with the move, in one swift hit he sent Leafeon sailing through the air, his Leaf Blade being able to sneak by and land a blow.
"Feon!" Leafeon cried out, hitting the ground with a thud.
"Quickly Leafeon, use Synthesis!" With shaky paws, Leafeon pulled himself up, glowing a light green as he sucked in nutrients from the sun to heal.
"Bullet Seed while he's stationary!" Sceptile through his head back, the sharp seeds hailing down on Leafeon, dealing damage that didn't stick for long due to Synthesis healing.
"Leafeon!" Leafeon growled in victory, putting an end to Synthesis with minimal damage done.
"Magical Leaf Leafeon!" In a flurry, shimmering leaves descended on Sceptile.
"Dodge!" Speedily, Sceptile twisted and turned, maneuvering around Magical Leaf with ease. "Use Slam!" With a final twist, Sceptile used his bushy tail to slam Leafeon into the ground, holding him down with the leafy appendage.
"Leafeon Swift!"
"Hold Strong and use Leaf Blade!"
Sceptile grunted as Swift hit him repeatedly and staggered back, but still powered up Leaf Blade. Leafeon responded in kind at Erika's call, and the two Leaf Blade's met again.
"Switch to Solar Blade Sceptile!"
"Scept-TILE!" With a brutal growl, the glowing green arm blade changed, shifting into a brightly glowing, longer blade, pulsing with solar power. With another grunt Sceptile swiped at Leafeon again. Leafeon's Leaf Blade held it off for a few moments, but wasn't strong enough, getting hit and knocked back where he laid on the ground, knocked out from the attack.
"Leafeon is unable to battle, making Sceptile and Ash the winner of the match." Hayden yelled out. "Making the final score: Ash 4, Erika 1, with one tie!" He returned Hypno back into its Pokeball. "I will be back with my final ruling in an hour, Nurse Joy is present to heal and see to your Pokemon." That said, the official walked into a room off the the side, eyes darting over his clip board as he went.
"We did it!" Ash cheered, dashing out onto the field and pulling Sceptile into a hug. Sceptile's lips turned up slightly, but the standoffish Pokemon simply sniffed and picked a small branch from his tail to put into his mouth while looking away.
"Leafeon Return." Erika grit her teeth as she returned Leafeon, resisting the urge to collapse. Tears stung her eyes, and a feeling of foreboding fell her. She knew that the official could still rule in her favor, but she had little faith he would. She wasn't completely ignorant to the complaints made towards her gym, how she banned those who disagreed with her product, how challengers would see her sleep in the gardens and be turned away because she was 'too busy', but she had played dumb to it because she hadn't thought she would be challenged, and now that was coming to bite her in the rump. Because a challenger did come, and he had utterly destroyed her in an official six v six match. Fighting tears, the Celadon native speed walked her way to Nurse Joy, and turned in her Pokemon for healing.
Ash too had returned Sceptile and turned his Pokemon in to heal. The boy then paced the battlefield, going over each battle in his head, analyzing his failures and wins for a better battle the next time. He did feel bad that Erika looked ready to cry, despite not liking how she ran the gym, and how he was still a bit bitter towards her treatment of him so many years ago, he didn't want to ruin her life, or make her cry. But he wouldn't back down either. He and his Pokemon had worked hard to get where they were, many hours of studying, planning, and work backed him up. Hours of blood, sweat, and tears drove them. He really did want to become Celadon's Gym Leader, even though the idea had originally been out of spite, through the many days of work it had molded itself into an actual dream, a stepping stone to his ultimate goal of becoming a Pokemon master. He could only hope that they had done well enough to win the ruling.
—--------------
After what seemed like hours, but was actually only 60 minutes, Hayden exited the room, coming to stand on the platform. Ash stood from his spot on the floor, Bulbasaur nestled in his arms as the young man had started to feel anxious. Erika had fared no better, calling out her faithful Gloom to offer her comfort until Hayden had come to a decision.
"Erika," the man started. "The Pokemon League has received many complaints about Celadon over the last few years, while you are a fine Business woman your business has overshadowed your work as Celadon's Gym Leader, and Trainer participation in challenging Celadon Gym has steadily declined. However, because you have no family to take up the mantle, nor an apprentice of Ace Gym Trainer we have allowed you to stay as Leader of Celadon Gym. Now, Ash Ketchum has challenged, and defeated you for rites to Celadon Gym. While you both battled hard, Ash is the clear winner, and has put in much work over the years to focus on his Pokemon. Because of the dedication put forth, and victory against you it is the Pokemon Leagues ruling that Ash Ketchum be named the new Celadon City Gym Leader."
Erika blinked away tears, but nodded, gripping Gloom close to her chest.
In comparison, Ash fell to his knees, brown eyes wide as the news set it. His mouth opened and closed like a Magikcarp, unable to properly articulate his thoughts until Bulbasaur slapped him on the forehead with a Vine Whip. Shaking his head, Ash stood back up and bowed his head to Hayden in thanks. "We won't let the Pokemon League down."
Hayden nodded simply. "Some more officials will be in touch. There is much more that needs to be done before the next season starts."
And there was, Ash knew. He would have to make sure Gym maintenance was kept up with, decide if they would be changing the badge design, Erika and her trainers had to move, Ash had to recruit trainers of his own, they had to prepare for Ash's side business(his mother would be growing food and herbs to make into Pokemon food, and potions, and they would be opening some of the gym up as botanical gardens for children, and trainers to visit and meet Pokemon, something simple but profitable), and much much more. But for the moment, all Ash could do was bask in the warmth of his Pokemon's victory, as his victory, because he was one more step closer to his ultimate goal.