Chapter 22: Reality check
After a long day of Travel, Ash, Misty and Brock had finally maded to Goldenrod City, will after doing a few side quests.
Misty screamed in frustration. "Why do we keep getting involved this random adventure".
Ash just looked at her. "I don't know but I am going to challenge the Gym Leader and win my badge".
Brock just looked at ash. "Be careful, from what the Guide book says, this Gym leader is strong, and you almost once Bugsy".
Ash looked at Brock. "Don't worry I can handle this".
As they saw the city it was amazing, as they are looking around one thing was clear this is a rich rich place, as then they stopped as they saw something on the TV.
Brock looked at this. "Hey it is the final battle of the Hoenn league".
Ash and Misty stopped as they saw the TV. As it was playing
As it shows the final match, every year each region has a league championship, the winner that gets to fight, as ir was the final match
As it shows Hoenn current champion, as it was Steven figthing him was a young boy with brown hair and brown eyes. He wears a white hat and a black and red headband. In Ruby and Sapphire, he wears a long-sleeved shirt with red and black stripes. He wears black sweatpants that are cuffed yellow at the bottom of each leg. He wears fingerless gloves colored yellow and blue, and he wears red, black, and white sneakers, and on his neck he wears a gold band with a white circle in the center and green sneakers, and a mega bracelet on his left arm.
[ Insert image of Brendan ]
Brendan looked at Steven as he pulled out his Pokeball as he started to sing. "Lighting ring him, through the ringer show them why I am the one who makes the kingdom fall".
As then he sent out his last Pokémon, as then coming out of his Pokeball was Rayquaza, as The legendary roared in the sky.
As ash the Gand just watched this through the TV in the TV store.
The three of them stood in front of the TV, their eyes glued to the screen, completely captivated by the spectacle unfolding. The crowd in the arena cheered as Rayquaza soared through the sky, its green body cutting through the clouds with elegance and power.
Misty blinked in disbelief. "Is that... Rayquaza?" Her voice was filled with awe.
Brock nodded, his eyes wide. "That's the Legendary Pokémon of the Hoenn region! I didn't know Brendan had caught it."
Ash was too focused on the battle to say much, but his eyes were burning with determination. "If I can defeat someone like him, I'll be one step closer to being the very best!"
Brendan commanded confidently, "Rayquaza, use Dragon Ascent!"
The Legendary Pokémon roared, its body enveloped in a brilliant golden light as it hurtled towards Steven's Steel-type Pokémon, Metagross, with incredible speed. The impact of the attack caused the entire stadium to shake, and the screen showed the explosion of energy, obscuring the scene for a moment.
"Whoa," Ash said, unable to contain his excitement. "That was insane! I gotta be ready for anything when I challenge this Gym Leader."
Misty looked at him, her usual teasing expression replaced with a serious one. "Ash, you're going to need a lot more than just your usual tactics for this Gym. If Steven can barely handle him, how do you expect to defeat a Gym Leader here?"
Brock sighed, adjusting his backpack. "Misty's right, Ash. You'll need strategy. From what I've heard, Whitney specializes in Normal-type Pokémon, and they're known for being tricky and unpredictable. Just relying on your power won't be enough."
Ash clenched his fists, his confidence never wavering. "I'm ready for anything! I've faced tougher challenges before, and I'll face them again!"
Just as Ash finished speaking, the TV broadcast shifted back to the battle. Rayquaza had landed the final blow on Metagross, sending the Steel-type crashing to the ground.
The commentator's voice boomed. "And that's it! Brendan has won the Hoenn League Championship! What a performance!"
The camera panned to Brendan, who was grinning ear to ear, his hand raised in victory as the crowd erupted in applause.
"I did it!" Brendan shouted, his voice filled with pride. "Thanks, Rayquaza, for all your hard work!"
Ash turned to Brock and Misty. "One day, I'll have a team as strong as his. Maybe even stronger!"
Misty laughed, though there was a hint of concern in her voice. "You might want to start by challenging the Gym first, Ash. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Brock placed a hand on Ash's shoulder. "You'll get there, Ash. One step at a time."
Just as they were about to leave the store, a voice interrupted them.
"Excuse me, are you three Ash, Misty, and Brock?"
They turned around to find a young man standing behind them, holding a clipboard and wearing a uniform that identified him as a Gym Guide. "I heard you were here for a Gym challenge. If you're ready, Whitney is expecting you."
Ash's eyes lit up. "Yes! I'm ready to take on the Gym Leader! Let's go!"
Misty and Brock exchanged a look. They weren't as certain, but they knew that Ash would never back down. "Good luck, Ash," Brock said, patting his friend on the back.
Misty added, "Don't forget what we saw on the TV. Stay focused, and don't let your excitement get the best of you."
With that, Ash charged ahead, eager to meet Whitney and prove himself worthy of the next badge. The Gym Guide led them through the bustling streets of Goldenrod, finally stopping in front of a large, ornate building—the Goldenrod Gym.
"Here we are," the guide said, gesturing toward the gym doors. "You'll be facing Whitney inside."
Ash took a deep breath, his heart racing. "This is it," he muttered to himself. "Time to show what I've got."
As he stepped inside, the lights flickered on, revealing a large battlefield with various platforms and obstacles, all designed to challenge both speed and strategy. Whitney stood at the far end of the arena, smiling confidently.
"I've heard a lot about you, Ash Ketchum," Whitney said with a playful wink. "But don't expect me to go easy on you just because you're famous. I'll show you what true Gym Leader strength is all about."
Ash grinned. "Bring it on, Whitney! I'm ready!"
Brock and Misty watched from the sidelines, unsure of what would happen next but hopeful that Ash would rise to the challenge.
And as the battle began, Ash's determination and passion were on full display. Would his journey to collect badges continue, or would this Gym challenge prove to be more than he could handle?
Misty and Brock went to stands ready to see Ash Battle, as then they noticed Haru there.
Brock looked at Haru. "Hey Haru are you here to see Ash Battle".
Haru just looked at them. "To see Ash Battle, I came here to see my Girlfriend destroy him".
Misty blinked. "What do you mean".
Misty and Brock were stunned as they watched the battle unfold. Ash had started strong with his Totodile, but Whitney's Miltank had quickly turned the tide. The battle was fast-paced, and despite Ash's best efforts, his Pokémon were being knocked out one by one. Totodile was the first to fall, unable to withstand the force of Miltank's powerful attacks. Ash quickly sent out his Quilava, hoping for a better result, but Whitney's Miltank was relentless.
Whitney smirked as she commanded, "Miltank, use Rollout!"
Miltank spun rapidly, barreling into Quilava with overwhelming force. Quilava was knocked back, struggling to keep its balance. Ash winced, knowing that Quilava's Fire-type moves wouldn't be enough to stop Whitney's Normal-type powerhouse.
"Quilava, use Flamethrower!" Ash called, but Miltank dodged effortlessly, and with another Rollout, Quilava was sent sprawling.
"Quilava, no!" Ash shouted, but he was already thinking about his next move. He recalled Quilava and sent out his Pikachu, hoping the Electric-type could turn the battle around.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded with urgency.
But Whitney was ready. "Miltank, Body Slam!" she countered.
The two Pokémon collided in a flurry of motion, but Miltank's Body Slam was far too powerful. Pikachu, despite being fast and agile, was caught under the weight of the move. Pikachu fainted almost instantly, leaving Ash with no more Pokémon.
"That's it, Ash," Whitney said, a playful but confident grin on her face. "Looks like you've lost."
Ash stood there, stunned, unable to process what had just happened. His usual spark of energy had vanished, replaced by confusion. "What just happened?" he muttered to himself, looking at the fainted Pokémon in front of him.
Misty and Brock watched in disbelief from the stands. Brock was the first to speak up. "I knew Whitney was strong, but that was... incredible. She didn't even give Ash a chance to strategize."
Misty shook her head. "That Miltank is a monster. I don't think Ash has ever faced something like that before."
Haru, who had been watching the battle with an amused expression, leaned forward as Ash slowly walked back to the center of the arena, a defeated look on his face. He caught the eye of Whitney, who was still standing confidently with her Miltank.
"You did well, Ash," Brock called out from the stands. "But you might need to train more if you want to beat Whitney."
Ash, still stunned, just nodded. "I... I don't get it. I trained so hard, but... why was Miltank so strong?"
Whitney chuckled as she recalled her Miltank. "Miltank's been my partner for a long time. She's got experience and power, but also speed and unpredictability. It's not just about brute strength."
Haru, who had been standing by, grinned at Ash's confusion. "See, Ash, this is why you shouldn't go into every battle without thinking things through. You can't just rely on brute force; strategy is key."
Ash looked up at Haru, eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you mean? I thought I did everything right."
Whitney crossed her arms, leaning back. "Well, Ash, you underestimated me. That's why I won. You went in too confident, relying on your usual tactics instead of considering what you were up against."
Misty frowned. "She's right, Ash. You have to plan better, especially when facing a tough opponent like Whitney."
Brock nodded in agreement. "Miltank's not just strong; she's tricky. That's part of being a Gym Leader—making your opponents think they have an advantage, then pulling the rug out from under them."
Ash sighed, glancing at his Pokémon, who were now back in their Pokéballs. "I'll do better next time. I won't let this defeat define me."
Haru gave him a slight smirk. "Good attitude, Ash. But next time, think about your moves before jumping into battle. You've got potential, but you've got a lot to learn."
Misty sighed. "Well, at least you're not giving up."
Whitney walked up to Ash with a smile. "Don't feel too bad, Ash. Losing is part of being a trainer. You'll bounce back stronger next time, I'm sure of it."
Ash nodded, a bit more determined now. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks for the battle, Whitney."
With that, Ash walked out of the arena, a little shaken but resolute. He knew his journey was far from over. He had a lot to learn and a lot more challenges ahead. And no matter how many times he lost, he would always get back up and fight again.
As they left the Gym, Brock clapped Ash on the back. "You'll get 'em next time, Ash. You just need a little more time to prepare."
Misty smiled, "Yeah, and maybe next time, you can come up with a better strategy."
Haru, watching Ash and his friends walk away, shook his head with a chuckle. "Looks like this adventure is far from over. I think Ash has a lot more to learn... and so do I."
Whitney then looked at Ash. "Anyway as the rules go".
Ash just sighed pulled out his wallet Ans gave the money to Whitney. "You know most my Kanto gym leader's didn't take my money".
Haru then spoke as he pulled Whitney closer. "Because that is a the purk of being a trainee for less then a year, Gym leader's are not legally allowed to take your money"
Whitney smirked as she pocketed the money Ash handed over. "Well, those are the perks of being in Kanto. Here in Johto, we play by a different set of rules."
Ash frowned, looking down at his now much lighter wallet. "Great... so not only did I lose the battle, but I lost my allowance too."
Haru chuckled, wrapping an arm around Whitney. "It's a reality check, Ash. The Pokémon world isn't just about winning battles; it's about understanding the stakes and being prepared for everything—including losing some cash."
Whitney leaned into Haru with a playful grin. "You know, Ash, if you ever decide to come back for a rematch, make sure you've got both your Pokémon and your strategy ready. Otherwise, my Miltank will roll right over you again—and so will my wallet."
Misty sighed, putting a hand on Ash's shoulder. "Don't beat yourself up too much. You'll win next time... hopefully before you go broke."
Brock nodded, trying to sound optimistic. "Yeah, Ash. Think of it as a valuable lesson. Next time, focus on building a team that can handle any situation."
Ash looked at Whitney, then Haru, and finally back at Misty and Brock. "Fine. I'll come back stronger, and when I do, I'll make sure I'm the one walking away with the badge... and my money."
Whitney winked. "I'll be waiting. But don't take too long—I'd hate for you to lose momentum."
Haru added, his tone teasing, "And maybe bring a better wallet next time. You'll need it."
As Ash turned to leave with his friends, he muttered under his breath, "I don't know what's worse—losing the battle or losing to their jokes."
Misty grinned. "Probably both."
With that, the group exited the gym, leaving Whitney and Haru behind. Ash's resolve was stronger than ever, though his wallet was a little lighter, and his pride had taken a hit. But deep down, he knew this was just another step on his journey to becoming a Pokémon Master.
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones and enjoy