The Trovita Gym stood proudly on a massive elevated platform surrounded by the island's legendary towering rock spikes that pierced the sky like ancient spears.
The battlefield was a vast water arena filled with floating platforms of different heights and sizes, designed to test both speed and adaptability in intense battles.
Rudy stood on the opposite side with his arms crossed, trying his best to look cool and confident while throwing occasional flirty glances toward Misty.
His little sister Marie was cheering loudly from the stands, "Go big brother! Show them your power and win Misty's heart!"
Ash stood calmly on his side, hands in his pockets, with a small, confident smirk playing on his lips. Pikachu sat on the railing beside the girls, while Eevee waited eagerly at his feet, tail wagging with excitement.
Misty, Sabrina, Daisy, and Giselle watched from the spectator area with great interest.
"Challenger!" Rudy announced dramatically. "Since you passed the target shooting test, I'll honor you with a Gym battle! Best of three! Let's see if you're worthy of earning the Spike Shell Badge!"
Ash's smirk deepened. "I'll only need one Pokémon."
Rudy laughed arrogantly. "One Pokémon? How cocky! Fine by me! Go, Hitmonchan!"
The muscular Fighting-type appeared with a strong battle cry, throwing rapid punches in the air.
Ash didn't hesitate. "Eevee, you're up. Let's show him what you can do."
His special Mutated Eevee leaped onto the field gracefully, its fur shimmering with multiple faint colorful highlights the visible sign of its rare ability to freely switch between Eeveelution forms.
Battle Start!
Hitmonchan immediately charged forward with Mach Punch, moving like a bullet. Eevee dodged elegantly with Quick Attack, circling around the Fighting-type like a silver phantom.
"Hitmonchan, Thunder Punch!" Rudy shouted.
Ash remained completely calm. "Switch Jolteon Form."
Eevee's body erupted in bright yellow lightning as it transformed mid-dodge into Jolteon.
The sudden shift caught Hitmonchan completely off guard. A powerful Thunderbolt exploded forward, striking Hitmonchan hard and sending it skidding across a floating platform.
Rudy's eyes widened in shock. "It can change forms?! That's cheating!"
Ash chuckled. "It's not cheating. It's talent. Jolteon, Pin Missile!"
Jolteon fired a barrage of glowing needles that hammered into Hitmonchan.
The Fighting-type tried to fight back with Ice Punch, but Eevee was simply too fast. It danced around the arena, switching forms fluidly becoming Flareon to tank a hit with Flash Fire and retaliate with Flamethrower, then switching to Vaporeon to melt through attacks with Acid Armor.
The crowd was mesmerized. Eevee's transformations were beautiful and seamless, each form change accompanied by brilliant flashes of light and elemental auras.
Every time Rudy thought he had a counter, Eevee adapted perfectly.
After nearly ten minutes of one-sided domination, Eevee returned to Jolteon form and finished the match with a devastating Thunder, knocking Hitmonchan out cold.
First Round Ash Wins.
Rudy was breathing heavily, his flirtatious smile long gone. "Not bad… but I'm just warming up! Go, Electabuzz!"
The powerful Electric-type appeared, sparks flying wildly around it.
Ash smiled. "Eevee, let's keep going."
The second round was even more spectacular. Electabuzz unleashed raw electrical power with Thunderbolt and Thunder, but Eevee countered by switching into Leafeon to absorb electricity with its Grass typing, then into Umbreon to tank hits with incredible Special Defense before counterattacking.
The arena lit up with constant flashes of lightning, fire, leaves, and dark energy. Eevee switched between six different forms during the round, showcasing perfect mastery and adaptability.
The girls in the stands were cheering wildly.
"Eevee is so cool!" Marie shouted, even though she was supposed to support her brother.
After a long, intense battle filled with dazzling form changes and powerful attacks, Eevee transformed into Espeon and delivered a decisive Psychic + Swift combination, knocking Electabuzz out.
Second Round Ash Wins.
Rudy was now visibly sweating and frustrated. His cocky attitude had completely crumbled.
"You… you're really something," he admitted through gritted teeth. "But my ace won't lose so easily! Go, Golduck!"
His strongest Pokémon appeared with a dramatic splash, looking powerful and focused.
Ash recalled Eevee for a brief rest, gently praising it. "You're doing amazing. Ready for the final round?"
Eevee nodded excitedly, full of energy.
The final round against Golduck was the longest and most intense. Golduck used Hydro Pump, Psychic, and Confuse Ray in rapid succession, trying to overwhelm Eevee. But Ash's Eevee was on another level.
It switched forms constantly and strategically:
Vaporeon to counter Water moves with Acid Armor.
Espeon to fight Psychic with Psychic.
Glaceon to freeze the water platforms and slow Golduck down.
Sylveon to use Fairy-type moves for powerful finishing blows.
The battle lasted over twenty-five minutes. The arena was filled with explosions of water, psychic energy, ice, and fairy lights.
Eevee moved with grace and power, never once looking tired. Rudy's commands became more desperate as the fight progressed.
After an epic, back-and-forth battle that lasted over twenty-five minutes, Eevee now in Sylveon form gathered an enormous amount of energy and delivered a beautiful, powerful Moonblast that completely overwhelmed Golduck, knocking it out cold.
Ash wins the Gym Battle 3-0!
The entire gym fell silent for a few seconds before erupting into thunderous applause and cheers.
Rudy stood there, stunned and completely defeated. He slowly walked forward and handed Ash the Spike Shell Badge with shaking hands.
"You… were incredible," he muttered bitterly.
Then, with one last desperate attempt, Rudy looked at Misty with hopeful eyes.
"Misty… even though I lost today, my feelings for you are real. Please, give me a chance. Go out with me! I'll treat you like a queen!"
The gym went dead quiet.
Misty looked at him with ice-cold eyes and spoke without hesitation.
"No."
Her rejection was sharp, cold, and final.
Rudy looked devastated. "Why…?"
Misty crossed her arms. "Because I already have someone I love. And he's a thousand times better than you could ever be."
Before Rudy could say anything else, Ash walked up, pulled Misty into his arms, and gave her a deep, passionate lip-lock kiss right in the middle of the gym, in front of everyone.
Misty melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Rudy's face turned pale, then bright red with humiliation and rage.
Ash slowly pulled away from the kiss, looked directly at Rudy, and casually raised his middle finger with a cold, dominant smirk.
"Let's go, girls."
With that, Ash turned and walked out of the gym with his harem surrounding him Misty blushing but clearly happy, Sabrina, Daisy, and Giselle smiling proudly beside them.
As they left, the crowd erupted into loud whispers and cheers.
Outside the gym, Daisy immediately teased Misty. "That was quite the bold move, Ash~ Poor Rudy looked like his heart shattered."
Giselle giggled. "He really thought he had a chance."
Sabrina smiled softly. "Well deserved."
Ash just chuckled and held Misty's hand tighter as they headed toward the ferry port, another badge secured.
At that moment, the familiar mechanical voice rang in Ash's mind.
[Ding!]
Orange League Gym Challenge Chain Mission — 4
Trovita Gym Challenge — Status: Finished
Reward: Pending (to be granted upon completion of the full chain)
Ash smiled as he looked at the Spike Shell Badge in his hand.
One step closer to the Orange League.
The journey continued.