Ash headed to the old lighthouse the next day, "Ready for your first electric gym battle?"
Taillow puffed up, "Taillow."
Treeko nodded, "Treeko ko."
Abra, -I am ready Meema.-
Eevee pouted, "Vui vui ee vui."
Abra huffed, -You were the one who pushed yourself too hard and got hurt. -
Eevee pouted, "Vui vui."
Ash, "Next time Eevee, you and Phanphy can battle in the gym."
Phanphy nudged the pouting canine who finally agreed and let it go. Ralts and Diance giggled at their older sibling's pouting face from Ash's shoulders while Ash tried to keep the smirk off his face. Behind him May and Max were debating over which Pokemon she should use in the next contest and if she should take part in the Gym run too. May was not interested in the Gym run but could understand the appeal of having stronger Pokemon by her side. Molly piped up saying if not the official Gym run then perhaps the shadow gym challenge would fit her. Gou had to agree as she was not going mainstream in gym challenges so perhaps the shadow gyms would be a better pick. May hummed a bit and decided to think about it while Ruby was walking beside Ash.
Ruby, "So, you have decided on the battle formation."
Ash, "Yes, first Taillow will go, then Abra and finally Treeko."
Lucario, -It is a pity we cannot challenge the stronger Pokemon though. I heard Mr Wattson has powerful electric types.-
Ruby nodded, "Yes, Orion has been patrolling the area as well. No, you do not need to ask your Pokemon to patrol. You should focus on having a calm journey, well as calm as it can be actually."
Ash, "Alright! I hope everything goes as normally as it can for us."
Lucario, -We are here. Get inside your pokeballs. You know the rules.-
Taillow nodded, "Low."
Abra, -Okay Luc.-
Treeko, "Ko ko."
Ash, "Alright, let's do this."
Wattson, "Next trainer... Ah! it's you, young Ruby and your young friend."
Ruby smiled, "Greetings Wattson, it has been a while."
Ash, "I am here for my battle for the Dynamo badge."
Wattson, "Wonderful, wonderful. Since you are Ruby's friend I bet you will give me a run for the money."
Ash smiled, "I will try my best, Sir."
Wattson, "Come pick the field you want. There are three of them."
Ash grinned spinning the roulette, "Gladly!"
The head Referee nodded, "The field chosen is the rocky field. The match will be a three on three match. Avoid using any nefarious means to battle or you will be banned from entering the Gym again and your license revoked. Please move to the designated area, a referee will join you shortly to begin the match."
The assistant from the day before called them, "This way trainer, follow me. The rest of you please head upstairs to the lighthouse. You will find accommodations there to watch the battles. Please call me Felicia."
May, "Oooh! I heard they renovated the lighthouse a few years ago."
Felicia, "Two years ago to be exact. It is a perfect viewpoint for fireworks. It is safer this way too, as teens obssessed with romance will not stop romanticizing this place."
May giggled, "I can imagine."
Ruby, "I have been here before so follow me."
Molly, "Okay, good luck Ash."
Ash waved, "Thanks, enjoy the show."
Wattson, "You are close to that little girl."
Ash smiled, "She is my cousin."
Wattson, "Ah! So, you are watching over your cousin before she goes for her own journey."
Ash, "There are other reasons but yes."
Wattson, "Was it because of the abduction? I heard Team Rocket and even Hunters were involved."
Ash nodded, "We are hoping to at least build up a strong team for her. It is a similar yet not situation with Max. He is a little genius, that one."
Wattson, "I see, and I suppose his parents want him to know right from wrong and to understand about how beautiful, cruel, kind and terrifying this world can be."
Ash laughed lightly, "Something along those lines. However, I think they mostly want him to relax. When I met him he was taking the hardest course without any breaks. I do admire the tenacity but not if it is without breaks."
Referee called for attention, "Welcome to the sixth match of the day. This is a three on three match. The challenger is allowed to switch their Pokemon but the Gym Leader may not. The victor will be decided either by the last Pokemon standing or two victories out of three. Choose your first Pokemon, gym leader will choose first."
Wattson, "Let's go Mareep."
Ash, "Time to battle, Taillow."
Referee, "Begin!"
Ash went on the offensive, "Focus energy!"
Wattson, "Oh ho! Already pulling out the big moves. Mareep thunder wave."
Ash, "Now, eat it and quick attack to dodge."
Taillow swallowed the energy ball and glowed moving across the field, "Low."
Wattson, "I know this move. Heh! We get to see the infamous move after all. Mareep get ready to fight back."
Mareep, "Maaar!"
Ash, "Aerial ace."
Wattson, "Cotton guard!"
Mareep who attacked with thunder shock that Taillow dodged stopped and used cotton guard to protect as Taillow used aerial ace to become faster. Mareep stood guard ready to face the attack head on only for Taillow to disappear makin the young sheep nervous. Mareep looked around the field hoping to catch even a gleam of the flying type that was glowing due to the extra power. Then pain flared through him making him shriek in surprise as he flew through the air hitting the field on his left leaving him a little disoriented. Mareep could hear his partner shout his name asking if he was alright making the sheep get up. Mareep shook his head to get rid of the ringing in his ears and barked at his partner as a sign he was still battling. Taillow was staring at him with narrowed eyes, then attacked again this time with steel wing, which Mareep won't deny hurt a lot.
Wattson, "Discharge!"
Mareep jumped out of the way of the fourth attack, "Mar!"
Mareep let out the discharge making Taillow take a turn to avoid getting hit but missing the target. Taillow tsked, she could feel the power running out, she had enough for one more attack however and looked at Ash who nodded. Wattson called for a full charged thunder and Ash finally called for brave bird. Fearrow had been guiding Taillow whenever he could join them to watch over Ash. Apparently being a mother made Pidgeot worry over her trainer ten times more and sent Fearrow over from time to time to ensure his health. Fearrow being the indulgent mate he was did so and gave Taillow tips on some moves and attacks. Brave bird was a powerful move and it would take all his energy but Taillow as willing to use it to get stronger to prove to herself being at a disadvantage does not make her weak.
Taillow, "TAILLOW!"
Mareep, "MAREEP!"
Referee waited for the dust to calm down, "Taillow and Mareep are both unable to battle. The match is a draw. The side that has the last Pokemon standing will be the winner."
Ash, "Thanks Taillow, return and rest now. I will need to have a talk about power attack balance though."
Lucario, -She is getting stronger though.-
Ash, "I know, but I worry she might get a little over her head."
Wattson, "That is quiet the firecracker you have there. Any other flying type would do the opposite."
Ash, "Thanks Wattson, can't really say I like her jumping head first into attacks. I swear she is a fighting type born as a flying type sometimes."
Wattson nodded, "I know, I know. Manectric acts like a protective dragon type instead of an electric type."
Referee coughed, "Please choose your next Pokemon challenger, gym leader."
Wattson, "Alright, alright, your turn Luxio."
Ash, "Let's go Abra."
Referee, "Begin."
Ash, "Teleport!"
Abra started to teleport, -I will win Meema.-
Ash, "Just be careful, love."
Wattson, "Roar! Catch him."
Luxio let out a roar that made Abra stumble for a bit, then huffed as he teleported around Luxio to confuse him. Luxio barked annoyed and Wattson called for a thunder wave trough the space Abra was teleporting. Abra seeing the attack teleported above Luxio who barked at him annoyed making Abra answer with a giggle. Wattson snorted at the playful Pokemon then got serious calling for another thunder wave this time upwards making Abra teleport again. Ash watched the pattern and realized Luxio took seven seconds to recover from using thunder wave. Ash called Abra to be ready to use fire punch soon making the yellow psychic tilt his head as he disappeared again.
Ash, "Now fire punch."
Abra, -You got it. Ouch! Still not used to the heat and the current does not help.-
Luxio yelped as his side was punched, "Xio."
Wattson, "Focus buddy. You good there?"
Luxio shook his body, he was not letting a pup defeat him, "Xio."
Abra huffed, -Do not underestimate this pup.-
Luxio huffed, "Xio."
Wattson, "Alright kiddos, you really are giving us a very interesting fight. Time has come to end this however."
Ash, "I agree. Abra get ready. We are gonna end this dance."
Abra, -Good, I will win.-
Luxio huffed amused, "Luxio."
Abra, -Fine, I will take you down at least.-
Wattson, "What a terrifying psychic baby. Luxio, bring out your strongest wild charge."
Ash, "Abra, iron tail."
Wattson eyed the young Abra at that, 'Interesting little one. I can see why Ruby I travelling with him.'
Wattson had heard about the Champion of Hoenn travelling with a trainer through other Gym leaders. He had been skeptical about the young trainer especially after he learned about who it was. Most trainers would take the chance to challenge the Elite Four and the Champion after clearing the tournament. This child however dropped everything to travel in another region like the challenge was not important to him and that angered a few veterans. But they did not say anything as it was the trainer's choice at the end of the day and no one could force it. Wattson himself had been skeptical about the young trainer's win and had genuinely though the standard of trainers had actually fallen. But it turns out the boy before him is more focused in training then any other, the Pokemon's abilities speak for themselves. Abra and Luxio meanwhile collided with their strongest attack knocking each other out.
Referee, "We have another double knock out. The final battle will decide the winner. If it another knock out the trainer will have to reschedule another match. If the trainer wins, he will receive the Dynamo badge. Choose your final Pokemon."
Wattson, "How about we choose them together at the same time?"
Ash, "Sure, thanks for the battle Abra. Rest now!"
Wattson, "Let's go Elekid."
Ash, "It is time Treecko."
Referee, "Let the final battle begin."
Wattson, "Thunder punch!"
Ash, "Giga drain."
Treecko was not like the first two who toyed around t check their opponent, Wattson observed with interest. The starter went straight for the kill forcing Elekid to break the brief contact their attacks made. Elekid eyed he starter who looked a little battle maniac at the moment as he attacked the electric type again. Ash was calmly calling out pound then a quick attack forcing Elekid to fight back as well using other fighting type moves to defend. Wattson half wondered where Ash got the young warrior, who was definitely not lab raised. Last he checked, no trainer were allowed into areas with the wild counterpart of starter Pokemon. It painted a worrying picture but the Treecko looked healthy and well cared for so he would not pry for now.
Ash, "Trailblaze Treecko! Show them your full power."
Treecko zipped towards Elekid, "Ko."
Wattson, "Electro punch Elekid."
Elekid created an electro ball and then punched at Treecko only for Ash to call out a pound which resulted in the punch hitting Treecko's tail. Treecko stared at the electric type before using another Giga drain, only this time he stuck himself onto Elekid's back like a literal tree frog. The electric type shrieked trying to get the grass type off only to fall to the ground exhausted.
Referee, "Elekid is too exhausted to battle. Treecko is the winner."
Ash, "Good job Treecko."
Treecko smirked placing a new twig in his mouth, "Treecko."