"Wow! That Beautifly is gorgeous, and the color is different!" Caroline exclaimed.
"That's a Shiny Pokémon, Mom! It's much rarer than a normal one!" Max explained.
Norman also praised Ash. "I didn't realize you were so lucky, Ash, to have caught a Shiny Pokémon!"
Norman had been so distracted by the fireworks the night before that he hadn't noticed Ash's Beautifly was Shiny!
"Beautifly, Quiver Dance!" Beautifly leaped up and performed a graceful dance—a definite point-booster in a Contest! The move not only looked beautiful but also boosted Beautifly's Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed!
May was stunned. "Darn it, Ash was holding back that technique! I have to get Ash to teach it to my Beautifly!"
"Slakoth, Shadow Ball!" Slakoth stood up and formed a black energy sphere in its hands, launching it toward Beautifly. "Beautifly, Double Team!" Beautifly split into countless copies, and the Shadow Ball struck and scattered one of the shadows!
Slakoth's Truant ability activated, and it promptly lay down. "Beautifly, Stun Spore!" Flashing particles of powder floated toward Slakoth, which successfully inhaled the Stun Spore! It was now paralyzed!
Norman's eye twitched. Slakoth already rested every other turn; now Ash was making it almost impossible for it to move at all!
"Beautifly, Solar Beam!" Beautifly's wings gathered solar energy and fired a scorching white beam at Slakoth. Norman abandoned commanding it, and Slakoth fell, unable to battle!
Sigh. Slakoth only used one move the whole time and didn't even land it. How frustrating!
"Slakoth is unable to battle! Beautifly wins!"
"Come back, Slakoth!" Norman recalled Slakoth and threw out a new Poké Ball. "I'm counting on you, Vigoroth!"
This was Slakoth's second-stage evolution, Vigoroth!
Vigoroth was much harder to deal with than Slakoth. Its Vital Spirit ability prevents it from falling asleep!
"Come back and rest, Beautifly!" Ash recalled Beautifly and looked at Eevee. "I choose you, Eevee!" "Eevee~"
"That Eevee again?" Norman frowned. Eevee was only at Peak Normal Stage the last time it was here, but now it was already Gym Leader level! It had grown so fast!
"Eevee, say hello with Quick Attack!" "Eevee~" Eevee rapidly rushed toward Vigoroth. "Vigoroth, Slash!"
Clash! "Eevee~" Eevee retreated to its original position!
"Vigoroth, Flamethrower!" "Eevee, Nasty Plot!" The flames collided with the dark energy!
"Vigoroth, Hidden Power!" Vigoroth condensed six spheres of light, trapping Eevee!
"Eevee, Dig!" Ash was surprised that Vigoroth's Hidden Power could both attack and contain! Eevee quickly dug into the ground, escaping the encirclement of the six spheres!
Norman laughed. "Watch out, Ash! Earthquake!"
Vigoroth stomped its big foot, and the ground began to shake. Crash! "Eevee~" "Oh no, Eevee, are you okay!"
Eevee propped itself up, shook its head, and then glared at Vigoroth with renewed fighting spirit! "Eevee~"
Hmm? The power of the Earthquake was reduced. Norman frowned, surprised the attack hadn't seriously injured Eevee! Was it that strange move it used before?
"Vigoroth, Focus Punch!" "Eevee, Protect and then Copycat!" A green shield formed in front of Eevee, defending against Vigoroth's attack! Eevee then used its front paw to condense white light and sent Vigoroth flying!
"Vigoroth! Are you alright!" Norman rushed to check on it. Vigoroth stood up again. Norman looked up at Ash. "I can't believe I got hit by that move twice in a row!"
"Vigoroth, use Flamethrower!" "Eevee, Draining Kiss!" The pink psychic energy shattered the flames, lowering Vigoroth's Special Attack!
"Eevee, Tera Blast!" A white beam of light instantly flashed toward Vigoroth. Norman quickly commanded, "Substitute!"
Vigoroth created a Substitute, blocking the Tera Blast!
"Vigoroth, Focus Punch!" Vigoroth condensed white light onto its hand. "Eevee, Bouncy Bubble!"
Boom!! Vigoroth and Eevee stood battered on the field. "Vigoroth, Reversal!" "Eevee, Last Resort!"
Eevee was clearly faster. It condensed a Last Resort attack, and with a thump! Vigoroth fell, unable to battle!
"Vigoroth is unable to battle! Eevee wins!" "Eevee~" Eevee stood proudly, head held high.
"What?! No way! Dad hasn't defeated even one of Ash's Pokémon?" Max said, disappointed.
Caroline shook her head. "Ash is very strong!"
Norman took a deep breath, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit as he looked at Ash. "Ash! Now for my signature Pokémon! Go, Slaking!"
Slaking came out and lay down on the field, but its eyes were sharp!
"Eevee, Nasty Plot!" Slaking's Attack is too high; its Attack must be lowered before Eevee leaves the field!
"Slaking, Focus Punch!" It broke through the obstacles, taking out the injured Eevee.
"Eevee is unable to battle! Slaking wins!" Norman frowned. That move really is strange! Slaking's Attack had also dropped!
Ash took out Eevee's Poké Ball and returned it. Eevee hadn't been inside a Poké Ball since becoming his partner Pokémon!
"I choose you! Annihilape!" "Haa-cha~"
"What is that?" Norman asked, looking at the Pokémon that resembled a Primeape.
Max immediately stood up and shouted, "Dad, that's Annihilape, a Ghost and Fighting-type Pokémon!"
Ghost and Fighting?! Norman's eye twitched. That's a perfect counter to Normal types! Slaking couldn't use most of its Fighting and Normal-type moves, and it was double-weak to Fighting. What a terrifying type combination!
"Slaking, Earthquake!" Slaking stomped the ground, then promptly lay down to rest.
"Annihilape, jump up! Mega Kick!" "Haa-cha~" Annihilape leaped high and then kicked Slaking, forcing it to slide backward!
"Roar~" Slaking immediately stood up, pounding its fists on its chest!
"Oh my, Slaking is getting serious!" Caroline chuckled.
"Slaking, Zen Headbutt!" Slaking charged toward Annihilape. "Annihilape, Close Combat!" "Haa-cha!"
Smash! "Haa-cha~" Annihilape took a few steps back, but Slaking didn't look good either. Slaking's Truant ability was already active, but it was desperately trying to suppress it!
"Annihilape, Mega Punch!" "Haa-cha~"
"Slaking, grab Annihilape!" "Roar~" Slaking actually grabbed Annihilape's fist! "Good job! Slaking, throw it!"
Slaking tossed Annihilape, which slammed hard onto the ground. Annihilape struggled and got back up!
"Slaking, Fire Punch!" "Roar~" Flames condensed on Slaking's fist as it attacked Annihilape!
"Annihilape, unleash your power! Reversal!"
Annihilape rushed forward and clashed with Slaking. Boom! Smash! Crash! "Haa-cha~" Annihilape broke through to Peak Gym Leader Stage in an instant!
"Roar" Slaking roared at Annihilape, then collapsed in defeat. "Haa-cha" Annihilape knelt on one knee, panting heavily. If it hadn't broken through at the last moment, it would have been the one to fall!
"Slaking is unable to battle! Annihilape wins! The winner is the challenger, Ash!"
The Balance Badge
"Congratulations, Ash! Your battle skills were truly eye-opening!" Norman genuinely praised him. He walked up and shook Ash's hand, then turned and retrieved a badge from a glass case.
"This is the Balance Badge. It's your proof of victory in the Petalburg Gym Challenge!" Norman handed the orange, five-sided badge to Ash.
"Awesome! I got the Balance Badge!" Ash happily took the badge. "Pika" "Haa-cha" Pikachu and Annihilape cheered as well.
"Dad's Slaking actually lost!" Max was a little disappointed, but he was mostly excited by the brilliant battle and the recognition of Ash's strength.
"Ash, you have five badges now! You're not far from the goal of eight badges! I know you can do it!" May encouraged him.
"Thanks, everyone! I'll keep giving it my best!" Ash stated firmly.
With the joy of victory, Ash and his friends prepared to set off for the next Gym—Lavaridge Gym!