While Ash and his group stayed at Kurt's house, Azalea Town had already regained its former vitality.
The rain-soaked earth released a refreshing scent of plants and soil, and smiles had returned to the faces of the townspeople. The tense atmosphere caused by the drought had completely disappeared.
"I heard the Azalea Gym reopened today," Kurt reminded them. "Ash, you can go challenge the Gym now!"
Ash's eyes lit up immediately.
"Great! Then let's head there right away!"
After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned toward Misty.
"This time, you probably shouldn't come with us to the Gym challenge."
"Why?" Misty tilted her head in confusion.
Ash carefully considered his wording.
"This Gym... you might not feel very comfortable there."
"Ash, what exactly are you trying to say?" Misty placed her hands on her hips, clearly dissatisfied with the vague explanation.
"Alright, I'll be honest." Ash helplessly spread his hands. "The Azalea Gym specializes in Bug-type Pokémon. If you can handle it, then of course you're welcome to come watch."
"B-Bug-type Pokémon?!"
Misty's face instantly turned pale, and even her voice began trembling.
"You're right... I-I think I'll stay behind."
She unconsciously took half a step backward, as though she could already imagine countless creepy crawly bugs wriggling everywhere.
Ash thoughtfully suggested:
"Then why don't you stay at Kurt's place and help keep an eye on the Poké Ball crafting? You can also keep Maizie company."
"O-Okay..."
Misty nodded in relief.
As she watched Ash and Brock leave, warmth quietly rose in her heart.
This usually carefree and oblivious trainer had actually taken her fears into consideration so carefully.
Looks like after the Orange Islands, this blockhead had really started to change a little.
"Though honestly... it still feels kind of strange..."
On the way to the Gym, Brock could not help teasing him.
"I seriously never expected this from you, Ash."
"What?"
"In the past, you'd never actively care about a girl's feelings. But now you're actually being considerate enough to think about Misty this carefully."
Ash answered calmly:
"Isn't that normal? Misty's the only girl in our group. What's wrong with prioritizing her feelings a bit?"
Brock smiled meaningfully.
"There's nothing wrong with it. But hearing those words come out of your mouth just feels... different."
Then Brock suddenly recalled something.
"Come to think of it, ever since the Orange Islands, your attitude toward relationships between men and women has completely cha..."
"Ahem."
Before he could finish, Ash instantly covered Brock's mouth.
"I was wrong!"
"Alright, alright," Ash said before quickly changing the subject and speeding up his pace. "The important thing now is getting the badge!"
The Azalea Gym resembled a gigantic greenhouse botanical garden. Thick vegetation stretched out from beneath the glass dome overhead.
The moment they pushed open the Gym doors, warm humid air rushed toward them, carrying the scent of fresh grass and damp soil.
As they walked along the winding wooden pathways, Caterpie crawled around everywhere while Metapod hung suspended from tree branches.
The familiar scene made Ash think of the Butterfree that had once left him in pursuit of love. He wondered how it was doing now.
"Is anyone here?" Ash called out loudly, his voice echoing through the spacious greenhouse.
No one answered.
Continuing deeper inside, Ash raised his voice again.
"Hello? Is anybody here?"
"Yes!"
A crisp voice suddenly came from overhead.
A boy poked his head out from the tall tree canopy. Dressed in light shorts, he was awkwardly clinging to a tree trunk.
"Who are you guys?"
"Oh, challengers!"
The boy's eyes immediately lit up.
"I'm the Azalea Gym Leader, Bugsy, also known as the living encyclopedia of Bug-type Pokémon! I'd be happy to accept your challenge, but..."
He smiled sheepishly.
"Could you help steady the ladder first? I can't get down."
Ash could not help laughing as he helped lift the ladder upright.
"Maybe don't climb so high next time."
"Hehe... accident, accident."
Bugsy scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
The battlefield was located in the center of the greenhouse, surrounded by dense shrubs, making it the perfect environment for Bug-type Pokémon battles.
The referee raised his flag.
"The official Gym battle between Azalea Gym Leader Bugsy and challenger Ash from Pallet Town will now begin! Both sides may use three Pokémon. Only the challenger is permitted to switch Pokémon!"
Bugsy confidently threw out his first Poké Ball.
"My first warrior is the silent hunter, Spinarak!"
Ash calmly responded:
"Bayleef, I choose you!"
Bayleef affectionately rubbed against Ash. He gently patted its head.
"This is your first official battle. Do your best."
Bugsy looked somewhat surprised.
"You know I specialize in Bug-types, yet you're still using a Grass-type? Are you planning to fight at a type disadvantage?"
"You'll see soon enough." Ash smiled confidently. "My Bayleef isn't ordinary!"
"Spinarak, use String Shot!"
"Bayleef, dodge it and use Razor Leaf!"
Bayleef agilely leapt into the air, avoiding the sticky threads while the leaf on its head launched sharp flying leaves.
Bugsy immediately reacted.
"Spinarak, swing onto the tree with String Shot and dodge!"
Spinarak accurately fired silk onto a tree branch and lightly swung away from the attack.
Watching from the sidelines, Brock thoughtfully commented:
"Using String Shot to compensate for its lack of speed. That's a pretty clever tactic."
"Not bad indeed," Ash admitted with a nod. "But it's still not enough against Bayleef. Use Sweet Scent!"
A pale purple fragrance spread through the battlefield, and Spinarak's movements visibly slowed.
Ash seized the opportunity instantly.
"Now! Use Tackle to knock it down, then follow up with Body Slam!"
Under Bayleef's relentless combo attack, Spinarak finally lost the ability to battle.
"Spinarak is unable to battle! Bayleef wins!"
"Baaay!"
Bayleef cried out happily while Ash praised it with a smile.
"Well done!"
Bugsy recalled Spinarak, his expression turning serious.
"Excellent command skills. In that case, my second warrior is the proud knight, Metapod!"
Ash immediately sensed something unusual.
"Come back, Bayleef. Pikachu, you're up!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu nimbly jumped onto the battlefield.
Brock silently nodded.
"Switching at the right moment to maintain advantage. Ash's tactics are becoming more and more flexible."
"Metapod, use Tackle!"
"Pikachu, use Agility to dodge!"
Metapod's Tackle was surprisingly powerful, even leaving shallow dents in the battlefield.
It charged again immediately, knocking leaves everywhere as it rushed forward.
"Pretty fast," Ash admitted calmly, "but it's still nowhere near Pikachu's speed. Keep using Agility and show it what real speed looks like!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu transformed into a streak of golden lightning racing across the field.
"Metapod, keep charging!"
At the exact moment Metapod committed to a full-speed tackle, Pikachu had already circled behind it with overwhelming speed.
Ash decisively gave the command.
"Iron Tail!"
Pikachu's tail glowed with metallic light before smashing down heavily onto Metapod, instantly defeating it.
"Metapod is unable to battle! Pikachu wins!"
Bugsy recalled Metapod, admiration filling his eyes.
"Amazing! It's been a very long time since any trainer pushed me to use my third Pokémon. Come out, my most magnificent warrior, Scyther!"
After thinking briefly, Ash took out another Poké Ball.
"Heracross, I choose you!"
He considered using Cyndaquil, but since Cyndaquil's fighting spirit had not fully awakened yet, now was not the best time to send it out.
"Scyther, Quick Attack!"
"Heracross, counter with Aerial Ace!"
Heracross skillfully sidestepped the attack and instantly appeared behind Scyther, slamming its hardened horn fiercely into its opponent.
"Now, use Night Slash!"
Its sharp claws accurately struck Scyther's waist, causing it to cry out in pain.
"Scyther!"
Bugsy shouted anxiously.
Ash pressed the advantage immediately.
"Finish it! Use Megahorn!"
Under Heracross's devastating finishing move, Scyther finally collapsed.
The referee immediately announced the result.
"Scyther is unable to battle! Heracross wins! The victor is Ash from Pallet Town!"
Bugsy gently recalled Scyther.
"You did your best. Have a good rest."
He then handed Ash an exquisitely designed Hive Badge.
"Your command skills completely convinced me. This badge belongs to you."
Ash solemnly accepted the badge before raising it high into the air.
"Yes! I got the Hive Badge!"
"Pikaaaaa Chu!"
Pikachu excitedly jumped onto Ash's shoulder in celebration.
Bugsy extended his hand, his eyes full of anticipation.
"I look forward to battling you again someday."
Ash firmly shook his hand.
"Anytime!"
...
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