Recap: After winning his 3rd badge and capturing a Sudowoodo, Ash continued towards Ecruteak City. Upon reaching the city, he found the door locked. He soon learned Morty's location and went to the Burned Tower to have a little chat. He met Morty's friend Eusine there. Not too long afterwards, he dropped in on his most amazing encounter yet, seeing Entei, Suicune and Raikou face to face. Not long afterwards, the battle between Ash and Morty was underway, Ash coming out victorious. Before leaving the city, he watched the Kimono Girls at the dance theater. Now he was on his way again.
( ) following Pokemon talk is the translation
Italic words is psychic speech
/ is Ash mental conversation with Lugia and/or Charizard
/Italic words/ is Lugia and/or Charizard mental conversation with Ash
(' is Pokemon thoughts
' is human thoughts
Chapter 8: One Day, Two Gym Battles
Ash continued down Route 38. The events of earlier were still fresh in his mind. After finding the gym locked, Ash went to the Burned Tower to speak with Morty. After having another battle with Alex, he literally dropped in on a legendary encounter. Entei, Suicune and Raikou were present to greet him. Minutes later, he had battled Morty for his 4th badget. In a thrilling battle, he had come out the victor.
Then he decided to stop by the dance theater to watch the Kimono Girls dance. After watching a very impressive performance, he had left and headed down Route 38. Currently, the sky was beginning to grow dark. The trainers that normally hang out around Route 38 have headed to either Ecruteak or Olivine for the night.
/Lugia, can you transport us to Olivine? I'm not looking forward to spending the night outside tonight/
/Certainly/ Lugia said before releasing himself. He touched Ash with his wing before using Teleport to get to Olivine. He had made sure to appear in an unpopulated area.
Ash returned Lugia before heading to the Pokemon Center. He was in luck because there was only one room left. Nurse Joy showed him to the room. He found a large tray of fruits and nuts on a nightstand. Fortunately, the room was big enough for him to release all of his Pokemon. Then he and his Pokemon enjoyed the food on the tray. After finishing the food, Ash returned his Pokemon before locking the door.
There was a medium-sized bathroom in the room so Ash decided to shower before going to bed. He took off his Poke Belt and put in on a chair before heading into the shower. Half an hour later, he had come out in a pair of blue pajamas with Bellossom imprinted all over them. He was soon nestled in bed and fell asleep seconds afterward. The next morning, he prepared for his upcoming gym battle. After having breakfast, he returned his Pokemon and headed to the gym. He got a nasty surprise. Alex had just come out of the gym.
"If you're looking ot be trounced again, then be my guest," Ash said.
"You'll be glad to know that I have no intention of battling you right now. I was hoping to battle Jasmine, Olivine City's Gym Leader. But the person who referees the battles told me that she's in the lighthouse caring for a sick Pokemon," Alex said.
"There's a sick Pokemon?" Ash aksed in deep concern.
"Yeah. Sick Pokemon are weak Pokemon. I say that she should just let the thing stay sick," Alex said before leaving.
/He's got some nerve/ Charizard said.
/Well he's gone thankfully. But I'm more concerned about the Pokemon in the lighthouse/ Then he headed to the lighthouse. There were trainers along the way, but he had breezed through all of them. He wanted to see if he could do anything to help the sick Pokemon.
In the middle of about the fifth battle, Bayleef had evolved into Meganium. Two battles later, Quilava had evolved into Typhlosion, and Croconaw had evolved into Feraligatr three battles later. In all, all of the battles had only taken about twenty minutes. Then Ash made it to the top floor of the lighthouse. He was very concerned upon seeing a pale looking Pokemon lying in the corner. He also saw a young brunette woman by the Pokemon's side.
"Are you Jasmine?" Ash asked, approaching the woman.
Jasmine turned and saw Ash. "That would be me," she responded.
"What happened?" Ash asked.
"This Ampharos, which I call Amphy, is the main source of power for this lighthouse. But he had somehow gotten terribly sick a few days ago. We've had to shut down the harbor at night in fear of boating accidents due to Amphy not being able to light up the lighthouse," Jasmine responded.
"Maybe there's a way I could help," Ash said.
Jasmine's face lit up upon hearing that. "Oh could you?" she asked.
"Sure," Ash responded smiling.
"There's a medicine man in Cianwood City. He makes potent medicines to help cure Pokemon. Amphy is so sick that regular medicines haven't done a thing to help cure him. I don't want to leave Amphy alone in his condition, so could you go there for me?" Jasmine said.
"Of course I'll go," Ash said.
"Oh thank you," Jasmine said. "Good luck," she added.
Ash then left the way he came. Ten minutes later, he was out of the lighthouse. /Lugia, I need you to take me to Cianwood City. I don't want to deal with any trainer battles right now/
/Of course/ Lugia said before releasing himself.
Everyone around the vicinity was awestruck to see Lugia. Not wanting to waste time answering who knows how many questions, Ash got aboard Lugia. Then Lugia took off, heading for Cianwood. Lugia flew fast, but not to where it would be uncomfortable for Ash. Lugia touched down in Cianwood about ten minutes later.
"Here we are," Lugia said, Ash dismounting soon afterwards.
"Thank you," Ash said.
"The gym is actually not too far from here. If you want, you can have a quick battle with the Gym Leader before getting the medicine," Lugia suggested.
"That's what I'll do. I don't want to be here longer that I think is necessary so I'll make the battle with the Gym Leader very quick. Getting the medicine for Amphy is crucial," Ash said, returning Lugia. He headed to the gym. He soon saw a muscular man wearing white pants and a black belt around his waist and another man who was muscular but not as muscular as the first. He walked forward until he was about two-arm length away.
"So, you have come to challenge me," the first man said.
"Yes," Ash said.
"I'm Chuck," the first man said.
"I'm Ash," Ash said. "Can we have a one-on-one Pokemon battle? There's an important matter that I need to take care of afterwards," he added.
"Sure. But what is the matter?" Chuck said.
Ash then told Chuck about the sick Pokemon at the Olivine City Lighthouse.
"I see. Let's start the match now," Chuck said before going on one side of the battlefield.
Ash took the other.
"Even though this is only a one-on-one battle, I'm still battling to win. For this match, I choose Poliwrath!" Chuck said, releasing the said Pokemon.
"And I choose Pidgeot!" Ash said, releasing the said Pokemon.
"Pidgeot, pidge pidgeot (Oh good, it's my turn now)," Pidgeot said.
"Poliwrath, use Ice Beam!" Chuck said.
Poliwrath fired the Ice Beam at Pidgeot.
"Get out of the way with Agility!" Ash said.
Pidgeot moved out of the way so fast that neither Poliwrath nor Chuck could keep track of it. Then Pidgeot struck Poliwrath with a Wing Attack.
"Good follow up Pidgeot," Ash said.
"Pidge (Thanks)," Pidgeot said.
"Poliwrath, use Hydro Pump!" Chuck said.
Poliwrath fired a powerful stream of water towards Pidgeot.
"Dive right through it with Quick Attack!" Ash said.
Using Quick attack, Pidgeot went clean through the Hydro Pump. Poliwrath was sent flying.
"Poli (How)?" Poliwrath asked in confusion upon getting up.
"How could that be possible?" Chuck asked, just as confused as Poliwrath.
"Let's just say that Pidgeot is much stronger than she looks," Ash responded, Pidgeot nodding. "Now Pidgeot, let's finish this with Sky Attack!" he added.
Pidgeot was soon nothing but a mass of energy. Then she dove right towards Poliwrath.
"Counter it with Dynamic Punch!" Chuck said.
Poliwrath waited for Pidgeot to get closer. When Pidgeot was within arm's length, Poliwrath delivered the punch. But the Dynamic Punch didn't do much to affect the outcome of the Sky Attack. Pidgeot was pushed backwards to a certain extent, but she persisted and ended up making direct contact.
"Wrath (Aaaaahhhhh!)" Poliwrath cried in pain upon getting walloped. It went flying through the air and came down hard.
The referee went over to check on Poliwrath to see that Poliwrath was down for the count. "Poliwrath is unable to battle. Pidgeot is the winner. Ash wins this match," he said.
"Holy mackerel! That's one strong Pidgeot you have there. No one has ever defeated Poliwrath as quickly as you have," Chuck said.
"I have spent a good amount of time training her," Ash said, Pidgeot nodding.
"You stormed through this battle. Now this Storm Badge is yours," Chuck said, holding out the badge. "Also, take this TM. It will teach one of your Pokemon Dynamic Punch," he added.
"Thanks," Ash said, taking the badge and TM. "Now I really must go," he added.
"By all means. You have a fellow Gym Leader and a sick Pokemon counting on you," Chuck said.
Ash returned Pidgeot and headed out of the gym. Then he asked around and found where the medicine man was. He went into the medicine man's shop. "I desperately need your help," he said.
"What's the issue?" the medicine man asked.
Ash then told the medicine man about the sick Pokemon in Olivine.
"I see. My medicines are so potent, that I recommend that they be used to cure the most critical diseases, which Amphy seemingly has," the medicine man said. He then got out a bottle of his Secret Potion and gave it to Ash. "Here you go. I hope that Amphy will be all right," he added.
"So do I," Ash said, taking the Secret Potion. Then he left the shop.
Something caught his eye. He looked ahead and gasped in awe upon what he saw. Suicune looked back at him before bounding off before anyone else saw it.
'It looks like Suicune really is looking forward to battling me,' Ash thought. He then released and mounted Lugia.
Then Lugia headed back to Olivine. "That was a quick battle all right," he said.
"Yeah. But what's even more interesting is that I just saw Suicune," Ash said.
"Where was he?" Lugia asked.
"He was in front of a rocky wall. I'm surprised that no one else happened to see him," Ash said.
"He probably only wanted you to see him," Lugia said.
"That's a good possibility," Ash said.
Minutes later, Lugia landed near the Olivine City Lighthouse. Ash then dismounted and returned Lugia. Then he raced through the lighthouse, making it to the top in only ten minutes. He saw Jasmine still at Amphy's side. Jasmine turned around to see that Ash had returned.
"My, that was fast. Do you have the medicine?" Jasmine said.
"I've got it," Ash said before taking it out of his backpack.
Jasmine then gave the Secret Potion to Amphy. Within a few minutes, Amphy was feeling much better.
"How do you feel Amphy?" Jasmine asked.
In response to Jasmine's question, Amphy used Flash three times.
"I'd say that you're feeling much better now," Jasmine said smiling. Then she looked back at Ash. "Thank you so much for helping us," she said.
Amphy approached Ash before hugging him. Ash returned the hug.
"You're welcome Amphy," Ash said before he and Amphy parted.
"I'll return to the gym now. You can come whenever you're ready," Jasmine said before leaving.
/So Ash, which of us will you use?/ Charizard asked.
/What kind of Pokemon does Jasmine use?/
/She trains steel-type Pokemon/ Lugia responded.
/So Charizard and Typhlosion would do pretty good here/
/Sandslash would as well. Ground-type Pokemon are good to use against most steel-type Pokemonm as well, Skamory being the only exception because it is also a flying-type Pokemon/ Lugia said.
/So I could possibly have a big decision to make if this match is a two-Pokemon match/ Then he left the lighthouse and headed to the gym where he found Jasmine waiting for him.
"Thanks again for all your help," Jasmine said.
"Don't mention it," Ash said before taking the other side of the battlefield.
"So, you ready to battle?" Jasmine asked.
"I sure am," Ash responded.
"This will be a two-on-two Pokemon match," Jasmine said.
"All right," Ash said.
"For my first Pokemon, I choose Magneton!" Jasmine said, releasing the said Pokemon.
"I choose Sandslash!" Ash said, releasing the said Pokemon.
"Sandslash (Let's win this)," Sandslash said.
"Magneton, use Sonicboom!" Jasmine said.
"Magneton (Okay)," Magneton said, firing off sonic sound waves towards Sandslash.
"Dodge with Dig!" Ash said.
"Slash (Right)!" Sandslash said before quickly digging underground.
The Sonicboom went harmlessly past Sandslash. Then Sandslash came above ground again only to fall victim to a Tackle attack.
"Nice anticipation Magneton," Jasmine said. "Now use Metal Sound!" Jasmine said.
Magneton emitted a high-pitched sound that sounded like steel grinding against steel. Sandlash covered her aching ears.
"Now follow up with Tackle again!" Jasmine said.
Magneton complied, knocking Sandslash down. But Sandslash was able to quickly get back up.
"Now Sandslash, use Sand Tomb!" Ash said.
The dirt beneath Magneton started rising up all around it. Before it could react, the dirt came crashing down on top of it. Seconds later, the sand had finished caving. Magneton was able to stagger out, but looked worse for wear right now.
"Now Sandslash, finish it with Mud-Slap!" Ash said.
Sandslash slapped some mud towards the weakened Magneton.
"Magneton (You win)," Magneton said before fainting.
"Magneton is unable to battle. Sandslash wins this battle," the referee said.
"You did your best Magneton," Jasmine said, recalling her fainted Pokemon. "You were impressive. Now let's see how you fare against my strongest Pokemon. Steelix, let's rumble!" she added, releasing the said Pokemon.
Ash and Sandslash couldn't help the awestruck gasps that left their lips upon seeing the large steel snake Pokemon. Ash pulled out his Pokedex.
"Steelix, the steel snake Pokemon. Steelix is the evolved form of the rock Pokemon Onix. Like Onix, Steelix are natural-born leaders," the Pokedex said.
"I take it that this is your first time seeing a Steelix huh?" Jasmine asked.
"Yes it is," Ash responded.
"Well, shall we continue?" Jasmine asked.
"Okay," Ash responded.
"Steelix, use Iron Tail!" Jasmine said.
Steelix's tail glowed, as he closed the distance between himself and Sandslash.
"Sandslash, Dig quick!" Ash said.
Sandslash dug under seconds before Steelix slammed his tail down. Steelix felt nothing but ground under his tail. Sandslash resurfaced about ten feet away.
"Two can play the digging game. Steelix, use Dig!" Jasmine said.
Steelix dug under the ground. But Jasmine acted a little too hastily. Ash smiled to himself.
"Steelix just made itself very vulnerable Sandslash. Use Earthquake!" Ash said.
'Oh no. I didn't think about that!' Jasmine thought worriedly.
Sandslash used Earthquake, which ended up uprooting Steelix. Although greatly affected by the attack, Steelix was still faring pretty well. But now he was also in position for an attack. Jasmine noticed that Steelix managed to get close enough to Sandslash for an attack.
"Now Steelix. Use Iron Tail!" Jasmine said.
Steelix swung his large tail around. Sandslash went flying into a wall. Sandslash hit the wall so far that she was knocked unconscious. The referee saw no signs of Sandslash getting up anytime soon.
"Sandslash is unable to battle. Steelix wins," the referee said.
"Wow, what a hit," Ash said. "He then returned Sandslash. "You did your best," he added. "I've seen some of what your strongest Pokemon can do. My strongest Pokemon probably wouldn't be able to do too much here because he's a psychic/flying-type so my second strongest Pokemon will have to do. "Let's win this Charizard!" he said, releasing the said Pokemon.
"Let's do it," Charizard said.
"Amazing," Jasmine said ine awe upon seeing Charizard.
"You said it," the referee said, also in awe.
Even Steelix gaped in awe upon seeing Charizard. Then the battle continued on.
"Steelix, use Iron Tail!" Jasmine said.
"Fly out of the way!" Ash countered.
Charizard quickly got out of Steelix's attack path.
"Now use Flamethrower!" Ash said.
Charizard shot out the said attack.
"Steelix, underground now!" Jasmine said.
Steelix dug underground. The Flamethrower missed its mark. Then Steelix resurfaced.
"Now use Sandstorm and follow up with Dig!" Jasmine said.
Steelix brewed up a sandstorm before digging underground.
"Ooh boy, here we go again," Charizard said.
"Don't panic Charizard. Remember your training against Sandshrew on the island," Ash said.
'What does he mean by that? I guess I'll have to ask him when this battle is over,' Jasmine thought.
"Oh right," Charizard said in recognition. She cleared her mind of all thoughts and focused on what was going on around her. She heard the ground shifting and used Teleport just as Steelix surfaced. "That was close," she said.
"Wha? How did she know?" Jasmine asked in shock.
"My Sandslash also knows Sandstorm. I've had her use Sandstorm against Charizard quite a bit so Charizard knows how to locate a Pokemon in a sandstorm.
"In other words, don't expect a sandstorm to give you a big advantage against me," Charizard said. She then used Teleport again to evade an Iron Tail attack. "Not many sneak attacks work either," she added. She flew out of the sandstorm before firing Dragonbreath into it.
A roar of pain was heard soon afterwards. The sandstorm died out to reveal Steelix on the ground. It managed to stagger back up.
"Great follow up Charizard," Ash said.
"Thank you," Charizard said.
"Steelix, try to knock Charizard out of the air with Rock Throw!" Jasmine said.
Steelix threw dozens of rocks toward Charizard.
"A simple Teleport will have you out of the way," Ash said.
Charizard used Teleport, easily evading the rocks being hurled at her. She reappeared behind Steelix.
"Now Charizard, use Fire Blast!" Ash said.
Charizard unleashed the large fiery star towards Steelix. Steelix roared in pain as the powerful attack burned every inch of his body.
"Now follow up with Flamethrower!" Ash said.
Charizard complied. The powerful combo attack was too much for Steelix to handle and he soon fainted.
"Steelix is unable to battle. Charizard is the winner. This match goes to...uh, who are you," the referee said.
"My name is Ash," Ash said.
"This match goes to Ash," the referee said.
"Steelix, you did great," Jasmine said, returning her fainted Pokemon. She looked at Ash and said, "You're a great trainer with an even greater heart."
"Thanks Jasmine," Ash said.
Jasmine was soon within arm's length of Ash. She held out two items. "As proof of your win against me, this Mineral Badge belongs to you. I would also like you to have this TM, which teaches a Pokemon Iron Tail. You could probably have your Charizard learn it if you want," she said.
"I have several other Pokemon that could also learn it," Ash said, taking both the badge and the TM. "Where is the next gym located?" he added.
"The next gym is located at Mahogany Town. To get there, you'll have to go through Ecruteak. Just like in this gym, your Charizard would do great in Mahogany's gym because the Gym Leader uses ice-type Pokemon," Jasmine said.
"Thanks for the advice," Ash said.
"By the way, what did you mean by Charizard's training on the island?" Jasmine asked.
"Oh, I was on a Pokemon inhabited island for two years. During my time on the island, I trained with Charizard, Sandslash, Bellossom, Pidgeot, Lapras and Lugia. Of course, Charizard, Sandslash, Bellossom and Pidgeot were in their unevolved forms when I met them," Ash responded.
"So you're a pretty experienced trainer then," Jasmine said.
"I guess you can say that," Ash said.
"Whoa! You have a Lugia?" the referee said.
"Yes. He and Lapras were the ones who brought me to the island," Ash said.
Then Charizard told Jasmine and the ref what had happened on that fateful day two years ago.
"So you were forcefully separated from your friends and family," Jasmine said.
"It's too bad that he can't remember them," the ref said.
"I hope that I can be reunited with them one day," Ash said before returning Charizard. Then he left the gym. He then had his Pokemon healed at the Pokemon Center before heading back to Ecruteak. While at the Pokemon Center, he had received the Strength HM from a sailor. He had breezed through the trainer battles on the way back to Ecruteak. He had come across two Eevee along the way.
An Eevee would usually run upon seeing a person. But these two Eevee didn't even make a move to flee. They casually walked up to Ash, nuzzling his legs. Ash got the hint and easily caught both of them. Upon arriving at Ecruteak, he decided to rest there for the day. After all, he had had quite a day today and the extra rest wouldn't hurt.
And that's the end of this chapter. Now you know why I couldn't preview this chapter because the title did say it all for the most part. I can give a preview for the next chapter so here we go. Preview for Chapter 9: Mahogany Crisis: Upon arriving at Mahogany Town, Ash finds the gym locked and someone standing watch in front of the door. He then hears a weird sound and decides to investigate. He finds out that the weird sound is the source of a sinister plot by the most notorious organization the Pokemon World has ever known. But what can he do against an entire organization? Stay tuned to find out.