Machop sprinted across the field, dust kicking up behind him as he crossed his arms for a [Karate Chop].
Ash didn't even flinch. "Horsea, get some space with [Water Gun]!"
Horsea inhaled sharply and blasted a high-pressure jet of water straight at Machop's chest.
Machop, who clearly hadn't expected the baby-blue sea noodle to hit like a firehose, was launched backward mid-stride.
Brawly grinned. "Nice hit, bro! Machop, catch the wave and ride it out! Use Low Kick!"
Machop planted his feet in the ground, skidding to a stop, tightening the Black Belt he wore, then dashed in low, sweeping his lower body.
"Horsea, up!" Ash called.
Horsea aimed his mouth down and blasted a [Water Gun] straight into the ground, launching himself straight up like a tiny jet engine, avoiding the attack entirely. He floated in the air for a second, smug, and flexed his Scope Lens Ash had given him.
The crowd gasped as the fangirls held their cheeks; meanwhile, Max scribbled furiously in his notebook. "Aquatic propulsion! He's using [Water Gun] as thrust!"
Brawly's grin widened even more, because of course it did; he had two emotions: chill and too chill. "Bro, that's rad! But Machop's warmed up now! [Focus Energy]!"
Machop glowed red for a moment, muscles tensing, veins popping like he was trying to impress a bodybuilding magazine, then he crouched down and dashed forward.
Some fangirls cheered, and Brock quietly died inside.
Ash pointed. "Horsea, don't let him get close, use [Smokescreen]!"
Horsea spun in a circle, releasing a thick black cloud that engulfed the center of the field.
Machop skidded to a halt inside the smokescreen, red eyes darting left and right as he swung his arms through empty air. He stomped once, frustrated, the ground cracking beneath his feet.
"Stay sharp, Machop!" Brawly called, hands on his hips, grin never fading. "Trust your instincts, bro, remember, it's like surfing. Just wait!"
Inside the smoke, Machop closed his eyes and inhaled slowly, trying to listen for any movement.
Ash's voice cut cleanly through the haze. "Horsea, circle him."
A faint splash echoed from somewhere to Machop's left.
Machop whirled and chopped, but he hit nothing.
Another splash, this time behind him.
The fangirls leaned forward in unison, like a single organism.
Ash smiled, seeing Machop moving around, unable to hit anything, and thankfully for Ash, he could see everything. As for Horsea, he already had his plan. After all, since this Horsea was a descendant of Clair's, that meant he had some special things.
—
Horsea ♂
Ability: Sniper | Hidden: Dragon's Maw
Moves: Water Gun, Dragon Breath, Smokescreen
Egg Moves: Snipe Shot, Dragon Energy
—
That was really nice, both the ability and the two special egg moves, but it was only to be expected since he got this one specifically from Clair, so he could have some fun.
Machop snarled and slammed his foot down, kicking up dirt wildly. "CHOOP!"
"It's too late now," Ash snapped his fingers. "Horsea, now! [Snipe Shot]!"
There was a sound.
FWIP—!
The shot tore through the haze like a sniper round, slamming directly into Machop's chest.
"CH—?!" Machop barely had time to gasp before the impact lifted him clean off his feet. He flew backward, skidding across the ground in a long trail before finally tumbling to a stop near the edge of the field.
The hit crit because of the boosted crit range and Scope Lens, and since he had Sniper, that damage went to 2.25× plus STAB, so it was a heavy hit.
The smokescreen dissipated.
Machop lay flat on his back, eyes spinning.
The entire Gym went silent.
Then—
"OOOOOOOOOH!!"
"DID YOU SEE THAT?!"
"HE GOT SNIPED!!"
"BRAWLY-SENPAI NOOO—!!"
Tessa nearly dropped her flag. "M-Machop is—!" She squinted. "…unable to battle." She raised the flag shakily. "Machop is down! The challenger wins the first round!"
Horsea landed lightly back on the ground, giving a proud little trill and spinning in place like he'd just pulled off the coolest trick imaginable.
Ash smiled. "Nice work, buddy."
Brawly stared at Machop for a solid two seconds.
Then he laughed.
A full, loud, delighted laugh that echoed through the Gym. "BROOO—!" He slapped his knee. "That wasn't a wave, that was a torpedo!"
Horsea puffed up at that.
Brawly rolled his shoulders, eyes gleaming with excitement instead of disappointment. "Alright then, Ash Ketchum." He reached to his belt again. "You've officially got my full attention."
The fangirls screamed.
Brock whimpered, curling up in a corner.
Brawly tossed his next Poké Ball high into the air. "Let's crank it up! Time for round two, Meditite, ride the flow!"
The ball burst open in a flash of light, and Meditite flipped gracefully onto the field, landing in a perfect fighting stance, eyes sharp and focused.
Ash's smile widened just a little.
"Alright," he said softly. "Now it gets interesting."
Brawly rolled his neck once. "Alright, bro. This one's all about flow. Meditite, [Meditate]."
A soft blue aura shimmered around Meditite as its focus sharpened, the air itself seeming to tighten around it.
Ash narrowed his eyes. "Horsea, don't let it set up, [Water Gun]!"
Horsea fired, but Meditite's eyes snapped open.
In one smooth motion, Meditite sidestepped, letting the jet scream past its shoulder, then stepped into the spray, using it to slide forward across the ground.
"Now!" Brawly snapped. "[Force Palm]!"
Meditite thrust its palm forward.
The shockwave hit Horsea before he could dodge, and a Pure Power hit like that hit hard.
THOOM—!
Horsea was blasted backward, tumbling end over end before skidding across the floor.
Horsea hit the floor hard, bouncing once before sliding to a stop.
Brawly whooped, pumping a fist. "That's it! Ride the momentum, Meditite! Stay in the pocket!"
Meditite slid smoothly across the floor again, feet barely touching the ground, movements calm and deliberate, like water flowing around a rock.
Ash's eyes flicked across the field. "Alright." Ash pointed forward. "Wide spread, [Dragon Breath]!"
Horsea inhaled deeply, chest glowing with a soft violet light before he unleashed a shimmering wave of draconic energy. The breath rolled across the field in a wide arc, crackling with power.
Meditite's eyes widened.
"Backstep!" Brawly called out
Meditite flipped backward, narrowly avoiding the center of the attack, but the edge of the breath clipped him.
CRACK—!
Meditite landed, skidding, purple sparks dancing across his body.
"Tii—!" Meditite stiffened as his muscles locked up, meaning he got paralyzed.
Brawly's grin sharpened. "Heh. Good call, bro. That's some clean coverage, but it's not enough." As he said that, Meditite spit out the stem from a Lum Berry he had in his mouth.
Ash smiled. "You're pretty good too, but we aren't done. Horsea, [Snipe Shot]!"
Horsea fired again, the compressed blast screaming across the field like a railgun round.
"Side roll!" Brawly barked.
Meditite reacted on instinct alone, rolling to the side, but the blast tore a trench in the ground behind him, drawing another wave of shocked screams from the bleachers.
"Tii—!" Meditite hissed, landing on one knee.
Ash saw it and took his chance. "He's struggling, Horsea, press it!"
Horsea inhaled, preparing another [Water Gun], but then Brawly took his own shot. "Now, Meditite!" Brawly shouted. "Flow through it!"
Meditite slammed both palms into the floor.
The wet surface rippled outward like a shockwave.
Using the moisture Horsea had already laid down, Meditite slid, surfing the floor itself in a low, spiraling arc that carried him clean under the incoming [Water Gun].
The jet blasted harmlessly overhead.
Before Horsea could adjust, Meditite was already there.
"[Force Palm]!" Brawly commanded.
Meditite thrust forward again, this time at point-blank range.
THOOM—!!
The hit landed squarely.
Horsea cried out as the shockwave smashed into him, sending him flying backward hard enough to skip across the ground like a stone on water. He tumbled twice, then skidded to a stop, breathing heavily.
The crowd went wild.
"HE TURNED THE FIELD INTO A SLIDE!"
"BRAWLY-SENPAI!!"
"THAT WAS SO COOL!!"
Ash clenched his fist. "Horsea, hang in there!"
Horsea struggled to lift himself, wobbling as he tried to steady his aim.
Brawly didn't let up. "That's it, bro! Keep the rhythm! Meditite, finish it, [Brick Break]!"
Meditite dashed forward, aura flaring as he leapt, bringing his palm down in a clean strike.
Ash called out a command, but Horsea just wasn't fast enough.
CRACK
The blow landed solidly, sending Horsea spinning before he collapsed onto the ground, spirals in his eyes.
Ash exhaled slowly, then smiled and returned Horsea to his Poké Ball. "You did great, buddy. Get some rest."
Then Ash looked back up and smirked. "…Alright. Guess it's my turn to adapt." He reached to his belt, fingers closing around his next Poké Ball. "Let's keep it going."
He threw out the ball, and from it came Taillow, wearing a Flame Orb as a necklace. Why, you may ask? Isn't it obvious why?
—
Taillow ♂
Ability: Guts | Hidden: Aerilate
Mutation: Thunderbird's Cry
—
Taillow had Guts, and he even had a nice little mutation as something extra, really nice for later, but for now, he was going to finish this.
Taillow circled once above Ash's head, sharp eyes locking onto Meditite below.
Brawly laughed, stretching his arms. "Alright! A flier, huh? Nice pick, bro! Meditite, get ready"
Ash tilted his head. "Alright, Taillow, [Quick Attack]!"
Taillow vanished in a blur, Meditite's eyes widened just as
THWACK!
Taillow clipped him from the side, rebounding instantly and streaking back up into the air before Meditite could counter.
"Tii—!" Meditite staggered, boots skidding on the slick battlefield.
Ash quickly made another command. "Taillow, [Aerial Ace]!"
Brawly snapped his fingers. "Flow with it, [Detect]!"
As Taillow dove, Meditite stomped his feet into the ground, bracing himself for the incoming attack. As the bird dived, Taillow suddenly flinched in pain, the Flame Orb activated, and Taillow got burned. But that's what he wanted, because now Guts activated.
Taillow pushed through the burn and flew down faster, disappearing into a blur. Meditite planted his feet, then at the last second managed to jump out of the way as Taillow slammed into the ground.
But as Taillow drove his talons into the ground, he spun on one foot and, with the other, kicked Meditite in the back with a boosted [Facade], sending him sideways.
As Meditite tried to get back on his feet, Ash was faster and called out, "Don't give him room, [Quick Attack] again!"
Taillow became a blur of blue and red streaks, ricocheting across the field, one hit, then another, striking from impossible angles before Meditite could regain his stance.
Brawly snapped commands rapidly. "Meditite, center yourself! Ride it, [Force Palm]!"
Meditite thrust forward, barely catching Taillow with the edge of the shockwave.
Taillow was knocked back, but he gritted his beak, flipped cleanly in the air, and folded his wings.
"Finish this with [Aerial Ace]!" Ash called out.
Taillow dived midair and slammed back into Meditite's chest, dragging him down and crashing into the floor, kicking up dust and debris.
When the dust settled, Meditite lay on his back, eyes spinning, as Taillow stood on him with one talon on the back of his head, puffing out his chest proudly.
Brawly stared at Meditite… then burst out laughing again, louder than before.
"BRO—!!" He wiped a tear from his eye. "That burn strat? That curve on [Aerial Ace]? That was filthy!"
Brawly straightened, excitement crackling around him like static. He reached for his final Poké Ball, grin sharp and serious now.
"Alright, Ash Ketchum." Brawly rolled his shoulders one last time, then snapped his fingers with a grin. "I've got one more in me."
He tossed the final Poké Ball forward. "Let's ride this wave, Hariyama!"
The ball burst open in a heavy flash of light.
Hariyama landed with a BOOM. He straightened to his full height, clapped his hands, and rubbed them together like he was warming up. Around his thick wrist, a Toxic Orb gleamed faintly as Hariyama visibly became poisoned, but like Taillow, he also had Guts.
He pointed at Ash with a playful finger-gun. "Guess I'm takin' a page outta your book this time, bro."
Ash blinked once.
Then smirked. "Pretty sure that's been your move for a while."
Brawly grinned wider. "Heh, true. Can't let you have all the fun."
Ash looked at the situation and frowned. "So you're playing like this?"
Brawly cracked his knuckles. "Yep. Let's do this."
Hariyama stomped forward, each step shaking the field. "HARI—!"
"Alright then," Ash pointed forward. "Hit and run, [Quick Attack]!"
Taillow streaked forward in a blue-red blur, clipping Hariyama across the chest before darting upward again.
Brawly smiled. "Alright then, [Fake Out]!"
Just as Taillow got close enough to try to slap into Hariyama's side, Hariyama slammed both palms together inches from Taillow's face.
The shockwave alone sent Taillow tumbling backward through the air, flinching for a second, but that second was all the time Brawly needed.
"[Knock Off]!" Brawly barked.
Hariyama lunged again, swinging a massive arm upward, then slammed it down, hitting Taillow and sending the bird crashing into the ground. His Flame Orb was knocked off, but that wasn't as important since he was already burned.
Then they both took chip damage from their respective status conditions.
Taillow skidded across the ground, wings scraping as he struggled back into the air, feathers singed and ruffled.
Ash clicked his tongue as he thought through the situation, then got an idea. "Maybe that could work…" he mumbled.
Brawly cracked his neck, grin unwavering. "Speed ain't everything, bro. Sometimes you just gotta tank the wave."
Hariyama stomped forward again, poison already seeping through his veins, muscles bulging as Guts kicked into full gear.
"HARI—YAA!!"
Ash smiled. "Alright then, how about we test that?" Ash pointed sharply. "Taillow, [Quick Attack], rapid-fire mode!"
Taillow vanished in a flash, striking Hariyama's side, then bouncing off his shoulder, clipping the back of his knee before shooting skyward again.
Then Taillow appeared and jabbed into him, disappeared, reappeared behind him to strike again, then blitzed again, and again, over and over.
The crowd gasped as Hariyama staggered half a step, but he stomped his foot down, keeping his balance.
"HAH!" Brawly laughed. "Hariyama, [Arm Thrust]!"
Hariyama lunged, arms pistoning forward in a blur of massive palms.
Ash's eyes widened. "Pull up!"
Taillow twisted midair, wings flaring as he tried to climb, but he was already tired from the fight and just a bit too slow.
Hariyama's [Arm Thrust] came out one after another. The massive palms slammed into Taillow repeatedly, each hit landing harder than the last. The air cracked with every impact as Taillow was battered backward mid-flight, feathers scattering.
The final thrust sent Taillow rocketing straight into the ground.
CRASH—!!
Dust exploded outward as Taillow bounced once, then skidded to a stop, wings twitching weakly before going still.
The poison ticked again, Hariyama grunting as the Toxic Orb pulsed, but he stayed standing, chest heaving, muscles bulging, eyes locked forward.
Tessa swallowed hard, then raised her flag. "Taillow is… unable to battle!"
As the crowd of fangirls cheered, Ash raised his Poké Ball and pulled Taillow back in. He quickly grabbed the Flame Orb and tossed it back into his bag. "Alright then, I'll give you that, but this isn't over."
Brawly laughed. "That's what I like to hear, bro! Come on, let's give everyone a show to remember, you're getting me excited here!"
Ash smiled as he grabbed his last Poké Ball. "Alright then, let's end this."
Ash threw it, and from it emerged his shiny Ralts.
The crowd of fangirls cheered at the sight of the cute Ralts (May also squealed on seeing it).
Brawly tilted his head, eyes lighting up. "Whoa. Didn't see that coming." He grinned. "Alright, bro, Psychic type, huh? You're really pulling out the classics."
"Well then, let's end this. It's your move, unless you'd rather let Hariyama take more poison damage," Ash said, pointing over to Hariyama, who was still poisoned and actively taking chip damage.
"Oh right, sorry." Brawly rolled his shoulders. "Hariyama! Let's end this quick, [Close Combat]!"
Hariyama roared and charged, arms glowing as he barreled forward, rushing in to strike Ralts.
But Ash just snapped his finger. "[Teleport]."
Hariyama's palm slammed down and hit nothing. Ralts vanished in a blink of light and reappeared behind Hariyama's shoulder, floating just out of reach.
The massive Fighting-type skidded, confused, barely stopping himself from face-planting.
Brawly laughed. "Haha! Slick! Alright, adjust, Hariyama, turn and—"
"Oh no you don't," Ash said. "[Confusion]."
The air behind Hariyama twisted.
Ralts' eyes glowed a soft blue as psychic energy wrapped around Hariyama's massive frame, and Hariyama froze mid-turn.
"HA—?!" he grunted as his feet lifted clean off the ground.
The crowd gasped as the huge Fighting-type was yanked sideways, spun once, then slammed shoulder-first into the arena wall with a thunderous boom.
He took more poison damage, along with being hurt by the [Confusion] attack.
"Push through it!" Brawly shouted, eyes lit with excitement instead of worry. "That's it! Dig deep, Hariyama!"
Hariyama roared and forced himself upright, muscles screaming as he staggered forward through the psychic pressure, beginning to muscle his way out of the psychic energy.
But Ash snapped his fingers again. "Don't let him get close, let's try [Boomburst]."
Ralts opened her small mouth and let out a cry that burst outward as a shockwave, slamming directly into Hariyama and forcing him to cover his ears, leaving his chest wide open.
Brawly's grin was still there, but sharper now. "Heh… alright. That's pressure." He pointed forward. "Hariyama! Push through it, [Bullet Punch]!"
Hariyama roared and forced himself forward, sheer momentum and muscle overpowering the ringing in his ears. His fist snapped out like a cannonball.
Ash's voice cut cleanly through the chaos. "[Teleport]."
Ralts vanished in a flash as Hariyama's punch smashed into empty air, the force cracking the floor where Ralts had just been.
She reappeared above him, eyes glowing brighter now, and fired down a [Psybeam]. The spiraling energy slammed into Hariyama's back, forcing the big sumo to fall forward again.
"Quick, get up and [Knock Off]!" Brawly tried again. He just needed one good hit on Ralts to take her down.
Ash didn't hesitate. "[Teleport] again, and end this with another [Psybeam]."
As Hariyama turned and ran at Ralts, swinging his massive hands, Ralts disappeared mid-swing, making him miss. This time she reappeared behind him, floating upside down and charging one final attack.
Hariyama tried to turn around to block, but Ralts fired the beam point-blank into his face, forcing him to stagger back. After all the accumulated damage and poison, Hariyama finally fell.
Hariyama twitched… then went still, eyes spiraling as his arms fell limp at his sides.
Tessa stared at the field, jaw slack, then shakily raised her flag. "H-Hariyama is unable to battle! Which means" She swallowed, then shouted, "THE CHALLENGER, ASH, WINS!"
For half a second, the Gym was dead quiet. Then
"AAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
"DID YOU SEE THAT?!"
"THE LITTLE ONE JUST DROPPED HIM!!"
The fangirls exploded into screams.
May was bouncing in place. "Ralts did it! RALTS DID IT!"
Ash let out a breath as he raised his arm in victory, and Ralts teleported back to him, sitting on his extended arm. "Good job, Ralts."
Ralts let out a giggle and held her little hand out, and Ash gave her a fist bump with his larger hand.
Brawly stared at Hariyama and pulled him back into his Poké Ball, then burst out laughing again, loud and genuine, slapping his knee.
"BROOOO!!" He wiped sweat from his brow. "That was AWESOME! You flipped my whole wave right over!" He walked forward and stuck out his hand. "That was one of the best battles I've had in a long time."
Ash grinned and took his hand. "Thanks. This was certainly one of the best I've had here in Hoenn."
Brawly shook Ash's hand enthusiastically. "ASH KETCHUM! By the power of waves, sweat, and totally righteous vibes" He reached into his pocket and held up a badge. "you've earned the Knuckle Badge, bro!"
The crowd went absolutely feral.
Ash accepted the badge, smiling wide. "Thanks, Brawly."
"Now, how about we go get some grub? I know this great place if you're interested." Brawly winked.
Ash chuckled. "Sure, why not?"