The morning sunlight bathed the streets of Goldenrod City as Ash and his companions arrived early at the Goldenrod Gym.
Unlike the relaxed atmosphere of the previous day, the Gym today was filled with the tense aura of battle.
"Who would've thought that after drinking milk together yesterday, we'd be meeting as opponents today?" Whitney stood on the opposite side of the battlefield. There was a hint of sentimentality in her voice, but her eyes remained exceptionally determined.
Standing in the center of the field, the referee announced loudly,
"Now beginning the official Gym battle between Ash from Pallet Town and Goldenrod Gym Leader Whitney. Three Pokémon may be used by each side, with an official Badge at stake. Do either of you have any objections?"
"No!" both answered simultaneously.
Whitney spoke first.
"Ash, although I really admire your character and intelligence, I won't hold back in battle!"
Ash smiled slightly, while Pikachu on his shoulder looked eager to fight.
"That's exactly what I want. Let's have a battle with no regrets."
At present, besides his ever-present Pikachu and the Ralts sitting atop his head, Ash had Bayleef, Quilava, Slowpoke, Alakazam, and Houndour with him.
After careful consideration, he had already decided on today's lineup.
"I'll go first! Go, Nidorina!" Whitney's choice of opening Pokémon surprised Misty and Brock in the stands.
"Isn't the Goldenrod Gym a Normal-type Gym? Why is her first Pokémon a Poison-type Nidorina?" Misty asked.
Brock thoughtfully replied,
"This is probably Whitney's strategy. Using an unexpected Pokémon first can disrupt her opponent's rhythm."
However, Ash seemed to have anticipated this long ago. Calmly, he tossed out a Poké Ball.
"I choose you, Slowpoke!"
"Ash actually sent out Slowpoke?" Misty widened her eyes in surprise.
Brock analyzed,
"He must be trying to give Slowpoke battle experience. Real combat is the best form of training."
"Nidorina, Poison Sting!"
"Slowpoke, counter with Water Gun!"
White poisonous needles and a stream of clear water collided fiercely in midair, neither side gaining the upper hand.
At that moment of stalemate, Ash keenly spotted an opening.
"Slowpoke, use Yawn!"
Slowpoke lazily opened its mouth and released several pink bubbles.
The bubbles drifted slowly toward Nidorina, and the instant they touched it, Nidorina collapsed into a deep sleep.
"Now! Finish it with Water Gun!"
Completely defenseless while asleep, Nidorina was struck head-on by the attack.
"Nidorina is unable to battle! Slowpoke wins!"
Whitney recalled Nidorina, yet there was no trace of disappointment on her face.
Ash immediately noticed that she seemed to be placing her hopes on her remaining Pokémon.
"You're up next, Clefairy!" Whitney sent out her closest partner.
"Clefairy, use Metronome!"
Metronome was a move filled with uncertainty, completely dependent on luck to determine which attack would be used.
Both Misty and Brock held their breath in anticipation.
This time, fortune smiled on Ash.
The move Clefairy randomly used turned out to be Splash, a move with absolutely no offensive power.
"Good opportunity! Slowpoke, Headbutt!"
Slowpoke suddenly charged forward and slammed into the still-jumping Clefairy, sending it flying.
"Clefairy is unable to battle! Slowpoke wins!"
Although the two consecutive victories seemed smooth, Ash knew very well that the real challenge was only beginning.
"Looks like I'll have to use my ace! Miltank, let's go!" Whitney finally sent out her strongest partner.
Ash carefully recalled the outstanding Slowpoke.
"You did great. Have a good rest."
"Ash, do you really think you can defeat my Miltank?" Whitney asked confidently.
Ash smiled slightly. He had already prepared thoroughly for this battle.
"I choose you, Quilava!"
"Quilava?" Whitney looked surprised, but quickly regained her composure. "In front of my secret technique, any type advantage is meaningless!"
"Miltank, use Rollout!"
Miltank immediately curled into a ball and began accelerating down the sloped battlefield.
Ash had already witnessed this move at the ranch yesterday. The longer Rollout continued, the stronger it became.
But he had already come up with a countermeasure.
"Quilava, meet it head-on with Flame Wheel!"
Flames erupted around Quilava as it curled itself into a fiery sphere and charged directly toward the rolling Miltank.
The two spinning balls collided violently in the middle of the field, sparks scattering everywhere.
"You're actually choosing a direct confrontation?" Whitney was genuinely surprised.
As long as he stopped Miltank from building up speed in the early stages, the threat of Rollout could be neutralized.
"Very clever tactics," Whitney praised with a nod. "But how long can your Quilava keep this up?"
The deadlock continued on the battlefield, with neither side willing to yield.
At that crucial moment, Miltank's rolling speed suddenly slowed noticeably, and abnormal red patches began appearing across its body.
"What's happening?" Whitney exclaimed.
"It's a burn!" Brock explained from the sidelines. "Quilava's Flame Wheel successfully inflicted a burn on Miltank!"
Unable to endure any longer, Miltank was finally knocked backward by Quilava.
Immediately afterward, a precisely aimed Flamethrower brought the battle to an end.
"Miltank is unable to battle! Quilava wins!"
"Therefore, the winner of this match is Ash from Pallet Town!"
Whitney recalled Miltank and walked over to Ash.
"That was an amazing battle strategy. I admit defeat. Here, this is the Plain Badge you've earned."
Ash solemnly accepted the Badge and raised it high into the air.
"All right! I got the Plain Badge!"
"Pika-Pikachu!"
Pikachu excitedly jumped onto his shoulder and raised one paw in a victory sign.
Just then, Whitney suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right, Ash. Tomorrow, the National Park outside Goldenrod City will be holding a Bug-Catching Contest. Since your next destination must be Ecruteak City, you might want to try your luck there."
"A Bug-Catching Contest?!" Misty shuddered immediately, clearly still traumatized by Bug-type Pokémon.
Ash, however, lit up with excitement.
"That's great! I've been wanting to catch a certain Pokémon for a long time!"
As the sun slowly set, Ash looked at the newly obtained Plain Badge in his hand, his heart filled with satisfaction.
But he knew that this was only a small step on the road to the Johto League.
Tomorrow's Bug-Catching Contest would bring yet another adventure and opportunity.
...
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