The Battle Arena

Today the gang was resting in a Pokémon center outside Saffron City. Yesterday they had a bit of an excitement; Brock's Marshtomp evolved into Swampert. Now it was time for Ashlyn and Alain to battle the Battle Arena for their next Frontier Symbol.

"I wonder what this frontier battle is going to be like." Max commented.

"One is for sure it won't be easy like the Battle Factory battle wasn't." Brock stated.

"Yes," Alain agreed.

"But Alain and I will beat the Battle Arena like we beat the Battle Factory." Ashlyn declared.

"Atta girl, Ashlyn." said a voice.

The gang turned around and saw a familiar face. It was Scott.

"Hi Scott," Ashlyn greeted, "here to see Alain and I battle the Battle Arena?"

"Of course," Scott answered, "and I can't wait to see your battles."

Scott explained that the Frontier Brain of the Battle Arena was a girl named Greta. Greta also runs a karate dojo and she uses fighting type Pokémon. "Her favorite Pokémon are Medicham and Hariyama, and her role models are Chuck of the Cianwood Gym and Brawley of the Dewford Gym."

"No wonder especially when those two are brilliant fighting type trainers." Ashlyn commented.

She remembered battling against them, and she remembered how brilliantly they handled their fighting type Pokémon. She then started to think about what she should do.

"I think I shall use those two." Ashlyn said.

"What two, Ashlyn?" May asked.

"I shall show you at the Battle Arena." Ashlyn replied.

Ashlyn went off to call Prof Oak, leaving Scott and the others puzzled with what she said. But Alain somewhat knew what she was thinking. He was excited to see her battle.

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Soon Scott brought the gang to the Battle Arena. Since Greta was an arena tycoon, her battle facility was indeed a karate dojo.

"Hello! I'm here to battle the Battle Arena!" Ashlyn shouted.

A voice answered back saying, "I accept your challenge." and then the doors opened. A blonde-haired woman, wearing black and blue karate outfits, greeted Scott and the gang; she was Greta.

"Greetings," Greta greeting, "I am Greta the frontier brain of the Battle Arena."

"My name is Ashlyn, Greta."

"And I'm Alain."

"We're here to challenge you." Ashlyn and Alain finished in unison.

"Well Ashlyn, Alain, I accept your challenge," Greta declared, "and I hope you're ready."

"You bet we're ready." Ashlyn beamed.

Both Greta, Ashlyn and Alain couldn't wait to battle each other.

"Before we start, Ashlyn, you have to spin the wheel first. Then Alain will spin it next." Greta explained.

A big roulette wheel came out of the floor. Greta explained to Ashlyn and Alain that the wheel would decide which sort of battle they would have. If they rolled a one it would be a one-on-one battle, a two would be a two on two and a three would be a three on three. Ashlyn spun the wheel and the arrow landed on a two. Ashlyn and Greta would have a two-on-two Pokémon battle. Alain spun it next which also landed on a two. So Alain and Greta will also have a two-on-two Pokémon battle.

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Ashlyn and Greta took their place of the battling field of the Battle Arena, ready to fight. Scott, the others and all of Greta's students sat on the sidelines to watch. Greta sent out her Hariyama and Medicham.

"She's using exactly what Scott said she would." May commented.

"Now for Ashlyn's choice." Scott said.

Ashlyn sent out Marshadow and Galahad (Zamazenta).

Everyone was shocked to see Marshadow and Galahad. Greta and Max especially.

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"Ah so Ember chose Marshadow and Galahad." Brock commented.

"No way. Is that really Marshadow and Zamazenta?!" Max exclaimed.

"Who's Marshadow?" May asked.

"Marshadow is a mythical Pokémon. He's hardly ever seen so people think he's just a myth." Alain replied.

"I've heard about him too. But I never thought I would actually get the chance to see him." Scott stated.

"Just don't underestimate him." Brock warned.

"How did Ashlyn get Marshadow and Zamazenta on her team?" Max asked.

"I don't really know when Marshadow joined Ember's team. Galahad was raised from an egg." Brock replied.

"Huh?" May and Max blinked in confusion.

"She'll tell you afterwards." Brock answered.

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Greta went with Hariyama first, and Ashlyn went out with Galahad.

"Okay Galahad you start off with Quick Attack." Galahad charged towards Hariyama.

"Use Arm Thrust, Hariyama." Greta ordered.

"Counter that with Close Combat, Galahad." Ashlyn countered.

Hariyama rushed forward with Arm Thrust and Galahad kicked and punched Hariyama with his feet. With one last kick, Hariyama was pushed back.

"I can see that both you and your Pokémon have a very strong spirit, Ashlyn," Greta admitted, "but you won't be beating me that easily. Hariyama go in with Focus Punch!"

"Move in with Thunder Fang!" Ashlyn countered.

Hariyama's right fist was encased in orange colored energy while electricity gathered around Galahad's fangs. Hariyama rushed towards Galahad. Right before Hariyama could hit Galahad, Galahad slight moved to the side and bit down on Hariyama's wrist which electrocuted him.

"Hariyama!" Greta cried out.

Hariyama grunted as it struggled to stand.

"Are you alright? Can you still fight?" Greta questioned, worried.

Hariyama nodded and she smiled at relief.

"You have a battling spirit, Ashlyn. But I shall end it now. Use Focus Punch again Hariyama." Hariyama charged to do Focus Punch, but then it stopped and yellow sparks surrounded it.

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"Galahad's Thunder Fang made Hariyama paralyzed." Max realized.

"Now Hariyama will have some trouble moving because of its paralysis." May commented.

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"Okay Galahad, use Play Rough!" Galahad charged towards Hariyama and began beating up Hariyama, and Hariyama got really hurt by that.

"Now finish it off with Close Combat!" Galahad kicked and punched Hariyama hard and then Hariyama fainted.

Now Ashlyn was the winner of the first match.

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Greta's Medicham was up next. Ashlyn returned Galahad and Marshadow came out of Ashlyn's shadow.

"Okay Medicham, start off with Ice Punch!" Greta commanded.

"Counter that with Fire Punch, Marshadow!" Marshadow and Medicham butted fists with each other with their punches. Since fire defeats ice, Marshadow's Fire Punch beat Medicham's Ice Punch and Medicham got thrown back.

"Okay let's get serious now," Greta declared, "Medicham, use Confusion!" Medicham's eyes turned blue and Marshadow got surrounded in a blue light and was lifted into the air.

"Quick, Shadow Ball!" Marshadow created an orb of dark energy and threw it towards Medicham.

The ball directly hit Medicham, causing it to lose its concentration and made Marshadow landed gracefully on the floor.

"Shadow Sneak and then Sucker Punch!" Marshadow's shadow extended towards Medicham's and then attacked with Sucker Punch.

Medicham cried out in pain and sent flying across the field.

"Medicham, are you alright?" Greta called out.

Medicham was able to stand up, "Med-Medicham." Medicham grunted.

"Alright then, Medicham, use Ice Punch!" Greta ordered.

"Blaze Kick, Marshadow!" Ashlyn countered.

Medicham's Ice Punch and Marshadow's Blaze Kick clashed against each other. Both attacks pushed them back. Medicham was panting while staring at Marshadow with determination. Marshadow had the same expression.

"Medicham, let's finish this with Thunder Punch!" Greta ordered.

"Marshadow, Shadow Punch!" Ashlyn countered.

Medicham punched Marshadow with Thunder Punch as Marshadow punched Medicham with Shadow Punch. Both punches pushed them back. Then the two fighting types panted heavily, waiting for who will faint first. But then Medicham couldn't take anymore and fainted, making Marshadow the winner.

"Medicham is unable to battle! The challenge goes to Marshadow and the winner is Ashlyn!" The referee announced.

"We did it, Marshadow!" Ashlyn cheered and Marshadow jumped into her arms, "You were great."

"(Thank you, Ashlyn.)" Marshadow thanked her.

Ashlyn smiled and hugged him close to her as he snuggled closer.

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"Well done, Ashlyn," Greta complimented her, "you kept a cool head during the battle and thought well on your feet."

"I'm no fighting warrior, but I do know how to battle when it comes to Pokémon." Ashlyn stated.

"I saw that during the battle," Greta stated, "and this battle was the best battle I've had for a while."

"And it was the best battle I've watched in a while." Scott commented.

Greta held out her frontier symbol to Ashlyn. "It is my greatest honor to give you the Guts Symbol, Ashlyn." she said.

The Guts Symbol had two L's joining together, looking like a rectangle.

"Thanks, Greta." Ashlyn slightly bowed to Greta and gently took the symbol.

"Alright, we got the Guts symbol!" Ashlyn posed with her Pokémon.

"Raichu! (Symbol number two!)" Tesla cheered.

Galahad howled and Marshadow nodded with approval.

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Later, Alain had his battle with Greta. She had a Mienshao and Hitmonlee. Alain surprised Greta when he decided to use Sceptile and Blaziken. With great surprise, Alain had won the match. So he was able to earn the Guts symbol.

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The gang was now outside the Battle Arena. Greta and Scott were there to send them off.

"Ashlyn, Alain, the next battle facility is just south of Lavender Town." Scott informed.

"That's good," Ashlyn said, "there's a Pokémon contest on the way to Lavender Town. And there is one in Lavender Town too."

So the gang would be making quite a few stops now and then.

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The gang said goodbye to Scott and Greta and headed off on their next destination where the next Pokémon Contest is.

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Pokémon Caught: Shiny Arcanine (Sonia)(F)