Art of War: Game of Chess

Chapter- 3: First Blood

"Bagon, how dare you steal baked Lays chips!"
All three Pokémon jumped three feet in the air as this was said. Or rather, screamed.
"Moreover, it's time to begin training, not stealing."
Bagon fled the scene of crime. Ash sighed...
"Anyway, it's time to begin training directly. Deino and Absol will work together, and Bagon will join them. Bagon will create a strong defense against Deino and Absol's speed- based combat. Deino, you'll start training on Dragon Dance with Bagon and teach it to him. Absol, you'll learn Mega Horn. Deino, you'll learn a powerful move: Beat Up."
The three Pokémon took the instructions as if they were Arceus' orders and immediately began training. Ash then took the tree trunk (he had it chopped down by Deino and Bagon), and began to lift weights using the huge trunk. He also used the leaves as a punching bag after tying them up (among other things) together. You didn't have a gym in Viridian forest.
Training yourself is just as important as training your Pokémon. Firstly, it builds your own strength, speed, combat skill and durability. Secondly, you can train yourself to a level of withstanding Pokémon attacks, saving your life. Lastly, your Pokémon are similarly encouraged and co- operate more easily.
Ash Ketchum's training was highly important to the world in later stages.
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"I'm Red, challenging this gym for a badge."
Brock narrowed his eyes at the new challenger: "And you're from-?"
"Hell."
The referee announced: "This is a three- on- three battle between Gym Leader Brock Harrison of Pewter City and Red of Hell, no substitutions. Trainers, please send out your first Pokémon. "
"Go, Geodude. "
"Absol, it's war."
"Geodude, begin the match with a Rock Throw, let's go."
"Absol, Mega Horn."
Absol intercepted the attack pretty easily.
"Now charge... then use -" Absol charged faster than Brock could comprehend "Dark Pulse at close quarters!"
"Geodude, use Stone Edge and then Stealth Rock. "
The black orb intercepted the stones and hit close- quarters into Geodude... even as Red cursed. Brock smirked. Stealth Rock would wipe off some Pokémon health when Absol went out. But then...
"Metal Claw, straight in the eye. "
Geodude have a howl of pain. And the scream began when the sharp, metallic Claw was withdrawn.
Geodude was down.
"Geodude is unable to battle, Absol wins! Gym Leader, please send out your next Pokémon!"
"Onix!"
A gargantuan Pokémon... with an equally frightening roar.
"Speed Blitz him, now! Use Metal Claw as you go!"
"Onix, use Rock Blast!"
Absol avoided the explosion without much effort... and attacked Onix.
"Onix, Hyper Beam, now! Incapacitate that Absol!"
"End this! Close Combat... into the rocks on the tail. "
Brock's eye, which had been closed, suddenly shot wide open. The weakness had been discovered.
He shouted: "Onix, get out! Now..."
Onix let out a blood- curdling scream. Brock forfeited Onix. He wanted to win, but not at the cost of his Pokémon's life.
"Brock forfeits Onix! Gym Leader, please send out your last Pokémon!"
It was a last resort, actually... and it wasn't exactly the Pokémon you used against newbie trainers, but...
Dark eyes snapped open.
"DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNN!"
The roar of the Rhydon was so powerful that it almost caused a Crack in the ground. Even Red's Absol took a step back.
"Absol, don't step back. It doesn't leave the best impression. "
How the hell was Red that calm?
"Now... Absol, strike hard... Speed Blitz him with Close Combat where you can!" Absol rushed.
"Rhydon, Earthquake!" The Shockwave would destroy Absol utterly.
"Jump! Then strike hard! Night Slash! The Horn, now!"
"Dig, then use underground Hyper Beam!"
Just as Absol struck, Rhydon dived. And then, a Hyper Beam made an underground emergence, blasting Absol into the sky. But... why didn't Red counter it? He had plenty of time.
"He's in the light, Brock. The flashlight. "
Since the flashlight was blinding, anything over it was darkness, and Absol leapt from the complete darkness.
"The sprinkler! Now!"
A Night Slash exploded the Sprinkler system, and water exploded... the Rock/ Ground- Type was doubly affected because of the disadvantageous position suffered.
"NO!"
"Metal Claw combined with Close Combat... finish it."
A roar of pain, and an earth- shattering crash. Then silence.
"Rhydon is unable to battle! Absol wins! Because all of the Gym Leader's Pokémon is unable to battle... the challenger is the victor!" Even the referee looked stunned. Red and his Absol possessed an unseen ruthlessness few possessed.
The challenger didn't say a word when he was awarded the Boulder Badge. He just left.
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(A/N: 1. Sorry, Red won... or should I say Ash? It's conducive to the plot.  Brock is a Gym Leader. That's where Ash becomes interesting.
2. No, Ash will lose battles,  he isn't overpowered. That's the thing... he's smart enough. And he can do things.
3. Ash lifted a tree trunk casually in canon and tossed it across a river, remember? The Bagon episode. I'm gonna give him strength by actual training rather than plot armour. Anyway...)