One Love, One Heart

Chapter 34: Cold Water

"Who do you think will win?" Drew questioned Ash.

Ash wasn't sure, "They're both really strong, I can't decide."

Drew nodded in agreement; he hoped May could overwhelm the might of a gym leader. Misty was a type of opponent she hadn't faced before.

"I won't make this easy, May, so I hope you're ready," Misty smirked slyly at May. She held two Pokéballs in her hands.

May stood on the opposite end of the pond. She beamed a confident smile at Misty. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Misty." The gym leader nodded at her. Misty always wanted the opportunity to test May's skills. It would be her first battle against a coordinator as well. The brunette took one step back and threw two Pokéballs, "Take the stage, you two!"

"Here we go!" Misty followed by throwing her Pokéballs.

Four beams emerged from the Pokéballs, revealing a group of powerful Pokémon. In front of May stood Venusaur and Wartortle. The pair was ready for battle. From the sidelines, May's other Pokémon cheered for her loudly.

On Misty's side stood Gyarados and Luvdisc. Drew analyzed the characteristics of Gyarados and Luvdisc. He could tell that Gyarados was the powerhouse and Luvdisc was the speedy battler. The male coordinator tipped his hat to May for choosing Wartortle as one of her Pokémon. It would serve as some protection against Misty's water Pokémon. Additionally, Venusaur had the type advantage, but Drew wouldn't be surprised if Gyarados or Luvdisc knew techniques to counter that. "You can do it, May," Drew murmured.

Ash patiently observed what the girls would do to start. He knew they were top-class trainers, but his heart was rooting for May. The raven-haired trainer's Pokémon also watched with focus. The entirety of Oak's ranch braced itself for another heated battle.

"Gyarados use Flamethrower on Venusaur!" Misty called out to her Atrocious Pokémon.

Drew frowned. It was as he suspected. He wondered what May would do. May remained calm in the face of the fire attack. "Wartortle, use Hydro Pump to stop that Flamethrower!" Wartortle got between Venusaur and the Flamethrower and released the powerful Water-type attack. The Hydro Pump was so quick and powerful that it pushed through the Flamethrower and unexpectedly bashed at Gyarados.

The mighty sea snake shrugged off the attack since it wasn't very effective, but Misty didn't expect Wartortle to overpower her Pokémon.

"Impressive, May. Nonetheless, it'll take more than a Hydro Pump to beat us," Misty complimented the brunette from Hoenn.

"Thanks, Misty. There's more where that came from," May assured Misty with a wink. The coordinator pointed at Luvdisc, "Razor Leaf on Luvdisc, Venusaur."

"Saur!" The Grass-type unleashed a barrage of leaves sharp as knives aiming for Luvdisc.

Misty had a smug grin, "Watch this. Caserin, use Ice Beam!"

"Whoa," Ash acknowledged the counter. He knew Misty could use Ice Beam to freeze virtually any Grass-type attack. May's battle was rapidly heating up. Venusaur's leaves froze and dropped into the pond.

Misty stretched her arm forward, "Now use Agility Caserin." The Luvdisc moved at an incredible velocity to close in on May's Pokémon.

"Wartortle, use Ice Beam around Luvdisc to stop it." May issued her counter.

"Tortle!" Wartortle fired Ice Beam. Within three seconds, Wartortle froze Luvdisc in its tracks. The Hoenn Pokémon could not do anything since the water turned into ice.

Misty groaned. She would have to rely on Gyarados for now. "Alright, Gyarados, use Hyper Beam on Wartortle!"

Ash raised an eyebrow. He wondered, Why did she use Hyper Beam so soon? May ordered Wartortle to counter with Hydro Pump immediately. Wartortle used a Hydro Pump and entered a beam struggle with Gyarados, but the turtle struggled to hold the attack at bay. The only way May could overpower Hyper Beam was to disrupt Gyarados' concentration.