One Love, One Heart

Chapter 35: The Struggle

Misty reached for her Pokeball and returned Gyarados.

The gym leader smiled at how fiercely May resisted. She was enjoying their battle. Then Misty looked at Gyarados's Pokeball, "You did great, Gyarados. Get some rest now." After she put her Pokeball away, she turned her attention back to May. "You got us when you used the sun to your advantage. Very clever, May. I dare say that's something I'd expect from Ash," Misty smirked.

May giggled sheepishly, "You could say that." The brunette blushed lightly but was too far for anyone to notice.

"However, I'm afraid this battle is still mine. With all that power wasted, Venusaur needs to recharge," Misty reminded the coordinator.

Her opponent looked at the sky with a confident smile. "We'll figure it out. Venusaur won't let me down," May acknowledged.

Misty crossed her arms. She was determined to finish this. "Caserin, use Ice Beam!" Luvdisc shot out the powerful Ice Beam and hit Venusaur without holding back any power.

"Saaaauuur!" Venusaur clenched its teeth as it endured the Ice-type attack.

"Impossible!" Misty gasped when she saw the Grass-type endure the attack head-on.

"Just hang in there a little longer, Venusaur!" May made her hands into fists while encouraging her Pokemon.

Drew and Ash watched the battle as if they were on the edge of their seats. "May's pushing her luck. I don't know if Venusaur can keep battling after receiving that Ice Beam," Drew was nervous for the brunette.

"She knows what she's doing," Ash remained optimistic that she could secure a victory. He noticed something Misty and Drew overlooked.

"Now, Venusaur!" May shouted and launched her fist forward.

"What?!" Drew and Misty shouted simultaneously.

Venusaur roared when it fired a Solarbeam without warning as soon as the Ice Beam vanished. "The sun isn't strong enough to fire a Solarbeam. How was that possible?" Drew was baffled.

"Venusaur was charging the entire time it endured Luvdisc's Ice Beam. Misty was so sure of her winning that she didn't realize May and Venusaur were buying time," Ash crossed his arms, grinning proudly at May's counterstrategy.

"Luuuv!" the Water-type cried in pain. Solarbeam fired Luvdisc with all its force and blasted the heart-shaped Pokemon out of the water. It landed by Misty's feet with swirled eyes.

Ash stood up with a proud fist, "It's over!"

"Disc..." Luvdisc muttered in its defeated condition.

"Way to go, Venusaur!" May rushed to hug her Grass-type.

"Venusaur!" Venusaur cheered and embraced the girl with its vines.

Misty lightly chuckled as she returned Luvdisc. "You did awesome, Luvdisc. Take a good rest." The gym leader walked over to May and Venusaur with a satisfied expression.

"That was awesome, you two. Venusaur, your stamina, and endurance are on another level," Misty petted the Pokemon, who purred contently.

"Thanks, Misty, we had a great time battling you," May grinned at the gym leader.

Ash and Drew ran up to them with excitement. "Nice job out there!" Ash cheered for both girls' efforts on the battlefield.

"I agree. There were times when I wasn't sure who would come out on top," Drew flicked his hair with a smirk.

The girls thanked the boys with cheery smiles. Despite the loss, Misty was proud to have gone toe-to-toe with a top coordinator. Suddenly, Misty and May's faces brightened with joy when they noticed someone coming up behind Ash and Drew.