13.Ash's Rikoto Story

Chapter 60 Greenpine City Gym

Ash and his friends finally return to Greenpine City with Bailey, and they find Keira already waiting at the Gym. "Hello again, Ash! Did you find Bailey?" she asks, eager to see her friend.

"He's right here," Ash replies, pointing to the man standing beside his parents.

"Wow, so you're on your way to battle him? Me too! How about a training battle first? I've been doing a lot of training after the events in Ancient Pass with Team Solar and Team Lunar, and I think I've become much stronger! I now have a solid team of six Pokémon. Let me show you!"

With Bailey's permission, they head to the battlefield for their match. Keira sends out Baablizz first, and Ash counters with Tidude. Despite Baablizz landing powerful Avalanche and Earthquake attacks, Tidude manages to turn the tide with Reversal, securing the win.

Keira's next Pokémon is Pooldog, and Ash sends out Grorillum. Despite Pooldog's Intimidate ability, Grorillum's Seed Bomb and Sky Uppercut prove too much for Pooldog, preventing it from landing Ice Fang or Megalo Fang and securing another victory for Ash.

For her third Pokémon, Keira sends out Roobeop, and Ash calls on Syphoon. As soon as Syphoon appears, it starts showing off, causing Keira to sweat drop. Despite Roobeop landing a painful Ice Punch, Syphoon counters with Aeroblast and Shadow Ball, ultimately winning the battle.

Keira's fourth Pokémon is Cirribus, and Ash responds with Leonite. Leonite's Diamond Claw slashes through Cirribus, though it takes some damage from a Water-type Weather Ball due to the rain. Thanks to a well-timed dodge of Vacuum Wave, Leonite lands another Diamond Claw, defeating Cirribus.

For the fifth battle, Keira sends out Pixilily, and Ash chooses Frogoo. Frogoo poisons Pixilily with Sludge Wave but gets put to sleep by Sleep Powder. Fortunately, Frogoo wakes up just in time and finishes the battle with Uproar.

The final showdown is between Ash's Flearoe and Keira's Mountree. "Rodney gave me this, so I should try it out," Keira says as she presses the Key Stone on her Mega Ring, Mega Evolving Mountree.

"We'll do the same," Ash says, Mega Evolving Flearoe. Despite Flearoe flinching from multiple Rock Slides, it eventually overcomes Mountree with a combination of Will-O-Wisp and Flamethrower.

"I enjoyed it," Keira sighs, catching her breath. "Wow, you're still too strong for me... But don't you think I've become much stronger?"

"Well, you have, and we're proud of you," Ash says with a smile.

"I've decided I'll train a bit more before taking on Bailey... Good luck, I know you'll defeat Bailey with ease." Keira waves as she leaves the gym, giving Ash a final encouraging smile.

Ash then turns to Bailey, who nods in approval. "That was a nice battle," Bailey says. "I see that you're a strong trainer, but you are Red and Delia's son after all. I think we should have our battle now, right?"

"Thank you," Ash replies, as they take their positions on opposite sides of the battlefield.

Before they start, Bailey asks, "Wasn't this adventure in Tropic Jungle an overwhelming one?"

"It sure was, but I enjoyed it," Ash replies with a smile.

"So, this is my gym," Bailey begins. "I focus on Grass-type Pokémon! They're so connected to nature, and I love that. I feel like I have a special bond with Grass Types, and that's what makes us strong! Are you ready to battle? Let's do this!"

"Sure," Ash says, preparing himself. "What's the additional field effect?"

Bailey points up to the air, where five kinds of pipes are visible. "Well, in this field, we'll be adding an additional status condition to the battle. There are Burn, Poison, Freeze, Sleep, and Paralyze powders that will randomly be released from the top. But don't worry, they only spread over a small area."