Stand by You part 2 of 4

Chapter 43: Psychic Showdown

The day after the Cherryrose competition, Ash and friends went to earn the Marsh Badge at the Saffron City Gym. The gym leader Sabrina was much tougher on Ash this time than was she during their first battle, but after several attempts, he managed to obtain the badge. Iris was able to get the badge in one attempt, but Clement and Meowth had to wait another day to face her.

"I can totally take her", Lucy told Meowth as she shoved some of May's Pokeblock into her mouth.

The two Pokémon were hanging out at the Saffron City Pokémon Center. Meowth and Lucy were eating their lunch while the twerps did their own thing. Bonnie and Max were playing a game of checkers on the other side of the cafeteria. Cilan, May, Drew, and Serena were baking some Pokepuffs, Iris and Clement were ordering some coffee, and Misty and Ash had gone off alone somewhere. Ash's Noctowl and Iris' recently captured Haunter were being treated by Nurse Joy while the rest of their Pokemon played together.

"Are yous gonna be able to handle dem psychic attacks?" Meowth asked Lucy. "Yous sure didn't like it when Acorn and Aliyah used dere confusion attack de other day".

"That's because I wasn't expecting it", she replied. "Besides, I'm a dark type, remember? I even know a few psychic attacks of my own", she bragged.

"No way!" Meowth exclaimed. "You'd ya manage dat?"

"Lots of hard work", she answered.

"Hey you guys, are you going to battle Sabrina too?" Bonnie asked as her, Max, and May came to sit down next to them.

"I thought yous were cookin' and playin' games", said Meowth.

"We were, but now we are done", Max replied.

"I definitely want to battle her. I know exactly how to handle those psychic types", Lucy told them.

"You mean you are going to battle yourself?" May asked.

"Yep", Lucy replied. "I know a few psychic attacks and I have a nasty shadow-ball attack".

"You are one cool Pokémon", said Max. "I hope one day I have a Pokémon as great as you on my team".

"I think we would all like that", said May.

"What can I say? I'm an amazing creature", the Purrloin responded.

The five of them sat for a while and talked about battle strategies.

"Look at dat time", Meowth said as he looked at the clock hanging on the wall of the café. "It's already late in de afternoon. Weeze better go and get trainin'", he said to Lucy.

The two Pokémon got up to leave.

"See you later", May, Max, and Bonnie said as they waved goodbye.

They walked until they found a clearing in the woods to practice.

"Show me what yous got", Meowth said to the Purrloin.

"I need an opponent", she remarked.

"I'm standin' right here!" Meowth exclaimed. "Battle me!"

"I can't battle you. You are far too weak. I'd end up killing you by accident", she retorted.

"Geeze danks a lot", he replied. "If yous dink dat yere so strong, why don'ts yous just battle all of our Pokémon?"

"I will", she answered.

Just then Acorn let herself out of her Pokeball. She asked Lucy for a battle.

"Look, kid, no offense but you are way to weak to go up against me", Lucy replied.