Trovita Island

The gang were on the boat that was taking them to Trovita Island where Ashlyn earn her third Orange League Gym Badge.

"Hey, what are those spiky rock things?" Misty asked, curiously, seeing lots of them.

"Oh those, are just rock formation that rose up from the ocean when Trovita Island rose as well." Tracey answered.

"What do you think the Trovita gym leader will be like, Ashlyn?" Misty asked.

"I don't know," Ashlyn shrugged, "All I can say is that the gym leader will give me tough challenges like Danny and Cissy did. Who knows what they could be."

Tesla and Raichu both blinked and then two more times, "Rai!" They both exclaimed.

"Rai Rai! (Someone is drowning!)" Tesla exclaimed, pointing towards the ocean.

The gang was shocked when they saw a little girl with a Pokémon, Seel and they were struggling against the whirlpool that trapped them.

"HELPPPP! Please, somebody! Help me!" The little girl screamed out.

"That little girl is drowning!" Tracey gasped.

"We gotta do something!" Ashlyn decided.

"Please help! Somebody help!" The little girl continued to scream.

Misty gave Togepi to Tracey to hold, "Dewgong, I need your help!" She sent out the sea lion Pokémon.

"Dewgong!" The Pokémon said, appearing.

"Lapras, help us too!" Ashlyn released Lapras.

"Lapras!" Lapras said as he appeared.

"Lets go Dewgong." Misty said, she took a deep breath and they both drove in.

Ashlyn waited until they headed up to the surface. Then she spotted them.

"Misty! Over here!" Ashlyn called out on her transport Pokémon.

"Raichu!" Tesla called out.

"Dewgong, lets get them both over to Lapras." Misty said.

Dewgong nodded, it swam towards the transport Pokémon. Misty handed the little girl over to Ashlyn, who grabbed her and place her on Lapras' back. Then they headed back to the boat.

"That was a close call. What exactly were you doing out there in the first place?" Ashlyn asked, it was odd for a little girl to be out here in the first place, by herself especially. When she looked at her again, she recognized the girl as Mahri, the little sister to Rudy the Trovita Island Gym Leader.

Mahri frowned, "I was swimming with Seel near the beach but the ocean pulled us out." She answered.

"You have to be careful in the ocean." Misty spoke up.

"Huh?" Mahri looked at Misty.

"The current can be dangerous and you always make sure that you swim with other people around. Okay?" Misty said.

"Uh uh." Mahri nodded, with a smile.

"And Seel."

"Ahahaha." They both laugh.

Ashlyn smiled at them.

"Rai." Tesla smiled.

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When the gang reached the dock, they heard some voices.

"There she is!"

"She's okay?"

"Thank goodness."

Ashlyn gently grabbed Mahri and lifted her up, placing her on top of the dock, "Here you go."

The little girl smiled at Ashlyn, "Thank you." She said.

"Mahri!" The teen around 18 with dark auburn hair color, wearing a long sleeve black button shirt with a tan grey vest, black pants and black shoes. Ashlyn knew that this was Rudy the Trovita Island Gym Leader.

"Big brother!" The little girl, named Mahri ran towards Rudy and hugged him.

"Mahri, don't you ever go swimming alone ever again." Rudy scolded, gently.

"I won't." Mahri nodded.

Rudy turned to the group, "I, thank you so much for saving my little sister." He said, greatly.

"You're welcome." Ashlyn said and petted Lapras's head.

"Lapp~" Lapras enjoyed Ashlyn's affection, before he was returned back to his Pokéball.

"It's a good thing that we were there." Misty said.

Rudy placed his sister down, he turned towards the Water type Pokémon trainer, "I saw what you did for saving my little sister, you were amazing." He praised, looking into her eyes.

Volkner and Tracey blinked.

Mahri squealed.

Ashlyn giggled.

"I'm Rudy Ziggy and you are?" Rudy asked.

Misty had a blush across her face, "Misty Waterflower." She replied.

"Misty. It's a lovely name." Rudy said.

Misty continued to blush.

Ashlyn stared at Rudy and Misty and could easily tell that they liked each other.

"Um do excuse me Rudy," Ashlyn interrupted, "but are you the gym leader of Trovita Gym?"

"Yes I am," Rudy confirmed, "So I take it you want to challenge me?"

"Yes, my name's Ashlyn Ketchum." Ashlyn introduced herself.

"Well Ashlyn, I take it that you have already challenged some of the Orange Gym Leaders?" Rudy asked.

"Yes I have." Ashlyn showed Rudy him the Coral-Eye badge and Sea-Ruby badge.

"Excellent." Rudy said.

"So what are the challenges?" Ashlyn asked.

Rudy smiled. "It's simple. The first one is a Target Test and the second one is a Pokémon Battle but we fight using the same type of Pokémon." He explained.

"Got it." Ashlyn said, confidently.

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Rudy led the group to a the first challenge area, "We are going to ride a speed boat for this challenge, it's makes it more challenging for the challengers." He explained.

Then Rudy, Ashlyn, Volkner, Misty, Tracey, and Mahri got into the boat and headed off to do the challenge. Ashlyn was in front with Volkner, Tracey, Misty, Mahri, and Rudy behind her.

"Ready... Set and... Go!" One of Rudy helpers, waved the red flag.

The speed boat started. "The target will appear throughout randomly in the area, you have to hit them all." Rudy explained, as he was steering the speed boat.

"Okay." Ashlyn understood.

The first target appeared.

"Persian!" Ashlyn released her Persian, "Use Shadow Ball!"

Persian fired her attack at the target, destroying it.

Rudy whistled, "Not bad."

The second target appeared.

"Espeon!" Ashlyn released her Espeon, "Use Swift!"

Espeon fired her attack the second target, destroying it.

Then the third target appeared.

"Gengar!" Ashlyn released her Gengar, "Dark Pulse!"

Gengar used his attack to destroy the target.

Three targets appeared from different sides.

"Persian, Espeon, Gengar!" She called out her three Pokémon, "Use Shadow Ball!"

Persian's attack hit the first target, Espeon's hit the other in the tree, and Gengar's hit the other near the mountain.

"Way to go, Ashlyn!" Misty cheered.

"That was awesome!" Tracey cheered.

"Great job, Ashlyn." Volkner smiled.

"Togepriii~!" Togepi trilled.

"Raichu!" Tesla cheered.

"Well done. You got them all." Rudy praised.

Then they headed back to the gym. Ashlyn noticed that Misty and Rudy had been staring, smiling and talking with each other the whole time.

'There's no doubt about it,' Ashlyn thought, 'those two really like each other.'

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The gang soon arrived back at the gym.

"Well Ashlyn, excellent job of beating the first challenge. But you still need to defeat me in the same type Pokémon battle tomorrow. What type do you choose?" Rudy asked.

"Fighting, Grass, and Water." Ashlyn decided.

Rudy nodded, "Very well, those are the types I will be battling you with." He said.

"And you want to say something to Misty, Rudy?" Volkner questioned, slightly amused how much Rudy's staring at the Water type trainer.

Misty looked at the gang, "Huh?"

"Yes. Misty, would you like to have dinner with us?" Rudy offered.

"Please, say yes." Mahri pleaded, cutting in, "My brother is a very great cook."

"Uh, I..." Misty looked at the gang.

"Go Misty, we'll be here if you need us." Ashlyn assured her.

Tracey nodded, "That's right."

Misty smiled at them and then turned back to Rudy and Mahri, "Alright."

"Yayyyy!" Mahri cheered, she gently pushed Misty from the back.

Rudy led Misty towards one of the rooms, he waved back at the gang and they waved back.

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Later, Ashlyn, Volkner, and Tracey were eating dinner at the gym's visitor quarters. They were having takeout meals. Ashlyn was talking with Prof. Oak who wished her luck on her challenge tomorrow. Then Tracey came in and began showing Prof. Oak his sketches of Pokémon. Ashlyn was checking to see that her Lucario and Vaporeon were okay. She switched her Tsareena with Lurantis.

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Later that night when Volkner and Tracey were asleep, Ashlyn and Tesla were still awake. Ashlyn was too excited to sleep because of tomorrow's gym badge. They were outside looking at the stars and moon and were just about to go back inside, when they saw Misty outside.

"Misty?" Ashlyn saw Misty's expression, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Misty sighed. "Well, something happened." she said.

"What? Rudy didn't do anything bad to you did he?" Ashlyn asked, worriedly.

If there was one thing Ashlyn didn't like were people picking on her friends.

Misty shook her head, "Oh no, nothing like that." She sighed.

"So what exactly happened?" Ashlyn asked.

"It's like this." Misty explained what Rudy said and asked her.

"What did you say?" She asked.

"Well I'm confused," Misty admitted, "The truth is I want to keep of traveling with you and the others but um..."

"Misty, you like Rudy and he likes you." Ashlyn stated, bluntly.

Misty flushed red, "H-Huh?!"

Ashlyn smiled as she rolled her eyes, "I've seen the way you two look at each other, gazing into each other eyes. Even Mahri, Volkner and Tracey had seen it." She commented.

"Thing is though I don't know how to answer to Rudy." Misty admitted.

"Let me tell you this Misty," Ashlyn began, "As you probably know that, as an eleven year old, I wouldn't exactly understand about these things yet. But as your friend the only advice I can give you is this. It's your decision on what you should do with your life. Volkner, Tracey and I will accept your decision. And I'm pretty sure Rudy will too." She advised.

Misty smiled, "Thank you Ashlyn, you're a good friend."

After that talk, Ashlyn and Misty went to bed.

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Next day, it was time for Ashlyn's gym battle with Rudy. The other were inside a hot air balloon, watching the battle form above.

"Are you ready, Ashlyn?" Rudy asked.

"As ready as I ever will be." Ashlyn declared.

"This first battle is about to be underway! We have Ashlyn Ketchum and Rudy Ziggy!" The referee announced, speaking on the microphone, he was broadcasting it on Pidgeot back, "This will be a three-on-three battle an whoever knocks out two Pokémon, will be the winner!"

"The first round is a Fighting-type Battle!"

"For my Fighting Pokémon, I choose Hitmonchan." Rudy said.

Rudy's Hitmonchan punched its fists, all ready for battling.

"All right, Lucario I choose you." Ashlyn said.

Ashlyn's Lucario was all ready for battling too.

"And so the first battle is Hitmonchan versus Lucario!"

"Lucario, use Bulk Up." Ashlyn ordered.

Lucario's strength went up.

"Hitmonchan, use Bullet Punch!" Rudy commanded.

Hitmonchan's gloves glowed a light-blue and it headed towards Lucario.

"Lucario, use Thunder Poison Combat!" Ashlyn commanded.

Lucario's left fist gathered electric energy while his right glowed a purple color. Then both Hitmonchan and Lucario's punches hit each other, causing both to wince at the effect of them. But Hitmonchan was getting more damage than Lucario.

"Incredible, Lucario is using Close Combat combined with Thunder Punch and Poison Jab." Tracey commented, amazed.

"Quite a combination, huh?" Volkner asked, smiled.

"And an effective one too." Misty agreed.

Hitmonchan and Lucario jumped away from each other. Hitmonchan was panting heavily as Lucario was slightly sweating.

"Now Agility and Metal Claw!" Ashlyn ordered.

Lucario's right fist glowed a metallic color and he disappeared. Then reappeared in front of Hitmonchan. He slammed his fist into Hitmonchan's stomach which sent it flying then tumbling onto the ground. Hitmonchan fainted when it stopped tumbling.

"Hitmonchan is unable to battle! Lucario wins the Fighting-type Round!"

"Hitmonchan return." Rudy returned his unconscious Pokémon.

"(How did I do, Ashlyn?)" Lucario smiled at his trainer.

"You did a great job, Lucario. Get some rest." Ashlyn returned Lucario.

"The next match is a Grass-type battle!"

"I choose you, Lurantis!" Ashlyn sent out her Bloom Sickle Pokémon.

"Lurantis." Lurantis said.

"Then I choose...Exeggutor!" Rudy sent out his Coconut Pokémon.

"Exeggutor!" Exeggutor said.

"And the second battle is Exeggutor versus Lurantis!"

"Exeggutor use Bullet Seed!" Rudy ordered.

Multiple seeds covered in green energy shot towards Lurantis.

"Lurantis, Protect and then Sunny Day!" Ashlyn ordered.

Lurantis projected a green colored barrier that protected her from the bullet seed attack. When the attack stopped, she launched a bright orb into the sky, making the field sunny.

"Use Psychic!" The coconut Pokémon eyes glowed blue, the outline of blue around the Fruit Pokémon and it lifted Lurantis into the air.

"Throw it!" Exeggutor sent Lurantis across the field.

"Lurantis use Signal Beam!" Lurantis maintained her balance in the air, she quickly fired a Signal Beam and it was another direct hit.

"Exeggutor! Exeggutor are you okay?" Rudy asked his Pokémon.

The coconut Pokémon nodded, weakly.

"Exeggutor use Sludge Bomb!" He commanded.

"Lurantis use Leafage." Ashlyn said.

Exeggutor fired purple sludge bombs towards the bloom sickle Pokémon who destroyed them with Leafage.

"Leafage once more." Lurantis quickly fired more Leafage attack, hitting the coconut Pokémon.

"Wow," Tracey awed, "I'm impressed with Ashlyn's battle skills."

"Ashlyn has trained her Pokémon a lot." Volkner stated.

"Ex Exeggutor..." It said, weakly, struggling to stand.

"End this with Solar Blade." The bloom sickle Pokémon, absorbed sunlight into her body fast, thanks to the Sunny Day in effect, she formed a large yellow ball of light above her head.

"Exeggutor dodge it!" Rudy exclaimed.

"Lurantis!" Lurantis then raised one of her hands and turned the ball into a giant blade of yellow light, she then slammed the blade down onto the coconut Pokémon.

Exeggutor collapsed on the ground with swirling eyes.

"Exeggutor is unable to battle! Lurantis wins the Grass-type round! So the victory of two matches, this battle goes to the challenger, Ashlyn Ketchum of Pallet Town!" The referee announced.

"Exeggutor return." Rudy returned back his unconscious Pokémon.

"Lurantis~" The bloom sickle Pokémon smiled at her trainer.

"Thank you." Ashlyn hugged Lurantis who also returned the hug.

Rudy walked over to Ashlyn and smiled, "Congratulations Ashlyn. You've proven yourself an excellent trainer." He complimented, "As proof as your victory, I present to you the Spike-Shell Badge." He held out a yellow triumphant star turban shell with a small pink gemstone.

Ashlyn took the badge, "Thank you very much, Rudy." She said.

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After the battle, Ashlyn had brought her Pokémon to the Pokémon Center for a quick check up. When the check up was done, Ashlyn switched Lurantis for Tsareena. Then it was time for the gang to continue on to the next island.

The gang saw Rudy and Misty stared at each other with longing. Ashlyn turned to Misty, "Misty, don't you have something to say to Rudy?"

Misty blushed immediately, "Yes." She looked at Rudy, "Rudy, I thought about what you offered last night and the truth is that... I would love to stay with you because I really like you..." Her face turned to a red color.

Everyone, except Ashlyn, was surprised by Misty's decision.

"But I want to continue travelling with my friends. You see, I wish to take over the leadership of the Cerulean Gym in Cerulean City. And before I do that I want to keep on travelling and capturing water Pokémon. So I can't stay with you and Mahri right now, I do apologize."

Rudy smiled after listening to Misty's confession.

"I understand Misty," he said, "I can tell very well how much you love Cerulean Gym just like I love my gym, and Mahri and I will support you in any way we can." He handed her a small piece of paper. "This is my phone number, that way we can keep in contact with each other."

"I'll phone you too and visit your gym." Mahri smiled.

Misty smiled and thanked Rudy and Mahri.

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So Ashlyn and the gang left Trovita Island, with two things; Ashlyn had the Spike-Shell Badge, and Misty had got a boyfriend.

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Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Lucario (M), Espeon (F), Shiny Charizard (Natsu)(M), Gengar (M), Persian (F), Toucannon (M), Pikachu (Levina)(F), Vaporeon (F), Leafon (F), Dusk Lycanroc (Romulus)(M), Kangaskhan (F), Lapras (M), Zamazenta (Galahad)(M), Shiny Zacian (Athena)(F), Tsareena (F)

Oak's Ranch:

Snorlax (M), Glaceon (F), Crystal Onix (Chrystal)(F), Bulbasaur (Cedar)(M), Lurantis (F)