Part 16

"If you get all caught up with the things that are right in front of you, you may lose sight of what's important." - Ramos during the Gym battle.

The weekend was here and certainly the highlight of the weekend would be Ash's gym battle against the Coumarine Gym leader. Gary, Trip, Paul, and also Barry who had tagged along last minute would be there in attendance. Conveniently enough all five trainers had a Pokémon with the move Fly so the trip to Coumarine was not a long one.

They arrived in Coumarine city with high expectations of Ash. The recent training he'd done with his squad gave him full confidence that it would be another easy win for Ash.

"We're here," Paul said. The four of them looked over at Paul who was holding a map. "The city where bay and butte are bound."

Ash turned to the boys. "Are you guys going to challenge the gym leader too?" He asked, simply because he knew this battle wouldn't last very long.

Paul and Trip shook their heads no.

"I'm not prepared yet. I've only challenged two of the eight so far," Barry replied.

They arrived to the Gym, which was surrounded by grass and trees almost everywhere. This gave Ash a good idea of what the leader might specialize in. A pupil looking guy approached the boys with a surprised expression.

"Oh wow, looks like we have a handful of challengers today," The pupil said.

Paul shook his head. "Only he's here to challenge today." He said, pointing at Ash.

'I see," He nodded. "Well then, come on over. I'll introduce you to the gym leader, Ramos."

The Pupil guided them into the actual gym area in the grassy fields. There stood an older man who Ash presumably assumed to be the gym leader Ramos.

"Hello sir, I'm here for a gym battle," He said, approaching him.

Ramos gave him a warm and welcoming smile.

"So you're here for a gym battle? Well let's get straight into it youngin. What's your name son?" Ramos asked.

"Ash. From Kanto," He responded firmly. Ramos nodded and allowed him to pass by to the grass field. Ash took one side of the field as Ramos took the other.

"We'll use three Pokémon each. So go ahead and choose which Pokémon you'll use Ash," Ramos urged. Ramos took out his first Pokeball and tossed it into the air revealing his first Pokémon, Jump-luff.

"Jump-luff huh... no surprise there. Now Pikachu let's go," Ash demanded. Pikachu hopped off his shoulder ready to battle. The gang looked shocked at his decision.

"I'm sure Ash is fully aware that Electric types don't do much against Grass types... so I wonder what he's got up his sleeve," Ramos wondered. The rest of the group looked on curious as to what Ash's strategy was.

"I think Ash is going to just abuse the speed and agility his Pikachu holds," Gary noted.

"We'll have to see if it works out for him..." Paul added.

"The gym battle between Ramos the gym leader and Ash of Kanto is about to begin. Three Pokémon each. Further more only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions. Battle begin!" The pupil said, chopping his hand into the air.

Ramos was taking this passively almost as if he was waiting for Ash to make the first move. Barry being confused turned to the gang. "Why's no one calling any moves?" He whispered.

"He's waiting for Ash to make the first move," Paul shrugged. "It's a common strategy used by Gym leaders."

"Well if they're not going to do anything then Pikachu quick attack!" He called out. Pikachu gathered up some speed and quickly took off into the direction of Jump-luff with a menacing speed. Ramos smiled at the eager attack having seen it a mile away.

"Jump-luff Leech seed!" Ramos shouted.

The draining move didn't seem to phase Ash as Pikachu continue making the run with quick attack at tremendous speed. "Cut those seeds with Iron tail!" Pikachu obliged, making its tail into iron and slashing the seeds in its path before it could drain his energy.

Pikachu collided into Jump-luff with its quick attack move and used its iron tail attack right after. Jump-luff was pushed back in shock at how quick Pikachu was.

"Please don't underestimate my Pikachu Ramos," Ash scoffed. "Electric type moves aren't the only moves my Pikachu knows." Ramos simply nodded acknowledging that this Pikachu was no push over.

"Now Pikachu use Volt tackle," Ash commanded. Pikachu took off into the direction of Jump-luff once again, this time gathering up some electricity.

"Volt Tackle? What's he thinking...?" Trip murmured.

"Oh yeah, Jump-luff is part flying type too. Volt tackle will do some damage," Paul said.

Jump-luff again was given no time to react as Pikachu collided heavily into Jump-luff with a powerful volt tackle sending it straight to the ground. Pikachu was hit with some recoil damage but shook it off with ease.

"Jump-luff is unable to battle, Pikachu wins," the Pupil announced. Paul, Barry, and Trip all looked on in awe at how quickly Pikachu wiped Jump-luff out. Gary sat with his arms folded as if expecting this outcome.

Ramos returned his Jump-luff and praised it for its efforts. "I have to say Ash, you're battling style is quite unique. You don't seem to relent when battling, it's very interesting," Ramos noted.

"Thanks for the kind words sir. So, you're next Pokémon is?"

"Weepinbell come out!" Ramos called out.

"Grass poison type... Pikachu come here and take a rest bud," Ash called. Pikachu nodded and stood by Ash's side awaiting his next Pokémon.

"Talonflame, I choose you!" Ash released his Talonflame which he'd caught here in Kalos a while ago. One of the first Pokémon he caught here in Kalos.

"A Talonflame. He's trying to get this one over with quick," Paul said.

"Must have caught a Fletchling here at some point. Incredible how he's already got it in its final evolutionary form," Trip added.

"TalonFlame, Flame charge!" Ash commanded. TalonFlame surrounded itself in flames as it charged towards Weepinbell.

"Wait for it to get close Weepinbell... just relax," Ramos assured. As soon as TalonFlame was close enough it was exposed.

"Now use Poison powder!" Ramos shouted. This caught TalonFlame off guard as the Poisonous power was exposed to the fire/Flying Bird. TalonFlame's Flame charge was a direct hit but at the cost of now being Poisoned, losing HP as the battle went on.

Weepinbell took too much damage from the fire type move. It was vulnerable enough to finish right then and there in Ash's eyes.

"Now TalonFlame, Aerial Ace!" Ash shouted. TalonFlame, still poisoned flew down to Weepinbell preparing an Aerial attack.

Reacting quickly Ramos called out, "Use Grass knot and trap it!" Weepinbell managed to trap TalonFlame with its Grass knot before it could make contact with Aerial ace.

"Tell you what... that Aerial ace made contact... and this battle would have been over," Barry remarked.

"Definitely," Paul nodded in agreement.

"Now how will you get out of this one Ash?" Ramos inquired.

"Flame charge your way out of there and break free," Ash demanded. TalonFlame fired up its Flames, causing minor damage to Weepinbell as it let go of Talonflame.

"Finish it with Brave Bird!" TalonFlame braced itself, knowing this next move would cause great recoil damage to itself. The fire/flying  type bird sped towards Weepinbell with amazing speed crashing it straight into the grass with the most powerful flying type move known.

TalonFlame rose to the sky with terrible recoil damage while Weepinbell stayed in the grass firmly unable to battle.

"Weepinbell can't battle, Talonflame wins!" The pupil called out.

"Wow, Ash is really kicking that old man's ass," Barry joked.

"Come on dude, have some respect for your elders. Not like you could beat him anyway," Trip responded. Barry kept his mouth shut as they all awaited what Ramos would do next.

As Ramos returned Weepinbell and praised its efforts he have the youngster a serious look. "Listen to me Ash, If you get all caught up with the things that are right in front of you, you may lose sight of what's important. You may have a huge advantage right now, but I wouldn't get too comfortable if I were you," Ramos told him.

Ash stared at Ramos for a moment almost not acknowledging what he'd just said to him. The phrase stuck to him for some reason.

"Lose sight of what's important... hmph, and your next Pokémon?" He wondered.

"Gogoat, come out!" Ramos shouted.

"TalonFlame, return and get some rest." Ash said, returning Talonflame. "Now Frogadier come out!"

"Interesting, he's using a water type now. It's like these gyms are too easy for him that he purposely chooses type disadvantages," Barry noted.

"Yeah... shut up Barry," Paul said.

"Gogoat, use Take down!" Ramos called out. Ash didn't say anything letting Frogadier take the hard blow from the Gogoat as it trampled into the frog Pokémon. Frogadier took some damage but not enough to even have a scratch.

"You know I've noticed Ash do that a few times now... he's allowing his Pokémon to take some damage to see how strong the attacks are and if his Pokémon can handle it," Trip said.

"Reminds me of how I used to battle and train a while back," Paul admitted.

"That's just the way he battles I guess," Gary murmured. "He's just toying with Ramos now."

Gogoat attempted several more Take down attacks but couldn't get anywhere near Frogadier again. Frogadier was just too fast.

"Now use Aerial Ace Forgadier!" Ash called. Frogadier quickly leaped towards Gogoat preparing to attack from above.

"Gogoat, use Grass knot," Ramos said, as a last resort. As Frogadier got close enough to Gogoat it attempted to trip Frogadier with its Grass knot.

"Use Cut and cut those Grass knots," Ash said. Forgadier obliged and cut the grass knots blocking its path attacking Gogoat with Cut, and then Aerial Ace immediately. It was super effective against Gogoat.

"Gogoat can't battle, Forgadier wins and so the winner of the gym battler is Ash of Kanto," The pupil announced. After the victory Ash and Ramos both returned their Pokémon Respectively as they approached each other.

"Wow, you really are something else Ash my boy. I haven't had a challenger quite like you in a very long time. A trainer who is so determined to win and so easily. I can also tell how much you love your Pokémon my boy," Ramos praised.

Ash actually let a small form on his lips as Ramos told him this. "Yeah you're right Ramos. I do love my Pokémon for all they do for me," Ash nodded and smiled. And being the winner Ramos then presented him the Plant badge.

"Here Ash, you earned it. The Plant Badge," Ramos said, handing him the Badge.

"Thank you very much Ramos," Ash said as he received the badge from Ramos. "I'll see you around sir." Ramos nodded and waved goodbye to the boy. Ash headed back to the gang as they all headed for the exit of the gym.

After they left Ramos' Pupil turned to him with a look of pure awe.

"I have to say, I haven't seen someone battle the way he did in a very long time sir," He said.

"I know what you mean. I told him the same thing. In my 70 long years of living I've seen some unique battling styles... but he was absolutely ruthless today," Ramos spoke.

Ash vs Ramos: 3-0

4th Gym battle completed, four more to go.

To be continued...