With the mission for Kurt complete and the drought finally over, the Azalea Gym officially reopened. It was time for Ash to claim his second Johto badge.
"Is this really a Gym? It looks more like a giant greenhouse," Misty remarked as they stepped inside. The air was humid, and the interior was dense with tropical trees and hanging vines.
Ash glanced at her with a mischievous smirk. "Uh, Misty? Do you remember what type of Gym this is?"
"What do you—" Before she could finish, a dozen Caterpie and Metapod suddenly dropped from the ceiling on silk threads, dangling right in front of her face.
"BUGS!!!" Misty shrieked, instantly leaping onto Ash's back and burying her face behind his head.
Ash let out a dry laugh. He knew all too well about Misty's phobia, but seeing the Caterpie brought back fond memories of his first capture. He wondered how his Butterfree was doing across the ocean with his mate.
"I apologize for my friend," Ash said, patting Misty's arm as a young boy stepped out from behind a large tree. "She's... not exactly a fan."
"That's alright," the boy replied, looking at the Pokémon around them with adoration. "But don't you think Bug Pokémon are simply the best?"
"I think Pokémon in general are the best," Ash countered. "I love Bug-types, and I love Bird-types too. But I also believe no one has the right to force their preferences on others."
The boy paused, looking at Ash with newfound respect. He nodded slowly. "You're right. I should apologize for my assumption. I am Bugsy, the Leader of the Azalea Gym. They call me the 'Living Encyclopedia of Bug Pokémon.' It's a pleasure."
"I'm Ash, from Pallet Town. I'm here for a Gym battle!"
The battlefield was nestled in the heart of the forest-like Gym, surrounded by towering trees that provided a massive advantage to Bug-types.
"The battle between Bugsy and the challenger Ash will now begin! Three Pokémon each!" the referee announced.
"Ash, have you ever heard the saying: 'He who conquers Bug Pokémon, conquers the world'?" Bugsy asked as he reached for his first Poké Ball. He didn't wait for an answer. "Go, the silent warrior—Spinarak!"
"I choose you, Slowpoke!"
Misty and Brock were stunned. Ash was using his newest capture immediately? Bugsy's face shifted into a look of serious intensity. "I heard a trainer had been acknowledged by the Slowpoke God... but I didn't expect it to be you. I won't hold back!"
As a Water/Psychic type, Slowpoke was actually vulnerable to Bug moves. Bugsy moved fast. "Spinarak, String Shot!"
The silk hit Slowpoke instantly. Even this extraordinary Slowpoke couldn't overcome its natural lack of speed.
"You're trapped!" Bugsy cheered. "Use Poison Sting!"
"Slowpoke, Water Pulse!"
Instead of aiming at the opponent, Slowpoke fired the vibrating sphere of water directly at the ground. It erupted into a two-meter-high wall of water, acting as a liquid shield that dissolved the poisonous needles.
"Now, use Confusion!"
Slowpoke's eyes glowed with a fierce blue light. Because of Ash's own psychic awakening, his link with Slowpoke was incredibly sharp. The Spinarak was lifted into the air, struggling against an invisible grip it couldn't hope to break. With a flick of its head, Slowpoke slammed the spider Pokémon into the ground.
"Spinarak is unable to battle!"
"Your Slowpoke is amazing," Misty whispered, thinking of her own dazed Psyduck. The difference in focus was night and day.
Ash recalled Slowpoke and turned to Bugsy. The Gym Leader sent out his second choice: "Shuckle!"
Ash's expression tightened. Shuckle was a defensive nightmare. Its offensive stats were abysmal, but its defense and special defense were nearly impenetrable.
"Go, Bayleef!" Ash called.
"Are you mocking me, Ash?" Bugsy snapped. "Using a Grass-type against my Bugs?"
"I have a plan," Ash replied simply.
Bugsy's first move was a tactical one. "Shuckle, use Power Split!"
The move averaged the Attack and Special Attack stats of both Pokémon. Bayleef's offensive power was slashed, while Shuckle's tiny strength was boosted to match. However, Shuckle's massive defenses remained untouched.
"Now, Bayleef! Poison Powder!"
A cloud of purple dust engulfed the Shuckle. No matter how high its defense was, poison bypassed everything, slowly draining Shuckle's health every second.
"I see!" Brock realized. "Ash used Bayleef specifically to stall Shuckle out with status damage!"
With Shuckle down, Bugsy sent out his ace: Scyther. Ash countered by sending out Heracross. It was a clash of titans—Bug against Bug.
"Scyther, show them your speed! Quick Attack!"
The Scyther became a blur of green, slashing toward Heracross. Ash smiled; he noticed Scyther wasn't using any Flying-type moves. Without that elemental advantage, this was a pure test of strength.
"Heracross, catch it!"
The mantis Pokémon lunged with its sharp scythes, but Heracross's eyes remained locked on the target. He thrust his powerful arms forward, catching the Scyther's blades mid-swing and bringing the high-speed Pokémon to a dead halt.
"No way!" Bugsy gasped.
"Our turn! Megahorn!"
Heracross's horn glowed with a blinding light. He tossed the Scyther into the air and followed up with a brutal impact that sent the Gym Leader's ace crashing into a tree.
"Scyther is unable to battle! The winner is Ash!"
Bugsy sighed, recalling his Pokémon with a gentle smile. "You're much stronger than your data suggests. You've earned this—the Hive Badge."
"I got the Hive Badge!" Ash cheered, striking a pose.
"Pika-pikaparchu!"
Slowpoke Sync: 135/180
Bayleef Sync: 195/210
Heracross Sync: 145/252