GC122

==Synopsis==
Justin has his first public gym battle.
==Summary==
Justin practices for his gym battle against Juan, which has an odd rule of not being a walk-in. In the meantime, Justin and Rachel explore the Cave of Origin in a tour, which they believe provides additional closure to their adventures involving Groudon and Kyogre. They both note they know nothing about the dragon Raquaza between them but home they never have to find out. On their way out of the cave, Justin receives a notification on his Pokegear that Juan is ready for their gym battle. 
When Justin arrives to the gym, there is a line of women and other fans to get in. Justin wonders if all of them are here to challenge Juan. Lisia appears and clarifies that they are here to watch Juan. Lisia escorts Justin and Rachel inside, and Lisia explains that Juan may be a Top Coordinator but he's also a great gym leader; and his fans love seeing both sides of him. Therefore, Justin's gym battle will have an audience. 
As Lisia explains, she escorts Justin and Rachel to the gym where there is a full house. Lisia says that word had to spread about the gym battle, which is why there was a delay, but in a few minutes everyone will be seated and Justin will have the battle. Lisia then takes Rachel to the player's box.
Justin observes the water battlefield and notes he obviously cannot use Blaziken today. ​After a few minutes, Lisia stands in the referee position. The gym is packed, and the lights dim. She announces Juan who walks out in heavy applause. Juan gives a short speech and announces Justin as his opponent who is vying for his eighth badge and a place in the Ever Grande Conference. He encourages the crowd to cheer for Justin, but the crowd only wants Juan to win. 
Juan makes light of the noise and asks Justin if he'll be able to stay focused. Justin says he competed with a massive audience during the Silver Conference. Even if everyone is jeering him today, he is completely ready and focused. 
Lisia announces she will act as the referee. She tells Justin the battle will be 5-on-5 in two parts. The first part is a Double Battle that wll continue until both of Juan's Pokemon are defeated. Then, it will be a set of single battles until one side is out of Pokemon. Justin and Juan understand the rules, so the battle begins. 
Juan calls out Huntail and Gorebyss as his opening partners. Justin chooses Plusle and Swellow; Plusle because she is an Electric-Type and Swellow because he can fly out of range for Juans' attacks. Juan immediately has his Pokemon perform a double Shell Smash, which builds their speed and power, which will weaken the impact of Plusle's Electro Ball. 
Plusle and Swellow act as a unit with Plusle's Helping Hand enhancing Swellow's attacks until Gorebyss' Icy Wind forces them to separate. Huntain attacks Swellow with Crunch, but Swellow proves faster and repels Huntail with Wing Attack. Gorebyss fires a Hydro Pump onto Plusle. Plusle charges in with Spark, but Gorebyss amplifies the pressure to knock Plusle into the water. Justin learns for the first time that Plusle cannot swim. 
Justin asks for the referee to pause the battle, which causes Juan's Pokemon to stop battling. Fully clothed, Justin dives after Plusle and brings her to the surface. Justin asked that Plusle be officially declared a "knocked out" Pokemon, which Juan and Lisia allow. Justin comforts Plusle and places her with Rachel and Minun.  Justin is given a towel to wipe his face, and he wishes to continue the battle. He walks back to his position and sends in Eevee when Lisia resumes the battle. 
Eevee starts by striking the water with Shadow Ball to create watery explosions and prevent Huntail or Gorebyss from moving. The Water-Types dip underwater, where Swellow astonishingly dives in to deliver a powerful Aerial Ace that knocks Gorebyss out of the water. Eevee then leaps into action to slam Gorebyss with Iron Tail. Huntail comes out of the water to defend Gorebyss with Aqua Tail, but Swellow intercepts to take the attack instead but reduce the damage with Wing Attack. Eevee's Iron Tail connects and defeats Gorebyss.
Justin orders Swellow after Huntail who tucks away. Battling alone, Huntail uses a second Shell Smash. When he emerges and fires a high-power Aqua Tail. Swellow uses Hidden Power to weaken the attack. Then Eevee rushes through it with Quick Attack to bash Huntail hard. Swellow dives into the water and comes back up with Aerial Ace to deal the critical blow that takes Huntail out of the battle as well. 
Lisia calls the double battle portion over and both sides recall their Pokemon. There is an intermission as the battle field is changed to a land and water battlefield. In the interim, Juan is impressed with Justin's speed and pressure tactics. He has clearly trained well in Hoenn's Double Battles. Justin notes he really only exploited the fact that when Gorebyss and Huntail use Shell Smash, their defenses lowered significantly, which he could only do by apply pressure and speed. Justin says power would not have a good tactic because Huntail and Gorebyss were already dwarfing his Pokemon's attacks. 
Justin and Juan's conversation ends when the second battlefield is ready. The battles will now be single battles. Juan's third Pokemon is a Luvdisc and Justin returns Swellow into battle. 
==Major Events==
*Justin and Rachel visit the Cave of Origin
*Justin begins his gym battle against Juan
For a list of all major events in this anime, please see Major Events (Grand Conquest). 
==Characters==
===Humans===
*Justin
*Rachel
*Juan
*Lisia
*Tour Guide
*Civilians
*Audience
===Pokemon===
*Eevee (Justin's)
*Plusle (Justin's)
*Swellow (Justin's)
*Sealeo (Justin's)
*Skitty (Rachel's)
*Shuppet (Rachel's)
Category:Grand Conquest
Category:Episodes with Gym Battles