Ash's 6th Gym Battle

*The next day...*

It was finally time for Ash to battle Byron. Byron and Ash took their places on the battlefield while Tomo sat with Dawn and Brock on the sidelines. As Roark was going to be the referee the actual referee sat in the stands with the others.

"This is a three on three Pokemon battle." Roark explained.

"I love fossils and defense." A excited Byron yelled out.

This was his crazy way of starting a gym battle.

"Just wait and see Byron, I will get the Mine Badge for sure." Ash called out.

"That's the kind of spirit ! like!" Byron shouted. "But if you think this is going to be a walk in the park, I've got news for you!"

Byron sent a Bronzor out to battle first. Ash decided to send his Rampardos out to battle first.

"That Rampardos." Roark said. "Ash, is that-?"

"Yes Roark this Rampardos evolves from the Cranidos you resurrected for me." Ash answered.

Roark was amazed by this. Brock did point out that rock type Pokemon were weak to steel type Pokemon, but he did believe that Ash would know what to do with something like this.

"Rampardos, Flamethrower." He said.

Bronzor had the ability Heatproof. That meant Rampardos' Flamethrower was weakened.

"Okay let's do this then." Ash said. "Rampardos, use Assurance."

Rampardos' head glowed dark purple and then it headbutted Bronzor really hard.

"That move." Dawn said.

"Assurance is a dark type move." Brock said. "An excellent move to use against Bronzor."

Byron had a surprise for Rampardos.

"Bronzor, Rain Dance." He ordered.

It began to rain. Rampardos didn't like that because he was a rock type Pokemon.

"Rampardos, use Dig to get out of the rain now." Ash said.

Rampardos tunneled underground. Byron was getting more impressed with Ash by the minute. The rain stopped and Bronzor waited for Rampardos to emerge.

"Rampardos, come on out and use Flamethrower." Ash said.

Rampardos came out of the ground and blew a stream of fire.

"Bronzor, dodge and use Gyro Ball." Byron said.

Bronzor dodged the Flamethrower attack and tackled Rampardos with Gyro Ball.

As Gyro Ball is a steel type move, Rampardos took a lot of damage.

"This ends now." Byron said. "Bronzor, use Gyro Ball again."

"Rampardos, use Assurance." Ash said.

The two Pokemon charged at each other really hard. In the end Bronzor collapsed.

"Success!" Dawn cheered.

"Only two more to go." Brock said.

Ash returned Rampardos because he was tired. Byron returned Bronzor. He was starting to really enjoy the battle and started to shout out in excitement.

"Ash, don't start celebrating yet." Roark warned him.

"Don't worry Roark, I know the battle has only just begun." Ash said.

He knew because he had been there lots of times before. Byron sent out a Steelix next and Ash sent out his Bastiodon next. Byron, Roark and the gym referee were surprised to see Ash had a Bastiodon too.

"So Shieldon evolved too Ash?" Roark asked.

Ash smiled and replied yes.

"What are the odds with Bastiodon going up against Steelix?" Dawn asked.

"Well Bastiodon is a rock/steel type." Brock answered. "And Steelix is a steel/ground type. So Bastiodon is at a disadvantage. But there's no doubt Ash will try and turn that around."

Ash knew he had to be careful because Byron used strong defensive strategies, but he wasn't going to let that get him down.

"Bastiodon, Flash Cannon." Steelix used Screech to stop Bastiodon in it's tracks. "

Hey, Roark did that with his Onix back at the Oreburgh Gym." Tomo said.

"You're right Tomo, it's obvious that Roark picked that up from his dad." Dawn added.

"Don't let that Screech get you down Bastiodon, use Dig." Ash ordered.

Bastiodon tunneled into the ground.

"That won't stop us. Steelix, Iron Tail." Byron commanded.

Steelix used Iron Tail on the ground. It created a big hole and forced Bastiodon to come out of the ground. Ash gasped.

"Okay let's do this. Bastiodon, Flamethrower." He said.