Battle Factory

Ash couldn't wait to battle Noland for his first Frontier symbol. Right now he was flying in the sky on Lugia's back.

"You are no longer a baby Lugia, Lugia." Ash said. "You are now a fully adult Lugia."

Lugia liked getting praised by Ash and he fired Aeroblast as well as Hydro Pump into the sky.

"Yep you are a strong Lugia indeed." Ash smiled. "And we will beat Noland."

Soon it was time for the Frontier challenge. The inside of the Battle Factory was just like a factory with a normal battlefield.

"Hope you're ready for our battle Ash." Noland said. "Because I won't be holding back."

"Neither will I Noland." Ash replied.

Ash and Noland got into their battle positions and called out their Pokemon Articuno and Lugia.

Scott, Brock, Tomo, Max and May stood on the sidelines to have a better view of the battle.

Scott couldn't wait to see how Ash battled. Just then the roof of the Battle Factory opened up; this was for flying type Pokemon to have more space while battling in the air. Sergio declared the battle to begin and Articuno and Lugia took off into the air immediately.

Ash told Lugia to start things off with Aeroblast. But Articuno dodged Aeroblast; it was a fast Pokemon.

"You're fast too Lugia." Ash said. "Use Swift this time."

Lugia released a lot of stars from his wings and most of the stars hit Articuno.

"That's the great thing about Swift." Max said. "It never misses."

"One thing you should know about Ash Scott is that he never gives up in a battle." Brock said.

Scott was impressed.

"Articuno use Ice Beam." Noland said.

"Counter that with Aeroblast quick." Ash said.

Aeroblast and Ice Beam collided with each other and neither Lugia and Articuno were hurt. Ash had to be careful with Ice Beam. One of Lugia's weaknesses was the ice type.

"Move in with Steel Wing." Noland said to Articuno.

Articuno slammed into Lugia with Steel Wing.

"Are you okay Lugia?" Ash asked

Lugia was okay.

"Let's use Sunny Day." Lugia used Sunny Day and the sun shined brightly.

"With Sunny Day Articuno's ice type attacks will be weakened." Max said.

"Yes, but then again Articuno is a legendary Pokemon." Brock pointed out. "So Sunny Day most likely won't weaken it's ice type moves."

Brock was right; Noland had Articuno use Ice Beam and this time it hit Lugia injuring it.

"Lugia's weakened now." Tomo said, worried.

"Use Recover Lugia." Ash said.

Lugia glowed yellow and he healed himself.

"Phew thank goodness Lugia knows Recover." May sighed. "Otherwise it would have been in trouble."

"Yes but it can't keep this up for long." Brock said.

Articuno was now flying all over the place.

*'Articuno may be fast.'* Ash thought. *'But Lugia knows a move Articuno can't dodge.'*

"Lugia use Psychic." Lugia's eyes turned blue and that immobilized Articuno.

"Ha Lugia has control over Articuno." Tomo said.

"That's a good way to stop a Pokemon." Max said.

"Time to use Thunder Lugia." Ash said.

Articuno received a direct hit from Thunder and seriously injured it. It then flew down to the ground and started to pant.

"Articuno is a ice/flying type so Thunder did significant damage." Brock said.

Scott was impressed with how well Ash was doing.

*'It seems I was right to have Ash challenge the Battle Frontier.'* He thought. *'And I think he has what it takes to conquer the Battle Frontier.'*

Articuno continued to pant but it couldn't battle anymore and fainted.

"Articuno is unable to battle." Sergio said. "The battle goes to Lugia and the winner is Ash."

"We did it Lugia!" Ash cheered.

Lugia flew over to Ash and he rubbed it's cheek.

Brock, Tomo, May and Max were happy for Ash.

"Ash out of all the battles I've had, your battle was a blast." Noland said. "I like your battling style."

"I found it fun battling Articuno." Ash admitted.

Sergio presented what looked like a gold coin to Ash.

"This Ash is a Frontier symbol that you earn only at the Battle Frontier." He said.

"This one is called the Knowledge Symbol." Noland said. "And it's proof that you have beaten me."

The Knowledge Symbol had three small diamonds on it. Ash was happy to have earned his first Frontier Symbol. Noland also gave Ash something known as the Frontierfolio which was a case Ash could put his Frontier symbols in.

Since the battle was over, Articuno flew away. It flew away and then returned to the Battle Factory. Ash returned Lugia to his Poke Ball and sent him back to Prof. Oak's lab.

"Well now that this is over." Brock said. "We better head to Cerulean City."

"That's right, I nearly forgot that a Pokemon contest is being held there." May said.

Scott learned that Ash and May were entering the Kanto contests and he wished them luck. Scott also pointed out that the next battle facility was called the Battle Arena and it was near Saffron City. So the plan was to head to Cerulean City and then Saffron City.

The gang said goodbye to Scott, Noland and Sergio and then headed to Cerulean City for the first Pokemon contest in the Kanto Region.