Vileplume defends the Gym
"Hmm, I think I'll leave...my Vileplume."
I pulled out my pokeball to release my newest evolved pokemon. We were ready. Or so I thought.
"You'll be staying here to defend our team's gym," I explained as he looked about.
Other pokemon were hanging around the glass encased waiting area as well, waiting for their chance to defend this Team Mystic gym.
I took his petal like hand to guide him further into the room, but my Vileplume didn't budge.
"What's wrong?"
He swayed in place neither retreating or moving forward. I let go of his hand.
"We've trained a long time for this, Vileplume. You're ready. I know this is a big step for you and that's why we're here. I picked this gym for you because it's great for first time defenders. You'll be chilling and getting to know some new pokemon from our team. You can do this."
he croaked/chirped that strange way plant type pokemon seem to do and swayed a bit more. He nodded once and walked forward with more confidence than when we had walked in.
Once outside, I hailed Zeek and his companion Kabutops.
"So, you got one in?"
"Yeah, I left my Vileplume."
"Okay, where to next?"
"One of your gyms or a Valor one that we can take down," I suggested.
"Yeah!"
As we walked in companionable silence I looked back at the blue colored gym. I wasn't worried about my pokemon but...a little reassurance wouldn't be amiss.
"What's up? My brother asked as I opened my Pokedex.
"I decided to name my Vileplume Sugarplum."
Zeek erupted in laughter. "Nice! Wait, what did you name him?" He pointed to my Snorlax companion behind us.
"Marshmallow."
Zeek bursted into laughter again.
"Mallow for short."
"And that Igglybuff you hatched a few months back?"
I glared at him from the corner of my eye, walking faster. "Shut up."
He snickered as she caught up to me. "What?"
"If your gym is a full house, I'm not helping you get in," I warned. My pokemon are freaking adorable. So what if they have sweet names that belie their power and abilities? All the better against my opponents. In a gym or on stage. Especially a stage against other coordinators. Judges eat those details up.
"Ah, come on! I'm kidding. I think it fits them—I mean, it works. A grass/poison type named Sugar fairy-?"
"Sugar PLUM!"
"Yeah, and then it attacks with Acid? That's beast! Right, Ronin?"
I glanced at his silent Kabutops and nudged Zeek. "You should take notes from your pokemon. Hang on, I got a call to make."
I connected to the gym's communication system to see how my Vileplume—Sugarplum was doing. Thanks to Niantic's tech, I was able to "leave" a berry for my pokemon for motivation. Even if I was in another town, I'd be able to check on and have the gym's system deduct from my Items virtually to take care of him.
We continued walking and once we got to the next gym, Zeek left his Snorlax as a defender and we called it a day.
Sugarplum defended the gym for two days before returning to me. I couldn't be prouder and I know he's stronger for it.
"Is your Vileplume back?" Zeek grabbed a plate from the cupboard for his breakfast.
"Yeah. Hey, there's a message. It's about a Global Challenge event." Zeek leaned over my shoulder to read off my Pokedex.
"No way, Farfetch'd?!"