I faced Norman in the gym, everyone watching us with anticipation. Caroline sat between Max and May and her Pokémon all looked in through the window with interest, though Max's sat with him quietly.
"This official gym match between Norman the gym leader and Ruby the challenger will now be underway. This is a three on three battle where only the challenger is allowed to substitute Pokémon, the battle will continue until all of one trainer's Pokémon are unable to battle." Our referee called out as I stood at an angle, ready to battle as Aurora stood at my side. "Begin!"
"Alright, Aurora it's show time!" I instantly called, pointing out to the battlefield where Aurora leaped forwards and I smirked slightly as Norman sent out his Pokémon.
"Vigoroth! It's time to do battle!" That instantly made me start. Ash had said Norman had battled with Slakoth initially, guess I should have known Norman would have changed his tactics slightly, anticipating I would know all about his battle with Ash.
"Aurora, start this off with Quick Attack!" I called and Aurora instantly darted forwards, running speedily straight for Vigoroth who twitched with anticipation.
"Vigoroth, use Feint Attack." Norman directed calmly, folding his arms across his chest to watch the battle with a careful eye. Vigoroth instantly darted to the side, avoiding Aurora altogether then managed to roll behind her as she tried to turn her head and see.
"Aurora watch out!" I cried out but it was too late. Vigoroth slammed his shoulder against Aurora and she flew forwards, crying out but I kept my cool. "Use Focus Blast!" Aurora snapped herself out of her surprise and twisted around, forming a sphere and blasted it directly at Vigoroth with a direct hit, making Max cheer loudly.
"Awesome! Go on dad, you can do it!" He cheered and I couldn't help but smile. Aurora landed on the ground gracefully, throwing out an arm for balance as Vigoroth recovered from the attack, getting up slowly from the ground before shaking himself off.
"Good job Vigoroth. Now use Flamethrower."
"Dodge it." I ordered and Aurora instantly sprang out of the way as the fiery blast came right at her. Vigoroth did not give up and chased after her, using his claws to dig into the battlefield and launch himself after Aurora, keeping up the chase as she evaded several attempts of the attack. "Use Focus Blast again!"
"Counter with Slash!" As Aurora formed her sphere of focused energy, Vigoroth suddenly appeared in front of her and her eyes widened in a flash of fear, the glowing claw slicing down and she was tossed back like a rag doll.
"Aurora!" I made to take a step forwards as she hit the ground, waiting with a pounding heart as she lay there for a moment. "Aurora? Please stand up!" I begged and as the ref was about to raise his hand, Aurora growled determinedly and pushed herself up into a kneeling position, glaring up at Vigoroth before finally climbing to her feet and I sighed with relief. "Great work Aurora, come back for a rest." I ordered and she sprang back to my side as I drew out a Pokéball. "Scyther, you're up! Let's finish this right now!"
"Scyther!" My good friend called with a hum of his wings as he appeared, landing on the ground then struck a battle stance, the blades of his arms ringing clearly and I gave a small but proud smile as Scyther looked back to me.
"An excellent looking Scyther, I'm impressed Ruby. You've obviously been raising it well." Norman said to me and I bowed my head gratefully.
"Thank you. Scyther and I have been friends for a while now, haven't we buddy?" Scyther smiled sweetly and nodded his head in agreement.
"Scyther Scy." Turning my focus back to the battle I flung out a hand and clenched a fist, feeling the adrenaline starting to pump through my body with the excitement.
"Alright Scyther, let's see how all that training back home has paid off. Use X-Scissor!" I called with a punch ahead of me and Scyther instantly flew forwards with great speed, calling out determinedly as his scythes began to glow and he crossed them in front of him, slashing at the air and Vigoroth took the attack full on before Norman could even counter, making him gasp in surprise at my Scyther's speed. "Awesome! Way to go Scyther!" I called out and Scyther nodded his head to me as Vigoroth scraped hi claws against the ground, keeping himself upright before bounding forwards.
"Go Vigoroth, Feint Attack!"
"Dodge it!" I retaliated but Vigoroth was quick to change direction, managing to get behind Scyther and I ground my teeth slightly as he took the hit. "Keep calm Scyther, you're still in this!" I encouraged before holding out my hand. "Use Air Slash!"
"Flamethrower!" Norman called back and Vigoroth blasted its flames straight at Scyther, however my speedy Pokémon quickly slashed at the air, forming two glowing blue arcs that streaked straight for Vigoroth and when they connected with the Flamethrower, a huge explosion ensued, covering the space between the two Pokémon in a thick black smog which I instantly took advantage of.
"Go Scyther, X-Scissor!" I called out and Scyther flew forwards, using the smog as a cover before appearing directly in front of Vigoroth with a cry, slicing his blades and knocked Vigoroth out with a final hit.
"Vigoroth is unable to battle, the winner is Scyther!"
"Scyther!" He cheered proudly and I punched the air.
"Alright! Way to go buddy!" I chorused with laughter as our audience clapped in appreciation. Norman returned his Vigoroth with a word of thanks before turning to me.
"Excellent work Ruby, though this battle is far from over. Now Slaking, it's your turn!" He yelled determinedly and Scyther was faced with this huge beast of a Pokémon, a powerhouse of muscle and a mean looking piggy face.
"Slaking!" It roared and I recoiled slightly, gritting my teeth.
"Wow…that's a big Pokémon." I murmured before shaking myself awake. "Alright Scyther, we totally got this! Use Air Slash!"
"Block it Slaking!" Norman replied enthusiastically as Scyther slashed at the air and the two arcs rocketed straight for Slaking who smirked then lifted his hands, allowing the attack to smash against his palms, exploding loudly but didn't even make him flinch.
"What?! No way!" I gasped and even Scyther blinked in shock, taking a step back as Norman smirked.
"You're going to have to give us more power than that if you hope to win, Ruby." He challenged so I focused on Slaking, narrowing my eyes.
"Okay, if its power you want then power is what you'll get! Scyther, X-Scissor let's go!" Scyther slashed the air in a cross motion but once again Slaking blocked the attack, hardly taking on any damage at all and I was once again left in a stupor. That's just insane, how can Slaking withstand attacks like that?
"It's time Slaking, use Hyper Beam!" Norman ordered and instantly Slaking charged up the attack, opening its mouth and I gasped, recognising how powerful the attack was going to be.
"Quick Scyther, get out of the way!" I cried out but Scyther was this time too slow and the Hyper Beam struck full on, shooting Scyther across the room to then strike the wall and cause it to crack, Scyther crying out in pain before dropping to the ground and his head hung low, completely knocked unconscious by the powerful Hyper Beam attack.
"Scyther is unable to battle, the winner is Slaking!" Our ref declared and Slaking yelled in victory, beating his massive fists against his chest as I returned Scyther with a sad face.
"Thanks for such a great battle Scyther, I'm proud of you." I murmured before exchanging Pokéballs. I paused a moment and looked up at Slaking, who was glowering fiercely at me with Norman standing with his arms folded across his chest, regarding me carefully.
"I won't judge if you want to quit." He told me simply, though I knew he was only teasing me and I rose to the challenge with a smile.
"No way! You're yet to meet my knight in shining armour. Gallade! It's show time!" I yelled determinedly and with a flash of light Gallade appeared, instantly extending his arm blades and took up a battle stance without even saying a word, focusing solely on his opponent. "You can do this Gallade, I know you can. I have absolute faith in you." I told him as Norman nodded his head approvingly.
"I see you have thought about which Pokémon you would bring with you here to my gym. Very good. However, it shall not be enough to win. Slaking! Use Earthquake!" Norman roared and I smirked to myself, feeling my own battle spirit rise in competition with Norman's.
"Jump Gallade!" I yelled and Gallade instantly leaped into the air, his body forming a preying mantis like form as I then punched the air before me. "Now use Close Combat!" Gallade pressed his feet into the ceiling then powered forwards directly at Slaking as the ground trembled with powerful tremors.
"Slaking, use Focus Punch!" Norman countered and I was quick to answer.
"You're fast enough to dodge it Gallade, do it!" Gallade powered forwards then suddenly moved as Slaking punched forwards with a glowing fist. He slid over the attack then pounded a foot against Slaking's back, causing Slaking to cry out as Gallade then twisted and kicked out again whilst twisting in mid-air before punching at Slaking, catching its jaw with a right hook before dropping down and sweeping out its powerful legs from underneath it. "Yeah! Way to go!" I cheered loudly as Max leaped up.
"That was totally awesome!" He yelled and I laughed, clenching my fists tightly in anticipation as Slaking groaned before pushing himself back to all fours.
"You can do it Slaking, just stay focused." Norman encouraged, eyes narrowing as his arms dropped from his chest and his hands curled into claws. "Use Focus Punch again and keep it up!"
"Dodge it!" I countered and Gallade instantly began to manoeuvre backwards, easily slipping from side to side to avoid all the blows that Slaking landed at him. Gripping my necktie I twisted it around then tilted my hat forwards, revealing only my smirk before I pointed forwards with a yell. "Now Gallade, use Psychic!" I ordered and Gallade's eyes instantly began to glow with a bluish tinge as Slaking suddenly lifted off the ground, also glowing and it grunted in a panic. "Now toss it across the room Gallade with Leaf Blade!"
Gallade sprung forwards, arms illuminating with a bright green colour before he slashed at Slaking and the lazy Pokémon was flung backwards into a wall where a large split made some of the wall crumble and I winced slightly, feeling guilty for it having been destroyed, however Slaking groaned and began to get back up. No way, I was sure that would finish it off.
Slaking was panting for breath, Gallade waiting patiently as we all watched, Slaking grounding himself with flat hands, before finally keeling over. "Slaking is unable to battle. The winner is Gallade!" Gallade bowed his head as I cheered, jumping up into the air as Norman returned Slaking with a soft word of thanks.
"Very good, but this is not over yet. This is my last Pokémon and we're going to give it everything we've got! Spinda, I choose you!" I blinked in surprise at the unsuspecting dizzy looking Pokémon. It teetered on its feet, stumbling from side to side with red spots dotted over its body. "So Ruby, let's see you in your final stretch. Give us all you've got!" Norman challenged and I nodded my head.
"I wouldn't dream of giving anything less. Okay Gallade, time for another Leaf Blade! Let's finish this quickly!" Gallade instantly raced forwards with grace and began to slash at the Spinda, however it kept on stumbling out of the way, avoiding the attacks with surprising ease. "No way!" Norman smirked.
"I warned you not to underestimate us. Now Spinda, use Psybeam!" Norman ordered and Gallade was blasted at close range with a beam of psychic energy which had me gasping upon instinct.
"Gallade!" My Gallade was thrown backwards to the ground, however after a moment to collect himself, he sprang back to his feet and sliced his blades, making them ring determinedly. "That's the spirit Gallade, now use Night Slash!"
"Shadow Ball Spinda, let's do it!" Gallade slashed the air and a dark pulse shot out towards Spinda, however Spinda managed to sort of trip over its own feet and rolled out of the way before rising up and shooting a Shadow Ball straight at Gallade.
"Slice it Gallade, use Leaf Blade!" I quickly instructed and Gallade cut through the Shadow Ball easily, making it burst into tiny particles of dark green and purple dust which shone prettily around Gallade who had finished in a perfect contest pose, head bowed and arms positioned like a warrior that had just swung their mighty sword at their opponent. I saw May and Katrina's eyes sparkle at the effect and I chuckled, unable to help but smile before I returned my focus to the battle. "Perfect Gallade, now use Close Combat on that Spinda!" Gallade charged flawlessly forwards, focused on the Spinda however Norman didn't say anything. What was he doing? Was he entrusting Spinda to dodge?
However as Gallade drew in closer and drew back an arm ready to strike, Norman then called to his Pokémon. "Use Attract." My jaw went completely slack as Spinda blew a kiss at Gallade and little bubbles shaped like pink hearts blew out from the female Spinda's mouth and burst in Gallade's face, making him halt all at once.
"No! Gallade snap out of it!" I yelled but Gallade began to sway with Spinda, following her movements and ignored what I was saying. "Okay then, Gallade return, you were great out there." I informed him before turning to Aurora. "It's all up to you now girl, let's go out there and win this thing together." I said and she nodded her head with a gruff bark before springing forwards. "Okay, use Quick Attack!" This time Spinda was too slow for my Aurora who struck before Norman could even open his mouth. "Yes! Direct hit!"
"Spinda, use Psybeam!" Norman called and the burst of psychic energy went powering straight for Aurora. If that attack hits then it could all be over.
"Aurora, dodge it fast!" I called and she instantly sprang to the side, sliding effortlessly over the battlefield and avoided the attack. Both Norman and I were completely wrapped up in our battle, noticing nothing else save for what was happening in front of us. My heart was pounding with excitement, unable to hide my smile as I watched Aurora repeatedly dodge Spinda's Psybeam attacks. "Keep it up Aurora, you're doing great!"
"Spinda, use Shadow Ball!" Spinda instantly exchanged her attacks, shooting several dark spheres directly at Aurora who narrowed her eyes.
"Use Quick Attack and get in close to Spinda!" My voice carried out over the gym and Aurora instantly powered forwards, leaping off the Shadow Balls to deflect them before appearing behind Spinda who started to turn, however I was already calling out my next move. "Focus Blast!" Aurora growled, narrowing her eyes as she formed her sphere in front of her and just as Spinda faced her full on, she released her attack and the sphere slammed against Spinda, sending her flying across the gym and straight into Norman's arms as his eyes widened.
"Spinda! Spinda, are you alright?" He questioned but Spinda went limp, groaning softly so the referee called Aurora as the victor.
"Spinda is unable to battle, therefore the winner is Ruby and her Riolu, Aurora!" He declared and I instantly cheered with a leap up into the air, beaming happily before running forwards as Aurora leaped straight into my arms.
"You did it Aurora! We all did, we won!" I celebrated as our audience cheered. "I love you Aurora, you're just the greatest." I murmured lovingly to her as I held her close, smiling as she rubbed her head against my cheek before I looked up as Norman approached.
"An excellent battle Ruby, you've earned this badge for sure." He said then held out the Balance Badge, which was now all mine. "I wish you luck for all your other gym battles, I know you'll accomplish great things with your Pokémon." He said as I took it from him with a smile, still holding Aurora close to me.
"Thanks Norman, it was an amazing battle. I had great fun." I told him before leaping back and punching the air to show off my new badge. "Alright! This Balance Badge is mine all mine!" I cheered and Aurora chorused my celebration, making everyone laugh as they ran over.
"That was one of the greatest battles ever! It's one thing to see them on TV, but something totally different to see them in real life!" Katrina gushed and Max blinked at her before smiling softly with a slight blush to his cheeks which did not go unnoticed by May, who smirked slightly but I butted her with my hip, giving her a wink and she giggled but nodded her head and held her tongue.
"You were great Ruby, but you were just lucky my dad wasn't feeling his best today, otherwise there was no chance you would have won." Max stated proudly, though I could see that mischievous gleam in his eye, making me laugh.
"Oh I know Max, I'm very lucky indeed." I agreed and we all laughed together, including Norman who gripped his son's shoulder and Max looked up at him with an admiring gaze before Caroline invited us all in for lunch which I readily accepted, as I was starving!