Disclaimer: I don't own anything.


Byron asked me if I needed anything. I asked him for my clothes without hesitation. If I was going to play along as Roark, I'll definitely have to look like him first. He said he'll send them with the Staravia Delivery Service as soon as he got home.

After he left, Nurse Joy came back. This time, without the doctor. Stress was all over her face and I didn't want to think what would happen if there were anymore visitors.

"So, shall we continue? You said this place is a game world?"

I wasn't sure whether if I should keep telling the truth. Did it really matter now? They weren't going to believe whatever I say and probably conclude that I'll need mental treatment. I needed to get out of here as soon as possible and start training. I had to go find the dimension gods - and the real Roark. I don't have time for needless therapy.

"Well, yes. You can just think I had a bad dream, though. I mean, maybe I dreamt that this place was a game world..."

Her face brightened and she scribbled down some notes. Cranidos perked up at the sound.

"Oh, good! You're memory seems to be recovering. It's not much, but it's a start."

See what I mean?

"I guess all those visitors affected you in one way or another..." She said thoughtfully. "Maybe it's best if you go home."

"But you said I was going to have to stay awhile."

"Only if we feel you need medical attention, which you don't seem to need. You can tell me when you're ready to leave, I'll be at the nurse's lounge."

The moment she turned to leave, I remembered something.

"Wait! Do you have an eye specialist here?"


I got new glasses for free, and the world was looking better through the lens. It hadn't been uncomfortable without them since I was in the hospital all along. Still, it's better than having blurry vision.

Byron's package arrived not so long after. Mining clothes as I expected. I changed into those, wearing my pink T-shirt and black shorts underneath the leather clothes. Surprisingly, they fit me well. Did this guy have a small figure in reality? Or maybe fate changed these clothes to my size...even the boots fit me. Cranidos seemed to like me better in the clothes his real master used to wear.

Well, no time to think. Anything left behind? Nope. I went to tell Nurse Joy that I was leaving, with Cranidos trotting beside me.

"Good-bye! Hope your memory returns soon!"

The moment I stepped out of the hospital, there were camera flashes, and reporters were shouting all at once that I couldn't understand what they were saying. Cranidos clutched my legs while trying to hide. Being careful not to tread over him, I backed into the hospital lobby. Just how was I going to get to Oreburgh through all those people...

"Need an escort?" A small girl with a pink twin-tailed hairstyle jumped out from behing the information desk. I was glad to see her.

"Mira? What are you doing here?"

"I saw them lurking around when I left. Cheryl and Riley said they would clear the area, but Cynthia said it would be better if I helped." She took out her pokeball and released her kadabra.

"I'll teleport you to the Oreburgh Gym. That way we don't waste energy." This girl was a genius. I must remember to make a Mira fan-club on my blog when I'm back in the real world.

"Ready? Kadabra, use Teleport!"

I didn't feel anything. In fact, my surroundings changed within a blink of an eye and I was in front of a large gym. I looked around to see a brownish city with lots of boulders. There was also the famous mining site. Cranidos seemed delighted to be back home.

"Thanks a million, Mira."

"No problem. Say, if there's a challenger here, can I watch?"

"You can... but I'm not sure if I'll be able to battle well..."

"You'll be fine! Let's go in!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the gym. The receptionist was busily writing something at his desk and didn't look up. Mira bounded up to him and asked,

"Hi! Is there a challenger today?"

"Yes, Mira. A girl named Dawn came by. She's staying at the pokemon center. Shall I contact her?"

"Yup. Tell her that she'll be battling the real gym leader!"

At that, he looked up and saw me. He almost fell out of his chair.

"You're back! Where have you been all this time?"

"Uhh... I don't know. My memory's kinda lost, so can you please keep the questions until I recover?"

"Sure... I'll pass it along to the other workers. My god... I'm so glad to see you again! It's been tough without you. Byron's been looking after the mine while you were gone, but we had to reduce the usual work since he had another mine to take care of. We've been experiencing energy shortage a couple of times."

"Oh boy..." I muttered. I had forgotten about Roark's other job as a supervisor at the mine. Well, forget about that for now.

"Anyway, the battle's important. Contact the challenger, but give me some time to get used to Cranidos. It's my first battle..."

Both of them looked confused, and I hurridly added,

"It's my first battle upon returning. I might have lost some skill, you know...?"

The receptionist nodded. He picked up the phone and started dialing. I looked at Mira, who was sitting on the desk and kicking her feet.

"Mira, can you take me to the battle field?"

"Okay! Follow me." She said, jumping off and skipping away.


The battle field was exactly how I imagined it to be. A large field with a few boulders. I tried out a few attacks with Cranidos to see what moves he had.

"So... it's Stealth Rock, Headbutt, Pursuit, Take Down..." Not bad. I had done plenty of battles in games, but seeing an actual pokemon move and launch attacks was quite new to me. Still, this battle shouldn't be too difficult since this is the first gym rookie trainers take on. I'd easily win it...maybe?

"Hi! You all made it!" Mira yelled happily as a few people walked over to the stands. Cynthia, Lucian, Riley, Cheryl, Buck, Flint, Volkner, and Byron... She must have called them over. I felt as if sweat was already dripping down my back. I was going to battle in front of them?

"If you're wondering why we're here," Lucian called out, "it's important for us to check if you can continue your gym leading job. We'll watch and discuss. You just battle the way you want."

How? My eyes met with Cynthia's and her voice echoed inside my head.

'You can't just crush every challenger to win against them. It takes a lot of training to make a gym leader who knows how to battle people considering their level and style.'

I guess that's the point. I have to keep that in mind and do my best. I need this job. Cranidos has to evolve first before I decide to head off to Mt. Coronet. There's no place better than the gym to train, and I'll have unlimited access to every necessary facility. Plus, I'll be able to earn money for supplies.

"The challenger has arrived! I'll referee for you!" Mira hopped over to the side and stood at the middle. Dawn came in, smiling nervously. I nodded at her and she seemed to relax. The same Dawn from the games and anime... she'd have a Piplup, right?

"Wait! You forgot something!" The receptionist guy came running across the field and tossed me something red and round. I caught it - Roark's signature red mining helmet. I put it on, hearing cheers from Buck and Flint.

"Now please get out of the way." Seeing that he settled himself on the stands, Mira said loudly.

"We'll begin the battle! It's one-on-one with no substitutions."

"Good luck." I whispered as Cranidos stood in front of me.

"Into the spotlight!" Dawn yelled as she gracefully tossed a ball. As I thought, a Piplup appeared.

"Ready? The challenger has the first move!" Mira blew a whistle (where did she get that?)

"Piplup use Bubble!" The little penguin shot bubbles out of its mouth. They didn't look like those bubbles you blow with soap water, but more like transparent marbles. They would do a lot of damage to Cranidos unless...

"Ummm... Stealth Rock!" Some boulders cracked to pieces and shot itselves to Piplup, popping the bubbles on the way. Piplup was startled at the hurling rocks, but it was even more confused when they didn't attack. Dawn called out in a reassuring voice.

"Piplup, they won't hurt you! Use Bide!" Piplup started to glow white and store energy. Now what move should I use?

"Pursuit?" I said uncertainly. Cranidos approached Piplup and hit it once. Piplup was still storing energy but began to glow brighter.

"Use Headbutt and get back here as fast as you can!" Knocking Piplup backwards, Cranidos started to run, though his short legs did not provide much speed. Piplup unleashed a large amount of energy and Cranidos was thrown towards me, skidding on the ground face-first. Fortunately, it looked like he didn't receive much damage.

"You okay?" Cranidos got up and faced Piplup again. "Good. Use Take Down!" He made a full-body slam and Piplup was knocked backwards again. However, Dawn yelled, "Bubble!" and Piplup managed to get Cranidos attacked by those spheres. Getting directly attacked by a Water-type move wasn't good...

'Battle people considering their level and style.'

"Use Headbutt and pull back!" Since Dawn was only a rookie trainer, Piplup didn't have moves that were ranged, save for Bubble. Since I would just pop them with Stealth Rock, she made Cranidos come close to Piplup by using Bide and making our turns change so that I had to attack after it was unleashed.

"Bubble!" Another direct attack. Cranidos wasn't fast enough to get out of range quickly enough. His HP was runnig low and I didn't have any Potions. Piplup was looking strong and I was sure Dawn would've come stocked with Potions.

I was going to lose this battle. She had the type advantage, and I certainly didn't have any better moves that would be super effective against Piplup. The very least I could do was attack until the battle was over. I chose the strongest damage-dealing move. Hoping that Cranidos wouldn't fall from being recoiled, I gave an order.

"Take Down!" For the last time, I guess. Cranidos launched itself and slammed Piplup with his body again. I thought Dawn was going to order another Bubble attack, but Piplup sprawled onto the ground and didn't get up while Cranidos stood.

"That was a critical hit! Piplup is unable to battle! The gym leader wins!" Mira said. Cranidos promptly fainted after the announcement.

"Uh... I still won, right?" I asked. Mira laughed and nodded. I put Cranidos back into his ball. It was a short battle, but I was already drained as if I ran a marathon. Dawn approached me with her hand outstretched, and I shook it.

"You were great. I could've lost." She shook her head.

"I heard that you had lost part of your memory. If you battled in your best condition, I would've lost within seconds. Thanks for giving your all."

"You, too. Come back again."

After Dawn left for the pokemon center, the people from the stands came down.

No one was smiling, though. Did I do something wrong?


Author's note: Yes, I fixed Dawn's catchphrase "Spotlight". Couldn't think of anything else lol. Hope the battle scene wasn't too lame. If it was, I'd be delighted to receive critiques and suggestions. Reviews are welcome, but not flames.