Chapter 3: Butterflies in my stomach

After a good night's rest and a hearty breakfast, Christine and I set off to head to Santalune City for my first gym battle. I knew I couldn't battle the gym leader with only one pokemon so, I decided to catch one. I caught a Fletchling thanks to Froakie. But now, I'm so nervous to battle the gym leader. From rumors I've heard so was tough for beginning trainers. "What's the matter, Elijah?" Christine asked me. "I'm just nervous to battle the gym leader." I responded shyly. "Well, you're a tough trainer and you're confident and determined too." She stated. "That's a nice thing for you to say, but, I'm still a bit nervous." I said. At that moment a woman entered the Pokemon Center with a recording headset and a yellow and black pokemon in her bag. She looked over at Christine and I then said "You must be a trainer preparing to battle the gym leader, right?" "Yes," I started "are you the gym leader?" I asked her. "No, I'm a journalist" she said. "My name is Alexa, you're talking about my sister, Viola." she said correcting my guesses. "Wait, so the gym leader is your sister!" Christine asked in surprise. "Yep, she's a bug type gym leader." Alexa told us. 'Oh boy, now I really have 'butterflies' in stomach. I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Christine say "Thank you for the information and good-bye." "Thanks Alexa and good-bye." I said repeating Christine.

"Elijah" Christine started "I could tell that you became even more nervous than before." I knew she was right, I could tell because my hands were shaking very badly and I felt like I was going to regurgitate. "Nothing ever get past you, does it?" I asked her, trying to change the subject. She laughed and blushed slightly then punched my shoulder in a playful way. Even though it was playful it also packed a punch. "C'mon" Christine took my hand and we went down the street to the gym.

"Do you really think I'm ready?" I asked Christine. "Sure you are, you just need to conjure up that determination and confidence." she said encouragingly. "Okay, I'm going to go out there and show the gym leader what I've got!" I exclaimed. Just then Viola came out from behind a curtain. "So, your my challenger." Viola said looking me up and down. "Follow me" she said. When we came to a bright battle field, I gazed at the beautiful sight. "Ready to start this battle?"
Viola asked. "I'm always ready for a battle!" I said excited. "Okay then, lets get this show on the road, Surskit come on out!" Viola shouted as she hurled a pokeball towards the middle of the battle field. "Froakie, come on out and show Viola what we got!" I yelled as I threw out a pokeball towards the middle of the field like Viola's pokeball. Surskit and Froakie glared at each other as the battle began.

(Battle Scene)
Viola: Surskit use tackle!
Surskit charged towards Froakie
Elijah: Froakie dodge and use Pound!
Froakie jumped over Surskit then turned around and slapped it
Elijah: Awesome! Now, Froakie use Water Pulse
Viola: Surskit dodge and use your ability
Surskit moved sideways dodging the attack and then covered the floor in ice
Elijah: Froakie use Pound on the floor!
Froakie slammed his hand on the floor shattering the ice
Viola: how... that's not even possible!
Elijah: Froakie and I make the impossible possible! Now, Froakie finish this with Quick Attack
Froakie sped towards Surskit and slammed into it sending it flying through the air
Viola: Wow you're stronger than i thought you would be. Okay, Vivillion come on out!
A butterfly appeared in the air it was beautiful because of it's pattern
Viola: Vivillion use gust!
Vivillion's gust blew Froakie away sending him crashing into the ground
Elijah: Froakie! Are you okay?
Froakie responded by jumping out of the crater it was in
Elijah: Alright then, lets finish this battle once and for all by using water pulse
Vivillion braced itself for the impact but impact was so strong Vivillion was sent to the ground once it fainted
Viola stood in disbelief as the one move sent her Pokemon to defeat
(End Battle Scene)

"Well I don't know how you did it but good job kid, you earned this." Viola said while she held out a gym badge in her hand. "T-This is for me?" I asked dumbfounded. "Mmhm, you earned it" Viola said reassuring me that the badge was rightfully mine. I accepted the badge and then jumped for I was filled with joy. "I got my first gym badge!" I yelled excitedly. Christine was sitting on a bench outside the battle field asleep. "Christine, I got my first gym badge!" I yelled at her, scaring her out of her sleep, causing her to sit up in excitement. "Whats with all the yelling?" she asked. "I got my first gym badge!" I said excitedly. "That's great, now we can go to the Pokemon Center and keep going on our journey!" Christine said now fully awake. She jumped up and gathered her things. "Oh, I almost forgot to give you these." she said and handed me some things. She handed me a Holo-caster, a Region Map, and weird looking bracelet. She told me the bracelet was from Professor Sycamore. I wonder why Professor Sycamore would give me this. Christine has one also, there is something going on here and I'm going to find out what.