"We're back!" Tyler announced as he and Tessa entered the Gym. Cassie, Karina, Cade, Kiren and the girl ran over. The girl stole Slugma from his arms and hugged it fiercely.
"Thank you so much!" she cried. "You got back my Meg!"
"Actually, it was because of Tessa that we got it back," he swung an arm over her shoulders, pulling her into him. She was still holding Vulpix, but she removed one arm to hug him.
"Thank you so much," the girl said to Tessa. "I'm so sorry for accusing you of stealing it."
"It's okay," Tessa smiled. "I'm just glad it's okay."
She nodded and looked up at Tyler. "As you may have already guessed, I am Flannery, the Gym Leader of the Lavaridge Gym."
"Yes, I assumed," he nodded. "Now, about that battle?"
"Your request is granted," she nodded. "We'll have it now. It'll be my way of showing my thanks."
He nodded and looked down at Tessa. "You and the others have to go sit up on the seats to watch."
She frowned. "Do I have to?"
He laughed. "Yes."
"Can't I stay? Please?" Tyler looked at her expression and he found it so cute it was irresistible.
"She can stay with you if she wants," Flannery giggled.
"Alright then," he chuckled. "You can stay with me."
She smiled and he watched the others walk over to the seats and sit down to watch the battle. Tessa returned her Vulpix and stood beside him as Flannery took her place on the other side of the field, returning her Slugma. Tyler led Tessa to where he needed to stand on his side of the field. Normally she would have to stand back or sit on the seats around the battlefield, but she clearly didn't want to leave his side. He found that comforting.
"Alright," Flannery smiled. "We each have to use three Pokémon. Only when all three Pokémon are unable to battle will the winner be decided. Only the challenger may substitute."
"Understood," Tyler nodded and caught a confused look on Tessa's face.
"I don't get it," she mumbled.
"You'll understand better when the battle starts," he smiled.
"Okay," she nodded.
Tyler looked up at Flannery. "You can choose first."
"Oh, a gentlemen," she smiled and bowed. "Very well." She pulled a Pokéball from her belt and threw it in the air. "Mag! I choose you!"
Tyler saw a Magcargo appear in front of Flannery and remembered Ash had told him about it. It had evolved from a Slugma whilst battling Team Rocket who had stolen her Torkoal. His eyes narrowed. It was Torkoal he was concerned about. He knew it had an Iron Defense attack that Ash had struggled to beat, but the older boy hadn't told him how he did it. He said he had to figure it out himself.
Now which Pokémon should he choose? he thought. Electrike was fast. Jolteon was strong. Mareep was determined, but probably still too young for such a challenge. Magnemite had strong electric attacks. And Plusle and Minun were strong, but only as a team. But he had to choose three to battle.
He grabbed a Pokéball from his belt and prayed he was making the right choice. He threw it up into the air. "Plusle, let's work!"
"Plusle?" Tessa blinked. "Against her Pokémon?"
"She can handle it," Tyler said. He probably sounded surer than he felt as he watched Plusle standing tall. He smiled. "She can handle it," he repeated.
"Let's hope so," Tessa nodded.
"I chose the first Pokémon," Flannery smiled. "So you can call the first move."
"Thanks," he nodded. "Alright, Plusle, use Agility!"
Plusle shot forward, moving side to side just like Tyler trained her to do.
"Mag, dodge it," Flannery called.
Mag turned and jumped out of the way before Plusle could strike it.
"Now use Flamethrower!" Flannery smiled.
"Uh oh…" Tyler heard Tessa mumble.
He smiled. "Plusle, use Fake Tears!"
"Fake Tears?" Tessa blinked, looking up at him. He flashed her a sneaky smile.
"Watch," he told her.
They turned back to the battle and saw Mag just about to start its Flamethrower when tears formed in Plusle's eyes and it started crying. Mag hesitated and Plusle stopped crying, grinning evilly at Mag.
"Now use Thunder!" Tyler ordered.
Plusle cried out as it used its attack and it shocked Mag. The Pokémon cringed and turned on Plusle, firing a Flamethrower at her.
Plusle yelped as it fell back and Tyler growled. "Can you keep going?" he asked.
"Plus!" she nodded and jumped to her feet. He smiled.
"Awesome!" he said. "Try a Quick Attack!"
Plusle moved with incredible speed and shot towards Mag.
"Dodge it!" Flannery demanded.
Mag turned to move, but Plusle slammed into it, knocking it back. But Mag got back up with a struggle.
"Come on, Plusle!" Cassie called. "You can win this!"
"Mag, use Flamethrower!" Flannery said.
"Plusle, use Thunder!" Tyler ordered.
Both Pokémon fired their attacks and they collided in the middle. They caused a huge explosion and the smoke went everywhere; Tyler could barely see Tessa beside him. When the smoke cleared, Tyler looked out onto the battlefield; Mag and Plusle were only just standing. They were both tired from the attacks they endured. Tyler knew it took all of Plusle's energy to stay standing as Mag fell.
Flannery smiled and returned her Pokémon. "You did well," she said to the Pokéball. She put it to her belt and grabbed another one. "You're a tough Trainer," Flannery told Tyler.
"Thanks," Tyler nodded. "You are too." He held up Plusle's Pokéball. "Return, Plusle. You deserve a long rest. I might need you later." Plusle was sucked into the Pokéball and he watched Flannery throw her new Pokéball.
"Meg! You're up!" she called and her Slugma appeared.
Tyler thought for a moment. Now which of his Pokémon was ready to battle? He smiled and nodded, grabbing another Pokéball. He threw it into the air. "Electrike! You're up!"
Electrike appeared in front of him and growled, ready for the fight.
"Meg, use Smog," Flannery said.
Meg took a deep breath before exhaling a huge black smoke, surrounding the whole field. Tyler couldn't see Electrike, but he knew it was still there.
"Electrike," Tyler murmured slowly. "You're fast. We can use speed in this battle. You might not be able to see Slugma, but if it can't see you, you have an advantage."
"What's the point saying all this out loud?" Flannery asked.
"Yeah," Tessa looked up at him. "Shouldn't a Trainer keep his strategies to himself?"
"I said all of that," Tyler grinned, "because Electrike has already moved."
"What?" Flannery exclaimed.
"Slugma!" Meg cried out and was thrown into the air, out of the smoke.
"Good, Electrike!" Tyler chuckled. "Now use Thunder!"
He still couldn't see his Pokémon, but he saw the electricity that flew up and hit Meg. It came crashing down and the smoke cleared. Electrike stood there proudly as Meg struggled to stand up.
"Woo!" Karina shouted. "Go, Electrike!"
"Meg, use Flamethrower!" Flannery ordered.
Meg opened its mouth and fired a Flamethrower. Electrike dodged neatly out of the way.
"Now use Body Slam!" Flannery smiled.
Meg jumped into the air and Electrike skidded to a stop and looked up at Meg. It came crashing down on the Electric Pokémon and Tyler gasped. Electrike was out. Meg was stronger than it looked.
Tyler sighed and returned his Pokémon. "You did good, Electrike. Thanks."
"Looks like speed didn't help you much," Flannery teased, making Tyler frustrated. "Choose your next Pokémon."
"Oh, you're not seeing my third until the end," Tyler chuckled and threw a Pokéball. "Plusle, I need you again!"
Plusle appeared and she stood tall. Tyler knew that she was tired, but he needed her to win this battle. He saw her stumble and at the corner of his eye he saw Tessa flinch.
"Are you okay?" he asked her.
"Yes," she nodded. "It's just… Plusle is really determined to make you proud. She's tired, but she isn't going to give up."
"How do you know?"
"I just… I can sense it…" she mumbled. "I don't know how… I just can."
He smiled. "Thanks for telling me." She smiled back up at him. He turned back to Plusle. "And thank you, buddy. Let's win this battle."
"Plus!" she nodded and stumbled again.
"You can do it, Plusle!" Karina cheered.
"Meg, finish off Plusle with a Body Slam," Flannery sighed.
Meg jumped into the air and came down on Plusle.
"Plusle, use Spark," Tyler said.
Sparks flew off Plusle's body and Meg struck her. She fell to the ground but Tyler saw sparks flying around Meg, making it cringe and cry out. The attack got stronger and Plusle was the one crying out as the electricity got bigger, brighter and stronger. There was an explosion and dust went everywhere. Tyler covered his face and panic rose in his chest. What happened to Plusle?
The smoke cleared and both Pokémon were standing tall in front of each other. But then they both fell, unable to get up. Plusle was sprawled over Meg and they were both in a heap.
"Well would you look at that," Flannery smiled, her face softening at the sight of the two of them. Tyler had to admit, it looked cute.
They both returned their Pokémon and Tyler held Plusle's Pokéball in his hand. "Thank you. You did me proud."
"She did well," Tessa smiled. Tyler nodded.
"Down to one Pokémon left," Flannery smiled and threw her last Pokéball. "Torkoal, you're up!"
Torkoal, Tyler thought, her strongest Pokémon. Now he needed his strongest Pokémon. But would it be enough? He held the Pokéball in his hand and looked at it. Would it be enough to earn the Heat Badge?
"I'm sure you're Pokémon will do good," Tessa told him. "You just have to trust your Pokémon and believe in it, as well as believe in yourself to know what to do."
The words struck him. She never sounded so sure about something like that. He smiled and nodded, holding the Pokéball up to her face. "For good luck?" he smirked.
She giggled and kissed the Pokéball. "There."
"Aw!" Cassie and Karina called.
Tyler looked at Tessa. "You ready for this?"
"Go for it," she smiled.
He nodded and threw the Pokéball. "Let's go, Jolteon!"
Jolteon appeared and crouched down. "Jolt, Jolt!" it barked.
"Go, Jolteon!" Cassie and Karina cheered. "You can win this!"
"Gotta love the cheering section," Tyler chuckled. Tessa laughed and nodded.
Flannery smiled. "This will be an interesting match," she said. "Let's get started. Torkoal, use Flamethrower!"
"Use Agility to dodge it, Jolteon," Tyler ordered.
"Jolt!" it nodded and waited. When Torkoal fired the attack, Jolteon jumped to the side and ran at the Coal Pokémon.
"Use Double Kick!" Tyler called.
"Iron Defense," Flannery waved her hand.
Torkoal withdrew into its shell and Jolteon's Double Kick was deflected.
"Damn!" Tyler growled. "Ash said it was hard to beat!"
"Ash?" Flannery echoed. "So you know him."
"Yeah, we were buddies at one stage," Tyler nodded, remembering the day they met; Tyler was visiting his uncle in Pallet Town and he met Ash as he was walking past his house. They had started talking and Tyler had met Ash's adorable Pikachu who had stuck by its Trainer from the very beginning. Tyler had admired the bond between Ash and Pikachu and he had only wished he could have that connection with his own Pokémon. Ash had said that one day he would, but Tyler was still unsure.
"Well being buddies with him won't win you this battle," Flannery shrugged. "Torkoal, Overheat!"
"Uh oh," Tyler mumbled. "This isn't good."
"Just remember; believe in your Pokémon, and yourself," Tessa put a hand on his shoulder.
He looked at her and nodded with a smile. "Thanks." He turned back to Jolteon, who was waiting for orders as Torkoal spat out a huge flamethrower. "Jolteon, dodge it and use Quick Attack."
Jolteon jumped out of the way of the attack and a white light surrounded it as it tore towards Torkoal.
"Iron Defense," Flannery said and Torkoal hid in its shell again. Jolteon hit it but bounced right off, the damage going to it. Torkoal came out of its shell and blew black smoke from its nose.
Tyler growled. How was he going to get past Torkoal's Iron Defense? "Try a Pin Missile attack!"
Jolteon's back turned white and its spikes moved up. Tiny needles flew from Jolteon's back and aimed for Torkoal.
"Iron Defense," Flannery waved her hand.
Torkoal went back into its shell and the needles bounced off harmlessly.
Frustration surged through Tyler as he tried to think of a way to get past that Iron Defense. Tessa took his hand and he looked down at her. But she wasn't looking at him or giving him words of advice; her eyes were clouded as she stared straight ahead at the battle. Was something wrong?
"You won't get past it," she said in a quiet monotone voice.
Tyler blinked. "We'll see. Jolteon, try a Thundershock!"
Jolteon nodded and fired the electric attack. Flannery called for another Iron Defense and Torkoal hid in its shell. The attack did nothing to harm Torkoal.
"I told you," Tessa whispered.
What was wrong with her? Tyler thought. Moments ago she was saying that he had to believe, and now she was practically mocking him.
"If you want to defeat me, you have to attack the side," she muttered. Tyler's eyes widened. "Attacking the top of my shell will do nothing."
"Tessa?" Tyler murmured. "Tessa? Wake up."
Tessa blinked and shook her head roughly. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "I know how you can beat it!"
"I think you just told me," he breathed.
She tilted her head to the side and, in any other occasion, Tyler would laugh and tell her how cute it was when she did it; but not this time. "I did?" she asked.
He nodded. "I'll tell you later," he turned back to Jolteon. "Use Double Kick!"
Flannery sighed. "Iron Defense again, Torkoal."
Jolteon ran at Torkoal and it hid inside its shell again. Tyler smirked. "Attack it on the side!"
Jolteon jumped up and kicked the side of Torkoal's shell. Torkoal went spinning and came out of its shell. Flannery gasped.
"Now use Thunder!" Tyler called.
"Jolt!" Jolteon smiled and let off its attack. The electricity was so bright that Tyler had to squint his eyes to watch it. Torkoal was electrocuted.
"Tor!" it cried.
"Good job, Jolteon!" Cassie called.
"Keep it up!" Karina added.
Both Pokémon were getting tired now, Tyler could see Jolteon's legs were shaking, barely keeping it up. Torkoal was the same, blowing black smoke from its nose and shell.
"Double Kick, again," Tyler commanded.
Jolteon ran at Torkoal and used Double Kick, throwing Torkoal back.
"Finish it with Thundershock!" Tyler grinned.
Jolteon nodded. "Jolt, Jolt!" it sent out an electrifying attack and struck Torkoal. Torkoal fell back and was out. Jolteon stood tall and proud and Tyler smiled.
Flannery sighed and returned her Pokémon. "You did great, Torkoal. Thanks." She walked across the field towards Tyler as Jolteon ran to his side.
"So, you won?" Tessa asked him.
"He sure did," Flannery smiled and held her hand out. Tessa rose up on her toes to look into Flannery's hand. Tyler saw the Heat Badge sitting in her palm and Tessa blinked at it with awe. "By beating me, you have earned the Heat Badge."
"Thanks," Tessa watched as Tyler took the badge from Flannery's hand. "It was a great battle."
"I agree," she looked at Tessa. "It seemed like you battled a little harder with your little friend by your side."
"Little?" Tessa grumbled, crossing her arms. "Who are you calling little?"
Tyler and Flannery laughed and the others came running down. "Congrats, man," Kiren smiled.
"Thanks," Tyler smiled. "But it was Tessa who helped me out."
"I did?" Tessa blinked.
"Yep," he nodded.
"And we need to have a talk," Cassie and Karina were on her again. Tyler sighed.
"What? Why?" Tessa asked.
"Actually, I think Kiren needs to have a talk to her first," Tyler murmured. Everyone looked at him but he shook his head. "Later."
Flannery smiled. "Well it was good to battle you. I had fun. You should rest up now."
"I'll be back to battle you tomorrow," Karina told her.
"I'm looking forward to it," Flannery bowed her head. "Bye now."
"Bye," Tyler said and they headed out of the Gym.
Cassie looked up at Tyler. "Why can't we talk to Tessa first?"
"Because Kiren needs to," Tyler answered.
"But why?" Karina asked.
"Because it's more important," Tyler reflected.
"If you want to defeat me, you have to attack the side," she'd muttered. "Attacking the top of my shell will do nothing."
Something had happened to Tessa, he thought. It had to have something to do with her psychic ability because she had been talking as if she were the Torkoal…
"What does Kiren need to talk to me about?" Tessa asked.
"I'll talk to her now," Kiren offered. "You guys go on ahead."
"Alright," Tyler nodded.
"Fine," Cassie smiled and grabbed Tyler's arm, making his heart race with panic. "We'll talk to you then."
Karina grabbed his other arm and he gulped. "Yeah, let's go." Cade hurried with them as Tyler was rushed off by the two girls, leaving Tessa with Kiren. He wondered how she was going to take it…