People, let me get something straight real quick. The only reason I'm updating so fast is because I'm getting good reviews. My other stories rarely get any reveiws, so I don't feel motivated to write them. But when I get reviews like the ones you guys have given me, it motivates me to write. As long as I keep getting reveiws, you can expect updates often, maybe even daily if I don't have too many interruptions. After all, I have no real life to speak of outside the net. Yeah, I'm that pathetic.

Now for the character reveals. Zapperton is based off of Popple from Mario and Luigi: Superstar Sagas. COREM is based off of Clank from the Ratchet and Clank series. Zephyr is based off of GIR from Invader Zim. Finally, Psyche is based off of Sasha Nein from Psychonauts.

Anyway, on with the chapter.

Chapter 10:Petalburg Gym Battle

We were now in Petalburg City. After a good night's sleep, we had packed things up and headed on over here. After having the team fixed up at the Pokemon Center (except for Kirlia, who refused to leave my side) and getting a map of the region, (which I thanked Psyche for reminding me of) we had arrived at the gym.

"So, this is the Petalburg Gym?"I asked, looking at the building in intrigue.

"It would appear so,"Psyche said."It looks a bit different from the Sinnoh Gyms, but I suppose that's to be expected."

"Hey, what type of pokemon does this guy have, boss?"Zaps asked."For that matter, what's his name?"I looked at a sign near the entrance, and I couldn't help but snicker a bit.

"His name's Norman, and he uses Normal types,"I told them. They looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"Well, then, we will have a good advantage,"COREM remarked."Wrath is immune to normal type moves, and Anubis will have an advantage against him, being a fighting type."I nodded in agreement.

"We'll have to be careful, though,"I warned."I've overheard people talking about Norman on our way here. They practically worship him in this town, so he must be pretty strong."

"Ha! We beat the Champion of Sinnoh, boss!"Zaps said, his usual arrogance showing."This guy'll be a cakewalk, see?"

"Don't get a swelled head, Zapperton,"Psyche scolded."Remember, we only beat her because she was out of practice. I'm sure that if she had fought at her best, we would of had a much harder time."Zapperton crossed his arms and looked away, but he didn't argue.

"Let's just make sure not to let our guard down,"I said, gaining their attention."Now, let's go."We walked inside the building, and were immediately greeted with a shout.

"WHOA!"a kid shouted, staring at us with wide eyes. The boy had blue hair and wore a green shirt and glasses. He ran over to us, looking through us with wide eyes."Aren't you Ken Woods!?"

"Uhh, yeah,"I said uncertainly."How do you know that?"

"I've heard about you!"he said with a massive grin."You beat the Sinnoh Champion Cynthia last week!"I raised an eyebrow.

"Wow, news sure travels fast,"I said. The boy then turned on his heel and ran into another room.

"Mom! Dad! May! Kirlia! You'll never guess who's here!"Kirlia?

"Calm down, honey,"a new, feminine voice said."Now speak slowly. Who's here?"

"Has Ash come by to visit?"another male voice asked. Wait, these people knew that Ash kid from the news?

"Ash? What's he doing here?"a younger girl's voice questioned.

"It's not Ash! It's that guy who beat Cynthia last week!"

"Really?"the older male asked. The boy then walked back into the room, dragging a man by his arm, another Kirlia following them."Well, what do you know? It really is him."He smiled at me, walking over to us. He held his left hand towards me."I'm Norman, the Petalburg Gym leader."

"Uh, sir,"I glanced down at Kirlia, who was holding my left hand, showing him the problem. He raised an eyebrow, then shrugged and held his other hand out. I shook it with my free hand.

"Is there something wrong with your Kirlia?"he asked, looking down at her. I noticed her scowling at him.

"She's...a little anti-social,"I muttered.

"How anti-social?"he asked, crouching down to her level.

"Uhhh..."

"Kill!"she shouted, throwing him back with a confusion attack. I cringed as he landed on his rear.

"Dad!"the boy shouted, he and his Kirlia running up to him as he stumbled to his feet.

"Ah, that anti-social,"he remarked, rubbing his head."What happened?"

"I don't know,"I told him."We found her just yesterday. I'm the only one she likes. My Lucario says she has a black aura, and my Alakazam told me that it means she was turned into what's called a Shadow Pokemon."He raised an eyebrow.

"Well, that certainly doesn't sound good,"he said with a frown. He blinked once."Wait, you can understand your pokemon?"I nodded.

"Well, not just mine,"I admitted."I can understand any pokemon. Something I was born with."I know what you're thinking, folks. But Arceus said I can't tell people about my elemental powers. He said it's perfectly fine if they know about my other ability, so long as I don't go bragging about it, which I would never do.

"You can not,"the other Kirlia said skeptically. I looked at her with a smile.

"I can so,"I told her, causing her jaw to drop. The boy looked at her, noticing her expression.

"That is so cool!"he said excitedly.

"Oh, yes, this is my son, Max,"Norman said, motioning to him."So, I take it you're here to challenge my gym?"I nodded.

"Yes, sir. We've decided to travel to Hoenn to compete in the league here,"I told him.'That and take out the CS bases in the region.'I added mentally.

"Well, then, right this way!"he said with a grin.

XXXX

"This will be a 3-on-3 battle between the challenger, Ken Woods, and the gym leader, Norman, with no time limit!"the referee said, who we'll call Rob. I was now standing across the battlefield from Norman, placing my goggles ovr my eyes. My goggles had pretty much become my trademark. Why did I wear my goggles in every battle, you ask? Well, those attacks can get pretty damn bright, folks.

Anyway, Norman's family was now sitting on the sidelines to my left. I could sense a lot of anticipation coming from them, but also a lot of confidence that Norman would win. I tried not to dwell on that. Kirlia was now standing right next to me, while the rest of my team was standing a few feet behind me. Since Kirlia refused to leave my side, and attacked pretty much anyone who got too close to us, the team was forced to stay away from me. I didn't necessarily mind, but I was hoping that I'd be able to fix her soon so we wouldn't have this problem in the future.

"Norman will choose his pokemon first!"Rob said.

"Let's see if the if I can take on the Champ!"Norman said, throwing a pokeball forward and releasing a Linoone. I scratched my chin, looking at the team.

"Psyche, you're up,"I said. He nodded, walking a few feet around us, not wanting to provoke Kirlia. He stood in front of the Linoone, his usual calm demeanor showing through.

"Begin!"

"Linoone, use Fury Swipes!"Norman shouted. Linoone then kicked forward into a sprint, lunging at Psyche with claws bared.

"Confusion,"I said calmly. Psyche held one arm forward, catching the Linoone with his psychic power and lifting it up.

"Shadow Ball!"Norman shouted.

"Uh oh,"I muttered as Linoone fired."Teleport!"Psyche then disappeared in an instant, releasing Linoone and allowing the projectile to pass by harmlessly."Now use Psychic!"Psyche then reappeared right in front of Linoone. They hesitated just a fraction of a second too long. Psyche picked the Linoone up and hurled into the wall, knocking it out.

"Linoone is unable to battle!"Rob said, holding up my flag."Alakazam wins this round!"I heard Norman whistle as he recalled his pokemon. I sensed incredible shock from his family members.

"Good job,"he complimented."You sure didn't beat the champion by being lucky, that's for sure! Let's go, Vigoroth!"He threw another pokeball, releasing a white, muscular creature with long arms and claws. Apparently, this was a Vigoroth. Hey, even I don't know every pokemon there is.

"Psyche, you've done enough,"I said, he nodded and teleported back to the others."Wrath, it's your turn."The Spiritomb silently floated past us, making sure to stay away from Kirlia. They may have been immune to psychic attacks, but they didn't want to make Kirlia angry. Well, angrier.

"Begin!"

"Use Foresight!"Norman shouted. Vigoroth's eyes glowed for a brief moment, and I knew he had just exposed Wrath. I mentally slapped myself.

"Guess I should have seen that coming,"I remarked.

"I expected you to be aware of that,"Norman said. I shrugged.

"No one's perfect,"I said."Dark Pulse!"Wrath then abruptly let loose a wave of darkness that collided with the Vigoroth, knocking it back. Norman blinked in surprise.

"Whoa!"he shouted."Use Crush Claw!"Vigoroth then leapt forward at high speed, slamming it's glowing claw into Wrath before we could react. The Spiritomb was thrown back a few feet.

"You okay, Wrath?"I asked.

"Urrghh,"Wrath groaned as they floated forward."That was powerful..."

"Then let's give him a dose of it,"I said."Pain Split!"Both opponents began to glow. Vigoroth fell to one knee, clutching it's chest, while Wrath seemed to slow in their movement."Use Dark Pulse before they can recover!"Wrath then shot out another Dark Pulse that struck Vigoroth hard, knocking it out.

"Vigoroth is unable to battle!"Rob said, holding up my flag."Spiritomb is the winner!"Norman's family gasped in shock. Apparently, they hadn't had an opponent as powerful as us in a while.

"I should really pick up the pace,"Norman said as he recalled Vigoroth."Time for my final pokemon. Go!"He then released a rather large Slaking, who yawned boredly.

"Wrath, come back and take a break,"I said. He floated back over to the others."Anubis, time to finish this."

"Sweet!"he said, running past us. Kirlia growled at him, but I gently shushed her, rubbing her head comfortingly, which quickly calmed her down.

"Begin!"

"Use Force Palm!"I shouted. Anubis quickly sprung forward, arm pulled back. Norman said nothing, simply watching as he got closer. I narrowed my eyes.

"Eat this!"Anubis shouted, swinging his arm forward. Surprisingly, Slaking's hand shot up faster than I expected and actually caught Anubis' arm!

"No thanks. I just had lunch,"Slaking said without a hint of sarcasm. He then casually threw Anubis across the room like a frisbee, and he landed on his back. My jaw dropped.

"Okay...that hurt..."Anubis muttered as he stumbled to his feet, rubbing his head.

"Alright, let's stay away from him, then,"I said."Use Aura Sphere!"Anubis pulled his arms back, creating a blue sphere of energy between his paws. He then hurled the sphere forward. Slaking calmly held his hands forward, the projectile exploding against his palms harmlessly, albeit with a bit of bruising. I held a hand to my forehead."Now what?"

"Slaking, use Hammer Arm!"Norman shouted. Slaking then charged forward, left arm glowing with power.

"Dodge it with Extreme Speed!"I shouted, not taking any chances. Anubis then practically disappeared, allowing Slaking's arm to smash the ground he was standing on a second ago with incredible force, creating a crater in the ground!"Whoa..."I stared at the crater with wide eyes as Slaking pulled away, looking around. I shook my head and focused on the battle."Now use Force Palm!"Before either of them could react, Anubis slammed his palm into the back of Slaking's head, the power of the attack boosted thanks to Extreme Speed. Slaking was knocked out before it could blink. I sighed in relief as Rob raised our flag.

"Slaking is unable to battle!"he said, Norman returning his Slaking."Ken Woods is the winner!"The rest of the team cheered behind me while Anubis dragged himself back over to them, hunched over.

"We're going back to the Center when we're done here, right?"he asked as he passed by. I nodded."Good."

"That was amazing!"Norman said, he and his family walking over to us."We didn't stand a chance against you! I guess that's why you're the Champ of Sinnoh!"He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small badge."Here. You've earned this."I pulled my goggles up and took the badge, placing it in my inner coat pocket.

"One down, seven more to go,"I muttered humorously.

"I haven't seen battling like that since we travelled with Ash,"Norman's daughter, May, said.

"Ash? That kid from the news a few years back?"I asked. They nodded."Out of curiousity, what's he like? I wouldn't mind meeting him one day."

"Ash was a great guy,"Max said."He's a good trainer, but a bit dense, though."

"Max!"his family said scoldingly.

"What? He was!"Max said defensively. His family didn't argue. I chuckled, shaking my head. Yeah, we had to meet this guy someday.

"Well, it was nice meeting with you,"I said."We'd better get moving."

"Good luck!"Norman shouted as we left the building. We started walking in the direction of the Pokemon Center, noting that it was about midday now.

"That went well,"Psyche said.

"Coulda been worse,"Fang remarked.

"Like I said, that guy didn't stand a chance against us, see?"Zapperton said, arms crossed.

"I like Mankeys,"Zephyr said blissfully.

"Good for you, Zephyr,"COREM said calmly.

"Hey, Ken! Over here!"a male voice said. We all turned to see Deoxys in his human form walking up to us.

"Hey, Dex,"I said, using his human name."Time for another meeting?"He nodded.

"That's right,"he said."And part of it is about your little friend right there."He pointed to Kirlia, who was in my arms and glaring at the DNA pokemon in disguise. I tilted my head.

"Really?"I asked."Well, then, let's go."

XXXX

End of Chapter

Uuughh. So...many...interruptions...Writer's block...such a b*tch...

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