"Well, this is it," I sighed, feeling butterflies fluttering through my stomach. My Pokémon friends, Vinnie, Buttercream, Pepper, Sunil, and the newest addition to the team, Russell, were standing next to me confidently as we stood in front of the Nimbasa City Gym.
"This is gonna be so awesome!" Pepper exclaimed.
"Let's do this!" Vinnie exclaimed. He ran towards the Gym, but Sunil effortlessly grabbed his tail and pulled him back.
"Do not get overconfident," he informed. "I heard that overconfidence can lead to recklessness."
"Well, that Gym badgey-dadgey isn't gonna winny-binny-some-kind-of-hindi itself!" Buttercream squeaked. "Let's go!"
She and Pepper ran in, and Vinnie pulled his tail out of Sunil's grip and followed. Sunil barked at his friend, but the Grass Snake Pokémon didn't even look back.
"Those three haven't changed a bit," Russell sighed.
"Neither have you," a strange voice snarled from behind.
I turned and saw the same Team Plasma Grunt from yesterday, as well as the two from day one. Raticate stood beside the newly evolved Liepard, and Houndoom, Weavile, Swoobat, Mightyena, and Seviper stood tall over us like skyscrapers.
"How's that even possible...?" Sunil whimpered, trembling.
"Who cares? Let's get outta here!" I cried, running into the Gym, grabbing the Emanation and Mouse Pokémon by their tails when they wouldn't follow.
Inside, Vinnie, Pepper, and Buttercream were nowhere to be seen. Only Sunil and Russell stood next to me. We nearly jumped out of our skins when the door slammed closed and locked behind us.
"That's not good..." Russell said worryingly.
A violent roar erupted throughout the Gym and we gasped when we saw a gigantic white dragon. It glared at us with its sky blue eyes.
"Who's that Pokémon?" I cried out, backing away slowly. I braced myself when the giant Pokémon fired a large blast of flames at us. Strangely, it didn't burn me, but when the attack subsided, I saw that Sunil and Russell was nowhere to be seen.
"Russell! Sunil!" I cried out desperately, fear and panic rising in my throat. The Pokémon roared again and lashed out a giant hand, ready to crush me underneath. I shut my eyes tightly and screamed.
"Blythe! Blythe? Blythe!"
My eyes shot open and I sat up quickly, not knowing that I had flung Vinnie off of my chest, sending him bouncing on the end of the bed and crashing into the wall.
I sat there, eyes wide, panting heavily. I felt sweat trickling down my forehead and I was shaking uncontrollably. Thank Goodness it was only just a dream...
I went into the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face and when I came out, I saw the Pokémon looking at me with concern.
"Everything okay, Blythe?" Russell asked.
"I'm fine..." I replied. "I just had a bad dream, that's all." I smiled, forcing the dream to the back of my mind. "Now, who's ready to win us a Gym Badge?"
Immediately, Buttercream and Vinnie started jumping in the air while Pepper charged electricity throughout her body and Sunil wagged his tail.
Russell, however, was looking a little discouraged. "What exactly does one do in a Gym Battle?"
"It's the same thing as a Pokémon battle, only you win a prize at the end, and that's a Pokémon Gym Badge," Pepper explained.
"What do Gym Badges do?"
"They grant you entrance into the Pokémon League, of course! And once I get in there, I'll fight my hardest! Every opponent and enemy will fall at my hooves and beg for mercy once I'm done with them!"
"Someone sure has some wild dreams," I commented with a giggle. "Well, come on. Let's go."
We all went out to stand in front of the Gym, and thoughts of my dream came rushing back into my mind.
"Blythe?"
I gasped and looked down at Vinnie, who had spoke my name.
"I said aren't you psyched?" the Grass Snake Pokémon said.
"Oh, yeah! Yeah, I'm psyched!" I replied awkwardly.
"Are you sure you're okay-dokay-trolo-lokay?" Buttercream asked.
"Yes, you seem to be trembling quite violently," Sunil added.
"I'm fine, guys," I lied. "Really."
"Well, in that case, let's go!" Buttercream ran into the Gym, followed by Pepper and Vinnie, and I stared after them. I could feel panic rising in my throat as I recalled my dream once again.
"Is this about your dream?" Russell piped in. When he got no answer, he looked up. "Blythe? Blythe!"
I gasped and shut my eyes, trying to force my dream out of my mind again.
"Maybe we should save the battle for tomorrow," Russell suggested softly.
"I agree," Sunil piped in. "If you are not feeling so good, maybe we could just go for a walk in Lostlorn-"
"I'm fine!" I suddenly exclaimed without meaning to, and I saw my sudden outburst startled the Emanation and Mouse Pokémon. "Sorry... Yes, Russell, this does have something to do with my dream"
"Team Plasma had come back with even stronger Pokémon. And I ran inside the Gym, but Vinnie, Buttercream, and Pepper were nowhere to be seen. Then, this giant white dragon Pokémon with sky blue eyes came out of nowhere and blasted a fire attack at us, and you two had disappeared when the attack subsided. And the Pokémon would have crushed me in my dream if you hadn't waken me up."
"Th-That won't happen, will it...?" Sunil whimpered.
"Of course not," Russell replied optimistically. "Why would we disappear from one blast of fire?"
"Hey, are you guys coming in or not?" Pepper bleated, popping her head out from the Gym.
I nodded slowly, then walked into the Gym, bracing myself to come face to face with the monstrous Pokémon, but I gasped to see that there wasn't anyone in the Gym.
"Where is everyone?" I thought aloud. "I thought this was the Nimbasa City Gym."
"It is," a voice said from behind. I turned and saw Hugh, my first friend made in the Pokémon world. "But this isn't the current Gym. The Gym Elesa's in is the Nimbasa City Catwalk and Fashion Show."
"Zoe sure would love that place," Pepper commented.
"Come on, I'll show you where it is," Hugh offered. He led us to the far end of the city and stopped in front of a large building with neon lights. "There it is. I was to have my Gym battle first, but I need a little more training. You go on ahead. Good luck!" And with that, he ran off.
"Thanks, Hugh!" I called out, waving to him. I turned to the new Nimbasa City Gym. "Who's ready to win?" All five Pokémon cried out loudly, having total confidence that they would win.
We all walked in and gasped when we heard the sound of thousands of fans cheering. Up ahead on a stage was a woman with long black ponytails and a yellow coat.
"Welcome, challenger," she called, walking up to me.
"Hi," I gave my greeting. "Uh, I'm looking for the Gym Leader of Nimbasa City."
"It's your lucky day, then," the woman said, running back to her original position. "Because you're looking at her. And I, Elesa, accept your challenge!" And with that, she yanked away her yellow coat and she was shown in a sleek and beautiful outfit. Behind her was a large zebra Pokémon.
"Who's that?" I pulled out my Pokédex.
"Zebstrika, the Thunderbolt Pokémon, and the evolved form of Blitzle," it said. "When this ill-tempered Pokémon runs wild, it shoots lightning from its mane in all directions."
"Looks like we'll have to be careful when fighting this Pokémon," I said.
A female referee with a blue flag, Elesa's flag, and a red flag, my flag, climbed onto the perch and began. "This is a battle between Gym Leader Elesa and the challenger Blythe!" The crowd cheered wildly for Elesa as her name was spoken. "This will be a three-on-three battle! The battle is over when one side's Pokémon are unable to continue, and only the challenger can substitute Pokémon!"
"This is it!" I shouted confidently. Excitement was fluttering in my belly like a thousand butterflies, and I could tell the pets were feeling the same, with the exception of Russell, who seemed to not know what to think of the situation.
"Let the battle begin!" the referee exclaimed, and thousands of cheering fans shouted to the heavens.
Instead of sending out Zebstrika first, Elesa pulled out a Pokéball and threw it. "Emolga, time to start the show!"
The capsule opened and out came a small flying squirrel Pokémon.
"Emolga, the Sky Squirrel Pokémon," my Pokédex said. "It glides on its outstretched membrane while shocking foes with the electricity stored in the pouches on its cheeks."
"Let's start with you," I said, looking down at Sunil.
"Why not me or Russell?" Vinnie asked.
"Flying-type moves are super-effective against Grass-types like you, Vinnie, and Russell's Ground-type moves won't have any effect since Emolga is part Flying."
"You really learned a lot about this Pokémon stuff since the first day!" Pepper bleated.
I nodded to Pepper, then turned to Sunil. "Are you ready?"
"For you, Blythe, I was born ready," the Emanation Pokémon replied with a confident smile. He jumped out onto the battlefield.
"You have the first move," Elesa called.
"And I plan to use it to my advantage," I replied. "Sunil, use Quick Attack!"
"And you counter that Quick Attack with yours, Emolga!" Elesa commanded.
Both Pokémon used Quick Attack on each other and both were equally matched.
"Next, use Force Palm!" I shouted. Sunil jumped up at Emolga and placed his paw on its chest, then blasted it with a powerful force. It fell back with a little yelp.
"Use Aerial Ace!" Elesa shouted. The Sky Squirrel Pokémon flew towards Sunil quickly, its loose skin outstretched.
"Oh, how could I have forgotten?!" I exclaimed nervously. "Flying-type moves are super-effective on Grass-type Pokémon as well as Fight-types! Sunil, dodge it!"
Just when Emolga was about to hit him, the Emanation Pokémon flipped backwards and jammed his hindpaw into its belly, throwing it off balance and sending it into a tailspin.
Sunil landed, then began to glare at Emolga, never losing sight of it. He suddenly started glowing red, and after a few seconds, the red faded and he ran towards Emolga, then jumped up into the air and began to soar into the sky, his arms outstretched, and finally slammed into the Sky Squirrel Pokémon.
"Did Sunil learn Aerial Ace?" Buttercream asked.
"No, that was Copycat!" Russell exclaimed.
"Great job, Sunil!" I called. "Now use Force Palm!"
Sunil jumped and placed his paw on the unbalanced Sky Squirrel Pokémon's chest, then blasted it with a powerful force. With one final cry, Emolga fell to the ground and lay there, not getting back up.
"Emolga is unable to battle," the referee announced. She raised the red flag towards Sunil. "The winner of the match is Riolu!"
I was taken aback by the sudden uproar of awe and delight, cheering me and my Pokémon on. There were still some who tried to give Elesa more support.
"You did well, Emolga," Elesa said, retreating her fallen Pokémon to its Pokéball. "Have a good rest." She pulled out another Pokéball and threw it. "Flaaffy, time to shine!"
The capsule opened and a pink sheep Pokémon with wool on its head and around its neck. It had the same ears, tail, and bulb as Pepper.
"Let me battle! Let me battle!" Pepper suddenly exclaimed, jumping up and down.
"Why are you so eager to battle?" Vinnie asked.
"That's a Flaaffy! Duh! I wanna battle my evolved form!"
"Flaaffy is the evolved form of Mareep?" I gasped, quickly pulling out my Pokédex.
"Flaaffy, the Wool Pokémon, and the evolved form of Mareep," it said. "Not even downy wool will grow on its rubbery, nonconductive patches of skin that prevent electrical shock."
"You made your point," I said, putting the Pokédex back. "Okay, Sunil, switch out with Pepper!"
"Good luck," Sunil said as he and Pepper passed each other.
"Thanks, and you did great," the Wool Pokémon replied.
As soon as Pepper was in position, Elesa called out, "I'll make the first move this time. Flaaffy, use Confuse Ray!"
Flaaffy waved its now glowing bulb, which caught Pepper's attention. She watched it as it waved side to side. Suddenly, she cried out and her eyes were blue and her irises red.
"What happened to Pepper?" Sunil fretted.
"She's been confused!" Russell replied. "Confusion is a status that inflicts damage to the target. They don't know what they are doing and they end up hurting themselves."
I knew instantly what the Mouse Pokémon was talking about when Pepper ran towards a wall and tackled it hard. She continued headbutting the wall, crying out in pain and anger.
"Pepper, stop!" I called out desperately. "You gotta snap out of it!"
"Use Take Down!" I heard Elesa call out. Flaaffy slammed into Pepper, sending her flying into the center of the battlefield. Pepper got back up, but she was still confused, for she began to dig into the solid stage with her hooves.
"This is scary-berry-truth or darey!" Buttercream squeaked as she hid, trembling, behind Russell.
"I don't know what to do!" I panicked, looking at the other party Pokémon for any possible advice. I saw Vinnie reaching into my bag and pulling out a wrinkled orange-pink berry.
"Feed her this," he said. "It's a Persim Berry I found in Lostlorn Forest. It cures confusion."
I took the Berry from him, thanked him with a hug, and threw it out into the field towards Pepper.
It landed in front of her furiously digging hooves. She must have spotted it, because she began to furiously eat it. As soon as she swallowed, she shut her eyes and opened them again, her eyes back to the normal light red color.
"Wh-What happened?" she asked, looking around. She was suddenly slammed into the side by another of Flaaffy's Take Down attacks and fell to the ground.
"Pepper, get up!" I cried out. "You can do it!"
"Of course I can do it..." the Wool Pokémon grunted, struggling to stand back on her feet. As if motivated by a thought, she gave one final push and stood up tall, panting.
"I'm so proud of you," I smiled. "Now, let's show them some of that spirit! Use Tackle!" Pepper ran at Flaaffy, her head lowered.
"Counter that with Take Down!" Elesa commanded. Flaaffy ran towards Pepper, its head lowered as well.
Both Wool Pokémon collided, each one not giving up. They both held their gaze into each other's eyes and snarled.
"You're doing great, Pepper," I called out with pride in my voice. "Even if you lose, I'll still be proud of you no matter what."
I saw Pepper trembling, and I wasn't sure if she was touched by my words or weakening up by Flaaffy's Take Down.
"I love you, Blythe," Pepper called back. "And I'll never give up! Not on myself, not on my friends, and especially not on you!" With one final push, Pepper shoved Flaaffy away, sending it rolling until it landed with a thud in front of Elesa.
She then began to glow white.
"Pepper's evolving!" Buttercream gasped.
I watched in awe as the Wool Pokémon, originally a comedian skunk of Littlest Pet Shop, grew into her newer form and strength. Her wool grew back on her head and neck as she stood up on her hind legs and grew taller and broader. Her tail, ears, and legs grew out a little longer and the bulb enlarged a little.
The light exploded from her body and she was now a Flaaffy. She began to charge a large amount of electricity throughout her body.
"You've evolved into a Flaaffy and learned Charge!" Sunil exclaimed, wagging his tail.
"Let's end this!" Pepper snorted, ready to attack.
"Okay, Pepper," I commanded proudly. "Use ThunderShock on the wool on your head and use Tackle!"
Pepper charged her electricity up to the wool on her head and used ThunderShock, turning it a bright yellow, then ran at Flaaffy at full speed.
"Go! ThunderTackle!"
The gray Flaaffy slammed into her target's chest, electrocuting it in the process, and knocked it back to Elesa's feet. It lay unmoving.
"Flaaffy is unable to battle," the referee announced. She raised the red flag towards Pepper. "The winner of the match is the newly evolved Flaaffy!"
"You're off to a great start, Blythe," Elesa said, retreating Flaaffy. "But your lucky streak ends here. Finish the show, Zebstrika!"
Zebstrika let out a war cry and leaped out into the battlefield.
"Let's show them what you're made of!" I declared. "Pepper, use Tackle!" Pepper ran towards Zebstrika, her head lowered.
"Flame Charge!" Elesa commanded. Zebstrika stomped its hooves on the ground, drawing up a cloud of dust, then burst out into the open in full flame. Before Pepper could dodge, the Thunderbolt Pokémon slammed hard into her head, sending her flying into the wall. She fell to the ground and didn't get back up.
"Pepper!" I cried out.
"Flaaffy is unable to battle," the referee declared, raising the blue flag at Zebstrika. "Zebstrika wins the match!"
I sighed, trying to keep my cool. "Sunil, you're up."
Sunil gulped nervously and hopped out into the battlefield. Unfortunately, Zebstrika's Flame Charge knocked him out of the battle as well.
"This isn't looking so good," Vinnie commented. "I'd be weak against Flame Charge and Buttercream's weak to Electric-type attacks."
"I guess we've only got one shot at this," I said, looking down at Russell.
"I don't know about this," he murmured uncomfortably. "What if I lose?"
"I don't care if you lose," I replied gently as I knelt down to the Mouse Pokémon. "It's the spirit and courage I'm looking for, in all of you, and you all have shown it. I know you can do it, Russell. If anyone can continue this battle, it's you and you alone."
"You'll do great out there," Pepper groaned as Buttercream was in the process of feeding her and Sunil a poultice of crushed Berries. "You've got great potential, and I know that if anyone can help us out in the final stretch, it's you."
Russell stayed still for a while, obviously deep in thought. He finally took a deep breath and said, "I'll do it." He walked out slowly onto the battlefield.
"Each side has sent out their final Pokémon!" the referee announced to the crowds. "Let the final battle begin!"
"Use Flame Charge!" Elesa commanded. An inflamed Zebstrika blasted out of the dust cloud and charged at Russell, surprisingly faster than before.
"Roll out of the way!" I commanded. My heart lurched when Russell stood in place.
"He froze-like-a-cone with fear!" Buttercream cried out.
"Russell, you've gotta snap out of it!" I shouted. "I know you're scared, but it's not that bad! I promise you can do it if you just trust me! Get outta there!"
Suddenly, the Mouse Pokémon gasped and quickly dodged just before Zebstrika could hit its target.
I stifled a sigh of relief; there was no time to retaliate my fluster. "Use Sand-Attack!" Russell pawed out some dirt from Zebstrika's Flame Charge dust and flung it into the Thunderbolt Pokémon's eyes. It cried out and began to rub its eyes, trying to get the sand out of its eyes.
"Now use Poison Sting!" The Mouse Pokémon shot out multiple tiny needles, which stuck into Zebstrika's side. It shook them out and shook its head furiously.
"Use Quick Attack!" Elesa shouted. Zebstrika managed to open an eye halfway and quickly tackled Russell, slamming him down into the ground. "Now use Flame Charge!" Zebstrika slammed the fiery attack into the Mouse Pokémon's side. He fell to the ground, panting hard.
"You've gotta get up!" Vinnie exclaimed.
"He'll get up," I said calmly. "If there's anyone who would never let his friends down, it's Russell."
My words were truly spoken, for Russell began to climb to his feet. He stood up and scowled at his opponent before a brownish-orange aura surrounded his body. He slammed his foot down onto the stage, which triggered a large sonic boom that traveled quickly towards Zebstrika. The attack hit, and the Thunderbolt Pokémon was flung back by the force.
"That was Magnitude!" I gasped. I knew you could do it! "Now use Rollout!" I watched as new courage and determination uprooted in Russell as he rolled up into a ball and slammed into Zebstrika.
"Get up, Zebstrika! I know you can!" Elesa shouted with as much hope and love as any other Trainer who cared about her Pokémon. Zebstrika slowly climbed to its feet, then used Quick Attack as commanded. Russell flew back, but managed to land squarely on his feet.
"Use Pursuit!" Elesa commanded. Zebstrika propelled itself at Russell.
"Deflect it with Fury Cutter!" I shouted. Russell raised a paw as Zebstrika was about to attack, but he was too late; the Thunderbolt Pokémon sent the Mouse Pokémon flying into the air and landing hard against the stage, letting out a yelp.
"Finish this up with Flame Charge!" Elesa exclaimed. Zebstrika ran towards Russell in full flame once again.
"Use Poison Sting!" I commanded. Russell shot out another flurry of poisonous needles, but they were immediately burnt to a crisp once they touched the flames. "Magnitude!" The Mouse Pokémon slammed his foot down onto the stage, causing another sonic boom-like quake, but Zebstrika jumped up before it hit and dove in towards him.
"Get out of there!" I cried out just before Zebstrika slammed into the ground, drawing up a large gust of dust, blinding everyone from witnessing the battling Pokémon on the battlefield.
"Use Rollout!" I commanded. A few seconds past, and suddenly the large Thunderbolt Pokémon was slammed out of the dust cloud by a sandy ball. Zebstrika was knocked against the wall and fell to the ground, but it still managed to get back up.
"One more Magnitude!" I shouted. Russell once more created a large quake, larger and stronger than before, and it slammed into Zebstrika, throwing him up into the air. It fell down to the ground and it didn't get back up.
"Zebstrika is unable to battle," the referee announced, raising the red flag towards Russell. "The winner of the final match is Sandshrew, and victory goes to Blythe!"
The hundreds of fans cheered loudly and they watched as I ran up to Russell, arms outstretched. He leaped into my arms and we hugged each other.
"You did it!" I said lovingly. "I knew you could do it!" I laughed as the Mouse Pokémon rubbed his muzzle against my cheek.
"You were awesome out there!" Vinnie exclaimed, running up to us after Russell and I broke away from the hug with Buttercream and a limping Pepper and Sunil following.
"You totally-bobally blew Zebstrika awayza!" Buttercream added, bouncing up and down.
"I have my friends to thank," Russell said humbly.
"Congratulations on your victory, Blythe," Elesa said, walking up to us with Zebstrika following, limping a little as well. "You have proven your strength, not through brute force, but through friendship with your Pokémon. Your Riolu, Flaaffy, and Sandshrew fought extraordinarily today, and there is no question about it. Today, you and your Pokémon have taken one step closer to championship. I am proud to present your symbol of victory for defeating me in a truly electrifying battle." She pulled out a small yellow lightning bolt badge.
I can't believe it. Only a few days, possibly even a week, and we already earned our fourth Gym Badge. I took the Badge before kneeling down to the five Pokémon. "Look, guys. It's our fourth Gym Badge. We're one step closer to becoming strong enough to help Hugh fight off Team Plasma. We're one step closer to finding the other three pets. We're one step closer to returning home."