A/N - This chapter is going to focus on Lucas' second Gym Battle. Is the latest capture going to help? Read on and find out… Hope you enjoy!

Lucas and Summer had spent all morning wandering through the dirt roads and dusty streets of Tembu City looking for the Gym so Lucas could win his second Gym Badge. Almost every building that they passed was wooden and had thatched rooves while being slightly elevated. There were others that resembled huts and shacks also made of wood.

"I did not think finding the Gyms would be this hard…." Lucas mused.

"No worries." Summer reassured him. "We'll find it eventually." she stated with a smile on her face. As she said that, Lucas had stopped and was looking up at a wide building with a red roof this time and a golden symbol that was a semi-circle at the top, a trapezium with a curved and elongated to the left top, and a small circle in the middle.

"See? Told you we'd find it." she said. They walked in and were met with the familiar sight of the battlefield with the grey referee podium to the right and the bleachers to the left. The walls were painted red and had yellow flame decals in the center of each wall. As Lucas looked around while Summer made her way to the bleachers, a woman walked up to the trainer box on her side. The sides of her head were shaved and she had a long red ponytail with a yellow streak down the middle. She had red eyes and a burning fire could be seen within them. She wore a sky-blue T-shirt with a Sun emblem on it, orange sweatpants and red flip-flops. As she reached the trainer box, a woman who was dressed in a black and white striped shirt, black trousers and black, formal shoes also appeared. Her black hair was tied up in a professional bun, and she was carrying two flags, one red and one green. She stepped onto the grey podium.

"Welcome to the Tembu City Gym where, I, Amber, call the shots." the red-haired girl said, introducing herself.

"I'm Lucas Young from Enevca Town!" Lucas replied.

"Do you have a burning desire to win, or will you just fizzle out?" she asked. The referee then spoke up.

"This will be a three-on-three battle between Amber, the Gym Leader, and Lucas of Enevca Town, with only the challenger able to make substitutions." she stated. "The battle will be over when all three Pokémon on either side are unable to battle. Do you accept these rules?" she asked.

"Yes." Lucas and Amber said simultaneously.

"That's enough talk! Let's go!" she suddenly roared, throwing a Poké Ball. The device popped open and poured out a blue light, which dissipated to reveal a small, quadruped, fox-like Pokémon. It had a red-brown pelt, brown, pupil-less eyes, large, pointed ears with dark brown insides, and six orange tails with curled tips. It also had curled locks of orange fur with bangs on top of its head. It also had a cream underbelly and brown feet with lighter brown paw pads.

"Vul!" it cheered. Lucas brought out his PokéDex to scan the unfamiliar Pokémon.

"Vulpix, the Fox Pokémon." it stated, showing an image of the Pokémon. "At birth, Vulpix has only one white tail, which apparently splits and grows more beautiful and warmer as it grows older." it continued. "Vulpix has a flame inside its body that never goes out, and is capable of manipulating fire to such precision as to create floating wisps of flame." it finished.

"Cyndaquil, fire up!" Lucas shouted, throwing his own Poké Ball.

"QUIIIILLL!" it roared as it emerged from the blue light, somersaulting and flaring up the flames on its back.

"Battle, begin!" the ref shouted, bringing down the flags she was holding.

"Vulpix, use Fire Spin!" Amber commanded. Vulpix opened its mouth and sent out a spiralling stream of fire at Cyndaquil.

"Cyndaquil, slide under it and use Double Kick!" Lucas countered. Cyndaquil then started running towards the attack, its left foot glowing white and slid under the Fire Spin and towards Vulpix.

"Confuse Ray!" Amber countered. Vulpix's eyes turned blue and it gathered six different coloured orbs around its body. It then shot them at Cyndaquil before it could reach Vulpix. The orbs surrounded Cyndaquil and exploded in a flash of white light, causing everyone to shield their eyes. Once the light had dissipated, Cyndaquil was just standing there.

"Cyndaquil, Ember let's go!" Lucas called, throwing his right arm to the side. Cyndaquil then turned around, flaring up the flames on its back, and shot the fire pellets straight at Lucas. Lucas jumped out of the way just in time.

"Now use Quick Attack!" Amber commanded. Vulpix then ran at full speed towards Cyndaquil, white streaks trailing behind it. It slammed into Cyndaquil sending it flying into the wall behind Lucas.

"Cyndaquil!" Lucas yelled in concern.

"Cyn…. DAAAAA!" it roared, the impact having snapped it out of confusion.

"Alright!" Lucas cheered. "Now use Ember!" he commanded.

"Counter with your own Ember!" Amber countered. Both Pokémon opened their mouth and shot fire pellets at each other. As the attacks collided, Lucas yelled

"Tackle!" Cyndaquil ran towards Vulpix, head lowered and slammed into it, sending it rolling towards Amber.

"Quick Attack!" she commanded. Vulpix then ran full speed at Cyndaquil, white streaks trailing behind.

"Cyndaquil, jump!" Lucas countered. As Vulpix was about to reach Cyndaquil, the Johto Pokémon jumped into the air, causing Vulpix to come to a screeching halt.

"Now spin and use Double Kick!" Lucas followed up. Cyndaquil's left foot glowed white and it began to spin like a drill, speeding up the fall and powering up the attack. Cyndaquil slammed into Vulpix doing major damage. As it was powering up its right foot for the second kick, Amber called

"Quick Attack!" Vulpix ran at full speed yet again, with white streaks trailing behind. As Vulpix slammed into Cyndaquil, Cyndaquil brought its foot up to block the attack, causing a cloud of dust to appear. Once the dust had cleared, both Pokémon were revealed to have fainted.

"Vulpix and Cyndaquil are both unable to battle, therefore this round is a tie!" the ref called, holding up both flags.

"Cyndaquil, return!" Lucas called, sending the red beam out to Cyndaquil, withdrawing the Pokémon. "You fought bravely." he praised.

"Vulpix, return!" Amber also called at the same time. "You deserve a good rest." she said.

"Snorunt, it's time to chill!" Lucas yelled, throwing another Poké Ball.

"Sno!" it cheered bouncing around as the blue light dissipated.

"This battle's really heating up, but you ain't seen nothing yet!" she yelled, throwing a Poké Ball. The device popped open and the familiar blue light poured out. From the blue light, a yellow, quadruped creature that resembled a camel with a volcano-like hump on its back emerged. The hump was green at the very top and faded out into yellow with small green spots. It had bangs on top of its head, sleepy eyes with brown circles around them, and short, stubby legs.

"Who's that Pokémon?" Lucas questioned as he pulled out his PokéDex again.

"Numel, the Numb Pokémon." it stated, showing another image. "Numel is a very strong Pokémon, having served humans for many years with its ability to carry heavy loads up to 100kg (220lbs)." it continued. "However, it slows down when wet and cannot stand when it is hungry. Due to its dull wits, it does not notice when it has been hit." it finished.

"Numel, start this off with Focus Energy!" Amber called. Numel closed its eyes and its body was surrounded with a red aura. "Follow up with Flame Burst!" she commanded. Numel then shot a stream of fire from its hump and formed it into a ball. The ball then exploded sending flames scattering across the battlefield.

"Double Team!" Lucas countered. Snorunt created multiple clones of itself before the flames made contact with all of them, causing them to disappear. The final flame hit the real Snorunt and it tumbled to Lucas' feet.

"Snorunt, Frost Breath!" Lucas commanded. Snorunt then drew in a big breath and expelled the air which now had a faint blue colour and pieces of frost inside the air current towards Numel who was blown away by the attack and skidded to Amber's feet.

"Numel, use Magnitude!" she commanded. Numel's body became enveloped in a brown aura, it then jumped into the air and slammed down onto the ground, causing it shake and small columns of earth hit Snorunt, sending it into the air. As Snorunt was falling through the air, Lucas called

"Use Ice Shard!" Snorunt glowed an icy blue and formed multiple shards of ice at its mouth and shot them straight at Numel. "Follow up with Frost Breath!" Lucas continued. Snorunt then drew in another big breath and expelled the air which now had a faint blue colour and pieces of frost inside the air current towards Numel, sending it crashing into Amber. Its eyes had turned to swirls.

"Numel is unable to battle!" the ref called. "Therefore, the winners of this round are Lucas and Snorunt!" she continued, holding up the green flag.

"Numel, return!" Amber called. "You fought well. Now take a long rest." she praised. "Is that all you've got?" she asked smugly. "I want to see that battling fever!" she yelled, throwing her last Poké Ball. The Pokémon that emerged from the blue light of this one was a quadruped, feline-like one. It was mostly dark brown in colour with pale brown paws, ears, tail tip, and face. It had a short, rounded muzzle with a reddish-orange nose and round ears. Its eyes were circular with black irises and white pupils and sclera. There was a reddish orange tuft of fur between its ears. Each of its paws had three toes and a dark brown paw pad. Its tail ended in a pointed, teardrop shape.

"Keep it up, Rookie!" Summer cheered from the bleachers.

Lucas took out his PokéDex once more and scanned the Pokémon.

"Litleo, the Lion Cub Pokémon." it stated, bringing up yet another image. "In battle, its short mane radiates heat, and when up against a strong opponent, the temperature increases." it continued. "When wild Litleo grow stronger, they are kicked out of the pack and begin to live alone." it finished.

"Snorunt, you ready?" Lucas asked his Pokémon.

"Sno!" it cheered, adrenaline pumping.

"Litleo, let's start this off with Noble Roar!" Amber commanded, thrusting her hand out in front of her with her fingers splayed. Litleo then opened its mouth and let out a roar that caused red shockwaves to appear and rush over to Snorunt.

"Dodge it!" Lucas called. Snorunt then jumped in an attempt to dodge the attack, but it followed Snorunt all the way into the air and hit the ice-type. Snorunt was then surrounded by a ring of deep blue energy that disappeared after a few seconds.

"Noble Roar can't miss." said Amber. "How about another demonstration? Litleo, use Noble Roar again!" she commanded. Litleo opened its mouth and roared again, causing more red shockwaves to appear and rush over to Snorunt.

"Snorunt use Double Team!" Lucas countered. Snorunt made multiple clones of itself as the shockwaves grew closer. The shockwaves then made contact with all the clones of Snorunt and the real one, causing it to be surrounded by another ring of deep blue energy that also disappeared after a few seconds.

"Litleo, use Headbutt!" Amber called. Litleo then lowered its head and started charging towards Snorunt.

"Ice Shard!" Lucas countered. Snorunt then glowed an icy blue and formed multiple shards of ice at its mouth and shot them at Litleo. As they hit Litleo, it just knocked them away with its head and slammed its head into Snorunt, sending it tumbling to Lucas' feet.

"What?!" Lucas cried in shock. "Snorunt, are you okay?" he asked.

"Sno..." it said quietly as it shakily stood up.

"Let's finish this with Ember, Litleo!" Amber yelled. Litleo's short mane then began to glow as it opened its mouth and shot fire pellets at Snorunt, who was too tired to move out of the way quickly enough. The fire pellets pelted Snorunt, who tumbled to Lucas' feet once more. This time, its eyes were swirls.

"Snorunt is unable to battle!" the ref called. "Therefore, the winners of this round are Amber and Litleo!" she declared, holding up the red flag.

"Snorunt, return!" Lucas said, withdrawing Snorunt with the red beam of energy. "Bunnelby, I choose you!" he yelled, throwing his last Poké Ball.

"Bun!" it called as it emerged from the blue light, flexing its ears and making a motion for Litleo to come towards it with them.

"Bunnelby, increase your speed with Agility!" Lucas commanded.

"Litleo, Tackle!" Amber called. Litleo started to run towards Bunnelby who stood there glowing white until the very last second and as it was about get hit, dodged out the way and appeared behind Litleo.

"Now use Dig!" Lucas called. Bunnelby dug into the ground with its ears and disappeared from sight, causing Litleo to panic.

"Litleo, use Noble Roar!" Amber commanded. Litleo opened its mouth and roared, sending out red shockwaves across the battlefield. But nothing happened.

"Now!" Lucas yelled. Bunnelby then shot up from the ground underneath Litleo and sent it flying up into the air. As it was falling, Luas yelled

"Catch it and use Double Slap!" Before Amber could counter, Bunnelby jumped up into the air and caught Litleo and started to slap the fire-type with its ears

"Bun, Bun." it repeated over and over as it relentlessly slapped Litleo.

"Headbutt!" Amber commanded. Litleo reared its head back and slammed it into Bunnelby sending them crashing to the ground.

"Dig!" Lucas shouted. Bunnelby started to spin with its ears pointed downwards and as it crashed into the ground, dug through it.

"Use Ember in the hole!" Amber countered. Litleo's mane began to glow once more and shot fire pellets into the hole.

"Agility!" Lucas called. He didn't know if it worked. Seconds after the fire pellets had entered the hole, Bunnelby shot up out of the ground, seemingly unaffected.

"Now use Mud Slap!" he commanded. Bunnelby slammed both of its ears on the ground and pulled them up, throwing two balls of mud at Litleo. It was a direct hit that sent Litleo skidding to Amber.

"Ember!" she yelled. Litleo's mane glowed yet again and it sent out more fire pellets towards Bunnelby.

"Send them back with Double Slap!" Lucas countered. As the fire pellets reached Bunnelby, it started to slap them away with its ears.

"Now use Headbutt!" Amber called. As Bunnelby was still batting away the Ember attack, Litleo lowered its head and charged at Bunnelby, slamming its head into the normal-type who skidded to Lucas' feet.

"Bunnelby, use Quick Attack!" Lucas commanded. Bunnelby rushed at Litleo with full speed, white streaks trailing behind it, and slammed into Litleo, who rolled along the ground towards Amber.

"Let's finish this, Litleo!" she yelled. "Ember!" she commanded. Litleo's mane glowed again and it sent out more fire pellets towards Bunnelby.

"Use Quick Attack to dodge, then use Double Slap!" Lucas countered. Bunnelby ran towards Litleo at full speed with white streaks trailing behind it, dodging the fire pellets. Once it had reached Litleo, it began to slap the fire-type with its ears relentlessly. Bunnelby slammed both its ears into Litleo as its final hit, causing the lion cub to slump to the ground.

"Litleo is unable to battle!" the ref called. "Therefore, the winners of this round and the Gym Battle are Lucas and Bunnelby!" she announced.

"Yeah, we did it Bunnelby!" Lucas cheered, fist bumping the Pokémon's ears.

"You're hot stuff!" Amber said breathlessly as she walked up to the two of them.

"Thanks" Lucas replied.

"I'm all fired up! That was the most intense battle I've had in weeks!" she cheered. "You are truly deserving of this." she said, taking out a small metal object and handing it to Lucas. It was circular and had orange spikes jutting out from it. The main body of the object was red and yellow in colouring. "That's the Sun Badge and proof of winning at the Tembu City Gym." she told Lucas and Summer, who had now joined them.

"I just won… the Sun Badge!" Lucas cheered holding it out in front of him.

"Bun!" Bunnelby cheered as it jumped next to Lucas.

"Look at that, Rookie." Summer said. "Your second Gym Badge. Congratulations." she finished.

"Hey, Amber?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah?" she replied.

"Could you tell us where the next Gym is?"

"Of course!" she cheered. "It's in Platan City, just northeast of Route 2." she told them.

"Thanks!" Lucas and Summer called as they walked out into fresh air.

"You're really getting the hang of battling, aren't you Rookie?" Summer asked, teasingly.

"You betcha!" Lucas replied. "To Platan City Gym! I'm gonna win that badge too!" he cheered.

"My, someone's confident." she remarked.

"Well, why shouldn't I be?" he asked.

A/N - That's all, folks. Well, for this Arc anyways. So Lucas won his second Gym Badge and is starting to get a bit too confident. Did you guess the Gym's type correctly? Next chapter, our heroes set off for Sugi City so they get to Route 2 and Platan City, the place of Lucas' third Gym Badge. What shenanigans will they get up to on the way? Find out next time, as the journey continues….

Lucas' Team: Snorunt (Lv. 13) - Powder Snow, Leer, Double Team, Frost Breath, +Ice Shard

Cyndaquil (Lv. 13) - Tackle, Leer, Smokescreen, Double Kick, +Ember, +Quick Attack

Bunnelby (Lv. 14) - Agility, Tackle, Mud Slap, Quick Attack, +Double Slap, +Dig

Summer's Team: Eevee (Lv. 11) - Tackle, Sand Attack, Shadow Ball, Endure, +Hyper Voice

Deerling (Summer Form) (Lv. 11) - Tackle, Growl, Sand Attack, Double Kick, +Synthesis