Nick looked at the computer monitor in front of him, his fingers clicking the arrow key every fifteen seconds, on the screen was every Pokemon he ever owned, Professor Elm had it set up so a trainer could just punch in their trainer I.D. number and receive everything from gym badges won, to championships competed in, to contests and a list of every Pokemon a trainer has ever obtained.

Nick hated logging onto his profile; it always reminded him of the losses, what he had taken before he had come here, what he had to sacrifice to get to where he was at today. He had been feeling lost the last few weeks, since Dawn left for the Kanto region, he hadn't heard anything from her at all, didn't know about her well-being or whether or not he would ever hear from her again, though the gym battles were exciting to him, he had been distracted these last few days while he was preparing for this battle.

He was sitting in the room the Pokemon center rented for him alone, he picked up the phone next to his desk and tried Dawn's phone, normally, everyone would just use like a Poketch, but Dawn did have a phone on her in case of emergencies.

"Hi it's Dawn! Sorry I missed you, leave a message!"

Nick hung up; he sighed and made another call.

"Hello?"

Nick recognized the voice, a smile spread on his face as he looked at a piece of paper by his elbow "Professor Elm, its Nick. Listen, can you send me some Pokemon? I got one or two in mind."

"Okay, hit me."


About an hour later, Nick walked out of the Pokemon center, Pichu on his shoulder, only to bump into someone.

"Sorry about that." Nick replied as the other person walked by him

"Next time, I might just have to beat you in another Pokemon battle."

The other trainer turned and was revealed to be Joshua. Nick clenched his hand into a fist, Pichu's cheeks sparked. Joshua's Bagon stood by him.

"Good to see you Josh. Don't you have another child to tease?" Nick bluntly said

He shook his head and held up a badge "You need to step it up Nicholas. I'm ahead of you yet again."

Nick looked at the new badge, it was actually half a badge, and its foundation was a shield and what appeared to be a fist in the center of it.

"What's with the half?"

"You don't know? Maritime Cities gym is a partner gym, basically or in your case, simple terms,"

Nick growled

"It's a double battle gym, two trainers go in, and either side wins when the other side runs out of Pokemon. Three Pokemon per trainer."

Nick laughed "Who in their right mind would partner up with you?"

"Not exactly my choice."

Nick turned to Tori coming up from the corner, her Vulpix on her shoulder. She was Joshua's rival, let alone his, why would she want to help Joshua?

"I didn't have anyone to partner up with and they wouldn't let me challenge them without a partner and Joshua here said he would. When he mentioned he knew you I agreed." Tori explained

"Well, good to know. Guess I need to find a partner," Nick pondered who he could ask, and then the idea hit him

"Just be careful, the twins are good, but there's something off about their style." Tori explained

"What do you mean?"

"They use Pokemon that are complete opposites of each other. One twin will use one; the other will use a Pokemon that's stronger against the other." Joshua explained, Bagon was glaring at Pichu

Pichu's cheeks began to spark, Nick rubbed the top of Pichu's head "We'll be ready, and we'll have that badge."


"Team Anubis is in need of your services, after Martin's failure at the Vaccario gym, we need someone we can trust to study your newest challenger's strengths."

The oldest twin, Andrew nodded "Who is this challenger?"

The trio was in a room with a single table between the two gym leaders and a stranger, he wore an Anubis uniform. Two guards stood in the back, hats on their heads, and sunglasses over their eyes and their arms were crossed over their chests.

"His name is Nicholas Gray. His father was the former Johto League champion, he is a trainer with a bright future, for your sakes, you better win today and continue to win until you knock Gray down a couple of notches."

"What is so different about this specific trainer?" the youngest twin Anna asked

"What is so unique is that he may be the one to put him out of business. And unless you two want to end up back where we found you, I would advise you two to do as we say."

Andrew shuddered and nodded "Okay."

"Good, Team Anubis is going to give you what Pokemon you need," He placed two Pokeballs on the table "they will give you what you need."

"Thank you Agent Benedict." The twins said in unison

Omega smiled and nodded "Your welcome, we're glad to be doing business with you. I expect a report soon." Omega stood up

He nodded at the guards and they followed him out of the backroom and out of the gym.


Nick walked to the front of the gym a little bit after lunch time, Alex stood by his side, a look of confusion on his face.

"Okay, so tell me again why you asked me?" Alex asked, confused

"Because, as I told you, I needed a partner, Tom wasn't around so I asked you; I need someone I can trust and someone powerful to take them down." Nick said confidence in his voice

"Right, the only way this'll work is if I somehow manage to overpower them while you use those weak Pokemon you have with you."

Nick smirked "Don't worry, I have a plan."

"I bet you do."

The pair proceeded inside, Kara, Tom and Gold were not there with them, Tori and Josh were going to watch.


The interior of the gym looked like something out of a twin's room, one side was blue, the other pink. The only thing non boy girl colored was a balcony at the top of the room. Nick and Alex were a bit confused.

"Seriously? It looks like we're in a giant infant's room." Alex said looking around

"Welcome!" A pair of voices said from the balcony

Nick and Alex looked up to see two people standing on the balcony; one was at least five foot six, sixteen years old, fiery red hair slicked back in almost a flame shape, the other was a girl, a half an inch shorter, red hair tied back in a ponytail same sixteen year old age, they both jumped down and landed on their feet gracefully, pulling a few flips in the air.

"Which one of you is Nick Gray?" Andrew asked

"That would be me." Nick said stepping forward "How do you know me?"

"Your defeat over Triple M didn't go unnoticed in the gym leader community; we received word of your arrival hours ago." Annie replied

"As you know this is a double battle," Andrew looked over at Alex "I take it he's your partner?"

"Indeed, he led me into this detail." Alex replied, smug look on his face

"Alright then, let's get started." Annie said as she stood next to her brother on the right side

Nick took the left side of the opponent's stage facing Andrew while Alex faced Annie, the judge stood in the middle as the field disappeared. Tori and Joshua sat in the stands to the right, too far apart to even speak to each other.

"This will be a double battle between the gym leaders Andrew and Annie versus Nick Gray and Alex. Each trainer will use three Pokemon each; the winner will be decided when one side is unable to battle anymore."

"Good lucky guys." The twins said

"Begin!"

The field began to rise as a pool of water emerged. The pool filled the entire stadium floor, white

"The battle field will be a water field for this time around." Andrew nodded "Since the gym leaders get to choose the field, you guys can make the first choice."

Nick took out his Pokeball "Stand by, Pidove!"

The Pokeball erupted as the tiny pigeon Pokemon emerged and flew a few feet over the water feature, several stone shaped platforms sat in the water.

"Scyther! Come on out!" Alex threw the Pokeball out

The green mantis Pokemon stood on the stand. Pidove looked over at Scyther, both Pokemon's eyes met and they simply nodded.

"I see you took Scyther." Nick smiled

"Yeah, figured I could use him for once."

Andrew took a Pokeball off of his belt "Rapidash! Unleash your flames!"

A white horse emerged onto the battle field, its tail was made of fire and it had a flame flowing off the top of its head. It stood on the platform across from Pidove.

"Jynx, come on out!"

A humanoid Pokemon emerged with dark complexion, blonde hair, a flowing red dress and large lips emerged.

"Pidove, use air cutter!"

Pidove flew up "Pidove!" It flapped its wings and a series of air attacks shaped like blades flew toward the pair on the opposite side.

"Not so fast, Rapidash, use bounce!" Andrew called

"Jynx, use Blizzard!" Annie called out

Determination came over Alex's face "Scyther, grab hold of Jynx, don't let her use that attack."

"Scyther. Scy." Scyther flew through the air and grabbed hold of Jynx, one of its blades on her neck. Jynx looked over at her captor in anger.

The air cutter attack made impact on Jynx. It lifted its head in pain; Scyther used her as a shield so it didn't get hit.

"Jynx!" Annie called out "I'll think of something."

"Hold on sis, I got this," Alex looked at Rapidash "use bounce on Jynx."

Rapidash neighed and bounced over and began to fall onto Scyther and Jynx.

"Right, Jynx, use protect!"

Jynx shielded itself as Rapidash began to fall.

"Pidove, use aerial ace!" Nick commanded

Pidove flew into the air, did a loop, then fell, then flew along the water toward Rapidash, Pidove made impact before Rapidash struck, the horse looked over as all three land Pokemon stood on one platform.

"Rapidash, use inferno!"

"Pidove, dodge it!" Nick called out

Pidove tried to fly up, but it was to no avail, Rapidash unleashed a powerful fire attack on Pidove, engulfing the tiny bird in the flame.

"Pidove!" It cried out in pain

"Jynx, use Avalanche!"

Jynx raised her arms and shot them down fast as a large avalanche emerged and struck Pidove. It cried out and began to fall.

"Scyther, vacuum wave!"

Scyther drew its swords back and slashed vigorously at Jynx, causing it to fall into the water. Only Rapidash and Scyther remained standing. Jynx fainted and so had Pidove, both Pokemon floated on the surface of the water.

"Jynx and Pidove are unable to battle!" The announcer called out

Nick frowned "Pidove, come on back." He held up her Pokeball and called her back

Annie did the same without a word "Take that thing out brother."

"You got it." Andrew smiled in approval

"You okay Nick?" Alex asked

"Yeah, I'm cool." Nick replied, he took another Pokeball out "Stand by, Lapras!"

Nick let the Pokeball hit the platform, and it erupted, a Pokemon that resembled that of a plesiosaur. It had blue colored skin, a cream underside, but this one was smaller than most Lapras.

"What's with your Lapras?" Alex asked

"She's still a baby. She hatched when I was twelve, she hasn't seen much combat before." Nick smiled and petted his Lapras as she tried to rub her head against Nick "But she's good enough to take them on."

Annie took a Pokeball out and tossed it "Amphros, stand tall!"

A large tall yellow sheep emerged, black stripes ran along its ears, neck and tail, a cream belly and a red gemstone was on its head and tail.

"Begin!"

Nick took the lead again "Lapras," he looked at Rapidash "Hydro Pump!"

Lapras drew its head back and shot a large cyclone of water at Rapidash.

"Rapidash, use…"

Scyther flew over and started slashing at it, trying to keep Rapidash distracted.

"Use Inferno on Scyther!"

Rapidash shot a large flame burst at Scyther, igniting the bug Pokemon and it fainted instantly. Unfortunately, Rapidash met with its end by the Hydro Pump attack. Both Pokemon fainted.

"Now for Amphros," Nick turned to the electric sheep

Alex took a Pokeball out "Typhlosion, come on out!"

"Rapidash return." Andrew called the horse Pokemon back

Alex's fire starter emerged onto the field, determined look in its eyes. Andrew drew a wicked smile on his face.

"Now, you're done, Ditto! Emerge!"

The Pokeball Andrew used was different, it had a black top with a white bottom, the blob Pokemon with a pencil drawn eyes and lips emerged, though this one was different, it was blue instead of purple.

"Transform!"

Ditto soon began to change shape and soon took on Lapras' form. It floated in the water across from Nick's Lapras.

"Lapras, Ice beam!" Nick commanded

Lapras, let a thin ice beam shoot from its mouth and make impact with Amphros, it quickly shook off the attack.

"Amphros, use Thunder punch on Nick's Lapras!" Annie commanded

Amphros slammed its fist into the water, causing a shock wave to erupt onto the field.

Andrew smirked "Ditto, protect!"

Ditto drew a shield around its large body, protecting itself as Lapras was shocked with a powerful electric attack, it looked like the attack did very little.

"Typhlosion, use flamethrower on Amphros!" Alex commanded

Typhlosion let a large flame erupt from its mouth and aim for Amphros, Ditto smiled.

"Ditto, use Hydro Pump!"

Ditto drew its head back and fired a water typhoon at Typhlosion. The Volcano Pokemon got hit hard by the attack, it tried to fight through it, the fires on its neck erupted with more power than before, but it was no match as it fell into the water, swirls in its eyes.

"Amphros, use thunderbolt!" Annie commanded

"Ditto, use Icebeam!"

Ditto let a thin ice beam come out of its mouth and Amphros summoned a giant thunderbolt emerge over Lapras, Lapras had fear in her eyes.

"Lapras, use dive!"

Lapras managed to dodge the ice beam, but the electric bolt made impact with the water, causing a huge rupture to emerge of electricity flow through the water and it struck Lapras. Lapras soon emerged from the water, its fate was the same as Typhlosion.

"Typhlosion and Lapras are unable to battle!" The announcer said

Nick and Alex both recalled their Pokemon back, they were both down to one, they both looked at each other, Nick simply nodded, he was running out of ideas, he had to come up with something or he wouldn't get that badge.


Back up in the stands, Tom, Kara and Gold soon joined Tori and Josh.

"What did we miss?" Gold asked

"Nick and Alex are down to their last Pokemon, the twin gym leaders have had them by the ropes this entire battle." Tori explained

Tom sat down and looked at Joshua "Josh? Long time no see."

Joshua looked over "Good to see you Tom, been a long time."

"Too long."

Kara sat down in the front, her hands clasped together, she was praying Nick would win.


"Okay Pichu, you go on ahead." Nick looked down at his starter

"Pichu! (You got it!)" Pichu jumped onto the platform, its cheeks surging

"Alright, Bayleef! Let's go!" Alex threw his Pokeball out

The Johto grass starter emerged onto the other platform, a green leaf on its cream colored head, small rolled up leaves around her neck.

"Begin!" The announcer called out

"Pichu! Thunderbolt on Ditto!"

"Pichu!" Pichu shot a lightning bolt from its body and it struck Lapras, and it did some damage, as Ditto winced in pain

"Bayleef! Use bullet seed!"

"Bay!" Bayleef let some seeds fly out of her mouth and it hit Amphros, though it didn't look like it did much damage.

"Amphros, use thunderbolt on Bayleef!"

Amphros let a thunderbolt surge out of its body at Bayleef, it made impact, and Bayleef took some damage. Alex was starting to get worried.

"Bayleef, use magical leaf!"

Bayleef let a series of leaves flow through her body toward Amphros, though they were unlike regular leaves as they had a veil around them in almost a purple color.

"Ditto! Sheer cold!"

Ditto drew its head back and let a large blizzard hit Bayleef.

"Pichu! Volt tackle!"

"Pichu!" Pichu jumped into the air and started running on water, a large typhoon of electricity flow through its body, it made impact on Ditto as Bayleef took the ice attack, fainting instantly.

"Wait, what happened to Bayleef?" Gold asked

"Sheer cold is like fissure." Tori explained "It's a one hit knock out move, if it works, you automatically defeat the Pokemon."

"I see, poor Pichu, it's all alone out there."

Nick looked over as Alex stepped off the platform he stood on, Bayleef was back in its Pokeball and it was just down to Pichu, even he knew he couldn't defeat two Pokemon at once, especially without back up.

He felt torn, he wanted to keep fighting, but that same doubt from before, when he took on Cynthia in the Sinnoh league, the voice of doubt told him Give up now, you're in too deep.

Nick made a hard decision on himself "Pichu, Thunderbolt on Lapras!"

Pichu shot another electric current at Lapras, a look of worry in his eyes. He knew what was going on.

Ditto took the hit but it didn't do much.

"Ditto, Hydro Pump!"

"Amphros, use Thunder!"

Nick looked on as a giant water cannon and a giant thunderbolt struck Pichu. Pichu hit the platform in pain.

"Wait! Stop your attack!" Nick demanded

"Hold on guys!" Andrew ordered both Pokemon

Amphros and Ditto both looked over at Andrew, who in turn looked over at Nick.

Nick had a white cloth in his hands and he threw it out, he was giving up. As it hit the water, he ran out onto Pichu's platform and held Pichu in his hands.

"Pichu! Are you okay!" He cried out, tears in his eyes

Pichu looked up at Nick weakly, smiled and then fainted. Nick held onto Pichu and hoisted himself up "I will be back, and next time, I will win."

"We shall see." Andrew said

Nick walked back onto his platform and walked out of the gym with Pichu in his arms. He was going to get revenge, he was going to win, for the first time in his life, for the first time in his trainer career, he wanted revenge against a gym leader, he wanted to kill them, he wanted his badge, and he wanted to win Neo Terra now more than ever.

Everyone! I am back! Finals are done and I can now post more frequently! Expect chapter 12 up one day this week! I know, Nick lost his gym battle, now he wants a reason to win. Next chapter won't be about the second round, but more of a filler chapter, like in the anime whenever Ash lost a gym battle, he had one or two episodes to recover then he went back in, its following the same theme.

Hope everyone likes this and I hope I didn't loose all my fans! I know I lost a few but Im hoping I get some new ones soon!

Anyway, happy reading, happy mothers day to all the mothers on this site and everyone of my reader's mothers! RxR