While Striaton City had surprised Trip with its size and grandeur, Nacrene City was much more his style. The township itself was quite simple and barren – some medium sized houses littered the side of the roads; at the far end of town, a small market place was buzzing with activity; while in the middle of town, a large Museum sat proudly next to the Pokémon Centre. Trip had done enough research to know that the Nacrene Museum was, for all intents are purposes, the Nacrene City Gym. Lenora was married to a man named Hawes, whose family had curated the Museum for many years. Once Lenora moved to Nacrene, she swiftly fell in love with Hawes and they combined their passions, an extension at the back of the Museum added on to create space for a battlefield worthy of Lenora's battles. The very battlefield where Trip, in a very short space of time, would be prising his first Gym badge out of Lenora's old, withered hands.

"Ah, Nacrene City," Cilan breathed the clean air in deep. "My brothers and I would often walk the path from Striaton looking for new Pokémon and adventures. We'd always love when the path ended and we walked into this delightful little town…equal parts humble and exciting. A refreshing combination!"

Trip nodded his agreement. In a lot of ways, the town reminded him of Nuvema Town. While he didn't hold any great love for his hometown, he could not deny the irresistible sense of comfort one could receive from that warm feeling of belonging. He stole a glance at Iris, who was looking around the town with a passive look on her face. It is that sense of home that Iris is lacking, especially with this talk of the Village and her friends. I've got to do something to cheer her up…and there is only one way that I can get that done.

"I don't see any reason to waste time," Trip declared, boldly walking towards the towering Museum. "Let's go and get me the Basic Badge."

oOoOo

"Welcome to the Nacrene City Museum…how may I help you today?"

The boy behind the counter of the Museum, who couldn't have been any older than Trip or Iris, beamed at the three as they slowly entered the large glass doors of the Museum. Trip self-consciously felt around in his pockets for any money, but he needn't have worried. The boy looked at the Pokeballs on his belt and gave an excited smile.

"Oh…you are a trainer! Are you here to challenge Lenora to a battle?"

"I'm not here to challenge her," Trip responded. "I'm here to beat her."

The boy looked surprised and did not even have a chance to reply as a slightly effeminate male laugh came from inside the Museum. A slight man with wispy brown hair and thick glasses tottered out to the three, laughing shrilly at the confidence of the young man. "Oh…oh! I say, that is quite the statement to make, young man. I must warn you, those who come into this Museum and underestimate the power of Lenora are more often than not thrown out in a matter of minutes after a swift defeat in battle!"

Trip grinned at the foolishness of the man. "That may happen to the rest of them, Hawes, but I can assure you that I won't suffer the same fate."

"Oh…you know who I am?"

"Of course I do," Trip sighed. "Any trainer serious about travelling around the region and battling every Gym leader must make sure they know all about their opponents first. It's basic stuff."

The man played with his collar, waving down the bemused counter boy with a grin. "Very well, then…if it is a battle that you seek, then we shall be happy to accommodate. But please, first, I implore you to have a walk around our Museum first. Free of charge for all challengers and their companions, naturally."

Cilan smiled at the man. "Why, that is very generous! This is Trip and Iris, and I am Cilan, perhaps you remember me from…"

Recognition dawned over Hawes' face. "Why, Cilan! One of the three brothers! How could I forget! The Gym leader convention last spring…that was quite the night! Not that I always adore being a plus one only, but Lenora does love her formal gatherings, after all. Why, she is out the back in the Gym right now…I'm sure she'd love to see you."

Cilan gave Hawes a warm handshake, who looked past the Gym-leader at his younger friends. "I'm sure Lenora will be happy to battle you after she reunites with Cilan here…but in the meantime, why don't you have a look around the Museum like I said? After all, any boy going on a journey must understand where we have come from if he truly wants to know where he is going."

The man quickly grabbed Cilan by the arm and led him towards the back of the Museum before the green-haired man could even speak. They left through a large brown door to the back, the slam echoing through the largely empty space. Trip held back a groan; history had never been one of his loves at school, and he couldn't see how walking around looking at the husks of Pokémon who had died thousands of years before would help him on his journey. Fortunately for Iris, however, something had taken her eye and she gravitated straight towards it. In the middle of the room, a large skeleton stood proudly; the outline of some humungous Dragon-type visible in the protective glass case. Trip walked up and joined her, whistling in unison with Iris at the mere size of the fossilized remains.

"It's a Dragonite," Iris quipped. "Or, it was. You can tell just by looking at it. The huge wingspan, the strong pelvic structure…yep, it's definitely a Dragonite."

Trip nodded his agreement. He had read much about the power of a well-trained Dragonite. There was a small plaque on the glass case, and Trip leaned in to read it. "These remains are of a powerful Dragonite, found fully fossilized in thick dirt on the outskirts of Opelucid City. It was believed to have died over 40 years ago, and as no Dragonite have been seen in the area since, it can be said that this was the last Dragonite to live in the region as a native."

Iris's eyes shimmered at the amazing sight. Such a large Dragonite…such power! There are so many amazing Dragon-types all over the world…I want to catch them all! Not just in Unova…but the entire world!

Trip, as he so often did, seemed to be reading her mind. "It might have been the last Dragonite from the Unova Region, but I bet we could find some if we went to Kanto. You know, as an option for the future."

Future?

The boy continued, trying to cover his tracks. "I mean…well, I mean that it would be amazing to travel around another region and catch their types of Pokémon, too. And imagine beating that obnoxious Ash on his home turf in what-the-hell-was-it-called town."

"Let's just worry about working our way through Unova first," Iris teased, sticking her tongue out at Trip. "I've only got Axew at the moment, and you don't even have your first badge yet!"

As if on cue, Hawes' voice rang out from the now open door at the back of the Museum. "Trip…my wife will see you now. I hope you are ready!"

oOoOo

Before his first Gym battle, Trip had been confident. He had strode into the Striaton Gym with a well-defined game plan, a strong pair of Pokémon and a healthy swagger. But this time he came with all those three things, as well as having Iris…and Cilan, to a lesser extent…all ready to support him from the sidelines, as well as the knowledge that he only had to defeat Normal types to win this match. Oh, and his secret weapon…though that third Pokémon would not be revealed until well into the battle.

On the other side of the battlefield, which was remarkably plain…just like Lenora's Pokémon, Trip couldn't help but think to himself…was Lenora, an African-born woman in her early 40s with an amazing tribal dress that rivalled Iris's for patterns and colour. While Hawes was endlessly plain, it seemed that Lenora was anything but. Opposites do attract, remember.

Hawes stood in the middle of the two and raised his hands in the air. "Challenger Trip, welcome to the Nacrene City Gym! This will be a three on three battle. The first opponent with no usable Pokémon left will be declared the loser of the match! Do you agree with these terms?"

Lenora nodded, speaking in a thick accent which suggested her exotic nature. "You know I do, darling."

Trip nodded, never breaking eye contact with Lenora. "As do I."

oOoOo

Up in the stands, Iris turned to Cilan. "I saw Trip putting a third Pokeball in his belt this morning, Cilan…did he tell you what he caught? He seemed confident that it would help him with the battle?"

"He didn't tell me, no," Cilan confessed. "But knowing Trip and his impeccably high standards, I daresay that he has chosen something exceptionally strong, with just the right amount of flair for battle!"

"I hope so," Iris whispered, concerned. Trip seemed very confident and sure of himself going into this match. But he did seem this way at Striaton, too…and he left there without a badge, rightly or wrongly. He needs your help, Iris. Don't let him leave here without a badge to show for it.

The girl leaped from her feet, shouting at the top of her lungs. "Come on, Trip! You can do it!"

Axew jumped onto the seat next to the girl, raising its fists to the air as well. "Axew! Axew!"

oOoOo

The roaring from the stands was timed perfectly to begin the battle. Lenora carefully selected a Pokeball from her belt and thrust it onto the field. "Minccino, come out and battle with me!"

There was the regular flash on the battlefield and Minccino stood in the middle, shyly flashing its eyelids around the room. In spite of herself, Iris cooed, and Axew looked positively besotted with the adorable grey creature. Trip, however, only had eyes for the prize.

"Huh…too easy…Snivy, it's your time to shine!"

Trip threw out his Pokeball and Snivy popped out onto the field, typical arrogant grin plastered over its face. No sooner had it appeared out opposite Minccino than the battle had begun. "Minccino, use your speed to get close to Snivy and use Tickle!"

Minccino shot across the battlefield with incredible agility and began to brush its tail against Snivy, who looked as though he was about to chuckle, before slapping Minccino roughly with a Vine and bounding back towards Trip. Snivy kept the same confident expression in its face, an expression worn by its trainer behind him. "It's going to take more than that to break Snivy's focus. Snivy, hit right back with Leaf Blade."

Snivy leapt into the air, tail glowing green, and smashed straight into Minccino with a strong attack. Snivy landed perfectly on its feet as the grey opponent fell backwards, smarting from the direct hit. Lenora, however, did not appear overly concerned. "Thank you, Trip…now you're nice and close for my next move. Minccino, use Sing!"

"Snivy, dodge it and…"

The command came too late. Minccino's lovely, and oddly alluring, singing voice reverberated around the battlefield, and in an instant, Snivy was laying down on the floor, dead asleep. Iris jumped up and down in the stands and Trip frowned, yelling at Snivy with a furious intent.

"Snivy, snap out of it! Wake up!"

"Let me help you with that," Lenora yelled with delight. "Minccino, use Wake-Up Slap!"

Minccino yelled and jumped into the air, tail now glowing a faint yellow. The tail slammed into Snivy, who woke immediately, but who flew across the field and fell onto the ground with a loud thud. Snivy slowly pulled itself to its feet as Lenora smiled victoriously. "Your Snivy has guts, I'll give it that. But Normal type Pokémon aren't to be undervalued, as you clearly see now."

"Huh. We'll show you a Normal-type move. Snivy, use Tackle!"

Snivy began to run at Minccino, and Lenora's grin widened. "Excellent. Let's restrict Snivy to this one attack! Minccino, use Encore!"

Minccino began to clap its hands together in a slow rhythm. Snivy was getting close, but Trip had prepared for this eventuation. Encore…I knew it. If that works, Snivy will only be able to use his last attack until Minccino is defeated…now, I just have to be quick enough.

"Snivy, pull out of your Tackle and use Leaf Tornado!"

"Huh?"

Lenora looked on in amazement as Snivy stopped in its tracks, jumped in the air, and began to use Leaf Tornado. It released the first just before Minccino's Encore was effective, trapping Snivy in a ball of shimmering air, before it dissipated, leaving Snivy looking frazzled. "Don't worry about it, Snivy! Hit them where it hurts with more Leaf Tornadoes!"

Snivy remained in the air and continued to attack with Leaf Tornado after Leaf Tornado. In a matter of seconds, Minccino stood frozen as four separate tornadoes slowly closed in from every possible angle. Lenora only had time to call out its name once before the tornadoes submerged into one another, trapping Minccino in the middle. After a short time they disappeared, and all that was left was Minccino laying on the battlefield, motionless, as Snivy dropped down next to her, exhausted. Lenora slowly pulled out the Pokeball and returned the defeated Minccino. Up in the stands Cilan clapped the wonderful tactics, while Iris yelled out her support and celebrations. Trip merely watched on in delight as Lenore frowned, sending her second Pokeball into the battlefield without a word of congratulations or encouragement.

"Grrr…let's even this battle up! Herdier, it's your turn!"

The flash of light revealed Herdier, the evolved form of Lillipup, a proud-looking hound with a purple coat of hair on its back, jumping onto the arena. Its hairs bristled on the back of its neck, and it seemed excited for a battle.

"Great work, Snivy. Have a rest for now," Trip called, returning the gloating Snivy to his Pokeball. He grabbed his next one, hurling it into the arena. "Pidove, let's make it two-zero!"

Pidove burst onto the arena and immediately flew into the air without Trip even having to ask it to. "Excellent, Pidove. Remember our training."

"Dove!" Pidove called its agreement, ready to go.

"Good. You know what to do – hit it with Leer!"

Pidove looked down at Herdier and its eyes glowed red, sending a tiny beam down and hitting directly into Herdier's eyes, who seemed to take a backwards step in fear. Lenora, however, was not having any of it. "Don't be scared of a tiny bird, Herdier! Strike it down onto the battlefield with a Shadow Ball."

Trip watched on, slightly nervous, as he watched the shimmering black ball emerge from Herdier's mouth and begin to shoot upwards. His whole tactic with Pidove against Herdier was to remain in the air and out of reach, eliminating all of Herdier's moves apart from Shadow Ball. He had practiced with Pidove dodging Leaf Blade from Snivy…and he could only hope that the training had proven successful. The Shadow Ball flew straight at Pidove, but it dodged with aplomb, the attack smashing into the roof with no damage done.

"Good work, Pidove…now keep flying around and use Leer after Leer!"

"Keep firing your Shadow Balls," Lenora yelled. "He can't dodge them forever."

Cilan leaned forward and watched with great appreciation as Herdier missed attack after attack, and Pidove landed Leer after Leer on Herdier, who now looked very wary indeed, legs shaking slightly. "Don't you see what he's doing, Iris? By using Leer on Herdier, he has lowered Herdier's defence to horrifically low levels…and by using Shadow Ball repeatedly, Herdier has had to stay in the same place, making him an easy target for Pidove. A wonderful display of brains over brawn!"

Iris smiled, again amazed at Trip's tactical fortitude. "Finish him off, Trip! Go Pidove!"

"She's right, Pidove…time to finish this," Trip said, looking at the shaking Herdier with a sense of pity. "Use Quick Attack and put him out of his misery!"

Pidove shot down as if fired out of a cannon and scored a direct hit on the heavily weakened Herdier, who instantly fell to the ground with a weak cry. Hawes, not wanting to look at his bristling wife, held his arm up in Trip's direction. "Herdier is unable to battle! That means the Gym leader only has one Pokémon left!"

And I know what it will be. Time for my secret weapon.

"Pidove, great job as well. We'll take it from here," Trip called out, returning Pidove to its Pokeball. "Are you sure you don't want to give up, Lenora? I would hate for you to lose without even defeating one of my Pokémon."

"You may have won the battle, Trip…but this is my strongest Pokémon! Go Watchog!"

A blur of light, and in the middle of the battlefield stood Watchog, a tall ferret like creature with wonderful red and yellow patterns down its body, arms folded in a threatening gesture. Trip, however, did not seem worried in the least. He grabbed the mysterious third Pokeball from his belt and thrust it at the ground in front of Watchog. What appeared, though, was not the glorious Pokémon that everybody was expecting. In fact, what stood in front of the surprised Watchog was perhaps the smallest, weakest, scrawniest Sewaddle that anybody in the Gym had ever seen in their lives.

"Sewaddle…"

Even the cry was weak, and the Pokémon looked up at Watchog in terror, then back at Trip for guidance. All Trip did was look at Lenora, a triumphant look upon his face. Lenora looked surprised initially, then smiled in defeat, nodding her head in approval at Trip. Iris merely looked on in shock. Why would Trip send out such a weak Pokémon? Why would he even catch it? It goes against his whole philosophy!

Looking at the boy; how confident and calm he remained, she couldn't help but think that the more she learned about him, the more there was that she still had to learn about him. What a kid!

oOoOo

Why would Trip catch such a weak Pokémon, and use it in a Gym battle no less! Tune in next time to see if Trip and his Sewaddle can keep his perfect record up against Lenora and her impressive Watchog!