I stood at my side of the field and only partially took in what the referee was saying. I'd watched so many battles on television that, so long as I caught his arm commands, I wouldn't miss my queue to release my teammate.

Priya, in her usual way, had refused to tell me anything about Bugsy; who currently stood at the opposite end of the field. He was a short man who had a face that made him look much younger then he actually was. His purple hair helped the youthful effect, as well. In fact, I'd thought he was a girl when I first laid eyes upon him. He now held a determined look in his eyes as he gripped a Pokéball in his right hand and looked me over.

This was my first Gym battle with an actual live crowd. It wasn't huge as it was made up of a few local kids, Priya, Ken and their Pokémon in the front row. I had all my team members on hand as I was unsure of what to expect from this Bug lover. The field was certainly suited to his advantage as it was heavily decorated with high grass and thick trees.

And then the hand signal.

"Go, Vulcan!" I shouted as I threw my oversized Charmeleon's Pokéball into the field.

"Charrrrrrrr!" Vulcan roared in his rough voice as he landed heavily in the tall grass. His flame was only just above most of the grass and I dearly hoped we wouldn't be the cause of the place going up in flames.

I'd missed Bugsy's call but the Pokéball he released shot into the air and revealed itself to contain a Ledian. With a high pitched "Ledi" it started flying around the field. I was impressed to see its zigzagged movements; it had been trained well.

"So I see you're going for the strong advantage," Bugsy called over to me. "Don't think my Bugs don't know how to deal with Fire."

"We'll see," I shouted back before commanding, "Vulcan, Flamethrower!"

Vulcan's expression sharpened into what I'd started to call Monster Mode. With a dark growl he exhaled his stream of flames in the direction of the Ledian.

"Dodge and Light Screen!" Bugsy called before Vulcan's flames had left his mouth.

"Diiiii," the Bug-type chimed as it easily flew out of the attack's way. Its eyes then glowed and a faint orb seemed to surround it for a second before it faded out of sight.

"Mach Punch!" Bugsy shouted.

"Torch it!" I yelled.

Vulcan had continued his flame attack and was trying to land it on the Ledian. Unfortunately the opponent was crazy fast and easily flew circles around the attack and landed a fist bright with Fighting-type energy right in the side of Vulcan's head.

"Meeeel…" Vulcan moaned as he stumbled back and tried to steady himself.

"Focus and Flamethrower," I called.

"Comet Punch," Bugsy said with a wide grin.

Vulcan looked up but couldn't summon his flames before he was battered by a flurry of punches from the Bug. I yelled to my Pokémon to get out of the way but Vulcan couldn't or wouldn't respond. I quickly realized the punches weren't random, either. The Ledian was using its four fists to beat Vulcan's throat, jaw, and chest; thus preventing him from using his internal fire.

Then he'd just have to use something else.

"Ancient Power!"

Vulcan continued to get beat on but he still found some way to summon the ancient, eerie glowing rocks. The Ledian noticed this as well and took to the air in an attempt to be rid of them. It did escape most of the attack but got one rock to the side of the head. Even though the previously established Light Screen was activated it still seemed to throw the Bug off its game a little.

"Dragon Dance, Vulcan," I ordered uneasily. My Charmeleon, now confidant with Crunch, still had difficulties with Dragon-type moves.

I realized a second too late that my hesitation had been noticed by my Pokémon as he eyed me almost sadly but still tried to use the move. There was a faint glow in his eyes and a few shocks of that strange non-electrical electricity, but nothing else came of it.

Both the Ledian and Bugsy laughed.

I saw that Bugsy was about to make some humiliating comment about my Pokémon when Vulcan roared in fury and launched himself at the Ledian. I was surprised he hadn't grown wings with the amount of height he gained with a single leap. The Ledian had also been taken off guard.

"Crunch!" I yelled, though Vulcan had probably already decided to use it.

The Ledian cried out in agony as the much larger and heavier Pokémon latched on to its hind with teeth radiating Dark-type energy.

"Comet Punch!" Bugsy yelled as Vulcan's weight pulled the two down to the grass.

"Dii!" the Bug cried out as it beat Vulcan in the face, but my Charmeleon didn't seem to much care. His jaw remained firmly attached.

Then there was a demonic growl from Vulcan and flames replaced the Dark-type energy. I thought he was using Flamethrower, and he very well might have been trying to, but it turned out Vulcan had learned how to use Fire Fang.

The screech from the Ledian and its slowed movements told me that its pain had increased severely. Finally, with one last "Dii" and a final weak punch, it fainted.

Vulcan growled as he let his teeth flames die out but he didn't immediately release the Bug. He shook it violently, like a Growlithe with a toy, before throwing it in Bugsy's direction. He followed that up with a roar at the Gym Leader.

"Well," Bugsy said as the referee made his announcement. "I suppose I underestimated that thing."

I smiled and shouted my thanks to Vulcan. He was getting better at controlling his Monster Mode.

"Cut 'em up, Scyther," Bugsy called as he threw another Pokéball.

My face fell and I was sure I was pale as I heard the species name. Johto and Kanto had a good number of terrors that kept children in bed at night; Gyarados was one, Scyther was another.

I only got a single clear view of the beast as it emerged from its Pokéball before it became a blur of motion. I did my best to keep track of it as it circled Vulcan but I only accomplished giving myself a headache. As Bugsy smiled at the crowd's response I had a feeling this was the reason a lot of the locals came to the Gym battles; in hope of seeing Scyther.

"Vulcan, you have to stay away from it," I called. Clearly Bugsy was giving me the first move. "Flamethrower and take it out quickly!"

Vulcan had gained much experience with his Flamethrower. He could now alternate with having it long lasting and a little less powerful, or short lasting and more powerful. He responded to my order and used the latter.

"Agility," Bugsy called.

The Scyther didn't need the speed boost to dodge Vulcan's attack. Now it was a green almost invisible jet. Vulcan was setting the field aflame with his attack, which he was now just shooting out at random in hopes of hitting the thing.

"Quick Attack and put out the flames," Bugsy ordered, for patches of grass and some of the branches were starting to catch fire.

I didn't see the attack but I saw Vulcan go flying to the side. Then the Scyther went about putting out the flames as my Charmeleon sluggishly got up. He was in bad shape.

"Flamethrower," I shouted, hoping that maybe we could catch the Bug off guard.

"Wing Attack!"

The flames around the Gym were out and Vulcan didn't get a chance to spread anymore before he was struck along the spine by those razor-sharp wings. He stumbled forwards but caught himself on all fours before he fell.

"Slash!" Bugsy ordered. I knew he'd go in for another attack.

"Fire Fang!" I yelled at the same time and hoped Vulcan knew I meant his new attack.

I don't know how my Charmeleon managed it, but one second the Bug was moving at its incredible speeds, and next it had landed a nasty Slash down Vulcan's ribs while my teammate had his flaming jaw imbedded in the Bug's left shoulder.

The two rolled to the ground. Vulcan wouldn't let up his attack so the Scyther tried to cut him to shreds. However, with its movements slowed by its grabbed joint, Vulcan was able to catch the long blades in his claws and hold them back.

This only lasted for a short moment longer before, with furious buzzing, the Scyther landed a nasty kick along one of the wounds it had previously inflicted. It was enough to make Vulcan cry out in pain and release the green attacker. The Scyther flew up to a large tree branch and eyed the Charmeleon.

I strained my eyes to observe the Scyther. Something was off about it. It was stroking its shoulder with the flat of one of its blades and occasionally winced. Vulcan seemed to notice this as well as he snorted black smoke and he smiled smugly.

The demon Bug was burned.

"Finish it with U-Turn!" Bugsy said as he held up two Pokéballs.

The Scyther disappeared in a blur of green motion, though it was glowing brightly with Bug-type energy. I tried to call for Smokescreen but the attack had landed before the words were out of my mouth.

Vulcan was sent flying into a tree trunk as the Scyther's body glowed red and it returned to its Pokéball.

"Vulcan!" I called out, but he was out cold. His tail flame was so small there was little chance of it spreading in the flattened grass. I ground my teeth and returned him. I'd been sure he could easily take out Bugsy's entire team.

I looked up in search for the released Pokémon. I'd seen U-Turn used once or twice before and I knew that there was a new combatant out in the field. But I'd missed the release and all looked still.

"Will you, the challenger release your Pokémon or else forfeit the match?" the referee called.

"Right," I said as I shook myself, remembering where I was. "I know you can do this," I whispered to my Luxury Ball before I threw it. "Go, Albus!"

There were gasps of shock and excitement as the light formed my giant serpent. Albus let loose his deep hiss from between barely opened lips as he looked around. His eyes fell upon the crowd with a nervous expression and he wrapped himself into a sloppy coil.

"Focus, Albus," I urged.

My fake-Gyarados looked at me with an unsure expression before he turned back to the field. He was hunched over in unease, yet he still towered over the trees.

On the other side of the field Bugsy was eyeing my teammate with a strange expression. He seemed like he wanted to ask me something, but in the end he decided against it.

"Iron Defense," he said with the faintest stutter in his voice. I still couldn't see what he was commanding.

"Find it," I called. Albus nodded deeply in acknowledgment and went about looking the field over. He steadily moved over the tall grass and looked through the trees as best he could. It was very much a giant looking for a silent fly.

"Keep it up," Bugsy called.

"Hurry up," I called to Albus. Somewhere in that field some Bug-type was gaining a rock hard exterior. Albus started using his tail to bang trees in hopes that more then leaves would fall out.

The tension was getting unbearable as Albus continued looking. I could tell he was getting frantic as he growled uneasily with wide eyes. He even went as far as looking his own body over as if to check that the Bug wasn't hidden behind one of his own fins.

"Sling shot-Tackle," Bugsy ordered. "Right in the head!"

"Look out!" was all I could say to Albus as I was still unsure what the thing was.

Then there was movement. Something hopped from a tree to that tall grass. The grass rustled as it moved around Albus' mass of serpentine scales, during which my fake-Gyarados noticed it as well. Then it jumped into a low hanging branch a ways ahead of Albus. The branch swung back with the green thing's weight before it flung the thing, which looked like a green rock, at Albus. As it flew my youngest teammate reeled back in surprise and roared in confusion.

As he did so Albus accidentally (and I was certain it was accidental, for Albus was still having difficulties with the Gyarados powers) released a blast of flames with his roar. The blast was like some of his failed Flamethrower attempts. The attack was, however, extremely hot by Flamethrower standards and it barbequed the green thing, which I finally recognized as a Metapod, in an instant.

That all happened in a few short seconds so, as the Metapod fell to the ground, it took everyone in the Gym a moment to comprehend what had happened.

Albus turned to look at me with a very Murkrow-like tilted head. I was pretty sure my own head was tilted in the same way until the referee called out that Bugsy's Metapod had fainted.

"You won!" I finally shouted to Albus. I was still in slight shock at the power he'd used.

With a deep growl of pleasure and a wide smile Albus happily thumped the ground with his tail and did a serpent jig. Many of the audience broke out in hysterical laughter at the sight.

I couldn't hear Bugsy's call but I saw him chuck his Pokéball into the air and once again it revealed that demonic Scyther. Upon command the Bug started dashing around the field with Agility. I wondered how severe its burn was.

"Just like the last time," I yelled up at my fake-Gyarados. "Blast it!"

Albus reared and exhaled with a roar just like he'd previously done. However, this time not even a hint of smoke came out. This, unfortunately, left him wide open for another attack. The Scyther glowed green with Bug-type energy and hit Albus in the side of the head with U-Turn. It glowed red for a second but didn't return to its Pokéball like the last time as it was the last fighter Bugsy had.

"Again!" I ordered as Albus tried to steady himself. He looked a little dazed from the hit but managed to shake it off and tried to use Flamethrower once more. This time there was a faint trace of smoke, but nothing more. A Wing Attack to the other side of his head made me decide to change tactics.

"Alright, get it with Bite!"

Albus hissed and snapped at the Bug, but the Scyther easily maneuvered around the jaws that didn't appear to be emitting any Dark-type energy. My fake-Gyarados was a sitting Psyduck as the Scyther landed two long and nasty looking Slash attacks along Albus' body. To my dismay Albus seemed to give up as he stopped attacking and tried to hide himself among the trees. This was impossible for a creature of his size and it opened him up for many more attacks.

Had he been in better shape I'd have urged him on and tried to convince him to attack but I could tell he wouldn't last much longer against this swift-footed Scyther. "Alright, return," I sighed as I called Albus back to his Luxury Ball.

Across the field Bugsy seemed to have a much more calm composure. His Scyther still looked strong but it was nursing its burn that looked much worse then it had. Where there had previously just been a red bite mark there was now a gross blistering scab that was spreading over its chest and down its arm. Surely it had to be worse then it looked.

On my belt I passed my fingers over Nyx's Pokéball and Cyril's Safari Ball. On one hand, Cyril's blades would fare best against those of the Scyther. On the other hand, could Cyril move fast enough? Albus couldn't so maybe my smallest member would be the best.

"It's up to you. Go, Nyx!"

"Murkrow!" Nyx hollered as she flew out of the white light and surveyed her surroundings.

"Nyx, you've gotta be careful," I warned. "That Bug's a powerful and crazy fast demon. Don't let your guard down. Start with Feather Dance."

Nyx looked at me and tilted her head when I said 'Bug.' Clearly she didn't quite grasp the concept of a powerful Bug-type.

"Slash," Bugsy ordered.

Then Nyx was immediately attuned to the fight. I could barely see what happened next due to the high speeds. The Scyther made to get a clean slice in but somehow Nyx (very loudly) maneuvered right between the demon's blades as he came at her. Furthermore, as she and the Scyther were beside each other she flapped her wings and let loose a large puff of black down. The feathers coated the Scyther and especially stuck around his skull, blades, and wings. Thus, any hits they landed would be softened.

Nyx always had a way of shocking me.

"U-Turn!"

"Haze!"

Bugsy was on the offence while I was on the defense. I had the feeling he'd just realized there might be more to my Murkrow then there appeared to be. In truth, I was just as surprised as he was.

The attack, weakened as it was, still hit and sent Nyx flying upwards. Still, she managed to release her black smoke as she sailed uncontrollably though the air. Haze, of coarse, isn't naturally a cloaking move. However, when practiced enough it can go from a transparent dark fog to an almost opaque black brume. And we had certainly practiced.

I knew that burn was eating away at the Scyther's strength so we just had to outlast it.

It didn't take long before the field was consumed by blackness. I couldn't see the Pokémon but I knew Nyx's practiced Dark-type eyes would fair better then my own.

"Try and blow it away with your wings," Bugsy called. I hadn't thought of that.

"Quick, Confuse Ray," I called as the buzzing from the Scyther's wings got louder.

We still couldn't see anything but the buzzing had changed. Now it would go quieter, then louder at random.

"Scyther, U-Turn!"

"Drill Peck if it's confused and Wing Attack if it's not," I called.

The disadvantage of not being able to see is I couldn't call out the best move to use. Drill Peck was better, but it left you open for attack. Wing Attack let one get in and out more easily.

There was a Scyther's hiss and an angry caw. It sounded like both had landed a hit.

"Slash!"

"Keep it up, Nyx!"

There was the sound of fighting for a moment before it sounded like something was happening in a tree. Slashing of wood accompanied by hissing by the sound if it which could only mean…

"Nyx, the strongest Drill Peck you can muster!" The Scyther must be confused it it was attacking a tree.

"Krow," came from the steadily separating darkness that was followed by a nasty hiss and some pained caws.

I strained my eyes to see through the Haze but I couldn't see well enough yet. All I knew was they were in the tree tops. Then, as Haze became clear enough to see silhouettes, the two figures fell out of the tree.

The Scyther caught itself on the ground while Nyx angled herself so she half-glided and half-flapped over the grass. The Scyther ran after her and raised its blades just as it was upon her but, whether thanks to confusion or the previously inflicted burn, the Scyther twitched oddly and stumbled.

"Nyx, get it now!" I yelled quickly.

I would later be surprised at Nyx's immediate response to my command. She turned herself in the air as her eyes changed. I couldn't make out the change through the Haze but I could tell the usual red and white were gone. With a dark shriek she let loose some sort of beam from her eyes that hit the Scyther's upper body. The Bug-type lifted its head and shrieked with a voice I was sure I'd hear in my nightmares before it fell to its knees. It wasn't knocked out, but its breath was heavy and labored.

"Nyx, quick-" I started saying.

"Return!" Bugsy yelled as he held up his Pokéball and returned his Pokémon. "I know when I am beaten and my loyal Pokémon has suffered enough," he said.

Nyx flapped over and landed ungracefully on my head as the referee made his final call. I grabbed my Murkrow and pulled her off my head so I could look into her eyes. "You were awesome," I said.

Nyx observed me for a moment before she rolled her eyes and gave a beaky grin. She hopped up to my shoulder as Bugsy approached us. He had a strange look on his face, which he hid when he saw my eyes upon him.

"Well, that was unexpected," he said. "How a trainer of your rank has such Pokémon… Well, it doesn't matter. Here's your badge." He handed me a badge that reminded me of the Ledian. "It's the Hive Badge," he continued. "Proof that you've beaten the Azalea Town Gym. And if you'll come with me we can update your trainer card and I can give you your TM and winnings."

I smiled as I followed the short Gym Leader. I could hear Priya, Ken, and their Pokémon hollering their congratulations so I offered them a wave. I could tell Nyx was tired, as she was usually the first and loudest when there was a valid reason to make noise.

"Aren't you coming?" Bugsy had to call, for I had stopped.

"Yeah…" I replied. "You don't have any Ground-types in this Gym, right?"

"Yeah, only Bugs. Why?"

"Nothing, I guess," I said, confused. "Just… I could have sworn I saw a Cubone out of the corner of my eye."

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Author's Note:

I remember playing the original Silver way back when and thinking Bugsy was a girl. I probably found out he was a boy from watching the anime.

Reviews are super mega awesome! You guys are great!

I'll be sure to go through and do my little replies to them but right now I'm really tired and have to take my dog out before I head out, hopefully before it gets too cold (though, it's already 10:50 so I can't imagine it will change at all tonight).

Next chapter's gonna be short (probably). Sorry :/ It was gonna be part of this, but the battle is done and I just wanted to upload.

~ Syz