"Frogadier!" I shouted. "Water Pulse!"

Frogadier leaped into the air, heaving a sphere of water in the direction of the enemy.

"Dodge!" I yelled as a blast of energy rocket towards him.

The Water type leapt to the side, the beam missing him by a inch. He landed on his feet, a fiery passion burning in his eyes.

"Let's go! Power-Up Punch!" I roared, letting myself smile at the feeling of our bond grow stronger.

As Frogadier jumped and drew back his fist, power surging through us, I felt sudden snap. Everything went silent as Frogadier's eyes widened, mouth hanging open as he hung in the air, a choking sound coming from his throat. I watched in horror as his body went limp and he crashed to the ground, not moving

"FROGADIER!"

...

My eyes snapped open, my breathing erratic, my whole body sweating as my heart raced. Adrenaline was pumping through me, making me wide awake. I sat up in the bed I was in, the sound of my heart beating the only thing I could hear. With shaking hands, I nearly tumbled out of the bed and swiped at the belt that held my pokeballs.

I just stared at the one in my hand, trying to get my heart rate down. I controlled my breathing, one hand clutching at my shirt.

"It wasn't real," I spoke softly, repeating the words over and over. "It wasn't real. It wasn't real. It wasn't real. It wasn't real. It..."

I stood and unclipped the pokeball from the belt. Careful not to wake Robert or Alex at this point, I quietly headed out of the room in the Pokemon Center. I made my way to the battlefield out in the back, sitting on a bench.

I looked up at the night sky, barely any stars visible. I looked back down at the pokeball in my hand and held it out. Pressing the button, I let out Frogadier. The Bubble Frog Pokemon stretched and looked around, apparently confused at being let out at this time.

"Fro?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Hey," I said softly, smiling sadly. "I just wanted to see how you were doing, Frogadier."

"Fro fro," he said, nodding his head.

I gave a small laugh. "That's good to hear."

My smile faltered and I looked down at my lap. "Listen, we have a tough battle ahead of us tomorrow. We'll be up against Electric types."

I looked up at my Pokemon. "I know you want to get stronger, enjoy as much as you can. But I still have to ask. Do you want to do this still?"

Frogadier gave a swift nod, eyes full of determination.

Taking a deep breath, then letting it out, I held out a fist. "Then let's do this. Let's win, despite the huge disadvantage. I believe in you."

"Fro!" Frogadier said confidently, bumping my fist with his own.

...

"A double battle?" Alex and I both asked.

We were both standing on the Lumiose Gym battlefield, Clemont in front of us and Ash, Serena, Bonnie, and some guy wearing overhauls and sporting a beard. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't place my finger on it.

"That's right," Clemont nodded, pushing up his glasses, catching the light. "It's a way to get things moving faster. It's become imperative that much rides on us being swift. So," He pointed his finger at us. "The only logical solution is to do both of your gym battles at once so both of our groups can hurry up with our journeys. After all, the Lumiose Conference isn't that far off. Only 3 weeks as of now. You have a lot to do if you want to participate."

Mentally, I felt pain. "If I can't somehow get Frogadier to evolve soon, he's not going to make it to the conference."

"So we'll be your opponents," Clemont held out his hands as Ash came to stand next to him, looking slightly embarrassed. "Clembot is busy handling some tasks for me, including the Holo Casters, so that's why I need Ash."

"Wait," Alex shook her head. "How are you able to qualify as a gym leader."

Ash shrugged and Clemont explained. "He already proved himself stronger than me earlier, so technically he has the potential to be the fifth gym leader as well. At least until he proves himself stronger than that. But don't worry. He'll still be using only Electric type Pokemon like me."

"That's fine," I waved my hand. "That just makes me want to win more. This time, Ash, I'll beat you."

"You're going to have to," he grinned right back, straightening his hat. "Or you won't be able to get your gym badge."

"Hey," Alex butted in. "Don't forget about me. I ain't going to let either you or Clemont win either."

"Then let's get this show on the road," Clemont said. "Dad, why don't you be the referee?"

The man wearing overhauls stood and grinned. "Alright, son. Might as well."

As he jumped onto the battlefield from the stands, he jerked his thumb at himself. "The name's Meyer."

I chuckled, then smirked slightly. "Nice to meet you again, Meyer."

"Again?" Clemont asked.

"Oh," Meyer rubbed his head, turning his head so Clemont wouldn't see him wink. "We ran into each other once."

Alex shot me a confusing look, then looked at Meyer, then understanding dawned on her face.

"There goes his secret identity," Robert whispered to us before leaving the battlefield.

"Now then," he clapped his hands as we all took our positions. "This will be a Double Battle for the possession of the Lumiose Gym Badge! The gym battle between the challengers, Zeno and Alex, and the Lumiose gym leader and his helper, Clemont and Ash, will now commence! Each person will only have the use of two Pokemon this time around, as it is a Double Battle! When one side loses all their Pokemon, the winner will be decided! Only the challengers may substitute Pokemon!"

"I may be young still," Clemont smirked as a mechanical arm retracted from his backpack, holding a pokeball. "But I am the fifth gym leader of Kalos! I'll show you both why I earned that spot! With the power of science! Go, Emolga!"

"Back him up," Ash tossed out a pokeball. "Magneton!"

"Let's win this, Alex," I glanced at her. "Have my back?"

"There's no need to question it," she grinned, sending her Absol out. "Help us out, Absol!"

"Frogadier," I let him out. "I choose you."

"Take the first move," Alex shouted, thrusting out her hand. "Night Slash on Magneton!"

"Water Pulse on Emolga!" I yelled.

"Quick Attack!" Clemont ordered.

Emolga slammed into Frogadier, cutting off his attack.

"Thunderbolt!"

Magneton blasted a bolt of electricity along the ground, heading straight for Absol.

"Tear through it!" Alex commanded.

Absol's claws slashed through the air, dark wind scattering away the Thunderbolt.

"Volt Switch!" Clemont shouted.

"Dodge!" I shouted and Frogadier jumped and twisted his body to avoid the rings of electricity. "Now use Cut!"

Frogadier landed low on the ground and shot forwards, leaping into the air, slashing his blade along Emolga's back.

"Let's switch dance partners!" Ash shouted as Magneton was sent back by Absol. "Magnet Bomb on Frogadier!"

"Stop him with Psycho Cut!" Alex ordered.

"Aerial Ace!" Clemont directed his hand towards Absol.

Quick as a flash, Emolga zoomed up into the air and shot towards Absol, slamming her back.

"Get in there," I shouted and Frogadier ran to help.

"Not so fast!" Ash grinned. "Thunderbolt!"

Magneton zoomed in front of Frogadier's path, charging up electricity on its bottom two magnets.

"Use your bubbles to cancel it!" I commanded. "And hit with Power-Up Punch!"

Frogadier leaped past Magneton, landing a blow on Magneton. The Electric and Steel type's magnets were now covered in Frogadier's bubbles, shortening out the Thunderbolt.

"Night Slash!" Alex shouted.

"Aerial Ace!"

"Quick Attack and Cut!"

Frogadier ran to catch up to Emolga and leaped, slicing with his blade. Emolga cried out as she was knocked off balance. A dark wind blew upwards, blasting her away.

"Emolga!" Clemont cried.

"Magneton!" Ash shouted. "Thunder Wave on Frogadier!"

Frogadier tried to dodge, but he was hit by the electrical attack, wincing as jolts of electricity ran through his body.

"Hang in there," I grimaced. "Alex, we'll try and rush them both, but I'll need Absol there for support when Frogadier falls behind."

"On it," she nodded. "Absol, bring up the rear for support!"

"Charge right in!" I yelled. "Frogadier, Water Pulse!"

Frogadier narrowed his eyes and burst forwards, throwing a sphere of water underhand right up Emolga, who had to dodge to avoid the attack.

"Volt Switch!" Clemont shouted.

"Cover him! Double Team!"

A dozen Absols popped into existence, the Volt Switch blasting into one of them.

"Now!" I roared. "Power-Up Punch!"

Frogadier leaped, drawing back his fist. For a second, my dream came back to me, but Frogadier didn't falter. He slammed his fist into Magneton, knocking him backwards. The Steel type turned a whole 360 degrees before recovering, magnets sparking.

"Blast them both with Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded.

"Power-Up Punch!" I shouted, but as Frogadier tried to move, his body seized up as electricity sparked along his body.

"Me First!" Alex shouted.

Absol leaped past Frogadier, a sudden energy ball bursting from Magneton and zooming into Absol. Magneton's sparks died out, but Absol's body lit up with electricity. She growled, blasting Magneton with a much more powerful Thunderbolt.

"Cut!" I shouted.

Frogadier shot upwards, hurting Emolga before she could interfere.

"Aerial Ace!"

Emolga recovered and slammed into Frogadier, but Absol was there when the Water type was knocked back, slashing upwards. The Flying type fell to the ground, fainted.

"Emolga is unable to battle!" Meyer shouted. "Gym Leader Clemont, send out your final Pokemon!"

"I'm not done yet," Clemont's mechanical arm returned Emolga and fetched a second pokeball. "Come on out, Luxray!"

"Hurry!" I yelled. "Power-Up Punch on Magneton!"

"You too!" Alex shouted. "Night Slash!"

Both moves combined finally brought down the Electric and Steel type, making Ash return the Pokemon.

"Magneton is no longer able to battle!" Meyer shouted as Alex and I high-fived each other. "Ash, send out your final Pokemon!"

"Come on!" Ash grinned as Pikachu leaped from the stands and onto the battlefield. "Let's win this!"

Sharing a glance with Alex, we both nodded. "Return!"

Both of us having returned our Pokemon, we both sent out our longtime partners.

"Alright, Arcanine," I smirked. "Let's show them true speed."

"Ninetales," Alex clenched a fist, grinning. "Show them your power!"

"Flamethrower!" we shouted together.

"Protect yourself and Pikachu with Discharge!" Clemont thrust out his hand.

Luxray bounded forwards, putting Pikachu behind him as a dome of electricity grew outwards from him, protecting against the Flamethrowers. But, this was the combined force of two powerful moves made by two powerful Pokemon. The dome of electricity was shattered and the two fire moves slammed into Luxray.

"Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted.

Pikachu leaped over Luxray, cheeks sparking, then he let loose a powerful Thunderbolt.

"Extrasensory!" Alex yelled.

Ninetales' tails shot up as a psychic energy gathered around them and her head. A circular beam shot from her and clashed with the Thunderbolt, barely holding it back.

"Extreme Speed!" I roared.

Arcanine burst forwards, heading straight for Luxray.

"Wild Charge!" Clemont countered.

Luxray ran forwards, barely having enough time to coat himself with electricity before Arcanine crashed into him. Luxray tumbled through the dirt, glaring at Arcanine as he went to stand back up.

"Iron Tail!"

Pikachu slammed his tail across Ninetales' face, skidding along the dirt as he landed.

"Now use Thunder!" Ash commanded.

Pikachu fired a electricity upwards into a forming dark cloud, a huge thunderbolt brewing.

"Switch!" I shouted.

Alex nodded. "Ninetales, get out of there!"

Ninetales ran for Luxray as Arcanine ran past her.

"Heat Wave!" I shouted.

"Too late!" Ash grinned.

A huge bolt of lightning struck Arcanine, making him howl in pain.

"Again!" Ash pointed his finger upwards and Pikachu responded by charging up another Thunder.

Suddenly, the terrain exploded with electricity.

Clemont grinned. "Now we're more powerful! Wild Charge!"

Luxray howled and ran for Ninetales, electricity streaming off of him.

"Flame Wheel!" I shouted.

Arcanine rolled into a flaming wheel and burst towards Pikachu just as the Thunder hit him, creating a huge cloud of smoke.

"Inferno!" Alex yelled.

A huge cyclone of fire burst into existence in front of her, Luxray being burned as he ran through it, but still slamming his body into the Fire type.

Then, out of the smoke, Arcanine in Flame Wheel burst forth, fire and electricity surrounding him.

"We've always seemed to have an affinity for electricity," I grinned. "Now, let's use that to our advantage! Get him!"

Arcanine slammed into Pikachu, sending him flying.

"No way!" Ash looked both shocked and excited. "That's so amazing! Pikachu, Volt Tackle!"

Pikachu landed on all fours, bruised, but his body was enveloped in electricity all the same as he shot towards Arcanine.

"Meet him with Flare Blitz!" I roared.

Arcanine howled as he ran to butt heads with the Electric Mouse Pokemon.

"Quick Attack!" Alex shouted and Ninetales slammed Luxray away, who was still suffering from his burn. "Now, Fire Blast!"

While Luxray was still trying to regain himself, a fiery symbol burst into existence in front of him, reflecting in his eyes.

"GO!" Alex and I shouted simultaneously.

Two explosions rocked the gym, creating a huge cloud of smoke. When it began to clear, Luxray and Pikachu still stood, breathing heavily. Arcanine and Ninetales were in a similar position. All four were reaching their limits. The Electric Terrain had shorted out, leaving the battlefield as it was to start.

"We're so close," Alex grinned, placing one foot back. "We cant falter now."

"Agreed," I shared her passion. "Let's finish this. Heat Wave!"

Arcanine slammed a paw forwards, a visible heat cascading towards their opponents.

"Discharge!" Clemont and Ash shouted.

Two domes of electricity exploded into being, canceling out the Heat Wave.

"Quick Attack!" they shouted again. "Take out Arcanine!"

Luxray and Pikachu ran forwards together, both heading straight my Fire type.

"Extreme Speed!" I shouted, thrusting out my hand.

Both enemy Pokemon slammed Arcanine away, making him bounce backwards.

"Aiming for just him was a good plan," Alex smirked. "But that only gave us an opportunity!"

As Arcanine fell, Ninetales was there behind him, a ball of green energy forming above her nine tails.

"Solar Beam!" Alex shouted while grinning.

There was no time to react. The powerful energy beam blasted both Electric Pokemon and blasted them across the battlefield. Neither was able to get back up.

Meyer raised his hand. "Luxray and Pikachu are unable to battle! That means the winners are Zeno and Alex!"

"YES!" Alex and I both shouted, fist bumping.

"You two both won," Clemont walked forwards, his robot arm putting his Pokemon away as Ash went to pick up his Pikachu. "Quite spectacularly too. Honestly, I'm amazed at your teamwork."

His mechanical arm extended towards us, on it were two gym badges. "I present to both of you the Voltage Badge. With it, you two are one step closer to being qualified in the Pokemon League."

"And that means we're at the same spot in our journey," Ash said, coming over. "This is where it gets more interesting."

"And next time," I grasped his hand. "I will beat you in a full battle."

"Hah," Ash grinned. "Maybe, but once we see each other in the league," his eyes gleamed. "That's where I'll prove to everyone I am a Pokemon Master!"

Alex and I both took our badges and fit them into our badge case.

"Up next," I turned towards her.

"The 6th gym," she grinned.

"Looks like it's time to finally head out of Lumiose," Robert said as he joined us. "We've been in one place for longer than usual. But, let's set a course for Laverre City!"

Probably one of my more favorite battles to write. As Clemont noted, Zeno and Alex's teamwork is something special. Both their signature Pokemon are Fire types and work extremely well together. A duo their enemies should watch out for in the future. Well, until next time. I gotta post a chapter for TMR 2 soon, so anyone reading that, look forwards to that. Toodles