Pokémon: Konoha Region

by Sand Fox

A remake of my original fanfic, Pokémon Konoha. Follow the journey of Pokemon trainers Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Hinata Hyuga as they start their adventures and travel through the Konoha Region, aiming to become Pokémon Masters! This story is set in the Pokémon world, using characters from the Naruto Manga.

8. Chapter 8: Their First Gym Battle

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Disclaimer

Let me just start out with the standard Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Pokémon, or any of the associated or mentioned franchises/companies, and I am not making a profit on this.

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Author's Note

Whoa! I was able to finish and post a chapter within a month of my last one. And I think it's the longest one I've written for this fic. Of course, that's because four battles take place in it (spoiler alert). Here's hoping I can keep this up!

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Review Response

Shadowwolf1997: Yes, I'm so glad I've been able to update my fic semi-regularly as of late (I hope I'm not jinxing it by saying so). Itachi and Karen are going to be a very comical couple, as this chapter will show. As for Sakura's hatred for Mareep and cute Electric-types in general, that's more or less meant to be a subversion of how people typically adore them.

Dreaming of the Phoenix: Sasuke's views on respecting the dead and how he's semi-superstitious are based on some traditional Japanese values. For example, touching the dead or violating a grave is considered a seriously blasphemous act that makes one unclean until they ritually purify themselves. Respect for the dead is very important in Shinto, and several pseudo-Shinto rituals are seen several times in the Pokémon universe. So, you could say that I portray Sasuke (and the Uchiha family) as being very reverent to tradition, while Sakura is more pragmatic. Also, Sasuke never said he did not believe in ghosts- that was Sakura. Sasuke does believe in ghosts and spirits, but also that they won't harm you if you give them proper respect. Meanwhile, Naruto believes in ghosts and thinks they can do evil in the physical world, while Hinata is more in-between.

Hinata's backstory was hard to work with; I wanted to keep it close to how it was in the manga, but having a girl kidnapped and then demanding someone's head for killing your agent is not something that can translate well into the Pokémon world. You'll learn more about the details of Hizashi's death, and how it affected Neji, in future chapters (not to mention who the killer is).

CRUDEN: Haha, glad you liked it. And as a hint, if you think you see a Psyche reference, you can assume it is one. I was only going to put in one reference to that series, but it's become fun to keep adding them because you keep noticing it! Haha.

Guest: I struggled with how to give Hitomi a unique and memorable personality. Making her a loving big sister was not something I planned, but sort of fell into place as I was writing. Then I realized it was perfect for her.

A few people have asked about leaving a list of every teammate's move pool. Right now, I am not sure what exactly I want to do about that. In my setting, Pokémon can learn far more than just four moves, so it'd be a pain to list all the ones they known (especially since several they'd never use). Right now, I think I will make a trainer spotlight for the signature/favorite moves. However, I think it'd be too much hassle to list it ever chapter. Also, as Sakura makes clear in this chapter, she is not going to keep Polteageist.

To my next guest, it's pretty much necessary that Kubo and Kata will have to use Water Pulse/Aura Sphere like Rasengan; it wouldn't be a Naruto fanfic otherwise. They'll both also make use of Substitute as a nod to Shadow Clones (though I think Kubo will be more proficient with that technique than Kata).

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The Hero's Pokémon & Accomplishments:

Naruto Uzumaki:

Team Members: Kubo (Froakie, male, Starter), Sora (Bagon, male), Kata (Riolu, male, Aura-trained)

Badges & Awards: None

Sasuke Uchiha:

Team Members: Bayushi (Eevee, male, Shiny), Togashi (Charmander, male, Starter), Akodo (Shinx, male), Hitomi (Dewott, female)

Badges & Awards: None

Sakura Haruno:

Team Members: Ochako (Chikorita, female, Starter), Tetsu (Beldum, male*), Mina (Goomy, female)

**Sakura also has a Polteageist in her possession, but she does not consider it a member of her team.

Badges & Awards: None

Hinata Hyuga:

Team Members: Kikyo (Ralts, female, Starter, Shiny), Midoriya (Chespin, male), Katsuki (Quilava, male, genetically altered)

Badges & Awards: None

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Pokémon: Konoha Region

Chapter 8

Their First Gym Battle

"It was nice of the Pokécenter to give us a complimentary breakfast," Hinata said, daintily picking up a cinnamon roll.

Sakura smiled. "They only did that because they were afraid we might try to sue the center after being attacked by that Polteageist. After all, making sure the center is safe is Nurse Joy's responsibility."

"You mean the Polteageist you brought into the Pokécenter with you?" Hinata pointed out.

Naruto chuckled. "Hey, they don't need to know that. Let's just keep that bit of information to ourselves, and hope we get more free stuff!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes, then noticed Naruto checking something on his Pokénav. It looked to be some sort of advertisement. "What's that?"

"Oh, you know that Coordinator Contest your sister-in-law is going to be part of? I was just checking it out," Naruto said. "There's some really cool prizes!"

"You mean my future sister-in-law," Sasuke pointed out, even as he looked over Naruto's shoulder. "What sort of prizes?"

"Well, first place gets a bunch of TMs and a set of Evolution Stones," Naruto explained. "Two of each, for both partners."

"What do you mean by 'both partners'?" Sakura asked, scooching in from Naruto's other side.

Naruto glanced at the girl, smirking. "Don't you know? The contest has a double-battle theme. That means all the coordinators competing have to work in pairs…wait, you said yesterday that you were going to enter. How could you not know that?"

Sakura winced. "Uh, well, I haven't checked it out yet," she admitted bashfully. "I was only entering it because Ino had challenged me."

Naruto snorted and about to say something, but stopped when Sasuke reached over and grabbed the Pokénav.

"Hmm, I wonder what the TMs will be?" the dark boy mused aloud.

"It doesn't say," Naruto said as he tried taking his Pokénav back.

"Hmm, they'll probably be useful in any case," Sasuke said.

"Are you thinking about entering? Ooh, maybe you can be my partner?" Sakura suggested, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously.

Sasuke rolled his eyes and Naruto laughed.

"I didn't think you'd be interested in coordination," Naruto said teasingly.

"I'm not. Not really. But it would be interesting to try it out. I'm pretty sure Bayushi and I could be good at it if we wanted to."

Sasuke looked over at his Eevee, who was eating and socializing with the other Pokémon. While Bayushi normally tried to eat his meals with his trainer, it seemed that today he wanted to spend time with the two new additions to the group's crews, Hitomi and Mina.

Naruto spoke, grabbing everyone's attention.

"If Sasuke's teaming up with Sakura-"

"I didn't agree to that," Sasuke protested.

Naruto ignored him. "-then maybe you'd like to team up with me, Hinata?" The boy smiled brightly at her. "I'm totally going to enter, so I'll be needing a partner. You wanted to join in too, right?"

Hinata blushed lightly. "Uh, yes, I guess I-I was considering it," she stammered. She cleared her throat and steadied herself. "Well…actually, I wasn't sure if I wanted to enter or not…but if you are, I guess I should, too. After all, you need a partner, and it'd be silly for me not to enter when everyone else is."

Naruto winked. "Don't you worry- my mom's a master coordinator, and she taught me all about contests. What about you? You have any experience with it?"

Hinata shook her head. "My mother participated in contests a little bit, but only casually...and she passed on before she could really teach me much about it."

Naruto nodded understandingly. "Well, you'll do fine. In fact, I think I've got some ideas for our appeal, if you want to get started on that."

As Naruto eagerly started discussing coordination, appeals, and other contest terms, Sasuke and Sakura looked at each other, more than a little lost.

"…do you have any idea how contests work?" Sakura asked the boy bashfully.

Sasuke nodded. "Uh, I learned some of it from Aunty Kushi- uh, from Naruto's mother," he added quickly. "Do you want me to explain the basics?"

While the trainers spoke among themselves, their Pokémon also conversed.

"[Ooh, Pokémon Coordination,]" Kata said, smiling and looking back at his companions. "[That'll be fun.]"

"[What is that, exactly?]" Midoriya asked, looking slightly embarrassed. Kata seemed to know a lot more about human culture that the Chespin; Midoriya guessed that the Riolu had been taught by his sensei, or maybe had chances to talk to humans. Either way, it did leave Midoriya feeling very uninformed and small, always having to ask the others to explain things to him.

Kata opened his mouth, but Hitomi spoke sooner. "[It's like battling, only the focus is on form and skill,]" she explained, not missing a beat as she helped feed Mina. "[First there is the appeal round, where trainers have their Pokémon show off their skill and style. That can involve doing tricks, creating pretty combinations with attacks, or all sorts of other things. Then trainers face each other in battles, but they're judged on style and tactics. Boring or unskillful fighters are disqualified one by one until only the most talented contestant is left standing.]" She turned smartly and allowed herself a small, smug smile. "[Papa was a very skilled coordination contestant; he taught me all about them.]"

The other Pokémon thanked Hitomi for her explanation, save for Katsuki, who just grunted in disgust.

"[It sounds…]" The Quilava paused, glancing over at Mina, who was being cared for by Hitomi and Ochako. The baby looked at him with curious eyes. "[…it sounds like sissy stuff,]" he grunted weakly, going through effort not to say the more vulgar word he had meant.

Akodo jumped up, Sparking. "[Take that back, you baseless villain! How dare you insult Lady Hitomi's father-?!]"

Hitomi cleared her throat, cutting the Shinx off. Without looking the least bit perturbed, she took a bite of her own food and smiled. "[Thank you for watching your mouth around the baby,]" she said, her voice calm and genuine. "[After all, they pick up everything their little ears hear or their little eyes see. Isn't that right, Sweetie?]" She gave Mina an affectionate pat.

"[Wwwight…Wwight. Ith' that wight?]" the Goomy repeated.

"[Very good!]" Ochako cheered, giving the baby a big kiss. "[You got it right!]"

Hitomi and the other quickly began raining praises on Mina, telling her how she was a wonderful learner and such a good girl.

Baby Pokémon, unlike humans, develop and learn very fast. Most can understand basic words within a day of hatching, and are able to move around on their own. By a week, they can understand orders and might even participate in mock battles. Their development was especially rapid if they had a large number of teammates willing to help teach and train them, along with a trainer who was attentive and loving.

Clearly, Mina was no exception to this; she was already able to form and understand simple words.

While everyone else attempted to teach Mina new words or otherwise dote on her, Katsuki drew away, flinching. The Quilava turned and jumped onto the bunk, climbing up and hiding on the top bed.

His flight did not go unnoticed.

"[Poor Katsuki,]" Kikyo mused, looking up sadly.

"[M-maybe one of us should go talk to him?]" Midoriya suggested.

"[You're a slow learner, aren't you?]" Kata asked, rolling his eyes as he moved back to where he was sitting, taking another bite from his breakfast. "[Edge-meister doesn't like talking or opening up to anyone. Especially you…no offense.]"

"[I guess you're right,]" Midoriya sighed, looking up where Katsuki had hid himself sadly. "[Why do you think he's-]" He paused, looking for the right word.

"[Aggressive?]" Bayushi suggested.

"[Dishonorable?]" Akodo added.

"[A complete edge-lord?]" Kata put it, speaking loud enough for Katsuki to hear him.

-SmackSmackSmack!-

Using both his claws and tail, Togashi swiftly hit all three of the jokesters on the back of their heads, scowling.

"[If you're not going to stay anything useful, then keep your mouths shut,]" the Charmander said firmly.

Bayushi growled at him. "[I don't take orders from you.]"

"[No fighting in front of the baby!]" Ochako hissed angrily.

Next to her, Mina watched the boy Pokémon arguing with her face in a grimace. She looked ready to cry.

Sora ran up to her, sticking his tongue out and making a funny face. Tetsu joined in, swinging his mechanical arm and ticking like a clock.

This distracted Mina enough so that soon, she was giggling and playing along. Even so, Ochako shot a challenging look at the three troublemakers, making it clear she wanted no more fighting.

Bayushi grunted an apology to Togashi, and they separated.

After a few second of odd silence, Midoriya looked over at Hitomi; he hesitated for a moment, and then moved next to her.

"[Hey, um-]"

"[You want to know if I can tell you anything about Katsuki, right?]" the Dewott asked.

Midoriya nodded dumbly. "[How'd you know?]"

"[It was pretty obvious, considering that's what you were just talking about,]" Hitomi pointed out. She looked over at Mina, still playing with Tetsu and Sora, and moved a few more feet away. "[There, now we can talk without worrying about being overheard by tiny ears.]"

Aside from those playing with Mina, everyone gathered together, curious.

"[I remember our humans discussing this the other day,]" Kikyo said, recalling Prof. Tsunade's call. "[I believe it has something to do with Katsuki's physiology leaving him constantly angry and stressed.]"

Hitomi shrugged. "[That could be it; I wouldn't know. But I don't think growing up in a prison where we were forced to beat each other to near death is good for anyone's mental health.]"

"[You grew up there, and you don't seem crazy,]" Kata pointed out.

"[I had Papa, Mama, and my baby brother,]" Hitomi said. She paused, letting out a melancholy sigh. "[They gave me strength…they gave me hope. Me and my brother were probably the only 'mons in that awful pit that had something like that.]"

There was a disparaging snort. Katsuki had climbed down and sat down with the others. Akodo glared at him as he pushed Midoriya to the side and sat next to Kikyo, but the Quilava ignored him, looking instead at Hitomi.

"[You have something to say?]" she asked in an even, conversational tone.

Katsuki rolled his eyes. "[You think you were the only one with hope?]" he asked darkly. "[Bah! Most of the punks in the joint were full of hope. Everyone thinks they'll be the ones to break out and be free. But then when the reality of the situation sinks in…when the days turn to weeks, and weeks into months, and nothing changes…hopes stops inspiring you…and starts driving you crazy. Your hope becomes despair.]" He growled, spitting bitterly. "[You had a family, that's why your hope didn't push you over the edge, you stupid little girl.]"

Once again, Akodo got up to snap at Katsuki, only for Hitomi to hold out her hand for him to stop.

"[I suppose you could be right,]" she said simply, looking a bit thoughtful but undisturbed. "[Having something to live for does give hope purpose. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.]" She smiled and bowed her head respectfully.

Katsuki looked at the Dewott like she was mad. For a moment, his face twisted in rage, but he just grunted and turned away, arms folded.

Kata noticed, and smirked. "[Aww, upset that someone doesn't rise to your bullying?]" he asked in a singsong voice.

"[Bite me, you smart-mouthed freak-!]"

Midoriya spoke up, cutting the argument off. "[Uh, what was it like…growing up where you did…in Team Snake's clutches?]"

Katsuki and Hitomi gave him a strange look. Each one considered the question. Hitomi answered first.

"[Well, I suppose you could say it was like any other prison?]" she suggested in an unsure voice.

"[Did you spend your life in a small cage, and were only let out to fight?]" Bayushi asked, soundly almost childish. "[Were you only fed moldy bread and stale water? Were you-?]"

"[You have an overactive imagination,]" Hitomi said, looking unamused. "[Think about it: we were meant to fight, so that our masters could make a profit. How could we do that if we were kept in cages and never allowed to exercise? How could we turn a profit if we were so unhappy, we decided to just curl up and die?]"

Bayushi winced. "[Eh, sorry. Stupid question.]"

"[No, it's okay,]" Hitomi said diplomatically. She considered for a few seconds before going on. "[We were kept in cells, though we all had cellmates…if we were good, we got to choose them. I stayed with my family. We'd be let out of to exercise and train, and we were allowed certain amusements. Toys, television, even materials for arts and crafts.]" She turned to Katsuki. "[Katsuki won't admit it, but he's pretty good at folding paper.]"

"[Shut it,]" he growled weakly.

She just laughed and went on. "[Of course, the real purpose behind giving us privileges was so that the screws- uh, that's what we called the humans in charge of us,]" she explained upon noticing the others' confused faces, [-anyway, the screws gave us privileges so that they could punish us by taking them away if we didn't obey. They also had other punishments…most of which involved pain.]" She looked over at Katsuki again, this time with a sympathetic expression. "[Katsuki got his privileges taken away more often than given. He got himself thrown in solitary for weeks at a time more than once.]"

The Quilava allowed himself a smile. "[There was nothing more satisfying than burning the face of one of the screws,]" he said. "[I made sure they were afraid of me, not the other way around.]"

"[Yes, for all the good it did you,]" Hitomi pointed out.

As they continued to talk and trade barbs, Kikyo leaned back and considered all she had learned. It was likely that her trainer and the others would want to know all this. It might help Hinata know how to better connect with the violent Quilava, or give Sasuke deeper insight into just how important Hitomi's brother, her last surviving family member, is to her.

Kikyo glanced at her gathered friends. Akodo was congratulating Hitomi for her 'gallantry in the face of despair', while Kata half-teasingly praised Katsuki for 'having the stones to stick it to The Man', no matter the consequences.

The Ralts allowed herself a small laugh, and then got up and moved over to her trainer. Gently, she pulled on Hinata's sleave. …I have something for you… she explained telepathically.

Once the girl understood, Kikyo replayed the scene in her mind, translating it for the human.

-0o0o0-

…The Sound Trio's Room at the same Pokécenter…

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Dosu, Zaku, and Kin looked at the assortment of equipment spread out on their bed, equal parts impressed, excited, and eager.

There was the standard stuff for such a mission, such as fake IDs, lockpicks, handcuffs, smoke bombs, and a taser. But there were a few items that they had never seen before, as well; the most impressive of which was a heavy metal device designed to be worn like a backpack. Zaku explained that it was a Pokéball-suppression field emitter; you turn it on, and all balls within a 100-foot radius stopped working. Pokémon couldn't be called out or recalled to their ball. Best of all, it was quiet, and designed to look like an inconspicuous backpack went not in use.

"With this, it doesn't matter how tough Karen Blackworth is; her team's going to be useless!" Kin said eagerly.

"Yeah, and I can set it up so that our balls won't be affected by it," Zaku pointed out.

"Huh, that's nice," Mizuki said absentmindedly. Unlike the others, he was not admiring all the new equipment. Rather he was sitting at a desk, looking over the black Pokéball that HQ had sent him, along with the warning explaining this Pokémon's particular strengths and dangers. On the desk next to the ball was a package containing three green vials. The kind designed to be put into an injection gun.

"Remember, HQ only loaned you that Pokémon," Dosu pointed out. "It's only supposed to be used as a last resort."

"They can keep it," Mizuki said, shrugging. "My job at the gym means I'm supposed to favor Poison-types. I never really liked Dark or Fire-types much. Besides, it says here that this beast doesn't take orders. Apparently, it's still loyal to its original owner." Mizuki rolled his eyes. "That's why it came with the Venom." He pointed towards the green vials.

The three teenagers winced slightly. Venom was a powerful and dangerous drug that Team Snake had invented (rumor had it that Kabuto designed it himself). Pump it into a Pokémon, and they'd go berserk. Stronger, faster, and more dangerous than ever, with a dulled sense of pain. The drug also left them in a near uncontrollable blind rage- though Team Snake's scientists had found ways around that little downside too.

"The beast has a control collar on," Mizuki explained, holding up a small remote control. "Pump him with Venom, and he's controlled by his brain's rage center until it wears off. And the control collar lets us direct the rage at a target."

"It's not perfect control," Zaku said, eyeing the device apprehensively. "The Pokémon can still decide to attack something else, can't it?"

"Not really. Venom leaves it in a blind rage; it can barely think, let alone decide it doesn't want to be angry with something," Mizuki said, shrugging.

"Urg, I don't even want to think about it," Kin said. "I mean, I understand that Team Snake has to experiment sometimes…from risk comes progress. That's the way of science." She repeated a phrase she had used before, though this time she didn't have the same conviction behind it. "But I've seen what Venom does to a Pokémon. It's like they don't have a soul anymore. I mean, even for Team Snake it seems…heartless."

Mizuki snorted disparagingly, but Dosu and Zaku both seemed agree with Kin's assessment.

"Ugh, stupid bleeding hearts," Mizuki muttered, rolling his eyes. "You'd think they'd realizing being part of a gang might mean doing some bad things." He noticed the clock on the wall. "Shoot, is that the time?! I've got to get to work!" He grabbed the black Pokéball and ran out room without so much as saying goodbye to the trio.

Zaku frowned as the door slammed shut. "Frickin' loser. I'll be so glad when this mission is done."

"Well, I'm just glad that isn't our real mission," Kin said, frowning. "Kidnapping the girlfriend of an Elite Four member? How absurd! There's no way we'd get away with it!"

"Be quiet, you two," Dosu said angrily. He got up and opened the door, peering out into the hallway. "Good, he really is gone," the boy said, shutting the door. "But next time, make sure he isn't listening in on us before opening your yaps!"

Zaku shrugged. "You're being paranoid! Why would Mizuki even think about doing something like that?"

"When you're planning on letting someone else be your fall guy, don't ever assume they aren't on to you," Dosu said warningly. "We can't trust Mizuki. Remember that."

Zaku sighed, but conceded the point.

"Anyway, you two will be scoping out our target today," Dosu went on. "And looking for any good safehouses, just in case our cover's blown and we need to hide. Meanwhile, I'll accompany Mizuki as he does some reconnaissance on Karen and her habits."

Kin nodded nervously. "Yeah. I mean, I know we have a plan and all…but it's still really dangerous."

"Yes, but we do have the element of surprise on our side," Dosu said. "After all, who ever heard of criminals breaking into a police station?"

Echoes, who had been sitting on a perch in the corner, flew over onto the bed, deciding that the mood needed to set with a little music.

"The warden threw a party in the county jail

The prison band was there, and they began to wail

The band was jumpin', and the joint began to swing

You should've heard them knocked out jailbirds sing

Let's rock

Everybody, let's rock

Everybody in the whole cell block

Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock!"

-0o0o0-

After breakfast, Naruto and the others decided to sign up for the Teakgrove Coordination Contest, while there were still slots available.

"Hey, after this, let's head over to the gym!" Naruto suggested excitedly while they waited in line. "We've been in this city for two days, and I haven't even said high to Iruka-sensei yet!"

"Yeah, not to mention we need to face him to earn our first badges," Sasuke said bluntly.

Sakura turned around at the mention of Iruka's name. "Wait, you mean Iruka, the teacher from Pokémon school who was really nice? He's the Teakgrove Gym Leader?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, my dad used- er, I mean, Iruka told me that a friend of his pulled some strings to get him the job when he applied for it last year! Leading his own gym was his dream job!"

"Good for him," Sakura said, smiling. "Couldn't have happened to a nicer person."

"I think so too," Hinata added.

Iruka had been a popular teacher, and every student in his class was sad to see him leave last year.

"Hey, what type does he specialize in?" Sasuke asked, just as his Pokénav pinged an alert saying that he had a text message. Sasuke checked it, still listening to the others.

"Well, I remember he had a Bulbasaur and a Nidoran male and female, so I'm guessing Poison-type," Naruto said.

Sakura smirked. "Lucky us; Hinata's got a Psychic-type, and I've got a Psychic/Steel."

Hinata gently pointed out that Kikyo was also part-Fairy, meaning she was as weak to Poisons as they were to her, and that Tetsu didn't know any Psychic-type moves.

However, the girl was cut off by Sasuke.

"Darn it, we're not going to the gym after this," Sasuke said, looking surly. "Karen sent me a message, asking me to meet her for lunch. And yes-" he added as Sakura opened her mouth "-she said you're all invited, too."

Sakura couldn't help but let out an excited squeal. "Ooooh, I'm going to meet Karen Blackworth!" She started dancing in place.

"Not so loud! Someone might hear you!" Sasuke hissed. "Remember, no one is supposed to know about this!"

Sakura nodded, doing her best to calm down. Even then, she couldn't help but skip as she went up to the register's desk. However, she paused, reading something.

"Uh-oh."

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked, looking over her shoulder, and then he saw the problem.

The contest had an entry fee. An expensive one.

"…I guess that's why they have such cool prizes," Naruto said awkwardly.

He looked at Sakura, who looked at him, and then both of them looked over at Sasuke.

Everyone knew what was on their mind: it'd be hard enough for them to cover their own entry fee. Naruto and Sakura could afford it, though money would be tight for a few weeks. However, Sasuke had gotten his stipend revoked for the month…he couldn't pay for it, nor could he expect Naruto and Sakura to. They might have been willing, but it just wasn't possible.

"I-I can pay it," Hinata suggested before anyone said anything.

"I didn't say anything!" Naruto shouted quickly, pulling away.

"No one said you did!" Sakura pointed out.

Naruto laughed nervously. "Yeah, but I thought you'd be mad that I was totally thinking that!"

"Are you serious?" Sakura said, looking disgusted. "You know, it's really low to think we can keep taking advantage of Hinata's generosity!"

"You probably were thinking the same thing," Hinata said under her breath.

Up on her shoulder, Kikyo nodded vigorously at her trainer, confirming it.

Sakura blushed and shrank down, while Naruto stuck his tongue out at her.

"And it's not taking advantage of anything," Hinata insisted. "Father gave me a large stipend to use for emergencies…and this is an emergency."

"…I wouldn't call this an emergency," Sasuke pointed out, even as Hinata was pulling out her credit card.

"Well, it's just a lone," Hinata said. "I do expect you to pay me back." She might have been generous, but she wasn't going to let her friends take advantage of her…mostly.

Sasuke nodded. "Of course." He pulled out his Pokénav, bringing up a chart. It had columns for Sakura, Naruto, and Hinata, along with sections for dates and amounts.

"I made this last night," He explained. "After I realized that I'll be depending on your charity for the next month. I'm going to keep track of every time you pay my expenses; I will pay you all back in full."

"Oh Sasuke, you didn't have to do that," Sakura said, looking at him admiringly. "We weren't going to expect you to pay us back. We're friends! We help each other out! Still, I do love a man who's organized…"

"Speak for yourself," Naruto said in a stage whisper. "Sasuke's paying me back every dime; I don't care how pretty his face is."

Hinata let out a light chuckle, and Sasuke just rolled his eyes and grunted.

Sakura and Sasuke signed up for the contest, followed by Naruto and Hinata. They had to register as partners, which meant that Sakura was able to glance at the list and see who Ino was partnered with. The name 'Choji Akimichi' was written next to Ino's near the top of the list. It was somewhat familiar, though Sakura couldn't place it. Before she could check to see if there were any other names she recognized, the receptionist pulled the list away and asked them to move aside for the next pair.

"Hey, do you remember someone by the name of Choji in our class?" Sakura asked.

Sasuke shook his head, which was no surprise; he was very antisocial. Aside from his friendship with Naruto, Sakura didn't think she could recall him interacting with anyone outside of classwork.

However, Naruto recognized the name. "Yeah, he's the chubby kid who hung out with Ino and Shikamaru. I remember her being nice to him…I think he had a crush on her," Naruto added, smirking. "Why do you ask?

Sakura was about to answer when someone accidently ran into her, knocking her over. In the process, Mina was knocked from her hands. Luckily, Naruto dove in and caught her…only for the Goomy to squish from his hands and land on his face, giggling.

"Oh shoot, I'm so sorry about that!" the black-haired teenage girl said, reaching to help Sakura to her feet. She started quickly brushing Sakura off. "Oh man, that was totally my fault! I so should have been looking where I was going!"

"Uh, it's okay," Sakura said oddly. She was bewildered with how apologetic the girl was being.

The stranger had long black hair that reached the floor, and next to her was a boy with messy hair, equally black.

"Sheesh, Kin, you are such a klutz!" the boy said, slapping the girl on the back with far more force then necessary.

"Ouch! Watch it, Zaku!" Kin said, his face getting dangerous. Then she caught herself, and smiled. "Uh, anyway, you're okay, right?" she asked, looking at Sakura and thumbing up with both hands.

Sakura nodded, still weirded out by how overly friendly she was acting.

With that, the two strangers bid them a friendly goodbye and left, moving unusually fast.

"…she ran into you on purpose," Sasuke said suspiciously, glaring as the two left his line of vision.

Sakura laughed. "Don't be silly. Why on earth would he do that?"

"…to pick your pocket when she was brushing you off!" Sasuke said, suddenly realizing it. "Quick, check to see if you still have your wallet! Bayushi, after them-!"

"Wait, let me check first!" Sakura said. She quickly patted herself down. "No, nothing's missing!" she announced, pulling her wallet out. "And my Pokédex and 'nav are here too! See, you were being overly suspicious."

Sasuke frowned. He had been sure that it looked like the girl had run into Sakura on purpose. But he said nothing.

Sakura retrieved Mina from Naruto, and the group started walking again.

-0o0o0-

Zaku and Kin smiled evilly as they watched the Twerps leave the center from their room's window.

"I don't think they noticed a thing," Zaku said. He turned to Kin. "You slipped the bug into the Pink Twerp's backpack, right? Where she wouldn't check for it?"

Kin rolled her eyes. "Yes, just like I told you. Oh, and also-" she slapped him as hard as she could cross the shoulder "-that's for hitting me!"

"Yowch! I didn't hit you that hard!"

"Bet you wished you did now!" Kin hissed.

Rubbing his shoulder, Zaku turned on his computer, smiling. "With that bug in place, we'll be able to not only keep track of the Twerps, but also listen in on any conversations they're having."

"Good. Then we can start planning some payback; both for that first defeat and for stealing all those Pokémon we were smuggling," Kin said, looking rather vicious.

The two had only noticed the Twerps by happenstance in the lobby. Kin had suggested calling Dosu and letting him know, but Zaku had come up with the idea of planting a tracker/spying device on one of them.

Their mission from Kabuto might not have involved the Twerps at all, but it was because of them that they were in this mess to start with. One way or another, they'd have vengeance!

-0o0o0-

…A little while later…

-0o0o0-

Karen Blackworth was staying at the Teakwood Inn, the oldest and most prestigious hotel in the whole town. Walled off from the streets by a grove of teak trees, the inn was actually five different wooden buildings, all large and old-fashioned in design. According to the inn's advertisements, the main building was the very first inn built in the city, having been expanded upon as the years went on. Each separate inn was surrounded by a beautifully maintained yard, sprinkled with classy tea house and meditation gardens.

As they were walked through the gates by a footman, Sasuke had to admit that at least his future sister-in-law had good taste.

Entering the main building, Sasuke repeated the name Karen had been registered under- Oboro Iga -and said they were expected. The receptionist checked, smiled, and ushered them to Karen's room.

"Oboro Iga?" Naruto asked as they walked along. "Where have I heard that before?"

"It's probably from a novel," Sasuke said. "Karen and Itachi always use characters from their favorite novels for their aliases."

They arrived at Karen's room. Sasuke knocked, and the door was opened in less than a second.

"Sasuke, hello! Baby brother!"

Before Sasuke knew what happened, he had been dragged into a tight hug that knocked Bayushi from his shoulder.

"Letgoofme!" Sasuke demanded, pushing free. His Eevee automatically jumped back to his rightful place on Sasuke's shoulder, hissing angrily.

Sasuke looked at the person who had hugged him, expecting it to be Karen. To his incredible shock, it was not.

No, it was Sasuke's brother, Itachi Uchiha.

"Wh-what are you doing here?!" Sasuke demanded, completely confused.

Itachi just smiled at him, then looked at Sasuke's friends, who were equally bewildered. He recognized Naruto, but there was also a dark-haired girl who seemed to be trying to shrink into the floor and not be noticed, and a pink-haired girl who looks ready to bust with excitement, a young Goomy in her arms.

A woman's voice from inside the suite called out. "Sweetums, invite them in before someone notices."

Itachi looked back over his shoulder. "Right, Shmoopy-doo!" He turned back to the kids and motioned them in.

They walked in, Sasuke groaning at the stupid pet names Itachi and Karen used for each other.

The suite was richly appointed and large, with a living room and entertainment system, connected to a patio by a great glass door, out on which Naruto spied what he was sure was a hot tub.

Karen Blackworth sat on a loveseat in the living room, greeting Sasuke and his friends with a warm smile as she scooched over to make room for Itachi next to her. He sat down, and the two exchanged a quick kiss before turning to their guests.

"What are you doing here?!" Sasuke repeated.

"Stop shouting, Sweet Sasuke. It's rude," Karen said. "Please, everyone, have a seat."

Frowning, Sasuke quickly sat down in the nearest chair and repeated himself, though this time his voice was not raised. "What are you doing here?"

"You haven't even introduced your friends, Baby Brother," Itachi said, his tone playful and teasing.

Sasuke's face darkened, and Itachi decided to relent.

"Oh, all right. I'll go first," Itachi said, raising his hands in defeat. "Well, it's the strangest thing. You see, a few days ago, a group of trainers somehow uncovered several Pokémon being smuggled by Team Snake. The young heroes turned them over to the local authorities, who in turn handed them over to the Konoha League authorities in Teakgrove…you wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" he added playfully, winking at Sasuke.

"Nah, they're much to well-behaved to have such wild adventures, especially since they've not even been on their journey for a month!" Karen said, snuggling up to her fiancé.

"Quit joking and finish explaining," Sasuke said.

He glanced at his companions to check their reactions. Sakura was smiling and blushing, doing her best to hide her face and look modest, while Hinata burned bright red and struggled to try and not draw attention to herself. Naruto, of course, was just smiling broadly and kept looking from Sasuke to the happy couple snuggling on the loveseat.

"Anyway," Itachi went on, pulling himself away from Karen, "it was decided that the rescued Pokémon should be brought to the Konoha League's care center in Oakcrown City. And unfortunately, it's not safe to transport Pokémon kept in those black Pokéballs that Team Snake uses."

"Why?" Sakura asked.

"It seems that somehow, Team Snake found a way to steal their balls back, mid-transport," Itachi explained. "As such, the League needed someone to come here to Teakgrove, pick the balls up, and bring them to Oakcrown. I was happy to volunteer for the job; as a member of the Elite Four, I'm one of the strongest trainers in the League, so I don't have to worry about Team Snake trying to steal the Pokémon back from me. And, best of all, my dear Shmoopy-doo would be here at the same time, making it the perfect time for us to spend some nice quality time together!"

The couple nuzzled their noses together.

"Get a room," Sasuke groaned.

"We had one before you showed up," Karen pointed out. She laughed and looked at the others. "Now, please be a dear, Sweet Sasuke, and introduce us to your friends!"

"Don't call me that. It's bad enough what you call Itachi," Sasuke said, frowning. He sighed and pointed at each person as he named them off. "You've already met Naruto. That's Sakura Haruno; she's Prof. Tsunade's apprentice. And that's Hinata Hyuga…her dad's Hiashi Hyuga, head of the Aura Guardians."

"My, you have some impressive friends," Karen said, winking. "And cute ones, too."

Naruto let out a self-satisfied chuckle.

Sasuke decided to change the subject.

"Where's Amaterasu? And Cerberus?"

"Oh, we let them outside to enjoy the fresh air. I'll got get them," Itachi said, rising to his feet and opening the glass door to the patio. He let out a loud, clear whistle.

"Who?" Sakura asked.

The sound of claws scampering across the floor answered her question. A moment later, a pair of magnificent Houndoom burst into the room, pushing past Itachi in their excitement. The larger of the two looked at Karen, but the smaller one immediately noticed Sasuke, running towards him, with the larger following. In an instant, the had knocked Sasuke over in his chair, going for his face.

Sakura started to scream, and Hinata nearly fainted, but Naruto gave both a reassuring rub on the shoulder. "Look!" He pointed.

Far from attacking Sasuke, two Houndoom had started gleefully licking his face and affectionately nuzzling against him.

"Get off me, you big oafs!" Sasuke ordered, though his tone was far from upset.

"VEE!" Bayushi cried; he'd been thrown from Sasuke's shoulder when the Houndoom had knocked the boy over, and now had run onto his master's chest and puffed his fur out, hissing protectively.

The smaller Houndoom barked with glee and just rolled Bayushi over with her snout, mouthing at the Eevee playfully while he struggled and protested.

"Okay, that's enough!" Itachi ordered, giving a different whistle.

The pair froze, and then quickly moved beside Karen and Itachi, sitting on their rumps.

"Sakura, Hinata, this is Amaterasu, my brother's strongest Pokémon," Sasuke said slowly as he got to his feet. He was motioning toward the smaller of the pair. As a female, she also had smaller horns than the other one, Sakura noticed.

"And the other one is Cerberus, Karen's pet," Sasuke explained, motioning towards the larger male.

"Drrm?" Cerberus grunted, tilting his head. He noticed that Sasuke hadn't introduced him as his trainer's strongest teammate, unlike Amaterasu.

"Yeah, I remember them from your battle on TV last year," Sakura said, daring to move closer.

"You can pet them," Itachi said, pushing Amaterasu towards her.

Sakura's hesitation evaporated upon making eye contact with the friendly dog. "Heh, you know, I thought they'd be vicious- uh I mean, based on what I saw on TV during your match," Sakura said, scratching the Houndoom behind the ear.

Amaterasu stretched her neck out so she could sniff Mina. This frightened Sakura, but since neither Itachi nor Sasuke seemed alarmed, she allowed it.

The Goomy giggled at the big doggy and blew some bubbles at her. Amaterasu sneezed when one popped on her nose, but instead of getting upset, she just let out a friendly noise and rolled onto her back, letting her tongue flop out of her mouth.

"Most people think Houndoom are dangerous because of how they look, not to mention the violent image media's given them," Karan explained. "In truth, they are loving and loyal creatures." She gave Cerberus an affectionate scratch behind the horn.

Hinata nodded, pulling out her Pokédex.

"Houndoom, the Dark Pokémon, and the evolved form of Houndour," it pinged, turning on. "Houndoom have a number of abilities and habits that have left them with a dangerous reputation. Houndoom's flames are fueled by a napalm-like substance created from a mix of toxins in its gut. Breeders have dubbed this mixture 'Houndpalm'. This causes Houndoom's Fire-type attacks to be hotter and leave deeper burns than most other Fire Pokémon, resulting in the urban legend that burns caused by Houndoom will ache forever. These Pokémon live in packs, and are infamous for their intelligence and ruthlessness when hunting. Their eerie howls can fill Pokémon and people with unnatural dread. As such, ancient people considered Houndoom to be grim reaper-like figures, and hearing a Houndoom's howl at night was considered an omen of death. Most people consider Houndoom to be too difficult and dangerous for all but the most experienced trainers."

Sasuke let out a disapproving grunt.

The 'dex pinged again, and went on. "However, this image is hotly contested in the Konoha Region, especially by the Uchiha family. The Uchiha family were the first to train the Houndour-line, and are considered the finest breeders of them. They maintain that Houndoom are noble, devoted Pokémon, and it is custom for lead members of the family to have one on their team. Professional breeders have noted that Konoha-born Houndour/Houndoom, especially ones bred by the Uchiha family, not only seem stronger and smarter than others of the species, but also possess much more manageable dispositions."

"It's not that they're easier to manage; it's that we know how to handle them," Sasuke said. He moved over to Amaterasu's side, stroking her belly. Soon, Cerberus had moved next to him, rubbing against the boy. Bayushi glowered nearby, looking jealous.

"That was a lengthy description," Naruto pointed out. He started giving Cerberus some attention so that Sasuke wasn't overwhelmed.

"I hit the 'more info' button," Hinata said. "It seemed appropriate."

Itachi sat back down. "Hmm, now that we've got all the introductions out of the way, why don't we order lunch from room service, and you can tell us all about your adventures. Dad summarized some of what happened, but I want to hear the details!" He turned to Sakura. "How did you end up traveling with Sasuke?"

Sakura blushed and chuckled nervously, her memory flashing back to accidently running Sasuke over with her bike.

-0o0o0-

…After lunch…

-0o0o0-

Teakwood's food was just as high-class as its rooms were, and Sakura was awfully glad that Itachi had footed the bill without even looking at them.

The newest member of the Elite Four was nothing like Sakura expected. Though he looked to be the sort of man that was cool and serious, Itachi came across as…well, as something of a dork.

For example, he openly doted on both Sasuke and Karen; the woman loved it, while the boy in turn despised it.

Itachi and Karen used an enormous number of inane pet names for one another, such as 'Cutie-Pattootie', 'Sweetie-pie', 'Sugar-booger', and 'Honey-bunny, to name a few. Though, all things considered, Sakura wondered if perhaps Itachi and Karen were playing up their sickening sweetheart routine to needle Sasuke. They clearly enjoyed the way Sasuke flinched whenever they acted overly lovey.

The pair's Houndoom also seemed to be an item, affectionately laying together on the floor and letting the humans pet them as they snuggled- though they were not overly sentimental, unlike their trainers. The two were so disarming that Sakura allowed Mina to crawl over and get a closer look at them. It took only a few moments before the dogs started carefully playing with the baby, gently rolling her about or letting her ride their backs. In an instant, any thought in Sakura's mind of Houndoom being evil or dangerous vanished from her mind. They were clearly noble and trusting creatures.

"You've been through some amazing adventures…and you've barely started on your journey!" Itachi exclaimed after the kids finished talking. "Fighting Team Snake, rescuing smuggled Pokémon, saving each other…it's like your magnets for danger!"

"Don't get overprotective," Sasuke said firmly. "It's all just coincidence. And speaking of just starting our journeys, we still need to face the Teakgrove Gym Leader."

"Ahh, wanting to leave already?" Karen said.

Sasuke winced slightly. "I didn't mean it like that-"

"Oh, I'm just teasing," Karen said, winking.

Itachi cut in. "However, it might be fun to witness my baby brother's first gym challenge. And since we have no other appointments for the rest of the day…" He smiled at Sasuke.

"We'd love to have you come!" Naruto said before Sasuke could say anything. "Maybe you can give us some pointers, too!"

"Ooh, and maybe some advice on coordination?" Sakura added.

"Seriously?" Sasuke hissed.

"You're entering the contest?" Karen asked.

Sakura nodded. "Eeyep! All of us; even Sasuke! He's going to be my partner!"

She reached over and took hold of Sasuke's arm, winking.

The boy remained stoic, crossing his arms.

-0o0o0-

…Later…

-0o0o0-

Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, Itachi, and Karen stood outside the Teakgrove Gym. The two famed adults had come disguised…or at least, what they considered disguised. For Itachi, this consisted of him having his hair free, wearing a large straw beach hat, and putting on dark glasses that made him look blind. Karen, meanwhile, had put her hair up in a bun, put on some large, fake glasses, and a practical, single-piece dress that made her look like a schoolmarm. Amaterasu and Cerberus were left behind at the inn with the patio door open. Houndoom were iconic to the Uchiha family, so traveling around with them was just asking for attention.

Sasuke though their disguises were atrocious. However, when they arrived without incident at the gym, he quietly admitted they might know what they were doing.

Teakgrove Gym was surrounded by a high wooden wall, old-fashioned in design, that hid most of the actual gym from onlookers outside. The doors were open wide, leading to an extensive obstacle course and gymnasium of equipment that surrounded the main building.

Several students and their Pokemon, all dressed in brightly colored ninja-gear, were climbing walls, walking across tight ropes, swinging over mud pits, and navigating jungle gyms. Naruto spotted a girl using a Bellsprout's Vine Whip to swing over a mud bit, and in another area, a boy wearing a blindfold was being guided through an obstacle course by his Zubat.

"Ninja-themed? Isn't that kind of cliché?" Sakura asked playfully as the group walked in. "And since when do ninjas wear brightly colored jumpsuits? It's so impractical!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "What do you expect ninjas to wear, black pajamas? Real ninjas dress as normal people when on a mission, since the point is to blend in and be beneath notice."

"Don't be absurd, Sasuke," Sakura said. "There's no such thing as ninjas."

-0o0o0-

…At that exact moment…

-0o0o0-

Kakashi Hatake, leader of the Konoha Elite Four, suddenly sneezed without warning. Which was somewhat embarrassing, as he was in the middle of a TV interview.

-0o0o0-

"Of course ninjas are real!" Naruto argued as the group walked through the gym grounds towards the main building.

To their left, an instructor explained to a group of young trainers the berries and plants best used to treat a Pokémon's ailments and conditions. To their right, another instructor lectured on what berries and plants to use to treat common sicknesses in people.

"Whatever," Sakura said, shrugging. "And Mina, please stop that." She turned her attention on Mina, who was getting excited seeing people and Pokémon running and climbing. The little Goomy was struggling to leave her surrogate mother's arms and join in the fun.

"I like the ninja theme," Hinata confessed. "It makes the place very lively."

"Yeah, but it seems kind of odd," Sasuke said thoughtfully.

"What do ya' mean?" Naruto asked.

"Iruka was a teacher, not a coach," Sasuke pointed out, then motioned to the obstacle course that surrounded the whole gym. "Shouldn't his gym run more like an academy than a ninja school?"

"Funny you should mention that. It used to!"

The speaker was a white-haired man wearing a bandana on his head and a flak jacket. He gave them a wide smile and walked over in a swaggering sort of way.

"Iruka originally ran Teakgrove Gym like an academy, but it was so boring and got barely any business; I had to convince him to go for the ninja theme," he explained proudly, holding up his hand and pantomiming an explosion. "Boom! Suddenly, the gym was popular!" He laughed.

"And I suppose it is just coincidence the fact that the old gym had a ninja theme before the leader retired, or that Iruka was mostly settling in and looking to see if he could find instructors that could teach ninja-themed classes before deciding to continue the tradition?" Itachi asked.

The stranger winced in embarrassment. "Ah, so you're familiar with the gym's history." He tried to smile and change the subject. "I'm Mizuki, Iruka's assistant and basically the second-in-command here." He looked at the four kids. "The newbies, I can understand, but we don't get many adults- whooooa!"

Mizuki trailed off upon noticing Karen. He actually paused, midsentence, and openly gawked at her.

Karen, for her part, just smiled. "Uh, can I help you sir?"

Mizuki continued to gawk, and Itachi got annoyed.

"Hey, buddy, I know she's cute. She's my fiancé. Understand?" he asked angrily. "Stop gawking."

As Mizuki stumbled back and apologized, Naruto let out a small chuckle. "Hey, think you can take us to see Iruka? We're old students of his!"

"Uh, sure," Mizuki said oddly, stealing a glance at Karen again. "Let me…let me text him real quick, first." He took a few steps away and pulled out his phone.

Sasuke looked over at Karen. "He totally recognized you!" he whispered harshly.

Karen rolled her eyes. "Nah; he was just stunned by my beauty. Lots of men are; your brother included." She puffed out her chest vainly.

Mizuki called for them, leading the group to the front main building.

Styled to fit the ninja-theme of the rest of the gym, it was a wooden building with a tiled roof and curved eaves. Outside on the lawn, a man with a scar across the bridge of his nose and his hair in a high tail was lecturing a group of students. Aside from his ninja-themed outfit, Naruto recognized Iruka instantly. Next to him, a Nidoking proudly helped him with his demonstration.

"Hemlock here looks strong, doesn't he?" Iruka asked rhetorically. His Nidoking (apparently named Hemlock) smiled and flexed.

A few students nodded or muttered in agreement.

"However, when it comes to battle, the Poison-type is not known for its offensive abilities," Iruka explained. "In fact, the Nidoran-line's greatest advantage is the ability to use such a wide variety of non-Poison-type moves!"

Hemlock deflated, casting a glare at his trainer.

The class laughed, and Iruka held up his hands playfully.

"Hey, it's only the truth, big guy." Iruka turned back to his class, and noticed Naruto and the others for the first time. He paused, smiling, before catching himself and continuing the lesson.

"Anyway, Poison-type moves are only strong against the Fairy and Grass-types, while they are resisted by four types, including the common Ground and Rock-types, not to mention Steel's complete immunity. Meaning most of the time, your Poison-types are going to be using non-Poison moves to get around their resistances, so no STAB boost. Defense, however, is where Poison-types really shine. Poison resists no less than five types, including the very common Fighting, Grass, and Fairy-types, and they are immune to the Poisoned continue. Comparatively, they are only weak to Ground and Psychic-types. With most Poison-types learning moves like Toxic, Spikes, and Confuse Ray, they may not be able to win battles with brute strength, but they can completely cripple an enemy team."

"King!" Hemlock snarled, picking up a large stone and crushing it between his claws.

"Yes, Hemlock. Poison-types can be just as strong as any other type," Iruka conceded. "Thank you for missing the whole point of my lesson."

The class tittered with laughter.

"Class dismissed," Iruka said, recalling his Nidoking.

The children cheered and quickly scattered, while Iruka walked towards his guests.

"Naruto! I've missed you," the teacher said, smiling as the boy ran up and hugged him. "Did you enjoy the lecture? Learn anything from it."

"Uh, actually, it kinda went over my head," Naruto admitted bashfully, shrugging.

Iruka sighed. "…I understand." He looked over at the rest of the group. "Haha, I knew you and Sasuke would be journeying together. Hello, Sasuke. Ah, Sakura Haruno, the brightest girl in class! I'm surprised to see you; I didn't know you and Naruto were friends."

Sakura looked down bashfully. "Well, we sort of bumped into each other at the start of our journeys and decided to travel together."

Iruka nodded and looked at Hinata, pausing for a few seconds. "…Miss Hyuga, I believe? You sat in the back of my class and had to skip class for private lessons several times, I think."

Hinata nodded, blushing. "Y-yes sir. I'm Hinata Hyuga."

"Nice to see you again, Hinata," Iruka said, then looked at the two young adults accompanying them. Upon seeing Itachi, his eyes widened a bit before relaxing. "Ah, uh, you're-" he paused, considering his words carefully "-Sasuke's elder brother. I recognize you."

"We've met before," Itachi said with a knowing smile. He motioned to Karen. "This is my fiancé, uh, Oboro Iga. We just bumped into Sasuke and his friends here, and decided it'd be nice to watch their first gym battle."

"Yeah! Iruka Umino, I challenge you to a gym battle!" Naruto proclaimed, jumping back and pointing at him dramatically.

"It's not polite to point," Iruka said in a deadpan voice. He then looked at Naruto and the others thoughtfully. "Hmm, I've never had four challenges all at once…it is a unique opportunity…"

"What are you going on about?" Mizuki asked, looking kind of irritated.

Iruka smiled. "Let me explain," he said, talking to both Mizuki and everyone else. "But first, can anyone tell me how each gym challenge is unique?"

Sakura answered automatically. "Because every Gym Leader themes their gym trial differently, in order to test a challenger's talents not only in battle, but in the various skills that the Konoha League consider important to be an exemplary trainer."

"A perfect answer, as always, Miss Haruno," Iruka said, nodding. Taking a step back, he motioned to the obstacle course that surrounded the gym's main building. "This gym is designed to make sure that trainers understand the various challenges required to survive in the wilds on their own. We train students here in both physical fitness and in practical use of medicinal plants. However, the gym also focuses on teamwork, which is the basis of any successful Pokémon journey. Trainers are not only encouraged to use their Pokémon to help them overcome the various tests, but are also taught the best tactics to use in double battles."

"Cool," Naruto said affirmatively.

Iruka nodded. "Normally, challengers must make their way through the obstacle course before I face them in a double battle. However, since there are four of you, I think we'll try a different test. How about we test how you all work together? We'll have four double battles, in which two of you will be randomly paired together each time. If you're able to beat me in at least three of the four battles, you'll all win and each of you will earn this." He reached into his coat and pulled out a shiny badge. It looked like a taijitu symbol, shaped from the purple and blue silhouettes of a male and female Nidoran. "The Antidote Badge."

"Sounds good!" Naruto said cheerfully.

Next to him, Sasuke nodded. He preferred the idea of battling to running through an obstacle course, and besides that, it sounded quicker.

"Wait, you said four double battles," Sakura said, looking thoughtful. "That would require eight Pokémon from both us and you, for sixteen total. But trainers can only have a maximum team of six, how will you do that?"

Iruka nodded. "Smart girl. Firstly, note that the claim that trainers can only have six Pokémon on their team something of a misunderstanding. Trainers can only use a maximum of six Pokémon in League-sanctioned battles; because of this, the PC system automatically transports any excess Pokémon captured away. Trainers can technically reset the PC system so they can have as many Pokémon on hand as they want. However, new trainers are also strongly discouraged from doing this, since caring for teams larger than six can be very difficult for a trainer on a journey, both in giving everyone a healthy amount of attention and giving proper care; feeding everyone, for example, can become very expensive for someone carrying 20 Pokémon. Mostly, everyone sticks to maintaining teams of up to six, with the exceptions being people who need to use a lot of Pokémon at work. For example, a good portion of the Pokémon used by the instructors in this gym are actually mine." He cleared his throat and went on. "As for how I will fight your eight Pokémon, I'll be using only four. Mizuki here will be my partner and use four of his."

Mizuki smiled dumbly, and then did a doubletake. "Wait- what?"

-0o0o0-

"Welcome, challengers, to Teakgrove Gym!" a gym announcer proclaimed over the loudspeaker.

They had moved to the battle hall inside the gym's main building. An official battlefield took up most of the room; it was purple with a toxic green outline. Stadium stands lined the walls, and were now stuffed with most of the gym's students and staff. Official gym challenges usually brought in a crowd, but Iruka's idea of four back-to-back double battles was a unique event, and just about all of the gym's personnel wanted to witness it. Itachi and Karen sat in ringside seats. Itachi was already cheering them on, smiling and enjoying himself thoroughly.

The battlefield's safety forcefields powered up, briefly showing a beehive-like hexagonal pattern before turning invisible to the naked eye. On the wall behind the Gym Leader's box, a large screen turned on, displaying portraits of Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Hinata on one side, Iruka and Mizuki on the other, and sixteen empty slots for their Pokémon teams.

Naruto had to suppress a giggle of excitement at seeing his picture up on the screen. "Hehe, it's really happening! My first gym battle!"

"Settle down before you wet yourself," Sasuke rebuked softly. From his shoulder, Bayushi gave Naruto a look that made it clear that the Eevee thought he was being foolish.

Hinata looked at Naruto with quiet admiration and a bit of envy. Where he was oozing confidence and joy, she felt like she might throw up, she was so nervous! Hinata was already wondering if she had trained her Pokémon enough for this. After all, she hadn't even used Katsuki or Midoriya in a battle with another trainer yet. As of now, they had only fought against either wild Pokémon, or mock battles against her friends. If she used Katsuki, would he obey her, or would he go wild? After all, his experiences with battle were in a pit fight where he had to beat his opponent to near death! Maybe it wasn't a good idea to use him for this- in fact, Hinata was sure of it now!

A gentle touch to her hand brought Hinata's attention to Kikyo. The Ralts looked at her trainer with kind eyes. …All the worry in the world cannot add an inch to your height… she said, filling Hinata with a soothing sensation. …All will be well. Have faith…

Hinata allowed the calm to fill her; to push away her worries. Letting out the breath she was holding, she nodded thankfully.

The gym announcer was speaking again. "This gym challenge will consist of four double battles, of which the challengers must win at least three to earn the Antidote Badge. Each challenger will select two Pokémon, while Gym Leader Iruka and his assistant Mizuki select four. The eight Pokémon on the challenger's side will be paired together and sent out randomly. Should a pair of Pokémon start to fight amongst themselves, a warning will be issued; if the fighting persists, the match is forfeited in favor of the opposition. You have five minutes to select your Pokémon."

Each of them reacted to the news differently.

Sasuke only considered for a moment before entering his two: Togashi and Bayushi.

"That was quick," Sakura said, looking over his shoulder. "You didn't even ask us what we think."

Sasuke frowned. "Togashi is my strongest Pokémon, as far as I can tell, and Bayushi's my most faithful."

Next him, Bayushi hissed angrily at the idea that Togashi was stronger than him.

Sasuke just shrugged and went on. "They are the least likely to cause trouble in a double battle. Also, there are a fair number of Poison-types that are also part Grass or Bug, so Togashi is a natural pick. Of my other three Pokémon, only Bayushi is a good choice. Akodo is an Electric-type, and Grass/Poison is a common typing, which resists Electric. And I haven't used Hitomi in battle yet, so it'd be unwise to do so for such an important match."

Sakura was taken by how sound Sasuke's reasoning was. "Whoa, that's actually very well thought out. I guess you must have been thinking about it for a while."

"As soon as I found out Iruka was a Poison-type specialist," Sasuke admitted. "Why're you hesitating? You only have two battle ready Pokémon."

Sakura laughed, looking down at Mina. "I guess you're right." She registered Ochako and Tetsu. "Ugh, Tetsu's Steel/Psychic-typing should help, but Ochako's going to have hard time here."

Silently, Sasuke found himself disagreeing with Sakura; her Chikorita's natural talent for healing was likely to be a boon in a double battle. Meanwhile, Tetsu only knew Take Down, so he couldn't take advantage of his type.

Deciding not to comment on it, Sasuke looked over at the other two members of their group. Both Naruto and Hinata had three Pokémon to choose from, and clearly, they were having difficulty deciding.

"Shouldn't you be using Kikyo?" Sakura asked.

"I probably will, but I want to think it over first," Hinata explained. She turned to her Ralts. "Psychic-types are strong against Poison, but Fairies are weak to it," Hinata explained. She looked at Midoriya's Pokéball, and Katsuki's Ultra Ball. "Grass-types too. Midoriya doesn't have any strong counters for the Poison-type…but at the same time, is it wise to use Katsuki?"

Sasuke frowned. "I just pointed out that a Fire-type is likely to be useful against a Poison-specialist."

Hinata shook her head. "I mean…I mean, Katsuki's very aggressive and headstrong. I haven't used him in a real battle yet. He might not listen to me, or get upset and start fighting his partner." She looked down, twiddling her fingers.

"You haven't used Midoriya yet, either. If you're afraid to use Katsuki in battle because you've never used him before, then you'll just avoid using him altogether," Sasuke said bluntly. "Tactically, Katsuki is the better choice; he's stronger and is has no type-disadvantage against Poison-types. Just pick him and stop overthinking it. Doubt is your enemy's ally." Sasuke concluded, quoting one of his father's many proverbs.

Sighing, Hinata nodded and entered Kikyo and Katsuki, hoping she was not making mistake.

Naruto, meanwhile, was looking back and forth between Sora's Premier Ball and Kata's Quick Ball. Poison-types resisted Fighting, but Kata was quicker than Sora, and knew a lot of non-Fighting moves. On the other hand, Sora was slow but sturdy, and knew both ranged and melee attacks. Naruto weighed his options for a moment before shrugging. "Eh, I'll go with speed and skill. Kubo and Kata it is!" he announced, entering them in.

Sasuke rolled his eyes at Naruto's lack of strategic foresight, but there was nothing to be done about it.

"Okay, and now that all fighters have selected their line-up, let the gym challenge being!" the announced called.

The screen lit up, showing the first double battle pair: Hinata's Kikyo and Sakura's Tetsu.

"Ooh, a Ralts and a Beldum; the challengers start off with a strong team for facing Poison-types," the gym assistant announced. "What Pokémon will be used by the home team?"

The screen lit up again, showing a Gastly next to Iruka's portrait and a Beedrill next to Mizuki's.

"What a bad line-up," Sasuke grunted as everyone got in place and sent out their Pokémon.

"Eh?" Naruto asked, looking over at the other boy.

"Gastly's Ghost attacks will be strong against both Kikyo and Tetsu, but Tetsu won't be able to do anything to him in return; all he knows is Take Down, which Gastly is immune to," Sasuke explained, using a tone that made it clear he thought it was obvious.

Before the match started, Sakura quickly darted over to the boys, holding Mina out to them. She looked from Sasuke to Naruto for a moment, before handing her baby to Naruto, quickly telling him to look after her, and then running back to her place.

Naruto laughed, tickling the Goomy behind her antenna, and looked at Sasuke. "I guess Mommy knows which of us is good with babies," he said to the boy teasingly.

Sasuke scoffed, ignoring the jab. It didn't really matter anyway.

On the battlefield, Sakura eyed their opponents.

"Gastly are part Poison-type?" she asked, pulling out her Pokédex.

"Gastly, the Gaseous Pokémon," it said, pinging to life. "Gastly is the most iconic and recognizable of all Ghost-types. Its body is over 95% miasma-like gas held together by its supernatural power. Gastly can disperse itself to become invisible and intangible. By surrounding a target with its gaseous body, which contains many poisons, Gastly can incapacitate targets without them noticing."

"Great," Sakura muttered, stowing her 'dex.

"On our Gym Leader's side, we have Iruka's Gastly, Cyanide, and Mizuki's Beedrill," the gym assistant announced over the loudspeaker. "And on the challenger's side, Sakura Haruno has chosen Tetsu, her Beldum, while Hinata Hyuga is using Kikyo, her Ralts."

As the crowd cheered, Sakura noticed the very faint smell of bitter almonds drifting from Iruka's Gastly, and understood the strange name he gave it. She also noticed that Mizuki's Beedrill didn't have a name…but then again, she had heard of gym trainers refraining from using names for their Pokémon while in gym battles, for various reasons.

"Hey, Hinata, do you know anything about dealing with Ghost-types?" Sakura quietly asked. She was referring both in practical battle and any Aura powers Hinata might have that could be useful.

Nervously, Hinata shook her head. "Physical attacks won't work, so just focus on the Beedrill," she said; it was the only useful advice she could think of.

"And…begin!" the assistant cried.

"Take out the Ralts! Poison Jab!" Mizuki shouted, wanting to get the match over with quick.

"Oh no you don't! Tetsu, block with Take Down," Sakura countered.

The Beedrill started towards Kikyo, stinger ready and charged with Poison-energy, but Tetsu moved between then and charged, slamming into the enemy with no concern for his safety. In a panic, the Beedrill drove her poisonous stinger into the Beldum, but it had no effect.

"Ha! As if a Poison-type attack could be any use against a Steel-type," Sakura said confidently.

Hinata, however, noticed something wrong. Iruka's Gastly was nowhere to be found! She tried focusing her Aura to see if she could detect it, but the girl was having difficulty concentrating. So, she opted for a simpler solution.

"Kikyo, spread out a Dazzling Gleam. Flush out that Gastly!"

From across the battlefield, Iruka smiled. "Too late. Go, Cyanide!"

Cyanide materialized behind Tetsu and shot out his tongue, wrapping it around the Beldum's head in a Lick attack.

Tetsu screamed in both surprise and pain as Ghostly energy coursed through the Gastly into him.

"Fight him off, Tetsu!" Sakura shouted desperately.

Tetsu reached backwards with his robotic arm, but each time he tried grabbing Cyanide's tongue, it just turned to smoke between his claws before rematerializing.

With the Beldum distracted, Mizuki's Beedrill pulled away and charged after Kikyo with another Poison Jab.

The Ralts started to stagger back, but Hinata had an idea.

"Teleport to Tetsu!"

The Beedrill got close enough to see Kikyo's panicked look turn into a grin just before she vanished. Lead on by her momentum, the Beedrill drove her stinger into the ground and crashed. She hissed and tried pulling up, only for her stinger to stay stuck in the ground!

At the same moment, Kikyo landed right on top of Tetsu with a sparkling flash; before Cyanide could react, she whipped her hands at him, firing a Psybeam right into his face. The Gastly shrieked and tumbled backwards, releasing Tetsu.

"Tetsu, pull left!" Sakura suddenly shouted.

Phased as he was by Cyanide's attack, Tetsu still managed to obey his trainer, flying to the left just in time to avoid Beedrill ram into him with a Twineedle attack. Before the Bug-type could try again, Kikyo gripped Tetsu and Teleported to the other side of the battlefield.

"Darn it! Stop that!" Mizuki growled, grinding his teeth.

Iruka, however, looked impressed. "Not bad teamwork- the Beldum guards the Ralts from Poison-type attacks, and she in turn gives him greater mobility."

Sakura smiled. "Thank you- wait, where's your Gastly?"

Once again, he had vanished.

"Kikyo, Dazzling Gleam," Hinata instructed.

The Ralts loosed a flurry of light rays in all directions from atop Tetsu. Mizuki's Beedrill pulled away and avoided the attack, but several rays hit the Gastly, causing him to reappear, about five feet from the pair. However, even at pointblank range, the attack only seemed to annoy Cyanide; after all, he resisted Fairy attacks.

"Confuse Ray!" Iruka ordered.

"Evade!" Sakura said desperately.

Cyanide released a cone of distorting light from his eyes at Tetsu and Kikyo; the Ralts was still recovering from using Dazzling Gleam so quickly and couldn't do anything. However, just before they were hit, Tetsu did the only thing he could think of, grabbing Kikyo and throwing her clear of the attack. Hit by the bewitching light, the Beldum's mind was filled with confusing and realistic hallucinations!

As Tetsu thrashed wildly, Kikyo used her Psychic powers to right herself and land on her feet softly.

"Kikyo, keep them away from Tetsu," Hinata said. She realized that Iruka's Pokémon had been focusing on dividing them; in that case, it was in her best interest to keep their team together.

The Ralts fired a Psybeam at Cyanide, who evaded it and attempted to attack her with Lick, which Kikyo Teleported to dodge.

"That is so annoying," Mizuki said angrily. "Beedrill, get that Ralts; Poison Jab again."

"We'll have to time our attacks around her Teleportation," Iruka pointed out. "Don't charge in blindly. Work together!"

As the Gastly and Beedrill moved to flank Kikyo, Tetsu continued to fly wildly around the battlefield, sometimes crashing into the floor or wall.

"Come on, shake it off!" Sakura called. "Kikyo needs you!"

Next to her, Hinata reached out with her Aura. Kikyo gave her a telepathic nod, signaling that she understood.

Iruka's Gastly was trained to disappear on his own initiative, without Iruka's order; it made the sneaky tactic unpredictable, especially if Mizuki's Beedrill distracted them. Now, Iruka and Mizuki were waiting to spot an opening between Kikyo's Teleport. Perhaps, Hinata suggested to her Pokémon, if they could give commands and tactics without speaking, they could pull a similar trick to Cyanide's vanishing act.

From the sidelines, Naruto and Sasuke watched the match.

"Kikyo's pulling double-time," Naruto said. "Tetsu's only gotten one attack off this whole match! Ah, easy, sweetie," he added, catching Mina as she almost slipped out from his arms.

"Tetsu's also been protecting his partner," Sasuke pointed out. "That's the best he can do, all things considered." He paused, thinking. "Notice how Iruka's a tactical fighter, breaking apart Sakura and Hinata's team and using lots of tricks, while Mizuki just keeps ordering his Pokémon to blindly attack?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah. There's a reason why Iruka's the Gym Leader and Mizuki isn't."

"You mean, aside from your father pulling strings to get him the job?" Sasuke asked sardonically. Still, he thought, watching this match would give them insight into how Iruka fought. That'd be useful for when they had to fight him.

Back on the field, Hinata decided it was as good a time to act as any.

"Kikyo, Teleport to safety!"

"Disrupt her!" Iruka ordered.

Cyanide, floating near the ground, suddenly dove into his own shadow, which then zipped at Kikyo with blinding speed.

Hinata heard the gym assistant name the move as Shadow Sneak, but it wasn't important. She just prayed her plan worked!

Cyanide lunged out of his shadow towards Kikyo, expecting her to be focused on Teleporting. From behind her, Beedrill was already halfway towards her, Poison Jab ready.

The Gastly, therefore, didn't know how to react as he felt a telekinetic force grip his gaseous body and yank him to the left.

Kikyo's eyes glowed as she used both Confusion and Cyanide's momentum, throwing the Gastly into his Beedrill ally!

The two Pokémon panicked; Beedrill's Poison Jab hit the Gastly as his tongue got tangled with her wings. Cyanide hissed and dissipated into smoke and reformed, allowing his partner to pull away from him, only for something hard and metal to crash into Beedrill, driving her into the ground.

Cyanide attempted to attack with lick, but Kikyo hit him from behind with Psybeam, causing the Gastly to fall back.

"Yeah, I knew you could do it!" Sakura cheered.

"Brrrll!" Tetsu cheered, looking up from his opponent.

"Hit back with Knock Off," Mizuki said.

His Beedrill slapped Tetsu off her using one of her forearm stingers, which was coated in inky shadows. Then she took off, flying at Kikyo.

Kikyo jumped back and fired a Psybeam at the Beedrill's face; however, with her concentration off Cyanide, the Gastly dove down and slammed into her with Shadow Sneak, followed by Mizuki's Beedrill hitting her with Poison Jab.

Hinata winced at her Ralts hit the floor, unmoving. Tetsu zipped over to her, gently nudging the Ralts, but she didn't stir.

"Kikyo?" Hinata asked gently.

Mizuki was about to order his Beedrill to continue attacking Tetsu, but Ikura stopped him.

"Wait," the Gym Leader ordered.

After it became clear that Kikyo would not be getting up, the announcer spoke up. "Kikyo is unable to battle. Please recall your Pokémon; the match will continue between Tetsu and the Gym's Pokémon."

"No, we surrender," Sakura sighed, patting Hinata on the back as the girl recalled Kikyo.

"What?!"

Naruto was the one who shouted, jumping to his feet. "Never give up! Never surrender!" From his arms, Mina slipped out, jumping upwards into the air, forcing the boy to dive to catch her.

Tetsu let out a bell-like tone that made it clear he agreed with the blond.

Sakura frowned, but didn't get upset.

"There's no point. Even if you knocked out Mizuki's Beedrill, there's no way you could hurt Cyanide," she pointed out to her Pokémon. She sighed, looking at Hinata. "I'm sorry…it was our first gym battle and I lost it."

"It's only one match of four. You haven't lost your first gym battle yet," Iruka said. "And you didn't lose it- you both gave it your best, and I think you both did very well! Sometimes, you're just unlucky and your opponent has a crippling advantage."

Hinata nodded, smiling at Sakura. Sakura in turn gave Tetsu a grateful pat on the head before recalling him.

"Don't feel bad, Tetsu. You did great…we just have to work on improving your move pool."

Doing her best to keep her head held high, Sakura walked over to the boys and took Mina, smiling and cooing at her baby like nothing was wrong.

Behind her, Hinata followed, cradling Kikyo's Cherish Ball in her hands.

Sympathetically, Naruto patted her shoulder. "Don't worry! You did great, and you'll do better in your next match!"

Hinata nodded and took her seat, still looking utterly dejected.

As the battlefield was quickly cleaned and prepared for the next match, Iruka took the opportunity to talk to Mizuki. "You seem distracted," he said bluntly.

Mizuki frowned and quickly said, "I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"You're just ordering your Pokémon to attack over and over. You're not using any subtler tactics," Iruka explained.

"In case you didn't notice, we won that last match."

"That's because we had a crippling advantage," Iruka said. "Is something on your mind?"

Mizuki shook his head stubbornly and turned away. Iruka thought he saw him glance towards the female guest going by the name 'Oboro Ida', but Iruka just brushed it off.

With the battlefield prepped, the next double battle was displayed: Kubo and Bayushi vs. a Croagunk and Seviper.

"The next pair of challengers is Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, using Kubo the Froakie and Bayushi the Eevee, respectively. Meanwhile, Gym Leader Iruka is sending in Curare, his Croagunk, while Mizuki has his Seviper ready!" the announcer said, calling for everyone to get to their places.

"Wish us luck!" Naruto whispered quickly to Hinata, winking.

She watched him skip over to the challenger's box with a gentle smile. "…good luck."

Sasuke, meanwhile, just got up and motioned for Bayushi to follow him, simply stating, "We'll win this one."

Sakura nodded, praying he was right.

With everyone in place and all their Pokémon out, a few moments were spared before the referee called for the match to start, giving both teams time to strategize.

"Croagunk, huh?" Sasuke said, looking at Naruto with knowing eyes. "I'm going to bet you know all about that frog, right?"

Naruto's smile stretched from ear to ear. "Well, considering my family gave that particular Croagunk to Iruka after he was appointed Gym Leader, and the species is one of my gramps's favorites, I might know a little bit." He eyed the Croagunk briefly. "One, it's a girl, and from the look of her skin, I can tell she got the Dry Skin ability; Kubo'll have to avoid using Water attacks. Also, the moves she's most likely to use are-"

On the other side of the battlefield, Iruka was having a similar conversation with Mizuki.

"Don't underestimate the whisker-faced boy, Mizuki."

Mizuki rolled his eyes. "I know, I know; he was your favorite student when you were still a teacher, and you think the world of him."

"No, I was going to explain that his family is the one that gave me Curare, so he's sure to know the best way to fight her," Iruka explained, not impressed with Mizuki's impedance.

"Oh…well, in that case, we should focus on taking him out first!" Mizuki suggested quickly.

The referee motioned for everyone to stop talking.

"Preparation time is over. Let the battle begin!"

"Seviper, cripple their team; Bulldoze!" Mizuki ordered.

Across the field, Naruto leaned forward and said something to Kubo, too quiet for Iruka and Mizuki to hear.

The Seviper slammed the ground with her tail, sending a wave of upturned earth spreading across the field. Before it got close to them, Kubo threw a smoke bomb down, cloaking the boy's side of the field in a Smokescreen.

"Curare, spread Rock Tomb throughout the Smokescreen," Iruka said.

His Croagunk raised her hands above her head, conjuring a barrage of boulders that she threw into the Smokescreen in a wide arch. Each bolder landed with a crash that helped dissipate the smoke. However, once the smoke had cleared, both Bayushi and Kubo were out of sight.

"Where did they-?" Mizuki began, only for the boys to cut him off.

"Hidden Power! Aim for the Croagunk," Sasuke ordered.

"Water Pulse that Seviper!" Naruto added.

A volley of sky-blue orbs hit Curare in the chest, while a water bomb nailed Mizuki's Seviper in the face, flooring him. Both attacks came from above.

Kubo was sticking to the ceiling, holding Bayushi by his midsection with one arm. The Eevee stuck his tongue out at their opponents, laughing wickedly.

"Seviper, cut that stupid grin off their faces! Poison Tail!" Mizuki said.

The snake sprang up at them, flipping around and lashing out with his tail-sword. Kubo reacted too fast for him to hit, swinging away with his tongue, while Bayushi fired another volley of Hidden Power right into the Seviper's face.

Mid-swing, however, Iruka stepped in.

"Taunt him, Curare! Taunt that Froakie!"

The Croagunk stuck out her tongue and pulled down her eyelid, eyes glowing red as the effect assaulted Kubo's mind.

Seized with a sudden and uncontrollable anger, the Froakie dropped to the floor and released Bayushi, launching himself at Curare without any sense of reason.

"No! Kubo, don't fall for it!" Naruto shouted desperately.

"Now use Sucker Punch," Iruka ordered.

Curare pulled back her left fist, charging it with Dark-type energy, just as Kubo was about to slam into her. She ducked below him and let her fist fly, catching him in the gut and throwing him back. The Froakie croaked in pain, tumbling backward and gripping his stomach.

"Bayushi, help him," Sasuke said.

"Vee!" Bayushi darted forward with Quick Attack, only for a steam of flames to burst out in front of him. The Eevee was forced to veer hard to avoid crashing into the fire.

"Good job, Seviper! Roast that Eevee like an hors d'oeuvre!" Mizuki said, grinning sadistically.

His Seviper sent Flamethrower after Flamethrower at Bayushi. The white Eevee dodged the first one, rolled to avoid the second one, and only got singed on the tail by the third. However, which each dodge, Bayushi was becoming more and more tired.

"Uh-oh, it looks like things are not going so good for our challengers, and after such a strong start!" the announcer called over the loudspeaker. "Will they be able to turn this around?"

Sasuke growled, casting a glare at the speaker. Bayushi dodged another flamethrower, and realization struck Sasuke.

"Houndoom it, I'm and idiot," he hissed to himself.

"I could tell you that," Naruto said smartly, as he ordered Kubo to keep moving; Curare was trying to nail the Froakie with Poison Jab.

Ignoring Naruto's remark, Sasuke turned to Bayushi. "Bayushi, forget about dodging! Just Mimic the Flamethrower at the Toad!"

Bracing himself for pain, Bayushi bravely stood his ground, gathering copied power in his throat and loosing as big a Flamethrower as he could muster, even as the Seviper hit him with a blast of flames.

"What?!" Iruka gasped. "Curare, get out of there!"

"Don't let her!" Naruto shouted.

Curare turned to leap away from the fire, only for Kubo to grapple her ankle with his tongue. He pulled her down and withdrew his tongue just in time to avoid the steam of fire Bayushi has unleashed.

"CRRRROOOOOA!"

The Croagunk wailed in agony and rolled across the ground as her Dry Skin continued to burn.

Naruto looked over at Bayushi, who had been floored by the Seviper's attack and was struggling to get up, but Sasuke stopped him before he could say anything.

"Take out the toad!" he said ruthlessly, pointing at their fallen foe.

Naruto winced, but nodded. "You heard him Kubo! Finish her off!"

"Seviper, stop him!" Mizuki said, a panic in his voice.

Both Pokémon rushed towards the flaming Croagunk. Seviper got to her first, kicking up dirt to douse the flames before turning his long, powerful body at Kubo, tail raised viciously.

"Cut that frog to ribbons," Mizuki ordered.

The Seviper slashed at Kubo with Poison Tail, forcing him to flip away.

"Blackout tactics," Naruto said, clinching his fist dramatically.

Backflipping over another Poison Tail attack, Kubo took a moment to wink at his trainer before throwing a Smokescreen smoke bomb just as he landed.

"No you don't- Seviper, Wrap the whole damn cloud!"

The snake swept his whole body around the Smokescreen before it could spread out too far, constricting everything within. The smoke continued to flow outwards, even as a commotion rang out from inside the Smokescreen. A few seconds later, it dissipated, Kubo was caught in the Seviper's coils.

"Oh no!" Hinata gasped from the sidelines, covering her mouth.

Naruto grimaced. "Struggle free, Kubo!" he called desperately.

No matter how hard the Froakie tried however, he couldn't break free.

Iruka barely noticed. Something else caught his attention.

"Where the Houndoom did Curare go?" he hissed. He had lost sight of his wounded Pokémon in the Smokescreen, and now she was nowhere to be found!

Mizuki was too excited to notice. "Squeeze him, Seviper! Squeeze him 'till he bursts!"

"Did you forget about Bayushi?" Sasuke said. His Eevee came charging in with Quick Attack, leaping into the air and slamming into the Seviper's face.

Rather than loosening his grip from the attack, Mizuki's Seviper retaliated by swatting the Eevee away with a Poison Tail attack. Bayushi landed on his feet, but then fell to his knees; the attack had left him Poisoned and weakened.

"Finish him, then deal with the Froakie," Mizuki ordered.

His Seviper nodded sadistically, preparing a Flamethrower-

-SLAP!-

A long tongue shot out from above and nailed the Seviper in the eye, who let out a terrible scream.

Everyone gasped and looked up. There, in a shadowed corner of the ceiling, was Kubo, holding Curare in an impressive chokehold. The Croagunk's weak struggles stopped, and Kubo let her drop the floor, unconscious.

"What the Houndoom?!" Mizuki gasped, looking to his Seviper for an explanation.

The snake tightened his grip on the frog he was holding, only for it to stick its tongue out at him and vanish with a puff of smoke.

"It was a Substitute!" Iruka said, slapping his face.

"Don't just gawk, Seviper. Do something!" Mizuki said.

"Water Pulse!"

"Hidden Power!"

Naruto and Sasuke spoke in tandem, and their Pokémon sprang into action.

Mizuki's Seviper hissed and moved backwards, away from both of his foes. He swept a Poison Tail across the battlefield, pushing Bayushi back. Then he shot a Flamethower at Kubo, who was swinging in close with his tongue, forcing the Froakie to fall to the ground.

"We won't go down that easily!" Mizuki shouted.

His boast was cut short by Bayushi blasting Hidden Power into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Kubo jumped through it, an extra-large Water Pulse held high above his head. Before the Seviper could do anything, he latched onto the snake's face with his tongue and pulled himself forward, slamming into his skull with a mighty kick. With one last cry, Kubo brought the Water Pulse down right between the Seviper's eyes, knocking him out.

Mizuki gasped as his Pokémon fell to the floor, twitching.

"Sure you will," Naruto said, smiling.

For a moment, everything was silent. Finally, the announcer realized he had a job to do.

"Uh, Curare and Seviper are unable to battle! Victory goes to the challengers, Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha!"

"YEAH! SASUKE!" Itachi screamed, jumping out of his seat and whooping at the top of his lungs. Luckily, Karen pulled him back down and got him to slightly quiet down.

"…we did it!" Naruto said, almost in disbelief as Iruka and Mizuki recalled their Pokémon.

"Was there ever any doubt?" Sasuke said confidently.

Iruka was about to say something when Kubo suddenly started glowing. Naruto squealed in delight, realizing that his Froakie was evolving.

Kubo's body expanded, becoming taller and more streamline. His mane of bubbles changed to a scarf. The glow faded, and now Naruto was the proud trainer of a Frogadier!

"Frogadier," Kubo said, looking himself own and liking what he saw.

"Alright!" Naruto cheered, pulling out his Pokédex.

"Frogadier, the Bubble Frog Pokémon. Frogadier are swift, precise Pokémon, able to climb hundreds of feet in mere seconds, and can hit targets with pebbles from up to 100 feet away. Frogadier are said to have inspired mythical ninja myths, which they often center in."

Naruto laughed and ran up to his Pokémon, giving him a fist bump. "You're the best, Kubo!"

Sasuke let out a light chuckle and shook his head. He picked up Bayushi and stroked the Eevee affectionately. "Well done," he said simply.

Bayushi purred loudly and rubbed against his trainer.

Sakura had jumped up and ran over to the boys, complementing them on their win, with Hinata quietly following.

"That was so cool!" Sakura cheered, patting Sasuke on the back. "You guys just dominated the match."

"The gym challenge is not over yet," the announcer pointed out from his box, looking rather irritated. "Time for the next match!"

Sighing, Naruto gave Kubo one last fist bump before recalling him.

Sasuke, meanwhile, took Bayushi over to a gym assistant, who administered a cure for his Poisoned condition.

On the screen, the new combatants were displayed: Togashi & Ochako vs. a Nidoqueen & a Pokémon Naruto recognized as a Mareanie.

"Ah, it looks like the challengers are up against Belladonna, Gym Leader Iruka's Nidoqueen, and Mizuki's Mareanie! Sasuke will be using Togashi, his Charmander, while Sakura will use Ochako, her Chikorita."

Sasuke nodded stoically, sending out his Pokémon. Next to him, Sakura looked worried as she called out Ochako; they were facing a Ground and Water-type Pokémon. Both had advantage against Togashi, and as Poison-types, Ochako was already disadvantaged. Yet, Sasuke hardly looked worried.

From the corner of his eye, Sasuke noticed Sakura's expression. He leaned over so only she could hear him.

"Have Ochako protect Togashi from their super effective attacks and heal him up, and we'll focus on the offense."

Sakura nodded, giving the order to Ochako.

"Begin!" the announcer called.

"Hit the Water-type first; use Dragon Breath," Sasuke said.

"Belladona, Water Pulse," Iruka countered.

"Attract!" Mizuki ordered.

Ochako rushed forward, tanking the orb of water Iruka's Nidoqueen had meant for Togashi. The Grass-type stood confident as the water splashed against it- it might have hurt, but not that much.

This left Togashi free to shoot a steam of green flames right at the Mareanie, while she in turn waved her tentacles at him, releasing a wave of pink pheromones in the shape of a heart. Togashi's attack hit her in the face, knocking Mareanie back. However, it seemed that the heart of pheromones just hit Togashi and dissipated.

"Darn it, the Charmander can actually hurt my Pokémon!" Mizuki said, turning to Iruka. "I thought it was just a stupid Fire-type."

"Don't whine. Focus on the battle," the Gym Leader said. "Belladonna, get both of them with Toxic!"

"Back her up with Icy Wind," Mizuki added to his Mareanie.

The Brutal Star Pokémon leapt onto Belladonna's head and spun like a top, releasing a gale of sharp ice, while the Nidoqueen charged them, claws extending and dripping poison.

Sakura spoke quickly. "Have Togashi block the ice! Don't worry about anything else."

"You heard her!" Sasuke said in turn, nodding to Togashi, while Sakura gave an order to her Chikorita.

The Charmander released a steam of flames and spread it wide, so that it met the gale's ice. It countered the Icy Wind, but it also left him open to attack.

Belladonna moved deftly, stabbing Togashi in the shoulder with her Toxic claws before running past Ochako, striking her next.

"Nothing a little Aromatherapy won't fix!" Sakura said confidently.

"No it won't," Mizuki responded. "Mareanie, Taunt!"

The Brutal Star Pokémon assaulted the Chikorita's mind with her Taunt, just as Ochako was about to release the cloud of healing scent.

"HAHAHA, you think we wouldn't know that a Chikorita would have support moves?" Mizuki laughed. "Of course we'd be…prepared…for…that?"

He slowed down and stopped when Ochako just brushed off the Taunt and successfully used Aromatherapy, curing herself and Togashi before the Toxic even took effect.

"What the Houndoom?!" Mizuki gasped.

"Watch your language!" Sakura said, holding up Mina. In her excitement, she had forgotten to give her baby to Naruto. Now, she was squirming and squealing with glee at seeing a battle up close, and Sakura was somewhat glad to have Mina with her now.

"Toashi, use Flamethrower on Nidoqueen!" Sasuke said, taking advantage of the confusion.

"Protect her!" Mizuki countered.

His Mareanie jumped off Belladonna's head and landed in front of her, spreading her tentacles and generating a shimmering field that deflected the Charmander's Flamethrower.

"Use Earth Power, Belladonna," Iruka said.

At the same time, Sakura ordered Ochako to use Vine Whip.

From behind Mareanie's protective shield, his Nidoqueen stomped her foot and pushed forward with her arms in a kata-like motion.

A self of dirt reared upward in front of Togashi and surged forward. Before it could crush him, Ochako's vines grabbed him by the waist and pulled the Charmander away. Belladonna grunted in frustration and used Earth Power again, causing the upturned dirt to reshape into a spire that would have impaled Togashi had Ochako not pulled him upward. Belladona smiled cunningly and toppled the spire, sending it crashing towards Ochako.

Rather than let her get crushed protecting him, Togashi suddenly pulled himself free from Ochako's vines and pushed away, shooting a Dragon Breath attack at Mizuki' Mareanie.

"Mareanie, no! Use Protect!" Mizuki shouted desperately.

She didn't respond however, as Togashi fell towards her, never ceasing in showering her with green fire.

Just before he landed on her, Belladonna stepped in, slapping her away with her tail. The blow sent Togashi slamming into the fallen earth spire.

"Chika!"

Togashi gasped, jumping to his feet. Ochako's leg had been caught under the fallen pillar.

Not even waiting for his trainer to order him, Togashi started slashing at the pillar with Metal Claw, digging her free.

"Good boy, Togashi!" Sakura cheered, with Mina in her arms joining in.

Belladonna's attention, meanwhile, was on her Mareanie teammate. The Water-type was laying on the floor unmoving. Gently, Belladonna tapped her, with no effect. She looked up at her trainer.

"Mareanie is unable to battle," the referee declared.

Mizuki recalled her, swearing.

Belladonna looked up at Togashi and Ochako, whom had just been freed and was testing her leg.

"Very well, continue the match!" Iruka ordered. "Sludge Bomb!"

Howling in anger, the Nidoqueen ruthlessly fired her attack at Ochako, who was too crippled to dodge.

Sakura shouted for the Chikorita to start using Heal Pulse on herself, hoping it would save her.

Instead, Togashi shoved her aside, taking the explosive ball of poison in the chest. It connected, slamming him against the rubble to his back. Even so, the Charmander just wiped it from his chest, wincing as he did his best to stand tall. Automatically, Ochako was beside him, pressing her leaf to his wound and administering a Heal Pulse.

"Even if it's two against one, this match isn't over," Iruka said confidently. "Belladonna, aim Dragon Pulse at both of them."

"Meet it with Flamethrower!" Sasuke said.

Belladonna bellowed, loosing a stream of wild blue energy from her mouth, which Togashi countered with a stream of flame. The two blasts met, with both combatants continuing to fire. However, Belladonna's Dragon Pulse started to overtake the Flamethrower, pushing it back more and more.

Togashi strained, putting everything he had into the attack, but he was starting to waver. Realizing he couldn't hold much longer, the Charmander pushed Ochako, motioning for her to get away. Instead, she stayed close, administering more Heal Pulse.

"What's your Chikorita doing?! She needs to move!" Sasuke said, looking at Sakura. "Tell her!"

"Wait," Sakura said, thinking quickly. "Heal Pulse sooths pain and gives a small energy boost. Maybe Ochako's giving Togashi the boost he needs!"

"They should just dodge the attack!" Sasuke said, turning to Togashi. "Just stop blasting and move-!" He gasped.

On the battlefield, Togashi's body started glowing with red energy. His Flamethrower steam flared with rage and vigor, pushing against Belladonna's Dragon Pulse. The Charmander grew, becoming ganglier with a more powerful build and a new, dark red coloring.

"Again?! IN THE SAME BATTLE?!" Mizuki screamed. "THAT'S JUST TOO MUCH!

The glow faded; Togashi the Charmeleon roared even as he continued to use Flamethrower. The heat and flames surged forward, quickly overpowering Belladonna's Dragon Pulse before finally blasting the Nidoqueen backwards.

"Charmeleon!" Togashi roared, raising his head up and breathing out a stream of flames.

"Chi-ka!" Ochako added, in awe at Togashi's display of strength.

"It still isn't over," Iruka said. "And don't think you've won because of an evolution. Belladonna, Earth Power!"

His Nidoqueen stomped on the ground and swept her hand upward, causing a wall of dirt to rise up between her and her enemies just in time to block a Flamethrower from Togashi. A moment later, and part of the wall rushed forward and slammed into Togashi- Ochako had tried to pull him out of the way, but she wasn't expecting all the extra weight from his new build.

Togashi grunted, throwing the slab off and jumping to his feet. Ochako offered to heal him, but he cut her off; their enemy was still on the attack.

"Focus on Togashi," Iruka instructed. "He's the one that can harm you."

"Nidoqueen!" Belladonna bellowed, stomping her feet and bringing her fists together. Two slabs of earth rose up on either side of Togashi and hurtled towards him. He leapt high, avoiding the two as they slammed together. Another Earth Power attack caused the ground beneath him to rise up to the ceiling; Togashi jumped off, only for it to stop and split apart, crumbling after him.

"Char! Char! Char!" Togashi grunted, deflating the falling debris with Metal Claw as he continued to run to safety.

From the sidelines, Sasuke grit his teeth. "Darn it, she's not giving him a chance to get a shot! He can't fire a strong Flamethrower while he's focused on dodging, and even if he could, she raised up a wall of dirt between then! And she won't let him get close for melee." He turned to Sakura, as if hoping she'd have an idea what to do.

The girl winced, watching the battle. Ochako had started using Vine Whip and Razor Leaf to help deflect attacks against Togashi, but she could only do so much…and he was getting tired from all the dodging.

Then, Sakura noticed something. Inspiration struck.

"Ochako, Vine Whip Nidoqueen by her feet!"

"What?" Iruka gasped.

Ochako shot her vines over the wall of dirt and swept them down. Belladonna stumbled back, but her energy was focused on Togashi; she couldn't deal with Ochako's attack without letting up on Togashi, and that would leave her open to his flames!

In a heartbeat, Ochako's vines found their mark, wrapping around her right foot. The little Chikorita pulled as hard as she could. However, it only seemed to annoy the powerful Nidoqueen, who just stomped her foot down and kept it planted firmly down.

"Now Sasuke! While she can't raise her foot!" Sakura shouted.

"No!" Iruka cried, realizing what happened.

"Togashi, let's try out Seismic Toss!" Sasuke said, grinning manically.

The Charmeleon leapt over the wall and rushed at Belladonna.

She attempted to cut him off with Earth Power, but as soon as she raise her foot, Ochako heaved with everything she could, throwing the Nidoqueen off balance.

Then Togashi slammed into her. He reached down and grabbed low, lifting. With an almighty grunt, the Charmeleon pulled her off her feet and flung her into the air. With a downward blast of fire, Togashi followed her, grabbing the Nidoqueen again and slamming her down. Once the dust had settled, Belladonna was laid out flat, unconscious.

"Belladonna is unable to battle. Victory goes to Sasuke and Sakura!"

"Chika!" Ochako cried, jumping into Togashi's arms and cheering.

Togashi sighed, but didn't push her away.

"We did it! We did it!" Sakura said, turning to Sasuke, grabbing one of his hands (she had to keep the other one around Mina) and jumping up and down.

"Veevee!" Bayushi added, running around them with glee.

"Yeah, now let me congratulate our Pokémon, the ones that won the match!" Sasuke said flatly.

Sakura blushed and settled down.

"Two evolutions in one battle?! TWO?!" Mizuki growled, looking like he wanted to strangle Sasuke as the boy marched over to his Charmeleon and calmly patted him on the back for a job well done. "That just isn't fair!"

"It's perfectly fair, just highly improbable," Iruka said stoically, recalling Belladonna. "Don't be a sore loser."

Privately, however, Iruka found himself resenting how lucky it seemed the challengers were.

"And why didn't none of my attacks worked?!" Mizuki added, pointing accusingly at Sasuke and Sakura. "Attract! Taunt! None of them had any effect! The kids must be cheating!"

"It's rude and childish to point," Sakura said, looking unamused. "And it's ruder still to claim we cheated."

"Yes, why didn't they work?" Iruka asked, in a much more diplomatic tone.

Sakura smiled and patted her Chikorita on the head. "Ochako's ability is Aroma Veil. Her natural scent counteracts the effects of pheromones and mental attacks on herself or her allies," she explained proudly.

"I didn't know Chikorita could have that ability," Iruka said, looking a bit puzzled.

"It's rare," Sakura explained. "Prof. Tsunade noticed Ochako has a very pleasant smell and an affinity for Aromatherapy, so with some special training, we were able to unlock her full potential!"

"Chikorita," Ochako added, blushing bashfully.

Iruka nodded. "Well, we might as well start the final match."

"That's us," Naruto said, playfully elbowing Hinata.

She nodded nervously.

Not waiting for the announcer, Naruto just called out Kata, and Hinata followed suit with Katsuki.

Across the field, Iruka just sighed and tossed Luxury Ball. "Hemlock, let's get a victory." The crowd of gym trainers cheered as his Nidoking materialized.

"Muk, don't let them win," Mizuki added, calling his Pokémon.

Kata eyed his opponents. "[Heh, saved the best for last? Lucky you got me fighin' for ya!]" He turned around and winked at his trainer.

Katsuki scoffed.

Before Kata could respond however, the room exploded with bewilderment.

"Holy Miltank, a talking Pokémon!" Mizuki shouted, which was the general consensus of the rest of the room.

"[That's right,]" Kata said, pointing at him, "[I can talk, and what's more, I'm gonna kick your butt!]"

"Aura powers," Naruto shrugged, as if that was an acceptable answer.

"[The Aura, I was born with; the confidence, I picked up along the way!]" Kata added, winking again.

Once again, Katsuki scoffed something at him. "Quilava."

"[What? 'Stay out of your way'? Dude, you should be the one staying out of my way!]" Kata snapped back. "[I'm probably gonna have to carry this fight so hard I'll need a back brace!]"

The Quilava hissed, lighting his flame-vents.

"The battle hasn't even started, and they're already fighting," Sasuke sighed, facepalming.

From the Gym Leader's box, Iruka seemed to think the same thing; he eyed the opposing Pokémon team and gave Naruto a look of slight disapproval.

"Please stop fighting," Hinata begged, directing it towards Katsuki.

The Quilava growled but turned to his opponents, fire blazing hotter as he grinned sadistically. Katsuki leaned forward, claws flexing and muscles tensing. He was ready for a fight!

"…and what's with the Quilava?" Iruka asked, noticing his unusual coloring for the first time.

"A black and red Quilava?" Mizuki said, a look of recognition flashing across his face. But then is disappeared. Instead, he just added, "The universally established warpaint of he who is not to be f*$ked with."

"Watch your language!" Iruka said, smacking him on the back of the head. In the crowd, a few students giggle.

The referee raised a hand to gain their attention. "Let the final match of the challenge…begin!"

"Hit them hard, hit them first; Shadow Sneak!" said Mizuki to his Muk.

"Quick Attack," Naruto countered.

The Muk rushed forward, like a wave, sinking into his shadow; Kata moved like a blue blur, running right over his face and down his back, kicking him in-between the eyes as he sped away!

"Muuuuk!" the sludge Pokémon hissed, turning around and lashing out with a tendril of sludge. Kata evaded it like it was a paper airplane.

"[You're too slow!]" Kata laughed, dancing away.

"KING!" Hemlock shouted, clipping him from behind with Thunder Punch.

The blow threw the Riolu back over ten feet; he rolled and landed in a crouch, jumping to his feet.

"[Sneak up on me, will ya-!?] Kata began, only to be cut off by a screaming streak of fire.

Blasting himself forward with backwards Fire Punches, Katsuki literally threw himself into the Nidoking. Screaming like a demon, the Quilava attacked blindly, punching, biting, clawing, all while expelling an endless stream of explosive fire. Hemlock was soon staggering back, overwhelmed by the Quilava's rage.

And yet, Hinata had yet to actually give Katsuki an order.

"That isn't a Pokémon, it's a Houndoomed devil!" Mizuki exclaimed as Hemlock landed a solid Thunder Punch in Katsuki's face, which seemed only to feed his rage. "Blast it! Muk, smother him with Swallow!"

"Good idea," Iruka approved. "Brick Break-sludge tactics!"

Hemlock pulled back, moving with Katsuki's latest attack, before suddenly whipping around, tail-slapping him off his feet and into Muk's open mouth.

"Muuuuuuuk!" the sludge beast gurgled, enveloping the Quilava.

"Katsuki!" Hinata screamed in horror.

"Quick, help him!" Naruto shouted. "Bullet Punch Muk's eye!"

"[On it!]" Kata said, flashing over. In one instant, he was lunging over Muk, pirouetting midair so that he could line a punch up. The next, he was skidding away from Hemlock and Muk in a stylish spin, with Muk screaming and holding his eye. In his sludgy folds, Katsuki struggled to free himself, still creating explosion after explosion.

"[Still not free?]" Kata sighed, getting ready for another run.

Hemlock stepped between then, growling.

"Hemlock, Poison Jab should do the trick," Iruka said.

Roaring, the Nidoking charged, horn and claws overflowing with venom.

Kata rushed to the left, trying to get around him, only to nearly get crushed by the Nidoking's tail as it came slamming down. Kata pulled back, was nearly swiped by Hemlock's right claw, and then had to backflip to avoid his left hook.

"Darn it, how can such a bulky Pokémon keep up with Kata?" Naruto growled, watching as the Nidoking successfully kept the Riolu from his teammate.

Hinata meanwhile, was trying to shout advice to her Pokémon above his screaming.

"Katsuki, you have to calm down! What you're doing isn't working!"

Thus far, Katsuki hadn't heeded any of his trainer's orders. It wasn't clear if he even noticed them!

As the announcer started saying that things were looking grim for them, Hinata decided to try something else. She hadn't established a proper Aura link with any Pokémon other than Kikyo, but simple messages were not hard to convey.

"Katsuki, settle down, concentrate on what you need to do," she said firmly. Naruto noticed her eyes glowing, and a strange sensation emanating from her. She hadn't spoken loudly, but Naruto could hear her clearly.

From within the Muk's grasp, Katsuki suddenly stopped struggling. He was breathing hard, and his face was panicked, but he stole a glance at Hinata, as if debating if he could trust her. The Muk sensed his hesitation, and closed down on him, swallowing the Fire-type.

"Force doesn't work! Use heat!" Hinata shouted quickly.

The Muk gurgled, but then noticed the Quilava had stopped struggling. He was about to see if his trainer wanted him to spit Katsuki out when his cheeks puffed out, bubbling and boiling. The Muk let out a shriek of pain as ball of fire force its way out of him, sending molten sludge everywhere as it spun away.

"He's free!" Naruto cheered.

Hinata smiled. "Good job, Katsuki! Now-"

Before she could finish, Katsuki revved up his Flame Wheel attack and sped forward, crashing into Hemlock's back. The Nidoking was floored, with Katsuki standing on his back. Laughing sadistically, the Quilava slammed a Fire Punch onto the Nidoking's back.

"Katsuki, you idiot! You pushed him on top of Kata!" Naruto shouted, pointing.

The Riolu was pinned down under Hemlock's bulk, struggling to get out.

"Katsuki, let him up!" Hinata said desperately.

Instead, Katsuki pulled both fists back, preparing to hit with his strongest Fire Punch.

"Allow us." Iruka said. "Hemlock, tail!"

Before Katsuki could finish, Hemlock's tail snaked around his throat, gripping down. The Quilava gagged, clawing at the tail, but it was covered in thick armor and remarkably supple. In an instant, the Nidoking was on his feet, sweeping around to slam Katsuki into the prone Kata, knocking them both away.

Kata was on his feet first.

"[You moron!]" he spat, punching Katsuki on the jaw when he tried to get up. "[I'm on your side, in case you didn't notice!]"

"Kata, knock it off!" Naruto shouted, trying to keep things from escalating.

"QUIL!" Katsuki shot back, getting ready to forget about their foes and lunge at the Riolu.

"STOP!" the referee called, blowing his whistle. "Fighting your teammate is against the rules and can result in a disqualification! This is your only warning!"

The two glared at one another, but turned back to the battle.

On the sidelines, Itachi watched the battle, truly impressed.

"You kids have some strong Pokémon," he said, talking to Sasuke. "Especially that Quilava. How'd your friend get him so strong?"

"She didn't," Sasuke said flatly. "He came from Team Snake. She hasn't even used him in a real battle yet."

"We can tell," Karen said in a sad, joking tone.

At Iruka's suggestion, Mizuki told Muk to crawl onto Hemlock's back, which Naruto knew couldn't be good.

"Look out!" he said in warning.

"Katsuki, stay!" Hinata ordered, using Aura to convey the importance of her words; he had getting ready to lunge again.

The Quilava winced but obeyed.

"Your Pokémon are strong for trainers as new as you," Iruka said, sounding proud and firm. "In the short time you've been trainers, you've developed their strengths wonderfully; I'd expect this sort of strength and skill from trainers with at least two badges."

"Thanks!" Naruto said, smiling proudly. Then his smile faded. "…why are to you saying this?"

"Because I am no longer holding back," Iruka said firmly. "I normally pull my punches for new trainers, but each battle with you and your friends has proven that you deserve my best. So, now I'm giving it my all! Hemlock, full power! Earthquake!"

"Nido-KING!" his Pokémon screamed, slamming a foot on the ground. Muk was safe on his back, but otherwise the wave of destruction ripped through the ground, tearing it apart.

"Counter it with Copycat!" Naruto said, thinking quick.

Kata jump before Katsuki and mimicked Hemlock's motions, sending a second wave towards the first. The two collided and canceled one another out- mostly. Enough force still made it through to Kata and Katsuki to nearly knock them off their feet.

"Are you kidding me?!" Mizuki screamed. "They can counter Earthquake that easily?"

"Don't you think this is a little excessive? Is it really appropriate to use moves like Earthquake in a battle for their first badge?" Itachi suggested, standing up slightly from where he was on the sidelines and looking at Iruka.

"They're the ones using Pokémon that can talk, have special abilities, and are frickin' demons!" Mizuki countered, pointing at Kata, Ochako (who was still out and watching), and Katsuki, respectively.

"…fair enough," Itachi conceded, sitting back down.

Katsuki, tired of waiting, screamed and jetted himself right for Hemlock.

"Oh no," Hinata sighed, not even trying to stop him.

"Don't let him go in alone," Naruto told Kata. "Go around and flank them from both sides."

Giving a quick salute to his trainer, Kata zipped around Katsuki in a wide arch, easily outpacing him. The Riolu growled as he moved; if he had to save that Quilava's hide again-!

One step on loose rubble, and Kata was sliding face first across the battlefield. In his haste, he had failed to notice that their Earthquake attacks had broken the battlefield into a field of loose rubble, too dangerous to run across at full speed. Katsuki had been blasting fire to fly over the broken battlefield. Of course he'd fail to mention it to me, Kata thought bitterly as he finally came to a stop.

Katsuki was still flying blindly at Hemlock. Iruka decided to meet force with force.

"Outrage!"

The Nidoking let out a primal roar, basking in teal energy as his muscles bulked up before charging at his foe.

"Katsuki, don't engage him hand-to-hand!" Hinata warned, more out of desperation than any hope that her Pokémon would listen to her.

Just as they were five feet apart, however, Katsuki suddenly shot a Fire Punch down, flipping above and over Hemlock, well out of his reach, before blasting Flamethrower into his back. Another Flamethrower that doubled as a rocket boost, and Katsuki was a good ten feet away when Hemlock whipped around and crushed the place he had been to dust.

"Okay, that was smart," Naruto conceded. The he noticed something. "Wait; where did Muk go?"

He gasped, whipping his attention back to Kata, who was rubbing his scrapped face. The Riolu didn't notice it, but he was surrounded by a black shadow.

"Kata get out of there!" Naruto screamed.

"NOW!" Mizuki said.

Muk sprang out from his Shadow Sneak, grabbing Kata by his heel just before he was out of reach. Gurgling, the Muk reeled his prey in, inch by inch, even as the Riolu kicked and struggled. However, with each blow, more and more of Muk's gunky body stuck to him.

"My Muk's ability is Sticky Hold! You'll never get away!" Mizuki laughed.

"[Oh, come on, it's our fist date! Don't get handsy on me!]" Kata pleaded, trying to laugh his fear away. Desperately, he lunged for the Muk's eye, but the amorphous Pokémon shifted the vulnerable part out of his reach, having been victim to that trick already.

"Kata, no!" Naruto said, trying to think of someway for him to get out. "Keep fighting! Keep fighting!"

The Muk had completely Swallowed him; Kata could still be seen struggling to get out from inside the sludge beast.

"Katsuki, help him!" Hinata shouted, turning to her own Pokémon.

Katsuki was still kiting Hemlock; the Nidoking's Outrage dulled the pain from the Quilava's explosive flames, but Katsuki could tell he was slowing down. A few more hits, and Katsuki would take this monster down all by himself, without that loser Riolu's help! He didn't even notice anything else going on around him.

"Katsuki!" Hinata shouted again, her eyes glowing with Aura as she forced the message to him. "I. SAID. HELP. HIM!"

Her Quilava stumbled back, as if he had been struck.

He spat, hesitating. Then his flame-vents sparked, releasing billows of thick black smoke. The Smokescreen spread, enveloping Katsuki and Hemlock. A second later, and Katsuki was rocketing out towards the Muk.

-followed by Hemlock's tail slamming into him and pinning him to the ground.

"Nice try!" Iruka said. "But that was predictable."

Before Katsuki could struggled to escape, Hemlock grabbed him by the back of the neck and raised him overhead before slamming him into the ground, repeating this over and over.

"Katsuki!" Hinata said, wincing as her Pokémon was crushed against the floor.

Meanwhile, Kata's struggles were growing weaker.

"You should consider surrendering," Iruka called over the battle. "Both of your Pokémon are caught."

Naruto frowned, thinking desperately. How was it Katsuki escaped? He heated the Muk until he was more liquid than solid! But how could Kata do that-? Naruto gasped.

"Hinata, use Aura to give Kata a message!" he said, quickly whispering in her ear.

Iruka watched the trainers with a frown. He hated seeing trainers stubbornly refuse to give up and let their Pokémon get hurt when they couldn't win.

A bubbling sound caught his attention.

Mizuki's Muk was starting to puff up, bubbles popping across his sludge, as if there was something boiling beneath the surface.

"Muk? What's wrong?" Mizuki asked slowly.

The Muk gurgled painfully before popping like a balloon. Kata flew out and upward in a flaming spiral, letting out a warrior's kiai scream. He rose high into the air with his Blaze Kick before falling like a star to a three-point landing.

"[Ouch! That's murder on your knees!]" Kata whined, wincing. He looked at Nidoking, who had stopped mid-throttle in shock of what had happened, and then behind at Muk, who was pulling himself together, still fighting.

"[Okay, gunk-face and spike-king are still up, Edge-meister's getting a well-earned beating, and it's up to me to save the day,]" he said, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. Inspiration came to him. "[And I know just what to do to take out both these clowns!]" Kata laughed, raising his arms above his head, Aura surging as he prepped a Copycat attack.

Naruto realized what he was doing. "Don't do that!"

Too late, Kata hit the ground with Earthquake.

The wave of power blasted through the ground. Though the broken earth absorbed some of the damage, it was still devastating.

The attack hit Muk hard, throwing him into the air before squashing the unfortunate blob, knocking him out.

Hemlock, however, just threw Katsuki into the oncoming wave and then countered it with his own Earthquake before it reached him.

"Qui!" Katsuki grunted, rolling onto his front so he could prop himself up. He winced in pain. Everything hurt! And it was all that loser Riolu's fault!

"[Ooh, my bad,]" the Riolu said bashfully.

"That's what I wanted to avoid," Naruto said. "Even if it worked, you would have hit Katsuki along with the others!" He glanced over at the judge, hoping that didn't count as their Pokémon attacking one another.

A scream on the battlefield drew his attention; Katsuki was now rocketing at Kata, murder in his eyes.

"Katsuki, don't!" Hinata shouted. But it was too late.

The Quilava was upon Kata, barely missing with an explosive Fire Punch.

"[If you're not playing nice, then I'm not either!]" Kata countered, kneeing the Quilava in the groin. Katsuki went down, but dragged Kata with him, continuing the brawl on the floor.

"ENOUGH!" the referee shouted. "The challengers' Pokémon are fighting amongst themselves! The match is forfeit- hey, I said that's enough!"

Katsuki and Kata were still brawling on the floor.

"Kata, that's enough!" Naruto shouted, but his Pokémon ignored him. Growling he tossed in Kubo's ball. "Separate them!"

Hinata, who had just put her face in her hands in embarrassment when they started fighting, looked up and called out Midoriya to help Kubo, motioning rather than talking. If she said a word, the girl was sure her voice would crack.

"Frog!" Kubo shouted, pulling the two apart. They fought against him, but having just come out of a tough battle, both were exhausted, while Kubo had time to rest. Midoriya shoved himself between Kubo and Katsuki, pushing him back while telling him to calm down and to please stop making a scene.

Kubo, meanwhile, flicked Kata on the nose to grab his attention. After a moment of shock, Kata froze, realizing what had just happened.

"[He started it!]" the Riolu said childishly, pointing at Katsuki.

Sakura had sent Ochako to help restrain him with Vine Whip. Katsuki was still screaming and struggling to get Kata. Naruto wouldn't be surprised if the Quilava started foaming at the mouth.

Kubo said something stern to Kata, making it clear he didn't care for his excuses, and then pointed to the scoreboard, which now had the word 'Lose' over their side of the screen. He had cost not just Naruto the match, but also Hinata, Sasuke, and Sakura!

Kata looked at his trainer, who was angry and exasperated, then to Hinata, who looked like she just wanted to disappear. Sasuke and Sakura were just upset. Sighing, the Riolu returned to his ball without another word.

Katsuki was not so cooperative. He continued to scream and struggle, even though Kata was no longer there for him to fight.

Hinata couldn't help but notice the audience whispering at the embarrassing display. Several trainers were pointing at her…likely commenting on her inability to control her Pokémon.

"He's in a panic," Naruto whispered to her, drawing her attention.

Naruto was right; the more they tried to restrain Katsuki, the harder he tried getting away, not caring why or who was doing it. His eyes were dilated and unfocused. He wasn't thinking anymore, just panicking at being restrained.

After nearly getting hit with a Flamethrower, Midoriya just sighed and decked the Quilava across the chin with Wood Hammer. The blow floored Katsuki- just before he passed out, there was a look of utter bewilderment on his face.

Squeaking a word of thanks to Midoriya, Hinata recalled both her Pokémon and dared to look up.

Everyone…everyone was staring at her. Iruka looked shocked, her friends were upset or disappointed (even if they were sympathetic), Itachi and Karen were bewildered, and everyone else seemed either disgusted or amused by what they just saw. Even little Mina was now fussing and crying quietly in her mommy's arms; she didn't know what happened, but she understood that her family had been fighting. To twist the knife, Hinata noticed that even though the baby was upset, Sakura was managed to keep her under control while looking at Hinata! Sakura could do a better job managing her Pokémon absentmindedly than Hinata could in the middle of a battle!

"Hinata." It was Naruto, who put a hand to her shoulder. "Hey, it's okay!" he whispered, seeing that the girl looked ready to cry. "This isn't your fault."

But it was her fault, Hinata knew.

Taking in a shuttering breath, she looked at Iruka and bowed respectfully. "I-I'm sorry for all the t-trouble, sir!"

And with that, she turned and quickly left the room.

Naruto spared a glance to Iruka, who nodded sympathetically, then the boy ran after her. Behind him, Sakura and Sasuke followed.

"Oh dear," Karen said softly.

"We'll wrap things up here for them, then we'll talk to them," Itachi suggested, walking over to Iruka.

With formal gym challenges, there were a few things that happened before and after the match, such as signing forms, setting up rematches, or listening to the Gym Leader's opinion of the match. However, everyone could tell now wasn't the time to bother the kids with it.

-0o0o0-

"Hinata, wait!" Naruto called, running out of the gym after the girl.

She had gotten out of his sight for a second, and now he wasn't sure where she was.

Bayushi ran up next to him, sniffing the air as Sakura and Sasuke caught up.

"Vee!" Bayushi said, leading them to a tree.

There was Hinata, slumped behind it, face in her hands, crying.

"Hey, please don't cry," Naruto said softly, sitting down next to her. "It wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was!" Hinata sobbed, not bothering to look up. "Katsuki is my Pokémon, and he didn't listen to me at all!" She let out a sob. "I can barely control him normally! It was so stupid to use him for something so important! And now it's all my fault we lost our first gym battle!"

"That's not true!" Sakura said quickly, leaning down so they were at eye level (or would be if Hinata looked up). "Our first match in that battle was a total blunder because of me!" She sighed. "Tetsu wasn't ready for battle and I used him anyway…I was overconfident."

"That's only because of the Gastly. Against any other Pokémon, and you would have done fine," Hinata insisted, looking up with puffy eyes. "Besides, I was part of that battle, too, and Kikyo got knocked out first! You did so good with your second battle! Everyone else did!" She looked meaningfully from Sakura to Naruto to Sasuke. "Everyone else did their best…I'm the only one that made us lose both times."

Naruto spoke up. "Stop that right now!" he said sternly, jumping to his feet. "You can be upset, but stop blaming yourself for everything!"

Hinata looked at him, bewildered.

"We're a team! It's no one's fault we failed, just like it wouldn't be only because of one person if we won! That's what the whole test is about; learning to work together!"

Sasuke nodded. "Naruto's right. You used Katsuki, but the alternative was using Midoriya, a Grass-type you had not used in battle. Using Katsuki was the best call you could do, all things considered. Kikyo might have been knocked out in the first match with you and Sakura, but that was because the enemy focused on her."

Deciding to give strength to his master's words, Bayushi snuck in and curled up on Hinata's lap, purring and filling her with warmth.

"Yeah, and I chose to use Kata rather than Sora," Naruto added. "And I had as much trouble controlling him as you did Katsuki."

"Yeah, he did punch Katsuki that first time the referee warned you," Sakura pointed out.

Naruto glared at her but nodded that she was right. He turned back to Hinata.

"Blaming yourself and crying won't fix anything!" Naruto said, holding his hand out to her. "No more tears! We've got to work together if we're going to earn our Antidote Badges!"

Blushing, Hinata took his hand, letting him help her up (much to Bayushi's annoyance, who had just gotten comfortable).

The four stood together, looking at one another.

"I'll admit, I am disappointed," Sakura said to no one in particular. "I was so sure we were going to pull off a victory…and the battle got so cool!"

Naruto laughed in agreement, while Sasuke just rolled his eyes.

"Any soldier can treasure a victory. The wise general focuses his attention on his defeats, for that is what he must learn from," Sasuke said, once again quoting a proverb from his father. Inwardly, though, the boy was burning with anger at their humiliating defeat…but it wasn't like they hadn't earned it, and whining about it wouldn't change anything.

Naruto sighed. "Yeah…it's disappointing, but it doesn't make a bit of difference! It doesn't matter now what happens, I will never give up the fight! There is no way I will run away from all of my frights; long as the voice inside me says go, I will always keep on running! There is no way to stop me from going to the very top- ouch!"

Sasuke had shoved him to the ground. "Way to ruin the moment, quoting lyrics from some lame song!"

"Yeah, but it made someone smile!" Naruto said, pointing.

Sure enough, Hinata had broken out into a grin. Realizing it, she couldn't help but chuckle lightly.

And suddenly, losing their first gym battle didn't seem that bad.

-o0o-

-0o0o0-

Trainer Spotlight

Iruka Umino

In my original fic, Iruka was a teacher in addition to being a Gym Leader, with an academy-themed gym. This time around, he is still a teacher, but his gym is now ninja-themed, even if he is not a ninja himself. And of course, not everyone believes there are such thing as real-life ninjas in the world of Pokémon Konoha…I think I've mentioned before that I'm a fan of irony in literature.

Iruka was an easy choice for the first gym; was important in the first few chapters of Naruto, but he lost relevance as the story went on, even if he played a major roll originally. As for his type specialty, Poison just seemed a good basic type, and fitting for a ninja instructor. It's common, found early on, and it's more defensive than offensive. Lastly, it's easy to use to teach the basics of strategy. Iruka's challenge of using double battles is a reference to how ninjas in the Naruto-verse learn early on that they must work together, in teams. It's also just because I wish double battles appear earlier and more often in the Pokémon games, rather than just being a mostly forgotten gimmick outside of competitive play.

Trivia

1. Iruka became Gym Leader after Naruto's father pulled some strings in the Konoha League. It's not that Iruka was unqualified for the post; competition was simply stiff. He was also given his Croagunk by Naruto's family in celebration of getting the job.

2. Teakgrove's gym is very old, and its ninja-theme predates Iruka's post as its leader. Also, it's always been a Poison-type gym. In Konoha, new Gym Leaders are not required to keep the type or theme of the previous leaders, but it is what typically happens.

3. Mizuki, Iruka's assistant and second-in-command, is his childhood friend. Others who watch them can tell Mizuki has no problem exploiting Iruka's friendship.

4. Iruka names all his gym Pokémon after poisons. Most of the Pokémon used by the instructors are technically his, but he encourages his staff to bond with them and take them home.

5. Typically, Iruka likes to give out the Poison Jab or Sludge Bomb TMs to trainers who really impress him.

6. In my original fic, Iruka named his Pokémon after Shakespeare characters; also, the only members of his team from my old fic that he retains in this one are his Nidoran, male and female, that are now fully evolved in this setting.

Team Info

Hemlock – Nidoking, male

Name Origin: Hemlock is a deadly poison, made infamous when the philosopher Socrates was forced to drink it for his execution.

Nature & Characteristic: Brave; Proud of his Power

Ability: Sheer Force

Pokéball: Luxury Ball

Move Pool: Poison Jab, Outrage, Earthquake, Thunder Punch, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Dragon Claw

Trivia: One of the first Pokémon Iruka caught when he decided he wanted to be a Gym Leader and started specializing in Poison-types. Hemlock is possibly Iruka's strongest Pokémon in terms of sheer strength. While Iruka considers Oleander to be his strongest, the Ivysaur has gotten lazy, while Hemlock likes to train and test his strength. He is Belladonna's mate; all the Nidoran-line members found in Teakgrove Gym (there are over a dozen) are their children.

Belladonna – Nidoqueen, female

Name Origin: From Belladonna, another name for Deadly Nightshade, one of the most famous poisons in the world. Belladonna, which means Beautiful Lady, has also been used as a cosmetic in the past, as drops of it in the eyes can cause pupils to dilate, so that they look large and attractive (it will also damage the eye with prolonged use).

Nature & Characteristic: Modest; Strong Willed

Ability: Poison Point

Pokéball: Luxury Ball

Known Moves: Sludge Bomb, Dragon Pulse, Toxic, Thunderbolt, Water Pulse, Attract

Trivia: Much more tactical than her mate, Belladonna is not only a good ranged fighter, but also trained in using status moves, and how to use them effectively (notice how she doesn't try using Attract or Toxic after it becomes clear that Ochako can counter both moves?). She is very maternal and cares deeply for the gym's Pokémon, not sure her children (of which she has more than a dozen)

Curare – Croagunk, female

Name Origin: From Curare, a poison used by some Central/Southern American tribes to poison their darts. While such tribes are more famed for using the poison of poison dart frogs, curare more commonly used.

Nature & Characteristic: Naive; Often dozes off.

Ability: Dry Skin

Pokéball: Cherish Ball

Known Moves: Sucker Punch, Taunt, Poison Jab, Rock Tomb

Trivia: Given to Iruka by Naruto's family to celebrate him becoming a Gym Leader. Iruka likes to use Curare to disrupt and break the opposing team's rhythm with moves like Sucker Punch and Taunt. He also surprises trainers who use Water-type attacks against her because of her ability, Dry Skin.

Cyanide – Gastly, male

Name Origin: From Cyanide, a poison found in bitter almonds, apple seeds, and stone fruit such as peaches or apricots. Cyanide has the distinct smell of bitter almonds (or, more accurately, bitter almonds smell of cyanide).

Nature & Characteristic: Naughty; Mischievous.

Ability: Levitate

Pokéball: Pokéball

Known Moves: Lick, Confuse Ray, Shadow Sneak, Hypnosis, Toxic

Trivia: Cyanide is the newest member of Iruka's crew, beating out even Curare. He's been around for about three months, and Iruka uses him in gym battles, both to train him and because he should be easier for new trainers. He smells of bitter almonds, hence his name.

Oleander – Ivysaur, male (has yet to appear)

Name Origin: From Nerium Oleander, a common ornamental plant with pretty flowers. Oleanders are very tough and easy to grow. They're also poisonous. However, it has such a bitter taste that cases of poisoning by oleander are phenomenally rare.

Nature & Characteristic: Docile; Likes to relax.

Ability: Overgrow

Pokéball: Pokéball

Known Moves: Leech Seed, Sleep Powder, Vine Whip, Solar Beam, Sludge Bomb, Synthesis, Giga Drain, Charm

Trivia: Oleander is Iruka's starter Pokémon, and he's usually out of his Pokéball and allowed to roam the gym grounds freely. Iruka considers him his strongest Pokémon, so he rarely uses him in gym battles, since Iruka normally fights beginner trainers. As such, Oleander spends most of his time sunning himself or relaxing. In many ways, he's gone to seed (pun intended).

Aconite – Crobat, female (has yet to appear)

Name Origin: From Aconitum, the proper name of the more commonly known Wolf's-Bane, otherwise known as Queen of Poisons.

Nature & Characteristic: Lonely; Alert to Sounds.

Ability: Infiltrator

Pokéball: Pokéball

Known Moves: Cross Poison, Tailwind, Mean Look, Haze, Defog, Leech Life, Toxic, Confuse Ray, Acrobatics, Double Team

Trivia: Captured by Iruka while he was still a teacher in Oakcrown three years ago, Aconite was a Zubat causing trouble during a field trip. She's a very tricky battler, and Iruka considers her too difficult for beginning trainers to face.