AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. We go back to Blake and Hilda as the head to Dewford. I had a lot of fun making this chapter and coming up with a lot of the twists and turns. However, my favorite moments are right at the end, including a tease of something to come. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.

See the most recent Save State Chapter for Cover Art details.

Chapter 15 – Working Hard

In Rustboro City, Blake and Hilda walked down the white brick road, "Seriously, what is with that girl?" the hotheaded trainer said with her hands behind her head, "I mean, one Fly and we're back on track as a trio."

"Weiss has always been more showing her growth as a person when other people aren't watching." Blake commented, "I think she just doesn't like others seeing her vulnerable side."

"I guess," Hilda said before stretching her arms, "Well, you and I can still have some fun." She said before putting her hands on her hips, "With your new partner, we are going to get you a gym badge!"

"Thank you," Blake answered before looking over at a large building in the distance, "Is that a gym I can challenge?"

"It is, but I would say skip that one." Hilda responded, "They have rock types, which you could muscle your way through, but that doesn't seem like your style."

"Yeah," Blake answered, her mind recalling her partner who fit that style much more. "That's why we are heading to this island?"

"Yep, its fighting type, so you have a lot more of an advantage going in." Hilda said with a grin, "That and me getting to Surf would be awesome too." She said before pointing, "Now, onward through those woods. Let's go!" She said before rushing off, leaving a trail behind.

Blake rolled her eyes before running after. The two girls ran across the bridge and into the forest. However, upon making it halfway through, Hilda stopped dead in her tracks. "What is it?" Blake said as she stopped right behind her.

"I was just thinking," Hilda responded, "You should probably get to a little practice with your new partner before the Gym."

"Oh, you're right." Blake said before taking out Nincada's Pokeball, "I haven't even sent him out yet." She said before tossing out the Pokeball, "Come on out." Emerging was the trainee Pokemon, who landed on the grass.

"Cada?" he spoke, looking around at the new environment, "Nincada?"

"Hey," Blake said as she knelt, causing Nincada to turn towards her voice, "I was the one that caught you earlier." She said before having a small smile, "Would you be able to help me out?"

"Nincada?" the trainee Pokemon responded before joyfully closing his eyes, "Nincada!" his body nodded with a smile.

"Thank you," Blake responded with a smile as well.

"Awe, you two are adorable." Hilda said before taking out her Pokedex and scanning the trainee Pokemon, "Looks he knows: Dig, Fury Swipes, Mud-Slap, and Harden."

"So, Pokemon can only know four moves at a time?" Blake asked as she stood up.

"It helps them not get overwhelmed in battle." Hilda responded, "Don't worry, four moves can help win any battle." She said before putting her hands on her hips, "So, you and Nincada can test your skills a bit." She said before smirking, "Who knows, you might be able to catch a new Pokemon or Nincada might evolve."

"Okay, sounds good," Blake said before looking around, seeing a large mushroom. However, the mushroom started to walk, revealing itself to be a Pokemon, "Okay, Nincada." the black-haired lady said before pointing, "Attack with Fury Swipes!"

"Nincada!" the trainee Pokemon spoke with a focused gaze, his claws lighting up in a white aura, "Nin! Cada! Nin! Cada!" he spoke while slashing.

"…Uh…" Hilda said as she and Blake watched Nincada swipe at nothing, "He's still blind, even in these woods where the sun is mostly blocked."

Blake watched the mushroom Pokemon vanish in the tall grass. She then watched over to pat Nincada on the back, "It's okay, we just need to find you a better spot to fight in."

"We'll come up with a strategy on our way there." Hilda added on, "Let's get out of these woods and head towards the shore." She said before walking away.

"Nincada…" the trainee Pokemon looked down in disappointment, but then felt Blake pat him on the back.

"It's okay," Blake spoke with a smile, "I think you just need to adjust to the light a bit more." She said before picking up her Pokemon, holding him in her arms, "I'll carry you around for a bit, okay?"

"Nincada." The trainee Pokemon spoke with a smile, remaining comfortable in Blake's arms.

They made their way out of the woods and noticed a small sea cottage. In walking on the dock, Hilda saw a note on the door. "Cannot offer boat services. On vacation with Peeko." She read aloud before turning to Blake, "Well, looks like we are Surfing the rest of the way."

"We're surfing to an island?" Blake asked, "How do we do that?"

"Easy," Hilda said as she took out two Pokeball, tossing both into the air, "Seismitoad! Carracosta! Come on out!" from one Pokeball, a large blue frog emerged. The other was a large blue turtle with a stonelike shell. They landed in the water with a big slash, then turned back towards their trainer, "Go ahead, pick your taxi." Hilda asked Blake.

"Uh," Blake responded, looking at her option. While she thought the stone shell would not be a pleasant seat, she then saw Seismitoad's bulbous orbs vibrating, "Uh, I'll go with Carracosta." She answered with Hilda nodded, jumping on Seismitoad's back. The blue turtle moved close to the dock, letting Blake hop on his back without getting wet. She took a seat with Nincada sitting on her lap. The two began to coast along the waters at a casual pace, causing Blake to smile, "This is peaceful."

"Yeah," Hilda responded, "Wanna race?"

"Huh?" Blake tried to answer, but the decision was already made.

"3-2-1 GO!" Hilda said before Seismitoad shot forward at high speed on the water surface. Blake then felt Carracosta zoom across the water like a jet, causing the black-haired lady to hold Nincada tight. Both surfers remained neck and neck in the race, causing Hilda to grin. However, she then felt a drop of water hit her, one that was from the sky. She looked up at the near pitch-black clouds, then saw the downpour of ran, "Uh oh," Hilda said before looking to Carracosta, whose eyes focused on a light blue light. The blue turtle Pokemon's speed doubles as he shot ahead in the race.

Blake could barely hold on, while Nincada locked his claws into her body. The black-haired lady soon saw a shoreline in the distance, hoping this would put an end to the ride. Suddenly, Carracosta came to a dead stop, one that launched Blake and Nincada off into the sandy beach. While the trainee Pokemon started to dig into the dirt to avoid a painful impact, his trainer tried to land on her feet. However, the slippery sand forced her to fall over and land on her back. Blake laid on her back for a while, the rain falling on her face, "Well, I can't always land on my feet anymore." She spoke to herself, then opened her eyes, "But I still hate water."

"Sorry about that! His Swift Swim ability activated." Hilda said as landed on the shore, recalling her two Pokemon, "I should have checked the weather before picking this spot." She said before offering Blake a hand, "But hey, you won."

"Thanks," Blake said as she took her hand, then looked to the hole, "It's okay, you can come out." She said with Nincada slowly crawling out the hole, a look of sadness on his face.

Hilda took out her Pokedex and scanned Nincada, "Oh, he is part ground type, I didn't realize that. He doesn't like rain as much as sun then." She said, "I guess you could have challenged the rock gym them. We can surf back if you want?" the hotheaded trainer said with Blake looking back with a slight scowl, "But I guess we are here already."

Blake then notices the downpour increasing, "Let's head inside somewhere fast." She said while picking up Nincada, shielding him from the rain with her body.

"Right, this way!" Hilda said as she led the way. They ran towards a large building, one that Blake recalled from Rustboro City. Upon entering, the hotheaded trainer sighed in relief, "Cool, we made it into the gym." She said before looking around, seeing only darkness. "Uh, was there a power outage?"

Blake looked around in the darkness, unable to see anything except a small white light. She walked over to the light, discover it was a small glowstick, "How are we supposed to see with just this?" She said before seeing part of a sign in the light. She held the glow stick to illuminate the whole message. "To reach my gym, you must navigate this maze in the dark. Beware of the challenges that lurk on the unfavorable paths."

"That's the puzzle here?" Hilda said as crossed her arms, "Talk about lazy."

"So, we not only have to get through a maze, but we have to fight trainers where we go the wrong direction?" Blake responded, "Wouldn't make my Pokemon weak for the gym leader."

"Yeah, I mean you could walk back out and head to the Pokemon center to heal." Hilda said, "But, that means more maze for us." She said as Blake readjusted her hold on the Nincada, "Hmmm." The hothead trainer said before smirked, "Maybe not."

A short time later, Blake lead the group, "Cada!" after the train Pokemon spoke, the black-haired lady used the glowstick to show which claw Nincada had extended.

"He says to make a left," Blake said as Hilda followed close behind, snickering to herself. They walked through the maze until seeing a light at end of a tunnel. Upon making it to the opening, Blake and Hilda discovered a slew of various workout equipment. Stationary bikes, treadmills, and benches full of weights, "I guess we made." Blake said as she turned back to Hilda.

"Yeah," Hilda said while still looking around, "Huh, a Gym that looks like a gym, who would have thought."

Blake had a look of confusion before she heard a noise. It sounded like something being rapidly punched. She and Hilda turned to discover a young man at a punching bag, bobbing while in boxer stance. he wore blue shorts and a tight black and red workout shirt, one that matched his fingerless gloves and toed shoes. His hair was a spiked blue with a set of goggles on his head. After one final and powerful punch, he turned towards the two girls, "Wow, you got through my maze faster than most people do." He spoke before waving hello, "I'm Brawly, the Dewford City Gym Leader."

"Sup," Hilda waved back, "This is Blake, your challenger." She said while patting the black-haired lady on the back, "It's her first time, so be gentle to her." The hothead trainer said with Blake looking back with a scowl while blushing, causing Hilda to giggle.

"Oh, one of those newbies for the Worldwide League. Awesome!" Brawly responded, "If I am your first gym challenge, then this will be the ground rules." He said before pointing to himself, "I'll use two Pokemon, and you can use as many as you can."

"Huh, we probably should have caught you more Pokemon then." Hilda commented as Blake continued to scowl, "Oh well, you should be fine anyway."

Blake sighed as she put Nincada, "Since this room is well light, you just take a break right now and watch me battle." She said with Nincada nodding, then turning to face their opponent with a focused gaze. However, what Nincada was facing right towards a treadmill. Blake picked him up and placed him facing the battle, causing Nincada to look back to her with a smile. Blake smiled back before focusing on her opponent.

Hilda walked over to one of the walls to lean against, then noticed a referee in a black and white gi walked out, "The battle between the Gym Leader, Brawly, and the challenger, Blake, will now begin!"

"This is gonna be sweet." Brawly said as he took out a Pokeball, "Machop, you're up!" he said while tossing out the ball, causing a small teal skinned humanoid creature to emerge. On top of his head were three yellow vertical plates.

"Okay," Blake said as she took out a Pokeball, "Espurr, I need your help!" she said while tossing out the restraint Pokemon.

"Es!" Espurr said as he landed, adjusting the bow on his head.

"A psychic type eh?" Brawly commented, "That doesn't faze us."

"We'll see," Blake responded before pointing, "Espurr, use Psyshock!" She said with the restraint Pokemon creating psychic stones around Machop's body.

"Machop, time to Bulk Up!" Brawly called out with a punch as his Pokemon began to flex. The psychic rocks rained down on him causing a smoke cloud appeared. However, Machop's red aura shined through it, "Now hit'em with a Karate Chop!" the gym leader ordered as his Pokemon rushed in, his right already in the chopping motion.

"Espurr, Double Team!" Blake called out, causing the restraint Pokemon slit into five clones that surrounded Machop, "Now use Disarming Voice."

All clones started to inhale, "ESPURR!" they screamed towards Machop, who shuttered from the pink soundwave.

"You got some moves," Brawly commented, "But so do we. Machop, use Vital Throw." He said before Machop ran to one of the clones. Upon grabbing, it was revealed to be the real Espurr. Blake gasped as her Pokemon was tossed into the air and crashed into the ceiling, "That attack never misses." Brawly said before hitting his fist together, "And this one always hurts. Machop, Cross Chop!" he said before the muscular lunged towards Espurr, his arms in an X-formation as they glowed white.

"Oh no!" Blake said in a panic, "Espurr, shout back with a Disarming Voice!" She said as the restraint Pokemon tried to inhale. However, the cross chop hit first, connecting with Espurr's throat. Machop continued the attack until he and Espurr hit the floor, creating a small crater in the floorboards. While Machop jumped back at his trainer's side, Espurr remains on the ground with swirling eyes, causing Blake to gasp.

"Espurr is unable to battle." The referee called as he raised one arm.

"Yikes," Hilda commented, "This guy is tougher than I thought." She said before looking to Blake, "That leaves her with one Pokemon left."

Blake recalled Espurr back into its Pokeball, "You did well, rest now." She said with a smile, then looked down to Nincada, "You're up, I need your help."

"Nincada," The trainee Pokemon said as he crawled forward into the battle.

"Okay Machop, ready for round two?" Brawly said with his Pokemon turning back with a nod, "That's what I like to hear."

"Begin!" the referee announced.

"Machop, use Karate Chop," Brawly said with his Pokemon rushing in with for the strike.

"Nincada, Harden," Blake called out, causing her Pokemon to stand still as its body glowed a silver tone. The Karate Chop collided with Nincada's head, but he remained unfazed, "Now, Mud-Slap!" the black-haired lady said as the trainee Pokemon dug he claw under the floorboard, tossing up a clomp of wet sand that he launched into Machop's eyes.

"You may have blinded him." Brawly said while Machop could not wipe off the mud, "But remember, this move never misses. Machop, Vital Throw!" he said before the muscular Pokemon rushed directly towards Nincada.

"We'll see," Blake countered, "Use Dig!"

"Nin," Nincada said before burrowing in the ground. Machop tried to grab the trainee Pokemon, but was unable to reach him in time, "Cada!" Nincada said before emerging out of the ground under Machop, launching the muscular Pokemon back into the ceiling. Nincada fully emerged just a Machop hit back down, whose eyes were swirling in defeat.

"Machop is unable to battle." The referee announced.

"Nice, he was still weak from all the Espurr did in the first round." Hilda said as Nincada was jumping with joy, "And he looks happy to have beaten an opponent now."

"Not bad, you're halfway there." Brawly said as he returned his Pokemon, taking out a new ball, "But now, you have to beat my ace partner!" he said before tossing it out, "Go Hariyama!" the gym leader said as a massive fighting Pokemon formed, one with large three-fingered hands. Upon his landing on the floor, the ground slightly shook.

"That thing is big!" Hilda said as she took out her Pokedex, "Hariyama, the Arm Thrust Pokemon. Hariyama's thick body may appear fat, but it is actually a hunk of solid muscle. If this Pokemon bears down and tightens all its muscles, its body becomes as hard as a rock." The Pokedex spoke before Hilda shouted, "How is this fair for a first gym battle!? That thing is evolved!"

"I said you could use as many Pokemon as you can." Brawly spoke up, "Most trainers come here with a nearly a full team a six, but my Hariyama can still take them all out if aren't careful."

"Hariyama!" the arm thrust Pokemon said before raising its right leg, then stomping to shake the ground again.

"Nincada…" the trainee Pokemon looked on in slight fear, but then focused his gaze.

"If Nincada won't back down," Blake said before she had a similar gaze, "Then I won't either."

"Nin! Cada!" the trainee Pokemon said before raising his right half his body, then hitting the floor. However, this only created a somewhat tapping sound in comparison.

"Begin!" the referee announced.

"Okay Hariyama," Brawly spoke before pointing, "Go in for Fake Out." He said before Arm Thrust Pokemon ran into the front of Nincada. Before his opponent could react, Hariyama clapped his hands in front of Nincada, causing the trainee Pokemon to flinch, "Now, Arm Thrust!" the gym leader said before his ace Pokemon reeled back his massive hands.

"Hari! Yama! Hari! Yama!" Hariyama said before he began to open palm smack Nincada.

"Nincada, Harden!" Blake called out as her Pokemon did so, bolstering its defenses, "Now, hit back with Fury Swipes!"

"Nin! Cada! Nin! Cada!" Nincada said as his claws glowed white, trying to match Hariyama's arm thrusts.

"Hari! Yama! Hari! Yama!" Hariyama responded in kind, there attacks match in pace. However, the arm thrust Pokemon focused his gaze on this last one, "Hariyama!" he said before the smack launched Nincada back and into a wall, to which Hilda had to move out of the way.

"Oh no, Nincada!" Blake called out as her Pokemon fall to the floor, struggling to stand up, "You can do it, come on!"

"Nin…Cada…" the trainee Pokemon said as he stood up, "Nin…Cada!" then was encompassed in white light. Blake and Hilda gasped, while Brawly looked on with a smirk.

"I thought that little dude was close to evolving." Brawly said to himself.

The light caused Nincada's body to morph, then fade out into a brown chrysalis. Suddenly, a hole opened in the back of the cocoon, leading to a large cicada to emerge out. Its body was black and yellow, with its wings being white with red tips, "Ninjask!"

"Wow, he evolved!" Hilda said as she took out the Pokedex again, "Ninjask, the ninja Pokemon. Ninjask moves around at such a high speed that it cannot be seen, even while its crying can be clearly heard. For that reason, this Pokemon was long believed to be invisible." The Pokedex read before Hilda saw Ninjask zipping around Blake's head, a look of joy on his face, "And it looks like he can see better too." She spoke with a smile before noticing something on the floor, "Huh?"

"You did it, you evolved!" Blake said in joy.

"Ninjask!" the ninja Pokemon spoke with a nod, zipping around at high speed. In Blake's mind, she remembered her team leader who also was a speedster.

"Not bad, I'm happy for you two." Brawly commented, "But don't think this match is over yet."

"Hariyama!" The arm thrust Pokemon said as he assumed a fighting stance.

"Right." Blake said with a nod, "Okay Ninjask, use Fury Swipes!" she said with a point, causing her Pokemon to rush back into battle. However, his claws turned a light green as opposed to white now. The ninja Pokemon landed a single slash before Hariyama could even react, "What? Was that a new move?"

"Yep, he learned some new tricks upon evolving." Hilda confirmed, "Replaced Fury Swipes with Fury Cutter. Also, instead of Hardening, he has the move Mind Reader."

"Mind Reader?" Blake said, causing Ninjask's eyes to glow blue. He then rushed towards Hariyama again, landing another Fury Cutter.

"It's a lock-on type of move that makes it so the next hit will connect." Hilda answered, "And since Fury Cutter gets stronger with each strike, it's a deadly combo."

"Okay, we'll keep it up then." Blake said with a nod, returning her focus to the battle, "Ninjask, use Mind Reader into Fury Cutters!" she said with the ninja Pokemon rushing in and swiping Hariyama over and over again, "He's so fast, there's no way he can hit Ninjask."

"Are you sure?" Brawly said before grinning, "Hariyama, Vital Throw!" with that, the arm thrust Pokemon reach out his right hand, grasping Ninjask in midair. He then tossed the ninja Pokemon into the floor, "Go for an Arm Thrust beat down!" Brawly called out with a punching motion.

"Hari! Yama! Hari! Yama!" Hariyama said while smacking Ninjask into the floorboards.

"Ninjask, use Dig," Blake called out as the ninja Pokemon began to burrow into the ground, avoiding the arm thrusts. He then emerged right under Hariyama, sending the arm thrust Pokemon back a few feet. Blake smiled at her counter working, but saw Ninjask's wings struggle to flutter, "He's at his limit, we need to end this now." Blake thought before pointing, "Ninjask, Fury Cutter!"

"Ninjask!" the ninja Pokemon rushed in with high speed for the slash. In response, Hariyama reeled his left hand back for one more Arm Thrust. The two attacks collided with one another, but the Fury Cutter was getting overwhelmed, "Oh no!"

"You reset the power of Fury Cutter when you used Dig," Brawly spoke up as Blake gasped, "Sorry, but this is it!" the gym leader spoke with a punch.

"Hariyama!" the arm thrust Pokemon said before sending Ninjask back with a single strike.

"Ninjask." the ninja Pokemon tried to recover midair, but his wings could not hold up his body anymore, causing him to fall to the floor, "Nin…Jask…" he spoke before passing out.

"Ninjask is unable to battle." The referee announced.

"I…I lost." Blake spoke, looking over to Brawly and Hariyama, "These Gym Leaders are stronger than I thought." She said before taking out her Pokeball and recalling Ninjask into it, "You were still great though, I'm proud of you." She said before looking back at the ball, "I guess I'm the one that still needs more training."

"If the challenger has no more Pokemon," the referee said, "Then the winner is-"

"Hold it!" Hilda spoke up, her hands on her hips, "She does have one Pokemon!"

"I do?" Blake said as she turned around to the hothead trainer, "Who else to have?" Hilda smirked before she pointed to her left, causing Blake to look over. There, she discovered the skin Nincada had shed to evolve in Ninjask. Before Blake could question what Hilda meant, the discarded cocoon skin began to move.

Suddenly, a white crescent-shaped halo appeared over its head. The Pokemon began to raise as Blake's eyes started to widen, "Shedinja." It spoke as it hovered towards Blake.

"What!?" Blake spoke, "The shell is also a Pokemon."

Hilda took out her Pokedex and scanned Blake's newest team member, "Shedinja, the Shed Pokemon. Shedinja's hard body does not move - not even a twitch. In fact, its body appears to be merely a hollow shell." The Pokedex spoke, "See, you have one more Pokemon thanks to Nincada evolving right now." Hilda spoke as the Pokedex continued, "It is believed that this Pokemon will steal the spirit of anyone peering into its hollow body from its back." The Pokedex said to finish the entry, "…don't do that."

"Is this normal for Pokemon to evolve like this?" Blake asked as Shedinja continued to stare at her.

"This one is very peculiar. It also only has the strength to take one attack before fainting." Brawly answered, "To make up for that, it has a unique ability called Wonder Guard. Meaning it cannot be hit any but super effective moves."

"Which your Pokemon does not know," Hilda spoke, "That means, Blake, wins because you cannot hit her Pokemon!"

"Well, I'll let her continue the battle with this Pokemon." Brawly responded, "We'll just see what happens next."

Blake remained transfixed on Shedinja, "Are you okay fighting for me?" she asked.

"Shed." Shedinja said while rocking its body forward, resulting in a nod that made its trainer smile. The shed Pokemon then moved into the battlefield to face Hariyama.

"Begin." The referee announced for the final battle.

"Okay Hariyama," Brawly said with a punch, "Use Knock Off!" he said as the arm thrust Pokemon ran forward with its right hand raised high.

"Shedinja, you have to dodge it!" Blake called out, "Uses Di-" she was saying, but Shedinja was already descending. However, rather than burrowing, the shed Pokemon combined with the shadows. It then moved across the shadows to encompass Hariyama, unleashing a barrage of hits over his body.

"Hari!" Hariyama said as he was rocketed back, hit body bruised as he could barely stand.

"Looks like instead of Dig, it knows Shadow Sneak." Hilda commented as she scanned the Pokemon, "And instead of Fury Swipes, it has Shadow Claw."

"Two attacks with Shadow in their name." Blake said before having a small smile at the irony, "Okay, Shedinja! Go in for a Shadow Claw to finish Hariyama off." She said with the Shed Pokemon rushing in, its left side of the body forming a jagged arm of darkness.

"Hariyama. Knock Off one last time." Brawly ordered with one more punch.

"Hari!" Hariyama said as he raised his left arm. The Knock-Off arm collided with the Shadow Claw, creating pulse waves of darkness throughout the arena, "Yama!" the arm thrust Pokemon tried to push back, breaking through the shadow claw.

"Not this time," Blake called out, "Dodge with Shadow Sneak!" she said with Shedinja dipping into the ground to dodge the knock off.

"Hari?" looked around in confusion, "Yama?"

"Hariyama!" Brawly called out, "It's in your shadow!"

"Hari?" Hariyama turned around to see his own shadow now was pitch-black. Suddenly, Shedinja emerged and reformed Shadow Claw before slashing with it, "Hari!" the arm thrust Pokemon recoiled in pian before falling on his back, creating a small dust cloud. "Hari…Yama…" the dust settled to reveal the fainted ace of the gym leader.

"Hariyama is unable to battle." The referee announced, "The winner is the Challenger, Blake."

Blake let out a sigh of relief, but was then surprised hugged by Hilda, "You did it, you won a Gym Battle!" the hotheaded trainer said with a smile, "I'm so proud of you!"

"Thank you," Blake said after Hilda let her go, then looked over to Shedinja hovering over, "You really came through when I needed you to." She said while taking out a Pokeball, "Even if you are peculiar, I'm grateful to have you on the team."

"Shedinja." The shed Pokemon said before getting recalled into the Pokeball.

"You did great out there." Brawly said as he recalled Hariyama into his Pokeball, then walked over to Blake, "So did you, nice job pushing though against harsh opponents." He said before reaching into his pocket, "It takes guts to keep going, even when an opponent seems too strong to beat." The gym leader said before taking his hand out of his pocket, extending it to Blake, "For you and your pokemons' efforts, I present you with the Knuckle Badge."

Blake looked down to see the badge, which resembled a blue boxing glove with a red thumb, "Thank you." The black-haired lady said as she accepted the badge. She then was patted on the back by Hilda.

"Look at that, you're already one-fourth of the way to the league." Hilda said with a smile, "Let's hope Weiss managed to do well in her gym battle too."

"Yeah," Blake said before looking back to Brawly, "Since we are about to leave, I wanted to ask you something." She said with him looking at her in confusion, "Did you happen to run into a young girl with short black hair with red highlight. She wears a red cape and hood?"

"Nope, not that I have seen," Brawly answered.

"Oh," Blake responded, "What about a girl around my age with long blond hair. She is also kind of a brawler."

"Nope again." Brawly answered, but winked, "But I'll keep an eye out for them." He said with her smiling back.

"Well, I have a question." Hilda spoke up, "Can you turn on the lights so we can see how to walk out of here!?" she said with him chuckling.

After making it to the exit, Blake looked up at the sunny sky. However, something caught her eye, "Huh?"

"Hey, look at that, it stopped raining!" Hilda said before putting her hands on her hips, "Maybe now I can get some surfing done." She then turned to Blake, "Not the Pokemon kind, the board kind." However, the black-haired lady was transfixed on the sky, "What is it?" She said Blake pointing up, causing Hilda to look as well, "…Huh…" the hotheaded trainer said with her arms crossed, "Is that a flying pyramid?"

AN: there you go, a lot went down this chapter. Blake got a badge, an evolution, and a new Pokemon partner. I really like writing Nincada and showing determination to keep trying. His evolution is going to be one of my favorites for a while, even though he lost right afterwards. Still, Shedinja comes in for the unexpected victory for the team. Now, with that ending, you know who will be showing up soon in this series. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.