Chapter 49

Song: Both Worlds (Parody of His World from Sonic '06)
Artists: Crush 40 & Zebrahead

(Yeah.)
(Yeah.)
(Here we go.)
Turn up the volume on the stereo,
'Cause your in for a show.
Because in both worlds,
These are the best girls.
Once belong to the home to the strong,
Now in a world where the adventure goes on and on and on.
In a temple, where the gods were born,
In a world that was scorn,
There lies a place where life and peace is in full bloom,
And the monsters are free to loom.
But it's true, it is surreal.
It's surreal, yeah!

In these worlds! (Both worlds!) (Gotta make your own way!)
Where one is all.
In these worlds! (Both world!) (Life is just a game you play!)
Never fear the fall!
When you leap without a net, you'll find
It won't be there all the time.
So watch your step now,
Watch your step, don't fall!

In these worlds! (Both worlds!)
Where life is strong. (Life is strong!)
In these worlds! (Both worlds!)
Life's an open book. (An open book!)
In these worlds! (Both worlds!)
Where compromise does not exist.
In these worlds of worlds, every step meets the risk! I
n these worlds! (Both worlds!)
Where one is all. (One is all!)
In these world! (Both worlds!)
Never fear the fall. (Never fear the fall!)
In these worlds! (Both worlds!)
Where compromise does not exist.
In these worlds of worlds, every step meets the risk!

Beware of your mind as it proves you wrong...
A forward push, the clock strikes strong...
In these worlds... Both worlds!

Two days have passed since Ruby won her ribbon at the Kanto City Pokemon Contest. Team RWBY walk down the street as Ruby admires her winnings as they make their way towards the gym. The gym they're heading to is actually a type of hotel located in the eastern parts of the city.

"How long are you gonna admire that ribbon?" Blake asks while walking beside Ruby's left.

"Oh come on now." Ruby says as she puts it away, "It's a really pretty ribbon. Plus, it's my color."

"Well, you shouldn't act so smug." Weiss says while walking behind Ruby.

Yang nudges Weiss, "Says someone that is a bit of a sore loser."

Weiss's checks turn red, "Shut up!" she angrily yells with steam coming out her ears, "You're the one that is always a sore loser! Especially at the card game we played last night!"

"We're here." Blake says as they stop in front of a building.

The building they stop at is the hotel where the gym is at, but it is pretty fancy looking. It is a fifty story high-rise that have carvings of grass-type Pokemon that can be found in the Kanto Region such as Vileplumes, Bulbasaurs, Bellsprouts, and many others along with flowers on the light green stone. The top of the hotel has three kinds of flowers on it. The first looks like a flower of a Venusaur while on top of it is a flower that looks like a Gloom.

"Wow." Yang says as they all look up at the hotel. "I suppose that it's a grass-type gym."

"No, it is not." Blake says. "It's a ruse to fool new trainers while the gym leader actually uses Pokemon that can be found in the Kanto Region. Pokemon such as Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander. Yet the man inside actually make things a bit more challenging."

Ruby looks at Blake and asks, "Like what?"

Blake looks at Ruby, "Like using more evolved Pokemon."

Yang looks at the two, "Guess this gym won't be easy."

"I thought it is supposed to be some sort of inn?" Ruby states. "You know; small, not too fancy, something that showcase some form of culture."

"Guess being a gym leader must've drawn a lot of attention and the result is...this."

Blake says, "It also says that if you beat the gym leader, you get to use one of the penthouses and the luxury treatment for free."

When Weiss heard that, she gets all sparkly eye and really wants to win and get the royal treatment that she was once used to. Super soft beds, massages, a cake butler. Even though her family isn't the best, she still enjoyed what little she can have. As she is about to walk in, someone comes out and out of breath.

"Oh man! Whew!" It is Rusty. He then looks at the girls, "Oh. Hey girls!"

"RUSTY!?" the four went.

"You're here?" Yang asks.

"Were you trying to win a day of luxury?" Weiss asks. However, the other girls are giving her disapproval looks. "I mean, win a gym badge?"

"Yeah." he says, "I try to beat the gym leader who runs this hotel, but I got my butt beaten. Twice! The guy in there is super tough. He's using an Ivysaur, a Wartortle, a Charmeleon and a Machoke. Not only that, he's using the gym battles to entertain the guests of this hotel. There is an arena in the basement level where you can have the gym battle. Hope you girls would have better chance at the gym than I did. Anyway, I'm heading towards the Pokemon Center and I'll test my luck again. Third times the charm as everyone says. Later!" he walks away.

"At least he gave us the heads-up." Yang says.

"Guess he's not such a useless fool after all." Weiss speaks.

They all head on in as the glass doors open. Once inside, they see murals of Kanto backdrops on the wall that stretch as far as the eye can see with depictions of places such as Viridian Forest, Seafoam Islands, Mt. Moon, Cinnabar Island and many places that show Pokemon in their natural environment and people alongside Pokemon to showcase the daily life in the Kanto Region. The receptionist desk is rounded and made of white marble with carvings of Geodudes looking like they're trying to hold up the desk with their great strength and unity. The receptionist is wearing a bellhop uniform that is blue yet has green strips on her cap, wearing a green vest and dress shoes.

"Hello." she greets the girls with a friendly smile. "How may I help you, today?"

Weiss walks up, "I'm here to challenge the gym leader."

"Oh, another trainer. Sorry, but you may have to wait. Shiro just finished another match earlier and his Pokemon are taking a break. Want me to schedule an appointment?"

Weiss is a bit annoyed but understands, "Very well."

"Thank you. How does one-o'-clock sound?"

"I suppose that'll work. We don't have much of an option at this point."

"Very good, ma'am. I'll let Mr. Shiro know. Would you also join us for lunch in the cantina? Pokemon trainers that have their appointments set up are welcome to eat for free with five-star accommodations. You're friends are also welcome to dine."

"Ooo!" Ruby has taken an interest, "I would like to give it a try!"

"Hmmm..." Yang looks at the time on her Megadex. "It is close to lunch time."

Blake has her eyes wide open while holding onto a knife and fork, "I want to eat all the fish."

Weiss just sighs, "Honestly. Fine, let's go."

They're in the catina where they have lunch with the catina looking more like a beautiful ballroom with plenty of tables with red velvet table coverings, crystal chandeliers with the ends in the form of Pokeballs and many prisms being hexagonal. The chairs are very fancy made from redwood and the cushions are made of red velvet yet have a Japanese-style floral patterns on them. Yet the floor itself only has the basic black and white tiles. The place already has guests dinning lunch with many dishes that look like a more fancier versions of Japanese-style cuisines such as curry on rice, udon with some form of tempura, neopolitan spaghetti, gourmet sushi, a self-serving table with onigiri (and no, they are not donuts), yakitori, oden, and other kinds of sushi. Blake is already helping herself to some of the sushi as she gets a big plate full of them. Ruby and Yang try out the curry as Weiss is trying out some of the onigiri filled with random fillings. The four are gaining some attention from some of the guests.

"Aren't those the trainers that schedule the one-o'-clock battle?" one of the female guests whispers.

"Yeah," one of the male guests says, "and I'm excited about this afternoon."

"An after lunch show? The manager does know how to entertain his guests."

"Shiro does know how to keep us happy. Oh, and do you know how to get the television to play web videos? I pressed the buttons and put in the code, but I keep getting an error."

Weiss looks over on her Megadex, "Okay. He uses a Charmeleon, Wartortle, Ivysaur and Machoke. It will be a four on six battle with some of his Pokemon using other type moves that aren't related to their types such as dragon claw, a dragon-type move; ice punch, an ice-type move; venoshock, a poison-type move and many more. This limits most of my options for what I must prepare for."

Yang looks at Weiss, "You do realize you're thinking out loud here, right?"

"Just hoping you three might assist me with this."

Yang looks over, "Might have to try having Nicholas as either a Jolteon, a Vaporeon or a Flareon when dealing with any of those three. If I remember right, gym leaders aren't allowed to switch Pokemon."

"You are correct." A man dressed in a green suit with golden stripes approach Team RWBY. He is a bit on the chubby side yet jolly with his black hair being combed and refined to the right. He has a crimson handkerchief in his right chest pocket and his eyes are of a deep emerald color. "All gyms have that rule. Once the gym leader has chosen a Pokemon for the match, they cannot switch. As a matter of fact, the gym leaders always pick their Pokemon first so it does give the trainer an advantage."

"Oh, thank you." Weiss thanks the man.

The man smiles, "Don't mention it." He walks away but turns and said, "Oh, and today's dessert special is frozen yogurt with a wide variety of flavors. Blueberry, strawberry, banana and many more."

"Sweet!" Ruby says, "I love strawberries."

"It has been awhile since I had frozen blueberry yogurt." Weiss says while thinking about her favorite dessert.

It is almost one-o'clock as Team RWBY ride down the elevator to the arena.

"Lunch was good!" Ruby compliments. "And the frozen yogurt was great, right?"

Weiss looks away while smiling, "It was."

Yang whistles as she sees the arena. "Looks like we have a full house."

They see the entire arena full of spectators as many came to see the next challenge. Many are eager to see the next match as some try to get VIP seats above the arena. The receptionist from the front desk is now dressed as a referee.

"Isn't that the receptionist?" Blake notices. "Guess everyone has just as many hats as the gym leader."

"Guess so." Yang agrees.

The elevator stops as they hit the bottom. They all exit out of the glass elevator with Ruby, Blake and Yang heading over to the seats to the right side of the ring.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the referee says over her mic. "This afternoon we have another match with our beloved inn keeper boss, Mr. Shiro. For today's challenger, Weiss Schnee!"

Many people cheer for Weiss as she steps to the ring.

"Now give it up for our gym leader and host, Mr. Shiro!"

On the other side of the ring, the same jolly man they met in the cantina enters as he smiles and says, "Hello."

"Eh?" Weiss went.

"EEEHHH?!" the other three went.

Ruby looks at both Yang and Blake, "That guy's the inn keeper?!"

Yang responds, "I thought he was another guest!"

"To be honest," says Blake, "I did not see this coming."

"You're the inn keeper and gym leader?" Weiss asks Shiro.

Shiro rubs the back of his head, "Yeah, I know. Sorry for not telling you earlier. People keep assuming I'm another one of my hotel guests. I thought this green suit would be a dead giveaway, but looks like it didn't work."

"At least you tried." Weiss compliments. She pulls out her Pokemon, "Shall we begin our battle?"

Shiro pulls out his Pokeball, "I believe we should. My guests are hungry for another battle and I believe they've waited long enough."

"This will be a four on six battle! Only the challenger can switch out Pokemon during battle. There will be no time limit. Let the battle begin!"

Shiro throws his Pokeball, "Go, Charmeleon!"

Shiro's Charmeleon pops out and is ready for battle.

Weiss throws her Pokeball, "Go, Nicholas!"

Nicholas pops out and is ready for battle. However, Weiss uses the device to change Nicholas into a Jolteon. The crowd is really impressed and get to see something a bit different.

"Oh my." says the impressed inn keeper, "You got the special Eevee. Guess this will be a special event. And you have it as a Jolteon. Guessing you must be the cautious type, not unlike the last challenger."

"BEGIN!"

"Nicholas, use quick attack!"

Nicholas charges in at Charmeleon yet Charmeleon manages to dodge out of the way with minimum effort and with grace.

"Use flamethrower!"

Charmeleon spins around like a ballet dancer and spews flames from its mouth that scorches the ground. Nicholas backs away and tries to avoid the attack.

"Use double-kick on the ground!"

Nicholas moves and kicks some of the scorch ground towards Charmeleon.

"Dragon claw to deflect."

Charmeleon's claws glow light-blue before turning into large claws that reduce the burnt dirt into powder. Nicholas came from behind with a thunder fang attack, but it dodges and strikes with its dragon claw. Knocking Nicholas a few feet away and the monitor shows that Nicholas' health got dropped by half and in the yellow.

"Hmm..." Blake went.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Yang asks Blake.

"Yeah. Those are moves that you normally see in a Pokemon Contest. Which means that this Shiro person must've been a coordinator."

"Oh come on." Ruby is being optimistic, "Weiss has faced off against coordinators before, so it should be easy for her."

"True." Blake says, "But this guy has plenty of years of experience which means he had trained his Pokemon with everything he has learned."

While they were talking Nicholas is knocked out and returns to his ball.

"Jolteon is unable to battle! The winner is; Charmeleon!"

The crowd cheers for Shiro's victory as he waves at the audience.

'This isn't good.' Weiss thinks she might be outmatched. 'This man must have been a coordinator before running an inn and a gym leader. This won't be easy.'

TO BE CONTINUED!

AN: Hey boys and girls! Hope you all enjoy the latest chapter. Just to let you guys know ahead, this story will be on hiatus starting April 2022 but will resume on September. The reason being is because I'm avoiding getting overwhelmed at work since the manager promoted me right out of the blue and I'm gonna be quite busy for a while. So, I'm cutting back on a few things so I won't work myself to death. Until then, later!