Walking into Santalune City felt different from the cities in Alola. There, they were generally smaller and felt more open. Here people bustled along in the streets, shopping or just getting from one place to the next. Pokemon of course accompanied most or just wandered around. Maybe it was just because Alola wasn't your typical region, but the feeling this city gave me felt somewhat nostalgic.

"Which way to the gym?" I wondered aloud and Robert pointed in a direction. "That way I think."

Alex shrugged. "Let's go with that."

We walked down the street, shops to our sides and then houses. We passed by at least three different cafes before reaching the gym. Standing before the green building now, I felt a rush of energy.

I grinned. "Let's see if the gym leader will allow us to battle now shall we."

"Froak!" Froakie cried, pumping his tiny fist into the air.

We walked inside and into a gallery. Pictures of Bug types hung on the walls, all were exquisite pictures.

"Huh," I said. "So not a Grass type gym."

"Nope," said a voice and I turned to see someone walking through a pair of wooden doors which I assumed led to the battlefield. The voice belonged to a smiling figure with a Pikachu on his shoulder.

"Ash," I said, grasping his hand and Froakie landed on the ground to run around with Pikachu. "How goes the journey?"

Ash grinned proudly and held up a badge. "Just won the Bug Badge! Second try sadly."

He nodded at Arcanine's pokeball. "I have a feeling her strongest Pokemon wont be any trouble for you though."

He grinned at my friends. "Great to see you two as well, Alex, Robert."

They smiled and shook his hand, then I noticed several people walk out to stand next to Ash. A blonde boy with glasses wearing a blue and yellow jumpsuit as well as a little girl with the same blonde hair. Then,

"Serena," I said, surprised to see her.

Her eyes widened a little before smiling at me. "Hey, Zeno. It's been a while."

She looked at Froakie playing and said, "I see you managed to keep Froakie."

"Yep," I said. "He and I, we'll beat the Kalos League together."

"Not if I beat it first," Ash said confidently, then looked at Serena. "You two know each other."

Serena nodded. "He helped me back in Vaniville Town."

I nodded. "Who's the rest of your friends?"

The blonde boy stepped forwards, straightening his glasses. "I'm Clemont. And this here is my little sister, Bonnie."

"Hi," Bonnie squeaked happily.

Alex and Robert introduced themselves and soon after that, another person made an appearance. This time it was a blonde woman wearing a white tank top along with green cargo shorts. She wore a camera on her neck and smiled when she saw all of us.

"New challengers?" She asked, looking at Alex, Robert, and I.

"Just them," Robert pointed at Alex and I. "I'm here for observation."

"I'd love to stick around and watch," Ash said. "But we gotta get going."

He straightened his hat, Pikachu climbing onto his shoulder. "Next time we meet Zeno, let's have a rematch."

I grinned, Froakie now on my shoulder. "You're on Ketchum."

We bid our farewells to the four of them before we turned back to the woman. "Are you ready for challengers?"

She smiled. "Always. Come on inside."

She led us into the huge glass conservatory where tall trees rose up near the glass roof and shrubs lined the sides. In the middle was a dirt battlefield, white lines outlining it. A referee noticed us and went to stand in her position on the side of the battlefield.

Viola turned to face us. "Who's first."

I stepped forward. "Me."

She nodded. "Take your position challenger. Let's see what you can do."

I took my spot at the end of the battlefield while Alex and Robert sat in the grass ten feet from it. I took a deep breath and shared a glance with Froakie. I wasn't counting the gym in Alola, so this was both Froakie's and mine first gym battle.

"Let's do our best," I said, flashing a grin.

Froakie pumped a fist. "Froakie!"

The referee wore green clothes with her hair up in a bun. She raised her hand. "The gym battle between Zeno the challenger and Viola the Santalune Gym Leader will now begin! Each side will have the use of two Pokemon and the battle will be over when either trainer's Pokemon are unable to continue! Only the challenger may substitute Pokemon!"

Viola grinned and held up a pokeball. "Those determined expressions... The glint that's reflected in both of your eyes that says you're up for the challenge... It's fantastic! Just fantastic! I can tell this isn't your first time battling a major opponent. So, come at me! My lens is always focused on victory, no matter what!"

"Surskit, go!" She shouted and flung her ball, the Bug and Water type materializing on the battlefield in front of her.

I flung out my hand and Froakie ran across it before jumping onto the battlefield. "Alright then Froakie! Let's start with Pound!"

Froakie hopped forwards and went to smack Surskit, but the Bug type just slid away.

"You're going to have to be faster than that if you want to beat us," Viola yelled. "Use Bubble Beam!"

Surskit slid around Froakie, firing bubbles at him. Froakie held up his hands as a defense, but he was still knocked back a step.

"Don't give up!" I shouted encouragingly. "Use Quick Attack!"

Froakie bounded forwards and managed to slam into Surskit.

"Surskit!" Viola cried, then yelled, "Use Quick Attack as well!"

"Surskit!" cried the Bug type and she slammed into Froakie.

"Use Pound to knock her away!" I shouted.

Froakie jumped to avoid Surskit and shot out a foot, knocking the Bug type away.

"Get him with Sticky Web!" Viola yelled.

Surskit shot bullets of web rapid fire, two of them hitting Froakie, trapping his feet.

"Froakie!" he cried, trying to move.

"Don't worry Froakie," I yelled. "Try and use Quick Attack to move!"

Froakie's face strained as he glowed and he tried to move as fast as he could, but the web didn't budge.

"Use Quick Attack!" Viola called and Surskit zoomed towards Froakie. The combined usage of Quick Attack managed to knock Froakie out of the web and he tumbled backwards. However, Viola wasn't going to let him get away that easily.

"Catch him again with Sticky Web!" She shouted.

"Dodge!" I shouted.

Froakie stepped to the side to avoid one, then rolled beneath two more, slamming a glowing fist into Surskit.

My eyes widened. Those moves. That wasn't how a regular Pokemon would normally dodge then strike. And they seemed familiar. My thoughts flashed back to earlier this morning when Froakie had been watching me practice fighting with a knife. He had also been imitating me.

Even Viola looked amazed for a second before getting serious. "Surskit, Bubble Beam!"

"Dodge and use Pound again!" I shouted.

Froakie leaped to one side, then over the stream of bubbles, before running low to the ground and driving his fist into Surskit. The Bug type flew back and slammed into the dirt.

"Yeah!" I cheered, but the battle wasn't over yet. Surskit zoomed to her feet, sliding away from Froakie.

"We can still win!" Viola shouted. "Use Sticky Web!"

"Go for it!" I shouted.

Froakie rolled to avoid a web before leaping forwards. Surskit aimed and shot a Sticky Web right at his face. Before I could even utter a sound, Froakie's arm swung upwards, something forming in his hand. He sliced the air and the web was left in pieces. He then landed on the ground, rolled to his feet, slicing another Sticky Web with the glowing blade, before rolling. He came up kneeling, his blade jabbed against Surskit. She gave a cry before her legs gave out and she fainted.

"That rolling and jabbing motion," I thought. "I had done the same thing earlier. He's really taken a shine to me."

"Surskit is unable to battle!" the ref called. "Gym Leader Olivia, please send out your next Pokemon!"

Olivia returned her Pokemon, smiling at me and Froakie. "You two are quite the pair. You have quite the unique way of battling."

"But," she held out another pokeball. "We will still win because this Gym Leaders will always find the perfect shot! Come on out, Vivillon!"

I heard Robert boot up his Pokedex. "The patterns on this Pokémon's wings depend on the climate and topography of its habitat. It scatters colorful scales."

The robotic voice reminded me of Rotom, which made me wonder what happened to him. Shaking my head, I got my brain back in the battle.

"Vivillon," Viola yelled. "Use Gust!"

"Vivillon!" The Bug and Flying type cried, flapping her wings. A gust of wind struck against Froakie and he struggled to keep his balance and stay in one place. Then I noticed Viola's endgame. She aimed to catch Froakie in one of the Sticky Webs behind him.

"Not today," I thought, then aloud, "Fall back and use Cut!"

Froakie seemed to understand because he stopped resisting and let himself be blown backwards. He twisted and sliced through the globs of Sticky Webs on the ground. Skidding to a halt on his feet, Froakie crouched.

"Now use Quick Attack!" I shouted.

Froakie bounded forwards, before leaping at Vivillon.

"Vivillon!" Viola cried. "Sleep Powder!"

Vivillon flapped her wings, scattering the green powder. Froakie was coated with the substance and was asleep before he even crashed to the ground.

I held out my pokeball before Viola could utter a word. "Return!"

Once he was in his pokeball, I whispered, "Don't worry. We didn't lose. Not yet."

Tucking the ball away, I knew losing was good experience and Froakie would need it, but being asleep while it happened didn't do much to help.

"Sorry about this," I apologized to Viola, grabbing Arcanine's pokeball. "But this battle is about to end."

"Oh," Viola raised an eyebrow. "Show me what you got."

"As you wish," I said, then tossed the ball. "Come on out, Arcanine!"

Upon entering the battlefield, Arcanine roared, then glared at Vivillon, flames curling from his mouth. Viola's eyes widened and Vivillon fluttered backwards as Arcanine set his gaze on the Bug type.

"Alright then," I shouted, shooting out my hand. "Let's finish this, for Froakie! Heat Wave!"

Arcanine roared, heat rolling off his body in waves. Viola shouted for Vivillon to use Protect and a green energy shield erupted around the Bug type. The heat surged forwards, blasting against the Protect with so much intensity, I thought the Protect might actually break. When the Protect finally ended, Vivillon was forced backwards and her wings seemed slightly singed.

"Get her!" I shouted. "Flame Wheel!"

Arcanine rolled into a fiery wheel and zoomed for Vivillon who had floated closer to the ground due to her injured wings.

"Sleep Powder!" Viola shouted.

"Burn right through it!" I yelled.

Arcanine zoomed straight through Sticky Webs, burning them up, and blazed through the green powder. He slammed into Vivillon, sending her flying backwards behind her trainer. Viola looked shell-shocked as the ref raised her hand.

"Vivillon is unable to battle! That means the challenger Zeno is the winner!"

Alex and Robert cheered, though neither looked hardly surprised. Arcanine huffed happily and nuzzled me in the chest. I laughed. "Good boy!"

He went and stood beside me as Viola walked up, clutching the Bug Badge in her hand. "Undoubtedly you have proved to be one of the strongest trainers I have ever met. You more than deserve this badge."

I took it from her open palm and smiled. "Thanks. That was a fantastic battle."

Viola laughed. "Who are you anyway?"

I kept my smiled and answered with the only possible one. "Just a trainer from Alola."

...

I lounged in the PMC chair as we waited for Froakie and Alex's Litleo to heal. Her battle had gone smoothly. Probably because she used two Fire types. I gotta feel bad for Viola. Robert lay face-down on the couch next to my chair while Alex was toying with her hair.

"Hey," I said. "I noticed them before, but are those highlights?"

Alex nodded. "I got them about a month after getting back to Hoenn."

She blushed. "It's sort of a rebellious streak against my family."

I smiled, jotting down in my head to ask her about her family later. "I like them. They suit you."

Alex smiled happily as Robert spoke, his voice muffled by the couch. "Where are we heading next?"

Checking my Town Map just to make sure, I said, "Back to Lumiose. I told the Professor I would speak to him about Froakie."

Robert lifted his head slightly. "Actually, I need to speak to him as well."

"Good thing we're going then," Alex said. "Is there a gym there?"

I nodded, but Robert spoke again. "Don't bother."

I looked at him. "Why not?"

He sat up. "I checked my Holo Caster earlier and it said the gym leader was on leave at the moment. His substitute won't allow challengers to enter without at least five badges as well."

Alex looked shocked. "Five!? Do you know how long that'll take."

I got up and stretched, seeing that Chansey was carting out our two Pokemon. "Don't worry about it Alex. It just makes it more fun. I'll also make sure to ask Professor Sycamore what route would be the best for us when we meet him."

Making my way over to Froakie and Litleo, I said, "Now come on. We have a Professor to meet."

The first true gym battle for Zeno. We're not counting that one back in Alola. Now I just gotta do this seven more times then the league begins. Who am I kidding? That sounds so short, but it ain't. There's going to be a ton of stuff in between all of that. Whoo! Man, I got a lot I want to write. Well, till the next update. Toodles