"That's one heck of a big tree," Robert commented as we all stared up the massive trunk that reached high into the sky, a forest practically growing atop it. "And we have to climb it to get to the gym?"

"That's what Nurse Joy said," Alex put her hand on the door in the side of the hill, the gym symbol above it. "You already got your three picked out?"

I nodded. "Rookidee for sure. If this is a Grass gym, then he should be perfect. I'll use Mawile as well."

I felt the pokeball on my belt. "And Frogadier."

Robert raised an eyebrow. "You sure? This is a Grass gym."

I smiled. "I didn't use him in the last gym battle. Besides, it's a good way to see how much stronger the two of us have gotten."

Alex nodded and pushed open the gym doors. We walked through the hill, earth surrounding us, roots sticking out from the dirt. Then we came to an opening and beyond that a giant earthen room. Huge roots connected both floor and ceiling, a vine dangling in front of us.

Grabbing hold of it, I began pulling myself up, Alex and Robert behind me. I heaved myself up onto solid ground and stared up. We were in the tree, the inside hollowed out. Stairways and paths were carved in the tree, leading all the way far up.

"This is crazy," Robert said, standing next to me. "Is the tree even still alive at this point?"

"Indeed it is," a guy said, who was sitting on a log close by. He wore gardeners clothes, a huge pair of hedge shears beside him. He wore his long black hair in a ponytail, striking blue eyes set on us three. "I take it your challengers?"

"Yes," Alex said. "Are you the gym leader?"

He nodded. "I am now. My mentor, Ramos, passed away not too long ago. He used to be the gym leader, but now I am."

He stood, holding the shears over his shoulder. "Follow me."

He led us to the middle of the grassy area where a battlefield was drawn out, line by different colors of grass. Several stumps stuck out of the ground, decorating the battlefield. He stopped when he reached his spot on the battlefield, sticking the shears into the ground beside him.

He whistled, then shouted, "Come on boy!"

"Yessir!" a young boy called back, picking himself up from a section of tall grass. He wore a similar outfit to the gym leader, his dirty blonde hair tussled about. "Who will be challenging the gym leader today?"

Alex nodded at me and let me go first. I grinned and took my place. "I will."

"May I know your name challenger?" the kid asked.

"Zeno," I responded.

He nodded. "The gym battle between Zeno the challenger and Eric the Coumarine Gym Leader will now begin! Each side will have the use of three Pokemon and the battle will be over when either trainer's Pokemon are unable to continue! Only the challenger may substitute Pokemon!"

"This will actually be my third battle as a gym leader," Eric admitted, drawing a pokeball. "I had my second just earlier today. She was an interesting challenger to say the least. But," He held his pokeball up high. "That loss has only inspired me to take this more seriously. Prepare yourself Zeno, for I, Eric, the newest gym leader of Coumarine City, shall come with the full force of the forest! Let's go, Nuzleaf!"

"You too, Mawile!" I shouted, throwing out the Steel and Fairy type.

"Just like before," I said. "Let's beat them together! Fairy Wind!"

"Meet it with Air Cutter!" Eric shouted.

Nuzleaf drew his hand back and chopped it forwards, the sharp wind cutting through Fairy Wind.

"Now use Razor Leaf!" Eric commanded.

Nuzleaf flung back both hands, a dozen sharp leaves floating around him. He fired them off and I shouted, "Use Crunch to take them out!"

Mawile turned and her back jaw opened wide and crunched down on the leaves, stopping the attack.

"Get in close," Eric said. "And use Brick Break!"

Nuzleaf ran forwards, right hand glowing.

"Perfect," I grinned. "Sucker Punch!"

Mawile launched forwards, skidding along the ground, and twisting her body to slam the side of her jaw into Nuzleaf's stomach, sending him flying backwards.

"Now Play Rough!" I yelled.

Mawile leaped towards Nuzleaf, who was just recovering from the previous attack.

"Nature Power!"

An orb flashed in front of Nuzleaf, transforming into an Energy Ball, which shot into Mawile, blasting her backwards.

"Sunny Day!" Eric shouted and Nuzleaf blasted an orb of light into the air, brightening up the arena.

"Iron Head!" I shouted.

Mawile launched herself forwards, her head and back jaw hardening into iron.

"Solar Blade!" Eric yelled.

Nuzleaf raised his right hand, absorbing the sunlight, then unleashing a blade of green energy. He swung it down, slamming Mawile into the ground with the sheer force of power. Then Mawile burst through the energy, body coated with iron, before dissolving.

"Again!" Eric commanded. "Solar Blade!"

"Iron Defense!" I roared.

Mawile leaped, wincing as the blade of energy blasted against her side, but her defenses were greater than they were before. She was knocked to the side slightly, but still managed to get in front of Nuzleaf.

"Solar Blade!"

"Crunch!"

Just as Nuzleaf swung the blade around diagonally to the left, Mawile ducked low and shot to Nuzleaf's left side, back jaw clamping around Nuzleaf and jumped into the air. Nuzleaf cried out in pain as the jaw tightened and Mawile prepared to toss him to the ground.

"Fairy Wind!" I shouted.

Mawile twirled midair and blasted Nuzleaf into the earth with a surge of Fairy Wind. Mawile landed back on the ground, Nuzleaf having just fainted.

"Nuzleaf is unable to battle!" the boy called out. "Gym leader Eric, please bring out your next Pokemon!"

Eric returned Nuzleaf and tossed out a Grovyle. "You may have taken out my first Pokemon, but don't think because of that it'll be easier to win!"

"I would never dream of it," I grinned. "Mawile, prepare a Sucker Punch!"

Mawile's back jaw snarled and she prepared to charge.

"Leaf Blade!" Eric said, thrusting out his hand.

Grovyle ran forwards, the leaves on his arms glowing bright green.

"GO!" I shouted.

Mawile ran to meet him, preparing to twist her body.

"Solar Beam!"

Grovyle halted his run, skidding along the earthen ground, and thrust his hand forwards, a beam of green energy blasting into Mawile head-on. She crashed into the ground, creating a groove in the earth. She stood, but was running out of energy.

"Mawile," I said, holding out her pokeball. "Return."

With a flash of red light, she returned with a surprised look on her face.

"Fighting until you give out isn't what I like to do," I said. "Besides, you already helped enough. Now, let the rest of your team finish the job."

I threw out another pokeball. "Come on, Frogadier!"

He appeared on the battlefield, taking in his opponent.

"A Water type," Eric nodded, amused. "Are you sure you understand Typings?"

"Type advantage doesn't mean everything," I narrowed my eyes. "Quick Attack!"

Frogadier burst forwards, slamming into Grovyle.

"Solar Beam!" Eric yelled.

"Double Team!" I shouted.

Frogadier copied himself into a dozen others, over half being disintegrated by the beam of energy.

"Now use Cut!" I ordered.

The Frogadiers leaped at the Grass type, all slashing downwards with their blades.

After getting slashed in the arm, Grovyle leaped backwards, but not before taking out the copies.

"Meet him with Leaf Blade!" Eric commanded.

Both Pokemon leaped at one another, their blades clashing against each other. Grovyle slashed towards Frogadier's chest, but the Water type blocked the attack, then slashed up diagonally. Grovyle winced in pain, then Eric called out, "Mega Drain!"

Grovyle's claws glowed and Frogadier fell to one knee as his energy was being sapped.

"Smokescreen!" I shouted.

Black smoke filled the arena as Frogadier leaped out of it and near me.

"Leaf Blade!"

Grovyle burst from the smoke, leaves glowing.

"Double Team," I said. "Then use Power-Up Punch!"

Grovyle slashed through multiple copies, then Frogadier slammed his fist into his side, knocking him away.

"Don't let up!" I encouraged. "Quick Attack!"

Frogadier appeared in front of Grovyle, sending him crashing through the dirt with a kick.

"Don't get knocked down!" Eric shouted. "Energy Ball!"

Grovyle leaped into the air, firing two green energy balls.

"Slash right through them!" I commanded.

Frogadier formed the blade in his hand as he slashed through both in quick succession.

"Back to me!" Eric ordered and Grovyle leaped back to stand in front of the gym leader.

"Now prepare a Solar Beam," he said.

"Don't let them!" I yelled. "Quick Attack!"

Frogadier ran straight for the Grass type, who was enveloped in a green aura.

"Now!" Eric grinned. "Solar Beam!"

"Water Pulse!" I shouted.

Grovyle fired the beam of energy, but Frogadier managed to propel himself into the air with the Water Pulse.

"Get him!" Eric shouted.

Grovyle swung his hand around, bringing the beam around to Frogadier.

"Protect yourself with Water Pulse!" I commanded.

With the beam coming on his left, Frogadier thrust his right hand in that direction, a sphere of water forming. The Solar Beam made contact with the move, blasting Frogadier to the right and away from the Solar Beam.

"Don't slow down!" I shouted. "Cut!"

Frogadier ran full tilt for Grovyle, a blade forming in his hand.

"Leaf Blade!" Eric roared.

Grovyle ran towards Frogadier, blades glowing. Both zoomed past each other, blades slashing as they went. Frogadier immediately collapsed to the ground as Grovyle skidded to a halt. Then the Grass type fell backwards, fainted.

"Both Pokemon are unable to battle," the boy called. "Both trainers, please bring out your final Pokemon!"

Frogadier rose to his feet, clutching his left arm, exhausted, but happy.

"Nice going, Frogadier!" I cheered, grinning.

"Impressive," Eric said, returning his Pokemon. "Overcoming type advantage like that. Truly amazing."

"Thanks," I said, returning Frogadier. "But now, this is where things are truly decided."

"Indeed," Eric nodded, throwing out his last Pokemon. "Let's finish them, Gogoat!"

"Let's win this together," I tossed out Rookidee. "Show me just how strong you are! We may have lost our last battle, but this time it will be different!"

Rookidee chirped and focused on Gogoat, the little bird hunkering down slightly.

"Now then," I thrust out my hand. "Pluck!"

Rookidee burst into the sky and zoomed at Gogoat.

"Seed Bomb!" Eric yelled.

Gogoat began stomping on the ground, huge seeds bursting from the earth and into the sky.

"Dodge!" I shouted.

Rookidee maneuvered in the air, dodging each giant seed.

"Razor Leaf!"

Dozens of sharp leaves circled Gogoat before being shot at Rookidee. They battered against the Flying type, making him break off from his attack.

"Don't give up!" I shouted. "Use your small body to your advantage!"

Rookidee shook himself and flew low, just above the ground, heading straight for Gogoat.

"Take Down!" Eric grinned.

Gogoat lowered his horns and charged.

"To the right!" I commanded. "And use Pluck!"

Rookidee weaved to the side and struck a hit into Gogoat's right flank.

"Grass Knot!"

Rookidee was shot into the air as the grass exploded beneath him.

"Seed Bomb!" Eric yelled.

Rookidee's eyes widened as the giant seeds soared above him, before coming back down.

"Fly out of there!" I shouted.

Rookidee flapped his wings as hard as he could, being forced to fly lower and lower. The seeds struck the ground all around the Flying type, the force of their impact blowing Rookidee forwards. He crashed through the dirt, barely managing to get up.

"Looks like this will be my first win," Eric held up his hand. "Gogoat, Energy Ball."

"Rookidee!" I shouted. "Fly into the sky!"

Rookidee's eyes narrowed as he shot into the sky, but Gogoat aimed and shot the Energy Ball. Then, Rookidee began flying straight at the attack. As he flew, he started glowing, growing bigger, his wings extending. The Energy Ball broke apart upon impact and he began spinning. He slammed into Gogoat, spinning like a drill, his beak making a buzzing sound, like a drill. After a second, Gogoat was knocked backwards, groaning in pain. The newly evolved Pokemon flew back up into the air, flying above the battlefield.

"Get him with Vine Whip!" Eric shouted.

Gogoat stood up and vines extended from his leafy fur and shot towards my Pokemon.

As Robert began scanning him, the Flying type dodged the vines and caught one in his beak.

"Corvisquire, the Raven Pokemon and the evolved form of Rookidee. Smart enough to use tools in battle, these Pokémon have been seen picking up rocks and flinging them or using ropes to wrap up enemies."

Corvisquire zoomed around Gogoat several times, keeping low to the ground, before skidding along the ground, tugging on the Vine Whip with all his strength. The vine snapped against Gogoat's legs, causing him to fall to the ground, immobile.

"Wha-!?" Eric's eyes were wide, shocked.

"Now then!" I shouted. "Corvisquire! Finish this with Drill Peck!"

Corvisquire squawked and his beak glowed. He zoomed into Gogoat, driving his beak the Grass type's flank. A whirring sound, then the Flying type from the Galar region flew back up, Gogoat having fainted.

Corvisquire flew back to me and landed on my held out arm.

I grinned and stroked his feathers. "Great job out there, Corvisquire. I didn't realize you were this powerful."

He squawked happily and closed his eyes as I continued to stroke him.

Eric walked over after returning Gogoat. "Amazing. I don't think I've ever seen a Pokemon battle like that."

"Neither have I," I admitted. "Looks like I'll need to think of new battle strategies."

Corvisquire croaked in agreement and Eric laughed. "I'll say. Using Gogoat's Vine Whip against him was ingenious. I'll have to watch out for that in the future."

He held out his hand, a badge gleaming in his open palm. "Congratulations on defeating me. As your reward, the Plant Badge. This marks your progression through the Kalos league halfway complete. May your battles with the other four gym leaders go smoothly."

"Thanks," I nodded as Alex came forwards.

"Now then," Alex grinned. "I hope you still have time for another challenger."

Eric chuckled. "No rest for the weary, eh?"

He grinned. "As a matter of fact, I do. But, just because you saw me battle doesn't mean you now have an advantage. In fact, I have a separate team for occasions such as this."

Alex shrugged. "Fine by me."

When she grinned, there was a certain glint in her eyes. "Because I'll only need to burn your whole team away."

Chapter 30 already. Wow. Only about 50 or so chapters left to go at this point. 11 until the halfway point. Then I'll do an author's note about... something. It'll also include a midway summary, just like I did for HBoD. Anyway, I have so many things planned before we reach the halfway point. Next chapter will be something, then we move plot further after that with two more chapter being two parts. And I have something, "special" planned for Chapters 40 and 41, the halfway point. You'll just have to wait and see what it is. Until next chapter readers. You're all in for a wild ride. Toodles