The inside of the Karst Forest lived up to its name—its paths wound between narrow gaps, up steep stairs carved into ancient rock, and beside dark, motionless pools. The deeper they went, the more the vibrant greenery of the surrounding countryside receded and the pockmarked grayish stone towered over them and closed in around them. If they had been alone, Liam would have found the fortress of jagged stone teeth a forbidding, ominous place, but the presence of hundreds of cheerful tourists freed him to admire the natural beauty around him. Mori clearly found the entire experience claustrophobic, and when they ducked through a needle's-eye opening between two massive stones and stepped out into a wide, open area, she visibly relaxed.

"This is it," said Vasilio.

Ahead of them, Liam saw a massive wall of limestone—perhaps three or four stories high—rising out of a large pool of still water. Like the standing stone at the Forest's entrance, it bore a painted inscription: "Karst Forest Pokemon Gym." Next to the pool was a league-official Pokemon battlefield carved into the limestone itself.

"Where's the leader?" asked Jonah.

Liam instinctively glanced up at the cloudy skies overhead. He had seen Ashima, the Karst Forest gym leader, once before—and she had been riding an Aerodactyl. The others looked up as well.

"Hello."

They all jumped. Without any of them noticing, a beautiful woman in a traditional outfit had somehow appeared right next to them. Everything about her was colorful, from the stripes of fabric and beads on her headdress to the ornate embroidery on her tunic. Her dark brown eyes were crinkled in a welcoming smile.

"Gym Leader Ashima," said Vasilio, doing his best to sound confident, "My friends are here to, uh, challenge the gym."

Ashima smiled ever more widely.

"And how do you like our Karst Forest?" she asked.

Liam glanced at his friends, not sure who she was addressing.

"It's… very beautiful," he stammered,.

Mori grunted.

"According to our legends, each of these stones was once a woman," said Ashima, gesturing to the limestone formations all around them, "All named Ashima. The first Ashima died of sorrow when she was forbidden to marry the man that she loved. But from her petrified flesh, the first Rock-type Pokemon were born."

Screeee!

Liam turned to see Ashima's Aerodactyl perching itself on the limestone wall above them. His heart sunk. He had been hoping he somehow wouldn't have to face Ashima's prehistoric Pokemon.

"Someday my body will provide refuge and shelter for the Forest's Pokemon, and another Ashima will take my place as gym leader," continued Ashima, reaching up to stroke the head of her Aerodactyl, "Until that day, I defend the traditions of my people, and the honor of my gym."

Her features had set, and for a moment Liam thought he saw centuries of rain, wind, and cold etched into the beautiful young face. But Ashima smiled again, and Liam couldn't remember how the previous impression could have arisen.

"So," said Ashima, "Who is my first challenger."

Liam raised his hand timidly.

"Good," smiled Ashima.

She recalled her Aerodactyl to its Pokeball and led Liam over to the limestone battlefield.

"You may use up to six Pokemon," she said pleasantly, "I will use only Aerodactyl."

"Okay," said Liam.

He felt his hands starting to tremble. He reached for the Pokeball containing Sneasel on his belt. Even in a five-to-one battle, he didn't have a good answer to Ashima's Aerodactyl.

"Aerodactyl," said Ashima, "Go!"

"Sneasel, go!" said Liam, much louder than he intended.

Sneasel peered determinedly up at its flying foe, crouching and extending its claws for the fight.

"Aerodactyl, Rock Slide!"

Liam winced. Vasilio had warned him about this. Ashima was a highly aggressive battler, using her Aerodactyl to sweep through unprepared teams. The prehistoric Pokemon took to the skies carrying talons filled with ancient limestone and began raining it on Liam's Sneasel.

Fortunately, they had already worked out a plan.

"Sneasel," said Liam "Avalanche!"

The Focus Sash around Sneasel's middle broke. The Pokemon leapt into the air, crashing into the Aerodactyl with the sound of cracking ice. The Aerodactyl gave a cry. Liam couldn't breathe. Was the battle already over?

"Aerodactyl," cried Ashima, "Iron Head."

Liam winced again, and watched in horror as Aerodactyl smacked his Sneasel out of the air as easily as swatting a gnat. His Pokemon tumbled for a few meters and then laid motionless.

"Sneasel, return," said Liam, recalling his fainted Pokemon.

Now what?

The plan had hinged on taking out Aerodactyl right away with Avalanche; Liam doubted any other Pokemon in his team could stand up to Ashima's ace. Still, he couldn't give up now.

"Beedrill, go!"

Liam knew Beedrill wasn't an ideal choice, but he needed the extra time.

"Aerodactyl, Rock Slide!" called Ashima.

"Beedrill, uh…"

Liam glanced around in panic.

"Use Tox—."

It was already too late. The torrent of stones buried his Pokemon. Liam didn't need to check whether Beedrill had fainted.

"Beedrill, return," said Liam, "Nuzleaf, go!"

The turn bought by Beedrill had given Liam time to think.

"Nuzleaf, Fake Out!"

Nuzleaf sprung forward, giving Ashima's Aerodactyl a defiant smack in the face. It wasn't much damage, but it was something, and it bought another turn. One more good hit, and Liam was sure the badge was his. Aerodactyl quickly recovered from the flinching blow.

"Aerial Ace!" shouted Ashima.

Liam's underleveled Nuzleaf didn't stand a chance. The sharp slash from Aerodactyl's stone talons knocked Nuzleaf off its feet and sent it skidding across the smooth floor of the battle arena.

"Nuzleaf, come back," said Liam, "Good job. Murkrow, it's on you."

Murkrow cawed aggressively as it burst from its Pokeball. Liam knew they would both have to move fast.

"Aerodactyl," said Ashima, "Rock Slide!"

"Murkrow, Sucker Punch!" shouted Liam.

Murkrow dived at Aerodactyl, striking it between the eyes with its sharp beak. Liam crossed his fingers. The Aerodactyl shuddered, twitched, but kept flying. Liam closed his eyes as the Rock Slide came crashing down onto his Murkrow.

"Crap," he said through gritted teeth.

Liam glanced around at his friends. Mori was staring at Ashima with her arms crossed, her face impassive. Vasilio gave Liam an encouraging nod.

"Finish it," said Vasilio, "You've still got one more."

Liam nodded and reached for his Eevee. He felt bad even asking his Eevee to take part in such an uneven battle, but he didn't have a choice. Maybe, somehow, he'd get lucky.

"Eevee, go!"

Eevee's tail twitched as it crouched low awaiting instructions.. Its readiness to battle encouraged Liam, even if he still didn't see a way to victory.

"Aerodactyl," said Ashima, her voice echoing off the ancient rocks, "Finish this battle. Rock Slide!"

"Eevee," shouted Liam, "Retaliate!"

Liam held his breath. Aerodactyl hurled the stones in its talons at Eevee, which had launched itself into the air with a cry.

Rock Slide missed. Eevee crashed into Aerodactyl with a resounding smack. The two Pokemon fell out of the air, Eevee landing on its feet as Aerodactyl slumped next to it. Liam bit his lip.

After lying still for a moment, Aerodactyl slowly crawled back onto its feet. The fight still wasn't over.

"Eevee, Quick Attack!" shouted Liam.

Eevee pounced on the Aerodactyl. The attack wasn't strong, but it didn't need to be. Aerodactyl shuddered, then collapsed.

"Aerodactyl, return," said Ashima, "Well done."

All through the battle, Ashima's face had been hard and cold. Now, without a visible change in body language, it relaxed back into a friendly smile.

"Thanks," said Liam, who was still breathing heavily, "That was… really hard."

"Liam," said Mori, grabbing him by the arm and pointing at his Eevee, "Look."

His Eevee had started to glow. Liam knew exactly what that meant. He wondered for a moment if he should try and interrupt the evolution process, but before he would do anything, it was over.

"Esss," cooed his Espeon.

Liam stared at his new Pokemon in surprise. Mori, however, started to laugh.

"That's a… that's a funny-looking Umbreon," she choked, "But, it's… it's cute."

Liam stooped down to pick up his Espeon. Its fur was still soft, but whereas Eevee's coat had been fluffy and coarse, Espeon's purplish fur was sleek and smooth. The Pokemon purred loudly as Liam struggled to carry it—Espeon was more than twice the size that Eevee had been.

"Congratulations," said Ashima, holding out his gray Limestone Badge, "The Karst Forest often brings new things out of a Pokemon."

Liam gave a slight bow as he reached awkwardly around his Pokemon to accept the badge. Ashima smiled.

"Thanks, Ashima," said Liam.

Jonah was next up to battle. As Liam sat down next to Mori to watch the fight, he was struck by a thought.

"Mori," he said, taking the Soothe Bell from around Espeon's neck and handing it to her, "You should take this back. Espeon doesn't need it anymore."

Mori accepted the Soothe Bell with a slight blush and quickly shoved it into her backpack.

"I've done pretty well without it," she said defensively, "In case you haven't noticed."

"I've noticed," said Liam, "Thank you for lending it to me."

"I lent it to Espeon," said Mori, stroking the cat-like Pokemon behind the ears.

"Yeah," said Liam, smiling to himself, "Of course."