"I'm gonna be the strongest trainer there ever will be!" Skyla declared.
Her grandfather smiled down at her.
The two of them were standing outside of the Mistralton gym.
"You'll have to beat me if you want to do that!" Her grandfather, Miles said.
"You're a weak old man!" Skyla snapped. He frowned.
"That's not very nice," He laughed.
.
.
.
Miles stood at the edge of the airstrip.
The night air was cool.
He looked down at a Pokeball in his hand.
"What is it you're after now, Skyla?"
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.
.
"Skyla!" Bianca and Mary ran after Skyla. She stopped and watched them approach.
"Can I help you?" Skyla asked.
"What's going on?" Bianca asked. "That Fennel woman took over your gym!"
Skyla glanced between the two girls and sighed.
"It's apparently what the people want."
"So what?" Cheren asked. He walked up behind Bianca and Mary. "She can't just take your gym."
"I let her take over," Skyla said.
"Why?" Mary asked.
Skyla grumbled to herself and walked away.
"Hey!" Bianca followed her. "Where are you going?"
"I don't know," Skyla said. "Wherever I want."
Bianca and Cheren shared a look.
"I'm gonna follow her," Bianca said. Mary nodded in agreement.
"Have fun," Cheren said. "I'm going to bed."
Bianca and Mary followed Skyla out onto route 7. She gave them glances over her shoulder, her face seemed to soften. Skyla walked to Celestial tower. She marched straight inside.
Bianca and Mary hesitated at the entrance.
"This place is creepy," Mary said. "You sure about this?"
"It can't be that bad," Bianca said. Mary straightened up with a curt nod.
The two of them stepped inside. The wall was lined with lit candles. Bianca spotted Skyla making her way up the stairs. They maintained a bit of distance. Skyla didn't seem to notice them. Skyla stopped on the fourth floor. Bianca and Mary paused, watching her.
"Hi, grandma." Skyla walked out onto the floor, approaching an elderly woman.
"Hello, dear." The woman had a raspy voice. Bianca and Mary followed Skyla out onto the floor. The woman was systematically lighting candles along the wall.
"I haven't seen you in quite some time," Skyla's grandmother said. "Tell me. What have you been doing?"
Skyla followed her grandmother around as she lit the candles. She noticed the girls, lingering by the stairs.
"There was a tournament in Nimbasa," Skyla said.
"Oh?" Skyla's grandmother paused. "I haven't been to Nimbasa in some time." She lit the next candle. "Did you win?"
"No," Skyla said. "A boy named Cheren won."
"He must be strong."
Skyla sighed.
Bianca and Mary wandered towards the two of them.
"I haven't been doing well," Skyla said. "You saw what happened to Mistralton."
"Was that your fault?" Skyla's grandmother asked.
Skyla turned away from her.
"Yes. Just like what happened with dad."
"Don't talk about that," Skyla's grandmother said. She started for the stairs, smiling at Bianca and Mary as she passed. She walked up the stairs.
Skyla glanced between Mary and Bianca.
"What do you two want?"
"I just want to know," Bianca said. "Why did you give up the gym?"
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.
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The sun was slowly rising.
The morning was cold. Light snow was starting to fall.
Fennel stepped out of the gym, a smile on her face. Her four assistants were on her feels. She noticed a crowd of people gathered near the gym. A man was talking.
Cheren was standing outside of the crowd.
Miles. He spotted Fennel and started for her. The crowd parted for him. Fennel crossed her arms as he approached.
"Good morning," he said, offering a smile. "Is your gym open?"
"Of course," Fennel said.
Fennel and Miles walked into the gym. A crowd of people filed in behind them. They took their places on the battlefield.
"We'll both use a single pokemon," Fennel said. She sent out her Gothitelle.
"I understand." Miles sent out a Bisharp.
"Would you like to go first?" Miles asked as he crossed his arms.
"Thunderbolt!" A bolt of lightning ripped across the battlefield, striking Bisharp. Bisharp was pushed back, grunting. It shrugged the hit off.
"Bisharp, night slash!" Bisharp moved swiftly, crossing the battlefield.
"Get out of the way!" Gothitelle dodged the first few of Bisharp's swipes. Bisharp caught Gothitelle in the side, knocking it back. Gothitelle stumbled and fell.
"Psychic!" The newly repaired floor cracked around Gothitelle.
"That won't work, sucker punch!" Bisharp moved in, striking Gothitelle in the chest. Gothitelle was sent flying through the air. "X-Scissor!" Bisharp continued its attack, lunging at Gothitelle and slashing it repeatedly.
Gothitelle hit the ground hard. Bisharp landed nearby, dusting itself off dramatically. Gothitelle slowly started to get up.
"That's a tough one," Miles said. Bisharp cocked its head at Gothitelle. "You won't be able to beat my Bisharp, though."
"Gothitelle, use thunderbolt!" The lightning struck Bisharp, pushing it back. "Now, Psychic!" The ground split apart under Bisharp.
A tornado of rubble formed around Bisharp.
"Don't bother," Miles handwaved Fennel. "Bisharp, get free!" Bisharp struggled in the rubble, swiping pieces away.
"Finish the job, Gothitelle. Thunderbolt!"
"Sucker Punch!" Bisharp sliced through the tornado, slamming its fist into Gothitelle's chest. Gothitelle fell backward, hitting the ground hard. The tornado slowly faded.
Gothitelle wasn't moving.
"Is it done?" Miles asked. Fennel looked down at Gothitelle. It was knocked out.
"I guess so." The crowd started to cheer. Miles cracked a smile. Fennel returned Gothitelle. "You win." The crowd seemed to cheer louder.
Miles started across the battlefield and returned Bisharp.
"Aren't you Skyla's grandfather?" Fennel asked. She met Miles in the middle of the battlefield.
Miles nodded.
"Let me guess, you're here to take her gym back for her?"
"No," Miles said. "I wanted to see what kind of gym leader you were. The kind of trainer you'd become."
"I'm actually a rather decent trainer," Fennel remarked. "I suppose I should give you a—" The doors swung open.
Skyla marched into the gym. Bianca and Mary were at her heels. Miles turned as she approached. Fennel crossed her arms.
"I'm here to challenge you."