As it turns out, while I was busy admiring the rainbow color of this place and then focusing on the field where the fight took place, I missed a healing machine at the side of the room.

It's a rather simple device, with six slots for Poké Balls and a button to start the healing process for the digitized Pokémon. Which is what I'm waiting for right now.

"I can't believe that worked," Nate, who is waiting for Burgh to do the same with another machine on his end, tells me,"How did you even come up with that move?"

"Well," I rub the side of my head. "Annette has always been a hugger. That pose she makes to activate Spiky Shield is basically hugging herself. I thought it up from there."

Nate's reply is a whistle. "Weaponizing hugs. Now I've seen everything."

"Well, as you've seen, you need to get creative with Burgh," I retort.

"Yeah," he gulps. "I really did not expect a Karrablast to keep a Sigilyph on his toes like that. Now I'm worried about Ruffles."

"All the advice I can give you is don't panic, don't stick to a tactic that doesn't work and don't be afraid to improvise."

A ping from the machine announces the end of the healing process. I grab both Annette and Seteth's Poké Balls and put them in my pockets.

"I guess Burgh must be almost finished as well. Ready, Nate?"

The boy let's down a gulp but nods to me all the same, a determined expression setting on his face. "I'm ready."

As Nate and Burgh prepare for their match, I sit on the stand opposite of the one with Samantha.

The Galarian blonde has surprised me. When she made that little vow, I thought she was just mocking me, when in actuality she's been quiet all throughout the fight. And the same scrutinizing expression she had at the start was still there when I was finished. And it is still there even now.

What is that head of hers up to?

"Begin!" the referee announces, drawing my attention away from Samantha and back to the field.

Unlike the beginning of my match, Nate and Burgh both immediately throw their Poké Balls. Nate sends out Ruffles. Burgh sends out a Swadloon he calls 'Blanket'. Normally, I'd think Ruffles' victory is assured with this match-up, but after how it went with Scissor, I'm not so sure about it.

"Alright, Ruffles!" Nate excitedly announces. "Let's go with Wing Attack!"

"Ruf!"

The Rufflet instantly takes off and then dives down to the living pupa, his wings glowing. Burgh doesn't look concerned by it. And neither does the Swadloon.

"Protect."

A shield envelops Blanket. Ruffles, in his charge, bounces off that shield and lands not far from it. He then tries to take off again.

"String Shot."

Immediately, the Swadloon spits out a string of silk that attaches itself to Ruffles' chest. It then pulls that string, making the eaglette roughly fall on the ground.

"Flet!" Ruffles squawks angrilly, before cutting off the string with a Peck.

The Swadloon holds its ground impassively.

And at the edge of the field, Nate bites his lower lip.

"Ruffles, fly around it while you keep using Hone Claws!"

The Rufflet turns to his trainer. "Ruf!"

"Just do it! Trust me!"

Ruffles hesitates a moment longer. After that, he takes off again, managing to avoid another string of Blanket's, and starts flying around the Bug/Grass-type. Meanwhile, his talons turn black as he starts rubbing them together.

Seeing that, the Swadloon tries to shoot him down, with more silk, Struggle Bugs of its own and barrages of leaves. Unfortunately for it, Ruffles is too fast.

And when he stops rubbing his talons, his trainer shouts out. "Full-speed Peck!"

Ruffles flies up to the ceiling and, similarly to how he's been doing during his training with Seteth, retracts his wings and lets gravity do its work, falling head-first toward Blanket.

As that happens, though, the Swadloon stops firing at him. And I can already see where this is going.

"Protect."

Ruffles' beak bounces harmlessly against the barrier and he has to spread his wings to stop the fall. Called it, unfortunately.

"Scratch!"

What?

Right as the barrier dissipates, Ruffles uppercuts Blanket with one of his talons. That dazes the pupa long enough for Ruffles to fly back and descend on it with one final Wing Attack.

"Blanket is no longer able to fight!" the referee announces when it's clear the Swadloon is no longer getting back on its feet. "The winner is Ruffles!"

"Ruflet!" Ruffles squawks triumphantly. Behind him, Nate bumps his fists in excitement.

As that happens, I take the chance to look at Samantha again. Her eyes have narrowed on Ruffles, but that is all I can tell, as her hands cover the rest of her face.

"Well done," Burgh meanwhile congratulates Nate. "It is no small feat to quell a Rufflet's thirst for combat like that. You should be proud."

Nate smiles at the Gym leader. "I've had help from some of the best out there."

…'some'? Is he talking about me too?

"That's good to hear," Burgh replies as he grabs his second Poké Ball. "Now, on to my last Pokémon. I believe you're already acquainted with him."

With a statement like that, it doesn't surprise at all when he calls out Chisel again.

Ruffles doesn't look intimidated by the prospect of fighting a Rock-type as he spreads his wings challengingly. Unfortunately for him, his trainer has other plans.

"Okay Ruffles, come back for now."

The eaglette looks at Nate dejectedly. "Ruf!"

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Just leave it to Mister Jaw for now."

Ruffles frowns at that command, but then flies back to Nate's side all the same. And true to his word, Nate then calls out his Trapinch.

"Tra…pinch?" Mister Jaw says as he comes out. But as soon as he sees the Dwebble in front of him, his eyes widen and…is that drool coming out of his mouth?

"No!" Nate immediately shouts out when he notices it. "You are not making a snack out of Chisel!"

The Trapinch turns to his trainer and lets out a protesting "Tra". Burgh blinks at hearing that, while his Pokémon winces.

And on the other stand, I notice Samantha chuckle to herself.

"Sorry about that, Mister Burgh," Nate says embarrassedly. "I don't know what came over him."

"Tra!" Mister Jaw keeps protesting, causing Nate to glare at him.

"Can, uhm… can we still fight?"

Burgh and the referee look at each other. Burgh nods to the other man and he then turns to Nate.

"Your Trapinch can fight, as long as he doesn't attempt to eat his opponent," the referee declares. "If he does, you will be disqualified. Am I clear?"

Mister Jaw lowers his head and lets out a defeated "Tra".

"Crystal clear, sir," Nate replies.

"Good. Then, fight!"

"Chisel, use Struggle Bug," Burgh instantly says.

The telltale lime aura envelopes the Dwebble, right before it shoots out the dots.

"Dig!" Nate says.

Without missing a beat, Mister Jaw starts digging through the field, as he performs the move we had him learn in place of Bulldoze. Before Struggle Bug can hit him, he's disappeared from sight.

As soon as he realizes his opponent is gone, Chisel frantically looks around, trying to find him again.

"Calm down, Chisel," Burgh reassures his Pokémon. "Start with using Rock Polish."

Uh-oh, that's not good.

Chisel closes his eyes at that command and his rocky shell briefly glows white, dropping...a fuckton of dirt that wasn't there before. What…?

"Now, focus on the ground below you."

The Dwebble keeps his eyes closed and holds his position. With that kind of maneuver, I half-expect him to anticipate Mister Jaw's move and stop him prematurely.

"Dweble!"

Instead, the Trapinch manages to get the jump on him and slam his head full-force against him, sending him flying. The shell is the only thing that keeps Chisel from jumping too far away.

"There he is," Burgh says, apparently unconcerned by the Dig that just hit his Pokémon. "Go with a flurry of Fury Cutters."

Oh crap, that move only gets stronger the longer it's used.

With more speed than a crab stuck in a rock should have, the Dwebble rushes Mister Jaw.

"Mister Jaw, use B-" Nate cuts himself off mid-sentence, making his Trapinch turn to him. "Ehm, on second thought, use Dig a-"

Before he can finish, Chisel reaches the Trapinch and starts jabbing him with a barrage of Fury Cutters.

And at the side of the field, I see Nate is now at a loss for words. Damn it, Nate, I told you not to panic!

On the other stand, Samantha is massaging the bridge of her nose. I don't know what irritates me more, the gesture or the fact I agree with the sentiment behind it.

In any case, before long Chisel manages to land a Fury Cutter so strong it knocks out Mister Jaw.

"Mister Jaw is no longer able to fight! The winner is Chisel!"

Nate looks in disbelief at his passed out Pokémon. It is a bit before he actually recalls him, but after doing so, he lowers his head.

I manage to glance at Samantha shaking her head at him, a look of utter disappointment on her face.

"Don't give up, Nate!" I shout out, causing him to jerk his head up at me. "You haven't lost yet! Ruffles is still up and raring to fight! Show that crab who's boss!"

As I say that, Annette and Seteth get out of their Poké Balls and start cheering him on with a chorus of "Ra" and "Sig".

Nate blinks in surprise at our encouragement. But then he smiles back at us and gives us a thumbs up, before turning back to a pleased Burgh and Chisel.

Meanwhile, Samantha is now looking at me, with an unimpressed expression and an arched eyebrow.

Yeah, yeah, fuck you too, blondie.

"Go, Ruffles!"

"Ruf!"

The Rufflet doesn't even wait for his trainer's orders this time around and immediately takes to the air, glaring down at the Dwebble.

This time around, Burgh opts to wait for Nate's move. The younger trainer doesn't make him wait long.

"Fly around him and use Hone Claws!"

Ruffles readily follows those instructions and starts flying circles around Chisel, all while rubbing his darkened talons.

"Use Smack Down."

The crab summons another ball of pebbles, but Ruffles is able to dodge even with his opponent's augmented speed. Chisel attempts to attack with more Smack Downs, but the eaglette keeps dodging them.

"I see your Ruffles is very good at this sort of thing," Burgh comments.

"He's had plenty of practice at dodging," Nate replies.

The smirk that comes over Burgh's face as he caresses his chin instantly sets off an alarm for me. "Really? Then let's give him more of a challenge." He turns to his Pokémon. "Attack with Rock Blast."

Oh shit-!

At that command, instead of forming one ball of pebbles at a time, Chisel starts summoning salvos that go from two to five at a time. And Ruffles has a much harder time dodging them all this time around. So much so, he has to stop rubbing his talons and focus only on flying.

Not to mention a few of the rocks actually manage to brush against his feathers every now and again.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, Nate is panicking again.

"Focus, Nate!" I shout out. "Find a way to break through!"

Nate blinks at hearing that. He murmurs a few words to himself and hardens his face.

"Get right above him!" he then orders Ruffles, who obliges him.

"Now use P-!"

Before he can finish, two rocks manage to directly hit Ruffles, who starts losing altitude.

Looking at Nate, instead of panicking yet again, he's merely biting his lips but is otherwise focused. And he waits until Ruffles' almost reached the ground to order "Peck!"

In one last attempt to get the last laugh, Ruffles lands his Peck right between the Dwebble's eyes before he hits the ground. The Bug-type's beady eyes roll back and he falls unconscious.

Ruffles manages to let out a final "Ruf" before he does the same.

A tie. Damn it!

Let's hope Burgh shares my view of them. And that Nate doesn't take it too ba-

"Chisel is no longer able to fight! The winner is Ruffles!"

Wait, what?

"What?" Nate asks, just as confused as me. "But...Ruffles…?"

"Is passed out, yes," Burgh interrupts him. "But his exhaustion did not equal his defeat. He managed to knock out Chisel before succumbing to fatigue." The Gym leader then starts clapping his hands. "Congratulations. You have won your first badge."

Wow, just...wow.

Although Nate doesn't seem to share the sentiment, if his wary face is anything to go by.

With the fact this is the first badge for both Nate and I, we don't get just the Insect badge, but also a casket each in which to keep it. As well as all the badges we'll get in the future.

"Congratulations, challengers," Burgh states. "This has been your first step toward challenging the League. Savor this day."

"Thank you," I reply.

Nate, however,decides to say, in a more sedate voice, "I'm not sure I deserve it, to be honest. I made so many mistakes today. I hesitated when I was about to tell Mister Jaw to use Bite, I panicked when my Pokémon were in trouble and-"

"But," Burgh interrupts him. "You managed to overcome the challenge all the same. That is more than can be said for many others who choose me as their first Gym challenge."

"It still doesn't feel like a victory…"

"If it doesn't feel like a victory, then you've just got to work harder next time," I intervene. "Remember what I said: 'you have to focus on being better'."

"That is some good advice," Burgh chimes in, unaware of what I'm referring to.

Nate at least seems to understand what I mean, as he gives me a solemn nod.

"I see. Thank you, Mister Burgh. And thank you...Eugenio. For everything today."

I nod back. "You're welcome."

"Splendid," Burgh intervenes. "Now, I have another gift for the two of you."

As soon as he says that, the referee comes to us and hands each of us a small CD disk.

"These Technical Machines contain Struggle Bug," Burgh explains. "As you may have observed, it isn't a powerful move, but it makes up for the lack of power with the ability to reduce the opponent's special attack. Use it wisely and even the fiercest of Fire Blasts will be no more powerful than an Ember."

"Uhm…" I intervene as I observe the small disk in my hands. "How do they work?"

Burgh lets out another soft chuckle before answering. "It is simple. Bring the TM and the Poké Ball with the Pokémon you wish to teach the move to close together. If they can learn it, the two will react."

Uh… "So I just hold a disk close and my Pokémon will learn the move?"

"Not quite," Nate intervenes. "They will know how to perform the move. You'll still have to train them before they can actually perform it."

Ah, that makes more sense.

"I wish the two of you good luck on the continuation of your journey;" Burgh then concludes. "Farewell, challengers."

We exchange some final pleasantries and then proceed to the cocoon that will lead us back to the ground floor. Samantha is waiting for us there, arms crossed and a neutral expression on her face.

"I must say, I'm impressed," I tell her. "You actually kept your word about not booing us needlessly."

Unfortunately, that brings her insufferable smirk back. "What can I say? When a Spikemuth gal gives her word, she means it."

"Although, before we all go on our merry way," she continues with a more serious tone. "I would like to have a talk with you." She points at me.

I frown. "What about?"

"You'll see," is all she says before she steps into the cocoon and is dragged away.

I groan at the vagueness of her statement.

"Well, why don't you give her a chance?" Nate intervenes. "Maybe she's not as bad as you first thought."

"I'll entertain her, if only so she stops bothering us," I reply. "I doubt anything she has to say will change my mind."

I step into the cocoon as well after saying that. For what I hope is the last time, I'm caught by silk strings that pull me downward, until I fall on my chest. The only difference this time is that the Pokémon waiting for me at the end are not Sewaddles but Leavannies.

The irony that this is the only way I'm meeting Burgh's signature mon in this Gym is not lost on me.

As Nate and I leave the Gym, we find Samantha resting her back against the Gym's outer wall, her face neutral.

Well, let's just get this over with. The sooner, the better.

"Here we are," I sigh, while crossing my arms. "What did you want to talk about?"

"First of all, not bad," she starts. "For a rookie and someone not of this world, you handled Burgh adequately."

Oh, here we go.

"If this is going to be some grand speech about how much of a weakling I am or how much better you are, I'm not interested in hearing it."

Samantha shakes her head. "That's not what I wanna talk about."

"Then get to the point," I groan out. "Don't waste our time with stupid preambles."

Samantha frowns at me. "You see, that attitude is something I don't quite get about you. You do have the right head for Pokémon battles. But whenever it comes to those outside your Gym challenge, you seem to purposefully avoid them. Even coming to the point of threats or calling names."

Oh, now she wants to play the victim?

"Listen here," I tell her. "This might come as a surprise to you, but people tend not to want to associate with someone that just mocks, belittles and overall pisses them off for fun. Is it really so hard for you to understand it?"

"On the contrary, I know full well," Samantha retorts. "That was the point the other day. I wanted to see your strength when properly motivated."

"So you could have even more fun humiliating us?" Just fuck off, will you blondie?

"On the contrary, the idea was that same one you said back there with Burgh. Motivation to train harder."

What a load of crap.

Glancing at Nate, I find him pursing his lips.

"Do you want to say something, Nate?"

"Uh…" he replies. "Me?"

"Yes. You seem to have something to say."

Nate hesitates for a moment, but then he takes a step toward Samantha.

"I see where you're going with that line of thought," he tells her. "I'm not sure if you mean it or if it's just an excuse to act the way you do. But I'm sure of this: not everyone pulls out their best when mocked."

Samantha merely arches an eyebrow to that statement.

"Look at me," Nate continues. "I've been on the verge of giving up before even beginning my challenge before today. And back in there, I was about to give up when Mister Jaw was beaten. If it hadn't been for Eugenio, I really may have."

Samantha looks him up and down after he's finished talking.

"I am looking at you," she then says "You know what I see, Junior? A rich kid, used to having others look after him, who never once had to stand up for himself."

Both Nate and I wince at that comment.

"Do you know something about diamonds?" Samantha continues unperturbed. "They are among the most valued gems in the world. But before they can be that, they have to stay deep underground, where strong pressures make them as we know them. The strongest trainers who ever lived are no different. They didn't get where they did because they were cuddled all the way through. They did it because they took their hardships head-on."

Nate remains speechless to that. I, on the other hand, fail to restrain my next words.

"Is that why you chose to take on the Gym challenge here and not in Galar?" Samantha winces her head toward me, her eyes widened. "You thought leaving your home, family and friends would be the hardship you needed to become a strong trainer?"

"Shut up!" she hisses, now frowning. "You know nothing about me! Nothing!"

I…may have pushed the wrong button there.

"The conversation is over," she concludes, giving Nate and I both a final glare. "Goodbye."

She then turns around and walks away.

"You were partially right," Nate says when she's out of earshot. "She's not a bully. She's just a bad person."

Yeah…I guess it takes one to find another.

That night, while we're eating at the bar, we decide to call Dawn and tell her of our victories.

"Congratulations, you two," she warmly says over my C-Gear. "First Gyms are usually some of the hardest to beat."

"Thanks, Miss Hikari," Nate appreciatively tells her.

"Yes, thank you." I chime in. "How are things on your part?"

On her end of the line, she lets out a sigh. "Did you know Hilbert has a sister?"

That takes me aback. "A what now?"

"A sister. A girl named Hilda I came across on Route 1. A curious girl, if not the friendliest."

Hilda? The female protagonist? What?

"Anyway, I managed to get a name from her. Rosa Whitley. That's her."

"Really? Awesome!" Nate intervenes. "Then we know who we're-"

"Hold on a moment," I interrupt. "How did you convince her to talk?"

The pause on Dawn's end doesn't bode well.

"I…may have forgotten to mention I've been fired by the International Police."

What?! "You didn't…"

"It's complicated," she sighs. "Long story short, Hilda is quite an inquisitive person and I had to make up something on the spot. Right now, she thinks Rosa is one of several trainers Team Plasma might be after. And I told her 'we' are trying to keep a low profile, so she can only tell Professor Juniper."

I let out a groan. "I hope you know what you're doing. If we're caught pretending to be police officers…"

"So far, I'm the only one pretending. We'll worry about the rest if we get there."

I have a feeling it's not going to be a matter of 'if' but of 'when'.

"On less serious matters, have you found a sponsor for Nate?"

Nate and I give each other an awkward glance. "No."

"Ah, that's good. Because I have found something. When I got back to Striaton, I found a group of people promoting an organization called the 'Terra Foundation'."

"Oh, I've heard of them!" Nate intervenes. "They're a group trying to help new Pokémon species settle into Unova's environment."

"Never heard before," I add. "Neither in the games, nor here."

"I'm not surprised," Nate replies. "They're a small group with limited resources. They've worked closely with the local rangers to achieve what they have so far. And they've only been able to operate in the Virbank peninsula and the area around Humilau."

"That is apparently something they want to change," Dawn chimes back in. "They are looking for a trainer to sponsor. I told them I knew someone who might be interested."

"R-really?" Nate asks.

"Yes. I'm now in contact with their leader in Virbank, a man called Ottavio. He wants to see you when we get to Virbank, so you can discuss the details."

"This… this is great! Thank you, Miss Hikari!"

"You're welcome," Dawn chuckles.

"So we're set to depart for Virbank the day after tomorrow?" I ask.

"That's…the bad news."

Uh-oh. "Bad news?"

"I'm going to be delayed on my way back. I've found out three Pokémon Professor Rowan is interested in live in Pinwheel Forest. And I don't know how long it's going to take me to catch all three."

Well, well, talk about coming in handy.

"That's perfect actually." Nate looks at me confusedly. "I've looked up what Pokémon live in the vicinity of Castelia. There's a pair of non-evolving Fighting-types that live in Pinwheel Forest: Throh and Sawk. They could be useful for the challenge against Cheren."

"Throh and Sawk?" Nate says. "That's right, they live there! Why didn't I think of it before?"

"So…" Dawn intervenes. "Are you saying you are also coming to Pinwheel Forest?"

"Why not?" I reply. "Seems the perfect place to rendezvous."

"The forest is quite large from what I've seen, so finding each other could get complicated," Dawn replies. "But other than that, I don't really have any objection."

I turn to look at Nate. He nods to me.

"Then it's a deal. We'll see you tomorrow, then."

[Dawn]

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

We end the call shortly after that. Afterward, I look up the text messages, and I see I've received the answer I was waiting for.

This is the part I've kept from them for now. And the other reason why I wanted to meet this Mister Ottavio. He looked familiar. But only one person could tell me if he is who I think he is.

I have to thank Eugenio for getting me back in contact with May. Texting her husband for this would have been awkward otherwise.

Brendan: Alright, I've looked at the picture you sent.

Brendan: You are right. It's him.

Dawn: Are you sure?

Brendan: He's gained quite some weight since last time, but I would recognize his grin everywhere.

Part of me curses at the fact of who else is here in Unova at the same time as Jupiter. The other is glad this may be a lead.

Brendan: But still, Team Plasma?

Brendan: I know what he did, but he was merely misguided.

Brendan: He wasn't seeking to actively harm other people.

Dawn: He has been on the International Police's most wanted list for over a decade.

Dawn: It wouldn't surprise me if he's had to fall in with them.

Brendan: If you are right, be careful with him.

Brendan: He was a strong trainer then, and I bet he still is.

Dawn: Will do

And Nate wins his challenge again, Samantha is herself with our protagonists and we set up what is coming next. Who could Brendan and Dawn be talking about, I wonder?

And with this chapter we end what I like to call the "Castelia Arc". Next chapter will serve as a brdge and then we'll be off to the "Virbank Peninsula Arc". Thank you to all who followed, favored and reviewed thus far. I hope you've enjoyed the ride and that you will enjoy what's next.

And thank you to Softandhappy for betareading this chapter. You can find us at the Fanfiction Treehouse discord server at: 9XG3U7a

Also some news regarding the poll: as of now it's officially closed. Unfortunately, a new idea struck me so I think I'll work on that instead of the ones I proposed. Sorry, fellas. Although I think those who voted for Awakening and 3H will have some consolation.

See you all next time!