Casey's disgruntled to find upon exiting the museum that Team Rocket have managed to escape; the plethora of police officers outside the museum have somehow parted to the sides, granting the perfect pathway for Team Rocket to escape. Casey figures that it must've been the smell. That odour really was terrible. Whilst it's frustrating that the crooks have managed to get away from their crime scot-free, they did manage to get the Adamant Orb back in one piece, which is what truly matters at the end of the day.

Still, Casey can't help but wonder who exactly it was that requested for Team Rocket to steal the orb in the first place. Whoever they are, Casey has a feeling that they aren't exactly a good person. She supposes that she'll never find out the answer to that question.

But, then again, they are much worse things to worry about.


Casey's eyes open slowly as she begins to stir awake; they quickly snap shut when she sees the bright morning light shining in through the glass window. She buries her face in her pillow, trying her best to block out the light. She doesn't want to wake up. She just wants to sleep. She's been so busy lately and its all been exhausting. Exciting, but exhausting. Just the other day she and her friends had to deal with Team Rocket and their futile attempts at stealing the priceless Adamant Orb, and then she went to watch Ash win his second badge just yesterday and then...wait.

My battle with Gardenia is today!

With a newfound energy that Casey didn't even think was possible to achieve at such an early hour, she leaps out of her bed and onto the carpeted floor of the Pokemon Center room that she and her friends are currently staying in, cheering enthusiastically as positive energy surges through her, "It's time to get that second Gym Badge! I am so fired up!"

"Whazz going on?"

Casey stops abruptly when she hears Dawn's sleepy voice from across the room. She looks to her left to see that Dawn and Brock are slowly stirring awake, looking at her bemusedly through their tired eyes.

"We should have breakfast soon, guys!" Casey says, "Don't forget, my battle with Gardenia is today, and I'm ready to give it all I've got!"

Dawn groans tiredly and reaches out for her Poketch, which is on the small table to the left of her bed. She switches the device on, blinking rapidly as her eyes adjust to the bright light of the screen before looking back to Casey, a rather annoyed expression on her face.

"It's 7:14 in the morning, Casey! The Gym isn't even open yet!"

A red tint crosses Casey's face. She smiles sheepishly over at her friends, "Oops! Sorry, guys! I didn't realise it was that early! I'm sorry I woke you all up!"

"Pikachuz, use Ir-on Tai..."

Casey looks over at Ash oddly when he calls out sleepily. He's moving his arms around weakly, his movements similar to those he pulls in an intense battle, and is giving imaginary orders in a sluggish voice. He must be having a dream about a battle or something.

"Not all of us." Brock laughs, "I doubt that you'll be waking Ash up from this."

"D-dodge...Pikachuz! Go..."

Casey reckons that Brock's right about that.


Casey watches as the last few fiery orbs of Dratini's Draco Meteor attack rain down on the training field, the Dragon Pokemon getting in some last minute training with her most powerful attack. Meanwhile at the side of the field, Electabuzz and Monferno counter each other with powerful attacks, both of them blocking the other before sending an attack right back. It's the perfect cycle that allows them to practice both their offensive and defensive manoeuvres.

"Great work, you three! Keep it up!" Casey smiles. She turns around and glances over at Shellos, who is watching the others train from a nearby wooden bench, "Aren't they doing great, Shellos?"

"Shell..."

Casey looks at the Sea Slug Pokemon knowingly. She knows why it sounds so sad. She walks over to the bench and kneels down in front of Shellos and gives her a small smile, "I'm sorry, Shellos. I know that you want to battle, but the only move of yours that will cause considerable damage to Gardenia's Pokemon is Body Slam, and Grass-Type attacks are super effective on you. You'll battle next time, though. I promise."

Shellos still looks slightly crestfallen, but Casey's words have seemingly managed to pick up her spirits slightly. Casey reaches forward and picks up Shellos, placing the Sea Slug Pokemon on her shoulder before turning around and facing her other Pokemon, "Hey, guys! Come on over!"

Her Pokemon pause their intensive training sessions and rush over to Casey when they hear her shout. The three of them stand in front of her, waiting eagerly for what she has to say.

"Okay, you three. This is it. It's time to go for our second Gym Badge!" Casey says enthusiastically, her Pokemon responding with just as much eagerness, "Gardenia uses Grass-Type Pokemon, so I'll be counting on your Fire-Type attacks to help us gain the advantage, Monferno."

"Mon! Monferno!"

"And don't forget your blocking, Electabuzz. It's going to be really useful." Casey smiles over at the Electric Pokemon before finally directing her attention towards Dratini, "And your Draco Meteor is getting really strong, Dratini. It's going to be vital in the battle with Gardenia as well. I guess what I'm trying to say is, lets go out there and give it all we've got! Are you all with me?"

Her Pokemon all cry out determinedly, showing their dedication to their trainer and their willingness to battle.

"Alright, then!" Casey cheers, punching one of her fists through the air with gusto, "Then lets win this!"


"The Gym Battle between Casey from Pastoria City, and Gardenia, the Eterna Gym Leader, will now begin! Each side will have the use of three Pokemon, and the battle will be over when all of either sides Pokemon are unable to battle! In addition, only the challenger is allowed to substitute Pokemon during the battle!"

"Are you ready to do this, Casey?" Gardenia asks.

Casey smirks. She's been ready for this for so long. She doesn't even need to think twice to answer the Gym Leaders question, "I'm ready!"

The referee at the side of the battlefield raises her arms before moving them back down again in one swift motion, "Then let the battle begin!"

Gardenia makes the first move. She reaches for one of the Pokeballs on her belt and tosses it out onto the battlefield, "Cherubi, lets go!"

Casey smirks as Cherubi appears on the battlefield.

Just what I thought.

"Alright, Dratini! Lets go!" Casey shouts as she throws her first Pokeball out onto the battlefield.

Dratini emerges from her Pokeball with an enthusiastic cry. The Dragon Pokemon quickly scans the battlefield for her opponent, locking her eyes onto Cherubi when she sees it. Both Pokemon stare at each other threateningly, clearly both trying to one up the other.

Casey decides to waste no more time and call her first attack, "Dratini, use Draco Meteor!"

Dratini's body glows a bright orange as it looks up to the sunny sky, a fiery orb forming at the front of her mouth. She fires the orb up into the sky, which then disperses into numerous other orbs, which rain down on the battlefield with intense ferocity. It's the perfect Draco Meteor attack.

"Quick, dodge it, Cherubi!"

Cherubi weaves in and out of the falling fiery orbs, running at top speed as it struggles to dodge the powerful attack. The orbs plummet into the ground continuously as Cherubi manages to outmanoeuvre each and every one. That's good. That's exactly what Casey wants.

Cherubi comes to a sudden stop when the last of the orbs smash into the ground, breathing heavily as it does so. All of that running sure has tired Cherubi out, which is exactly what Casey was going for.

"That sure is an impressive Draco Meteor attack, Casey, but don't forget about Cherubi's Chlorophyll ability." Gardenia says confidently, "As long as it's sunny, Cherubi's just going to keep dodging your attacks, and you can't win if you can't attack us."

She still has no idea.

"Cherubi, use Magical Leaf!"

"Dratini, counter with Dragon Rage!"

The two attacks collide in the middle and cancel each other out, causing a small explosion as they do. It's not too big of an explosion, but it seems to be enough to distract Gardenia momentarily. Casey wastes no time in striking back, especially considering how tired Cherubi's getting. This is the perfect time to strike.

"Dratini, use Draco Meteor again!"

Dratini fires off the attack for the second time, which sends another round of meteors plummeting towards the ground. Like the last time, Cherubi attempts to dodge the attack with its enhanced speed. However, unlike last time, Cherubi is rather tired, and as of such it doesn't manage to escape the attack this time around.

"Cherubi, no!"

Gardenia calls out in concern to her Pokemon when one of the fiery orbs hits it head on, making it cry out in pain and go flying back. As it struggles to stand up, a second orb smashes down on top of it, sending it flying back for the second time. The last of the orbs crash into the battlefield, but Casey's attention is fully focused on Cherubi.

She just hopes that her plan worked.

"Cherubi is unable to battle!" The referee points over in Casey's direction, "And so the winner is Dratini!"

It worked. In fact, it worked perfectly.

"That was awesome, Casey!" Ash cheers from the sidelines, Pikachu and Dawn cheering with him, "Keep it up!"

"Thanks, you guys! We will!" Casey replies with a smile. She really does appreciate all of their support. She turns and smiles over at Dratini next, giving the Dragon Pokemon congratulations where it's due, "That was excellent, Dratini. All of that training really paid off."

Dratini cries out victoriously in response whilst Gardenia returns Cherubi to its Pokeball, thanking it for its efforts in battle. Casey has to admit that Cherubi sure is a fast Pokemon, but speed can only go so far on its own.

"I have to admit, Casey, that sure was an interesting strategy. I didn't see that one coming." Gardenia compliments, reaching for the next Pokeball on her belt and holding it out in front of her, "But don't forget, you still have to defeat my next two Pokemon to win this!"

"Oh, I know. And I'm ready for it!"

Gardenia nods back. She throws her second Pokeball out onto the battlefield enthusiastically, "Roserade, let's go!"

Gardenia's second Pokemon emerges from its Pokeball in an elegant manner. It doesn't let out a battle cry; it instead speaks in a hushed voice and moves into a defensive stance. Casey expected this from Roserade. She saw it act the exact same way when watching Ash's battle yesterday, and, thanks to watching that battle, she knows exactly what to do next.

"Dratini, return!"

Gardenia seems shocked when Casey calls Dratini back to her Pokeball, but the young trainer keeps a calm expression the entire time. She has a counter strategy for Roserade, but it doesn't involve Dratini. It involves her next Pokemon instead.

"Electabuzz, get fired up!"

Gardenia's shock only seems to increase when Electabuzz emerges from his Pokeball. She probably wasn't expecting Casey to use an Electric-Type Pokemon considering Electric-Type moves don't have much of an effect on Grass-Type Pokemon. Thankfully, Casey isn't relying on Electabuzz's moves to win this round of the battle.

"Electabuzz, use Thunderbolt!"

"Dodge it, Roserade!"

Roserade dodges the electrifying bolt of lightning with ease as a smirk settles on Gardenia's face, clearly amused by Casey's choice of attack,"Using an Electric-Type attack, Casey? I assumed that a skilled trainer like yourself would know that Electric-Type attacks are practically useless against a Grass-Type Pokemon like Roserade."

Casey does know that, but she's not about to let Gardenia know that. As long as Gardenia thinks she doesn't know, Casey has the advantage. She needs Gardenia to become overconfident. Overconfidence can be a trainers fatal flaw in a Pokemon battle.

"Now, Roserade, use Weather Ball!"

This is it!

Just as Casey suspected, Roserade holds its hands up in the air and generates an orange fiery orb, the type of the attack being fire due to the sunny weather. That's perfect. If it was raining then Casey's plan wouldn't work. She needs it to be a Fire-Type attack for her strategy to truly be effective.

Roserade releases its charged up attack and it goes hurtling towards Electabuzz, who stands there with a slight fearful look on his face. Casey understands why the Electric Pokemon is afraid but he doesn't need to be. She's already got it covered.

"Electabuzz, block it and deflect it right back!"

Electabuzz does just that. The Electric Pokemon braces himself as the fiery ball collides with his arms, the power of it only making him stagger back slightly. If it wasn't for all of the training that Casey and her Pokemon have put in on that defensive technique, then that attack would've overpowered Electabuzz for sure. Thankfully, and much to Gardenia's surprise, Electabuzz sends the Fire-Type attack flying back at Roserade with relative ease, engulfing the Bouquet Pokemon in super effective flames.

"Roserade, no!"

The flames eventually dissipate, giving everybody a clear view as to just how much damage the deflected attack has caused. Roserade looks considerably weaker. In fact, it looks as if it's on its last legs. That Weather Ball sure was powerful.

"That was great, Electabuzz!" Casey praises, "Keep it up!

Electabuzz grunts out a response but still keeps his eyes fixed on Roserade. That's good. She needs Electabuzz to remain focused. The battle isn't over just yet.

"My, my. You really are full of surprises, aren't you, Casey?" Gardenia compliments, "I thought that your first strategy was impressive, but this one sure does rival it."

Casey thanks Gardenia for her praise but doesn't let her guard drop. She needs to keep her focus on the battle and the battle alone. She also can't allow herself to be come too overconfident. She can't let her own faults bring her down, not when the battle's going so well.

"Roserade, use Flash!"

Oh, no!

Roserade's body shines brightly suddenly; the intense light emitting from Roserade practically blinds Electabuzz, forcing the Electric Pokemon to snap his eyes shut in an attempt to block out any more light.

This is not good!

Electabuzz, likely frustrated that he can't see what's going on, begins to fire off consecutive Thunderbolts in an attempt to hit Roserade, none of which actually hitting their target. Electabuzz is getting really wound up.

"Electabuzz, calm down! Snap out of it!"

"Now, Roserade, use Magical Leaf!"

Casey can only watch helplessly as numerous sharp, bright green leaves surge towards Electabuzz at a rapid pace, knocking the Electric Pokemon over when they hit him directly. After witnessing Roserade deal such a powerful attack, Casey knows exactly what she has to do. She reaches for Electabuzz's Pokeball on her belt with the intention of returning the injured Electric-Type to its capsule, but Gardenia makes her next move before she can even fully process what's going on.

"Roserade, use Weather Ball!"

"Electabuzz, re-!"

It's too late. Roserade's Weather Ball attack crashes into Electabuzz as he stumbles around the grassy battlefield in his already weakened state, the Fire-Type attack sealing his fate in the battle.

"Electabuzz is unable to battle! The winner is Roserade!"

Casey returns Electabuzz to his Pokeball and smiles down at his Pokemon sadly, "Sorry about that, Electabuzz. I should've called you back the moment Roserade used Flash. You put a great fight though, so now it's time for you to get some rest."

Casey places Electabuzz's Pokeball back onto her belt before moving to unclip her next, switching her gaze over to Roserade as she does. She knows exactly what moves Roserade can use, and she also knows that none of its moves can do any damage to a Pokemon who's moving underground. That's where her next strategy comes in.

"Monferno, get fired up!"

Monferno appears on the battlefield with a loud battle cry, thrusting his fists into the air as the flame on his tail flares confidently. Monferno's ready to go.

"A Fire-Type, huh? That's a good choice." Gardenia remarks.

"That's what I was going for."

Gardenia smirks, "Well, I can't wait to see just how strong your Monferno is, so give it all you've got!"

"Right!" Casey nods, calling out her next command determinedly, "Monferno, use Dig, let's go!"

Monferno obeys and burrows itself deep underground, tearing up some of the grass on the battlefield as it does. Gardenia seems caught off guard once again by Casey's choice of command, presumably because she knows that Ground-Type attacks aren't very effective against Grass-Type Pokemon. That would usually be a really important thing to consider, but Casey's not having Monferno use Dig as an attack. It's supposed to be a defensive manoeuvre.

"Be mindful of Monferno, Roserade! It could be anywhere!"

It's too late for that.

"Monferno, jump up and use Flamethrower!"

The ground cracks as Monferno leaps up from underneath it, coming into view behind where Roserade is stood. With the Bouquet Pokemon being caught off guard, Monferno wastes no time in attacking it, firing an intense Flamethrower attack right at it. The scorching flame fully engulfs Roserade and causes a great deal of damage to it, so much so that it falls to the ground before the flame's even extinguished.

"Roserade is unable to battle! The winner is Monferno!"

The Playful Pokemon rushes back over to his side of the battlefield chanting victoriously as Gardenia returns Roserade to its Pokeball, clearly pleased with the outcome of his battle against Roserade.

"That was great, pal!" Casey smiles, "Keep it up! Just one more Pokemon and that badge is ours!"

"Are you ready for my final Pokemon, Casey?"

Casey draws her attention away from Monferno and back over to Gardenia, who is holding her third and final Pokeball in her right hand. She looks slightly frustrated, but at the same time she still looks determined to win. Casey smiles at that. That's exactly how a Gym Leader, or anyone for that matter, should act during a battle. They should keep fighting until the very end.

"I'm ready! Give it all you've got!"

Gardenia nods. She throws her last Pokeball out onto the grassy battlefield, her Turtwig emerging from within it in a bright flash of light.

"Tur-twig! Turtwig!"

"You have the honours, Casey." Gardenia says, sticking with the tradition of the challenger getting to call the first attack.

"Alright, Monferno! Flame Wheel, let's go!"

Monferno's body cloaks itself in flames and he begins to somersault, charging up his fiery power as he does. He rolls towards Turtwig at top speed, but the Tiny Leaf Pokemon manages to dodge the attack before it can make a direct hit. Casey's not overly surprised at this. She knows that Turtwig is incredibly fast.

"Turtwig, use Tackle!"

"Quick, block it, Monferno and then use Dig!"

Turtwig rushes into Monferno, who instantly moves into his defensive stance to fend off the attack. He pushes his opponent away, though Turtwig manages to land comfortably on its feet and prevent itself from taking any damage from Monferno's retaliation.

"Mon! Monferno!"

Monferno burrows deep underground for the second time as Turtwig composes itself. Casey knows that there's no use in running at Turtwig with attacks. It'll just dodge them all with its incredible speed. The best thing she can do is stop Turtwig from being able to get away. At that point, Turtwig is practically defenceless.

"Nice try, Casey, but you can't use the same tactic against us twice and expect it to work!" Gardenia says with a confident smirk, "Keep an eye out for Monferno, Turtwig! It's going to jump up out of the ground and attack you!"

"That's where your wrong, Gardenia." Casey says. The confident smirk on Gardenia's face quickly fades away, a look of confusion there to replace it, "Monferno, circle around Turtwig underground and use Flamethrower!"

Casey watches in anticipation to see if her new tactic will work. Obviously she's had Monferno use Flamethrower underneath the ground in the past to heat up the battlefield (that's exactly what she did when she first battled Ash and Pikachu, after all), but she hasn't had much of a chance to see if this particular variation of the strategy works.

"Oh, no!"

Casey smirks when she sees a small flame begin to spark on a few blades of grass nearby Turtwig. Numerous other grass blades are set alight moments later and soon Turtwig becomes trapped in a rising circle of fire, preventing it from running anywhere outside the confines of the circle. That's perfect. It limits Turtwig's mobility, which just so happens to be its greatest strength.

Let's finish this!

"Alright, Monferno! Jump out and use Flamethrower, and give it all you've got!"

Monferno jumps up just outside the circle of fire and looks down at Turtwig, firing its super effective Flamethrower attack right at it. Turtwig has no choice but to stand there as the attack hits it, its speed offering no help in the situation.

"Turtwig, no!"

Monferno lands comfortably on its feet just in front of Casey as the flaming circle around Turtwig begins to die down, giving everybody a clear view of the Tiny Leaf Pokemon's condition, and it's just what they were all expecting.

"Turtwig is unable to battle!" The referee declares, pointing her arm over in Casey's direction once again, "That means that Monferno is the winner and the victory goes to Casey of Pastoria City!"

"Yes!" Casey rushes over to Monferno, the Playful Pokemon jumping up into her awaiting arms. Casey spins around with Monferno in her arms, cheering victoriously as she does, "We did it! We did it! We did it!"

"Mon! Monferno!"

Casey hears Ash, Brock and Dawn offer their encouragement from the sidelines; she and Monferno glance over at them and thank them for their support. Their encouragement and support really does make the victory feel far more worthwhile.

"That really was something." Casey and Monferno look towards Gardenia as she speaks up. She walks over to them, clipping Turtwig's Pokeball to her belt as she does (she must've already returned Turtwig to its Pokeball), "You've trained your Pokemon well, Casey. They all fought amazingly, and for that I'm proud to be able to give you the Eterna City Gym Badge."

The referee walks over with a small case in hand, the Forest Badge situated comfortably in the middle of it. Gardenia thanks the referee as she extends the case out to Casey, smiling warmly over at her as she does, "Take it, Casey. You've earned it."

Casey reaches out and picks up the badge with her left hand, looking down at it with a broad smile on her face. She glances down at Monferno, who has jumped down from her arms and onto the slightly scorched battlefield, and her smile only grows.

We did it! We got our second badge!