The twins ventured deeper into the Nappalchan Approach and were just a couple of days away from reaching the first pokemon lodge of the mountain range. They made camp by nightfall and prepared breakfast the following morning. Afterward, they both headed out onto a field for their morning routines.

But before they sent out their pokemon, Jason and Kristine saw another trainer in the distance, training with his pokemon. When they approached him, they realized it was Bran, whom they last saw on the road towards Fort Lexing.

"Hey, Bran!" Kristine greeted as she approached Bran and his Bulbasaur, Hoothoot, and Kadabra.

"Oh, hey," Bran turned around to see Jason and Kristine. "Reckon you're heading to the Mountains?"

"Yep," Jason nodded. "You too?"

Bran shook his head. "Not until I get the Tranquility Badge."

"So you don't have Tranquility Badge yet?" Kristine asked.

"Not yet," Bran said. "I challenged Justin and lost. He said I needed to communicate with my pokemon more efficiently. I thought I'd train out here."

"But you did get the Mystic Badge, right?" Jason added.

Bran simply nodded. "Kadabra saved the day in that battle."

"Kadabra!" the psychic pokemon gave a nod.

"But Justin's Milotic proved to be too much for us," Bran continued. "Even for Bulbasaur. That Aurora Beam just tore right through him."

"Hey!" Jason had an idea. "How about we battle? That would surely help you train your pokemon for a rematch with Justin!"

"Okay," Bran accepted. "I need to know what it takes to beat Justin."

Kristine approached Jason. "Remember when we both said we should pity the next trainer you challenge to a pokemon battle?" she recalled, nearly whispering to him so Bran wouldn't hear her. "Well, don't humiliate him. He just wants to train."

"I'm not going to beat Bran in the fashion Alex beat me if that's what you're concerned about," Jason replied. "But he said he wanted to know what it takes to beat Justin."

"How should we do this, three on three?" Bran asked, with his pokemon at his side.

"Sounds good to me," Jason agreed. "Just like a gym battle."

"Exactly what I wanted," Bran seemed ready to get the battle going. "Don't hold back."

"Well, that's his wish," Kristine whispered to Jason. "And I know you have a more noble approach than Alex."

She then spoke up loud enough for Bran to hear. "I'll be the referee."

"So I can send out my pokemon first as if I'm the Gym Leader," Jason said.

"Alright then," Bran acknowledged.

"Let's go, Swellow!" Jason threw out his first pokeball, summoning Swellow.

"Swellow!" the recently evolved pokemon greeted as she stood elegantly before Bran.

"An evolved pokemon…." Bran muttered. He had wondered when Hoothoot and Bulbasaur would evolve. Kadabra evolved from Abra just days after Bran captured him.

Bran turned to face Kadabra. "You're up."

"Kadabra!" Kadabra moved forward, holding one spoon in his hand, a trademark among all kadabra.

"You make the first move," Jason said.

"Right," Bran acknowledged. "Kadabra, Psybeam!"

"Kadabra!" Kadabra moved his hand with the spoon forward and launched a stream of powerful psychic energy.

"In the air, Swellow!" Jason responded.

"Swellow!" Swellow took to the skies.

Swellow dodged Psybeam just in time. She soared high in the sky, ready to strike down on Kadabra.

"Aerial Ace, Swellow!" Jason commanded.

Swellow dove down on Kadabra at high speed.

"Kadabra, quick, use Disable!" Bran responded.

Kadabra pointed his spoon at Swellow. "Kadabra!"

Suddenly, Swellow was covered by a blue outline. Kadabra's move immediately halted her.

"Nice Disable!" Jason acknowledged. "You stopped Swellow's Aerial Ace, and now she can't use it for a while."

"That's exactly the plan!" Bran replied. "Kadabra, use Confusion!"

"Kadabra!" Kadabra's eyes began to turn purple.

"Swellow! Quick Attack!" Jason quickly called.

"Swellow!" Swellow continued her assault on Kadabra, striking down on him hard before he could get confusion off. He slid several feet backward, shaking off the damage done. Swellow then took back to the skies.

"Your Swellow moves fast," Bran commended.

"Yes, she does," Jason nodded. "Swellow, Wing Attack!"

Swellow dove down with glowing wings, intending to strike Kadabra hard.

"Kadabra, Teleport!" Bran responded.

Just as Swellow could make her strike, Kadabra vanished from thin air.

"Now, use Psybeam!" Bran called once more.

Kadabra fired another burst of Psychic energy at Swellow.

"Dodge it!" Jason yelled.

Swellow flew to the side of Psybeam, avoiding the attack by mere centimeters.

"Now, Supersonic!" Jason followed up.

"Swellow!" Swellow let out a dazing screech directed at Kadabra.

"Kadabra!" Kadabra tried to brace himself against the attack. He was left dazed and confused, losing his awareness of the situation.

"Kadabra, stay focused!" Bran tried to grab Kadabra's attention.

"Swellow, Wing Attack!" Jason commanded.

Swellow swooped towards Kadabra, swiping him with her right wing. The attack knocked Kadabra straight to the ground.

"Kadabra!" Kadabra regained his focus.

"Let's go for a Quick Attack, Swellow!" Jason called.

"Swellow!" Swellow assaulted Kadabra once more.

"Teleport again!" Bran responded.

Kadabra teleported once more, just a second before Swellow would complete her attack.

"In the air, Swellow!" Jason commanded. "I think your Aerial Ace is up."

"Swellow!" Swellow complied.

"Kadabra, use Confusion!" Bran commanded.

"Kadabra!" Kadabra's eyes turned purple.

"Aerial Ace, let's go!" Jason yelled.

"Swellow!" Swellow dove down on Kadabra at amazing speed.

Kadabra was unable to get a fix on Swellow. She struck him, using her wings to deliver a devastating attack as she flew right by him. She swiftly flew back into the sky as Kadabra fell on his knees. He then fell on his side, unable to get up.

"Kadabra is unable to battle!" Kristine declared. "Swellow is the winner!"

"Wow," Bran was taken back by Swellow's speed and power. "Return, Kadabra. You did well."

After recalling Kadabra, Bran looked at Hoothoot. "Let's go!"

"Hoothoot!" Hoothoot chirped as he bounced forward.

"Hoothoot, use Hypnosis!" Bran quickly commanded.

"Hoothoot," Hoothoot locked his eyes on Swellow. Suddenly, Swellow felt mesmerized he she crashed to the ground, sound asleep.

"Now close in and use Peck!" Bran followed up.

Hoothoot charged at Swellow, bouncing towards her.

"Return, Swellow!" Jason recalled her.

This puzzled Bran as Hoothoot stopped where he was.

"You recalled Swellow?" Bran asked.

Jason nodded. "Expect Justin to do this if you land a successful Hypnosis," he replied.

"He's right," Kristine added. "Tactical substitutions are perfectly legal."

"Let's go, Jolteon!" Jason threw out Jolteon's pokeball.

"Jolt!" Jolteon barked, running forward.

"Hoothoot, Hypnosis again!" Bran called.

"Swift, Jolteon!" Jason commanded.

"Jolteon!" Jolteon fired off a swift of stars at Hoothoot.

"Dodge, Hoothoot!" Bran commanded. Hoothoot canceled using Hypnosis and flew out of the way of Jolteon's Swift.

"Confusion, Hoothoot!" Bran issued.

Hoothoot flapped his wings in the air as his eyes turned purple.

"Quick! Thunder Shock!" Jason yelled.

Jolteon fired off Thunder Shock at Hoothoot. The bolt of lightning struck him before he could lock onto Jolteon, sending him crashing from the sky.

"Oh no!" Bran yelled.

"Jolteon, close in with Thunder Fang!" Jason followed up.

"Jolt!" Jolteon charged at Hoothoot, harnessing electric energy.

Hoothoot was slow to get up, suffering from the previous attack per Jolteon's Thunder Shock. He was weak to the electric type attack, given that he was a flying type and a normal type. He was unable to react in time to Jolteon's assault. Jolteon grabbed Hoothoot by the legs, projecting a bolt of electric energy from his mouth to send paralyzing ripples throughout Hoothoot's body.

Jolteon then tossed Hoothoot, sending the Owl Pokemon rolling and tumbling several times over.

"Hoothoot…" the Pokemon faintly chirped, unable to continue.

"Hoothoot is unable to battle!" Kristine declared. "Jolteon wins!"

"Jolt!" Jolteon barked.

"You have some strong pokemon," Bran said. "Return, Hoothoot."

He then faced Bulbasaur and gave a single nod.

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur leaped forward into battle.

"Bulbasaur, Vine Whip!" Bran commanded.

"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur projected vines from the seed on its back and lunged them at Jolteon.

"Double Team!" Jason responded.

Jolteon projected multiple copies of himself. Bulbasaur's vines went through two of Jolteon's copies.

"Razor Leaf!" Bran followed up.

Bulbasaur fired a barrage of razor-sharp leaves at Jolteon's copies. Razor Leaf took out the rest of his copies.

"Swift again!" Jason commanded.

"Jolt!" Jolteon fired a barrage of stars at Bulbasaur.

"Dodge and use Sleep Powder!" Bran called.

Bulbasaur jumped out of the way of the exploding stars. He then projected a purple mist at Jolteon.

"Run and use Thunder Fang! Quickly!" Jason responded.

Jolteon ran underneath the projected spore and struck Bulbasaur with a thunderous bite before Sleep Powder kicked in on the field. Electric energy rippled throughout Bulbasaur's body.

"Grab a hold and use Thunder Shock!" Jason continued the assault.

Jolteon grabbed Bulbasaur's front leg and used Thunder Shock, effectively charring Bulbasaur with a continued stream of electric energy. Though electric attacks were not very effective to Bulbasaur, Jolteon's onslaught proved to be too much.

"Now jump back and use Swift!" Jason followed up.

"Jolt!" Jolteon leaped backward and fired a volley of stars.

Bulbasaur stumbled backward from the previous attack. He was unable to fend off the barrage of exploding stars. He was struck again and again as smoke enveloped him. As the smoke cleared, it was clear that he was unable to continue.

"Bulbasaur is unable to battle!" Kristine declared. "Jolteon wins!"

"Jolteon!" Jolteon howled.

"Return, Bulbasaur," Bran recalled him. "You did well out there."

Bran then faced Jason. "I did not even get a single hit on you, other than Hypnosis," he said. "Well done."

"Thanks," Jason replied. He then recalled Jolteon. "Return, Jolteon. Great job out there."

"You worked really well with your pokemon," Bran commended. "Now I see why I really lost to Justin. You and your pokemon fought like you really wanted to win."

Jason chuckled. "It took a lot of practice," he replied.

"It's true," Kristine nodded. "We've trained hard every single morning and sometimes twice a day. We've come to bond with our pokemon and understand their strengths and weaknesses while finding our own battle styles."

"Hmm," Bran thought about that comment. "I think I need to search my own battle style. I feel like I lack a rhythm going on."

"Maybe we can help you," Kristine offered. "We were heading towards the Nappalchan Mountains, but you can tag along with us if you like."

"I suppose I can for a couple of days," Bran replied. "Then I need to stick around here or head back to Saint Brandon for a rematch."

"Fair enough," Jason added.

"Before we pack up, let's talk about battle styles," Kristine mentioned. "Also, my pokemon need some training time."

Kristine released Espeon, Pikachu, Fletchinder, and Machop from their pokeballs.

"So speaking of a battle rhythm, Jason and I have developed our own styles that really helped us in battle," Kristine continued. "Jason's style is offensive. I've seen Jolteon take out more than one pokemon in a single battle several times because Jason and Jolteon like the pressure, and they've gotten used to it."

Jason slightly blushed. "I guess you can say that."

"So when you fought Jason, he made sure that he did not give you a break," Kristine continued.

"No kiddin'," Bran chuckled.

"But if you fought against me, on the other hand, I have a different approach," Kristine explained before looking at Espeon. "Espeon, Calm Mind."

"Espeon!" Espeon said before sitting down, her eyes glowing white.

"Calm Mind increases Espeon's special attack and defense," Kristine spoke. She turned to Machop. "Machop, Work Up!"

"Machop!" Machop flexed his muscles and pumped himself up.

"Work Up is the fighting type counterpart to Calm Mind," Kristine said. She turned to Pikachu. "Double Team!"

"Pika!" Pikachu projected multiple copies of himself. They all surrounded Bran.

"Double Team is a great offensive and defensive move," Kristine continued. "And Fletchinder's Special Ability is Gale Wings, which means he strikes with excessive speed when using flying type attacks."

"So you use non-offensive moves to control the battle?" Bran asked.

Kristine nodded. "Well, I try to, anyway."

"It comes to knowing your pokemon, their abilities, and their properties," Jason explained. "I would say your Kadabra has some serious firepower, and so does Bulbasaur."

"While Hoothoot can control the battle with Hypnosis alone," Kristine added. "I saw him use only three abilities. What's his other move?"

"Reflect," Bran replied.

"So Hoothoot is more defensive," Kristine continued. "I think you have a team that is very good with both defensive and offensive capabilities."

"You can be aggressive in battle," Jason added.

"Or you can take the patient approach and control the battle like it's a chess match," Kristine finished Jason's sentence.

"Hmm…" Bran pondered for a moment. "Not to knock down your approach, Jason, but I like the patient approach. I think that fits me better."

"No problem," Jason replied.


Soon after Kristine got her morning routine in, the three packed up their belongings and headed back out on the road.

"So, Bran," Kristine said to him. "You've been in Inventum your whole life?"

"Yep," Bran replied. "I lived in Alsten when I was younger."

"That's where the Mythic Gym is," Kristine mentioned.

Bran nodded. "I remember seeing some battles there. Gym battles are often open to the public because it's highly recommended that seasoned trainers challenge the Gym Leader thereafter they received at least eight or nine badges first."

"That must be a tough fight," Jason mentioned.

"Oh, it is," Bran chuckled. "Hence why it's open to the public, free admission too, though they could easily charge money for it."

"It's probably against the Pokemon League rules," Kristine mentioned before snickering. "See, only the League Tournaments get to charge money!"

"Well, the Pokemon League pays its Gym Leaders too," Bran shrugged. "I guess the League tries to prevent Gym Leaders from breaking away and forming their own tournaments."

Bran turned to Jason. "Anyways, the fights are amazing. See, the Gym Leader, Zachery, challenges opponents to a full six-on-six battle."

"A six on six?" Jason seemed intrigued.

Bran simply nodded. "They say by the time you challenge the Mythic Gym, you're already well experienced in the art of half-battles, as some of the pros call it. A full battle is where it counts."

"I see…" Kristine understood.

"And what kind of pokemon does he use?" Jason added.

"He has a team that he rotates now and again," Bran answered. "But the times I saw matches, he used a Butterfree as purely support, to inflict conditions before switching to a powerful pokemon like Garchomp. Basically, if you beat him, then you deserve to be in the Inventum Cup."

"Makes for one heck of a challenge," Kristine said.

"My brothers and I would see the gym battles once a week or so," Bran continued. "Some of them were insane."

"You have siblings?" Kristine asked.

"Mmhmm," Bran replied. "Two older brothers. One of them is a student in pokemon biology. He's studying in Kalos right now. The other is a breeder who lives way out west."

"That sounds really cool," Kristine replied.

"I suppose," Bran snickered. "I was definitely the youngest of the three, and they treated me like that growing up."

"Is that a good or bad thing?" Kristine asked.

Bran laughed but realized Kristine was serious. "Bad, for me, anyway."

"Would your brothers get to do anything they want when they want?" Kristine continued.

Bran simply nodded his head.

"Well, at least you're out on an adventure across Inventum," Kristine laughed.

The more the two talked, the less Jason felt involved in the conversation. He saw his sister growing fonder of Bran as the trio continued down the road, and he felt left out. He wasn't thinking so much about Kristine developing a friendship with someone else as much as he was thinking that his best friend may be drifting away slowly but surely at that moment.

By nightfall, the three set up camp at an off-road field. Jason called it an early night, heading into his tent, while Kristine and Bran sat before the campfire for a little while longer.

"So what's having a twin like?" Bran asked.

Kristine took a moment to mount an answer. "Well…I don't know what not having one is like," she responded. "I mean, everything significant that happens, like our birthdays, our first day of becoming trainers, happens at the same time. There are simply two of us, not one, I suppose. The huge difference being I'm a girl, and he's a boy."

"I find it cool that you have someone like that to travel with," Bran continued.

Kristine lightly shrugged. "I just can't imagine life without my twin. Yes, we fought almost all the time when we were younger. I don't want to be too dependent on Jason because other trainers like yourself have to go at it alone, but I can't imagine doing this without him."

"Interesting," Bran leaned back. "Would you be a trainer without him?"

"Don't get me wrong," Kristine replied. "I love being a trainer. I love my pokemon. If I never had a twin, I'd probably still be a pokemon trainer. Jason is almost like my other half. We were born together. Without him, it's just incomplete, and I know he feels the same way."

"At least you two have a strong bond," Bran added.

Kristine smiled. "We have that going, and I am thankful for it."

A moment passed by.

"I was thinking, Bran," Kristine spoke up.

"What's that?" Bran asked.

"I should help you train tomorrow," Kristine explained. "We can run some scrimmages and help you and your pokemon be prepared for Justin."

"That sounds good," Bran approved.


The next morning, Jason slowly opened his eyes.

"I just had a dream about that snorlax again…" he spoke softly when he was able to gain awareness.

He heard no response and assumed Kristine was still asleep. He turned around only to see that she wasn't in her sleeping back. In fact, she already got her clothes and pokeballs.

"She never changes with me in the tent," Jason muttered to himself. "I guess I had my back turned."

Jason got up and changed into his trainer's clothes. After getting his pokeballs and gear all set, he walked out of the tent. The first thing he saw was Kristine and Bran with their pokemon out.

"Morning, Jason," Kristine greeted him. "I thought I'd train with Bran for a little bit if that's okay with you?"

"Yeah, sure," Jason replied. "I'm going to find a stream or something to put Magikarp in before I get started."

"There's a small pond nearby here if I can recall," Bran mentioned.

"Alright, thanks," Jason acknowledged before heading in that direction.

"Okay," Kristine turned her attention to Bran. "So I want to try out a scrimmage between Bulbasaur and Espeon."

"Espeon," Espeon sat there with grace.

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur stepped forward.

Kristine walked away from Bran to help simulate a battle floor.

"So I want you to start the battle as if this is an actual battle," Kristine continued.

"Okay," Bran complied. "Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!"

"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur fired a barrage of leaves from his seed.

"Espeon, Swift!" Kristine responded.

Espeon fired a swift of stars that exploded upon impact with Razor Leaf. Neither attack broke through.

"Confusion, Espeon!" Kristine followed up.

"Espeon," Espeon's eyes turned purple. Suddenly, Bulbasaur hovered into the air.

"Now keep him there," Kristine ordered.

"Espeon," Espeon complied.

"Okay," Kristine faced Bran. "Sometimes, you have to get creative with your moves. A standard faceoff won't be good enough against a Gym Leader. So when I use Confusion, you need to be quick on your feet as to how to avoid the attack. Jason and I ran this move with Ralts and Espeon and had all of our pokemon, including Jason's Magikarp, go through this quick-thinking regimen."

"I see," Bran replied.

"Now, let's continue, shall we?" Kristine smirked. "Espeon, finish the attack!"

"Bulbasaur, Vine Whip!" Bran commanded.

Before Espeon could slam Bulbasaur down, Bulbasaur unleashed vines right at Espeon.

"Dodge 'em!" Kristine responded.

Espeon canceled her attack and narrowly escaped Bulbasaur's vines.

"That was good," Kristine smiled.

"I see now," Bran realized. "I had too much tunnel vision in the past where I need to see the whole picture of things."

Kristine nodded. "Shall we have a full one versus one battle?"

Bran nodded. "Let's do this."

"Okay, Espeon, Quick Attack!" Kristine commanded.

"Espeon!" Espeon charged at full speed towards Bulbasaur.

"Razor Leaf, Bulbasaur!" Bran responded.

Bulbasaur fired another barrage of leaves at Espeon.

"Swift and continue with Quick Attack!" Kristine commanded.

Espeon fired a barrage of stars that once again impacted Razor Leaf, creating small explosions that morphed into a cloud of smoke.

Bran suddenly had an idea. "Sleep Powder before the smoke, now!" he issued.

"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur fired off a purple mist aimed at the foothold of the smoke. Espeon ran right into it.

"Espeon!" Kristine yelled.

Espeon felt drowsy as she approached Bulbasaur. She then stopped and fell asleep right there.

"Let's use Take Down!" Bran followed up.

Bulbasaur charged at Espeon, but he suddenly became drowsy too. What was even more unexpected to Bran was that a glow began to envelop Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur stopped right where he was as he began to evolve.

"Bulbasaur…" Bran muttered. "You're evolving…."

"Your Bulbasaur is evolving!" Kristine noticed, excited. "Wow!"

A moment later, a larger form took Bulbasaur's place. Ivysaur emerged larger than his previous form, and the seed on his back blossomed to a pink bud with four large leaves sprouting underneath it.

"Ivy!" Ivysaur began to roar, but he suddenly lost his energy. "Saur…" he fell straight asleep, curling himself up.

"Do evolutions take a lot of energy or something?" Bran laughed.

"Espeon's special ability is Magic Bounce," Kristine explained. "Any non-offensive status or attribute changes to Espeon is reflected to the attacker. It's a psychic pokemon thing."

"I see," Bran replied. "Well then," he recalled Ivysaur. "Sleep well, buddy. Good job out there."

"You too, Espeon!" Kristine recalled her Pokemon.

A moment later, Jason walked over to the two.

"How's training going?" Jason asked.

"Bulbasaur evolved into Ivysaur," Bran addressed.

"Congratulations!" Jason replied.

"And how's your training going, Jason?" Kristine asked.

"Same old same old," Jason said. "Making progress as usual. Jolteon practicing his charges. Ralts and her psychic abilities. Swellow and her swiftness. Magikarp and his splashing."

Kristine gave Jason one thumb up. "At least you're letting Magikarp train with you!"

"We have a goal in mind, and we tend to reach that goal!" Jason added.

Kristine turned to Bran. "He wants a gyarados."

Bran chuckled. "I see."

"Well, I think that wraps things up," Kristine said a moment later. "Shall we pack up and continue?"

"Sure," Bran nodded. "But I think it's time for me to head back to Saint Brandon."

"We don't blame you," Jason said.

"I hope we helped you out," Kristine added.

"More than I could ever expect," Bran smiled. "Thank you so much, both of you. You have taught me a lot, and I think I can challenge Justin to a rematch and win this time."

The three headed back to camp and packed everything up.

"I'll see you guys again in the future," Bran said to them. "Until then, good luck with everything. Be safe in the Mountains."

"We will!" Kristine replied. "And go get that Tranquility Badge."

"We'll see out on the east coast!" Jason added.

"Looking forward to it," Bran smirked.

Bran headed back on the road and headed south.

"Do you think we'll regret later on helping out a rival in need?" Jason asked Kristine.

Kristine shrugged. "Just because we'll be competing doesn't mean we can't help him. We're all trainers with one interest and one goal in mind. We might as well help each other. Otherwise, who are we really? Besides, as long as we keep training, we'll be fine."

Jason smirked. "We just gotta work harder than everyone else and make sure no one beats us."

Kristine nodded. "Bran's kinda cute, by the way."

"What?" Jason turned to his sister.

"What? Did I say something?" Kristine gave an innocent smile.

"You said –"

"I didn't say anything."

"Yeah, never mind."

The two headed out on the road and ventured east towards the Nappalchan Mountains. With the fresh, chilly air and snow-capped mountains on the horizon, the twins were bound to hit the base of the mountain range, and with that, a whole new obstacle of challenges awaited them.