Chapter 31 – The Iron Challenge

Sea air infused the breathes of those who lived in Canalave. The harbour city was the largest port in Sinnoh. It also had a thriving mining works due to its proximity to what the locals had named Iron Island. Lots of ores were easily accessed from the island for those who were brave enough to face down the steel types who called the piece of land home.

The slate grey waters matched the overcast day overhead as Jill and her team entered the city. Everyone was withdrawn into their Pokeballs to escape the chill and make maneuvering the crowds easier. Jill's mind was still on the events that had happened to her over the last few weeks. What chilled her the most was this guy, Cyrus', emotionless demeanour. It was scary that someone like that could inspire people to follow him. But it did explain the ruthlessness that Team Galactic had been showing. Their boss didn't care, so why should they?

The various sounds of the city disappeared as Jill entered the Pokemon centre. Canalave's centre was near barren at this time of year. Most trainers only came to the port town if they were serious about testing their Pokemon's power. There were a few smaller gyms in towns that could make one eligible to challenge the league, but most knew that someone who could defeat Byron and his steel types was a powerful trainer. Byron was a leader who didn't truly scale his Pokemon down to a trainer's level. In fact, it was a standard to challenge Canalave's leader, one needed to have at least 5 badges. At least then your Pokemon stood a chance.

Jill checked her team into the centre to go through the usual medical check. Travelling here had been harder on the young woman's partners than she had planned on it being. Jill also checked into a room and used the bathroom facilities to get rid of the road grim that built up. Sighing as she changed into clean clothes, Jill checked her email to kill time while her team was being checked. Most were just the usual junk but there was one from her mother.

Jill,

Hope you're doing well honey. Cynthia called me last night. I won't get into the details, and while I'm not happy with the news I heard, I need to tell you how proud I am of you. Just remember, if you ever need to, you can always come home.

I know journeys are important. And I know how an amazing trainer you've become. Just know I love you and please, stay safe.

Mom

Tears formed in the young woman's eyes. Waves of emotions crashed over her, each warring for importance. How could the world have come to this point? Sure, it wasn't perfect, but why were people and organizations so hell bent on destroying everything? Jill had no answers. And sure, it was scary out there sometimes. Battles weren't always for fun. It would seem that some were truly for your life. Jill took a breath to steady herself and closed the email, switching instead to the news, hoping for something to distract her.

Barry walked through the town in a daze. His normally upbeat demeanor was missing this evening. News had reached him about what was happening both here in Sinnoh and abroad. This world was getting crazy. The young man looked down at the buzzing device in his hand. The screen once more showed his father's name. Sighing, Barry ignored the call.

The blonde walked back towards the Pokemon centre in Canalave. He had come here to challenge the steel type gym leader, something that his newly evolved Infernape should make short work of. But he just couldn't do it yet. His heart wasn't in it. Entering the centre, he wandered over to the cafeteria only to run into a familiar face.

"Jill!" He said surprised. The young woman raised her head, smile spreading as she spied her childhood friend.

"Barry. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes" she said tiredly.

"I know what you mean" the blonde replied sitting across from Jill.

"Here to challenge the gym?" Jill asked.

"Mhm" was all Barry could manage to reply. He too looked tired. Jill looked at him worriedly.

"Are you alright?" Barry gave a hollow laugh.

"After everything you've been through lately, and you're asking me if I'm alright?" Barry asked. This brought a small smile back to Jill's face.

"I guess you heard about the attack in Celestic?" Barry nodded while Jill took a deep breath. "Yeah not something I'd like to repeat."

"Is it true what they're saying about Cyrus? Was he really the one behind it?" Jill nodded. Barry was shocked.

"He attacked both me and Professor Kale once he had whatever information it was that he came for. He was really interested in the legends of Sinnoh though for some reason. Especially the Lake Guardians." Barry frowned at that.

"Are those legends actually real?" Jill shrugged.

"There's always been some truth to the rumours hasn't there? All three major lakes in the region have those cave systems…"

"Crazy world right now. Did you hear what's happening in Unova?" Barry asked. Jill nodded her head again. Both trainers were silent for a time, alone with their thoughts.

"What are we going to do?" Jill finally asked quietly. Barry was surprised to hear his friend like this. She had never once wavered in what she wanted. To hear her shaken was almost scary to Barry.

"We're going to have a battle. That's what we're going to do!"

Jill sat with her feet hanging over the walkway above the canal watching the water move by. Caladan was to her right while Barry sat on her left, his Infernape resting up against a post. Their battle had left the two trainers exhausted, but Barry had been right. It was what they needed.

"Thanks Barry. I did need that" Jill finally said. Street lights were coming on to illuminate the paths. People were silently walking to their homes or wherever they happened to be spending the night. Caladan was watching the evening activity with lazy eyes.

"Told ya. Would I ever lie to you?" the blonde asked. Jill laughed. It felt good to be around her friend again. Her family had been through so much lately, but Barry always seemed to know how to help ground Jill and bring her back from the edge. Silence once more took hold of the group, but it was no longer cast with those black thoughts of failure or fear. Instead it was content. A small boat glided past the two trainers, finally causing Barry to break their silent vigil.

"Still want to be champion?" Jill looked at her friend confused.

"What do you mean?" she asked cautiously.

"I'm just wondering what you think of the champions with all that's going on right now. It's not an easy task. There's all these people out there who want to practically take over the world 'cause you know, they're insane, and the only people really able to stop them are the champion's! So, what makes you still want to be the champion?" Jill was quiet for a moment before responding. In fact it was Caladan who had the answer.

"Because of what it means" the gravelly voice said. Barry leaned back to look at the grass type not understanding what Caladan had just said. Jill however, smiled and placed a hand on her starters head.

"Being a champion doesn't just mean beating up people and stopping terrorists. They are a symbol of strength and hope. Something people can draw from and inspire too. When I look at Cynthia, I don't see my cousin. I see someone who is confident, powerful, kind and determined. I've always sort of looked up to her. But now, I want to be that too. I want to face off against her and I want to win. I want to be the best, but I also want to inspire people." Barry nodded. He understood completely what Jill meant.

"It certainly hasn't been an easy road though has it?" the blonde asked. Jill laughed a little at that. Understatement of the year.

"I honestly didn't think it would be like this" Jill said.

"Well the worlds changed since Cynthia or my dad travelled" Barry responded. "Who could have predicted that people like those who follow Team Galactic would rise up and cause us problems. Guess that's why they have trainers like us though."

"I don't know, Cynthia didn't seem to want our help" Jill added on. Barry looked thoughtful at that.

"Guess that makes sense" he finally said. Jill looked at her friend incredulously. Barry laughed at her astonished look. "She's got the league behind her. But who do we have?" Jill raised her eyebrows.

"I don't know about you, but I have my team. We could help."

"Well sure, but we don't have the same resources. My dad said something similar. Stay out of this fight. We haven't trained for it."

"Has anybody really trained for that kind of thing?" Jill countered, knowing full well that's what the police did.

"Other than law enforcement? They're specialized. But trainers like dad and the champions, they are a cut above. I think until we reach that point, they want us to stay safe." Jill knew they had a point. She just didn't like it.

Cynthia stood staring at the empty office. Once more, this building was completely cleared out. Not a soul was left to question. And of course, their chase for Cyrus had once more found a dead end. They were running out of leads as to where the mastermind behind Team Galactic may be hiding.

The champion wasn't surprised that she couldn't find the CEO however. Sinnoh had labelled Cyrus a terrorist after what had happened in the Great Marsh. Law enforcement across the region was on the lookout. But it was as if the entire organization had disappeared off the face of the planet. Cynthia had even sent Flint back to the warehouse where he had first got wind of the bomb. And again, there had been nothing there. Aaron had been underground searching, connecting with old acquaintances, and still there was no word. Cynthia was worried. She turned from staring at the empty chair opposite her as Looker entered the room.

"Alas this too seems to be a dead end!" the agent said. "Everything wiped, as if they knew we were coming. Of course, they knew however! The Great Marsh incident couldn't be kept quiet…"

"Looker, I didn't realize you were here" Cynthia said in a quiet tone. The agent seemed distracted.

"Here yes, there no. Not where I am needed yes?" Cynthia tilted her head at the odd man. He seemed drawn out, bags under his eyes. He had left the hospital too soon the champion surmised. And for some reason, nobody was telling him to stand down and recover.

"None of us are where we are needed Looker." The agent regarded the champion as if he had just realized the woman was standing in the room with him. He gave a sharp nod and began pacing.

"The bomb was designed to move water. Why destroy water though? And the concussion would wake the dead… The plans of an unflinching character are indeed troubling. But what could he be searching out?"

"I may have the answer to that" Cynthia said. Looker's gaze was piercing as he regarded the champion. "The lakes have what he is searching for."

"The lakes?" Looker repeated confused. "He is not looking for the lakes. He is looking for the science."

"What does science have to do with this?" Cynthia countered.

"Science is what will create what he desires most. Change."

Jill took a steadying breath. She was ready she knew. Whatever else was happening in the world, that couldn't distract her. The goal of being a champion meant she needed gym badges. So, she had to put her feelings on hold and focus. Her team had spent the last three days training against Barry, much to distract themselves. That training however, had been extremely beneficial. Epona was on the verge of evolving. The fire type had taken a shining white glow lately, which according to Jill's Pokedex meant the horse was close to becoming a full fledged Rapidash. And with a powerful fire type like that, Byron and his steel types would be hard pressed to win the day against Jill.

The young woman lifted her head and squared her shoulders and entered the gym. No sense in waiting any longer. A blast of chilled air threw Jill's blue streaked hair around her back. She did her best to portray the utmost confidence as she walked into the battlefield, a coldly clinical steel floor. There were patches of bare dirt showing beneath bent and twisted pieces of steel. Barry and Byron's battle had been intense, more so than Barry had expected. Jill was ready.

The last two days had been given off to the miners in Canalave. Many sailors and dockworkers were also watching the gym match, as the gym was close to the docks and steel mill. They had come to cheer for the man in charge of the gym, Byron. A steel type gym leader, he was gruff but always had a ready laugh. Challengers were usually hard pressed to get past his highly defensive Pokemon. That was a trait he had passed down to his son it seemed. Byron came up to the battlefield and smiled at Jill through his beard. His once red hair was showing more grey now, though the beard still held some of that old flame.

"Welcome Jill!" the gym leaders loud voice boomed out. There was a gravel to it from years spent mining and smelting steel. "My son told me about you. Said a beautiful young lady had come by his gym a few months ago and beat him handily!" His roaring laughter caused Jill to smile.

"I don't know that I would call it handily. Roark was a tough gym leader" the young woman responded.

"Ah looks and humility. Why if I was younger I might be smitten!" Jill blushed at the brazen flirt. "But that said, my son still has some learning and training to go through before he gets to my strength. I think you will find in me a different challenge. Rock types have more weaknesses than steel. Now let us see what kind of challenger you are to the old guard!" Byron smiled and released his first Pokemon, a Magneton. Jill frowned somewhat. Here was a steel and electric type that floated. How, Jill was unsure, but she hoped that her newly evolved ground type would still hold the advantage.

"I'm going to start this battle with my first ever Pokemon, the same one who won me my badge from Roark!" Jill threw Caladan's Pokeball out, releasing her friend. The ground shook slightly as Caladan stepped into the fray.

"A Torterra!" Byron exclaimed. "Very good choice. Then let us begin!" Byron thrust out a muscular, tanned arm. The Magneton's three eyed gaze lined up their target who stood unmoving. "Flash cannon!"

"Cal, use curse and absorb this hit" Jill said just loud enough for her partner to hear. Caladan was ready.

The last week had been helpful for the grass type. After the attack in the cavern, he had been afraid to unleash his power again. He wanted to be for Jill what he had experienced Blaze that Typhlosion be for the champion Arthur. A Pokemon who was in perfect check of his power. But he had lost control. It had taken the talk with Sphyrna and Chase, and then training with Barry and his team to realize that Caladan was in control. He was powerful in his own right, and just because he had unleashed a massive amount once, didn't mean he never had to do it again. So he had trained. Control and precision, melded together. His confidence was coming back. It was slow, much like the way a plant grew from soil.

Caladan stared at his opponent as he felt the earth's power course through his body. This task had been made more difficult due to the steel plating he was standing on. The opposing Magneton was gathering light between its magnets. Quickly, it drew its magnet appendages together, and unleashed a powerful blast of hardened light energy. Caladan grunted as the blast pounded into the top of his shell. This steel type was no pushover on the offensive push.

"Alright Cal, lets use earthquake!" Jill said once the attack had finished. In her mind, she was crossing her fingers, hoping that the ground type attack would still affect the floating opponent. However, she saw the slight wince that crossed the gym leaders face as she called out her attack. Caladan roared, slamming his front legs down upon the steel plated floor. Cracks spread out as the floor broke apart with the tremors. Byron stumbled back from the force of the attack, Jill almost dropped to her knees. This earthquake was more powerful that the original one Caladan had created in the cavern a few weeks ago. It was more controlled this time though.

Everyone watched as the tremor shook through the steel type, shaking it. The strain to maintain its magnetic levitation however, was too much and the Magneton dropped to the ground, only to be assaulted by the bucking earth. This one attack proved to be too much for the dual type of Byron's and the gym leader was forced to return his Pokemon.

"I'm impressed! Not often a challenger manages to take down one of my steel types in a single blow!" Byron said. Truth be told, Magneton was his weakest Pokemon he would use today. And he knew that Jill's Pokemon also had a dual weakness. To use this to his advantage, Byron sent out his next Pokemon, a Steelix.

Jill took a half step back as the massive steel serpent uncoiled itself. The iron snake was a sight to behold. Its body seemed to take up the field. Even Caladan was struck by the size of his opponent. The Steelix's jaw was grinning as it took in the grass type. The crowd was now getting riled up. Not many gym matches saw Steelix come out.

"Roark told me you were strong so let's see how you do with my good friend Steelix! His body was hardened by training on Iron Island!" Byron shouted above his partners roar. The steel type began moving quickly towards Caladan. Jill noticed quickly that there was something glistening in what could only be called teeth on the Steelix. Her eye's widened when she realized what the attack was that was coming.

"No!" She shouted. Byron smiled.

"Yes, we're aware of our weaknesses. That's why a good trainer has a way to combat it!" Jill quickly recalled her starter right before the ice fang attack landed. That thin red line shot out of the ball and engulfed the grass type absorbing it as the iron jaws swung shut. Jill's shoulders slumped in relief at the close call. An ice fang could have seriously harmed Caladan. But she would have to be careful with her pick of challenger for this serpent.

"I'm going to go with Epona in this battle!" Jill said as she released her equine friend. Epona made quite the entrance as she neighed and lifted her front hooves in front of her. The crowd cheered at the fire types beauty. Jill was still somewhat unsure however, because she knew that Steelix were part ground as well.

"Well I think Steelix we know how to deal with this don't we!" Byron exclaimed. Jill grimaced but formed a plan in her head. She just hoped it would work. The grinning serpent roared once more and charged forward.

"Start moving Epona!" Jill yelled, and the fire type moved immediately. The iron snake crashed forward, creating a small tremor through the earth, but not enough to phase Epona. The horse's nostrils flared as sparks leapt from her mane as she ran around the steel plated floor.

"Use sandstorm to slow it down" Byron commanded. Jill was still frowning but this was the opportunity she was hoping for. The Steelix began spinning parts of its body around, which a small part of Jill found interesting that it was able to do so. But she was focused. Epona was glaring at her opponent as streams of sand began whipping around and obscuring vision. It was only seconds before suddenly, the gym was the same as being in a desert sandstorm. Damn this Steelix is powerful Jill thought.

"Alright Epona, time to piggyback on this. Keep running and release embers!" The young woman hoped that her friend could hear her over the roaring sand and wind. It was almost a minute before both Byron and Jill could see what was going on. The sandstorm which had begun brown and cold, was becoming red and hot. The sands stung worse as the assaulted the two trainers. Byron was still calling out attacks, while Jill was playing defense still. She was using flame wheel and ember to keep the Steelix from creating a fully-fledged earthquake which Jill knew would take her friend down. It was too much however, as suddenly Jill was flung to the floor without warning. Even Byron was staggered as the earthquake hit.

The shriek from Epona brought tears to Jill's eyes but she couldn't see Epona to recall her. Byron commanded the sandstorm to end so he too could see what had happened. Both trainers blinked their vision clear as the storm ended, both sporting red faces and small pocked skin from the embers and sand turned glass that Jill had tried to use to whittle down the giant steel type. What truly shocked them both though was the Pokemon standing before them.

"Epona…" Jill whispered. Gone was the small horse. Instead, here was the beautiful blindingly white Rapidash that Epona had been on the verge of becoming before this battle. Her legs were now longer, and fire coated the equines entire back coming to a point on her head at the base of the new horn. As she pawed the ground, flames danced from Epona's hooves.

"I'm still ready to battle" the feminine voice said. Jill noticed that it sounded deeper yet most sure of itself than Epona's voice had as a Ponyta. The young trainer began smiling as she called out for a flame wheel attack. Epona charged in to both Byron and his Steelix's surprise. Before either of them could react, the fire type crashed into the iron snake with a flame wheel attack that toppled the monster. Byron stood there with his mouth slightly open, staring at the fire type who was panting heavily. Steelix stirred however, and Jill's grin dropped quickly. Steelix's tail whipped around, which Epona jumped over but Jill could tell her friend was at the end of her rope. One more hit, and the horse's life could be in danger.

"Steelix, finish this with ice fang!" Byron commanded, his voice more intense than before. Jill reached down and once again, returned her Pokemon. The Steelix roared its displeasure, but Jill didn't focus on that. She was worried that she wouldn't be able to take this monster down. And she was only allowed one more choice of battler.

"Icarium, lets finish this!" Jill said as she released her third Pokemon. The fighter made his appearance to a grinning Byron and a rather pissed off Steelix.

"Well…" was all Icarium said before dodging an iron tail attack. Steelix raced after the part psychic type but wasn't fast enough to keep up.

"Aim your psycho cut for its head!" Jill called out. Icarium nodded his affirmation, send psychic energy into his arms. He was jumping around and leaping out of the way as Byron and his serpent kept up the attacks. There never seemed to be a clear line of shot. Jill gritted her teeth, knowing that Byron was just trying to wear down Icarium. His Steelix seemed to be robotic just sending in attack after attack. Icarium noticed something Jill didn't though. Another iron tail crashed down, with Icarium leaping on top of it. He launched himself forward at the iron snakes head, off its tail. The crowd roared as Icarium landed a devastating blow to the Steelix's face. Once more, the steel type was knocked to the ground. The difference this time was there was no stirring as Icarium landed softly. The fighting type took a few deep breaths and slowly walked back towards Jill who hugged him.

"Are you okay to keep battling?" Jill asked as Byron returned his Steelix.

"I'm ready for whatever challenges are presented" Icarium said facing the gym leader. Jill nodded looking serious as Byron grinned.

"I am impressed Jill! It would seem my son was correct in saying you truly are an impressive trainer, however, this is where I make my stand!" Byron released a Pokemon Jill had only ever heard of in texts about ancient Pokemon, a Bastiodon. The young woman groaned inwardly. Roark had of course also used a prehistoric Pokemon, but one known for attacking. This one however, was known for its defences which were nigh impregnable.

"I see you and Roark share in prehistoric Pokemon tastes" Jill said, while she sized up their opponent. Byron laughed.

"You are right, but my son still has to learn that sometimes the best offense is a good defence!"

"Well we'll see about that. Icarium, use brick break!" Icarium was off like a shot, closing the distance between himself and the shield wall Pokemon. The steel type held what appeared to be a grin underneath heavy steel plates above its eyes as it watched the fighting type rush in. Byron waited until the last second to call out an attack.

"Defend with iron defense!" There was barely any perceptible movement from the dinosaur, save for it to spread its feet a little wider and shove its massive frill forward. It was this plate that Icarium's blow landed. The fighting type winced as it appeared he hadn't done anything to damage the steel type at all. He also realized how close he was to the massive quadraped.

"Now metal burst!" Byron yelled. One of the steel 'horns' on the Bastiodon's head plowed into Icarium who was winded, then blew up. Or at least that's what it looked like to Jill, who watched her friend launched backwards with enough force to dent the steel plated floor when Icarium landed. To his credit, Icarium rolled after the first impact and bounced up, but Jill could tell the attack had shaken him slightly. Neither of them was expecting that. And to make matters worse, the dinosaur hadn't yet appeared to have moved an inch. Something the crowd was rather pleased about. This here was Byron's specialty. Opponents rushed in with the type advantage and couldn't get past his high defences. This allowed for surprising counter attacks which forstalled challengers and kept them from winning this particular gym badge. Jill wasn't just some average challenger though. She gritted her teeth and once more appraised the part rock type. It's massive head and frill were its defenses. They would need to get past that to attack its less protected side or belly.

"I think we'll go on the offense now" Byron called from the other side of the battlefield. He motioned with one hand almost lazily as if this was how every battle went for him. The Bastiodon still grinning, began using stone edge. Icarium was once more playing defence as he dodged the massive stone spikes punching up through the floor. It was how he was dodging that gave Jill an idea.

"Icarium, use swords dance to move in closer! You're going to need to attack from the side where he can't get his frill in your way!" Icarium stared at his opponent and began following Jill's instructions. Byron was still grinning, telling Jill this wasn't the first time this trick had been attempted. As Icarium got in close, Jill decided to change up tactics. It looked like Bastiodon was slow, so it was now or never in the attempt.

"Alright jump over it!" Icarium knelt down and sprung forward and over. Byron seemed ready for this too however.

"Metal burst!" Again, the steel projections from atop the castle like head exploded out, throwing Icarium up. The fighting type seemed ready for this defence even though his trainer wasn't. As the spikes burst, Icarium deflected much of the force away from his body with psycho cut. While he was still higher than expected, he still managed to make a hard landing behind the quadraped, surprising both Byron and his Pokemon, who was too slow in turning. Jill shot her fist in the air, as Icarium quickly landed four heavy brick break blows to the back side of the steel type. The Bastiodon roared out in agony as the fighting type took a step back. Byron however, ended things before Icarium could land one more shot by returning the dinosaur. Icarium was surprised, but Jill was just thankful. She wasn't expecting a battle with steel types to be as difficult as it was considering her Pokemon held a serious type advantage.

"What a vast region Sinnoh is. Every so often I get a challenger who seems ready to defeat the old guard. It makes me happy to see that tough trainers are out there and ready" Byron said to Jill after the match as he handed her a mine badge. "People like you, that little blonde fellow and my son taking charge."

"I'm not sure that others see it that way sir" Jill replied thinking on Cynthia's words.

"That just means they don't know it yet. Besides, challengers such as yourself don't come along all that often. It takes time to leave your mark upon the world." Jill looked up at the old man, a man whose beard hide most of the trials and scars that he must have gone through. His rough exterior though seems to hold that older wisdom and kind heartedness that Jill hadn't seen in many other gym leaders.

"Do you really think we're ready?" she asked him. The crowd was still filing out, so Byron motioned for Jill to follow him. The young woman did so. The gym leader led Jill to another room in the gym, a place where Byron held many ancient artifacts and fossils he had dug up around Sinnoh.

"Mining and digging has always been a passion for me. My son picked that up and followed me around none stop when he was younger. Now, as a grown man, he's setting up Orebourgh for even more success than I ever did. This here was the first fossil that he ever found." To Jill's untrained eye, it simply looked like a broken rock, but she took the gym leaders word for it. Byron continued on. "As we get old and look back, we wonder how we came to the positions we find ourselves in now. What pushed us. I see in you what I saw in only a few other trainers growing up. You have that same look when you battle that our champion does." Jill stared at the older man.

"You faced Cynthia?" Byron laughed. That battle had been years ago, and Cynthia had thoroughly dismantled his team, without breaking a sweat. He'd learned a lot from that defeat.

"I did. She's powerful that girl, but you share that with her." Jill blushed at the compliment, even if she wasn't sure she totally believed it. Byron continued on to another case, this one holding various stones. "What Cynthia cares about though are the people of this region. She takes her job seriously."

"I don't think she wants my help with whatever is going on in the region" Jill found herself saying. Byron was acting almost as the father figure he was to many gym leaders, especially his son. Something Jill hadn't had in a long time.

"Of course she doesn't" Byron said simply, unlocking the case. Jill frowned at the blunt honesty. "She doesn't want you getting hurt. Champions are to help us when we need help, and so for someone to get involved with criminals, and terrorists at that, then the champion would want everyone out of her way. And when say, her cousin is in the middle of certain actions, then I would imagine the champion would take that even more seriously." Jill was shocked. Almost no one knew that she was Cynthia's cousin, but here was Byron, seemingly knowing all of Jill's inner thoughts and anguishes.

"How do you…" Byron laughed.

"Cynthia told me about you, not long after Roark told me a beautiful young woman had trounced him. I'll tell you, I haven't seen my son that embarrassed in a while!" Byron said laughing some more while Jill blushed and looked down at the stones. She gasped when she realized that these stones weren't just precious gems, but rather, evolutionary stones.

"Listen Jill, I'm in no place to tell you what you should or shouldn't do. But I have now seen how you handle your Pokemon and know that this path you're on is the right one for you. Just as I have faith in my son's path. But you still have a way to go before you're Cynthia's equal. The champions are cut from a different cloth, and when they go all out, there power is pretty devastating. I'm sure you'll be there, but Cynthia needs to focus on this team Galactic business without worrying her cousin is going to get hurt."

"I can't just sit by and do nothing though!" Jill said in a small voice. Byron smiled, knowing that was going to be the young woman's answer.

"Which is why I'm going to tell you this. Head to Iron Island. There's a man there named Riley. He's a steel type trainer and a powerful one at that. Train with him. Learn from him. And search for this stone here." Byron held up a pure white stone, which Jill knew to be a shiny stone. "Cynthia has sought powerful trainers through the region for some time. And I know that you happen to have a Pokemon with you that toppled Crasher's Gyrados. Prove to her that you can be her equal by helping your Pokemon achieve more than they thought possible. Then you'll be ready to help her in the way you want to."

Jillian's Pokemon:

Caladan (Grotle) - level 38, ability: Overgrow, nature: Bashful
Chase (Luxio) - level 38, ability: Intimidate, nature: Impish
Epona (Ponyta) - level 40, ability: Run Away, nature: Naughty
Urim (Togepi) - level 38, ability: Serene Grace, nature: Brave
Sphryna (Gabite) - level 38 ability: Sand Veil, nature: Naive
Icarium (Kirlia) - level 38, ability: Trace, nature: Lonely