Nils, Ren and Firenze were setting up camp for the night while the Pokemon were either helping or playing. When camp was completely set up, the gang were about to start to make dinner. Before they could start, Rex showed up and was running towards the trio.
"Why are you in such a hurry Rex," asked Nils once Rex went to the group and stopped running.
"Have a battle with me," Rex demanded Nils.
"Excuse me," asked a confused Nils, "I thought you didn't like battling with me because you thought I was weak."
"I just want a battle," begged Rex, "Please."
"Ok then," said Nils, "If that's what you want," and Nils and Rex prepared for battle while Ren and Firenze sat at the side.
"This battle will be three on three," said Rex, "Go Granbull," and a Granbull appeared.
"Go Blitzle," said Nils who then sent out Blitzle.
"Use Bulldoze," said Rex and Granbull used the move of choice which gave Blitzle super effective damage.
"Use Flame Charge," said Nils and Blitzle hit Granbull with the selected move.
"Use Dazzling Gleam Granbull," said Rex but Blitzle dodged the attack because Flame Charge raised his speed.
"Use Stomp," said Nils and Blitzle hit Granbull with the chosen move which flinched it. "Now use Spark," and Blitzle pushed Granbull back by using the selected attack which caused a lot of damage in the process.
"Use Bulldoze," said Rex and Granbull started to use the move of choice which hit Blitzle and slowed him down.
"Shock Wave," said Nils and Blitzle used the chosen move which knocked Granbull out.
"Return," said Rex as he returned his Granbull, "Go Shuppet," and a Shuppet appeared.
"Use Spark Blitzle," said Nils and Blitzle charged at Shuppet while using Spark.
"Use Shadow Sneak," said Rex and Shuppet attacked Blitzle with the move of choice.
Blitzle and Shuppet collided while using their respective attacks and Blitzle was knocked back because of the damage he took from battling Granbull.
"Use Shadow Ball," said Rex and Shuppet used the selected move on Blitzle who was knocked out after.
"You were great Blitzle," said Nils as he returned Blitzle, "Go Ledian," and Nils sent out Ledian.
"Shuppet use Shadow Sneak," said Rex and Shuppet used the selected attack.
"Stop it with Silverwind," said Nils and Ledian blew away Shuppet with the chosen move. "Now Aerial Ace," and Ledian hit Shuppet with Aerial Ace which was faster and stronger because of Silverwind.
"Use Shadow Ball," said Rex and Shuppet launched a Shadow Ball.
"Dodge and use Aerial Ace," said Nils and Ledian did as instructed which knocked out Shuppet.
Rex then returned his Shuppet and had an upset look which Nils found odd.
"Go Kingler," said Rex who was looking desperate and a Kingler was sent out.
"Use Double Edge," said Nils and Ledian hit Kingler the selected move.
"Use Bubble Beam," said Rex and Kingler blasted Ledian away with Bubble Beam. "Now use Stomp," and just when Ledian landed after being attacked, Kingler hit him with Stomp.
"Use Silverwind," said Nils and Ledian did as instructed.
"Use Brine," said Rex and Kingler followed orders.
The two attacks went passed each other and hit their targets. Silverwind didn't do much to Kingler but because Ledian had half of his energy left, Brine did a lot of damage which was just enough to knock out Ledian.
"You did what you could Ledian, now return," said Nils as he returned Ledian. "Go Spoink," and Spoink was sent out.
"Use Stomp," said Rex and Kingler tried to use the selected move.
"Use Bounce to dodge," said Nils and Spoink used Bounce which made him dodge Kingler's Stomp and inflict damage as well.
"Use Metal Claw," said Rex and Kingler knocked off Spoink with the chosen attack.
"Use Psybeam," said Nils and Spoink started to use the move of choice.
"Use Bubble Beam," said Rex and Kingler started to use the chosen move.
The two attacks collided and caused an explosion that blew back both Spoink and Kingler.
Spoink then got up after the explosion and evolved into Grumpig.
"Well done Grumpig," said a happy Nils, "Now use Zen Headbutt," and Grumpig attacked Kingler, who was still recovering from the explosion, and once the attack hit, Kingler flinched. "Finish with Psybeam," and Grumpig used Psybeam which knocked out Kingler which made Nils win the battle.
Rex then returned his Kingler and just stood there with a very sad look.
"Is there something wrong," asked Nils who realized Rex was upset and decided to cheer him up.
"Well," said Rex, "Since you beat me, I guess I'll tell you." "After our last encounter when I lost to the daughter of Ketchum co's president, I started to lose most of the battles I had." "The most bothering losses were against trainers that I deeply underestimated. "The worst loss that I had was with the Lavender Gym Leader and what that Gym Leader said bothers me.
"What did the Gym Leader say," asked Firenze who along with Ren was also listening to the problem.
"The Gym Leader said that I take battling and being a trainer too seriously and should lighten up as well as have fun from my battles," answered Rex.
"So why did you challenge Nils," asked Ren.
"I thought if I beat a trainer that I knew or at least thought I could beat," explained Rex, "Then I could be my old self again."
"I think I have a better Idea," said Firenze.
"What is it," asked Rex.
"Thunder Canyon is nearby," explained Firenze, "It's a good place where you can train and bond with your Pokemon." "If you had a better bond with you Pokemon, then maybe you can do what the Gym Leader suggests and then become a better trainer."
"That just might work," said Rex, "I'll go there right away."
"Can we come with you," asked Nils.
"Why not," answered Rex.
After that, the four of them had dinner and went to sleep with the plans of going to Thunder Canyon the next day.
"
