Nils, Ren and Firenze had arrived in Lavender Town early in the afternoon and decided to go to the Pokemon Center.

"Can you check on our Pokemon Nurse Joy," asked Nils and Nurse Joy then started to heal the Pokemon who hadn't been to a Pokemon Center in a while.

The trio then went to the cafeteria for lunch and were talking about the Gym.

"If the Gym Leader is as strong as Rex says," said Firenze who was eating her lunch, "You may have a difficult battle Nils."

"I know," said Nils as he ate his lunch, "This won't be easy but at least I won't be overconfident this time." Nils said remembering his Gym Battle at the Vermilion Gym. "I'll have to think of something clever and maybe then I'll stand a chance."

The trio then finished lunch and then picked up their Pokemon.

"Thanks Nurse Joy," thanked Nils as he, Ren and Firenze got back their Pokemon, "By the way, do you know where the Gym is?"

"Actually," said Nurse Joy, "If you intend to challenge the Gym Leader, you should go to the playground that is nearby." "The Gym Leader is usually there around this time of day." "Just follow the road to the right and you'll find the playground."

"Thanks again Nurse Joy," said Nils and the trio then left the Pokemon Center and started to follow the road to the playground.

"Why would the Gym Leader be at a playground," asked Ren.

"The Gym Leader must have a kid that plays there," guessed Firenze.

The three trainers eventually arrived at the playground and began to search for the Gym Leader.

"Excuse me," said Nils to a man who was pushing a little girl with brown hair that was in pigtails and was wearing purple overalls on a swing, "Do you know where the Gym Leader is?"

"You have already found her," answered the man, "Marnie, it seems that you have a challenger," and the little girl got off of the swing.

"Alright," said the girl whose name was Marnie, "I hope this challenger is fun to battle with because the last one was kind of boring."

"Wait a minute," said Nils, "You're the Gym Leader?"

"Yes I am," answered Marnie, "And I'm very strong despite being very young."

"And I thought Nils was young when it came to getting married," said Firenze.

"Well then," said Marnie's dad let's get our guests to the house and and get you and the challenger ready for the Gym Battle," "How does that sound Marnie?"

"Ok dad," answered Marnie and they all started to go to Marnie's house which her dad revealed had the Gym in the backyard.

"Hey Marnie," said a curious Nils, "How did you become a Gym Leader?"

"That's a story I told lots of challengers and I really enjoy telling it," said Marnie, "You see that tower over there," and Marnie pointed to a tall tower that was kind of far away but still seeable.

"I see it," answered Ren."

"I see it too," said Nils.

"I also see it," said Firenze.

"No one knows who built that tower or why," said Marnie, "However, everyone believed it was a forbidden place." "Many brave trainers went into the tower hoping to learn the truth, but they were all scared away by something that was inside." "One night, I couldn't sleep and decided to sneak out and visit the tower because I thought it could be fun." "When I went into the tower, I became surrounded by several Ghost Type Pokemon." "I learned the trainers that went into the tower before me were all spooked by the Ghost Types and ran away thinking they were gonna get hurt but I figured out that the Pokemon only wanted to play with humans instead of harm them." "So I played with them for a few hours and then went home promising to the Pokemon that I would return every night." "As promised, I returned to the tower and played with the Pokemon there every night and by doing so I became really good friends with them, especially a Misdreavus, a Dusclops and a Gengar." "One night, my parents found out I was gone and after figuring out that I went to the tower, they had a rescue party go there to save me." "However, when the rescue party went in the tower, they found me having so much fun with the Pokemon and realized they were all fools in not figuring out the Pokemon only wanted fun instead of harm." "A few days later, the town rewarded me for my bravery and kindness by opening up the Lavender Gym with the Pokemon League's permission and had me become the Gym Leader after having Misdreavus, Dusclops and Gengar become my Pokemon." "Since then, All kinds of people challenged me to Gym Battles and I proved to be a very strong Gym Leader." "Also, people are now free to visit the tower and play with the Pokemon, some of whom decide to let trainers they become close to catch them."

"That's a cool story," said Ren.

"Is the tower where Rex got his Shuppet," asked Nils

"If you're talking about my last challenger, then yes," answered Marnie, "I remember Shuppet felt bad for him for losing most of his battles and decided to help."

Nils, Ren, Firenze, Marnie and Marnie's dad then arrived at Marnie's house where Nils could easily see the Gym in the backyard. Once the group entered the house, they were greeted by a woman who must of been Marnie's mom.

"Welcome back you two," said Marnie's mom, "I see you have brought guests, did one of them challenge you to a battle Marnie?"

"Sure did mom," answered Marnie.

"Alright then," said Marnie's mom, "But since you just got here, why don't you relax and have some tea and then you can have the Gym Battle?"

"That doesn't sound like a bad Idea," said Firenze.

"Ok then," said Nils and the group were then given tea to drink.