The next morning, everyone woke up at Firenze's house and Nils was ready for his long awaited Gym Battle with Firenze. After having breakfast and spending some time at the Pokemon Center to heal Tana and Firenze's Pokemon, Nils, Tana, Ren, Firenze, Blaine and Gordon all went to back to the Gym and once at the battlefield, everyone got to the same positions as they were at the previous day only this time, Nils was on one side of the battlefield while Tana was sitting in the stand.
"The Gym Battle between Firenze, the Gym Leader, and Nils, the challenger will now begin," said Gordon, "Each trainer will use three Pokemon and the battle will be over when all three of a trainer's Pokemon are unable to battle." "Furthermore, only the challenger can substitute."
"Go Magcargo," said Firenze and Magcargo was sent out.
"Go Grumpig," said Nils and Grumpig was sent out. "Use Power Gem," and Grumpig hit Magcargo with the super effective attack.
"Use Ancient Power," said Firenze and Magcargo used the move of choice which not only gave damage to Grumpig but also raised all of Magcargo's stats.
"Try Psybeam," said Nils and Grumpig used the chosen move which Magcargo dodged.
"Use Rockslide Magcargo," said Firenze and Magcargo attacked Grumpig with Rockslide which managed to make Grumpig flinch. "Body Slam," and Magcargo hit Grumpig with the selected attack which paralyzed Grumpig in the process.
"Power Gem Grumpig," said Nils but Grumpig couldn't attack because he was paralyzed.
"Rockslide once more," said Firenze and Magcargo attacked Grumpig with Rockslide which knocked out Grumpig.
"Grumpig is unable to battle," said Gordon, "Magcargo wins."
"It's alright Grumpig, you did fine," said Nils as he returned Grumpig, "Go Machamp," and Machamp was sent out. "Use Low Sweep," and Machamp hit Magcargo with the chosen attack which gave Magcargo super effective damage and lowered his speed as well.
"Use Lava Plume," said Firenze and Magcargo started to use Lava Plume.
"Dodge and use Dynamic Punch," said Nils and Machamp dodged the Lava Plume and then hit Magcargo with Dynamic Punch which knocked down Magcargo and confused him. "Dynamic Punch again before Magcargo gets up," and Machamp did as instructed.
"Try to use Lava Plume Magcargo," said Firenze but Magcargo couldn't attack because of the confusion.
"Low Sweep," said Nils and Machamp used the selected attack which knocked out Magcargo.
"Magcargo is unable to battle," said Gordon, "Machamp wins."
"Not bad Magcargo take a rest," said Firenze as she returned Magcargo, "Go Pyroar," and Pyroar was sent out.
"Use Low Sweep," said Nils and Machamp used the chosen move but Pyroar dodged it.
"Fire Fang," said Firenze and Pyroar used the selected attack which made Machamp flinch, "Hyper Voice," and Pyroar then gave Machamp damage by using Hyper Voice.
"Use Dynamic Punch," said Nils and Machamp charged at Pyroar while preparing Dynamic Punch.
"Hyper Beam Pyroar," said Firenze and before she got hit by Dynamic Punch, Pyroar used Hyper Beam which knocked out Machamp.
"Machamp is unable to battle," said Gordon, "Pyroar wins."
"Nice job Machamp take a good rest," said Nils as he returned Machamp, "Go Zebstrika," and Zebstrika was sent out.
"This is bad," said Tana who was worried for Nils.
"The battle isn't over yet Tana," said Ren, "There's still no telling who's gonna win."
"You're right Ren," said Tana.
"Use Flame Charge," said Nils who was hoping to use speed to win the battle and Zebstrika hit Pyroar, who couldn't move because of Hyper Beam. "Use Flame Charge again," and Zebstrika hit Pyroar with another Flame Charge.
"Use Hyper Voice," said Firenze and Pyroar used the attack that was chosen only for Zebstrika to dodge it.
"Use Thunderbolt," said Nils and Zebstrika used the attack that was selected which caused damage to Pyroar and paralyzed her too.
"Use Overheat," said Firenze who knew she needed to use a powerful attack and Pyroar used Overheat which gave Zebstrika a bunch of damage.
"Thunderbolt," said Nils and Zebstrika used another Thunderbolt which hit Pyroar.
"Fire Fang Pyroar," said Firenze but the paralysis prevented Pyroar from attacking.
"Spark," said Nils but instead of Spark, Zebstrika learned Wild Charge and used it which knocked out Pyroar.
"Pyroar is unable to battle," said Gordon, "Zebstrika wins,"
You did a fine job Pyroar," said Firenze as she returned Pyroar, "Take a good rest." "Go Rapidash," and Rapidash was sent out.
"Use Stomp," said Nils and Zebstrika managed to damage Rapidash who also flinched, "Thunderbolt," and Zebstrika hit Rapidash with Thunderbolt.
"Fire Blast," said Firenze and Rapidash used the chosen attack which Zebstrika easily dodged.
"Wild Charge," said Nils and Zebstrika started to use the attack that was chosen.
"Use Flare Blitz," said Firenze and Rapidash used the selected attack.
Zebstrika and Rapidash who were using their respective moves charged at each other and then crashed into each other causing a lot of damage to both of them.
"Use Thunderbolt from up close," said Nils and Zebstrika started to use the chosen attack.
"Use Fire Blast from up close," said Firenze and Rapidash started using the attack that was selected.
Zebstrika and Rapidash then got hit by the close range Thunderbolt and Fire Blast which gave both of them another huge amount of damage and were then sent flying. After hitting the ground, both Pokemon slowly got up and it was revealed that Zebstrika got burned and Rapidash got paralyzed.
"Use Wild Charge Zebstrika." said Nils who knew he could only attack one more time because of the burn and Zebstrika began using Wild Charge.
"Use Megahorn," said Firenze but Rapidash couldn't use Megahorn because of the paralysis.
Zebstrika then hit Rapidash with Wild Charge and Rapidash was then knocked out.
"Rapidash is unable to battle," said Gordon, "Zebstrika wins which means the winner of this Gym Battle is Nils the challenger."
"Whew," said Nils who returned Zebstrika and then sat down, "That was a close one."
"Yes it was," said Firenze who had walked over to Nils, "But I think that Gym battle was always meant to happen that way ever since you saved me from those Beedrill in Viridian Forest." "By the way, since you won, you shall now be rewarded with the Volcano Badge," and Firenze gave Nils a Volcano Badge.
"You did it Nils," said Tana as she ran over to her fiance excitedly.
"That may have been the most intense battle that has ever happened at this Gym," said Blaine who was happy to have watched the Gym Battle.
"Now you have seven badges," said Ren, "Now you only need one more."
"That's the same number of badges that I need," said Tana, "And I was thinking of challenging the Pewter Gym because I now think I'm strong enough."
"In that case," said Nils as he stood back up, "Maybe I'll challenge that Gym too."
"Then it's settled," said Firenze, "Grandpa, can you take care of the Gym a little longer?"
"I will," answered Blaine, "Infact, I think I should take care of the Gym until after your wedding Firenze."
"That's a great idea Grandpa and thank you for doing it," said Firenze.
"Good luck on the rest of your journey Firenze," said Gordon who hugged Firenze for good luck only to be kissed by his fiance.
"Thanks Gordon," thanked Firenze.
After saying goodbye to Blaine and Gordon, Nils, Tana, Ren and Firenze went back to the port in order to leave for Pewter City.
