"Professor, are Lillie and Ark going to be meeting up before we leave?" Mallow asked.

"I don't think so." Professor Kukui admitted. "Ark's intuition was correct, and we found his mother and younger sister. They are staying with them until Lusamine will meet Ashton's family."

"Ashton? Is that Ark's actual name?" Lana asked.

"Yes, that was the name he was given." Professor Kukui explained.

"For now, we're heading to our next stop. We have a quick bus ride to Celadon City, where you kids will have a chance to battle against an actual gym leader." Professor Kukui said.

"Alright!" Kiawe exclaimed excitedly.

A few hours later

"Alright kids, we're here." Professor Kukui said, as they approached a large building.

"Incredible, this is a Pokemon stadium!" Mallow exclaimed.

"Not all of it, most of its a garden, as well as teaching areas, and a processing area." A woman in a kimono said.

"Kids meet Lady Erika, she's been kind enough to offer her gym for some matches today." Professor Kukui said.

"I'm always happy to teach young trainers." Erika said. "Come in, I'll show you around."

"Oh wow, this garden is amazing!" Mallow said, as Rowlet flew out of her bag. "Steenee, you have to see this!"

"Mallow wait!" Professor Kukui called out as another of his students ran off.

"Not to worry Professor, she's actually heading to another class that's here." Erika said. "She has a love of grass, doesn't she?"

"You could say that." Lana sighed.

"Then allow her to explore, as for you three, I have something special planned." Erika said, leading them to an open arena. "So do you three know the rules of double battles?" Erika asked.

"Yes ma'am." The three remaining students responded.

"Wonderful! So we will be having two matches, one of you alone against me, and the other two will face me in a double battle." Erika said.

"So what do you guys think?" Kiawe asked.

"You should fight her alone, if she uses grass types, you'd have an advantage." Sophocles pointed out.

"But what about Lana, water types aren't great against grass types.

"Don't worry about me." Lana said. "I'll use Lapras and Ice Beam."

"And with Charjabug, we might even win!" Sophocles declared.

"Okay Lady Erika, we've decided." Lana said. "Sophocles and I will face you in a double battle!"

"Very well then, I suppose I should let you meet your opponents." Erika said, pulling two Pokeballs out of her sleeve. "Gloom, come out!"

"Two on one, even I know this'll be easy." Lana said.

"Before we begin, allow me!" Rotomdex said, "Gloom, the Weed Pokemon, a Grass and Poison type. It smells incredibly awful! However, one out of a thousand people are said to enjoy this nose bending stink." Rotomdex explained.

"Charjabug come on out and use String Shot!" Sophocles commanded.

"Lapras I choose you! Use Ice Beam!" Lana called out.

"Gloom dodge them and use Sludge Bomb!"

Gloom easily spun and leapt out of the way of the two attacks, before launching a spray of acidic goop at both of their opponents.

"Lapras use Body Slam!"

"Charjabug use Dig!"

Charjabug dove underground, at Lapras sped forward towards the Gloom.

"Gloom use Moon Blast!"

A burst of pink light shot out from Gloom's flower, engulfing Lapras as she neared the grass type.

"You forgot about us. Charjabug now!" Sophocles called out.

"Gloom use Petal Dance!"

Charjabug launched out of the ground, only for him and the recovering Lapras to be attacked by a barrage of spinning petals, knocking them both back towards their trainers.

"The two of you did wonderfully." Erika said, calling the battle to an end. "No wonder you are students of the Pokemon School."

"Thanks, but we're not exactly the top battlers in our class." Lana admitted.

"We aren't the bottom either." Sophocles stated.

"Weak and strong, are only words uninformed trainers use. Strength is relative to each Pokemon individually." Erika admitted. "You aren't bad trainers, you simply need more experience."

"Feels like a roundabout way of saying we're weak." Lana commented.

"Well, I'm also a rank four gym leader." Erika admitted, "I am no pushover in battle either."

"That's yet to be seen." Kiawe said. "My name's Kiawe, a passionate fire type trainer."

"Well Kiawe, if that's the case, meet my Ace Pokemon. Venusaur let's go!" Erika called out, tossing a Luxury Ball out.

"Rotom?" Kiawe asked.

"Gladly. Venusaur, the Seed Pokemon, a Grass and Poison Type. The flower on it's back catches the sun's rays. The sunlight is then absorbed and used for energy." Rotomdex explained.

"Venusaur huh, then I'll choose Charizard!" Kiawe called out.

"Venusaur use Sludge Bomb!"

"Charizard use Flamethrower!"

Charizard took to the air, shooting off a stream of flames, destroying the sludge bomb before it could even get close.

"Now use Air Slash!"

"Venusaur use Return!"

Charizard and Venusaur rushed at each other, slamming into one another before being launched backwards.

"Charizard use Flamethrower!"

"Venusaur use Power Whip!"

Venusaur launched out vines that snaked right past the flames, slamming Charizard back into the ground.

"Now to unleash our full power!" Erika said, the sleeve of her kimono falling up, revealing a strange ring.

"What is that?!" Lana exclaimed.

"Venusaur it's time to mega evolve! Take bloom into a new more powerful form!" Erika called out.

Venusaur was engulfed in a rainbow light as its form began to change.

"Charizard stop them quickly! Use Inferno Overdrive with the full power of Wela Volcano!"

Flames shot out from Charizard's maw and tail, sending a blast of energy at the glowing Venusaur, once the flames and light finally died down, Venusaur was still standing, amazingly.

"Uh oh." Kiawe admitted.

"Venusaur use Sludge Bomb!"

Kiawe was helpless as he stood by watching the last of Charizard's energy get destroyed as the flying type fell to the ground in defeat.

"I'm impressed Kiawe, you put up a great fight." Erika said. "Even for such a young trainer, going that long against Venusaur is no easy feat."

"Thanks, and here I though Charizard would have the advantage." Kiawe admitted.

"Types Can often be decieving." Erika stated. "Remember that in your upcoming battles."