Chapter 4: Vs. Emeras Gym Leader Aera

York sat outside if the Emerald Sky Hotel with Sydney. He intertwined his fingers and looked down at the ground. Sydney was looking up at the sky. Star was perched on the edge of the bench, and Copy turns into various Pokémon it saw walking by.

"This… Is a problem." York finally said.

"I mean, there are other hotels and stuff in the city."

York looked over at his friend. "You really want to stay in some crappy motel?"

"If it comes down to it." She said with a sigh. "If you didn't decide to stay at such an expensive hotel yesterday, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"I'm sorry."

"Hey, Star," She looked at her. The Pokémon looked at her and then turned away. Sydney glowered at her. "Stubborn bird. Either you help York win so we can leave today."

"To make it worse, we have to buy camp supplies."

"You're right." Sydney looked into the road. "At least we have Colonel. He'll make this easy."

Upon hearing her words, Star sat down next York, an angry look on her face.

Her trainer rubbed her head. "There's nothing to be upset about, Star. You'll do just fine." He stood and stretched. Star flew onto his shoulder. "You wanna go get our camp stuff so we can leave as soon as I'm done?"

"Nah, I'll watch. It's your first gym battle after all." She got off of the bench. "Copy, we're leaving." It stopped transforming and leapt onto her hand, sliding up her arm until resting on her shoulder.

"Hey, Syd?"

"What is it?"

"When we went in earlier, you got angry at me for shouting out. What should I do this time to avoid that?"

She crossed her arms. "Do you have to ask? Go up to someone and ask like a civilized human being!"

"Okay, I'll do just that."

York stood nervously in front of the gym. Sydney looked at him and sighed. "What's the matter? Nervous? Or maybe you think you're going to screw up the battle request again."

"Actually, I am."

She rubbed her temples. "Come on!"

She grabbed his wrist and marched inside. She pushed him towards the young man who was working behind a desk. York walked up to him and cleared his throat.

"Excuse me, sir. I'd like to battle the Gym Leader. Is she available at the moment?"

"Of course." He stepped away from the desk. "This way, please." The two followed him to the back of the gym, where Aera was on the ground playing with her Growlithe. "Gym leader, you have a challenger."

"Oh?" She stood up. "I see you're back. That was quick."

"I know, but we're kinda in a hurry." He explained.

"Okay, then. Let's head to the battlefield then."

The group of four went to the back where a large battlefield was. York stood at one end of the battlefield. Sydney sat down on a bench, and the man stood between the two.

There was a number pad on the wall and Aera inputted a code. A panel opened, with 12 Pokéballs on it.

"How many badges do you have right now?" She asked.

"Huh? Oh, this will be my first one!"

"Got it!" She took three of them from the rack and inputted another code. The rack closed and she walked over to the opposite side of the field.

"This battle will be three on three!" Announced the man. "It will end when either side is out of usable Pokémon or one side resigns! Both sides can substitute Pokémon as they please! Begin!"

York glanced at Star. "Want to give it a try?" She nodded eagerly and flew off of his shoulder.

"Come on out, Swablu!" Aera tossed a Pokeball and the small blue pokemon emerged, flapping its white cotton wings. "Let's start this off with Round!"

The small pokemon opened it's mouth and began singing at an extreme volume. Star stopped flapping to cover her ears and fell to the ground. York and Sydney covered their eyes as well. Copy was busy dancing on the bench.

When the singing stopped, Aera and the referee seemed unfazed.

"Ah…!" Exclaimed Sydney. "That hurt! How are you two okay after that?"

"After you hear it so much, you get used to it." Replied a proud Aera, a hand on her hip. "Swablu, now use Fury Attack!"

The pokemon dived towards her and she took to the sky. It reared up and began pursuing her.

"Star!" Called York." Double Team!"

At his command, several shadows formed around her. She circled around and went straight for her opponent. The Starly that Swablu collided with vanished and she rammed into it from behind.

"Brave Bird!"

She turned sharply and began to dive. When turned sharply toward the ground and sped towards Swablu, which remained on the ground. It took a deep breath and used Round once more. The high pitched shrill made Star lose her focus and fall onto the ground. Swablu flew over to her and used to Fury Attack it had missed previously.

York shifted on his feet. "Star!" She swatted Swablu away and shook her head. "Are you alright?" She put up a wing in reassurance. "Good! If you can keep going, use Take Down!"

"You too, Swablu!"

The two pokemon rammed into each other and knocked each other back. Swablu charged again, but Star used Double Team again. All of the Starlys dove down towards Swablu, which stood in fear of the mass of pokemon heading straight for it. Upon impact, there was a large cloud of smoke.

Aera called into the cloud. "Swablu!" There was no response. When the cloud cleared, Star stood next to Swablu, which lay unconscious.

She held a pokeball towards Swablu and the red light enveloped and returned it to its capsule.

"You did good. Togetic, let's finish what Swablu started!" She tossed her second pokeball and as she said, a Togetic emerged. "Use Fairy Wind!"

Togetic began waving it's arm, and a breeze began blowing. It grew stronger and stronger, until it blew her back. She hit the ground hard and laid unconscious.

"Star!" York returned her to her pokeball. "You did really for for your first battle." She sent out Colonel, who brandished his blade arms. "It's up to you, pal."

"It's your Pawniard." Noted Aera. "It might be a problem. But Togetic might be able to handle it. Sweet Kiss, Togetic!"

The Fairy-Type Pokemon began flying towards Colonel, who dodged out of the side. His arms began shining and he lunged at Togetic. His strike threw it to the ground. It got up and gave Colonel a charming look, stopping him in his tracks.

"Ignore it, Colonel! Keep using Metal Claw!"

He shook his head and kept up his attack on Togetic. The flying Pokemon used it's ability to fly to it's advantage. As Togetic showed signs of defeat, Aera sighed.

"I wasn't expecting a novice to use a Steel-Type. Togetic wasn't too effective. Alright, Togetic, use Yawn! We'll take him out while he dozes off!"

Togetic flew in front of Colonel and opened it's mouth. A large yawn enveloped Colonel and it began wobbling. He lashed out and Togetic was sent flying back.

"You did good, Togetic!" Aera held the unconscious Togetic's pokeball and returned it. "Butterfree, let's finish this!"

The butterfly pokemon emerged from its capsule and began flapping it's wings, looking down at its opponent from the sky.

"This is it." Said Aera. "I hope you won't mind when you lose."

"I won't! Colonel, let's- huh?" York looked towards Colonel, who had fallen over onto his back. "Oh, crap. Colonel, wake up, buddy!"

York's calls did nothing, and Colonel lay on the ground, continuing to sleep. Butterfree landed on the ground and walked over to him. When it arrived, it began nudging him.

"Come one!" Shouted York. "Now you're just rubbing salt in the wound!"

"York, calm down!" Called Sydney from the sidelines. "You have a pokedex, don't you?! Use it!"

York pulled out his Pokedex as she said. "What moves can Butterfree use are harmful to Pawniard?"

Like earlier outside of Emeras, the pokedex searched, and eventually a picture of Butterfree appeared, the blue featureless face in the corner and a list off to the side.

"All of the moves Butterfree can learn naturally are rather harmless to Pawniard. Silver Wind and Bug Buzz are the most dangerous. Moves learned by Technical Machines are also rather harmless."

"Hear that?" Sydney asked. "There's nothing to worry about!"

"I feel better. Colonel!"

Butterfree flew up into the air and began flapping it's wings. A silver colored wind began battering Colonel, pushing him around.

"Colonel!"

The Pokemon opened his eyes and jumped up. He shook his head. He stared Butterfree down, and appeared to have teleported, having moved slightly. Butterfree fell out of the sky. He began charging at Butterfree.

"Night Slash!" A Dark Aura surrounded his arms and he lunged at Butterfree.

Butterfree flew up and used Silver Wind again. In retaliation, Colonel used Aerial Ace again, and Butterfree plummeted. He followed up with Night Slash, and Butterfree fainted.

"The battle goes to the challenger!" Yelled the referee.

Aera returned Butterfree. "You just weren't ready for him, I guess. I'll make sure to reward you all later." She returned to the number pad and returned the pokeballs. She closed the rack, and a small panel ejected from the wall.

"Your reward." She handed him a badge shaped like a butterfly. "It's the Highfly Badge. Your first step towards the Kinsei League."

"Thank you!" He looked At Colonel. "We did it!" The two high fived. "The Highfly Badge is mine!"

"You know where the other gyms are, right?"

"Yeah, I do. Thank you for the battle."

"Anytime. It's my job after all." She noticed York glancing at the wall. "There's no need to worry. IHPHA installed healing machines into our walls to heal our pokemon whenever we return them. Well, York, good luck on your journey."

"Huh?" He chuckled. "You know my dad, right?"

"Yeah, we both work for the IPCTA. Don't be surprised if other people recognize you." She told him. "Good luck on the road."

Sydney stood from the bench and the two left the gym.

They exited the Pokemon Center, each carrying an extra bag. These bags were full of camping supplies that the two would use on their trip to their next destination. According to Melanie, the closest gym was in Aeren Town, to the east.

"I'm going to try to get Star some training while we're on the road." York said.

"Good luck with that, man." She looked up at the sky. The sun was starting to set. "We should start going. We could get out of the city a ways and set up camp."

"Alright." He began walking towards the east gate. "Let's get going!" Sydney followed after him.