Adventures in Hoenn

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Brendan and Alex VS. Tate and Liza

*Brendan's p.o.v*

The next morning, we went to the Gym. Inside, we saw two kids who were surprisingly about eight years old.

''Are you here to challenge us?'' the boy asked trying to sound intimidating.

''Yes, we are,'' I replied.

''Good,'' the girl said. ''We are Tate and Liza. We specialize in Psychic-type Pokémon and are the only Gym Leaders to feature Double Battles out of all the regions! Who will fight us?''

''Brendan and I will!'' Alex said as she grabbed my wrist and forcing us to stand forward.

''Aw,'' Alex's dad said disappointed.

''Sorry dad,'' Alex said. ''It's just that Brendan and I should fight together so we can earn the seventh badge at the same time. Nothing personal!''

''Okay, go ahead,'' Alex's dad said sadly. Alex skipped over to her dad and kissed him on the cheek in an effort to make him feel better. ''Good luck, you two,'' he said smiling. Alice, May, and Alex's dad then grabbed seats in the stands and Brendan and I made our way to the ring.

''Each person will use two Pokémon each making for a total of four Pokémon on each side,'' Liza explained professionally.

''Wow, they're pretty pro when it comes to running this Gym,'' Alex whispered to me.

''I agree. And they're just eight!'' I commented.

''Hey, I wanted to say that, Liza!'' Tate nagged.

''Well, it's my turn to say it!'' Liza snapped childishly.

''No, it's not!'' Tate complained. The two children then started to bicker amongst each other.

''You know what? I think I take that back,'' Alex said as we dropped sweat.

''Hey, guys! Can you please stop fighting?! We need to battle!'' I yelled trying to stop the two twins. However, the two kids still fought.

''THAT'S ENOUGH!'' a voice yelled from behind us startling the two kids and us. We looked behind us and saw a woman who bore cross look on her face. ''Shameful, you two!'' the woman said.

''MOTHER!'' Tate and Liza said simultaneously.

''You two shouldn't be bickering amongst each other like children,'' Tate and Liza's mother said softening her look. ''Your father would want you to cooperate like professional Gym Leaders don't you think?''

''Y-yes,'' Tate and Liza said looking down at the ground sadly. ''We're sorry.''

''I forgive you,'' their mother said smiling. ''I know that working together isn't always easy but please don't give up, okay?''

''Okay,'' Tate and Liza said cheering up. ''Let's battle!''

''You're on!'' Alex and I said. We threw our Pokeballs summoning Vibrava and Castform while Tate and Liza summoned Xatu and Claydol respectively. Our Pokémon then flew up into the air.

''Vibrava, use Dragonbreath on Xatu!'' Alex commanded. Vibrava fired the attack.

''Xatu, use Light Screen!'' Tate ordered. Xatu protected itself with its shield.

''Claydol, use Psychic on Castform!'' Liza yelled. Claydol fired an energy blast at Castform.

''Dodge it Castform and use Rain Dance!'' I commanded. Castform created a rain storm in the building. ''Now, Weather Ball on Claydol!'' Castform fired a blob of water at Claydol causing it to spin around madly in pain.

''Xatu, Aerial Ace on Castform!'' Tate ordered. Castform was knocked down to the ground by Xatu's tackle.

''You okay, Castform?'' I asked concerned. Castform got up off the ground and floated weakly. I looked up and saw Vibrava trying to fight off both Xatu and Claydol. ''Hang in there, buddy! Use Thunder on Xatu!'' Castform crackled with electric sparks and blasted Xatu with Thunder sending it falling to the ground knocked out.

''Thanks, Brendan! Now Vibrava, Dragonbreath!'' Alex yelled. Vibrava knocked out Claydol with one Dragonbreath and sent Claydol down to the ground to join Xatu. The rain storm then concluded.

''You did well, Liza,'' Tate said as he returned Xatu.

''Thanks and you too, Tate,'' Liza responded as she returned Claydol. Tate and Liza then took out their next Pokémon, Solrock and Lunatone. Alex and I recalled our Pokémon for a well-earned rest. Alex and I then summoned Swampert and Sceptile.

''Swampert, Surf!'' Alex said catching me off guard. Swampert flooded the area with water and created a giant tidal wave. However, the only Pokémon who got hit was my Sceptile since Lunatone and Solrock used Protect.

''Alex, didn't you know that Surf hits your partner as well?'' I asked annoyed.

''S-sorry! I didn't know!'' Alex said embarrassed. Swampert apologized to Sceptile who was tapping his foot impatiently and soaking wet.

''Looks like you two also have to learn about working together!'' Tate taunted.

''You're right,'' Alex said sadly.

''Don't worry, sweetie. We can do it!'' I said to Alex hugging her.

''Thanks, Brendan,'' Alex said before kissing me on the cheek.

''Sceptile, Leaf Blade on Solrock!'' I commanded. Sceptile lunged at Solrock with its leaves extended. However, Solrock torched Sceptile with Flamethrower.

''Swampert, Hydro Pump on Lunatone!'' Alex yelled. Swampert doused Lunatone but Solrock cut off Swampert with Solarbeam. ''Are you okay, Swampert?'' Alex asked concerned. Swampert stood up slowly and gave a thumbs-up while trying to smile.

''This is getting to be a close match,'' I commented.

''Hey Brendan. I have an idea!'' Alex said tapping me on the shoulder. She whispered an idea into my ear.

''I like that idea!'' I said quietly while smiling. Tate and Liza looked at us confused.

''Swampert, Surf!'' Alex commanded. Swampert flooded the area once again.

''Sceptile, ride Swampert!'' I ordered. Sceptile jumped on Swampert's back before the tidal wave rose.

''What are they doing?!'' May asked out loud.

''Protect!'' Tate and Liza yelled. Solrock and Lunatone tried to use Protect but it failed. ''Run away!'' Solrock and Lunatone flew away panicking. The wave crashed down on Lunatone but Solrock escaped.

''Sceptile, Leaf Blade!'' I yelled. Sceptile leapt off of Swampert, dove at Solrock, and slashed it knocking it out.

''No!'' Tate and Liza said surprised. They looked as us and then smiled.

''That was so cool!'' Tate beamed.

''It was!'' Liza added.

''Thanks,'' Alex responded smiling. ''We did it, Brendan!'' Alex cried leaping into my arms.

''You and Swampert were great!'' I said hugging her.

''So were you and Sceptile!'' I complimented. Alice, May, and Alex's dad were cheering happily for us. Tate, Liza, and their mother then came up to us.

''Congratulations, you two,'' their mother complimented. ''Tate, Liza, it's time.''

''With pride, we can now present you two with the Mind Badges,'' Tate said as he and Liza each handed us the Badges.

''Thank you!'' we both said gratefully.

''We're one step closer to the Pokémon League, Brendan! Can you believe it?!'' Alex said to me excitedly.

''I know! It's so cool!'' I answered. Alex then kissed me on the lips causing my face to redden. Everyone then started to laugh. ''Alex, what's gotten into you?'' I asked somewhat embarrassed.

''I can't help it. I love you!'' Alex replied smiling playfully.

''Aw, I love you too, sweetie,'' I said hugging her closely.