After Rex's battle with Misty he had returned to the Pokémon Center and spent another night in the bunk rooms. He woke up that morning and on his way to retrieve his Pokémon he overheard two trainers talking about a challenge at Nugget Bridge so when he received Umbreon, Snivey and Joltik's Pokéballs he also asked about the Bridge. She told him that the Bridge was where a challenge of sorts was held and if any trainer who could beat the five trainers in a row they would receive a prize.

Rex walked toward the golden bridge he had heard about with Torch at his side. He hadn't let Torch stretch its legs lately so he was going to be Rex's go to during this challenge. He crossed the bridge and saw the first trainer. They approached him and said, "Are you here for the challenge? If so I'm number one."

"Okay then let's do this," Rex said, "Torch, you're up."

With only Torch as a partner Rex waded his way through the five trainers and beat them all and Torch hardly broke a sweat. He was told by the fifth trainer that there would be one more person on the path and he would give Rex his prize.

The guy still further down the path waited for Rex to approach him. Rex asked, "You're the one with my prize?"

The boy smiled smugly, "Yeah," he then threw a small golden chunk of metallic rock to Rex, "You're a pretty tough trainer. You up for another battle?"

Rex smiled his confident smile and agreed anxiously, "You bet, but you're gonna lose like the last five."

"Cool. Then let's not waste any time. Go, Rhydon!"

"Torch, go get 'em!"

"Rhydon, Horn Drill!" The Rhydon reared its head and its horn began to rotate faster and faster. It then lowered its head and charged.

"Grab it with Metal Claw!" Torch's claws shined and glossed over with a steely coat. Torch threw its arms up and grabbed the spinning horn stopping Rhydon in its tracks. "Now throw it!" Torch then heaved the giant Pokémon over his head onto its back. The Rhydon couldn't take such a blow and was knocked out.

"Nice battle but I told you I would win," Rex boasted.

"Yeah you did."

Rex sat by the large stream with the prize giving trainer. "Nice Charmeleon you've got there."

"Yeah. Torch is by far my biggest powerhouse. One of his parents is the Charizard of a trainer who beat the Champion."

"That's amazing. Where did you get it?"

Rex told him, "That trainer is from my hometown and was really good friends with the researcher that runs Oak Lab where I got him as a Charmander."

"That's cool," the trainer seemed legitimately impressed, "So where you headed now? Have you already challenged Misty?"

"Yeah she's a little strange. I beat her though. Barely," Rex admitted, "After this I was gonna head up this path and see where it led."

"I'll save you the trouble. After the six of us trainers there isn't much but Bill's cottage."

Rex's interest was piqued at the name Bill, "Wait, is this Bill like in his late twenties shortish brown hair?"

"Yeah he's a researcher and raises Eevee's."

"I know," Rex said, "He and this other guy gave me an egg awhile back. They said I would have to hatch it to find out what it was. That's why I got Torch and started to take Gym challenges. Needless to say it hatched into an Eevee and now I've got this girl here." Rex pulled Umbreon's ball off his belt - Umbreon had been much more comfortable with being in its Pokéball - and let her out.

"Wow, This is one of Bill's. Looks really strong," the trainer was in awe, "I'm sure Bill would love to see how you've raised one of his babies. You should go see him."

"That's what I planned to do. I've got a few things I'd like to say to him."

Rex bid goodbye to his new acquaintance and headed for Bill's cottage. He arrived minutes later and roughly rapped on the door and called, "Hey Billy Boy. Remember me?" Rex was more than a little agitated. He didn't think he'd be seeing this guy anytime soon and although he was happy to have Umbreon and all his Pokémon for that matter, but this guy and that Gary or Blue or whatever just bugged him.

Thank you all so very much for reading.

This is the just the first half of a bigger story arc so be sure to read the next chapter.

This geek is out. Seeya