Before we arrived at Nimbasa, Robin stopped again in the desert and trained all of us. She released everyone and allowed us to spare each other. When we were occupied with training, a wild sandile attempted to steal Robin's bag and bike. Rufflet caught the little thief and brought him back to Robin. Robin didn't want to hurt him, but she believed a punishment was in order, so she said that the sandile had to be her pokemon for a week. Sandile reluctantly obliged to Robin and that is how Robin ended up with a fifth pokemon, or at least a temporary one.
Nimbasa City was a very loud and crowded city. There were all kinds of attractions and showcases. People were hustling and bustling around to get to different places. "You smell that, John? That is the smell of pure excitement. Nimbasa City is just as crazy as I had expected." said Robin.
We walked down the street and came upon a large building that was labeled as the Electric gym. "Electric, huh? Good thing I have Sandile." said Robin. We walked inside and saw that the gym was rather very sporty, and lots of people were gathered in the building. This gym's atmosphere was different than other gyms. "Why are there so many people here?" asked Robin.
We squeezed through a bunch of people and walked through a set of double doors, which led to a large stadium. The stadium was packed with people cheering. The center of the stadium was the battlefield. "Challengers have to fight with people watching!" shouted Robin as she realized that a gym battle was taking place. "I don't think I can do this, John. I never had an audience while battling." she said.
Don't worry, Robin. Audience or no audience, it should not change the way you battle. Plus, they can help cheer you on and give you more confidence. I reassured.
"Bisharp is unable to battle. The gym leader, Elesa, has won another victory!" shouted the ref. The stadium roared at the sound of the gym leader's win.
"It seems that these people are fans of Elesa, not the challenger." said Robin. She shook her head and then said, "Well, that doesn't matter! I will try my best, for I'm here to win my fourth badge!"
We walked back to the previous room and Robin told the lady behind the counter, "I'll be challenging this gym! My name is Robin."
"Ok, I registered your name. When you are called, please report to the stage to battle Elesa." said the lady. We returned to the large room.
The announcer shouted, "The next challenger is trainer named Robin!". Robin left me on the bike and walked to the battlefield.
"You can rest up, John. I won't be needing you, today." she said. When she got to the trainer's box, she said to Elesa, "Hi, I'm very excited to be here. I'm looking forward to an awesome battle." said Robin.
"Robin, that is such a nice name. Well, you're in luck. I will provide you with a challenging and jolting battle. We can't allow every trainer that steps foot in this gym to win a badge." said Elesa. "So, are you ready?" she asked Robin.
"Yes!" Robin replied.
"Alright! Tynamo, you're up first!" said Elesa as a little, white, tadpole pokemon appeared.
"Rufflet, come on out!" shouted Robin.
"That is an odd choice. You do realize that electric is effective against flying." said Elesa.
"Yeah, I know. It's just that I haven't gave Rufflet much to do ever since I took her in, so I think she is dying for some action. Right, rufflet?" Robin asked.
Right, thank you for the chance. Replied Rufflet.
"Alright. Tyname, use charge beam." said Elesa.
The little tynamo sent a blast of electric energy towards Rufflet.
"Rufflet, dodge!" shouted Robin. Rufflet was swift and managed to dodge the beam in a nick of time. "Now, use aerial ace!" shouted Robin. Rufflet dove down toward tynamo with great speed and was able to cut through him with her attack.
"Your rufflet has great speed." complemented Elesa. "But my Tynamo is fast as well."
"Rufflet, use wing attack!" shouted Robin.
"Dodge!" shouted Elesa. Tynamo was indeed fast, for it seemed to have jumped across the whole battlefield when it dodged Rufflet's wing attack. "Now, use shock wave!" shouted Elesa. The tynamo sent a wave of electricity that shot out in all directions. Rufflet was not able to dodge and was hit square on.
"Rufflet, are you alright? That must have been very effective." asked Robin.
I'm fine! Focus on the battle. Said the Rufflet.
"This time, use aerial ace!" shouted Robin. Rufflet flew towards Tynamo, ready for attack. Tynamo zoomed out of the way. Robin had expected this and said, "Follow him!". Rufflet made a sharp turn and continued to dive toward the tynamo.
"Keep on dodging!" shouted Elesa. But Rufflet seemed to have taken the upper hand. She was faster than tynamo and after a few dodges, Tynamo was in reach. Rufflet struck Tynamo and it fell to the floor.
"Tynamo is unable to battle!" shouted the ref. I began to hear the crowd chanting, "Robin! Robin! Robin!"
"That is interesting. Using Rufflet's to speed as an advantage. You knew if I could not attack, it would not matter what type your pokemon was." said Elesa. "Emolga, it's your turn!"
"Emolga, use quick attack!" shouted Elesa. Without warning, Emolga struck Rufflet. They had not seen it coming.
"Rufflet, use wing attack!" shouted Robin.
"Use Volt Switch!" shouted Elesa. Emolga blasted a shot at top speed toward Rufflet. Rufflet could not dodge in time and she was hit. She crashed onto the floor.
"Rufflet is unable to battle!" shouted the ref.
"You did awesome, Rufflet. Now rest up." said Robin. "Boldore, I chose you!" shouted the Robin. Robin waited.
"Ok, then. Use quick attack!" shouted Elesa. However, as Emolga flew towards boldore, Robin smiled in triumph.
"Boldore, use smack down!" shouted Robin as boldore used a rock and smashed Emolga to the floor in mid-flight.
"Emolga is unable to battle!" shouted the ref. The crowd cheered even louder. They were actually supporting Robin!
Elesa was surprised. "Wow, you are quite the trainer, Robin. You knew that Boldore was slow, so the only way you could attack was if Emolga got up close to you. Nice thinking." complemented Elesa. "Alright, Zebstrika, it's your turn!"
"The problem with boldore is that he is helpless against far range attacks." said Elesa. "Zebstrika, use spark!" With that, Zebstrika released a burst of electric energy towards boldore.
"Boldore, dodge!" shouted Robin. Boldore responded immediately, but interpreting the situation, he kicked up sand from the ground. The sand particles were able to block some of the electricity, making the move weaker, but it still hit boldore. However, Zebstrika dashed through the dust cloud with flame charge and hit Boldore square on, sending him back a few feet.
"You have a smart boldore, Robin. But my Zebstrika can also think on his feet." said Elesa.
"Boldore, use rock blast." Shouted Robin. Zebstrika was able to dodge all the rocks with great ease.
"Flame charge makes the pokemon who used it faster." said Elesa. "Now, use spark again!" Zebstrika shot another ball of electricity toward boldore. He didn't react in time and he took the blow.
"Oh no! Are you alright?" asked Robin. Boldore had fainted.
"Boldore is unable to battle!" shouted the ref. The crowd was now quiet. This was a really close match.
I think I knew what Robin was thinking. She could not use Pignite, for he does not have an advantage and he is too slow compared to Zebstrika. So that leaves…
"Sandile, come on out!" shouted Robin. But she was wary. "Sandile, are you willing to fight in this battle for me?" asked Robin.
I really don't care. I just want this week to be over. Said the sandile with attitude.
"How about this. If you win this battle for me, I'll shorten your term by two days." said Robin
Sandile seemed satisfied with this deal and agreed to listen to Robin. "Alright, Sandile, use sand attack!" shouted Robin. Sandile kicked up a decent amount of sand toward Zebstrika.
"Looks like I can't use electric moves. Zebstrika, don't let the sand get in your eye. Use quick attack!" shouted Elesa. Zebstrika maneuvered through the sand, but it was hard to locate sandile
"Now sandile! Yes sand tomb!" shouted Robin. All the sand in the air collapsed onto Zebstrika.
"Use flame charge to free yourself!"shouted Elesa. Zebstrika let out a burst of flame as it forced the sound off of its body and dashed towards Sandile. Sandile did not dodge in time and was knocked onto his side.
"Sandile! Are you ok?" asked Robin. Sandile did not know how to respond to that. No one ever asked him of his well being ever, especially in the wild.
I'm not doing this for you! I'm doing this for my two-day deduction. Said Sandile. But it seemed that Robin's concern for him had affected him more than he realized.
"Use flame charge again!" shouted Elesa. Sandile braced himself and determination as Zebstrika was charging at him for the final blow. Sandile began to glow and change. Robin stared in disbelief as a sandile she had caught just yesterday, was already evolving. When the light disappeared, Krokorok now stood in his place. Zebstrika charged into Krokorok and sent him back a few feet. But since his body was bigger, he was able to take the hit without fainting.
I can now use earthquake! Informed Krokorok.
"Krokorok, use Earthquake!" shouted Robin. Zebstrika had nowhere to run and had to take the hit. The whole arena shook. After a good ten seconds, everything settled down and krokorok was facing a collapsed Zebstrika.
"Zebstrika is unable to battle! Robin is the victor of the match!" shouted the ref. The crowd cheered so loud that I thought my ears were going to fall off. Robin jumped with joy as she was going to go and hug krokorok, but he gave her the stare for her to back off, which stopped Robin. She let out all her pokemon and said, " You all did great today. I want to show you guys that our newest member, Sandile…..I mean Krokorok now, was able to take the victory for the battle!"
All the other pokemon congratulated him as Elesa walked up to Robin. "As promised, here is the Bolt Badge. You done a fantastic job. I'm sure you will continue to improve and make it to the league." said Elesa.
"Thank you very much" said Robin as she accepted the badge. I sat from the bike and I was happy for her. She was halfway there to the league. As I was getting ready to join in her and the rest of her pokemon, I woman had walked up behind me and began pushing the bike towards the battlefield.
Hey, who are you?! I said surprised. Of course, she did not understand me. As this mysterious woman pushed the bike with me on it towards Robin. Robin turned around and saw the woman pushing her bike toward her.
"Mom?!" she yelled in shock.