Robin was more than ready for this battle. "Let's do this!" she said as we entered the gym. The gym was actually not located in a building, but rather it was outside. It was a large courtyard with a battlefield in the center.
As we approached the challenger's area, we saw two women talking to each other. "Elesa?! What are you doing in this gym?" asked Robin surprised. The blond haired girl turned around and saw us.
"Oh, Robin. It's you! I'm just here to talk with Skyla. We are good friends and know each other from way back." replied Elesa.
"But don't you have a gym to run?" asked Robin.
"I'm taking a week off. You can't expect us gym leaders to battle challengers everyday of the year, do you?" asked Elesa.
The red-haired girl, presumably, Skyla, walked over to Robin and asked, "Robin, you say? Are you here to challenge this gym?" she asked. "For I am the gym leader of this gym! I am a flying-specialist." she said.
"Yes, I'd like to challenge this gym. I've been looking forward to this battle." said Robin.
"Ok, then let's get this started." said Skyla as the two walked into the trainer's box on the battlefield.
"Hey, Skyla, I could be the ref if you want. It seems he's not here today." said Elesa. Skyla agreed. "Don't go easy on Robin. She is quite the trainer. But I should let you find out for yourself." said Elesa.
Robin thought for a moment about what pokemon she could use. She looked over at me. "Do you want to battle, John?" she asked.
I don't think I will do too much in this battle. Ask the other pokemon. I recommend that you use Gigalith. He is a rock type and has an advantage.
Elesa walked up to the battlefield and announced, "This will be a three on three battle. When one trainer runs out of pokemon that are able to fight, the other trainer wins. Now, the battle will commence!"
"Alright, Unfezant, come on out!" shouted Skyla.
"Gigalith, you're up first!" shouted Robin.
"Using type advantage right of the bat? You really are prepared." said Skyla. "Unfezant, use razor wind."
Unfezant created a gust with his wings and sent it towards Gigalith. Gigalith held his ground after being hit by the attack. He was unphased.
"Gigalith, use rock slide!" shouted Robin. Gigalith sent a large rocks into the air, however, Unfezant dodged the large boulders with ease. After the attack, Unfezant used Razor Wind again. Because of his massive body, it was almost impossible for Gigalith to dodge any of Unfezant's attacks.
"Alright, keep it up, Unfezant!" said Skyla. "Robin, you might have the type advantage, but that will do you no good if you can't land a hit on my Unfezant. My Unfezant will begin to lower Gigalith's health with each of his far range attacks. This is clearly a one sided battle."
"Try me!" retorted Robin. "You might be right about Gigalith being unable to hit Unfezant, but he has lots of stamina. Your pokemon will tire out first."
"Oh, really?" said Skyla, attempting the challenge. As Unfezant flew about, sending razor wind toward Gigalith, Gigalith still kept his composure. He was still calm and focused on Unfezant, despite the fact that Unfezant was striking him over and over again, and that he could not retaliate.
After a few minutes had passed, Unfezant's razor wind began to lose power. "It looks like your unfezant is running out of energy." said Robin. "And Gigalith is still fine."
'Damn. How sturdy is her gigalith. Unfezant must have used razor wind fifteen times' though Skyla.
Skyla muttered something under her breath and shouted, "Unfezant, use Air Slash to finish it off!" Unfezant dove for the last strike. Surely, Gigalith was probably low on health.
This battle's over. Thought Gigalith. With surprising speed, Gigalith slid out of the way just before Unfezant made contact. There was a surreal moment where time froze and Unfezant was within Gigalith's arm reach.
"Smack down." said Robin. With that, Gigalith slammed his leg down onto Unfezant in that split second sending him crashing onto the ground.
"Unfezant is unable to battle." shouted Elesa.
Skyla stared in amazement. "Wow! That Gigalith dodged the attack with such great speed. You were right, Elesa. Robin seems to be a very challenging opponent." commented Skyla.
"Thanks." said Robin
"My next pokemon will be swoobat!" shouted Skyla as Swoobat appeared on the battlefield. "Swoobat, use heart stamp!" shouted Skyla. Swoobat flew at Gigalith. "Unfezant had very uneffective moves, but Swoobat isn't limited to flying moves. He also knows Psychic." boasted Skyla. "Swoobat, stay away from Gigalith's feet. He can easily crush you there. Aim for his head!"
As Swoobat approached Gigalith with great speed for the attack, Robin said, "Capture swoobat by biting him." said Robin.
"What?!" shouted Skyla in surprise. Swoobat was going so fast that he didn't even notice Gigalith opening his mouth. Swoobat tried to fly away, but Gigalith lounged out and caught Swoobat in between his teeth.
"Now keep him there and use smack down!" shouted Robin. With that, Gigalith threw Swoobat onto the ground and slammed his feet on him. Skyla stared in amazement. Robin had downed two of her pokemon.
"Swoobat is unable to battle!" shouted Elesa.
"Hmm. My third pokemon will turn this battle around. Swanna! Come on out!" shouted Skyla.
"A Water-flying pokemon." said Robin. "Gigalith, watch out!"
"Swanna, use scald!" shouted Skyla. Swanna shot a piping hot stream of water at Gigalith. The attack hit Gigalith right on, and steam appeared everywhere. As the steam cleared, it was clear that Gigalith had fainted.
"Gigalith is unable to battle." said Elesa.
"You did awesome, Gigalith. You should rest now." said Robin as she summoned Gigalith back into her pokeball. She thought long and hard for her next pokemon. She looked up and said, "I thought I could have won this with Gigalith."
"You shouldn't be too confident. All gym leaders have a way to deal with their type's weaknesses." said Skyla.
Robin took out a pokeball and said, "Rufflet, it's your turn!". Rufflet appeared and she was very happy that she was able to get some action. "Rufflet may not be my strongest pokemon, but she hasn't been getting much action lately."
"Swanna, use aerial ace!" shouted Skyla.
"Try to dodge!" shouted Robin. Rufflet was faster than Skyla had expected. Rufflet nearly dodged Swanna's aerial ace.
"Your rufflet is pretty fast." commented Skyla. "Swanna, use air slash."
"Use Razor wind to fend off Swanna!" shouted Robin. However, Swanna flew right through the razor wind and struck Rufflet. "Oh, no! Rufflet, are you ok." asked Robin.
I'm fine, Robin. I can take a hit like that any day Don't you believe in me? Asked Rufflet.
"Yes, I do believe in you. I didn't doubt you one bit. You will win this battle, because I know that is what you are determined to do." said Robin. Rufflet recovered from the hit and flew toward Swanna.
"Swanna, use scald!" shouted Skyla. Swanna shot a stream of hot water, but Rufflet looped around the attack easily.
"Use wing attack!" shouted Robin. Rufflet successfully struck Swanna.
"Swanna, don't let Rufflet go. Use aerial ace!" shouted Skyla. With that, Swanna retaliated right back and struck Rufflet, sending her back hitting the ground.
As Rufflet hit the ground, a large amount of dust flew in the air. Swanna really packs a punch. Said Rufflet.
Robin shouted, "Rufflet, you can do it! You said you were strong, yourself. You can overcome Swanna. I believe in you, but you should also believe in yourself!" said Robin. Rufflet gave a last screech of determination, and then we saw a blue light emanate from inside the dust cloud. When the dust cleared, in Rufflet's place was a large Braviary.
"Rufflet, evolved?" Skyla said with surprise.
"Braviary, I don't think I even have to know what new moves you learned. I have a feeling." said Robin. Braviary flew up into the sky, eyeing Swanna.
"Swanna, quick! Attack with aerial ace!" shouted Skyla.
"Braviary, use Brave Bird!" shouted Robin. Braviary let out a loud screech as she dove towards swanna. Braviary was traveling at such a fast speed that Swanna barely traveled half distance before Braviary landed the hit. When Swanna was struck, she fell all the way down and collapsed onto the ground.
"Swanna is unable to battle! Because Skyla no longer has pokemon that can battle, Robin, the challenger, is the victor!" shouted Elesa.
"Yes!" Robin jumped up with joy as Braviary flew to her. "You did wonderful! And it's so great that you are now a braviary!"
Well, it was thanks to you Robin. You gave me the determination. Said Braviary.
"Oh, and also…" Robin released Gigalith. "Gigalith, you also did a lot of work, so thank you as well. Thanks to the both of you. You both did an outstanding job today!" said Robin.
Skyla walked up to Robin and her pokemon. "Robin, you beat me by a mile! You are almost overqualified for this badge, but here you go, you are now in possession of the Jet badge!"
"Thank you so much!" said Robin happily as she accepted the badge.
Elesa walked up and said, "Wow, Robin. You improved a lot from when we fought at Nimbasa City. How many badges do you have now?"
"Um, six in counting. I plan to go to Icirrus City gym next." said Robin.
"Well, I wish you luck on your journey." said Elesa.
Robin bid the two gym leaders farewell, as she summoned all her pokemon back into her pokeballs and walked to her bike.
As we left Mistralton City, Robin stopped at a clearing and released all her pokemon.
"John, Emboar, Gigalith, Braviary, Krokorok, and Fraxure, our next gym will be an ice gym. Do any of you want to fight in the battle?"
Everyone was hesitant, but Fraxure stepped up immediately and said, I would like to fight in that gym battle.
"But you're a dragon type. You will be at a serious disadvantage." said Robin.
That's besides the point. I like challenges and I haven't battled once ever since I started traveling with you. I'm ready for some action. Said Fraxure.
Robin smiled and said, "If that's what you want, I will be glad to help train you for the battle." said Robin as we started another training session. It was nice. All of Robin's pokemon were evolving and getting stronger. Everyone was evolving, everyone…..except me.