Despite all proposed explanations, theories, and research, the so called type chart has little grounding in modern physics. Some do act as expected- steel is highly resistant to poison because it has no body to be poisoned- to the point that for most battling purposes the Pokémon are immune. Similarly, normal attacks of the body are unlikely to break through modern alloys, and our machinery can shatter rocks. Rocks and ground being weak to water is also sensible, although many question why rocks aren't weak to ice. Others, however, have only the slightest grounding in thermodynamics.

The idea that the fire of anything short of a Charizard could melt through steel armor is laughable. The weaker fire types often struggle to light a campfire, much less rival the modern blast furnaces used in the melting of steel. However, steel types display a terrible immersion and fear to heat attacks of any sort. In addition, there is much confusion surrounding the so called "ghost" type…

- Unova University's battle studies course, first day lecture

After the incident was dealt with, I set off towards Nacrene City- the source of my next gym badge. The journey itself was mostly uneventful- while we had a bit or a trouble with a Swoobat. Thanks to its ability simple, it was easily able to keep up with and even surpass my Servine with calm mind and its flying type. Luckily, Kusanagi was able to perform a last minute Pursuit to bypass the defenses and get a KO. I wasn't aware Servine could learn that, but according to the Pokedex, it's one of the more common egg moves.

When I arrive at the town, Cheren is already there. He always seems to beat me places- I think he's avoiding fights on the route.

"Come with me a sec."

Cheren then confidently sets out into the city. After 6 turns, 3 entrances I could have sworn were cul de sacs but weren't until we reach the center.

"Ok, spill. How did you just pull that off?"

I'm pretty surprised. How the heck did he find this out? Pulling my leg like this over me is pretty classic Cheren, but I'm surprised he's familiar enough with the town to pull it off.

"I… might have gotten lost, ok? And then found my way to the pokemon center."

He scratches his head a bit embarrassed, as I just give him a look.

"Are you for real? How long have you even been here?"

"Don't worry, you aren't that far behind me."

As he says this, I notice he's smirking. Dangit, I walked straight into that one.

"You know that that's not what I meant… whatever. Let's just check in."

This time, I'm not as interested in the sights. Maybe its strange, but spending my time looking isn't as important this time. Maybe it's just because it's not the first one I saw?

No, that's definitely not it. In this case, I'm just excited for the gym battle.

The gym is inside a museum this time; I think I'm starting to see a theme. It just northeast of the pokecenter as well, which is super convenient…

Hey, its N!

"What are you doing here? I thought… I thought you didn't like pokemon to battle."

" I'm not here for the gym, I'm here for the museum, for the knowledge. I... want to see things no one can see. The truths of Pokémon inside Poké Balls. The ideals of how Trainers should be. And a future where Pokémon have become perfect... Do you feel the same?"

Wow, that's pretty deep. I'm not sure why he's talking to me about this, but it's obviously something important to him. I'm not much for philosophy or debating ideas on something other than their practicality, but luckily this is something I feel strongly about.

"Yes, I do N. Knowing things, learning the truth- there's nothing wrong with that. To find new, surprising things is why I'm on this journey to begin with."

"Is that so? I think my friends and I should test you to see if you can see this future, too. Prepare yourself, Black."

N grins and snaps his hand, and a pidove dives down off a nearby roof. Is understanding pokemon truly that robust? How much if this was prepared beforehand?

"Go, Mizaru!"

In an instant, I can see that I just got lucky. Terribly lucky. The pidove is fast, extremely so- I can barely keep track of it, and I'm not even in the battle. Panpour is even worse off, obviously. To be honest, the only reason he's still in the fight is that the attacks are somewhat undisciplined. I have to do something, and fast.

"Mizaru, Bubblebeam! Clear a space in front of you!"

Pidove attempts to cut through, but the sheer amount of bubbles forces it back. We have some breathing room, at least. Now, how to turn this around…

"Mizaru, play nice!" With any luck, the pidove will be rather less reluctant to attack.

"Pidove, I believe in you! Don't fall prey to their tricks."

Ah yes, (s)he has a trainer. This could be a problem. Hopefully, however, it will last long enough.

"Take

careful aim… and fire a water gun!"

Upon the cold water hitting its face, the pidove immediately snaps out of it. Its movements, however, are slowed- upon closer look, it's soaked. Hopefully, It'll be enough for us to pull ahead.

As it turns out, It really isn't. N's pidove is very strong, and I just haven't rained Mizaru anywhere close to enough for it to be on that level. Well, here goes nothing.

"Servine, come on out! Start it off with a vine whip, and don't let it move!"

This is really my only chance. If it gets moving, I essentially lose- while Servine are faster than Pidove, that fact won't save Kusanagi forms it's super effective attacks. Suddenly, an idea strikes me.

"Kusanagi, Glare!" With any luck, the bird will be held in place, and we'll be able to take it out. Well, not luck, it will stand still. The question is whether I have trained him enough, and how N will respond. Of course, Kusanagi can't do much else right now. If a pokemon moves while holding an attack like that, the opponent has a chance to break free if their attention wavers. Now what attacks….

"Leech Seed!"

"Pidove, I know you can do it! Charge a sky attack, and power your way out!"

Just what does he think he's pulling? He can't just make his pokemon stronger by talking to them…

But he can give commands disguised as encouragement. Or maybe as encouragement, I don't know. If I didn't think it was unintentional, I'd have to applaud that as genius. Still, regardless what he may or may not be thinking, I need to do something. The Sky attack can and will bust it right out, which means…

"Release the glare, and blind it with a leaf tornado! When that hits,,. get out of there!"

The moment the glow faded from Kusanagi's eyes, Pidove was off like a shot. The leaves hit it nearly instantly, but barely slow it down. Its enough, though; sky attack is hardly guided fire, especially with the amount of power that went into that one. Kusanagi is more than fast enough to dodge it. No, the problem here is escaping the aftermath.

"Pidove, wing attack. One good hit is all we need"

"Magical leaf, now! Don't let it get close!"

Pidove flies easily through the leaves, but is unable to dodge the homing projectiles. They hit the bird with grace that belies their power. Despite the resistance of flying type pokemon to grass attacks, between this, the leaf tornado, the leech seeds, and the earlier attacks… its looking pretty battered. Now, how to capitalize on that? I know!

"Use vine whip leaf tornado, once more, and the ride the spinning leaves!"

N seems surprised, and I smirk. That would be an excellent move to use here… if we could. As it is, however, it'll keep him guessing.

"Fly up into the top of the attack! Don't let give him more time to tire you out"

Luckily, he doesn't seem to suspect a ruse, and Pidove goes flying straight into Kusanagi's strongest grass attack, head first, and takes a lot of damage before coming out the other end, confused. Just as it thought it had escaped, however, more magical leaves stuck it down.

Is… Is that it? Did we just win? Well, ok. I won't look at a gift horse in the mouth.

N rushes over to the pidove and picks it up. Thankfully, it seems alright- I' not sure what he would do if I hurt it.

"I'm sorry, but it looks like I will be requiring your help. Will you aid me?"

"Timburr, timburr."

Oh, shoot.

The first thing I notice as it charges at Kusanagi is that it's slow. The second thing I notice, as it hits the ground with its log, is that it's strong. Even though the attack missed, I can see Kusanagi struggling to stay standing. Time to get some space, then.

"You can power through it, just get in close"

"Razor leaf, at the face. Stay out of its range; that's going to hurt if it hits."

Kusanagi is a lot faster, which is great; however, despite having evolved it's much less powerful. While we can dodge the attacks with reasonable ease, staying at a range, if I want Kusanagi to do any real damage back I need to have it get reasonably close, and that leaves us open to counterattack. We can't even trip it, because it isn't moving very fast. So…

"Leech seed. And… toxic.

I'm kind of banking on him knowing that second one, as it'd be really embarrassing if kusanagi doesn't. Most pokemon get it, however, and considering how he already knew Pursuit I'm willing to hope.

Luckily, he does, and it goes off without a hitch. Sure we have to get close to it, but…

OK WHAT HOW THE HECK WHAT- no, I'm dumb. Guts, huh. In other news, grass is green and I'm a moron.

The blow sent Kusanagi flying, tumbling head over heels and bouncing several times before coming to a skidding halt. Kusanagi looks like he's having difficulty standing upright. The only saving grace here is that we've gained some space, but while Timburr is slow it's not that ponderous.

There's only one thing to do, then. Well, on I can think of, I'm sure there are more… no, focus.

"Kusanagi, use synthesis!"

If the reason it's struggling s physical injuries, synthesis will rapidly regenerate it, allowing it to fight. It usually takes too long to use in a battle, but distance is our one advantage here. If the injuries were mental like a concussion it wouldn't be so useful, but for this it's perfect. The question is whether or not we can finish in time.

Kusanagi waits until the last minute, but by the time Timburr is on top of him, he's already moving. Neither one is looking that good right now. And the battle is anyone's game. Heh. As If we'd lose.

"Once more Kusanagi, Leaf Tornado! Finish it!"

"Power through, Timburr. It's exhausted, and you can do it!"

The leaves nearly make the fighting type stumble, but there are far fewer of them than earlier, and it manages to make it out of the cloud while Kusanagi is still immobilized. Just as it's about to finish the fight,however, it keels over from the combined damage. That's way, way closer than I'd like.

"Will you, too help me here?"

"Typole, Tym!"

Not another one...

A/N: Do you guys think I should be rolling dice for this? Having the fights be powered by plot is somewhat bugging me, especially considering how luck reliant competitive Pokemon actually is. On the other hand, it might, ya know, mess up the plot :)

Also woo, way ahead of schedule. I think I'll be doing rewrite of some parts of the early chapters- I'm not too happy about them. Please let me know if I contradict myself.