Hello again readers!

"White?" a voice called. I groaned softly. I'd been up late with Layla, who had forced me to drink energy drinks to stay up later. We hadn't actually slept until three, maybe four, in the morning. .

"White, are you okay?" Layla sounded concerned.

"Fine. Why?" I mumbled, not opening my eyes.

"Well, you kept talking in your sleep. Saying 'N, N where are you?'. So I looked over at your bed, and you were shaking."

"Really?" I got up at hearing this. "Well, I'm fine. In fact, if you have any energy drinks left, I might be awake enough to challenge the Gym Leader, right now!"

"Really?" Layla seemed surprised. "Well, I don't have any drinks left. But, I have a simple alternative!"

"And that would be…?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Wartortle! Water Gun!" Layle shouted, throwing her Pokeball high up into the air. Before I could move, I was blasted with a cold splash of water , soaking everything not protected by the blanket. Shivering, I leaped up.

"You win," I sighed. "Let me get ready, and I'll meet you at the lobby of the Center."

"Okay," Layla giggled. I watched her leap up and skip down the hall. Boy, was she excited.

But then it hit me. This was to be Layla's first gym battle! I wasn't so pumped because I had experienced the thrill already. Back, not that long ago, when my partner was just a little Oshawott and my opponent was Cilan. I remember the thrill and excitement, accompanied by the cheering of my two best friends.

Maybe I should cheer Layla on, I thought.

Changing into an outfit Layla had lent me, a red tank top and a white knee-length skirt, and putting the outfit from Blue away, I made my way to the Lobby, where Layla sat impatiently.

"There you are!" Layla grinned. "Let's go!"

I followed Layla out the doors into the Pewter City streets. Even though it wasn't my first day here, I was just as lost as I'd been the day before. Layla, however, seemed to know exactly what she was doing, so I let her lead.

Before too long, we arrived at the doors to the Gym. Layla looked uneasy.

"Hey," I said reassuringly, "You'll do great! If you can defeat a troop of attacking pokemon, what could be so hard about a Gym leader?"

Layla managed a smile. "That 'troop of attacking pokemon' was just a couple of weedle. Just ordinary bug-types people see in their gardens. No real theat. And after all, this Gym leader was hand-picked from a wide array of choices of tough trainers. He earned the title from hard work! I don't think I stand a chance against Brock."

"Layla, do you think I beat my first gym battle with that attitude? I was confident in the talent of my team, and the bond I held with my pokemon." I smiled. "Do you trust Wartortle?"

"Yes," she whispered, clutching the pokéball. "I trust Wartortle."

"Then there's no way you can lose!"

"White," Layla pouted. "I trust Wartortle, but I don't trust myself. Can you do me a favor?"

"Depends on the favor."

"Alright, give me a minute then." Layla ran into the building, and seconds later, dashed back out. "White! Come in!"

I followed her into the building, somewhat curious. A man on the heavy side with a white beard and glasses walked over to me.

"Hello there!" The man shook my hand. "People of these parts call me the Gym Guide. I'm sure you've met my cousin, Clyde?"

"Clyde?" I tilted my head in confusion. "I'm not so sure that I-"

"He's a gym guide over in Unova." The Gym Guide explained. "Layla here told me about you. She says you'd like to challenge the Gym leader as her partner!"

I looked over at Layla, who had a begging plead in her expression. "Alright," I said to the Gym Guide. "I'm not really sure how it works, though. Can you explain it to me?"

"Sure! You and Layla will each send out a pokemon against Brock, who will send out two. Have you ever battled in a double battle before?" I nodded. "Well, it's just like that, only you can only use one pokemon. Sound good?"

"Okay!" I walked over to Layla, who sent out Wartortle. "Bulbasaur, go!"

I had forgotten to train. Hopefully, Layla would be able to help me….

Brock walked into the room, smiling. "I wondered when I'd be battling Layla." He turned to me. "And you? I don't recognize you."

"I'm friends with Layla." I replied.

"Ah." Brock pulled out his two pokemon. "Well, don't expect me to go easy on either of you! Geodude! Onix! Show them we mean business!"

I felt a rush of excitement take over my entire being. This was my first gym battle in a long time that I was able to just go through without the stress of some evil force attacking. I couldn't help but smile.

"Water gun!" Layla shouted.

"Leech seed!" I added.

With both moves being super effective, Geodude was down and out. Now to deal with the larger one, the one Brock called Onix…

"Onix! Use Rock tomb!" I watched in terror as the rocks fell down and trapped Bulbasaur.

"Bulbasaur!" I ran forward, only to get pulled back by Layla.

"White, if you go onto the field you'll forfeit the battle. Don't worry! I have a plan to free Bulbasaur."

I nodded, watching Layla set her plan in action.

"Wartortle! Water gun on the ground!"

I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, Wartortle had made his move. The ground became slippery, and the wall of rocks began to tumble down. Bulbasaur leaped out.

"Alright!" I shouted. "Bulbasaur, Leech seed!"

I know, repetition of the same move. But again, Bulbasaur and I hadn't really done much training, and we only had tackle, growl, and leech seed. So….

"Onix, use rock tomb again!"

Bulbasaur slid across the still slippery floor, and the rocks missed him by a long shot.

"Wartortle! One last water gun!"

With the combination of the attack, and the health leeched from the leech seed, Onix was out. Layla and I leaped in the air in success.

"White, we did it! Now I've beaten my first gym leader!"

"Impressively, too." Brock walked over to us with his hand stretched out. "I haven't seen a battle that lively since…" Brock thought for a moment. "Since Leaf, actually. She gave me quite the surprise. I haven't seen her in a long time, though. I wonder what's happened to her. Anyways, I, with pride, shall bestow upon the two of you the boulder badge. Take it onwards as a sign that you two have the talent to reach far heights." Layla and I accepted the badges, which we placed in our cases.

"Hey, White?" Layla said when we'd left the gym. "My sister asked me to give something to her friend. You know, the one whose cousin has green hair. And I was wondering-"

"Lead the way," I instructed. Layla headed down the street we were on, down to a row of apartments. My heart soared. Would I get to see N?

Moments later, we were invited into the apartment. The museum assistant from the day before opened the door, and a boy with green hair walked out. Was this the supposed green haired kid that had come to visit?

"White?" Layla called. I walked over to her. "This is Wanda. She's my sister's friend. And this, is her cousin. Wally. Wally is from Hoenn, and he's come here to visit Wanda."

I felt myself sinking. This wasn't N. No, I had been wrong. This was some frail kid from Hoenn, who I'd never met. I sulked.

"White? Are you okay?" Layla looked over at me confusedly.

"Fine," I said quietly. "I'll be outside. Nice meeting you two."

And thus, the first gym has been battled and defeated!

And White still looks on for her lover...with no luck...

Thanks for reading! Let me know what improvements I can do to this story or any of my others!