Chapter 8

Tim and I make it to Striation with no more Trainer battles. Tim had to get the practice he wanted from the few wild Pokémon we encountered. We make a quick stop at the Poke Center to get everyone into their top conditions before we head over to the Gym.

When we enter, we are surprised to find that there are only the Trainers present.

"Oh! Hello there. Sorry, we weren't expecting any trainers here till later today. So all the other Trainers are getting their errands done for the day now." The green-haired Cilan approaches from the back of the Gym as he talks, his two brothers following. "Oh my! Is that you Tim?"

"Hello. It's good to see the three of you again. My friend here is looking for a battle." Tim greets them, sending a grin my way at the end.

"So you want to challenge us? Well, Cilan and me have gotten word that we will have challengers coming later today. Cress? You want to take this one?" Chili glances at his other triplet.

"Sure! It's been what? Two years since we last saw you, huh Tim? Glad to see that you are doing well." Cress grins at Tim. When he turns to me with that same grin, I am somehow put at ease. I realize then that the three Gym Leaders don't recognize me. They're rather new to the post, so they didn't have to battle my brother. They do know my parents, having gotten all three of their Lillipups from them, but it I had been on one of my trips with Tristan when they came to receive the little Pokémon. "So, what's your name? It's not polite to start a battle without introducing yourself."

"I suppose being a Gym Leader makes it easier because everyone knows your name before challenging you, huh? I'm Sophie. Nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you too. Shall we go ahead and get started?"

"Please."

We get into the positions in the Gym's special battle ground for the leaders. Once in place, we let out our first Pokémon. Cress let out his Lillipup. When the little guy saw me it gave an excited yip. A flash of confusion crossed over Cress's face and can see when he shrugs it off as excitement for the coming battle.

(Let's keep just who we are a surprise for later why don't we?) I nonverbally tell my Eevees. As they give their agreement, I bring out Avon's poke ball and let him out. He bounces out of the ball with a flourish of his tail. The excitement came off him in waves; similar waves were coming from my other two. I could even feel some coming from the egg which I had situated safely into the pouch on my belt. I grinned at Cress, getting one in return.

"Let's go!"

"Lillipup, use Leer!"

"Avon, use Echoed Voice!"

Lillipup gives Avon a look, lowering his defenses a bit. Avon gives his echoing cry, causing the Lillipup to stumble with the damage.

"Lillipup use Bite!"

"Avon, dodge and Echo."

I've issued the same command to Avon so many times in his training that I able to shorten the long name. I watch as the Lillipup runs to Avon and manages to land the attack. Avon flinches at the damage, unable to do his attack. Neither Pokémon is ready to give up, so we prepare our next orders.

"Lillipup, let's us Roar." Cress orders with a grin.

"Av-" I stop in the middle of my order as the Lillipup roars and forces Avon back into his poke ball. Dusklace pops out, calm and prepared. As my mind quickly calls up her attacks, I notice all three of the Leaders' surprise at the fact that I have a Shiny Pokémon.

"Dusklace use Pursuit."

"Oh, Lillipup use Leer!"

Dusk chases down the Lillipup and tackles it, causing it to stumble. The Lillipup gets back up and glares at Dusk, who has a rather mischievous look in her eyes.

"Lillipup use Tackle!"

"Dusk, use-"

(Can I use Return?)

"Return."

Happiness and eagerness flow back towards me as Dusk dodged the tackle and turned the full force of her happiness to be with me towards the Lillipup. The attack was so strong that the Lillipup was knocked down and unable to get up.

"Lillipup, you did well. Come on back. Panpour, come on out. It's your turn."

"Good job, Dusk! Let's give Dawnlace a turn. Dawn!"

As we are switching out our Pokémon, a loud crack sounds. The Pokémon's superior hearing allows them to pinpoint its location much faster than we were.

Your pouch! The Egg! Dawn bounds over and noses the flap on the pouch open some.

As we all watch, a little brown head pops out of the pouch. The newly hatched Eevee wriggles out and looks at me, its wish to battle clear enough in its eyes that even the Gym Leaders could tell.

"Hello Joltlace. You certainly made an entrance. But, you're not quite ready to battle yet. Just watch, and afterwards we'll go and get you ready for the next Gym." I gather the newest member of my team into my arms, her head drooping in disappointment. "Sorry. Shall we continue?" I watch as Cress shakes off the surprise at the sudden hatching.

He looks at me and grins. "Let's go Panpour. Use Fury Swipes!"

"Dawn dodge and use Psychic!"

The Panpour bares its claws and furiously attacks Dawn. Dawn easily side steps the attack as her mind focuses a strong telekinetic force and aims it at the opponent. The Panpour falls to its knees under the force. Dawn is unable to keep the force consistent and has to let up. Panpour unsteadily gets up. Both are a little unsteady on their feet but neither is done.

"Panpour! Scald!"

"Dawn- Eep!"

Everyone gasps as Dawn dodges the Panpour's burst of scalding water scalding water. The only problem is that I had ended up behind her during the battle and when she dodged, I and my newest Eevee were in the direct line of fire. The high powered burst of water was coming much too fast for me to dodge. Dawn lets out a panicked cry, her psychic abilities going out of control. Suddenly, the water coming towards me stops, hanging in mid air. Then the water is flung back at the Panpour. It happens so quickly that the Panpour doesn't even get a chance to dodge. The strength and power of its own attack turned back on itself knocks the Panpour down and out.

Dawn rushes over to as Avon and Dusk force themselves out of their poke balls. Jolt is mewling rather worriedly at me, but I am unable to reassure them, being in a state of shock. The others are able to shake their shock off and rush over to me to make sure I'm not hurt. Cress stops and returns his Panpour to its poke ball before hurrying over. When he touches my shoulder, my strength leaves me and my knees buckle. As I sink to the ground, my Eevees crowd onto my lap and snuggle down around me, all of them glaring at Cress.

For a moment everyone just watches the Eevees comfort me, the other Trainers able to move but still in a state of shock. Tim has been patting my head and shoulders, trying to make sure that I'm okay without disturbing my Pokémon. Finally he collapses into a squat, his head hanging between his arms.

"Sophie, are you hurt?"

"N-no. Just a-" I clear my throat in an attempt to return my voice to normal. "Just a little shaken."

With that confirmation the Gym Leaders join us on the ground, relief washing over their faces.

"Oh, thank goodness." Cilan breathes, "I can't believe how we all just froze when the attack headed your way."

"It's the first time that has ever happened." Chili fidgets, adrenaline from the incident obviously still flowing through him. "I must say that I'm glad a Psychic type Pokémon was on the field when it happened. I don't even want to think about what would have happened if the little Espeon hadn't been there."

Everyone shudders, shying away from the thoughts of what could have resulted if Dawn hadn't been one of the battling Pokémon.

I look down and Dawn and finally manage to move my hands. Shakily I stroke her head.

"Thank you Dawn. I'm sorry for scaring all of you. I'm alright now."

"I think we should get you over to the Poke Center to get some rest and to have all of the Pokémon looked at. I really think you should be looked at just in case." Tim stands and holds his hands out to help me up.

As I stand, Dawn stalks over to Cress and swipes her claws at his leg. Avon, Dusk, and Jolt all growl approvingly at her actions.

"Dawn! Calm down. It was an accident! I was just in the wrong place at the wrong moment. It wasn't anyone's fault!" I quickly attempt to scoop her up and nearly fall. Cilan manages to catch me before I hit the floor

"Come on; let's get you to somewhere you can rest." He gives me a gentle smile as everyone helps me to safely get the Poke Center. Once there, the Pokémon are handed over to be healed and I am sat down in the sitting area while the Gym Leaders quickly brew up some tea to help steady my nerves. Once we finish the tea and the Pokémon are returned at full health, the Leaders start up a conversation after quietly talking for the few minutes it took for the healing.

"Well, first off, we would like to officially present you with the Trio Badge. We would normally give you a TM as well, but I have the feeling you already have the TM for Work Up."

I grin at them. "You guys figured it out?"

They smile back as Tim glances between us. "Okay, what am I missing?"

"My parents bred the Lillipups used by the three of them. Cress's recognized me at the beginning of the battle. I wasn't sure about whether or not they would catch on."

"We did, and- in a way- that leads us to the second part. We think it would be a good idea to get a Psychic type Pokémon to stay in the Gym so as to prevent accidents like the one earlier from happening again." Chili continues.

"A Munna." Tim says with a shrug.

"What?" A confused look crosses Cress's face.

"Munna. It's a Psychic type that is found in the Dreamyard."

Sophie thinks for a moment and then agrees."That's a good idea. If you guys are able to get one with the Telepathy or- even better- the Forewarn ability, that and its psychic powers should be able to protect the Trainers. Especially if you teach it moves like Telekinesis, Protect, Safeguard, Reflect, and- probably the best option- Barrier."

"Yep, you're the daughter of Jeremiah, all right." Cilan comments.

Heads tilted in curiosity, Tim and I turn towards him.

"Jeremiah always seemed to know random, but useful, facts about Pokémon native to Unova." He explains.

"Oh, is that all? I think he got the habit of spouting random fact from my mom. He tends to wonder why things are named what they are. Like why a town map is a town map and not a region map. Stuff like that."

Tim glances at me. "So you take more after your mom?"

"Nope. I take after them both pretty equally."

Chili has been watching me with a considering look on his face. "Sophie, what is the goal of your journey?"

"To learn more about Pokémon so that I can be a better breeder."

"What do you say to doing us a favor?"

"Chili?" His brothers are completely confused by where Chili is heading.

I raise a brow to indicate that I am listening.

"Want to go catch us a Munna?"

Author's Note: I was going to continue, but this line just ended the chapter perfectly. I am seriously considering not posting the next chapter until I get at least one more review. I am in need of some love here people! I am feeling, well, that no one is reading. Just one comment! And then you'll get to see Sophie's reaction to this request!

Okay, comment begging aside now. I really have often wondered how the Trainers managed to not get hurt or injured in the battles. Because some of the moves—like Earthquake and Surf—should have hurt or at least knocked the Trainers down. It really bothered me. So – my solution.

More reasons for you to comment for the next chapter: I am going to introduce a new traveling companion! *gasps* Was that a spoiler? Heck no. You will have no idea what hit you.

See you soon I hope.

I am not a writer! I am a puppet controlled by fictional characters!