The group was sleeping in their room at the Pokemon Center in Violet City. The sunlight flowed through the window and onto Joey's face.

Joey groaned and opened his eyes and groaned. He looked at the clock to see it was 7:30. "Ugh, why am I up so early?" he looked around to see that everyone else was still asleep. This felt weird to him, he was usually the last one up. When Joey sleeps their is no waking him up. "No use in sitting around doing nothing." With that he went into the bathroom and took a shower dried off and got dressed. He wasn't too big on hygiene.

Joey walked out of the room to Nurse Joy's desk. "Excuse me, Nurse Joy?" The pink-haired nurse turned her direction towards the boy to show him that he was listening. "Did you happen to finish my new Trainer ID last night?"

"Yep, here it is," she handed him his new Trainer Card. "I've also healed your Pokemon," she handed him his two Pokeballs. "Oh and great news! Falkner is back and he said he'll take you as his first battler."

"Thank you, Nurse Joy. I have to go eat breakfast." Joey walked over to the cafeteria and grabbed a bowl of cereal and a glass of milk and walked over to one of the many empty tables. He released Cyndaquil and Hoothoot and fed them their Pokemon food. "Eat up guys, you've got a big day ahead of you."

June woke up and found Joey was not in his bed. Weird, she was usually the first one up. She looked over to Eddie's bed and found Eddie was sprawled all over his bed drooling. His hair was standing up every which way. "Marill, wake him up with Water Gun." She tossed Marill's Pokeball into the air. The blue and white Pokemon landed on the floor and spewed a jet of water onto the 10 year old boy's face.

"Ahh!" Eddie screamed and fell onto the floor. He looked around, dazed, then checked himself making sure he was okay. "What happened?" He looked at June, who was on the floor laughing.

"At least that got rid of your bedhead." She said getting up and wiping a tear from her eye. Eddie was now completely drenched in water. "You wouldn't happen to know where Joey is would you?"

"No. Your little stunt woke me up for the first time this morning." He retorted. "What time is it?"

"8:07." June replied.

"And Joey's out of bed?" Eddie looked stunned.

"Yeah, now get up we have to find him."

"Okay."

After watching highlights from tournament battles and contests Joey was ready to begin his day. June and Eddie walked into the cafeteria. "There he is." He heard the feminine voice say with relief.

"Hey guys, good morning." Joey said.

"Don't 'hey' us. Where have you been?" June was in his face angry.

"Geez, I woke up early, so I thought I'd start my day early." Joey was leaning on the back legs of his chair trying to back away.

"Fine then, just don't do that again."

"Okay, Mom."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

The group had just completed their meal when June struck up a conversation.

"Joey, I heard Falkner was back in town today. Are you gonna challenge him?"

"Without a doubt." He beamed. "And today will be the first step to becoming a Pokemon Master"

"Well let's go to the gym then. Are your Pokemon ready Joey?" Eddie asked.

"Cyndaquil!"

"Hoot!"

"Of course they are Eddie, especially after all that training with Ziggy." Joey replied and ran out the door. "Come on, the sooner we get there, the sooner I can get my first Gym Badge!"

Joey stood in front of the Violet Gym. He didn't move a muscle. Scratch that. All his muscles were moving. His whole body was shaking out of nervousness. He tried to take some deep breaths but that didn't work, so he just stood there like a hyperactive statue.

"Nervous?" Joey felt a hand on his shoulder which got him to turn his head to see who's hand it was. Eddie was giving him an encouraging smile. "Come on, you'll never know if your good enough to become a Pokemon Master if you don't try."

Joey nodded. "Right."

With that Joey, Eddie, and June walked into Falkner's Gym. The gym was normal. Statues of Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Hoothoot and other flying type Pokemon were posted all around the room. The battlefield was standard. Just a rectangle compiled of dirt and a set of stands beside it.

"Which one of you are here to challenge me?" A voiced boomed in the room.

"Uh-uh that would be me." Joey shivered.

"Well then step onto the battlefield." A teenage boy appeared from the shadows revealing himself. He was a Caucasian teenage boy with blue hair and blue eyes. He wore a blue Karategi with a white belt. The pants were cut short at his knees. He had a short-sleeved jacket that was a lighter blue then his Karategi and wore white boots that went up to his shins. He also wore back and red wristbands. "I'm Falkner, the Violet City Gym Leader. I specialize in Flying type Pokemon. I'm the elegant master of Flying Pokemon."

Joey walked up to his spot on the battlefield while Eddie and June walked over to the stands.

"Can I ask what the rules are?" Joey questioned.

Falkner gestured towards the referee who was walking up to the center of the battlefield. "The official referee of the Pokemon League will explain them."

The referee nodded and readjusted his posture. "This will be a two on two Pokemon battle. The first trainer who knocks out both of the opposing side's Pokemon will be declared the winner. Only the challenger may make substitutions."

Falkner nodded towards the referee and then turned to Joey. "Understand?"

"Yeah." Joey gulped.

"Great, now if you don't mind I would like to get some fresh air."

"Huh? We have a battle though." Joey exclaimed

Falkner smirked. "Rise!" As soon as the last echo from Falkner's word bounced off the wall the battlefield began to shake. Joey almost fell over when the battle field rose from the ground. Joey looked around and saw that the stands were rising as well as the battlefield. Joey saw that June and Eddie were just as freaked out as he was.

"What's going on?" Joey screamed.

Falkner who was still smirking pointed up. "Look." He said.

"Huh?" Joey looked up to see that the roof was opening up. "Amazing." When the battlefield finally stopped rising and shaking the group was on top of the roof. Joey looked around and saw that the roof had a scenic view of the Sprout Tower.

"Now this is what I call altitude." Falkner yelled. "Not only does it have a beautiful view of the Sprout Tower but it's the perfect space for my Pokemon to spread their wings."

"Why would Falkner bring Joey up here for the battle?" Eddie asked.

"Why wouldn't he? It gives his Flying type Pokemon the advantage. With all this open space they're free to fly around while other Pokemon are limited to the battlefield." June answered.

"Now. Are you ready Joey?" Falkner asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Joey replied.

"Great, now let's begin. Pidgey spread your wings!" Falkner exclaimed. A small creature appeared and flew onto the battlefield. Its beak was pink and it had a cream underbelly and face and brown feathers around its body.

Out of habit Joey pulled out his Pokedex. "Pidgey, the Tiny Bird Pokemon. Dual Normal and Flying types. It usually hides in tall grass. Because it dislikes fighting, it protects itself by kicking up sand."

"Cyndaquil, come out for your first Gym Battle!" Joey tossed out the Flame Pokemon's pokeball and it appeared on the battlefield.

"Cynda quil!" Cyndaquil squealed as flames erupted on its back.

As tensions rose, all eyes fell onto the referee.

"Begin!" The referee ordered.

"Feel free to take the first attack." Falkner said.

"Alright Cyndaquil, use Headbutt!" Cyndaquil charged headfirst towards Pidgey. Pdgey simply flew higher into the air to dodge Cyndaquil's attack.

"Now Pidgey use Gust." Falkner ordered. The Tiny Bird Pokemon flapped its wings and produced a powerful gust of wind that sent Cyndaquil flying towards the edge of the roof.

"Cyndaquil!" Joey watched as his starter Pokemon stopped rolling at the edge of the roof. "Good. Now use Ember." Cyndaquil spewed flames at Pidgey. As the flames approached Pidgey it made an attempt to dodge the attack. While the Flying type dodged most of the attack Cyndaquil still hit its left wing and Pidgey fell to the ground.

"Pidgey, Mud Slap!" Pidgey stood up and dug its wings into the ground. It then flicked dirt up into Cyndaquil's eyes. Cyndaquil fell backwards and did a backwards somersault to stand up again.

"Uh-oh, Joey's gonna have trouble here." June said.

"What do you mean?" Eddie asked.

"Mud Slap does damage as well as lowers the opponents accuracy a lot like Sand Attack." June explained.

"No!" Joey yelled. So this is what Ziggy was training me for. I know how to handle this with Hoothoot, but I still don't have a way to deal with this with Cyndaquil. And I don't want to switch Cyndaquil out because Hoothoot won't be able to handle both of Falkner's Pokemon, he thought. "Guess I'm going to do what I can. Cyndaquil, I need you to listen to me every step of the way! Okay?" The Flame Pokemon nodded. "Good."

"Pidgey, Peck."

"Jump when I say to Cyndaquil." Pidgey was sweeping in and charged beak first. "Now!" Cyndaquil jumped high into the air over Pidgey. "Now quick use Swift under you!" Just as the Tiny Bird Pokemon was under Cyndaquil, he sent a barrage of stars on the back of his opponent.

"Pidgey, time for another Mud Slap."

"Full power Ember right in front of you before it attacks Cyndaquil!" Before Pidgey could even stand up it was engulfed in flames. When the flames subsided Pidgey appeared with swirls in its eyes.

"Pidgey is unable to battle. The victor is Cyndaquil." The referee announced.

"Yeah! Great job Cyndaquil! Keep battling like that and we'll win for sure." Joey cried.

"Quil!" Cyndaquil agreed.

"Wow, for the short time they've been together, Joey and Cyndaquil have already formed a strong bond." June pointed out.

"Yeah its even stronger than mine and Bulbasaur's." Eddie added.

"Pidgey return. You did well." Falkner put the pokeball back into his pocket and pulled out a new one. "Hey Joey." Joey turned to his attention. "If you think that what you're doing right now will be enough to defeat my next Pokemon, you're dead wrong. Go Pidgeotto!" The blue haired teen threw the ball in his hand onto the battlefield. A creature that was a cross between Pidgey and Pidgeot appeared on the battlefield.

"Pidgeott-o!"The Bird Pokemon cried.

As usual Joey pulled out his Pokedex in sight of the new Pokemon. "Pidgeotto, the Bird Pokemon. Dual Normal-Flying types. The evolution of Pidgey and pre-evolution of Pidgeot. It has outstanding vision. However high it flies, it is able to distinguish the movements of its prey."

"Great, just when I thought things were going good." Joey gulped.

To his misfortune June heard Joey's remark. "Stop being such a Negative Nancy! Turn into a Positive Polly!" Eddie snickered at this, which earned him a punch in the shoulder.

"Ow! You don't hit like a girl."

"More reasons to behave yourself!"

Great. Joey thought. I'm trying to focus on my battle and my friends are embarrassing me. As they kept bickering and Joey kept losing his focus, his anger grew too much. "WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP!" He shouted at the two.

They were both surprised by Joey's outburst and started to behave. "Thank you." He sighed, trying to regain his focus.

"Um, excuse me, I'm sorry your friends annoyed you. But can we get back to the battle?" Falkner asked.

Joey focused on Falkner and his Pokemon and his anger disappeared, after all his anger wasn't towards him, it was towards his bickering friends. "You bet."

"Pidgeotto vs. Cyndaquil. Begin!" The referee waved his flags down.

"Cyndaquil, start this off with Ember right in front of you." Joey ordered. Cyndaquil did as commanded and spewed flames at its opponent.

"Pidgeotto, put out those flames with Gust." Pidgeotto flapped its wings and created high power winds to put out the flames as well as knock Cyndaquil over.

"Stand strong Cyndaquil!" Joey cried over the winds.

"Now Mud Slap and keep Gust up." Pidgeotto flicked dirt towards Cyndaquil with one wing while still flapping violently with the other.

"Cyndaquil dodge left!" Joey tried to order. But it was no use, because of the high powered winds the Mud Slap attack came faster than expected. Cyndaquil was once again knocked over with more sand in his eyes.

"Now finish Cyndaquil off with Wing Attack."

"Use Ember point blank."

Pidgeotto charged Cyndaquil with its wings. As Cyndaquil regained its stance he was able to spit flames from his mouth at Pidgeotto before being knocked over creating a dust cloud. Pidgeotto quickly came out of it and flew above it.

As the dust cleared Cyndaquil was seen with swirls in his eyes. "Cyndaquil is unable to battle. The victory goes to Falkner and his Pidgeotto."

"Great job Cyndaquil. That worked better than I thought." Joey said as the red beam engulfed Cyndaquil. "Now its your turn Hoothoot." Joey tossed Hoothoot's pokeball onto the field and the Owl Pokemon appeared.

"Hoothoot vs. Pidgeotto. Begin!" The referee announced.

"Pidgeotto use Roost." Falkner ordered. Pidgeotto landed on the ground and closed its eyes.

"What?" Joey was confused.

"Roost is an attack that heals the user!" June yelled to Joey.

"So this is like a brand new battle?"

"Yes. Now, Pidgeotto, Wing Attack." Falkner ordered.

"Peck, Hoothoot."

Hoothoot charged beak first towards his opponent while Pidgeotto swept in with its wings glowing. As Pidgeotto came closer Falkner smirked. "Quick Mud Slap!" Falkner yelled. Before the Bird Pokemon made contact it once again picked up dirt and flung it towards Hoothoot's face. This caused Hoothoot to fall backwards so he had no way of countering Wing Attack. When the attack collided Hoothoot flw into the air like a ball kicked for a field goal.

"Hoothoot! Can you continue?" Joey called to his friend.

"Hoot!" Hoothoot hopped back onto one of its legs. It attempted to hop back to the battlefield but because of the sand in its eyes it did not know where it was going.

"If the challenger's Pokemon does not return to the battlefield then it will be counted as a forfeit." The referee announced.

Joey started to sweat. "Hoothoot, listen to my voice and come over here." Hoothoot turned in Joey's direction and started hopping towards him as he kept talking. When Hoothoot finally returned to the battle field the match continued. "Good now we wait Hoothoot."

June started to sweat as well. "This isn't good."

"Why? Joey looks like he can pull this around." Eddie stated.

"But Hoothoot has only been in two battles and it's only landed two attacks. In other words it has little to no experience."

Eddie gulped. "So how is he going to win this?"

"He's going to have to rely on Foresight until the sand comes out of Hoothoot's eyes."

"If you're not going to attack then I will. Wing Attack." Falkner ordered. Pidgeotto complied and charged towards Hoothoot.

Just what I wanted you to do, Joey thought. "Foresight." Hoothoot pinpointed its target.

"Hoot." It signaled it was ready for the next order.

"Hypnosis!"

"Huh?" Falkner was shocked.

As Pidgeotto charged in Hoothoot sent visible brainwaves at it and Pidgeotto fell on the ground sleeping.

"Great job Hoothoot!" Joey exclaimed. The sand seemed to be out of Hoothoot's eyes because now its eye were wide open and it was hopping around joyously.

"Pidgeotto wake up!" Falkner screamed.

"Hoothoot, Peck." Hoothoot hopped over to Pidgeotto and started pecking furiously at it.

Once Hoothoot was done pecking Pidgeotto started to get up, still drowzy.

"Quick before it completely wakes up use Extrasensory." Hoothoot sent a purplish beam towards Pidgeotto which lifted it off the ground. "Now slam it down!" Hoothoot sent Pidgeotto plummeting at a high speed towards the ground. When Pidgeotto landed it was clear that it was unconscious.

"No!" Falkner could only yell.

"Pidgeotto is unable to battle, Hoothoot is the winner. Which means the challenger, Joey, wins the battle." The referee announced.

"YES!" Joey yelled at the top of his lungs. Hoothoot hopped into Joey's arms and Cyndaquil had let himself out of his pokeball to climb onto Joey shoulder to celebrate.

Falkner walked up to Joey and his Pokemon. "Here's your Zephyr Badge." The badge was shaped like a pair of white wings. "That was a tough battle, I thought for sure I was gonna win before you landed that Hypnosis attack." He held his hand out.

"That was hardest battle yet, and thank you for the battle." Joey shook his hand.

After Falkner left Joey walked up to his friends with his badge in hand and a huge grin on his face.

"Great now we're gonna have to listen to you bragging the rest of the night." June sighed.

Eddie ignored June and stepped in front of her. "Congratulations Joey. Your Pokemon were amazing out there."

"Thanks, I can't believe I won. I can't wait for my next Gym Battle." Joey replied.

"Fine, can we go get going now. I wanna eat lunch." June added as she pushed Eddie back.

"Yeah, but how do we get down from here."

"I'll give you the special Zephyr Badge Airlines ride." Falkner said riding on a Pidgeot.

"Really?" The trio asked.

"Yeah hop on."

Absolutely my longest chapter so far, and my longest battle. Over 3,000 word for this one. Anyways someone new will be coming in the next chapter and no its not an OC (not one you guys sent me anyways), or a new traveling companion, or Pokemon. Also someone you've already met will be returning in the next chapter.

Anyways, I'm out bitchez!1!11!