Previously in the Island of Challenge, our heroes continued to travel through the Insulae Region. They were met with new friends and new hardships. But they keep going on. What will happen in this episode of the Island of Challenge?

Zeke's Group

Zeke woke up very early in the morning, he knew it wouldn't be time to record yet. Something was bothering him.

He sent out both his Pokémon and looked at them.

"Hey Ga'hoole, hey Abba. Want to go on a walk?"

Both Pokémon nodded cheerfully and went to his side. He started walking away from the campsite, and back into the green fields.

"We're starring in a TV show made by one of the most famous producers ever. Sure it's a fun and exciting adventure, but what about after?" asked Zeke aloud.

Ga'hoole made a confused noise and tilted his head.

"Once the TV season is over, I go back home. I'm going to be a celebrity right? How will I continue my simple, carpenter life? What happens to you guys? Hoenn law only allows for someone to own six Pokémon. I have two Pokémon at home, I lose two of you guys! What's the point of building so many memories, if I'll have to let the Pokémon go?"

Ga'hoole and Abba looked at Zeke, unsure of how to console him. They understood he had a point. Zeke shook his head and gave them a friendly smile.

"I didn't mean to dampen your spirits. We can worry about all this when the time comes. I just had something I wanted to get out. Want to go back to camp or continue walking?"

They hadn't walked far, but both Pokemon were ready to go back to the camp and get away from the dreadful subject about the future. But at the same time, they decided continuing to walk would be healthier.

"Actually, I think this would be a good time to train, try to keep pace! And no flying! We have to build our stamina!"

With that, Zeke turned and started jogging. His Pokémon quickly started to quicken their own pace, making sure to keep up on their avian legs.

Twenty minutes later

When Zeke and his Pokémon returned to the camp, they were all hot and sweaty. They all slumped to the ground, relieved their workout was over.

"We might as well get used to it, we'll be doing it every day."

His Pokémon groaned, but he gave them reassuring smiles. "I'll be doing it with you, don't worry."

"Where were you Zeke? The recording starts in eleven minutes!" asked Cyrus.

"We were just training before the recording started, I smell something cooking. I thought the recording started when we woke up."

"This is a reality TV show, it can start from anywhere. Breakfast is almost ready, so I suggest that you get going to the pan. The first slice of pizza is always the best slice of pizza."

They walked down to the curry pot and waited until the chef, a woman named Jessica, finished cooking the breakfast pizza.

By the time they started eating, Elliot, having already finished eating. Started recording along with their Roto Drone. The shot made for a nice breakfast scene apparently.

They finished their breakfast and stood up. Zeke walked over to Xavier and gave him a warm smile.

"Thank you for the breakfast. Unfortunately, my friends and I have to continue traveling to the Echo Settlement where the water gym is."

"I see, take one of our jeeps. You can always take an extra person to drive it back. It'll get you to your destination faster."

"No no, we're fine. We walked this far, we can walk the rest of the way. You'll need the jeeps more than we do. Thank you for the offer."

"Then I wish you luck on your journey."

They shook hands and smiled. Zeke returned his Pokémon and walked over to Carolina and Zeke.

"Come on guys, we're packing up. Got a long day of walking ahead of us."

Cyrus groaned. "Ah come on! I hate walking!"

Carolina and Zeke chuckled as they started packing up their supplies. They said their goodbyes and walked away.

Aaron's Group

Aaron and his team struggled up a slope in the cave, everything aching as they did.

They took frequent breaks when traveling, but they didn't stop making progress. They were nothing if not determined.

"Are you sure you don't have anything to walk with?" complained Clara.

"I already said this and I'll say it again. My bag can only hold so much. It's supposed to hold four sleeping bags, a bunch of bowls and cutlery, flashlights, batteries, a radio and GPS, a cooking pot, spare firewood, water, matches, and food. Nothing else. If you want something to walk with, chop a stalagmite and use that," Thomas.

Clara sighed and continued walking. The only reason she was complaining was because she was trying to distract herself from the pain.

"So how far do you think the exit is?" asked Clara.

"I'd say about two miles left. We're almost there," said Thomas.

Clara nodded and they continued walking. Aaron was up ahead, striding forward like a man with an important task. He seemed to be in no pain, but in reality, he was hurting all over.

He knew that since he was the one who persuaded them to keep them going, it seemed natural that he should be the strongest out of all of them.

Aaron stepped on a loose rock and stumbled, Clara quickly managed to catch him and get him to his feet.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah I'm fine." lied Aaron as he clutched his shoulder.

"You're pushing yourself too hard."

"I told you, I'm perfectly fine," he said, pushing her away.

Clara gave him a worried look and shrugged. They continued walking for a few minutes when they heard squeaking noises.

"Those sound like Zubats!" shouted Aaron.

As soon as he said that, a swarm of Zubat entered the cave. Screaming at the light conjured by the one flashlight.

"Lot's of them, you can't handle this alone," said Clara.

"Wasn't going to. Go, Chespin, Hoot Hoot!"

"Come on out Pachy!"

"Go Krokorok!"

All four Pokémon appeared. They paled in comparison to the swarm of Zubats in numbers.

Aaron knew that Chespin couldn't do much to the Zubats, so he was planning on having Chespin hang back for support.

"Pachy, use Thundershock!" shouted Clara.

A streak of lightning erupted from Pachy and slammed into two of the Zubats, the Zubat swarm rearranged themselves mid-flight and charged at the Pokémon.

"Krokorok, use Rock Slide!"

"Hoot Hoot, use Gust! Chespin, stay back and use Vine Whip!"

Hoot Hoot blew the first wave of Zubats back as a stream of rocks tumbled down on all of them. Any Zubat who made it through the two attacks were grabbed by vines and thrown back.

They all repeated their attacks, eventually taking out a few of the Zubats, but they were too much.

"Hoot Hoot, watch out!"

Three Zubats came flying at Aaron's Pokémon, their wings glowing white as they readied Wing Attack. Hoot Hoot started flying away, and two of the Zubat were hit by Chespin.

The Zubat eventually figured out that they had more time to dodge Rock Slide if they flew low. So that's what they did. It ended up with Pachy having to target the increasing number of Zubats that breached Rock Slide.

"Chespin, use Rollout!"

Chespin leaped from his vantage point and used Rollout. His speed increasing ever so slowly.

Even with all their efforts, they were fighting a losing battle. They were pushed further into the cave, their situation getting more and more desperate.

Suddenly, they heard voices in the cave behind the Zubats. A large shock of electricity filled the room, frying the Zubats instantly.

Men and women wearing medical clothing and holding medical equipment as well as stretchers.

The people swarmed around them, helping them into stretchers. Aaron almost collapsed with relief, they finally had help.

Seth's Group

Seth and his team finally made it out of the forest. They had camped out at the edge of the forest after Isabelle and Peter showed them out. Connor figured they wouldn't have gotten out that fast without the Phantumps help, even if they hadn't gotten lost.

Peter and Isabelle had known many shortcuts throughout the forest, allowing them to get through the forest very fast. Seth had been extremely happy about this.

"Thanks to you guys, we're bound to reach the gym before Aaron could. The town is very close by. Let's make haste!"

Seth eagerly walked faster, Isabelle and Peter circling around him. Connor looked at the map.

"We're going to have to walk for about five more miles, calm down."

"I can't calm down, I have a gym to battle and win! You know, I should train with my Pokémon. Go, Arianna, Champ!"

His two Pokémon appeared. Arianna gave a happy shrill and did a backflip, Champ just turned around and laid down to sleep.

Peter gave Seth a quizzical look. Pointing at the two Pokémon.

"Oh, to train means to get stronger. And I want to train my Pokémon. There are a lot of ways to train. Like battling, or exercising."

Peter gave a look of understanding and pointed at the two Pokémon and himself.

"Uh, you want to train as well?" asked Seth.

Peter nodded, miming a punch with his ghostly hand.

"Um, can you guys help me out here?"

"I think he means he wants to battle," said Connor.

Peter nodded. Seth smiled as he realized what Peter was saying.

"Alright, I haven't battled with you in a while," said Seth, turning to Arianna. "I know it'll put you at a disadvantage, but do you want to battle Peter?"

While they had been walking through the forest, Seth had introduced Arianna to Peter.

Arianna gave a flip of joy and nodded. Seth then turned to Peter, but he addressed both Pokémon.

"Try not to hurt each other too badly okay?"

Both Pokémon gave noises of affirmation. Seth directed both Pokémon to different sides of the wide open field they were in, Theo standing in the middle.

"Okay, this is a battle between Arianna, Seth's Popplio, and Peter, a wild Phantump! Ready, begin!"

"Arianna, Water Gun!"

Arianna blasted a stream of water directly at Peter, but Peter was smarter than that. He dodged the attack and used Leech Seed, but Seth was expecting that as Peter's first attack.

"Water Gun, aim for the seeds!"

Arianna blasted the seeds away with a torrent of water. Peter flew at her and lunged at her to the right.

Seth had seen this attack so many times as it was popular in competitive battling in Voyanna City.

"Dodge the attack, move to the right!"

As Seth had expected, Peter had used Feint attack. The move first started by faking an attack to the right, prompting the other Pokémon to dodge left. But in reality, the user would flip around and attack from the left side.

"Use Disarming Voice!"

Peter missed the Feint attack and was blasted by a stream of pink sound waves. He went flying back and hit the ground.

"Pokémon battling is all about reading the opponent's moves! When we battle, we're both training! Aqua Jet!"

Unfortunately, Peter did not read the attack. Arianna rushed forward in a stream of water and slammed into him. She almost immediately used Water Gun, blasting Peter farther away from her.

That's when Seth realized that even though he could give commands, Arianna could decide what moves to use and how to use them. And she did use her moves well.

Peter floated up and shook his head. Indicating he was done training. He floated over to Seth and Isabelle. The latter immediately rushed to him and started checking him.

"Training session over. Arianna wins!" announced Theo.

Seth looked at Arianna warmly. "I know we'll make a great team together, Arianna."

Jax's Group

"Would these silly Murkrows go away! This is the fifth time they- argh! Valdez, use Ember! Virgil, use Quick Attack!" shouted Jax.

The flock of Murkrows split apart and regrouped. Heading straight for Camilla.

Camilla ducked as her Alolan Vulpix blasted a stream of Icy Wind at the Murkrows, causing some of them to fall.

"You know, a wise man once said that the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again while expecting the same results!" she shouted.

"If this keeps up, I'll have an Infernape by the time we make it to the gym!"

"Which gym were we going again?"

"That doesn't matter!" shouted Mack. His Tyrouge trying to fend off two Murkrows at once. "Why don't you just give them your stuff?"

"They're very dear to me," said Camilla, her voice lowering.

"Why?" asked Jax.

"It's long since slipped my mind. But I get a feeling of importance from them so I'm not giving my jewelry up. Vulpix, use Icy Wind!" , "Well we better come up with an alternative. Cause we can't keep fighting them like this!" shouted Mack.

"Perhaps- watch out Valdez!" shouted Jax.

Valdez ducked and rolled as a Murkrow swooped in from behind, claws out as it prepared to use Pluck. Valdez gave an angry shriek and threw an Ember at it. The Murkow twisted awkwardly but didn't have enough time to dodge the Mach Punch Valdez quickly threw at it.

Virgil was facing off against five Murkrows, all of them shrieking angrilly and dive bombing him. Virgil danced between them, getting direct hits on some of them, a smug look plastered on his face.

Valdez shook his head. He knew that there were two words to describe Virgil's behavior. Brave, or foolhardy. Valdez decided he would go with foolhardy and rushed in to help.

Eventually, the Murkrows turned and fled, but Jax knew they wouldn't be deterred for long.

"Come on guys, we need to pick up the pace. Those Murkrows aren't going to give us any more breaks. We got lucky when they didn't appear yesterday, but now they remembered us and we need to get going. Come on," said Jax.

"Wow, I see you're a natural born leader," said Camilla.

"Thanks."

Valdez rolled his eyes and tugged on Jax's pant legs. When Jax finally noticed him, he pointed at Camilla, then Jax, then he made a heart sign.

"What are you trying to say?" asked Jax, genuinely confused. Valdez made what could pass as an exasperated sigh, he grabbed Jax's hand and tried pulling it over to Camilla's.

"Hey, stop that! Y'know, you've been acting weird ever since we landed in the Insulae Region, not used to the region yet?" Valdez gave another sigh and slumped down to the ground. He wasn't giving up, he was simply waiting for Jax to get his head together.

Aaron's Group

Aaron laid down in his hospital bed, muttering things about how unfair everything was.

"Come on! I'm sure this stuff didn't happen to other competitors! Fell down a tunnel, and got put in a hospital where they won't let me out! I have a gym to win!" shouted Aaron at the nurse.

"Shouting at the nurse won't do you any good. She's not even listening," said Clara, from the bed closest to his right.

She was right actually, the nurse was dancing to some music she was listening to on headphones. Aaron sighed and rolled over.

"I don't get it, I thought you were free to leave hospitals whenever you wanted to," said Aaron.

"Pokéstar protocol," said Thomas from a chair to the side. Thomas had taken the least damage and was already discharged. But he felt he couldn't leave without his team. "Pokéstar nurses have the right to hold you until you make a full recovery. Said that on your contract."

Aaron turned and eyed Roto Drone 056 and Brad. The cameraman had apparently taken an elevator up to the settlement. The elevator had been all the way at the back of the rock face.

Brad was idly fiddling with his large camera, but Roto Drone was filming them, waiting for action. However, Aaron noticed the LED eyes were closed.

Aaron looked at the nurse again and slowly got to his feet. His legs weren't majorly hurt, just a bunch of bruises all over the place. All of them had healing salves and bandages on them, with on nasty cut on his side stitched. He was perfectly ready to be discharged, but the doctors decided he needed to rest for a few more hours. But Aaron didn't want to wait a few hours.

That was the same story for Clara, she just needed a few hours rest before she was ready to get going again. Unlike Aaron, she felt like waiting.

Aaron walked to the nurse and tapped her on the shoulder. The nurse screamed in surprise and jumped back.

"M-Mr Wesker! You're not supposed to be out of bed!"

"Well I need to be out of bed. I have a gym to fight, I know I have a contract, but if the director saw me now, I'm sure he'd allow me out of bed."

Now everyone in the room was alert, Brad had already resumed recording while Roto Drone's eyes were open. Clara was sitting up in her bed, a wide look in her eyes. Thomas started to stand up.

"I-I'm not sure, I could lose my job."

"Don't worry, I'll take full responsibility. Battling this gym is extremely important to me, especially if I beat it first."

Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed his pokéballs and opened the door. He looked back at his teammates and beckoned them forward before turning and running down the hall.

"We're all going to get in trouble. Let's go," said Clara.

Five minutes later

Aaron and his friends made it to the rock gym with no more incidents. Aaron figured that if he didn't take crazy risks like the one he just did, there'd be no daring adventure characters in the show he was in. At least, the impressions he got from the others weren't daring adventurers. All he got from them was a serious battler, a handsome rich boy, and a guy who grew up in Alola.

Aaron took a deep breath, and walked into the gym.

The first room was just a simple gray room. A gray statue of a Blastoise with a red button on it. In a rack on the side of the room, we're many picks and mining goggles. Aaron was pretty sure that they would be for the gym challenge but couldn't decide on whether they were real or not.

Aaron walked up to the statue and pressed the red button. Nothing happened for a few moments and Aaron turned around to head back to his friend when the statue suddenly spoke.

"Welcome to the gym challenge. The type of this gym is Rock. in the Next Room, there'll be many different rocks and trainers. Inside one of these rocks, is a key you'll be needing to open the room where the gym leader resides. You'll be using a pick to break the rocks, wear the mining goggles. Then the gym battle will begin. Good luck."

Aaron whipped around in shock, staring at the statue as it spoke. A mechanical lock clicked and the door to the next room opened. Aaron shrugged and grabbed a pickaxe, and moved to the next room.

In the next room, he saw that it was very mine themed. They were brown rocks scattered around the room and two trainers. There was brown dirt all over the floor and glittering jewels on the rock wall.

Aaron walked through the room. Instead of going to break one of the rocks, he walked right up to the trainer.

The trainer seemed caught by surprise at Aaron going to her, but she quickly covered her shock.

"When two trainer's eyes meet, they battle! And I'm going to battle you! Ready?"

"Oh I've been ready."

The trainer moved two steps back, and Aaron did the same. They were actually standing in a small pokéball painted on the floor.

"Alright! I choose you, Roggenrola!"

"I choose you, Chespin!"

The two Pokémon faced each other when they came out of their pokéballs.

"Roggenrola, Rollout!"

"Dodge it and use Vine Whip Chespin!"

Chespin leaped over the Roggenrola and sent out two vines and grabbed the spinning Roggenrola. The Roggenrola flipped over and hit a rock, breaking it.

The move however, spun Chespin as well. He flipped over and hit the ground hard.

"Roggenola, use Tackle!"

"Chespin, use Leech Seed!"

The Roggenrola failed to dodge the attack, and was ensnared as the seeds grew immediately. The Roggenrola glowed green as orbs appeared and flew into Chespin, rejuvenating him.

"Chespin, use Vine Whip!"

Chespin created two new vines and whipped the Roggenrola. The Pokémon went flying back and hit the floor. Fainted.

"That's it? Well, I'll be off," said Aaron.

The trainer looked at him and shrugged before returning her Pokémon. Aaron put on his mining goggles and hefted his pick.

"Hey Clara, which rock do you think I should break?" asked Aaron

"I don't think they're any hints as to which one holds the key. Just keep breaking till you get it."

Aaron adjusted the grip on his pick. "Well I'm going to have some fun either way."

He walked up to the first rock and brought the pick down on it, hard. He had seen the Roggenrola break through the rock, but he didn't expect the rock to be so weak.

Rock shards flew everywhere the moment the pick hit the stone. There was nothing there, so Aaron moved onto the other one.

He broke another rock and found nothing. He turned to the right and walked to the next rock, when he heard a voice.

"Having fun breaking the rocks? Well now you'll have fun battling me! Are you ready?"

"Oh I'm ready."

"Okay then. Go, Lileep!"

"Go, Hoot Hoot!"

The two Pokémon appeared in the middle of the battle circle.

"A flying type, seems like a dumb choice."

That made Aaron annoyed. "Every Pokémon should have a chance to participate in a battle. Even if it seems like a 'bad choice'. If you think otherwise, you shouldn't be here!"

The gym trainer flinched and wisley didn't respond. "Lileep, use Ingrain!"

"Hoot Hoot, use Wing Attack!"

As the Lileep planted its root, Hoot Hoot flew at the Pokémon and slammed its wings into it.

"Use Ancient Power!"

"Dodge it!"

Hoot Hoot flipped in mid-air and gracefully flew away from the attack.

"Confusion!"

Waves of psychic energy slammed into the Lileep, the Lileep bent backwards and then sprung forward, firing Ancient Power.

Hoot Hoot instinctively flew around the stones. He reached the Lillep and used Wing Attack.

The Lileep was almost pushed over despite its roots, by the time it recovered, the Hoot Hoot was already circling it.

"Use Rock Throw!"

"Reflect"

The rock hit Hoot Hoot's shining barrier and fell down. Hoot Hoot flew straight at the Lileep.

"Wing Attack!"

"Vine Whip!"

"Reflect, then cut across behind!"

Aaron had practiced this move with Hoot Hoot. The vines bounced off the Reflect as Hoot Hoot took a hard turn, flying side by side with the Lileep temporarily before flying around it and using Wing Attack.

The attack was a critical hit. The Lileep doubled over and fainted.

Aaron returned his Pokémon and started walking away without another word.

"H-Hey wait. I'm sorry for what I said about your choice and your Pokémon."

Aaron looked at him. "Just remember it for next time."

Two minutes later

With two rock smashes later, Aaron found the key to the gym leader's door. He looked over at Clara and Thomas before smiling and taking a deep breath. He took the key, walked up to the door, and opened it.

He walked down a narrow hallway that led into another room. The room he saw before him took his breath away.

It was a huge room with jewels reflecting the light coming from the open roof. He heard the cheering of a small crowd of at least fifty people.

He walked to the middle of a huge white pokéball painted on the floor. Someone else approached him from the other side.

Aaron, having done the gym challenge before, knew this moment from before. But that didn't stop the experience from being exhilarating.

He looked back at Clara and Thomas, but saw they weren't there. He looked around and saw they had moved into the crowd.

He walked to the middle of the circle and met the man there. The man wore a mining hat and had red hair. He wore glasses and had kind brown eyes.

"My name's Roark, I come from the Sinnoh region and offered to be a temporary gym leader here. I take it you must be Aaron."

Aaron nodded. Roark held out his hand and Aaron shook it.

"May the best battler win," said Aaron.

They walked back to opposite sides of the huge pokéball and stood ready. A referee walked up to the middle, holding a white flag and a brown flag.

"White, brown!" shouted the referee, pointing at Aaron and Roark respectively.

"The rules are simple, this is a two versus two! Each trainer is allowed one switch! First trainer to lose both Pokémon loses! Are we ready?"

Both trainers nodded, holding their first pokeballs.

"Begin!"

"Go, Hoot Hoot!"

"Out Geodude!"

Both Pokémon appeared in a flash of light. Aaron's plan was to save Chespin for last to defeat the rock type Pokémon.

"Geodude, use Smack Down!"

Aaron's mind raced. Smack Down was a move that was extremely powerful against flying type Pokémon. The shock of the move could prevent Pokémon who could fly from flying.

"Use Reflect!"

The Geodude leaped into the air and slammed against the barrier, cracking the shield. Aaron winced at the impact. He figured he was lucky because Geodude usually only used physical based moves. This helped because Reflect only protected against physical damage, but was still weaker than Protect.

Aaron knew that it would be a good idea to switch to Chespin to take care of the Geodude, but he knew that Roark had a stronger Pokémon. So instead, he opted to use Confusion so that he could cause the Geodude to become confused and defeat itself.

"Hoot Hoot, Cut across behind and use Confusion."

"Geodude, Rock Throw!"

The Hoot Hoot flew away from the rock. The Geodude threw another as Hoot Hoot got closer. The rock missed as Hoot Hoot flew sharply to the left and twisted around.

"Smack Down!"

Aaron realized Smack Down didn't have to be used in the air. He watched in increasing dread as Hoot Hoot was smacked by a rocky fist.

Hoot Hoot rolled over and struggled to its feet. The crowd cheered and gasped at the hit. Aaron knew his Pokémon couldn't take another attack.

"Sorry Hoot Hoot, I guess your battle isn't today. Return."

As his Hoot Hoot returned to its pokéball. The referee pointed the white flag at Aaron.

"Aaron has returned his Pokémon and is switching! He is out of switches for the rest of this match!"

"Go, Chespin!"

The grass type Pokémon appeared. Supporters of Roark gasped as both Roark and his Geodude flinched.

"I see you're trying to use the double weakness against me. Return, Geodude."

The referee pointed the brown flag at Roark. "Roark has returned his Pokémon and is switching! He is out of switches for the rest of this match!"

"Go, Cranidos!"

Aaron was unfazed. "Chespin, Rollout!"

"Cranidos, Headbutt!"

Chespin got on the ground and started rolling. He avoided the Cranidos' Headbutt and smashed into its side. He rebounded and charged at him again.

"Bulldoze!"

The two Pokémon collided, each dealing resisted damage. They got to their feet a few meters away from each other and shook themselves off.

"Cranidos, use Rock Slide!"

"Dodge it Chespin!"

As rocks started tumbling down from the sky. Chespin tried weaving through them, but to Aaron, it was apparent he wasn't going to last long. But then, he had an idea.

"Chespin, get onto the rocks with Vine Whip!"

Chespin understood the command, he stretched out two vines and grabbed the highest rock. He pulled himself onto the rock and leapt from rock to rock.

Chespin ran on the final rock and jumped down towards the Cranidos. He sent out vines and lashed the Pokémon with them.

"Cranidos, use Headbutt!"

"Chespin, trip him!"

As the Cranidos charged, Chespin leaped to the side and used Vine Whip. The vines snagged the Cranidos' feet and caused it to fall.

"Leech Seed!"

The Craniados wasn't able to get up before the seeds grew and trapped it. The Pokémon groaned in pain as the plants drained its energy and gave it to Chespin.

"Finish it, now!"

"Not this time. Cranidos, throw him!"

Aaron didn't anticipate the counter attack. As the vines reached for Cranidos, the Pokémon wrapped his head around the vines and turned his head sharply, throwing Chespin.

"Now, use Take Down!"

Cranidos rammed his body into Aaron's Chespin. Sending the small Pokémon flying.

"Chespin! Are you okay?"

The referee ran over to the Pokémon and looked at it. He then gave a thumbs up.

"Chespin, we have to do this. Get ready, use Rollout!"

Chespin struggled to his feet, and Aaron really wished he could switch his Pokémon out. But he already used his switch.

Chespin got to his feet and charged at the Cranidos. Aaron immediately knew something was wrong. Chespin leaped into the air, surprising both Roark and Aaron.

Vines shot out from Chespin and grabbed the Cranidos. He pulled the Cranidos down and used Rollout.

As he fell towards the Cranidos, he built up speed. He landed on the stunned Cranidos, creating a large plume of dust.

The referee ran to the two Pokémon. When the dust cleared, he inspected the two Pokémon.

"Cranidos is unable to fight! Send out your last Pokémon!" he shouted, pointing his brown flag at Roark.

Aaron realized that he wasn't the only one who was determined to win. He realized that Chespin shared his determination.

"Go, Geodude!"

The Geodude stared at the Chespin, seeing as how tired the Pokémon was, his confidence was bolstered.

"Use, Smack Down!"

"Stop him with Vine Whip!"

Chespin grabbed the arms of the Geodude and stopped him in place. The two Pokémon struggled for a moment, with Aaron knowing that the Geodude would eventually overpower Chespin.

"Leech Seed!"

The Geodude wasn't able to react as the ensnaring seeds trapped him. Chespin redoubled his efforts to hold the Geodude in place. The Geodude struggled as his energy was drained and sent to Chespin.

"Chespin, now!" shouted Aaron.

Chespin, using all of his newfound energy and strength. Lifted the Geodude, and threw him across the battlefield. The Geodude hit the ground with a hard explosion and didn't move.

The crowd gasped at the impact. They all watched silently as the referee jogged to the other side of the battlefield. He looked at the Geodude, ran back to the main battlefield, and pointed his white flag at Aaron.

"Both of Roark's Pokémon are unable to battle. Aaron Wesker is the winner!"

The crowd cheered as the referee made his announcement. Aaron was elated by his victory. He ran to his Chespin and picked him up.

"Thank you for never giving up, and going on even when it was tough. You are the true champion here."

As I said in the last episode, I'll be going back to the normal story schedule updates.