In our previous episode, Zeke flew higher than Falkner and was able to defeat his flying types in a close battle! Meanwhile, two of our challengers Jax and Aaron faced off against each other! Jax awaits his next gym battle, will he be triumphant?

Seth's Group

Seth was headed on his way to the Rock Gym. He and his team had been making good progress, pushing on despite the light drizzle.

"Do we really have to trudge through the train?" asked Connor. "No matter how right, the rain is still starting to drench us."

"If we stop moving to set up camp, we'll get even more wet. We should continue on so that we don't get as wet," said Seth.

"I think that only works with cold," Theo pointed out.

"Either way, we'll be reaching a dense forest soon," said Seth. "A light drizzle like this will barely penetrate the leaves."

Isabelle and Peter, the Phantump they had befriended a few days ago, gave happy shrills and flew around at the prospect of returning to a forest.

As they approached the forest and it came into view, they noticed a multitude of Hoot Hoots and Pidoves flying away.

"Is that normal?" asked Connor.

"Maybe they're migrating together," said Seth. "Or competing for food."

Theo looked worried. "I doubt that. They wouldn't be flying together."

As they got closer, they could see various grass type Pokémon also fleeing the forest. Pokémon like Tangela and Roselia, Petlils and other Pokémon.

"This might be serious," said Theo. "Grass type Pokémon don't necessarily leave forests unless something dangerous is there. Or something extremely important."

"Well, maybe it's something dangerous," said Connor. "We should just go around the forest. No feed to put ourselves into more danger."

Seth scoffed. "No way! That'll just slow us down. In fact, maybe something important is happening. If it's a dangerous Pokémon, then I'll be able to fight it!"

"Or maybe it's a forest fire."

"Stop being a Wimpod, no offense to Saigon of course. Besides, if it was a forest fire, we'd know by now. Onwards!"

Theo shrugged and followed Seth, their cameraman and camera drone following. Leaving Connor by himself with all the fleeing Pokémon and the two Phantumps.

"Guys, don't leave me here by myself!"

Seth and Theo quickly moved through the forest, following the trails of fleeing Pokémon. They heard a loud roar before a loud crunching noise.

"I think that's our culprit," said Theo.

"A very loud one," agreed Seth. "Onwards!"

They ran towards the sight of where the sounds were coming from, passing a running Treecko that Seth threw a pokéball at, missing entirely.

"Forget the Treecko, I'm after the main prize," he said.

He ran into a clearing with Theo. against a splintered tree was a Tyrunt, rapidly smashing its head into trees and crunching twigs.

"Woah!" shouted Seth. "What's a Tyrunt doing in a forest?"

The Tyrunt spotted them and gave a loud roar before charging at Seth.

"I choose you, Champ!"

Champ burst of the pokéball in mid-air, charging at the Tyrunt. He smashed into the Tyrunt head on, using Horn Attack.

"Use Double Kick!"

Champ leapt back and charged again, slamming the Tyrunt twice with his feet.

The Tyrunt gave a roar and slammed the ground, lifting up stones with magic power and throwing them at Champ.

"Watch out for the Ancient Power!"

Champ weaved around the rocks, charging at the Tyrunt. He readied a Double Kick as the Tyrunt used Stomp, causing him to stagger back from the force of the attack.

The Tyrunt slammed its feet into the ground. Sharp rocks jutted out from the ground and floated in the air while turning translucent, limiting Champ's movement.

"Shoot, it used Stealth Rock. Champ, move carefully! Use Fury Attack!"

Nidorino rushed forward, completely ignoring Seth's advice. Stones scraped him as he reached the Tyrunt attacking it furiously.

The Tyrunt braced its feet against the ground as it took the attacks. Its tail became green and grew longer.

"Champ! Watch out!"

The Tyrunt whirled around and slammed Champ with its tail, sending him back into his pokéball. Seth didn't have time to react before another one of his pokéballs opened, revealing Arianna.

Arianna landed on the ground and immediately moved backwards as she landed on Stealth Rock. The Tyrunt looked at the newcomer and snorted, ready to charge.

"Arianna, use Bubble Beam!"

Arianna blew a stream of bubbles at the Tyrunt, but the bubbles never reached it as they were popped by the Stealth Rock.

"Dang it! Watch out!"

The Tyrunt rushed at Arianna and leapt at her, using Bite. Arianna used Bubble Beam again, hitting the Tyrunt since it was at close range.

"Now, use Aqua Jet!"

Before the Tyrunt could recover, Arianna rushed forward and slammed into the Tyrunt in a torrent of water. The Tyrunt staggered backwards as Seth threw a pokéball. The Tyrunt was pulled into the ball as it sailed through the air, landing a few feet away.

The ball shook violently, causing Arianna and Seth to tense up. The ball burst open as the Tyrunt charged forward while they were distracted by the bright flash caused by the ball breaking.

"Arianna, Icy Wind!"

.. Arianna breathed a stream of cold wind, the attack weaving through the Stealth Rock and hitting the Tyrunt, causing ice to form around it as it slowed down.

"Try breaking out this time!" he shouted as he threw another pokéball. The ball shook many times again, but stayed closed this time.

"Nice one," said Theo.

Seth stretched and gave a yawn. "It was pretty easy."

He picked up the ball as he looked at his pokédex. "That's strange."

"What strange?" asked Connor, coming up behind Seth.

Seth gave a scream as he leapt backwards, almost dropping his pokédex and pokéball in the process.

"Where in the name of Arceus and the Creation Triad did you come from?" he asked breathlessly.

"From over there," Connor answered, pointing beyond the trees. "Me and the Phantumps got here right when you defeated the Tyrunt. Anyways, what's strange."

"You know the caves under the Rock Gym?"

Theo and Connor nodded.

"That's where Tyrunt are said to live, never in forests."

"Maybe another Pokémon chased it out."

Seth smiled, causing Theon and Connor to groan. Isabelle and Peter looked confused at their exasperation.

"Well if a Pokémon chased Ves out, then I'm sure it has to be strong."

"Maybe too strong for you."

"Only one way to find out."

Jax's Group

"Finally! The next gym!" exclaimed Jax as they entered the settlement, the big gym building in perfect view.

"Shouldn't you stop by the Pokémon Center first?" asked Camilla.

"Of course I will, I'm just glad to see the next gym. You heard Aaron, we're most likely behind."

"Competition is what drives us all isn't it?" asked Mack.

"What is life without competition?" responded Jax.

They walked to the Pokémon Center, passing many people on the way. They entered the Pokémon Center and got Jax's Pokémon healed.

"Now, let's head on to the gym!" he shouted, surprising the people in the center.

He collected his pokéballs and walked out of the room, Camilla and Mack following him. He made it into the gym room and pressed the button on the statue.

"Welcome to the normal gym. The gym isn't a puzzle, just a series of normal looking rooms. I'm sure it's pretty obvious."

"Kind of like Norman's puzzle in Hoenn."

"Crazy right," said the statue, its voice giving off the emotions of stone.

"Well thanks for the hint. See ya!"

Jax and party went into the next room and were met with a trainer.

"Ah hello! I'll be your first challenger! Are you ready?"

"I've been ready!"

"Alright then! I choose you, Yungoos!"

"Go, Valdez!"

The two Pokémon burst out of their balls, wasting no time in getting ready to attack.

"Flame Wheel!"

"Thunder Fang!"

Valdez flipped over the Yungoos and slammed onto its back, dodging the Thunder Fang. He then flipped around and used Fury Swipes, repeatedly slashing the Yungoos and knocking it away.

"Quick Attack!"

"Mach Punch!"

The Yungoos rushed at Valdez, but wasn't agile enough to hit him before Valde slammed a fist into the side of its face.

"Ember Barrage!"

Wasting no time, Valdez shot fire from its hands, tail and mouth. The fireballs rained down on the Yungoos and quickly fainted it.

"No way! You could have defeated her that fast!"

"That's the power of Valdez for ya!" said Jax, giving Valdez a high five. "Send in your next Pokémon to lose!"

"Not happening! Go, Zangoose! Start this off with Slash!"

"Mach Punch!"

The Zangoose leapt forward, its claws glinting. Valdez rushed forward and punched the Zangoose in the chest, throwing it backwards before its hit could land.

"Quick Attack!"

"Ember!"

Valdez leapt backwards and shot balls of flame as the Zangoose rushed towards him, dodging the attacks with ease. Valdez jumped forward and used Flame Wheel right before the Zangoose hit him.

The two Pokémon collided and rebounded off of each other. Valdez used Mach Punch again, but was blocked by its claws.

"Get back and use Hone Claws!" shouted the trainer.

The Zangoose got on all fours and sprang away. The Pokémon raised its claws, turning them range as it slashed them together.

"Now, use Slash!"

"Ember!"

The Zangoose leapt forward as Valdez threw fireballs at it. Right before the Zangoose reached him, he leapt to the side and dodged the Slash, firing some more Embers.

"Stop hitting and running! Quick Attack!"

"You heard him Valdez! Mach Punch!"

The two Pokémon rushed at each other. Valdez threw a straight punch as the Zangoose leapt to the side before putting on a burst of speed and slamming him in the back.

"Turn back around!" shouted Jax.

Valdez whipped around before the Zangoose could escape. He slammed the Pokémon with his fist and knocked it out.

The trainer looked at his fallen Pokémon. "Your Monferno is insanely strong to have taken out both Pokémon with little trouble."

"That's why he's my ace. We're going to conquer all the gyms!"

"But you shouldn't only use your Monferno," said Camilla. "Shouldn't you also use your other Pokémon in battle?"

Jax smiled. "Of course. There'll be other fights. I know how to take care of my Pokémon. Not only have I been trained in battling, but in Pokémon Coordinating as well!. Let's go!"

They continued on to the next room. Jax opened the door and held it open, allowing Mack and Camilla to go first.

"You really know how to treat a lady," she said, looking directly at his face.

"Thanks, my dads always said to be respectful."

Valdez, who hadn't returned to his pokeball, looked at Jax. Seeing how oblivious his trainer was, he desperately tried to get his trainer's attention as Camilla passed him.

"What is it? You want to go back into your ball?"

Valdez gave him a look and pointed at Camilla, then he pointed at Jax and held his hands together.

"You want me to take her hand?"

Valdez shrugged. Jax didn't really get what he was trying to say, but it was close enough.

"That's something only couples do, Valdez. But I guess you wouldn't really understand."

Mack popped into the room. "You coming?"

"Valdez is trying to tell me something. Kind of weird though."

Valdez sighed and collapsed to the ground, not able to muster enough energy to try and get his trainer to realize. Jax shrugged and returned him to his pokéball before walking into the room.

In the next room, there was a trainer standing there. He put his hands in the air when he saw Jax walk in.

"What took you so long? I saw your companions walk in, but not the main trainer! Ah, an opponent! I'm the only obstacle between you and the gym leader. Can you defeat me and my Pokemon?"

Jax pulled out one of his pokéballs . "Is that plural or singular?"

"Usually singular, but I had to borrow one because of a complication with the last trainers. But anyways, that doesn't matter. Me and my Eevee can't lose this time!"

"Let's see about that! I choose you, Virgil!"

"Go, Vinnie!"

The two Eevees landed on the field. Mack raised an eyebrow at the two Pokémon.

"Two Eevees, both have six letter names that start with V. This fight will be interesting."

"Alright Vinnie, start this battle off with Quick Attack!"

"Virgil, use Swift!"

Virgil immediately leapt into action, not wanting to lose to the same Pokémon as himself. He fired star shaped rays at Vinnie as it ran at him. He then used Quick Attack himself and slammed into the opposing Eevee as the Swift hit it from behind.

"Vinnie, use Bite!"

Vinnie clamped his mouth onto Virgil, who angrily tried shaking it off.

"Virgil, use Take Down!"

Virgil pushed Vinnie off of him and slammed into the Pokémon with full force. Vinnie went flying backwards, but quickly recovered and used Take Down himself.

Virgil stepped forward, awaiting the charging Eevee. Jax gave a heavy sigh before smiling.

"All right you cocky runt. If you want to take him head on, use Take Down!"

Virgil didn't need to be told twice, he powered himself up and leapt at Vinnie with all of his might. The two Pokémon slammed into each other with enough force to make everyone in the room flinch.

Vinnie wobbled, trying to keep his balance after such a powerful hit. Virgil simply shook himself and faced the opposing Eevee. He walked around the Eevee, his expression saying, 'have you had enough?'

Vinnie glared at Virgil before launching a Quick Attack. Virgil dodged the tired attack easily and knocked him away with his own Quick Attack.

"Use Swift!" shouted the trainer.

"Counter it with your own Swift!"

The two attacks hit each other, with Virgil's attack pushing through. The star rays slammed into Vinnie and fainted him.

Virgil turns around and swishes his tail, putting on an air of superiority. Jax shook his head and returned his Pokémon.

"Good battle, your Eevee definitely is strong."

The trainer sighed. "But I wasn't skilled enough. But you'll have what it takes to beat our gym leader, good luck.

Jax walked into the stadium, walking towards the gym leader on the other side of the arena. He immediately recognized the person as Norman, and shook his hand in the middle.

"You may know me a s Norman, a master of normal type Pokémon."

"And I'll be the one to defeat you," Jax said confidently. A friendly smile on his face.

"We'll see about that. I've battled many opponents. Do you have the same experience?"

"I have the same experience and more! Let's do this!"

Norman nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. They stepped back to their respective positions as a referee came.

"The white flag represents Jax Ambros, and the gray flag represents Gym Leader Norman! The rules are simple! Each trainer has three Pokémon, meaning that they have one switch each. First person to have knocked out the opponent's three Pokémon is the winner! Are we ready?"

Jax nodded, a grin on his face. He held a pokéball ready in his hand.

"Then ready, set, battle!"

"I choose you, Slugg!"

"Go, Spinda!"

The two Pokémon popped out of their pokéballs, landing on the ground facing each other.

"Slugg, start this off with a Mud Bomb!"

"Psybeam!"

Slugg hurled a ball of mud at the Spinda, who cleaved through it with a Psybeam.

"Dizzy Punch!"

Spinda ran at Slugg, who fired a Water Pulse at it. The Spinda pushed through the attack and slammed a fist into the Shellos.

"That's as close as you'll get! Hidden Power!"

Slugg concentrated and closed her eyes. Purple psychic type orbs appeared around her and flew at the Spinda, knocking it backwards.

"Water Pulse!"

"Hypnosis!"

The Spinda was hit again, but not before sending Slugg to sleep. Her eyes drooped as she went to sleep.

"Slugg! Can you hear me?"

"She cannot. Spinda, use Psybeam!"

The Spinda readied a beam of psychic energy and fired it at Slugg, not even causing the sleeping Pokémon to stir.

"Dizzy Punch"

The Spinda moved towards Slugg before spinning around and punching her in the side.

"Again!"

"Slugg! Wake Up!"

By sheer will, Slugg's eyes snapped open as the Spinda came again. She used Hidden Power again and knocked it backwards.

"Alright! I knew you could hear me! We're not out of the count yet, Rain Dance!"

Shellos tilted her head upwards and wriggled her body. Clouds darkened the arena as it began to rain.

"Feint Attack!"

"Don't fall for it! Blast him with Water Pulse!"

Slugg listened to his advice and didn't go after the Spinda and instead used Water Pulse. The rain boosted attack sent the Spinda flying back.

"Hit it again!"

"Dodge it"

The Spinda, being much farther away, dodged the attack and ran at Slugg.

"Psybeam!"

Jax quickly glanced at the floor, which had already collected a small amount of water.

"Dodge it!"

Slugg moved to the side, the water on the gym floor allowing her to move faster.

"Slugg may not be able to move fast on land, but with a bit of water, she can go places! Water Pulse!"

"Dodge it!"

"Not this time! Track him!"

Shellos moved almost as fast as the Spinda and fired a Water Pulse in front of it. The attack hit the Spinda and knocked it to the ground.

The referee walked up to the fallen Pokémon, covering her head with her flags to ward off the rain.

"Spinda is unable to fight," she said, pointing the gray flag at Norman while keeping the white one over her head. "Send in your next Pokémon."

"Outspeed this! Go, Linoone!"

The long Pokémon appeared with a menacing snarl.

"That doesn't scare us! Use Water Pulse while the rain's with us!"

"Hone Claws!"

The Linoone powered up its claws as it dodged the attack. It ran straight at Slugg, ready to strike.

"Slash!"

"Water Pulse!"

The Linoone scraped its claws into the ground and almost slipped as it made a sharp right turn before making another one.

"Now!"

The Linoone leapt at Slugg and slashed her with a powerful swipe. The move ended up in a critical hit and fainted her.

"Slugg is unable to fight," said the referee, pointing the white flag at Jax. "Send in your next Pokémon."

"Go, Virgil!"

The Eevee landed on the ground, looking at the Linoone. The clouds above faded right after he was sent out.

"Carefully, the floor is slippery when wet. Don't make any sharp maneuvers, but try and make the Linoone do so. Swift!"

"You can't dodge it, rush the Eevee!"

Virgil fired a barrage of stars. The Linoone charged forward at Virgil, not flinching as the stars hit it.

"Dodge the Linoone with Quick Attack!"

Virgil didn't move as the Linoone came closer. Jax stood there with his mouth agape as he repeated his command.

"Come on!"

"Slash!"

Right before the Linoone could hit, Virgil put on a burst of speed and rolled out the way, causing the Linoone to slip. Virgil tried to stop, but slid as he struggled to gain traction. Instead, he ended up sliding into Jax.

"You little ra-"

He didn't get a chance to finish his admonishment before Virgil leapt forward, slipping again and slamming head first into the Linoone.

"Eevee can't learn Headbutt!" said Norman.

"Well he can now! Take Down!"

"Slash!"

Virgil tried slamming his body into the Linoone, but it reached him with its claws first and sent him sprawling.

"Quick Attack!"

Virgil ran forward, taking care not to slip like an idiot again. The Linoone came at him, but he instead ran faster and crouched low, sliding behind the Linoone. He then rose to his feet and leapt forward using Take Down. The Linoone being a Linoone, couldn't turn around fast enough.

The Linoone went down hard as it slid across the slick floor. Virgil was already moving.

"Swift!"

The star rays slammed into the Linoone and proved to be too much. The Pokémon fainted on the ground.

Norman sighed and returned his Pokémon as the referee made her announcement.

"I see your Pokémon truly are strong. But can you defeat my ace? I couldn't use him last time, but I can now! Go, Slaking!"

The giant gorilla Pokémon landed on the field. Virgil looked at the Pokémon, completely unfazed.

"Alright Virgil, your speed is your greatest asset. We'll have to use it in this fight."

Virgil nodded. He crouched down, ready to use his fastest quick attack.

"Okay future Jolteon, use your speed! Quick Attack!"

"Hammer Arm!"

The Slaking reared up to its hind legs, a scary sight for most Pokémon of Virgil's size. Virgil leapt away from the powerful attack and leapt at its back.

The attack barely hurt the Pokémon, but it lost its balance as it slipped.

"Take Down!"

"Ice Punch!"

Virgil slammed into the Slaking stomach, and rebounded to the ground. He tried to leap to the side as the Slaking used Ice Punch, but was hit in the side and sent flying.

"Virgil is unable to fight, send in your next Pokémon."

Jax nodded as he returned his Pokémon. "You did well. It's time for my own ace Pokémon. Let's do this Valdez!"

He threw his pokéball, sending out his Monferno. Valdez looked at the Slaking, his tail flaring up as he readied himself.

"Slaking, go on the offensive! Facade!"

"Flame Wheel!"

The two Pokémon ran at each other. The Slaking bounded on all fours and reared up and threw a fist as Valdez leapt at it, dodging the fist and slammed into it in a wheel of fire.

"Hammer Arm!"

The Slaking spun around, smacking Valdez with a giant arm and sending it flying backwards.

"Valdez!"

Valdez shook himself and got up, trying to show he wasn't hurt. The Slaking lumbered over to him, but then laid down.

"It's truanting! Mach Punch!"

Valdez saw his opportunity and rushed forward, landing punch after punch on the Slaking. No matter how many times he hit it, it didn't seem to be fazed.

"Slaking, get ready to use Facade!"

The Slaking still didn't move. Valdez continued punching the Pokémon in frustration. It suddenly shifted and reared up, prompting Valdez to leap backwards.

"Hit and run with Ember!"

"Are you fast enough?" asked Norman. "Use Facade!"

Valdez leapt away, throwing Ember at the Slaking. It charged at Valdez, ignoring his continuous fire attacks.

"Do it, now!" shouted Norman.

The Slaking leapt forward, but narrowly missed Valdez. Instead of getting up again, it laid still. Valdez immediately turned and used Mach Punch, but right as he approached, the Slaking reared up and used Facade.

Valdez went flying and slammed into the ground near Jax. He struggled to his feet, trying to continue to fight.

Jax hurried to his Pokémon, who was still attempting to stand. He put a hand on Valdez's shoulder.

"It's okay buddy. We can just train more and fight Norman later. You can't take another one of those hits," he held out Valdez's pokéball. "You can rest if you want."

Valdez shook his head. He stood up and marched back to the arena, glaring at the Slaking. The Slaking gave a yawn and beat its chest, ready for a fight.

Valdez put his arms out and gave a mighty yell as fire erupted all over his body. His tail grew to an Inferno as his ability activated.

"Alright Valdez, go for it! Flame Wheel!"

Valdez leapt forward, his Flame Wheel almost three times stronger than before. The Slaking took a step backwards and threw his fist forward.

The two Pokémon made contact, a wave of heat running through the crowd. The Slaking was slowly pushed back as it braced itself instead of attacking, trying to protect itself.

A bright flash erupted from Valdez as his fire intensified. The Slaking gave a groan as it collapsed, falling backwards.

"Slaking is unable to battle! Jax is the winner!"

The crowd cheered as Jax ran to his Pokémon. Valdez turned around and approached his trainer, but collapsed from exhaustion.

Jax picked up his Pokémon and hugged him close. "You did great, everyone did great. Let's get you to a Pokémon center, and get you some food."

Valdez gave him a weak smile. Before dozing off like a Slaking.

"You, my friend, are very powerful. We'll go far together with the rest of the team. Onwards! To a greater future!"

Alright, that's the end of the episode. As I looked through this, I say that I may or may not have used alright too much. This might just be me, but if you feel like I'm overusing a word, don't hesitate to tell me!