Feeling immense pressure before even stepping into the gym, I take a few deep breaths outside and slap sandwich my face.

Okay! Showtime.

Armed with my three pokémon (Yes, armed. Pokémon are weapons.), I step inside. I wondered why the gym was inside a tall building as I stood outside. The gimmick becomes apparent once inside. There is a cocoon that houses a set of stairs that take you up to an upper level with another cocoon staircase and subsequent levels after. The bridges are covered in webbing. There are also trainers loitering on them, waiting.

"Welcome!" a man says approaching. "Welcome to the Castelia city pokémon gym. I will be your emcee for today and I'll also be the referee."

I nod.

"This way, up the stairs. It's a long way to the top."

You said it.

I fought my way through several trainers who weren't necessarily difficult to beat but, they did wear my team down somewhat, power points usage-wise and taking a bit of damage. I rotated my pokémon, making sure to switch them out every time a new opponent's pokémon was brought out. That way, one wouldn't have to take the most damage and handle everything. This was good training for Magnemite, enough for it to learn Thunder Wave.

A platform takes ref and I even higher. We step off the platform and into an enormous room. Its originally white but, its been painted sporadically, or at least that's how it looks like to me, with different colours streaked and crossing and mixing. There are open buckets of paint and brushes in different sizes lying about. The battlefield is marked in white paint on the hardwood floor. It looks fresh, too. And there are visible gashes here and there.

A spotlight shines down on a man with green eyes and curly brown hair. "Welcome!" he says. "I am Burgh," he says holding his arms out.

"Just like the makings of a luxury brand, Bug pokémon represent two things: strength and beauty. Again, I welcome you to my world Catheri. Let us dance in all shades and tones of colour!"

Ceiling lights illuminate the whole battlefield. I ready myself and my first pokémon.

The ref says, "Let the battle," and at the drop of his hand, "begin!"

"Go, Magnemite!"

"Dwebble, come on out!"

"Magnemite, paralyse it! Use Thunder Wave!"

Magnemite flies over and stuns Dwebble with its electricity.

"Use Stealth Rock!"

Dwebble moves its two pincers up and down and sets pointy, sharp stones all around my side of the battlefield. They do nothing but stay hovering in midair.

"Use Rock Polish!"

It breaks through its paralyses to use its move. With its two pincers, it chips away pieces of its own rock.

"Magnemite, use Sonic Boom!"

"Withdraw!"

Uh! Dwebble avoids a big hit of damage as it withdraws into its rock.

"Now that its above you, use Sand Attack!"

Dwebble chucks a spray of sand from inside its rock up into Magnemite's eye. Magnemite loses concentration for a second, just enough time for Dwebble to land its next attack.

"Bring it down! Smack Down!"

Dwebble hurls a rock at Magnemite with enough force behind it to bring Magnemite down to the ground.

"Use Fury Cutter!"

But it doesn't move as it stays immobile due to the paralyses. Magnemite floats back up.

"Magnemite, return!" I place the pokéball away and take out the next one. "Riolu!"

Riolu comes out, ripped and ready to fight. As soon as Riolu appears on the battlefield, the floating rocks come flying at it and deal, not too great but, some damage.

Okay. Gotta remember those are a thing. "Its paralysed and its been dealt some damage! Finish it off with Force Palm!"

Riolu moves in.

"Can you move?"

Dwebble turns to its trainer and raises its two little pincers.

"Okay. Hit it with Rock Blast."

Dwebble turns around to face Riolu once again and fires rocks from inside its home. Rocks come flying and whizzing past Riolu. It ducks to avoid them.

"Get around them with Quick Attack!"

Riolu blitzes past all the incoming rocks, swerving around them and closing the gap to Dwebble.

"Now! Force Palm!"

Riolu delivers a powerful blow with its immense strength right at Dwebble. Even though it hid inside its rock at the last second before taking the hit, it faints.

"Dwebble is unable to battle! Burgh is switching to his next pokémon!"

Dwebble is returned to its pokéball. Burgh says, "You did excellent. Now, next up! Go! Shelmet!"

Burgh's second pokémon appears on the battlefield.

"What is that? A Steel type?" I take out the pokédex to check. After reading, I say, "No, its just a Bug type."

"Just a bug, huh? Shelmet, use Leech Life!"

Shelmet jumps and latches its long pink mouth onto Riolu. Riolu cries in pain as its energy is sucked away. Riolu struggles and manages to knock it off.

Paralyse… "Riolu! Return!" I place Riolu away and switch it out for: "Magnemite!"

The floating rocks come hurtling at Magnemite. It closes its eye as it takes very little damage and shakes it off.

I shake it off too and order, "Paralyse it with Thunder Wave!"

Magnemite flies in close.

"Struggle Bug!"

Shelmet knocks Magnemite back a bit with its attack, but Magnemite moves back close and stuns it with Thunder Wave.

"Leech Life!"

Just as it did to Riolu, Shelmet latches onto Magnemite, but it barely does any damage to it as it takes some life force.

"Return!"

I switch out for Riolu. It gets pummeled by sharp rocks from multiple directions.

Ugh, of course. "Riolu, hit it with a powerful Force Palm before it moves!"

Riolu runs closer to it again, readying its attack.

"Ha! Use Bide, Shelmet!"

Bide?

Shelmet hides in its helmet-like shell. It begins to store energy inside.

"Hit it now!"

Riolu connects its palm to Shelmet. It still stands.

"Uh! Dodge! Somewhere!"

"Hahaha! Unleash your full power!"

What looks like a mini-explosion joins a blinding white light. Riolu is knocked off his feet and falls onto its face as it tries to run away.

"Riolu, return!" I think this battle is the most times I've switched pokémon so far. "Servine, you're up!"

Finally, Servine joins this match. It gets struck by pointy stones.

Ah! Right! I let out a breath of air and say, "I think I have a strategy. I really hope it works. Ready?"

Servine looks back at me, understanding.

"Use Leer!"

Servine's eyes glow red. It lowers Shelmet's guard.

"Use Leech Life!"

Oh no! "Dodge!"

Servine avoids contact with Shelmet's mouth by a hair. That puckered little pink mouth really stretches.

In my quick thinking, I shout, "Distract it with Leaf Tornado!"

Sharp, pointy leaves surround and whirl around Shelmet. It's struck repeatedly again and again, making it flinch.

"Use Leer!"

Servine catches Shelmet again and lowers its guard some more.

"Great! Return!"

In comes Riolu and on comes the barrage of Stealth Rock.

… "…Power up! Get ready for a supremely powerful fistful!"

Riolu's paw begins to glow as it closes the gap.

"Force Palm!"

It unleashes its mighty power onto Shelmet.

"Shelmet is unable to battle! Burgh will be switching out!"

As he returns Shelmet, he says, "How are you and your pokémon doing? Not too worn out, I hope."

Actually, yes. Yes, we are. Even more so by those rocks. We're only halfway through this match and my pokémon and I are already feeling the fatigue. Will I be able to win this?

"Hm! You're up next, Karrablast!"

"I'll switch out too! Riolu, return!" I need your power for later. "Go, Magnemite!"

The stones come flying at Magnemite, damaging it a little.

"Smart move switching into a steel type," says Burgh, "but no matter, we'll face any opponent with our full power! Karrablast, use Bide!"

Ugh, this again! But, Magnemite's a Steel type so it can withstand the blast better than Riolu and Servine. Okay! "Magnemite, Thunder Wave!"

Magnemite taps the still Karrablast with its magnet.

"Yes! Now it won't move!"

"Unleash your power!"

"Ah! Back away!"

As Magnemite turns and flies back, its rocked about in the air by the shockwave.

Yes! We didn't take much damage! I ready the pokéball to bring back Magnemite but, then I think, wait, maybe I should damage it some before switching. "Magnemite! Use Thunder Shock!"

Magnemite unleashes a small discharge of electricity that travels in one, indiscriminate direction.

"Dodge it!"

Karrablast moves to the side to avoid the attack.

Avoid this! "Sonic Boom!"

Magnemite's Sonic Boom is unavoidable as it surrounds the targeted area like a cone. It hits wherever Magnemite's eye is looking, making it extremely difficult to avoid being hit, especially on a field. Karrablast is knocked on it's back.

"Return!" I say, but Magnemite flies out of the pokéball beam's way and avoids returning.

"Huh?"

It turns to look back at me, looking quite annoyed with a hint of anger. It beeps and whirrs as it moves its magnets around.

"What? Do you…want to keep battling?"

It beeps and creates sparks.

"Fine. If you insist."

It turns back to face Karrablast.

"Magnemite, power up your electricity like Riolu! Lets give 'em a Thunder Shock they can't avoid!"

Magnemite begins to charge electricity.

"Go, Karrablast! Use Leech Life!"

Karrablast jumps and bites onto one of Magnemite's magnets. A ball starts to form between the two charging magnets and begins to grow bigger and bigger.

"Now! Show them your power!"

Magnemite lets go of the electrically charged ball of plasma. It flies out and does a u-turn like a boomerang and hits Karrablast dead center. Karrablast is knocked to the ground.

"Incredible!" the referee exclaims. "It just learned Magnet Bomb!"

Magnet Bomb… "Ready another one!"

"Right there, Karrablast. Stay where you are and use Bide."

Oh no.

Magnemite and Karrablast are aligned vertically. Both are charging their moves. As soon as I see the plasma ball forming, I yell, "Now! Magnet Bomb!"

Magnemite releases it. The super hot plasma ball flies into Karrablast. But it still stands as it prepares itself to unleash a blast of energy.

"Dodge! Hide behind a rock!"

Magnemite takes cover behind a floating stealth rock as a shockwave of energy is released in all directions. The building even shakes a bit. Karrablast falls over. It tired itself out with that blast.

"Karrablast is unable to battle! The gym leader, Burgh, has one pokémon left!"

"Return! Now," he says looking at the ball and taking out the next one, "get ready for the star! Leavanny, its time to take center stage!"

A humanoid bug pokémon appears on the opposing side. It's huge. I've never seen one before with my own eyes. It bows eloquently like its trainer. Magnemite beeps and whirrs looking back at me. I nod back at it in understanding.

Three against one. I inhale and exhale a breath of air. "Magnemite! Stun it with Thunder Wave!"

But the stunned one was I as Leavanny dodges the attack with grace and a lot of speed.

"Slash!"

Uh! It strikes Magnemite with it's sickle-like leaf arm. Magnemite flinches.

"String Shot!"

Leavanny sprays out a thin but strong silk from its mouth whilst it does quick work, with the tips of its leaf sickles, to wrap Magnemite like a mummy. It beeps and whirrs and moves about trying to figure out how to get out.

"Bug Bite!"

Leavanny takes a strong bite at Magnemite.

"Mag–!" No, wait, "Try to shake off the silk with Sonic Boom!"

Magnemite vibrates and whirrs. Some of the silk does come off, but its not enough.

"Leavanny, Razor Leaf!"

Leavanny covers Magnemite with a wave of sharp leaves bringing its visibility down to zero.

No, don't wanna switch. Don't wanna switch. We have to get a hit in! "Magnemite, Magnet Bomb!"

Through zero visibility and silk casketed magnets, Magnemite begins to charge electromagnetic power.

"Keep hacking away at it, Leavanny. Use Slash repeatedly!"

Magnemite takes blow after blow after blow, holding out and demonstrating itself to be one tough little costumer. It manages to fire off one Magnet Bomb before taking one last Slash and going down. Literally, just floats down as it's low on power.

"Magnemite is unable to battle! Catheri is switching out for her next pokémon!"

I need a long range attacker. Or, something that can keep up with it in terms of speed. But, Magnemite is out. It was the only real option I had left if I wanted to keep my distance. Oh well, no use crying over spilt milk. "Servine! You're up!"

Servine appears, gives its battle cry, takes hits from Stealth Rock and looks back as it brushes dust off itself.

I say to it, "We'll do as much as we can. We're not going down without a fight.

"Go! Vine Whip!"

Two vines extend from around Servine's nape. Leavanny guards itself with its arms but still receives some damage.

"Wrap!"

Servine slithers like a proper serpent up to Leavanny and coils its body around it, containing its arms.

"Growth! C'mon!"

Servine grows and puts an even tighter squeeze on Leavanny.

"Struggle Bug!"

Because Leavanny's elbows are almost hinge-like, it can close its forearm to its arm like a scissor. Its sickle leaf blades glow as they strike simultaneously at Servine's body.

"Leer!"

It catches it a bit off guard but, Burgh shouts, "Bug Bite!"

Leavanny chomps its mouth down on Servine, enough for it to loosen its grip. Servine lets out a cry of pain as it backs away.

"Slash!"

"Dodge!"

Servine barrel rolls out of the way at the last second. A gash is left in the wood floor.

Oh, that's what those are.

"Slash! Again!"

"Dodge!"

Another close call. And then, going by instinct, "Leer!"

"String Shot!"

Oh, no! I forgot about that!

Leavanny covers Servine in its thin strong silk. It does quick work with those sickle arms to wrap and leave Servine looking like a cocoon.

"Growth!"

Servine wriggles around inside as its body enlarges.

"Slash!"

"Growth!"

"Slash!"

The cocoon cracks open, revealing a fainted Servine.

"Servine is unable to battle! It has come down to both trainer's last pokémon!"

I look down at my last pokémon's pokéball. Come on. I exhale air and shout, "Go! Riolu!"

Riolu bellows its battlecry before getting battered by Stealth Rock.

It's defenses are down. Its fought two pokémon hard. Its gotta give. "Riolu! Quick Attack!"

"Catch it. Let's trap it in our String Shot!"

"Dodge! Dodge and hide behind the rocks!"

Riolu hides behind a floating rock as Leavanny throws its silk.

"There's nowhere to hide!"

Leavanny appears from around the rock, in front of Riolu, and startles it.

"Haha! Gotcha! String Shot!"

"Slide between its feet!"

Leavanny misses its shot as Riolu slides under its nose.

"Right there! Quick Attack!"

Riolu gives Leavanny a one-two punch from behind.

"Great!"

It turns around.

"Slash!"

It takes the hit, but not much damage is caused because it's a Normal type move.

"Once more! Slash!"

"Endure!"

Riolu glows and crosses its arms together in an X, standing ground as Leavanny puts down pressure.

"Count–!" What? My command is cut short by the strange glow emanating from its arm. Riolu strikes back against Leavanny with a swing of its glowing arm. Leavanny skids back.

The referee states, "That-that was Slash! But…how?!"

"Copycat," says Burgh. "Interesting."

Copycat?

"This is incredible!" the ref exclaims. "Riolu just now learned how to use Copycat! This could be crucial to Catheri's victory!"

Burgh says, "Hmm. We'll have to tire you out before you get a chance. Leavanny, String Shot!"

"Quick Attack!"

Riolu dodges the strands of silk.

"Copycat!"

"Uh!" Burgh exclaims in surprise.

Riolu places its wrists together and from a point in the middle, out comes a string of thin but strong silk that hits Leavanny from behind. It tries to lift its arms up but the silk holds them in place.

"Force Palm!"

Leavnanny skids back as it receives a blow to the thorax.

"No matter. Bug Bite!"

It lunges towards Riolu like a hungry predator.

"Endure!"

Leavanny bites down on Riolu's forearm as it confronts it head on. Leavanny growls as it keeps trying to push forward.

"C–!"

But I'm cut off again by a glow brighter and blinding than the Endure.

"Ah! What's this?" the ref says. "Could Riolu possibly be…evolving?"

Evolving? Now?

I cover my eyes with my hand. Even Leavanny is blinded, but keeps its hold on Riolu. As it's glow emanates, Riolu grows taller in size, up to my chest in height, and it changes shape. The glowing ceases.

The referee breaks the silence by exclaiming, "Riolu has evolved into Lucario!"

Lucario growls at Leavanny. Now they're both at around the same height.

"Lucario!"

It looks to me.

"Counter!"

With its free fist, it punches Leavanny's thorax, breaking Leavanny's hold and freeing its hand.

"Being bigger means you're an easier target to hit. Leavanny, String Shot!"

"Dodge!"

Lucario zips away at such blinding speed I don't even see it for the second it disappears and reappears in a different location.

"Copycat!"

Lucario throws silk out of its wrists and entangles Leavanny further. It squirms as it struggles to break free.

"Struggle Bug!"

Its arms glow and cut away the silk strands.

"Mega Drain!"

It rushes up to Lucario and taps its arm to its chest and drains out its life force.

"Copycat!"

Lucario returns the favour and drains Leavanny's life force back.

"Bug Bite!"

Leavanny comps down at Lucario's arm again.

"Copy that!"

Lucario growls and sinks its teeth into Leavanny's shoulder. Leavanny cries out. They both let go of each other and back away.

"Get ready to strike it," Burgh says.

Leavanny gears itself for the attack.

"Slash!"

Leavanny jolts into action. Before I even give a command, Lucario's eyes sharpen and it moves forward with such great speed and strikes Leavanny first with a Slash of its own.

"That was Me First!" the ref shouts through the mic.

I'm left speechless.

"Slash! Now!"

Lucario catches Leavanny's arm in its paw, completely stopping it from completing its move.

"If I'm not mistaken," the referee says, "that was Detect!"

Another new move?

"Lucario is gracing us with a slew of moves it didn't know minutes ago!"

"Lucario!" I shout.

It turns to look at me. It has such sharp but gentle eyes. Serious eyes ready for glory. I nod. It nods back.

I exhale. "Quick Attack!"

"Stand your guard!"

Lucario closes the gap to Leavanny.

"Slash!"

"Detect!"

It blocks Slash.

"String Shot!"

"Dodge and use Copycat!"

Lucario rolls out of the way and on one knee it delivers a spray of silk.

"Me First!"

Burgh exclaims, "I haven't even given out a command yet!"

But somehow, Lucario just knows. It swings its arm, using Leavanny's premeditated Slash against it, hitting and sweeping it off its feet. Leavanny falls on its back.

"Slash!"

"Jump!"

Lucario jumps and avoids Leavanny's swinging arm.

"Mega Drain!"

Leavanny stands back up and touches Lucario.

"Endure!"

Endure prevents it from draining Lucario's energy.

"Ugh!" Burgh exclaims.

"Counter!"

Lucario delivers a close range punch, making Leavanny flinch.

"Force Palm!"

"Block it with Slash!"

Both pokémon lock each other in a struggle of power.

"Struggle Bug!"

Leavanny begins to push back at Lucario.

"Detect then Force Palm!"

With one hand, Lucario taps its palm against Leavanny's glowing arm and cancels out the attack. With the other, it presses its Force Palm against it and pushes. Lucario backs away to make distance between them.

"Slash!"

"Detect!"

It stops it.

"Bug Bite!"

"Endure!"

It holds its place.

"Counter!"

Lucario delivers another crucial blow.

"Slash!"

"Me First!"

Just like in a samurai movie, Lucario and Leavanny stand with their weapons still drawn, not moving, not flinching. And then, Leavanny's legs give out from underneath it. It falls forward to the floor. There is a silence that follows as Lucario stands straight back up.

"C-Catheri is the winner!"

"Yes! Yeees!" I give Lucario a big hug. "My, you've grown much taller."

It gives me a growl as it happily cries and returns the hug.

"Return," Burgh says. "You did amazing. Wonderful work, Leavanny.

"Catheri!" he says approaching. "That was a fine show of skill and power! Right down to the wire. You two should take a rest, you both look beat. And, here, take this from me. You deserve it. Wear it proudly."

He takes out the Insect Badge from inside his shirt pocket and places it in my hand.

"Keep climbing even higher. You have a bright future ahead of you."

"Thank you," I respond. "Come on, Lucario. Lets go take a break."

We leave Burgh and the gym, heart still pumping, and head to the pokémon center to get much needed rest.