AN: The first gym match.

I know the gym test is bad not sure if I can impove them in genral, but the gym battles will be, doesn't mean I will try.

Someone who shows up a bit latter appears now there is a reason.

I add the terastal training course from the main anime, as the class one takes to get the tera orb. As Nemona mentions in the game, there is a class you usually take to get an orb, but you never take one in the game.

Pokemon is not mine.


Cecilia set a record after getting food, healing her Pokemon, and winning a shell bell. Undeterred, she continued to her first gym town and badge in Artazon. Cecilia chose not to go back through Mesagoza to Cortondo. She would only head back that way if she had to. Cecilia caught more Pokemon of the fire and flying types, one of which was the baile style of Oricorio. Like she told Nemona earlier, the gym building was easy to spot.

'Ready for your first gym battle in three years?'Agravain asked, his voice filled with anticipation as the two stood before the imposing gym building.

"Non, mais ça va.(No, but it is okay)." Despite her attempt to remain calm, Cecilia's heart raced as she found solace in her native language. Her calm was shattered, replaced by annoyance when she spotted Nemona in the lobby. How did she know Cecilia was in the East and not the West? It felt like Nemona was tracking her. "You have five seconds to explain." Cecilia's voice was sharp, a sign of her irritation.

"I made it to Cortondo and waited for a few hours; when you didn't show up, I decided that the only other gym close to Masegoza was where you were, so I hopped in a taxi and arrived ten minutes ago," Nemona explained oblivious to Cecilia's mood. "Do you know how gyms work?"

"Here in Paldea or in general?"

"Here, of course, but what I'm about to say could work in most regions." Nemona said, "They have a different gym test for each gym leader. It often has something to do with the town or location."

"It almost sounds like those in Galar, but of course, they are not found in a stadium," Cecilia said, Noting the similarities yet differences in the two regions' gym leagues.

"I have to watch a match from Galar. Are they showing it on TV?" Nemona asked, getting distracted from the information about Paldean gyms to one of the closest regions.

"Not until the summer; the opening ceremony will be in the last week of May," Cecilia explained. She was annoyed and wanted Nemona to leave. "Having fun, Agravain?" The Zarude had chosen to sit himself in the corner of the building while the two girls talked, only to get mobbed by young children.

'Not in the slightest.' while he growled, Agravain didn't sound mad.

The two laughed. "Once you want to start, talk to the lobby staff, and they will go over what you'll have to do," Nemona explained as she pulled out some super potions. "Here, these can help when healing Pokemon. I'm glad you're trying to get the champion rank. It's so exciting that I can't stand still. I'm going out to train, bye." Nemona then jogged out of the building.

"Let's see what this registering thing is about," Cecilia said as she approached the desk. "Hello, I was told to talk to you about taking the gym test," she said to the staff member, who was a woman in a suit.

"Welcome to the Artazon Gym," the woman said, "and yes, I can. Are you here to challenge the gym leader?

" Yes," Cecilia said, wondering if there were other things people could ask for at a gym. "Do you need my name?"

"No, all I need is your phone," the woman said, holding her hand out. "May I have it? Let me register you as a challenger," she added as Cecilia handed her the phone. The woman started typing on her computer.

'Different than Galar, more like in the East.'

"Your name is Cecilia Rastus, correct?" the staff member asked. Cecilia nodded, pleased to see her new name on her official page. "Great. You must pass the gym test before challenging Brassius Arbore, our gym leader."

'Guss, how many badges do you have come later?' Cecilia thought but also guessed somehow; it showed she had no badges. "And that would be?" she hadn't seen anything resembling a gym field.

"Here in Artazon, it means to play and complete Sunflora hide and seek," the woman explained.

"Huh?" Cecilia stared openmouthed, wrangling Wooloo sounded more like a challenge.

"Artazon is known as the town of artists," the woman explained, seemingly ignoring Cecilia. "The residents here create art inspired by nature and the sun."

'The name should have been a clue, and the same is true for the art.' There had been a lot of sun-related art around town.

"Since Sunfora embodies both these concepts, we gather them and care for them," the receptionist continued. "Your job is to locate some of the Sunflora hidden throughout Artazon; remember, they look like sunflowers."

'A simple explanation,' Cecilia said deadpan in her head.

"Gather ten of them in Sunflora Lawn, and you pass the test," the league member said, "I can register their Location in your map app to get you started."

"No thanks. That sounds too easy, and I want a challenge." Cecilia felt that was a crutch; this was a way to see how far her ability to locate had come. "Is that okay?"

"Alright, when you leave the gym, turn right and see two large Sunflora statues. Head in that direction." The woman nodded, as did Cecilia, having seen the statues. "Once you're there, you'll be given more information about the task. Now get out there and have fun." Cecilia thought the wave was unnecessary, but she thanked the woman regardless. She then left the building with Agravain, who got the kids to leave him alone.

"Hi there, I look after the Artazon gym's Suflora," the caretaker said. I hope you are ready, challenger. It is time for the Sunflora to play hide-and-seek. I have asked the Sunflora to hide around town."

'Other than the Pokemon are hiding, there isn't more information.' Cecilia felt annoyed and was wasting time. "I guess it has started?"

"Flora," came many calls from behind, and Cecilia and Agravain looked impressed.

"It looks like they're ready, and some like to battle. With that, your gym test has begun," the caretaker said. "Once you find a Sunflora, it will follow you, and once you have ten, please come back to the lawn, and it is done."

'I take it you don't want help with this.' Agravain said.

"Yes, I did the ones in Galar, so I can do this as well," Cecilia said. "Wait by the gym while I do my test and try not to get mobbed." That earned her a glare while Cecilia went looking for some Pokemon.


The Sunflora of Artazon were adept at playing hide-and-seek. Even with her aura powers, it took Cecilia forty minutes to find four out of ten.

"Wow, you must have a lot of practice at this," Cecilia muttered as the flower Pokémon waddled around her. "I need more practice, unfortunately." She could tell the difference between human aura and Pokémon aura but still had difficulty distinguishing Pokémon, especially the grass type, from nature. Cecilia chose to look around with her eyes alone to see if there could be a difference. It wasn't any easier than using her aura.

Cecilia walked around town, ending up near the windmill and what looked like an outdoor battlefield. There was even a Sunflora in the middle of the stage. She breathed, only for a Razor Leaf attack to nearly hit her. "Growlithe, use Ember!" she sent out one of her newer Pokemon.

The Pokémon, resembling a dog, had an orange body with black stripes and beige fur. It unleashed a small flame, scorching the grass-type opponent. The grass-type retaliated with Absorb, regaining lost energy.

"Try a flame wheel," Cecilia called. The circle of flames wrapped around the puppy, and using its running momentum, Growlithe hit the Sunflora, knocking it down. Cecilia waited for a whole minute before taking out a revive for her opponent. "I've got some of your friends with me, so want to come along?" the Sun Pokemon chatted with its friends as Cecilia looked around, trying to see if there were any more nearby; she even considered climbing the windmill but knew Agravain would kill her if she tried.

Cecilia spent an hour finding five more Sunflora (two in a maze) before returning to the lawn. Once there, the Pokemon ran in while Cecilia wondered who owned the house at the end of the lawn.

"Well done finding the Sunflora; you passed the gym test with flying colors," the lawn attendant said with a smile.

'I doubt I did,' Cecilia only nodded.

"You may return to the lobby with this to report you've passed." The woman gave Cecilia a token with a Sunflora's face on it. The town was obsessed with that Pokemon.

Cecilia was pleased with the refreshing air and water in the lobby, as finding Pokemon had been sweaty work. She approached the receptionist and handed over the coin.

After taking the token, the receptionist said, "It seems you've gathered ten Sunflora, so you have passed the test."

'I know that woman,' Cecilia wanted the conversation to be over, and she could tell Agravain felt the same way.

"You now have the right to face the gym leader; best of luck," the woman said. "Once you're ready, please tell me."

Cecilia was surprised but also glad that the battle wasn't right away. She knew she'd messed up if she battled in her angered state. "I will."


Cecilia and Agravain left the building so Cecilia could gather her thoughts. "I couldn't detect the Sunflora, like with the Klawf. Why?"

'Do I look like an upright blue dog to you? Look, I can give you my theories, nothing more.' Agravain snarked before sighing. He might not know aura as well as a Lucario, but having been around one for most of his life, he knew enough to form theories. 'The only thing I can think of comes from your affinity for sensing emotion, negative ones being the easiest. You can only sense the positive ones if you are in front of another.'

"How can I improve that part?" Cecilia wanted to better herself, and sensing positive emotions would help.

'Once again, I'm not a Lucario, so I'm guessing,' Agravain said. He hated that Cecilia had to come to him for such questions. 'Think of sensing the emotion but in a different way. Love and hate are often said to be opposites.'

"That will be one of the hardest things I will ever do." Cecilia wasn't sure if she could do that without much work. "But first, I want to see how my first gym battle in three years goes." she reentered the building to tell the desk lady she was ready.

"Very well, allow me to escort you to the battle court." the woman nodded.

"Still not going to battle?" Cecilia asked Agravain.

'Nope, but maybe at your fourth gym, depending on the type,' the monkey said.


Cecilia correctly guessed that the field where she battled the Sunflora was the gym's battle court. She was led there and instructed to wait. Soon after, a male voice called out to her.

"Greetings, Challenger," the voice sounded like it was coming from above her. Cecilia looked up to see someone on a windmill fan. The man then did something that stopped Cecilia's heart: He jumped and landed in front of her. "You did well to come this far," the man said as if he had not jumped from a building.

'What's wrong with the people in this area?" Agravain gazed dumbfoundedly at the person who was most likely Brassius.

"I am Brassius Arbore, an artist who specializes in grass types and is the gym leader of Artazon," Brassius introduced himself. His age was hard to determine with the bags under his eyes, but his voice sounded in his late forties. His green hair was messy in a way that made it spiky. Brassius wore a purple shirt with lime green accents, dark gray pants, dark green loafers, and a spiky rope. "Who might you be?" He might have yet to be informed about her name.

After calming her heart rate, Cecilia said, "Cecilia Rastus. I have no specific specialty yet. I'm a student at Huerta Academy."

"Rastus is not a common name here as it is a Galarian name, but I'm not one to comment, as my last name is also not Paldean," Brassius said. "Before we battle, I have some questions in general and for our battle. Is that okay?"

"Okay, could the general question be first?" Cecilia was wary of the gym leader as he noted her last name, though she was also relieved that he wasn't asking for now. Cecilia also wondered if Arbore was the name Brassius took when he debated as an artist or if it was his birth name.

"Of course, the first and only general question was about you taking the gym test, which I watched atop the windmill. Are you here for a gym battle rather than a battle for the terastal training course?" Brassius asked. "Then again, I haven't received anything about being chosen for a course-taker, and Hassi would have mentioned it," he muttered, and Cecilia barely heard him.

"Normal gym battle. I would have if I didn't get a tera orb beforehand." Cecilia said, still miffed at Nemona for that.

"I understand. Before I ask my next question, let's go back to your gym test. The fact that you didn't give up like most people would after an hour was, how to put it- ah, it was Avant-garde," Brassius exclaimed. "Now, onto the question. This will be the first one for the battle. How many badges do you have?"

"Zero," Cecilia said. "Shouldn't the lobby person be the one who asks that as well as whether or not the challenger came for the terastal training or a normal gym test." Cecilia snarled while Agravain nodded.

"Absolutely, they should be, but the gym leaders are usually informed about the trainers in the course," Brassius concurred. "Many trainers head to Cortondo for their first badge, so I'm honored to be the first one you challenge."

"You're welcome, but it still needs to be asked," Cecilia grumbled.

"Since you don't have any badges, I will choose my team for trainers with zero to three badges," Brassius said eagerly. "The following questions are related to math: If a Pokémon is on the ground for thirty seconds, is it considered fainted? Is there a one-minute break between fainting, or does the trainer forfeit? We will be using three Pokémon, and is one of them your Zarude?"

'The rest in one go?' "Yes to all but the last. I'm impressed, you know, a Zarude on sight. Depending on the type, Agravain isn't battling in a gym until my fourth or later gym." Cecilia agreed as Agravain walked to the side and sat beside her art teacher. She blinked at that before deciding that Brassius knew Hassel Blackson. Friends often watch each other do things like battle.

"The terms have been decided. I hope you can show determination and perhaps an appreciation for beauty in our battle," Brassius called out, causing Cecilia to turn away from her oldest friend. "The time for talking is over. It is now time to create our collaborative art. It is time to shape a masterpiece." With that, he turned and walked to the edge of the battleground.

Cecilia walked to the other side of the battlefield, contemplating which Pokémon to use in the battle. Most of her party consisted of fire or flying types, with Olwin and Agravain being the exceptions. "Well, here goes nothing," she said as she pulled out the first Pokémon's ball.

"This will be a three-on-three Pokemon battle between the challenger, Cecilia Rastus, and the gym leader, Brassius Arbore. The battle will be over once all Pokemon on one side of the field faints." A league referee called out.

called out while a Rotom in a scored board floated next to them. "in addition, only Ms. Rastus is allowed to switch out, and only one Pokemon on each side can be terastallize."

'I always wondered why only the challenger is allowed to switch. With only one Terastallized Pokémon, I had better make it count if I need to use it,' Cecilia thought. The rule was similar to the one for Dynamax in Galar.

"Send out your first Pokemon." The ref called.

"Go, Oricorio," Cecilia called. The fire/flying bird Pokemon was red, adorned with black feathers in lines on its wings and long tail. On its head was a white ball of feathers with two thin spiral extensions that looked like earrings. The Pokemon's eyelids were purple.

"Obvious, given my type, but I'm not going to be easy, even at this level," Brassius said as he snapped his whip and tossed out his Pokeball. The Pokemon that emerged was a bud with three leaves, a green collar, and red eyes in a white face. It was called Petilil. "Art is both creation and destruction. Your weaknesses will only strengthen my Pokemon."

"Right back at you," Cecilia retorted. Oricorio, use Air Cutter." The bird seemed to wave its wings in a dance as the wind whipped around, and then it was launched at the Petilil.

"Nice try, counter with Magical Leaf, Petilil," Brassius called. The glowing leaves intercepted the wind, causing an explosion. "Now, use Mega Drain." The small Grass-type hopped through the smoke and poked Oricorio, who seemed to sag a bit, showing the energy drain.

"Now, use Peck," Cecilia knew she couldn't let this opportunity pass. The bird pecked at the bulb until Brassius's Petilil got away for the moment. "Chase Petilil with acrobatics, then once close enough, use Pound." Using its dancing, Oricorio closed the distance to Petilil before smacking the small Pokémon into the ground.

The referee called, "Petilil is unable to battle. The first round goes to the Challenger." A timer appeared on the screen, showing a minute until Brassius forfeited.

"Quite avant-garde, but it does get more challenging from here on," Brassius said as he recalled his Pokémon. "I bet you haven't seen or battled this Pokémon, Smoliv." The Pokémon was tiny, about the size of a good olive. It was green with stubby legs and a jagged mouth. Above some leaves was a yellow fruit with a hole. Its eyes were black, beady, and had white pupils.

'That must be a native Paldean Pokémon,' Cecilia was cursing herself. She knew so little about Paldea, from its culture to its Pokémon. Hopefully, that will change in the future.

"Smoliv, use sunny day followed by Solar beam," Brassius called quickly. Within a minute, the sunlight brightened, and the Smoliv charged a beam of light and launched into Cecilia's Pokemon, sending it flying backward.

"Oricorio is unable to battle. This round goes to Brassius." The ref called.

That didn't last long. Most trainers never thought they had to use or even have more than one Pokémon with a type advantage. Cecilia believed that a trainer must try to have Pokémon that cover different types or have moves that cover the types. However, she might sometimes need to follow that advice herself.

"Go, Growlithe," the dog Pokemon barked as it appeared. "First, use Leer, then Howl, followed by Agility to move in close, and finally, use Bite." If Brassius could use moves in a row, so could Cecilia. She was surprised that she stayed in Paldean the whole time she said that. Growlithe's look wasn't unpleasant, but a puppy suddenly looking mad made some people nervous. The howl did as well, but it was also adorable. Growlithe's speed in catching up to the Smoliv and biting it was impressive.

"It's not bad, but you must do more than that," Brassius said." Now, Smoliv, use Trailblaze." The move must have been Paldean in origin. The tiny Pokemon jumped a bit, throwing the bigger Pokemon off.

"Bon song(Damm it)," Cecilia cursed before quickly thinking of a plan. "Growlithe, use Flame Wheel while running around Smoliv and try to box it in." With a bark, the dog Pokemon began to run around on a wheel of fire, using the fire-type moves to crate fire trails.

"Impressive, but if this is to become a battle of speed, so be it. Smoliv, use Trailblaze again and use it continuously until you can outrun your opponent." Brassius called as his Pokemon quickly got away from the fire trap.

"Then we'll match your speed and use Agility while using Flame Wheel," Cecilia countered. Most trainers called out one move at a time, while others might try to execute two or more moves stacked on each other. It was rare to use moves at the same time. The Pokemon's speed made the air sizzle, with red and green light moving in circles. "Now, Ember." The timing had to be precise. The small burst of flames hit the Smoliv.

As the flames began to die down, Smoliv lay on the ground. "Smoliv cannot continue; this round goes to the challenger."

"Nice work getting me to my last Pokémon. Yes, let's conclude this artistic endeavor at once," Brassius said as he sent out his last Pokémon. "But this will make you think twice about the Pokémon battle here in Paldea."

What he sent out wasn't a grass type; Cecilia knew because it wasn't even a grass type. At first glance, its body might have seemed like bark, but upon closer inspection, it was rock-like. It had yellow spots, and its hands had three green spheres each; the Pokémon was called Sudowoodo.

"I know that Pokemon was once thought to be a grass type, but it is a rock type," Cecilia said, confused by Brassius's use of a non-grass type. "Is there not a lot of grass types here in Paldea?" That's the only way it would make sense as to why he had it.

"Oh, there are plenty of grass types for me to use. I even use more on my more powerful teams." Brassius explained with a smirk. "I take it you're unaware that Pokemon can have different tera types or be changed at Medali?"

Cecilia felt like hitting her head on the ground or a wall. Penny had mentioned to her that on her first day of school, but it had left her mind after the week she had.

Brassius kindly pointed out, "Your silence and experience indicate that you knew of both, but it escaped your mind. But we must focus on our battle. Sudowoodo, use Rock Throw!" Rocks were thrown at Growlithe.

"Quick dodge," Cecilia recovered from her confusion and disappointment to focus on the battle. Her Pokémon used its maxed-out speed to move out of the way, but how long would it last?

"Box Growlithe in with Rock Tomb." The rocks encased the fire dog in one place. Now, Rock Throw." The explosion caused the stones to fly outwards.

'It's bad enough that I'm dealing with a rock tree with fire, but if what Brassius implies is true, the tera type his Pokémon has is not rock.'

"I will touch up this work slightly; I can call it Truleewoodo." Brassius pulled out a tera orb and used it on his Pokemon, transforming the normal rock type into a grass type.

"It may have the weakness of a Grass-type," Cecilia said. She needs more information about terastallization and how it works. "Growlithe, try Ember."

"Art is often a race against the clock; Sudowoodo used Trailblaze to even this battle out," Brassius called. The speed increase allowed Sudowoodo to hit Growlithe into the ground.

"Growlithe is unable to battle the winner of the round, is the gym leader." the referee said. They were now down to the last Pokemon each.

'I need to be strategic about this. I can't just send out another fire or flying type and hope for the best. I also think the fake tree Pokemon had the ability, Sturdy,' Cecilia speculated, then sighed. She didn't have time to dwell on what had happened and what could have been. "Que Giratina soit damné(Giratina be dammed). Life is about taking risks. Otherwise, it becomes stagnant. Go, Bedi." Bedi was a tiny, humanoid Pokemon with flames forming its pink and dark blue hair, a cape, a black face mask over an orange face, and a relatively small black body compared to its head.

"Quite the risk. Using a fire type again. Of course, a flying type would be the same." Brassius grinned. It sent him the message that Cecilia would act like many opponents, relying on type advantages and hoping for the best.

"You use a rock type because it can deal with grass types' weaknesses." Cecilia said, "But I won't go down easily as you think. Bedi use will-o-wisp everywhere you can." The ethereal fire spread around, making it impossible for the temporary grass type to move without getting burnt.

"Use Rock Tomb to defend yourself," Brassius ordered. The rocks appeared, pushing some of the balls of light away.

"Like that will stop us. Use Fire Spin to surround the rocks." Bedi summon fire that swirled around the rocks.

"Sudowoodo, throw rocks right in front of you." Brassius's Sudowoodo chucked the rock over the firewall, almost hitting Bedi, who thankfully moved.

"Once the fire disappeared, Bedi get up on the rocks and used Night Shade," Cecilia ordered. Bedi clambered onto the nearest boulder and shot dark energy into the hole. The cry told both trainers the attack had hit. "Now, use Astonish followed by Fire Spin again in between the rocks," Bedi shouted so loudly that Sudowoodo jumped, only to have fire swirl around it. The heat from both fire attacks caused the rocks to crack, revealing Sudowoodo had lost its crystal state.

"Sudowoodo cannot battle; therefore, the winner is the challenger, Cecilia Rastus." The league member called for the end of the match.

"Avent-grade," Brassius growled as he grabbed his hair; thankfully, he calmed down and recalled his Pokemon. "What artistic tactics you've employed! The patterns of your moves and the minute details of your Pokemon's performance—everything you did was perfection," the gym leader exclaimed with a happy tone.

"You're making it sound like you were judging a Hoennian Pokémon Contest instead of having a gym battle," Cecilia said as she let Agravain heal their Pokémon.

"Both are battles in their own right, as both end with one getting a reward. And this is yours for defeating me, the leader of Artazon," Brassius explained, giving her a round badge with a grass symbol similar to the one Arven had given her earlier that day. "Our battle was, in a word, art, and if I were to judge your work, it passed my expectations, and anything else wouldn't compare."

Both Cecilia and Agravain snorted. Each believed Brassius was being dramatic.

"Perhaps a photo to commemorate your victory," Brassius asked calmer.

"Is that normal for here?" Cecilia asked, to which she got a nod. "Why not? It should be fun." She and Brassius stood back to back with smirks.

"You have a talent for capturing the perfect photo," Brassius remarked as he admired Cecilia's collection of photos, which mainly featured sunsets and, more recently, Pokemon. "You may even be able to sell some of these. I'd happily sponsor you and help you connect with the right people to get started."

"It's a hobby that I want to maintain that way," Cecilia said in a tone that said she wasn't in the mood to argue.

"Very well, I will respect that and take this; it is a favorite of mine." Brassius gave her the TM for Trailblaze. "I feel inspiration flowing, before I work on my next project. I will give some advice that may work for every day."

"That is?"

"Between things like projects or tests, take a day to a week off to do anything else to reset your brain and soul, so you don't burn out," Brassius explained. "And try not to make anyone but yourself happy in what you're working on as it is suffering to hold yourself to other's expectations."

Cecilia blinked and gazed at Agravain, who nodded in agreement. She was taken aback by the final part, which others had never explicitly told her but mainly had hinted at. "I'll keep that in mind."

Brassius smiled before walking off, greeting Hassel as her art teacher and Zarude walked over.

"Hello again, young Cecilia," Hassel smiled. He was close to fifty but still had a full head of blond hair tied up in a high half-ponytail, lighter than his eyes. Hassel wore a green jacket with a hood over a sweater vest with a diamond design, dark gray pants, and black shoes. "It's great to see you out and about, but I'm not here for school-related things. While education is essential, that's not my purpose today."

"Same, though, before we get to that. Why is Agravain calmer around you than usual?" The question was directed at Hassel, but Agravain answered it.

'That is simple. I met this guy before. He knew your parents and uncle.' The Zarude explained

"Ah, now I understand why your last name sounded familiar. You're Trahaearn and Maylis's daughter, but your name sounds more like a Paldean one. Trahaearn never liked that side of his identity," Hassel mused out loud.

Cecilia needed to figure out how her day ended up like this. It started with two victories, one with help and the other on her own. Now she found someone who only knew her parents but not her. It was odd but not bad.

"Let's get back to why I'm here," Hassel said. "What is compelling you to challenge the gyms and maybe even become champion? If you don't know, that is fine."

"A test to see if I can truly get to the top. The last time I did a gym run, I got to the champion but fell short at the end." Cecilia explained. She felt she could share her past with Hassel Blackson more than most other people, at least right now. "Most go for glory and power, but getting to the top means all eyes on you, which could go to your head. I'm not sure if I will avoid that."

"There is no wrong answer, and that is a fear many will face," Hassel assured. "An old Paldean saying is 'All paths lead to the Great Crater.'"

'Considering it is in the center of the region.' Cecilia thought before speaking, "Another reason is I want to travel to see Paldean culture. Traveling would let me see how people around the region live. I want to know my Abuela's home."

The older man chuckled, saying, "It's never wrong to learn. If you aspire to be a champion of this region, you'll have to face me as part of the elite four."

'And he's an art teacher at a Pokemon school?' Agravain stared at Hassel oddly.

"And Brassius is an artist and gym leader. Being two things at once often happens as one takes up more time than the other," Cecilia countered. "It's about managing the time that makes it work."

"You're right about that. Nemona Máchi became the youngest champion in history." Hassel noted Cecilia's annoyed expression. "she strives to be the best there ever was through hard work. It is best to work hard so the bitter taste of defeat never comes. There is potential in you, Cecilia. Don't let that fizzle out." Hassel clapped a hand on the younger woman's shoulder and gave Agravain a berry before heading in the same direction as Brassius.

The gym building ended up being a place where travelers or gym takers could rest in towns with gyms. The two were there for the rest of the day.

"I guess I need to rethink about Nemona, but she still gets on my nerves." then, if by talking about Nemona, she called.

"Hey, Cecilia. My Pokemon has been learning some cool new moves, so be ready. "By the way, how did the gym battle go?" Nemona talked for a whole minute.

"I got through it, but the terastal part threw me off."

"Yeah, that can happen. You will think that you're facing only one type." Nemona agreed, "And congrats. I'm training hard and can't let my rival pass me easily. I'm glad you chose to take on the gyms."

"It is only one part of what I'm doing," Cecilia grumbled.

"The path to getting stronger is not straight; it often leads to the unknown," Nemona answered, ignoring Cecilia. Luckily, we have the map app, which is simple. I wonder where Arven is, but that can wait. Catch you later, and I hope we battle next time."

"I'm going to Cortando next week for my gym badge." Cecilia ensured Nemona knew where to go so she wouldn't head to Levicia, the next town.

"Right, bye." Nemona hung up, and Cecilia went to find food; she had much to think about.


AN: Hassel shows up normally at the second gym you beat, and if one does the gym in order, he is at Brassius's.

The coin part is just in this story it's small so I can remove it if it seem to take away from everthing else.

Cecilia isn't one to use a battle gimic much, which is why pluss is not taking the class on Terastallization; she didn't use it. She might use it more later and at the end.