Author's Note: It's that time again! Today is my birthday! If you want to give me a present, then just leave a review saying what you like about this chapter, this story, or our Pokemon NG series as a whole.

Anyway, on with the chapter!

Today was the day that I would face off against Katie to win my gym badge. After Jason's battle yesterday, I had gotten Houndoom sent over from the lab. I had chosen to use Rhydon, Pikachu, and Houndoom in my battle.

"I hope that you don't put all of your faith in your Rhydon." Jason said. "Like how your dad did with Palpitoad when he battled Elesa in Unova. It almost cost him the battle."

"Don't worry, I have a backup plan in case Rhydon is defeated." I said, remembering my dad's story.

Jason and Megan went off to the side as I took my place on the field.

"The battle between the gym leader, Katie, and the challenger, Adam, will now begin. Each trainer will use three Pokemon with substitutions allowed. The battle will be over when all Pokemon on one side are unable to continue." the ref announced.

"Manectric, go!" Katie cried, tossing her Pokeball.

"Rhydon, let's show 'em!" I cried, tossing my Pokeball.

"Use Quick Attack!" Katie yelled. Manectric shot forward with speed and struck Rhydon. Thankfully, Rhydon barely felt anything from that attack.

Manectric was fast, faster than anything that Rhydon could use to attack, so it would just dodge everything. So my plan was to just let Manectric wear itself out from attacking before Rhydon attacked. After all, Manectric had no attacks that could seriously hurt Rhydon.

"Use Shock Wave!" Sparks ran over Rhydon's body, but did no damage.

This continued on for several minutes. Katie's face grew more and more desperate as one attack after another hit, with Rhydon taking little to no damage. Manectric's attacks were slowing down and it seemed to be growing tired. This was my chance!

"Rhydon, use Earthquake!" I yelled. I stumbled slightly as the ground shook.

"Now use Rock Blast!" I attacked while Manectric was still recovering.

"Finish it with Stone Edge!" It was three attacks in a row that Manectric couldn't dodge because of its fatigue. Manectric fell to the ground, defeated.

"Manectric is unable to battle. Rhydon wins!" the ref announced.

Well, that was an easy first round. But I can't let myself relax until it's over! I thought.

"Magneton, go!" Katie cried, tossing her Pokeball after she returned Manectric.

I would have to be careful. Magneton was partly a Steel Pokemon, so that meant that it could know some Steel type moves, which would be super-effective against a Rock Pokemon like Rhydon.

"Rhydon, use Stone Edge!" I cried. I wanted to get Magneton knocked down onto the field so that I could use Earthquake to its full advantage.

"Dodge it!" Magneton dodged, but Rhydon kept up with his Stone Edge attack and hit Magneton who fell to the ground.

"Now use Earthquake!" My plan worked and Magneton was hit. Unfortunately, it floated back up into the air. It was clear that it wouldn't be as easy to defeat as Manectric.

"Shake it off and use Flash Cannon!" Katie cried.

"Dodge it!" I cried, knowing that if that made a direct hit, it would do a large amount of damage.

But Magneton was quicker than Rhydon and managed to land a direct hit. Rhydon got back up, but he was now breathing heavily.

"Use Rock Blast!"

... ...

Rhydon had been able to get in a few good hits, but Magneton's maneuverability and Flash Cannon attack now had Rhydon nearly defeated.

"Dodge it, Rhydon!" I cried. He was still recovering from another attack as another Flash Cannon headed towards him.

But Rhydon couldn't shake off the previous attack quick enough and took another direct hit. Rhydon fell to the ground as the attack finished.

"Rhydon is unable to battle. Magneton wins!"

"Great job, take a rest now." I said, returning him.

I removed my next Pokeball. It was time for my backup plan if Rhydon ever fainted. Jason had won with a Fire Pokemon, hence why I had gotten Houndoom from the lab.

"Houndoom, let's show 'em!" I cried. It was good to see him again, since I hadn't battled with him for quite a long time.

"Houndoom, use Flamethrower!"

"Zap Cannon!"

Both moves collided with one another and exploded, canceling each other out.

"Jump and use Fire Fang!" Houndoom jumped to the side and rolled before running straight ahead and jumping into the air. He chomped onto Magneton and landed a direct hit.

"Discharge!" Katie screamed. Houndoom was zapped with electricity, but stood tall after it was over.

... ...

With Houndoom being faster than Rhydon, he was able to match Magneton's speed and land hits with his Fire attacks. Magneton was now reaching its limit. It wouldn't last much longer. A few more hits would do Magneton in.

"Alright, Houndoom! Use Flamethrower!"

"Meet it with Flash Cannon!"

Both moves collided and tried to overpower each other.

"Come on, Houndoom..." I silently pleaded.

Houndoom let out more forceful flames and Magneton was engulfed in fire. Magneton cried out and as the flames subsided, Magneton fell to the ground and fainted.

"Magneton is unable to battle. Houndoom wins!"

"Great job, Houndoom. You haven't lost your touch." I said as I returned my Pokemon.

I then looked down at Pikachu, who was by my feet.

"You ready to battle, buddy?"

"Pika!"

"Then let's show 'em, Pikachu!"

Pikachu ran out onto the field as Katie threw out her Voltorb.

"Use Quick Attack, Pikachu!"

"Voltorb, use Thunderbolt!"

"Dodge it, Pikachu!"

... ...

This battle was intense and close! Both Pokemon were fast and able to match each other blow for blow! It could go either way. I needed to get this turned around in my favor.

"Swift, Voltorb!"

"Use Iron Tail to break through it!"

Pikachu used his Iron Tail to deflect the Swift stars.

"Now use Quick Attack!" Pikachu spun and landed on the ground. He darted forward with Quick Attack and chased Voltorb.

"Use Tackle!" Katie screamed. Both moves collided with one another.

"Volt Tackle!" I cried.

"Pika...Pika...Pika...PIKA!"

Pikachu slammed into Voltorb with a giant blast! It was over.

"Voltorb is unable to battle. Pikachu wins! The winner is Adam!"

"Yes! Way to go, Pikachu!" I cried, rubbing his head as he ran to me and excitedly jumped into my arms.

"I have to say, I'm impressed, Adam. You battle much like your father. You were a worthy opponent and I'm happy to present you with your badge." Katie said, extending her hand with my badge in it.

"Thank you, Katie." I said as I took the badge she presented.

Jason and Megan walked over to me.

"Way to go, Adam!" Megan said in a joyful tone.

"Another badge down. You're halfway there!" Jason commented.

I had won four badges and needed just four more to qualify for the Pokemon League! I didn't know where our journey would take us next, but I knew that we'd be ready for anything that came our way. Why? Because I knew that we'd face it together as a team, a team of friends that could trust each other and would always have each other's backs!

Author's Note: Adam has an easier time winning his badge than Jason did, and now he's halfway towards qualifying for the Pokemon League!

Where will they be headed next? Find out in the next chapter of Pokemon NG!