Author's Note:

Here it is, the second Unovan gym battle. This is also my chance to show more of Drake's strength in battles. He is a strategist and also utilises support more than other trainers we've seen. It's also a good chance for me to showcase one of his Johto Pokémon since under the right circumstances, this Pokémon can be powerful (it's the reason I gave this under-appreciated Pokémon to him in the first place). Hope you all had a good chocolate-day (I mean Easter) and expect the next chapter on April 22nd. Not much else to say, just remember to vote in the poll and with that, let's begin...

Chapter twelve: Drake verses Lenora: Single

Drake walked along the street early in the next morning. His eyes glanced down to the ground type beside him. The echoed of Iris and Cilan echoing in the background filled the background as most everyone else was still tucked away. His mind running over the possible strategies he wished to use.

He already had his team of three selected and gave them the early morning briefing about the plan. Of course, part of the order in which he uses them depends on the opponents Lenora provides. His mind flashed back to the first gym match he saw Ash compete in back in Celadon. He really diminished him for using Muk so close after catching him, but you might say he's making the main mistake here with Yamask. Although he would counter it with a few points, firstly he only needs Xatu to win so he's got more freedom to test his Unovan Pokémon. He's also spent the days since he caught his ghost training to prepare for the match... and he's not challenging for his fourth badge... he got far more experience now than his little brother had-

"I see your an early bird-" Lenora's voice drew him out of his thoughts. Stopping in place, he took a moment to realise they made it straight to the knowledge emporium. Both the gym leader and Cheren stood in front of the doors, staring at him. "I like that. Are you ready for our match?"

"Completely." He nodded.

"Then allow us to escort you to our battlefield." Cheren informed, turning to lead the way into the building.

He hummed to himself as he followed the slightly older boy, following him through the museum to the library. Drake frowned as he tried to figure out where they were going. Every other room from her lead back into the museum and he couldn't recall a battlefield when exploring in the search for Yamask.

"So where will the battle take place?" Iris asked.

"You'll see soon enough." Lenora hummed.

Reaching the checkout desk of the library, Cheren moved over to the desktop and typed something down on the keyboard. A part of the wall behind him slid open revealing a corridor which they again followed the two normal type specialists down.

"We're entering a section which is closed to the general public." Cheren informed. As they reached the end of the corridor, he found more of the same.

"This part of the library is home to rare books and study materials," Lenora explained, "you need special permission to enter here."

"We hold the greatest collection in the entire Unova region and arguably the whole of the united states," Cheren added, "you can learn everything about history and culture right in here!"

"Incredible!" Cilan gasped. "You've even got books on Pokémon connoisseur's."

"That's because Unovan is where Pokémon connoisseur's got their start." Lenora informed. "Are you interested in the art form?"

"Sort off," Cilan mareepish replied, scratching the back of his head. "I'm not actually sure what I want to do... but Connoisseuring does sound fascinating."

"Correction, connoisseuring actually has roots in historic Kalossian culture. It spread out to nearby regions like Galar and Paldea before you adopted it." Drake informed. "But alas, this is the states. What's the point in being paranoid isolationists if you can't rewrite your own history for this idea of grandeur."

"Alright Drake, I figure you'd want to research Unova before our match," Lenora replied, with a frown.

"I've been researching Unova since I got here but I had to stop-" He retorted. "I just hate feeling pity for everyone around me."

"Tell us how you really feel," Iris mumbled from behind.

"So can we just get on with our gym battle?" he asked.

"Of course, that's what you'd want-" She smirked. "Which is why I brought you to our library first. You see, the only people whose allowed in this section of our library are either researchers or league challengers. Knowledge can be very important in a Pokémon battle."

"Yeah-" He stretched out the response as she walked over to one of the cases.

"I recommend you take a look at this book. You may find it's got hidden depths."

She tapped a specific book. Musing to himself, he walked up and pulled it only to find it didn't come out fully. The bookshelf shook and slid back, revealing a staircase which seemed poorly lit. Glancing down, he heard the green-haired teen from behind. "It seems like this was a test."

"Aww man-" He groaned. "I was hoping it would provide a clue and turn into a logical puzzle to find the way forward."

"It's just like connoisseur boy was saying," Lenora smiled. "I've been testing you since the moment we met."

"Hehehe, connoisseur boy?" Cilan chuckled nervously.

"You see, for most challengers when I recommend, they read a book, nine times out of ten they go to whichever book they're the most interested in," she explained, "even though I show them the quickest way to get to the field."

"But why would you do that?" Iris asked.

"Because most challengers will get side-tracked by reading too much into what I say," she replied, "so in order to rush into the gym, they'll normally pick books they're interested in. Or thin books they think they can finish quickly."

"Interesting." Drake mused.

"I can generally tell how the challenger will react in this sort of situation." She concluded.

"Hey, so what sort of trainer do you think Drake is?" Iris asked.

"He's a smart boy who pays very close attention... it won't be easy to sneak something past him but-" She paused. "-he's also very insecure, using put downs and sarcasm to hide it as annoyance. From experience of other people like this, pushing those sour points is the key throwing them off."

"You're not the only one capable of making deductions-" He frowned.

"Maro."

"And it seems like I've already found one of those points-" She smirked. "The bigger the ego, the easier it is to bruise."

"Lenora is usually spot on with her assessments," Cheren added.

"I think she's got your number, Drake." Cilan patted him on the shoulder.

"We'll see-" He brushed his shoulder to get the boy to stop. Heading to the stairs. "So... are we going to battle?"

Seeing her smirk, she gestured to head down the staircase. Taking his steps down, the lights turned on as some sort of motion sensor. It certainly seemed longer than he expected to reach the bottom where only a single door remained. Using the handle to push it open, he stepped into the gym arena.

The room itself was quite high, presumably because of the length of the staircase. While some benches covered the sides of the field, the actual ground was pretty unremarkable... just a basic field

"We wanted enough room for a Golurk... should the challenger have one-" Lenora informed. "It's also useful for fliers to get around. Shall we begin?"

Giving a nod, he walked over to the far side of the field. Catching sight of his companions taking up a bench on the far side of the room as Cheren stood in front of them in the referee position. Reaching his spot, he turned to face Lenora, who already had a Pokéball in her hand.

"This'll be a three-on-three gym battle between the Nacrene gym leader, Lenora Aloe and the challenger, Drake Ketchum from Pallet town!" Cheren declared, holding his arms up to them each, respectively. "There will be no time limit and only the challenger is permitted to substitutes. Lenora will choose first!"

"You're up, Unfezant!" She held her device out. A red light shot out and her Pokémon materialised in front of her.

A Pokémon resembling a Pidgeotto but slightly taller with most grey feathers. The chest was darker which went up over the head, while the face was lighter with a heart shape with the wings having differing layers of both types. A single long-dark-grey feather stuck out as the tail with light grey markings. The underneath looked to be covered in mud. Stood on two long legs which ended in taloned feet. Yellow eyes and beak made up the face and he used his dex:

Unfezant, the Proud Pokémon. Female variant. The final evolved form of Pidove. These birds grow up alongside humanity and are considered some of the smartest avians. Extremely prideful and cunning. They grow very close to their trainers. The females of this species have superior flying abilities

"Unfezant was the first Pokémon I ever caught!" Lenora informed. "And her control of the sky is something to behold. So, who'll be her opponent?"

"I'm glad you asked-" he smirked, switching the device for a Pokéball. "I'm going with Yamask! Battle time!"

His newest capture materialised on the field. Floating opposite the normal flying type until she spread her wings. With some strong flaps, the proud Pokémon took off and began circling around near the ceiling. Looking down on his new team member.

"Using a Pokémon you only just caught." Lenora's brow frowned. "I can't tell if you're just incredibly arrogant or if you have something planned."

"On a good day it's both." He offered with a smirk.

"I suppose the only way to get a direct answer is through our battle." Lenora smiled. "We're ready on this side!"

"Ditto!" Drake replied.

Cheren stepped into the referee spot and looked at both trainers. Each of them nodded, giving the final confirmation as did both Pokémon. Raising both of his arms up in either trainer's direction, he took a deep breath.

"Unfezant verses Yamask!" Cheren declared. "Let the battle begin."

Lenora verses Drake: Round one

Drake watched his ghost type hover as several balls of blue fire floated around him. With a loud cry, he launched them out across the field. Their opponent took off and flew closer, swerving around the will-o-wisp with an admittedly impressive display of aerial ability. Her eye glinted as she closed in.

"Crafty shield!" He hollered.

A pink shield formed in front of him as a red light shot out of the birds eyes. It hit the fairy block and deflected off, making her taunt useless.

Undeterred by the counter, Unfezant flapped her wings. Gaining more altitude as she roared past. The wind blowing Yamask back slightly.

Although he quickly shook off the side effects of her tailwind. Turning to face her in the sky just as razor discs of compact wind zoomed down.

"Disable." He instructed.

Moving side to side, he struggled to avoid her air slashes. A red beam shot up from his mask, striking the female bird head on.

"Now psychic wide spread!" He shouted.

A wave of blue ESP spread out from his ghost. Filling the entire room, he watched the makeshift gravity pull the startled bird down from her height. Although it only lasted a couple moments as the female bird overpowered the force. Glowing with a red outline as she closed in.

Bringing herself to a stop, she brought both wings together and slapped them together. A tunnel of hot air shot down, blowing Yamask back slightly.

"Hmm, it seems you've done some prep work-" Lenora smirked. "So, lets change it up. Unfezant use U-turn!"

Green energy surrounded her body as she dived down. Striking his newest capture head on and knocking him down into the floor.

A red light engulfed the bird, and she disappeared back into her device. Moments later, a separate red light burst out, as he caught sight of Lenora already holding two Pokéballs out. One for her returning proud Pokémon, one for the new Pokémon... a Sawsbuck similar to the one Cheren had when they first met.

Bright green grass energy surrounded her body as she took off in a large gallop over the wide field. Picking up speed with each gallop.

She kicked Yamask to the side as she continued along her trailblaze. He lay sideways as the grass normal type turned back to repeat the blow.

"Yamask return!" He shouted, holding his own device up. A red light engulfed him just in time for the new opponent to pass over.

Switching his device with his Pokédex, he scanned the new Pokémon for a quick refresher:

Sawsbuck, The season Pokémon. Summer form. The final evolved form of Deerling. There are many Sawsbuck enthusiasts. The thicker and larger the branches and leaves on its antlers, the more majestic the Sawsbuck is thought to be. They can be extremely territorial if encountered in the wild

"Right..." He sighed, switching the device for a Pokéball. "Guess now is the time truly get the show going. Go Xatu!"

His psychic flying bird materialised on the field. Standing still with wing-arms crossed over her body, she seemed static as Sawsbuck scrapped her hove.

"I've never actually seen one of these Pokémon before-" Lenora admitted. "from Kanto, I presume?"

"Johto." He corrected. "And she's one of my best."

"Then I look forward to seeing what you have to show us." She smirked. "Sawsbuck charge in! Megahorn!"

With impressive speed, the grass normal type charged over the field. The bush-antlers formed an energy horn of the bug type. Lowering her head as she closed in on his mystic Pokémon, but his Pokémon stood unmoving. Spreading her wings, she let out a chirp, blowing her own tailwind from behind.

The force sent Sawsbuck sideways, causing her to land on her back. A mystic light covered her body as she coated herself in a cosmic power.

"Alright then, let's go long range!" Lenora instructed. "Leaf storm into wild charge!"

He inwardly smirked as she stomped the ground. A tornado of energy leaves erupted up around his female Pokémon, causing her to disappear from sight.

Sawsbuck entered a speedy gallop as electricity formed over her body. A second before breaking the tornado, Xatu materialised on the other side of the field.

Their opponent crashed through her own attack, tripping up as she crashed into the wall. Another cosmic power added for good measure.

"What?!" Lenora cried.

"Light screen and her flying type made the Leaf storm hardly tickle-" he informed. "And teleport last moment left no time to cancel on your part."

"Then we'll need to use our own set up!" Lenora instructed. "Leech seed and thunder wave combo!"

Picking herself up, she shook her body as she faced them once more. He smirked and gave the female bird a single, small nod.

Sawsbuck took off as a wave of electricity shot out. Brown seeds burst out of the bush antlers and flew over the field as both closed in as she charged.

A shield forced around the psychic flying type. Bouncing both moves back across the field, it took the seasons Pokémon by surprise. She was struck by her own thunder wave causing her to cripple over as the seeds planted around her. Expanding in vines over the whole field. Another cosmic power being added.

"Magic bounce... quite the useful ability to ensure her own tactics can't be used against herself-" he informed. "Reflect then baton pass."

Holding out two Pokéballs in time, he watched the second shield form over her body before she flashed. Disappearing in a red light, the second device burst open and his first caught Unovan Pokémon materialised. Pignite glanced over his body, in some sort of amazement.

"That, Pignite is Xatu lending her strength to you-" he informed. "So, let's test it out. Flame charge."

Giving a small nod, he turned and stomped his feet around. Bursting out with impressive speed and flames covering his body.

The flames spread out, burning the vines from the failed leech seed as the tailwind blew from behind. Crashing into the paralyzed Sawsbuck, she cried out in pain as fire erupted over both of them. Pignite straddled over her and brought his fists down in a series of arm thrusts direct onto her.

"Now finish it... Heat crash!" He instructed.

Bouncing up off the grass normal type, his body burst into flames once more. Gravity took effect and brought him back down onto her helpless body.

Fire erupted around them as Pignite walked off, barely having warmed up. Leaving the fallen seasons Pokémon in the scorched circle of flames.

"Sawsbuck in unable to continue!" Cheren declared. "Giving the first round to the challenger!"

He watched as the gym leader recalled her fallen seasons Pokémon. His eyes flickered down to the proud looking fire starter, who wore a strong smirk with a glint in his eyes. If he were to describe the Pokémon in one word, it'll be joyous. Clearly enjoying the boosts curtsy of Xatu.

"It seems I might've underestimated your abilities-" Lenora mused, putting her device away.

"Funny... because I've perfectly calculated your abilities-" He smirked. "Which is why I was fine picking a newly caught Pokémon."

"Then maybe we should re-evaluate the terms of the challenge-" she mused. "Such as removing the right to substitutions."

"Considering you had the restrictions but still used U-turn, can I assume a technicality through the moves?" he asked.

"Certainly." She nodded, producing her own Pokéball. "Now Unfezant is back too it!"

The female bird re-materialised on the field, standing tall as his fire fighting type moved into position. His first caught fire fighting type took up his own stance, slamming his fists against his chest. Huffing out puffs of flames from his snout in an aggressive manner.

"Trap me in with a fighting type-" He shrugged. "Interesting... let's see what you can do with this type advantage."

"Thank you for the compliment," she replied, "I won't disappoint your expectations."

"Don't be so humble." He rolled his eyes. "You're not that great. This sort of trap tactic I've seen a dozen or so gym leaders use."

"How so?" she asked.

"Each had their own tactics, of course," he explained, "mean look. Sand traps. Blocking. Entry hazards. Different tactics, similar results."

"Guess we'll see how you handle this then-" she smirked.

Seeing her Pokémon open her wings, she flapped them and took off once more. Circling overhead at a relatively low altitude.

"Unfezant verses Pignite!" Cheren declared. "Let the battle begin!"

Lenora verses Drake: Round two

He watched the female bird stop and slap her wings together. A slash of air shot down and struck his fire fighting type. The light screen curtsy of Xatu took the hit, leaving his Pignite standing, practically unaffected. Drake smirked as he saw which one had the actual advantage currently.

It seems like Unfezant had a similar line of thought. Restarting her ascension up to the ceiling and well out of his Pokémon's reach.

"Smog and ember." He instructed. "Force her down."

With a deep breath, his fire pig Pokémon let out a thick purple cloud of toxic gas. The layer created a barrier between the two Pokémon, slowly floating up.

Ending his smog, he took another deep breath. A single fire ball shot up into the cloud. Turning it into a wall of fire blowing upwards.

Focusing on the bottom of the cloud. He tightened his fist, watching as an air slash blew a hole in the fire-wall. Unfezant diving through it safely.

"Rollout!" He shouted.

Running forward with impressive speed. Pignite lept and curled up into a ball. Curling into a ball, he began rolling over the floor. His opponent came to a stop before crashing into the ground. Leaving her wide open for his fire pig to smash straight into her body. Knocking Unfezant sideways as he charged passed.

Taking a wide berth to turn, Drake refocused on the normal flying type. She was pushing herself up with wings, panting heavily.

A ball formed at her beak with an electric glow. His middle-stage-starter charging straight for her. The hidden power ball shot out and hit head on.

The light screen took the blow, but cracks appeared. Causing Pignite to wobble and veer off to the side, narrowly avoiding the proud Pokémon.

Uncurling from his roll, he skidded out on his stomach. Pushing himself up, he dusted himself off and shook his head, a little disoriented.

"Look out!" Drake shouted.

His first Unovan capture turned just in time to take an air slash to the chest. He skidded back from the hit, grunting in pain as the cosmic power boosts helped his overall endurance. The blasts continued to strike the fire pig as Unfezant used them once more to get back into the air.

Once about half way up, she dived down zoomed over the field. A gust of wind blew behind as she replaced the dominant tailwind over the field.

Flying over the fire fighting type, she swirled up as feathered rained down over him. Ending with Unfezant back up near the ceiling once more.

"I think we're gonna need something big to finish this Unfezant." Lenora informed. "It's clear the boosts given by Xatu were more than just screens."

Letting out a squawk of agreement, she sped up in her flight pattern. Becoming little more than a blur at the ceiling, she swirled around in a medium circular motion. His eyes widened as a wind tunnel formed in the centre field, making it difficult to breath due to disruptive air flow.

"Flame charge into Heat Crash!"

Stomping his feet around, Pignite charged forward with speed. A flicker of flames surrounded him, but the air current made it significantly weaker.

Glowing red as he dived straight into the hurricane, a flash of fire blinded him. Closing his eyes, he counted to ten as a blast of hot air knocked him over.

Opening his eyes, he found Pignite lying on the floor with swirls. Unfezant hovering next to Lenora, who stood with arms crossed and a confident smirk.

"Pignite is unable to continue!" Cheren declared. "Making the victors of this round the leader Lenora and her Unfezant!"

Drake pulled himself back up and took a moment to recall the fire fighting type. Gripping the device tightly, he analysed what likely happened. The disruption of oxygen made his flames significantly weaker. Meaning it couldn't protect him from the full force of Unfezant's hurricane. He knew it was a long shot, but it was still good to know the fire pigs limits even when boosted by Xatu. Had it worked, he would've looked for a double knock out best case anyway.

"That was an incredibly risky move-" Lenora informed. "What was you thinking?"

"The blast would damage and limit Unfezant's wings... but the wind tunnel kept it well contained." He shrugged. "Next time I should just re-use the smog and ember combo. Give the flow of the wind, which would've really done the job. Can you imagine it?"

"I dread to think-" she shook her head. "Fire would be flying around everywhere."

"Exactly... Unfezant would've been hit for sure." He shrugged. "But never mind, no point in speculating on opportunities passed."

"As one door closes another one opens-" Lenora sighed. "As the saying goes."

"Or you could just open the previous door-" He uttered. "You do know how doors work right?"

"It's a metaphor-"

"A stupid one-" He sighed, picking out his next Pokéball. "You're up once more, Xatu!"

In a flash of light, his mystic bird materialised once more onto the field. She stood stoically with wing-arms crossed over her body. Unreactive as the proud Pokémon let out her own battle squawk, taking off into the air. Circling overhead like a predator watching her prey.

"Xatu-" He spoke up. "Just do what you did last time. No need to push yourself yet."

"Unfezant verses Xatu!" Cheren declared. "Let the battle begin!"

Lenora verses Drake: Round three

He watched as more slashes of condensed air rained down over his mystic Pokémon. A light screen formed absorbing the blows.

Unfezant dived down with incredible speed. Her quick attack aimed squarely for Xatu. A moment before impact, she teleported away. Leaving the proud Pokémon to crash down in front of him. Coughing from the dust blown up, she pushed herself up.

The psychic flying type emerged behind her and spread her wings. A stronger tailwind blew from behind, hindering the opponents take off.

Her eyes flashed and a mystic glow covered her body. A cosmic power covered body. She got a few off as Unfezant got back to air.

Seeing her form a hidden power at her beak. Unfezant launched it down straight towards his mystic Pokémon.

A second before impact, she teleported away. Emerging in the air in front of the proud Pokémon, she shot a close range confuse ray.

Unfezant swerved to the side, bashing into the wall. While his own duel flying type teleported back down to her position in front of him.

"You know what, I'm gonna ban that teleport move!" Lenora declared; a tint of anger hidden within her tone.

"Another new rule? Guess that you underestimated me to begin with." He smirked. "Xatu. When she uses quick attack, counter with me first."

She nodded and another cosmic power coated her body. Spreading her wings, a reflect screen was added until returning to transparent.

Some slashes of condensed air shot down over her, but the light screen absorbed the blow. Seeing Unfezant dive down, she struggled against Xatu's tailwind.

"Baton pass." He held two devices out. In a red light, his mystic Pokémon disappeared and Yamask appeared in her place.

Zooming underneath the proud Pokémon, he started floating around her in a teasing manner. Blue fire balls formed around him and struck into her side, causing her to burst into flames. With a painful squawk, she flopped down onto her stomach as Yamask taunted whilst floating around.

"U-turn!" Lenora instructed holding her own two devices out. Bug type energy began to radiate within the flames as she pushed herself up.

"Disable." He countered. A red light struck the female bird before she could even take off. Causing her to pause momentarily. "Mean look."

His eyes widened and he covered the face of the normal flying type. She seemed to freeze in place as a light barrier engulfed her body.

"Was that necessary?" she asked. "U-Turn was already disabled."

"Yes." He noted. "Given your history in this battle to change rules. I'm preparing for a complete one-eighty on the subs from the start."

Unfezant let out a squawk which he was sure was something not meant for children to hear. With a struggle within her voice, she pushed herself up, flames flickering off as she tried to fight against the tailwind keeping her flight speed down. His newest capture looking with a blank staring, silently asking him.

"Wait." He instructed. He watched until the normal flying type reached the ceiling. "Now psychic and bring her back down."

His eyes glew blue and psychic energy surrounded her body. Despite her struggle to break free, she came flying down.

Spinning in her decent, a blast of air blew back. The multi-screen combo blocked the makeshift shield as she managed to avoid a head on crash.

"I said psychic and bring her down." He growled as Unfezant flew away.

Using the tailwind, Yamask easily caught back up and sent out a psychic shockwave. The force blew her into the wall behind Lenora, fire burst over her.

"Unfezant clearly can't win this-" Lenora sighed. "I'm declaring her unable to battle."

"Break the mean look," Drake instructed.

His pure ghost type brought his hands together and the mask glew red. The red light surrounding Unfezant broke free, and Lenora recalled her.

"Unfezant has been declared unable to continue by her trainer!" Cheren declared. "Making the victors Drake and his Yamask!"

His ghost smiled proudly as he floated back over. He could see the glint in his eye which informed him all he needed to know. "Don't get over confident. That was easy because of the boosts and Unfezant already having fought. They'll soon wear off so expect this to become much tougher."

"Mask." His newest capture nodded, dropping his cheerful expression. Turning back, he floated just in front of him.

"Your quite the interesting challenger but don't expect things to continue to be this easy-" She held her device out. "Go Watchog!"

In a flash of light, an upright tall-ish rodent Pokémon with large cheeks and a single, pointed incisor sticking out of its mouth materialised. He was mostly reddish-brown fur with beige cheeks and neck. There was yellow striping over the chest and tail, resembling a high-visibility jacket. His hands, feet and tail tip were tipped in white. His eyes were red and had small black pupils with yellow stripes. Black markings accentuated the eyes at their outer ends. While his tail was as straight as a stick, standing just above his own body height. He pulled out his dex and scanned his final opponent:

Watchog, The Lookout Pokémon. The final evolved form of Patrat. When they see an enemy, their tails stand high, and they spit the seeds of berries stored in their cheek pouches. Using luminescent matter, it makes its eyes and body glow and stuns attacking opponents

"Watchog here was my original partner." Lenora informed as he put the dex away. "We've been through everything together."

He let out a cry of agreement, crossing his arms over his chest. Looking almost like a head teacher ready to discipline some naughty students.

"Yamask." His ghost type glanced back. "Normal types main advantage is variety. Expect him to know numerous different types of attacks. We also don't know whether it's a close-quarter fighter or long range. Keep distance and observe. I'll intervene as needed."

"Your observation and planning skills are truly impressive." Lenora noted.

Her lookout Pokémon stepped forward and let out a loud chatter of his teeth. A sneer spread over his whiskers covered face.

"Watchog verses Yamask!" Cheren declared. "Let the battle begin!"

Lenora verses Drake: Round four

He watched carefully as his ghost formed loads of blue fire balls around him. One by one he shot them out towards the pure normal type. Uncrossing his arms, he let out a loud cry. Electricity surrounded his body and spread out in a wide spread thunderbolt. Bursting the will-o-wisps.

Yamask zoomed to the side, avoiding the attack. "Charge in and use payback! Take the hit head on!"

His spirit Pokémon charged into one of the bolts, having the screens absorb the electric shock. His mask glew with dark type energy.

Crashing into normal type, he tried to push him back. Flexing upwards, he knocked his ghost down to the floor as he stepped forward.

Two red beams shot out of the eyes, one for each of them, striking his newest capture. A red light engulfed him before fading.

Throwing himself down, he snapped his buck teeth down on him and swung his head. Despite the reflect shield, the super fang hit hard. Sending the pure ghost type across the field. His fists tightened as the normal type returned to his standing position.

"Foresight." He hissed.

"We heard what you said about seeing the fighting style, but Watchog is a mix-" Lenora noted. "We needed you close to get that foresight off and turn the tides on this battle. Let's see how much those boosts from Xatu really help when we speed things up."

Watchog dropped onto all four once more and he shot over the field. Fangs foaming with dark type energy as Yamask floated up, shaking his head.

"Dodge and keep your distance!" He hollered.

With the help of the tailwind, he rushed out of the way. Skidding midair, he turned and stopped, sending out a wave of psychic energy to push Watchog back.

The pure normal type opened his mouth. Snapping down on the wave as he shot closer. His crunch breaking through Yamask's own attack.

"Disable!" Drake shouted.

A red beam shot out and struck the normal type. The dark energy faded from his mouth, but he continued to charge forward. Snapping his teeth down in another super fang, he tossed his pure ghost type to the side again. Crashing into the wall with a heavy thud.

"Will-o-wisp and get some height!" Drake tightened his fist, feeling a little nervousness from the turned-up pressure.

Pushing himself up, more fire balls formed as he raised up. His slowness indicated the tailwind had finally passed.

"My predecessor's whole thing was using contrasting pace to challenge his opponents." Lenora informed.

He rained down the fire balls over the field, but Watchog disappeared. Reappearing behind the ghost, the tail glew with dark type energy. Swinging it down onto his newest capture, the reflect flashed but faded. Letting the pursuit hit full force.

Yamask crashed down onto the floor, small fires from his will-o-wisp burning like camp fires. Swirl's replacing his eyes as Watchog returned to start.

"Yamask is unable to continue!" Cheren declared. "Making the winners Lenora and her Watchog!"

With a frown on his face, he pulled out his device and recalled the fallen ghost type. He should've figured that she had a counter to a pure ghost type. While the boosts helped for a time, Yamask just wasn't a strong enough template and lacked real experience to take full advantage.

"No witty comments this time?" Lenora asked.

His eyebrows flickered down at the confidence within her tone. Pulling out his final Pokéball, he released his psychic flying type and clicked his fingers.

"Xatu." His inner voice alerted. "Time to demonstrate your true prowess. Remember no teleport."

"Yet this mental communication is permitted?" Her mental voice asked. "Intriguing."

"Well, she hasn't said not to yet-" he replied, "but you know the concept. When I click my fingers, I've got something."

A smirk flickered upon his lips as he saw the confused expressions of all except his mystic Pokémon in the room. Straightening his expression as to not give their secret away. He locked eyes with the normal type who seemed to catch his glance, letting out a high pitch cry as if to intimidate him.

"Any reason for the clicking fingers?" Lenora asked.

"You can't figure it out?" he asked. "I expected better from someone who champions knowledge like you do."

"Well, you didn't use it previously when battling with Xatu-" She mused.

"Are we going to play twenty questions, or can we get on with it?" he asked, before turning to the side. "Oh, and Iris. This'll show the true strength of a utility fighter. Watchog seems to be a pretty good power player so this should show you what I tried to explain about Druddigon's down fall."

Turning back, he noticed Cheren with both his arms out. The normal type tightened up his own stance as Xatu remained static.

"Watchog verses Xatu!" Cheren declared. "Let the battle begin!"

Lenora verses Drake: Round five

He watched closely as sparks flickered off the pure normal type. Seconds later a full bolt of lightning shot out straight for his female bird. Her eyes glew blue and psychic energy surrounded the thunderbolt attack. Circling around her without contact. It exploded on the floor in front of him.

Smoke blocked the sight of the lookout Pokémon as a mystic light covered Xatu. Her head tilted to the side with the same stoic expression.

Watchog came flying out of the smoke with fangs open wide. His teeth enlarged with their own glow. A reflect shield forming over her but he passed through.

His super fang sunk down on the psychic flying type, followed by a squawk. Sparks jumped off her own body, inflicting paralyze on her opponent.

A psychic force pushed him back and he skidded over the floor. The static-filled rodent stuck on the floor, weakly and slowly pushing himself up.

Drake raised his fingers, letting out a click.

Xatu spread her wing-arms and several balls of ESP formed. The psyshock flew out and struck the pure normal type.

Lenora's final fighter took the first couple of blows through gritted teeth. Opening his mouth, they foamed with dark type energy. Biting down on another incoming psyshock. With a crunch read, he took off over the field at a far slower pace. Careful to avoid the light fires still burning from Yamask's round.

He raised his hand and clicked his fingers.

Xatu turned her attention to the fire. Psychic energy engulfed and lifted them up. Combining them into a make shift flamethrower which came from behind.

Fire erupted over the lookout Pokémon as the static brought him to a stop. Bright balls of energy rained down from the ceiling, exploding over the field.

With her wings spread, a gust of wind blew from behind. Speeding over the field, she crashed into the pure normal type. Her talons clutching his shoulders.

She took him upwards and dangled him over the field. A smirk spread over his face as the rodent tried to wiggle free.

"You think you've got us trapped?" Lenora asked. "Well think again. Use thunderbolt!"

He raised his hand and clicked his fingers.

Electricity surrounded the pure normal type and a massive bolt of lightning shot up. It hit a golden light screen box as Xatu took a sample of the blast.

As the attack faded, she simply healed it off with a wish. Not even dropping an inch from their current position.

"Yeah... I do think your trapped-" he replied. "You can't hurt Xatu more then she can heal... and Watchog will run out of steam sooner."

"We'll see." She smirked.

Watchog closed his eyes, and a transparent mystic light surrounded his body. Swinging his legs back and forth forced Xatu off balance. Grabbing hold of her taloned feet, his grip formed her to let go. With his superior upper strength, he pulled himself up and climbed onto her back.

Opening his fangs, he brought another super fang down onto her shoulder. She cried out as they began to fall towards the floor.

He raised his hand and clicked his fingers.

Spinning in her fall, she burst her eyes open with ESP. Placing Watchog between herself and the floor, they fell down at a faster rate.

Her makeshift body slam left the normal type on the floor with paralysis halting his recovery. Whilst she bounced off and back onto her feet.

Bringing her winged arms together, a ball of energy formed between them. It was similar to the psyshock but a single larger blast instead of the multi-balls.

Throwing it forward, the attack struck Watchog as he stood back up. He staggered backwards, still immobilised mostly by her previous thunder wave.

He raised his hand and clicked his fingers. His browl flicking down into a scowl.

Her body coated itself in dark type energy and she threw herself forward. Smashing into their opponent, they went flying over the field until crashing into the far wall. Pulling herself out, she hovered back towards him as the lookout Pokémon collapsed down into a heap on the floor. Her foul play being successful.

"Watchog is unable to continue!" Cheren declared. "Making the challenger victorious in his Nacrene gym challenge!"

Drake walked across the scorched field to stand next to his mystic Pokémon. Xatu tilted her head to the side, staring at him with the same stoic expression she always had. Giving a small nod to show his approval, he handed over two Pokéballs and she disappeared in a flash.

Turning his attention forward, he found Lenora kneeling beside her fallen Watchog. Standing quietly, he watched as she applied a revive smelling salt and brought the lookout Pokémon back. Giving him a friendly hug and word of thanks, she recalled him before standing up. Cheren seemed to hand her something, followed by her walking over. Stopping just in front of him, she held her hand out.

Sat in her open palm was his second badge. A long stick with a golden rim and purple inside, resembling the spine of a book. Both the upper and lower sides of the badge had bars across, the lower half had one while the upper had two. He reached out and picked it up, examining his prize closer.

"It's called the basic badge and its proof of your victory here at the Nacrene gym. And your next gym challenge will be against Burgh, the bug specialist in Castelia city." She smiled. "I must commend your Xatu. She's well trained. And has an answer for any opponent I presume. Tailwind and thunder wave to hinder speedy opponents. Reflect, light screen and cosmic power to deflect hits, as well as wish to heal off any damage. Teleport makes her quite the difficult opponent to stick down. It's really only her offense which is lacking but even then-"

"Best offense is a good defence." He nodded. "Let the opponent tire themselves out and she doesn't require such forceful tactics. Although I did ensure she had options available. Foul play allows her to use opponents strength against themselves and stored power puts her boosts to more use."

"With magic guard protecting from other utility fighters..." She mused. "I normally would stop teleport with mean look but that ability."

"I figured... hence the extra rule midbattle." He smirked. "I knew Xatu could, given the chance, go three-to-one."

"So, I was just some sort of test run for your other two Pokémon?" she asked.

"Pretty much." He confirmed, turning on a heel. "See ya."

"Hold on-" He stopped in his tracks to face her once more. "What was that finger clicking about?"

"Oh, that-" He laughed. "Tell me, do you know the advantage wild Pokémon have over one's with trainers?"

"Enlighten me."

"Wild Pokémon don't verbalise their moves. You need to know what you're working with and what to watch out for," he explained, "while those with trainers get an extra pair of eyes and brain to help strategies. Although the communication can give plans away. So, the finger clicking eliminated that weakness."

"Sorry?" Cheren asked.

"As a psychic type, Xatu can read thoughts-" He clarified. "When I clicked my fingers, it was a que to do just that."

"You gave commands via a mental link, giving the benefits of having a trainer whilst the secrecy of the no communication-" Lenora simplified. "Clever."

"It's only really Xatu I can do it with but given she's not exactly a natural in battle-" He shrugged. "A lot of my other Pokémon don't actually need support... not most of the time, anyway. Well... like I said, see ya."

"You might see me at the league-" Cheren held his hand out. "If they allow gym pupils to assist again."

"I'm guessing they did that to make up the numbers-" He watched the boy nod. "Alright. I might see you there. Oh, and Cheren... I'll always cherish the misconception I had about you when we first met."

"Thanks-" He smiled before a look of confusion overtook his expression. "Wait..."

Without another word, he turned and walked towards the exit. He noticed Iris and Cilan joining his side as they made their way out. Their conversation was about the battle, but he didn't really pay them any attention. Once leaving the knowledge emporium, he noticed the city looking more alive with people around although that was of little consequence. Without much of a word, he started walking towards the western exit of the city.

"Hold on, Drake-" Iris called out. "What about your Pokémon?"

"Xatu is dealing with them. She took them to." He shrugged. "She'll teleport right back when ready. Why waste even more time."

"You did just win a big battle-" Cilan interjected.

"Not really... it was a gym battle but not really big-" He sighed, continuing on his path. "It was actually quite disappointing. Normal types are typically some of the hardest to combat due to their versatility. They're capable of more type mixing then pretty much any other type."

"Dragons are capable of a lot of variety." Iris insisted.

"But there's a difference. Typing is determined by channelling atoms with different elements-" He explained. "Being the lack of energy gives normal types a natural advantage. Take my brother's Dragonite, for example-"

"Your brother has a Dragonite?!" Iris gasped.

"Yes... shush-" He put his finger up to his lip. "The species is capable of using different move typing like electric, fire, ice, water, ground, fighting but some elements are opposite. Like water and fire. So even with the capability of using the variety, she is limited. She specialises in what I'd call the storm. A combination of flying, water, electricity. Once she's set up rain, it's like fighting a thunderstorm. A force of nature."

"Where are you going with this?" Cilan asked.

"She doesn't know any fire attacks," he replied, "I don't know if she could learn them still, but I theorise its due to her other speciality. While my Snorlax is capable of using fifthteen of the known eighteen types... and he's currently working on the other three still. Being a blank state gives him a better advantage."

The conversation continued on until the psychic flying type materialised in a flash. Just on the outskirts of the town, she levitated his two Pokéballs and the egg back over to him. Carefully taking each from the air, he clipped the devices back to his belt before cradling the egg.

"Both Pignite and Yamask have been given the clear to go-" Xatu's mental voice echoed in his head. "And the head of maternal Audino mentioned the egg being close to hatching. She would say within the next few days at least, if not sooner."

"Okay... thanks for letting me know." He nodded. Turning to the side, he informed the others of what his mystic Pokémon said.

"It's going to quiet the interesting having such a young Pokémon around-" Cilan mused. "And heading into Pinwheel forest too. The lush of nature being the first sight must be quite comforting... I believe."

"I still don't get why you decided to take it-" Iris humped. "You don't even know the species."

"And?" he asked. "If raised right, it can be a formidable opponent regardless of species. And it was Marowak's idea... he's a bit of a soft touch."

"Maro-wak."

"Exactly-" He nodded, gesturing to the ground type. "A lot of high-profile trainers have Pokémon raised from an egg. I'm thinking of Lance from Kanto's elite four, his Dragonite is his most known partner, and he famously raised him from an egg. I thought it'll be an interesting challenge and change for me."

"Should we keep moving or shall we break for an early lunch?" Cilan asked.

"We can set up camp here-" He nodded. "I've got some work to do with Yamask and Pignite. Their battles identified some weak points."

"No rest for the wicked-" Cilan smiled.

"Iris... if you want to then you can borrow Xatu for Druddigon's training-" he informed. "I don't exactly need her assistance for this training session."

"Alright but I still don't think your power verses utility argument works-" she informed. "Enough strength hinders any utility."

"Then prove it in the battle against her-" He challenged.

"What would she have done against another utility fighter?" Cilan asked.

"Imprison limits the use of her own tactics against her..." He answered. "She is one of my best for a reason."

Thanks for reading... Please Favourite, Follow and Review. Also, feel free to ask any questions through PM, I will answer them all, although don't expect too big of spoilers. Don't forget to vote in the polls. I really appreciate the support. Thank you and see ya next time...