After helping free the Weather Institute from a Team Aqua invasion, Lapis reunited with Jade, who was sent there by the Pokémon League Association. The Nuzlocker easily defeated the junior researcher, and the two shared a tender moment before it was ruined by a certain nosy scout. Once he arrived in Fortree City, Lapis tried to enter the Gym but was stopped by a wall made from the invisible wild Kecleon. The former Champion, Steven, gave him a Devon Scope, allowing Lapis to remove the hidden barrier. After doing so, the Nuzlocker can begin his next Gym challenge. What trials and discoveries will Lapis encounter at the Fortree City Gym?

Lapis' Pokémon:

Zuli (Lvl. 38 Swampert, male; Item: Soft Sand): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Strength, Mud Shot, Surf

Bixbite (Lvl. 38 Camerupt, male): Bold Nature, Oblivious Ability, moves: Rock Slide, Tackle, Ember, Earthquake

Onyx (Lvl. 38 Mightyena, female; Item: King's Rock): Mild Nature, Intimidate Ability, moves: Tackle, Rock Smash, Sand Attack, Bite

Pearl (Lvl. 38 Grumpig, female): Lax Nature, Thick Fat Ability, moves: Psychic, Psybeam, Shock Wave, Confuse Ray

Celestite (Lvl. 38 Altaria, female): Gentle Nature, Natural Cure Ability, moves: Fly, Safeguard, Take Down, Dragonbreath

Amethyst (Lvl. 38 Gloom, female; Item: Miracle Seed): Quiet Nature, Chlorophyll Ability, moves: Absorb, Acid, Poisonpowder, Moonlight

Pokémon sent to the PLA: Tiger Eyes (Linoone, male), Citrine (Makuhita, female), Kyanite (Electrike, female), Moonstone (Swellow, female), SmokyQuarz (Numel, male)

Chapter 30: A Pillar of Flight

A slightly bitter Lapis yawned as he exited the Fortree City Pokémon Center. He spent the entire night banishing the group of wild Kecleon barricading the Gym, but the PLA never bothered to give him anything for doing so.

Next time I do any assignments for them, I better get a reward worth my time!

As he made his way to the stone structure via the city's ladders and bridges, he pondered the main Pokémon to use.

So it's a Flying type Gym this time. Obviously Pearl and Bixbite would be helpful with their super effective moves and Onyx, Zuli, and Celestite would provide great support. Too bad Amethyst has to sit this one out.

Once he got to his destination, he entered a lobby with light blue walls. The space was filled with Winona's trophies and photos, along with several baskets filled with colorful air plants hanging from the ceiling.

The Nuzlocker expected Jim, the Gym Guide, to appear. But to his surprise, a thin man with small eyes in a gray suit approached him.

"Ah, you must be Lapis," the man said in a cheery, yet slightly unsettling tone. "I'm Guy, your new Gym Guide. Flying types are weak against Grass and Bug types, so I recommend those Pokémon."

Lapis grew cautious. "You mean, Electric and Rock types, right?"

Guy clasped his hands. "Oh, no! Grass and Bug types are the best. Even Fighting types can give you a boost."

"Right… What are you playin' at? You think I don't know type matchups by now?!" Seeing the guide was under pressure, Lapis continued the verbal assault. "Where's Jim? Why has no one told me about you? And why are you givin' me obviously bad advice?!"

Guy brushed back his already slick blond hair. "I'm afraid Jim is…away at another Gym. And my advice was certified by the Pokémon League Association. I thought you rely on them for all your strategy planning."

Like I'd believe that. He must've been sent by that damn Cowden.

"If that's all you got for me, I'm doin' the challenge-thingy!"

He was about to go pass the double doors when Guy grabbed his left arm.

"If I were you, I would keep that temper under control," he hissed. "We wouldn't want to have another accident, would we?"

Lapis bit his lip, then shrugged him off. "Trust me, it's more under control than you think."

He burst through the double doors, only to find an elevator within a small room.

An elevator? That's a first.

He got inside and saw it only went to the sixth floor. He pressed that button and went up. When he got out, he was surprised to find himself back outside. He turned towards the center of the Gym and realized why. A long flight of stairs guided challengers to the top where the battlefield was. The Nuzlocker sighed, and he climbed up. It was an arduous trek, but it allowed Lapis to reflect on his journey so far. The smooth beginning, the pains of training and battling, the first shock of losing a Pokémon, the interference of Arian Cowden, and the hopes to keep pressing forward. When he finished the pondering, he realized he was only halfway to the top.

Damn it… I thought I had enough memories to make it last to the top. Oh well, better get moving.

He finally made it to the top, only to find a maze with rotating doors and Trainers. Lapis pushed the first door, allowing him to proceed, but realized it meant he'd run into the Trainer at the second door. A wind from the north shoved the door back to its original place, knocking the teen back to the beginning.

Lapis rubbed his stomach. So not only do I have to deal with the doors and Trainers, but also the wind. This'll be a pain, literally and figuratively.


From an observation tower near the Gym battlefield, Winona, the Gym Leader, and Ms. Hōfu were watching Lapis' progress.

The woman with long purple hair smiled at her next challenger. "He's quite good," she mused in a soft voice. "Lapis is taking down my Trainers with ease."

The PLA representative nodded as the Nuzlocker's Camerupt took down a Bird Keeper's Tropius with a super effective Ember. "He has certainly grown stronger since I last saw him in Lavaridge Town."

Winona raised an eyebrow. "Lavaridge Town? Were you not able to see him when he was at the Petalburg City Gym?"

Ms. Hōfu shook her head. "I was away at a different Gym, so I wasn't able to attend the match in person."

"That's a shame. I do hope you get to enjoy this one." Then, Winona crossed her arms. "Ms. Hōfu, I do want to talk about the Gym Guide…he's a little strange, don't you think?"

"Strange? What do you mean? I wouldn't call Jim a strange person, but he's a little…cynical."

The Gym Leader's eyes grew wide. "'Jim'? The Gym guide introduced himself as Guy."

Ms. Hōfu bolted from her seat. "I've never heard of Guy, and I didn't see him when I entered the Gym this morning. I…need to investigate this."

The PLA representative headed back to the lobby as Winona watched Lapis get hit by another rotating door. That Guy person must be working for Arian Cowden! That man will get his just deserts when I report him to the board!


An hour later…

Lapis returned to the Gym lobby, limping. With the painful trek after completing the maze and the Pokémon Center, he wasn't looking forward to walking back up the stairs.

He expected Guy to show up and ridicule him again, but instead, it was a disheveled Jim.

The usual Gym guide was startled to see the familiar challenger. "O-Oh, it's you, Eurig. Looks like you got through the maze, like I thought you would."

The teen winced. "Where…were you earlier?"

Jim groaned. "This guy jumped me, tied me up, and threw me in a storage closet. I would've been there the entire time if Ms. Hōfu hadn't come to find me."

"Sounds rough." Lapis gritted his teeth. "I-I'm glad you're…okay…"

The man weakly smiled. "You don't have to be nice to me, Eurig. I know I haven't been to you."

"Look. We may've started out on the wrong foot…but you ain't as bad as I thought. Besides, you give better advice than that Guy…guy…"

Jim softly chuckled. "And you aren't as bad as they said. Beat Winona with Electric and Rock types moves, all right?"

Lapis smirked. "Don't worry. That's the plan."

He entered the elevator room and saw Ms. Hōfu waiting.

She bowed and said, "Mr. Eurig. I apologize for the earlier inconvenience. Mr. Guy has been removed from the premises and will be subject to punishment by the Pokémon League Association."

"O-Oh… Th-Thanks…"

With a small smile, she guided him into the elevator. "To make up for this error, you can take the elevator to the battlefield instead of climbing the stairs."

There was an option to go all the way to the battlefield without taking the stairs?! I hate these Nuzlocke challenge rules. At least they're letting me use it now…

After a ten second ride, Lapis made it back to the open space at the top of the Gym. The maze was gone, and a woman wearing a helmet fastened with green goggles and a loose light blue jumpsuit was waiting on a platform held up by a concrete pillar.

"That's…an interesting getup," he said as he walked to his platform.

To his surprise, the Gym Leader giggled, the wind blowing through her long lavender hair. "I take that as a compliment. I know I dress much differently compared to my colleagues, but I'd rather wear clothing that allows me to be one with the wind."

He braced himself when the platform stopped at the same level as hers. "One with…the wind…?"

She watched several Swablu fly past. "I, Winona, have always soared the skies to become one with Flying type Pokémon. Bird-like ones, especially. I feel a sense of freedom and elegance from them, so I apply the same feelings through my battling."

"I see." She's a weirdo, that's for sure… Lapis finished his preparation and gave Winona a nod.

She returned the gesture. "Very well. Witness the elegant choreography of my Pokémon and I! Dance amongst the skies, Cotton!"

A Level 29 Swablu flew out of her ball, looking stronger than the wild counterparts that passed by.

Lapis took no chances. "Go, Bixbite!"

The Camerupt materialized and looked at his opponent carefully.

The teen shouted, "Use Rock Slide!"

The Eruption Pokémon unleashed a shower of boulders, instantly knocking out the Flying type.

Winona gasped, but she returned the Cotton Swab Pokémon without complaint. "I know you don't have any Pokémon with types super effective against Flying types, but you have developed ways so your team can prevail against them. Quite interesting."

He sighed. "That's the plan."

She smiled as she took out her second Poké Ball. "Dance amongst the skies, Storm!"

A Level 30 Pelipper soared over her Trainer. Lapis returned Bixbite, knowing he would have the disadvantage.

"Go, Pearl!"

The Psychic type hopped out, ready for her first Gym battle as a Grumpig.

"Pearl, Shock Wave!"

She charged a blue electrical orb with her hands and aimed the always accurate blue lightning bolt at her opponent.

Winona smirked and waved her arm. "Storm, Protect!"

The Water Bird Pokémon created a translucent blue barrier in front of her, causing the Shock Wave to disappear upon contact.

This didn't deter the Nuzlocker. "Pearl, use Shock Wave again!"

"Storm, use Supersonic!"

The Flying type emitted several white rings at the Manipulate Pokémon, but the blue lightning bolt destroyed all of them and hit its mark. Storm fell onto the field, motionless.

Winona returned her Pelipper without a trace of sadness and took out her third Poké Ball. "You're as strong as they say, Lapis. So let's see how you handle my next Pokémon. Dance amongst the skies, Palm!"

A Level 29 Tropius appeared on the ground, fanning her leaves amongst the sunlight.

Lapis returned Pearl and shouted, "Go, Celestite!"

The Gym Leader marveled at the blue, cotton-winged Pokémon. "Oh my. I can finally witness your beautiful Altaria in person! You must've spent a lot of time raising her."

He smirked. "Guess you can say that. Celestite, use Fly!"

She flew high into the air, protecting herself from Palm's assault.

Winona put her hands on her hips. "I see you taught her Fly. Unfortunately for you, I wasn't even going to attack this turn. Palm, Sunny Day!"

The Grass type looked up and roared, causing any clouds to disappear and the sun to shine brighter.

Lapis covered his eyes and frowned. As if it wasn't sunny already… Then, he noticed Palm glowing in a blue light. Wait, she couldn't have…

"Chlorophyll?" Winona finished his thoughts. "Why, yes, she does. Because of this, her speed increases as long as there is harsh sunlight."

It won't matter. I know Celestite can handle it.

"Palm, Aerial Ace!"

The Fruit Pokémon charged at the Altaria, the increased speed allowing her to make up the distance.

Lapis shouted, "Now, Celestite, use Fly!"

The Humming Pokémon descended with such power that not only did she not take any damage from the Aerial Ace, she landed a critical hit. The Tropius slammed onto the battlefield, and her wings drooped.

Winona smiled and returned Palm. "You truly have quite a powerful Altaria, Lapis. I'm quite impressed. But let's see how you fare against my own Altaria! Dance amongst the skies, Melody!"

A larger Altaria appeared with an Oran Berry around her neck. Melody flew up to Celestite's height, readying for an aerial battle. Lapis, however, didn't want to entertain that idea just yet.

"Celestite, return! Go, Onyx!"

The Mightyena materialized, growling at the Flying type. Melody's attack decreased due to Intimidate, but she was unfazed.

After making sure the Gym Leader was ready, Lapis shouted, "Onyx, Bite!"

The Dark type ran up and bit Melody's left wing. This startled the latter so much that she couldn't move.

Winona smirked. "A flinch already? That won't stop us!"

The Nuzlocker responded with, "We'll see about that. Bite again!"

Onyx chomped on Melody's right wing, but she was able to shake the Mightyena off.

"Melody, Dragon Dance!"

The Dragon type waved her wings in a rhythmic pattern, and a red aura temporarily surrounded her.

Lapis gritted his teeth as he skimmed the words on his tablet. So Melody's attack and speed just increased. We have to be careful.

Winona shouted, "Melody, use Dragon Dance again!"

After watching the Humming Pokémon raise her stats again, Lapis knew he had to stay on the offensive. "Onyx, Bite!"

The Bite Pokémon landed another hit, but Melody had enough strength to push her back.

The purple-haired Trainer smiled. "Now, Melody, Earthquake!"

Lapis braced himself as the Flying type slammed her body into the battlefield. The floor shook, causing fragments to hit Onyx and deal a good amount of damage. But to his surprise, it wasn't as much as he thought, even with the two Dragon Dances.

Thank Arceus for the Intimidate…

Winona motioned Melody to come, and she healed her wounds with a Hyper Potion.

That's not good. I better change tactics after this turn. "Onyx, Bite!"

She dealt some more damage, but it didn't make a dent to her overall health.

Seeing his suspicions were confirmed, he took out her Poké Ball. "Onyx, return! Go, Celestite!"

Lapis' Altaria flew up to meet her counterpart's gaze.

Winona chuckled. "Looks like my plan to use Earthquake won't work this time. Let's see how your Altaria will fare against mine! Dragon Dance!"

Melody flew around Celestite and increased her attack and speed once more.

Lapis grinned. "I'm surprised you're still goin' for the stat boosts. Celestite, Dragonbreath!"

His Pokémon exhaled a stream of emerald green flames at Melody. Winona's Altaria hissed in pain as sparks began to emerge from her cotton-like wings.

The Gym Leader frowned as she waved Melody over. Despite regaining her health from another Hyper Potion, the Pokémon's movement was dampened from the paralysis.

Smiling, Lapis shouted, "Dragonbreath, Celestite!"

She nodded and hit Melody with two consecutive super effective attacks. Winona's Altaria held on with a sliver of health, forcing her to eat her Oran Berry.

Winona clenched her fists. "We don't have much of a choice anymore. Melody, use Dragon Dance!"

But as she prepared to use the move, Lapis commanded, "Finish Melody with Dragonbreath!"

Celestite caught up with the opposing Altaria and hit her with the green flames. Melody crashed onto the battlefield, twitching from the paralysis.

Winona recalled her Pokémon and smiled. "I'm impressed you took out my strongest Pokémon with ease, Lapis. Let's see how you handle my last one. Dance amongst the skies, Knight!"

A Skarmory soared into the air, slightly intimidating Celestite.

Knowing her moves wouldn't do much against a Steel type, Lapis took out her Great Ball. "Celestite, return! Go, Zuli!"

The Swampert eyed his opponent, then placed his hands on the battlefield.

Winona took a breath and shouted, "Knight, Aerial Ace!"

The Steel type dove towards the ground, and she struck Zuli with a blinding white light. The Water type growled in pain; Lapis gritted his teeth when he saw it was a critical hit. Despite that, the Mud Fish Pokémon grabbed Knight's wings and threw her into the air.

"Zuli, Surf!"

The Swampert roared, summoning a giant wave that crashed into the tumbling Flying type. When the water subsided, Knight was on the battlefield, motionless.

Winona returned her last Pokémon and clapped her hands. "Well done, Lapis. Your Pokémon have danced more gracefully than mine."

The two Trainer platforms lowered back to the battlefield level, and they met in the center. Lapis petted Zuli before returning him.

Winona revealed a badge and a CD labeled "TM40" to her challenger. "I present to you this Feather Badge and TM40, which contains Aerial Ace." Lapis accepted the prizes, then the Gym Leader turned towards the sky, smiling. "I know you'll enjoy the breeze as you fly with Celestite, just as much as I do with my Pokémon."

"What're you talkin' 'bout?" asked the confused teen.

With a sly smile, she responded, "Now that you have my badge, you can now use Fly to travel to cities and towns you've visited. It's quite handy, especially since you can't use the Tropius Taxi or Altaria Aviation."

Finally! Now I don't have to walk as much.

After nodding Winona goodbye, Lapis left the Gym and prepared for the next leg of his trip towards the ocean.

Questions for the Chapter:

What did you think of Lapis' Gym battle?

What did you think about the Gym Guide switcharoo?

Will Ms. Hōfu be able to stop Arian Cowden from interfering with Lapis' journey?