Venrof Pokemon Gym

Polo and Maria stood in front of the Venrof Gym, it's walls showing a tapestry of modern architecture intertwined with the natural growth of vines and webs. Shortly after, the doors slid open and Julian stepped outside.

"Please, follow me." He spoke calmly and the duo couldn't help but feel some tension.

This is…a Gym Leader. Maria thought, equally tense and excited.

"Nice aura!" Polo said which made Maria groan. Julian raised his eyebrows but otherwise ignored the comment. The duo followed Julian inside the gym.

As they entered the main building, Julian asked "How many Pokemon do you have? Each?" And Polo said, "We both have two each!"

"That simplifies things. Ref…We're running 2s." Julian indicates to a man in shades and a pinstriped suit. Maria looked confused but the referee explained "It will be a single battle with Two Pokemon per combatant. The challenger is able to switch Pokemon, the Leader cannot. Are these rules clear?" to which Polo and Maria both nodded.

Maria tapped Polo on the shoulder. "I'm sorry to be selfish but…can I go first? I really can't wait."

Polo grinned "Yeah no worries! You look charged, good luck!"

Maria smiled "Fortune is paved through skill." To which Polo just cocked his head. "Never mind, I appreciate it Polo."

Maria and Julian stood across from each other in a large arena with a webbed Pokeball logo hanging from above. The referee raised his flags, one blue and one red.

"In the Blue Corner, Leader Julian. In the Red Corner, Challenger Maria. Begin!"

Julian sent out a Kricketune, which cocked it's head at Maria with curiosity.

"That's right…Bug Pokemon evolve early" Maria mused, before sending out Pawniard. Julian chuckled, "You came prepared".

Kricketune acted first, using Bide, but Maria directed Pawniard to use Leer. "Ha! Now I can soften Kricketune up further as it Bides it's time" Maria claimed, and Julian said "Good read."

Kricketune continued to bide it's time, and Pawniard used Leer again. Kricketune looked like it was about to release a massive shockwave of energy but the energy fizzled out. On the same turn, Maria directed Pawniard to use Metal Claw which deals a fatal blow to Kricketune in one go. Julian directed Kricketune to use Growl but this was not enough to save it and Pawniard used Metal Claw once again, knocking Kricketune out.

"Kricketune is KOd!" the referee announced, raising his red flag in recognition of Pawniard's triumph.

"Expertly analysed. I wanted to see how you would react to Bide. You did the right thing applying passive debilitations to punish my mistake."

Maria looked flustered but just said "Thanks. I know you're holding back when it comes to tactics as this is a first gym. But I hope I can prove my tactical abilities."

Julian nodded with approval. "Anorith, give it your best" he exclaimed and an Anorith was released in the Blue Corner, it's beady eyes scanning the Pawniard warily.

"A fossil Pokemon, intriguing" Maria looked impressed and Polo looked with his own intrigue at this prehistoric Pokemon.

The two Pokemon sized each other up. Pawniard was Growled from before, and won the speed tie so Maria used Leer to reset the stat war. Julian pulled an item out of his pocket, a red capsule and sprinkled it over Anorith. "X Attack" Julian claimed and Anorith looked energized. Pawniard then used Metal Claw on Anorith, dealing considerable damage, and Anorith used Fury Cutter, dealing a small chunk of damage to Pawniard. However before it could get momentum going, Maria commanded Pawniard to use Metal Claw again and Anorith was knocked out.

"Anorith is KOd! Game set and match won. Challenger Maria wins this official match!" the referee once again raised his red flag. Maria smiled and hugged Pawniard, who looked standoffish but blushed.

"Well battled. Maria you clearly have the strength and tactical acumen for a Gym Challenger. I hereby confer upon you the Web Badge. Please also accept this TM or Technical Machine, as your 1st gym badge, please accept Fury Cutter. It is a Bug move which gets stronger the more you use it repeatedly. Alas, I could not show this effectively in our match. Please also accept this whistle. It allows you to call forth a Scyther that can cut down trees blocking your path."

Maria accepted all these with fervour, and beamed at Polo "I did it!"

Polo grinned and said "That was awesome! My turn my turn!" to which Julian said "Yes alright, I will just heal my Pokemon" and headed over to the back of the room where a portable healing machine was located.

"Good luck Polo. I hope my match provided some valuable reconnaissance." Maria said firmly.

"I don't know what that means, but I'll try my best!" Polo replied enthusiastically.

A short while later…

Polo was now stood across from Julian in the area.

"In the Blue Corner, Leader Julian. In the Red Corner, Challenger Polo. Begin!"

Julian sent out Kricketune. Polo sent out his Chimchar.

Kricketune moved first and used Bide, and Polo directed Chimchar to use Ember. Although it was super effective, it only dealt a fair amount of damage to Kricketune which glowed menacingly.

"Oh no Polo! You need to take it out quickly! Maria exclaimed.

Polo panicked and used Ember again as Kricketune bided its time, but this left Kricketune at a sliver of health. Kricketune then unleashed a shockwave of energy which knocked Chimchar out in one hit.

"Chimchar is KOd!" the referee announced, raising his blue flag in recognition of Kricketune's triumph.

Polo blinked, still a bit fazed. Julian explained "Bide stores energy for two turns then releases the damage done unto the bider twicefold. As Kricketune was faster, it worked out poorly for you. You had the right idea with using type matchups, but need to think flexibly with tactics and strategy.

"Oh…I see….Toxel, give it your best" Polo said, still in a state of shock.

Toxel looked at the Kricketune and looked terrified.

Kricketune used Fury Cutter and although it was not very effective, Toxel's low level meant it lost a considerable amount of health. Polo started to panic, "Ahhhh, okay okay…" and Maria looked at Polo with sorrow.

Toxel freaked out and used Acid without Polo's direction, knocking out the Kricketune as it was hanging on by a thread. Toxel then looked at Polo with sparks emitting from it. Polo realised Toxel was trying to learn a new move. "Hmmm ok maybe this will turn things around" and without much forethought he asked Toxel to forget Growl, and it learned Nuzzle.

"Kricketune is KOd!" the referee announced, raising his red flag in recognition of Toxel's triumph.

Julian then sent out Anorith and Polo started to panick again, which caused Toxel to start crying.

"Tch…that sucks" Julian commented "A Trainer needs to be the guiding pillar for his team. You weren't ready for this" and Julian commanded Anorith to use Water Gun, knocking Toxel out.

"Toxel is KOd! Game set and match won. Leader Julian wins this official match!" the referee once again raised his blue flag. Maria rushed over as Polo looked down dejectedly.

Julian then says "You can heal your Pokemon here" to which Polo nodded without saying a word.

A short while later…

Maria and Julian both looked at Polo with concern as he released his team from their Pokeballs. Chimchar looked dejected. But to everyone's surprise, Polo grinned and patted Chimchar and Toxel on the head. "I'm sorry team…I need to do better as a Trainer! Training arc incoming!" to which Chimchar fiercely nodded, enthused with energy.

Toxel's eyes started to water and it started crying. Polo and Maria started to fluster but the referee came over and said "I've got this". He released a Breloom, and it started wagging it's tail which entranced Toxel. It cried a bit less and Breloom released a Spore to send Toxel to sleep. Polo and Maria collapsed, their initial adrenaline fading away.

Polo turned to Julian and extended his hand "I'll be back for a rematch! Wait for me!" and Julian smiled at this. "Of course, I'll be waiting."

Maria patted Polo on the back saying "Chin up champ. I'll train with you!" to which Polo beamed.

As they exited the Gym, they saw a familiar face.

"Hi there! Just the duo I hoped to run into" Professor Topaz said, waving at them. Polo's face lit up and Maria looked pleased. "Professor!" They both exclaimed.

"Hi again – let me explain why I'm here…".

CURRENT:

Polo:

Chimchar, Level 9, Hasty Nature ( Speed / - Defense)

Toxel, Level 8, Naive Nature ( Speed / - Sp Defense)

Maria:

Pawniard, Level 12, Quiet Nature ( Sp Attack / - Speed)

Hatenee, Level 11, Timid Nature ( Speed / - Attack)