[Deleted]

She was pretty sure she was ready for this. At least, she hoped she was ready. She’d been working hard to train her Pokemon, and now none of her main battle team were base stage. That was good enough for the second badge, wasn’t it? Two of them were even fully evolved, though she wasn’t sure if she’d be using those particular Pokemon this time around. It would probably be a good idea, but this was still a three-on-three battle, and both of those Pokemon were weak against electricity, which she assumed to be the dominant type in this dorm. Besides, all her three-stage Pokemon still needed the training a gym battle would grant them.

She made her way into the dorm and looked around. “Hello? My…” Her voice caught in her throat and she had to swallow it down before continuing. “My name is Toni Hendrick. I’ve come for a gym battle.” Would the warden even be in right now? She hoped so, but if not she was willing to wait. She came here for a purpose, and she’d rather not leave until she’d had her battle, whenever that may start.

[Stielan Masters]

Stielan had just donned his Gi and Kokutai and was just about ready to go out into the island again when he heard a voice call out. "Hm? Who's here? Jean?"

"It seems that you're being summoned, of sorts."

"Me, specifically? Or is someone challenging a Warden?"

"It's a Challenge. The other Warden seems to be busy with his own Challenge at the moment."

"I see. In that case! Let's go!" Stielan and Jean, the Medicham, walk out into the Lobby. In the middle stood a girl wearing, if Stielan remembered correctly, a Mana Dorm uniform. "Is that the challenger, Jean?"

"Yes. Her name is Toni Hendrick. Do you remember the Teams you organized?"

"Yes, I do. Would I forget something like that? Preposterous!" He grins and greets the teen. "Hello there, Miss Hendrick. My name is Stielan Masters, but most just call me Stiel." He motions to follow him. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you to the Gym."

____________________

The Gym itself appeared to be a Traditional-style Dojo, belying the fact that it was a part of the Bolt Dorm. "Ah. Before we begin, which Badge is this for you? My Team will depend on your answer." He walks over to the wall on his right. There was a set of wooden shelves with three tiers to them. The bottom two tiers each had three Pokéballs on them. The top shelf had four and two empty slots. Next to the shelves, there was a stand with two empty Pokéball slots on it. He fills the empty slots on both the shelf and the stand and looks back at Toni.

[Deleted]

It didn’t take long for someone to answer. She watched as a rather intimidating-looking man and a Medicham made their appearance. Was that the warden and one of his Pokemon? A lump formed in her throat, and she had to work to force it down. Why was she nervous? She’d done this before and won, even if it was by the skin of her teeth. Now, all her Pokemon had gone through one evolution, and they all had more powerful moves than the ones they’d started with. She’d be fine – this battle may even be easier than the last.

Still…that man looked powerful, like he could slap a boulder in half if he wanted, or punch a tunnel all the way through a mountain. Was it really wise to try and win against such a man?

But he seemed friendly. He grinned and greeted her, introducing himself. She dipped her head to him, not entirely trusting herself to speak. He started leading her, and she followed him until they came to what seemed to be a Dojo. That was an interesting design…but the Bolt Dorm used fighting types, didn’t it? That would make sense. Did that mean this particular warden specialized in fighting types? He had the classic build for it…fortunately, she still had a few Pokemon that would do well against such a team.

He asked what badge she was after, stating that his team would depend on her answer. She’d forgotten all about that. Oops. “Sorry… This will be my second challenge.” She then watched as he filled the empty spots on his shelf. Were those his teammates? Perhaps she should get a shelf for her own team when she didn’t just have them out with her…

[Stielan Masters]

"Your second one? I see. Middle Tier it is, then." He grabs the three Pokéballs from the middle shelf and clips them onto his Kokutai. Back in his spot, he turns back to Toni. "Are you ready, Miss Hendricks?"

Stielan snaps to attention, bows to Toni, and sends out his first Pokémon. "Alright, Mach! Let's start this off strong!"

The nearly-five-foot-tall, gray Pokémon flexed his muscles as he appeared. "Machoke!"

Stielan motions to Toni. "Whenever you’re ready, you may begin. Since you are the Challenger, I’ll allow you the first attack." Stielan pretty much gave his opponent the advantage. He has shown her what her first foe would be and given her the chance to counter it before Stielan could do anything about it.

"Stiel: Don't forget to explain your rules. Her first Gym may have had different ones." The Medicham was in the back of the room, watching and listening while meditating.

"Ah! Thanks, Jean. Before we begin: for this battle, we'll each use three Pokémon with no Items. Mach, take off your belt and hand it here. You'll get it back later." Somewhat disappointed, the Machoke unties his Black Belt and places it in Stielan's outstretched hand. "Thank you. Also: no switching out during the battle. Our Pokémon will remain until they are knocked out. It may be painful for some trainers, but it is a good way to toughen them – and you – up."

---

Gym Warden Stielan sent out Mach.

---

Team Order:

Mach	Crow	Cross
Fighting	Flying/Poison	Bug/Fighting
Healthy	Healthy	Healthy

[Deleted]

She nodded as he responded, trying to swallow down her nerves again. Middle tier was a bit of a jump from lower tier, but she’d done a lot of training since battling Levi. This still wasn’t a match against fully-evolved Pokemon, so it should still be an easy battle, or at least a doable one. After all, she reminded herself, Fluorite and Quartz were fully trained, and she’d done her best to make sure all her Pokemon learned what she considered to be a good variety of moves. She wouldn’t get scolded for repeating the same thing over and over this time.

He asked if she was ready, and she nodded. “I am.” Was it true? Mostly. She was sure all these battles would be nerve-wracking for her no matter how strong her Pokemon were, but she was as ready as she could make herself.

Then he bowed to her, and she did her best to mimic the motion. She froze as the muscle-bound Pokemon appeared before her, and she had to remind herself that he wasn’t the final evolution of his line. It was kind of weird to be facing off against an evolved form of the Pokemon she’d been assigned for her Tactics class, but maybe that was a good thing. She knew a little about the Machop line – very little, but better than nothing.

Stielan gave her the first move, and she thanked him while she thought about what Pokemon she wanted to send out. She had a unique problem this time – most of her Pokemon were suitable against her first opponent. She wanted to get some training out of this, so it was probably best to leave Fluorite and Quartz out of the match, but that still left Moonstone, Tourmaline, and Hematite.

While she tried to decide, Stielan explained the rules. Most of them rang true to last time, though there was the added rule against switching out. That was usually her strategy anyway, so she nodded. This was it, then… She just needed to pick out her first Pokemon for the match and send her out. She was still having trouble with this, so she ultimately decided on Moonstone. The Braixen had been with her longer than any of the others, even Hematite, so it seemed only fair to put her in play now.

“Moonstone, let’s go.” She tossed her Pokeball, and the Braixen appeared before the Machoke. “Oh, and I need that spoon, please. You’ll get it back after the battle.”

Moonstone blinked at Toni, looked from her to her opponent and his trainer, and then seemed to understand. She handed over the twisted spoon and turned back to face the Machoke, pulling the twig out of her tail so she’d be ready.

“Let’s use Psychic,” Toni ordered.

Moonstone pointed her stick at the Machoke and concentrated, attempting to strike the Machoke with her telekinetic powers.

---

Toni sent out Braixen!

Braixen used Psychic! It’s super-effective!

Psychic is 100% accurate.

Psychic has a 10% chance to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage.

dFpn|LaL1-20

Damage has been calculated at approx. 65%

1-20

[Stielan Masters]

A Braixen, huh? As a Fire-type, it shouldn't be too bad on Mach. But Braixen's evolved form was also Psychic-type, so the possibility of this fight going in Stielan's favor could very much be non-existent.

Stielan's theory was confirmed when the Braixen used Psychic. This was going to be a tough battle. "Take it in stride, Mach! Use Dynamic Punch!"

"Ma!" Mach's right fist began to glow a light blue while he charged the attack. He leaps at the fiery fox and punches.

---

Mach uses Dynamic Punch.

Accuracy: 50%
YESXYnpM1-100

Moonstone became confused!
50% to hurt itself for
1-4
turns.

Critical: 1
1-16

Estimated 70% damage.1-100·1-4·1-16

[Deleted]

Things were going well, at least for a moment. The attack hit its mark – but of course it did – and she was sure she’d done a lot of damage. One more hit would surely be enough to put her in the lead for this battle, right?

No…it wasn’t quite that simple. The Machoke recovered and hit Moonstone hard. She cried out as the force of the blow knocked her back, and when she landed she looked around like she didn’t know where she was. Toni’s heart sank. She couldn’t remember ever having a confused Pokemon before, but it wasn’t hard to guess what had happened to her poor fox Pokemon.

“Try to shake it off, Moonstone!” She took a deep breath. She was either going to knock out her opponent or get Moonstone hurt even worse with this next attack. It would hurt less the quicker she got it over with, so she may as well make her order. “Psyshock.”

Moonstone pointed her stick at the Machoke and summoned a wave of Psychic power. Whether it hit her opponent or backfired remained to be seen…

---

Braixen is confused! (1/4)  She has a 50% chance to attack herself:
tzet0i6|1-100

Braixen used Psyshock! It’s super-effective!

Psychic is 100% accurate.

Psychic has a 10% chance to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage.

1-20

Damage has been calculated at approx. 51%, if Machoke is hit

1-100·1-20

[Stielan Masters]

A Psyshock? That wasn't going to be good for Mach if it landed. Luckily, the fox's confusion made it hurt herself. Stielan takes the opportunity. "Good job, Mach! Go for a Vital Throw!" Mach swings his arm into the fire fox, catching it in clothesline, then throws her to the ground.

"Machoke!"

---

Mach used Vital Throw.
Vital Throw always hits.

Critical: 1
pJExm0|81-16

Estimated 49% damage.1-16

[Deleted]

Unfortunately, the move backfired. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Machoke’s next move ended with Moonstone lying motionless on the floor. She withheld a sigh at that. This was disappointing, but the Braixen had done her best. Wasn’t her fault she’d ended up confused.

Toni called Moonstone back into her Pokeball. Now she was behind…she could well lose this battle, unless the Machoke’s confusion was his only trick. She could send Fluorite out – the Noivern could probably handle this battle easier than anyone else. But…there was always the risk of an electric type being thrown at her, and that would put her at further disadvantage.

“Tourmaline, let’s go.” She tossed the Kirlia’s pokeball, and the Pokemon materialized in front of the Machoke. She went ahead and took Tourmaline's Gardevoirite for now, though there wasn't much point to it.  Without her final evolution or the ability to mega-evolve, the stone was useless.  Still, rules were rules.  “Psychic – take it down before it confuses you!”

The Kirlia faced her opponent, putting all her focus into striking the Machoke using only the power of her mind.

---

Braixen fainted!
Toni sent out Kirlia!
Kirlia used Psychic!  It's super-effective!
Psychic is 100% accurate.

Psychic has a 10% chance to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage.

HhF0_ZIL1-20

Damage has been calculated at approx. 75%

1-20

[Stielan Masters]

Mach fainted.

---

"Tch. Another Psychic-type? It seems you definitely know your match-ups. Good job, Mach." He sends his knocked out Fighter back to his Pokéball. "But I know mine, as well. Let's go, Crow!" Stielan tosses out a blue bat with a large mouth and purple wings.

The bat screeches a bit as it appears. "Gol!"

"Come on, Crow! Use Poison Fang!" Stielan tightened his Kokutai with a snap. The Golbat swoops down and chomps on the Kirlia's shoulder.

---

Crow used Poison Fang.
It's super effective!
100% Accuracy

Badly Poisoned: 50%
0hfU7|jv1-100

Estimated 99% damage. >.>
That low Def...1-100

[Deleted]

The warden spoke to her, and she gave him a nervous smile.  She wasn't sure if her use of two psychic-attacking Pokemon was a good or bad thing in his eyes, but her team as perfect in her eyes.  She'd chosen five of the six specifically to cover her weaknesses - the fact that she had two mental-oriented Pokemon was because she and Tourmaline had bonded unexpectedly.

As for the round...well, that went about as badly as she could imagine. Toni couldn’t help but wince as the attack hit, even though she herself remained unharmed. Tourmaline cried out at the attack, and the young Mana student could tell her Pokemon was barely standing. The next hit would knock her out for sure. That meant she was almost two Pokemon down, definitely losing. She may well have to bring Fluorite into this…but not yet. Tourmaline was almost down, but she still had at least one attack in her.

“Psychic again, Tourmaline,” she ordered. It was a repeat, which she’d been trying to avoid, but she needed to cause as much damage as possible while she could.

The Kirlia focused once more, intending to strike her foe telekinetically and hopefully weaken it significantly before her practically inevitable fainting.

---

Kirlia used Psychic (again)!  It's super-effective!
Psychic is 100% accurate.

Psychic has a 10% chance to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage.

HG0pLZUa1-20

Damage has been calculated at approx. 65%

1-20

[Stielan Masters]

Crow's Special Defense fell.

---

All-in-all, this Mana student was matching Stiel's team blow for blow. If not for Mach's Dynamic Punch confusing the Braixen, this battle would be heavily leaning in her favor rather than his.

"You've done well so far, Miss Hendricks. I hope to see how much you progress during your stay at the Academy." He directs his attention back to Crow. "Finish the Kirlia off with Air Cutter, Crow!"

"Gol!" The blue bat flaps a wing, sending light blue energy in the shape of an "S" at the foe.

---

Crow used Air Cutter.

Accuracy: 95%
jxNm0ucv1-100

Air Cutter is an automatic +1 to Crit Rate.
Critical hit: 1
1-8

{SDef: -1}

Estimated 36% damage.1-100·1-8

[Deleted]

The warden complemented her and she dipped her head to him. “Th-thank you.” But the compliment didn’t mean she was winning. She needed to focus.

As for the battle… She knew it was going to happen, but watching her Kirlia take the kit and crumble was still painful. She bit her bottom lip and recalled Tourmaline. That was two down…she was going to have to step things up if she wanted a chance at winning now.

Fortunately, she could do that.

“Come on out, Fluorite.” She sent her third Pokemon into battle. The Noivern looked around, eyes locking on her opponent, and turned to her trainer. The evolution had made the timid dragon-type a bit bolder, but her nervousness was still clear. “It’s all right. Treat this like any other battle you’ve been in. You have the advantage here.”

The Noivern looked doubtful, but focused again on the Golbat. Toni took a deep breath and prayed for her plan to work. She couldn’t afford any more mess-ups.

“Dragon Pulse.” At her order, Fluorite opened her mouth and generated a shock wave that was sent toward the Golbat.

---

Kirlia fainted!
Toni sent out Noivern!
Noivern used Dragon Pulse!
Dragon Pulse is 100% accurate.

Damage has been calculated at approx. 43%

[Stielan Masters]

Crow fainted.

---

As his opponent called out a Noivern, Stielan knew that this battle was over. "A Flying- and Dragon-type. Cross isn't going to fair well this time around." Stielan recalled the crumpled bat and sent out his third fighter. "Let's go, Cross!"

"Hera!" Cross glanced at Jean before taking off the Muscle Band tied to his arm and handing it to Stielan.

"This is gonna be a tough fight, Cross! Start out with a Shadow Claw!"

---

Cross used Shadow Claw.

Critical: 1
VY3SaYoW1-8

Estimated 26% damage.1-8

[Deleted]

Her opponent fainted and was replaced with a Heracross. She couldn’t say she’d been expecting sucha Pokemon, but she wasn’t about to complain. This worked very much in her favor, and would make winning the battle almost a guarantee. This match had come very close…if she’d stuck to her Pokemon that still needed training she probably would have lost. It still felt a little wasteful, but gym battles were important, and she would have to fight using fully trained Pokemon for at least the last two, wouldn’t she?

The warden called out his move, and she watched the Shadow Claw connect. Fluorite cried out, but didn’t seem too wounded. At least, it looked like she could keep going for a while yet. She…wouldn’t have to.

“Fluorite, try a Flamethrower and see if that finishes it off!” She expected it too, but the warden had surprised her more than once today. Why not now as well?

Fluorite opened her mouth and released a stream of fire at the Heracross. Toni watched and waited. Would the bug type survive the flames, or was the badge now hers?

---

Noivern used Flamethrower!
Flamethrower is 100% accurate and has a 10% chance of burning the target.
dm44ARFB1-100

Damage has been calculated at approx. 122%

1-100