[Shane Norwood]

He had been waiting for moments like this. He had been disturbingly thirsty for opportunities such as this one. This ought to be one of those occasions that could make the average person keel over from the unfathomable amounts of pressure. And surely enough, a young Bolt student in particular knew that the pressure would all be on him.

But alas, over the past few months he and the many pokemon friends he has made up until this point had been training for days like today, a day where he would finally muster up the courage and the willpower to visit a particular dorm for the sole purpose of challenging one of the figures referred that the academy referred to as 'wardens'.

Supposedly, some of the these people were the academy's equivalent of any other region's gym leaders. And that's who had come to see today. There was just one problem with all of that though: who was he supposed to see here? Who are the so-called wardens of the dorms!? Who was he supposed to be challenging!? Where was he even supposed to go!? What was he even supposed to do there!?

All of these questions and more clouded the feeble mind of the young trainer. He knew one thing thought, and it was he shouldn't ever doubt himself. If he began to have doubt, then his pokemon would begin to have doubt, and none of them could afford that, especially in a critical moment like how this impending battle was going to be.

Above all else, he was ready.

Strapped on his belt were six pokeballs containing the friends whom he had chosen for this first challenge. Though he was fully aware of the possibility that he may not get to use them all, Shane knew that he needed to keep his options open. And quite frankly, he needed to. Arceus knows what sort of pokemon may be opposing him today.

There were a few key points to consider. What types of pokemon would the different dorms and gym leaders represent? And were Shane's pokemon learning the right variety of moves, not only to combat the adversary but also to cover their own weaknesses? He sure hoped so, but there was only one sure-fire way to find out. In his mind however, he had nothing to lose and everything to gain from this experience either way.

It had been a long stroll from Bolt Dorm, all the way up to the Wave Dorm where Shane had ultimately decided to test his mettle today. Did he know beforehand what he would up against here? Well, he at least had some idea. Wave...it must have involved water pokemon, right? Right!?

Maybe he was thinking too hard about all this. He was so ready for this, albeit a tad nervous, but he was ready nonetheless. Sure, he's had battles against many wild pokemon now. And let's not forget about the one against...oh dear...Lithra!

Thinking about her now had only infused the hopeful trainer with more determination than ever before. He knew he needed to be strong, not only for his own sake but for hers as well. If he were to fail, what would she think of him then? After all, nobody likes a loser. He'd rather not dwell on that harsh thought right now.

For now, the boy remained firm in the lobby of the opposing dorm. How long will he have to wait before someone would answer his call? That's not to say he was impatient or anything...maybe just...antsy...

---

[Skarmory Hatch Count: 4 of 5]
[Mankey Hatch Count: 1 of 5]

[Seth Silvester]

Like the very rains themselves, the barrage of gym challenges was unexpected and relentless. For the longest time the Wardens (be they Gym Leaders or Directors) had noticed a drought in challengers and now? Now they were drowning in requests. This newfound purpose personally thrilled Seth. He ached for a time when he could battle whenever he wanted instead of chaperoning an entire dorm or wait for students to come to him. It wasn’t as if the man disliked being a Warden, in fact Seth was quite proud of his title. He was just envious of the students themselves—those who could go out whenever they pleased to explore, challenge, and learn.

Arceus, Seth missed learning. While he still studied new battle tactics and type information that came out on pokemon, it still wasn’t the same as being in an academic class. A wry smile flickered across Seth’s face. Maybe De had a point, maybe he could consider teaching when he became too old for a Warden's position. That would put him back in the classroom, back into the academics of battling, and back into learning. Yet, Seth still had a few years before that happened. For now he would continue accepting challenges and surveying what students brought to their battles against him.

Walking across the Wave dorm’s lobby, Seth paused. It was oddly empty for this time of day given the influx of visiting challengers. Seth glanced over at the receptionist desk, noticing that that too was empty before returning his sight on the one person standing in his lobby. From the teenager’s uniform and his overall body posture, Seth could only guess that the student was here to challenge one of the Wardens.

“Can I help you?” Seth questioned, adjusting his glasses as he walked over towards the student. “Usually we have a receptionist who helps challengers but it appears she isn’t here.” Glancing down at the student’s belt, he noticed the pokeballs nestled against the kid’s waist. “If you’re looking for a gym challenge I would be happy to be your opponent, but if you’re looking for a contest Director then I’ll have to get someone. Contests were never really my thing,” Seth chuckled lightly, peering down at the student.

“My name is Seth,” he added as an afterthought as he waited for the Bolt student to respond.

[Shane Norwood]

The boy stood there. Alone. It was a practically a ghost town up in that joint. He figured that many of the students had currently been in a class, or perhaps off somewhere doing some private studying - that which is something he could clearly relate to. But what about the staff? There didn't seem to be any form of faculty members present at the moment either.

Surely there had to be someone here to greet any visitors, whether they be potential challengers or otherwise. Nope, nobody else here except the challenger himself. Other thoughts now started to brew in his mind. Was this a bad time? Should he perhaps come back another time, maybe during peak hours? Or maybe he should have came earlier? Who knows.

Suddenly, a voice that was not Shane's could be heard nearby. The Bolt student's heart jumped at the sound of the more masculine voice emanating in the lobby now. Maybe the thoughts on all the possibilities had lulled him into a false sense of security. Weary eyes turned in the direction of where this other voice had come, and there stood a rather imposing figure. "Oh, uh...hello!"

This man...could he by chance be one of these so-called wardens that Shane had been on the lookout for? Or could have been of some other occupation? Maybe a teacher who happens to reside here? Wow Shane, too many thoughts, too little time. But as the man explained what was supposedly a usual situation - that being a receptionist usually handling challengers and sending for the appropriate wardens - an exasperated sigh of relief shot out of the young trainer.

So he had been in the right place all along. Thank goodness!

"Out for lunch, maybe...ah it's no big deal really." he reacted. But then came the clincher; was he looking for a gym challenge or a coordinating challenge. In hindsight, it would appear that Shane could go either way. But of course, he wasn't here to get all fancy with his moves. He came to bring the pain! He then gazed up at the considerably taller man to finally give to the reason for his visit.

"It's cool, coordinating isn't particularly my strong point either." Now knowing that he was in the right place, he couldn't but to crack a cheeky smile. "It's good to meet you, Seth. I'm Shane Norwood, and yes, I've come here today for a gym battle."

---

[Skarmory Hatch Count: 5 of 5]
[Mankey Hatch Count: 2 of 5]
[Emolga Hatch Count: 1 of 5]

[Seth Silvester]

“Good,” Seth replied, extending a hand for the Bolt student to shake. Gym battles were equal parts formal as they were informal and Seth was doing his part to at least make this one feel official. Assuming that this was Shane’s first gym battle, it wasn’t going exactly how they were supposed to. Technically, Seth wasn’t even on duty to respond to gym battles right now, but he couldn't see the Warden who was on duty and the man wasn’t afraid to swipe this battle away from her. You snooze, you lose. And as far as Shane felt about it, Seth could only imagine the student didn’t care who he battled, so long as he battled someone.

“I assume this is your first challenge so that means it will be a 3v3 with basic pokemon—I’ll be using my lowest tier available—and items are not permitted. As for the arena we can go outside to the beach. There doesn’t seem to be many people around and, so long as your pokemon can control themselves from harming any bystanders if they do walk by, we’ll be okay. My only extra stipulation will be that we battle on the beach, yet confined to a normal battle radius. As much as I enjoy using the environment as part of the battle and tactics, it seems unnecessary for this challenge. That being said the ocean itself will be off limits. Does that make sense?”

It was a lot of information to take in at once, but Seth didn’t once worry he was inundating Shane with too much. Either the student would keep up or he wouldn’t. “As for officially getting your name down and the paperwork that goes with it, we can just do that afterwards depending on how the battle goes. If you have any other questions, let me know, otherwise I think it’s time we get to the beach and begin.”

Following the flow of a stream cutting through the inside of the lobby, he led them outside to the beach where the small decorative river released into a decent sized pool. Further from this was the beach where Seth planned to have their battle. It was a beautiful day outside and the sun warmed Seth to his bones. Walking through the sand, Seth took his place on the beach, the waves lapping nearby yet still far enough away that they wouldn’t come into contact with the radius of their battlefield.

“Feel free to begin whenever you’d like, Shane. And I can answer any last minute questions you have as well. Otherwise, it’s time to battle.” A grin flickered on the man’s face. He was eager to see what this student’s potential was.

[Shane Norwood]

And so this man would take on the challenge! Excellent! The boy won't have to wait any longer to start battling and rounding up badges! He had come too far to fail now. He and his pokefriends have trained far too long for moments like this, and he knew that such a moment would be hard to come by. He would make the most of his chance, and if he were to lose here, then he'd just to train harder for the next time he would come out to challenge the wardens again - and he would continue to challenge them, day or night, until he would ultimately achieve greatness.

Shane took the man's hand to shake. A symbol of formality and respect before a battle never hurt anyone. The Bolt student quietly nodded, confirming that this would indeed be his first gym challenge (and hopefully the only time he would issue the challenge to this particular dorm.) Seth proceeded to explain the rules of this impending contest, in which Shane was mostly aware of. Yes, he'd been studying up on these things, although he had missed the details of items not allowed to be used in this fight. Not like it really mattered to him either way - none of his pokemon were holding anything to begin with.

The warden had also requested that they ought to do battle on the beach. The beach, huh? Shane was vaguely familiar with it actually. He had caught some of his own water pokemon there. A change of scenery wouldn't hurt. And so..."Sure! A battle on the beach sounds like a good time! Let's do it!" he enthusiastically agreed to the man's condition. The boy now found himself being led out of the facility and onto the field where the battle would occur. If Shane had wore sandals today, he'd able to feel the sands between his toes. Not a bad feeling at all.

When Seth gave the okay to start, the young trainer wasted no time in taking the initiative as he grabbed a particular pokeball from his belt containing the first of three pokemon he would opt to use in this battle. Okay, so he won't be able to use all of the weapons in his current arsenal. That only meant that he would need to choose the right weapons to use in this situation. This first choice however, was by far the most obvious choice.

A peculiar yellow mouse emerged from his spherical abode, and as if he knew what he was getting into, he immediately took up a fighting stance; on all fours with sparks flickering in his cheeks. He was primed for battles such as this. "Alright Mickey, you ready to go!?" That went without saying. He was ready. Shane was ready.

It was all or nothing, and you can bet that they'll be going for it all!

---

Shane has sent out Pikachu!

---

[Mankey Hatch Count: 3 of 5]
[Emolga Hatch Count: 2 of 5]

[Seth Silvester]

Soothed by the sun and waves, Seth felt reinvigorated by the beach surroundings. This was the place he had trained during his own young days as an entry student; the place where his Krabby had evolved into a Kingler; and the place where he became the person he is today. The Warden truly was a Wave representative through and through. It made him wonder what this Shane Norwood before him would turn out to be. Depending on the boy’s skills, Seth might inquire about Shane’s reputation to the Bolt Wardens over there. Yet, the idea was moot if Shane didn’t prove anything during this battle.

Seth smiled at the Bolt student’s enthusiasm. At least he had the passion and passion was a good thing. Passion was something that Seth approved of, something that impressed him, and it was not often that he was impressed by those younger than him. Again, Shane still had much more to do before he had Seth’s complete approval and attention.

“A Pikachu,” Seth commented, “How appropriate given your dorm.” And given what dorm Shane was challenging. A pure electric type was a smart and fairly obvious choice given Wave’s location and pokemon type it was normally associated with. No getting around that water. But that wasn’t all Wave had to offer and not all that even someone like Seth, whose second partner was a Water type, had to offer. He proudly represented the other aspects of his dorm.

“Very well. Jataka, if you’d please,” the Warden spoke, pulling out a pokeball and releasing the Ekans inside. His Ekans curled into the sand as she stared down her opponent, unrelenting in her gaze. Seth was glad to only see the back of Jataka and that he couldn’t see such a stare. Jataka was the most recent addition to his challenge team a year ago and while she was well trained (she was part of Seth’s team after all), he was happy she wouldn’t evolve beyond an Ekans.

Occasionally Jataka’s tongue would flicker out at Mickey and Shane, tasting the air and understanding her surroundings. Like most of Seth’s team, she was quiet as she analyzed the arena and was ready to battle despite not showing any energetic movements.

“You may have the first move, Shane.”

Ekans was sent out!

Shane Norwood

[Shane Norwood]

To be perfectly honest, the boy wasn't quite sure how to interpret that statement. In many ways, an electric-type pokemon was appropriate for a Bolt student. After all, he needed one to even be eligible for that particular dorm. It was where he wanted to go. Battling was what he had wanted to do, and now he was doing it. Here, in a critical spot. One that could either make him or break him as a trainer. If he were to lose now, then the countless days and nights of training would all have been for naught. Should he fail, it would be back to square one. He couldn't afford that. His pokemon couldn't afford that. He'd rather not bask in that thought and would prefer to focus on the impending battle ahead.

The first pokemon that the warden had summoned to the field was...not quite what Shane had been expecting. A snake. Of all things, a snake! Really!? The boy now found himself mentally questioning whether he had properly studied up on these things or not. But if there was one thing that he had learned in battle tactics class, it was how to effectively identify a pokemon - specifically its type - without the use of a pokedex. This snake opposing them, it was violet in color. And what an imposing figure it was. When stretched, he figured it had to be several feet in length. Shane could only guess that it was...

"A Poison-type..."

Indeed, not what he was expecting at all. Perhaps what he did anticipate would come later. That is to say, if he could even manage to last long enough in this fight to even be able to see what else that Seth had to offer. The battle hadn't even officially started yet, but somehow the very presence of this purple reptile sent a chill down the student's spine. Maybe it was the way it flickered its tongue at him and his most trusted companion. When the gym leader gave the okay to begin, it was on. Oh boy, it was on indeed! "Okay buddy, let's get this party started with a Charge Beam!"

The Pikachu wasted no time in gathering a concentrated bundle of electricity, then firing in the direction of the at the opposing snake pokemon.

Seth Silvester

---

Pikachu used Charge Beam!
(90% accurate)
elSv7TP41-100
(70% chance to raise the user's Special Attack by 1 stage, if it hits).
1-100

---

Current Stat Changes:
Special Attack: +1

---

[Hatch Count for All the Things!: 1 of 5]

1-100·1-100

[Seth Silvester]

Seth studied his opponent’s reaction astutely once Jataka was summoned to the field. He noticed the flickers of surprise and something else on Shane's face at the sight of his Ekans. Beyond this, however, was the look of determination and eagerness that Shane continued to wear. Good, good, Seth nodded to himself, adjusting his glasses as they shifted slightly in the movement. That was a promising sign. “Correct,” Seth found himself saying. “Ekans, the Snake pokemon, native to Kanto.” None of this information would give Shane an edge in the battle nor was it cheating by confirming what type of pokemon Jataka was given that Shane had correctly guessed it. Mostly, Seth couldn’t resist a chance to share his knowledge.

He waited as the Pikachu powered himself and attacked, electricity racing towards Jataka as if it was a bunch of wild yellow snakes. His Ekans curled in on herself as the attack wracked her body. She hissed menacingly once she was able to move again, her anger aimed directly at the mouse before her. Jataka opened her mouth, her fangs already dripping with the poison she was identified for.

“Let’s see if we can combat that charge, Jataka. Use Acid Spray,” Seth commanded, watching as Jataka pulled her head back and shot a fine mist of poison over her opponent. The Warden was well aware of the bonuses a move like Charge Beam could reward its user with and he needed to null such bonuses sooner rather than later. Acid Spray would do just that. 

---

Ekans takes damage from Charge Beam.
Ekans uses Acid Spray! 100 Accuracy; inflicts damage and lowers Sp. Defense by two.
Shane Norwood

[Shane Norwood]

A native of Kanto, was it? If that were true, then how come he had never seen it anywhere his home in Vermilion City. Oh wait, that was likely to due to him not traveling much at all in his younger days. For all he knew, an Ekans could have very well been residing in his backyard and he never noticed it. It was his own fault really, and that's what would make this challenge, well, all the more challenging indeed. The fact that he was unfamiliar with a pokemon from his home region had to instill some bit of concern in the Bolt student's heart. He wouldn't deny that aspect, but it wouldn't stop him from going through with this battle nonetheless.

The acidic technique appeared to have done a number on the sparky mouse. Feeling the burn from the acid, Mickey squealed in bitter agony. Man, he hated seeing his little buddy in this state. But in the end, it was moments such as this that made the duo a stronger tandem in the first place. They would have to live through this if they wanted to have any chance of victory here today. The ailing Pikachu would have to endure this for the sake of his beloved trainer, and also for his own sake. He wouldn't want to let his best friend down in one of the most critical moments they've experienced together.

"It's alright, pal. Shake it off. You can do this, just hang in there!" he encouraged the electric pokemon, and he did just that. He shook his little body around to get some of that stinging feeling off, although the poisonous sensation still lingered. "Alright, Iron Tail! Let's go!" Mickey's jagged tail began to shine like freshly polished metal as he rushed forward to swipe his metallic appendage at the snake.

Seth Silvester

.

---

Pikachu took damage from Acid Spray!
Pikachu's Sp. Defense harshly fell!
Pikachu used Iron Tail!
(75% accurate)
M2u_BAw01-100
(30% chance to lower the targets Defense by 1 stage, if it hits.)
1-100

---

Current Stat Changes:
Special Attack: +1
Special Defense: -2

---

[Hatch Count for All the Things!: 4 of 5]

1-100·1-100

[Seth Silvester]

It was a shame that move didn’t have poisoning effect to it. Seth would have appreciate that early on in the battle, but at least a weakened defense was equally satisfactory. For now. Seth calmly watched as Jataka’s acid troubled the Pikachu, working its way past fur to burn the skin underneath. It was not a pain Seth would wish on any person. At least pokemon were built to take such damage and, as far as Seth had observed with his team, didn’t suffer the way a human would under the same attack.

As their opponent bounced back from the acid spray, the Warden nodded his head in approval. Focusing too long on the pain of an attack would lower morale and distract the pokemon—it was a smart idea to get Mickey to move on to his next tactic. “Brace yourself, Jataka,” Seth warned as the iron clad tail swung in her direction. The impact uncurled Jataka from her position, sending her skidding across the sand as she hissed.

“Calm yourself,” Seth warned again as Jataka’s anger broke through her earlier stoniness. Bruised and battered by Mickey’s attack, Jataka managed to right herself, sliding into an aggressive ‘S’ like pose, half of her body raised up. “Dark Pulse.” Jataka’s demeanor darkened as she stared down at Mickey. Suddenly, a wave of purple and black circles left Jataka’s maw as she attacked the Pikachu. Physical as the attack looked with such circles, the real meat was in the aura and the nasty thoughts that lurked inside. 

Ekans is damaged by Iron Tai!
Ekans uses Dark Pulse! (100 accuracy)
20% to make the opponent flinch!
m2VoYoSJ1-100

Shane Norwood1-100

[Shane Norwood]

Oh man...

Seeing the metallic tail find its mark on the scary-looking snake was quite the relief. Mickey would surely be at some sort of disadvantage had he somehow misconnected on it. In a battle of this magnitude, Shane would have to emphasize the idea of making every hit count. And this one surely did! A feeling of satisfaction rushed through the young trainer's veins as he watched Ekans get sent back across the sands by the force of his Pikachu's Iron Tail. Seeing this, the boy imagined it inflicting a great deal of physical damage to the violet reptile. But this was only the beginning. What else could Seth and his Ekans have in store for the electric duo? Instincts were telling the boy now that he was about to find out...

Shane got to thinking - as the snake took a moment to gather itself from that direct hit - that this contest was going according to the battle plan thus far. Albeit, that plan mainly involved what's happening right now. Going with Mickey as his first pokemon was the obvious choice for him, and to some, it may even be considered the most logical decision considering what he may be up against. But the kid clearly didn't expect anything like this. But he'd have to pull through with this until the very end. After all, how else was he supposed to impress anyone if he failed to accomplish what he had set out to do? He'll have to make due what he's got, and what he has is a valiant team of friends - both pokemon and fellow humans alike - supporting him through this ordeal, even if they weren't physically present at the moment.

It was time for the cold-blooded beast to make its next move. Oddly enough, it didn't seem to move much at all. Instead, it simply stared down at the young Pikachu emanating eerie sensations of dark energy as it did so. "Uh oh...that doesn't look good..." the challenger thought aloud. "Keep at it Mickey! Stay focused!" the boy feigned with worry. Supposedly, a move such as this was designed to cause the enemy to flinch. Alas, his little buddy stood firm, enduring the pulsating vibe like the proud warrior he was, emphatically lashing out in protest when it was all said and done. "Great! Now let's hit 'em up with a Thunderbolt!" Mickey squealed in ruthless aggression as he fired a straight shot of forceful electricity.

Seth Silvester

.

---

Pikachu took damage from Dark Pulse!
Pikachu used Thunderbolt!
(100% accurate; 10% chance to paralyze the target.)
GD|X2jx31-100

---

Current Stat Changes:
Special Attack: +1
Special Defense: -2

---

Cottonee Hatch Count: 3 of 5

1-100

[Kitten4u]

Since it's been 2 weeks since this was updated, Seth forfeits and Shane is able to claim a Water Dorm badge.