[Stielan Masters]

Mach fainted.

---

The Raichu fainted, leaving the challenger to his third Pokémon. "Very good. Using a move that's stronger when the opponent is weakened. You're a worthy Challenger indeed." He returns the unconscious Machoke to his Pokéball. "What do you think, Jean? Most of the team is weak against Swanna. I don't have any Electric-type attacks to hit him with. I'll definitely have to teach some of you some new moves in anticipation of the next Challenge."

"Considering weaknesses and defenses, I think Steela might be your best bet."

"That's what I was thinking, too. Ah! Do you mind?" The Medicham's eyes started to glow as a Pokéball was lifted off the top shelf and floated over to the Gym Leader. "Thank you, Jean. Let's go, Steela!"

On the field, a metallic red bug with crab-like claws appeared in a beam of light. "Scizor!"

"Alright! Use Iron Head!" The Pincer Pokémon's head began to glow silver as she charged at the white bird.

---

Gym Master Stielan sends out a Scizor!
Steela uses Iron Head.
Accuracy: 100%
Critical: 1
LLVSQept1-16
It's not very effective.
Estimated damage: 29%

Chance for Flinch: 30%
1-1001-16·1-100

[Shane Norwood]

"Thanks...but I know this battle is far from over."

The graceful water bird was able to avenge the fallen Raichu with one shot of its dynamic - and salty - bursting stream of water as he began to hover in front of his trainer. But then again, the super-powered pokemon had already taken massive amounts of damage beforehand, and so of course that would contribute to its eventual downfall. Now it has come to this. Stielan was down to his fourth and final pokemon. Shane had his mesmerizing Swanna, and even then he still had one more pokemon waiting on deck. Should Aflac get taken out, he'd have to take everything into consideration when choosing his last competitor.

Luckily, the boy had done his homework. He was aware that this would not be a walk in the park. Shane happily acknowledged the fact that one of the Warden's four pokemon in a battle for the third gym badge would be that among those of their top-tier squad. The anticipation was killing the poor kid on the inside as a pokeball floated over to the older, towering male - perhaps the work of that Medicham of his. Stielan's last pokemon would then be revealed. "A Scizor...well now, this could be our toughest opponent yet, so let's stay sharp!" And stay sharp he would need to indeed.

Iron Head was a move that he was all too familiar with - he's seen Gladius, his Bisharp, use that move countless times. Fortunately for him, a steel-type move such as this wasn't usually very effective against Aflac. On top of that, he did indeed manage to maintain focus. He didn't flinch. It was now their turn to attack again. "Alright Aflac, Scald! Let's go!" At his trainer's command, a dazzling stream of piping hot water had erupted from the white bird's mouth, with the hopes of crippling the dangerous bug-and-steel pokemon. Shane could only hope that it didn't possess an ability similar to that of Mach's...

Stielan Masters

---

Health: 71%
Swanna used Scald!
Critical Roll
A8XKoToD1-16
Scald is 100% accurate.
Scald has a 30% chance to burn the target.
1-100
Estimated damage: 36%

1-16·1-100

[Stielan Masters]

"Looks like we're in some hot water with this fight..." Despite being in the middle of a challenge, Stielan's face contorted uncontrollably at his little joke. He let out a huge laugh, which he silenced within moments. Suddenly getting serious, he took a stance of his own while his Scizor awaited his command.

"Okay, Steela! Time to think ahead! Use Swords Dance!" Despite the battle going on, Steela begins to meditate. Several blue swords appear around her and cross together. For a moment, Steela glows a deep red.

"Did she learn that from Cage?"

"Actually, she learned on her own a long time ago. There's rarely a chance to use it most of the time. She looks so peaceful. Not at all like she was when I first caught her."

---

Steela used Swords Dance.
Steela's Attack sharply rose.

Steela's Attack: +2

HP:64%

[Shane Norwood]

That Scizor means business now. Swords Dance, another move that the challenger was quite familiar with. A few of his own pokemon knew that move as well. This could only one mean thing, it was that this man would truly test this boy's tactical ability. How does one prepare for an augmented attack from a formidable pokemon such as a Scizor on the following turn? Shane needed a take a moment to consider his options.

He could have Aflac use Double Team, but then there was the off chance that he may not be able to evade the next attack. He could try using Scald again for the sole purpose of attempting to burn Steela - thus lowering her attack power. But if that secondary effect failed, it would leave Aflac wide open for the Scizor's next attack. And then there was his newly learned Hurricane; while not as accurate as the other aforementioned moves, there was always the probability of confusing the enemy.

Forget what we've said about Mickey, this next move could prove to be the deciding factor in this match. Remembering what the gym's master said about the usage of certain moves, Shane would take that into account with the next attack. "Aflac, use Scald one more time! Let's make it really hot this time!" And so, another blast of steaming hot water was released. Either way, somebody was going to be in some hot water after this round...

Stielan Masters

---

Health: 71%
Swanna used Brine!
Critical Roll
Mg1IyulT1-16
Scald is 100% accurate.
Scald has a 30% chance to burn the target.
1-100
Estimated damage: 36%

1-16·1-100

[Stielan Masters]

As the piping hot attack once again finds its mark, Stielan grins. It seemed the trainer had taken his advice to heart. With Scald's ability to burn the target, Steela's Swords Dance would have been completely negated - probably costing Stielan the match without seeing Shane's final choice. But this next attack was going to be massive. In the past, the combination of Swords Dance and Night Slash had once knocked Gallahad out with one hit in a sparring session.

It seemed that Steela had the same idea Stielan had. Steela's claws began to glow a dark purple as she prepared her attack. "Let's go, Steela! Night Slash!"

The metallic red bug streaked across the field. When she was within reach, she swung her pincers in an X pattern.

---

Steela used Night Slash.
Accuracy: 100%
Critical: 1
cHfyOon41-8

Estimated damage: 75%

HP: 28%1-8

[Shane Norwood]

Swanna fainted!

---

The hot water didn't seem to be, well, hot enough to cause the burn that Shane needed to better secure the win. While that silly white bird did manage to get some more damage in, it was very likely that was all it would get. The crimson metal bug's next attack, one of the dark variety and one with a a high critical rate at that, was just enough to floor the once-ugly duckling. "Thanks Aflac, get a good rest." Shane praised the swan as he called him back into his ball.

With an already defeated Mickey and Grace looking on with worrisome expressions on the sideline, the hopeful trainer from Kanto was down to his last pokemon. Who will the challenger call upon to rise to the occasion now? A Sword Dancing Scizor was indeed a problem. However, considering the circumstances, the choice had become as clear as day to him. "It's come to this...my final pokemon..." This has been by far his greatest challenge yet. Then again, it was to be expected from the facility that he calls his home now.

"That Scizor has taken a lot of damage though...I'm thinking that one more big move will seal the deal for me..." the challenger thought aloud. Indeed that was one tough bug. Pest control specialists would have a hard time with that one. But here...

"And I know just who to call! Come on Furia! It's all on you now!" Flinging his last pokeball straight forward was Shane, and out came his trailblazing, prizefighting primate. "Let's bring it home with Flamethrower!" The Infernape proceeded to spit a massive wave of intense heat. Maybe this would be hot enough to finally ground that pesky metallic insect, once and for all.

Stielan Masters

---

Shane has sent out Infernape!

Ability: Blaze
Held Item: Expert Belt
Moves: Fire Punch | Bulk Up | Blast Burn | Brick Break | Flamethrower | Dig | Thunder Punch | Shadow Claw | Flare Blitz | Close Combat
Health: 100%

---

Infernape used Flamethrower! It's super-effective!
Critical Roll
lhCZBDnH1-16
Flamethrower is 100% accurate.
Flamethrower has a 10% chance to burn the target.
1-100
With Expert Belt equipped, estimated damage at 226%.

1-16·1-100

[Stielan Masters]

Steela fainted.

---

Just as Stielan thought he had gained the upper hand with Steela's defense and resistances, his opponent pulls out a Pokémon that she couldn't contend with. The Infernape's superiority with Fire-type Moves and Steela's only weakness - and a double weakness, at that - to said Moves meant total annihilation. With the strength of the Flamethrower, Stielan was sure that it would have been a finishing move even if Steela had taken no damage yet. It looked like the Infernape was wearing an Expert Belt, so it was even stronger than normal. "Good job, Steela. Get some rest. You'll need it." He points the Pokéball at his fallen Steel Mantis and sends her home.

He has Jean return the four Pokéballs to their spots on the shelves and retrieve a Bolt Badge. He turns to Shane. "Congratulations." He reaches his hand out for a handshake. "And good decision in choosing Furia and making use of Steela's only weakness. Exactly what I would expect of someone from my old Dorm." He hands the teen a lightning bolt-shaped pin. "Here's your Bolt Badge. Keep up the good work, and good luck on your next Gym Challenge."

[Shane Norwood]

Indeed was a formidable challenge.

But in the end, the deed was done. Some would say that a battle was not over until the last move was made. In the case of the challenger Shane, the Flamethrower courtesy of Furia the Infernape would prove to be the clincher. If this wasn't an indication that fire-type moves worked well enough on bug-and-steel type pokemon such as Stielan's Scizor, then the boy probably wouldn't be able to imagine what would would be - especially considering that fire was really the only thing it was truly susceptible to.

The days and nights spent training and studying have paid off. He wouldn't have been able to fathom how long he and his pokemon would have to continue training had he lost this gym battle. It turns out that he had worked just enough to be able to secure a win here today. Celebratory fanfare can be heard from both Mickey and Grace from the sideline as Shane gladly accepted his prize along with a handshake. "Thank you very much! And I hope all of your future battle are as exciting as this one was!"

Stielan Masters