Chapter 25: Nothing Normal about History

N frowned, a Pokemon on each shoulder as he looked up at the stone building in front of him. “...Pokemon Gyms. I was under the impression that they were more like… colosseums.” Left unsaid was the implied cruelty therein. “But this is a museum.”

Scoffing, Rin shook her head, “No, Gyms are nothing like colosseums, nor would they ever partake in a blood sport. Gyms are more like… community centers, or an important historical site, at least in Unova. The reason Gym Battles exist dates back a few centuries, and can trace its origins to the domains of feudal lords and the land they protected with their teams.”

“Gym Leaders are usually the ones to intervene when things go wrong in the region; everything from criminal activity to domestic violence. And Pokemon abuse,” Agate added.

Libra bobbed forward excitedly. “Nacrene Gym is based on the normal type; and using knowledge to get the most from even the simplest sources.” She clapped her metal arms together. “And it’s based out of the library section! I don’t know what I’m going to do first.”

N frowned as the group headed for the stairs. “Father showed me images of the Gyms in the Galar Region. They were much different.”

“Oi, I love my homeland, but we’re a bit odd,” Gregor muttered from his perch atop Rin’s hat. “There’s a lot less free open space in Galar, so between the Gym Challenges, anyone who wants to battle competitively takes it to the local gyms. Big tourist attraction.”

“Galar also is the region that made Battling into a sport the most, and they pioneered it as such. It makes sense that they took their gyms to the logical extreme,” Sakura added her two cents, frowning towards N, “You have considered that your father has an agenda, filling your head with blatantly incorrect facts, right?”

“I don’t think so. He wants to separate humans from Pokemon, no matter how much it hurts. Maybe he just wanted me to hurt less,” N said, shaking his head slightly. “Still, I want to see what a gym is like, before I judge them further,” he admitted as the doors swung open.

Sakura kept her thoughts on the matter to herself. She’d bring them up with Rin later; it was patently obvious that N wasn’t quite ready to doubt his father.

Rin nodded absently, looking around, fingers itching as she glimpsed the racks of books, glass-cased artifacts, and fossils on display. “...Sakura, how many days are we staying in Nacrene? I may need more than one afternoon to take this all in.”

“We have time to stay for at most, a week or two, nee-san,” Sakura answered, glancing over the titles of the books herself. “Otherwise we run the risk of not having a full month to train for the league by our worst estimates.”

Before Rin could respond, the woman at the front desk waved them over. “Welcome to the Unova Comprehensive History Museum, home of the Nacrene City Gym and the Falkland Memorial Lending Library. Are you here for the tour, for the Gym, for the library, or just here to browse?”

Sakura coughed. “My sister and I are here for the gym challenge. One for Sakura and one for Rin. Our friend will be spectating.”

“Alright then, I see your names here. Are you aware of the Nacrene gym challenge?” The receptionist asked.

“Isn’t it a book hunt in the Gym Library?” Rin frowned. “I heard it involved finding the route to the gym in the stacks.”

“That is correct.” The receptionist pulled out two worksheets. “Originally, we had people find a specific book via research, which revealed the gym. However, the book has become public knowledge. Instead, you’ll have one hour to complete your worksheets with the information in the rear library. The better you do, the more restrictions the Gym Leader will have on what team she will deploy. Shoot for half-effort at the very least, please.”

“We understand, thank you.” With a polite bow after she grabbed the worksheets, Rin turned around, grabbing Sakura and marching intently towards the back room, giving the sheaf of paper a glance as she did so.

Sakura took her worksheet from her sister. “It looks like we have different assignments.” She observed. “And I think I know the answers to many of the early questions already.”

“Same here.” Rin said as they walked into a small, contained library space. “Okay, Libra, I want you to map the area, find out what’s cataloged where. Then we need to find books on… exotic berries, ghost-types, and the Indigo Elite Four.”

“Other, could you go with her and spot books on signature moves, potion brewing, and the history of Kalos? Thank you.” Sakura added, taking a seat at one of the tables.

N blinked as the two girls began to almost burrow into the tables, books flying off the shelves somewhat literally as they immersed themselves into research. He looked at the fox on his shoulder. “...any interest in seeing the exhibits?”

“Yeah! I think I saw some cool Hisui artifacts. I’ve got family over there, ya know.”

“Really? Do tell…” N asked as he walked back into the main museum area.

–(0)--

Lenora shook her head as she walked into the rear library room. Both of the Toshaka-Juniper sisters were still busily poring over the books surrounding them, their Pokemon likewise tearing through the pages. She smiled as she spotted the completed worksheets laid out nearby, giving them an assessing glance. “Well!” She called out, startling everyone in the room. “Looks like you girls managed perfect scores. I should’ve expected Cedric’s grandaughters to be good researchers,” she observed.

Taking a few moments to finish the paragraph she was reading, Rin looked up, narrowing her eyes as she glanced at her watch. “It’s not been an hour yet, Leader Lenora,” she asked cautiously.

“Hmm, you’re right.” Lenora checked her watch. “I suppose I’m just used to people turning in their assignments early. For better or worse, that is.” She smiled. “What has the two of you so engrossed, anyway? I can’t imagine you didn’t have most of these books available when you were staying with Cedric and the Professors.”

“For the subject matter we both care about, no, we did not, actually,” Rin corrected, Sakura nodding alongside her as she flipped the page in one of the books simply titled ‘A Modern Treatise of Battling’, Other lazily reading another separate book at her side.

“Really? Something Juniper and Ivy didn’t have books on, but we do? Color me curious,” Lenora observed, looking at the stacks. “Seems like most of this is about the history of Pokemon battling and the current state of the ‘meta’. Looking for a winning strategy for the league?”

Sakura shook her head, “More catching myself up on the education that people from this world already have. I’m figuring it out as I go otherwise, so it’s always good to learn more about the art I’ve fallen in love with.”

“...this world?” Lenora muttered, then shook her head. “Should’ve known those two would adopt a couple of fallers. You know, we have a whole exhibit on them in the lower halls. I think your friend was looking through it last time I saw him.”

“I was.” N said, walking in the door. “Since I haven’t heard them mentioning ‘cheats’ or describing things as ‘not like the games’, I assume they’re not the bad kind.”

“I have no idea what ‘the games’ are, so I doubt it.” Rin shook her head, “On that note, Leader Lenora, should we hurry it up? I imagine your schedule is rather busy.” She asked demurely.

“Not as much as you might think.” Lenora sighed. “Truth be told, I tend to get overlooked, actually. Unova has eleven gyms, and a lot of people pass up Nacrene and Striaton since we’re off the main circuit. We get more traffic than Henderson does, but except at the beginning and end of the season, I usually have only three or four battles a day. Still, if you want to go ahead and battle, I’m happy to accept your challenges; I can let the staff know to leave your study material untouched until we get back.”

Sakura closed her book and took a stand. “Since we completed the worksheets, what does that mean for us?” She asked, even as Rin joined her, the group heading for the stairs.

“I vary the absolute strength and preparation of my team based on how much effort you put into the assignment. Without effort, they face a challenge with a nearly competitive team, with held items and using optimal movepools. At half effort, they face a normal challenge for their level. For you two, I was thinking of an under-strength three badge team, no held items, two pokemon on my side with full teams available on yours.” She chuckled as they headed down the stairs. “It

might actually be a little underwhelming, considering what I’ve heard of your teams.”

“So the ‘reward’ for properly doing your research on the assigned topics is a simulation of how battles might get easier if you research your opponent properly?” Sakura asked sharply, raising an eyebrow, “Not that I’m complaining, mind you, I’m not masochistic enough to even ask for a harder team when I put effort into the research, well, busywork I was assigned.”

“That’s how it works. There’s a lot of trainers unwilling to put in the effort to do any research, and they have a tougher fight as a result.” Lenora confirmed as they reached the underground arena. A few scattered individuals sat in the bleachers, watching as Lenora walked over to her space on the far side of the battle court. “Sakura, if you’re willing to accept the match as-is, you can go first. Miss Rin, do you have any objections to a similar match?” She called out as the referee took their place at the edge of the battlefield.

“I do not.” Rin answered as she made her way towards the stands, “Good luck Sakura, though I’m pretty sure you won’t need it!”

“Unlikely!” Lenora laughed. “Okay then, little firebrand. You may have prepared and studied well enough to make this a simple fight- but that doesn’t mean you’ll just be able to sweep me aside!” She pulled out a pokeball. “Come on, I’ve heard you have some interesting partners!” She flicked her first ball out. “Go, Watchdog!” The tall rodent stood on his hind legs peering at Sakura with a level gaze.

Selecting her first Pokeball carefully, Sakura took a few moments to center herself before steeling her eyes and casting it forward, “Other, you’re up!”

Bursting from her Pokeball, the Hisuian Zorua manifested on the field, already in a battle ready stance as she eyed her opponent. “This is going to be excessively hard, isn’t it, Sakura.”

“That is the point, yes,” she responded with a rather sedate smile, “You’ve shown that you learn best under pressure, after all.”

Lenora sighed as she eyed her opponent. “You know, I’ve always wanted a Hisuian variant, but I haven’t found any willing to leave their skulks.” She shot her hand forward. “Foresight, then tackle! Be ready to hit that little fox hard!” Watchdog’s eyes gleamed as he attuned himself to his opponent’s wavelength, then threw himself forward into a fast slam.

Other dropped through the floor, avoiding the incoming attack and emerging a few feet behind Watchdog as it skidded across the ground. She opened her mouth, forming a small will-o-wisp orb, shooting it at Watchdog’s back, catching it as it turned. “Thanks again, Libra,” she murmured quietly as her opponent moaned in response to the burn.

“That’s not a move they can normally learn, I think. A good choice, in almost any circumstance.” Lenora nodded. “But not this one! Facade, Watchdog!”

“Other, protect, then counter with body slam!” Sakura barked, a shimmering shield of hexagonal green energy protecting the tiny ghost-fox from the burn-boosted facade, Other wincing as she tanked the blow, before she countered with a vicious body slam, sending the Watchdog stumbling back.

“Protect? I typically see that on higher-level challengers,” Lenora mused aloud. “Though that Body Slam was fairly anemic; it’s not the best move for Pokemon of her size and weight.” She advised.

“I’ll take that under advisement,” Other grumbled, sending a baleful look towards the trainer,

“Swift!” Sakura continued professionally, ignoring the jab towards Other’s physical strength. After all, it was quite well known that size and weight mattered not when type energy came into play.

“Take the hit, respond with Crunch!” Lenora shouted back, the evolved rodent gritting his teeth as he slammed through the barrage of stars, jaw snapping down on Other’s flank. With a yelp, Other yanked herself free, the super-effective hit causing her to wince, but her opponent was just as spent.

Assessing the situation, Sakura pursed her lips as she briefly considered her options. She could, of course, keep going, and aim for the mutual knockout that was likely to occur in that case. Alternatively… Whipping Other’s ball of her belt, she recalled what used to be a part of herself before pulling out Ana’s. “You’re up, Ana, Leaf Tornado!”

Lenora blinked as Ana dropped onto the battlefield, the Servine summoning a whirl of sharpened leaves which slammed into the Watchdog. The wounded pokemon was cut down instantly, and Lenora returned her pokemon without delay. “Hmm, I hadn’t heard your starter evolved. Wait, no, you started with an Eevee.” She palmed her second ball, tossing out her follow-up. “Go, Cinccino!”

The fluffy mouse pokemon landed with a smile, quickly dropping into a frown as she noticed the scuff marks on the floor and the victorious expression on her opponent. Her eyes narrowed. “Up second, and we’re down one. I know the play.” She immediately hopped into the air, a red glow surrounding her, before she bounced at extreme speed directly at Ana.

“Ana, Protect!” Sakura barked, the hexagonal energy shield coming up just in time to intercept the attack, which slammed into it with such force that the shield cracked, and, finally, broke under the onslaught, Ana wincing as she was thrown backwards, small legs skidding against the surface of the battlefield as she attempted to halt her backwards momentum. “Vine Whip, grab Cinccino!”

Cinccino tsked as her alpha strike failed, then yelped as she was dragged off her feet, Ana dragging her along for a few feet before setting herself and spinning her opponent to slam into the ground. “Gah, really glad we practiced with Protect, Sakura! Good call, Rin!” she hissed, rubbing her bruises.

Cinccino stood up and opened her mouth, beginning to hum before Lenora spoke up. “Cinccino, no status afflictions. This is easy mode.” The mouse paused, then coughed, sending a barrage of Swift stars to pepper Ana. “That’s better.”

“Power through the hits, then get some life back and close in for some hits!” Sakura ordered. Ana hissed as she took the blows, then responded with a burst of green energy, the Mega Drain restoring her health as Cinccino fell back in pain. The serpent darted forward, tail glowing green as she somersaulted into a Leaf Blade, slashing across the mouse, who quickly responded with a fast Slam into Ana. The two Pokemon, both wounded but Ana far fresher, faced each other from just a few feet apart.

It was Sakura who barked her order first, marginally faster than Lenora, “Leaf Tornado!”

As Cinccino was buffeted back, Lenora snapped out her own order. “Swift, then use Retaliate! It’s weakened, not unusable!” Cinccino’s spat stars peppered Ana, forcing her to block her face, giving Cinccino the chance to bounce into the air a second time, this time covered in a weak white glow instead of the brilliant red of before.

“Take it, punish with a Leaf Blade!” Sakura barked, Ana sharply nodding her head in affirmative as Cinccino slammed into her, sending the grass snake skidding back, before she launched herself at the mouse, tail slamming into them with a vicious slash that sent the mouse flying.As the fluffy mouse slid to a stop, Sakura could see that the eyes of Cinccino were lidded and unseeing, the trademark swirl of depleted aura visible in each.

“Cinccino is unable to battle! With two knockouts, the challenger has succeeded in the battle!” The referee proclaimed, one flag raised.

Lenora sighed as she returned her second Pokemon. “It’s wonderful to see trainers with such sharp minds and good instincts, but I think my challenge is better suited for one or the other.” She put the ball away. “Would you like your badge now, or after your sister’s match?”

“I will wait, thank you. Ana, well done!” Sakura tapped her hand against the clenched fist of her partner, before withdrawing the grass type and sending out Other, who sprang up to perch on her shoulder again with a small wince. “We’ll get you to the Pokemon center after the match. Do you need a potion now?”

“No. I’m fine. It’ll be good practice for toughing out the pain anyway, and nothing’s actually injured, just sore,” Other replied blandly, wincing as she stretched. “Besides, grudges are kinda my thing.”

As they made their way into the stands, Rin stepped up to the podium, adjusting her hat as she palmed one of her Pokeballs. Looking across at the gym leader, she smiled. “Thank you for considering intellect as well as strength with your challenge. It’s a nice change of pace, I think.”

Lenora smiled. “Knowledge is power. You and I both know that, but there are some trainers who rely on brute force at all times. I serve as a check against that.” She withdrew her own Pokeball. “Those that have strength and knowledge are capable of much more. Go, Tranquill!”

The common flying type manifested onto the field, immediately taking off to hover in midair, eyes scanning the battlefield.

“You’re up, Gregor!” Rin called, throwing her most recent capture out onto the battlefield, “Electroweb!”

“Time to bring you down!” The Joltik cried out, tiny limbs scrambling to weave together an orb of electricity. As he launched it, the sphere unfurled into a wide net, sweeping across the field.

“Use Air Cutter, and swoop on in to melee! Pluck that insect when you get close!” Lenora ordered, the bird sweeping her wings to send pulses of razor air to tear the web apart. Instead, the wind blade dissipated harmlessly through the web of electricity, and Tranquill screamed as she tried to swoop through and land a hit.

Seeing an opportunity, Rin swiftly capitalized, “Electroball while Tranquill is immobilized!”

“A jolly good plan!” Gregor chirped, gathering an orb of electricity in front of his mandibles and firing it off at the still immobile bird. Tranquill screeched as the orb hit her, her slowed state causing the orb to do much more damage. The bird eventually winged her way out, slashing her wings to blast Gregor back with a flurry of Air Cutter slashes, the little bug squeaking as the attacks landed.

Lenora frowned, then snapped her fingers. “Quick Attack to close in, then hit it with Pluck! Keeping the distance won’t work here!”

“I can tell…” The bird squawked, wings beating rapidly as she darted in, Gregor hopping away from her landing zone. “Stay still, bug! Using electricity is cheating!”

“Electroweb again! Keep the distance open!” Rin barked.

“How would I be cheating by using my natural abilities, fair lady?” Gregor replied as he once more flung a web of electricity at the bird

“Bugs aren’t supposed to have electricity! Kinda goes against the food chain, you know?” Tranquill dodged the web, but in doing so opened up enough distance for Gregor to spit another one at her, which she failed to dodge. “Gah! Ow, ow, ow…” She chirped, tossing another barrage of Air Cutters at Gregor. “Why isn’t she giving me better orders?”

“We did really well on the test, actually,” Rin called out as the ranged attacks sailed at Gregor, the bug hopping over the worst of the attack only to get caught in the followup. “So you’re fighting at a disadvantage.”

“...huh. That’s rare…” Tranquill muttered as she tried to close in once again, visibly winded. “That and type advantage? This reeks…”

“Dare I ask what she’s talking about?” Lenora called out from across the field.

“She’s asking why you’re not giving her the good orders,” Rin replied. “Electroball, again.”

“Sorry, Tranquill. I really need to rethink how limiting my challenge can be on either side…” the Gym Leader mused aloud. “Detect!”

“Thank you,” Tranquill sighed as she blurred out of the way of the incoming attack, then clacking her beak as her next Air Cutter failed. “Rotten–”

“Quick Attack! We need to close the distance!” Lenora reiterated.

“Right!” Tranquil flapped her wings to gain altitude, then looked around to spot her opponent; it was only when Gregor fired that she realized the little bug was directly beneath her. The final electroweb caused her to fall from the air, nearly landing on her opponent as she fell.

Lenora sighed, returning her pokemon. “I definitely need to tweak my challenge a bit. There’s not many people who can fulfill that whole assignment in an hour, but I’m not giving a good showing today.” She produced her second and final Pokemon. “Herdier, hit the field!”

The canine Pokemon landed, and Rin wasn’t surprised as he immediately began to glow red, muscles tensing beneath his legs.

“Gregor, Double Team! Throw off that Retaliate!” Rin barked authoritatively. “Then follow up with another Electroweb!”

Gregor blurred, multiple copies of him spreading around the arena– only for Herdier to juke unerringly towards one of the blurs, smacking into his real body. The tiny electric-type was flung against the wall, unconscious. Rin winced. “How did he–”

“Word to the wise; Herdier and other canines have excellent senses of smell. If you’d spread something to mask it, or were facing Watchdog, that might have worked,” Lenora instructed. “Still, Retaliate is expended. Who’s up next?”

Pursing her lips, Rin considered her options. She was currently down to either Agate or Libra, and while intellectually she knew going with Agate would essentially guarantee her the win, it was unlikely to provide the Espeon with any meaningful experience. Meanwhile, Libra had evolved fairly recently, and a battle against a Normal Type Specialist could be exactly what she needed to work out the kinks in the battling style they’d shifted to with the ghost’s increased ability to output raw firepower. Making her choice, she went with her gut, deciding to trust her instincts over rationality, and pulled Libra’s ball from her belt. “Libra, you’re up!” she called. “Lead with Flamethrower!”

The Lampent appeared in a flash of red light, her glass canopy popping off as she exhaled a massive cone of flames into her opponent’s face. Herdier stumbled back, before snarling around a soot-covered face, nose twitching. “Another ghost? Hmph. Fitting that a witch would have one, at least… Odor Sleuth.” He barked, locking onto his opponent.

“If you have her scent, use quick attack and try to latch on with Bite!” Lenora called out.

“Phantom Force!” Rin countered.

“Oooh, tag. I do so love tag.” The ghost commented as she faded into the floor, disappearing from sight as Herdier slammed into the dirt she had just been present at, jaw biting against nothing. “Peekaboo~” Libra remarked as she reappeared, a gout of flames splashing against the hound’s side as she once more bathed his body in a respectable Flamethrower. Herdier yelped as the flames coated him, then whirled and tried to sink his teeth in, only to snap closed on air.

Lenora grimaced. “I typically use more special-focused teams against ghosts. Not something I have easy access to for a challenge at this level, though.” She acknowledged. “I do have some Galarian Zigzagoon I’m training up, but they’re not at the right level for this challenge. Herdier, use Uproar!”

The hound grimaced, opening his mouth and letting loose a stream of harsh barks which passed through air and stone alike. Beneath the earth, Libra grimaced as the sound waves hit, the aura-enhanced sound blunted but not stopped by the earth around her.

“Shift tactics Libra, Incinerate Bombardment!” Rin called,causing her ghost to fly into the air, gaining altitude as she spun a dozen ghostly flames into the air around her. With a cry, the unleashed a barrage of the firebolts down on Herdier as he braced himself for another harsh bark. The blasts of fire hurt Herdier, but didn’t keep him from firing back, his wave of sound lancing outward.

Lenora winced as Herdier began to stagger, eyes unfocused. “Shake it off, and try to use Snarl! Melee isn’t going to work!” Herdier didn’t even seem to hear her, his head-shaking turning into an outright flop onto his side. Libra swooped down, getting in his face as he tried to rise and basting him with more flames.

When the flare died out, Herdier was collapsed again, this time into unconsciousness.

As the referee raised his flag, Lenora returned her second Pokemon. “I’m going to let Burgh and Roxie know they’ll need to bring their A-game! Both of you knew what to expect and prepared well for the challenge. You are both well-deserving of the Basic Badge!” She applauded.

Struggling to not do more than smile, and containing the whoop of glee with the grace of a trained heiress, Rin did her best to wait until Sakura retook the field to walk up towards Lenora, containing the part of herself that insisted that she had to be the best; it wasn’t what Sakura needed right now, and after having the more toxic parts of magus culture and her father’s… insistence on the belief and rigid following of it by her… new parents, it was getting easier every day.

Lenora handed over the two badges with a rueful smile. “Well done, both of you. Please, pass on my best to your mothers and your grandfather.” She shook her head. “Actually, as long as you’re here, may I make a request?”

“Go right ahead,” Sakura offered, before Rin could, shooting her sister a rather interesting look when Rin made absolutely no move to chide her.

“Honestly, my first gym challenge was always more subjective than effective, and my second was too simple. This is my third attempt at a challenge, and I’d appreciate your inputs on how I can refine it. Surrounded by history, and I’m still making mistakes.” She pulled out a pair of cards from her apron. “As an added bonus, these are Unovan public library cards. If you’re willing to fill out our survey, I’ll upgrade the two of you to junior researcher status in the system, which will allow you to check out twelve books at a time, so long as you write up your thoughts.”

“... I’ll handle the writeup, you give me the idea?” Rin asked Sakura, who nodded immediately, “It’s a deal then, Leader Lenora.”

“Thank you.” Lenora looked over their shoulders, and both girls turned to see N approaching. “Ah, hello young man! You said earlier that this was your first time seeing a gym battle. What did you think?”

“Your Pokemon… they seemed to treat being here like… a job, almost.” N frowned as he looked over the battlefield. “I could tell they were holding back a lot as well. Was that so that you could teach weaker trainers?”

“Exactly.” Lenora smiled. “Honestly, there’s a reason why I only accept seventh, eighth, and elite level challenges by request. My gym is intended to be a learning experience; and people don’t learn from being overwhelmed right off the bat. I have Snorlax, Pyroar, Kangaskhan, Slaking, and Dudunsparce in my stable for high-level challenges, but putting any of those against even prodigies like your friends wouldn’t teach them anything.”

“And that isn’t even to say anything about your actual team, correct Leader Lenora?” Sakura asked slyly, hoping to get the Gym Leader to elaborate more on how gyms worked for N’s benefit.

“Oh, some of those Pokemon are on my actual team. Some of them,” Lenora acknowledged. “Mr. Gropius, Gym leaders, despite our hype, aren’t usually the strongest trainers in a region, or even in the top twenty, most of the time. Have you ever noticed that every Leader here in Unova has other duties?”

“...I didn’t, but you are the director of this museum.” N frowned. “Is that the case for everyone?”

“Henderson was a forester and ranger before he retired. Burgh and Roxie are both artists, Elesea has her modeling gigs, and so on. To be a Gym Leader is to be a community leader, helping to keep the peace between humans and Pokemon, with force only when absolutely necessary.” Lenora explained. “We fight to keep our teams sharp, yes; but also to help trainers develop their bonds with their Pokemon.”

“...I can’t say I entirely understand. But none of your Pokemon were reluctant to fight; they were upset because they couldn’t do their best.” N acknowledged. “...could I see your ‘stables?’ I’d like to meet some of the Pokemon who know you best.”

“Hmm. Do your friends vouch for you? I trust Juniper, so if her children say you’re on the up-and-up, that should be fine.” Lenora responded, looking over at the girls.

“He’s fine, and we’ll be with him to make sure even if he gets insane ideas he won’t follow through on them.” Sakura replied firmly.

Zorua raised a paw off his human’s shoulder. “I got this, don’t worry.”

“I don’t need you to keep me in line, friend.” N said to his partner.

“Wouldn’t work, anyway.” Other huffed.

Lenora smiled. “If they’re vouching for you, then I’d be happy to show you the stables. Come along, let’s let your friends get back to their research.” She led N deeper into the Gym, while Sakura and Rin headed back towards the stairs.

Sakura glanced at her sister. “Second badge. How do you feel, Nee-san?”

“Like it’s been too easy, and that’s making me very worried.” She replied, noticing Lenora’s rather delighted smirk out of the corner of her eyes.

Oh yes, she was almost certain that badge three was going to be a massive wake up call, and she was also certain she would be, more than likely, eating the bitter taste of defeat when she attempted that challenge…

“Unless we prepare properly.” Rin tipped her hat forward as she walked up the stairs, hiding her grin. “I’ve always hated things that were too easy, anyway.”