Chapter 9: Dark Gyms and Old Men

Rin straightened her hat as she clambered out of the Police van. “Thank you for the lift, ma’am,” she said into the large vehicle.

Captain Bles peered out. “It’s no trouble. We don’t have secure holding cells for these men,” she drummed her knuckles on the long-range transport’s side. “So I needed to bring them over here from our holding cells.” She looked out over Striation City, laid out below. “Here to challenge the Gym?”

“We are, yes,” Sakura replied brightly, an easy smile on her face as she cast her gaze in the Gym’s general direction. “Nee-san, have you…”

“Yeah, I’ve got reservations for tomorrow. They’re unfortunately too busy to take us later today,” Rin replied, bowing towards the Captain. “Best of luck with the criminals, ma’am.”

“No trouble, either of you. Please, stay safe, and inform us if you have a run in with any of the gangs.” She nodded, before walking around back to the head of the van. With a rumble, the vehicle roared off towards the industrial part of town.

Sakura smiled as the sisters walked into town, her gaze lingering on the woods outside. “...it’s been a whole month since we wandered out of those woods. It seems so much longer…”

“Well, arriving in a new world does tend to make these things feel longer, Sakura,” Rin teased, eyes flicking around before she sighed, releasing Agate from her Pokeball. “I’d recommend having one of your Pokemon out, though, little sis. Especially if the officer was being serious about how… heated all this gang violence is going to get soon.”

Sakura raised one eyebrow. “We’re in the middle of a major city, with people all around. Rin, we should be safe.” She tossed out a ball, letting Ana walk beside her. “Still, it's always a good idea to let us walkabout.” She tilted her head. “Have you thought at all about how you’re going to handle the gym?”

“I’ll probably lead with Libra and finish up with Agate,” Rin answered, shrugging. “I’ve thought of a few strategies, but Agate is… a bit more powerful than most 0 badge teams are.” Pausing, Rin nodded. “Libra knows more moves than is reasonable, as well.”

“I suppose if Mr. Henderson keeps to a one-badge team, that would work. Even if he’s using dark types,” Sakura reasoned. “Though, it may still be best to prepare. Are we going to head to the Center and a Hostel first, or do we want to go shopping, maybe do some trainer jobs?”

“Center,” Rin stated decisively, nodding firmly to herself. “Free hotel is better than paid hotel, and we need to make sure we reserve a room before the evening rush.”

“Sure thing, nee-san,” Sakura agreed. “And what will we be doing with the afternoon?”

“What do you feel like doing?” Rin countered.

“...well. I do want to get in some practice.” Sakura blushed as she spoke. “So… do you think we could head to some of the pick-up courts in the city?” At Rin’s look, she shook her head. “I wouldn’t want to battle you again, Nee-san.” Her smile took on an edge as her eyes gleamed. “There’s only so much I can learn from winning all the time, after all.”

“Yes yes,” Rin snarked, well used to the remarks by now, “And I wouldn’t mind. I can only learn so much from being trashed repeatedly, after all. I was so sure Miracle Eye would let me actually scrape a draw off…”

“It got you closer, nee-san! And it’ll probably help you against the Gym,” Sakura responded. “Now come on, let’s go!”

“Hai hai…” Rin replied with a fond shake of her head, sedately going in the opposite direction her sister was going. “I’ll meet you at the courts. I’ll go reserve us a room at the center, you battle maniac.”

The Striation Gym was a simple but imposing building; three stories tall, nestled halfway into the dark woods in the north of the city proper, and weathered from age. Walking up to it, Sakura cocked her head. “I wonder if the next gym leader will keep the building. I mean, it seems sturdy enough, but considering the placement and how many repairs it would need…”

Rin shook her head. “Probably not. The replacement Leaders, they’re set on building a restaurant as part of their gym. They’ll be tearing down the building and rebuilding it. It doesn’t meet the regulations required for a restaurant in Unova.”

“I did hear about that,” Sakura sighed. “It’s too bad. There’s very few accredited Dark gyms worldwide, and the new Gym leaders… well, it sounds like they’re not going to offer the challenge Mr. Henderson can.”

“Glad to hear you feel that way, young lady.” Both girls looked up as they entered, taking in the face of the man before them. White hair famed a weathered face, but his body was tall and strong despite his age. Dark blue eyes assessed them both. “Well now… you’d be Sakura and Rin, correct?” He asked, cocking his head.

“Yes, that would be correct, Leader Henderson,” Rin stated respectfully, bowing. “I believe my sister was up first; would you prefer if I waited in the waiting room or would it be okay if I watched from the bleachers?”

Mr. Henderson grinned. “You can watch from the bleachers. Now, normally, have incoming challengers take on a few of my gym trainers as the Gym Challenge. But you two cut a swathe through the trainers in town yesterday, including a few of my kids. So I’ve already learned what I need to know about both of you.” He paused. “You know, my gym isn’t popular with first or second badge trainers for a reason. Care to guess why?”

“You don’t play ‘fair’,” Sakura stated bluntly, snorting derisively at the descriptor. “If they expect a dark type gym leader to play by the rules or codes of honor fighting types generally use, they need to relearn what each type is generally thought to represent. And dark types are the personification of dirty fighting.”

“Heh, good answer. But not exactly right, although in the right vein.” He motioned to the two of them. “Unlike a lot of Gym leaders, I don’t have a set battle team. When you get here? You’re watched, and then I tailor my team to counter yours.” He waved Sakura forward, opening a pair of double doors to reveal a large interior court, the bleachers sparsely filled with young men and women, then advancing across to the other side. “For you, I have a challenge prepared. Two Pokemon to a side, no substitutions, no withdrawals. Challenger, do you accept?”

“I do,” Sakura barked back after a few moment’s thought, eyes aflame in anticipation.

“Excellent. Send out your first Pokemon.” He withdrew a Pokeball from his coat.

As one, two voices sounded. “Go, Ana!” Sakura cried, in the same moment as Henderson yelled “Murkrow, go!” Two pokeballs flew from their trainer’s hands, and two pokeballs burst open upon the battlefield in complete sync.

Ana lighted on the ground gracefully with a calculating glint on her eyes in the same moment a black bird flashed into being hovering in midair, cawing darkly, almost as if laughing, mockingly. Before Sakura or the referee could say anything, Henderson gave his orders. “Murkrow, set up. Bombardment tactics.” Murkrow cackled, then swooped eyes going cloudy for a few moments.

“Leech Seed!” Sakura barked moments behind, her aforementioned Snivy briefly glowing before she backflipped, sending a flurry of seeds towards the flying type. The Murkrow juked desperately, but his efforts were in vain. Several of the small seeds struck home, vines growing roots into their new prey and glowing fiercely for a moment, Ana glowing slightly as the leeched vitality was fed into her. Beak twitching in fury, the Murkcrow cawed again, glowing wings beating rapidly. A sudden wind began to blow from behind him; Tailwind, Sakura realized, even as Ana raised one small forelimb in an effort to protect her eyes, “Ana, Leaf Tornado!” The trainer called with gritted teeth, shielding her eyes from the kicked up dust.

“Evade and start the bombardment!” Henderson responded, Murkrow cawing as he began to swoop around the battlefield, each wingbeat releasing an eddy of wind which formed into a whirling ball of air. Ana’s first flurry of razor sharp leaves hit squarely, sending the Murkrow into a spin before he recovered, the Snivy doing her best to dance between each strike. Her luck ran out entirely after she narrowly avoided a third blast of compressed air, only to run face first into a well placed fourth, sending her sprawling before she recovered, threads of green energy flowing out of Murkrow and into her once more. The flying bird cawed, a mixture of pain and fury alight within their eyes.

“Hmm. Another plot, then switch to targeted strikes, we can’t afford a war of attrition!” Henderson called out, his bird cawing loudly as its eyes shone red once again, the aura of malice around it growing thicker.

“Ana, twister!” Sakura cried firmly, dead set on ending this now, before the situation became untenable. Two Nasty Plots were more than enough to easily overcome what little resistance training she’d managed with Ana, and she did not want to chance Ren taking enough hits to be worn down for the next fight. As if responding to her trainer’s wishes, the Snivy snarled as she leaped and twisted her body almost unnaturally, a blast of purplish whirling energy emerging from her tail and whirling towards the Murkrow, forcing it to take evasive action, buying even more time for the seeds to do their slow, methodical work.

With a squawk of protest, the Murkrow beat his wings at double pace, readying himself for an attack. He swooped down, a blade of wind forming around his wings. His attack run forced him to take a twister burst on the nose, as Ana pitched on her side to avoid the predicted path of the air cutter luckily managing to almost entirely avoid it and immediately following up with another twister to impact the flailing crow. Even as the flying type collapsed, Ana shrieked as fragments of the supercharged wind blade washed over her, a final spiteful strike from the fainting Pokemon. Fitting, especially for a dark type.

Henderson laughed as he withdrew the Murkrow. “Murkrow’s more of a second badge pokemon, and there’s a lot of folks who can’t handle type disadvantages. You’ve trained in the basics well enough to cover, I see.”

“Best to have a strong body first and foremost, and always have a trick or two to cover poor matchups,” Sakura agreed. “Your Murkrow is well-trained, too. His setup was well-practiced.”

“One of the youngest Gym birds I have left,” he said ruefully. “His dam is one of my Elite Challenge teams, but most of them have flown to other pastures by this point.” He shook his head and withdrew his second ball. “Going to keep your girl in? She seems a little battered.”

“Ana?” Sakura asked her second Pokemon. Ana’s response was as predictable as it was firm.

“Snivy,” she murmured, not taking her gaze off Henderson.

“Thank you, but Ana will be staying in.” Sakura’s response to her Pokemon’s wishes was equally firm, her own eyes ablaze as she stared into the Gym Leader’s own.

“Spirited. Good.” Henderson flicked his wrist, speaking even as the light resolved into a bipedal shape, arms lifting. “Fire punch.”

“Crag!” The little lizard boxer hurled himself forward, burning fist leading. Eyes widening minutely, though not entirely surprised, Sakura called, “Evade and counterstrike with Leaf Blade!”

The Snivy made an desperate attempt at evasion, barely managing to dart to one side as the little fighting-type hit her with a right hook, sending her crashing to the mats. Before she could get to her feet, the Scraggy was already darting in for another blow, and this time Ana was unable to evade in time. The second punch knocked her out.

“Thank you, Ana,” Sakura murmured as she returned the spirited grass snake, hooking the pokeball to her belt before pulling out Ren’s. “Ren, I chose you!”

Her starter’s ball arched through the air and released her Umbreon, Ren quietly staring at his opponent as he began circling the other dark type, growling almost inaudibly.

Henderson nodded, a smile crossing his face as his Scraggy began to breakdance. “Umbreon are wonderful pokemon. I’ve trained one or two over my time, but you’re a little low level to be facing mine in combat.” As the Scraggy came back upright, his gaze narrowed. “Rock Smash!”

The scrappy little lizard darted forward much faster than he’d been before, fist gleaming as he leapt.

“Knock them back with Double Kick!” Sakura cried, trusting her starter’s judgement call on whether to endure the hit to get a measure of his opponents strength or to dodge it to preserve stamina. Ren, evidently, had decided that knocking out Ana with a one-two punch merited caution, and danced to the side at the last second before he slammed his hind paws into the Scraggy, sending the Pokemon skidding across the battlefield of the Gym. The little fighting type skidded to a halt, then came upright and pulsed Dark energy, giving the middle finger as he did so.

Growling furiously in response, Ren for a moment seemed to consider throwing caution to the wind and attacking before he mastered himself, throwing Sakura a look that communicated how annoyed he was at the punk before refocusing at her call, “Ren, quick attack!”

The Umbreon was surrounded by a sheen of white before he began leaving an afterimage behind, slamming rapidly into his opponent and dancing back to gain distance from any possible retaliation, even as the Scraggy lunged forward with another Rock Smash. The Scraggy’s attack missed, letting Ren get in another Double Kick, before the little lizard lashed out with a breakdance kick which swept the larger dark type back..

Noticing her opponent was flagging while her Pokemon was not, Sakura opted to go for a deception, placing a very specific emphasis on ‘finish this up’ to let her Pokemon know the move she actually wanted him to use, “Ren, finish this up with a quick attack!”

Twitching his left ear in understanding, the Umbreon began to glow an ominous white, as if he was simply building up for a quick attack. Henderson called out “Take the hit, and use Revenge when–” His call was cut off as Ren smashed into Scraggy like a cannonball, knocking him into the wall and out. “...that wasn’t Quick Attack.”

“I am raising a dark type, Leader Henderson,” Sakura snickered, petting Ren as he came over to her demanding pets. “With that specific inflection I was calling for Skull Bash.”

“Ah! Hah, that’d do it,” he laughed. “Sure you don’t want to stick around and take my place? I think you’d do just fine.”

“Apologies, but if I’m going to settle down in any league establishment I will settle for nothing less than the Elite Four,” Sakura said serenely, inwardly preening at the obvious praise.

“Hah, only fair.” He walked across the field, taking a second to scratch Ren’s head. “You’ve earned your Secret Badge.” He handed off a long dark strip of metal, black metal edged with gold. “How’s it feel?”

“Validating,” the younger girl replied immediately, smiling brightly, “Now-”

“Well done Sakura!” Rin roared from the bleachers as if reading her younger sister’s mind, “Way to go!”

“Nevermind. Now it’s perfect.” She giggled, her smile blinding by this point, “If you’ll excuse me Leader Henderson, I do believe my sister is up next. I’ll be in the stands.”

As Rin leapt down, Henderson gave her a considering look. “Miss Tohsaka. You can probably guess that this will not be an easy fight for you; I don’t need to cherry pick a team like I did with your sister.”

“Even still, I believe in my Pokemon and my tactics, despite both being weak to the type you specialize in, Leader Henderson,” the older sister replied firmly, a spark of challenge dancing in her eyes. “It’ll make my eventual win all the more satisfying.”

“Well said.” He nodded. “But that gives me two options.” He pulled out a single Pokeball with one hand, and tapped two more hanging below his already expended Pokemon. “You can either have a similar match to your sister… or face one of my higher challenge Pokemon.”

Opening her mouth to respond that of course she’d challenge the higher badge Pokemon, Rin forced herself to bite her words back, taking a moment to actually consider things. She was confident that if she was allowed to substitute she could beat a Pokemon of up to Fourth Badge level, albeit only a single one, and it would take both her Pokemon everything they had. However, Leader Henderson was a Dark Type Specialist, there was something he wasn’t saying. “Which badge level, and what would be the rules?” She asked instead, seeking information before she chose.

“He’s one of my fourth-badge team, actually. And I suppose… since you only have two Pokemon, you get one free switch. Otherwise, it’s all going by league rules.” He spun the ball. “Otherwise, we can just do what we did before.”

“I’ll challenge the one. It’ll be a good test of my ability to wear a single strong pokemon down, and that’s an important skill for any traveling trainer to have,” Rin replied firmly after a few moments pause.

“Alright then.” Henderson walked over. “As an additional bonus…” He tossed out the ball. “Drapion, go.” A bulky scorpion-brute appeared on the battleground, grinning as it loomed over Rin. Gulping, not out of fear but out of excitement, Rin grinned, pulling Agate’s ball from her belt and tossing it onto the field lightly,

“Agate, standby!”

The Espeon came onto the field with catlike grace, daintily landing with her eyes closed, ‘I assume we’re going with the standard ‘wear down’ plan in official format, Rin?’ Agate asked her trainer, receiving an affirmative reply mentally, ‘Understood. Let’s get to it then, shall we?’

Mhm

Henderson raised one eyebrow. “Alright then. Drapion, sharpen up, then start slashing!” The brutish dark type chuckled, then ground his claws against each other as he stalked forward, grin wide.

‘Agility.’ Rin called.

‘Indeed. Setting up.’ Agate reported, seemingly dancing in spot as she weaved in and out of the space she was standing in, setting up the boosts even as the giant scorpion approached, the Espeon’s eyes briefly flashing as she set up her own little surprise in the form of a Future Sight.

As the Drapion closed in, he opened one claw, now coated in dark thorns, before sweeping it around covered in a shadowy blade, the Night Slash aimed to sweep the entire area around him. Agate, as if bored (though internally sweating), leaped onto the Drapeon at Rin’s psionic warning. ‘That was Hone Claws or Swords Dance. I’m guessing the former, given how eerily accurate it was,’ the Espeon reported, leaping off her opponents head as his tail blurred towards her, narrowly dodging and somehow managing a graceful landing as she tossed a Confusion towards the Drapion, “This is not going to be fun.” She continued to herself, this time muttering aloud.

“Not polite to speak without letting me get in on that, little fox.” Drapion growled. “Smart not to, but a little rude.” He jabbed his tail forward in a blurring arc, poison forming on the stinger. As Agate leapt away, Drapion opened his mouth and blasted poison from his maw. “Can’t dodge forever, kid.” He rasped, even as his swipes destroyed the shadow clones en masse.

“Indeed!” Agate snipped back, watching her opponent suddenly buckle as the prepared attack triggered and slammed into him with catlike glee. “Just like you can’t take supereffective attacks from me forever~” Her teasing was followed by a glow of her eyes as she attempted to hypnotize her opponent to more easily boost and wear him down.

‘Agate, dodge left, now.’ Rin’s mental call had the fox-cat diving to her left without question, trusting that her trainer wouldn’t lead her astray. The spray of poison that impacted the spot she had just vacated had the Espeon blanching. That had been far too close for comfort.

“Miracle eye?” Henderson asked, brows raised even as his Drapion shuddered and came upright. “Not something I see on trainers your age.” He shook his head. “That throws everything off, maybe.” He focused back on the battlefield. “Still… that just means I need to escalate. Seed the ground, boy!” Drapion snarled, before spitting toxic spikes to cover the field… only to blink as Agate flashed, the spikes doing a one-eighty and seeding the field around him. “...Magic Bounce. Hmm. Maybe I should have gone with a Bisharp instead…” He mused. “Enough clever tactics; sweep her away!”

Drapion lunged forward, claws swinging in massive arcs as he began to relentlessly pursue Agate across the field. Agate blurred and twisted, but the sweeping blows caught her eventually, sending her tumbling and dazed to the mat. The Drapion honed his claws again as he closed in..

Only for Rin to smirk, “Baton Pass!”

With her own grin, Agate gave a cheeky little wave of her tail and retreated into her Pokeball, Libra manifesting on the field in her place, the former Librarian Litwick immediately sending ghostly balls of fire her opponents way. Burns were ever so useful, after all.

“Ah fuck! I hate being burned!” Drapion snarled, before coughing up a Shadow Ball. The ball of compressed ghostly energy smacked into Libra and sent her spinning away, which the Drapion grinned about before pausing. “Oh great, now I need to chase the ghost… should’ve pinned her first.”

Libra flailed, badly bruised, before righting herself in mid-air. “Umm, Rin? I don’t recognize that Pokemon. Should I just use–” She darted aside, enhanced speed allowing her to zip away from questing claws. “Is this guy bug-dark? Should I use fire?”

“Poison-dark,” Rin corrected, eyes narrowed. “Fire is still better than most of your other moves, Libra.”

“Got it!” The little ghost focused, a whirl of fire appearing above her head, the Fire Spin whipping outward to wrap around Drapion in loosely rotating chains.

Henderson blinked. “...the hell? Never seen a fire move like that…”

“Libra is at least a few hundred years old and spent a hundred years plus locked in a library of an ancient dead mage family. She has an interesting way of using some attacks.” Rin replied, watching as the flame band constricted on the hulking dark-type. Drapion lunged forward, claws connecting with Libra even as she volleyed more fireballs into his maw. She was smashed aside once again, before Drapion pounced on her, only to fail as she sunk through the floor and emerged meters away, battered but whole.

“Hey, you’re not supposed to pull the poison battle strategy on a Poison type!” Drapion hissed. “Stay still you little–”

“Libra, return!” Rin cackled, using her one free switch to send her starter back out, “Agate, psybeam!”

With a flash, the psychic fox-cat was back on the field, already throwing the not effective attack at the Drapion, who flinched as it hit him, blinking in confusion as it did no damage.

“Ah, good call, Rin,” Agate complimented her, setting up Miracle Eye once more. “Now?”

“Go ahead and dig,” Rin ordered, a wicked smirk briefly flickering across her face. “Set up Future Sight before you do so.”

“As you wish!” Agate chirped back, setting up the aforementioned attack and diving into the ground as Drapion shook his head, then hissed as his burn and the fire spin wore away at him further.

“Erg… boss, this is getting annoying.” He ran over to the hole in the ground, flexing his throat to hork a sludge bomb down the hole. As the surge of poison detonated, Agate popped up from another hole, sending a wave of mud at the scorpion, even as the ground beneath her burped purple goo. “Oh come on, ground attacks?” He spat another sludge bomb at Agate as the wave of mud smacked him, the orb failing to connect directly but bursting to send sizzling splatters of liquid to scorch the Espeon’s fur.

Hissing in discontent, Agate yet still smirked as the future sight attack slammed into the Drapion, sending him to the floor. Drapion fought to rise, but Agate just twitched her ears and slammed him with another psybeam, knocking him back.

He did not get up.

Henderson chuckled. “Baton pass, Agility, burns… you came prepared for a war of attrition,” he mused. “You know, playing with our food is a failure of the dark type at times. I think I may have indulged in that a bit, to my loss.” He withdrew Drapion and walked across the battered arena. “Your win, young lady. Well executed.”

Breathing a sigh of relief as she slowly came down from the adrenaline she was running on Rin, let out a cheer before walking towards Henderson. “Thank you, Leader Henderson.” She breathed, looking all the world like the excited young girl she actually was, rather than the heiress she tried to be at times.

Sakura applauded, standing to walk up and get a closer view of the handoff, snapping a picture as Rin received her badge. “First badge, in the bag!”

“Really not a first badge challenge, to be honest.” Henderson sighed. “I’m glad you girls were well prepared. I’d likely have trounced a real first-badge kid. As a special reward…” He rummaged in his pockets, pulling out a pair of slate-black discs. “Here. I don’t know if you’ll find a use for these, but they both contain Hone Claws. Useful move, for offensively minded Pokemon.”

Sakura looked at the disc in her hands speculatively. “Hmm. Do you know if Umbreon can learn this?”

“Not supposed to, but then I’ve had some luck teaching Pokemon moves they weren’t supposed to learn. It’s a lot less easy, to be sure.”

“Even if our current Pokemon can’t learn it,” Rin began, humming thoughtfully to herself, “We have access to our private Technical Machine Library. We could also find a use for it down the line.”

Henderson nodded. “Well, glad to have you both here today.” He pulled out his Xtransceiver, tapping a few buttons. “I’ve forwarded you both your payouts. Anything else you need from me before you go?” He looked at Sakura. “Maybe some tips on how to raise an Umbreon?”

“That would be wonderful, Leader Henderson.” Sakura answered, taking out a notepad and pen, “Nee-san, we might be a while.”

“Don’t worry about it, Sakura. I’ll go get my Pokemon checked at the Center, and then go window shop for a bit. Call me when you’re done!” Her sister replied lightheartedly, waving goodbye before she gave Leader Henderson one last bow and left.

Chapter 10: Insert Obligatory Hard Enough Pun Here

Illya yawned as she emerged from her tent, wiping her eyes as Matilda padded out after her. The crackling of the campfire and the hiss of a camp stove drew her to the firepit in the middle of the clearing, and she wandered over to slump on a log. “Morning, Shirou.” She mumbled, perking up as the boy in question passed her a mug of coffee. “Best otouto.” She mumbled into the mug.

Shirou nodded as he continued the stir the boiling pot of miso soup, the original firepit from last night crackling away as he cooked rice over the coals, “Good morning Illya-nee-san. Breakfast will be ready in about five minutes. We’re mostly waiting on the rice. What protein would you prefer this morning?” Pausing, he pointed at his cooler, “We have fish, chicken, or pork.”

“Pork, please. Do we have bacon?”

“Yes, we do, though I’ll have to cook that separately.” Shirou said.

“Please?” Illya and Matilda both used Babydoll Eyes. Shirou just nodded, snapping his fingers to have Yagi pull out the package. Minutes later, the scent of frying bacon filled the air.

“Looking good!” Isabella advanced from the treeline, her growlithe and roselia trotting alongside. “Enough for us too, or…”

“No.” Shirou replied honestly, “I only have enough provisions for myself, my Pokemon, Illya, and her Pokemon. If you don’t have your own provisions, I’m willing to share, but I will not be happy about it.”

Isabella drooped. “You’ve said that every morning…” She groaned. “When we get to town, I’ll chip in on the next grocery run if only so you’ll share.” She looked over at the meal coming together, her Pokemon watching with their own shining eyes. “Now I know why Donovan abandoned the mission for your cooking…”

“If you share your own provisions, I am willing to cook for your Pokemon and yourself.” Shirou allowed, finally taking pity on the poor girl.

“Yes! Let me go get my stuff!” Moments later, a load of fresh fish, seasonal tubers, leeks, and a few packages of store-bought ingredients were piled before Shirou, and the young man began preparing the ingredients at a will. As he sped up, Isabella turned to Illya. “So! Excited for your gym battle today?”

Illya nodded rapidly, beaming at Isabella, “I am! It’ll be my first first step to officially battling with Cynthia-nee!”

“...you don’t aim low.” Isabella acknowledged. “So! Neither of you have a water or grass type. So, that’s the easy way to take out Roark. I thought you might pick someone up along the way, but no dice. Why?”

“Picking up a pokemon that resists or knows supereffective moves versus rock is pointless when we both already have good coverage against it.” Shirou answered, looking at Ritsuka and Yagi with a raised eyebrow, “Ritsuka knows double kick and dig, and despite her wings, is not a flying type. She’s additionally been working on other moves for coverage, including mud-slap. Yagi is a fighting type. Matilda knows enough moves to make a well trained Smeargle blush. And Fubuki knows chilling water.”

“Huh. So you both didn’t want to pick up another pokemon just to beat the gym?” Isabella leaned back. “Not that I don’t get it, but not an attitude seen by a lot of trainers.”

“What’s the point of catching a Pokemon, most of whom are lifelong companions, for the purpose of overcoming a single challenge?” Illya asked instead of directly

“Competitive trainers sometimes treat Pokemon like that. And honestly? Some Pokemon are just looking for some training, a chance to get stronger, then go home.” Isabella shrugged. “A lotta bug types go that way. They stick around, evolve, and then go back into the wild after a year or two.”

Illya looked over at Fubuki, who shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere, Illya. I’m a ghost, and there’s no rush for me to go elsewhere.” She copper her chin with one hand. “Besides, I’m interested to see if or to what extent I can learn magic. I have some ideas.”

Yagi looked up from where he was bench-pressing a log. “I haven’t sworn an oath to the Kingdom yet, and I think I’d rather stay with you anyway, Shirou.”

Reassured, both fallers settled in to eat. In a few hours, they’d be in Oreburgh, and hit the first roadblock on their journey.

Illya looked around the city with wide eyes. “It’s kinda… industrial, all over.” She mused, looking at the metal siding and tilted roofs rising from the dark stone and earth of the town. Smokestacks from furnaces reached to the sky, white smoke rising into the air.

“That makes sense,” Shirou mused, blinking at Illya’s look, “What? Oreburgh is a mining town.”

Isabella laughed. “Yeah, first mine established by the immigrants here five hundred years ago. The mines here are deep and wide, connecting to the Underground.”

Shirou nodded. “Coal and iron, right? Plus tumblestones and many of the materials used in modern technology.”

“Yup. And that’s why this place has had mostly rock, steel, and ground gyms over the last two hundred years, though there was this one guy who led a fire gym for a while. Might even still be some Rolycoly around from those days.” She mused.

Nodding, Illya fell silent as a quartet of trainers moved towards the gym, laughing and joking. Listening in, Illya frowned. “They seem… confident.”

Isabella sighed as they advanced. “Rock is a good typing, but a lot of trainers assume just blasting in with a grass or water type will get them a win.” As the four boys entered the gym before them, the trio stepped up. “I’ll bet they came here for an easy badge. Especially since Roark’s only been at the job for a year now.”

“His win-rate says otherwise,” Shirou pointed out, receiving a knowing look from the Diamond Clan member, “Well over eighty percent on first challenges.”

“Yeah, Roark uses a lot of ancient pokemon, which throws a lot of newbie trainers off their game.” Illya acknowledged. “Not sure why those boys would think that.”

“Want to watch their matches?” Isabella asked, looking up at the clock on the wall. “We’ve got half an hour before their time slots.”

“It’ll be good for scouting.” Illya mused, looking to her younger brother who shrugged, “Sure.”

Entering the bleachers, the entire group winced as a budew was sent hurtling back across the line, a young man in a red construction helmet watching the field as a sturdy geodude lobbed another stone into the air. “One down. New capture?” He called over cheerily.

His opponent gaped. “But–”

“You need a little training for a first badge.” Roark called out, pitching his voice so the whole arena could hear it. “A new capture needs a week of training, if not more, to be ready for battle.” He nodded at the boy. “Send out your next Pokemon or withdraw, please.”

The boy tensed, before throwing out another ball. “Go, Shinx!” The little electric type landed, looking uncertain at the rock before him. “Focus on bite!”

“Well, you do know your matchups. Geodude, mud slap.” The approaching shinx didn’t last long after the bombardment. “Come back when your budew’s gotten some training. And maybe another Pokemon for your second.” He withdrew his own Pokemon, looking at the three trainers loitering at the base of the battle court. “Who’s next, then?”

“Hmmm.” Shirou mused, taking a look at the geodude with a glint in his eyes, “That geodude is experienced.”

“Typing and power doesn’t beat skill and training.” Yagi commented. “To be a gym leader… it used to be a lordship. Even a ‘weak’ gym has power greater than any but the Elite.”

Illya watched with interest. The second trainer’s buizel managed to take out the fresh geodude, only to fall to a small, domed creature. “Hmm, I don’t recognize that Pokemon…”

“Omanyte, a fossil Pokemon.” Isabella identified it. “It’s water-rock.”

After twenty more minutes, the four challengers had all been sent packing, and Roark looked around before pulling out a radio. “Excuse me, is my one-thirty challenger here yet?” He asked. “I was looking forward to them–”

“We’re in the stands, Leader Roark.” Illya called, just barely having heard him speak due to the size of the room, giving the man a dainty wave as she continued, “I believe my brother had the first slot.”

“Ah, wonderful!” He waved as Shriou hopped down and came up to the challenger’s box. “Mr. Emiya, I believe?”

“You’ve singled us out? May I ask why?” Shirou called, returning Yagi from his place at Shirou’s side. Gym Ettiquite only allowed for one pokemon to be out at a time, and Ritsuka, as his starter, always had that privilege unless she deferred it to another member of the team.

“Lab-sponsored trainers aren’t too common, and a lot of them last year skipped my gym for one reason or another, if they even do the challenge.” Roark explained. “A pair of siblings with two sponsorships? Well, you caught my attention.” He struck a small pose. “But can you keep it? It’s as hard to maintain as my defense, after all!”

Nodding at his starter, who took her place at his side, he answered, “I believe I will.”

“This will be a two-on-two battle between Challenger Emiya and Leader Crag. The Challenger is allowed to substitute at any point freely, while the Leader is forbidden from making switches. When I declare a Pokemon is unable to battle, the Pokemon must be withdrawn from the field promptly. Challenger, do you accept these terms?”

“I do.” Shirou called. Tradition demanded he did, as it demanded the Referee announce a well known fact before the battle.

“Leader Crag?” The ref called, turning to the Gym Leader.

“I accept.” Roark responded, palming a fresh Pokeball from his bag.

“Then begin!” The Ref called, the whine of a barrier snapping into place resounded through the arena as two Pokemon struck the arena, Yagi rising from his crouch even as a new Pokemon spun onto the battlefield.

“Rolycoly!” The little coal pokemon spun its wheel, preparing for battle.

Yagi’s gaze narrowed, then pumped his fists as Shirou spoke. “Quick attack.” He tapped his palms as he spoke, and Yagi launched forward, speeding up as he came in for a strike.

“Aura’s flaring– Rolycoly, dodge into rock polish! We’re going to need the edge!” Roark called out, the little Pokemon turning on a dime and skidding to one side as Yagi crashed down, barely avoiding the force-palm that Shirou had ordered.

Frowning, the red-haired boy briefly considered a strategy before deciding that if this was going to turn into a slugging match he’d do it on his own terms, “Bulk up!” Yagi dropped to the ground and started doing rapid-fire push-ups, glowing red as he did so, before springing back upright with a sharp “Ri-lu!”

“Hmm. A lot of trainers forget to boost. Good job on that. Not good enough, though. Throw up a screen and start belching sparks!” The Rolycoly puffed, a cloud of dark smoke filling its side of the arena before small shots of fire began to flick from the ash cloud.

“Poorly chosen, sir!” Shirou yelled, blood quickening. “Vacuum wave! Clear the smog!” Yagi smiled, then whipped his arms in a blur, the roiling air busting the smokescreen while the trailing edges caught the rock-type. “Follow up with a quick strike!”

Roark’s eyes widened. “Incinerate! Fire back!” The little rock-type blasted out a glob of coals at Riolu, who took the shot to close the distance and smack his opponent with a force palm, sending him reeling.

“Keep the pressure up Yagi!” Shirou encouraged, the fighting type grunting as he pursued the reeling rock type, quick jabs filled with fighting type energy slamming into the Pokemon repeatedly. In response, the Rolycoly spun his wheel, kicking sand and mud at Yagi even as he fired more bursts of flame, yet he continued to lose ground. With one final blow, Yagi sent the rock skidding from the field, battered and spent.

“Gym Leader Roark’s first Pokemon is unable to battle! Gym leader, send out your second Pokemon!”

Roark nodded, returning the little rock, and then tossing out a second ball. “Go, Archen!” With a cry, the little flying-type took no time before swooping in and smashing Yagi with its wings. With a grunt, the Riolo allowed himself to be flung backwards, a ball of aura forming in his hands. Which promptly fizzled out, rather predictably.

“Detect!” Shirou barked firmly as the Archen pursued his Pokemon, Yagi smoothly dodging the Wing Attack and countering with a Quick Attack. The two pokemon clashed, only for the little bird to eventually bowl Yagi over before Plucking him repeatedly. Shirou watched, before holding up one hand. “Yagi, tap out!”

“But–” Ygi yelled, the ancient Pokemon on top of him pausing.

“You’re in disadvantage, and your loss will not lose the match. You’re done.”

“Yes, Shirou.” Yagi replied, slapping his palm against the ground.

“Challenger Emiya has forfeited his Riolu. Challenger, send out your second Pokemon!” The Ref called dutifully, giving Shirou a nod of respect.

“Ritsuka, I’m counting on you!” Shirou called, the Wyrmeon dashing onto the field from her place at his feet, hackles raised as she glared challengingly at the prehistoric bird. Roark looked her over, before whistling.

“Better to stay in the air, Archen. Even if she can fly–” Seconds later, Ritsuka took off, flapping after Archen, who squawked before swooping away.

“Why do I think I’ve seen one like you before? I haven’t! Why are you so scary?!” Archen shrieked as he wheeled.

“Ritsuka, Dragon Dance!” Shirou called, using the opportunity to boost as the terrified Archen continued to flee the dancing apex predator. Ritsuka’s wings beat double time, before she sped up, catching up even as the hopping Archen started spamming Rock Throws. The resulting clash of iron tail went through the rocks and smashed the little bird to the ground, before landing squarely on his head. Bouncing off, she looked back at her target.

“Are you okay?”

“...I wanna go home now.” Archen tweeted forlornly as Defeatist kicked in.

“Yeah, no.” Ritsuka looked up, letting out a growly chirp. “Gym-leader-san, I think this one’s done. Have another, or…”

Roark shook his head and withdrew the teary-eyed birb. “Right. I think I may have underestimated you, challenger. You’ve earned the Coal Badge, if you’d like.”

As Shirou moved to reply, his Wyrmeon cut him off, already guessing what her trainer was going to do, “Shirou, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d prefer to be tested more before you accept the badge.”

Blinking at the somewhat odd yet somehow totally in character request from his starter, Shirou shook his head in a negative, “My starter would prefer more of a test before I accept the badge, Leader Roark.”

Roark nodded. “I can accommodate.” He withdrew another pokeball, flicking it into full size. “I always keep a few higher strength mons on duty in case of problem trainers. Go, Aerodactyl!”

The draconic predecessor emerged in a burst of red light, drawing gasps from the crowd. It looked down, squinting at Ritsuka. “...oh, something tells me you’ll be a treat to fight.” He rumbled. “Never seen an Eevee fossil mon before…”

Adapting admirably to the changing situation, the ref made a note on his device before coughing to gain both the crowd and trainers’ attention, “To note; Challenger Emiya has earned the Coal Badge, and will now be continuing this match in exhibition format. This will be a one versus one match using standard Ace level rules. Ratings will remain unchanged for Leader Roark, and depending on his performance, Challenger Emiya may be offered an Ace rating. Do both the Leader and Challenger consent to these rule changes?”

With a brief glance at Illya, who was nodding rapidly, Shirou firmly nodded, as Leader Roark did the same after noticeably longer consideration.

“In that case, begin!”

Immediately, both Pokemon took off, but not before Roark roared out. “If we’re taking this seriously… Aerodactyl, set up some course hazards!” The ancient Pokemon grinned, his wings striking off each other and filling the air with jagged floating stones, which began to edge towards Ritsuka as she swooped about. Not fast enough to truly be an immediate threat, Stealth Rock simply wasn’t capable of that, but it was enough that the eeveelution would constantly have to keep an eye out on the changing locations of the aerial mines.

“Ritsuka, continue setting up!” Shirou called, his starter continuing her aerobatics as she continued to boost for as long as she could get away with it, each little maneuver getting faster and tighter as time passed.

Roark winced as he saw Ritsuka continue Dancing. “Rock Polish, then start using Ancient Power! We can’t let her get fully boosted!” Aerodactly roared, chips of rough stone peeling off to reveal marble-smooth stone beneath, before a cluster of rune-carved stones formed before him and fired at the dancing Eeveelution.

“Ritsuka, backstab!” As Ritsuka finished her final dance, she blitzed out of her move, taking hits on her wings as she blurred beneath her hovering opponent, then flipping up and smashing into his back with an Iron Tail. The Aerodactyl screeched, rotating even as Ritsuka flapped her wings to remain in the air, the smaller pokemon nimbly circling her opponent.

“Knock her out of the skies! Stone Edge!” Roark called, and Aerodactyl screamed, a web of sharp stones launching from the ground into the skies, forcing a screech of displeasure from the other dragon, who was hit in the torso by one of the barrages, knocking her off course but not into the ground as Roark had hoped.

“Ritsuka, hit and run tactics with Dragon Breath!” Shirou called, Ritsuka chirping her agreement as she blitzed towards the Aerodactyl, violet flames tearing into the ancient dragon as she blitzed past him. With a spin, she catapulted up, before smashing down with another iron tail, slamming him into the ground, before following up with more dragonbreath. As the stone lizard tried to flap up, she continued to hammer him, bashing in wings, only to pause as a golden glow lit the room. With a yelp, she launched herself over the ancient pokemon just before a hyper beam blasted past her and struck the barrier around the arena. As she landed, she watched as the larger Pokemon gasped, trying to steady itself, before looking up and seeing her still standing.

“...Arceus, no more, please.” The Aerodactyl gasped, slamming his tail on the ground twice, then slumping over. “I need more agility training.”

“Leader Roark’s Pokemon has tapped out! Challenger Emiya wins!” The ref called, barrier dropping at the declaration. Nodding to the gym leader, the male official returned his attention to the tablet he was tapping away at for some unknown reason, quite obviously content with the outcome of the battle.

“I was a bad matchup for you, sir.” Ignoring the human referee, Ritsuka acknowledged her opponent as respectfully as she could while panting in exertion. Holding that many boosts for that long had taken a toll on her, and it was quite clear that the Wyrmeon wouldn’t last much longer herself, given how hard she was pushing herself, “It was a fantastic battle, either way.”

“Don’t coddle me, little one. I’m too used to fighting ground-pounders.” The ancient pokemon grunted, even as Roark advanced, pulling out his ball. “Stay alive; I’ll want a rematch when I’ve figured out how to fight you properly.” He said before the red light caught him.

“Well done! Mr. Emiya, please come over here.” Roark called. With a short nod of respect, the red-haired boy recalled his flagging starter and marched towards the Gym Leader, bowing respectfully as he arrived.

“First, Mr. Emiya, congratulations for winning my Coal Badge.” Roark handed the small circle of steel to Shirou, who looked down at it with a tiny stirring of pride. “Second, for winning so decisively, and against a greater challenge than normal, I’d like to give you a small reward.” He reached into one of his jacket pockets, revealing a plastic case. Flipping it open, he handed Shirou a disc. “That’s the Technical Machine for Stealth Rock. Highly versatile in skilled hands, but I don’t think you have a partner who can use it yet.”

With another awkward bow and a declaration of thanks, Shirou took both the badge and technical machine, the latter with no small amount of reluctance. His sister’s gaze, however, discouraged any attempt at refusing the reward that he did not personally believe he’d earned.

As Shirou walked up the stairs, Illya flunced down, her smile wide as she approached her podium. “Hello, Leader Roark!” She began, before the man raised one hand.

“Ms. Illya, before we begin, I must ask your brother a question.” Turning, he looked up at Shirou, who blinked twice. “Is your sister significantly weaker than you?” Illya pouted as her deception crumbled.

“She is more proficient at battling than I am, though our pokemon are on fairly even grounds.” Shirou answered with a mildly apologetic look on his face as he shook his head, “Sorry nee-san. I hope you weren’t relying too much on deception for your first badge.” The subtle snark sent Illya’s brow twitching as she took to the field, grumbling something about lippy redheads under her breath.

“Right then.” Roark moved back over to his podium, pressing a couple of buttons. A hatch popped open, and he removed a pneumatic canister from the hidden chute and placed several Pokeballs inside. Moments later, a new canister arrived, and he plucked three balls from it. “Alright then. This will be a two-badge level challenge, with commensurate rewards. Is that acceptable, challenger Illya?”

“It is, Leader Roark.” The Einzbern half-homunculus answered cheerfully, pulling Matilda’s Pokeball from her belt, “I am ready.”

“This will be a two-on-two battle between Challenger Einzbern-Emiya and Leader Crag.” The ref called, going through the motions rather professionally, “The Challenger is allowed to substitute at any point freely, while the Leader is forbidden from making switches. When I declare a Pokemon is unable to battle, the Pokemon must be withdrawn from the field promptly. Challenger, do you accept these terms?”

“I do!” Illya called, tossing Matilda’s pokeball up and down, all the while practically vibrating in excitement.

“Leader Crag?” Once more, the ref turned to the Gym Leader, an ancient ceremony playing out once more.

“I do.” The Gym Leader stated rotely, rolling his eyes as the ref turned away.

“Then begin!” The Ref called, the whine of a barrier snapping into place resounded once more, two pokeballs bursting open and depositing an Eeveelution and a angular stone head on the floor.

The Nosepass fixed itself on Matilda, before abruptly shivering as Roark called out. “Rock polish and get set up!” Seconds later, the panels all over the rock-type shone silver, just before a curtain of pointed stones filled the air with an electromagnetic pulse.

“Misty Terrain.” Illya called neutrally, her voice losing all inflection as she focused on the battle ahead. At her call, Matilda cried out, pink mist spewing from all around her as the terrain effect snapped into place, halving the strength of dragon type moves and preventing status conditions for grounded pokemon, all the while boosting the power of fairy type moves. “Prepare to intercept their attacks with Iron Defense.”

“At once, my Queen.” The Sylveon barked, her feelers gaining a metallic sheen as she stood and waited for the Nosepass’ move.

Roark frowned. “Misty… hmm. Nosepass, Rock Polish again, then begin Danmaku protocol.” He looked at the Sylveon. “Iron Defense… no, that’s something else. Pattern three!”

The Nosepass shone again, then began to spin rapidly, rotating like a top before he began to spin around the arena, Power Gem shots filling the air as he rapid-fired at Matilda. “Pattern three; rotation turret! Getsmoked!”

Smoothly deflecting most of the gemlike constructs of rock type energy with her feelers, the Sylveon daintily began yawning, a white-cloudlike substance crawling forth and enveloping the rotating turret. “Ah, you’re being too loud. Please, be silent now.” The fae complained, eyes glowing with power as she continued to boost herself with Calm Mind. Iron Defense, after all, was all about giving the sylveon time to gain enough strength to sweep with a knockout blow.

“Keep it up Matilda!” Illya cheered, some inflection now entering her voice as the girl began to get excited, “We’re almost there!”

“Hmm.” Roark studied the board. “Oh, another sweeper. No, not going to let that happen. Switch to Shatter Rocks, Pattern 5.”

“Understood, Pattern 5.” The Nosepass spun against the ground, causing hundreds of rock fragments to fly up and dart inward from all directions, the Sylveon blocking quickly to keep from being penetrated.

“Why aren’t you getting drowsy… right, the mists.” Matilda hissed as a few rock splinters burst through her guard and dug in. “Ouch! My lady, may I go on the offensive?”

“Go for it Matilda! Draining Kiss!” Illya called with a sweep of her left arm, her starter bounding forth gracefully as a heart shaped orb of energy began to bound back and forth between the Sylveon and her target. The first volley missed, the second connected, causing the rotating Nosepass to jerk, before rotating and releasing another barrage of Power Gem at the Sylveon. The gleaming shards ripped into Matlida, causing her to lurch before Nosepass closed the distance, spinning across the ground.

Roark smirked. “Should’ve kept an eye on the mist. Lock her down!” He yelled.

“Deploying paralysis field. Getstunnned.” Nosepass yelped as another attack hit him, before releasing a point-blank thunder wave as the mists around the field fell away. Matilda jerked, then winced as sparks ran over her frame, countering with a blue sphere of energy which laid the damaged Nosepass out cold.

“Urk. My lady, I– I believe I’m paralyzed.” Matilda winced.

“Nosepass is unable to battle,” The ref declared neutrally, “Leader Roark, send out your next Pokemon.”

“Right. Larion, finish her off!” The bulky metal armadillo slammed into the ground, then immediately bounded forward, head shining a dull silver as he slammed towards Matilda. With almost savage glee, the Sylveon takes the hit, forcibly anchoring herself as a ball of condensed aura form before her maw. Knowing that Illya is about to call for baton-pass, and unwilling to leave without a parting gift of her own, Matilda launches the ball of aura forward at point blank range.

“Baton Pass!”

Acknowledging her queen’s command, the fae-fox passes the baton to her fellow member of the court, entrusting the rest of the battle to the lady of ice. Even as Fubuki emerged, the charged Aura sphere slammed into the Larion, sending him sprawling across the ground.

“Aura sphere? I didn’t think Sylveon could learn that.” Roark remarked as Lairon struggled back to its feet. “Still, an ice-type? Going in with a disadvantage, even with the stacked buffs.” He observed.

Lairon was far less sanguine. “Oh shit, ghost! Argh, I hate fighting you guys– gals?” He rumbled, even as the arena started to whirl with ice. “And now it’s snowing. Ugh…”

“Deal with it.” Fubuki’s response was filled with far more smug than was healthy for an individual to consume, even as Illya called out her order.

“Icy Wind!”

“As you command, my queen.” The Frostlass grinned, fading into the snow and taking her sweet time to reeappear behind the Larion, dousing the steel-type with gusts of icy-wind. The Lairon grunted, enduring the strikes before responding with a headlong rush, head glowing silver as he dove for a strike. Fubuki swirled, grazed by the headlong rush. “Ouch! You’ll pay for that. Get doused, lout.” She lashed out with a burst of Chilling Water, the attack bolstered by the Calm minds she’d inherited.

Larion cursed as the douse of frigid water connected. “Alright, let’s pin you down.” He stomped, hundreds of Stealth Rock thorns poking through the ground before they fired upward, homing in on the ice-type.

“Retaliate with ominous wind!” Illya commanded firmly, sweeping her left arm across her body grandly. With admirable alacrity, Fubuki swept her own tiny arm out, a wave of ill colored wind turning aside several of the stones as they came. The burst repelled the most direct stones, but the indirect shots dug in, the Frostlass wincing as the ancient variation of stealth rock began digging into her, sapping her endurance. Almost by reflex, Fubuki shot a blast of ultra-chilled water towards her attacker, seemingly preempting her trainer’s call to do so.

“This is now a battle of attrition, Ms. Illya.” Roark called out. “It could be anyone’s game, or can you insure a win?”

Illya scowled. “I think it’s going to be my win. Are you sure this is a two-badge team?” She shot back. “Fubuki, keep up the pressure. You’re wearing down his offensive power.”

“Yes ma’am.” Fubuki replied, summoning another blast of water. As Larion charged, she blasted the ground, then let him slide past her, hitting his rear with another pulse. “You know, do you have any ranged attacks other than those little splinters?” She asked as she floated into the air. “You may want to use them.”

The armadillo pokemon hacked, then tried blasting upward with a Rock Blast. Fubuki chuckled as she danced through the falling snow, fading in and out of sight before wincing as the stone splinters dug into her. Below her, the Lairon growled, digging underground.

“Fubuki, we’ve got our chance! Follow that rock!” Illya cried victoriously, a vicious grin flashing across her face. Finally! She’d been waiting for Leader Roark’s Larion to use dig forever now. With a cry, Fubuki complied,. melting into the ground like an apparition in the night. Roark flinched, even as a blast of icy water blew Lairon into the air, Fubuki emerging from beneath with a cackle. Spreading her arms, she began to fire blasts of icy wind, each shot juggling Lairon and keeping him airborne and helpless.

Roark slapped his hand on the podium. “It’s your win, young lady. Well exploited.” He acknowledged.

“Gym Leader Roark concedes! Challenger Illya has won!” Pausing, the ref nodded firmly to himself, “Challenger Illya has won the Coal Badge. Trainers, please meet at the center and exchange pleasantries. This concludes Challengers Emiya and Einzbern-Emiya’s Gym Challenge. We will now have an hour recess for Lunch. Challenges for the Coal Badge will resume afterwards.”

As the various watchers applauded, Illya hopped over the bannister surrounding the court and easily stepped over the wrecked field, approaching Roark as he returned his Lairon. Roark looked up, a smile on his face. “Well, I’m glad you told the truth about your competency. Facing a one-badge team with those two… it wouldn’t have looked good for either of us.” He reached into his pocket and removed his badge from it. “Here you are, young lady.”

“Thank you.” Illya accepted the badge, then looked up at Roark intently. “I also want to meet with you in your role as Master of the Underground.” She said formally, then looked him over a little more closely. “Also… you wouldn’t happen to know the location to challenge Lord Kleavor, would you?”

“Going on the Warden’s Journey?” Roark smiled as the girl nodded. “Well, I might be able to help.” He admitted as the two left the room. “But it might be a couple of days…”