Chapter 8: Journey to Striaton 5
At the end of his words, the wall covered in fancy wallpaper and intricate painting opened up. The face split into four different sections which slid away, revealing a slightly rocky battle arena with freshly painted white lines, along with a viewing area for any spectators.
The three leaders walked over to their side of the arena while I took my place in the spot closest to the dining room. The crowd of ladies wasted no time at all running up the stairs to the spectator zone.
Having so many people watching him battle was a strange feeling, but one he might as well get used to if he was going to continue being a trainer. When it comes to tournaments and the league every match is watched by thousands of spectators, and that's not even including those watching from one of the many tv channels that stream the matches. Adding that would bring the total viewers up into the millions.
So a crowd of 40-50 people is baby stuff really.
"We never did get your name did we?" noted Cilan as he ran his fingers across a red and white pokeball, "We'd be delighted to learn the name of our challenger before the two of us engage in what I'll sure will be a most tasteful battle."
Grasping a shrunken pokeball from his belt Magnus informs them "Sure man, I'm Magnus", the pokeball in his palms expands to full size as he gives them the name of his first companion "And this guy here's Rookidee"
Tossing the Pokeball against one of the small boulders lying on the field, the miniature bird appears after the sudden flash of light.
"Oh? A Galarian pokemon eh. A common sight in its home region." Cilan says while inspecting the plumage of Rookidee from a distance.
"So you know about Galarian pokemon as well?" Magnus asked, he was the first person to know what a Rookidee was since he left the lab. After their battle he wouldn't mind learning a bit more about the Galar region. It's quite the interesting place with dynamax and an almost unhealthy enthusiasm for pokemon battles.
Performing a dramatic spin he explains excitedly "Why of course! Since my goal is to become an S-class connoisseur. I'm knowledgeable about Pokemon from all regions around the world. What kind of connoisseur would I be if I couldn't even identify my customers pokemon."
Taking up a more serious look after his short outburst he proclaims "Now, the moment everyone's been waiting for! Come on out, Pansage!"
Releasing his iconic Pokemon, a Pansage took up his position with the white lines. Because of the rock the Grass-type was standing on, Magnus could get a clear look at its physique.
The Simian green and cream pokemon was pristinely clean, not even one knot was found in its short fur, showing that its trainer regularly looks after its appearance. Neither did it have any signs of deficiency, from Magnus's eyes it appeared to be a textbook example of a perfectly healthy Pansage.
After Cilan sent out his first and final pokemon, his brother Chilli took his position at the side of the field since he was going to be the referee for our match.
"Attention for the Striaton City Gym battle, We have Magnus the challenger, against Cilan the Gym Leader. This Gym battle will be done in a one versus one format. The battle will be decided when one of either side's pokemon can no longer continue" he professionally stated loud enough for everyone to hear.
Hearing no objections for either side he ended it with "Since neither side has any issues with the rules, I'll declare the start of the match."
Magnus could hear the girls up in the stands cheering on his opponent as he waited for the sign to go.
"Let's go Cilan! All the way! Win this battle yay!" Well, at least he knows who the crowd's rooting for.
'No pressure then' he thought.
"And… Begin!" Chilli yells, cutting his hand through the air, signifying the beginning of the bout.
"Hone Claws then Peck'' Magnus quickly shouted. Rookidee obeyed and soon he was flying towards his opponent with his talons and beak glowing a familiar colour.
"Bullet Seed, don't let Rookidee get close" Cilan calmly stated. Pansage's cheeks puffed up to a comical degree before releasing a barrage of high velocity projectiles from its mouth.
"Dodge it but keep pushing forwards!"
Hearing his trainer Rookidee began to fly in sporadic patterns to avoid the ranged attack. Even with his limited training he was able to skiff past Pansage's move and get in close. Barrelling round to the Grass-type's back his peck connected, sending pansage into a boulder and leaving it with a nasty bruise on the rear end of its head.
"Keep it up Rookidee! Now Fury Attack!" Squawking in affirmation Rookidee sped downwards at the dizzy Pansage.
Just as he was about to begin pummelling Pansage, Cilan cried "Quickly use Vine Whip". Its voice caused Pansage to regain a bit of clarity, two thick vines grew out from the leaf atop its head and struck at Rookidee, successfully swatting him away.
"Now grab him!" The same vines raced towards the falling Rookidee and began to wrap around him, possibly in preparation for a throw or bind. Either way Magnus never wanted to wait and find out.
"Use Fury attack on the vines" Magnus shouted. After a brief struggle for control, Rookidee managed to cut through one of the vines and moments later the second one as well. Pansage yelped at the pain from getting his vines cut but otherwise stood tall and the remains were pulled back into his body.
"Keep using peck!" With the distance between the two being so close Pansage had to tank two pecks from a furious Rookidee who clearly doesn't like bondage play.
After the attacks Pansage was left on his last legs, one more hit and Rookidee will have the win, but before the third Peck could jab home Pansage got a new order.
"Dig!" Cilan said loudly.
Using every appendage it had, Pansage drilled its way into the ground avoiding Rookidee's attack.
"Keep an eye on the ground Rookidee make sure you're not caught off guard when Pansage appears"' Magnus informed his pokemon.
At a relatively low flying altitude Rookidee scoured the terrain underneath him, as soon as the ground in front of his flight path began to break Magnus told him "Stop to dodge it then use power trip"
Pansage leaped from the tunnel expecting to impact against Rookidee but was surprised when no such thing happened. With a completely exposed pansage in front of him, Rookidee knew what to do.
His body gained a dark glint as he plunged into his opponent with a boosted powertrip. By the time Pansage's body stopped tumbling across the ground it was thoroughly unconscious.
Lifting his hand in Magnus's direction Chilli announced the victor "Pansage is unable to battle. The winner is the Challenge, Magnus!"
Although the crowd weren't the happiest about seeing the object of their adoration loose, they still gave a polite clap to the winner.
Magnus was feeling somewhat strange at the moment, he wasn't quite sure what he was feeling. On one hand he was happy that he won his first gym battle and gained a sparkling new badge, but it felt like something was missing.
The whole battle seemed somewhat underwhelming, sure there were some tricky parts but at no point did he think that Rookidee was in trouble.
Maybe that was it.
In his head Gym Leaders were supposed to be this nigh unbeatable force, although Striaton doesn't have the best reputation for being a hard gym he still felt like it was a lot, lot weaker than he envisioned.
It was difficult not to think this way when his standard for gym leaders was Drayden. The old man's pokemon can be downright scary in battle.
Shaking that off he caught Rookidee in his arms with a wide smile. "You did great Rookidee, had this battle in the bag from the start." That's right even though Cilan's pokemon left a lot to be desired, Rookidee performed exquisitely, showing his natural battling skills.
With Rookidee on his shoulder he met with the three brothers to collect his badge.
Chilli, the referee for the match held a golden tie-shaped badge in his hands as he said "I present to you the trio badge" before letting it fall into my hand. Giving it a quick inspection he noted that the three colours in each part of the trio badge were the same as the haircolor of the brothers.
Slipping the badge into his pocket for now he gave the Gym Leaders a nod and replied "Thanks for the battle"
Before he could leave though Cilan asked "Would you like me to perform a compatibility test on you and your pokemon? Free of charge of course"
"It's alright, we've travelled a lot today. I'm just going to head back to the pokemon centre to get some rest" Magnus told him. He doesn't need a test to tell him the compatibility between himself and Rookidee anyway, they already know they're a good pair.
"Is that so? Have a safe trip then" Cilan said while looking a bit downcast.
Leaving the Gym, Magnus and Rookidee made their way to the nearest pokemon centre.
After getting inside he rhymed off the numbers on his trainer ID to nurse joy, and was given a room on the first floor.
The simple room was mostly barren, but had all the essentials. Putting his badge into the case, he then left his bag on the wooden table along with his cap and clothes.
Sticking on a pair of shorts he crashed on the bed, the last thing he remembered was seeing Rookidee sleeping on a pillow at the foot of the bed.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
DodgyWriter
DodgyWriter Apologies for any mistakes made in this chapter, ended up going out last night and got properly blootered. Can barely look at the screen without getting a headache.
Still, send me your thoughts on the gym battle.
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