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Challenge Part: 1

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing? I want to know just as much as you do what's going on in there!"

"You can't just go into Syne and Luyo's room like it's yours. I don't know if I've even entered Liun's room at all for the entire time we've lived here!"

"The only reason you haven't been in Luin's room is because you won't fit through the door. And the only reason I've been in there was because Kein wanted to talk to me during the first week of me being here."

They had been arguing for the past ten minutes.

"Besides. Tain, Luin and Saria went out for the day, it's not like they're just going to appear and get angry at me for going into their room. Right?"

From their voices it was easy to tell that Rathe and Kurath were the two making all the noise from the common room. It was early Tuesday morning, one day before Taine had originally planned on challenging the Veilstone gym leader. They had mentioned her name once or twice, I hadn't bothered myself to learn it, since Saria had shown no intention whatsoever towards collecting the badges required to compete in the tournament held every year over the ocean out to the East. Once, when I decided to talk to Saria I had brought up the idea of battling, but she didn't see the point of it. She only wished to have Syne and myself as company for her, and each other. Of course, the ability to converse with her helped considerably with my understanding of the humans and why they wanted to have pokémon of their own.

Already Taine had used his Charizard to fly out to various other gyms in the region. He was only ever gone for a day or two, and from my last count he had another three or four to win. I knew for a fact that he needed the badges from here and Snowpoint city. I had visited Snowpoint city once before I was first found. I didn't believe the 'city' as it was titled deserved a gym, it was barely worth the title of town. But it was never my position to argue otherwise.

I watched as the door opened slowly, immediately shutting my eyes as if I was still asleep. I hadn't heard Syne all morning, so I naturally assumed that he was asleep too. I couldn't feel any change or shift in movement from him, so I could only of guessed that he was still asleep.

The door creaked slightly, but not enough to seem to wake Syne and myself. I heard Rathe take one step, then stop. Only to take another step, and close the door again. I assumed her action by what I was doing at the time.

I had talked to Syne about it, and he agreed with me completely on almost every level. Not only did he share my views, but he also felt that no matter what was going on at the time, it was going to happen eventually. So why bother about putting it off any longer, if we both understood what was to be the end result?

I had also mentioned, in another talk I once had with Saria, about what was developing between Syne and myself. She understood completely and told me that she saw that something was happening between us, so, I then had the same conversation with Syne, which is when I moved my cushion to beside his.

For the past two nights, the day after I had told Syne what I was trying to undo, we had rested beside each other. And, of course, every morning I had found his tail either around, or on top of me. The extra closeness was welcoming considering how separated I had spent the many weeks prior. I guess it was time for the others to know that it was official. Syne and I were to be mates. At what time, was yet to be set between us, but I knew that nothing was going to break it, this time, there was nothing that could stop me.

* * *

"Come on you two. We have to go out and support Taine, Rathe and Kurath in their battle against Maylene today." Saria stood in the entryway looking at both Syne and myself. It was late in the morning and I was still on my bed. I had been neglecting my primal instinct to get up and start the day at dawn but recently I had found myself inclined to enjoy the extra time to sleep. I felt that I had much more energy during the day, and found myself staying up later during the nights talking with Syne almost about nothing. "Come on Luyo, I actually have a surprise for you too."

I lifted my head up off the cushion, promptly followed by Syne doing the same thing. What is it?

"I can't tell you Luyo. When we get there you'll know."

I looked towards Syne. "Do you know what this is about?" He shook his head slowly, and looked back towards Saria in the process.

"Syne, you know that I can't tell you either, because you'll just tell Luyo if I tell you." I assumed that he asked her the same question I had. "Now come on, we need to get moving if we're going to go with the others."

I stood up slowly and stretched out my forelegs. How far is the gym from here?

"Just a few blocks. I'm sure it's nothing compared to what you used to do in the mountains." Saria had a slight giggle on the end of her comment, I tilted my head questioningly, but refused to pursue my interest.

"You know, it would be nice to watch another battle again. It's been a few weeks." Syne said from behind me.

"I only wish that I could say the same. Except I want to be in one, it's been a while since I've had a decent challenge."

"From what you've told me your last good battle was before I even knew you." I understood what Syne was hinting towards, and thanked him subconsciously for not mentioning anything more. "But why would you want to battle? You haven't done any form of training or exercise since you got here."

"I used to do more than just watch the sunrise when I was awake before anyone else. Although I couldn't do anything that was really energy draining, I have done enough to stay as fast as I ever was. Winning a battle is about more than just strength or power."

"You just like to do it wit-"

"Are you two going to just talk all morning? Come on. The others are waiting outside for us." Saria appeared from around the door, waving for us to follow her.

"I just like to win them. I don't care how I do it, as long as I'm the only one standing." Syne put on a slight smirk, but walked towards Saria and out the door.

"Here, I want you both to eat something before we go." I had just left the corridor from our room to find the common room empty aside from Saria and Syne. I guess Saria wasn't lying when she said that the others were waiting outside for us.

I ate a few pieces of food offered. Not quite feeling as hungry as I normally would at this time of a morning. I only assumed that as my level of activity dropped, so did my appetite.

The moment Saria noticed that we were both done she ushered us into the exit which pulled us back to the ground level. The moment the door opened I saw Zica and Kein with Liun outside in the morning sun. Saria hurried both Syne and myself to the building's exit, only allowing us to walk at our own pace when we reached the others.

"It's about time you got down here. Taine has already left to make sure he doesn't miss his spot."

"I was ready on time. You can blame these two for why we were late." We all turned to our left from the building's exit and started walking down the road.

"I hope it wasn't anything serious..." Liun replied sarcastically, receiving a glare from me. Everyone in the house knew. After Rathe had seen us yesterday morning, she told Kurath, who continued to tell Zica and Kein, and Kein informed Liun about it while she told Taine. Saria was the only one who didn't tell anyone about us. I knew it wouldn't last long, I was surprised that they hadn't figured it out by the way Syne and myself had acted. Then again, if my first impression was anything to go off anyone who would've made a false accusation like that would've ended up beheaded. But, that side of me was no more. Yet, I had arguments on both sides as to whether or not it was a good thing. "You know that Taine is still going to take you up on your offer."

"Yeah, I know Liun. You don't have to keep reminding me."

Saria and Liun continued to talk about nothing as they continued down the road. We all passed five streets until we finally reached the Veilstone Gym. From the outside it just looked liked one of those training places for humans. Where they would use a complex set of ropes to lift metal numerous times. But as we all moved closer to the entryway, I noticed many things different on the inside. There were more pokémon than humans on the inside. And the only real pieces of equipment were some stuffed bags hanging from the ceiling where all types of pokémon took turns in either punching or kicking them.

"Hey, Saria! Liun! You made it!" Taine was standing off to the right from the doorway and spotted us immediately after we entered. As if it was hard to miss us all.

"Attention please." I heard a voice come from no-where, but amplified to an unnatural level. "Can gym challenger two thirty-five please make your way to the centre arena. Challenger two thirty-five."

"Alright. That's me." Taine half turned away and walked off. "I've talked with the officials, and you're all allowed to be in my corner instead of the grandstands." He gave a quick nod towards one of the two behind me. I didn't bother to figure out who it was to. It had nothing to do with me.

We all followed Taine through the gym. The majority of pokémon I noticed were Machoke. There were a few Hitmonchan and one or two Machop. I had no doubts that there were many more within the building, and that I wouldn't have any desire to figure out just how many.

It took less than another minute of walking before we reached where they would be battling. By 'they' I was referring to Rathe and Kurath.

"So, who is my challenger this time?" A young girl stood at the other side of the arena. She looked much younger than both Saria or Liun.

"I will be." Taine stood forward from us all.

"Ok then. Choose three pokémon you want to battle with, and then we can get started."

Three? Taine doesn't have three pokémon. He only has Rathe and Kurath. So already he's starting this match at a disadvantage. I sighed heavily. This could be a quick match.

"What's the matter Luyo?" Syne asked me.

"Is it only me that notices that Taine only has two pokémon, when the battle obviously asks for three?"

"We all noticed it. But you shouldn't underestimate either Rathe or Kurath."

"And aren't the gym leaders meant to be the hardest battles a trainer can face?"

"More or less, yes. That is true."

I sighed again. There was no way that Rathe and Kurath could defeat three pokémon whom are trained by one of the 'best' trainers in the region. Even though I hadn't seen either side in a battle before, I didn't think it possible.

"-nd at stake is the Cobal badge. Is the gym leader ready?" A person standing in the middle of the ring stated. I assumed them to be the official.

"Ready to go."

"Is the challenger ready?" He said looking towards Taine.

"I am."

"Choose your first pokémon and let the match begin!" The official moved from the centre of the ring off to the right side of the arena.

"You won't be ready for this one." Maylene taunted towards Taine. "Go Machoke!"

"You're first, Kurath!" Both trainers tossed their pokémon into the arena. Kurath materialising on Taine's side of the ring facing, from my estimation only, a Machoke that was obviously larger than the ones I saw training on the way in. "Alright Kurath, let's make this one short. Fire Spin!"

Kurath lifted her head up and conjured a flame, allowing for it to engulf her as it formed as a fiery twister. I saw a dark shadow step out of the fire as it moved forward towards her opposition.

"Machoke hold your ground then Cross Chop!"

Kurath stood ready, waiting for some sign as to what was happening. The flames had made a direct hit, surrounding the fighting-type in the pillar of fire. But as to what happened to it was a mystery. I looked at Taine, and even though I could only see his back, I figured that he felt the same as Kurath, who had no idea on what was going on.

You don't know what's happening do you? Kein's voice chimed in my mind as I was looking for any sign of where Maylene's pokémon was.

Unless you can see through fire we won't know what's happening, will we?

No. Not in the battle. I can see exactly what's happening there. Any second now Machoke will jump out and strike Kurath down. She may be tough. But is no match for a gym battle of this intensity. She's more resistant to mind attacks than physical ones.

Not a moment later Maylene's Machoke jumped out of the flames and both of its hands connected straight into Kurath's shoulders. The blow sent her down to one knee, but she flapped her wings once to get back to a vertical base.

"Kurath! Take to the air and make a rain of Ember!"

"Machoke! Grab its tail and Seismic Toss!"

Kurath leapt off the floor, only to have Machoke grab the end of her tail. "Kurath! Try to break free!" It jumped into the air and pulled Kurath's entire body over its shoulder and hurled it into the ground.

"Charizard is unable to continue. Machoke is the winner!" The official in the centre stated as Taine returned Kurath and fixed her ball on his belt.

What did you mean before? When you said that I didn't know what was happening. I questioned Kein again.

Never mind. You'll find out soon enough what I mean. This should be a good battle though. Rathe has trained hard against the fighting types attacks. I growled quietly to myself, and earned a strange look from Syne in the process who had lay down against me to watch the battle. I never congratulated you did I? You and Syne should enjoy yourselves. I growled to myself again. When Rathe figured out what had become of Syne and myself she only used four words to display her feeling about it. 'I told you so.'

"You're up Rathe!" And after another red flash of energy, the Marowak who'd tried to get me to fit in emerged and took a defensive stance before the proven-to-be powerful Machoke. "Rathe! Keep your distance with Bonemerang!"

I noticed a slight nod from her, and not a moment later Rathe lifted the bone above her head and tossed it towards the Machoke.

"Catch it Machoke! Without the bone Marowak is useless!" There was a loud cracking noise as the bone collided with the Machoke, it's spiralling flight made it, difficult to follow at times. But I could keep up with it. Unfortunately for Rathe's opponent, it could not, having made a direct hit against the right shoulder of the Machoke.

"Nice shot Rathe. Hit it again!" Once more, Rathe tossed the bone forward and watched as it spiralled towards her opponent. Again, the flight pattern was difficult to follow, but, in the end, it yielded the same result. Another crack echoed through the arena as the Machoke fell to the ground, and the bone returned to Rathe's outstretched hand.

"Machoke is unable to battle. Marowak is the winner!" The official stated again.

"It was a lucky shot." Maylene commented as her Machoke returned to its pokéball. "Try your luck with this one. Go!" She released another pokéball and a Hotmonlee appeared.

"Alright Rathe. Battle this one up close. At your pace."

Rathe gave a short acknowledgement and slowly stepped forward. Keeping her defensive stance until she reached the centre of the battle-zone.

"Keep it at bay Hitmonlee. You have more range and more power." The fighting type stepped forward and stopped just over its entire body-length away from Rathe. "Start with a roundhouse kick and back it into a corner."

"Block the ones you can and dodge the others. Let it tire itself out!"

Do you think Rathe can win this one? I asked Syne, who glanced towards me as I watched the flurry of kicks from the Hitmonlee virtually surround Rathe.

I think she can if the opportunity arises. Taine is right to tell her to defend, all they have to do is hold on until there is an opening.

How soon do you think that'll be?

Not soon enough unless Rathe makes one herself.

I watched Rathe block numerous attacks from above with her bone, while other times she was forced to jump back a step. I knew Marowaks weren't made for dodging, but Rathe was surprisingly agile for her kind. I guess Taine worked hard on speed and endurance before I was entered into the group.

"Take your time, pick your moment Rathe."

"There won't be a moment to pick on. This Hitmonlee doesn't make mistakes. He only punishes those who think they can defend forever." Maylene's statement couldn't have been more spot on for the moment. Rathe was slowing, her defensive strikes slacking in strength, her sidesteps lingering for a moment longer than they should. "Hitmonlee, Rolling Kick!"

"Rathe. Strike it's attack with Bone Club then follow with Double Edge!"

Hitmonlee twisted its body and swung it's foot around in a wide arc. Rathe held the bone firm and swung it towards the oncoming attack. Both attacks connected against each other and both pokémon froze. They were at a stalemate in strength. So, they're as strong as each other. I commented back to Syne.

I guess you could say that. But here, Rathe has the advantage.

Letting go of her bone Rathe ducked under the swinging kick, throwing herself forward into the Hitmonlee's midsection. There was a grunt of pain from her opponent, but it looked fit enough to continue without injury. "Now Rathe. Fissure!"

Rathe threw herself back towards Taine's side, picking up her sidearm in the process. She held it above her head and slammed it into the ground, separating the arena in two, leaving the Hitmonlee no-where to go but down.

"Hitmonlee has been defeated! Marowak is the winner!"

That's a surprise. She actually did it.

She did. But is there enough to take on another pokémon? Syne answered.

I looked towards Rathe who was using the bone to hold herself up. I don't think she has the energy.

You didn't think she could win the last one either.

But this is different.

"Alright. I'll give you that one. But your Marowak is no match for Lucario! Go!"

Another flash of red, and the blue and black pokémon emerged from its pokéball. "Rathe! Don't give it a chance. Use Earthquake!"

"Extremespeed."

Rathe made the same motion as before, lifting her bone above her head, only just as the bone reached its peak, the Lucario disappeared, and re-emerged in another spot of the arena. Rathe was frozen. She released the bone and fell to the ground, knocked out by the Lucario's speed attack.

"Marowak is unable to battle. Lucario is the winner!"

I told you she couldn't win against that.

It's been a while since I've seen a Lucario. They're very rare, and very powerful.

"Good work Rathe. You deserve a rest." Taine returned Rathe to her ball and turned around to face us. "Alright. It is time. Saria?"

Saria? What would he be asking her?

I... Don't know... Syne answered, just as confused as I was.

"Well, Luyo. Since you asked me about battling the gym leaders and working for badges, I said that Taine could use you if he needed to against Maylene. Do you want to battle?"

Me? Battle? A Lucario that is supposed to be a very powerful species? I'll do it.