It was another day in Hoenn and in the Pokémon center in Petalburg city the sun had just risen over the horizon, inside the center was Luna in her room, sleeping. She was trying to get some sleep, but it was a little difficult when the sun was shining through the window and on to her face, she tried to pull the covert over her head, but it was no use. She was wide awake.
She sat up in her bed with a tired face, she rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes. She then tossed her blanket away, the blanket managed to cover Jolteon who was sleeping in the bed with her. The blanket managed to wake up the lightning Pokémon, while he tried to find the exit Luna had gotten up from the bed and headed to the bathroom.
When Luna was finished in the bathroom, Jolteon had managed to find an exit. He watches as his trainer walked out from the bathroom with clothes on, Luna sat on the bed and pet his head. Jolteon like that.
“Sorry that I woke you up Jolteon.” Jolteon just said his name and enjoyed that Luna patted his head. Luna then stood up. “Come on, let’s get some breakfast.” She walked to the door. Jolteon wasn’t about to say no to breakfast, he jumped of the bed and followed Luna out of the room.
When she arrived in the lobby she saw James sitting by a table eating breakfast, she and Jolteon walked over to him.
James stopped eating when saw Luna sitting down by the able. “God morning, did you sleep well?” She just shrugged her shoulders. “That bad?” Luna folded her arms and laid her head in her arms. “Well, I bought you breakfast.” He gave her a plate. “A baguette, no meat.” Luna said nothing, she just took it and stared to eat. “And for your Jolteon.” He sat down on floor where Jolteon was sitting, a bowl with Pokémon food. Jolteon were maybe afraid of other humans, but he wasn’t about to say no to free food. They all eat in silence.
After they were finished eating. James could see that Luna was still in a bad mood. He decided to find out why.
“Alright, what’s wrong? Are you still think about what Sunset said yesterday?” “Luna gave him nod. “Don’t let it get to you.”
“Easy for you to say, your used to this.” Luna said in a somber voice.
“No, I’m not.” Luna looked at him with a shocked expression. “Sure, I have been doing this for over ten years but that doesn’t mean I have felt what you are felling right now. You just have to remember why you are doing this.”
Luna felt like an idiot and James was right, she was acting stupide. If she was about to let Sunset ruined her journey, then she could just quit. Sunset may be traveling to be the most powerful trainer out there, but Luna did because she wanted to travel and see this world and it’s Pokémon. And also see how long she could go in the Pokémon league.
“You are right James, I’m not going to let Sunset words affect me. She has her journey and I have mine.” She then looked around the Pokémon center. “Hey James, where’s Aura?”
“Don’t know, nurse Joy said that she left before I woke up. Why?” He asked her.
“Just wondering.” Was the answer he got.
Not the answer he wanted but let it go. He deiced to ask if she was ready. “So, Luna. Ready to battle Norman?”
“As ready as I can be.” She said with some confidence in her voice.
James smiled when he heard that. “That’s good to hear.”
Luna took her baguette and stared to eat, while eating she decide to ask James something. “Say James, where are we going after this gym? Onward to the next one?”
James pushed away his empty plate. “Actually, I thought that we could head to Littleroot Town. I want to visit my mom and you can visit the Pokémon that you aren’t using in professor Birch’s lab.”
“Oh yeah, I didn’t think about that. That sounds like fun.”
Then it was decided, after Luna’s had her gym battle and got her fifth badge they were heading to Littleroot Town. After Luna had finished her breakfast, they headed towards the gym, so Luna could battle Norman. But before they even could get out from the Pokémon center, the doors opened, and Aura ran in, colliding with James.
Aura landed on top of James. ‘Why do this happen to me?’ He thought while lying there.
Aura sat up and rubbed her face. “Ouch, what did it hit?” She looked down and saw James looking up at her with an annoying face, she got up pretty fast when she saw that she had crash with him. “I’m so sorry James, I didn’t mean to run into you.” She held out a hand to help him up, he took it.
“Don’t worry about it.” He got up. “Why are you in such a hurry?” He asked her.
“I wanted to see Luna battle, so I ran back her to see if you had left yet.” She looked at both of them. “I guess I got lucky on that part.”
While they were talking they didn’t notice a jealous Luna on the side, she did not like where this was going. Then Aura looked at her, Luna just gave her an evil look and walked the exit.
James and Aura was just confused about Luna’s behavior. “What was that about?” Aura asked James.
“I don’t know, maybe I should ask her.”
He was about to leave but Aura stopped him. “Why don’t you let me talk to her, girl to girl.”
James thought about and he just shrugged his shoulder. “Sure, while you talk to her I’m going to head over to the gym. I’ll be waiting for you two there.”
They both walked out together, once outside they saw that Luna was standing a few feet from the center with her back against them. Aura just gave James a nod and walked towards her while James walked towards the gym.
Aura was sure what was troubling Luna, but she had hunch. “So, Luna. Are you in love with James?” Luna turned around and her face was blushing like mad. ‘I knew it.’ Aura thought as soon as she saw Luna’s reaction.
“What makes you say that?” Luna said in an embarrassed voice.
“Oh, come on. I saw the look you gave me and James after I had help him up, you like him.”
“So, what if like him.” She stared to rub her arm. “I don’t think that he likes me back.”
“Have you asked him?” Aura asked her, Luna shook her head. “You don’t know until you ask him and besides, I’m not interested in him. I just meet, you have known him far longer than I have.”
Right now, Luna felt like an idiot. “Your right, I have no reason to be jealous. Thanks Aura.”
Aura gave her a smile. “Your welcome, sometimes you need a girl to talk to.”
“You got that right.” Both girls laugh of that.
Once they arrived at the gym they just stood there and looked at it. “Ready?” James asked Luna. “Yeah, I’m a little nervous but I’m ready.”
Before they could go in Aura took out a Pokéball and threw it up in the air. “Come out Chimchar.” Out came a Pokémon that looked like a monkey with his tail on fire, the Pokémon landed in Aura’s arms.
When Luna saw the Pokémon, she squealed like a girl. “What a cute Pokémon.” She took out her Pokédex.
Chimchar the Chimp Pokémon. It’s fiery rear end is fueled by gas made in its belly, even rain can’t extinguish the fire. The gas made in its belly burns from its rear end, the fire burns weakly when it feels sick.
“Chimchar is my first Pokémon and he has seen every battle I been in, even those I didn’t battle in.”
Luna couldn’t help but smile of that. “That’s nice, I’m guessing that Chimchar is the starting Pokémon where you come from.”
Aura smile back at her. “You guessed right.” With that out of the way, all three of them walked into the gym.
Once inside they saw that Norman was talking with May and a boy Luna and Aura haven’t seen before, they walked over to them.
Norman turned around to greet them. “Welcome, I hope that you are ready Luna because this isn’t going to be easy.”
“I didn’t expect you to go easy one me.”
Norman laugh a little of her words. “That’s the spirit, let’s get this battle on the way. Max, if you will.” The boy nodded.
Luna and Norman took their place one the battle field while Aura, May and James sat down on the sideline to watch.
The boy named Max stood in the middle. “This gym battle between the gym leader Norman and the challenger Luna will now begin, each trainer is allowed to use three Pokémon but only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokémon, the battle is over when either challenger or the gym leader’s Pokémon are unable to battle anymore. Are both you ready?” Luna and Norman nodded. “Then begin.”
Norman was up first. “Come out Slakoth.” He threw a Pokéball and out came a Pokémon that looked like a sloth, then it started to sway side to side. Luna took out her Pokédex.
Slakoth the Slacker Pokémon. Slaking lolls around for over 20 hours every day. Because it moves so little, it does not need much food. This Pokémon’s sole daily meat consist of just three leaves.
Luna just stared at information. ‘Doesn’t look that though, but something tells me that it’s look can be deceiving.’ She but away her Pokédex and took out a Pokéball. “Come out Rufflet.” She threw the Pokéball and out came Rufflet ready to battle.
Back on the side line, Aura was puzzle over Luna’s choice. “Wouldn’t a fighting Pokémon be a better choice?”
“The only fighting Pokémon she has is Riolu, I’m guessing that she is saving her for last.” James answer her.
Aura looked at James. “Are you saying that her Riolu is female?” James gave her a nod, that but a big smile on Aura.
Back on the battle field.
Max. “The challenger has the first move.”
“Use peck Rufflet.” Rufflet beak started to glow, he then took of flew towards Slaking.
As Rufflet came closer to Slakoth, Luna look at Norman who was calm. Luna was clueless why, she looked back at Rufflet and was about to hit Slaking. At the last moment Slaking managed to move out of the way, the only one that was shocked was Luna and Aura.
“What just happened? Slakoth shouldn’t move that fast.” Said Aura.
“That’s just how Norman battle, he’s using Slakoth movements to test Luna.” James answer Aura.
Back in the battle Luna was puzzle on what just happened. ‘How did Slakoth move out of the was like that? This Pokémon barely moves.’ She shook her head. “Use peck again.” Rufflet beak start to glow again, Slakoth turned around and again managed to doge the attack again like it was nothing. Luna was shocked again. “What the…?”
Norman just smiled. “Now it my turn, use blizzard Slakoth.”
When Luna heard that her eyes widen. “Oh no.” She knew that Rufflet was weak against ice attacks.
Before she could react Slakoth open his mouth and ice came out from it’s mouth, Rufflet had no time to move out of the way and was hit. The blizzard forced him down on the floor unable to move, he was pinned to the floor.
“Get out of the way Rufflet.” There was no use, Rufflet couldn’t not move. “Fly Rufflet.” That somehow worked, Rufflet managed to get and fly up to the celling and away from the attack.
“Don’t let it get away Slakoth, keep using blizzard.” Slakoth fired another blizzard towards Rufflet.
But this time Luna was prepared. “Use double team.” Then it was many Rufflet and Slakoth managed to hit one of the fake one. “Use aerial ace.” All of the Rufflet’s took a loop and descend towards Slakoth who was just as calm as ever.
Norman was ready. “If you think that is going to work then your wrong, use blizzard on all of them.” Slakoth did as Norman said, he open his mouth and fired against all of the face once. Once that was done they noticed that Rufflet was gone, everyone in the gym was shocked, especially Norman. “What happened to Rufflet?”
He got his answer, he looked on the battle field and saw Rufflet was flying towards Slakoth and this time the Slacker Pokémon didn’t have time to move, he was hit hard. Slakoth flew backwards but surprisingly managed to get up pretty fast. “Use blizzard again.” Slakoth attack again and this time Rufflet didn’t have time to doge.
Luna saw was happing and took out Rufflet’s Pokéball. “Return Rufflet.” She managed to return Rufflet to his Pokéball before he was hit by Slakoth’s attack.
On the side line Aura breath out in relief. “Man, that was close. I’m out of breath and I am not even battling.” She said while leaning against the wall, even her Chimchar out of breath.
May but a hand on her chest. “I know how you are feeling, I haven’t felt like this since Ash battle.”
James looked at May. “That’s like seven years ago.”
“I know that, but it feels like yesterday.” James just rolled his eyes of what May said.
Aura looked back on the battle field. “I wonder which Pokémon Luna is going to use next.” She got her answer pretty fast, Luna threw out a new Pokéball and out came Zangoose. Aura had never seen that Pokémon, so she took out her Pokédex. “It’s a Zangoose and it look tough.” Her Chimchar agreed with that one.
Norman was a little surprised by her choice, but he wasn’t about to let that get to him. “Keep using Blizzard Slakoth.” Again, Slakoth attack with the ice attack.
Luna just smiled which Norman was confused over. “Use flamethrower Zangoose.” He opened his mouth and flames came out from it’s mouth, the attach met Slakoth attack in the middle and managed to push the ice attack back. In the end Slakoth was hit so hard that he flew backwards and into Norman arms, he pasted out.
“Slakoth is unable to battle Zangoose is the winner.” Announced Max.
Norman smile at Slakoth. “You did a good job, take a good rest.” Slakoth disappeared into his Pokéball, he then looked at Luna. “It was a good choice to substitute Rufflet with Zangoose.” He then took out a new Pokéball. “But don’t think that this one is going to be easy.” The threw the ball in the air. “Come out Vigoroth.” Out came a Pokémon that looked like a grown up version of Slakoth, but wilder. The Pokémon started to throw it arms around.
Luna took out her Pokédex and pointed at the new Pokémon.
Vigoroth the Wild Monkey Pokémon and the evolved form of Slakoth. Vigoroth is always itching and agitated to go on a wild rampage. It simply can’t tolerate sitting still for even a minute. This Pokémon’s stress level rises if it can’t be moving constantly.
She stared at the information. ‘Sounds thought so I better stick with Zangoose.’ She put it away. “Use flamethrower.” Zangoose opened its mouth and flames came out from it.
“Doge it and use slash.” Vigoroth managed to doge with easy, Luna was surprised how fast Vigoroth was. Then it’s claws started to glow and before Zangoose and Luna could react he hit its target, Zangoose staggered back. “Keep using slash.” Vigoroth did as he was told.
“If that’s you wanted Norman then fine, you use slash also Zangoose.” Zangoose claws started also to glow, he then started to go after Vigoroth.
Both Pokémon traded blow for blow, none of them wanted to give up. The three one the side line was just stun over what they saw.
Aura. “Wow, it looks like none of them want to give up.”
May. “They are equaling strong.” James, he said nothing. He just watched the battle.
Back with the two battling Pokémon, both of them was getting tired. Then Vigoroth managed to land a hit that send Zangoose back a little.
“Shake it off and use flamethrower.” Zangoose shook it heads and spurted flames again.
“Doge the attack and keep using slash.” Vigoroth managed to doge the attack, barely. The flames managed to hit him in the shoulder.
“Counter it with your own slash Zangoose.”
Both ran towards each other and managed to hit each other in the face at the same time, it looked like none of them wanted to give up. The tension was unbearable for all of them around, then all of sudden both Pokémon fell on the floor unconscious. They were both out.
“Both Pokémon are unable to battle that means it’s a draw.” Announced Max.
Both Luna and Norman were in shook when they saw that, even those on the stand was in shook over what they saw.
“Oh wow, they knock them self out.” Said Aura in awe.
“II guess that they were equally strong.” Said James.
While they were talking Luna and Norman had call back their Pokémon, Norman was ready with his last one. “Come out Slaking.” He threw the ball and out came an even bigger Pokémon than Vigoroth.
Aura. “Look at the size of that Pokémon.” When her Chimchar saw Slaking, he tried to hide away in Aura’s arms. “Don’t worry Chimchar, you don’t have battle him.” She said with a warm smile. ‘Not right now.’ She thought while looking back at the battle field.
Luna took out her Pokédex for the last time.
Slaking the Lazy Pokémon and the evolved form of Vigoroth. Slaking spends the all day lying down and lolling about. It eats grass growing within its reach. If it eats all the grass it can reach, this Pokémon reluctantly moves to another spot.
She just stared at the data. ‘The Lazy Pokémon, a fitting name for it.’ She put it away and took out a Pokéball. “Come out Rufflet.” Out came the eaglet Pokémon and he was panting heavily. ‘He is still tired after his battle with Slakoth, but it’s not I have many options.’ She looked at her opponent and nodded. “Alright, let do this Rufflet. Use aerial ace.” Rufflet took flight and managed to take a loop and flew towards Slaking.
When he hit Slaking nothing happened, it didn’t look like Slaking took damage at all. “Use focus punch.” Slaking left arm started to glow and before Rufflet could react he was hit so hard that flew across the battle field, he flew pass Luna and into the wall behind her, he hit the wall and fell to the ground unconscious.
“Rufflet is unable to battle Slaking is the winner.” Announced Max.
Luna and Aura was on shook when they saw what happened to Rufflet, James and May were not surprised of Slaking power. Luna called back Rufflet. “You did a good job, take a rest.” She looked back at Slaking who stared to hit his chest in triumph, she may have made a bad choice when it came to her choice of Pokémon for the battle. ‘I should have chosen Grovyle.’ She then looked at Riolu Pokéball. ‘But I promised that I would use Riolu and not going to break that promised.’ She threw the Pokéball. “Come out Riolu.” Out came the emanation Pokémon ready for a battle, but that confident disappeared when she saw Slaking.
Slaking was looking down on Riolu with a looked that could kill, Riolu was so afraid that she took a couple of steps backwards. “Riolu, what are you doing?” Those words fell on dead ears, Riolu was so scared that she ran over to Luna and jumped into her arms.
Everyone on the gym was in shook when they saw what happened, the one that was most shocked was James, he had never seen a Pokémon ran away from a fight before.
Max stood there as the judge and he was very unsure what to do, he had never experience this before. He looked over to his father for advice, Norman gave him a look that said that he should wait and see what happened. Max gave his father a nod and waited.
On the other side of the battle field Luna was trying to comfort Riolu as best as she could, but it was not easy.
“Riolu, what wrong? Are you afraid?” Riolu answered by hugging her even harder. “I understand that you are afraid Riolu, I’m also afraid.” Riolu looked up with tears in her eyes. “It’s okay to be afraid once in a while, that’s what’s make us human. Except you, you are a Pokémon.” That made Riolu laugh a little. “Do you know what I’m afraid of?” Riolu shook her head. “I’m afraid to lose not because that my Pokémon are going to fail me, I’m afraid of making a bad call that will make me lose the battle.” Luna looked Riolu right in the eyes. “The only thing we can do to overcome our fears is to face it straight on, now let’s go and get that fifth badge.” Luna’s speech was all Riolu needed, she walked out on the field and looked at Slaking.
Slaking had the same look and Riolu was terrified, but she wasn’t going to let that scare her.
“Sorry about that, we are ready now.” Luna told Norman.
Norman smiled. “That’s good to hear, you have the first move.”
“If you say so, use quick attack” Riolu started to run towards the enemy.
“Wait for it Slaking.” Slaking did that, Norman waited for the right moment. The moment Riolu was very close too Slaking. “Use focus punch.” Slaking’s left arm started to glow again.
“Jump Riolu.” Riolu managed to jump just as Slaking’s attack was about to hit, all looked up and saw that Riolu was now above Slaking. “Use brick break.” Riolu right arm started glow and she managed to hit Slaking hard in the head.
Slaking staggered backwards thanks to the attack. “You okay Slaking?” Norman asked in a concerned voice, Slaking shook his head and gave Norman a nod. “That’s good to hear.”
While Norman was concerned with Slaking was Luna proud with Riolu. “Nice work, let’s use quick attack again.” Riolu ran towards Slaking again.
Norman was ready this time. “That’s not going to work this time, use earthquake.” Slaking jump up and landed on the ground with a bang, he managed to shake the whole gym.
Riolu fell on the ground, Luna and Max lost their balance while James the girls fell of the stand on to the floor.
Aura managed to pick herself and Chimchar up. “Oh wow, that’s one powerful earthquake.”
James was rubbing his head. “The attack is powerful, and that’s Slaking is very heavy also help to the attack.” He told her, May wasn’t listing, she was lying on the ground with stars in her eyes.
“Use focus punch again.” Slaking right arm started to glow and was heading towards Riolu.
“Get out of the way Riolu.” It was too late, the attack hit and Riolu was send flying backwards. She landed a few feet from Luna, she had bruises over half of her body. “Are you okay Riolu? Can you get up?” She tried but every time she did she fell down.
“There’s no shame in giving up.” Luna looked at Norman. “Your Pokémon is hurt and need help so there’s no shame in giving up so Riolu can get help”
Luna wasn’t sure is she heard right, it sounded like Norman wanted to her to quit. Now, she was angry. “There’s no shame in giving up?” She looked him straight in the eyes. “It’s you that have no shame.” She shouted at him. “You are telling me to give up? What the hell is wrong with you? Sure, Riolu is down and hurt but that doesn’t mean that we are ready to give up. you call yourself a gym leader? Telling trainers to give up, what kind of advice is that?” Norman saw the fire in her eyes and realized he had said something that he shouldn’t. “Get up Riolu and let’s win this battle.
That speech was all Riolu needed to hear, she gathered what strength she had left and managed to stand up, then she started to glow. Riolu keep on growing and everyone around just watch in awe as she kept on growing, when the glowing stopped, Lucario was standing there.
One the side line Aura was squealing like a school girl. “That is awesome.” She took out her Pokédex to check out the data of Lucario.
James. “Man, you never get tired of a Pokémon evolution.” He then looked over to May. “I think that you father is in trouble.” He said with a smug voice.
May looked at him with an angry look. “Don’t count out my dad just yet.”
Back on the battle field, Luna had also taken out her Pokédex, to check out which move Riolu had learn now that she had evolved. She smiled when she saw the moves, she put away the Pokédex and looked at Norman. “You still think we should quit?” Norman had no answer, so he just smiled. “Let’s do this Lucario.” Lucario got in a fighting position.
Slaking also got in a fighting position, eager to get this fight going. “Let’s see what you and Lucario got.”
Luna smiled. “Use mach punch.” All of sudden Lucario disappeared surprising all in the gym, then she appeared right in front of Slaking. He hadn’t time to react before he was hit by glowing fist that send him back. Luckily, he managed to stand on two feet.
“Your Lucario is fast I’ll give you that, let’s see if your Pokémon can handle this. Use earthquake.” Slaking jumped again and managed to shake the entire gym again and the one who took the most damage was Lucario.
“Quickly Lucario, jump.” She did that.
Lucario jumped so high that she almost hit the ceiling, everyone was surprised how high Lucario could jump. “Your Lucario can jump high, I give you that. Right now, he hasn’t anywhere to go and can’t attack.” Norman told her.
“Thank you pointing out the obvious, let me tell you two things. One; my Lucario isn’t a he, it a she and the second; she can attack, use aura sphere.” Lucario started to gather energy in it’s palms and form it into a ball, she then send it towards Slaking.
“Blok it Slaking.” Slaking held up his hand and managed to bloke the attack, it created a small explosion.
When the smoke cleared Lucario was standing right in front of Slaking and before he and Norman could react. “Use close combat.” Lucario punched Slaking in the stomach and then she kicked him, then another punched and then two kicks to the stomach. It kept going for a few seconds. “Finished it Lucario.” Lucario gave it one last round kick and managed to kick Slaking so hard that he flew a meter up in the air and landed with big thumb on the floor, he was out.
“Slaking is unable to battle Lucario is the winner, that means that the victory in this battle is Luna.” Announced Max.
Luna didn’t comprehend what just happened at first but then she got a smile on her face, she ran over to Lucario and gave her a hug. “We did it Lucario.” Lucario gladly returned the hug.
Norman called back Slaking. “You did a good job, take a good rest.” He then looked over at Luna and Lucario who was hugging each other, it but a smile on his face.
Back with James and the girls, Aura leaned back with a heavy sigh. “Wow, I’m beat, and I didn’t even battle.”
James nodded. “That was one hell of a battle.” He looked over to May. “Are you angry that you father lost?”
May just shook her head. “No, he fought with valor and that’s all that’s matter to me.”
Back on the field, Norman had approached Luna and Lucario. “Here you go Luna as prove that you beaten me here is your balance badge.”
He handed her the badge and she gladly took it. “Thanks Norman, I’m sorry what I said to you when Lucario was hurt.”
He just gave her an assuring smile.” Don’t worry about it, you were right. I shouldn’t have said those words, I hope that can forgive me.”
“Don’t worry about that part.” They shook hands.
After the battle James, Aura and Luna was on their way to the Pokémon center, Aura put both hands behind her head. “That was some battle, more intense then any of mine. That’s for sure.”
“Yes, it was. What are you going to do now Aura? Are you going to challenge Norman?” James asked her.”
She shook her head. “Not right now, I don’t think I’m ready for him yet. I guess I’ll go and train some more, what about you two? Are you going to the next gym?” She asked them both.
“James suggested that we should head to Littleroot, so I can visit my Pokémon.” Luna answered her.
“That’s sound nice, I have to travel back to Sinnoh to do that.”
With their plans laid out, they walked back to the center to prepare.