Kira stared down at the ball in her hand, her fingers tapping lightly against it as it rolled in her palm. A cool breeze swept over one of the few green areas of the city, a small park a short walk away from the Pokémon center. Quietly she considered her options one last time, did she trust Azure to take on the Gym on his own or did she trust the little shapeshifting gremlin she caught the day before?

Kira looked out from her spot under a tree, she managed to find a rather quiet spot. The only activity she noticed was the splashing of water in the nearby lake from Azure's playing. If anywhere, this would be the spot to give the little thing a chance. Letting out a long breath out of her nose she casually tossed the ball, mustering up a stern look as she did.

The Black fox Pokémon scurried in place once again as it appeared with a bright red flash, clearly not used to the ball yet. As it appeared to reorient itself it stumbled backwards a bit once it caught sight of Kira.

Kira gave a bit of an annoyed sigh as it put up the fearful act again. "Come on, cut that out. I'm giving you a chance here. She said before kneeling to get closer. "In fact, if it weren't for me you'd likely be trapped in a ball or cage after the police got to you. Who knows for how long?"

Kira sighed as the Pokémon kept giving the same fearful expression, looking back and forth around itself. "Maybe I should give you a name first…" She said with a gentler tone now that a stern one has backfired a second time. "Let's go with Nyx, alright?"

The newly named Nyx seemed to loosen up as Kira began speaking in a softer tone, still acting somewhat guarded however. "Alright, now that that's settled, I've got something for you to do here." Kira announced, pulling out a few colorful nylon threaded balls.

"So Azure and I do this all the time, all I want you to do is hit these balls. Try to get them before they hit the ground!" Kira explained before tossing the ball. Nyx simply stared at the ball as it landed on the ground, eventually pouncing on it a long moment after it landed.

"I see… You might need a demonstration. Azure! Come here!"

The joyous Seal barked in excitement as he made his way over to Kira, leaving a small path in the grass as he rolls along.

"Alright Azure, you know what to do!" Kira called out as she tossed one of the balls into the air. Without a moment's hesitation he happily shot a salty stream of water, knocking it a few feet away before falling to the ground.

"There, just like that. Your turn Nyx!" Kira called out as she once again, tossed the ball into the air. Nyx, standing on her hind legs trying to bat it out of the air, fell on her back as the ball sailed well over her head and on the ground about two feet away.

"This might take a while…" Kira muttered under her breath.

There's no way..." Kira thought to herself as she approached the center of the city, weaving through people with her rushed pace. "Nyx was so slow, there's no way she could take on a proper battle, especially not against a gym leader..."

Kira gritted her teeth in frustration "Geez, I didn't think of this at all. I expected her attitude to be difficult to work with, not this..."

"Hey! Kira!" Called out a male voice, Snapping Kira out of her train of thought. Looking up, she instantly recognized the older looking man standing outside of the Gym's entrance.

"Hey!" Kira called back, her mood brightening up in an instant. Kira's brisk pace picking up into a jog for the last bit of stretch to the gym. "Didn't expect to see you here so early Officer Rodgers." Kira said with a bit of a coy smile.

"Okay, come on. I'm not even wearing my uniform right now. You're doing it on purpose." The man said, smiling despite his slightly sulking tone.

"Yep" Kira admitted flatly. As she did though, Kira spotted another familiar face nearby, a taller, tan woman, this time in more casual clothes. "I... Wasn't expecting to see you here though Roxanne..."

"Yeah, Jason mentioned being here early so I figured I'd meet up with him here." She said with a sheepish tone, stepping forward a bit. "He told me you were a bit of a troublemaker so I guess that little fox and you should get along well."

"Right..." Kira said, somewhat unamused. Her arms folded across her chest.

"Yeah..." Roxanne said with a bit of a hollow laugh. "However, what I really mean to say is; Thank you, thank you so much!" she said, suddenly stepping forward to embrace Kira.

Kira gave a bit of a yelp in surprise, not expecting the sudden embrace what-so-ever. "Hey, let me go!" Kira complained, trying to push herself away from the larger woman.

"Sorry, but you really didn't need to do that for me. Especially after what I did..." Roxanne insisted as she freed Kira. "But I really appreciate it, thank you so much! Again!" She said, a smile beaming on her face.

"I-I didn't do it for you, just Jason." Kira said with a bit of a stutter, her red face clearly giving away her lie.

"Right, anyway, since you decided to turn down my other gift I decided to get you something else!" Roxanne said in a very chipper tone as she pushed a bumpy yellow Helmet into Kira's hands. "Jason mentioned you'd be facing off against Deidre today so I managed to get that for you from the construction yard."

Kira shuffled awkwardly a bit as the helmet was thrust into her hands, it was really weird for her to see Roxanne this happy after what they've been through. "It's a hard hat..." Kira remarked in a bit of a confused tone.

"More or less, believe it or not there was once an age where I used to enjoy watching Deidre fight. She likes to fight very close and personally with her pokemon so a few challengers would try using something like this once they picked up on that." Roxanne explained.

"Alright, I'll consider it... Azure's going to be going at it alone so I guess I'll need any advantage I can get, thanks." Kira remarked, looking the construction hat over.

"Wait, Roxanne mentioned you caught another pokemon when you met her. What about that one?" Jason asked, finally piping up again.

"There's no way Nix is ready for a fight, especially with a gym leader. Azure can roll circles around her and he isn't exactly built for land." Kira said with a bit of a sigh, holding the helmet under her arm for now.

"Nix huh? Well have you tried battling with her?" Jason asked with a concerned look.

"Not exactly, Trained with her a bit at the park though. She was more cooperative than I thought she would be, but made up for that with her clumsiness." Kira explained.

"Alright, I know I'm not a trainer in the traditional sense however you know I work with pokemon. You mention how she isn't ready for a proper battle yet, especially against a gym leader. However; A Gym leader's purpose is to evaluate you, perhaps teach you a thing or two and to hold back so it's a fair fight for the most part. This should be the perfect chance for Nyx to get some battle experience, not the worst time. Especially if you have no other option." Jason lectured, somewhat getting into his 'Cop voice'.

"You think huh?" Kira asked, weighing her options.

"I can tell you, I've seen her use plenty of different pokemon." Roxanne began explaining. " She usually used her tougher pokemon against challengers with more badges, and you're fresh out of school right? Considering that, there shouldn't be too much to worry about."

"Well, Again then I'll consider it. I didn't exactly leave a good first impression on Nyx so I'll probably leave it up to her whether she wants to battle or not."

"Whatever you decide we'll be cheering you on." Jason said with a smile. "Speaking of which we should probably stop loitering around here and go inside, we'll be in the gallery. Good luck Kira."

"Thank you, I promise I'll do my best."

As Kira entered the building it became clear why it's been mostly vacant, Crumbling walls and broken windows ruled the gym's aesthetic, whether intentional or not Kira didn't have the heart to ask. As she walked further in the floorboards tended to creak, Less in the creepy horror way and more in a "I should probably get out of here before the roof collapses" kind of way.

Normally she'd be hesitant to even step through the doorway of such a place, however Kira was resolute. These were the first steps she had to take to fulfill her dream and she wasn't about to let a few water stained walls scare her off.

As she entered the main room of the building it seemed to be dimly lit, ready for her arrival. In the gallery she could see Jason who seemed rather uncomfortable with the state of the building and Roxanne who conversely seemed fine, perhaps the decrepit state of the building was intentional? On the floor was a ring outlined with faded white paint and across from that, Deidre.

"So, the first of you all finally show up. I told that kid eight AM, it's nearly noon." Deidre said in an annoyed tone.

"Sorry, I had something I had to take care of before I headed out here." Kira explained, her nerves beginning to rise.

"I take it that means you're ready then." Deidre asked.

"No, I'm not. However I don't really have a choice now do I?" Kira said matter in factly, throwing a question right back.

"Well, technically you do ya smartass. But good on you for coming anyway." Deidre retorted with a bit of a smirk. "The fight will be a two vs two, I don't have a starter so I'll be setting a timer for one minute. When it goes off, we start."

Kira nodded as Deidre began the timer. reaching for her pocket, she pulled out a standard looking ball and threw it. "Alright lets give this a shot!" she shouted as Azure appeared from the ball, much to the confusion of Kira.

"Did I..." Kira muttered to herself checking the other ball in her pocket, Azure looking back at her with an uncharacteristically sly grin. As she pulled out Azure's usual light blue ball she paused for just a moment before realizing what's happening. Smiling, she looked back up at Deidre "So twenty more seconds then, right?"

"That's what it says... Oh, and feel free to be as rough as you like. To be honest It'd be rather cathartic for me to see this place torn up a bit." Deidre said flatly. Sending out a small, black bird pokemon.

Kira nodded as the timer counted down it's last few seconds. "5... 4... 3... 2... 1... FWEEEEEEET"

"Murkrow, Aerial ace!" Deidre shouted, wasting no time.


"Azure, wait for them to get close and strike on my mark!" Kira shouted to Azure who gave an understanding nod before taking as much of a stance as a landbound seal can.

The murkrow perched itself on a loose board on the Ceiling before darting down at an impressive speed towards Azure, Swiftly closing the distance between the two of them.


"And... MARK!" Kira shouted out. With a fiery look in his eyes, Azure lifted one of his fins and tried to strike at the diving murkrow.

The Murkrow slammed right into Azure who in turn seemed to bat the bird on the head. Both were knocked back by the recoil of the head on collision... Yet Azure seemed to be gone. In his place a small black fox.

"I had a feeling that's what was going on..." Deidre said with a Wry smile. "They're a bit uncommon, but they can be found around here. Murkrow, Wing attack!"


"Nyx! Don't her Psyche you out! Just do the same as before!" Kira called out.

Brushing herself off from the collision, Nyx took an alert stance as the murkrow charged at her once again, this time mostly parallel to the ground as it charged. Once again they collided, wing for claw. In the end, as the Murkrow looked worn down Nyx couldn't take anymore and fell prone, completely exhausted.

Kira sighed as she returned Nyx to her ball. "You did better than I thought Nyx, I'm proud of you." Reaching into her pocket she pulled out the light, aqua blue ball. "Alright Azure, Your turn!" Kira called out, letting the ball fly.

Azure gave a cheerful cry as he emerged, the slightly too big rocky helmet from Roxanne mildly obscuring his vision.

"Huh, it's been awhile since I've seen that trick. Maybe you got some advice from an old fan of mine." Deidre taunted, looking out towards the gallery as Roxanne timidly avoided eye contact.


"Alright Azure, We're in it for the long haul. Keep steady and use Aqua Ring!" Kira called out, Azure happily obliged and evoked a few rings of water around himself as once again the Murkrow charged. "Keep your head down Azure!" Kira called out. As the Murkrow collided with Azure, it was abundantly clear it did more harm to itself against the solid helmet than it did to Azure as it tumbled across the floor, unable to fight any longer.

"I don't have too much patience for that defensive play of yours." Deidre said as she returned the Murkrow to its ball. Shortly after retrieving a new one. "Rip that helmet to shreds Mightyena!" Deidre commanded as the pokemon appeared with a dark growl. "Thunder Fang!"

"Azure! Tuck into that helmet further with defense curl!" Kira called out. Azure, a bit intimidated by the larger pokemon quickly did so.

The larger wolf like pokemon quickly charged forward, Its mouth violently sparking as it bares its fangs. As it bit into the helmet Azure was hiding beneath, electricity scattered across its surface, strikning Azure as it made its way to the ground.

Azure grunted but seemingly managed to shrug off the attack. "Alright Azure! Use Brine!" Kira called out. Trying to comply however, Azure couldn't manage to shake off the jitters of the last attack before the hound came in for seconds, sending that same electricity scattered across the helmet's rocky surface, and through Azure.

"Azure!" Kira cried as Azure yelped in pain. The Mightyena, while unhappily gritting its teeth from biting into the same hard object twice in a row, seemed to be doing far better than Azure was.

Kira quickly wracked her brain for any way out of this situation. Azure didn't stand a chance if he couldn't react fast enough to fight back, yet there was nothing in his move set that could really act as an ace in the hole. Aqua ring was helping him keep on his feet but he clearly only had a hit or two left in him before they lost.

"Mightyena, one more. Go for the finish!" Deidre called out, The wolf like pokemon one more baring its fangs as it went in.

"Azure..." Kira called, hesitating for just a moment. "Roll... Roll under Mightyena then wait on my mark!" Azure, mustering what little strength he had, prepared himself for Kira's last gambit. By sheer miracle, Azure managed to shake his jitters for long enough as Mightena approached and managed to trip up the charging hound, rolling right into it's personal space.

"Aim straight up and use Brine! Hit the ceiling!" Kira called out, praying her stupid idea manages to work. With one last cry, Azure sends a powerful stream of water directly up, striking the old, dilapidated ceiling.

The effect was immediate, as the salty stream of water hit the ceiling several large snaps could be heard. Tumbling down came a large amount of boards, metal and other debris toppling on top of the confused hound and the seal hiding beneath it. With a loud, panicked bark the both of them were buried.

Kira couldn't help but gasp as the debris buried the two of them. One part in concern for Azure, in another sheer disbelief that her plan seemed to work. Even Deidre seemed somewhat stunned at what just happened.

The pile of rubble was still ominously still for just a moment before it began to move. Shards of wood and large bits of metal from what used to be the ceiling began to shift around before the Mightyena emerged from the pile. As it limped back over towards Deidre it revealed Azure, knocked out at the bottom of the pile. While he was shielded from most of it, it seemed the collision took the last little bit he had left out of him.

Kira gave a bit of a relieved sigh as Azure seemed fine for the most part. Somberly, she returned him to his ball before turning to confront Deidre.

"God Damn kid…" Deidre began with an exhausted tone. "When I said I was annoyed by that defensive style you didn't have to go and slam down the other end of the scale like that. What would you have done if the entire thing collapsed?"

"I dunno honestly. I just figured you wouldn't have asked me to tear the place up a bit if you didn't think it could handle it." Kira said bluntly, yet with a somber tone.

"Fair enough…" Deidre replied, her arms crossed.

"Yeah… Well, I guess I'll see you in Vinylace then. I promise I won't try to pull the same thing there…" Kira said with a sigh. Disappointed that she lost, yet not entirely unhappy with the battle.

"Are you an idiot?" Deidre asked mockingly, snapping kira out of her somber state. "Cause only a complete dumbass would follow me there."

"Are you implying I should give up? After four days? Do you know how long I went to school for this!? I almost beat you!" Kira replied shocked, her tone rapidly rising as she spoke.

"Can you not read the writing on the wall? There's nothing there for you in Vinylace! It's all a waste of time!" Deidre scolded.

"Spare me, If I wanted to hear that nonsense I'd just call my mom. I worked my ass off for this license, I'm not going to give up after half a damn week!" Kira shouted.

"Let me talk you idiot!" Deidre shouted, startling Kira just a bit. "I looked into the dock schedule last night after that kid found me. Tomorrow morning there's a ferry that leads to Slateport city in Hoenn… If you want to get anywhere with that license of yours, take that ferry."

"H-Hoenn…" Kira stammered. "Part of why I started all this is so I could participate in the League here… In my hometown."

"Hope you got some spare cash then, cause you'll be funding it yourself. Otherwise, if you want to have any success as a trainer, you need to go to Hoenn. Maybe prove that mommy of yours wrong while you're at it." Deidre said with a mocking smile.

"I'm…" Kira began before letting out a heavy sigh. "You're right…"

"Good girl, you're not as dumb as you look."

"I'll check tonight, I don't have a ton of money but my dad works the ferries, maybe I can mention his name for a free ticket or something…" Kira said in a defeated tone.

"Don't bother, I already got you a ticket. Just mention your name and they should have it on record."

"T-Thanks…" Kira said somberly once more, tears beginning to run down her cheeks.

"It's not a problem. However…" Deidre began, pausing for a brief moment in her sentence. "If you want to make up to me, then kick ass over there. You can't really accomplish much from here but if word got out that a Kinyo native was tearing her way through the Hoenn league, maybe things might get a bit better here."

Kira merely nodden, giving her best attempt at a smile to Deidre.

"Either way, work with that Zorua of yours, she needs the work more. The spheal was a bit wet behind the ears but he managed to get my Mightyena limping, not bad for a newbie but remember, you need to win your battles. Not just come close." Deidre said, offering her hand out.

"Yeah, will do." Kira meekly replied, reaching out as well to shake her hand.