Sinnoh Journey

Chapter 16 - Triple Challenge

The next morning, the group decided to go and challenge Fantina's Gym. Kyra explained that Fantina specialised in Ghost Types, something Nate was far from looking forward to.

"Are you sure there isn't another Gym we can go and take on? Some Regions have more than eight Gym Leaders, maybe Sinnoh is one of them," Nate suggested.

"Nope, Sinnoh has only got the eight. Look, I know you're not one hundred percent happy around Ghost Types, but you have Haunter remember. Haunter hasn't hurt you, neither will many Ghost Types," Willow reminded, they were nearly at the Gym now and she had resorted to pushing Nate to the Gym herself.

Kyra knew that she too had been forced to face her fears recently, the pokémon who had been drinking whilst she was cleaning her arm yesterday was still very much on her mind.

"If it makes you feel better Nate, you're not the only one who has to face their fears. Whilst I was cleaning my arm in the waterfall yesterday, there was a Yanmega there too, it took me a couple of minutes to notice it, but I freaked out the second I did. It went to use Sonic Boom on me and I was sure I was going to hit me, but Lucario stopped me from getting hurt, hence I have the new Bone Staff I showed you both last night. Point is, you have me and Willow with you to stop you from being too scared, we'll be right there with you the whole time," Kyra said, hoping that Nate knowing she had managed to somewhat deal with her worst fear would give him some confidence too.

Nate appreciated Kyra giving him some confidence and knew she was right. If Kyra had been close to her worst fear and nothing bad had happened to her, then nothing would happen to him either.

Fantina was more than ready for taking on challengers. After her meeting with Kyra last night, she hoped that all had worked out well for Kyra and her friends in the end. She had a plan for the three of them when they did challenge her Gym, but she certainly wasn't expecting a challenge from the three so early.

"You three made up then, I'm glad," Fantina said, glad to see the three friends reunited.

"Mhm, we talked things through and sorted it out. I was just over thinking the whole thing as usual," Kyra replied, just as releived as Fantina that the three had sorted their disagreement out.

Despite the three friends clearly being close again, Fantina still felt it best to pose her suggestion, that way she could see how the three would battle under unusual circumstances.

"I was wondering if you three would want to complete your Gym Battle as a Triple Battle? I would use three of my pokémon, and you would each use one of your own. That way, I can see how you three battle together and work alongside one another," Fantina suggested, hoping the three would accept her request.

Kyra was more than happy to accept the request, that way she could truly feel the three were back to a group once again. Nate too agreed that it would be a good idea, that way he would be battling against Ghost Types alone. Willow was just as eager, battling alongside her friends where they were battling together was something she hadn't expected to do in an official Battle like this, but now was her chance.

"We accept," the three said, agreeing to battle Fantina in a Triple Battle.

Fantina led the way to the battle field, whilst on the way, she questioned how many Gym Badges the three already had. She had two separate teams, one for challengers who had four or less Gym Badges, then one for trainers with five or more Gym Badges. Her partner stayed on her team regardless of the challenger's strength, but the other pokémon on her team changed.

"Alright, we need a plan. If you two don't mind, I'll take the lead here. No offence to you two, but you don't battle as well when it comes to strategies. So far in Gym Battles, you've both either only just got by, or ended in a draw. We'll need to choose our pokémon first, that way I'll be able to strategise better. I'll be using Gabite if that helps you two choose who you'll be using," Kyra explained.