The Ketchum Family

It's Complicated

The day has come for Terence's next gym battle. The trio are in Cerulean City and aiming to increase their number of badges. What sort of challenges will the brash boy face? What twists and turns await them. Surely a gym battle can't be that complicated...

This chapter takes place a few days after the previous one. I hope you like this humorous and exciting ride.

The sun rises above Cerulean City and our heroes have an important day ahead of them. The first of their gym battles awaits and Terence is planning to issue the challenge! Has he learned enough to win on the first attempt, or will he have to come back tomorrow?

The pillared entry way of the Cerulean gym towered in front of Terence, Gwyn and Cyril. They stared up at the massive arrays of shining windows which made up the roof of the complex. The facility was enormous and more than a little intimidating.

During their first journey, the previous year, they'd considered challenging the Cerulean gym when they'd passed through the city, but had ultimately decided against it. Terence hadn't yet caught Magnemite and none of them thought they could beat the gym leader. Now, they were back and failure wasn't an option.

Terence clinched his hands into fists and grinned broadly. "All right!! It's time to get another gym badge!!" he declared eagerly. "Let's go!!"

The boy stood in his enthusiastic pose for a couple seconds, waiting for a reply from his two friends. The only response was the slow, steady panting of Gwyn and Cyril gasping for breath. Terence turned around and eyed his friends. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked.

Gwyn, doubled over with her hands on her knees, let out a wheezing laugh. "Heehh, what's wrong..." she gasped. "We just... ran all the way from... route five..."

"Yeah," Cyril groaned. "Give us a... minute... huh..."

Terence frowned and cast a glance up at the sun. It was not yet midday but he still felt anxious. He wanted to get the gym battle started as soon as he could.

"Well, okay," he relented.

With that, the trio of kids moved to a nearby bench and sat down. Once they'd all caught their breath, Cyril started reading his Pokédex and Gwyn started feeding Turtee a snack. Terence pulled out Magnemite's Pokéball and twirled it through his fingers, imagining the upcoming battle.

"Oh, boy," the young man opined. "So, be sure to make lots of notes for when you two challenge the gym."

"Definitely," Cyril replied. "I've already been researching what Pokémon I could catch around here."

Gwyn fed Turtee another pellet of Pokémon food before speaking up. "What's it look like?" she asked.

Cyril eyed his Pokédex. "Bellsprout or Oddish," he replied. "According to this, they're both north of here."

Terence leaned in and looked at the Pokédex. "Yeah, either one of those will be a great choice; maybe both. I've heard the gym leader here likes to use two Pokémon."

Cyril nodded and put the Pokédex away. "I probably only need to catch one. Hoothoot can be my other Pokémon."

Turtee made a few chirps and Gwyn smiled. "I'm all set. Between Turtee and Swirly, I think we can win!"

As the trio continued talking, a chestnut-haired man strolled down the pathway and walked through the towering, sliding doors. They paid him no heed... for a minute anyway.

Terence suddenly straightened up and shot a concerned look at the gym's entry way. "Hey, what if that guy is here to challenge the gym?!"

All three kids intently looked toward the gym. A few tense seconds passed and the trio abruptly bolted off of the bench. With frantic chirps of distress, they raced through the entryway and were immediately confronted with stairs, corridors and elevators; going in all directions.