Mega Love

Chapter Twelve

    Once we regain our energy at the cafe, we head back over to the Santalune City Gym. We take a deep breath and step inside.
    White walls are all lined with giant framed photographs of Pokémon. As soon as we enter, a blond woman with a giant camera spins around to face us.
    "Oho!" the photographer says. "You two are perfect! You two come over here quickly!"
    "Um, actually..." starts Serena.
    "I just want to get a picture of you two. It will be real quick!" she says.
    I don't even know how to react to this, but Serena decides that we should just go along with it.
    "I guess..." says Serena.
    "Yay! Come stand over here," says the photographer.
    Serena and I walk over to the designated spot.
    "Okay, now get a little bit closer," the photographer says. We both scoot a little bit closer to each other. "You're not total strangers! Get a little closer!" Serena and I are now standing shoulder to shoulder. "Alright,  beautiful! Now smile!"
    "Cheese," says Serena and I. With a flash, the picture is taken.
    "Now, let's have the girl turn to her left, and the guy put his arms around her," says the photographer. My face grows extremely red. Put my arms around Serena?
    "WE'RE NOT DOING THAT! We're not even a couple!" yells Serena.
    Another flash goes off. "What? But I wanted to do a kissing one next!" says the photographer. My heart races at the thought.
    "That's enough! Where can we find the gym leader?!" says Serena.
    "Where? Well, right here of course! Because she is me!" says the photographer.
    "You're the gym leader?" I ask.
    "Yes! My name is Viola and I'm Santalune City's Gym Leader. I also happen to be a professional photographer!" says Viola. "Those determined expressions... That glint in your eyes that says you're up to the challenge... It's fantastic! I knew the second you two walked in that you would be great subjects for my camera!"
    "It's all coming together now isn't it," I say.
    "I also saw your little commotion this morning as well!" says Viola.
    "You saw that?!" says Serena.
    "How could I not? I could never miss a moment to capture a great picture right outside my very own gym!" says Viola.
    "You took pictures of our battle?" asks Serena.
    "Of course! Pokémon battles are like a whole new depth of field for my camera! I'm always looking for those perfect moments!" says Viola.
    "Makes sense to me," I say.
    "Right?" replies Viola. "So I assume you two are here to challenge me to a gym battle?"
    "Yes! We would greatly appreciate it!" says Serena.
    "This is your guys' first time challenging a Gym, right?" asks Viola. We nod and she continues, " Fantastic! Follow me!"
    Viola leads us downstairs to a battlefield with a web designed on the floor.
    "Oho! Fancy!" I say.
    "Not even!" says Viola with a laugh. "Every Gym has a custom battlefield. Mine's actually pretty basic. Each gym also has its own set of rules that can be changed at any time by the Gym Leader! Since this is the first time you two are challenging a Gym, may I ask how many
Pokémon you each have with you?"
    "Just my starter," I reply.
    "Same here," says Serena.
    "Perfect! That makes it really simple!" says Viola. "The rules for the battle will be a single battle, with both sides being allowed to use only one Pokémon."
    "Okay," says Serena.
    "So who's first?" asks Viola.
    Man. I didn't get to do any training because of the roller skating! Not only has Serena got practice in, but she could of brought more Pokémon if she wanted. I'm lagging behind here, and if I don't win here, I might get left behind.
    "I'll go first!" says Serena. She turns to me for confirmation, and I nod and smile.
The two trainers get into their positions. A judge is standing on the sidelines between the two sides of the field.
    "Good luck Serena!" I yell out.
    "Thanks!" says Serena with a smile.
    I can see her nervousness mixed in with her excitement. She's determined to show that her work up to this point hasn't been in vain.
    "Come on out, Surskit!" says Viola, releasing her Pokémon onto the field.
    Surskit is a water and bug type Pokémon. That means Serena won't be at a type disadvantage. It would have been bad for me to go first.
    "Let's do this Froakie!" says Serena as her partner takes the field.
    With the judge's announcement, the battle begins. Viola stands with her camera ready.
    "Surskit, use Quick Attack!" says Viola. Surskit skids across the floor very quickly towards Froakie.
    "Counter with Pound once it gets close!" says Serena. Froakie's Pound connects with the Surskit's Quick Attack, and they both are sent recoiling back.
    "Froakie! Use Bubble!" says Serena.
    "Use Bubble as well!" says Viola.
    The two Pokémon use bubble, and the attacks clash mid-air. The attacks cancel each other out, leaving the floor wet.
    "Quick Attack! But this time, don't let up!" says Viola.
    Unexpectedly, Surskit moves even quicker than before! Froakie is hit before it can even respond. How did it gain so much speed?!
    "My Surskit moves even faster when on water! It's beautiful! I can barely catch it on my camera!" says Viola.
    What's Serena going to do?!
    Surskit continues to bombard Froakie with attacks.
    Watching closely, Serena finally calls out, "Block it!"
    Froakie spins around, using its air bubbles to block the attack.
    "Now jump up!" yells Serena. Froakie jumps into the air.
    "Bubble!" says Viola. Surskit fires bubbles into the air.
    "Counter with Bubble again!" says Serena.
    Bubbles collide mid-air again, causing an explosion. This makes it hard to see. All of a sudden, Froakie appears right in front of Surskit. Froakie uses Pound! Surskit is sent flying. Serena had Froakie jump into the air to get Surskit to sit still. She's a genius!
    The judge checks Surskit's condition and announces, "Surskit is unable to battle! The winner is, the challenger!"
    "Yeah!" I yell.
    "We did it... We actually did it!" says Serena, not completely sure if this is reality. Froakie and Serena embrace each other in happiness. "We did it Froakie! Thank you so much! You did great!"
    "Thanks Surskit, I know you did your best," says Viola as she returns her Pokémon. "That being said, I captured the exact moment of your victory Serena. What an amazing sight!"
    "We're not done quite yet though," says Serena, turning to look at me.
    "The pressure is really racking on now!" I say.
    "You've got this Calem!" says Serena.
    Serena wastes no time in switching things over to my battle. Serena and I switch places, and I mentally prepare myself for the battle.
    "Alright! Let's go Fennekin!" I say, releasing Fennekin onto the field. Fennekin's eyes have the same determination as when we battled Shauna.
    "Sorry Calem, but I'm not so sure you're going to be able to beat my next Pokémon. Vivillon, enter the frame!" says Viola. The majestic butterfly Pokémon that springs forth twirls in the air.
    Not a water bug this time? Perfect.
    The judge announces the beginning of the battle.
    "Ember, let's go!" I say right off the bat.
    "Dodge it!" replies Viola.
    Fennekin fires a burning ember at the flying Vivillon, but it easily dodges. This is to be expected, but the fact that she decided to dodge is good.
    "Vivillon, use Infestation!" says Viola.
    "Keep using Ember!" I say.
    Infestation is a move that tries to trap the opponent with tiny little bugs. Fennekin manages to take out a big chunk of the incoming bugs with her Embers, but not all of them.
    "Run away quick, Fennekin!" I say. "Circle back around and use Scratch!"
    Fennekin runs around and jumps up at Vivillon.
    "Use Harden Vivillon!" says Viola.
    Before Fennekin can connect, Vivillon covers itself in a hard encasing, making Fennekin hurt herself. Physical attacks aren't going to work if she has Harden, but every move has its drawbacks.
    "Fennekin back up and use Ember again!" I say.
    "That won't work! Vivillon, Infestation!" says Viola.
    "Target the Vivillon! Keep firing no matter what!" I say.
    "What?! Vivillon dodge!" says Viola.
    Vivillon sends out its bugs and attempts to dodge the incoming Embers, but isn't fast enough. The Embers continue to hit their mark, even as the bugs start to infest Fennekin. After the third Ember hits, Vivillon falls to the ground, and the bugs disappear off Fennekin.
    "Vivillon is unable to battle! And the winner is... the challenger!" says the judge.
    Fennekin and I sigh in relief. If Vivillon didn't go down quick, Fennekin would of been a goner.
    "Good work, Fennekin! I'm glad you trusted me," I say.
    "You did it!" screams out Serena as she runs up to me.
    "Indeed we did!" I say, giving her a thumbs up.
    "Even though I knew Harden would make Vivillon heavier, I would have never had the guts to go all out like that!" says Serena.
    "Well when you put it like that, it makes me sound super reckless," I say with a laugh.
    "Reckless or not, you and your Fennekin have truly shown me a new depth of field! Fantastic!" says Viola. "Will you both come over here to me?"
    Serena and I walk over to Viola with our Pokémon.
    "Young trainers. You... No, it wasn't you alone. You and your Pokémon have shown me a whole new depth of field! Fantastic! Just fantastic! Please take these," says Viola, holding out her hands. On each palm lies a Gym Badge. Serena and I each take a badge. "This Bug Badge commemorates your win against a pro photog like me."
    "Thank you," says Serena and I.
    "Now then, can you zoom in a bit to check out the tent behind me? Take the stairs that you find beyond it, and you'll be back up to the entrance faster than a flash! The world you see through a lens, and the world you see with a Pokémon by your side... The same world can look entirely different depending on your view. I wish you both the best of luck, and I'm sure we'll meet again someday. Maybe I can be your wedding photographer?"
    Married?! I look down in embarrassment. We aren't even a couple! Do we look like we are going to get married? I can't help but imagine Serena in a wedding dress, and man does she look good!
    "We're not a couple!" yells Serena. "Calem, let's go!"
    Serena walks off towards the stairs with her head down and face red.
    Viola giggles to herself, "This is for you." She hands me two pictures from before. One is where Serena and I are smiling, and the other is where Serena is angry and I'm embarrassed. I smile and thank Viola before heading after Serena.