On The Road

Chapter Fourteen

"Hello?" Larance called as they all entered the gym.

"Well, look at who it is!" A jolly looking old man walked up to them, grinning. "A challenger! Or, possible four challengers!"

"Just me," Larance chuckled. "I've come to challenge you for the badge."

"Ah, yes," the man replied cheerfully. "My name is Wattson, and this gym is electric type. And who are you?"

"My name is Larance," Larance replied. "It's nice to meet you, Wattson."

Wattson let out a chuckle before leading Larance to the battlefield. They soon stood on opposite sides of each other, the other three sitting on the sidelines.

"This will be a two on two battle," Wattson announced, pulling out a pokeball. "The person with the last remaining Pokemon wins. Let's go, Manectric!"

"Flareon!" Larance called out as said Pokemon ran out in front of him. "Let's show him what we can do!"

Flareon and Manectric growled at each other.

"Begin!"

Both Pokemon let out a battle cry and ran towards each other.

***

"Magneton is unable to battle! Combusken is the winner!"

Wattson looked shocked and amused at the same time as his Pokemon fainted. Across from him, Combusken hugged her trainer, while Larance let out a happy cheer. The others cheered as well and ran over to him, congratulating him.

"That was an amazing battle," Wattson applauded as he approached Larance. "Here, you deserve this badge."

"Thank you," Larance grinned widely as he took the badge from the Leader's hand and pinned it right below his first badge.

"I hope you beat all of the gyms!" Wattson waved cheerfully as the four friends left.

"So, are we off to Verdanturf now?" Bina asked as they walked to the west.

"I guess so," Wally sighed and shrugged. "Let's hurry before my uncle has a heart attack."

The others laughed just as they walked onto Route 117. Two different Pokemon cries alerted them. A Nuzleaf was being chased by a horde of Beedrill while an Eevee was being chased by a horde of Skarmory.

"Arriete and I will take the Beedrill," Larance told the others as he took off running. "Bina, you and Wally take the Skarmory."

All of the friends nodded and took off in different directions.

"Dustox! Gust!" Larance shouted.

"Paragon! Bite!" Arriete commanded.

Both Pokemon obeyed, attacking the Beedrill. Frightened, the Beedrill swarmed off, leaving Nuzleaf by itself. Larance carefully kneeled down by the Pokemon, and offered his hand.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked gently.

"It looks like it's a male Nuzleaf."

Both Larance and Arriete turned to see Bina and Wally walk towards them, the Eevee from earlier trailing behind her.

"Is that-?" Arriete began.

"Yup, meet my new partner, Eevee," Bina smiled. "She's a really sweet Pokemon."

A bright light from behind Arriete made her turn her head just in time to see Larance release the Nuzleaf.

"I guess that Nuzleaf is your new Pokemon as well," Arriete chuckled.