My Champion

Chapter 2: Wooloo, Wooloo

"AAAAND THE WINNER OF THE TURFFIELD GYM CHALLENGE IS... CHALLENGER CLARA!"

The crowd at Turffield stadium cheers as the stadium lights shine down on Clara and her team. The Grass Gym Leader, Milo, extends a hand accompanied by a warm smile as Clara takes it, beaming back a smile of her own.

"Congratulations, Clara! Even though you've just started your Gym Challenge, I can already tell you share a deep bond with your Pokémon. I'm sure if you nurture and care for that bond, it will take you farther than you can ever imagine."

Clara grins as Milo pulls out a small golden pin from a case and turns to her. An emerald leaf-shaped gem shines under the stadium lights as he shoots her another smile.

"As proof of your victory against me and of the bond shared between you and your Pokémon, I'm proud to give you your first ever gym badge- the Grass Badge!"

The crowd at Turffield stadium cheers once more as Clara takes the gym badge and raises it up in the air triumphantly.

Shortly after the battle, Milo stands out in stadium lobby as he wipes a bead of sweat from his brow. He turns to shoot Clara a small wave as she walks out of the changing room.

"Ah, I was hoping you hadn't left. Here, I also wanted to give you this. It's my favorite TM and you should find use for it in you journey."

Clara's eyes sparkle as she takes the silvery disc and carefully stores it in her bag. She shoots Milo a warm and excited smile before politely bowing.

"Thank you so much, Milo! Truly, I had so much fun during both the mission and the challenge! Hehe, wrangling Wooloo was harder than expected, but I'm still glad I was able to come out on top!"

Milo shakes his head as a small chuckle escapes him. Another bead of sweat runs down his face as he quickly wipes it while straightening up.

"I'm the one who should be thanking you, Clara! That was one heck of a battle and trust me, I get a whole lot of those being the first gym leader and all. I'm seriously impressed at how well you handled you first official match. I can't wait to see what's in store for both you and your team!"

Clara giggles as she stares warmly at the small grass badge that now rests in her palm. A feeling of pride emanating off it's emerald sheen as a certain someone's face flashes in her mind.

Suddenly, a league staff member motions over to Milo from afar. Milo grins sheepishly as he turns to Clara with a small wave.

"Speaking of gym challenges, there's my next one with the champion's little brother. Take care, Clara and congratulations again!"

"We did it, Raboot! We actually did it!"

Clara sings happily as she throws herself onto a warm bed. Her partner Pokémon, Raboot, mimics her actions as the small bun sprawls out next to her, visibly tired from his earlier battle.

Clara holds her grass badge up to the light as she stares at it's golden sheen. Leon's smiling face flashes in her mind as she cups the small badge and holds it closer to her chest.

I did it, Leon. I did it. My first badge. It may just be the beginning, but I did it.

After a warm shower and settling into her pajamas, Clara pulls out a small notebook from her bag and grabs a nearby pen as she begins writing into it.

Raboot, now bathed and fed, grows curious as he watches his trainer scribble furiously and hops over to her. As he moves to get a closer look at what she's writing into, Clara quickly pulls the notebook back and clutches it to her chest.

"H-Hey, you! No peeking! This is personal!"

"Raboo?"

Raboot simply raises an eyebrow as he sits down in front of his trainer and eyes the small book again. He looks between the book and his trainer curiously as he begins to bounce up and down. Clara, seeing his excitement, sighs as she lowers the book.