"Same here, honestly," Shiranui added. He knew why Allister didn't show up at the opening ceremony on account of his shyness.

"Yeah, but Gordie was the one mentioned to be in the rotation for the season," Liam pointed out.

“We will see who we face when we get there,” Jem said as she did not want to argue with her friends as she board the train with Aura.

Shiranui boards the train as well. "Agreed," he replies.

Not long after everyone boarded the train, it set off to its destination. Once it arrived, Liam made a Combee-line for the Pokemon Center.

Jen and Aura made their way to the Pokémon Center.

Shiranui went to the Pokémon Centre to get his team healed.

Serina would be busy on her own, trying to locate her siblings. Though, she did not have to wait long as Aki was at the pokemon centre watching everything.

Once all of the Pokemon being healed were returned, Liam was ready to go to the gym.

Jen sense someone as she put her balls into her bag. Aura walks over to her trainer to see what Jen sense and Jen pets Aura telling her everything is ok.

Shiranui was ready as well. He was thinking over strategies to use against Gordie's Pokémon.

Jen was wondering who wants to go first.

"One of you guys can," Liam offered.

"Jen, do you want to take this or shall I go first?" Shiranui asked.

“Sure, if you want to go first that is fine with me.” Jen said to Shiranui as she pets Aura.

"Very well," Shiranui volunteered.

In the Circhester Gym, Shiranui adjusted his party before his name came up in the fight card. He makes his entrance ninja-style, startling some of the audience. "Hey there. The name's Gordie. I admit I feel a little bad for doing this to a Gym Challenger, but… I'm going to use this match to show the crowd that my Pokémon are unbeatable! So, let's get this over with, Challenger!" Gordie introduced.
"You're not the first trainer I faced to have the hubris to make that claim," Shiranui rebutted with a snappy comeback, "Like everyone else that won your badge, I will prove you wrong!"

"This challenge will be a four-on-four single battle with no time limit," the referee announced, "Only the challenger may switch Pokémon. Begin!"
"Go Barbaracle!" Gordie called.
"Kinoko, I choose you!" Shiranui called, sending out his Breloom. He scanned Barbaracle on his Pokédex app.
"Barbaracle, the Collective Pokémon. A Rock and Water type and the evolved form of Binacle. Seven Binacle come together to form one Barbaracle. The Binacle that serves as the head gives orders to those serving as the limbs."
"Barbaracle, Shell Smash!"
"Kinoko, use Spore!" The Breloom released a cloud of yellow spores that sent Barbaracle to sleep. Kinoko's Toxic Orb activated, rendering her badly poisoned—normally a detriment, but her Poison Heal made the condition favourable.
"Barbaracle, wake up and use Rock Tomb!"
"Kinoko, drop it a Seed Bomb!" Kinoko raised her tail and fired a salvo of seeds into the air. Barbaracle copped some heavy damage from the barrage due to a double weakness, barely surviving the hit. Barbaracle woke up and threw some boulders at Kinoko, not doing much damage but slowing the Breloom down. Kinoko's Poison Heal recovered all the damage she took.
"Barbaracle, give Breloom another Rock Tomb!"
"Kinoko, finish Barbaracle off with a Mach Punch!" Not bothered from being slowed by Barbaracle's Rock Tomb, Kinoko charged in and threw an almost imperceptibly fast punch, knocking Barbaracle out.
"Barbaracle is unable to battle," the referee called, "Breloom wins!"

"So much for 'unbeatable'," Shiranui commented, "You may be good enough to make the rank of gym leader, but you're facing the champion of both the Kanto and Kalos Leagues."
"Well, my next Pokémon will be as hard to crack as a slab of granite," Gordie rebutted, "Go Shuckle!"
"Kinoko, return!" Shiranui called, switching out his Breloom, "Kirigami, I choose you!" He sent out his Kartana.
"Begin!" the referee called, raising both flags.
"Shuckle, Power Split!"
"Kirigami, Smart Strike!" Kirigami charged at Shuckle and delivered an unavoidable hit with a stabbing thrust. Shuckle used a psychic power to average Kirigami's high Attack stat with its own meagre Attack stat.
"Shuckle, Rock Tomb!"
"Kirigami, Laser Focus!" The Kartana focused in on Shuckle's weak spot before getting inundated by a barrage of boulders and suffering a Speed drop.
"Shuckle, Struggle Bug!"
"Kirigami, crack that shell with Guillotine!"
"What?!" Gordie exclaimed as Kirigami jumped high into the air with its blades longer and glowing a bright light blue. An X-shaped cut appeared on Shuckle's back as Kirigami reappeared, striking a pose as Shuckle fainted from the KO move.
"Tcejbo sselhtrow a tuc evah I, niaga ecno," Kirigami commented. Shiranui had heard what Kirigami's strange catchphrase meant after getting a psychic translation after hearing it for the first time.
"Shuckle is unable to battle," the referee called, "Kartana wins!"

"I must admit, that was well executed," Gordie commented, having never seen his Shuckle get so trounced.
"Thank you," Shiranui replied, "I like to think outside the box."
"Well then, let's see how you handle my next Pokémon," Gordie rebutted, "Go Stonjourner!" Gordie sent out a Pokémon that looked like it came out of a henge sporting the elder rune Ingwaz on each of its legs and tall enough to dwarf Saisei in height; and Shiranui scanned the newcomer.
"Stonjourner, the Big Rock Pokémon. A Rock type. It stands in grasslands, watching the sun's descent from zenith to horizon. This Pokémon has a talent for delivering dynamic kicks. Once a year, on a specific date and at a specific time, they gather out of nowhere and form up in a circle."
"Kartana, return; Sogekishu, I choose you!" Shiranui switched out his Kartana and brought out his Inteleon.
"Begin!" the referee called, raising both flags.
"Stonjourner, Body Slam!"
"Sogekishu, Snipe Shot!" As Stonjourner charged at Sogekishu, the Inteleon closed his nictitating membranes, made a finger gun and shot water at Stonjourner. Faster than the blink of an eye, Sogekishu's shot hit Stonjourner in the face for a critical hit at Mach 2. With a mighty crash of more than half a ton of rock, Stonjourner fell over knocked out and Sogekishu blew the pretend smoke from his finger gun.
"Stonjourner is unable to battle," the referee called, "Inteleon wins!"

"Not yet! I'm not crumbling to dust just yet. We can still battle!" Gordie said, sending out his headliner Coalossal. Shiranui scanned Coalossal with his Pokédex app.
"Coalossal, the Coal Pokémon. A Rock and Fire type and the evolved form of Carkol. It's usually peaceful, but the vandalism of mines enrages it. Offenders will be incinerated with flames that reach 1,482°C." Shiranui elected to keep Sogekishu out.
"Begin!" the referee called, raising both flags.
"Like a giant mountain boulder! Hiyah! Gigantamax!" Gordie called.
"Sogekishu, time to test out that soup you had! Gigantamax!" Shiranui called. Both trainers recalled their Pokémon and activated their Dynamax Bands. Gordie's Coalossal came out at a height comparable to a 14-storey apartment building and Sogekishu, although gigantic, lay prone on his own tail at a height one storey shy at the head crest holding a watery harpoon.
"Size means strength! Savor this pain! Use G-max Volcalith!"
"Sogekishu, take your best shot with G-Max Hydrosnipe!" The Gigantamaxed Inteleon took aim at Coalossal and with the precision of a SWAT sniper, fired his harpoon at Mach 7 and in less than a millisecond scored a good hit on Coalossal for enough damage for Coalossal to revert to its normal form and faint from the hit.
"Coalossal is unable to battle," the referee called, "The winner of this battle is Shiranui Tsukiko of Ecruteak City!"

"That was…impressive. Rules are rules. Here, take this Rock Badge," Gordie congratulated.
"Thanks Gordie," Shiranui replied as Sogekishu glided down and landed next to his trainer.

Liam went next. He took the spot on the Challenger side, having altered his team before heading over to the gym that morning.
"So, this is a relative of Chuck's huh," Liam thought to himself. "After what I've seen, it feels odd to see a relative of his that doesn't use ice-types."

The ref made the normal annocements for a gym battle, saying how only the challenger was allowed to make substitutions and also stated that each trainer was permitted four Pokemon.

Gordie sent out Barbacle. Liam sent out his shiny Flapple.
"Infestation!" Gordie called. the move trapped Flapple in the battle for five rounds.
"Leech Seed!" Liam called. Flapple seeded the rock/water-type.
(Infest 1)
"Poison Jab!" Gordie called. the poison attack landed and poisoned Flapple. who ate his Pecha Berry and cured the poison.
"Grav Apple!" Liam called. the attack landed dealing a great deal of damage to the Barbacle.
(Infest 2)
"Swords Dance" Gordie called.
"Growth!" Liam replied. Both Pokemon spent the round buffing themselves.
(Infest 3)
Leech Seed had begun to show its toll on Barbacle, who was ordered to use Poison Jab again. The move hit and re-poisoned Flapple.
"Flapple, Dragon Pulse!" The attack defeated Barbacle, who was replaced with Stonjourner

"Flapple, Grav Apple!" Liam called. Flapple used his attack and got a good hit. Gordie called for Assurance. This was enough to defeat Flapple, who was replaced with Dreepy, who glided out onto the battlefield before Liam grabbed another ball off his belt.

Dreepu used Bite, Stonejounal used Brutal Swing, knocking Dreepy to the ground. Dreepy got back up and began to evolve.

"Drakloak has been registered to your Pokedex." chirped Liam's Rotomphone before giving info on the Pokemon.

"Drakloak, the Caretaker Pokemon, and the evolved form of Dreepy. A Dragon and Ghost-Type. It's capable of flying faster than 120 mph. It battles alongside Dreepy and dotes on them until they successfully evolve. Without a Dreepy to place on its head and care for, it gets so uneasy it'll try to substitute any Pokémon it finds for the missing Dreepy. "

"Drakloak, use Phantom Force!" The Pokemon vanished and while Stonejornal tried to figure out where it was, Drakloak reappeared and smacked it, KO'ing it.

Stomejounal was replaced with a Shuckle.

Gordie was praising Liam for such good Pokemon then looked back to see Shuckle wasn't on the battlefield. Drakloak was trying to set Shuckle on its head to take the place Dreepy that wasn't there.
"Drakloak, Dragon Pulse!: Shuckle was sent flying upward with the attack, but it slid off the blast and started to fall down. Shuckle crashed into the floor, but its thick shell cushioned the impact. Gordie had it Withdrawl as Liam called for Phantom Force. Gordie called for another withdrawl, Shuckle survived the attack and used Shell Smash. the boost and penalty to physical def canceling one another out.
Shuckle was then tolled to use Rollout. The first hit landed. Drakloak fired Dragon Pulse as Shuckle rolled toward him this resulted in a double KO.

Gordie sent out his final Pokemon, Coalassoal. Liam sent out Hydro, the Blastoise. He explained that Hydro was his first ever Pokemon. Gordie, having heard about Liam's Blastoise, assumed Liam would be going for Mega Evolution and gigantamaxed Coalossal. Liam swapped the Dragnium Z out for the Fightium Z as he called for Withdrawl. Hydro buffed his Def. Gordie called for Max Quake to deal damage and buff his Sp Def.
Liam activated the Z Ring and did the appropotate movements as Hydro mimiced them to the best his anatomy would permit, Channeling Aura Sphere into All Out Pummeling. The move did significant damage, but the G-Max Pokemon was still standing.

(G-Max 1)

Liam told Hydro to use Aura Sphere. this also hit, but G-Max Quake knocked Hydro down. Gordie's Coalossal was about to stomp on Hydro, but Liam told Hydro to launch Hydro Pump at the wall, and to go into Rapid Spin which, knocked the giant pokemon down.

(G-Max 2)

Liam told Hydro to use Dragon Pulse, which was enough to KO the giant opponnet, earning Liam the badge.

Jen walked onto the battlefield as she is not sure that Geordie is a relative of Chuck. “Akamu Groot I choose you,” Jen said as her Rilaboom came out of her pokeball and lands on the battlefield. Geordie blush as he sees Jen and his Barbaracle pops out of its pokeball. The Barbaracle drops a rock on Geordie’s foot, “Akamu Groot Solar Beam,” Jen said as her Rilaboom gathers energy and fires it at the Barbaracle. “Rock Tomb,” Gordie said as Barbaracle hurls boulders at Akamu Groot. As the attack collide and the dust settles Barbaracle is KO.

Geordie recalls Barbaracle and have Shuckle came out onto the battlefield and Jen switch out her Rilaboom for her Slowking. “Sludge Wave,” Geordie said as his Shuckle sends a wave of toxic at Mimi. “Hydro Pump,” Jen said as Mimi got poison and shoots a powerful blast of water at Shuckle. The Shuckle crashed into the wall and got back up. “She’ll Smash,” Geordie said as his Shuckle crashed into Mimi.

Mimi took the hit, “power Gem,” Jen said as Mimi shoot a pretty beam that resembles gems. “Shell Smash,” Geordie said as Jen said a hydro Pump. The attack hit the other and both Pokémon are knocked out.Īoiīpk Jen walked onto the battlefield as she is not sure that Geordie is a relative of Chuck. “Akamu Groot I choose you,” Jen said as her Rilaboom came out of her pokeball and lands on the battlefield. Geordie blush as he sees Jen and his Barbaracle pops out of its pokeball. The Barbaracle drops a rock on Geordie’s foot, “Akamu Groot Solar Beam,” Jen said as her Rilaboom gathers energy and fires it at the Barbaracle. “Rock Tomb,” Gordie said as Barbaracle hurls boulders at Akamu Groot. As the attack collide and the dust settles Barbaracle is KO.

Geordie recalls Barbaracle and have Shuckle came out onto the battlefield and Jen sīowitch out her Rilaboom for her Slowking. “Sludge Wave,” Geordie said as her is Shuckle sends a wave of toxic at Mimi. “Hydro Pump,” Jen said as Mimi got poison and shoots a powerful blast of water at Shuckle. The Shuckle crashed into the wall and got back up. “She’ll Smash,” Geordie said as his Shuckle crashed into Mimi.

Mimi took the hit, “power Gem,” Jen said as Mimi shoot a pretty beam that resembles gems. “Shell Smash,” Geordie said as Jen said a hydro Pump. The attack hit the other and both Pokémon are knocked out. Geordie recalled Shuckle and sends out Stonejoined as Jen recalled her SlowKing and sends out her Carkol, “Stonejoined use Brutal zswing,” Geordie said as Stonejoined hit Carkossal and Jen sticks with her Coalossal. They both Dyno max their Pokémon they use the same move. They both were ok, Geordie praised his and Jen’s pokemon before giving her the gym badge.Coal starts to evolve, “Iron head and hit Stonejoined with her iron head knocking the Stonejoined out. Geordie sends out Coalo

"Well, that's another badge in the books for us," Liam commented.

"By my count, our sixth," Shiranui added, "Our next stop is Spikemuth; and my ears hear that those mohawk-sporting hoodlums have set up a stronghold there."