[IC] The Sinnoh Chapters 2.0

[YourSecretWeapon]

Kjolmar, a blond young boy with blue eyes, was walking through Sandgem Town while a Noibat was playfully flying circles around him. At the local laboratory, he walked up to someone who looked like he was an assistant. "Excuse me, I'm here for Professor..." Kjolmar peered at the name he wrote at the back of his hand. "...for Professor Rowan. Could you tell him Kjolmar from Kalos is here?"

While he waited for Rowan to arrive, he looked around him as if he was searching for someone else too. "He isn't here yet." he told his Noibat, who responded with a soft agreeing growl.

"Ah, Kjolmar! Welcome!" the voice of Rowan suddenly sounded from the distance. "I am so glad you have decided to take on the Sinnoh League. You will find quite some similarities with the Kalos region."

Kjolmar smirked and showed a badge case with 16 badges. "Yeah, that's what they said in Unova. I hope Sinnoh will prove to be at least equally challenging."

Rowan nodded firmly. "I am sure it will. Have you brought many of your pokemon with you?"

It was Kjolmar's third region and he had captured quite some pokemon along the way. However, he decided to leave most of them at home with his sister. It was the first time he would travel without her and he wanted her to have lots of company. "I only brought two of my pokemon. The rest of them are staying with Alice in Lumiose."

While he tried to hide it, Rowan raised an eyebrow. "I see... Say, could you hatch an egg for me during your journey? And when it hatches, teach it how to battle? You'd do me a great favor and I'll let you keep the pokemon as long as you are staying in this region."

As Kjolmar put the egg in his backpack, Noibat sniffed it in curiosity.

[DankDutch]

The sound of a ticking clock filled the room as a teenage boy sat cross legged in silence. His thick black hair spiked in many directions which partially covered his face his attire mostly grey with the odd bit of red. Opposite him, sat in just as much focus and concentration, was a riolu, which Aro had fondled nicked named Luna. All of a sudden the sound of the door banging filled the room. Both Aro and Luna broke their harmonious silence to look at the door with a quick gaze.

"Master Aro, you have an appointment with Professor Rowan to attend to." Called out a female voice from beyond the door.

Aro looked at Luna and smiled. He held out the palm of his hand and Luna responded with the same. As the pair touched palms a blue glow faintly flashed before quickly disappearing.

"Time to go buddy" Aro said softly before rising to his feet and began packing his stuff.

~~~~~ Rowans Lab ~~~~~~

As Aro and Luna entered The Professors lab, he was greeted by an Assistant who escorted them to Rowans office in which he was greeted by the Professor and another guy who he was introduced to as Kjolmar. Aro greeted Kjolmar before beginning to ask Roman what the favour he had asked was going to be.

"First off Aro, like I did for Kjolmar I have an egg for you to look after. I feel you are both capable trainers in your own right, and i would feel comfortable knowing you two are looking after them."

Rowan handed Aro an egg in which Aro seemed confused by, his body language clearly showed his lack of knowledge on eggs themselves.

"Which leads me on to my next point and overall favour I ask you both. I feel that you should both take on the Sinnoh league challenge. However both of you will encounter different problems which the other will be able to help out with. I have done my research and know both of your goals and think that together you can accomplish them." Rowan said cheerfully.

Aros body was shaking, his lip quivered.
" I don't want to do that professor you know that." Aro said quietly.

Rowan sighed. "Aro, you need to do this for yourself. Stop holding yourself back. You and Luna have come a long way since then."

Aro reluctantly nodded his head.
"...okay."
He then proceeded to leave the room slowly in disbelief. He couldn't believe this is what the professor wanted his favour to be.

[YourSecretWeapon]

While Noibat took a particular interest in Luna, Kjolmar seemed a bit hesitant towards Aro. "Are you sure you are motivated enough to succesfully complete this task?" he asked bluntly. The tone of his voice was sincere. Worried that be might have sounded judging, he quickly added "Breeding an egg may sound like a hassle but I promise it will be worth it the second you see it hatch."

By now, Noibat had landed next to Luna. Every now and then Noibat got tired of flying and reached for the floor.

"I hear you are a local." Kjolmar continued "That means you can guide us to the first city with a gym, right? Oh I'm terribly sorry, I didn't mean to be rude by not formally introducing myself. Name's Kjolmar and I come from Lumiose city in Kalos. Two years ago, I made it to the top 8 in the Lumiose Conference. Last year I went to Unova and reached even the top 4! Who knows, maybe here in Sinnoh you and I will play the finals?"

[Masterkeun]

Mable smiled stepping in already carrying a few eggs for a delivery. Mable smiles dropping off the load for the professor. Mable has bright orange hair in a ponytail around the age of Kjolmar. Mable has scars up her arm looking both exhausted and excited as she shakes Rowan's hand "Junior Professor Mable at your service sir here are the eggs you ordered from Professor Elm."

"Ah thank you, Boys this is Mable the best pokemon breeder in Johto. She will also be attempting the Sinnoh challenge with you" Rowan smiles as Elekid playfully chases Noibat around our ankles. Mable bows happily "It's an honor to meet you to boys. I assume you're the famous Kjolmar?"

Mable smiles happily slipping her new egg into her backpack kissing it gently. "What an active little guy he'll need plenty of exercise once he's hatched"

@YourSecretWeapon@DankDutch

[DankDutch]

Aro turned to Kjolmar and Rowan who had followed into the main lobby.

"I'm sorry for my blunt and ungrateful tones Kjolmar, it's nothing against you. It's just the sinnoh league is a lot more to me than just any other league. I trained in Kanto for a while and got a few badges but in the end I came back here before finishing. This is my home and I have a lot riding on this"

Aro thought back to the days he wondered what it would be like to finally challenge his birth right. Luna stared at him intently before nodding his head.

"Professor... I.... I accept your request. I promise to keep good care of this egg and escort Kjolmar around sinnoh.

Suddenly one of the professors assistants came rolling through. Rowan introducers her as Mable.

"Nice to meet you Mable. I'm Aro. If you don't mind I'm going to go grab my things before we leave, I'll meet you outside the lab in 10 minutes." He said before rushing off out of the lab.

[YourSecretWeapon]

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mable. Like Aro, I will be waiting outside the lab in ten minutes."

On his way outside, Kjolmar noticed someone sneaking into a room near the entrance. Since no one else saw that, he decided to follow the stranger into a side room. Upon entering, he heard three voices talking to each other about getting as much Sinnoh pokemon as possible. "Oh, you're not from Sinnoh either?" he asked them bluntly.

They turned around and were surprised to see him. A bit uneasy even.

"I am terribly sorry for interrupting." Kjolmar continued, "I accidentally overheard your conversation about catching wild pokemon. You must be very exiting."

It was only then that he saw one of them was a pokemon, a Meowth. The blue-haired man looked very confused after Kjolmar's words. "Catching wild poke-..." But the paink-haired woman quickly interrupted her partner. "Why, yes indeed! We are trainers, obviously. My name is Jesse and these are James and Meowth. We are from Kanto."

Kjolmar smiled widely. "Kanto, huh? I might go there one day. It's nice to meet you, I am Kjolmar."

Jesse took a step closer. "Say Kjolmar, could you do us a favor and not tell anyone you saw us here? We are planning a birthday surprise for Professor Rowan and it has to remain a secret."

"Ofcourse!" Kjolmar said, completely unaware of Jesse's lie. "Well, good luck with the surprise. I have to go and meet my Sinnoh travel partners outside."

Once outside, the first thing he noticed were Aro and Mable. Noibat went straight for Luna again. "Hey guys, I feel like we should buy Rowan a present before we go. Did you know it is his birthday?"

[Masterkeun]

Mable felt her brow furrow and returned elekid to it's ball. "Where did you hear that? Rowan's birthday isn't for months." Mable walked in the direction Kjolmar had came from staring at the two standing nearby. "You two get away from that window. Why are you really sneaking around Rowan's egg shipment" I glare my eyes narrow

@YourSecretWeapon

[YourSecretWeapon]

"Then why would they...?" Kjolmar pondered out loud while Mable confronted the two trainers with their Meowth. She occused them of sneaking around. A bit presumptious, Kjolmar thought. Before he could get into it, he noticed Noibat flying off. "Noibat? Where are you going?" Kjolmar immediatly started to chase his pokemon. "Wait up buddy!"

Noibat flew towards Lake Verity and stopped at the side of the lake. Kjolmar arrived out of breath. "Hey, what are you doing?" Something moved inside the lake but it was unclear what it was. Noibat flew towards Kjolmar's belt with pokeballs and hovered near one of the two pokeballs that weren't empty anymore. Kjolmar looked rather confused. "What is it? Do you want him to come out? I don't think that's a good idea right now. Come on buddy, let's get back to the others." Noibat landed in Kjolmar's arms and let him carry him.

Back in Sandgem, the commotion about the trainers with their Meowth seemed to have calmed down. "Sorry about that, I don't know what Noibat was up to. Are you guys ready to start our adventure?"

[DankDutch]

Aro left the lab and headed back to his grandmothers house. This is where he stayed while visiting Sandgem town. He headed into his room and looked at his stuff before sighing slightly. He knew this adventure he had to do for himself but he had pushed it aside for so long now. His fears from when he had first started out before, came into effect with full force, as he packed his things into his bag. Luna could sense his uneasiness and tried to calm Aros aura. @UsernameMemories of happiness filled his head, the day he met Luna, fond memories of his parents. A tear fell from his face as he picked up his packed bag and left the house.

He walked back towards the professors house and as he approached saw that both Mable and Kjolmar looked confused and bewildered.

"Hey guys, what did I miss? I'm ready whenever you are." He said trying to sound cheerful.

@Masterkeun@YourSecretWeapon

[YourSecretWeapon]

"Not much, Mable here was making some new friends." Kjolmar tried hard not to sound sarcastic and even smiled while keeping a straight face.
"And Noibat was so exited he almost left without us." He winked at Noibat playfully.

"Right, you are from around here, Aro. Where do we go for our first gym?"

[DankDutch]

Aro looked up to both his new travel companions as Kjolmar asked about which way the trio were to head off in. Aro knew the Sinnoh region like the back of his hand. He'd been exploring his home region since he could remember.

"The first Gym in Sinnoh is in Oreborough Town, which is about two towns away from here. We should head north towards Jubilife. We have to stop through there to get to the gym anyway." Aro said almost showing off to his new pals about his knowledge.

"It's actually pretty convenient for me because I have an old friend I'd like to see again before I set off on my travels."

And with that said Aro, Luna and his new friends Mable and Kjolmar made their way to the next route heading towards Jubilife City.

(This post I need to edit as I wrote that without checking spelling of certain places and references.I'll change asap.)

[YourSecretWeapon]

Upon arriving at Jubilife city, Kjolmar smiled at the view of the city. It reminded him a bit of certain cities in his own region somehow, which he hadn't expected at all. "Right, let's get to your friend then?" he suggested. "I don't suppose he or she happens to have a little snack for us?" After asking the question, Kjolmar wondered if he had been inpolite and offered Aro a reassuring smile.

Kjolmar wondered why the egg in his backpack wasn't showing any signs of life yet. It took a lot longer to hatch than any egg he bred before. Was something wrong with it? Gently he patted the egg in the hope that it would somehow effect the breeding process but it remained as quiet as it had been before. If only his sister had been here, she was an incredibly talented breeder. That reminded him to give her a call later.

While they made their way to Aro's friend, they were being followed by Jesse and James. What Kjolmar didn't realize was they were members of the villainous Team Rocket. For Kjolmar, they were just two trainers. However, Sinnoh had it's own villainous team called Galactic and two of their grunts had just entered Jubilife. So many villains in one city? Something would definitely happen. Without the heroes noticing it, all those villains were cornering them.

[DankDutch]

Aro knew from the tall futuristic styled buildings that they had hit Jubilife City. He seemed to have perked up a little, it was noticeable through both Aro and Luna, they both seemed a lot more at ease with their surroundings. He searched the vast skyline till he saw a tall building with a blue globe on the top.

"Aha! That's where we are heading, the Global Trade System HQ! That's where we are meeting him Luna, let's go!" Aro, unaware of the lurking team rocket grunts started to pick up his pace as they headed closer to their destination. The modern streets buzzing with budding trainers. Aro finally felt the appeal again to be a trainer, the drift and competition.

Finally they reached a big fountain outside the GTS, Aro searched around until he saw a tall figure in blue with a pointed feathered hat. He smiled and ran towards the unsuspecting gentleman. He leaped onto his friend.

"Riley! It's so good to see you again!" Aro turned to his new friend. "This is Kjolmar. He's my travelling companion, I'm showing him around Sinnoh."

The figure laughed as he recovered from his playful assualt.

"Aro, how I've missed you antics. You never change. I'm glad to see Luna is ok too."

Riley pulled out two poke balls and extended them out towards Aro.

"The professors have told me they want you to retry the leauge and I want you too also. So here is a gift for you and your new buddy. Hopefully they can be of use on your journey" he smiled as he handed over they pink and blue shaded balls. " Just bare in mind these two are inseparable ok? They seem more fond of each other than anyone else. Anyway as much as I'd love to stay I have to be going, I have to see what the distress call at Lake Valour is about. I'll see you soon friend."

Riley left the courtyard at pace as he went to check his distress call. Aro turned to Kjolmar and handed him the blue ball. Aro took the pink one and pressed its button. A white flashed gleamed and as it dulled an Eevee stood smiling before him.

"Hey lady, you are pretty aren't you aha. Looks like your coming with me from now on but don't worry I'll look after you." He said smiling.

[YourSecretWeapon]

Kjolmar followed Aro's example and pressed the button of his new pokeball. A second Eevee came out.
"Well, hi there. I am Kjolmar, if you roll with me, you're going to have a great time."

The Eevee smiled and nodded before going to play with Aro's Eevee.
"When Riley said these two are inseperable, he sure meant it. I think they are a couple."

Noibat flew over to the two Eevees playing and hovered around Kjolmar's Eevee.
"Oh right, and this is Noibat. He's been my partner for a long time now. I also have someone else to introduce you to, but..." Kjolmar stared at the pokeball at his belt with a certain worried look.
"Well, let's just say you'll get a chance for that later." His worried look changed into a smile.

"Hmh, it's not easy to tell those Eevee's apart. Should we nickname them?" he asked Aro.

"Oh by the way, I've been meaning to talk to you about something. I am a bit worried about my egg, it's still not moving. When I hatched eggs in the past, it never took this long. Do you think anything is wrong with it?"

Out of nowhere, Professor Rowan came running towards them. "Help! Someone!"
"Oh goodness, I am so glad I bumped into you two. Some thugs just stole my research. They headed towards the Orebourgh mines. Please, help me retrieve my work!"

[DankDutch]

Aro watched as the two eevees seemed to play as if nothing else mattered, he smiled.

"Yeah, I guess Riley was right about them." Aro bent down and sat next to his new friend.
"Hey you! Looks like your going to be coming with me but don't worry I won't split you up from your best friend over here" he giggled and the eevee jumped up at him. It was a female eevee, he could tell by the markings. He glanced up at Kjolmar who had suggested they give the pair names.
"Oh that's a good idea. I think I'm going to name you Belle. That seems rather fitting" the eevee bounced around at its new name.

Kjolmar introduced himself to his own eevee and Aro caught a small detail that threw up a lot of questions. Kjolmar seemed really reluctant to let out his last Pokémon, Aro was intrigued but thought best not to ask. As if by chance, to break the silence Professor Rowan ran towards them screaming of his lost research.

"Were on it Professor!" Aro said as he glanced at Kjolmar and nodded. "Let's head towards the mine, I'll have a look at your egg on the way over."

Aro rushed off hastily after returning Belle to her ball, Luna followed close by. In the time Kjolmar was catching up, Aro began to speak to Luna. However it wouldn't have mattered if there new friend was there or not. Aro and Luna had reached such a bond that they were able to read one another's thoughts and feelings. Even one watching them walk now could notice the same footstep pattern, the same body language, these two were as close to being one person as they possibly could be... or so they thought anyway.

"Why do you think Kjolmar won't bring out his other Pokemon Luna?" Aro asked

"I know why and I also what it is, I have done since we met him" Luna answered.

"WHAT? Why don't I know? What is it?" Aro was baffled by his partners response.

"It's hard to explain, but its because I have the pokemon half of us, likewise there are things only yourself as the human part of us can do, but we will get to that soon Aro don't worry. Dont lose focus over our task at Oreborough Mine." Luna smiled and tried to calm his friend for the upcoming showdown ahead.

"gggggrrrrlll" cried a faint noise. The pair looked at each other. It sounded like the growl of a young pokemon.

Aro got out his egg from his bag and put his ear to it. Was it his egg making that noise? Both Luna and Aro gathered round to wait for another cry.

"Grrrr...GRRRR" The cry sounded again but this time Aro and Luna were more confused. The sound didn't come from Aro's Egg, it came from the pathway behind them, as they looked down the path they saw Kjolmar running towards them down the entrance tunnel to Oreburgh Gate cave. The only pokemon Kjolmar had out was his Noibat and it wasn't the same cry. Then as Kjolmar came closer Aro and Luna both saw a faint glow surrounding the egg, not vivid enough to spot in one take, but there all the same. Kjolmar who seemed oblivious to both the noise and the glow, both of which had stopped as he got close, smiled at his friends ready.

"Erm... Sorry for leaving you back there buddy, i guesss i got carried away with myself. Are you ready to get this research back for the Professor?" Aro said sportingly, as he put his egg away.

[YourSecretWeapon]

Belle was a great name for Aro's Eevee. Kjolmar looked at his own Eevee, who seemed to be male. "Would you like a name that starts with the letter B too?" The Eevee nodded approvingly. "Let's see. B... Bry... Ba... Oh, I got it! How about Beau? It perfectly matches your bond with Belle." Once again, the Eevee nodded approvingly. "Welcome to the team, Beau."

While chasing after the thugs that took Rowan's research, Kjolmar noticed how Aro was in sync with Luna. He was even a little bit jaleous, despite having a great bond with his own pokemon. After all, it wasn't easy to get where they were now, specially with... Oh well, there would be plenty of time to reflect on that later.

As Kjolmar and Noibat caught up with Aro and Luna, he wondered why they looked at him in a particular way but decided not to ask. Rowan's research was top priority now.

But in his rush, Kjolmar tripped over something and took a hard fall to the floor. Noibat quickly flew over to him, grabbed his shirt with its little paws and pulled him back up. "Thanks Noibat. Djee, I'm normally not that clumpsy."

Then a male voice sounded from the dark path in front of them. "Did that old fool send his little errand boys? Don't think we'll give up the research that easily!"

[DankDutch]

Aro helped Kjolmar up to his feet before turning around quickly at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, both Aro and Luna stood poised in an aggressive battle stance. In front of them stood two spaceman looking guys, dressed in silver and both had the same awful aqua bowl cuts. They were Team Galactic grunts and in the hand of one of the grunts was Professors briefcase.

"Did Cyrus really send you two to try and get the research? Two grunts who are about to get beat by two kids? Surely he could of done better?" Aro laughed slightly at his comment as the two grunts got embarrassed.

"We will show you kid. After beating you will we get a nice promotion from Cyrus and we won't have to deal with the likes of brats again!" He yelled as he grabbed a pokeball out of his belt.
"Go Zubat!"

The other one followed suit.
"Go Glameow!"

Aro smiled. He had been waiting for a battle, he hadn't been in one for a while. He looked at Kjolmar and nodded.
"Ready to beat these punks?
"Luna let's show these guys how to really battle!"

Aro stood waiting ready until suddenly the feeling hit him. His stomach turned sick as he started to remember his past. Luna had realised also. The grunts across from them, they were there that day. It was hard to tell due to all galactic grunts having the same uniform but these two had personalised badges on the collar of their jackets. One had a D sewn in and the other had an O sewn in. Aros rage began to build as he was clouded with past memories of team Galactic. Even Luna couldn't calm Aros rage as built up. The grunts, slightly confused at the sudden outburst or expression coming from Aro, looked at each other unknowingly.

"Luna..." Luna split its legs wider and placed his hands to one side forming a ball shape.
"Aura sqhere...." Aro too took the same formation and they both closed their eyes as they began to Chanel their energy.

A blue sphere began to form at the hands of Luna. Growing in size and ferocity as they channelled. Suddenly the grunts began to realise something.
"Is that the kid?"
"Surely not.."
"But I haven't seen a sphere that big since..."

"NOW LUNA!" Aro cried as he fired the sphere towards the grunts direction knocking both glameow out from the blast but also knocking one grunt off the edge of a nearby ledge sending him hurtling down towards the mine.

[YourSecretWeapon]

Kjolmar had seen enough villainous teams to recognise one. After all, he had defeated both Team Flare and Team Plasma before. (Ironically, he didn't recognize Jesse and James, as they were dressed in casual outfits at the time). Aro seemed to know more about them though, as he mentioned someone who was probably the leader.

"Who is Cyrus?" Kjolmar asked out loud, curious to find out more about the man in charge.
Could he be worse than Lysandre?

The grunts were very confident, as was Aro. When Aro asked Kjolmar if he was ready, he smirked.
"My friend, I was born ready. Go, Noibat, show that Zubat that there is only place for one bat around here."
Noibat used a combination of Absorb, Super Fang and Hurricane. He took some hits from the Zubat but the battle was definitely going in Noibat's favor.

Next thing they know, Aro seemed to burst out in an uncontrolable anger. Luckily for them, it made both him and Luna charge a powerful attack. So powerful it had instantly knocked out Glameow and throw its master down the mines. Kjolmar looked at Aro with a hint of suspicion. In order to finish the battle, he told Noibat to use Sky Attack on Zubat and it ended the battle. Zubat's master dropped the briefcase and ran the other way.

Kjolmar walked up to Aro, hesitated about what to say but eventually came up wth "Remind me to never get on your bad side." He smiled a little and then looked at Luna. "Or you, for that matter."

He picked up the briefcase. "Let's get this back to the Professor. Are you okay or do you need a minute?"
Kjolmar peeked at the briefcase, sat down and opened it. While he did this, he peeked at Aro again. "I know it's not the most polite thing to do but I want to know what we just risked our lives for. If you don't tell the Professor, I won't tell him you almost turned into the hulk."

Kjolmar didn't like Rowan all that much, he found the man stiff as an ironing board. A great contrast with Professor Sycamore for example. Tho Sycamore was a lot younger so that could have something to do with it.

Unfortunately, there were only scientific documents about evolution in the briefcase. Quite boring to Kjolmar. Even more to Noibat who had lost interest instantly. Kjolmar closed the briefcase and checked if Aro was ready to go.

"By the way, isn't there a gym in this town? We should challenge it while we are here."

[DankDutch]

As Kjolmar finished the the Zubat off with his Noibat, Aro and Luna both dropped to the ground, conscious but weak from the battle. His rage faded as he collected his thoughts from the past two minutes. He picked up Luna who was struggling to get up on his own, before returning to his feet. He saw as Kjolmar looked at him strange, at this point Aro knew that Kjolmar was starting to realise there was more to Aro than either he or the Professor made out.

"I'm sorry you had to see that side of me Kjolmar." He said with his eyes on the ground.

Aro watched as Kjolmar sorted through the Professors research, he shuffled over and peered at the pages. Aro picked up a piece of paper that Kjolmar had already read. It had a drawing of what looked to be the prototype for some form of band, which appeared to need some sort of stone. Aro had never seen anything like it. Baffled, he put the page back down as Kjolmar closed the briefcase.

"Yeah maybe doing the gym now means we won't have to come back this way. If we follow through this path the cave exit should be up ahead and we will we in Oreburgh City." Aro said as he started walking.

"A heads up from your sinnoh region guide, the Gym leader here specialises in Rock Pokémon. It'll give you some time to mentally prepare your game plan." Aro said proudly.

The finally reached a small opening in the cave and passed through to Oreburgh City. After hitting the Pokecenter to heal up from the previous fight, Aro walked Kjolmar to the doors of Sinnoh's first gym.

"Welcome to the start of the Sinnoh leauge Kjolmar. Good luck." Aro smiled slightly as he pointed his hand towards the door.
"After you, Mr Challenger."

[YourSecretWeapon]

Roark apparantly wasn't just the gym leader of Orebourgh, he was also the foreman of the mines. "Ah so you have been in the mines, challenger? Then you must realise by now that I use rock type pokemon. How about a one on one?"

Kjolmar petted Noibat's cheek. "Why don't you sit this one out, buddy?" Noibat rolled its eyes shortly but then nodded and complied. It flew over to Aro, where it landed next to Luna in order to watch the battle.

Looking at his belt with pokeballs, Kjolmar frowned. "Eevee isn't a match for rock types either, specially since I haven't trained him yet. That only leaves one option."

Roark sent out Rampardos.
"This guy only evolved earlier today but you will notice his immense power from the start."

Kjolmar closed his eyes while grabbing the pokeball he needed. Upon throwing it up, he opened his eyes and yelled "Gyarados, I choose you!" A massive Gyarados appeared and let out a loud voice. It was so intimedating that you could tell it was stronger than the average Gyarados. Around its neck was a collar with gyaradosite.

The battle was quite the sight as both pokemon seemed to be powerhouses. Gyarados looked to be a bit stronger than Rampardos but those headbutts sure hurt a lot. When both of them grew exhausted from fighting, Kjolmar held his right hand on the watch he was wearing on his left wrist. For a second he considered using the key stone that was in the watch but he changed his mind. Gyarados could do definitely win this one without mega evolving. "Hyper Beam, then finish it with Hydro Pump!" Rampardos fainted.

Gyarados let out a victorious cry and then moved its head towards Kjolmar and rubbed it against his body. Kjolmar rubbed Gyarados' head and whispered "Well done, I am once again proud of you." Despite its seemingly brutal nature, it appeared to be very loyal and even submissive to Kjolmar.

Roark walked over to hand Kjolmar the Coal Badge. "That is an impressive partner you got there." he said while reaching out his hand to pat Gyarados. But Gyarados pulled away and growled fiercly at Roark. "Easy boy." Kjolmar said and retreated Gyarados. "I am sorry about that but he doesn't trust anyone but me. He has an extreme complicated history and I have been with him ever since he was a Magikarp."

The moment Kjolmar received the badge, the egg in his backpack started moving and cracking. It was almost as if the victory had triggered it. Kjolmar gasped and put it in front of him while it hatched. Two blue paws reached out that seemed somehow familiar. They pushed against the cracked shell in order to free itself completely. It was a Riolu! It hadn't opened its eyes yet but slowly got on its feet. When its eyes opened, it looked directly at Kjolmar. In slow motion, its gaze turned to Luna and then back to Kjolmar.

"Whoa, it seems we both have a Riolu now. Welcome to the team,.. hmh.. Apollo!"

It jumped into Kjolmar's arms and obviously wanted to be carried. Quite different than Luna for example. Then again, Apollo only just hatched so it was a bit younger than Luna. While in Kjolmar's arms, he looked at Luna again and started to glow. Were they commmunicating?

Noibat had started to hover around Kjolmar to get his attention. There was a possibility that she was jaleous that Apollo was being carried by Kjolmar but there was no way to be sure, as Noibat could be quite the showoff.

Roark cleared his throat and coughed. "Uhum. I don't want to interrupt this beautiful moment but is the next challenger ready?"

Kjolmar reached out his arm in front of Aro. "He will be right after he told me who Cyrus is." he said with a friendly tone.