He approaches...

A smile formed on Olympia's face as she levitated above the arena while deep in meditation. Mathilde stood beside Jolie and Diantha, waiting eagerly for the arrival of her pupil. Jamie and Felicity were sitting in the stands.

Perhaps I should give him a little taste of what he will be facing, Olympia thought while channeling her psychic power through her body. She then proceeded to send out a small pulse of energy that would phase through the door to the outside.

He could feel it. The psychic force that was waiting for him beyond the double doors of the Anistar City Gym was as powerful as Mathilde had made it out to be. That single pulse of energy that sent chills running down his spine told Seth all he needed to know about the upcoming battle he was about to endure. A smirk curved onto his face and a chuckle slipped out of his mouth.

"That's some greeting," Seth mused, tapping into his own aura as he extended his hand outward, "I guess I must respond," he grinned, sending a wave of his own aura in reply.

Olympia's eyes widened as the rush of energy washed over her. Needless to say, it gave her goosebumps. Looking down she could see Mathilde sporting a smug grin. A low whistle left the lips of the Sword Mistress as she too caught wind of the little return greeting her student had given.

"Mathilde... what did you do to this boy?" Olympia inquired with an arched brow.

"I've done a lot of things. You'll have to be more specific," Mathilde replied smirking.

The double doors opened, allowing Seth to enter the gym. Olympia's periwinkle eyes met with the icy sapphire depths of her newest adversary.

"At last we meet. I've been expecting you, Seth Da Silva..." 

"Is that a fact?" the brunette replied, giving Mathilde a knowing look before redirecting his attention back to Olympia.

Olympia slowly lowered herself onto the battlefield and faced him from across the arena. "Indeed... and as much as I would love to speak more on the matter, I'm afraid time is of the essence. While coming to challenge me may be the first thing on your agenda, I can tell you've many questions you'd like me to answer," she finished.

"Thanks for the reminder," Seth replied dryly. "I have some questions about a certain vision you had before I got here. But I have a feeling you're not going to answer them so easily," he continued, reaching for a sphere.

"Before you send out your companions, I've a few rules that need explaining," Olympia said quickly, stopping Seth in his tracks.

Walking onto the center of the arena was the judge that was assigned to Olympia's gym. With the OK from Olympia, the judge proceeded to explain the rules.

"The gym battle between the Anistar City Gym Leader: Olympia, and the Challenger: Seth, will now commence. This will be a double battle with each side using four Pokemon each," the judge explained.

A double battle? Seth thought, his eyes widening at the revelation.

"Only the Challenger will be allowed to substitute Pokemon!" the official continued explaining the rest of the rules. "Both sides, send out your first two teammates!"

Olympia's spheres levitated onto the field and burst open to reveal two Meowstic, one male and one female. The two stood patiently while waiting for their opposition to appear. Seth frowned upon seeing the duo. He had expected this gym to be a challenge, but a double battle was something he wasn't entirely prepared for. Having studied up on double battles, he knew that a great deal more strategy went into it than single battles. Each Pokemon needed a teammate that complimented the other and given his lineup, he didn't have very many options in that department.

I guess I'll have to throw out my entire strategy, Seth thought, taking a deep breath as he reached down to his belt. Now... which two would work well together here?

As he thought about it, an idea soon came to him. He did have four that could work together well, or at least... well enough. Taking the first two that he thought of, he snapped them off his belt and launched them into the air shouting, "Pupitar, Carbink, engarde!"

The little rock rabbit was the first to materialize onto the field, Pupitar following shortly after. This gave Olympia pause as she wasn't expecting this particular duo to make an appearance.

They may not look like much, but seeing as I'm facing Mathilde's pupil... I shouldn't underestimate them.

"Both sides ready?" The official asked, raising their hand after gaining confirmation from the participants. "You may begin!" 

"Use Psychic Terrain and Calm Mind!" 

"Carbink, Trick Room! Pupitar Dark Pulse!"

The male Meowstic's eyes glowed brightly, filling the room with his power, creating a field of psychic energy while the female began channeling her own power through her body to boost the strength of her abilities. As she did this, a beam of chaotic purple and black energy came rushing in her direction. No fool, the duo retreated to the air, utilizing their psychic powers to levitate to avoid the blast. As they did, however, they were met with an oncoming barrage of stones and spaced out Dark Pulse attacks, forcing the Mewostic duo to weave around the hazards hurled their way, the male setting up a prioritized Reflect and Light Screen to reduce any incoming damage.

Looks like I'm not going to get anywhere with those two in the air like that. I need to get them down if Pupitar and Carbink are going to have any hope of landing anything. Trick Room gives me the speed advantage, but it won't do me any good if they can just float around and divert my attacks like that...

"It seems as though you're perplexed. Very well then, if you won't come to us then we shall come to you! Psyshock, both of you!" Olympia roared powerfully.

Both Meowstick spread their arms wide while gathering the needed energy for their attack. Two orbs of psychic energy appeared, one on each paw, were soon thrust downward in a stream of thin streams of pink and purple light. Carbink and Pupitar both propelled themselves out of the way and counter attacked after Seth shouted, "Moonblast, Dark Pulse!"

As Pupitar and Carbink launched their assault, they were struck from behind by a powerful redirected Psyshock, disrupting their focus, the force of the blows causing their aim to be compromised as they crashed into the arena floor. Seth gritted his teeth as the smoke began to clear. Thankfully, he saw two small figures hopping back up and shaking off the blows they were dealt. It appeared that his plan to use his most defensive types was paying off to a degree.

"That... really hurt!" Carbink grumbled as it regained its balance.

"I'm beginning to see why our trainer put us through such rigorous defense training," Pupitar muttered, giving her trainer a knowing look before redirecting her attention to the adversaries who were still floating in the air.

"So much for Trick Room. These two apparently have a work-around..." Seth said in a disgruntled manner.

"So what now?" Carbink wondered aloud.

Seth took a deep breath and thought for a moment. As it stands, I don't have much to combat their combo at the present moment. I thought I could turn things in my favor with Trick Room, but even that is blowing up in my face. And since they're still in the air I can't... wait, Seth paused mid thought, his eyes shifting to Carbink with an idea in mind.

A smirk inched onto his face as he remembered something he'd taught Carbink in the event it ever fought anything airborne.

"Carbink, use Gravity!"

"That's right, I know that!" Carbink exclaimed, its body lighting up with psychic forces strong enough to rip the Meowstic duo from the air and force them to the ground.

Olympia's eyes widened as her team was dragged out of the air as if by unseen hands and rooted to the ground where no amount of force exherted could lift them into the air again.

"That's the way Seth!" Jamie shouted from the sidelines.

Diantha chuckled as she observed the match. She'd been watching Seth's body language from the start of the battle. At first he seemed fairly confident only to falter in the face of a superior tactic. But, as she'd just witnessed, he showed that he was able to keep a level head and throw a Mankey wrench in Olympia's strategy, and it appeared that he wasn't done either.

"Carbink, use Sandstorm and Gyro Ball! Pupitar get underground with Dig!"

As soon as the command was given, a fierce sandstorm overtook the field, obstructing vision on both ends. With the stage being set, Pupitar burrowed beneath the arena and surged toward the opposition in the midst of the storm while Carbink spun like a top and followed Pupitar's lead while being concealed by the sand. Seth's eyes lit up as he used his aura to see through the heavy storm that ravaged the field. As he focused on his opponents, he could see that they were relatively unaffected by the severity of the sandstorm due to the psychic force they were using to guard themselves from the constant bombardment of sand.

"Hiding are we? How futile..." Olympia said in a foreboding tone.

Knowing what Seth was up to, she waited, her eyes fixed on the position of her two Meowstic as the enemy closed in. Her Meowstic duo felt out the location of the enemy and were already prepping a counter attack. The male channeled some of his energy into the female who was also powering up with Calm Mind. Suddenly, Carbink burst through a wall of sand while Pupitar erupted from the ground and launched herself at her feline adversaries. With the preparations complete, the female Meowstic unleashed a powerful wave of stored psychic energy right as they drew near, sending both Rock-types flying in opposite directions.

Pupitar and Carbink skidded along the arena floor and soon came to a halt about a few yards away from each other. Both were able to recover from the blast due to Carbink erecting a Light Screen moments prior to being blown away.

"She's not letting you get anywhere near them is she?" Cerise asked as she observed the battle.

"Not only that, but her defenses are nearly flawless. The male defends while the female attacks. Thankfully I reinforced my defenses for the time being. Trick Room and Sandstorm won't last much longer though..." Seth mumbled.

"Energy Ball!" Olympia called out, giving Seth little time to react.

I knew they were hiding something like that!

"Pupitar get under ground! Carbink, Substitute!" Seth countered hastily.

Pupitar proceeded to dive under the arena and burrow toward her opponents while Carbink remained still, awaiting impact as one of the Energy Balls drew near. The attack connected, resulting in a very loud bang! Meanwhile, Pupitar erupted from beneath both Meowstic with a verdant sphere hot on his trail.

I really don't want to do this but, needs must... "Ally Switch!" Seth roared, the command taking both Meowstic and Olympia off guard as Carbink suddenly switched places with Pupitar, bringing her out of harms way.

With Carbink in range, Seth sprung his trap shouting, "Explosion!"

A deafening boom caused the arena to heave and rattle under the force of the blast. Three figures simultaneously hit the ground with a loud thud. As the Sandstorm finally lifted, everyone could see that both Meowstics and Carbink were out of commission. The judge's hand went up.

"Both Meowstics and Carbink are unable to battle! Since Pupitar still remains they will be able to continue with another partner!"

"Alright! Way to go Seth!" Jamie cheered, giving three loud claps as well. "That was crazy, I wasn't sure how he was going to get out of that combo she had going there..."

"If there's anything I've learned in the years that I've had him in my class, it's that when he's backed into a corner... he usually finds a way to pull through. This time, however, he was at a disadvantage in power and speed. I must admit, I wasn't expecting this result. It appears that I taught him a little too well if I didn't see that coming," Jolie chuckled.

"I agree with you, Mrs. Rosseau. Seth has a knack for pulling stunts like that. It makes me even more excited to face him in the Lumiose Conference," Felicity replied with a grin.

"Well done Seth! That was a splendid strategy," Olympia praised upon returning her team. "For a moment there, I was under the impression that you weren't taking this seriously, but it appears that I was wrong..."

"You have something I want. By default I can't afford not to take this seriously," Seth replied as he readied his next partner.

Trick Room is still up but it looks like it's starting to fade. Good, that means I can send out something a little faster. I think I know just who to take for a test run. He's been itching to see some combat anyway so I might as well...

"Staraptor, take flight!" Seth shouted, releasing the sky predator into the air.

Staraptor erupted from his sphere, a screeching battle cry heralding his arrival. The massive bird of prey lowered himself to the ground and set his sights on Olympia's side of the field. Without a word, Olympia levitated her next duo from within her cloak and released them onto the battlegrounds. Bursting forth from their spheres was a Slowking and an Alakazam whose presence did more than worry Seth from the moment it made its presence known. A belt of sorts was around its waist and in the center was without a doubt, a Mega Stone. Seth already was aware of how destructive Alakazam's power was. The fact that Olympia possessed one that could undergo Mega Evolution was something he wasn't prepared for with the current lineup he'd selected for this match.

"Shall we proceed?" Olympia inquired, holding up her hand and tapping the keystone embedded into the ring on her finger.

Energy poured from it, causing Alakazam's own Mega Stone to react. In a blinding display of multicolored light, Alakazam underwent a startling transmutation. In addition to a longer, white mustache, Alakazam had also grown a long white beard as well. The armor-like parts of his frame became bulkier and more reinforced. A large spike protruded from the center of his head and an oval, red organ, much like a gem, appeared in the middle of his forehead. Five spoons floated above him as he levitated in the air. Silence reigned for a while before Olympia's voice shattered it.

"Psyshock!"

Alakazam's five spoons lit up all at once. Several spheres of potent psychic energy suddenly converged on Pupitar who had little time to react before she was peppered with explosive spheres that blasted her from her position, into the air and crashing into the ground. Without a word, Seth returned Pupitar and reached for his next choice.

To say that Alakazam is powerful would be an understatement. Honestly I'm not sure if this is going to work, Seth thought as he ran through the other options he had on his team. The only thing I can do now is stick to the strategy and hope it works, Seth sighed inwardly as he gripped Staraptor's partner and launched it into battle. "Jolteon, engarde!"

The Lightning Pokemon landed in a crouched, battle ready position, his fur crackling with an electrical current as he stared down the opposition. This was it. While it was an unusual pairing, Seth had full faith in his teammates to pull through for him. Wasting no time, Seth gave the first command.

"Staraptor, use Tailwind and Agility! Jolteon use Agility too!"

Heeding the call of his trainer, Staraptor took to the skies again and whipped up a fierce tailwind that endowed him and his partner with newfound levels of speed. Jolteon, taking advantage of this, accelerated from his position and continued to gain speed as he raced toward his opponents. Staraptor pursued along the wind, also gaining more speed as he and Jolteon converged upon the enemy. Leaping, Jolteon's body crackled with electricity while Staraptor's body became ablaze with azure light.

"Alakazam, Reflect! Slowing, Light Screen!" Olympia instructed.

Staraptor and Jolteon's assault, while successful in part, was weakened due to the powerful barrier erected by Alakazam. With a small flex of his psychic power, both Jolteon and Staraptor were forced backwards. Jolteon dug his claws into the ground in an attempt to slow his body while Staraptor hit the back wall harshly.

Looking over, Jolteon barked at Staraptor out of concern as he shakily rose up and shook off the attack. As he righted himself, he found himself barrel rolling out of the way of a bolt of lightning coming from the crown of Slowking. Bolt after bolt was fired, giving Staraptor little time to focus. So in Jolteon was off and running while dodging Shadow Balls in the process. All of this was done without Olympia uttering a single word.

Diantha glanced over at Mathilde who was wearing a sly smirk while watching the match.

"I don't think I've seen Olympia test anyone to this extent," Diantha began, watching as Seth seemed to scramble while on the defensive.

"You're right. Up until now, Olympia's never needed to use the full extent of her power on anyone. Normally her two Meowstic were sufficient enough to test a trainer's knowledge and ability. But as my disciple has demonstrated, more of a challenge was needed. That, and I may have persuaded her to do so to shake things up a bit..." Mathilde said, giggling a little at what her mischief wrought.

"You're terrible," Diantha replied, shaking her head as she chuckled to herself.

"Thank you, I take pride in my work," Mathilde said smirkingly.

"If by work you mean tormenting your student," Diantha trailed off.

"Just watch, Seth's not out of this just yet. Olympia may be pulling out all the stops, but if I know my protégé the way I think I do, he's forming a plan as we speak..."

Diantha arched a brow and turned to look at Seth. She could see the sweat trailing down the side of his face as he watched his team on the run. As she focused, it became clear to her that Mathilde was indeed right. While he appeared nervous, his focus was getting sharper as he observed every move that was made. For a moment, Diantha's mind went back to the first time she faced the woman beside her.

That same stern, confident expression that Mathilde wore was being mirrored by Seth. The man was exhibiting the same daunting confidence that her friend had on their first meeting. It was now perfectly clear to Diantha that Seth was biding his time.

Jolteon yelped as a redirected Psyshock hammered into him, pushing him to the ground. Staraptor found himself on the receiving end of a Thunderbolt that sent him into a tail spin. Frantically flapping his wings, he managed to pull up as another bolt of lightning passed under him.

"You seem to be having a difficult time, Seth. I wonder how much longer you can keep this up before you run out of steam," Olympia said finally. "You should know that at the rate you're going... victory is impossible."

Seth kept silent as she spoke knowing full well that she was right. He needed a way to breech her defenses and he needed one fast.  As he looked at his teammates, a thought soon occurred to him. There was a way to take her team down even if it was risky. With confidence in his voice, Seth gave the command to go on the offensive again.

"Staraptor get in close with Agility! Jolteon, cover him with Pin Missile!"

Staraptor rose up and took off toward enemy lines, his eyes focused on the imposing opposition ahead of him. Glowing green needles whizzed past him as he flew, darting around several bolts of lightning that came his way as he neared.

"Mirror Move!" Seth called out.

Staraptor's eyes lit up as he watched Slowking power up another Thunderbolt. Electricity crackled around his body and soon both he and Slowking were locked in a power struggle while Alakazam deflected the needles from Jolteon's assault, allowing time for the electric fox to close the distance and fire off a Shadow Ball of his own. Blasting it apart with Psychic, Alakazam turned and fired another Psyshock, barely missing as Jolteon jinked to the side to avoid it.

I see... he knew that Staraptor wouldn't be able to be of much use without a ranged attack, so he stole one of Slowking's. It appears that I may have spoken too soon earlier. I wonder what you will do with this, Seth... Alakazam, Expanding Force!

What transpired next was something Seth was in no way prepared for. It was as if an invisible bomb went off in the air and in front of Jolteon and sent them crashing into the ground. He'd only had time to see the powerful red glow around the spoons before it happened. In that moment, it became even more abundantly clear to him why Mathilde said Olympia would be a true test for him.

"I think it's time we brought this to a close," Olympia declared, motioning for Alakazam and Slowing to prepare their final attack. "Psyshock!"

Multiple glowing purple orbs began materializing before Alakazam and Slowking. As they were launched, Staraptor's body began to glow with a light blue aura. His wounds began to recede and his strength began to return long enough for him to focus and snatch Jolteon from the ground in time as the orbs exploded where he once lay. Using the stolen Thunderbolt, he sent several volts of electricity into Jolteon whose body absorbed it all, reinvigorating him.

Seth's eyes lit up as he surveyed the battlefield. He could see that the barriers that were set in place were flickering, which meant that his strategy was working.

Jolteon was set down by Staraptor who was now taking to the air again in preparation for another attack. Visibly tired, both were just rejuvenated enough for another round at best. Seth's eyes zeroed in on Alakazam as his spoons and body took on that same dangerous glow as before. In that same moment, the barrierss faded.

It's time! "Double Team, both of you!"

"It's useless!" Olympia warned as Slowking launched another Psyshock which began decimating each copy as his adversaries drew near.

Jolteon and Staraptor suddenly accelerated, utilizing their boosted speed to close the gap along with their copies. Staraptor's body was ablaze with a fierce violet aura while Jolteon took on an orange glow. The energy that Alakazam had been storing was suddenly released in a blinding flash of light. Within the dust cloud, four figures were seen, two on the ground lying motionless and two still standing.

When the dust cleared Slowking and Staraptor were revealed on the ground while Jolteon was clamped onto Alakazam's shoulder, his teeth sinking in after jolting him with several volts of electricity. Try as he might, Alakazam couldn't shake Jolteon due to the paralysis and the persistence of his foe. Having endured the last attack, this was his last opportunity to end it.

"Thunder!" Seth roared fiercely.

With a loud cry, Jolteon expended the last of his energy into Alakazam, sending his opponent into convulsions until he toppled over unconscious. The judges hand shot up.

"Alakazam is unable to battle! Jolteon wins the round which means the match goes to Seth the challenger!"