Is this really happening? Gabe thought as he stared up at the structure that was the Oreburgh Gym.

The rocky structure was just outside of the city limits and had several sharp stones jutting out of the ground on either side of the entrance.

It's exactly how it is in the anime. This is so cool! Gabe thought excitedly as he drank in the sight before him.

"You ready for this, Barry? You look nervous," Lucas observed.

"Huh? Nervous, me? Pshh, no way! I'm excited!" Gabe replied enthusiastically.

"That's good. Just to warn you, Roark's really tough," Lucas cautioned. "So be ready for anything."

"Thanks for the tip. Now let's get this show on the road!" Gabe called back as he dashed inside.

Once inside, Gabe was greeted by the sight of a battlefield, complete with a rocky, boulder infested terrain. Bright lights hung from the ceiling, and both sides of the arena had a set of bleachers. Sitting on the bleachers was a young man in a judge's uniform, looking at his gear for messages.

"Roark, you here!? I'm here to challenge you!" Gabe called out in a loud voice.

For a moment, there was silence. But afterwards, a reply came in the form of the overhead lights brightening up the battlefield.

"Another challenger already huh? This day just keeps getting better," came a man's voice in reply.

The man in question wore a gray miners outfit complete with a pair of black boots and a red helmet. He had cordovan colored hair with eyes to match.

"Oh, Lucas, you're back huh? Is this your friend?" Roark asked, getting a nod from Lucas.

"Yeah, this is-"

"The name's Barry, and I'm here for the badge," Gabe proclaimed boldly.

Roark nodded.

"I had a feeling. Well, since you've declared your challenge, shall we get started?" Roark queried, inviting Gabe to the arena floor.

Gabe accepted the invitation and joined Roark. The two made their way to separate trainer boxes and turned to face each other. The judge set down his gear and stood up to head to the floor.

"Good luck Barry!" Lucas called to his friend from the stands.

Gabe turned his head towards Lucas and nodded before redirecting his attention to Roark.

This is it. An actual gym battle! Going against Roark is going to be so cool! Now the only question is, who do I send out first? Thought Gabe, cycling through his team in his mind.

The judge cleared his throat and addressed the two combatants.

"This is an official gym match between the Oreburgh City Gym Leader; Roark, and the challenger; Barry from Twinleaf Town! This will be a three on three matchup. Only the challenger will be allowed to substitute Pokémon. Barry will have the honor of the first move! Combatants, send out your first Pokémon!" Hollered the judge.

"Here we go! Geodude, come on out!" Roark commanded, releasing the Rock-type onto the battlefield.

"Duuude!" The sentient boulder cried as he burst onto the arena floor.

The floating Rock-type narrowed his eyes in concentration as he waited for his opposition to appear.

Gabe reached down to his belt and gripped the first ball on his belt and snapped it off. Priming it, he fired the ball onto the rocky terrain.

"Jamie, let's go!" Gabe cried out.

The bright-eyed feline burst forth, crouching into a battle ready position with her tail swaying to and fro with anticipation.

A Shinx huh? A bit of an odd choice, but I'm sure he has his reasons, Roark thought.

"Jamie, use Ice Fang!" Gabe commanded fiercely.

So that's why! I'd better get moving then! Roark mused before issuing an order.

"Geodude, use Rock Throw to slow her down!" Roark called out.

Jamie bared her fangs and snarled at Geodude before exploding from her position, her teeth aglow with an icy aura as she raced towards the sentient rock. Seeing the frigid energy forming on his adversary's fangs, Geodude hefted a stone from the ground and chucked it at her, forcing her to dodge around it upon her approach.

Rock after rock was hurled her way, causing her to dart wide around the arena and approach from another angle. Just then, Geodude slammed his fist into the ground and caused it to heave, forcing glowing azure rocks up from the ground in a line towards Jamie, causing her to veer off course entirely as the stones shattered a nearby boulder.

Darn, can't get close with this one, Gabe frowned, watching as Jamie rolled away from a stone that was fired her way.

Geodude closed in with a Brick Break that was met with adversity by an iron infused tail, bringing the combatants to trade blows in the center of the ring. Jamie ducked a second knife hand, and bit down with an Ice Fang, causing Geodude to cry out in pain before using his mighty arm to thrust Jamie back into a boulder.

Jamie hit the rock hard and managed to pull herself away before a Rock Blast barrage was fired her way.

Plan B it is then, Gabe thought as he fixed his gaze on the battle again.

"Get in there with Iron Tail!" Gabe shouted.

"Meet her head on with Fire Punch!" Roark commanded.

Jamie's tail took on Steel-type qualities as she sprang upward and forward. Geodude's fists were set ablaze as he drew them back in preparation to meet his foe. As Jamie was at the apex of her jump, Gabe sprung his trap.

"Double Team!" He shouted fiercely.

In midair, Jamie replicated herself at a rapid pace, startling both Roark and Geodude. Every illusory copy of her flipped upon descent and plummeted towards Geodude. Jamie's tail hammered home with a loud thwack, that echoed through the gym. The force of the strike hammered Geodude into the ground, creating a thick dust cloud that shrouded the center of the arena.

When the dust settled, Jamie stood over a collapsed, unconscious Geodude. The judge raised his hand.

"Geodude is unable to battle! Shinx wins the round!" Declared the judge.

"Alright! Way to go Barry!" Lucas cheered.

"Thanks man!" Gabe called back to his friend before kneeling down to reward Jamie with some scratches behind her ears.

"Good job girl," he praised her, patting her on the head before ushering her back onto the battlefield.

"That was impressive," Roark commended Gabe after returning his Geodude. "That was a clever strategy. I guess I wasn't expecting that," Roark laughed.

In all honesty, I wasn't expecting his Geodude to have moves like that. Upside is, Geodude's down. Now if I'm right, his next Pokémon might be-

"Onix, time for battle!" Roark cried out.

The red and white sphere burst open, releasing a colossal rock snake which towered above the petite feline, whose body was now glowing as a sign of distress.

Aaaaand there it is. No way Jamie's staying in. Gabe reached for Jamie's ball and primed it. "Good work Jamie, you take a breather!"

In a flash of crimson light, Jamie was recalled. Reaching to his belt, Gabe snatched up another ball and readied it before sending out his next teammate.

"Psyduck, time for battle!" Gabe exclaimed.

The sky blue duck exploded from his spherical home and poised himself for battle. His eyes slowly trailed up the rock snail's long frame, and a bead of sweat slowly slid down his face. Needless to say, Psyduck was a bit nervous. And it didn't help that he had a bit of a headache either.

"Onix, use Iron Tail!" Roark commanded.

"Water Pulse!" Gabe countered.

Onix swung his tail upward and coated it with steel before slamming it down towards Psyduck, who was prepping a sphere of water in his tiny hands. Psyduck's eyes widened at the sight of the massive tail, and he jumped to get clear of it as it hit the ground, the shockwave pushing him back in midair, sending him sliding along the ground.

Psyduck rubbed his head as he stood up and winced a bit at the pain he was feeling due to his collision with a boulder. As he looked up, he saw a few rocks being heaved his way, prompting him to scurry to safety.

"Water Pulse now!" Gabe called out again.

Avoiding another large rock, Psyduck formed a hasty ball of aquatic energy and fired it at Onix. The blast made a solid connection and caused Onix to roar in pain.

"Awesome Psyduck, keep it up!" Gabe encouraged the little blue duck.

"Stealth Rock!" Roark commanded.

That's not good! Gabe thought, slightly panicking as the massive rock snake roared, forming sentient stones that seemed to melt into the floor, out of sight.

Psyduck looked around wildly as the rocks seemed to disappear into the ground. Perplexed, Psyduck turned to Onix only to be slammed in the bill with a large rock, sending him bouncing along the ground. Psyduck slowly got up and rubbed his bill and head as his headache was getting progressively worse.

Psyduck's not looking too good. That blow to the bill didn't help either. On top of that, he looks like he has a headache. Unless he can concentrate, he can't... wait, that's it! Psyduck's psychic abilities get stronger the worse their headache gets! Gabe realized as he watched Psyduck clutch his head.

"Onix, use Slam!" Roark shouted.

Let's see if this works, Gabe thought as he began to issue a command. "Stop it with Confusion!"

As Onix's tail plummeted to the ground, Psyduck's eyes began to glow a vibrant blue hue, and that same glow surrounded Onix, resulting in a strength versus mindpower struggle.

"Now use Water Pulse!" Gabe commanded.

"Rock Blast!" Roark countered.

Though his body was restrained by the telekinetic force exerted on it, Onix was able to open his mouth and fire a barrage of rocky spheres towards Psyduck, just as he launched his Water Pulse. Both attacks made a groundshaking connection, resulting in both Pokémon crashing hard into the floor.

"Both Pokémon are unable to battle! This round is a draw!" Declared the judge.

Gabe sighed in relief and returned Psyduck to his ball.

"Great job Psyduck, you take a good rest," Gabe stated before grabbing his next partner.

I know what his next teammate is, and it's not going to be easy, Gabe thought, priming Aron's ball and readying it.

"I have to hand it to you Barry, that last trick you pulled was really something else. I almost forgot how strong Psyduck actually were when they got a headache," Roark laughed, reaching for his last partner.

"If you liked that, then here's another one for you! Aron, let's do this!" Gabe hollered, launching his companion into battle.

The ironclad Pokémon emerged from his sphere and turned to meet Gabe's eyes. A happy expression fixed itself on the Iron Armor Pokémon's face as he saw his trainer. This was short-lived as the hidden rocks suddenly crashed into him without warning. As the dust cleared, Aron was looking relatively unharmed as there wasn't so much as a scratch on his armor. The little Steel-type blinked and tilted his head.

Good thing he resists that so much, or I'd be worried, Gabe thought, turning his focus to Roark once more.

The sound of a Poké Ball erupting open caught Aron's attention, prompting him to turn and face his bipedal adversary. The Headbutt Pokémon narrowed his eyes at the little Steel-type.

"You ready Barry? This is my last Pokémon. But don't expect him to be as easy as my previous two," Roark smirked.

If only he knew I already knew that, Gabe mused, turning his mind back to the battle at hand. Better come out swinging...

"Aron, use Iron Head!" Gabe commanded.

"Iron Head as well!" Roark demanded.

Aron and Cranidos stampeded after each other, reinforcing their skulls with steel just before they clashed, head-on in the center of the ring. Due to having more strength to back his assault, Cranidos launched Aron away the moment they made contact. Aron smashed into a boulder, blowing it apart as soon as he collolided, and slid along the ground for a few feet until he came to a stop and pulled himself up.

"Zen Headbutt!" Roark shouted fiercely, pressing his assault.

"Iron Defense!" Gabe countered.

Aron whipped around and planted his feet, bracing for impact as his body coated itself in a thick layer of steel energy. Aron lowered his head and was once again at odds with the overpowering strength of Cranidos, only this time, he dug in and stood his ground, forcing Cranidos to exert more force.

"Strike back with Metal Claw!" Gabe cried out.

Aron lifted one of his stubs and armed it with steel energy before jabbing Cranidos's lowered head with it, sending him stumbling back. Cranidos regained his footing just in time to sidestep a Head Smash attack from Aron who skidded to a halt before whirling around to face Cranidos.

"Iron Head!" Gabe commanded again.

Aron burst forth, head aglow with steel aura as he ran, and closed the distance between him and Cranidos who simply stood there, undeterred.

"Flamethrower!" Roark countered.

Crap, I forgot he could learn that! Gabe panicked mentally.

Cranidos opened wide and blasted the oncoming Aron with a steady stream of flames, forcing him back several feet and searing his armor. Aron pushed himself up, his body feeling more strained after being pummeled by fire. Staying alert, he jinked to the side to avoid another stream.

"Stay clear of that Flamethrower! Try to close in with Iron Head!" Gabe called out.

"Trying to get closer huh? I'm not gonna make it that easy for ya! Flamethrower again!" Roark bellowed.

Cranidos loosed a stream of fire once again towards the ironclad Pokémon, causing Aron to zigzag around the blasts as they neared. Aron got within a few feet of Cranidos before jumping over another stream, aiming his head towards Cranidos.

"Superpower!" Roark commanded.

Gabe froze at this command and could only watch as Cranidos reared his head back and rammed it into Aron, sending him crashing straight down in front of Cranidos, forming a crater from the impact.

"Aron is unable to battle! Cranidos wins the round!" Declared the judge as his hand went up.

Gabe furrowed his brow at the situation he found himself in. Aron had been his best bet for enduring the punishment that Cranidos could dish out. But it seemed as though that wasn't enough.

You know, if it weren't for the fact that I knew Cranidos wouldn't be easy, I would be pretty upset right now, Gabe thought, taking a deep breath before returning Aron.

"You got this Barry! Don't give up!" Lucas cheered his friend on.

Gabe smiled faintly and hitched Aron to his belt and grabbed Jamie's ball. He primed it and looked at it intently for a moment before resolving to continue the fight.

"Cranidos has taken a few hits so far, which means we may have a shot at this," Gabe mumbled to himself as he held out Jamie's ball.

"Jamie, you're up girl!" Gabe hollered, firing her ball into battle.

Jamie flashed onto the field in a battle ready stance. Electrical currents coursed through her body, illuminating her fur. Her big yellow eyes narrowed in determination as she saw the adversary before her. She had heard her trainer's words prior to exiting her spherical home, and was prepared to see this battle through.

"It all comes down to this. Let's see how this battle ends up shall we? Cranidos, Zen Headbutt!" Roark commanded.

"Trip it up with Iron Tail!" Gabe cried out.

Cranidos stomped on the ground and roared, powering his head with psychic force and taking off running towards the small feline. Though her body wished for her to run, Jamie's mind was focused as her foe closed in. Lighting up her tail, it took on the properties of steel before being swept at Cranidos's feet, causing him to fall face first into the arena. Pressing her advantage, Jamie leapt high and swung down with another Iron Tail, so certain she'd hit her mark. Cranidos however, had other plans.

Fire erupted from his mouth, launching him into an upright position, causing Jamie's tail to slam the ground where his head had been. With a roar, he slammed into her with an Iron Tail of his own, sending her a great distance through the air. Her feline instincts kicking in, Jamie righted herself and dug into the ground with her claws.

"Flamethrower!" Roark belted out.

"Shockwave!" Gabe riposted.

Fire and lightning collided with a bang, creating a smokescreen which made things difficult to see. Jamie's ears twitched as she listened for Cranidos, only to barely avoid a Zen Headbutt in time as the rampaging Rock-type came charging through the smoke.

"Ice Fang!" Gabe commanded.

"Iron Head!" Roark countered.

Jamie launched herself at Cranidos, lacing her teeth with an icy aura in midair. Snorting in response, Cranidos whipped his head forward and delivered a punishing blow to Jamie's body, sending her flying with ease. Jamie slid along the ground and stopped in front of her trainer.

"Jamie!" Gabe breathed, darting over to her to check and see if she was alright. "Are you okay?" He asked, his tone laced with worry.

He watched with wide eyes as she struggled to pull herself up.
Jamie managed to get herself upright and then turned to face Cranidos with a fierce gaze. Her body ached and she felt short on breath. But there was one thing that she knew, and it was that she was going to keep going.

"You don't still want to fight do you? I mean...you're really hu-"

"Shinx!" Jamie snapped, turning her head and narrowing her eyes at Gabe defiantly, almost as if to say 'don't you dare return me!'

Gabe was taken aback by the sudden tenacity she was showing. Normally, Jamie was tame and sweet, but now her feisty side was becoming more prominent. Gabe and Jamie locked eyes for a few seconds and without another word, nodded in agreement that the battle must continue.

"Looks like she's still got some fight left in her. Think it'll be enough?" Roark stated, focusing his attention on Gabe.

"We won't know until we try now will we?" Gabe replied, his expression becoming more determined than ever.

Jamie crouched low, swaying her tail with anticipation while keeping an eye on her opposition. An azure current of electricity crackled along her frame and dispelled into the air.

"Iron Tail!/Zen Headbutt!" Roark and Gabe simultaneously shouted.

Jamie was off like a shot, electricity sparking along her body as she powered forward and launched herself into the air. Cranidos planted his feet and reared back, charging his head with psychic force in preparation to clash with Jamie. At the apex of her jump, more electrical energy exploded along her frame, enveloping her in azure lightning that flared outward as she descended.

An explosion followed the connection that was made, creating a dust cloud that blanketed the arena. Cranidos shook his head vigorously and winced a little after the impact was made. He hadn't expected such a small feline to make such a big impact. The dust slowly settled, and stepping forth from it, was a slightly bigger feline resembling a young lynx. Her whiplike tail was considerably thicker and retained the star at the tip.

"LUUUUUUUXXX!!!!" Jamie roared, sending a surge of electricity across the battlefield.

Gabe's eyes popped. Jamie had just evolved! The newly transformed feline turned her head towards her trainer and smirked. With renewed vigor, she turned to her opponent and focused on the match.

"So she evolved huh? I suspected she would," Roark chuckled. "This should be interesting."

Gabe was beside himself. Seeing a Pokémon evolve in the anime and the games was cool. But it paled in comparison to what Gabe had just witnessed.

"Let's keep going then. Cranidos, Iron Head!" Roark belted out.

"Heads up Jamie! Use Double Team!" Gabe commanded.

Jamie held her focus and divided her image into multiple copies at a noticeably faster rate. Cranidos charged through a few duplicates and turned around to survey the arena. Several copies charged forward, tails lit up with steel aura.

"Iron Tail!" Gabe commanded.

"Drive her back with Flamethrower!" Roark shouted.

Jamie continued her charge, her duplicates keeping pace as she converged on Cranidos. One by one the copies were picked off until three remained. Jamie bolted forward and launched herself high, reinforcing her tail with steel as she flipped, her copies dispelling once she got close. Jamie made contact and guided Cranidos's head to the ground with her starpointed tail, punching a crater into the floor upon impact.

The arena went silent and when all was visible again, Cranidos was revealed to be out cold. The judge's hand shot up.

"Cranidos is unable to battle! Luxio wins the round meaning Barry wins the match!" The judge declared.

"I... I won. I won! Yeah!" Gabe exclaimed happily, kneeling down to scoop up Jamie as she bounded towards him and leaped into his arms.

"Way to go Barry! That was awesome!" Lucas shouted as he ran down to meet him, giving him a high five in congratulations.

Jamie purred affectionately and nuzzled Gabe's face. Roark smiled at the scene and made his way over to the duo, reaching into his pocket to pull out a badge to present to Gabe.

"That was one heck of a battle Barry. You've definitely earned this," Roark declared, holding out the badge for Gabe to take.

"Wow... thanks Roark!" Gabe replied with a grin, taking the badge from the gym leader and showing it to Jamie. "Look what we won girl."

Jamie looked curiously at the badge. She didn't exactly know what it was, or what significance it held. All she knew was that it was shiny, and that it meant something to Gabe.

"Lux!" She chirped, sharing in her trainer's excitement.

"And this is only the start. There are seven more of these, and I plan to earn them all," Gabe said confidently.

"Hey Barry, what do you say we hit up the center and grab a smoothie as a victory celebration?" Lucas suggested.

"I'm with you on that one Lucas! Race ya there! Loser buys the winner's smoothie!" Gabe called back as he bolted off.

"Say what!? Hey, wait up!" Lucas exclaimed, chasing after Gabe as he ran.

Roark sighed and shook his head with a laugh. Adjusting his hat, he made his exit to heal his teammates.

Badge acquired! And bonus, Jamie evolved! I figured it made more sense for her to evolve rather than the other two who evolve much later. I did something similar to what I did in one of my previous stories where I had a Pokémon evolve mid-move.

While it was still somewhat cliche, being a battle evolution, at least it didn't happen as the final blow was approaching right? Anyway, thanks for reading. Let me know what you think! Constructive criticism is a writer's best friend!