Ally shook her limbs loose and rolled her neck.

Kellyn chuckled. "You ready?" He asked.

She steeled her nerves and nodded. "Oh yeah. I got this."

Ally marched into the Eterna City Pokémon gym. She was determined to come out with another win today. The gym foyer was a spacious room, adorned with skylights and Rhydon statues standing by the stadium entrance.

A orange-haired girl greeted them, a bright smile upon her face. Her torn orange shorts and green cloak screamed outdoors. "Hi there! I'm Gardenia, the Gym leader."

"I'm Ally. I have an appointment," Ally answered, bristling with nerves.

"Sure thing. Let's get started!"

Ally and Kellyn followed Gardenia through a door to the back and found themselves in a large stadium. It was similar to the gym in Oreburgh but where that field had been rocky this was a grassy plain.

Kellyn took his place in the stands while a judge walked in and stood in the middle of the field. Gardenia marched to the far side before turning to face Ally.

The judge looked between them before raising his arms. "This match will be a one-on-one fight between the challenger, Ally, and the Gym Leader, Gardenia. Each side may use two Pokémon. The fight will now begin. Battle start!"

Ally grinned and threw her first Pokéball. Piplup burst onto the field.

"Pip!" Shouted the small Pokémon.

Across the field Gardenia smiled cockily and pulled a Pokéball from her pocket. There was a small flash and a Cherubi appeared on the field.

"Piplup, use Peck!" Ally commanded.

Piplup cheered, its beak growing longer and sharpener as the penguin Pokémon charged its opponent.

Gardenia countered quickly. "Bullet Seed, Cherubi!"

Cherubi spat seeds violently at Piplup, but the water-type deflected the seeds with its beak and kept running. Piplup stabbed Cherubi viciously. Cherubi yelped and tried to get away but it got stabbed again.

"Razor Leaf!" Gardenia commanded, flinging her arm sideways.

Cherubi found its footing and launched back with a volley of sharp leaves. Piplup threw up its arms to defend itself and endured the attack.

"Jump and use Bubblebeam!" Shouted Ally.

Piplup jumped and shot a jet of powerful bubbles. Again, Cherubi yelped as it was sprayed by the attack.

"Pound!" Called Ally.

Piplup landed and followed up with a quick pound attack, defeating the small grass type. Gardenia gritted her teeth and returned the fainted Pokémon to its Pokéball. "Roserade!" She called, her expression growing defiant.

Ally frowned as the strong grass-poison type took the field. "Piplup, return! Come on out, Misdreavus!"

In the stands, Kellyn's brows furrowed. He didn't know Ally had caught a new Pokémon. He laughed when a familiar ghost type appeared. The Misdreavus was smiling and waiting for Ally's orders.

"Astonish!" Misdreavus disappeared and reappeared behind Roserade, giving a triumphant cry.

Roserade jumped and yelped, stumbling over itself.

"Psywave!" Ally yelled, pressing her advantage.

Misdreavus quickly followed up with the psychic attack. Roserade grunted as it took the blow. It was forced to its knees, but it stood back up.

Determined to not give in, Gardenia stood her ground fiercely. "Leech Seed!"

Misdreavus screamed as the Leech Seed sapped its strength.

A small grin split her face, but no arrogance was there; Gardenia respected Ally now but wouldn't let her win easily. "Sunny Day, then Weather Ball!"

"Confuse Ray, Misdreavus!"

Misdreavus' eyes glowed weirdly and Roserade stumbled over itself. The ghost type drifted free of the Leech Seed and prepared for the final blow.

"Psybeam!" Called Ally.

Gwen laughed and unleashed a beam of psychic energy. Roserade hit the ground with a dull thud and didn't get back up. Gardenia frowned and returned the Pokémon to its Pokéball.

Ally marched halfway across the field, meeting the gym leader in the middle.

"Good battle. This is yours," said Gardenia. The Gym Leader tossed over the Forest Badge. Ally smiled and pinned it beside her Coal badge. She was another step closer.

"Thanks so much," Ally replied, turning and hurrying away before Gardenia could say anything.

Kellyn walked down from the stands and smiled. "You're getting good," he complimented.

"Damn right I am," she replied smugly.

They laughed and walked from the gym, heading to the Pokémon centre.

"Where to next?" Kellyn asked as they left the Pokémon Hospital.

"Veilstone City."

"Veilstone huh? Well then, let's," Kellyn trailed off, his gaze caught.

Ally frowned, her lips pursing she looked curiously at him. "Kellyn?"

"Look there," he said quietly.

Following his gaze, Ally turned until she was staring at a tall, spiked building. Two men wearing uniforms dragged a third man inside.

Ally grimaced. "Team Galactic."

Kellyn whipped out his phone and dialled a number. The line rang for second, but then someone answered. Kellyn raised the phone to speak into it. "Get me Officer Jenny."

******

Kellyn stood by the wall of the building, peeking around the corner to the front door. Ally stood behind him, peering over his shoulder. Standing by the opposite corner was Officer Jenny. She nodded, showing that she had troops positioned all around the building. No one was going to escape.

Jenny raised a hand and counted down on her fingers. 3. 2. 1. Go. All at once people started sprinting around the building. The automatic doors slid open, and they charged in. Team Galactic Grunts were all throughout the building, but they didn't panic. They calmly organised themselves in defensive positions. One grunt ran to the far wall and yanked down on a lever. A loud siren went off and red lights began flashing. Policemen engaged in violent Pokémon battles with Team Galactic and slowly overpowered them.

Kellyn didn't hesitate, he sprinted upstairs with Ally and Jenny hot on his heels. They kept climbing up through the building. On each floor a squad of officers would peel off to fight the grunts, but the three heroes kept moving. By the time they arrived on the top floor Kellyn, Ally and Jenny were on their own. A woman with purple hair and a Team Galactic uniform grinned evilly at them. A man cowered behind her.

"H-h-help me!" He screamed.

"Who are you?" Jenny demanded angrily.

The woman laughed. "I am Team Galactic Admin, Jupiter! The honour is all yours."

"Who's your friend?" Kellyn asked, gesturing to the cowering man.

Jupiter pursed her lips coyly. "Oh, him? Just some shop owner, but you seem much more fun than him. Would you like to play?"

Kellyn whipped a Pokéball from his pocket and gripped it tightly.

Ally frowned. "I thought you didn't use Pokéballs?"

Kellyn looked at her in amazement. He gestured back and forth between himself and Jupiter.

"What?" Ally asked in confusion. "Since when did you start using Pokéballs?"

"Soon after we first met. They're quite handy. Have you not noticed that my Pokémon haven't been around?

Ally blushed a little and poked her tongue out innocently. Kellyn sighed and Jupiter laughed. "Are you're Pokémon really that forgettable?" She asked.

"Why don't you tell me?" He replied with a grin. "Buia!"

Buizel burst from its ball and glared down Jupiter.

Jupiter laughed again. "My oh my! That look in its eyes, such ferocity. Such anger."

"Surrender," ordered Kellyn.

"Hm, no," Jupiter replied, "How 'bout a battle instead? Skuntank!" Jupiter grinned as the purple skunk Pokémon appeared. "Night Slash!"

"Sonic boom," Kellyn ordered.

Buia flicked her tails and sent the move flying at Skuntank. The attack struck and Skuntank squealed. Jupiter grit her teeth and prepared her next order but Kellyn was too quick.

"Aqua Jet."

Buia launched into the attack and slammed into Skuntank, sending it flying back into Jupiter. The two went sprawling on the ground.

Jupiter growled and stood up. "Poison Gas!"

Skuntank made a horrible farting sound, and the room was filled with terrible gas. Jupiter returned Skuntank to its Pokéball and ran to the far wall, slamming open a window. She jumped out. Kellyn sprinted to the window, covering his mouth. Looking out, he saw Jupiter flying away, carried by a Golbat. He sighed angrily.

"She got away," he said.

"You don't say," Ally replied drily.

Officer Jenny smiled. "No matter. With how many grunts we apprehended today we're sure to catch her soon. Thanks so much for your help Kellyn and Ally. You've given me a lot of work to do. I hope to work with you again in the future. Can I trust you to help him for now?" She said, gesturing to the cowering storekeeper.

Ally had forgotten about the man in the corner. She smiled and walked over, helping him up.

Kellyn nodded and shook Jenny's hand. Jenny smiled and began walking downstairs, but she stopped and took one last look at Kellyn.

"You know, if you ever decide that the uniform still fits, there's a place for you here," she offered.

Kellyn smiled sadly and shook his head. "I told you, different kind of uniform."

Jenny shrugged and walked away.