noah jogs into a pillar of light. waving to his competitor, the league referee (that had finally been attached to him), announces his name. the ring is enclosed entirely in metal chain fencing aside from the battleworn canvas it stands upon.

"hey, man! samuel, right?" noah pulls out two pokeballs from his holster, fingers cradling their smaller-sized forms. "know what i'm teaching right?"

he tosses the pokeballs and they clash with the cave. the devices crack open, spitting out red light into the ring to summon his falinks and medicham.

"if you can deal with me and my pokemon close-up, you'll get my knockout badge." he says. "you can have the first move, dude. good luck."

oscar clayton

Close up huh? Yeah that shouldn't be too hard. In theory. Anything  could go wrong in a gym battle. Oscar took out a pair of sunglasses and rested them on his face, hiding his eyes. "Yeah well, here goes nothing."

Grievous stood with his arms folded, sizing up his opponents. This could be a tricky fight, but if Obi did his part everything should go smoothly. Obi was less confident, especially since the last time he participated in a gym battle he went down within the first few minutes. But hopefully they were on an even enough playing field to ensure some survivability. The referee commenced the battle, and the two quickly took action.

They acted without commands from Oscar. He had taken to heart advice given to him from past leaders, and while he planned a general strategy for the two ahead of time he mostly wanted them to act on instinct and experience. Grievous moved first, he unfolded his arms and walked toward the center of the arena. Near the center, Obi would release a small glowing orb from the center of his head. The orb would rise to the top of the cage before bursting into a magnificent display of light and heat (Sunny Day).

Normally, Sunny Day would have enough room to not allow the sunlight to be so abrasive. However, being limited within this cage made the arena become unbearably bright. Oscar stood prepared with his sunglasses, but even he squinted at the makeshift sun's rays. Grievous used the light as cover, enveloping himself in flames as he closed in on the Madicham with a burst of speed (Flare Blitz). His aim was an unrelenting slam,  empowered by the blazing sun shining above.

Meanwhile Obi stomped his way into the center, stretching his trunk as the sun made him more limber and freed up his joints (Chlorophyll). While Grievous would probably be the more agressive of the two, Obi was prepared to fight just as viciously to win.

Notes:
Exeggutor used Sunny Day
Blaziken attacked Medicham with Flare Blitz
Exeggutor's Chlorophyll ability kicked in.

noah faber

noah's eyes cringe narrow as the SUNNY DAY bathes the ring. light traces the rows of steel links in the enclosure— glinting occasionally as it hits a corner.

noah is undeterred despite his lack of shades. as the exeggutor summons the sunlight, the gym leader shouts, "you know what to do, linus!"

the falinks quickly rush into formation as they move toward the center— but closer to noah's side of the ring. NO RETREAT tightens their defenses and hones their focus as noah's medicham DETECTS the incoming blaziken.

the bird is ferociously fast. still, the medicham just barely evades the FLARE BLITZ. fire singes its pale arms. noticing the threat of their challenger's blaziken, the falinks attempt to surround the bird while noah's medicham retaliates with PSYCHO CUT.

two strikes of psychic-imbued limbs, like the swings of a blade, lunge for blaziken from noah's medicham.

"getting hot in here," noah tugs at his collar, fanning his body with the billowing of his shirt.

oscar clayton

Grievous looked to his opponent as he sped past, his expression an unimpressed leer. The move did not surprise him, nor did it deter him from continuing his assault. He slid to a stop, kicking up embers into the cage's walls as he turned to face the medicham. He stood still as his opponents came to him, the falinks surrounding him while the medicham prepared to strike. They both probably thought they had him trapped, they were wrong.

Grievous's legs flexed as he bent down before springing into the air. He jumped high enough to keep himself above the falinks and medicham, and but would not give gravity the pleasure of bringing him down. Grievous threw his wrists behind him, letting out a snarl as flames erupted from them like they would from an engine. Propelled forward by these flames, Grievous stuck out a leg and aimed himself at the medicham (High Jump Kick). While a risky maneuver, it would pay off well if it connected.

As Grievous further engaged the medicham, Obi turned his attention to the falinks. His main head let out a growl as his eyes began to glow, and if the falinks paid attention it would notice the power collecting beneath it. Moments later, Obi would shake his leaves as psychic energy burst from beneath the falinks (Expanding Force). Obi's aim was to divide his opponents, if he could keep the falinks busy then Grievous should have little trouble with the medicham.

Oscar kept his eyes on the battle, slowly removing one of his gloves to reveal a ring. It wasn't yet time to use it, but when the opportunitycame he wanted to be ready. 

Notes: 
Grevious jumped into the air and used High Jump Kick on Medicham.
Obi used Expanding Force on Falinks

noah faber

noah's medicham staggers backwards, the aggressive maneuver catching the pokemon off-guard. its chest refuses to collapse under the blaziken's foot, and so does the injured medicham. as the medicham falls, its arms lunge for the bird's leg, attempting to bring the blaziken down to the canvas with it.

his falinks scatter. they roll like cabbages thrown off a mercantile cart from the EXPANDING FORCE of oscar's exeggutor. those thrown further must take more time to reach the exeggutor, but three find themselves in an advantageous position enough to lunge at the exeggutor with HEADBUTTS.

they stagger their head-on attacks, attempting to FLINCH the tree in order to bide enough time for their remaining comrades to catch up.

noah calls out to his opponent, "you're pretty focused, aren't you? i'll break your cool soon enough!"

oscar clayton

Oscar tsks, pretending he currently isn't a ball of immense stress. Tilting his head he replies to Noah, "My cool? Nah I ain't cool, like you said it's hot as fuck in here." Oscar fiddled with his ring. "Though to be honest, I guess it could be hotter."

As that exchange took place, Medicham performed an unusual maneuver on Grievous. As it latched onto his leg, Grievous's eyes blazed with fury. He grunted as he was dragged over the medicham, slamming face first into the canvas. The angry blaziken put out his claws to lessen the impact, yet still shuddered from the hit. He glared back at the medicham, raising his free leg to Blaze Kick it in the face. And he would continue to do so until he was free from its grasp.

Obi struggled in his own fight, gawking as the falinks rolled toward him. As one prepared to strike, Obi would ready himself to counter attack. Yet he prepared too early, the falinks staggered their attack causing Obi to Flinch. This created the perfect opening for his opponents.

The balls battered upon Obi's trunk one by one, like pinballs slamming into a bumper. Obi gasped with each hit, staggering back and forth between his opponents. When he finally managed to regain his footing, he would let out a cry of fury as he let loose an instantaneous blast of sunlight from his main head (Solar Beam). He spun in place, hoping to use the beam to scatter the falinks. It was mostly a defensive measure to give himself some space, but with his enhanced speed granted by the sun maybe he would manage to hit one.

Either way, the attack left Obi with more than a few bruises, and the sunlight was starting to fade. This could get bad if Grievous can't find a way to finish the Medicham quickly.

Notes:
Blaziken is using Blaze Kick over and over until the medicham breaks its grapple.

Exeggutor flinched and was battered by falinks before using a defensive spinning Solar Beam.

The sunlight has started to fade.

noah faber

the act of pretend fools noah. oscar's practiced art concealing his nerves is an invisible one, or perhaps, one that is difficult to discern under the elemental theatrics of gym challenge's battle. "i'll get you a complimentary knockout water bottle after. how about that, man?"

noah's medicham's struggle, like oscar's placid performance, hides underneath its calm exterior. contending with the ferocity of a blaziken's kicks causes the psychic fighter to eventually release— but not before being torched by a kick to the face.

his medicham flings backwards and slams into some nearby fencing. the cage rattles and continues to rattle more as the exeggutor releases a SOLAR BEAM around the ring.

"PROTECT!" noah cries out.

his falinks attempt to defend or disperse, but a couple are caught by the hastened blast of solar energy. two units of the six find themselves knocked out, rolled like balls of moss needing the careful hand of a kokedama gardener.

"we're not out yet." noah shouts.

his medicham readies a DRAIN PUNCH should it be able, hoping to siphon strength from the other's blaziken should it come for it. in the meantime, the four remaining falinks roll over to his medicham too, hoping to impede the bird should grievous approach.

oscar clayton

Oscar smiled, a water bottle huh? Well it was important to stay hydrated. "It'll match my new badge." Oscar stated coyly as he observed the battle. Hopefully theeader would not notice his knees shaking. As an opportunity arose for a big play, he would slowly raise his ringed hand.

As soon as the medicham let go, Grievous would twirl himself om his wrists and jumped to his feet. Obi's attack would end, leaving scorch marks around the cage. The exeggutor teetered back in forth, breaking from his dizziness in time to watch the falinks run to medicham. Grievous narrowed his eyes, they were all in one place now. He took on a neutral stance, just in time for Oscar to activate his ring.

The ring flashed, and a strange energy encircled Grievous. A massive pearl like dome encased the fighter, before quickly being shattered by a massive figure. A bird of pure energy smashed through the dome and rocketed toward the huddled opponents. Through the surging energy, one might be able to make out a now mega eveolved Grievous in the bird's center. With his opponents so close together, he shouldn't have much trouble delivering this massive blow (Brave Bird).

Meanwhile Obi observed, an orb lifting out of the top of his head and floating to the top of the cage. The sunlight had faded, only to be once again ignited by Obi's Sunny Day. He hoped the sudden flash of light might help his teammate's attack connect, though he doubted he would be so lucky.

Notes:
Blaziken mega evolved and used Brave Bird on the gathered falinks and medicham.
Exeggutor used sunny day and is observing.

noah faber

the mega evolution of his opponent's blaziken is nothing short of spectacle. a kind that noah does not tire of, even when his own machamp performs such miraculous transformation. noah smiles, content that his challenge has pushed the other's pokemon to revolutionize itself in the heat of the moment.

"HEAD'S UP!" noah shouts. his remaining falinks scramble toward their ally, huddling together to form a makeshift shield.

barely, the falinks attempt to COUNTER the mega blaziken's attack. as the dome of energy collides with their golden armours, an explosion bursts from the point of impact. smoke wafts across the canvas.

from the fumes, his medicham leaps toward the exeggutor. ice coats its knuckles as it hurls ICE PUNCHES at the pokemon basking in the sunlight.

the counter had never gone through. the diminished number of falinks has caused their brigade to succumb to the blaziken's strength before they could retaliate at all.

noah recalls falinks, still smiling as his medicham distances itself from the blaziken with its attack.

oscar clayton

As Grievous rushed toward the cluster, he could not help but notice the falinks take on a familiar glow. It suddenly occurred to him that the orbs might be able to counter his attack, which brought nothing short of terror to the fire bird's soul. Yet he could not stop now, he simply closed his eyes and braced for impact. Hopefully he could bring them down with him.

He felt pain as the attack connected, yet it wasn't anything more than the usual recoil. He rose to his feet, his knees shaking as he looked down upon his targets. They had been knocked out, apparently unable to complete their counter in time. Grievous let out a sigh of relief, rolling his sore shoulders as he tried to locate the medicham. It would seem that it slipped away while its allies took the attack.

He didn't have to look far, the medicham was nearby charging toward Obi. Grievous tsked, that wasn't a good idea. Obi was taken aback as the medicham went for him, but he was prepared to defend himself. As it grew near, Obi would open his primary mouth and let loose a Solar Beam toward its charging opponent (this time minus the spinning). As this happened, Grievous rushed forward. Its Speed Boost kicking in, Grievous would try to close the distance between himself and medicham. He recalled that the wily fighter had detect, and in case it used that to avoid the solar beam he wanted to be there to Blaze Kick it in the back.

Meanwhile as the falinks was withdrawn Oscar began to shake. Was this almost over? Was he about to finally accomplish his dream? He felt so nervous, like anything could go wrong. He was so close, failure could not be an option. Gritting his teeth, he watched this climatic moment unfold.

Notes:
Exeggutor used Solar Beam (done without a charge thanks to Sunny Day) on the medicham.
Blaziken's Speed Boost ability raised his speed, and he is running toward the medicham to Blaze Kick it if it dodges the Solar Beam.
Oscar is trying not to shit himself.

noah faber

"not bad!"

as he rubs his forearm across his brow, noah's smile does not falter underneath. in a similar fashion, the calm medicham DETECTS danger.

with a swift shift, the pink pugilist flips over the exeggutor. frosty hands grace the pokemon's multiple heads as the medicham catapults over, hoping to dodge the beam while attempting to cause the blaziken to strike its own partner.

"not bad at all!" noah shakes his head, allowing his tangled bangs to loosen.

oscar clayton

Well that didn't go as planned. As the medicham jumped over Obi, Grievous scowled. How did he not see that coming? Oh well, it was time to improvise. With the medicham's icy touch chilling the exeggutor, it would seem that Obi would be in dire trouble. While most of its heads trembled, one held onto its dopey expression as the medicham landed. Obi's left most head chuckled as it stared down the medicham, turning slightly as it opened its mouth to let loose yet another Solar Beam. Being the haughtiest of the heads, it feared not pain nor defeat. It was fully prepared to retaliate when the rest of its body couldn't.

That Solar Beam would very suddenly get much closer, as would the rest of Obi. The assaulting head's expression would turn into shock as a burst of flame propelled it into the medicham. Grievous did not stop to avoid attacking his ally, simply choosing to use Obi's body as a weapon. The force of his Blaze Kick sent Obi flying, the goal being to crush the medicham beneath Obi's weight. Grievous remained attentive, preparing to deliver further attacks to the medicham if it dodged or manadged to escape Obi's weight.

Obi himself screeched in pain, his eyes rolling around in his heads as he was flung forward. The solar beam it used earlier would surely be its last attack before fainting. 

Notes:
Obi used a sly solar beam after the medicham lands.
Grievous Blaze Kicks Obi to send him crashing into the medicham. Grievous stands ready to keep on the offensive.
Obi will faint after landing.

noah faber

noah's medicham lands. the sound of its footfall is hushed. a peaceful pulse of almost-silence as the medicham channels psychic energies between its clawed hands.

however, the following maneuver catches both the medicham and its gym leader off-guard. there is no resistance from the other's blaziken. as the exeggutor is kicked in a flurry of fire, the medicham's PSYCHO CUT fizzles out like a decaying star.

the palm tree's thick trunk slams squarely into the lithe body of noah's medicham, causing it to wail. they arc briefly in the air before crashing into the metal fencing of the cage. the exeggutor rolls off— and the medicham soon follows, dropping from the wall to collapse face first on the canvas.

"no way." wide-eyed, noah recalls his medicham into his ball as the match is called.

oscar clayton