Everyone and their mother wanted a piece of Wren Baines lately. the new gym brought at least four challengers in succession, and one Kyle Lopez of the Elite Four included. "Hello" she echoes as the door slides open and reveals the newest leader in Hoenn. With her was a Mudsdale, by the name of Shire.

She felt that throwing type disadvantages at people would toughen them up. Kat's ghost was countered with fairy. Kyle's electric type would be countered with ground. This had no bearing on the challenge itself though. It was yet another request for a non-traditional battle. She approaches, leaving the horse at the door. "You're Kyle, right? Not taking anyone's spot are you?"

She gently teases the young man with a frown, having not met him prior to this.

kyle lopez

"No" she smiles a bit brighter "don't worry - I'm just making sure you're the Kyle Lopez on the rooster today" she taps the counter with a finger, indicating to the computer screen the secretary was behind. "you could be an impersonator. I dunno; we've never met."

She turns on the spot, gesturing for him to follow her. The doors open again, revealing Shire as Wren leads Kyle to the gym's floor. Like with Kat, she has an idea of what to do. Reading briefly on Kyle's Elite Four position, she realizes he's more of a canine trainer. That made agility work in his favor; dogs were fast typically. Her Mudsdale would have trouble keeping up somewhat.

She'd have to even the playing field.

The simple interior was briefly seen before Wren activated the gym's 'special' holograms. A muddy bog appeared before them, the swamp full of thick water and fallen foliage. Mudsdale looked a bit nervous considering his typing. She gave him a reassuring pat. "Okay, the challenge is simple" she grins to Kyle "reach the end of the swamp before me and Shire."

A pause. "Use any means to get there. As the challenger, you get a head's start." She nodded for the young man to take position and go.

kyle lopez
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He seems a bit awkward for an Elite Four position, but Wren couldn't exactly talk. Kyle mounts his Pokemon and quickly orders a few moves. She's impressed that he takes into consideration the ground-typing of Shire. Magnet Rise will do him good. Quick attack is quickly followed, and they shoot off.

She hops onto Shire's back herself, uttering a few words of encouragement and the equine moves quickly. "Earthquake" she whispers. But not directed at Kyle or his Pokemon. The Pokemon stomps his hoof along the ground, opening a temporary path free of most of the water. The ground shudders beneath Wren but she is still sitting. Without another word, the Pokemon shoots off.

He's surprisingly fast for a hefty Pokemon, but would it be enough?

kyle lopez
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They catch up surprisingly quickly. Enough that her Mudsdale almost is neck and neck. But Kyle wasn't going down without a fight and orders his Pokemon to raise icicles to disrupt their path. "Strength!" she barks, urging the equine further on. The Pokemon glows with, well, strength. He surges forward, renewed...

And proceeds to barrel through the formed ice as quick as he possibly can. Wren clutches his mane, hiding behind his thick neck as the frozen water breaks up all around them. A few cuts form on the Mudsdale's hide but nothing a Potion or two can't fix when the time comes to heal. He neighs, letting the other Pokemon and her trainer know they're still in the race.

And they weren't going down without a fight.

kyle lopez
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Kyle gains more ground, speeding past the pair. She urges Shire on but is impressed all the same. Like with Kat, the mission was to hinder your opponent. He was doing a good job of it so far. Debris and foliage shoved itself into the equine's path. Shire hopped over it best he could but he soon would struggle.

Perhaps she should have used Hannibal for this, but she was keen to get a use out of all her team mates. Their experience and their challengers' experience were both equally important to Wren. "Mega Kick the ground" she orders, gripping tighter as the Mudsdale's hind quarters close and he more or less bounces over the fallen logs and such. He soars majestically through the air, clearing a few meters in the process.

She does not order him again. The finish line is close and she's going to bide her time until the last second to try and gain a headstart.

kyle lopez
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It was clear to her that Kyle would reach the finish before she did. Her luck was running out, even if she pushed ahead in the stretch before the final. She found herself cheering on her challenger, hoping he finished and earned the badge like he set out to do. She wasn't a selfish person sometimes, after all.

She believed in the potential of all her challengers. That's what Gym Leaders had to do. "It's okay" she said to Shire, who looked crestfallen at his failure. She gave him a pat on the neck as he continued to surge forward. They had briefly caught up with Kyle only for the Quick Attack to make them zoom ahead. It was almost over now.

And she had to make a decision on whether he earned the badge or not.

kyle lopez
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