As a Gym Leader, Wren was supposed to educate. She was supposed to guide the new and old to a stronger understanding of their time in Hoenn. War may rage but Gym challenges never quit. She supposed she wasn't surprised when the grunt from before showed up. Half of the gym was funded by Rocket. They may want her to train them.

Jay was his name. That was what he gave her last time they met. J.J. - or just Jay for her sanity. "You found her" the doors opened as the secretary pinged her to the arrival. Wren wasn't even sure if the secretary was League or Rocket, but it was a good guess that they were criminal in ties. They didn't blink an eye at fake IDs so far.

"Traditional challenge... hmmm" Wren uttered to herself as the woman at the desk reminded her "fine" she beckoned Jay to follow her into the Gym. "challenger gets first punch. We each get three Pokemon and one at a time. Only you're allowed to swap out. Sound good?" Her eyes glanced back at the man, waiting for his confirmation. He would have went through this signing up but whatever.

Sometimes people didn't listen.

j.j. harlow

What was with this guy? First, during their mission, he touches her hair without asking. Then he's being utterly lackadaisical about the gym challenge. He takes out an Audino, surprising her but she's... ready. She already knows what Pokemon she's going with. With a flash of light, Lennox the Lucario stands tall.

"I guess" she says unhelpfully at his cheer, raising a brow at the man. What was his deal? Seemed like he was stalking her if she - okay, yeah, she was the paranoid type. "how... is your day?" was this what Gym Leaders were supposed to do? Ask about days or get right to business? Kat and Kyle had exchanged pleasantries before getting into it. She supposed... that was the right way.

"Your move" Wren says, readying herself and her Pokemon. Lennox's eyes narrowed at the Audino, beckoning with one paw.

j.j. harlow
lucario - steadfast - male
metal claw. swords dance. meteor mash.
force palm. quick-attack. close combat.

"Huh?" Wren gaped openly, raising a brow at his sudden one eighty. Suddenly he means business, not unlike him back at the taxi. Making notes. Doing his job. But this wasn't Rocket business. This was not even League business. She was here to do a job as a new Gym Leader.

And she was going to do it right.

If Jay didn't want to talk anymore, she'd let loose. Simple. "Quick Attack" she utters to her Lucario. He grunts, flying toward the Audino. The Disarming Voice shakes his very ear drums but he presses on, still healthy and able to fight. He aims a pushing shove at Shelley, hoping to test the Pokemon's durability in the first stretch.

He is perturbed by the Disarming Voice, don't get him wrong. Vibrations seem to take shape in the air around his vision, but the attack is weak and he is able to push through the damage it causes.

j.j. harlow
lucario - steadfast - male
metal claw. swords dance. meteor mash.
force palm. quick-attack. close combat.

Finally, the battle was getting serious. The Audino and her trainer go on the defensive, causing Wren to choose a more aggressive strategy. "Force Palm" she calls out. Lennox is shaking off the Zen Headbutt inflicted on him, caught by Shelley. He is surprised like Wren that the Audino is a fighter. Interesting.

He gains distance on the Audino, forcing himself into her personal bubble. She wants distance? He won't give it to her. He aims a sharp punch in her direction, shoving it close to her stomach in an attempt to move the battle along. Wren knows Lennox isn't cruel - if he wanted to go for her throat or head he would have. But the Audino is no threat to his trainer, and therefore spared.

But he won't spare a lesson when he needs to give one. The blow may stun her monetarily but he didn't expect it to last long. Wren better come up with a counter attack soon.

j.j. harlow
lucario - steadfast - male
metal claw. swords dance. meteor mash.
force palm. quick-attack. close combat.

The Audino was done. It was clear on the face of the Pokemon. But Wren was aware of its ability to heal itself upon being recalled. So that's why he did it. To bring it out again once it healed... Clever. He knew what he was doing, especially since Wren couldn't switch per her own rules.

But her rules also say switching can be deadly. She was granted a free turn.

"Quick Attack, again" she calls, having the first move against the Pinsir. Those pincers would be deadly - she'd have to watch out. Lennox huffs, shooting toward the bug-type and colliding with him. This time, there is no holding back like he did against Shelley. He moves in mid-air, using his elbow to shove against the other Pokemon harshly.

j.j. harlow
lucario - steadfast - male
metal claw. swords dance. meteor mash.
force palm. quick-attack. close combat.

Shit shit shit. Lennox is caught in the grip of the Pinsir, where he howls in pain. His back arches dangerously as the bug type more or less gives him a strong bear hug. Wren cries out with him, feeling his hurt. "Metal Claw, quickly!" He had been one of the first Pokemon she ever received, and his pain was her own.

Hearing her wail, the Lucario grunts and tries to focus on the offense. Raising both his paws he brings them down on the Pinsir's face. His claws are sharpened by steel, aiming to momentarily blind the Pokemon or make him release his hold. But it's clear with the Zen Headbutt's assault and the Disarmed Voice that Lennox is tiring.

How long would he last? Wren would try to make him proud and not recall him until he fainted. Like she could anyway... Gritting her teeth, she tried to bare through it as much as he could. But it hurt her to see him like this.

j.j. harlow
lucario - steadfast - male
metal claw. swords dance. meteor mash.
force palm. quick-attack. close combat.

She could do Close Combat, but there were problems with that. Wren chewed her lip thoughtfully, trying to figure out what else she could do for Lennox. The Pinsir was not phased with the assault and the more the Bind happened, the more the damage would stack up over time.

"Quick attack" she grunts from her spot, giving a reassuring nod to the Lucario. If the Pinsir wouldn't let go, there was no way about it. They'd fight with them attached. Lennox gains footing on the ground, his back legs tearing into the dirt and claws out to get a grip. Struggling against the Pinsir, he swings his body backwards from the bug - with the bug still attached.

The Lucario slams into the ground, using a pseudo suplex to make the Pinsir crash into the ground along with him. He may not have a Rock-move to deal with the bug, but the ground was close enough. Quick attack only sped up the movement - the Lucario used his own strength to throw.

j.j. harlow
lucario - steadfast - male
metal claw. swords dance. meteor mash.
force palm. quick-attack. close combat.