The Hitmonchan flipped out of the way of the Wood Hammer, the shockwave from hitting the ground turning the Stone Edge to pebbles. The Trevenant stabbed forward with a glowing green branch from his left arm...only for the fighting type to pull a new trick. It dipped low to avoid it, one of it's fists gaining frost and icy energy around it. The impact point erupted in ice, snapping the Horn Leech attack off, but otherwise focused downward...towards Trevenant's roots! The grass Pokemon snapped off the Ingrain, and disappeared in a dark portal with Phantom Force.

Aaron, for his part, nearly panicked, seen only for the briefest of seconds in his amber eyes before he closed them and took a calming breath. It was only natural a gym leader would keep a trump card in play...just as Aaron did with Phantom Force and Wood Hammer. Opening up his eyes again, he had an almost cruel smirk and an evil look in his eyes. When Trevenant reappeared a good distance away. "Horn Leech again, this time at full power, and keep another one in reserve." For as powerful as his Trevenant was, even that Ice Punch was going to defeat him in one hit, maybe two. Time to pull out all the stops!

With a mighty roar, the tree punched forward, growing a new branch glowing green that just kept growing. From that growing branch, other ones also grew, making a wide net of Horn Leech attacks that would make it difficult to avoid, hopefully. From the back of Trevenant's right hand, another branch, shaped like a sword blade, formed, also glowing green. In the likely chance that Hitmonchan will be able to get close enough for a hit...maybe, just maybe he'll have a second chance for another finishing strike...

noah faber

the field is chained by sprawling frost. however, the ice is quick to melt off loosening blades. naturally, perhaps, that a pokemon not attuned to ice is not as potent with it— or the hitmonchan is pulling its punches for lawn and learning.

with a flash of green, the trevenant strikes the hitmonchan eventually. the fighter is launched backward, landing with a skid. at the end of its grassy slide, a knee braces the ground.

noah hums in thought before saying, "good enough for now! return!"

and with that, the hitmonchan is withdrawn.

the gym leader claps, "you got me!"

music theme
Keenan Toral

Kee watched with bated breath as the Ice Punch and reserved Horn Leech hit their targets. Even Trevenant was pushed back to the edge of the field. The tree even dropped down, even as the Hitmonchan also took a knee. Kee was surprised when Noah surrendered. Looking at his little brother, he noticed that Aaron was frowning, and also returned Trevenant. "I'll take a draw. But I doubt Trevenant would be able to take another Ice Punch. That took me off guard." One more attack exchange, but even Aaron wasn't too confident that he'd win it. Kee knew his brother was strong, but to come so close to beating a gym leader right now was still hard for him to comprehend.

"In that case, I'll the match a draw! My word that was nail biting! It almost made me go back on the road! Congratulations, boys!" The round woman started to bounce. Kee stood up, and both boys walked up to Noah.

Keenan was the first to extend a hand. "Thanks for the battle. I seem to have a long ways to go..." Aaron didn't say anything beyond a simple handshake. The smaller blonde had no intention of doing the gym challenge, but nevertheless, the fight was educational. Gym leaders were very strong. His Trevenent may be able to hold his own, but the rest of his Pokemon still needed training.

noah faber

noah pockets his pokeball into his shorts, the holster he normally carries absent against his casual wear. he laughs shyly as the torals approach. against his neck, he rubs the embarrassment away before taking keenan's hand.

"you two did great. makes me excited for the future of hoenn, man." with his free hand, he pulls out a case. he plucks the metal lid off to reveal a knockout badge.

"i think you deserve this." noah says. "not sure which one of you wants this. maybe aaron for being the last one standing?"

he laughs again as he extends the badge to them on his palm.

"my gym's all about close quarters combat. i think you showed me you can handle yourself well enough with that trevenant."

Keenan Toral