A plump Pelliper lands on top of Reiner's back, uncaring.

And from the water a moment later, Temp pops up in scuba gear.

"Hey Eris! You ready for your challenge?" A wide grin is on Temp's face. He pats the water, inviting her to jump on in with him.

On his desk, on the ship, a message from Martín del Mar waits for him on his phone. About how Eris Halla can't swim. Shame for everyone involved that Temp didn't bring his phone with him today.

"Hey, that's okay!" Temp swims back a bit, idling in the water as he waits on Eris Halla. "This challenge is a little more... well, it's more than battling! If you do well in the other parts, the battle doesn't matter as much." Not to say it was unimportant, but people tended to not pay much attention to the whole theme and focus of his Gym, he felt.

Pokeballs are plucked from a pouch on his hip- his Pelliper returned and a Dewgong called out.

"Lifeguard here will make sure we stay safe down there! Don't worry!" This challenge was under the water, after all!

"Hmm... would you be okay going against one of my newer pokemon?" He didn't want someone to feel like he didn't put in his best so Temp liked to ask first. "I've been raising him to be a Gym Pokemon for a while, it'll just be his first official battle! But, if you don't want that, I can use one of my more experienced Pokemon!"

Eris Halla was a cute kid. He gave a huge grin, taking the pokeball out, Temp rolled it between his hands for another moment.

"I feel the same way! My Sharpedo might be my Ace, but my other pokemon put in just as much work!" He was really glad that all his pokemon were willing to fight in the Gym with him. It was a huge change of pace for most of them. But they seemed to enjoy the more active lifestyle. "He's been nervous about his first match so I'm glad it's with you!"

The Dive Ball is tossed up, it popped open midair, the pokemon materializing.

A Mudkip landed in the water with a splash.

"Kip-aaaaa!" He called out before swimming closer to Eris to get a good sniff.

"Oh, well... guess I gotta make this official!" Putting on his 'serious face', Temp cleared his throat before speaking again. "Eris Halla! I, Norman 'Temp' Rararie accept your Gym Challenge! As per the League regulations, you will get the first move! As per the rules of my Gym, be aware this is an unstable environment! You never know what might happen..."

Then his smile spread back over his face and Temp laughed. A quick wink and he swam backwards to make room for the battle.

---

- Eris gets the first move!
- Please use the Roll command with every post going forward

"Kip-aaaaa..." With the battle started, the Mudkip reluctantly swam back to his own starting position. He stopped to look behind him at Eris Halla a few times as he did. However, when Temp did his official speech, the Mudkip put on his own game face as well!

"Oooh... that's smart!" Mudkip weren't as fast as Tirtouga in the open water like this; the Mudkip line was meant for high endurance more than speed. But! They couldn't have that!

"Draw it back in!"

The Mudkip let out another 'Kip-a!' before diving into the water. Only, he swam in circles as his head fin gave a light glow. A powerful Whirlpool, with him at the center. More so to slow the Titrouga down and pull it in.

---

- Mudkip used Whirlpool!

The disturbance of the sand and water draws attention. Something below stirs.

Meanwhile, Temp laughs again, surprised and pleased. Eris Halla was really giving his Mudkip a workout! She was also doing better than most adults with strategy so far.

The rocks and sand confuse the Mudkip, who ends up getting slapped with it. He makes a displeased noise and shakes his head, diving under the water to keep the grit from his eyes. He isn't one to take this laying down, though.

One of the last rocks is caught instead of hitting him. Swimming up as hard as he can, Mudkip splashes out of the water and does a twirl- using the force to fling the rock in his jaws as hard as he can at his opponent.

---

- Used Rock Throw!

Moves are made and Temp lets out a wild laugh. Eris Halla was getting it! She'd impressed him so far. Just one final stretch! Mudkip is anchoring his body, ready to let out another attack-

The sand underneath them explodes.

A very angry Kingler crawls along the bottom of the sand. His massive claws reach and pinch, both for the Mudkip and for Titrouga. With the speed they've built up, Eris and her pokemon should be able to get away easily. Mudkip is not so lucky, letting out a cry as he's snatched from the water.

"Hmm... well... now objective!" Temp calls out to Eris. "Save my Mudkip!"

His Mudkip would be fine in the end since he could always call him back into his pokeball. But he wanted to see how Eris and her pokemon would react to this new threat.

---

- You may stop rolling
- New goal: Save Mudkip
- Feel free to control Kingler!

The turtle does what some turtles do best- biting down on the Kingler. It ends up grabbing the skinny part of the arm connected to the claw. A vulnerable spot. The Kindler tries to fling the turtle off- and in the end does lose grip on the Mudkip and tosses it into the water.

Temp is quick to recall his pokemon back into the pokemon as he skirts around the angry pokemon and to the shore.

"Congrats, Eris! You won the Shell Badge!" The Kingler makes a noise and starts to foam at the mouth. Temp reaches for the girl if she needs help from the water. "I'll, uh... I'll give it to you in a minute! Scatter!"