Hands shoved into his sweats' pockets, Felix sauntered into the gym with a small pep in his step. To be honest, after his battle in noah faber 's gym, he'd found quite the liking to the gym's challenge's intensity. Especially since it gave his pokemon a new way to train.

"Yeah," he nodded in response, his eyes immediately drawn to the skid mark on the ground. Definitely an interesting sign of what's to come from this.

DEREK HOFFMAN

Following his gesture, the challenger walked to the other side of the field, eyes set forward with determination. He didn't care much for the outcome of the fight-- it was the thrill of it that he craved. Capturing an environment that allows for one's pokemon to extent it's fullest capabilities was a hard objective to achieve as it was, so he was grateful for the opportunity these gyms provided him.

Thumb tracing the outline of Gallade's ball, Felix didn't think to toss him out until Derek did. Soon, a flash of red erupted from its insides, and within a matter of seconds, a full-blown Pokémon emerged from it, ready for combat.

Nodding at the gym leader's words, the trainer's eyes flew to his Pokémon, a newfound command already flicking off his tongue. "Start slow -- Sword dance."

With a curt nod, the gallade brought his arms to his chest, spreading them apart and pulling them back together, in rhythmic succession.

- Gallade uses sword dance

DEREK HOFFMAN

While the BIND connected and squeezed Gallade enough to create a sharp sense of pain in his abdomen, a swift TELEPORT was all it took to curtail its effects for much longer than a second.

"Careful," He warned the Pokemon, but there was no avoiding a bind after taking a stance like that. At least they now had the upper hand when it came to the pokemon's heightened strength.

A flash of pink and purple broke out to the arena's east, indicating the spot Gallade's TELEPORT had led him to. From there he took an offensive stance.

- Gallade uses TELEPORT to escape the bind

DEREK HOFFMAN

"Retreat," Sharp as a whip, the command carved through the field, directing the gallade to react. And fast.

The sound of slicing air cut through as Gallade lunged himself backward, taking caution to avoid the noxious breath. There was no guarantee of direct danger, but it was best to avoid a paralyzing attack.

Back against the edge of the arena, the swordsman fixed his gaze forward, contemplative of his next attack. For as much Felix steered his course of action, when standing alone on the field, he was still the final person to decide his fate. Once the gas permeated out from the air, dispersing enough to avoid injury, Gallade sprung forward once more. He started at a slower speed, concealing the pocket of energy he held in, then once he was close enough, he'd burst forward, kicking himself up to slash at the onyx's eyes with a PSYCHO CUT.

- Gallade runs up and uses PSYCHO CUT

DEREK HOFFMAN

An eye for an eye. Or, in this case, a jab for a jab. Still left dangling in the air, the swordsman was unable and unprepared for the large spine of rock to come crashing at its side.



With a loud THUNK, the man of green and white was sent spiraling across the opposite side of the field, eventually landing against its barrier. He coughed and spats of red came out, coating the ground around his feet. If it were any other pokemon, Felix might've felt worried, but this Gallade. His one and only ace.



With enough space now between them, the gallade put out his arms, pushing through another SWORD DANCE.

- HIT by metal burst (half)
- anotha sword dance

DEREK HOFFMAN

The sword dance completes, and with, an additional boost of power steamed off the pokemon’s body. If there was a time to strike, it would be now. Unfortunately, the jumble of rocks had other plans. Thunderous rumblings rocked the arena as the worm wrangled its body into the ground, digging and wiggling its way around.

Gallade, left with only a decent idea as to where the opposing Pokémon was heading to, laid in wait, eyes closed, hands pressed together. Small twitches overcame his expression as he focused and honed into his innate PSYCHIC connection. When Onix’s presence was felt below, he would jump, TELEPORTING to the opposing side of the field. Only when the worm showed itself would he charge forward, another attack in mind.

- TELEPORTS AWAY

DEREK HOFFMAN

Upon the onix's DEVASTING miss, the gallade sprung forth once more, slamming into him with a harsh CLOSE COMBAT.

When the dust settled, only the swordsman stood, ready for the next obstacle.

DEREK HOFFMAN