[attr="class","witness"]"Hello there! I'm Francie! Welcome to Petalburg Gym!"

Francie gave an excited greeting to her challenger, making her way toward her with a grin before waving toward a large stone wall that began separating down the middle. It revealed three possible pathways, separated by tall solid rock walls that stretched up to the ceiling.

"Sorry, um, I get excited when I meet other gym leaders, don't mind all that, but um. Anyway! Choose which path you'll begin with! I'm obligated to remind you that I will have to accompany you through the whole challenge and I'll have to cross the finish line with you."

She motioned toward the white line that stood before the three pathways.

"Once you cross over, the journey has started! There's a time limit, but, I'm sure you'll make it in time so, no worries!"

Francie moved to where she could walk behind the girl, letting her take her first step whenever she wanted in whichever direction she pleased.

"So, are you ready?"

Selena Desmarais - roll total 0/200
you may now begin rolling!

[attr="class","witness"]Francie thinks back to her little challenge with Stormy Silph. It wasn't as if trainers asked her such information while they were taking the challenge, typically too nervous to do so. As they walk through the leftmost path, Francie's thankful for the conversation.

Unlike her challenge march with Kaida Adachi, which was super silent, though enjoyed.

"I'm from Kanto, um, originally. I've really traveled all over, settled in Hoenn for a while, flip-flop applesauced a few times too many, but I'm here now! Really, I have kim cole-essam and FERNANDO SILPH to thank for working me back into Petalburg Gym."

And on she goes, rattling and prattling like it might not be annoying to whoever was listening. Clearly she doesn't mind the Gengar's closeness, or the fact that she can feel the effects of that shadow tag pulling at her. Not as much as it would another pokemon, of course, but it's a clever tactic and Francie doesn't mind the innovation!

"Bu-But enough about me! What about you? Are you from Hoenn? I'm afraid I don't keep up with the news and social media like I should so if you're like, famous and I don't realize it, um, sorry, it's not you, I'm just a hermit when it comes to technology."

Selena Desmarais - roll total 76/200

[attr="class","witness"]Although things had definitely gotten serious, Francie didn't mind. Mostly because she takes even the most serious of conversation with a grain of salt and a smile. From strangers, anyway. Around friends, she sometimes lets her smile fall.

But she's also on the job, and she's sure to keep her confidence shining bright. Mostly, it's due to the pride Francie has in her gym, and in the very same believe that Selena shares.

"The trainers we shape are the future. It's silly, because you see them at twelve going off on a journey, and you want to warn them about so much and teach them about so much but... what can you really do in the end, right? They're twelve, and they know how to conquered the world, they're gonna be champion a week after starting-- at least, that's what they think, you know?"

As they take the fork, Francie moves so that she's a bit in front of Selena, and the floor begins to descend. As it does, the ceiling closes over top of them and they're left in the pitch black darkness of an underground tunnel.

"In other news," a pun Francie thinks is hilarious enough to have laughed through delivery. "Welcome to part two of the maze! You'll have to navigate in total darkness, unless your pokemon can illuminate your path for you. I will allow the use of another device or item on your person, but only one and only if your pokemon has no way of illuminating the path for you."

Because, lawsuits...

Selena Desmarais - roll total 142

[attr="class","witness"]As the light illuminates the tunnels, Francie smiles. There's something about a dark tunnel. It's like climbing Mt. Chimney, or Pyre. Something about those places and this dark earth... just made the girl feel comfortable, at home.

"I agree. It's life that shapes somebody. Decisions that are made, people that they associate with. There are so many different things to factor in, and as a gym leader, I think our most important job is to ascertain the challengers we have and to help them along their way. Not to knock them down a few pegs."

Her beliefs are clear, as clear as the mazes twists and turns as they bend down the tunnels. It was only once they turned down a certain pathway that they could see the light. A light shining from a turn up ahead. Once down the turn, they'd find a grouping of ropes twisted and turned, crossed and hanging, creating an obstacle in their pathway. It wasn't a hard obstacle, but, it would be a lot of fun to pass through.

But on the other side of that rope obstacle was an incline leading up into the Petalburg Gym's battle arena, the finish line.

Selena Desmarais - roll total 144/200

[attr="class","witness"]With the help of the gengar, they manage to get themselves through the mess of ropes. It's true that the challenge can be as 'easy' as it can be dangerous. Francie's thankful that Selena recognizes that. A bright smile forms as Francie gets to the end first, and helps Selena through the ropes a bit, because, what are friends for?

When they're free of the ropes, Francie doesn't release Selena's hand, and instead gives her a smile as she tugs her along.

"Looks like this time around, you got the right leads!"

As they emerge into the light of the battle arena, Francie waves toward the podium that holds a case of Stone Badges. Once she pulls it out, after a retina scan, she turns enough to see Selena and holds it out.

"I'm proud to present this to a fellow gym leader, and a new friend. Congratulations Selena Desmarais, and gengar. I'm excited to build the next generation of trainers with you."

Selena Desmarais - roll total 223/200