{Gym}For Brawn and Beauty{Contest}

[Saitoshi Hanazuru]

Sai panted as he chased after two riolu that had excitedly ran off as soon as he'd told the team the Silav town was near." Nate-kun! Sela-chan! Slow down or you'll lose us." Both Riolu just giggled at the Umbreon morph and kept running. The pikachu on Sai's shoulder giggled at him too and he couldn't help but smile. If His daemon, Hiroki, didn't have that moon on her stomach she and Sparks could look like twins now that the pichu had finally become a pikachu. He shook his head at her antics and decided to walk after his two riolu, he knew Nate wouldn't go too far from him and Selena wouldn't go too far from Nate.

"Hey, Sai, Isn't that Silav Town up ahead?" Hiroki asked curiously, her tail twitching slightly as she felt the worry begin to build in him.

Oh, gosh! Sai thought as he realized that it was indeed Silav Town and the two riolu where nowhere in sight. He began to panic thinking of all the trouble that may have gotten into or caused. He hoped nobody had snatched them up and ran off with them. That thought made him run into town as fast as he could. When he got just with the city limits he stood there, looking around, as he panted to regain his breath. The city wasn't as beautiful as it usually was due to the winter weather but it still seemed to be an interesting city. But there was no time for sightseeing at the moment. Not with two mischievous riolu missing

Sai rush into the first building he could think of, the Pokemon Center, it had seemed like a reasonable place to start looking since it held the scent of other pokemon, he though it might attract them and it did. He found his two riolu standing statuesque in the middle of the room, frozen as if they had stage fright. It became obvious why the sudden shyness hit as he looked around to see a lot of the trainers looking at them. He assume they thought the riolu were wild. Well, he remedy that problem. Sai picked them both up, hugging the two tight, before launching into a lecture about why not to leave others behind.

[Birdybot]

Several of the trainers which had been eyeing the Riolu looked a little disappointed and looked away, while one remained staring at them. His hand turned to his belt, from which he selected a Pokéball and stepped up to Sai. "Hi," he said, "The name's Lunavi. You can't need two Riolu, can you? Interesting in perhaps trading one? I'll give you, er... a Psyduck? A Plusle? How about a Vulpix?" he tried, seeming to be a little desperate to trade.

Not long after Lunavi had his offer, the Nurse Joy at the counter finished dealing with the last person in the quewe. Looking, around, she could see that no-one else was in line, and called out, "Next? Anyone?!" wondering if there was anyone in here that wanted their Pokémon healed. Perhaps Sai ought to go up now and avoid the line.

[Saitoshi Hanazuru]

The Umbreon 'morph let out a sigh of relief when most of the trainers went back to minding their own business once the two riolu were revealed to not be wild. He thought he was off the hook, until a one trainer approached him, obviously still interested in the riolu even after finding that they belonged to Sai. He scratch the back of his head nervously and was most glad when he heard Nurse Joy call for the next person.

"Um, Sorry but these two riolu are sort of a couple and not up for trades." The Umbreon said, causing both riolu to blush in embarrassment and glare cutely at him. He just ignored the looks and walked over to the counter Nurse Joy was standing behind." Um, Nurse, would you pleas take care of these pokemon?" Sai asked, handing her two pokemon, one containing his Magby, Flare, while the other contained, Ava, his Spearow. He pull out a third pokeball." And would you take and extra special look at Sparks? " He asked looking at Nurse Joy seriously." He was in a battle with a Seedot when he was a pichu and had a head on collision using Volt Tackle after it had used harden." It was easy to see how upset Sai seemed, he was shaking and his tail twitched in a paranoid kind of way. "They had a stare down and Seedot fell first so it wasn't an instant K.O. but once he Sparks fainted, he evolved into a pikachu, but still hasn't woken up yet." Sai finished, panting a bit frantically to regain his breath by now.

[Birdybot]

Nurse Joy nodded to Sai. She could see this trainer must really care about his Pokémon- or, at least, about this Sparks. She took the Pokéballs he had handed over, and slotted them into a machine, even Sparks' Pokéball. "Don't worry, I'm sure your Pikachu will be fine." she told him while the machine bleeped and flashed, apparently healing the Pokémon. She then took the Pokéballs off and handed all but one to Sai. The one she kept belonged to Sparks, and she released the Pokémon.

Sparks was awake, but still in a bad way. "Oh... well, the machine normally returns a Pokémon to full health, but this must be different if he evolved which he was fainted. Don't worry, I'll be able to make him better. Just a little of this-" Nurse Joy reassured Sai, taking out a bottle and rubbing it on Sparks' wounds. They healed them well, and she trickled some of the liquid down the mouse's throat. Sparks looked much better. "There. Now, he'll feel much better, but he'll ache and should avoid battling for a few days." Nurse Joy advised the trainer and she returned the Pikachu and his Pokéball to Sai.

[Saitoshi Hanazuru]

Sai sighed in relief when Nurse Joy accepted his pokeballs. He did indeed care very much about all of his poke, they where not only his friends, they were his family or at least what he had left of one now. He watched warily as the machine they were in beeped and flashed, he was doubtful of it, since he himself, almost not against modern healing, just tended to lean a little more towards natural restoration. He had to actively focus to stop himself from snatching the pokeballs from the Nurse's hand, instead reaching out and taking them slowly with a trembling hand. He looked suspiciously when Nurse Joy didn't return Sparks to him. Worring thought began to form in his head, until she released the pikachu and Sai let out a breath that he was unaware he had been holding as he was the pokemon was awake.

Sai watched as Nurse Joy treated Sparks' wounds with some unknown liquid and the had the pikachu drink some. He paid rapt attention to the information and instruction that he was given for Sparks' care." I will make sure that he doesn't battle for a while then." He says with a nod. He set the two Riolu in his arms down and gently patted the Nurse's hand in thank as he returned Sparks to its pokeball and walked away from the counter.

He didn't get very far before an idea struck him. Sai quickly looked around for the trainer that had wanted to trade with him earlier. He looked all over and just when he was about to give up, thinking that he had left already, he spotted him over in a corner tending to his pokemon. Sai walked over to him with a smile." Hey, It's Luvani, right? Sorry, I ran off like that. I wanted to get my pikachu checked before anyone else got in line." The Umbreon 'morph said, smiling sweetly at the boy, his long silver hair flowing slightly as he moved. He looked up at the other train, suddenly frowning slightly." I just can't trade you my riolu though. They mean so much to me, but I was wondering if I could have a double battle with you. Four on four maybe?" He asked, wanting to have a serious challenge.

[Birdybot]

Luvani nodded as he heard his name. A four on four battle? He suppose he'd be able to deal with that, although it might be tricky. He'd only fought in one other double battle, and that had only been one round of it. Would he be able to fight a two-round double battle? Then again, Sai probably hadn't either. So, perhaps it would be a new experience for both of them. "Sure. I suppose you want to train for a gym battle, right? I'd heal and head over to the Training Centre once we're done." Luvani agreed.

Heading over to the area of the Pokémon Centre reserved for trainer battles, Luvani took his place at one end of the arenas marked on the tiled floor. A few people looked up to watch the battle as his hand went to his Pokéballs, selecting the right ones. He would let Sai choose his Pokémon last, meaning the other trainer would be able to choose a type advantage. Luvani needed to pick a well-balanced team. The first Pokémon was easy to pick, and a Pidgey emerged onto the battle area; he guessed that Sai would be fighting his two Riolu. Doing that at the same time might be a little boring, so perhaps he would only use one at a time. Because of this, the next Pokémon Luvani picked was a Cranidos. There, a well balanced team; Pidgey and Cranidos.

[Saitoshi Hanazuru]

Sai nodded to the other trainer. He was excited, not only was this is first trainer battle, it was a two round double battle, too. Thinking of the training and preperation he'd done mentally to develope his battle style, he smiled. Even with the possible experience disadvantage, a double battle migh be in his favor as a budding coordinator since both require, well, coordination of trainer and pokemon. His smiled only grew wider the more he thought of it, until soon he was beaming, completely pumped for the battle."Thanks. I'm gonna challenge Elika later today, if my pokemon feel they're up to it." Sai returned.

Following his opponent to their place of battle, Sai took his place on the other end of the areana Lunavi had chosen. He paid no attention to the people that looked in their direction, not that he didn't care or was disinterested, but because he was so focused on the upcoming battle everything else was blocked out. He waited patiently as it seemed Lunavi was chosing his pokemon first. It would've ment a type advantage if Sai had not already had the pokemon he would choose in mind. Looking to his left, his soft eye fell upon Nat and he motioned the riolu forward. The fighting type took a step toward the middle of the areana then looked back at Selena, the other riolu, before glancing up at Sai expectantly. The Umbreon 'morph only shook his head and motioned the riolu forward again while throw a pokeball out. Rukia, a Farfetch'd, burst from the light the pokeball make, before twirling her leek and taking what seemed to be a samurai's defensive stance next to her battling partner.

"I'll give you the first move." Sai said, bowing slightly to Lunavi.

[Birdybot]

Lunavi was incredibly pleased that Sai chose to use what he did. Nate and Rukia, a Riolu and Farfetch'd. The battle was instantly in his favour; Pidgey had a type advantage over Nate, and Cranidos had over Rukia. This would be good for him. It would make things fairly difficult for Sai, but that would just make the battle all the more exciting, no? The people sitting around watching seemed have half of them on Lunavi's side, the other half on Sai's. "Nare, Gust on the Riolu. Senis, Headbutt on the Farfetch'd!" he called. The people siding with him smiled, some looking smug. The area was sectioned off so no-one other than the people battling would hear the battles, but still no-one cheered because some people were having quiet training sessions alone.

Nare was, and the move she was ordered to do implied, the Pidgey. She took off into the air, then locked her sharp eyes on her opponent. The Riolu looked strong, but that didn't mean she couldn't still win. She beat her wings hard, a small twister of powerful wind heading towards Nate in the super effective Flying type attack. That left Senis to be the Cranidos. He looked at Rukia, then prepared himself. Cranidos like himself were well known for their hard heads, and he was about to put this into use. Senis the Cranidos charged at the Farfetch'd in a strong Headbutt attack.

[Saitoshi Hanazuru]

Sai shook his head to himself, he hoped that Lunavi wasn't getting cocky, besides the battle was only half in his favor, since Nate the Riolu had a type advantage over Senis the Cranidos. Plus, who said the pokemon would just take any super effective attack lying down? It was the calling of two attacks that snapped Sai out of his thoughts as the battle began with head on assult, only a mere seconds or two later did he called out his own batttle commands. "Rukia, intersept the Pidgey's attack and use Fury Attack. Nate, detour the Cranidos' headbutt with a Force Palm." He shouted. He was so excited that his Daemon, Hiroki, had spark showering off her cheeks as she cheered on his shoulder as a plusle. He didn't pay any mind though as he was totally lost to everthing except for the pokemon on the feild and the opposing trainer.

Receiving their commands, Sai's Pokemon immediately sprang into action. As soon as Nare had locked her eye on Nate, her vision of his was suddenly cut off as Rukia fly into her path, subsequently blocking the Gust from reaching its intended target also. She was shaken a bit by the gust but it was mostly ineffective as she continued to fly toward Nare, her leek being thrust forward speedily in a Fury Attack. At the the same time, Nate switched to the position the Rukia had been in moments before. Seeing the hardheaded pokemon charging for him, He ran towards it, left arm pulled back and glow as it readied a force palm.

[Birdybot]

Nare watched as Rukia was still hit by most of the Gust. The Pidgey felt it was a little silly, really, to think one could stop a move like that in its tracks with a Psysical attack. Gust was made of air, which wasn't anything solid that could be moved. Nare was, howeverm hit by the Fury Attack. Senis was hit by the Force Palm, too, and it hurt an awful lot since it was super effective against him. He growled, a little angry.

Luvani wasn't too pleased with this outcome. Sai had swapped his Pokémon around so his Pokémon had to quickly change aim, and then stopped both attacks and dealt some back. This wasn't looking good for him, now. Would he manage a single hit this battle? He wasn't sure, but if Nate kept on using Force Palm, Senis wouldn't last much longer anyway. "Nare, Senis, try again, but faster!" he called. These were the most useful things his Pokémon could currently do, after all.

Nare and Senis swapped around back to their original targets. The Pidgey shot closer to Nate. This wasn't part of the attack, she was just trying to get close so she could launch it from a shorter distance. She sent the Gust forwards as she moved so it was quicker. Senis wasn't exactly the fastest moving Pokémon there was, but he did his best as he charged forwards again with a lowered head. Would any of the strong attacks hit?

[Saitoshi Hanazuru]

Sai smiled, the battle seeming to tip more in his favor now. He quickly shook his head and focused back on the Pokemon. He knew that he couldn't let himself get cause up in the excitement of one successful plan. He wondered what new strategy his opponent would think of this time. He got his answer when Lunavi ordered his Pokemon to repeat their previous moves only with more speed this time. "Rukia, Nate, repeat performance, bump up your speed to! Rukia, Change your attack this time!" Sai wondered if he was being toyed with or if this was all the Pokemon could do. It didn't matter, he'd cope either way.

Rukia stalked Nare's every move, try her best to stay in from of the pidgey, and when the gust attack was launched, she moved to intercept it again while also heading towards Nare. The Farfetch'd's leek glowed a dark purple as she closed in for a Poison Jab, her eyes locked on the pidgey's. Nate using his speed to his advantage, was trying to cut of Sensis' movement by mirroring his moves, all the while closing in on him with force Palm it might be better for Luvani to just aim for what he can hit instead going for advantage targets, or at least that's what Sai thought, but he obviously wasn't going to complain.

[Birdybot]

The Pokémon were both a little annoyed. Why did they keep dodging? Was it because they were weak? Did they need to dodge each turn? Nare growled furiously as Rukia attempted to intercept her Gust. Again, it was wind, it would still hurt the Farfetch'd because it wasn't solid and was hard to intercept. If she could dodge, why not the Pidgey? Nare flew higher, dodging the Poison Jab easily. Senis, meanwhile, wanted to dodge, too. The Force Palm was super effective, after all. He ducked under, twisting around and doing a movement which was embarrasingly like ballet. He narrowed his eyes, but at least he'd dodged.

Lunavi frowned. What, couldn't Sai's Pokémon take a hit or something? Or was it that he wasn't allowed to use super effective hits for some reason? He couldn't see why he shouldn't be allowed to- after all, Sai was picking targets and using super effective moves. It was a bit hypocritical of him to act as though he thought that, then. Well, Lunavi would still fight! Nare was high above the battle, a good vantage point. "Nare, fight a Gust down at Riolu! Senis, Headbutt! he called.

Nare was pleased to be up high. Hopefully, she'd be able to take Nate by surprise while Rukia dealt with Senis' Headbutt. At the very worst, next turn it'd be OK; Pokémon could only dodge three times in a row, after all. Nare's Gust was faster that a Flying type could fly, and she hoped to land her first hit of the battle. Senis hoped the very same thing as he charged, head lowered, at Rukia. He was moving fast.

[Saitoshi Hanazuru]

Nate, who had still been focused on Senis, got the full force of Nare's gust attack, which did even more damage thanks to Nate not expecting or being able to brace himself. He tried to stand his ground as the attack pushed him back a foot or two before its winds broke and left the riolu panting lightly from his efforts. Rukia was having much the same luck, with her thoughts on protecting Nate from Nare, she was taken by surprise when the hard head of the cranidos bore into her side, knocking her out of the air. She went tumbling for a second, before managing to stand shakily on her feet, looking at Senis with speculation in her eyes as Nate glared up at Nare. That gust attack hurt. Well, he'd get her back for that." Nate, use Rukia as springboard for a Blaze kick on Nare. Rukia, use the momentum from Nate's jump to dive Senis with Fury Cutter." Sai called once he and his pokemon had been able to recover from their small bout of shock. He would make sure to think clearer this time to avoid another mistake like that. He kept his eye on the cranidos and Pidgey that served as his pokemon's opponents.

Rukia quickly took to the air, getting a few feet off the ground before nate lept up, using the farfetch'd's back as a springboard to launch himself toward Nare with a blazing footpaw. If he connected he'd use the force of the impact to speed his descent and lessen his chances of getting caught in the air. At the sametime, Rukia, working with the force of the riolu's footpaw pushing her down, dropped speedily towards Senis using the bug type Fury Cutter, which happened to be the only move in her arssenel that he didn't have a type advantage over.

[Saitoshi Hanazuru]

Nate, who had still been focused on Senis, got the full force of Nare's gust attack, which did even more damage thanks to Nate not expecting or being able to brace himself. He tried to stand his ground as the attack pushed him back a foot or two before its winds broke and left the riolu panting lightly from his efforts. Rukia was having much the same luck, with her thoughts on protecting Nate from Nare, she was taken by surprise when the hard head of the cranidos bore into her side, knocking her out of the air. She went tumbling for a second, before managing to stand shakily on her feet, looking at Senis with speculation in her eyes as Nate glared up at Nare. That gust attack hurt. Well, he'd get her back for that." Nate, use Rukia as springboard for a Blaze kick on Nare. Rukia, use the momentum from Nate's jump to dive Senis with Fury Cutter." Sai called once he and his pokemon had been able to recover from their small bout of shock. He would make sure to think clearer this time to avoid another mistake like that. He kept his eye on the cranidos and Pidgey that served as his pokemon's opponents.

Rukia quickly took to the air, getting a few feet off the ground before nate lept up, using the farfetch'd's back as a springboard to launch himself toward Nare with a blazing footpaw. If he connected he'd use the force of the impact to speed his descent and lessen his chances of getting caught in the air. At the sametime, Rukia, working with the force of the riolu's footpaw pushing her down, dropped speedily towards Senis using the bug type Fury Cutter, which happened to be the only move in her arssenel that he didn't have a type advantage over.

[Birdybot]

The Blaze Kick came towards Nare faster than she had been expecting. She had been timing it judging on Nate's previous attacks, which hadn't had a Farfetch'd formed springboard. The fiery kick connected with her body, sending her tumbling to the ground. The tips of her wings brushed the floor as she caught herself, but the damage was done. As for Senis, he seemed to get off a little lighter. Despite being a slow Pokémon, he found himself very nearly as fast as Rukia as he dodged out the way of the Fury Attack, escaping harm. This wasn't that great a thing; Fury Attack wasn't very painful unless it had had the build-up of several hits. Lunavi hoped that they would manage to hold on until they could drive their opponents down. "Senis, Leer of Rukia! Nare, use a Tackle on Nate!"

Senis swung round quickly to lock eyes with his target, boring into them as hard as he could. The Leer made him look pretty intimidating, daunting even, which should lower Rukia's defense stat. He wasn't using an offensive move, at any rate, which was probably a good thing. Nare, meanwhile, angled herself downwards and courageiously dive-bombed Nate for a rather unusually performed Tackle attack. It would do normal damage if it hit, this way was just easier for a flying user.