5 minutes later…
“Deep breaths,” Maeve soothed, patting Lara on the shoulder. The other girl was hyperventilating in the forest as Afi peered up his trainer’s throat cautiously, wondering if she was choking. “You have fifteen minutes, well enough to get all your nerves out and switch into battle mode.”
Lara’s face was flushed and her face was covered in a light sheen of sweat, but she managed to snort. “You’re just procrastinating for your own match.”
Maeve schooled her face into the very epitome of calm and wisdom. “Who, me? I am Maeve Kaede, and I do not freak out.”
Lara rolled her eyes and stood to her full height, taking her hand from the boulder she was supporting herself against. “Wanna make a bet then, wise lady?”
Do NOT! Blue shouted in Maeve’s ear, croaking furiously. You’re going to lose all your money! You know you’re going to hyperventilate anyways!
Maeve modified Blue’s vigorous refusal, waving her hand breezily, before switching into spoiled young noble mode. “I am a wise, proper young lady. I have no need for things like petty bets and gambles to spend my time on.”
Lara scoffed and snatched her ticket from where it rested in Swablu’s claws, striding confidently into the gym. Maeve noted the slight wobble of Lara’s walk and the faint trembling of the hand holding her ticket, but she was glad her friend had managed to regain her confidence.
Lara stepped up to the receptionist, who was yawning as she typed something into her Pokégear. The receptionist looked up and a few words passed between the two. As Maeve stepped into the cool gym lobby, she caught the tail end of their conversation.
“-battle ended earlier than expected, so Roark’s ahead of schedule. The guy wants to go down to the mines later today, so he’s more than willing to fight you now if you’re ready,” the receptionist was saying.
“I’m ready,” Lara said firmly, handing the receptionist her ticket.
Stolen novel; please report.
The receptionist nodded, taking the ticket and speaking a few words into a device on her desk. After listening to a reply, the receptionist nodded once more and jerked her head towards the door. “The arena’s been set, and Roark’s ready whenever you are.”
----------------------------------------
When Maeve entered the spectators’ stands again, the arena looked almost exactly the same. The only difference was the placement of the boulders, but there was no advantage given to either side.
Lara appeared through an arena door marked CHALLENGER. Roark calmly strode through the opposite door marked GYM LEADER, a chosen Pokéball already in hand.
The commentator cleared his throat. “This match will consist of three rounds. During battle, only the challenger may substitute one Pokémon for another. Each round will end when one Pokémon is knocked unconscious. Are both combatants ready?”
“Ready,” Lara said firmly, not even the slightest quaver in her voice.
“Ready,” Roark said not a moment after, hand resting gently on his Pokéball.
“3…2…1…go!” the commentator shouted.
Both Lara and Roark tossed their Pokéballs onto the sand at the same time. Lara’s Pokéball popped open and a burst of light fled the ball, solidifying into her Machop. Roark’s Pokéball popped open to reveal…Rhyhorn.
“Uh-oh,” Maeve mouthed silently, watching the muscles in Lara’s face tense. There was a confident gleam in Roark’s eye, though not to the point where it was arrogant.
Figuring her friend needed encouragement, Maeve brought her hands to her mouth and shouted, “YEAH, LARA! LET’S GO!”
A faint smile tugged at Lara’s lips as she pointed at Rhyhorn, ordering, “Leer.”
Machop’s face morphed into a mocking Leer, red eyes practically laughing tauntingly.
Rhyhorn took the bait. Without Roark’s input, the Dual-type Pokémon burst into a charge, lowering its horn to impact Machop in the chest.
“Dodge!”
Machop threw himself out of the way, feet kicking up a spray of dust, and started running as Rhyhorn swung around with unnerving agility, pawing at the ground with one foot. “Bulldoze!” Roark shouted.
Machop’s red eyes widened. Machop started moving away from Rhyhorn as the Pokémon stomped the sand with a ground-shaking foot, releasing a ring of orange energy from the point of impact. Machop scrambled for purchase on a boulder, hauling himself up onto the rock and steadying himself on top. Rhyhorn’s Bulldoze shook the boulder, but it stayed upright.
“Fast reflexes,” Roark remarked. “Any other Machop would’ve been caught in Rhyhorn’s attack.
Lara’s smile widened and her eyes glimmered with pride as she replied, “Oh boy does he try. Machop, Leer again!”