Barboach, or at least this Barboach, liked to make water geysers to hit Pokémon from far away. It also, when necessary, liked to tunnel into the ground using its powers over water and ground to pretty much swim through land like it could water. Though on the plus side, that was pretty much all it did. It was quite frail do to being trained in this one skill. It also wasn’t very good at the land swimming yet either. No, mastery of that skill came with later badges. Still, the fact it could do it at all, meant we’d need to finish this fast. The nature of the Barboach-Swinub dynamic made the Swinub all the greater a threat the longer Barboach was on the field.

Naturally, thanks to the sense training Rose had done, she could pinpoint roughly where the Barboach was from making its water. The only problem was where it’d be a direct hit, graze, or miss. Though given the way Hustle worked, a graze would probably do just as well as a direct hit. All that was left to do was go in fast and hope it hadn’t started any of its tricks yet. I didn’t want to have to deal with a swiss cheese field. Which is why I wasted no time issuing my commands.

“Dark Pulse!” A few moments later and Rose had one Dark Pulse ready to be fired and then a beam of destruction shot across the field to the puddle Barboach was last at. Instead of making it cleanly there though, geysers shot from the ground and pounded at the beam in hopes of stopping its arrival. Something it managed as the beam redirected itself towards the stands.

Before horror could properly set in though, the air grew thick and heavy and from nowhere, the beam collapsed under the pressure of it. As I stared at where the beam had ended, it dawned on me what just happened. Whatever Pokémon kept this gym intact also seemed to be acting as a barrier to protect the people in the stands. Not that Boulder didn’t take the chance to explain it anyway.

“If this weren’t the first lesser badge, The Ground would have abused Tobias Blackwell’s lack of focus to try and end the match here. Since it’s not though, ALLOW ME TO EXPLAIN! That’s the work of The Ground, the same Pokémon that keeps this entire Gym functioning. Even the sand The Boulder and Tobias Blackwell are standing on is only in place because of The Ground. Any attacks Tobias Blackwell fires, regardless of how “powerful” Tobias Blackwell thinks they are, will be nothing in the face of The Ground’s Greatness!” I couldn’t really take the chance to appreciate Boulder’s showmanship though. Rather, my mind was still busy dealing with the uncomfortable knowledge that the man across from me could have me suffocated with but a thought. It was something I already knew he could do, but seeing air becoming sand in person…it was something else. Though, I was thankful that he seemed to be waiting for me to process regardless

In the end, what pulled me back wasn’t my focus on the match, but Rose’s own cry in response. Likely she had taken person offense to being called weak so publicly. At which point my mind focused on getting Rose a target. Hopefully, before she tried to either waste energy trying to get past Ground or attack Boulder. It was something I hoped she wouldn’t do, but…

“Earth Power Rose. At the Barboach!” The last part was said in a hurry. One meant to clarify the target as I was nervous about giving a blank check for a move so soon after her pride got stomped on. Regardless of my own fears though, Rose let loose an Earth Power where Barboach last was. Only to come up with nothing to pop up.

‘Fudge.’ Okay, that thing was somewhere in the earth. Just need to find where…

“Keep using Earth Power Rose. Dark Pulse when something pops up.” Rose nodded, and suddenly the field started to shake as the ground started to erupt with yellow beams.

Eventually, something did pop up, though before Rose could follow through, I called off the order. It was clear the Pokémon was already fainted. A Dark Pulse on top of the Earth Power it just ate wouldn’t help matters. Instead, I looked to the ruined field with a grimace.

Holes littered the ground. Easy for a Pokémon with sight to avoid, but Rose was blind. Moreover, she wasn’t very good at keeping track of multiple targets while moving yet. It was the exact scenario I wanted to avoid. Worse still, the Swinub wouldn’t have to deal with any of it as it could see and any holes in the ground would be covered with ice. Yet another disadvantage in the oncoming battle.

Although if that wasn’t bad enough, Rose handy exactly made progress with her speed training. Admittedly, a part of that was because of the Larvesta clinging to my bag requiring special attention, but still. Worst still, judging from the small pants Rose was giving, she was starting to flag. It wasn’t too bad yet, but ending things with the Barboach took far more than either of us were hoping it would.

Still, Rose would win this. I had faith she would. She had too. Moreover, I’d have to come up with a game plan soon. As I mentioned, Boulder was much more proactive with Swinub than with Barboach. And as Barboach was returned, and Swinub came out with a cry, ice already started to creep onto the field, I knew I’d have to make one fast.

‘Fudge it, going with plan a.’ With some…heavy modifications of course. Plan a being to try and dodge its attack with speed and snipe with Dark Pulse. Fire Fang if it ever got close enough to Powder Snow or Ice Shard her point blank. But with Rose’s reserves flagging like this, she wouldn’t be able to use Dark Pulse like that. And with the ground filled with holes from having to use Earth Power earlier, she had to stay in one place. Which meant that she’d have to use Earth Power to disrupt its movement to conserve at least some stamina by staying in place. Dark Pulse was a go, but only once a hit was guaranteed since I had a feeling we’d only have one shot at it. All or Nothing.

“Earth Power Rose. Deny its mobility.” Rose nodded and tensed herself, energy gathering at her feet, ready to be unleashed the moment Swinub moved. The Swinub meanwhile took its sweet time. Likely mapping the route it would take to either snipe away or get in close. Eventually things got to the point where it started to feel like a game of chicken. Each side daring the other one to go first. At least, until Boulder had enough.

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“As if The Boulder would let Tobias Blackwell take the first move! Go and show This Fool just what it means to be a Child of The Swine!” And with that, Swinub made the first move and the second battle began.

I knew we were being baited. Lead around the field in an effort to waste what little Rose had left. Both Boulder and Swinub knew I didn’t have a response to this and could do nothing but waste energy taking it down as it got set up. Despite that though, couldn’t exactly stop. Earth Power was Rose’s only real method of denying even a little mobility. Something that would be crucial if we were ever going to get our chance. I could only hope the Swinub messed up before Rose had nothing left to give.

Still, even as my fists clenched at the harsh realization, I didn’t command Rose to stop. She was dead with a field of ice. And the yellow beams at least kept it from forming a response that would take Rose out. The Swinub was in as much of a stalemate as Rose was. The only difference is that it would outlast us.

It was as the Swinub dodged yet another beam, that an idea came to me. It would be difficult, but just maybe…

“Rose, beam it left!” Rose, unsure of the way, but far too exhausted to really question it, complies and beams erupted from around the Swinub. It dodged left of course. It was the only recourse it had besides taking the hit, only to realize it probably should have. To its left, was one of the many holes that now littered the field, and the Swinub was forced to rapidly readjust. Hopefully, that would give us just enough time to land a proper blow. Still, this was our only chance. All or nothing, it was up to Rose to bring the win.

“Dark Pulse Rose! Give it everything you’ve got!” Which wasn’t much, but with Hustle and STAB, I was hoping it was enough.

The Swinub saw it coming, but was too busy making a path from the hole and got hit as planned. It shot across the field and past Boulder, nearing the stands. Again, before it could reach, the air grew thick and heavy and sand condensed from nothing. The result was a wall for Swinub to hit against, the Dark Pulse still pounding away for a few more seconds before it started to fade.

As the Swinub fell, no longer fixed in place by the Dark Pulse, I hoped that it didn’t get back up. That it didn’t have anything left in the tank or some hidden strength like I saw on tv. Especially as, on my side of the field, Rose had already passed out from exhaustion. And so, as I watched the Swinub on the ground not get up, my hopes started to rise.

Eventually, it became clear that, like Rose, the Swinub wasn’t getting back up. Which meant-

“Deino and Swinub are unable to battle! As The Boulder has no more Pokémon and the Challenger still has his Larvesta, the Challenger wins!” For a moment, there was a heavy silence in the air. Before suddenly, a voice called out. My voice.

“We did it Rose. Vindication is ours.” It wasn’t spoken in a loud voice. Given the silence though, it didn’t have to be for everyone to hear it. My only real regret in that moment, was that Rose was too exhausted to hear it. Though, as I walked over to my fallen friend, I was already thinking up rewards for when she woke up. She’d earned it after all.

The next sound was Boulder’s own booming laugh, closer than I or Solana expected given the way she started to dig into my back to try and hide from the large man. It didn’t work very well considering I was kneeling at Rose’s side as I ran my hands along her fur as she slept. Boulder, meanwhile, was still standing and towered over me. Though he would have done that even if I was standing, but kneeling certainly didn’t help.

“Tobias Blackwell…truly, The Boulder wishes The Boulder and Tobias Blackwell’s first meeting was on the battlefield. Still, this has done much to inspire confidence in Tobias Blackwell’s capacity. Why The Boulder feels that Gurin will soon have a new Great Protector to stand and defend Gurin from danger! Though, first The Boulder thinks The Boulder must give Tobias Blackwell this.” With that, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his badge and held it out for me to take.

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The badge itself was shield-like and edged in silver as all lesser badges were. The top part of it, which composed of 2/3rds of it, started as a dark brown at the edges and became lighter in a gradient before abruptly cutting to the circular field. Red sand composes the top, yellow composes the bottom, and middle with black sand as a divider and give it its signature Pokéball-like color. Something that, even now I could see being repaired, the colors returning to their proper place and holes being filled. There were some stands with me as well, but those were tucked into the corners of the badge.

Below it, the rest of the Badge featured what looked like a dark black pit with brown spikes around the bottom. This was clearly meant to resemble the hole Boulder and I were standing above by virtues of The Ground. It struck me as showboating, as even in defeat, he bragged of his strength. Though a second thought had me realizing that by that same token, it would serve as a reminder of what you overcame if you ever beat his true team. A rather thoughtful message, if pretty mocking to me now.

Still, I took it as it was offered. I still wasn’t sure what to make of the man, but I did know one thing. He taught me a very valuable lesson. I came to this fight hoping for victory and even knowing of his cunning. Yet in the face of it, I still found myself wanting and was nearly baited into defeat. Moreover, for all the power I threw at Swinub, a power that I didn't even train Rose in or expect to use in this battle, let alone have it be the mvp of the match, it proved useless. It was adaptability, cleverness, and proper tactics that netted me the chance to win in the end. Boulder wanted to teach those that came to his Gym that there were more to battles than sheer strength. He taught that lesson well.

“And I suppose I must thank you, The Boulder, for a lesson.” At the mention of his title, his smile widened and transformed into a booming laughter. It wasn’t one of mocking or amusement, but what felt like true joy. Though, given his level of experience, I doubted I’d be able to see past a vocal facade if I wasn’t already aware it was fake beforehand. Regardless, I chose to believe this was real. It made the victory feel all the better. All too suddenly though, it stopped and he was looking at me with an intense curiosity.

"Tell The Boulder Tobias Blackwell, what does Tobias Blackwell plan to do next?" While I didn’t know why he was curious, I didn’t mind answering.

“Full disclosure? This last month was a grind. Right now, all I want to do is get to the PokéCenter, get Rose healed up, and then just bond without any real distractions. Something I could probably use considering I’m going to be picking up a new teammate pretty soon.” There would likely still be some training or perhaps the occasional battle, but for now I planned to give Rose a bit of a break. She had definitely earned it.

“Truly, Tobias Blackwell’s comradery knows no bounds! Moreover, The Boulder would hate to halt the healing of such a mighty warrior. Still, before Tobias Blackwell goes, The Boulder feel it is only proper that Tobias Blackwell is given a proper Palm Pastures send off!” Before I really knew what he was doing, he was already upon me with a hand around my arm and started to raise it high. I probably would have been more alarmed if the hold wasn’t gentle or smooth.

“Glorious People of Palm Pastures! Three cheers for the dawn of a new Protector of Gurin!” From there, the stands, previously silent, exploded with sound. Something that seemed to terrify Solana given the way she digged even deeper into my back, her small body started to shake. Unfortunately, her shy and timid nature just couldn’t handle this at the moment. Something I could see Boulder realize as well given the way his eyes widened. Though, to his credit, he did make a valiant effort to try and silence the now roaring crowd and eventually succeed. Something that allowed me to slip out of his grasp and finally leave.

As I exited the Gym, I found I finally had my answer on what I thought of the man: hard. He was loud and boisterous, but with a cold and cunning edge. He tended to act on impulses and stage prompts, but also realized the word was far more than one giant performance. Or at least, that some didn’t react well to it all. He had power to spare, and yet did his best to discourage others from seeking pure power as a solution. He seemed to be a mess of contradictions, though I knew a part of that was that I just didn’t know him that well. Maybe if I bothered to try in the future, I could get a better read on him. However, after that stunt, I wasn’t too sure I wanted to.

He mentioned that he wished we had met on the battlefield. I can’t help but feel the same. I doubt I’d have such a dislike of the man if we had.