Walking up to the challenger’s podium was a very different experience to watching someone else do it. I could feel my nerves buzz and my nervous energy swell. I walked up the slight ramp, the elevation of the platform helping me see the battlefield more clearly.

Across the way, Roark was standing in his own podium again, looking down and reading something, just like he had before Dawn’s battle. Glancing to the side, I saw the same attendant standing there as had officiated Dawn’s battle.

Roark looked up after a moment, locking eyes with me a moment. He smiled reassuringly, “You are registered at A-Rank, and have two pokémon, correct?” I paused for a moment at the almost identical sentence from Dawn’s battle. I waved it away mentally as probably being some standard check they have to perform before battling.

“That’s right,” I responded as calmly as I could manage.

“Alright then. I’ll be using two pokémon, both ranked at A. Best of luck.” Roark gestured for the attendant like he had before.

The attendant raised a hand, holding a blue flag, “I will be refereeing this match today. This will be a two-on-two battle between Challenger Daniel and Gym Leader Roark. This battle takes place at A-Rank. The Challenger and the Gym Leader may both switch their pokémon once.” The attendant’s speech was almost identical, no doubt rehearsed and memorized. The biggest change, was Roark’s ability to switch his pokémon out.

The man on the sidelines waved his blue flag around slightly, drawing attention to it. “If you see this flag go up, you are to command your pokémon to disengage. This is so any issue found can be resolved, or fainted pokémon may be returned.” He waited for both of us to nod. I made a mental note to make sure I didn’t tunnel-vision and miss the flag being raised.

“Alright, Challenger Daniel, Gym Leader Roark, get ready. Release on the count of 3. 1… 2… 3!”

I chose Adamant’s premiere ball and released it onto the field. I took a moment to recognize the four-armed silhouette of Graveler take shape on the other side of the field.

I spared a split-second to swear mentally. Graveler’s ground-typing would prevent Adamant’s steel attacks from doing super-effective damage. Unfortunate, but something I just had to deal with.

“Range, keep well above the ground,” I called out to Adamant as it formed, the familiar steel shape quickly hovering higher up.

On the other side of the field, I watched Roark’s eyebrow raised slightly. “Sandstorm into Defense Curl,” He called out while eyeing Adamant with interest.

I narrowed my eyes. Adamant began the formation of an Iron Defense as the Sandstorm began to whip into being. Roark had to know Adamant wouldn’t be affected by the storm, so why the storm?

I watched Adamant’s Confusion hit home on the Graveler, surprising it and Roark both, but not interrupting the Defense Curl. And that was another thing, why use Defense Curl now instead of Harden like earlier? A moment later, I got my answer to both.

“Rollout!” Roark called to the Graveler. Adamant’s next Confusion missed as the Graveler curled into a ball and seemingly disappeared into the swirling Sandstorm.

I cursed, remembering Graveler’s could have the ability Sand Veil, making it blend into Sandstorms. More than that, using Defense Curl instead of Harden would only boost Rollout’s power.

“Focus on defenses for now!” I shouted to Adamant. My only sign they heard me being the steel-gray glow of Iron Defense around them. A moment later, Graveler shot into view, moving faster than I thought the heavy-set rock pokémon could move, one of it’s arms shooting out and slamming into Adamant. Thanks to two separate Iron Defenses, it did little damage.

Adamant’s brief accuracy training paid off as well, as they managed to land another Confusion on the quickly moving Graveler before it ducked back into the storm. Watching it roll away, I had an idea. After all, you needed a solid grip on the ground to get the traction necessary to move that fast.

“One last Iron Defense, then switch to Raise!” Adamant only hesitated a moment before it listened. While their Telekinesis was certainly not strong enough to actually lift the Graveler, it could absolutely reduce it’s traction.

When the rolling pokémon appeared out of the storm again, the dark pink glow of psychic energy erupted around it. As the Graveler lightened and lifted ever so slightly, it began to slow down and lose momentum.

Nonetheless, it still managed to reach out and trade blows with Adamant who had slammed into it with an Iron Head.

The quick trade and change in tactics made Roark frown for a moment. “Switch to Rock Throw and Smack Down if you can.”

“Shit, Switch to Range! Stay out of reach at all costs!” I could not let that Smack Down hit. Adamant would get gutted by the no doubt following ground-type move that would follow. Adamant’s levitation was the only thing saving them from that from happening.

A rock soared out of the Sandstorm, slamming straight into Adamant. I was certain it did some damage, but I couldn’t see any, so it must have been almost zero. Adamant fired a Confusion straight back to where the rock had come from, getting a small groan of pain from the Graveler in return.

I felt my stomach lurch as Graveler’s arm swatted from out of nowhere at Adamant, but the Beldum managed to dodge to the side while slamming a Confusion into the rock-type. What little of Graveler I’d caught a glimpse of was starting to look worn down and chipped, but still seemed very much in the fight.

Roark’s voice cut my thoughts off, “Let the Sandstorm fade. Stealth Rock, Rock Polish, and then Rock Smash.”

As soon as I finished processing what I’d heard, a wave of sharp stones scattered across the arena, immediately blending in and disappearing from sight.

I wanted to respond to the newest change of tactics, but Adamant trying to keep out of range of the Graveler was still the best tactic, and that’s exactly what they was doing. I just had to trust them.

Adamant managed to land another Confusion as the Sandstorm faded, the hit coinciding with Graveler finishing Rock Polish. Another Confusion flashed forward, missing when the Graveler moved faster than Adamant predicted, the Rock Polish boosting the rock-type’s speed.

A reddish glow enveloped it’s hand before it managed to leap up and slam it into Adamant’s metallic exterior. The fighting-type move lightly dented Adamant’s side, but their psychic-typing and massively raised defense both reduced the damage to surprisingly little.

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I could see Roark let out an irritated breath, looking more upset at himself for not taking into account the psychic-typing of Adamant.

With the Graveler so close and in the open, I decided to take a risk. “Switch to Gravity!” Adamant’s red eye glowed ominously before their Telekinesis sprang into existence again, this time pressing the Graveler down against the ground. I could hear the rock-type groan as they fought to remain standing, it’s own weight working against it.

Adamant surged forward and slammed into it with Iron Head and retreating before it could retaliate.

“Well played, Self-Destruct.” His voice was calm and had a hint of approval at the way Adamant had locked down the Graveler. That didn’t do anything to lessen my sudden panic at the Self-Destruct order.

“Back up, now!”

Adamant was about to attack again, taking a moment to pause and start floating away. Before it could get too far though, the outer layer of the Graveler’s rock coating detonated outward, the rocky shrapnel blasting Adamant backwards and carving small scores and dents into their exterior.

I quickly called Adamant to come back as the Referee’s flag went up. Roark held up a pokéball, a bright beam erupting from it and returning the now fainted Graveler. Using the brief lull in battle, I looked over Adamant. Their metal was banged up and scarred, but only the Self-Destruct had done any great amount of damage. I figured Adamant could last a little longer, do some damage against Roark’s next pokémon before I would need to switch to Ladon.

The blue flag fell, and another burst of light revealed Roark’s second pokémon. For a moment, I didn’t recognize it, before I did. Cranidos, the dinosaur-like pokémon stood on the other side of the battlefield, it’s body corded with thick muscle and tough rocky plates of armor.

“Ancient Power, then Rock Polish and Swords Dance!”

I felt myself pale slightly, the idea of a speed and attack boosted Cranidos was not comforting. Not to mention Ancient Power bypassing the Iron Defense’s that Adamant had been using to avoid most damage.

“Settle into Range, wear it down!”

Adamant unleashed a Confusion at the same moment a number of stones around the battlefield floated into the air and shot forward, slashing at Adamant. I winced at the metallic scraping noise.

Another Confusion slammed into the Cranidos, but the rock-type took the hit and finished up using Rock Polish. I made a snap decision, not wanting Adamant to have to face off against Cranidos, who seemed very much able to deal with Adamant’s defenses. I raised my hand and shouted, “Switch!” Barely a second later, the blue flag went up on the side of the field and Roark called back Cranidos, interrupting its Swords Dance.

The attendant raised an eyebrow at me before speaking, “Challenger Daniel uses his one and only switch!”

I nodded and smiled as reassuringly as I could to Adamant before recalling him. I let out a long breath. It had been some time since Ladon had gotten into a real battle. The most action he’d had lately had been general training. His King nature alone made him the most powerful pokémon between me and Dawn. The sheer strength he could bring to bear was what got me out of Mt. Coronet, and it made him incredibly powerful, by our standards at least.

Raising the luxury ball, I noticed Roark quirk an eyebrow at the pokéball before refocusing. A brilliant lance of light, and Ladon’s enormous form began to take shape. I could see the Cranidos’ eyes widen slightly as Ladon towered over it, almost twice as tall. The small cuts inflicted by the previous Stealth Rock were almost unnoticeable.

Roark and the attendant both had wide eyes for a long moment, making me smirk slightly. “Oh. Oh my,” Roark’s voice was quiet but still audible. After another few seconds of unmoving silence, he shot a look at the attendant who snapped out of it. The blue flag descended, and the battle began again.

“One round of Set Up, then Dragon.” Ladon let out a loud, echoing roar as he began channeling Work Up.

“Finish the Swords Dance, then Headbutt.”

For a few seconds, neither pokémon moved. Cranidos using Swords Dance as Ladon finished Work Up and began channeling Focus Energy. The stillness was quickly broken as the Cranidos began charging across the distance, moving faster than I thought it would.

Before it could make contact though, Ladon reared back and unleashed a brilliant purple flame that Cranidos was moving too quickly to dodge, the Dragon Breath washing over it.

Despite the direct hit, the Cranidos managed to charge through, still landing a heavy Headbutt directly on Ladon, making the dragon-type let out a loud grunt of pain. Without me having to say anything, one of Ladon’s paws lit up brilliant white and he used Slam to knock the Cranidos away.

“Ancient Power!” Roark called out, causing stones to begin rising around the arena again. Before it could launch however, Ladon released and caught the Cranidos in another Dragon Breath, the draconic flames scorching the rock-type.

I was impressed as the Cranidos managed to keep a hold of Ancient Power and still fire them at Ladon anyways, even if it was weakened. Nonetheless, I could see the multiple direct hits starting to weaken the rock-type, Adamant’s earlier Confusion’s having done a decent bit of damage as well.

“Batter, Ladon!” As I called out the strategy, I could have sworn Ladon smiled. The large dragon moved surprisingly fast, closing the distance quick enough to surprise the Cranidos.

“Dodge and Ancient Power!” Roark called out, his tone having a small bit of urgency in it.

The Cranidos dodged forward, trying to slip past Ladon. Unfortunately for it, Ladon managed to imbue his stubby little tail with Slam and knocked the Cranidos to the side. The rock-type barely managed to stay on it’s feet from the hit.

Ladon whipped around, his jaws and fangs glowing with an almost black energy as he bit down, the powerful Crunch making the Cranidos cry out in pain. Only a moment later, Ladon’s entire body Tackled it, sending it flying.

Ladon was about to follow after it again, when the blue flag snapped up. Calling Ladon back, I watched for a few moments, before I slowly started to smile, seeing the Cranidos fainted.

The attendant nodded decisively, apparently having the same thought. “Challenger Daniel, wins!”

I blinked for a few moments before grinning. I leaned over the front of my podium, looking at Ladon, “You did amazing, great work!” The dragon-type huffed happily, stamping his feet for a moment. “I’ll get you and Adamant both a treat, alright?”

Ladon shook his body before nodding, making me smile at him. After all, he really did kind of act like a dog. When not in battle at least. I smiled as I returned him, looking over to see Cranidos had already been recalled.

I took a step back when the ramps leading down began sliding out like I’d seen earlier. Roark was already walking down his, so I followed suit.

“That was rather impressive, I must admit,” His voice was slightly amused. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen a King, let alone a draconic one of a species that powerful,” He paused for a few moments before snorting, “Let alone one on the same team with a Beldum. One is interesting, both is just impressive.”

He held out his hand to me, “Nonetheless, congratulations. You have certainly earned the Coal Badge.” I shook his hand, still grinning like mad.

“Thank you sir, I appreciate the words. Me and my team have had some unique experiences, but I couldn’t be happier with them.”

Roark’s smile widened, “That’s good to hear.” His voice lowered, “The best advice I can give you, is to lean into the strategic commands you were using. Higher level battles can happen so fast it’s more of a requirement, than an advantage. Beyond that, I would tell you to expand your Beldum’s moveset, but I already know how limited their ability to learn new moves is until they evolve.”

He smiled wryly, “Usually trainers try and keep their Beldum from evolving until it’s psychic abilities develop more, but yours has the strongest psychic moves I think I’ve ever seen. I think evolution is your next step there.” He shrugged after that, “As for your King, well, I haven’t a clue.” He chuckled slightly before stepping away and raising his voice again, “And once more, congratulations on your victory!”

Roark nodded to me once before turning and starting to walk away. I let out a small breath before shaking my head. Glancing over, I could see Dawn had already left the spectators stands.

The attendant smiledp politely and guided me back to where I entered from, the walk giving me some time to process my win.

I had walked into the room as a challenger, and I was leaving the room with a badge.