(joined my new school , all is going well so I am back)

I stood at my designated spot, my heart pounding with anticipation as I eagerly awaited the arrival of the next challenger. The gym's atmosphere was charged with excitement and determination. Suddenly, with a creak, the doors swung open, and a middle-aged man stepped into the arena. His presence was striking, marked by his attire – trousers, a sturdy vest, a cross-patterned shirt, and a straw hat perched atop his head. A fishing rod peeked out from the backpack slung over his shoulder, giving him the air of a seasoned fisherman.

With a friendly grin, he introduced himself, "Hello, I'm Julian. I've come to challenge the gym. They told me I need to have a trial battle before facing the gym leader." He scratched his head, a mixture of eagerness and nervousness in his demeanor.

"Hey there, Julian. I'm Rex. Welcome to the gym," I greeted him warmly, acknowledging his presence. "You're right, to challenge Argen, you'll have to defeat me first. For now, I prefer single battles. So, without further ado, let's head to your designated corner, and we can get this battle started."

As Julian confidently moved toward his designated corner, a rush of determination coursed through me. His attire, reminiscent of a seasoned fisherman, hinted at the possibility that he might have a team of Water-type Pokémon. A quick mental assessment of my own team revealed a slight disadvantage – both Trigon and Geodude were vulnerable to Water-type moves. While my Mudkip possessed a resistance to Water-type attacks, I also knew that the matchups were complex; Mudkip's Water-type moves would be less effective against his Water-types.

As I strategized in those brief moments, a sense of excitement mixed with caution filled the air. The battlefield was set, the atmosphere tense with the anticipation of the clash that was about to unfold.

The countdown began in my mind:

3...

2...

1...

The moment arrived, and with the precision of a well-practiced routine, I announced my first move, "Mudkip, show him what you've got!"

Across the arena, Julian didn't hesitate. "Magikarp, shine out bright!"

As his Poké Ball opened, a splash of light materialized into the form of a Magikarp, the iconic Water-type Pokémon known for its humble beginnings and potential evolution.

The arena crackled with energy as Mudkip and Magikarp stood across from each other. Mudkip's determined posture conveyed its readiness for battle, while Magikarp flopped about in its characteristic way, hinting its uselessness .

"Let's make a splash, Mudkip! Use Water Gun!" I shouted, my voice echoing with enthusiasm.Mudkip's jaws glowed with power as it unleashed a focused torrent of water at Magikarp. The attack struck with precision, sending Magikarp sprawling backward, its form soaking in the water.

Undaunted, Julian's voice rang out, "Magikarp, show them your Splash!" Despite its lackluster reputation, Magikarp leaped into the air with an ethereal gleam, a glimmer of something extraordinary in the making. However, the leap ended with Magikarp's signature flop, seemingly yielding no significant result.

Mudkip stood its ground, its gaze fixated on Magikarp. The apparent absence of Magikarp's move's effect puzzled us both, Seizing the momentum, I rallied Mudkip, "Keep the pressure on, Mudkip! Tackle!" Determined to press our advantage, I urged Mudkip forward.

Mudkip surged ahead, its form radiating energy as it charged toward Magikarp. A determined impact followed, with Mudkip colliding solidly against Magikarp. The collision produced ripples through the battlefield, though Magikarp maintained its stance despite the blow.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

I was about to go for KO but the fish was eloped in a brigtht light the light kept growing, It seem julain asked magikarp to keep from eloving to use this a stratigy.

In my subtar, unfazed Julian's voice remained steadfast as he motivated his Pokémon, "gyarados, give it your all! hyper beam !" His encouragement seemed to invigorate gyarados, With a mighty roar, Gyarados unleashed a torrent of energy from its gaping maw. The Hyper Beam surged forward, a blazing ray of power that struck Mudkip head-on. The impact was tremendous, and Mudkip's resilience was tested as it pushed back against the immense force of the attack.

Despite the immense power of the Hyper Beam, Mudkip's tenacity and resilience came to the forefront. With a surge of inner strength, Mudkip managed to run from the blunt of the assault, its determination shining through as it emerged from the attack battered but far from defeated. The arena quivered with the remnants of the powerful clash, the aftermath resonating with the energy of the battle that had unfolded.

However, as the dust settled, a wave of concern washed over me as I rushed to Mudkip's side. My heart raced as I assessed its condition, relieved to find that while it bore a few scratches, In that moment, my gaze shifted from Mudkip to Julian, the one responsible for this underhand tactic, tide of anger rose within me as I met Julian's casual expression – an expression that seemed to treat the battle as just another battle. I couldn't understand how he could take such a cowardly win so lightly, especially considering the underhanded strategy he had employed. All challangers are checked for their pokemon 's strength so that a appropriate gym trainer can be selected for the trial by keeping magikarp from evolving he made a beggienr trainer face him for that level of difficulty .

I shot Julian a piercing glare, my frustration and disappointment evident in my eyes. The tactics he had employed, exploiting Magikarp's struggling to trigger its evolution mid-battle, left a bitter taste in my mouth. He just used loopholes to make it easier for him so I could do nothing about it.

Lucky for us, every battle field had a nursing staff on standby. I returned Mudkip to its Poké Ball, knowing that it needed a moment to recover from the intense battle it had just endured. With a heavy sigh, I handed Mudkip's Poké Ball to the nursing staff, silently hoping that the brief rest would help it bounce back stronger than ever.

As Julian approached, his casual demeanor seemed to indicate that he didn't share my intensity. He extended a friendly hand, a casual smile playing on his lips. "Hey, that was quite a battle, wasn't it?"

I couldn't contain my frustration any longer. My voice was sharp as I replied, "Using such tactics in a battle feels unfair don't it"

Julian's smile remained, though there was a hint of understanding in his eyes. "Hey, I get that battles mean different things to different people. For me, it's all about strategy, But I respect your viewpoint too."

His nonchalant response caught me off guard. Here I was, brimming with anger and indignation, while Julian seemed unaffected. It was as if we were on opposite ends of a spectrum, both passionate about battles but with drastically different approaches.

As the nursing staff assured me that Mudkip would be well taken care of, Julian's gaze turned toward the battlefield. "Hey, Rex, I'll be around the gym if you ever want to chat about battles or strategies. Don't hesitate to join me." Then he started walking off to wards the exit.

As I watched Julian walk away, a determined fire burned within me. The sting of defeat, especially one that felt underhanded, left a bitter taste in my mouth. I clenched my fists, my frustration fueling a newfound determination. This battle had shown me the gaps in my strategy, the weaknesses in my team, and the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.

I knew I couldn't let myself be caught off guard again. I couldn't afford to let my Pokémon down, especially after witnessing the strength and resilience Mudkip had displayed. I made a silent promise to myself and my pokemon. I wouldn't allow another loss like this.

With every defeat, there was a lesson to be learned. I needed to become a better Trainer, to hone my strategies, and to forge an unbreakable bond with my Pokémon. This wasn't just about winning battles; it was about growth, improvement, and pushing myself to new heights. I was determined to prove that I could overcome any challenge, no matter how unexpected or unconventional.

As I looked toward the entrance, a fierce determination took hold. I wouldn't shy away from battles, even if they were tough. I would face them head-on, armed with new strategies, a deeper understanding of my Pokémon, and an unyielding spirit. The path ahead might be challenging, but I was ready to embrace it.

I whispered to myself "We're in this together, everyone. We'll train harder, strategize smarter, and show them that we're a force to be reckoned with." With that resolve burning in my heart, I headed back into the gym, ready to face whatever challenges awaited me with unwavering determination.