I sat upon a bench in a small waiting area in the gym. It turns out, gym leaders will commonly have multiple gauntlet attempts going simultaneously. Due to this, multiple trainers had the 12:00 time slot.

Taking in the trainers around, I began to gain a better idea of just how strange attempting a 1v2 match was. On my left was a bug catcher with 3 balls on his waist. In front of me sat what appeared to be a generalist with 2 for himself.

Since Liz volunteered to hold the egg for me, I just had Rufflet's ball which I held in my hand Fidgeting. Interrupting my thoughts, a lady poked her head in through the door calling "Alex?"

I approach the doors and she guides me through. Standing formally and bowing, the lady says, "Burgh would like to present - The life cycle of a Sewaddle."

Despite expecting something unique, I wasn't quite expecting what Burgh had in store.

In front of me lies a recreation of a forest including leaves falling from the ceiling. Despite this being what's clearly a recreation, everything from the trees to falling leaves appears to be real. Standing in front of me is a large tree with a strange mass attached to the front of it.

Before I am able to make out what it is, I hear a voice come from it, "OH WOE IS ME, FOR I AM A SEWADDLE," startled, I take a step back, "FRESHLY HATCHED FROM MY EGG I MUST NOW WAIT FOR A PASSING LEAVANNY TO SET ME FREE, YOU, WILL YOU BATTLE ME TO FREE ME FROM THIS BOREDOM?" The voice cries out in a tone that only an art major could create.

Now able to make out what lies before me, my eyes are greeted by an absurd sight. Tied to a tree by a generous application of string shot, is a man wearing a hood made out of leaves. After I somehow manage to process the ludicrous sight, I remember this is a gym gauntlet.

"I accept your challenge!"

"JOIN ME PARTNER," The crazed arts major exclaims.

From a branch somewhere above, a Sewaddle drops down from the ceiling being lowered by a string shot extending from the bug's mouth.

"COVER HIM IN STRING," The gym trainer yelled out as theatrically as he could manage with his arms still bound by his side.

"Dodge it and use Tailwind into Peck!"

From the bug mount shoots forth a large net of string however our practice paid off as Rufflet was able to fly to the side dodging the thread cleanly. Before the man was able to call out another order, Rufflet called forth a gust of wind behind himself, launching the bird forward at a great speed.

Rufflet throws itself beak first into the insect tossing the bug backwards. The bug does not stand afterward. I'm momentarily stunned at how quickly Rufflet was able to make work of the Sewaddle, however upon further analysis, it's not that strange.

Peck is a 4x effective move that gets stronger with more force used. With tailwind propelling the bird forward. It's not that strange to knock it out in one hit.

Snapping me out my thoughts, the man with what's probably a questionable social life cries out, "YOUR BATTLE HAS FREED ME FROM MY CONFINES, I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK MOVING FORWARD!"

As the man finished his line, the leaves around me began to spin obscuring my vision. At this point, I begin to wonder how Burgh is able to afford such elaborate gauntlets for every trainer.

Eventually, the leaves began to slow down. As my vision is returned to me, I have to hide the disbelief from my face as I take in the next sight.

"ALAST! NOW A SWADLOON I FACE YET ANOTHER UNFORTUNATE FATE," cried out another gym trainer with an even more ridiculous attire, "FOR 3-4 WEEKS WHILE I'M IN THIS MIDDLE STAGE EVOLUTION, I AM LIMITED IN MY MOVEMENT DUE TO THESE CONFINES."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

The gym trainer in front of me is clad head to toe in a cocoon constructed entirely out of leaves. Only his head pokes out of his costume as he gives his overly elaborate speech.

A hole in the ground opens up and a platform rises in its place. On that platform sits a Swadloon.

The man orders the bug in a voice that reeks of grandstanding, "USE TOXIC!"

''Dodge it!" I order in reply.

Unfortunately, Rufflet was a bit too slow as the Toxic clips its wings. This puts us in a tough situation since we still have a battle after this before he'll get a chance to heal.

"We have to finish this quick, Tail Wind into Peck!"

"BLOCK IT," the man cries out.

In front of the cacooned bug appears a transparent wall causing Rufflet to slam into that instead. Rufflet is momentarily dazed from the impact.

"Rufflet, do it again!"

Although they say insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting a different result, I have a plan this time.

"BLOCK IT AGAIN!"

"Now pull back!"

"WAIT STOP," The man orders, but fortunately the man is too late.

The bug summons up the protect but this time nothing hits it. After about half a second the barrier is dispelled.

"Now!"

The bird dutifully follows my orders rapidly slamming into the insect beak first knocking him out.

Assessing Rufflet's condition, It's clear that the strain of the toxic is beginning to get to him. Wanting to preserve his health I return him to his ball before the next battle.

This time the gym trainer had nothing to say before the leaves began to swirl around me once again.

However, when the leaves fell, I was not greeted by a new sight. Instead, I see an entirely different person in a cocoon.

The lady begins her speech, "TIME HAS PASSED AND IT IS TIME FOR ME TO SHED THIS CONFINING FORM!"

The lady burst out of her cocoon spreading her arms out wide for added flourish.

"TRAINER, WILL YOU FACE THE FINAL CHALLENGE OF THE GAUNTLET?"

"I will!" I call out in response.

At this point, I'm rather worried that if the pattern holds, this trainer will have a Leavanny. I'm uncertain if Rufflet would be able to face a fully evolved Pokemon while on the timer of toxic even with the 4x type advantage.

Fortunately, however, my worries prove to be in vain as the gym trainer sends out a whirlipede instead.

I send back out Rufflet in response.

"WHILIPEDE GET MOVING!" The woman commands.

"We need to end this quick - use Hone Claws!" I call out.

The wheel-like bug begins to roll forward, rapidly gaining momentum with what looks like rollout. On the other hand, Rufflet rubs its talons together using the move it was ordered to.

"NOW LAUNCH!" The woman ordered.

Unsure of what they might be planning, I order, "Just get out of there with Tail Wind!"

In what I considered to be an ingenious move, the bug creates a solid ramp with protect using it to launch itself into the air.

Sadly for them, Rufflet had long left that area. Seeing an opportunity while they're in the air unable to control their movements I called out "Use wing attack while they're on our turf!"

Rufflet sails to the miraculously flying bug landing a free hit, However, it appears the tanky bug still has quite a bit left in it.

"USE VENOSHOCK WHILE YOUR FLYING!"

The beefy bug managed to spin around in the air hitting Rufflet with the move while we were still flying away from the Wing Attack. The move does a devasting amount of damage due to it being boosted from Rufflet being poisoned.

The Bird falls to the ground, barely hanging on at this point.

This move was not without consequences however as the turning in the air caused the bug to land on its side giving Rufflet a chance to recover.

With Rufflet barely hanging on, it becomes clear that we have to finish this now.

"Put everything you have into this last attack!" I call out!

"MATCH HIM!" The woman responded in turn.