As Staraptor and Monferno continue to exchange and duck blows. Josh begins to look progressively more nervous.
"Fury Swipes!" Josh orders.
Monferno ducks the next blow and begins clawing into Staraptor. Feathers fly as they are ripped off.
"Take Down!" Falkner orders.
Staraptor blindly lunges forward, slamming into Monferno, knocking him back.
Monferno retaliates quickly with Flame Wheel, burning Staraptor, and putting more distance between them.
"Staraptor, Whirlwind!" Falkner orders.
"Overheat and Flame Wheel!" Josh orders.
Kyla aggressively turns to Blare. "Are you kidding me?!"
Blare waves her hand. "He wanted to use combos like you and Chaz do!"
Kyla moves closer. "Don't forget these students are going to be your opposites in the tournament!"
Blare nervously laughs. "More experience more fun, right?!"
Kyla moves back, still glaring at her. "No more handing out TM's."
"Okay okay!" Blare exclaims, nervously.
As Whirlwind hits Monferno, he uses Flame Wheel, turning the air into a tornado of fire.
Falkner's eyes go wide, and a smile grows on his face. "Very nice strategy."
"If you like that, you are going to hate this. Monferno, grab him!" Josh orders.
Monferno jumps and grabs Staraptor and pins him to the ground, inside the fire tornado. Staraptor clinches his beak as he is burned badly. Monferno then puts him in a headlock and begins to squeeze. Staraptor buck and fights to get free but slowly stops moving.
"Monferno, release and disperse the fire." Josh orders.
Monferno lets go and the fire disappears as he stares at Falkner.
Falkner recalls Staraptor before David can make his ruling, and steps forward slowly, keeping his eyes locked on Monferno. Josh joins them in the center of the field.
"That was a brilliant strategy, Josh was it?" Falkner asks.
Josh nods. "It is a combo our teacher uses often."
Falkner hands him a Zephyr Badge. "Do me one favor."
Josh looks cautiously as he takes the badge.
Monferno stares up at Falkner.
"Treat your Pokemon very well. He has a lot of anger in his eyes." Falkner says.
Josh looks down at Monferno and gently places his hand on his shoulder, calming him down. He then looks back up at Falkner. "I will. He and I will have some quality time after this too."
Falkner smiles. "Good. I look forward to cheering you all on at the tournament."
They shake hands and part. Falkner returns to his side of the field, and Josh returns to the sideline with Monferno in toe. Blare and Kyla begin playing rock, paper, scissors to see who goes next. Blare wins.
Blare jumps with joy. "Ha ha! I am next!"
Kyla sighs. "Fine!" Waving her hand.
Blare rushes onto the field. "Let's go, Falkner!"
Falkner chuckles. "So eager!"
David lowers his hand. "Begin!"
They both throw their Pokeballs and out pop Pelipper and Jolteon.
Kyla groans. "You could have given him a fighting chance!"
"Do you want to have your match today or not?! Blare snaps back.
Kyla gives a thumbs up.
"Jolteon, Quick Attack, Thunder Fang, Thunder!" Blare orders.
Falkner does not have time to speak, as Jolteon bolts across the field, bites down and pins Pelipper, and then unleashes a massive Thunder attack. Pelipper screams in pain before going limp.
"Done!" Blare says, recalling Jolteon.
Falkner blinks a few times, with wide eyes. "Uh.."
Blare skips to the middle of the field and waits.
Falkner recalls Pelipper and slowly joins her. "Are you.. one of the teachers?!"
Blare shakes her head. "I only helped part-time. Kyla actually trained me personally."
Falkner hands her a Zephyr Badge. "Then I am very much looking forward to my next match."
Blare takes the badge, with a wink. "Have fun!" She sings before returning to the sideline.
Kyla walks slowly to her side of the field. "Ready when you are."
Falkner quickly returns to his side and fiddles with his Pokeball. "I guess I have to go all out with you."
Kyla smiles, putting a hand on her hip. "I would leave you a bad review if you didn't."
David chuckles as he shouts. "Begin!"
They both throw their Pokeballs. Out pops Pidgeot and Chaz.
Chaz yawn wide, spitting out a small ember.
Pidgeot glares back at him.
Falkner raises a marble on a neckless. "Let's go, Mega Evaluation!"
A swirling gust of wind surrounds Pidgeot as he glows and grows into Mega Pidgeot.
Kyla nods to Chaz, who nods back. "Let's go, Mega Evaluation!" Kyla shouts as she raises her glove into the air.
The band, on her glove, glows bright red. With a gust of swirling wind and embers, Chaz emerges as Mega Charizard Y.
Chaz smiles, as he blows out a Smokescreen.
"Gust." Falkner orders.
Mega Pidgeot claps his wings once, blowing the Smokescreen away with ease. Upon dispersing the Smokescreen, Chaz is nowhere to be seen, until he appears behind Mega Pidgeot. He takes a swing with Dragon Claw, but Mega Pidgeot dodges and hits him in the eyes with Sand Attack. Chaz roars in pain and frustration. Mega Pidgeot has enough time to gain distance on Chaz while he attempts to regain his sight.
"Pidgeot, Wing Attack!" Falkner orders.
Kyla accesses the situation quickly, as Mega Pidgeot prepares his attack. And as Pidgeot begins to dive into his attack, towards Chaz, Kyla shouts to Chaz. "Block, 3 o'clock, 45 degrees!"
Chaz turns quickly and his claws meet Mega Pidgeot's wings. Chaz opens his mouth and blasts a Flamethrower into Mega Pidgeot's face.
"Mirror Move!" Falkner orders.
Mega Pidgeot opens his mouth and emits a Flamethrower back. The result of the two Flamethrowers throws the two Pokemon apart. Chaz slides to a stop, just short of Kyla. Whereas Mega Pidgeot hovers above the field.
Clare and the other three students begin to move back.
"This is getting intense!" Josh says, moving Clare and Deanna behind him.
Blare chuckles. "Intense is like Kyla's default setting."
Clare looks worried, recalled the expression on Sam's face before she left.
Chaz roars and uses Air Slash, which Mega Pidgeot dodges with ease, returning the same attack. Chaz blocks, taking them head on to void them hitting Kyla.
"That was a bit of a dirty move.." Kyla growls.
Falkner shrugs. "When your back is against the wall, it is your own responsibility to move."
Chaz clinches his teeth, in pain.
"Hang in there, Chaz." Kyla whispers.
Chaz grunts once for "Sure".
Kyla glares back at Falkner. "Chaz is extremely protective of me, so he is very unlikely to move knowing you would launch an attack so close to me."
Falkner shrugs. "His funeral. Pidgeot, Giga Impact!"
Chaz glances at Kyla, who just nods with a smile. Chaz readies himself to catch the attack. Mega Pidgeot charges in, but when he makes contact with Chaz, he barely moves back an inch.
"That should have sent him tumbling back!" Falkner exclaims.
Chaz grabs Mega Pidgeot and uses Fire Fang, biting deep into his left-wing. Pidgeot screams in pain, as Chaz bares down harder.
"Chaz has been going through a special diet to tighten his defense and special defense beyond its normal limits. If you think my training is any way glazed, you are sorely mistaken." Kyla replies, crossing her arms. "Chaz, Seismic Toss."
Chaz spins around once and bashes Mega Pidgeot against the field.
"Finish this with Thunder Punch." Kyla orders.
Chaz rears back his right arm, while holding Pidgeot down with his other, and punches into him as a thunderous crash echos through the gym. Chaz removes his grip and steps back, Mega Pidgeot laying limp on the ground.
"And that is the match." Kyla says with a smile.
Falkner stands, mouth a gap, for a few minutes as the student celebrate and cheer from the sideline.
Kyla and Falkner meet in the middle of the field. Falkner recalls Pidgeot and presents the Zephyr Badge to Kyla. Kyla slowly takes it as David joins them.
"What were your names again?" Falkner asks.
"Kyla." Kyla replies.
"Doctor David Brown." David replies.
Falkner looks surprised at David. "You're our president, aren't you?"
David nods.
Falkner points at Kyla. "Does that mean you are part of the Pokemon League too?"
Kyla presents her id card. "I am the new head of Pokemon clinical coordination."
Falkner chuckles. "That sounds.. stressful."
David smiles, putting his arm around Kyla's shoulders. "We have no doubt Kyla will be able to handle the position, once she claims her third championship."
"And to think I was just a Poketech, in charge of the only Pokemon Clinic in the Oblivia Region, before this." Kyla smiles.
"Impressive, to be sure." Falkner says.
Chaz yawns.
"Ready to rest?" Kyla asks.
Chaz shrugs.
Kyla recalls him and, as she puts his Pokeball back on her belt, Falkner spots her Ultra Ball.
"Are you the Obiliva resident that caught Moltres?" Falkner asks.
Kyla looks down at the Ultra Ball and looks back up with a smile. "Yes, I am."
Falkner chuckles. "It is no wonder you and your prodigy performed so well." Falkner turns and looks at the students and Blare. "They say a student reflects the teacher, and although you were not the only one teaching them, they look up to you the most. You have been a great role model."
Kyla looks at the students with a smile. "Too bad I promised to let them off the leash after this match."
Falkner turns back to her. "It's hard, isn't it?"
Kyla nods, still facing the students. "I truly want to continue to watch over them."
Falkner glances at David. "Now, you get to watch over them as a proud teacher should, seeing their accomplishments and celebrating them."
Kyla looks at David with a worried expression.
David gently pats her back with a silent nod.
Kyla smiles and turns back to Falkner, with a bow. "Thank you, Falkner, for your kind guidance and for having us."
Falkner bows back. "It was my pleasure."
Kyla and David join the others, waving goodbye to Falkner and the Violet City Gym. As they make their way outside, the students walk with them to the Pokemon Center, to heal their Pokemon. Josh and Clare walk closely beside each other, spurring Blare's curiosity.
"So, what are you three going to do next?" Blare asks.
Deanna speaks up first. "I think I will take my time, get to know my Pokemons' strengths and weaknesses, and then pick my next Pokemon accordingly."
"Remember, sometimes the Pokemon choose you, Deanna." David says, with a smile.
Deanna nervously laughs. "I will, of course, be open to possibilities."
Blare turns to Josh and Clare. "What about you two?" She asks with a smirk.
Josh and Clare both blush.
"We.. are going to travel together." Clare answers shyly.
"Oh?!" Blare nudges Clare with her elbow. "Got a little romance going on?" She snickers.
Clare sways into Josh. "Well.. we have been talking about it for a while. I am personally interested in where it goes."
Josh clears his throat. "There is also safety in numbers, especially with Team Tsunami running around."
Clare reaches over and pinches Josh's cheeks. "Aw! Look who is being all bashful!"
Josh gently waves her hands away.
Blare puts her hands behind her head. "I don't know, they seem like pushovers to me."
Josh glares. "You have also been a trainer for longer than us."
Blare laughs, waving her hand. "You'll be surprised how quickly you progress, once to get going."
"Yeah, we got this, Josh!" Clare exclaims.
Josh looks at Kyla, seemingly looking for some form of reassurance.
"Josh is right. There are safety in numbers. Which is why I think Blare should travel with Deanna for a bit longer." Kyla says, looking between all of them.
Blare crosses her arms. "Sure you're not just saying that to get alone time with David?"
Kyla smiles. "Deanna is the odd one out, which means she needed a traveling partner. You are the best candidate."
Blare sighs. "I mean, if you are going to start buttering me up with compliments.."
Deanna seems excited at the idea, turning to Blare. "Come on, Blare, it will be like a girl's only adventure! Please?!"
Blare chuckles. "Okay."
Kyla waves her finger at Blare. "But remember what we talked about earlier."
Blare raises her hand. "I promise I will not overly influence the competition."
Kyla puts her hand on her hip. "Good."
David watches with a proud smile, until something in the sky catches his eye. He looks up to see a red line of fire disappear over the horizon. "That is odd." He says to himself.
"What's odd?" Kyla asks.
"I could have sworn I saw a line of fire heading west." David replies.
Blare looks in that direction. "Think it was an attack or an actual Pokemon?"
David shrugs. "I don't know.. but I have a feeling we will be finding out soon."
With their Pokemon healed, supplies bought, and a gym battle won, the group splits up in pairs of two. As the others leave Violet City, Kyla and David stay behind to check into Police reports of odd happenings. Upon inquiring with the local officer, they discover that strange red and blue lights have been appearing in the sky over a period of months.
David looks at Kyla. "No doubt, we are dealing with two Pokemon. More so, these reports suggest they may be fighting over territory."
"Any idea which ones we might be dealing with?" Kyla asks.
David shrugs. "All I can get from this is that they are flying types, one of them is fire-based, and they really don't like each other. The frequency of these reports is almost two or three times a week."
Kyla thinks. "If I didn't know any better, I would have thought it was Moltres and Articuno. However, we already know where those two are."
David nods. "Although, this does not mean they are legendaries, nor that they are wild either. It could be a feud between two trainers."
Kyla looks over the reports again. "These reports are from all over the Johto region. It is very unlikely it is a pair of trainers."
The officer presents a file of wanted posters. "We have a reward for any information that helps end these random events."
Kyla looks at it. "$50,000?!"
The officer nods. "The reward was posted by Professor Elm, himself."
David crosses his arms. "It would have been nice of him to tell us that while we were at his lab."
Kyla shrugs. "We know now."
David shakes his head, with a sigh. "So..?"
"We are not calling Hermit." Kyla says, with a glare.
"Actually, I was going to ask what you want to do." David replies.
Kyla leads David out of the patrol office and around the corner. "I say we both have one Pokemon take patrol. I am choosing Pidgeot."
David thinks for a moment. "I could rotate Crobat, Xatu, and my Pidgeot."
"Sounds like a plan." Kyla says, pulling out Pidgeot's Pokeball and opening it.
Pidgeot looks around for another Pokemon, but ends up staring at Kyla confused.
"Ready for a little recon?" Kyla asks.
Pidgeot nods.
"The objective is to track a couple of Pokemon that have been possibly fighting over territory. If you see them, you do not start a fight. They may be extremely dangerous." Kyla explains.
Pidgeot hops around in a circle, asking where to start.
"I figure heading west would be a good start?" Kyla asks David.
David nods. "That is where I saw the fire shot off to."
Pidgeot flaps her wings and takes off.
"Becareful!" Kyla shouts.
David let's out his Xatu and sends him off to the north. "Well, that is that."
"Should we wait or keep heading towards Azalea Town?" Kyla asks.
"Yeah, let's do that.. after we make a pit stop." David says, as they walk towards Route 32.