7 Climbing the next Hill!

so...

I can't battle the Lumiose city gym because i don't have enough gym badge...

quite awkward and stupid...

so we decided to go face our next gym on Cyllage city! i heard that the Gym leader there is tough! I can't wait for the battle!

but first, we need to go through route 7!

/////

"so... do you think we should try to find the champion? I think we're capable" Gallade suggested

"no... we'll just get blasted by her Gardevoir's Shadow ball" i said with a plain face

"yeah... you're right"

"we'll battle her eventually... remember, we need to get more informations and experience too beat her!"

"Right" Gallade said agreeing on me.

"okay let's-" i froze when i suddenly see a group off people standing near the fountain on Camphrier Town... they are wearing some sort off black suit, with a hat? they seem to wear a mask... I can't even identify who are they, but i have a bad feeling about this...

one off them rises his hand and show some sort off sign... then they went towards route 7 without even noticing us...

"who are they?" Gallade said right beside me with his face concerned...

"are they friends?" Lucario asked

"... no... they don't seem like they are friendly..."

/////////////

after buying some stuff for our travel... i walked out from the Market and see the rest off my friends waiting for me outside, i signaled them too "continue our journey" and start heading towards the connecting cave with a bag full off resources for our travel.

"should we avoid them?" Gallade asked as i placed my last berry at the bag

"just to be safe? yeah" i then carry the bag and ready too leave...

"come on Lucario" i called as i continue on my path too Cyllage city, Lucario notices me and stops looking at the fountain

i feel happy as Lucario follows me... with Gallade of course.

"hey... don't get too close to the Lucario... okay?" Gallade said...

Did he read my mind?

"yeah... i won't" I sigh after that last part... The Lucario didn't hear us luckly...

///

after a few walking... we have finally reached the connecting caves... somethings odd... there doesn't seem to be anyone walking in or out off it...

"that's the cave?" Gallade asked me, feeling a bit uncomfortable by the silence

"yeah... hm..." I said as I started thinking...

...

something clicked on my mind, I remembered an Alternate route... i looked towards south and see a very tall bush, then i walked over it

"where are you going?" Lucario ask

"finding another way" i said as my Jacket caught some tiny Branches

"Careful..." Gallade said worriedly

"this is nothing pal" i continued...

then i found it...

another big hole forming a Cave...

it's the alternate route.

"guys! I found it!" I shouted as I swipe off the Tiny branches stuck on my Jacket

"really?" Gallade said unsure, but then after he went through the bushes, he sees another path

"it exist?" Gallade added in disbelief

"yeah! dunno why they cover it?"

"Maybe an Accident happened?"

"if it is... I wonder why?"

then I heard Lucario made a rustle on the bush as he walks towards us.

"is this our next path?" Lucario asked innocently

"yeah, but let's be careful... it's dark in there" I said as I bring up my electric Torch...

lighting the Cave enough to see what ahead off us for only 3 meters clearly, after I walked inside, Gallade's Core Lights up the cave as well, but not as much as my torch. Lucario keeps close to us, timid about the dark Cave.

"I'll watch our back" Gallade said as he walks backward, keeping an eye on what's behind us

"okay... no need to be over protective"

"over protective?" Lucario joined...

Sigh

////

this cave is longer... just as expected...

"how long is this cave?" Gallade said with his voice starts to get desperate

"shouldn't be this long... but I think we're close" i said in the small and long Cave... the smell in this cave is to humid, it's also getting tighter. but not enough that we are cramped

...

I stopped walking as saw something...

a boulder was blocking the cave...

great, now I know why...

"Justin why- is that a boulder?" Gallade said louder, with fear in his voice.

"it's-"

"the end?" Lucario interupted me... oof

"Can't we crush it?" Gallade suggested

"not sure if it's save... the whole Cave might collapse... we should just-"

a screech is heard echoing in the cave... oh no! it sounded like as if they are rushing towards here! I can hear rumbling and creepy wing flaps!

Zubats!!!

"what is that sound?" Lucario asked as he looked at the darkness behind us

"We've got incoming!" Gallade grunted as he prepares to fend them off

"we're stuck here!" I screamed in disbelief as we hear them getting closer from the darkness.

"hm..." Lucario ponders as he tries to push the boulder

"there is no use! that thing is to-" Gallade suddenly cuts as the entire cave started rumbling by the Lucario push!

it's... Moving?!

"Lucario!" I shouted with hope in my heart as he slowly pushes it. Gallade rushes and helped Lucario push the boulder, Gallade seem to have a hard time while Lucario is pushing it like a shelf with wheels!

I turn my electric torch to a flashlight, then brighten up the farther side! Zubats!!! hundreds off them from the distance!

"Guys! quick!!!" I screamed as I back away to my friends, suddenly a light stroke behind me! i turned around too see a gap of light!

without thinking I pushed the boulder with my friends! I put my full power into it!

suddenly the boulder rolls out and i see the road towards Cyllage city!

"guys! we-" I quickly realized as I pushed Gallade and Lucario to duck down, then Hundreds of Zubats pass above us as we ducked under them... they have exited the cave...

...

"thanks... but warn us next time" Gallade said as he let's go off my grip to stand up again...

"sorry..."

"it's alright! it's fun!" Lucario joined with a smile

"really?" Gallade interrupted

"hey-hey! at least we got out safe" I said trying calm them down

"safe? we could have went in the main connecting, why do we need to go through there?" Gallade said getting upset

"I just have the feeling that-"

Gallade interrupted me with a tiring sigh

"whatever... let's battle the gym now" he added

"Y-Yeah" I stuttered a bit with his sudden reaction... man... I miss Alex...

I stand up with a sigh as Gallade starts walking first towards the city, then I started walking as well with Lucario following behind me...

let's hope this Gym can satisfy him...

////

the thing that made me worried is that Gallade is mostly effective against the Gym leader pokemons...

I hope this battle can last longer.

so the gym is at the cave- nah I'm tired on these stuff...

the gym is in the Cave, we need to climb a hill inside the cave, and encounter trainers and battle them... I didn't battle any off them... instead they want my Autograph and let me pass on... I even remembered that one off them even Hugged Lucario... Gallade didn't take it lightly, instead now that trainer have a bruise on her face. she's gonna take a while to recover from that...

Finally! we have reached the top! with nothing stopping us! literally!

and the gym leader...

Grant!

the rock gym leader. a professional climber and biker... and have a colorful rock on his hair for style? huh...

"I've been waiting in eager anticipation! i see that you have reached the top faster than anyone have ever been! you must be a powerful trainer!" he said to me

"yeah... right" i replied to grant... with disappointment because off the "challenge" off the climb...

"what's the name kid" he said straight forward and powerfully

"Justin, Justin Carefire" I said with full pride off the name... kinda

"alright, let's begin!" he said in a fire, i have a feeling that this one will be worth it.

he grabs one of his Pokeball, and a blinding red light burst out from the Pokeball, then formed a huge dinosaur-like creature.

Tyrantrum

it's weak to fighting type, so it's time to use Close Combat!

"ready?" I said to Gallade, with positivity he nodded and stepped forward to the battlefield.

then...

the battle begins!

"Earthquake!" Grant called out

the Tyrantrum uses Earthquake! the ground suddenly ruptures and shaking, it's breaking apart! I ordered Gallade to jump towards the Tyrantrum. as Gallade nearly sandwiched by the ground, the Gym leader called out.

"use Stone edge!" he calls out again. I also noticed we is sweating... maybe because he can't expect my attacks since I use telepathy.

sharp rocks flows around the Tyrantrum, then it launches it towards Gallade! he is still in mid air!

...

heh...

I ordered Gallade to fire Psycho cut behind him! when he fires it he was suddenly propelled by the kick off his attack! Next I tell Gallade to use Protect! he made a transparent shield right as the sharp rocks impacted! making hard bumps as the stones rapidly deflect by the screen. then I ordered him to fire Psycho cut at the Tyrantrum head, Gallade fires his signature attack and made the Tyrantrum flinched! with this Gallade lands at the head of the Tyrantrum without it even realizing!

...

then I shouted in the top of my lungs for the finishing!

"USE CLOSE COMBAT!!!" (I heard that Grant gasp at my shout)

then with instant reaction, he begins giving flurry heavy punches at the head of the Tyrantrum! he hits it so hard that his punches can be heard echoing loudly in the cave! after Gallade finished it, the Tyrantrum let out a defeated screech and instantly topples to the ground, while the Tyrantrum is falling down, Gallade jumped away and landed beside me, keeping his focus at his opponent. after the Tyrantrum is on the ground, the referee called that it was unable to battle anymore! we have defeated Grant first pokemon! and it all happened so fast that even Grant is pretty surprised.

"Wow- that's... impressive" he said in a stuttered tone

"thanks!" I thanked him

"you even fight like Diantha..." he mumbles.

"you know what... I forfeited" he said-

wait...

what?! he forfeited the battle?!

"w-what?!" I speak in disbelief... Gallade only stays quiet...

"even if i use Aurorus, you will use close combat again and defeated him in seconds" he said with a sweat...

"what? really?" i said with hoping off a chance

"yeah... i have other challenger that i need to face. that is an inspiring battle as well... thank you." he said as he returns Tyrantrum

"oh..."

great...

Another disappointing battle...

/////

I did get the Gym badge.... but now Gallade is upset... and that girl that hugged Lucario got punched again since she can't stop hugging Lucario again, even though Lucario likes it.

i hear Gallade sigh right beside me as we exited the cave. oh boy...

"is everybody that weak" he said telepathically

"well um... you used a super-effective attack... that's all" I said trying to lightened the weight.

"yeah... maybe I hit him too hard" he said in a sad tone

"hey, the important thing is we won. with many more gym badge... we can battle more powerful people and pokemons!"

"huh..." he said still with a sad tone... sigh

"is that battling? that seems easy!" Lucario talked to Gallade

"yes... but that is because I trained for a long time" Gallade replied.

then they keep talking asI walk around the streets of the city thinking what's next...

okay so my next gym is at shalour city... the place where i can get access to Mega evolution...

then first we need to go through Geosenge town, after tha, we will fight Korrina, the fighting gym specialist since that place has a bunch off Lucario's... might as well ask them.

and so we're preparing to head out to our next location... but first, we will relax in a nearby cafe.

////////////////

we are now inside the cafe which is in the northwestern of the city...

I ordered a tea and the rest can have juice. Gallade have sitrus juice while i gave Lucario Oran juice. Gallade is drinking it normally, While Lucario just finished his second glass... he eats a lot...

"can I have another one?" Lucario said happily with his tail visibly wagging

"sure... last one okay?" I said with my tone happy and relaxed

"yeah!"

"are you sure there is someone out there capable to fight me fairly?" Gallade said in a sad tone... placing his glass of juice at the table.

"yeah... there will be... I know it" I said with a smile of encouragement...

"hm..." he hums internally as he takes another sip on his juice. a waitress come with another glass of Oran berry, placing it on the table in front of the Canine

"here is another one of your order sir" the waitress said softly and politely

"thank you" I thanked and bowed a bit. the waitress bows too!

that's nice...

"I hope this next Gym can put up a good fight" Gallade said with a much more relaxed tone, finishing his juice as well. I nodded happily as I take a sip at the warm tea. then I look at the afternoon view of the sea from the window, it was delightfully... the warm feeling of the sunset brings relaxation...

until I see a mysterious person standing in the beach, there is a bit of shine from his head... and is it... wearing a cloak? I squinted my eyes to take a better look. but the shine stops and he began walking towards south...

there is something about that person...

I have a bad feeling... is that the same person that took a photo of me at the restaurant?

with feel of fear and pressure I stand up taking my bag from right beside me on the chair, then I said to Gallade through telepathy.

"someone is watching us... we need to move"

Gallade nodded calmly, knowing the situation. while I was walking towards the cashier, Gallade signals Lucario to go, Lucario jugs in the Glass and quickly followed.

when I arrived at the cashier, I payed the drinks that we ordered.

"thank you for coming, we'll be waiting for your next visit" the cashier said softly.

"yes, I'm looking forward to it" I replied calmly hiding my fear in this situation.

and so I got out of the cafe and started looking around my surroundings with Gallade.

"where are they..." Gallade said, ready to pick a fight

"who?" Lucario said still cleaning his jaw with his paw.

"someon-" I cut as I see a man hiding in the shadows on the building on my left stalking us...

"Gallade! Teleport!" I shouted through telepathy as I suddenly feel my body light and everything suddenly turns white, I am not touching the ground again. I suddenly feel like something is pushing and pulling me... then my vision went back as I dropped down on the soft grass.

then I started looking around...

we're in the middle of a three-pillar rock surrounding us. it looks like we're on Geosenge town...

looks like we lost them...

"(sigh in relief) thanks, Gallade" I said thanking Gallade

"what happened? where am I?" Lucario said confusedly as he sits at the grass

"Geosenge town" Gallade clarify

"thanks... we should take camp at the forest on route 11... it should keep us away from the stalkers"

"agree"

"why did we get away from them? don't they want to be friends with us?" Lucario asked

"not them particularly... sorry" I said a bit disappointed

"aw..." Lucario sigh a bit before standing up.

"alright guys, I'll set up the camp for you all to sleep." I said as I walk towards Route 11. the rest follows me... with a feeling of worry...

man I need to shake this feeling off.

//////////

we've already set up our camp.

just a simple sleeping bags, tent, and an electric lantern for light in the middle... no fire camp I guess. Lucario and Gallade will be sleeping at the tent, while I keep watch...

...

"are you sure you don't want to sleep in the tent?" Gallade said before entering the tent.

"no... I'll stay outside, you go ahead sleep with Lucario" I said softly...

"ok... just be careful justin" Gallade said with a smile

"oh, I'll be" I said to ensure him, then he went in the Tent...

...

it's already dark, the sky is dark yet sparkling... it is a beautiful sight. but sadly I can't enjoy it as much because of the situation. who are they anyways? an organization? Group? Gang? Outlaws? FanClub?!

...

better be careful...

no matter what...

...

...

I miss my old house...

"sir... we lost them"

"forget about them... we have a bigger problem at base"

"he's already here?"

"not yet... but our decoy is about to run out"

"urgh... how long?"

"... around a month"

"good... we'll watch and learn them then, we might find a chance"

"yeah right... I'll try to halt him longer if possible"

"roger"