Flashback part 1

Falkner, his personal referee, Emelia, and Michael walk into the elevator. Emelia looks around the elevator for Finn but doesn't see him. "Is Finn not in here?" She says looking at Michael. Michael shrugs his shoulders and goes back to thinking about his strategy. Not another word is said in the elevator. The elevator reaches the top and all three of them step out. Michael walks to the challenger spot with Emelia standing next to him. Falkner walks over to his spot with the referee standing to the side ready to explain the rules when Falkner is ready.

Falkner looks at his referee and the referee starts the explanation. "This gym battle is set for a two on two battle since the challenger has only two Pokémon." Michael looks at the referee and shouts at him. "I don't want any special treatment. I want to battle the gym leader at his full strength. I knew that I would be at a disadvantage coming into this. That's why I trained so hard for this. Make it a three on two!" Michael looks at Falkner with that last sentence. Falkner looks at his referee after contemplating for a few moments. "If he wants it then I'll allow it."

The Referee shakes his head in agreement. "To continue what I was saying. This battle will be a three on two at the challenger's request. The challenger being Michael from Eterna City in the Sinnoh region. The gym leader is not allowed to switch out Pokémon. If both of you are ready then lets begin!" Michael wastes no time sending out Starly and Falkner sends out his Hoothoot. Falkner looks over to Michael. "You wanted a three on two and you sent out a Flying Type against the Flying Type gym leader. That doesn't make any sense!"

Michael looks at Falkner. "Starly, use Quick Attack." Surprised that Michael didn't reply to him Falkner tries to call for Hoothoot to dodge but it was too late as Starly smacks Hoothoot. "Starly don't let up. Knock it into the air with Wing Attack." Starly flies towards the prone Hoothoot and gives it an uppercut sending it spiraling into the air. "Hoothoot try to straighten out and land." Falkner says with a little worriedness in his voice. Michael calls out the moment Falkner stops talking. "Don't let it! keep using Wing Attack to make it spin and knock it higher." Starly flies at Hoothoot hitting it with Wing Attack repeatedly keeping it in the air.

Michael starts to crack a smile. "Now just like we trained. Send them straight down with Quick Attack." Falkner starting to look worried. "Hoothoot try and move out of it!" Hoothoot tries to struggle and squirm but can't get free in time and smashes into the ground causing a crater. Everyone looks at the crater to see an unconscious Hoothoot in the middle.

Referee "Hoothoot is unable to continue, so the victor is Starly." Starly turns back to Michael and nods. Michael gives Starly a thumbs up and Starly turns back around. "Falkner it's time for you to send out your next Pokémon!" Falkner looks towards Michael with resentment and sends out his next Pokémon. Falkner throws the Pokeball and out pops Dodrio. "The next battle will be between Dodrio and Starly, BEGIN!"

Falkner wastes no time in calling Dodrio to charge at Starly. "Dodrio use Fury Attack and don't stop until you make contact." Michael waits for a few seconds to call a move. Dodrio is almost to Starly when Michael makes his move. "Starly use Quick Attack and fly between its legs." Starly immediately Jolts between Dodrio's legs. Dodrio attempts to hit Starly before she can make it but it backfires on Dodrio as its middle head goes for an attack it smashes the ground and gets stuck. Michael cracks a smile and starts laughing. "You know. I really didn't think that would work but I can't help but laugh at that." Falkner visibly pissed off starts walking to Dodrio to get its head unstuck.

Falkner while walking to Dodrio starts mouthing to Michael. "Who do you think you are huh? Some nobody at his first gym battle and you don't take it seriously. You use all these weird moves that you don't expect to work." At this point Falkner gets Dodrio's head unstuck and walks to Michael getting in his face. "You don't know how to show any respect to your opponent and I don't think you deserve a gym battle." Michael doesn't say a word as he and Falkner are almost nose to nose.

Emelia stops Falkner before he can say anymore. "You are the one who is being disrespectful. Michael has been focused on this battle for days. Everything he has done in this battle has been exactly what he thought would happen. Including you getting mad and making rash decisions, you are a gym leader and you should know that a challenger has a game plan to defeat you. Looking at you now, I think Michael is a better challenger than you are a gym leader!"

Michael turns around in surprise since he hasn't been defended like that since he was back home. Emelia is the second person in Michaels whole life that has defended him against anybody. Michael smiles at Emelia. "Thanks for the kind words Emelia but I got this from here on." Michael turns around to look at Falkner who looks like he has been spacing out. "Are we going to finish this or not Mr gym leader?" Falkner gets back into Michaels face. "Fine, but you are going to regret it." Falkner says with a cocky smile.

Just as Falkner starts to walk away Emelia yells out. "Michael look out" Michael not understanding her panic looks up to see a hot air balloon above the arena and falling from the balloon is a giant white ball about to fall on top of Falkner. Michael starts running towards Falkner, calling his Starly back to her Pokeball. Falkner turns around to see Michael running at him. The ball is about to reach Falkner when Michael makes it to Falkner and pulls him out of the way so Michael is in-between Falkner and the ball.