Sunset Shimmer and Sunlight Blaze were arrived in Courmaline. The first thing they did was to go to the local Pokemon Center, then, Sunlight make the turn of the stores to see if they sold something interesting. Sunset, her, was actually thinking about a strategy for the battle.

“This city don’t have any interesting shops,” said Sunlight walking in the streets.

He find a market selling fresh seafood, vegetables, bread and fruits. And not so far of it, a stand selling medicinal herbs.

”Hum, the market seem interesting though, he said. I will make a few courses here”

Sunlight buy a good quantity of vegetables and fruits, then buy a lot of medicinal herbs. When he had finished, he head in direction of the Arena to defy the Gym Leader.

”I clearly have the advantage in this arena, he said. But i have to stay on my guards, Grass types pokemon can learn a lot of move super effective on the Fire types.”

Sunlight enter in the arena and his surprised by all the vines and vegetation in it.

“Sweet Celestia, he said. Is this an arena or a garden?”

“This place is both an arena and a garden, said a voice. I am on your right.”

Sunlight turn his head and see an old man.

“Who are you? He asked. The gardener? Do you know where is the Gym Leader?”

“He he, you will find him on the top of this big climbing wall, said the old man. To get here, you will have to climb all these vines.”

“This is like when i fought Grant, said Sunlight. Well, that will be easy!”

“Ah, the young people and their confidence, said the man. I hope it won’t make you too cocky and arrogant one day.”

“I know where the line between arrogance and confidence is, he answered. I am not blinded by it.”

Sunlight begin to climb on the vines and walls with ease, but precaution. After 15 minutes, he arrive on the top of the obstacle and see the battle arena, where the referee was present.

“Alright, said Sunlight. Let’s see who is the Gym Leader.”

The same old man he saw sooner appear and walk in direction of the arena.

“Hum? You are the Gym Leader? He asked. I was not expecting that”

“He he, don’t judge a flower by his appearance, said the old man. The most beautiful flower can be sometime deadly and dangerous. Beside, my name is Ramos”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Ramos, said Sunlight. I will prevent you that i won’t go easy on you”

“I love hearing that” said Ramos.

The referee explain that the rules: Each trainer will use 3 pokemons and the fight will be over when all the pokemons of one of the trainers will be K.O. Then, he give the start signal.

“Show me your power, said Ramos, I choose you, Meganium!!!”

“Hum, well, in that case, i send you, Ninetails!!!” said Sunlight.

“Hum, a fire type? Asked Ramos. Well, that will sure make thing difficult for me...He he...Meganium, use Leaf Storm!!!”

“Counter it with a Flamethrower!!” said Sunlight

The flames collide with the leafs and create an explosion.

“Now, Use Sunny Day!!!” said Sunlight.

Ninetails growl and cause a rise of temperature followed by an intense light.

“Yes, Sunny Day increase the power of Fire type moves, said Ramos. But it also make Grass type pokemons stronger.”

“Ninetails, use Flamethrower!!!” said Sunlight.

“Use Protect, Meganium!!” yelled Ramos.

The flames crash against the magic barrier without causing any damages.

“Good reflexes, said Sunlight, but your pokemon won’t be able to reuse it right now!! Ninetails, use Flamethrower again!!!”

“Meganium, use Light Screen!!!” said Ramos

A magic barrier appear around Meganium and reduce greatly the power of Flamethrower when it hit him.

“Light Screen will reduce from 50% the power of your specials capacities” said Ramos.

“That won’t change the issue of the battle, said Sunlight, another Flamethrower and your pokemon is K.O.”

“You think? Said Ramos. He he he, Meganium, use Photosynthesis!!”

Meganium shine and the injuries on his body disappear.

“You see, my dear, said Ramos, Photosynthesis efficiency depend of the weather and the time of the day. During the day, it will restore half of the energy of the Pokemon using it. But there is more, if Sunny Day effects are present on the field, Photosynthesis efficiency is doubled.”

“So, what you say is that your pokemon will recover all his energy and health each time it will use Photosynthesis? Asked Sunlight. You are using the move Sunny Day to your advantage, i was really not expecting that.”

“And even when it’s effect will fade away, said Ramos. My Meganium still have Protect, Light Screen and Recover to counter your fire attacks. If you can pass through that strategy, then you maybe have a chance in the Pokemon League...”

”He is right, thought Sunlight, doubting for the first time in his life. His strategy is flawless, Photosynthesis to restore from 50% to 100% of Meganium’s health for sure each time he use it. Plus, his Light Screen reduce the damages i inflict to his pokemon, but if that was not enough, he can also use Protect to block my attacks and when he will need to recharge, he can still attack my Pokemon with Leaf Storm, then use Photosynthesis again, and then Protect...How can i pass trough that?”

Sunlight, for the first time of his life, feel desperate and a sentiment of fear begin to make him doubt about his capacities. Suddenly, he feel something taking possession of his mind with such power that he can’t resist for long. Under the control of the thing possessing him, he return Ninetails in his Pokeball and send out Incineroar. Then, the same force that was possessing him also do the same with Incineroar, but instead of controlling his body, he modify his memory to make him learn a new Move for this battle. The being finally disappear from their mind, after telling Sunlight to use Taunt If he want to win. Sunlight don’t ask questions and decide to follow the advice.

“Incineroar, use Taunt!!” he said.

”Taunt? Though Ramos, Oh no!!”

Incineroar make a provocative pose while making fun of Meganium. That attitude enrage a lot the Grass type Pokemon.

”Alright, thought Sunlight, i used Taunt, so what is next?”

The voice reappear in his head.

“Taunt is an attack that will prevent your opponent to use any status moves, he said. In simple terms, Meganium won’t be able to use Photosynthesis, Protect and Light Screen during the time Taunt will last. But in order for him to learn it I had to remove one of his move. Which move? You will discover it by yourself..He he he...”

The voice then disappear again. Sunlight focus back on the fight with a new flame, fueled by determination and hope.

“Take that, Ramos!! Said Sunlight. Now, your Meganium have no choice but to use Leaf Storm!!”

“Hum, that was a smart move, i admit, said the Gym Leader. Form hopelessness come the light of ingenuity”

“You know what to do, Incineroar, said Sunlight. Use Flamethrower!!!”

Flames comes out of Incineroar’s belt and hit the Meganium, who couldn’t use Protect. When the flames disappear, Meganium was K.O.

“Meganium is K.O!! Said the referee. Sunlight win the first battle!!!”

“Alright, go, Sceptile!! Said Ramos. I count on you!!”

The voice in his head reappear again and talk

“Use Delphox for this battle” said the voice

“If you say so, said Sunlight. Alright, come back, Incineroar!!”

He return the pokemon inside his pokeball and send Delphox instead.

”Use her psychic abilities to hinder his movements, said the voice. Sceptile is a full attacker, a glass cannon if you prefer. Use a defensive strategy against him...”

Sunlight look at Delphox and smile. Meanwhile, Sunset was still at the pokemon center, reading a magazine to pass the time.

”Well, maybe i should make some courses, she thought. I want to buy a couple of new outfits, Sunlight shouldn’t be the only one with a styled costume.”

She walk outside the center and head in direction of a shop where she could buy some interesting outfits. She don’t find any.

“Meh, i suppose i can wait until me and Sunlight return to Lumiose City to do it, she said. Hum, at least, i passed the time. Now, let’s see if Sunlight’s battle against the Gym Leader is over.”

She head in the direction of the Gym. Returning to Sunlight, he was fighting the last pokemon of Ramos, a Mega-Venusaur, who was so powerful that he defeated Ninetails, Incineroar and Delphox. His last pokemon, Houndoom, was actually fighting Mega-Venusaur. Both Pokemons were exhausted and hurt, and their trainer were staring at each other.

“Grrr, his Venusaur is a tank, thought Sunlight. The only hope i have is to hit him with a Inferno, but this attack is easy to dodge. The best thing to do is to power up Houndoom with Hone Claws and then Nasty Plot. But that will take some times and if my pokemon take another hit, this is over for him.”

“The Ability of Venusaur is Thick Fat, said the voice. Which considerably halves the damages of Fire and Ice type attacks. If you had a powerful Psychic or Flying type move, you could be able to take him down quickly.”

“My Houndoom don’t have these type of attacks, he said to the voice. Houndoom may be fast, but that Venusaur accuracy is deadly. I have Charmander left, but he have no chance against this monster!!”

”I have to finish his Houndoom quickly, thought. Ramos. If he can place his Inferno, he will have the high hand on Venusaur”

“No, i refuse to give up!! Said Sunlight. Houndoom, i know you want this victory as much as i want. But...”

The voice talking to him tell him something. And then share it with Houndoom

The two look at each other, then look at Venusaur and run in his direction.

”You are sure that will work?” asked Sunlight to the voice.

“It will” said the mysterious voice

“Wait, what is he doing?! Said Ramos. Venusaur, don’t let him get near to you!!! Use Earthquake!!!”

Houndoom jump at the last minute to avoid the attack and get on the back of Venusaur. He begin to charge his power.

“Use Vine Whip, Venusaur, said Ramos, get him out of your back!!!”

Venusaur use his vines to grab Houndoom, but he his not able to get him out. The reason was because Houndoom had is claws solidly planted into the flesh of his enemy. Venusaur change of strategy and whip Houndoom, hoping to put him K.O. But the pokemon resist.

”This is the moment!” said the voice

“Alright!!! Time to end this!!! Houndoom, use Inferno!!!” said Sunlight.

The pokemon unleash on Venusaur his attack, which literally cover the Grass type pokemon under a torrent of flames. Then, an explosion follow and smoke cover the whole arena. When the smoke was dissipated, Sunlight and Ramos see both Venusaur and Houndoom K.O.

“Double K.O!!” said the referee.

“Who won?!”asked Sunlight to him.

“Well, uh....” he tried to say.

“Hum, i forfeit...” said Ramos.

“What?!” said Sunlight.

“You earned this badge, Sunlight, he said. Your determination, courage and fighting spirit have convinced me. After all the efforts you have done, that would be stupid to not give it to you.”

Ramos give to Sunlight the Grass Badge. Then, he walk outside the arena. But he heard the voice who was talking to him during the battle in his head.

”Not bad, for a human.” said the deep voice.

“Who are you, exactly? Asked Sunlight. Are you a Pokemon?”

“Yes, i am a pokemon, said the voice. Who i am? You’ll have to wait for that, he he he...”

”Thank you for your help...” he said.

“Oh, i didn’t help you by kindness, said the voice. I did that because i was bored.”

“Hum, should i expect to hear your voice again?” he asked.

”Maybe yes, maybe not...” said the pokemon.

The voice disappear for good of Sunlight’s head. He walk outside and meet Sunset Shimmer. He show her his fourth badge with a smile.

“You won? She said. That was certainly easy with you Fire types...”

“No, he answered. That Gym Leader gave me a lot of trouble even if i had the type advantage. I almost lost, to be honest, i only earn my victory due to my opponent forfeiting on a draw...”

“You are kidding, right?” she asked.

“No, he is no joke, he answered. You’ll see when you will battle him.”

“I will challenge him when my pokemons will have recovered, she said. Speaking of, i have to take back mines at the Pokemon Center.”

Her and Sunlight return to the Pokemon Center, where Sunlight show his pokemons to Nurse Joy, and Sunset, who was standing next to him. Both are surprised by how badly injured his pokemons were. Sunset realize quickly that he was not lying about how hard his battle was and immediately begin to be worried.

“They are badly injured, said Nurse Joy, but i promise that they will be healed in a few hours. Beside, Miss Sunset, your Pokemons have fully recovered.”

She gave her the pokeballs containing her pokemons.

“Cool, now, you are ready to challenge Ramos, said Sunlight. And i will support you from the bleachers.”

Sunlight see on Sunset’s face that she was worried.

“What are you worried about, he asked. I see it in your eyes, What is wrong?”

“I am not so sure if i can win against him, she said. You had 4 pokemons with a type advantage and you almost lost.”

“You can use the Mega-Evolution, said Sunlight. If i had it, my battle would have been way easier. Beside, from what i learned of my battle against Ramos, i think you might just have what it take to win, trust me. If i had your team in battle, the victory would have been mine easily.”

“You think?” she asked.

“Sure, he answered. Now, let’s head to the Gym!!”

Sunset and Sunlight leave the Pokemon Center and walk in direction of the Gym. Meanwhile, they were observed by a being standing in the shadows, who reveal to be a Pokemon.

”Time to see how she will handle this trainer now, said the pokemon. I have the feeling that this battle will be entertaining to watch...He he he he he...”

The pokemon disappear immediately before someone spot him.

Next Chapter: Chapter 13: Battle of Strategies Estimated time remaining: 7 Minutes