Walking down a street carrying a feverish Gardevoir isn't exactly a normal, let alone, everyday sight. Needless to say, we caught a lot of attention. There was this old man with a great, bushy mustache, wearing a brown coat, and carrying a briefcase who appeared to show far more interest than the other onlookers, as he stepped toward me. He looked at Gardevoir, as her laborious breathing continued to cycle. "Uh... can I help you, sir?" I said with a puzzled face and a raised eyebrow. "Oh, forgive me. I was just observing that Gardevoir. She is yours, yes?" I looked left, then right. "You would be right in that assumption. She's mine. I'm off to the nearest Center for treatment. Don't suppose you could direct me?" He shook his head with a grunt. "I'm sorry to say, good lad, that the closest Pokemon Center isn't... for a few miles, in Sandgem Town as a matter of fact." I bit my lip. "This is quite unfortunate, as Her condition is likely to worsen under these circumstances." I felt my stomach sink...

If it's alright with you, as her trainer, might I ask for permission to treat her? It could be disastrous for a trainer to be worrying so during their journey." I couldn't help but feel uneasy being so close to someone who asked such a question in such short time. "Uh well... Why exactly do you want to treat my Gardevoir, sir?" I shook my head furiously. "Scratch that. I don't even know who you are. Could I get a name, even?" He chuckled, it was hoarse. "Oh my. Well, I suppose I should formally introduce myself." He put down his brief case and bowed. "I, am Professor Rowan of the Sinnoh Region." He shuffled through and pulled a booklet from his pocket. "Here we are. I assure you, it is quite real." It was his Passport! "I'm just returning from a business trip from Johto, and was heading for my lab in Sandgem Town." I was so embarrassed, I bowed my head in respect; I could feel the heat from Gardevoir's body through my forehead. "Forgive me, Professor! I have never seen your face before!" He smiled briefly. "Well then, shall we take a look at your Gardevoir?" I nodded without hesitation. "Do whatever you can to help her, please..." I could feel a tear coming on.

I lowered her onto a blanket under a shaded tree and stroked her face; she was almost burning to the touch. "What's wrong with her Professor?" My eyes filled with worry, tears, and fear as I requested the diagnosis. "Hmm, well your Gardevoir is dealing with a fever, as you said. While it's fairly high, she'll be fine with some rest, being kept cool will also help. What will your action be, if this turns worse even with my help?" I scowled. "Her life means more to me than my own. If something really bad were to happen to her, I... I actually don't know what I'd do..." He massaged his chin. "If that is how you feel, then this is a great time to try "it" out." I tilted my head in confusion as he sifted through his briefcase. "It?" Seconds later, he took out a yellow pouch, and poured out a brown sphere, smaller than that of a condensed Pokeball, into his hand. He broke it in half and handed me a piece. "You should be the one to give this to her." I gazed at the half-sphere, the outside was smooth as could be, with a mirror finish, the inside was highly malleable. "Ok..." I took the half and nudged closer to Gardevoir. "Gardevoir, I need you to take this. It'll help you get better. Please, if you can hear me, open your mouth." I rubbed her cheek softly getting a whimper; she opened her mouth with a weak cry. I popped the half sphere into her mouth and she began to chew slowly. I massaged her throat gently to help bring it down, only hoping for the best.

Holding her hand anxiously, I could feel her temperature dropping to normal at an abrupt speed. "Professor! It's... working already?! What did you give me?" He closed his eyes and nodded. "Mmm, I see. Cianwood's Secret Potion is definitely worth my time. She'll be on her feet in no time. Just keep her cool. Oh, and by the way, I really must commend you on your Gardevoirs physique. I saw your battle with that Tyranitar. The jumping, the rolling, the close quarters fighting! It was quite a spectacle to see a Pokemon such as Gardevoir engaging in such combat practices. Good show, my boy. Don't suppose you could let me in on your training regimen with Gardevoir?" My mind paused for a second, as I had not received that question before.

"Physical exertion, Professor. I was fully aware of how fragile she can be, so, I decided to fix that. It all started when..."

"This will be a one-on-one Gym Battle. Norman, leader of the Petalburg Gym, has chosen Slaking. The challenger, Zain, from Oldale Town, has chosen Gardevoir. Begin!" The referee raised both his arms. "Your choice interests me Zain. Let's see if it was worth it. Slaking, Earthquake!" Norman held his outstretched right hand, and made a fist. His fighter, leaped and slammed it's arms on the ground in our direction, casting a tremor our way. "Protect!" I yelled from the back. A green barrier overcame Gardevoir, and shrugged off the incoming quake. Our move had been easily predicted as Slaking had begun to charge towards us, catching us completely off guard with it's surprising speed. "Slash it!" Norman called from the sidelines. The beast whirled back it's left arm, and brought it forward, carrying a white glow as it advanced. "Block with Reflect!" A slight of hand and an ethereal wall appeared before Gardevoir's open palms, cushioning the blow. I could feel sweat as I wiped my forehead. "Alright, he's open! Use Psychic!"

The time to act was now, Slaking was still pulling back from his assault. Gardevoirs eyes glowed blue, as a purple aura emanated from her body, which spiraled towards Slaking. "Use Roar!" Norman commanded with a grin. Slaking pounded it's chest then, with legs well grounded, let loose a terrible bellow. "WRAAAGH!" The sound was deafening as I covered my ears upon release, as did Gardevoir. This wasn't just an attack from Norman's side, however, but an interrupt to nullify our Psychic attack, as without the use of her arms she had to pull back. He used the sonic boom from the attack to it's fullest extent. "Agh... no way. Stopped us just like that." I had no other words for what just happened. Slaking used this time to advance, as it galloped towards Gardevoir, who was still holding her ears out of pain. Norman jumped up. "Use Slash!" I shook my head, still recovering from the Roar, "Oh! Uh... Protec-" The lanky arm of the foe Slaking collided with Gardevoir as she attempted to ready her defense, catching her off guard with a stunning impact, launching her into the air, before being sent, back first, against the wall of the gym.

The wood splintered off and the paint chipped generously as she pried herself from the indentation of the wall, falling onto both hands and knees. "Ahhh! Gard- are you alright!? C-can you still fight...?" I was hesitant to speak. I couldn't believe that I had just choked in the middle of a battle! Was something wrong with me!?

If she could still fight, I wanted her too, but I didn't want to strain her anymore. She got up, but not without conflict. Her backside was nearly as red as her horn, and she had been inflicted with countless splinters from the walls impact. It took a few seconds, but she managed to get upright, her stance clearly off. She was in deep physical pain, but stood up regardless, trying to shrug it off. "Zain." Norman's voice echoed across the gym. It had a feeling of concern about it. "While I'm impressed that your Gardevoir managed to take that hit, and is still able to stand from it, this battle is finished... I really don't wish anymore harm on your Pokemon."

I didn't want to believe what I heard. I could feel my heart skip a beat. "Don't make a choice you'll be soon to regret." I was psyched out for a second. "Throw in the towel, I won't hold it against you. You should know by now that you can't win them all." Gardevoir looked back at me, her left eye had been hurt as well, she was squinting with it. She was battered. That one attack did us in. Her forehead had a slight cut, and blood had begun to trickle down her cheek. In addition her legs were wobbling due to pain, and was in no state of mind to levitate herself. I had lowered my head in disappointment. He... was right. Gardevoir may still be standing, but it was all she could do. There's no way she still has the physical strength left. I held up my left hand, and with regret in my voice, "Norman! We... give up."

"Zain surrenders! The winner of this Gym Battle is the Leader, Norman!" The referee directed his open left hand to Norman and his Slaking. As I brought down my hand, a psychic jolt pulsed through my head. It was a pain unlike any other, as it coursed through my whole body. I couldn't help but stumble a bit, as I held my head and looked up. I saw Gardevoir who had a finger pointed at me from one of her injured arms, and it had a faint glow. Had she used a low latency Psychic on me? Her eyes were fixated on me. She was angry...

"Gardevoir! It was the safest choice! I'm only looking-" I lowered my head again, as what I had to say was something I couldn't go eye-to-eye with her about. "Out for your safety." She turned and fell to her knees, staring into her hands. I could hear her beginning to sniffle. I ran to her side, and crumpled beside her, putting my arms around her as she began to pout. She turned and cried on my shoulder. "You can let it out. I know you didn't mean it." Her feelings from within resonated through my body, and I held her tightly. Apologizing in my mind, I shared in her pain. Giving up was a hard thing to do.

Norman smiled at this. "Alright. Slaking stand down, you did a great job. You most certainly deserve a rest after that battle." He walked towards Gardevoir and I, circling us both.. "He certainly did a number on you." He had his hands on his knees as he spoke to her. "Zain, this is for Gardevoir to hear. If you could ask her to listen, I'd be much obliged. "Well oka-" I cut myself off as she brought herself up from my shoulder to look up, with sniffling still intact, at Norman. "You are strong enough, if that's what you're wondering about. Today is just not the day for you. Try again whenever you feel you are ready." He looked at me, "Same to you, Zain. When you feel that your bond has been strengthened, return here." I got up, placing my hand on Gardevoirs shoulder, who had remained sitting, who had turned to face me. "Norman, we will come back. We don't have a choice." I cupped my arms and lifted Gardevoir like a child, avoiding her horn. "We'll get him next time." I said in a whisper. She donned a smile, before falling fast asleep in my arms. "See you whenever, Norman..." Norman walked up to the automatic door, and as it sled open he said, with a smile, "I'm certain this is far from over. I desperately await our rematch." Norman was very kind off the battlefield. I set off to the Center, with Gardevoir in arms. I thought to myself. "Norman of Petalburg Gym... He's a different one..."

The Center had her healed up within the next day. Her injuries were long gone, along with the splinters having been removed, and she was back in peak condition. As I sat next to her bedside, her eyes twitched, then began to blink rapidly as she awoke. "Good morning, you've been out for sometime." Her body may have been fully rejuvenated, the splinters from the Gym wall had been removed and the impact showed no sign of an aftershock, but her mind was heavily damaged. We had never surrendered before, nor have we ever dealt with such an overwhelming opponent who literally tossed us aside. I placed my hand on hers. "We'll get him, don't worry. It's just... a minor setback." I made a fake chuckle and brushed her hair with my hand. Someones footsteps caught my attention as they came from behind me. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation." It was the Joy of the Center. "Oh, it's alright. But that Slaking..." I did a recap of the battle in my head, shivering at the thought of having to go through it again. "He was so quick, and it's power... was devastating... How do you fight something like that?" I buried my face in my hands. "Who could get around something like that...?"

"I've had plenty of Trainers coming through the Center after losing to Norman and his Slaking." I lifted my head. "That's no surprise to me." She frowned as I interrupted her. "Eh... sorry." I lowered myself. "They wish they knew what to do the first time around." That made me wonder. "The first time around, you say... Wait! So all of them figured it out after their first loss to him?" She nodded. "Yes, that's exactly it. They all noted how all of Slakings attacks were slow to begin, or a really slow recovery after attacking and being hit. In short, Slaking has problems starting and finishing things. The fiercer he is, the slower he'll be afterwords and before he begins. Being able to act on those points is what let those trainers defeat him." I began to think. "So Slaking, has 3 phases of attacking. Slow beginning, fast attack, and high cool down time..." I knew what had to be done. "That's it! Gardevoir! It's time for some training. How well can you move? She sat up and, with a flash, Teleported to my side, stretching her arms and legs, tightening both hands into fists before throwing a few fake punches. "Great." I looked out the window of the room, taking in the Sun's rays. "It's going to be a long week."Chapter End Notes:=====
Every time I'd sit down to work on it, I'd get sidetracked, or get some sort of a block. I'm trying to get faster at this. At least this update isn't a YEAR later. I'm close to getting back on the road, but our background should get covered before anything else