Blazemer City Gym

Nelson would stay to watch. It was a miracle Cinder even got the title of 8th Gym Leader what with his brash strategies, let alone win matches. He also had to see if thei "Angel" girl was any good. He liked to know who he was fighting later on. To most trainers, he was just some old guy, no one ever suspected he was the Champion, and he'd keep it that way. "No. We won't help them out. They got fair warning, Escape Ropes are in great supply at the Pokemon Center outside the entrance, and they have their Pokemon. If they're smart enough, they'd also have the TM Flash." He stated plainly.

Tethys would wait. She would be battling next hopefully. Her Magikarp could beat anything she was sure. If it and Feebas both failed, she always had her Kingdra.

Krystalspread her hands in defeat. "But as soon as one finds the exit, they all do and we're overloaded with challengers." Her eyes remained focused on Cinder and Angel, though. She wasn't sure who to root for, because Cindy was her friend but Angel looked like she had some talent. Plus, if she won, she had another victory to gloat about and a challenger to the four. "Um... Go, team!" She yelled with mock enthusiasm.

Krystal kept quiet the first portion of the battle, not wanting to be rude and point out so very many mistakes. But at Cinder's comment, she shook her head. "Only a few type of pokemon would ever kill another, and they're all located on a classified island. That's bullcrap, Cindy." She was going to say more when she clappped her hands over her mouth and leaned back. She had said she would not interrupt.

Nelson would have to add to Cinder's Magma Armor comment.

"Cinder, you still haven't learned the difference between Magma Armor and Flame Body? One stops freezing, the other occasionally inflicts burns on opponents physically touching the Pokemon running the ability. Magmar has Flame Body, not Magma Armor."

The old man would then chuckle. Tethys was watching patiently.

Krystal burst into laughter at Arcanine's mistake and doubled over, clutching her sides. Her fit of giggles did not subside until Frosslass reached out a cold hand and touched her shoulder. The Elite Four member straitened with a grin. "Oh boy, that was good. Haven't seen that for ages, because it was so totally - " Her large grin flipped to a scowl and she crossed her arms, tone getting serious now. " rigged. Cinder, your gym has some safety issues."

She rolled her ice-blue eyes. "Yeah, but that wasn't there before. I don't think volcanoes have boulders just randomly popping up, now do they? Plus, the Gym Leader's Association says that it has to be safe for the trainers, too. If that were her running, do you think she wouldn't have gotten hurt? Look at her pokemon, with a flat face." Rolling her eyes once again, she turned back to the battle.

'Krysty' rolled her eyes. "Well, it's not excatly war either, Cindy. Anyway, I suggest you concentrate on the battle." Angel had released a Halove, and she made a mental note to withdraw hers from the pokebox sometime and help it grow. She smiled and watched with interest. She hoped Cinder would at least give her a chance, but not go too easy on her, as it was a gym battle.

Krystal laughed and applauded Angel. "Splendid! Cinder, you put up a good struggle! Excellent!" She grinned and put her hands behind her head. "A few mistakes, nothing out of the ordinary. Angel, you've got talent." Frosslass agreed and the pair exchanged high fives.

Matt sighed when he was ignored, but did not think much of it, as it happened frequently. The blonde man got up, inspecting the gym, and noticed a red-haired girl much like the leader of this gym enter, but he didn't say a word, just looked.

Krystal and Frosslass recovered their cheery mood and passed Cinder and Angel, waving. They entered the forest, chatting and laughing, as if both human.

Matt heard a voice and turned around, standing from where he was inspecting a large boulder. His crystalline blue eyes found a young girl and Cinder. The Elite Four member smiled and extended a hand to her. "Hello there, I'm Matt Sparks from the Elite Four. Who might you be?" Matt smiled graciously at her, as if welcoming her into his home, then turned to Cinder.

"Hello to you too, Cinder. Sorry about trespassing, but I was wondering - is this boulder here intentionally? Or from a pokemon?"

Kylie smiled at his words, but she pretended it was at the building. She looked happily at it for a few more seconds before what he said registered in her mind.

"Oh!" The girl spun around, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry, I wasn't really listening." Biting her lip and looking at him, Kylie had to make a decision. She shook her head.

"I don't think I really could. There's not way I could compare to you, and anyway, I haven't battled since the gym went down for repairs. I think my pokemon might rather get back into shape first." There. That was a good excuse, right?

Warily, she took out a pokeball and began to toss it up and down, trying to shake off her worry that he would make her. After all, he was the strongest gym leader and her boss. If he insisted, she couldn't really say no.

But Kylie really didn't want to - after all, a girl couldn't tell all her secrets, right?