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All seemed quiet. Too quiet. Nolan actually was a little mad that this was taking awhile to find someone in the gym. He wouldn't actually go searching, because it was probably private property. That would be trespassing. But it hadn't been a fun time trying to push down all his insecurities as a trainer to even get where he was standing now. He ended up sighing. Valor glanced up at his trainer, confused, and Snivy just scoffed.
"Well, guys, I guess it was just bad timing on our part. They're probably super busy as it is. Y'know, with all the new trainers in town and all. We should go."

To Nolan's surprise, it was Valor that took a stubborn stand, not Snivy who refused to leave. The Spark cat had been focused on this part of being a human's pokemon ever since he was captured. Valor wanted to keep getting better, and he wanted to make Nolan happy, not sad. The Luxio growled, and then dashed off to run circles on the battlefield, trying to get anyone's attention.
"Valor, quit that!" Nolan hissed.
The Luxio paused and his ears flattened against his skull, head and tail drooping. Nolan immediately felt horrible.
"Well, just don't act like a crazy pokemon."

Snivy picked up on Luxio's plan, and she was surprised. The Grass Snake didn't know that goofy little Shinx from Route 1 would have it in him to evolve so soon, and to become such an integral part of the group. She was going to go back him up. Trotting away from Nolan, she faced the Luxio from the opposite side of the official playing field. She stood as tall as she could, and pointed directly at Valor, declaring,
"Niv ssniv!"
It was a challenge. Even if Nolan and his pokemon couldn't battle the gym leader yet, they would just take the time to practice and train some more. Valor thought it was an incredibly fun game, and chased the quick Snivy all over to attempt to tag her. Nolan, he sighed again and sat down on the sidelines. He'd just keep waiting then.



Luxio (Valor) / ♂ / Route 1, Etrua / Level: 16 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Intimidate
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Leer / Atk: Charge / Atk: Spark
Taillow (Twill) / ♀ / Route 1, Etura / Level: 15 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Guts
/ Atk: Wing Attack / Atk: Growl / Atk: Focus Energy / Atk: Quick Attack
Hippopotas / ♀ / Route 3, Etrua / Level: 17 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Sand Stream
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Sand Attack / Atk: Bite / Atk: Yawn

Checking the time, Nolan estimated there were still some good hours of daylight left until it was time to call it quits. But he probably wouldn't hang out here much longer. Snivy was ... well, getting frustrated. Once Valor got his bearings and warmed up, the game of tag had quickly become a game of pounce. Valor was proving to be just as fast, if not faster, than the Grass Snake. Snivy had always considered herself the best of Nolan's pokemon, but that title was becoming challenged. And worst of all, by the silly Spark cat.

Nolan was noticing this as well, even though Valor was as oblivious as ever, just having a wonderful time with his bestest Grass buddy. Snivy was getting more and more serious about dodging and evading Valor, and the game would likely soon come to blows if this went on much longer. Nolan finally thought enough was enough when Snivy tripped Valor on purpose.
"Hey! Take a break, you two."
Snivy gave the human a glare, but Nolan was serious. Considering her position, she would just bide her time then, and get even later. Her nose in the air, Snivy trotted back to Nolan's side, a bit winded, and plopped down on his shoe as a seat. Luxio though, was still brimming with energy, and wanted to play more.

Risking the chance that he'd already get in trouble for letting his pokemon use the gym's area, Nolan released Honor from his pokeball. The still little Shinx mewed happily at Nolan, even though it hadn't even been long. He rubbed his cheek against Nolan's hand, but something about that had Valor in a little tissy fit. The Luxio's tail was whipping back and forth, agitated, and he romped over to the trainer, bumping Nolan with his much bigger head. Valor begged to be pet, and got his ears rubbed as a reward.
"Maybe your new big brother could teach you how to use your electricity, Honor."

Honor looked way up at Valor, not really related, and seemed daunted at first. The two were soon playing after a moment of sniffing and circling, just like they always did. Although, Valor was using small pulses of electricity, and they frazzled the smaller Shinx some. It didn't seem to really hurt Honor, so Nolan let them be. He just hoped that Honor would evolve soon to even up the size difference.



Luxio (Valor) / ♂ / Route 1, Etrua / Level: 16 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Intimidate
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Leer / Atk: Charge / Atk: Spark
Taillow (Twill) / ♀ / Route 1, Etura / Level: 15 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Guts
/ Atk: Wing Attack / Atk: Growl / Atk: Focus Energy / Atk: Quick Attack
Hippopotas / ♀ / Route 3, Etrua / Level: 17 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Sand Stream
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Sand Attack / Atk: Bite / Atk: Yawn

Snivy was already coolly examining this temporary fill in when he arrived. Yet at the sound of the voice, Nolan popped up so fast someone could think he was set on fire.
"Yes, sir, I am ready."
He quickly recalled the Shinx cub, and the Luxio startled when his playmate suddenly vanished. After a few blinks, and after staring at Nolan, Valor finally figured out what was going on. He practically bounced over to his trainer and sat down at his side, just as Nolan was taking his place on the opposite of the field. He nudged Valor with his shoe, reminding the Luxio where to go just like they had discussed prior. Nolan was already starting to wish he had put aside more time to devote to explaining things to Valor.

Too late for that now.
"My Luxio will be my first pokemon, if .. if that's okay."



Luxio (Valor) / ♂ / Route 1, Etrua / Level: 17 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Intimidate
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Leer / Atk: Charge / Atk: Spark
Taillow (Twill) / ♀ / Route 1, Etura / Level: 16 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Guts
/ Atk: Wing Attack / Atk: Growl / Atk: Focus Energy / Atk: Quick Attack
Hippopotas / ♀ / Route 3, Etrua / Level: 18 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Sand Stream
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Sand Attack / Atk: Bite / Atk: Yawn

Before he knew it, the battle had began, and at least Nolan no longer had the luxury to think about how nervous he was anymore. But this certainly wasn't like fighting Kiera. He hadn't really noticed up until now how many ranged attackers that girl had. With Farfetch'd coming in range for physical attacks, it was a sitting duck ... if you'd pardon the expression.
"Show it who's boss, Valor. Spark!"

Valor's yellow eyes fixed on the Farfetch'd as it approached, and he did not so much as flinch as it prepared a swing. Then all at once, baring his teeth, Valor let the electricity fly, crackling violently over his body and arcing from his star-tipped tail. The Luxio used his Intimidate ability by making a frightening display, and then answered those stabbing attacks with a swipe of his electrified claws, pushing forward to connect with the duck's body.



Luxio (Valor) / ♂ / Route 1, Etrua / Level: 17 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Intimidate
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Leer / Atk: Charge / Atk: Spark
Taillow (Twill) / ♀ / Route 1, Etura / Level: 16 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Guts
/ Atk: Wing Attack / Atk: Growl / Atk: Focus Energy / Atk: Quick Attack
Hippopotas / ♀ / Route 3, Etrua / Level: 18 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Sand Stream
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Sand Attack / Atk: Bite / Atk: Yawn

While the duck recovered from the shock, Valor used that time to swipe a lick over a spot where the leek had connected. Nolan had to fight back the urge to call Valor over so he could personally check the extent of the damage. All that fur was covering it up. Nolan just had to bite back his concern, because the sooner this was over, the sooner he could heal Valor back up at the pokecenter.

"Don't let up, Valor. Don't get distracted."
And to prove the point, the duck had already come back for more. A small twitch of his tail, and then the Luxio whirled towards Farfetch'd after it had made its strike. Nolan's Luxio seemed to shrug off the damage of Aerial Ace, and his body was strung taught with the high voltage stored in his muscles. The Fury Attacks had hurt more. Now the games of chase-and-pounce were really coming into play, and the Spark cat nimbly ran towards the Farfetch'd, leaping when in range, claws fully extended for the pin and another Spark attack.



Luxio (Valor) / ♂ / Route 1, Etrua / Level: 17 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Intimidate
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Leer / Atk: Charge / Atk: Spark
Taillow (Twill) / ♀ / Route 1, Etura / Level: 16 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Guts
/ Atk: Wing Attack / Atk: Growl / Atk: Focus Energy / Atk: Quick Attack
Hippopotas / ♀ / Route 3, Etrua / Level: 18 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Sand Stream
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Sand Attack / Atk: Bite / Atk: Yawn

(( I like quoting you. But no, you don't have to quote me. I like to refresh a lot so I tend to see new posts within five minutes. ))





Even for a temporary gym leader, this guy's Farfetch'd was tough, but Nolan really wasn't that surprised. He had almost expected the gym's pokemon to be invincible, untouchable, because surely they were prepared for electric pokemon, right? It was a huge relief to see the duck fall the first time, and Nolan was ready even before it managed to pull itself back up. Valor though, was proving to live up to his name, and he waited, patient and noble, while his foe regained his webbed-feet.

"Catch that leek!"
Valor waited for Farfetch'd to close the gap, and baring his teeth again, snapped at the spring of leek. First time missed, second time missed, and Valor was grimacing with each hit. But now for the third, the Luxio lunged towards the duck's wing in attempts to catch the leek in his mouth, and then to use another Spark with his claws.



Luxio (Valor) / ♂ / Route 1, Etrua / Level: 17 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Intimidate
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Leer / Atk: Charge / Atk: Spark
Taillow (Twill) / ♀ / Route 1, Etura / Level: 16 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Guts
/ Atk: Wing Attack / Atk: Growl / Atk: Focus Energy / Atk: Quick Attack
Hippopotas / ♀ / Route 3, Etrua / Level: 18 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Sand Stream
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Sand Attack / Atk: Bite / Atk: Yawn

Damnit, Luxio didn't have the leeway his Intimidate gave him this round. Not that it looked like the bat was using physical attacks. For that matter, Nolan had no idea what a Woobat was, and sure never heard of the move Heart Stamp before. Feeling more cautious with this unknown pokemon as a foe, Nolan wanted to play it a little more defensively, just in case.
"Valor, are you okay? Do you feel weird in anyway?"
The Luxio shook his head without taking those yellow eyes of his off of Woobat.
"Okay, we're in this for the long-haul, buddy. Charge it up, and keep your eyes open for its attacks!"

Valor yowled, affirming that he understood, and he took off dashing around the field to build up an even higher amount of electricity. His black and blue fur was filling with power the more he ran, and he kept his focus on the Woobat to watch the bat carefully. Valor was going to attempt to dodge its next move as best as he could, except charging up enough electricity was going to take some time. It was a well open window to eventually land an attack.



Luxio (Valor) / ♂ / Route 1, Etrua / Level: 17 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Intimidate
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Leer / Atk: Charge / Atk: Spark
Taillow (Twill) / ♀ / Route 1, Etura / Level: 16 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Guts
/ Atk: Wing Attack / Atk: Growl / Atk: Focus Energy / Atk: Quick Attack
Hippopotas / ♀ / Route 3, Etrua / Level: 18 / Holding: Nothing / Ability: Sand Stream
/ Atk: Tackle / Atk: Sand Attack / Atk: Bite / Atk: Yawn