Brian and his friends followed Ryuku’s advice the next morning. They got off the Corviknight Airlift and looked around the city. It was very urban and aviation based, considering it had an airport where planes took off very regularly; some even went to other regions. The three of them made their way over to the Stadium as their first rule of business, only to be stopped by someone standing in front.

He resembled a timber wolf.

“Are you guys looking for the Gym Leader? He’s not exactly here at the moment, he’s on Route 6 investigating something. Come back later!”

He’d say as he watched them walk towards him.

“Dang. Now what?”

Tyler would ask.

Brian pondered.

“Well, only really one thing we can do. We can go find him ourselves!”

Sammy nodded.

“Sounds like a good idea.”

Route 6 was a straight route that connected Southon to Merrycrest, the same city they had first started their journey from. It had a skatepark where many other kids were playing around and having fun. A tall, normal black and white furred skunk was standing near a massive basalt rock that stood off the coast of the beach; It was only really accessible during low tide. He had turned around as soon as he heard the trio’s footsteps.

“I don’t suppose I’m the one you’re looking for, are you?”

He asked.

Sammy took a step forward.

“Actually, yeah, you are. You’re the Gym Leader, aren’t you?”

He nodded.

“As a matter of fact, you’re correct. I am Orion, the leader of the Southon Stadium. I’d be up to challenge you three right now but I’m a little..preoccupied, at the moment.”

Brian titled his head.

“With what?”

Orion briefly glanced at him, and turned back to the giant towering rock.

“On occasion, your mother asks me to investigate the weird surges in mystical energy that surrounds the region as a whole. We still don’t really know what the general cause of it is since there’s so many factors…but for some reason, there’s almost been a big burst of this energy manifesting itself from this giant basalt rock.”

“We learned about this thing called Z-Moves yesterday evening. Could the two be linked, by any chance?”

Tyler asked.

“Z-Power could play a factor, yes. If that is so, it generally attracts a bunch of flying type Pokémon to perch themselves on this rock, for some reason.”

Orion would say to answer his question, strolling about on the sand.

“However! There could be a theory that a Mythical Pokémon could be lurking about, if that’s the case.”

Sammy’s eyes widened a little as she let out a tiny gasp.

“Like..one of the Forces of Nature, right? I think they’re all Flying Types, if my memory serves me correctly.”

The skunk scratched his chin.

“Indeed. But alas, it’s just a theory. I would like to investigate a little bit more on this, so give me about..an hour or two, then I’ll let you three challenge me at my stadium.”

“Alright, no prob-“

Brian would look down, as he felt a little spark at his leg. It was an Electrike who was following them the entire time.

Tyler let out a laugh.

“Awh, I think you made a new friend.”

Brian turned his head.

“Heh, I suppose so.”

“You may want to consider catching him, he’ll possibly give you an advantage against a certain gym leader.”

Orion said with a wink.

Brian nodded in agreement, placing the ball on the Electric type’s head. It shook three times and released a star.

Along with the new Pokemon the three of them had caught during their walk back to the city– Brian with Electrike, Tyler with Mareep and Deerling, and Sammy with Blitzle, they were more than ready to face Orion once he got back.  

A total of 2 hours had passed, and shortly after Orion’s return, they were welcomed into the Stadium. Like their previous gym, they changed into their Gym Challenger clothing and entered the area where their mission was waiting to be complete. Orion’s Gym Mission area was like a skydome; Wind blowing in all directions, flying-type pokemon soaring gracefully, passenger planes stored away under the strong glass flooring. 

“Welcome back, you three.”

Said the same timber wolf that had greeted them earlier that day.

“Here’s your Mission. You simply have to launch yourselves across the entire dome using these state-of-the-art cannons, and you’ll land on super soft and squishy mattresses to keep you safe. Here’s the trick though, it’s a bit of a labyrinth, so choose wisely when you go into these cannons!”

Tyler grunted confidently, walking forward.

“Seems simple enough, what’s the worst that could hap-”

His foot would slip, causing him to fall into one of the cannons nearby, face first.

“OH SH-”

The cannon launched him to another part of the arena, his body just barely missing the mattresses.

Brian and Sammy both winced, their ears instinctively folding themselves back.

The timber wolf nervously laughed.

“Just..please be careful. Orion will kill me if any of the challengers get injured.”

The two launched themselves over to help him.

“Bro, are you okay?”

Brian asked, looking over him.

Sammy took his hand.

“Yeah, it seems you took quite a tumble.”

Tyler looked up at them both as he took Sammy’s hand in return and got up.

“Uuuugh. Yeah. I’m good. Let’s just find a way across this NIGHTMARE of a mission.”

Eventually finding their way around the confusing labyrinth, the three finally landed on the last airmat, and rang the bell that would complete their mission. The path behind the big doors led to Orion. 

Tyler gazed at the doors with a grin.

“Alright guys, ya ready?”

Brian and Sammy gave him a confident look from both their faces.

“So, you’re my first challenger, Tyler?” 

Orion stated as he got closer. The skunk wore a light purple Pinafore Dress with feathery patterns, and carried an umbrella of the same color behind him.  

He looked briefly up in the air at some of the Flying Type Pokemon.

“As per my usual introduction, a warm welcome to the Southon City Stadium. Within all my years of training, I’ve become one with the bird pokemon, as you can see.” 

“Did you enjoy flying with the cannons?”

Tyler crossed his arms.

“That was single handedly the worst thing I’ve ever had to experience in my ENTIRE LIFE.”

Orion laughed.

“And you came out perfectly intact and in one piece, didn’t you? How about we try something else?” 

The gym leader then sent out his Swablu.