“So, what’s our Gym Mission for today?”

Sam asked the brown colored angel dragon that stood in front of them, with bright pink horns and practically mint candy colored wings.

“I’m glad you asked! You see, the gym is basically an underground lake cavern; and you have to use these mine carts to get around!”
She’d say back.

“Though, I’d be a little careful..it’s a bit of a labyrinth that can be difficult to maneuver. I’ll give you a tip though, you should keep an eye out for any glowing gemstones you see around, they usually will point you the right way!”

“Sounds easy enough.”
Tyler would say as he looked around.

Brian shook his head.
“Nah nah nah. See, you said that last time and then you were literally shot out of a cannon.”

Tyler gently rubbed his arm.
“Well this time it’s different! I’m rather confident about this one. I’m fairly good with figuring out labyrinths.”

Sammy laughed.
“Honestly, what’s the worst that could happen?”

Brian looked at his two friends as they continued to walk forward, getting a start on their mission.
“You..You guys are definitely tempting fate.”

With Tyler at the helm of the mine cart that he and Sammy jumped in, he kept a watchful eye around the labyrinth as Brian pushed their cart forward and followed every direction they believed was correct. They all took turns battling the gym trainers that stood in their way, eventually making their way to the other side of the underground lake maze that would hold the door leading to the stadium floor. However, there stood two figures at the door as they approached. To Brian, one of them looked very familiar. In the light he appeared to resemble a grey shorthair cat with white marks and multicolored wristbands on his limbs.

“..Tommy??”

The cat turned towards him.
“Hey little bro. And a big hello to you as well, Tyler and Sammy.”

“Heya.”
“Wassup.”
They’d both respond back.

Brian went to him and hugged him.
“What brings you here?”

“Well, Ma told me you finally started out on your journey a couple days ago, so I wanted to come see at least one of your matches. Plus, Mystery and I are like, best friends, haha.”
He’d say with a light chuckle as he hugged him back.

“Tommy hangs out here pretty often just to keep me company. But that aside, congrats on you three completing the Gym Mission!”

Mystery gently bapped the bell, opening the doors. He then looked to Brian with a wink before he walked out onto the stadium floor.
“I’ll be waiting to see who dares to challenge me first.”

Tommy sheepishly chuckled.
“Judging by that wink, I think he’s choosing you to go first, bro.”

Brian rubbed his arm.
“Ahh. Heck. Well, if that’s what he wants.”

Tommy, Sammy, and Tyler followed him through the doorway, approaching the angel dragon that patiently waited for him out on the field.

Sammy gently nudged him.
“Nervous?”

Brian looked at her.
“A little bit.”

Tommy placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You’ve got this. I mean, you guys have bested Tamoka and Orion so far, so Mystery shouldn’t be too hard either. As long as you have confidence in yourself and your Pokemon, it’ll be no big deal.”

The husky softly smiled at him.
“Thanks bro.”

“Of course. Now get on out there and kick his butt!”

Brian looked back at the three of them with a confident smile as he walked towards the angel dragon that looked down at him with a grin as his yellow/tan-ish business suit shined in the sunlight.

“As per the normal Gym Leader introduction, I will give a very humble and warm welcome. I am Mystery, the ruler of Westerdon City! Well..not exactly, but you know what I mean; Will you, Brian, the legendary Gym Challenger, son of Anau, and younger brother to Tommy, battle with me?”

Brian gave him an eyebrow raise.
“...That depends, do I have a choice?”

Mystery stuck his tongue out at him.
“You truly do not. What are you, a coward?”

“What?? No! Of course not!”
Brian snapped back.

The angel dragon laughed.
“I figured as much! I hope you’re prepared, then. Go Cubone!!”
He threw out his pokeball.

“Alright, go Robin! Depending on you for this, buddy!”
Brian shouted as he threw his pokeball too, his now evolved Rowlet that become Dartix appeared.

“Use Bone Club, Cubone!”
Mystery commanded, watching his Pokemon run forward and whack his Dartix a couple times.

“Use Vine Whip and stop Cubone in its tracks!”
Brian instantly shouted back.

“Hmm..alright then, Use Headbutt!”

Cubone slammed itself into Dartix, making him lose grip.

“Agh. Retaliate and use Razor Leaf since he’s in close range!”

Dartix used his Razor Leaf, sending Cubone tumbling backwards.

“Now use Swift!”

Mystery stood back with a gasp as he watched his Pokemon faint.

“Damn. Alright, I see where this is going. Good thing I have the right Pokemon to counter! Go Swinub!”

He grunted playfully.
“Use Powder Snow and blind Dartix!”

“What the-!?”
Snow would get in both their eyes. Brian wiped his face and shook it off easily, but his Dartix didn’t as much as it came towards him.

Mystery grinned.
“How ya gonna get yourself out of this, husky boy?”

Brian puffed his cheeks, trying to think of a way out as Mystery’s Swinub continued to use Powder Snow.
“Aauugh. C’monn..think. There has to be some way out of this.”

Tyler intensely watched.
“I think Brian’s in a bit of a pickle…”

Tommy nodded his head.
“Yeah..and it doesn’t help Dartix has a double weakness to Ice since he’s Grass and Flying.”

“I- Okay! Uhh…use Ominous Wind and break yourself out! Then use another Razor Leaf!”
Brian commanded, his pokemon blowing away all the snow with Ominous Wind. The Razor Leaf surrounded Swinub and blew up, causing it to faint.

Mystery sent back his Swinub, switching into his final Pokemon; a Quagsire.
“Putting up a good fight, as I expected. With your Dartrix on its last legs, I’m gonna see how much more I can push! Go Quagsire!”

“Ugh, man. Hey Robin, can you still fight?”

His pokemon grunted back confidently.
“You’re sure? …Alright.”

Sam looked at Tommy.
“Do you think Brian will succeed?”

“I’m fairly confident he will. Unfortunately for Mystery he’s actually at a bit of a disadvantage, since his Quagsire is Water and Ground. So double weakness for Grass.”

Mystery grunted.
“Heh heh. Quagsire, use Mud Shot!”

Brian went wide-eyed.
“Dodge it and go for yet another Razor Leaf! Sorry!”

Tommy, Sammy and Tyler watched as the two went at each other, Brian commanding his pokemon to consistently dodge then strike on the defense, and Mystery commanding his pokemon to attack head on.

“From the looks of it, however…Mystery’s been messing with his head and trying to get him to decide on a whim, giving him no time to really step back and think. It’s a very clever tactic to use in a battle.”

Mystery watched as he watched his Quagsire faint first, and then Dartrix shortly afterwards. He put him back in his pokeball.
“Thanks Quagsire, you did great, bud. Rest well, okay?”

The angel dragon stood up and approached him, with his respective gym badge in hand.
“Well. Looks like you win! Congratulations, husky boy.”

Brian laughed.
“Thanks Mystery.”

He ruffled his hair and handed him the badge.
“You’re welcome! I knew you could do it.”

He then looked towards Sammy and Tyler.
“You guys can come with me to heal up my Pokemon, and then I’ll be up to battle you two after. I’m already excited for it!”

Tommy walked up next to Brian as they came out into the lobby, handing him a pokeball.
“Since Mystery’s giving you that badge, I may as well hand you this.”

Brian opened the ball out of curiosity, out popping an Eevee and her wrapping herself around his shoulders.

“I found her the same day you left on your adventure. She’s very sweet and affectionate, just like you.”

Brian looked away and softly blushed, scoffing at his older brother.
“You’re one to talk.”

Tommy laughed and softly punched his arm.
“I suppose! Though…there’s something I should tell you.”

“What?”