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The forums provided Luther with more information about the Oreburgh Gym.
Since Battle records began, Roark's Oreburgh Gym has fielded a total of 8 Pokémon.
For Rookie Pokémon Trainers, it's Geodude, Graveler, Larvitar, Onix.
For stronger Pokémon Trainers, it's Golem, Solrock, Probopass, and Rampardos.
The highest-rated is Solrock, which rarely appears— it's Roark's strongest Pokémon on public display.
The lowest-rated is Larvitar; people even think this Larvitar exists to boost Rookie Trainer confidence, and Luther agrees— Larvitar's loss rate after appearing is 70%, showing it's Roark giving promising Trainers some ego boost.
Luther gets the logic; it's like how in ping-pong matches, you rarely shave someone bald— leaving them with nothing; a casual "mistake" to give a point can ease a Rookie Trainer's nerves, self-doubt, and embarrassment.
Luther wouldn't mind Roark tossing him a point first to comfort him as a Rookie Trainer— two points, even.
Luther only has 4 Pokémon, so he doesn't need to invest much Energy in lineup decisions.
Ralts's Ability still isn't enough to handle a Battle solo; she needs more training and confidence-building.
Marill and Jumpluff's Type advantages are a huge help for Luther's first Gym challenge; patting Marill's head and rubbing Jumpluff's cotton balls, Luther's confidence surged.
Misdreavus is Luther's ace; the Moves she knows are just too many.
Luther had Misdreavus use all her Moves once for the Pokédex to record the Data, and thus began Misdreavus's wild performance.
Luther's jaw dropped wider with each Move Misdreavus used; he'd known since their Battle that night that Misdreavus excelled at many Moves, but he hadn't realized it was this many.
Grass Type's Magical Leaf and Energy Ball.
Electric-type Thunder, Thunderbolt, and Thunder Wave.
Dark Type's Dark Pulse.
Ghost Type's Shadow Ball and Astonish.
Psychic Type's Psychic, Dream Eater, and Trick Room.
Normal Type's Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, and Protect.
Flying Type's Aerial Ace.
Fire Type's Will-O-Wisp and Sunny Day.
Luther stared blankly as Misdreavus reveled in showing off, smacked his lips, and asked, "Any Water-Type Moves?"
Then rain started drizzling over Luther's head…
Luther cut off Misdreavus's urge to keep showing off other Moves, grabbed her in a hug, and excitedly kissed her several times.
Misdreavus wanted to break free, but spotting Jumpluff's twisted expression, she shrank into Luther's arms, obediently and meekly enjoying his praise.
Compared to the near-exploding Jumpluff, Ralts and Marill's gazes were pure, filled with blazing admiration for Misdreavus.
At the start of the routine morning run, Luther finally sensed something was off with his team.
Normally, Ralts ran clinging to Jumpluff; today, she cowered behind Marill, trembling.
Marill looked troubled, lagging at the back of the group.
When Mai joined with Pachirisu and Eevee, she'd usually tease chubby Marill and docile Misdreavus; today, seeing Luther's morning run team straggling, she couldn't help jogging over, panting as she leaned toward Luther.
"What's up with your team?"
Luther struggled to maintain his breathing Rhythm and answered, "No clue; they woke up like this after a night's sleep; no idea what Jumpluff and Misdreavus are fussing about now."
They'd just made peace not long ago— how could they fall out so suddenly, and over what? Luther couldn't recall anything off between them yesterday.
Mai wiped sweat with a corner of her tracksuit and sent Eevee into Luther's team.
As Eevee dashed behind Luther, two powerful auras clashed over her; Eevee shuddered hard, her fur standing on end.
Jumpluff's murderous glare pierced through Eevee straight to Misdreavus; Misdreavus's eerie grin sent chills down Eevee's spine.
Eevee whimpered, trying to signal Mai that this order was torture, but a steep incline appeared ahead; Mai, focused on her body Rhythm, didn't notice Eevee's plight.
Under the crushing weight of two looming shadows, Eevee slowed down, sensibly sticking with Marill and Ralts.
Marill looked at Eevee with sympathy; Ralts patted her sweaty self with one hand.
From behind, Eevee finally saw Misdreavus and Jumpluff duking it out… she'd just stepped into a warzone.
Passing the downhill path, Luther and Mai slowed their pace, tending to the dawdling Pachirisu, Marill, and crew.
Seeing Eevee sulking beside Marill, then following her gaze to the glaring Misdreavus and Jumpluff, Mai stifled a laugh, turned to Luther, and said, "We're not far from the Pokémon Center; you've got a Gym match today— let's walk back slowly to recover Stamina."
Luther stopped, wiped sweat, unscrewed his water bottle, and fed it to each Pokémon one by one.
When he got to Misdreavus, Jumpluff's murderous stare was caught red-handed by Mai.
Now it clicked; Mai didn't call it out— she figured she could use this.
Today was the Gym match; the tension between the two Pokémon could totally turn into fierce, fired-up fighting spirit— which would be good for Luther, as long as Misdreavus and Jumpluff didn't start bickering now.
"Come out, Slowbro."
Luther, sipping water, looked at Mai in confusion.
The morning run was nearly over— why call out Slowbro now?
Mai bent down, whispering something in Slowbro's ear; then Luther watched as Slowbro lumbered step-by-step behind him.
"Don't ask; I'll tell you after the Gym match," Mai chuckled, picking up an exhausted Pachirisu from the ground and gently stroking its fur.
On the way back, Luther and Mai walked slowly, chatting pleasantly about forum tidbits and gossip.
They deliberately slowed down, catering to Slowbro and Ralts.
Slowbro wasn't actually slow-moving, but Mai said her Slowbro was too laid-back; even if it could speed up, it wouldn't— unless in battle.
Amid Misdreavus and Jumpluff's hostile vibes, a goofy, clueless figure suddenly plopped in— like a giant rock wedged between the two Pokémon.
Misdreavus's eeriness and Jumpluff's killing intent were completely blocked by Slowbro.
Slowbro plodded behind Luther with its mouth agape and eyes vacant, totally ignoring the two Pokémon.
Jumpluff struck first; she glanced at Luther, who was laughing and talking, and taking advantage of his speaking moment, leaped up and smacked Slowbro hard across the face.
Seeing Jumpluff act, Misdreavus followed suit, sneakily hitting Slowbro with Psychic.
Both Pokémon smugly returned to their spots, waiting for Slowbro to wisely back off.
Pachirisu, cradled in Mai's arms, kept an eye behind; seeing the two Pokémon gang up on Slowbro, Pachirisu suddenly felt its tail ache again…
Getting stepped on hurt; hitting Slowbro with its tail hurt even more!
Pachirisu thought Misdreavus and Jumpluff had short memories; the day it disciplined Slowbro, they'd watched the whole thing… now, their attacks were barely a tickle to Slowbro.
Slowbro blankly stretched out a hand, scratched where Psychic and the slap hit, and kept walking like nothing happened.
Misdreavus was fine, but Jumpluff's face was turning red— she was about to blow.
Yesterday, Luther praising Misdreavus made sense; Misdreavus did know tons of Moves, and her Strength was impressive.
But Jumpluff reckoned she wasn't bad either!
Back at Professor Rowan's Research Lab, she'd ruled the grasslands— until Vileplume showed up. She was still the boss of Professor Rowan Research Lab.
In Cynthia's Debut match, she'd used Jumpluff to craft Strategy, trouncing Professor Rowan and kicking off a new era.
Under Professor Rowan's care, she'd learned plenty of Moves too, yet Luther never praised her!
She'd endured it; after all, she'd given rides and shared the thrill of speed— she was a team veteran and couldn't lose her cool…
Then, Jumpluff saw it: Misdreavus nestled in Luther's arms, flashing her a mocking smile.
Why was Misdreavus so skilled at this?
After Luther had fallen asleep, Misdreavus and Jumpluff faced off silently in the dark.
Ralts and Marill woke up in the night; two deep, eerie gazes glowed under the moonlight, turning silently toward the half-Revived Marill and Ralts… Marill backed away, dragging Ralts under the bed to sleep more, knowing full well she should keep dreaming— and urging Ralts to do the same.
Jumpluff, itching to erupt, spotted the Pokémon Center's dome in her sight and reined in her agitation.
It was Gym day; she knew not to cause trouble.
Misdreavus also toned down her prankster mischief and slyness, sticking obediently behind Luther.
Eevee sidled up to Slowbro, saw it still looking dopey as ever, and sighed helplessly.
Mai noticed the attack on Slowbro; her smile widened, she shot Slowbro an encouraging glance, then strolled into the Pokémon Center hands behind her back.
Luther didn't realize a full-on drama had played out behind him.
And Mai seemed intent on milking this vibe.
(End of Chapter)