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Well, its official. Aden was committed. The second that he walked through those doors, there was no way he would be backing out. I knew it. I see it every time someone walked through the Mahogany Gym doors before I met Miles. Determination, with a hint of nervousness. Wondering what challenge the gym may bring. Aden would soon find out with Falkner.

When Aden walked inside, he find that there was no battlefield right up front. To the left and right of him, a couple of corridors, more than likely for the gym's use. Rather it be sleeping areas for the gym leader and his apprentice, or otherwise. In front of Aden though, at least 30 paces away, was an elevator. "Alright Aden, no time like the present. Get moving." I said.

I made my way up the elevator soon after and stared at Aden. God, did he panic with this thing? Rookies...

At the top of the elevator, the skies were literally the limit. Before him laid the battlefield which the 'roof-top' winds graced across. "God, its been a while since I've been here." I said.

"Really, the last time I was here was when I was going on my whole adventure before the one we just were on." I said. "The whole dealings with the ice elemental and all. Though that isn't to say I haven't seen Falkner and his apprentice elsewhere though. There, believe it or not, is a place where there is a mass conference, for both gym leaders and trainers alike, that takes place a ways from here. In a place called White City. Its just beyond the Mt. Silver mountain range."

"It's just a shame that you missed this past year's conference, Blizzard." A voice spoke.

"Falkner." I said.

From behind us, Falkner walked forth, dressed in his traditional blue robes. "I have to admit, it felt kind of empty knowing that one of the harder trainers to fight in the gym leader castle gauntlet was not there. Though, needless to say your 'old man' kept a lot of the ace trainers at bay. It was there where I found out about your predicament. I take it by you being here, that all is well?"

"Ehhhhhhhhhhh well, kind of. One predicament spawned a completely different one, but at least for the moment, it eased up to where I can give this soon-to-be challenger of yours a tour of the region." I said, pointing towards Aden.

"Ah, so you taken your own student under your wing, I suppose? And who are you I might ask?"

"It would explain why he doesn't look like much." From the stands, a teenage boy dressed in a similar garb to Falkner, but only a solid red, probably closer to crimson for that matter.

"Jackie...what chicken coop did you crawl out of?"

"Oh shut up, Blizzard, standing there like you're all high and mighty."

"Jesus Christ, Falkner, how do you put up with this kid?"

"Well, to be fair, Blizzard, I come to understand, despite as good as you were at his age, you were a bit of the rebellious one too."

I narrowed my eyes and leaned over towards him. "This doesn't leave the the gym..." Falkner couldn't help but to laugh just only a bit. "At any rate, I'd like to believe, Jackie he is quite capable of handling himself." I said.

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"You will. You're the first to take him on, you know." Falkner said.

"Yea, yea."

I rubbed my eyes. It would go without saying I didn't have patience for punk teens like him.

"Oh God. Falkner, I think its about time we step off to the side and let these two have at it." I said to him.

"I'd have to agree. Jackie, take your position." Falkner said.

"Aden, over there." I said, pointing to the challenger's side of the gym.

Falkner and I went off to the side of the gym and as we done so, the Gym referee came out. "Mister Falkner, I got word about a gym battle."

"Yes, we do have another challenger here. He is ready to face Jackie."

"Yes sir."

Falkner and I took a seat off to the side of the field as the the referee and Jackie took his position on their sides of the field. "This is a Pokemon battle between the challenger and the apprentice of the Violet City Gym, Jackie. In this battle, it will be single battle, two Pokemon a piece for each. The challenger will be allowed to exchange his Pokemon as he sees fit. The apprentice shall not. The battle is over when any one of the combatants runs out of usable Pokemon or if any one of the contenders submits." The ref proclaimed.

A score board behind the referree turned on, with a picture of Jackie and Aden with two squares, reserved for the Pokemon who they will bring out. "Begin!"

"Alright, I'll start things off!" Jackie shouted. "Go!" Jackie pulls out a Pokeball and tosses it out upon the field. "Fearow! Ascend!" The ball bursts open and out came a fearsome looking bird. It didn't exactly have the looks, let alone the grace of some birds, but when it came to Fearow, it was a whole different issue.

"He finally evolved that Spearow of his?" I asked Falkner.

"Just recently." Falkner said. "Long story, actually."

I crossed my arms and leaned back a bit against the wall where the bleacher sat. Aden decided to start off with Nidoran? Hmm...well. With all considering, its a long shot, but it is possible to pull off, pending on what he does, obviously. I hope Aden learned well enough though.

"A Nidoran Male?" Jackie spoke up. "I hope you are not getting some notion that this thing is going to beat Fearow here, are you? Tch, and here I thought I had to be worried a bit."

"This will start off between Nidoran and Fearow! BEGIN!" The ref shouted out.