Pursuing Cynthia

Chapter 8: Struggles, Stumbles, and Small Victories

Eterna Gym loomed in the distance like a monument to my inevitable embarrassment. Sure, I'd managed to make it this far, but something told me Gardenia wasn't going to be impressed by my current lineup of mismatched chaos.

"We need a strong Pokémon," I said as I walked along the road outside the city. "Something that can handle Grass-types without breaking a sweat."

"Oh, so now you want strategy?" Chatot said from my shoulder. "Where was this bright idea two Gym battles ago?"

"I've evolved," I replied.

"More like you've stumbled into self-awareness. Barely."

I ignored the bird and kept scanning the area. The tall grass rustled as wild Pokémon moved around, but so far, I hadn't spotted anything worth catching.

Psyduck waddled behind me, staring at the sky like it was waiting for divine intervention, while Bidoof trotted ahead, sniffing at rocks and chewing on the occasional stick.

"Alright," I said, stepping into the tall grass. "Let's find something good."

Not even two steps in, something darted out of the bushes and nearly bowled me over.

"Whoa!" I yelled, stumbling back.

A sleek black-and-blue Pokémon stood in front of me, its golden eyes narrowing as it growled.

"Is that a Luxio?" I whispered.

Chatot perched on my head, tilting its head. "Looks like one. Good luck not scaring it off."

Ignoring the jab, I pulled out a Poké Ball. "Okay, let's do this. Psyduck, you're up!"

Psyduck waddled forward, looking about as enthusiastic as a Snorlax on a Monday morning.

"Psyduck, Water Gun!" I said.

Psyduck fired a stream of water, but Luxio dodged effortlessly and countered with Spark. The electric attack hit Psyduck squarely, making it stumble back with a loud quack.

"Hang in there!" I called.

Psyduck turned to glare at me, as if to say, *What do you think I'm doing?*

"Use Confusion!" I shouted.

Psyduck's eyes glowed blue, and a wave of psychic energy rippled toward Luxio. This time, it hit, making Luxio flinch.

"Perfect," I said, grabbing an empty Poké Ball. "Let's catch it!"

I threw the ball, watching as it hit Luxio and pulled it inside. The ball wobbled once… twice…

And then Luxio broke free, sending the ball flying back toward me.

"Oh, come on!" I yelled.

Luxio growled, its fur crackling with electricity as it prepared another attack.

Chatot cackled. "Looks like it's not interested in joining Team Disaster."

"Thanks for the support," I muttered.

Luxio charged forward with Quick Attack, slamming into Psyduck and knocking it out.

"Psyduck is unable to battle!" I groaned, recalling it. "Alright, Bidoof, you're up!"

Bidoof trotted onto the field, its tail wagging like it had no idea what was happening.

"Use Rollout!" I said.

Bidoof tucked into a ball and started rolling toward Luxio, but the wild Pokémon dodged easily and countered with Bite, clamping down on Bidoof's side.

Bidoof let out a startled squeak, flailing its legs.

"This is going great," I muttered.

Before I could come up with another plan, a familiar voice called out.

"Need some help?"

I turned to see Cynthia standing nearby, her arms crossed and a small smile playing on her lips.

"Oh, uh, hi!" I stammered. "I'm fine! Just, uh… training."

Cynthia glanced at the scene—Bidoof dangling from Luxio's mouth like a chew toy—and raised an eyebrow.

"Training," she repeated, clearly amused.

"I've got it under control," I said quickly.

She chuckled softly. "I can see that."

Luxio growled, dropping Bidoof and turning its attention toward Cynthia.

"Would you mind if I stepped in?" she asked.

"Be my guest," I said, stepping back.

Cynthia reached for a Poké Ball and released her Gastrodon, which appeared with a soft cry.

"Gastrodon, Mud Bomb," she said calmly.

Gastrodon fired a glob of mud at Luxio, hitting it squarely and sending it skidding back. The wild Pokémon growled but didn't get back up, its energy clearly spent.

"Now's your chance," Cynthia said, gesturing to me.

I grabbed another Poké Ball and threw it. This time, Luxio stayed inside.

"I did it!" I shouted, holding up the ball.

"You mean *we* did it," Chatot said.

Cynthia smiled faintly. "You've got potential, but you might want to work on your technique."

"Yeah," I said, scratching the back of my head. "Thanks for the assist."

She stepped closer, her gaze softening. "I like your determination. Not everyone would stick with it after a tough fight."

My face heated up, and I struggled to come up with a response. "Well, you know, I don't give up easily."

"That's a good quality," she said. "Just make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew."

"Or let Bidoof get chewed on," Chatot muttered.

Cynthia chuckled, giving me a nod before turning to leave.

"See you around," she said over her shoulder.

I stood there for a moment, clutching the Luxio's Poké Ball and replaying her words in my head.

"She said I have potential," I whispered.

"Yeah," Chatot said. "Potential to embarrass yourself in front of her at least ten more times."

Ignoring the bird, I let out a breath and looked down at Bidoof, who was back to chewing on a stick like nothing had happened.

"Alright, team," I said. "We've got a new member. Let's make it count."

Bidoof burped. Psyduck sighed from its Poké Ball.

And Chatot, as always, muttered something sarcastic under its breath.

The walk back to Eterna City felt different. For the first time in a while, I wasn't just dragging my feet, bemoaning my lack of luck. I had a Luxio now—a strong Pokémon that could actually give me an edge against Gardenia's Grass-types.

Or so I hoped.

Chatot, of course, refused to let me enjoy my minor victory.

"So, just to clarify," it began, perched smugly on my shoulder, "you didn't really catch that Luxio. Cynthia basically handed it to you on a silver platter. Should I start calling her your coach?"

"Hey, I threw the ball," I said defensively. "I still caught it."

"Sure," Chatot said. "Just like how when someone catches you tripping and you claim you 'landed gracefully.'"

I groaned, resisting the urge to swat the bird off my shoulder. Psyduck waddled beside me, staring blankly at the road ahead, while Bidoof trotted along like it hadn't just been used as a chew toy.

I stopped at a small fountain near the city's entrance, letting everyone take a break. Luxio's Poké Ball rested in my hand, the glossy red-and-white surface glinting in the sunlight.

"Alright," I said, releasing Luxio.

The sleek Electric-type emerged with a low growl, its golden eyes locking onto me.

"Hey, buddy," I said, crouching down to its level. "I know we got off to a rocky start, but I'm glad to have you on the team."

Luxio sniffed the air, then glanced at Bidoof, who immediately backed up and hid behind Psyduck.

Chatot cackled. "Oh yeah, this is going to be a great dynamic."

Luxio's gaze flicked back to me, and for a moment, I thought it might zap me just for fun. Instead, it gave a small, reluctant nod and sat down, its tail flicking lazily.

"Progress," I muttered.

"We'll call it a truce," Chatot said. "For now."

I recalled Luxio, deciding it was best to give it some space for the time being.

"Alright, let's grab some supplies and get ready for some real training," I said, standing up.

"Supplies, huh?" Chatot asked. "Does that include snacks for you or just the Pokémon?"

"I'm not answering that."

The Poké Mart in Eterna City was surprisingly crowded, and navigating the aisles with Bidoof trailing behind me proved to be a challenge. At one point, it knocked over an entire display of berries, prompting an annoyed sigh from the clerk.

"Sorry," I mumbled, quickly picking everything up while Chatot perched on the edge of the counter, pretending it wasn't with me.

"You're like a one-man disaster zone," it said. "Honestly, it's impressive."

"I'm trying, okay?" I hissed, grabbing a handful of Potions and Antidotes.

By the time I made it to the checkout counter, my arms were full of items I probably didn't need but didn't want to risk not having.

"Big plans?" the cashier asked, scanning my items.

"Gym battle," I said.

"Good luck," she replied with a smile. "Gardenia's no pushover."

Chatot leaned closer to me. "Did you hear that? No pushover. Translation: you're doomed."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I muttered, shoving my change into my pocket and heading outside.

Back on the outskirts of the city, I found an open field where I could train without interruption.

"Alright, team," I said, releasing all my Pokémon.

Psyduck flopped onto a rock, Bidoof started sniffing at the ground, and Luxio immediately turned its back on me to stare at a tree.

"Great," Chatot said. "This is the dream team."

"Hey," I said, clapping my hands. "Focus up. We're here to train."

Luxio glanced at me, clearly unimpressed, while Psyduck gave a half-hearted quack.

"Bidoof," I said, pointing at a nearby log, "show them how it's done. Use Rollout!"

Bidoof eagerly tucked into a ball and rolled toward the log… only to miss it completely and crash into a bush.

"Good effort!" I called.

Chatot snorted. "That log never stood a chance."

Luxio let out a low growl, as if to say, *You've got to be kidding me.*

"Alright, Luxio," I said, gesturing to a stack of rocks. "Your turn. Use Spark."

Luxio's fur crackled with electricity as it charged forward, smashing into the rocks and sending shards flying.

"Now that's what I'm talking about," I said, grinning.

Luxio turned to me, its expression almost smug.

"You're a natural," I said, reaching out to pat its head.

Luxio immediately stepped back, glaring at me.

"Noted," I said, raising my hands. "Personal space. Got it."

While Luxio practiced its attacks, Psyduck attempted to use Confusion on a butterfly, and Bidoof tried—and failed—to Rollout in a straight line.

Chatot flapped onto my shoulder, watching the chaos unfold. "You know, for a bunch of underdogs, they're surprisingly entertaining."

"We're not underdogs," I said. "We're just… unconventional."

"Keep telling yourself that."

As the sun began to set, I called everyone back to their Poké Balls and headed back toward the city.

---

The streets were quieter now, the bustling crowds replaced by the soft hum of streetlights. I stopped at a bench near the Pokémon Center, letting out a long sigh.

"You're not about to get all dramatic, are you?" Chatot asked.

"No," I said. "I'm just… thinking."

"Dangerous territory."

Ignoring the bird, I stared up at the sky. Tomorrow was the big day—my second Gym battle. And this time, I wasn't walking in blind.

"We've got this," I said softly.

"Sure," Chatot said. "And if not, at least the audience will get a good laugh."

I smirked. "You'll see. We're going to surprise everyone. Even Gardenia."

Chatot muttered something about delusions of grandeur, but I didn't care. For the first time, I felt like I was ready. Almost.

The morning arrived faster than I wanted. The sun peeked over the rooftops of Eterna City, its warm rays doing nothing to calm the storm of nerves swirling in my chest. Today was the day. Gym day. The day I'd either prove I wasn't just some bumbling wannabe Trainer or become the punchline to Eterna's newest set of Trainer jokes.

"Wake up, champ," Chatot said, pecking at my hair. "Big day today. You ready to win? Or at least lose hilariously?"

I groaned, swatting at the bird. "I'm up, I'm up. And for the record, I plan on winning."

"Bold claim," Chatot said. "Especially coming from someone who tripped over their own feet yesterday trying to catch a Luxio."

I shot it a glare and stumbled out of bed. Psyduck was sprawled across the floor, snoring softly, while Bidoof was curled up in a ball, occasionally twitching in its sleep.

"Come on, team," I said, stretching. "We've got a Gym battle to win."

Psyduck yawned and gave me a look that could only be described as *You've got to be kidding me.*

I scooped up my gear, recalling my Pokémon and heading out into the city.

Eterna City was alive with activity. Trainers hustled from shop to shop, chatting about strategies and bragging about their latest victories. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as a pair of Trainers walked by, laughing and high-fiving over what was probably an easy win at the Gym.

Chatot noticed my expression. "Relax. It's not like Gardenia's unbeatable. I mean, she's only wiped the floor with dozens of Trainers before you."

"Thanks for the pep talk," I muttered.

The Gym was impossible to miss, its entrance framed by towering hedges that practically screamed *Welcome to the Grass-type domain.* My nerves kicked into overdrive as I approached, my hand brushing over the Poké Balls at my belt.

I was about to step inside when a familiar voice called out behind me.

"Back again already?"

I turned to see Cynthia standing a few feet away, her golden hair catching the sunlight like something out of a dream.

"Oh, uh, hi!" I said, my voice cracking slightly. "Yeah, I'm just… getting ready for the Gym."

She smiled faintly, her gaze shifting to my Poké Balls. "You've been training hard, I assume?"

"Absolutely," I said, trying to sound confident. "We're more than ready."

Chatot leaned closer to me, whispering in my ear. "Don't oversell it. She can smell your fear."

Cynthia tilted her head slightly, her expression softening. "That's good to hear. Grass-types can be tricky, especially for newer Trainers. Do you have a solid plan?"

"Plan?" I repeated, my confidence faltering.

"You know," she said, her tone light but pointed, "a strategy? Type advantages? Maybe a backup plan if things go south?"

"Of course," I said quickly, nodding like an overenthusiastic bobblehead. "We've got all that. Totally prepared."

Chatot snickered quietly. "Totally prepared to wing it, you mean."

Cynthia's smile grew, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Well, I'll be cheering for you. I hope to hear about your success later."

My face turned bright red, and I struggled to form a coherent response. "Th-thanks! I won't let you down!"

She nodded once and walked away, her Garchomp following silently at her side.

"Wow," I whispered, staring after her. "She's amazing."

Chatot flapped onto my head, tilting its head to look me in the eye. "You're blushing."

"Am not."

"Are too."

I swatted the bird off my head and turned back toward the Gym, steeling myself for what was ahead.

The interior of Eterna Gym felt like stepping into another world. Plants lined every wall, vines snaking up the pillars, and the air was thick with the scent of fresh flowers.

"Fancy," Chatot said, glancing around. "Too bad you're about to ruin it with your performance."

A Gym Trainer approached, smiling politely. "Welcome to Eterna Gym. Are you here to challenge Gardenia?"

"That's right," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

"Very well," she said, gesturing toward a maze-like path lined with tall hedges. "You'll need to navigate the Gym and defeat the Trainers inside before you can face her. Good luck."

I swallowed hard and stepped forward, feeling Chatot shift on my shoulder.

"Time to show the world what you're made of," Chatot said. "Spoiler: it's mostly panic and bad decisions."

The first Trainer I faced had a Turtwig. Luxio managed to take it down after a tough battle, but not without taking a few hits in return.

The second Trainer used a Cherubi, which Psyduck barely managed to confuse into submission.

By the time I reached Gardenia, I was already sweating.

She stood at the center of a clearing, surrounded by a ring of flowers that made her look like she'd just stepped out of a nature documentary.

"You made it," she said, smiling warmly. "I hope you're ready."

"Absolutely," I said, clutching Luxio's Poké Ball tightly.

Chatot whispered, "Translation: I'm totally making this up as I go."

Gardenia sent out her first Pokémon—a Roselia. Its petals shimmered in the light, but I could tell it wasn't just for show.

"Luxio, you're up!"

Luxio appeared with a growl, sparks crackling along its fur.

"Let's start with Spark!" I shouted.

Luxio charged forward, its body surrounded by electricity, but Roselia dodged gracefully and countered with Stun Spore.

Luxio froze mid-step, its body locking up as the paralysis took hold.

"This is bad," I muttered.

Gardenia smiled faintly. "You'll need more than brute force to win here."

Chatot cackled. "Hear that? She just called you out."

I ignored it and called out to Luxio. "Hang in there! Try Spark again!"

Luxio growled, forcing itself to move, and managed to land a hit this time. The electricity sent Roselia tumbling, but it quickly recovered and fired back with Magical Leaf, the glowing leaves slicing through the air and hitting Luxio hard.

"Luxio, no!"

"Let's hope your backup plan is better than your opener," Chatot said.

I grit my teeth, recalling Luxio and sending out Psyduck.

The battle raged on, with Psyduck narrowly managing to confuse Roselia and take it down before fainting itself.

By the time Gardenia sent out her ace, a formidable Torterra, I was already sweating bullets.

"This is going to be rough," I muttered.

Chatot let out a dry laugh. "You're just now figuring that out?"

Torterra roared, its massive body shaking the ground. I hesitated, looking at Bidoof's Poké Ball.

"Don't even think about it," Chatot said.

I swallowed hard, sending out Gible instead.

"Gible, Dragon Rage!"

The blast of energy hit Torterra, but it barely flinched.

Gardenia smiled, her calm demeanor unwavering. "Torterra, Razor Leaf."

The swirling leaves slammed into Gible, knocking it back.

I clenched my fists. This wasn't going to be easy, but I couldn't afford to lose—not with Cynthia watching my progress.

"Come on, Gible," I muttered. "We've got this."

And for once, I actually believed it.