The Challenge: Eterna (Kyu622 + Zorua)

"Agreed." Kyu said. "Let's do this now while we have the element of surprise."
Bringing out his Poke Balls, he released Dwebble and Ralts, and motioned Apollo over. "Ralts, Psyshock! Dwebble, X-Scissor! Aim for the machine!" He turned to Apollo. "Chances are we're going to need your help to release Trucy. Do you trust me enough to command you for a short while?"

Apollo nodded, sparks flying from his cheeks. He was determined to set his trainer free. Gardenia sent out a Grotle, Budew, and Cherubi.
"Grotle! Pin him down with Vine Whip! Budew! Use Sleeping Powder to help Grotle! Cherubi! Save that girl!"
All Pokemon did as commanded, and soon, Trucy was safely in Cherubi's vines, Grotle had a sleeping Beluga pinned to the wall, and Budew had sprinkled enough sleeping powder for Beluga to most likelu be out for a few hours.

"That was close." Kyu remarked. "Now, we have Beluga here in our control, and it wouldn't be worth it to come all this way and disable him just to leave him behind! The only thing I'm worried about is his Spiritomb....Ah, oh well. At least we've rescued Trucy, and our next priority should be to get out of here!"

Gardenia nodded, and she was about to open the door, when a few grunts burst in.
"Sir! What's wron-"
They cut themselves off once they saw Gardenia, Kyu, and the defeated Beluga. Angry, they immediately assumed that Gardenia and Kyu were spies from a different organization and were attempting to steal all of their plans.

"Well, this certainly complicates things." Kyu said. "Ralts, use Confusion! Dwebble, use Rock Blast! Try and get around these grunts!"

The grunts sent out some Pokemon of their own to counter Kyu's.
"Glameow! Go and use Shadow Claw!
"Golbat! Use Wing Attack!"
Gardenia sent out another Pokemon to help the battle.
"Cottonee! Use Cotton Spore and cover our exit!"

"Ralts, use Psyshock to block the attacks! Dwebble, use X-Scissor on the window so we can get out of here!" Using Gardenia's Cottonee's Cotton spore as a distraction, the Pokemon did their duties effectively. Kyu raced over to the window, Ralts close behind. Taking a deep breath, he jumped, where Ralts caught him with its psychic powers, then set him down gently on the ground. "Cover for Gardenia while she gets down here too!" Kyu called to his Pokemon.

The grunts, distracted by the Cotton Spore, were unable to detect the fleeing Gardenia and Kyu. Their Pokemon were able to see them, but were being held back by Kyu's Pokemon. Gardenia and her Pokemon jumped out the window, where her Cherubi used Vine Whip to hold everyone steady to a tree branch so that they did not fall.
"Well... That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Kyu grinned and brushed himself off. "Not at all." he agreed, returning Dwebble and Ralts to their Poke Balls. "Just for future reference, I'd like to challenge you eventually, but I think we both have had a lot of excitement for today. I'm going to take Trucy to the Pokemon Center so she can rest and I can heal my Pokemon. What time tomorrow would you like us to come to your gym?

"Why don't you two come at 3 P.M.? I have something to do before that."
Gardenia replied with a smile. She set Trucy on the ground, and returned her Pokemon to their respective PokeBalls.

"Alright, sounds good!" Kyu smiled warmly at the Gym Leader. He usually took a while to trust people, but he instinctively trusted her, much like he did with Trucy, Roark, and his mentor, Fantina. "I will enjoy our battle!"

***

Next afternoon, after making sure that Trucy was ok, Kyu entered the Eterna City Gym. Smiling, he looked around for Gardenia.
(Not sure if you wanted Trucy revived by then, so I left it up in the air.)

(k)
Trucy's eyes fluttered open, and she began to stand up, yawning and rubbing her eyes.
"What happened? I can't remember much right now."
Then, with a jolt, she remembered meeting Beluga and his Spiritomb.
"Ack! Kyu! Are you okay?!"
She yelled in instinct.

As he was looking for Gardenia, Kyu suddenly felt Trucy's astonishment through his auric powers. Concentrating, he sent a mental thought wave to his friend, telling her he was fine and to meet him at the Gym.

Trucy got the message, sighed. She was relieved that he was fine, and now she wanted to go to the gym, as well. Exiting the Pokemon Center, she noticed Apollo was missing.
"Apollo? Where'd you go?"
Looking around here and there, she eventually found him at the gym.
"Why are you here?"
She asked the Pikachu, and he pointed at the gym.
"Oh... You want to fight Gardenia? Let's go then."
-----------------------------
Inside, Gardenia was waiting for Kyu and Trucy.
"I can see you're both alright."
She said, and Trucy nodded.

"Yes, we both are. I must thank you again for helping me rescue Trucy, Gardenia." Kyu nodded at the Gym Leader. He turned to Trucy. "Would you like to challenge her first, or shall I?" he asked.

Trucy knew that Apollo was just itching to battle, so she told Kyu she wanted to battle first.
"Ready, Polly?"
The little Pikachu nodded, sparks dancing from his cheeks. His determined gaze told all.
"Alright, Gardenia! Let's battle!"
(Could you play Gardenia while Trucy battles her?)

(Naturally)
Kyu nodded and stepped back while Trucy went to battle Gardenia.



Gardenia saw Trucy step forward to start the battle. She noticed that the girl looked a lot healthier than she had the previous day, and seemed to have suffered no side effects from the machine. "So you'll be battling me first? Since you just have the one Pikachu, I'll use just one Pokemon as well." Taking out a Pokeball, she threw it, revealing a Grotle, which just happened to be one that had helped rescue her the previous day. The green and yellow Grass type snorted and gazed into Apollo's eyes, eager to battle. "You may have the first move." Gardenia offered.

"Alright!"
Trucy jumped up with happiness, and then pointed at the Grotle.
"Apollo! Use Dig + Quick Attack!"
The yellow Pokemon dug a tunnel and began to use Quick Attack to get through even more quicker. Eventually, he was directly below the Grotle, and pushed up to strike the turtle Pokemon.

Gardenia smiled. "Grotle, use Withdraw!" she commanded. Grotle nodded, and instantly curled itself up, increasing its defense so that when Apollo struck, all it would hit would be Grotle's hard shell.

"Okay then, Apollo! Use Electro Ball + Spark instead!"
Trucy pointed at the shell, and Apollo let loose a large sphere of electricity at the now withdrawn Grotle. Once it was close enough to hit, Apollo let loose a Spark attack as well. The electricity surrounded the Grotle so that no matter where it turned, it was hit with either Spark's electricity or Electro Ball.

Gardenia winced at Trucy's strategy. She had to admire the trainer's strategy, but she still had one trick up her sleeve. "Grotle, use Protect!" she called. The turtle Pokemon instantly covered itself with a wall of energy, and easily moved outside of the barrier of electricity without getting hurt. "Now use Razor Leaf!" Gardenia commanded. Grotle instantly unrolled itself and fired a wave of leaves at the Pikachu.

The leaves struck, scratching Apollo here and there. Trucy winced at his pain, but felt more confident when he got back into a defensive pose.
"Okay! Apollo! Jump up and use Thunderbolt, then use Quick Attack!"

"Grotle! Counter with Energy Ball and Body Slam!" Gardenia shouted, hoping to block the attacks and deal some more damage to the electric mouse.
Grotle fired a ball of green energy at the airborne Pikachu, then leaped into the air, hoping its greater size would deal some damage.

The wily Pikachu dodged both attacks, and even retaliated with his own Slam.
"Alright, Apollo! You're really determined today! Get a good Slam attack on that Grotle!"
Trucy even seemed surprised at Apollo's sudden quickness and unwavering determination. The Pikachu really wanted to win.

Surprised that the electric mouse had managed to dodge both attacks, Grotle was caught off guard and got hit square in the side, sending it crashing to the ground. It got to its feet, glaring at the Pikachu, but Gardenia could tell it was close to defeat.
"Alright Grotle! I know you're weak, but let's do this!" Gardenia shouted encouragingly. The Gym Leader had a knowing glint in her eyes as she gave Grotle the next command. "Hit it with Leaf Storm!" she cried, hoping that the powerful attack combined with Grotle's ability Overgrow could knock the persistent Pikachu out.