"Double Edge," I said going for maximum damage.

"Gust it Pidgeotto," Falkner instructed with determination in his voice.

Pidgeotto gave an extra hard flap of his wings sending a swirling blast of wind at Umbreon. The dust the wind picked up seem to give away the usually invisible wind's location. Umbreon dodged the attack easily and ran straight at the bird Pokémon. Pidgeotto reacted fast with another Gust attack. Umbreon was caught in the wind. He thrown up in to the air spinning and hit the ground hard.

"Quick Attack," said Falkner. I could tell by his voice that he really thought that he had the victory.

"Watch out, Umbreon!" I shouted a warning.

Umbreon stumbled clumsily, disorientated from the last attack. Pidgeotto flew in low striking him with his beak. Umbreon fell but got up quickly. As Pidgeotto circled around for another strike, Umbreon changed in to black energy. Pidgeotto flew in for the attack but was knocked out of the sky by Umbreon's dark Pursuit attack.

"Finish it," I said quickly.

"Agility!" Falkner shouted.

Pidgeotto disappeared from sight as he travel at high speeds. Umbreon stood at the middle of the battle field studying the environment around him for any movement. His ears twiched a little. Pidgeottoappeared behind. He flew over me and at Umbreon before I could issue any type of warning. But Umbreon was expecting an attack from the back and jumped as high as he could at the sound of Pidgeotto's wings. Pidgeotto, who didn't expect Umbreon to jump, flew in low for a miss. He squawked in surprise as Umbreon landed on him and forced him down for a rough landing. Pidgeotto was out of the match.

"You did well, Pidgeotto. I'm proud of you," said Falkner calling the bird Pokémon back. His next Pokémon was the three headed bird, Dodrio.

VS.

"Good job, Umbreon," I praised. I recalled Umbreon and called out Azulmarril for this one.

"Drill Peck," said Falkner to Dodrio.

"Bubblebeam," I said.

Dodrio ran at Azulmarril fast but was forced but was forced back by a blue bubble filled beam. A Watergun attack pushed the three heaeded Pokémon even further.

"Use your Agility to get to him and then Drill Peck," instructed Falkner.

"Counter with Double Edge," I said.

Dodrio blazed forward and appeared right in front of Azulmarril, beaks spinning. Azulmarril was hit by a mean Drill Peck by the middle head. Azulmarril, with an angry and painful expression, drove forward with a critical Double Edge. Dodrio was knocked off his feet and back a few inches. The match was over and Azulmarril was victoroius.

"Are you okay, Azulmarril?" I asked. I got on my knees to get a closer look at Azulmarril's wound. He nodded and then winced. "You'll be okay, I'll have Nurse jot look at that," I said calling him back to his Pokéball.

Falkner was also on his knees inspecting and softly talking to his Dodrio. He recalled the bird Pokémon in to its Pokéball. He got up and looked at me. "Congradulations, you on the Zephry Badge," said Falkner giving me a badge that looked like wings.

"YES!" I exclaimed happily. I held the badge close to me and wiped it with my T-shirt. It shined as the sun's light hit it.

After an hour of the Pokémon Center, I started off towards Ecruteak City. It was about 6 in the afternoon. The cooling weather would help me tire less but the tall grass in the path slowed me down a bit. My Pokémon rested in their Pokéballs after a late lunch at the Pokémon Center.

I had the city in my sights about 30 minutes later. I started running at the sight of civilization. My feet ached from walking so much. I stopped when I stepped on something squishy by accident. It was a raw piece of half eatened meat. I looked at it disgusted by it. Who would eat raw meat?

A low growl told me who. I turned around and leapt back from the snarling Growlithe. I picked a Pokéball and threw it. Azulmarril came out refreshed from Nurse Joy's treatment.

Growlithe went in for a wildly aimed Bite but missed by a near inch. Azulmarril blew out Bubbles that exploded on impact. Growlithe jumped back dodging most bubbles but was hit by some. He sucked in air and gave off a viscious Roar. Azulmarril immediately disappeared in to his Pokéball. The roar seem to have the same affect on me. My legs turned in to jelly as I tried to run. I fell down on the ground. One of my Pokéballs fell out of my pocket, it was Ivysaur.

Ivysaur started off with his signature Vine Whip but it did little damage, it being not very effective against fire types. Growlithe inhaled deeply again breathed out a big column of flames, his Flame Thrower attack. Ivysaur screamed in pain as he was hit, he got a nasty burn from the attack. He tackled Growlithe in to the ground. Growlithe nit Ivysaur's leg until he got off of him. Ivysaur used Vine Whip again dealing some damage.

I managed to calm myself enough to get an empty Pokéball and throw it at Growlithe. Growlithe didn't even notice until he was sucked inside. The Pokéball shook violently as Growlithe struggled against the Pokéball. A dull *BEEP!* told me that I had succeeded.

"Yeah! I got him! Good work, Ivysaur!" I exclamied happily. I held up the Pokéball in pure triumph. I continued my way to the Pokémon Center of Ecruteak City. I had Ivysaur and Growlithe checked there. It turned out that the raw meat I stepped on was Growlithe's meal. Nurse joy fed him for me. Ivysaur was not hurt bad, some burn heal had to be applied though. It was getting late when my Pokémon were healed. I ate dinner and took a long relaxing shower before going to bed.

Yes, I know I kinda made Falkner look bad a little but it makes sense. People do go to his gym first, therefore he is the weakest Johto Gym Leader. Lucky caught a Growlithe, an uncommon Pokémon according to the Base Set of the TCG. Also, try saying "Dodrio, Dugtrio, Dodrio, Dugtrio" over and over again as fast as you can. It's a kinda like a toungue twister. Anyways, e-mail me, Luckvillag@aol.com.

"We each have our own path to follow."
-Joe, Digimon 01
"Eat my dust, Piccolo!"
-Goku, DBZ