Odd Leader Out

There were footsteps coming from inside then a bulky man on his thirties appeared on the door and greeted us. He got sharp features, brown eyes and hair that is long and ponytailed. He's wearing training clothes, a plain white sweat shirt and jogging pants.

"Good morning little fellas" he said in a deep voice. "I'm Colton, the Bluehill City Gym Leader. Oh, if it isn't Jessaise, it's been a while, are you here to challenge me again?"

"Wait…I'm the challenger here!" Noel butted in. "You know each other?"

Colton laughed.

"High spirited trainers. I like them." He said.

"I've challenge this gym before and I do know him." I answered.

"Really? I didn't know you were challenging gyms?" Noel replied.

"Now, now there is plenty of time for the two of you to chitchat. Why don't we begin the gym battle?"

As I expected Colton still uses the rocky terrain battlefield.

"The battle between Colton the gym leader and Noel from the Memorial City will now begin. Each trainers will use three Pokémon and will be declared winner if all of the opponents Pokémon are unable to battle." The referee said.

"Game on." Noel said. He really seemed to be pumped up. I wonder if he even knew what type of Pokémon Colton specializes with.

"Well, as you should've known, it will be a 3 on 3 tag battle." Colton announced.

"A what?" Noel wondered. As I have expected again. He is so careless. He didn't even read this gym's rules before challenging. This is going to be dangerous for him.

"All 3 Pokémon will battle at the same time. In addition, the trainer is obliged to battle together with his Pokémon in the battle field. Let's test how you work with your Pokémon as a team. Are you ready?"

"Wait? I will battle inside the battlefield?" Noel was genuinely surprised. I was also shell shocked before when I challenge this gym but every leader has the right to set up his own rules to truly test a trainer's skills. But really, Colton has the weirdest battle rules.

"Well does it bring back memories eh Jess?" Colton asked. I gave him a nod and a grin. "No worries. That goes the same for me." He said then jumped in to the battlefield. "Let's get this battle done and over with."

"Well if this is how your game works, I'm in." Noel replied and scrambled to the arena.

"Okay, Ditto, stand by for battle." Colton called out throwing 3 Pokeballs. There was a thud then 3 pink, cute gel-like creatures popped out of the it. Shaymin shuffled out of my packet just a little so it can see the through. It wailed happily.

"Dit..to"

"Dit..to"

"Dit..to" the Ditto's said in different pitches.

"Wow. You're using three of the same and you seem to specialize in normal types. I came really prepared after all. Now Dewott, Golett, Pinsir, aid me in here." Noel said throwing his 3 Pokeballs.

Dewott appeared, the shell on its chest was really shiny like polished metal. Pinsir comes next. It was slightly taller and bulkier than Dewott and its horns were a bit bigger than average. Golett comes last. I am not quite sure of this Pokémon, but as I can remember it's a ground/ghost type. I'll be checking on this one later.

"Deee-wottt.."

"Shhhhkkk…"

"Golllll.."

"Ok. You have the honor of drawing first blood." Colton said, very typical for a gym leader.

"I am not planning anything else, Now Dewott, use Razor Shell, Pinsir use Vice Grip, Golett you use Brick Break. Let's go." Noel commanded. This must be very mouthful to command three Pokémon at a time.

The three obliged quickly, Dewott removed its lighted shell from its chest, held it like a knife and began to charge. Pinsir and Golett were already running towards the Dittos.

"Well, not so easy. Ditto, use Transform." Colton called out. Now this is where the tricky part begins. All 3 Ditto's bodies began to glow and started to change form. The usual perception of Ditto is that it copies a Pokémon nearby or the Pokémon it opposes, but Colton's Ditto's doesn't belong to the usual category. One grew long and thin until a shape of a spear, sharp and sturdy, was formed. The other grew wider and formed a quadrilateral shield. The other Ditto kept growing until it was taller than Colton, then hind legs sprouted from its back and when the light vanished a mighty Rapidash replaced its place. "Show time." He whispered as the shield and the spear come to his hands then hopped on Rapidash's back.

I knew this was coming but obviously Noel was totally clueless and was really surprised his mouth was hanging open.

"What the," Noel stammered. All three of his Pokémon was startled as well but continued to attack. Dewott slashed it's shell towards Rapidash but it was faster and it jumped out of the way. Pinsir charged from the side with it's pincers clamping, making razor sharp sounds but Colton protected himself with the shield on his left hand. Golett's glowing hand smashed through but it only hit the spear and Colton just whipped it back.

"Neiiighhh.." Rapidash roared as it galloped around and away from Noel's Pokémon.

"I will show what working with your Pokémon really means." Colton shouted.

Hmmm…this will be interesting. Let's see how Noel will handle this.

"I never expected that when you said working with your Pokémon, you meant it literally." Noel answered. "We will not be bothered with that. Golett use Brick Break again, Pinsir use X-Scissor, Dewott you use Scald."

All three prepared for another attack. Golett charged again, but this time Colton was prepared. Rapidash ran head on towards Golett. Colton spins the spear on his hands as he raised his shield to deflect Brick Break. He then smash the spear into Golett who was hit on its torso and flew back hitting Dewott who was about to launch a stream of boiling water. Both landed as a pile on the ground. That even stopped Pinsir from attacking.

"Dewott, Golett." Noel exclaimed clearly worried. Even Shaymin flinched a little as it watches the two fall back. Dewott managed to rise but Golett remained on its back.

"Golett is unable to continue." The referee declared.

"Just one hit? That was no fun." Colton remarked. He is a good person, he just gets cocky sometimes. I've seen him in action and I know how strong his physical capabilities are. He has fought every challenger of this gym this way whatever Pokémon they were using. He is really, really strong.

"You did great Golett. Take a long rest." Noel said as he withdrew Golett from the arena.

"Let's continue. This time, I'm going to attack first." Colton said and his Rapidash started to gallop again towards Dewott and Pinsir, spear pointed forward.

"Guys, dodge it." Noel shouted.

Dewott was fast and jumped sideways but Pinsir wasn't and was left face to face with Colton.

"Pinsir, Iron Defense!" Noel commanded.

Pinsir folded its arms and braced, covering itself with a thin metallic membrane that quickly hardens. The spear hits and sparks fly where metal connects with metal. Colton drew back.

"Nice one." He commended.

"Thanks." Noel answered, sweat was now forming on his fore head.

"This is getting more intense, isn't it Shaymin?" I whispered on the green fur ball in my pocket.

"Shay, shay." It looks really pumped up. I wonder if it knows how to battle. Well, if it needs other Pokémon's protection, I say maybe not.

"Just bring it on. Dewott, use Aqua Jet. Pinsir, X-Scissor again." Noel's voice caught back my attention.

Dewott enveloped its body with water and launch itself like a rocket towards Colton. Colton raised his shield and was almost waiver with the impact. Meanwhile, Pinsir had sneak past him and landed an X-Scissor on Rapidash. They were pushed back. But since Ditto has gained fire type with Rapidash, bug type X-Scissor really didn't do much.

"Interesting." Colton said.

"We're not done yet." Noel said.

"Let's see if you can handle this one." Colton said and threw his spear upward. "Use Transform."

The spear glowed again and took a form of a bluish, huge bird. A Swellow. Typical Colton.

"Brave Bird."

Ditto, no, Swellow flew up high. Just as it reach a peak, it suddenly plunges downward enveloping itself in a blaze as it gets nearer. It is clear that Pinsir is its target.

"This is trouble." I commented. Shaymin seems to agree.

"Dewott, get in there help Pinsir." Noel commanded quickly. Dewott started forward but Colton and Rapidash appeared on its way.

"Not so fast little fella. Rapidash, use Flamethrower." Flames burst from Rapidash's mouth. Dewott was totally caught off guard and was hit right on its face.

"Dewott , no!" Noel exclaimed. Dewott fell just right on his feet. "Are you alright?" he asked as he bent to help it up. Dewott didn't answer.

Swellow continued its downward descent at full speed. There is no way Pinsir will be able to avoid this attack.

"Pinsir, Iron Defense."

Pinsir braced itself again. Swellow collided with an explosion and the arena was momentarily filled with smoke. As it cleared, Colton appeared on his side of the battlefield, his three Dittos, back on their original forms, beside him. Pinsir was lying on the center of the arena.

"Dewott and Pinsir are both unable to battle. Ditto and Gym Leader Colton is the winner." The referee announced.