A clear ring reverberates from above my head when I open the door to enter Rad Rickshaw's Cycle Shop. Rows of bikes line the patterned floor, each one different from the next. The shelves along he back wall display a variety of bicycle accessories, from bells to helmets to stickers.

"Hello," greets a monotone voice. I turn and see a man listlessly flipping through an issue of Cycler's Monthly behind the counter.

"Hi," I reply as I approach the counter. "I'm looking for a bike."

He scoffs, but doesn't look up from the magazine. "Of course you are. I'd be concerned if you came in here expecting to find poffins."

"Well, I just need a simple bike, nothing too fancy. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Nope," he says, popping the P at the end.

I was taken aback. "Seriously?"

The worker regards me with disinterest. "Yup," he says, once again popping the P before flipping the page.

Biting the inside of my cheek in annoyance, I decide that since he proved himself to be the exact opposite of helpful, I could browse by myself. I weave through the aisles, examining each bike carefully until one caught my eye. It was a simple one with a stainless steel frame, four gears, and the ability to fold up neatly.

After nearly five minutes of unsuccessfully looking for a price tag, I ask, "How much is this one?"

"You can't afford it."

"You didn't even look!" I accuse, getting frustrated.

He rolls his eyes before finally looking. "Do you have a voucher?" I shake my head. "Then a miscreant trainer like yourself can't afford a hefty price tag such as a million Pokedollars. "

"Excuse me, but I may be a trainer but I'm certainly not a miscreant." My hand twitches towards my Poke balls as the thought of challenging him to a battle crosses my mind. Knowing better, I simply cross my arms over my chest.

Throwing down the magazine, he shows the first signs of emotion since I stepped in by barking, "I am sick and tired of trainers thinking that they are entitled to whatever they want, whenever they want. You lot are all the same."

"Just because you may have had a few awful costumers in the past who happened to be trainers doesn't mean that all trainers are terrible. That's discrimination!"

"Call it what you want. I, myself, call it protecting business." He retrieves the issue of Cycler's monthly and proceeds to ignore me.

I let out an exasperated huff, frustrated that this conversation was going nowhere. Just as I'm about to leave, I notice a sign advertising various bike repairs. Getting an idea, I calmly thank the unhelpful store associate and head to the door.

"Uh, where are you going? I thought that you needed a bike?" he asks, suddenly looking concerned about losing business.

"Since you don't want to help me and I can't afford to buy one, I'm just going to make one." I smile inwardly at the man's expression and decide to add a little quip. "I'm sure that it'll be better quality than the bikes offered here anyway."

Now looking alarmed, he protests, "All products offered here have a high degree of quality, I assure you. Besides, how are you going to make a bike on your own?" At his anxious tone, I infer that he often employed insults in order to force trainers to waste their money on an overpriced bike.

"I'm a fabricator," I reply simply, unable to conceal a smile. "And I'm sure that I can find some spare parts in the scrap bin out back. Thank you for your time."

Before I could take half a dozen steps,  he calls out in a mildly panicked voice, "Wait!" I stop and look over my shoulder. "I'm sure that we can work something out."

"I'm sure that we can, too," I reply, walking back to the counter. "How much for that bike I was looking? And don't give me a ridiculous price this time, please."

I exit the bicycle shop ten minutes later with the stainless steel bike compacted neatly in my backpack and my wallet five hundred Pokedollars lighter. "Well, that was more aggressive than it needed to be," I muttered under my breath as I head back to the connecting building, shaking my head slightly.

Once inside the gate, I mount my bike. The guard who had turn me away before nods me through. Cautiously, I approach the large glass doors and they automatically open to reveal the sloped bike path.

As I glide down, barely having to pedal, I take in the beautiful scenery. Gradually, the cliffs that protectively encircle Eterna City diminished in size until they became gentle hills. A lazy stream runs perpendicular to the raised bike path, the soft sounds of the water flowing around submerged rocks being faintly carried up by the breeze.

A few times, I had to abruptly swerve to avoid colliding into other cyclists, as they also weren't being particularly attentive to where they were going. Most of my encounters with the other bikers concluded with a battle. By the time I reach Route 207, Liam and Ronda have grown remarkably stronger, making up for not gaining experience at the gym in Eterna City.

I navigate through the uneven terrain of Route 207 on foot, and pass through the gate into Oreburgh City.

While Eterna City is situated on flat ground surrounded by cliffs, Oreburgh City is constructed right from a crater. To the south, I can see the ground slopping steeply in front of the mouth of the famous Oreburgh Mine. The ventilation system whirs steadily overhead.

I follow the rocky path to the Pokemon Centre and heal up my team, feeling confident about challenging the gym.

Without having to consult the town map, I locate the recognizable gym building with relative erase, feeling quite proud of myself.

As I enter the building, I muse over my battle strategy. Even though I know that Sienna is strong, I don't want to knowingly place her in a battle where she has a type disadvantage. That leaves Liam and Ronda. Although my old school had a class specifically about battling, I can't remember the damage that steel does to rock. Maybe I should have enrolled in Trainer School for a semester before settling off on my journey. Hoping that it's at least somewhat effective, I take in the gym set up.

Unsurprisingly, the central theme is rocks. There were multiple levels cut out from the stone, with each sediment layer acting as a natural decoration. A few steep stairs led the way up to different locations and a couple of wooden bridges that connected the free standing levels. At the very back, on highest level, I can see a young man in a construction workers overalls, his yellow hard hat practically glowing in the dim lighting.

This time, I don't jump when the gym guide greets me.

"Hey there, Champ-to be!" he booms cheerfully. "As you may have guessed Roark uses rock type Pokemon. I guess you can say that it's all in the name." The gym guide chuckles slightly before continuing. "There are two paths to the gym leader, one of which is occupied by trainers the other is not. May whatever path that you take will lead you to victory. Good luck!"

I thank the guide before turning my complete attention to the rocky terrain before me, mentally tracing out the potential paths. After weighing my options, I decide to give my team as much experience as possible and make my way to the first gym trainer.

"Show us your nerves of steel, Liam!" I exclaim at the same time my opponent cries, "Let's go, Geodude!"

Liam faces the rock Pokemon with a determined gleam in his large blue eyes, shifting his weight from foot to foot in anticipation. In response, the Geodude flexes his arms.

"Use iron head," I say, an offensive strategy beginning to form in my mind. Liam rushes forward, his skull gleaming from a combination of reflecting the light and preparing for the attack.

Throwing his arm out, the young gym trainer commands, "Stop him in his tracks by using magnitude!"

Liam was about three feet away when the Geodude clenches his fists in concentration to unleash the attack. Although both the other trainer and I nearly lose out balance when the earth shifts underfoot. Liam however, seemed unaffected by it, until he reaches the epicenter, where he then falls onto his face. Getting back to his feet, Liam lunges towards the Geodude. The top of his head collides with the Geodude's forehead with a solid thunk. Reeling back with stars in its eyes, the foe seemed to have taken quite a bit of damage. The rock Pokemon falls down, unable to battle.

After making a mental note that steel attacks appear to be quite effective against ground types, I continue through the gym to challenge the next trainer. With a few iron head attacks, both his Geodude and Onix fainted. Now it was time to face Roark.

Climbing up the set of steep stairs carved from the rocks, I face the young gym leader. His hands are casually in his grey coverall pockets as he waits for me, eyeing me with interest. A few stray strands of his rusty red hair peek out from under his hard hat.

"Welcome to the Oreburgh Gym," he greets, one of his hands pulling out a Poke ball from his pocket. "I'm Roark."

Following his lead, I unclip Liam's Pokeball as I introduce myself.

"Celosia Fuego?

Narrowing my eyes, I ask, "How do you know my last name?"

Roark's eyes brighten. "So it is you," he says somewhat vaguely, taking off his hard hat, a small scar on his forehead barely visible. "I don't know if you remember, but we used to play together when we were kids. When my dad delivered ore to Fuego Ironworks, I would tag along and while our parents talked we would play in the meadow."

My eyes widen in realization. I had thought that his name sounded familiar but had passed it off as reading Trainer Insider. The combination of his words and the scar bring me back to days past. With the old memory surfacing, I smile. "I remember you, Rory."

He laughs at being called by his childhood nickname. "It's good to see an ore friend." He puts his hard hat back on and his demeanor changes back into full gym leader mode. "We can catch up later. First, we should do what you came here for. How many badges do you have?"

"Soon to be two," I answer with a sly grin.

"We'll see about that," he responds before sending out a Geodude. "Since this is your second gym I'll be using three Pokemon."

"Nerves of steel, Liam, nerves of steel," I call as my Aron takes to the battlefield.

"Let's start strong with a rollout!"

"Dodge it if you can then counter with an iron head attack!"

Liam attempts to leap out of the way of the approaching boulder but he's not quick enough. The boulder collides with his hind leg, throwing him off balance. After shaking off the impact, Liam successfully avoids the next boulder and slams into the opponent head first. 

I tell Liam, "One more attack should be enough, so let's go with metal claw."

The eyes of both the leader and his Pokemon widen. "Geo-Geodude, get out of the way then hit that Aron with rock throw."

Although the Geodude quickly tucks itself into a near perfect sphere, beginning to roll, Liam is faster. Jumping into the air, his small claws outstretched, he manages to scrape the back of the Geodude as his lands on it. For a moment, the steel type comically balances on the foe as it continues to roll, now trying to dislodge him. After a few unsuccessful attempts, Liam falls to the ground. Extending its arms, the Geodude prepares for the attack while Liam is still slightly disorientated. Sensing the impending danger,  the steel type manages to regain his bearings and avoid the attack just in time before finishing the battle with metal claw.

Roark lets out a slight sigh as he recalls his fainted Pokemon. He sends out a fierce looking Onix.

"Screech then follow up with a slam."

"Avoid the slam if you can then hit it with a strong iron..."

Before I can finish my sentence, a sharp cry sounds throughout the gym, with each  echo bouncing off of the rock walls seeming to increase in frequency. Distracted by the screech, Liam did not see the attack. Neither did I. For a large rock snake, that Onix can move. Suddenly, Liam is across the battlefield, lying on his back, having been thrown back by the force of the slam.

"Liam?"

At the sound of my voice, my little Aron groans before rolling back onto his feet. He wobbles back to stand in front of me, prepared to continue to fight. Not wanting him to faint, I reluctantly call him back into his Poke ball.

"Crush the opponents, Ronda!"

Before curling defensively, Ronda gives me a look that says to use a better battle cry.

Simultaneously, both Roark and I call out, "Use slam!"

The two mineral snake Pokemon each carve a path in the stone floor as  they charge at each other. A cloud of heavy dust obscures the battle but does nothing to damped the clamour of rock scraping against metal. Both Pokemon cry out in pain, one louder than the other. When the dust settles, Ronda is the mineral snake who remains standing.

As Roark sends out his last Pokemon, a Cranidos, he warns me, "Don't think that I'll go easy on you just because we're childhood friends."

"That thought never even crossed my mind," I reply honestly before calling out, "Use another slam."

"Put as much distant between you and  that Steelix then use pursuit."

Although the Cranidos was quick on its feet, it's speed could not help it against Ronda's sheer size. Unable to attack it head on, the steel type simply flicked her tail as the opponent ran behind her. The head butt Pokemon lets out a startled cry as it soars through the air, before falling silent when it hits the wall and falls to the ground.

"Thank you for such a great battle, Celosia," Roark says as he returns his fainted Pokemon to its ball. As he walks towards me, he pulls out a small metal badge from his pocket. "For your skill in battle, I present to you the Coal Badge."

I place my second badge in the badge case, unable to stop smiling. "Thank you, Rory."

"What are your plans now that you have earned the Oreburgh City gym badge?"

"First to the Pokemon Center then explore the city. Maybe visit the museum."

Looking somewhat uncertain, the gym leader takes off his hard hat once again. "Would you like me to show you around a little bit? I can give you more information than the plaques in the museum and I can even give you a detailed tour of the mines."

"That sounds great!" I agree, beginning to descend the stairs, with a beaming Roark following.

As we head towards the Pokemon Center, we reminisce and reacquaint. The conversations about past events and what we look forward to in the future flow easily, along with laughs.

After giving our Poke balls to Nurse Joy, Roark and I take a seat in the waiting area. Just as I'm about to say something, a bright red flash from the television in the corner catches my attention. A red banner with font too small for me to see where I sit moves across the bottom of the screen while a  solemn reporter stands in front of a windmill.

I can hear Roark say something as I stand up, but I can't make out his words. As I walk closer to the TV, I have the feeling of struggling against waves.

"...I'm now standing in front of Valley Windworks, located in West Sinnoh, which has been under a state of lock down for the past hour. Individuals who say that they are part of what seems to be a new gang, Team Galactic, are guarding the main doors and won't give us any more information." The camera pans to focus on the building to show two young men with aggressive postures wearing matching outfits blocking the door, before turning back to the reporter. "Due to suspicious activity reported at Mount Coronet earlier this morning, all available officers are investigating the tunnels. It is too early to be certain, but it is possible that these two incidents may be connected."

"I-I have to go," I whisper hoarsely as I turn back to Roark.

As I pass him to go to the reception desk, he catches my arm. "What do you mean that you have to go? You're not talking about going to Valley Windworks are you?" At my silent nod, his grip tightens. "I'm not sure if we were watching the same news broadcast, but it's currently overrun with shady people. It's not safe for you to get yourself caught in the middle of it."

Shaking off his hand, I scowl at him. "I'm not sure if we were watching the same news broadcast, but the police are unavailable at the moment. I have a friend who works there, and there are likely more innocent people who are currently being held hostage. I can't just sit here idle when I can do something about it."

"You have two gym badges and you think that you can take on a gang?" Roark asks in disbelief.

"We'll just have see, won't we?" I move past him to pick up my team. After waiting for a few excruciating minutes, my Pokemon are back at my side, completely healed and ready for whatever may come. Before I leave, I turn to the dismayed gym leader. In a softer tone, I ask, "When I come back, will you still be willing to give me the grand tour of the city?"

The only response that I receive is a sombre nod. I depart from the Pokemon Centre after a one-sided farewell, my heart feeling heavy.

I mount my bike and begin to rapidly cycle west, hoping to reach Valley Windworks in a shorter amount of time than if I had to trudge through Eterna Forest again.  Time was of the essence right now.