Geraldsville Hotel,

Phil woke up in the hotel. He went down to the dining hall for breakfast, and nearly ran over Denny, again.

"Oh, good morning Denny, how is the translation coming?"

"I am having trouble.  There is a map hidden in the code, but there are also messages.  Some are helpful, and some not so much.  It may take me a while to finish.  I took a break from translating to explore the Jade Passage, and I caught a Zubat.  I named her Zoey," he grabbed a Dusk Ball from his belt, and released Zoey.  She flew around their heads, "She really likes me.  I think that we will be great friends.  Remember the Spinarak I caught?  I sent it digitally to my little brother for his birthday.  He is fascinated by Spinarak."

"I am glad he is.  If I never see a Spinarak again, it will be to soon.  I think I will go train at the local Pokérena after breakfast.  I love the Pokérena, because it lets trainers find other people to battle easily.  Some people even go just to strategize, or to hang out.  I will then see if my Cranidos has been revived.  That is what I rushed off to do yesterday."

"Well, while we talk, why don't we get some bacon, eggs, and toast?  This place has the best bacon ever."

"That sounds good to me, but seriously?  All bacon is good!" They all ate extremely well. Blazer and Phil in particular just about cleared the buffet.  Phil struck out for the Pokérena. When they arrived Phil looked for a challenger.  He battled several times, winning handily each time.

"You lookin fer a challenge?" a voice said.  Phil turned around, and saw a rancher.

"Yea, I am Phil."

"Lydian, get ready to battle."

"Jes, I chose you!"

"Go George!" Lydian sent in a Ponyta.  Jes circled the Ponyta, and Phil let Jes lead for now. After all, Shinxes are some of the only things that can catch Ponyta.  Jes dodged a Stomp attack from George.

"George, use your Flame Charge attack." George charged at Jes.  He then sidestepped.

"Jes, Spark attack!" Phil shouted.  Jes shot a ball of energy at George.  George neighed as he was electrocuted.

"George, return!" Lydian said, "Millie, finish this with Rollout!"  Millie was a Miltank.  She rolled over Jes.  He looked dazed.

"Jes, come back," Phil ordered, "Blazer, take that Miltank down!"  Blazer attacked.  He dodged Millie's devastating Rollout. Then he jumped up on her back, and used Ember.  Millie reared and Blazer dug his claws in.

"Blazer, Bite attack." Blazer bit down hard on Millie's neck.  She flung Blazer off, but proceeded to collapse.

"Very good son!  You could beat the gym," Lydian congradulated him.  It was about lunch time so Phil went to a local restaurant.  He then went to the Fossil Center.

Fossil Center,

When he arrived at the Fossil Center, he was greeted by the same clerk as the night before.  He walked up.

"Hello, is Dr. Fernando in the back?" Phil inquired.

"Oh, yes. He has some intresting news for you.  I will let him explain," the clerk informed him. Phil went to the back confused.

"Hey, Dr. Fernando, the clerk said that you had some intresting news for me?"

"Oh, yes come around back," Phil walked around a shelf, and his jaw dropped.  There were several ancient looking Pokémon.  One looked like some bug with a shell, but it was swimming in water!  He also saw a rocky birdlike one, a doglike one with a shield for a face, and another buglike one that looked tough as nails.

"I see you like my collection.  The ones you looked at are Kabuto, Aerodactyl, Shieldon, and Anorith, respectively.  Your Cranidos is through here." They walked through a hallway filled with more Pokémon.  "Your Cranidos is an intresting specimen.  It appears to have lived in a rougher terrain or era, and is slightly different." They had reached his Cranidos. "It has stronger bones and hide, enabling him to take more hits and to dish them back.  The negative side of this is it slows him down.  He also appears to be much smarter than your average Cranidos.  On top of that he knows Stone Edge.  Cranidos do not usually learn that move so early.  I believe he was the son of a very powerful Rampardos, his evolved form, that tutored him in the move."

"Well, hello there," Phil said, "I am your trainer.  Together we can take on all kinds of challenges. How do you like the name Craig?"

Craig nods and does a backflip. 

"Good trick.  So you like your name.  I am going to scan you with my Pokedex now."

'Cranidos the Head Butt Pokemon, It was resurrected from an iron ball-like fossil.  It downs prey with its headbutts.  A lifelong jungle dweller from 100 million years ago, it would snap obstructing trees with headbutts.  This Cranidos is male and knows the following moves Headbutt, Pursuit, Stone Edge, and Focus Energy.'

"Wow! What a move pool.  Well if that is all..."

"Well if you would let me.  I would love to see you battle with Craig."

"Well, come and watch. I will not use him though." So Phil walked across town to the gym.  Phil entered and some lights flick on.  The Geraldsville Gym was done in a ranch style.

"Howdy young feller, I presume you are here to earn my badge," a tall, well-built man said.

"Yes, I am ready to earn my first badge."

"Well then the names, Kleve, with a K.  My normal types will crush you!  This is a special battle with special rules.  Two Pokémon each, and only you are allowed substitutions. Ref! get us started." 

The referee outlined the rules then, "Please send in your first Pokemon."

"Shane, I chose you."

"Jes, take him down," Shane was a Helioptile.

"Shane, use Spark."

"Jes, Charge and absorb it," Shane cloaked himself in energy and charged at Jes.  He absorbed the attack with charge.

"Jes, tackle that Helioptile," Jes ran forward, and Shane used Wake-Up Slap.  Jes stepped back, battered.  He was chased by Kleve's Helioptile for a minute.

"Jes, return!" Phil called Jes back, "Blazer, finish it with Ember!" Blazer shot an ember Shane, who was KO'ed immediatly.

"Trent, ace them," Kleve said as he sent in a Tauros.  Trent charged at Blazer, who ran.  Trent's tails whipped Blazer mercilessly.

"Stop! I.....I concede to defeat," Phil said.  He went to the Pokémon Center to let Jes, and Blazer recover.

One Hour Later,

"Phil, how are you holding up?" Denny asked.

"Not well, I can't believe I let Blazer and Jes take such a beating," he replied.

"I think I can help you win," Denny began to whisper a strategy to Phil.

Back at Kleve's Gym,

"Yer back for more?" Kleve inquired.

"Yea, but this time I will win!" Phil exclaimed.

"Well, confidence is all well and good, but results are what matters 'round here.  Ref, get in here!"  They heard the sound of a flush and water running.  The referee then came running in.  He laid out the rules like before and had them chose their Pokemon.

"Shane, teach this young whippersnapper a less 'n strat'gy."

"Blazer, burn them to the ground," Phil sent Blazer in.  Once again Shane was no match for Blazer's Ember.  Then Kleve sent in Trent.

"Blazer return! Craig take over!"

"Ah, a new one. This ought to be intrestin'. Trent, use your zen headbutt."

"Craig headbutt that thing," Phil ordered.

Trent and Craig charged each other.  They impacted and a shockwave kicked up dust. When it cleared Trent was lying on the and Craig was prancing around Trent.  Craig threw up his head and roared.

"Well, looks like the little tyke has learned a thing or two.  Here ya go, the Impact Badge." Phil nodded and shook hands with Kleve. He left to celebrate his victory.