Being the Very Best

Savannah looked at her traveling companion, the sun causing the water to glitter behind them. They were up on a slight elevation and the stairs leading down to the beach weren’t too far away, a few feet away from the familiar log cabin of the kind man who had given them their ride to the island town not too far away. Savannah glanced into the taller grass, which was rustling with the movements of pokemon inside of it.

Newt stuttered out a comment and she smiled warmly, hearing him stutter out that either one would be acceptable. She reached over and grabbed Newt’s arm gently, tugging him towards the little steps that led down to the beach area.

”Okay, the beach works! If you’re cool with either one, I guess,” She gave him a warm smile. When her feet reached the sand they gently sunk in. Not too far away from them was a boy who was chasing his own footprints. Savannah giggled at the sight and began to walk down the sand. ”So, uhm... do you think we’re ready to challenge Candice? She’s supposed to be really, really strong...”

Savannah listened to Newt’s assessment with nods. His words were more confident when he was talking about their progress and the next gym. Steel types... they were going to be difficult. Savannah gripped her hand on her pokeballs at the thought. Candice was so strong... the strongest leader they’d have to face. And after her, the leaders only got stronger and stronger. Would they really be okay?

”Strategize? Do you think Candice would allow us to do a double battle instead of two singles?” She asked. Not every gym allowed them to do that – but many of them did. She blinked. ”Yeah! I’m ready to challenge Candice – and honestly, I think strategizing with you would – it would be really helpful, I – I think.” she said.

As they reached the edge of the sand, Savannah led the way up the little incline back to the grass. Petalburg was a few feet away, bustling with people going about their daily routines. ”Do you think we should go to the mart first?”

Savannah nodded when Newt explained they could ask her, thinking that the four and two situation seemed fair. ”I think that can work; I hear that Candice likes a challenge. So maybe she’ll agree to it.” She said, and his second comment was one she hadn’t thought about but one that she liked anyway. They could figure out what worked well together, which would imply battling together more! That was something that made Savannah flush slightly as she tucked some hair behind her ear.

”I think that works, if she says no we can just watch from the side and cheer each other one!” She said. ”I think Quibler and Furret would be the best matches – they’re my strongest and are itching for a battle. I like the idea of using her own type! I – I hope that team will be good. If it’s not then – well – we can just train more back on that other route. Or use different Pokemon, but I kind of want to use that team.”

She glanced over at the gym. Nerves of Steel read the sign. It was large and the sunlight made it glisten like a beacon before them. ”I’m never not blown away by how huge gyms look from the outside – and how they look even bigger on the inside,” Savannah said.

Savannah nodded along with what Newt said, agreeing on the surface, though extremely nervous underneath. They would have a few shots at this gym, as many as they needed, but she didn’t want to look silly in front of the leader! Especially working with Newt. As they stepped into the gym she wondered if they should have practiced double battling together before this. She almost had half a mind to grab Newt and turn back, and tell him they needed to practice. But they were here, and he already called out a hello, and in the darkness of the hall Savannah’s hand fell back to her side. She swallowed the nerves away and caught back up to Newt. One foot in front of the other... just one foot in front of the other.

Their footsteps were oud around them, and Savannah decided if Newt was going to call out, so was she. ”H—hello! We’re here to challenge the gym and – “

”I heard you the first time.” From the hallway stepped Candice, wearing her leggings, turtleneck shirt, and a wide array of silver bracelets that jangled together. The gym badge rested on her right side, a bit above her chest, on a pin. She tossed hair over her shoulder, hair which was tousled slightly and made Savannah assume she had been working out or training before they entered. Savannah clung to Newt at the sudden appearance of Candice.

Candice eyed the two kids in front of her, her face blank. Finally, she turned around and beckoned them towards the hall she came out of. ”Come ahead, then. The battlefield is up here.”

Savannah glanced at Newt, and realized she held his hand in surprise. She blushed and released it. ”L—let’s follow her, then!” she said. ”Oh – I hope she can’t tell how nervous I am,” Savannah whispered, mostly to herself though audible to Newt.