Gym Battle Z vs Nicole

Understood. Question on timeline though. Is this before or after the tournament? That will decide what my Pokemon are (A Vulpix and a Fennekin, or, a Ninetails and a Braixen).

Nicole took a deep breath as she entered into the gym arena. Walking in beside her was Nero, her now Ninetails, who she was still confused about since she didn't remember evolving him.   Stopping in the area designated for the challenger of the gym leader, she looked between Nero and the Pokeball on her backpack strap.  She needed to decide who it was she was going to send into battle first.  Closing her eyes she moved her finger in a metronome-like motion chanting to herself before opening her eyes and looking at which way the finger had stopped.

"Looks like you're up."  She said, taking the Pokeball from her backpack strap.  "Let's go Phaedra, you're first!"  She threw the Pokeball into the air and watched as her, also very confusing since she didn't remember her evolving either, Braixen into the arena. 

Turning her attention to Nero she waved him to stand behind her.  "Stay back for now Nero.  You'll have to wait your turn.  This round is Phaedra's to battle."

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Right. Sorry.

"Let the battle between Challenger Nicole and Gym Leader Z: BEGIN!"

"Scorpio, use poison Tail!"

Nicole knew she would have to think quickly as Z called out the first attack of the battle.  "Phaedra use Psychic, push him back!"  She called watching as the Braixen reached for the stick in it's tail as quickly as it possibly could to go about following her order.  As she did so Nicole bit her bottom lip, she would have to be extremely careful in this battle since the stats of the two Pokemon had a good sized gap between them.  "Give it your all Phaedra!"

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pokemon-pokedex.findthebest.com/compare/298-654/Drapion-vs-Braixen

"Now you're up close... Phaedra, use Fire Blast!" Nicole shouted watching as the tail started to come down towards the Braixen. Luckily Phaedra had not put her stick back and was already charging the attack, sadly; however, she did not have enough time to dodge. Now it was a battle of timing; the Drapion's tail versus the Fire Blast that was just now being released. So far it looked like the tail would win.

"Phaedra, are you okay?" Nicole asked as the Braixen pulled herself off the ground. It didn't seem that she had been poisoned by the poison tail this time, but next time would not be so lucky. As the Drapion began to rush forward again, this time for a payback, Nicole made a quick decision and called out: "Phaedra, use Psychic on the ground in front and under the Drapion! Knock it off balance!" Phaedra immediately threw the paw/hand that had her stick out letting the called out attack begin to flow out.

Nicole internally cursed when the Drapion dodged the ground breaking up. She also cursed when she noticed how close the Drapion was getting. In a quick thought attempt to lessen the blow she decided to meet the attack head on. "Phaedra, if he is going to keep charging, then we should charge too! Use Flame Charge." She called out while waiting to see if this would do what she hoped and kick-start Phaedra's ability, Blaze, if it didn't. They would need the fire power, especially since they were at the disadvantage.

"Right. Your Pokemon is very powerful." Nicole responded to Z's words. Phaedra pulled herself up once more and shook off the dust covering her, as well as her stick. She then turned her attention to the Drapion and nodded her head as a show that she respected it's strength, before glancing at Nicole who wasted no time. "Phaedra, Tail Whip." Nicole requested, knowing how silly it would sound. Phaedra gave a sort of confused look but went about turning and executing the attack, not exactly sure what her trainer was planning.