Z smiled as he walked through the western plains toward Carvahana Springs. Once again, he had closed down his gym and decided to go traveling around the land, taking on challenges to become as strong as he could possibly be. This time, his travels have taken him to the Western Plains to challenge Prasha's Gym in Carvahana Springs. He heard that it was quite the challenge, so of course he had to head there to try it out. He looked around the area, wondering where Prasha was. At his side was his faithful companions, Sparky and Haxorus. They both were eager to explore and test their strength as well.
*looks like we're here,* said Haxorus, getting a look from Sparky.
*Did you figure all that out just now?* she quipped, *I think it was obvious a while ago.*
Z sighed, ever since the two were in their first evolutionary stages, they would always argue and fight. He really hoped that they would grow out of it, but some things never change. He was grateful at least that their fights didn't erupt into full scale battles anymore. His repair bills were rather high back then.
Prahsa had been sent a challenge by Z a few weeks back. Prasha had finished updating the course and expected his challenger to arrive and minute. Prasha took the few hours to wade and soak in the crisp fresh water of Carvahana Springs. The lake had calmed him down as he lit his cigarette waiting for his rival. Prasha looked toward the plain side and saw the trio walking across toward his complex fortress.
Prasha stood up and went to greet his challenger. "Welcome, Z. I see you have found your way here." Prasha took the last puff and put out the sweet Lum tobacco that came from his garden. "I assume your choice of Pokemon is ready for the test?" Prasha lead his opponent to the Obstacle Facility. "Remember that I am watching at all times and are controlling the challenges." Prasha walked slowly, but really wanted his challenger to admire the beauty of the lake. "When we have finished here, I give the trainer and his Pokemon a night free at my Inn. To recuperate and prepare for the battle ahead." Prasha gestured toward the magnificent southern plantation style home. "There you can relax and rest your tired bones. I will be waiting in the OC. Please take your time and get ready."
Z released the rest of his team from their pokeballs and turned to them, "Alright. I'm going to need someone who is limber, fit, and strong to get through this."
Scorpio raised a claw, *what exactly are we doing?*
Z nodded and proceeded to explain the challenge to his pokemon. They all looked at each other for a moment before they all pointed to Sparky with their legs/claws/tails/arms (whatever they can point with). Z chuckled, knowing that they all knew that Sparky was by far, the most physically active out of all of them and would be able to take on an obstacle course without too much difficulty as long as she didn't have to do any swimming as part of the course, "Alright," said Z, "let's head on over and begin our next challenge. Maybe this time, we'll bring home another badge." The pokemon cheered and they followed Z as he headed after Prasha.
"I've chosen," said Z to Prasha when he arrived, "Sparky, my Blaziken will be taking the obstacle challenge here. Can you tell me what it will require of her? What are the goals? Will she need to clear it in a certain time limit to qualify as a pass? Any information you can give us will be appreciated."
Pom came out of his pokeball and climbed onto Prasha's shoulder. "Pom!" He exclaimed and pointed to the rule sheet on the door. Prasha rubbed his head and stuck another cigarette in his mouth. Pom mimicked Prasha by putting a leaf in his mouth.
"The Rules are simple. Four Stages, each a different challenge. Yes she is timed on all stages of this edition. I will operate the traps and obstacles, myself with levers." Prasha handed Z a leaflet explaining the rules. "So read those over and I will go set up the challenge." Prasha left to his box that over viewed the whole course. He pressed a button and his voice was heard over a PA system powered by hydro electricity from the lake. "Signal when you are ready."
Z looked through the leaflet, making sure everything was in order before handing it to sparky so she could read it too. The fire type pokemon read through the rules and nodded. She then headed to the entrance to the obstacle course and got into a ready stance while Z and the rest of his team headed to wait for her on the side. Z sat on alloy's back along with Demeter and nodded. Kit jumped on his lap and Z pet the affectionate fairy type as if she was a cute kitten, "I think she's ready," said Z getting a nod from sparky. Ruby cackled as she floated around, eager to see what would happen next here. Vivian decided to land on Haxorus's head while Tsurara floated next to Z, waiting for the challenge to begin. She would cheer in her own way, her pride and rivalry with Sparky not permitting her to openly support the fire type, lest Sparky find out and tease her about it from now until they got back to Starfort. Sparky was eager to go.
Prasha received the nod and placed over his voice over the P.A. system. "Remember no cheating or teleporting. I wish you luck. Remember Trainers may command their Pokemon and help guide them through." Prasha set his clock for exactly 1 minute. "First Stage. Sprint across the Prairie at full speed." Prasha pulled a lever and the roof opened to the facility the Acre of field was shown to the Pokemon.
"Good Luck. Get Ready.....Three....Two.....One. GO!!!!!" Prasha started the clock and a huge Airhorn sounded, marking the start of the first stage.
Sparky smirked and shot across the course at top speed. Speed was always one of her strengths, even without flame charge or speed booster. She was wary for any obstacles that might be thrown her way in this challenge, as it was an obstacle course after all. She was making good time. Z smiled and waved a little flag that had a chibi blaziken on it while the rest of the pokemon cheered as well. they wanted Sparky to do well, even if they all didn't get along with her all the time. They were a team after all and a team needed to stick together no matter what was thrown their way. Z smiled, this was a new take on gym battles, and was a good way to sort the skilled trainers out from the beginners who don't have a solid team yet. Sparky was definitely his most physically agile pokemon and that only increased if he mega evolved her, so Z was sure that she would be able to trump this challenge with no trouble.
Prasha smirked. Too cocky. Prasha pulled a lever and the course separated leaving a huge gap as Sparky ran toward the end. The gap was wide where one could not simply jump across it. In the trench a climbing wall was presented with holes wide enough where a Pokemon had to jump from one to the other. Prasha sat back and smiled. Sparky was doing good. Could this little blockade put an end to her progress?
Sparky smirked and kept running, until she reached the edge of the trench. She leapt from the edge, without losing any momentum and managed to catch one of the handholds on the other side. she then began to leap from position to position, effectively climbing up the stone wall of the chasm bit by bit. She would win this challenge for Z. Sparky continued to climb the wall, glad that she had gotten some practice when helping the workers clear out the new mine shafts that were being constructed in starfort every day. Who'd have thought that climbing out of a deep hole carrying broken pieces of rock would come in handy here? It definitely helped her build her stamina and physical conditioning. Soon she would be at the top.
Z watched with interest as Sparky continued to climb out of the trench. He wondered what other surprises that this obstacle course would have, and what the other challenges that she would have to face would be. He was sure Sparky would be able to finish in the time limit.