<span style="font-size: 15px"><b>Round Primary</b></span><br/><br/><br/><br/>The villagers digging gave pause as Susan took up a shovel and began digging along with them. Houndour's assistance drews a few smiles and laughs as Susan does her best to give the Pokemon an understanding of putting a hole in the ground.  Houndour begins learning Dig! Houndour gains 1 XP.<br/><br/>Naomi's inspection determined that there were a multitude of jobs that she could assist with. The holes for the posts were still being dug. The posts themselves needed lines run between them and paper charms and lanterns hung on the lines. At the edge of the festival grounds, right up near the Spirit Forest, a Torii was being built, and before it was a large open wooden stage that hadn't begun construction yet.<br/><br/>Eleyna lifted another board on Brollem instruction while Lydia lifted the other end. Brollem and Jake then began hammering nails to secure it. As Susan approached, Eleyna looked up with an eyebrow raised, holding the plank to keep her hands clear of Brollem's mallet.<span style="color: blue">Its ok, I guess.</span>Brolem acknowledged Susan with a nod.<br/><br/>With the board secured, Brollem pointed to another piles of boards.<span style="color: red">Alright Eleyna, Jake, Lydia, that side now. One down, three to go!</span><br/><br/>Eleyna only had to pivot to face the new side, but Jake and Lydia needed to move to the next far support to set it and start tacking in the new boards. Eleyna held the board carefully, knowing her job at the moment was mostly insignificant, but still, it was good to feel useful.<br/><br/><span style="color: red">Whose Growlithe is that?</span>Eleyna looked up and Brollem, then let her gaze follow his.<br/><br/>Growlithe was sitting on the edge of the preparations, eyes transfixed on something. Eleyna followed the canine's stare to the Primeape who was presently digging post holes. Brollem looked at the trainers when his question went unanswered.<br/><br/><span style="color: red">Whose Growlithe is that? Well its not wild is it?</span><br/><br/>Eleyna looked at him sheepishly.<span style="color: blue">No... its not wild... I mean it is now, technically but its not - err it wasn't. I mean originally it was but... </span>She fumbled with the words trying to sort out how exactly to explain the Pokemon's situation. Eventually she sighed.<span style="color: blue">He used to be mine... but I couldn't get him to listen to me so I let him go at the lake back in the valley.</span><br/><br/>Brollem looked at Eleyna with a raised brow. He nodded then tugged at his beard.<span style="color: red">I see... Well then!</span>Brollem set down the mallet and stood suddenly, walking toward the Growlithe. Eleyna's eyes widedned in surprise, trying to stand quickly and following, concerned.<br/><br/><span style="color: blue">Uhm... what, what are you going to do?</span>She looked between. She looked between the large man and the Growlithe. He smirked beneath his beard.<br/><br/>He stopped a few yards short of the Growlithe and crossed his arms.<span style="color: red">Oye, you there!</span>The Growlithe slowly turned its head and looked at him, gauging him. The Pokemon stood as it did, unsure how to appraise the situation.<br/><br/><span style="color: red">You're giving the Primeape there an aggressive eye. You looking for a battle?</span>He spoke loudly, his voice boom. Several of the villagers paused in their work and looked to see what was going on. Primeape turned, seeing the Growlithe, its furry body bristling.<br/><br/>Growlithe looked back at the Primeape and gave a low growl, a half smirk crossing his features.<span style="color: red">Alright then!</span>Brollem clapped in anticipation.<span style="color: red">Whose your trainer then?</span><br/><br/>The Growlithe's smirk faltered and his eyes narrowed in confusion. Brollem pulled on his beard, lowering his head and nodding dramatically.<span style="color: red">I see - don't have one then. Well, there'll be no battles here without trainers, pup. It's the rules of the League, and we abide by them here.</span><br/><br/>Growlithe gave him an angry look, his lip curling. After a moment the canine growled an annoyed resignation and started to turn away. Brollem looked at Primeape and gave him a nod and a wink. Primeape made a loud chuffing noise, drawing Growlithe's attention. Primeape put his hand in the crook on his other arm and lifted it, giving the Pokemon a 'fuck you' gesture. Growlithe stopped, eyes widening in roused anger. The Pokemon turned toward the Primeape.<br/><br/><span style="color: red">Ah!</span>Brollem shouted.<span style="color: red">No trainer, no battle! Start something and there'll be three Pokemon there on ye' before you can land the first blow! Understand? No trainer, no battle!</span><br/><br/>Growlithe eye'd the man. After a long moment the Pokemon's eyes fell on Eleyna. A look of contemplation fell on the Growlithe's features. Eleyna watched wide eye'd and rigid, completely at a loss for what was going on. Growlithe gave a half bark, looked and Brollem and gave a  meaningful nod to Eleyna. Eleyna's jaw dropped. Brollem nodded in acknowledgement to Growlithe then turned to Eleyna. He gave her a heavy pat on the back that made her wobble forward.<br/><br/><span style="color: red">There ye' have it, you're a trainer again. Primeape, you've got a challenger!</span>The Primeape began bouncing energetically and ran over.<br/><br/><span style="color: red">Alright, not here. Just over there in the empty field. Get your wits about ye' girl, your about to be battling a gym leader.</span>He gave her another solid pat. She looked at him, then Growlithe, then him, stunned. Brollem joined Primeape and started toward the open field.<br/><br/><span style="color: blue">I... ehm... what?</span>Eleyna muttered, standing in a half haze. Growlithe barked at her to get her attention, then gave her a wide eye'd impatient look jerking his head toward the field.<span style="color: blue">Uhm... ok.</span><br/><br/>Eleyna started over toward the field, sweat beading on her skin.<i>I'm battling? No, no this isn't right, can't be. No its a dream, that's it, I'll snap awake any moment now.</i>To her surprise and moderate fright, she did not wake before taking up her position on the far side opposite Brollem. Growlithe walked over and stood before her, Primeape standing before Brollem.<br/><br/>The large man crossed his arms, grinning. Primeape was bouncing on the balls of his feet in anticipation, stretching his arms and giving his knuckles a loud crack then rolling his shoulders.<span style="color: red">Alright!</span>Brollem declared.<span style="color: red">As founder of the Pewter City gym, this battle is to be carried out under the guidelines of the Pokemon League Standards for Pokemon Combat!</span>Brollem shouted, his voice booming once again. A number of the villagers looked on, some discarding their work to run to the field and watch - to the dismay of the others who were still working.<br/><br/><span style="color: red">Trainer!</span>Eleyna looked at him, her heart racing.<i>A Gym leader? She was battling a Gym leader?! To hell with the Gym leader, she was BATTLING!</i><br/><br/>She tried to shout back, but her voice caught in her throat. She coughed a a bit and shook her head to try and clear her nerves. She looked up and shouted back as resolutely as she could manage.<span style="color: blue">Yes!?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: red">Are you ready?!</span><br/><br/>Growlithe Battle:<div class="ToggleTriggerAnchor bbCodeSpoilerContainer">
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<div class="SpoilerTarget bbCodeSpoilerText">Eleyna took a long deep breath then gave a nod. <span style="color: blue">We're ready!</span><br/>
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Brollem raised his hand. <span style="color: red">Begin!</span> He brought his hand down. <br/>
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A breath later he shouted, <span style="color: red">Primeape, straight down the middle!</span> <br/>
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Primeape took off, sprinting toward Growlithe, a look of fierce determination in his eyes. <br/>
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Eleyna yelled, <span style="color: blue">Growlithe tackle!</span> She was cut off as the Growlithe charged without waiting for her command. Eleyna realized in a sudden wave of sorrow the Pokemon she was with. So lost in the realization of a dream that she had forgotten the Growlithe. Eleyna closed her mouth. There was no point in even talking. She was an audience member now.<br/>
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As Growlithe's feet fell to the earth he lowered himself into a stance of extreme Agility. Growlithe came at the Primeape who reared his fist to strike hard and heavy with a Rock Smash. But as his fist fell, Growlithe was suddenly at his flank, darting so quickly with a Quick Attack that Primeape didn't even have time to turn. The hit landed, setting Primeape off balance. <br/>
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<span style="color: red">Low!</span> Brollem ordered, and Primeape pivoted, sweeping his leg out for a Low Kick. Growlithe dodged back. And spat an Ember at the Primeape, the little spurt of flame rolling over the Pokemon. Primeape recoiled, readying an attack but was surprised as suddenly Growlithe was one him, fire spilling from his jaws as the Pokemon's teeth come down on Primeape with Fire Fang. <br/>
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The Primeape shouted in pain and wrenched his arm away from Growlithe. Brollem shouts, <span style="color: red">Wind him up!</span> grinning confidently. <br/>
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Primeape Leers at Growlithe suddenly, making the canine Pokemon sneer and bite down on him again. He followed with a second ember, but Primeape dodged, ducking away. Growlithe came at him in a burst, the Quick Attack hitting and knocking the Primeape back before he could retaliate. <br/>
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Eleyna watched, disheartened. She wasn't winning. Growlithe was winning. <br/>
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Growlithe bit down with another Fire Fang, and Primeape Screeched loudly making Growlithe shudder for a moment. Eleyna watched and a realization suddenly reached her. She shouted, <span style="color: blue"> Growlithe back off now! Get back!</span><br/>
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Her cry went unheeded. Growlithe, grinning a look of superiority swept back for a moment, readying another heavy Firefang when suddenly Primeape cut low with his fist, kicking forward. Growlithe tried to dodge back, but only managed to get his paws off the ground. Primeape's fist hit Growlithe, his mastery of Close Combat displayed. The blow kciked Growlithe up into the air and backwards. The Pokemon landed hard and coughed, teeth bared as he tried to get his breath back. <br/>
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<span style="color: blue">Quick Attack!</span> Eleyna yelled. <br/>
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Brollem shouted to Primeape. <span style="color: red">Knock him down!</span><br/>
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Primeape swept low, knocking Growlithe's feet from under him as he stood. <span style="color: blue">Get up, retreat!</span> Eleyna shouted. Growlithe looked up wide eye'd, enraged, furious. He ran at Primeape snarling, biting down hard, his Fire Fang snapping at the air as the finesse with which he attacked earlier was gone, replaced by blind rage. Primeape hit him again,  and Growlithe snarled viciously, snapping at the Primeape who danced away. Growlithe roared in fury and a stream of fire erupted from his mouth, the Flamethrower sweeping the field. The gathered crowd shouted and retreat a few yards as the wild flame attack went awry. <br/>
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<span style="color: red">Finish him!</span> Brollem shouted.<br/>
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Primeape turned and charged, throwing his fist straight into the Flamethrower, ignoring the damage he sustained as he entered into Close Combat with Growlithe once again. He hit Growlithe hard, ending the flamethrower and knocking the Pokemon's head to the side. And then Primeape hit him again, and again, and again, and again. Growlithe tried to bite, to dodge, to bark, but he couldn't. He shuddered, jerked, and was pushed back as each brutal attack landed. <br/>
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<span style="color: blue">Revesal! Reversal! Reversal!</span> eleyna shouted over and over as Growlithe was beaten down. <br/>
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Primeape thrashed Growlithe over and over, and then drew back and grabbed Growlithe, jumping up into the air and spinning, hurling him down into the ground with a Seismic toss. Eleyna felt the impact in the earth. Primeape landed, drew back his fist to attack again. Growlithe tried to snarl, tried to stand, but his legs didn't him, and he flopped back to the ground, beaten.</div>
</div><br/><span style="color: red">Battle over!</span>Brollem announced.<span style="color: red">Primeape is victorious!</span><br/><br/>The gathered crowd cheered and Primeape, injured as he was hopped over to them and bowed, his eyes smiling. Eleyna stood on the edge of the field as the workers went back to it. Brollem watched her for a moment then gave a nod and headed back to work. Eleyna stared at Growlithe who struggled, slowly picking himself up.<br/><br/><span style="color: blue">Why not just give it a try?</span>She said to him.<span style="color: blue">Why not just try to listen to me for once? You know, I may actually be a good trainer! Who knows, maybe you could've won if you did!</span>Growlithe stared at her contemptuously. He turned, and started limping off toward the beach. Eleyna watched him go, glowering after the Pokemon.<span style="color: blue">Fine...</span>she muttered,<span style="color: blue">go off and be a loser. See if I care.</span>She stomped off toward the festival grounds to go help some more.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>