<div class="floatleft">(http://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/1/11/VSBrock.png)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Brock<br/><br/><strong>Location:</strong>Douglasberg Casino<br/><br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Elly, Draven, Marco<br/><br/><strong>Current Pokémon:</strong>Onix<br/><br/><hr/><br/>In contrast to all of the other events taking place that day, the ringing of the bell didn't follow with the clapping and roaring of the crowd. In reality, the spectators just stared with awe and confusion, unsure whether or not Brock had actually won with his forceful maneuver. Did the gold that was stored in the pyramid count toward his score, or was it an illegal move on his part that would end up with him losing, or even getting removed from the contest. After a few minutes of deliberation, the MC came out onto the platform and, with an apologetic, almost fearful look at Elly across the beach, announced Brock as the winner! Apparently, being physically on the beach made the treasure in the pyramid count, since it was only out of sight, not out-of-bounds.<br/><br/>Since his victory was already official, Brock had to grin at Elly's displeasure, enjoying the turnaround of her attitude from before. "Gym Leaders shouldn't be sore losers," he warned and taunted her, actually giving sound advice. She wouldn't get very far if she couldn't handle the initial losses she would face on her path to real strength. "You took advantage of your type's specialities, and I took advantage of mine's. Rock doesn't let anything stand in its path; it uses its pure, unyielding toughness to cut through any obstacles and reach its goal, like a boulder going down a hill. My advantage was just stronger this time."<br/><br/>Stepping forward, the Rock-type leader, slid down the mound of fake treasure he had gathered, happy to have the crowd's renewed cheers drowning out their conversation. He didn't want Elly to get even more mad and embarrassed by their conversation being heard. "Anyway, you're exaggerating. Onix just cut a hole in the outer wall with Stone Edge. A bit of superficial repair work at most. If he had broken any of the mechanics, you would know it," he explained, picking up a plastic ruby larger than his fist and tossing it up and down. "I'll cover the damages, but with how much a steak costs in your hotel, I think I'm the one getting robbed," he joked, carefree once again as the competitive edge wore off. There was definitely no guarantee it wouldn't return later in the competition, though.<br/><br/>Making his way over to Elly and Draven, he was about to congratulate the two on putting on a fine match in their own right, but was interrupted by the arrival of another strange character on the talons of a very rare Aerodactyl. Honestly, even as he shook Marco's hand, he found himself more distracted with looking at the ancient pokémon (a fact that Aerodactyl was sure to be pretty happy about). He had only ever seen one of these beautiful pokémon before, back when the museum in Pewter City reanimated one for one of his early challengers as a Gym Leader, one who would eventually become Champion.<br/><br/>Ironically, it was only when Marco started to speak specifically about the Aerodactyl and introduce him that Brock started paying attention to the trainer instead of the pokémon, staring at his fellow Rock Gym Leader's familiar visage. "I feel like I've seen you somewhere before. Have you ever visited Pewter City?" the veteran trainer asked, unaware he was speaking with someone who had lived there quite some time ago.<br/><br/>===<br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://moe.animecharactersdatabase.com/uploads/chars/5688-670803075.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Dr. Cedony Pierce<br/><br/><strong>Location:</strong>Old Douglasberg, Ruins<br/><br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Hibana<br/><br/><strong>Current Pokémon:</strong>None<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The doctor was grateful that Hibana didn't have any further questions for now and followed her the rest of the way up the stairs in silence, letting the sound of the younger woman's footsteps and the signals from her own sensory rings lead the way. Finally, once they were out of the ruined building and onto the more solidly built metal walkway, she become more confident and sure in her steps, less threatened by the potential of falling through a rotted floorboard she couldn't see. Of course, out in the open of the massive underground cavern, there were bigger threats lying in wait.<br/><br/>It was amazing that such a large creature could sneak up on anyone, let alone a blind woman with enhanced hearing and two pokémon, but as they stepped out into the "open air," a heavy breathing caused Dr. Pierce to whirl around in surprise and trepidation. Atop the building they had just exited, a pair of red eyes glinted in the darkness, yet were only a small percent of the massive Steelix that had defeated Lexi and now tracked down her friend. Deliberately, the impressive creature raised its head and opened its mouth, charging up its DragonBreath and releasing a stream of superheated, yellow air down toward them.