Two days after the spar between Doro and Josie, they join Ran at the foot of the Olivine Lighthouse, just after their morning training sessions. Their teams are all warmed up and in full health and Doro, on having passed by the Lighthouse yesterday when she went for a run, got both Ran and Josie the souvenir pin that indicates their interest in the informal Gauntlet.

  So, finally, after a few days of delay caused by Josie’s arrival, Ran and his friends finally step into the Lighthouse, ready to compete.

  The Lighthouse’s lower parts are publicly accessible of course, the large square base converted to a museum on the history of Olivine and the region. There’s more than a few visitors around, but Josie isn’t a studious type on the best of days, Doro already visited and Ran is too eager to battle, so they ignore the educational experience in favor of rapidly ascending up to the viewing deck. From there, though it isn’t too high up yet, with just how few tall buildings Olivine has, they get a quite impressive view of the city, which really does appear to sprawl on endlessly. With the salty sea breeze unobstructed by buildings and untainted by industry, Ran can definitely understand what drives the many tourists lingering here.

  Again however, they don’t let themselves get sidetracked, heading towards the doors that lead to the Lighthouse’s restricted Trainer-Only area. It’s from that point on that the Lighthouse adopts the far more traditional, stereotypical design, a large rounded cone rising up towards the sky and providing a perfect point from which to shine a bright light out over the ocean.

  Not that said light currently shines, as the sun is bright overhead and visibility is excellent for miles in all directions.

  The doors actually have a distracted League official standing next to them, who is initially distractedly fiddling with something in his hands. When he glances up and notices their approach however, a stern look takes over the man’s features as he watches the three of them closely. Doro doesn’t seem worried however, merely dipping a hand into her training jacket. When she pulls it out, it’s to show off a thin strip of cloth, which she’s pinned each of the badges she’s earned so far on to. It isn’t quite as secure as bringing out her Trainer ID and having it scanned, but it’s clearly sufficient for the official, who noticeably relaxes at the sight.

  Following her lead, Ran pulls open his own jacket, showing off his own badges which he’s got pinned to the inside. Josie has to dig around in her backpack for a moment before she can unveil a small metal container, but once she opens it, she can show off the three badges she’s won thus far. Ran is particularly intrigued by the girls’ badges that he hasn’t acquired yet, which are the Fog Badge from Morty, which both girls have, and the Mineral Badge from Jasmine, which Doro is already the proud owner of.

  Of course he isn’t blind to Doro’s equally intrigued look as she glimpses the Zephyr and Hive Badges, or the way Josie’s expression tightens just a bit when she has to watch both Doro and him showcase the Plain Badge. The end result is the same however, as all three of them are allowed to enter the tower once more, the official lazily waving them on before, after one more look around the tourist deck, once more devoting his attention to what Ran can now tell is a small handheld radio.

  Which is fair enough, the man doesn’t exactly have the world’s most riveting job.

  Upon entering the tower proper, Ran suddenly feels as if he’s an insect put under a magnifying glass, as all of the eyes in the room immediately lock onto him and his two friends. There’s just over half a dozen trainers spread around the large, circular ground floor, with everyone’s attention previously having been on a battle between a clearly flagging Psyduck and an eager Nidorino. Now, however, Ran can feel the trainers spread around the room examining him and his friends, clearly weighing them all up and deciding whether or not to challenge one of them to a match.

  Before Ran can even really take in any further details, one of the trainers, a guy who looks to be in his early twenties, strides over confidently calling out to them before anyone can so much as get a word in, “Whichever one of you three feels like taking me on, one-on-one, I challenge you.”

  Ran freezes on the spot for a moment, not having expected such a brazen approach. Fortunately, Doro has visited the Lighthouse before, as she immediately takes it upon herself to answer, “The last time I came here, it was considered good practice to announce a badge count, when making a challenge. I assume the reason you are so overeager is because you are quite a bit stronger than everyone else here. I apologize for the inconvenience to you, but I am not interested in sacrificing one of my team members just so you can start ascending.”

  The trainer, a dark-haired individual with a build that hints at a lot of time spent either working out or working hard, lets out a begrudgingly amused huff, stepping back and to the side as he answers Doro.

  “Good call, girl. I’ve got sixteen badges in total, Kanto and Johto,” He states, before shifting his attention to Ran and Josie, “How about either of you two? I’ll use my least powerful member, make it educational for you.”

  Both Ran and Josie politely decline, the experienced older trainer skulking away moodily, even as in the background the Nidorino finally defeats the Psyduck it was facing, the triumphant trainer enthusiastically heading for the stairs to the next floor, whilst the loser recalls his Psyduck. He doesn’t depart yet however, another three pokéballs on his belt showing that he’s got other options left.

  It’s something Josie clearly notices as well as, without hesitation, she beelines towards the losing trainer. Ran would like to watch her do whatever it is she’s about to do, but before he can, Doro and he are approached by another trainer, this one a lot closer to their own age, judging by appearance.

  “I’ve got three badges.” The pale and hefty trainer announces, his dirty blonde hair lying flat on the top of his head and looking altogether unpleasantly greasy.

  “I have four.” Doro replies calmly, a message that Ran repeats when the trainer’s attention shifts to him.

  For a moment, his attention wavers between Doro and Ran, before finally settling on Ran.

  “Alright, one-on-one, I challenge you.” The trainer announces, to Ran’s mild surprise.

  “I accept.” He declares immediately and without hesitation, finally giving his newfound opponent a closer examination.

  The trainer in front of him is, as he immediately noticed, not in the kind of shape typically seen amongst traveling trainers. Instead, though he has to be around their own age, he’s got something of a gut, his arms and legs having a significantly greater circumference than even Doro’s muscled limbs. Between that, the pale skin and the hair, Ran can’t help but feel like the other guy has the look of someone used to spending his time on his ass. However, his shirt is clean and well-fitted and there’s an ease to his stance that hints at a more active lifestyle than one might assume at first glance.

  Finally, as Ran’s eyes dip to the number of pokéballs on the other trainer’s belt, he’s surprised to see a full load of six pokéballs clipped on there, which, for a three badge trainer, is a rather surprising sight. Then again, Ran has just one more badge and he’s only got one pokémon fewer, so maybe he’s projecting his own expectations a bit more than he should be.

  They move a bit deeper into the tower, putting some distance between them and the door. On the other side of the room, Josie has clearly successfully goaded the trainer who just lost a match with his Psyduck into a match, but before Ran can really get a good look, he has to put his attention fully on his own match. With a one-on-one and no opportunity to heal up whoever he relies on without leaving the Lighthouse, it actually matters a lot which pokémon he chooses to use first.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  His choice comes down to Skorupi or Croagunk. The others have all had plenty of battles before and, if Ran really does want to make it up multiple floors, they’re the team members he trusts the most to win against other trainers who manage to advance up within the Lighthouse’s informal Gauntlet. Knowing something about his opponent’s team would be helpful, but without that knowledge, there’s no real material advantage to choosing either of his exotic team members over the other.

  So, his choice ultimately just comes down to one simple fact: Croagunk is still waiting for his official debut match as Ran’s team member.

  “Come on out, Croagunk, I’m counting on you.” Ran announces, sending out the poison-fighting-type as he does so.

  Simultaneously, his opponent makes his own selection, sending out a Krabby.

  Croagunk and Krabby face off, whilst Ran can’t hide a proud smile at the evident surprise on his opponent’s face when he gets a proper look at Ran’s rare pokémon.

  “What the hell?” The other trainer utters in disbelief, before his gaze shifts to Ran, “That’s not from Johto or Kanto!”

  “No he isn’t,” Ran allows easily, “This is my Croagunk, he’s from Sinnoh.”

  “You’re too old to be sponsored, what gives?” The other trainer asks, clearly a lot less confident about his decision to challenge Ran now than he was just a minute ago.

  The mention of his lack of a sponsorship grates somewhat, but it’s an old hurt and one Ran manages to ignore easily enough in favor of boasting, “I impressed Gym Leader Chuck, he gifted me Croagunk as a reward.”

  The other trainer’s expression sours further in clear envy, before clearing up slightly as he seems to come to a realization.

  “Is that right? What’s your name then? So I know what to tell Chuck when I cross to Cianwood? I bet he’ll be right impressed to hear I beat you when I had one badge less than you.” He demands with increasing enthusiasm, clearly already daydreaming about a future in which he’s earned a Gym Leader’s favor.

  “I’m Ran Carr. You?” Ran responds calmly, wanting to properly start the match already, but also quite done with mentally referring to his opponent without knowing his name.

  “Vaughn Rollins.” The other trainer, Vaughn, responds with returned confidence, his lack of familiarity with Croagunk seemingly forgotten in the face of potentially accomplishing something he might be able to impress Chuck with down the line.

  Their introductions finally handled, the lack of a referee makes itself known, as Ran and Vaughn merely stare each other down for a few long seconds. Finally, Ran breaks the silence.

  “Taunt.”

  Croagunk obeys immediately, hand already extended towards Krabby and repeatedly curling inwards before Vaughn has even finished processing Ran’s order.

  “Har- Dangit! Water Gun, Krabby!” Vaughn cuts himself off, before hurriedly giving another command entirely.

  “Sucker Punch, Croagunk!” Ran counters, watching with pride as, dark-type energy coating Croagunk’s feet for a moment, his pokémon bursts forwards faster than Krabby can attack, a harsh punch catching it right between the eyes, clearly staggering it for a moment and delaying its Water Gun.

  “Low Kick to knock it over, then Poison Jab!” Ran rattles off in quick succession, hoping to maintain the momentum and not give Vaughn and his Krabby a moment to recover.

  “Protect!” Vaughn demands hurriedly, clearly looking to give his Krabby a moment to regain his bearings.

  It pulls the move off in the nick of time, the peculiar hexagonal shields formed by Protect barely appearing in time to cause Croagunk’s Low Kick to bounce off harmlessly. Ran’s poison-fighting type is actually staggered for a moment by the unexpected resistance, forced to reset his footing before he can follow up with Poison Jab.

  It’s enough of a delay for Vaughn to throw out another command of his own, as he calls for a Mud Shot. It’s an order Ran is less than pleased to hear the other trainer call for, as, whether Vaughn has deduced Croagunk’s typing from the call for Poison Jab or just gotten lucky, it’ll do super-effective damage if it hits.

  There’s no backing out however, as Croagunk’s fist is already glowing with poison-type energy, making a last second switch to Sucker Punch impossible. Instead, Ran can only watch anxiously as his Toxic Mouth Pokémon jabs at Krabby’s hard shell again, even as Krabby’s mouth opens forebodingly.

  Croagunk’s attack connects first, a hard and audible thump ringing out as his fist slams into Krabby’s dense shell. It isn’t enough to knock Krabby out by any means however, nor for that matter does it manage to throw off its attack, like Croagunk’s first Sucker Punch managed to do.

  Krabby’s mouth opens even wider, a massive blob of mud forming in the blink of an eye before shooting out towards Croagunk. At such close range, Ran’s pokémon stands no chance of dodging, forced to take the attack full on. Fortunately, rather than hurt, Ran’s normally good-natured Croagunk seems more peeved than anything, as he rains down a few more punches on top of Krabby’s head, forcefully shutting the River Crab Pokémon’s mouth, which, in turn, also seems to tick Krabby off more than that it actually manages to hurt the water-type.

  Fortunately, Croagunk does have an attack in his arsenal that should be able to inflict damage without needing to overcome Krabby’s thick armor.

  “Venoshock, Croagunk,” Ran instructs immediately, hoping that the alternative approach might yield better results than simply continuing to bash away at Krabby’s sturdy defenses.

  “Stomp!” Vaughn counters hurriedly, causing his Krabby to lash out with one of its large pincers towards Croagunk, who barely manages to leap backwards, even as his cheek pouches bulge out obscenely.

  “Keep it close!” Vaugh orders frantically, but his Krabby just isn’t fast enough, its attempt to scuttle forwards proving insufficient to keep Croagunk within striking range.

  Ran’s team member eagerly uses the moment to spew the poisonous liquid building in his cheek pouches outwards, completely coating and soaking Krabby in mere seconds.

  “Back off, Croagunk, you can beat it at range!” Ran calls, struggling to believe his own words. Of all the things he was expecting of training a fighting-type, instructing it to move out of close range definitely didn’t make his bingo card, but here he is.

  Croagunk obeys immediately, hurriedly skipping backwards, whilst Krabby trembles in place for a moment, clearly far more affected by the Venoshock than by any of Croagunk’s previous attacks.

  “Bubble Beam!” Vaughn commands, trying to snap his pokémon out of its temporary stupor, “We’re still in this, Krabby!”

  “Venoshock again, Croagunk, try and pick your moment, don’t get hit if you don’t have to!” Ran supplies calmly, optimistic about Croagunk’s ability to outdo Krabby in a skirmish.

  That particular belief proves to be mistaken however.

  Because when it opens its mouth and starts spewing its Bubble Beam, Croagunk strafes to the right, his own Venoshock stored up until he can get a clean shot, rather than having to contend directly with Krabby’s attack. But then Krabby simply scuttles to the side, easily keeping pace with Croagunk, its attack suddenly once more on track to hit Croagunk.

  The Toxic Mouth Pokémon manages to fire off his Venoshock in the nick of time, clashing with the Bubble Beam and giving him just enough time to scramble backwards and out of range. For a moment, calm settles over the battle, as both the involved pokémon and both trainers take a moment to take stock of the situation.

  It’s then that Ran finally notices the signs of increasing strain on Krabby, a clear sign that it did in fact get poisoned at some point, though whether from Poison Jab or Croagunk’s overall toxicity, he can’t tell. It doesn’t matter either. All that matters is that, under these circumstances, they can afford to wait their opponents out.

  “Just play keep away, Croagunk. Be ready to counter with Venoshock if you need to.” Ran calls confidently, being the first to break the silence and drawing an aggrieved look from Vaughn. The other trainer is openly annoyed about Ran’s choice to play for time, but that’s not his problem.

  “Bubble Beam! Try and keep the pressure on, this isn’t over yet!” Vaugh encourages his Krabby, which obediently starts to advance towards Croagunk even as it prepares another Bubble Beam.

  But it doesn’t get even remotely close to landing one, with Croagunk confidently staying out of the water-type’s range for the long minute it still takes until, finally, Krabby sags in place, going unconscious from the lingering poison damage. Vaughn looks like he had to bite down on a lemon, recalling his Krabby and mulishly fishing out the appropriate wager, which he hands over to Ran without a word, before stomping off towards the exit, clearly not planning to stick around. Though whether that’s because he already lost his other team members, or because he doesn’t want to try and make it to the next floor with one team member already down, Ran doesn’t know.

  Looking around for a moment, he realizes that, at some point, Josie wandered over, the smug grin on her face making it very clear that she already won her match. Ran has to look for Doro for a moment, only to spot her in the waning stages of a battle of her own, on the other side of the floor. Her Croagunk, Toff, lands a decisive Poison Jab within seconds of Ran’s attention shifting towards its fight against a very unfortunately outmatched Skiploom.

  Doro swiftly handles her post-match formalities, before joining Josie and Ran himself. Then, all three of them having won a match, they head for the stairs to the next floor.