step one: a normal battle [c]

The road here was full of uncertainty. She was a researcher, not a battler. A scientist, not a strategist. Yet here she was, standing in front of the door to the Petalburg Gym. Inside was the first step down a possible very long road. At the same time, inside could be a dead end she never got around.

"Am I ready?" It was the question left on her tongue as the doors slid open. She'd trained in the woods for hours the previous night. Each pokemon had spent some time out and about, even that Wooper she had so little faith in. Yet she still couldn't be sure. This was a gym trainer, and the only experience she had under her belt was a handful of wild pokemon battles and a few battle classes years and years ago. Still, she pushed herself through the door, reached for a pokeball at her belt.

"You need to learn how to battle," she whispered to herself, clutching the pokeball hard. "You need to learn how to battle well." She'd been a researcher far too long. She decided it right there in the middle of the gym. No, rather, she'd been just a researcher for far too long. She was a member of Team Magma, a veteran of the group. For years she'd overseen its growth without ever putting herself in harms way. She wanted to change that, at least to some extent.

"Well, change is right here," Gwen murmured to herself again, this time drawing up the pokeball protectively to her chest, it was time to do this, "My name is Gwen Darby!" She shouted into the empty gym.

"And I formally challenge you, Norman, to a pokemon battle!" She already felt foolish, face red as she readied the pokeball at her side. She could feel sweat collecting underneath her blouse and on her brow. The heat in her face was unbearable, but she kept her face stern and her stance sure. She would win this.

@npcmod