Luke entered Zephyr City, having already passed through the woods surrounding it. Birds flew around wildly. You couldn't look somewhere and not see a bird. The magic of a Flying-Type based city. But Luke felt uncomfortable. Aurus wasn't here beside him. Caesar the Monferno grunted, trying to keep Luke happy. Ursa walked on ahead, looking for the gym. Horus the Xatu flew overhead. And Doragon battled any bird that he could see.
"Ursaring!" Ursa grunted, pointing. The Zephyr City Gym.
"Let's go," Luke said, entering the gym. A gym battle without Aurus... That wasn't appealing. But Aurus would want him to keep on training.
"Hello trainer," the gym leader said. She stood tall with white dyed hair that fell to her shoulders. She was thin, but looked like she could easily hold her own.
"Hello," Luke said, "I am Luke Branson. And I am here to win the Zephyr City Badge."
"Then let's get right to it," Skylar smiled, "Go Skarmory!"
"Go Caesar!"
The Monferno roared at the Skarmory.
"You still have a Monferno? By now it should have evolved."
"I'll bet it evolves during this battle, and helps me to win," Luke smiled, "Use Fire Punch!"
Caesar swung a flaming fist at Skarmory, catching her talons as she flew upwards. Skarmory shot back down, headed for Caesar.
"Flame Wheel!" Luke ordered. Caesar created a flame wheel, and blasted Skarmory. Skarmory fainted.
"Return," Skylar said, "Go Braviary! Use Brave Bird!"
Braviary burst into blue energy, and soared towards Caesar.
"Use Close Combat Caesar!"
Caesar jumped on Braviary, and pounded him with his fists. Braviary tumbled into the ground, exhausted. Caesar leapt upwards, and came down with a Fire Punch on Braviary.
"Nice job out there Braviary. Now go Staraptor! Use Aerial Ace!"
Staraptor did all sorts of aerial tricks, then slammed into Caesar's back. Caesar fell, then began to shimmer.
"Told ya so," Luke grinned, cockily.
Caesar stood up confidently, and roared. He was an Infernape.
"Alright Caesar! Flame Wheel!"
Caesar created a flame wheel. Larger, hotter, and brighter than any flame wheel he had created as a Monferno. Then, he released it. It slammed into Staraptor, searing his wings. Staraptor got back up, and used Aerial Ace again. Monferno caught Staraptor's beak, and let his hands ignite around the beak. Staraptor shrieked. Caesar kicked Staraptor back, then ended the battle with Close Combat.
"That. Was. Insane." Skylar said, shocked, "Here's the Soar Badge."
Luke took the badge in his hand proudly. He knew Aurus would be proud too. He, Caesar, Ursa, Horus, and Doragon all headed outside. There was a festival going on.