The Unova League's Daycare Leader (Private with theJozza)

[GreaterGood]

Cheren was strolling along the streets of Asperia with Lenora, a woman he called his mentor on his resume, but that he never really got to know. She seemed to consider him something of a protégée, but he was a bit to caught up in his reputation to care all that much about anything else. Every hair perfectly gelled into slick spikes, his intimidating business uniform, his professional "serious business" demeanor, that was all that really mattered to him. He walked like a machine, each step keeping perfect time with the last.

"I'd like to extend my most sincere gratitude for these renovations," Cheren said flatly, adjusting his glasses, "A project like this will look excellent in my league statistics, and I just can't say no to having a bigger office."

[theJozza]

"Oh you're very welcome, Cheren," Lenora replies back with a smile. "I can assure you that your gym is now...one of a kind." She adds, while stifling a chuckle at Cheren's cluelessness.

The truth was that there was a lot more to the current situation than just some "renovations." As it happened, the Unova league had been receiving less than stellar reports on Cheren's behavior as a leader from both his challengers and even the trainers that served under him in the gym. Apparently while the young trainer's skills were still sharp, his arrogant attitude had been getting far out of hand since his appointment. As such, Lenora had been persuaded to reopen her gym and retake the position as Unova's normal gym leader. However, the maternal woman had one condition for this, as she found the league's initial plan of simply striping Cheren of his position and permanently closing his gym to be too harsh. Instead, she had come up with her own plan to both repair Aspertia gym's reputation and give Cheren a bit of an attitude adjustment.

Technically, virtually all of this had been explained to Cheren in the various League communications, but the way he was carrying himself made it abundantly clear to Lenora that he hadn't actually read any of them, at least not closely. Of course she didn't mind that too much as a part of her was rather looking forward to the look on his face when they went inside.

[GreaterGood]

"Oh, that paperwork you've been sending," Cheren says, looking back at her as they continue walking, "My secretary keeps giving me weird looks, is something wrong with it? I've been meaning to ask for a while, but I've been busy designing the new Aspertia Gym Trainer uniform."

Cheren's arrogance was overstated, the larger problem he'd had was always his obsession with professionalism. So what if trainers get annoyed when he gives them constructive feedback, so what if they don't like his attitude. That was their problem. As far as he was concerned, having over-leveled partners just encouraged trainers to get better before challenging him.

As they finally arrive at the new building, Cheren notices a tarp is still over the "Aspertia City Gym" sign, and the official league gym logo. He didn't think much of it, but wasn't today the grand unveiling? There should be a ribbon in front of the gym, not a bunch of shiny tarps over the signs and plaques that have his name on them. He pauses, for a moment, before continuing inside with her.

The interior isn't exactly how he remembered it. The books on the shelves are less scholarly, more edutainment-style picture books. He chuckles as he sees them.

"That's a fitting choice," Cheren says, as they approach the large-looking room that he assumes to be his office, "Sometimes I don't know why I bother battling some trainers if they aren't willing to do basic research on their own. It's not our job to teach them, it's to test them."

[theJozza]

Lenora manages to hold in her laughter as Cheren confirms her suspicions, but she sighs and shakes her head a bit at his final comment. She knew the young man had skill and potential to be even greater, but if there was one thing she had always found frustrating it was a gym leader who didn't lead.

"Well I suppose that is one way to look at it," She replies as they come to the door of the main arena. "But frankly I've always felt that it's possible and appropriate to do both." As they come to the door, Lenore stops and turns to face Cheren. "Now before we go any further Cheren there are a few things I'd like to clarify. First, despite what you seem to think the gym won't be open for another few days as we want to get you...settled in first," her smile perks up again. "Second, well I suppose it will be better to explain the rest after you see what's been done..." She reaches to press the button that will open the door to the main arena.

[GreaterGood]

Cheren steps into the new battle area, and immediately notices something... off. He can't quite put his fingers on it, but he'd never seen a pokemon arena be a rubber mat over a carpeted floor before. Every color in the gym felt muted, the signature red stripe on the wall to the extent that it looks... almost pink? He can't deny that the arena looks cozy, but-

"Isn't this a fire hazard?" Cheren asked, tossing his pokeball up and down like a fidget as he continues to walk toward one of the spots to get a feel for it, "I mean, I know I'm the first gym, but it seems like you're accommodating to the 18-year-old kiddie trainers, fresh out of the professor's office."

[theJozza]

"Well the the truth is Cheren," Lenora says stepping forward and putting her arm around him and leading him toward a door that once lead to his office. "Your gym has been redesigned to specifically target beginner trainers, but at a bit lower of a level than that. Now then I think it's time to show you the final alteration as this is going to be about your new status." She pushes open the door and walks ahead of him.

What was once an office can now only be called a nursery. There's a crib, playpen, dresser filled with baby clothes, toy chest, mound of pokemon stuffies, and a fully stocked changing table which Lenora walks over too and leans against with a smug and almost expectant smirk on her face. As she waits for Cheren's reaction she casuallly withdraws a diaper from the table's side compartment and plays with it absentmindedly. This reveals that the diaper, along with all the furniture, doesn't look like the size meant for a baby. It actually looks the perfect size for someone like Cheren...

[GreaterGood]

"You... did this to my office, what exactly-" Cheren cuts himself off as he begins to realize, "No, no, no no no! You're not taking my gym, you're not taking my title after all the work I put in!"

She'd seen Cheren annoyed several times, but this is the first time he's every looked angry. He dramatically throws his glasses to the ground, retrieving a pokeball. He summons his Herdier.

"Right here, right now!" He shouts through gritted teeth, "One pokemon each! I win, I get my title back..."

He doesn't say what'll happen if he loses.

[theJozza]

Lenora watches Cheren lose his temper unfazed. While she had never seen him this angry before, she had expected him to react as much.

"Okay, okay, hold on a minute," She says calmly setting the diaper back on the changing table and walking up to him, her tone and expression calm and confident. "First off, it's a little counterproductive to argue your maturity and worthiness of your position by throwing a tantrum," she says raising an eyebrow, "second, if you want to battle we should at least head out onto the field first," she adds walking past him and onto the field, "And third," she turns with an even more confident smile. "I accept. Two on two, you win, we'll put everything back to normal. I win, you go along with everything you've technically already agreed to, plus a few additions of my own." She chuckles. Truth be told she'd almost been hoping Cheren would do this as it gave her the chance to change the deal even more in her favor.

[GreaterGood]

"Fine!" Cheren says, ignoring everything she said other than the acceptance of the challenge and following her, "Let's get this over with, once and for all!"

On the field, Cheren keeps his Herdier on the field, and also releases his Liepard.

"Let's see what you have that can compete with true might!" He says, something of an anxious smile on his face.

He knows how strong Lenora is, and is betting on her being out of practice. He know's he's wrong.

[theJozza]

Lenora smirks and tosses out her two pokeballs. They pop open revealing her Stoutland and Watchog. The former's eyes narrow as it's intimidate ability triggers.

"Might huh?" Lenora says as she crosses her arms. "Well in my experience might alone can be a fragile thing. Watchog confuse ray!"

[Watc] The pokemon jumps forward its eyes glowing red and firing out beams at each of Cheren's pokemon.