As one of the two leaders of the Goldenrod City Gym, Mako saw a lot of newbies. All ages, classes, and elements lived in the city, and training was something that everyone could love.
He and Bo didn't go easy on new trainers. But they certainly made sure not to rough them up too much. Just enough so they'd want to come back and try again. Either way, Mako never showed off his true power, not for Gym battles.
Today, he was musing over his gym trainers. The gym worked like this: there were two paths to the Gym leaders, and challengers had to pick one. If they went down Bolin's side, they would face a number of trainers, but they would be underleveled. If they picked Mako's side, they would only fight a few trainers, but they would be powerful. And whichever side the challenger picked, that was the Gym leader who would choose the strongest of his Pokemon to fight. It was a system he and Bolin had worked out long ago, and it worked perfectly.
Mako's thoughts drifted to the two trainers that blocked him. One of them had been slacking lately, and Gym trainers were eager and came by the dozen. Every young trainer wanted to learn from a professional. Perhaps he would have to look over some of the other youngsters ripe and ready to go...
Suddenly, the door slammed open, and Mako stood. Whoever was at the door was no typical challenger. "Who's there?" he called. Bolin still wasn't back from his errands... was it him? Mako couldn't tell. He kept a hand on the Pokeball containing his Manectric, just in case.
