Pokemon: Gym Leader

"Come quick, everyone! Blue's back to challenge the gym again!"

"Huh? He finally returned, huh."

Up in the spectators' seating, Selene, Lillie, Asha, and Yellow were already lined up, waiting for the battle to begin.

"Who's this Blue guy?" Lillie asked curiously. She hadn't joined the Rota Gym when Blue first came to challenge it.

"He's an arrogant guy, but his strength is undeniable. Honestly, he's probably the most talented challenger we've ever had," Selene replied. Her impression of Blue was strong—after all, he was Gary's older brother, and his skills were just as impressive as his cocky attitude.

Yellow, intrigued, listened quietly as her seniors discussed Blue.

"According to him earlier, he's already reached Champion-level. He only started his journey this year. That kind of talent is insane," Asha whispered.

"A rookie Champion-level trainer?" Lillie blinked in surprise.

Having followed Dylan on his travels, Lillie had seen her fair share of Champion-level trainers. But a rookie who had reached that level so quickly? This was a first for her.

"Pfft~ If he can do it in a year, so can I!" Selene declared proudly, crossing her arms with an air of confidence.

"Mm-hmm~ Selene, you absolutely can!" Lillie and Asha chimed in with supportive smiles.

They weren't trainers themselves, but that didn't stop them from cheering on their sister. And they truly believed in her—Selene's progress was nothing short of astounding.

Meanwhile, down on the battlefield, Dylan and Blue had already taken their positions.

"The Rota Gym challenge is now beginning, with Blue from Pallet Town as the challenger!"

"This is a 5v5 match. Gym Leader Dylan will send out his Pokémon first and is prohibited from switching them. If all five of Dylan's Pokémon are defeated, the challenger wins!"

"Let the battle begin!"

The referee announced the rules clearly before stepping off the field.

The large scoreboard lit up, displaying the half-body portraits of Dylan and Blue.

"Dylan, this time, I will beat you!"

Blue cracked his knuckles, a cocky grin spreading across his face.

Grass-types? He'd beaten Erika's Celadon City Gym with ease, sweeping her team with his Arcanine.

And now he was a Champion-level trainer. Beating a Grass-type team? Child's play.

"It's not good to start boasting before the battle even begins, Blue."

Dylan chuckled as he gracefully adjusted his collar and casually twirled a Poké Ball in his hand.

"Blue, I'm sure you've faced many Grass-type trainers by now. But do you truly understand Grass-types?"

"Grass Pokémon possess vitality far beyond your imagination. Their resilience and strength... well, let me show you firsthand."

"My first Pokémon—here we go!"

Dylan tossed the Poké Ball lightly.

"Whimsicott! Get ready for battle!"

With a lively trill, a Pokémon covered in fluffy cotton gently floated down onto Dylan's side of the battlefield. It was a Whimsicott.

Having trained it for over half a month, Whimsicott's level was now quite high.

"A Grass- and Fairy-type Whimsicott?"

Blue raised an eyebrow. Dylan's Pokémon were always so diverse, hailing from all sorts of regions. While Blue remembered studying Whimsicott in the Pokédex, this was the first time he'd actually encountered one in battle.

Meanwhile, in the spectator area, a few seasoned challengers who had battled Dylan before were muttering to each other.

"This guy's in trouble."

"Ugh, that Whimsicott! It's the most infuriating thing ever! Can it just not exist?!"

"Hey, show some respect! Whimsicott is adorable! How could you hate it?"

"?? Didn't you just say yesterday that it made you want to throw your Pokédex out the window?"

"Well... I've changed my mind. I even asked my cousin's brother-in-law's nephew to get me a Cottonee. It's amazing!"

"...You're shameless."

"Whatever! I won't let you badmouth Whimsicott!"

The challengers were one step away from starting a brawl over Whimsicott's reputation.

Of course, Blue was oblivious to their banter.

"Arcanine! It's your turn!"

Blue confidently threw his Poké Ball, summoning his trusted partner, Arcanine.

The majestic Arcanine landed gracefully in front of Blue, letting out a commanding growl.

Its Intimidate ability activated, sending out an invisible wave of pressure that caused Whimsicott's physical attack to drop by one stage.

"Of course, it's Arcanine," Dylan noted, unfazed.

"As the challenger, you have the first move," he offered graciously, gesturing for Blue to go ahead.

"Then don't mind if I do!" Blue didn't hesitate.

"Arcanine, use Flamethrower!"

Fire beats Grass. It was a basic rule of Pokémon battles. And while he wasn't familiar with Whimsicott's capabilities, starting with Flamethrower to probe its defenses was the safest option.

"Leech Seed," Dylan said with a calm smile.

"Huh?" Blue frowned. Leech Seed? Wasn't Dylan going to dodge the Flamethrower?

Whimsicott let out a playful giggle, scattering tiny green seeds at high speed toward Arcanine.

With its Prankster ability, Whimsicott's status moves had priority, allowing the Leech Seed to land before Arcanine could unleash its attack.

The seeds quickly burrowed into Arcanine's fur, and more sprouted on the ground beneath it, entangling its legs with rapidly growing vines.

But Arcanine's Flamethrower was already in motion, blazing toward Whimsicott.

Boom!

The flames engulfed Whimsicott, causing it to cry out in pain. Fire-type moves were super effective against Grass-types, and the damage was substantial.

However, moments later, small green orbs of light emerged from Arcanine's body and floated toward Whimsicott. The Leech Seed had begun sapping its health to heal Whimsicott.

"Arcanine, use Flare Blitz!" Blue commanded, clicking his tongue in annoyance. He needed to burn off those vines immediately.

"Encore," Dylan countered with a sly grin.

"...What?!" Blue's eyes widened in realization.

Whimsicott clapped its tiny hands, emitting a mysterious wave of energy.

Arcanine froze for a moment before growling in frustration—it could no longer use Flare Blitz. Instead, it was forced to repeat Flamethrower.

"Flamethrower again! Burn those vines!" Blue barked, trying to salvage the situation.

"Light Screen," Dylan said, his tone steady.

Whimsicott conjured a semi-transparent barrier, significantly reducing the damage from special moves.

As Arcanine burned away the vines with its Flamethrower, a small amount of health was sapped by the persistent Leech Seed, flowing back to Whimsicott.

"Flamethrower isn't enough to stop me. Whimsicott, Cotton Guard," Dylan commanded.

Whimsicott's fluffy cotton expanded, glowing faintly as its physical defense was greatly increased.

Blue's face darkened. This wasn't going according to plan at all.

Despite his efforts, Arcanine's health was being steadily drained, while Whimsicott had fortified itself into an impenetrable wall.

He couldn't believe it. Was this really just a Grass-type?

Looking at the smug little Whimsicott swaying playfully on the battlefield, Blue clenched his fists in frustration.

"...What even is this thing?!"

(End of Chapter)