I, Gary, Want to Become a Pokemon Master

The rooftop battlefield of the Fortree Gym.

Gary and Winona stood on elevated platforms at opposite ends of the arena. This unique command area was specifically designed for aerial combat, and required Trainers to issue commands from high above the field.

It also served a psychological purpose—Trainers with a fear of heights were expected to overcome it over time by battling in this environment.

The referee noticed Gary's calm and confident demeanor. Clearly, this was no ordinary challenger—he was experienced in Gym battles.

"Now… let the Gym battle between Fortree Gym Leader Winona and challenger Gary begin! Each side may use three Pokémon. The battle ends when all Pokémon on one side are unable to continue," the referee announced.

"In addition, only the challenger is permitted to make substitutions. Let the battle commence!"

Winona tossed out a Poké Ball.

"Altaria, take flight!"

"Taaaah!"

Altaria, with its sky-blue body and fluffy white cloud-like wings, appeared and soared into the sky.

[Lv. 36 Altaria ♂ | Gym Potential]

Gary furrowed his brow. Winona had made a smart opening move—Altaria was a Dragon-type, exactly the kind of matchup Gary had hoped to avoid.

"Gardevoir, your first battle—let's go!" Gary called, throwing a Poké Ball.

"Garde!"

Gardevoir appeared in a shimmer of light—a shiny variant, with striking blue accents.

She looked up at the airborne Altaria, unfazed and confident.

"Voir..."

Gardevoir stayed on high alert. She was determined to win this.

"It's Gardevoir… Altaria, use Peck!" Winona commanded.

Knowing Fairy-types were immune to Dragon-type attacks, and aware of Gardevoir's frailty against physical moves, Winona wisely chose a Flying-type physical attack.

"Aaaah!"

Altaria dived swiftly, its beak infused with wind energy, aiming straight for Gardevoir. Just as Altaria was about to strike, Gardevoir teleported slightly to the side and narrowly avoided the blow.

Altaria was startled but quickly turned in pursuit. However, Gardevoir remained one step ahead, dodging again.

"Disarming Voice!" Gary ordered.

"Voiiiir~!"

Gardevoir let out a melodic cry, unleashing waves of pink sound energy.

"Taaah!!"

Altaria shrieked as the sound waves struck, its body trembling before it plummeted to the ground.

"Gardevoir, Ice Punch!"

Gardevoir teleported beside the stunned Altaria. Her right fist glowed with freezing energy as she struck Altaria hard in the back.

"Taaahhh!!"

Altaria let out a final cry before going limp, eyes closed as it hit the ground.

"Altaria is unable to battle—Gardevoir wins!" declared the referee.

"She can use Ice Punch?" Winona muttered in surprise. She had expected Fairy-type attacks—but Ice Punch?

Wasn't Gardevoir a special attacker? Why teach it a physical Ice-type move?

Gary didn't dwell on it. The system-gifted Ice-type move happened to be Ice Punch, and Gardevoir had to make do. It worked.

Winona returned Altaria and sent out her next Pokémon.

"Skarmory, it's your turn!"

"Skar!"

A large, metallic bird Pokémon emerged, gleaming in the sunlight.

[Lv. 35 Skarmory ♂ | Quasi-Elite Potential]

Skarmory's Steel typing gave it resistance to both Psychic and Fairy-type attacks, and it wasn't weak to Ice Punch. A solid counter to Gardevoir.

"Skarmory, use Air Cutter!"

Skarmory flapped its sharp wings, sending out crescent-shaped blades of wind toward Gardevoir.

Thanks to her telepathic abilities, Gardevoir managed to dodge several of them, though a few still made contact. Fortunately, the damage wasn't severe.

"Gardevoir, use Aura Sphere!" Gary ordered.

Gardevoir summoned a glowing sphere of blue energy, which homed in on Skarmory as it flew upward.

"Steel Wing, intercept it!" Winona responded. Skarmory's special attack was weak, so using a physical move to counter was the best bet.

Skarmory's wings glowed silver as it slashed the incoming Aura Sphere.

Whoosh!!

The Aura Sphere was knocked back—but at that moment, a bolt of golden electricity shot up from below and struck Skarmory directly.

"Skeeeee-kree!!"

Skarmory let out a metallic screech and dropped, paralyzed. Its heavy armor only intensified the electric shock, leaving its body temporarily unresponsive.

"Skarmory, hang in there!" Winona cried.

She hadn't expected Gary's Gardevoir to have such a wide range of moves.

"Gardevoir, finish it with Confusion," Gary said.

Gardevoir's eyes glowed blue. Her psychic power gripped the falling Skarmory and accelerated its descent.

BOOM!!

Dust exploded from the impact zone. When it cleared, a crater remained—Skarmory lay motionless inside.

"Skarmory is unable to battle—Gardevoir wins!"

Winona was visibly shaken. Gardevoir's raw power wasn't overwhelming, but Gary's tactics were precise and devastating.

This wasn't about the Pokémon. It was about the Trainer.

She looked at Gary in disbelief. His strategic command had completely outclassed hers.

The sequence had been flawless: using Aura Sphere as a feint, sneaking in a surprise Thunderbolt, then finishing with a Confusion-powered crash.

"I underestimated you. That won't happen again," Winona said seriously, returning Skarmory. Then she threw her final Poké Ball.

"Fly high with me—Swellow, let's go!"

"Swellowww!!"

A shiny Swellow—green-feathered and fierce—emerged and took flight.

This was her trump card Pokémon, just like in the anime.

[Lv. 40 Swellow ♂ | Elite Potential]

This Swellow had clearly been trained by a new, high-level Breeder.

Gary narrowed his eyes. Winona was Wallace's girlfriend. There was no way she was this weak. These Pokémon were just her standard Gym team.

"Swellow, Aerial Ace!"

"Screeee!"

Swellow soared with blinding speed toward Gardevoir.

"Voir!"

Gardevoir braced herself, but couldn't track the precise direction of the attack. Aerial Ace was guaranteed to hit—telepathy wouldn't help.

WHAM!!

Swellow struck from behind, driving its beak into Gardevoir's lower back, nearly knocking her to the floor.

"Gardevoir, use Dazzling Gleam!" Gary called.