Pokémon: Above the Top

"Sato… are you really going to challenge the Gym?"

After learning Sato's name, even calling him by his name became difficult for Maylene.

If it weren't for what had just happened, she probably would've had an even worse impression of him.

No, she already did. But now she just felt conflicted.

"It's not called "challenging the Gym". It's just a normal practice match. Same thing as a Gym Challenge," Sato said, boldly lying through his teeth.

"But Grandpa told me… he said you're a Dark King from Johto, and that only by defeating you can our Veilstone Gym continue to exist."

Maylene wasn't as easy to fool as expected. She put her hands on her hips and declared it seriously.

Sato was speechless. 'What even was this? A Dark King from Johto?' That kind of talk was ruining his legendary reputation!

"Maylene, so you're a Gym kid, huh?" Sato pretended to just realize it, then lowered his voice and asked, "…So is the Gym Leader your dad? Or your grandpa?"

"The Gym Leader is my… I can't say!" Maylene had almost answered, but then remembered what Sato had come for. She clamped her mouth shut and ran off immediately.

Seeing her bolt, the other kids followed like a stampede. After everything that happened today, they'd need at least two full bottles of Moomoo Milk to recover emotionally.

No, three bottles!

"Sato, my house is nearby. Why don't you come visit? My mom and dad would be super happy to know I met such an amazing Trainer!"

Reggie extended the invitation enthusiastically. Beside him, Paul also looked hopeful, his gaze drifting toward Gengar.

Sato chuckled internally. These two probably did want to invite them over, but mostly to find out what other "awesome" Pokémon he had.

"We've got things to do, so we'll pass. But tomorrow morning, I'll be challenging Veilstone Gym. If you want to see my Pokémon, come watch then."

"H-Hehe, okay Sato! I'll definitely be there tomorrow!" Reggie laughed awkwardly, clearly caught red-handed, and ran off with Paul.

"Feeling good, huh? You were never this friendly with our own brats back at the Gym," Joseph teased.

Back at Shadownight Gym, Sato was always dead serious. The kids were kind of scared of him.

"It's different. At the Gym, everyone calls me 'Leader.' That naturally creates a hierarchy. They don't initiate conversation, and their respect is rooted more in fear than admiration."

Sato explained briefly, then said no more. He turned and headed back to the Pokémon Center; tomorrow's battle needed proper preparation.

Veilstone Gym wasn't as famous as Sunyshore Gym, where Volkner was stationed, but deep-rooted Gyms like this never chased flashy titles like "1th Gym."

When it came to aces, old Gyms could easily crush newly established ones.

Just like Olivine Gym next to Shadownight Town, which had been officially delisted from Johto's Eight Gyms a few years back. But once Jasmine matured, that title would be hers again in no time.

And all along, Jasmine's family had firmly controlled Olivine Gym and City.

That was what really mattered. And Veilstone Gym wasn't just steeped in legacy, it also never had an unreliable Gym Leader like Tetsuya.

So if they really made up their mind to go all out against Sato, sending out three Pseudo-Elite Four-Pokémon in a row, he wouldn't be surprised at all.

---

Time passed quickly as Sato actively prepared for the battle. In the blink of an eye, it was already the next morning.

After breakfast, the three of them headed straight to Veilstone Gym.

Before even stepping inside, they saw dozens of Gym trainees and registered Trainers lined up in two rows, all wearing martial arts uniforms and staring solemnly toward the entrance.

"This setup… they're clearly trying to overpower us with sheer presence and win without a fight!" Mark puffed with indignation, his face full of 'you're being so unfair' energy.

"Let's go. Quit the drama," Joseph rolled his eyes at Mark, dragged him along, and followed Sato inside.

"RAAAAH!"

"M-Mommyy!!"

The moment they entered, all the trainees and Trainers shouted at once, startling Mark so badly he jumped in the air and even let out a squeal.

Sato and Joseph covered their faces. They were startled too, but at least they hadn't shown it.

So embarrassing…

Sure enough, seeing how easily spooked Mark was, a few of the less-disciplined trainees and Trainers couldn't help but sneer mockingly.

'A little punk like that dares to challenge the Gym? He's better off playing kickball!'

"We're going in first," Joseph grabbed the furious Mark, then turned to Sato.

Sato nodded and took the lead into the Gym.

Only after the three of them passed through the "tunnel of welcome" did the Gym crowd return to normal. With smug expressions, they exchanged glances and slowly headed off to watch the match.

"Sha! Sha-Sha!"

But just then, the sunny morning suddenly turned pitch black. A ghostly head with a blood-red tongue suddenly appeared right in front of everyone.

Its slimy tongue squirmed with a wet slithering sound. The next second, everyone felt a chill on their necks as uncontrollable shivers ran through their bodies.

The ghostly head vanished. The sunlight returned. But the Gym trainees and Trainers all felt freezing cold and paralyzed with trembling limbs.

"G-g-g-g…"

Someone tried to speak but just became a broken record.

"I-it-it-it…"

"Used-used-used a… a-a…"

"Pokémon!"

"D-d-disgraceful!"

They all had the same thought, so one person said two words at a time, barely stringing together a sentence.

After finishing, they all stared at each other with wide eyes, realizing none of them could move a muscle.

"Everyone says the Leader of Shadownight Gym is good at using Dark-type Pokémon, but after seeing this today… your Ghost-type mastery isn't lacking either…"

Inside the Gym, a spirited old man sat cross-legged, watching as Sato and his group entered. He spoke slowly.

"Mhm, thanks for the compliment."

The old man choked. He hadn't expected Sato to be so blunt. His attempt to pull "seniority" and "teach the young guy a lesson" got stuck in his throat.

"You really are a young one…" After a long pause, the old man finally forced out a sentence.

"On behalf of Elite Four Bertha, I'm here to assess a few Gyms in the Sinnoh Region. Please proceed."

Sato wasn't in the mood to chit-chat. This old man clearly wanted to test him right out the gate, and he definitely wasn't some kind grandpa.

He was also the one who started spreading the "Dark King" nickname, always poisoning the minds of children.

Totally asking for a beating!