Pokemon: Gym Leader

"A Normal-type team still feels incomplete."

Dylan sat in the backyard of Rota Gym, looking at the three Pokémon before him. In reality, he had several other Normal-type Pokémon as well.

For example, he had Ursaluna, his partner Eevee, and his ace, Terapagos, which also happened to be Normal-type.

Technically, he already had a full team.

But team-building wasn't that simple.

Terapagos was way too overpowered for a Normal-type team meant to face regular challengers. Meanwhile, Smeargle, Porygon, and Happiny were all new and still needed training.

Sure, he could use "growth simulations" to boost their progress, but three Pokémon alone weren't enough to balance the team. And there was no way he'd toss Terapagos into the Normal-type lineup—it just didn't fit.

If it were Silvally, that would be a different story. But Terapagos? Absolutely not.

That Pokémon was meant to stay in his "Golden Legend" team, waiting for a worthy challenger.

Unless, of course, the challenger was some old monster-tier Trainer.

"Hmm… Who else should I add? Maybe I should get a Slaking?"

Dylan pondered the composition of his Normal-type team.

Porygon could pair well with Ursaluna as a Special Attack core, but he still needed a strong Physical Attack core. And Slaking was perfect for that role.

Except for its Truant ability… One of the most frustrating abilities in existence. But honestly, it made sense—Slaking would be way too broken otherwise.

"Slaking with Guts… Would that even be legal?"

He chuckled at the thought.

"If only I had a Ursaring-Hisui form."

Dylan sighed. The original Ursaring-Hisui (Ursaluna Bloodmoon) was an absolute Physical powerhouse—a near-perfect Pokémon, aside from its slow Speed.

Unfortunately, Hisui Ursaring's evolution required a special environment that didn't exist in the modern era. There was no way a normal Ursaring could evolve into Ursaluna now.

"Eh, I'll think about it later."

For now, he was focused on teaching Smeargle more moves with Sketch.

In the games, Smeargle could only learn four moves. But in real life? There were no such limits.

That meant…

"Fake Out—must-have. Parting Shot—must-have. Destiny Bond—must-have. Protect-based moves like Baneful Bunker and Flame Cloak—also must-have."

"Tch… So many essential moves."

Dylan scratched his chin, staring at Smeargle, who was completely confused by its Trainer's deep thinking.

But the real breakthrough came next.

"Dark Void works! HAHA—This is amazing!"

He had Darkrai demonstrate Dark Void, and Smeargle successfully copied it with Sketch.

Nice!

Meanwhile, in Kanto…

With five of Team Rocket's executives captured, the organization suffered a devastating blow.

Officer Jenny, wasting no time, immediately transported the captured executives in separate unmarked vehicles to avoid detection. They were successfully transferred to the Indigo Plateau prison.

Ariana now had five new cellmates.

How wonderful.

Dylan was even considering paying them a visit sometime soon.

After all, Archer and Proton were practically his best friends.

Half a Month Later—Rota Town Entrance.

A boy wearing a cap stood at the town's entrance, staring at the Rota Gym bulletin board.

His crimson eyes gleamed with determination.

"Dylan! I'm challenging you again!"

Rota Gym—Backyard.

"I should prepare a gift for Selene."

Dylan sat on the grass, thinking about a gift for his first apprentice, Selene.

She was about to reach adulthood, and due to her rising reputation at Rota Gym, her mother had apparently abandoned their plans to move to Alola.

In the games, they were supposed to move before Selene set off on her journey.

But now? There were no signs of moving.

Which made sense.

Her daughter was doing so well at Rota Gym—why would she leave?

And as her mentor, Dylan felt obligated to give her a gift to celebrate her official journey as a Trainer.

He already had an idea of what to give.

"Looks like we're not expecting many challengers this afternoon."

Leaf stretched lazily, her curvy figure accentuated by the motion.

Yup. She was back at Rota Gym—once again mooching off free food.

"The Indigo Conference is starting soon. More Trainers have collected eight badges, so they're all in special training mode."

Lillie was replying to messages on her phone. She chuckled at the news.

"Special training?" Leaf yawned.

"Honestly, all those weaklings could train for a month straight and still wouldn't improve as much as if they just challenged Dylan's Gym a few times."

She had completely embraced her identity as part of Rota Gym.

"Leaf, aren't you going to enter the Indigo Conference?"

"Nah."

Leaf shook her head. The tournament would attract too much attention, and she didn't want to risk exposing herself to the Masked Organization.

"Besides, there's no point entering this year."

Leaf's mind drifted to a certain red-eyed boy.

The Indigo Conference champion was already decided.

He wasn't as ridiculous as Dylan, but he was still a monster.

By now, he was definitely at Champion level.

No—he was Champion level.

"After all, I personally picked him as one of my two big powerhouses back then."

"Maybe next year. Selene, you should fight him one day."

Leaf smirked, turning to Selene.

"Monsters should battle monsters, don't you think?"

To her, this was common sense.

"Hehe~" Selene puffed out her chest proudly.

"Yeah, I'm awesome!"

"Eh? Leaf, you know Blue?"

Asha, tilted her head curiously.

She assumed Leaf was talking about Blue Oak.

After all, if Blue participated in the Indigo Conference, the other competitors might as well go home.

"Blue? No, I meant—"

Leaf started, but before she could finish—

CREEAAK—

The doors of Rota Gym swung open.

A cap-wearing boy stepped inside.

"Hello! Are you here to challenge Rota Gym?"

Asha immediately approached, greeting the newcomer with a bright smile.

"Yes."

The boy lowered his cap slightly, his red eyes hidden beneath its shadow.

"Red?"

Leaf blinked.

Red looked up at her in confusion.

"Eh? You two know each other?"

Asha was surprised.

"Hah— I work here now! Red, are you here to challenge Dylan?"

Leaf smiled playfully.

"…"

Red nodded silently.

There were… too many people staring at him.

His social anxiety was kicking in.

"Hehe~ I get to see you battle Dylan again! Nice, nice! Come here, Red."

Leaf enthusiastically led Red toward Rota Gym's famous roulette wheel.

She was super excited to witness Red vs. Dylan—Round 2.

This time, who would win?

A Legendary Team, Huh?

Red lowered his cap slightly.

To be honest… he was a little tempted to try.

And Leaf wasn't wrong—if he wanted the toughest challenge, then the Legendary team was the way to go. A team composed entirely of Legendary Pokémon…

"Go on, Red, let's see what team you land on."

Leaf was already used to Red's silence.

After all, he was naturally the quiet type.

If someone didn't know him, they might even mistake him for a complete shut-in.

Red pressed the button, and the pointer on the roulette wheel spun rapidly before gradually slowing down…

It finally stopped on a red section—with a flame emblem.

"A Fire-type team, huh? Well, that does suit you."

Leaf tapped her chin, feeling a bit disappointed.

Why couldn't it have landed on gold?!

She really wanted to see what kind of expression this nearly emotionless guy would make if he had to face Dylan's Legendary team.

"Fire, huh…"

Red stared at the flame-marked section, lost in thought.

And just then—

"Red."

A surprised yet familiar voice called out from the side.

"Dylan!"

"Red!"

Red immediately turned toward the voice.

A black-clad figure was walking toward him, and the moment Red's scarlet eyes met Dylan's, his expression shifted.

His eyes brightened, and despite himself, the corners of his lips curled into a small, almost imperceptible smile.

"It's been a while."

Dylan stepped forward, smiling at Red.

"It's been about… three months now, hasn't it?"

Dylan recalled their last encounter—it had been back in Celadon City.

Red nodded. He remembered it clearly too.

"I thought you weren't going to challenge me anymore," Dylan teased. "After all, the Indigo Conference is only about a month away."

"Training took a lot of time."

Red actually spoke a full sentence, which was rare for him.

He wanted Dylan to understand—this battle mattered to him.

Dylan was both his rival and friend, someone he deeply respected.

"Oh? Looks like you came prepared this time."

Dylan raised an eyebrow.

Red didn't respond with words. Instead, he simply locked eyes with Dylan—his red pupils burning with intense battle spirit.

He could barely contain himself.

"Looks like whatever we have to say can wait until after the battle," Dylan chuckled.

He was also very curious to see how much stronger Red had become.

And the moment a challenger stepped into the battlefield, three familiar figures entered the spectator stands—right on time.

It wasn't just them—several curious onlookers had also entered the Gym. Rota Gym was becoming more and more popular.

Gym Battle Arena.

Dylan and Red took their places on opposite sides of the battlefield.

Leaf walked into the center, holding up a small flag.

"This will be a Gym Battle for the Rota Badge!"

"The challenger is Red, from Pallet Town."

"The battle format will be a full 6v6 battle! The Gym Leader, Dylan, will send out his Pokémon first and cannot switch Pokémon."

"If all six of Dylan's Pokémon are defeated, the challenger wins!"

"Battle—START!"

Leaf swung the flag down, officially starting the match.

"Whoa? A full 6v6 battle?"

Asha was surprised.

In all the time she had been at Rota Gym, this was the first time she had seen Dylan participate in a full-team battle.

Selene and Lillie were also intrigued.

Everyone knew that Gym Leaders set their own battle rules.

So if Dylan had chosen a full 6v6 battle, then it meant Red was special.

Normally, Rota Gym battles were either 2v2 or 3v3.

Even when Blue challenged Dylan, it had been a 5v5 battle.

This was the first full-team battle ever.

"Well, the opponent is Red, after all."

"Ilene, you're here too?"

Asha and the others turned toward the woman who had just arrived.

"Mhm~ I came to check things out and happened to arrive just in time for Red's challenge."

Ilene smiled gracefully, her elegant demeanor drawing attention as her gaze landed on Red.

She remembered him quite well.

After several months, he had finally come to challenge Rota Gym.

Back in the Arena.

Red turned his gaze toward Leaf.

The battle rules had already been announced—so why was she still standing there?

STARE.

"Red, do your best! Knock Dylan out!"

Leaf winked at Red, giving him a cheerful thumbs-up before finally stepping out of the battlefield.

Scoreboard Lights Up.

On the large electronic scoreboard, Dylan's and Red's faces appeared on opposite sides.

"Red, I've been waiting for this day for a long time."

Dylan gracefully unbuttoned the collar of his black shirt, then slowly slid on his black gloves.

All the while, his gaze never left Red.

"Dylan, this time—I'm going to defeat you!"

Red lowered his cap, his scarlet eyes gleaming fiercely from beneath the shadow.

Defeating Dylan.

Winning the Rota Badge.

These were the thoughts that had occupied Red's mind for months.

And on top of that…

That Damn Blue!

Red's eyelid twitched slightly.

Blue had challenged Dylan first and won the Rota Badge before him.

Ever since then, he wouldn't shut up about it.

Every time Red opened his messages—Blue was flexing.

All. The. Time.

"Hah! Red, guess what? I already beat Dylan! Good luck catching up to me!"

"Yo, Red, how does it feel knowing I got the Rota Badge first? 😉"

"You're not scared, are you? C'mon, step it up, slowpoke!"

"LOL, imagine not having the Rota Badge yet. Couldn't be me. 😆"

Red was so done with this.

Just because Blue was a little faster than him—

He acted like he was the king of the world.

Enough.

Red clenched his fist.

Watch closely, Blue.

I'll beat Dylan and get the Rota Badge too.

If Blue could do it—then so could he.

I will win!