Pokemon: Gym Leader

"Sending you out on a journey really was the right choice. Every step along the way has clearly settled into your eyes now."

Dylan's voice was filled with admiration. After all, just half a year ago, this girl had barely even qualified as a Trainer.

And now—she was standing on the battlefield opposite him, fighting with everything she had.

It felt surreal, but not unpleasant.

"Your Incineroar is impressive, Selene. As it happens, I recently obtained a new Dark-type Legendary Pokémon in Galar. Its strength is just about right to be your opponent. Want to give it a try?"

Dylan considered it. He had originally planned to send out Kingambit to counter Incineroar—but on second thought, this seemed like a much better choice.

"Of course I want to!" Selene's eyes lit up, her voice bursting with excitement.

A Dark-type Legendary Pokémon?! How could she possibly turn that down?

Besides, if her big bro Gym Leader said it was a good match for her Incineroar, she believed him. Dylan always ran his gym battles fairly—he never used Pokémon that far outclassed the challenger's.

Well… except for the Golden Legendary team. That was the one and only exception.

Selene's eyes burned with anticipation. Challenging a Legendary—that was the dream of every Trainer.

She couldn't be more excited.

"That's my apprentice." Dylan smiled, clearly satisfied with her answer.

"Whoa—is she really about to battle one of Dylan's Legendaries?" the older girl in the stands exclaimed, fired up.

Legendary Pokémon had long been one of Dylan's signature aces.

"Selene's got guts," the bird tamer added with a whistle.

"Legendary or not, it's still a Pokémon," the psychic said flatly, unimpressed. "Strong, sure—but not invincible."

The title might be intimidating, but as a Trainer, when you're offered the chance to challenge a Legendary, how could you say no?

And Dylan had made it clear: this one wasn't leagues above Selene in strength.

If it were him down there, no way he'd pass it up either.

"Word is, Brandon's been challenged multiple times this year alone," the psychic added.

Brandon was known for having a team of legendary titans—widely known—and second only to Dylan in terms of fame among Legendary trainers.

From what the psychic had heard, Brandon had even lost to a few challengers this year.

On the field—

"Then let's begin..."

Dylan pulled out a deep crimson Poké Ball and tossed it behind him with a flick.

"Moltres, battle ready!"

SCREEEEE—!

A strange, almost sinister cry rang out as a massive black-and-red bird spread its wings, flames rippling like ribbons from its feathers.

"What the—Moltres?!"

Shock rippled through the crowd as they stared at the majestic figure.

Wait. Was that really… Moltres?

The name didn't seem to fit.

This Moltres looked nothing like the fiery bird from the Kanto legends.

Its entire body was cloaked in black plumage, a crimson belly glowing with eerie energy. Its red beak curved like a scythe, and its wings and tail shimmered with a fire-like aura that seemed more spectral than hot.

The vibe was dark. Wicked. Wrong.

This wasn't the Moltres they knew.

The Kanto Moltres was famous—even if most people hadn't seen it in person, the sacred flame it provided for the Indigo League torch relay was iconic.

Images of Moltres were everywhere online… but this? This was an entirely different bird.

Even calling it a shiny form felt off. It was clearly a different species altogether.

Ding~ Moltres (Galarian Form). Dark/Flying-type. The Wicked Flame Pokémon.

Ability: Berserk

Moves: Brave Bird, Hurricane, Fiery Wrath, Air Slash, Sucker Punch, Payback...

Description: Those who come into contact with the malevolent flame-like aura surrounding it will find their soul scorched to ash. (Galarian Form)

"...Okay, but why is this thing still called 'Moltres' when it's not even a Fire-type?" Leaf grumbled, reading off the Rotomdex's data.

Seriously. This was nonsense.

Just because it looked like it was on fire didn't mean it was.

And it wasn't. It had no Fire-type moves other than, like, Sunny Day…

"I don't know either, Rotom..." the Rotomdex flailed helplessly.

"Galarian Moltres. Dark/Flying. Selene, let's see if you can take it down."

Dylan raised a hand, smiling as he issued the challenge.

He hadn't had this bird for long—just recently caught it in Galar. To be honest, he hadn't trained it up that much either.

By his estimation, this Galarian Moltres was around the same level as Selene's Incineroar.

It was a standard-tier Legendary—rare, sure, with superior stats, but not overwhelmingly overpowered.

"Yes, sir!" Selene locked eyes on the ominous bird. Though it didn't look anything like the Moltres she expected, her fighting spirit blazed even hotter.

This was her first-ever battle against a Legendary Pokémon!

"Incineroar! Flamethrower!"

Selene threw her arm forward with confidence, striking first.

She wasn't sure why a Moltres didn't have Fire typing—but that just made things easier.

Dark resisted Dark, but her Fire-type moves would hit for neutral damage. That was fine.

Incineroar bellowed—its waist flames roared into a pillar, spewing a column of fire at Galarian Moltres.

"Fiery Wrath," Dylan said coolly.

Moltres raised its head and let out an eerie shriek—its wings flared open, black-and-red energy swirling ominously around it.

Fiery Wrath—a Dark-type special move, exclusive to Galarian Moltres.

It surged forward, colliding mid-air with Flamethrower in a swirling clash of black flames and red-orange fire.

The clash didn't last long—Fiery Wrath overwhelmed Flamethrower and pushed through.

"Incineroar!" Selene's eyes narrowed.

Sensing the danger, Incineroar cut off its flames and dove aside just in time.

BOOM!Fiery Wrath crashed where it had just stood—flames erupted violently.

"Strong Special Attack. We can't outblast it with ranged moves."

Selene instantly reassessed.

This Moltres was clearly a special attacker—trading firepower with it was a losing battle.

Worse, it was flying. Incineroar had no way to reach it unless it came down on its own.

Unless Moltres decided to get close—how could she fight it?

"Flame Charge!"

Selene quickly found her solution.

Incineroar roared and charged, flames licking at its fur—Flame Charge boosted its speed with every hit.

Yup—this was the plan. Stack up speed, and even if she couldn't fly, she could outpace Moltres and strike when it landed.

All martial arts under heaven bow to speed!

"Sucker Punch."

Dylan smiled—he saw through her plan at once.

Galarian Moltres's eyes flashed red—it dove like a shadow, striking before Flame Charge could finish.

WHAM!

The sucker punch collided hard with Incineroar, staggering it and pushing it back.

"Thunder Punch!"

Selene seized the opening.

Incineroar charged—lightning surging along its right paw.

Moltres beat its wings furiously, trying to rise—but Incineroar pushed through the wind, arm cocked back.

BOOM!Thunder Punch struck home—right in Moltres's gut. Sparks flew.

Electric beats Flying. The hit landed cleanly.

"Hurricane!"

Fury sparked in Moltres's glowing blue eyes—it beat its wings, summoning a swirling cyclone.

Flying-type: Hurricane!

The wind roared—Incineroar was blasted into the air, howling in pain.

Not good!

Selene's heart dropped.

Thunder Punch had hit, but Moltres countered way too fast. Its defense was no joke.

"Brave Bird!"

SCREEE!

Moltres soared upward—its body wreathed in a brilliant blue flame, forming the shape of a divine bird.

Brave Bird incoming.

It locked onto the falling Incineroar.

"Protect!"

Selene reacted instantly.

Incineroar raised a green barrier midair—barely.

BOOM!Brave Bird collided with Protect—the barrier held, but Incineroar still plummeted.

"Ancient Power!"

As the shield vanished, Moltres flared its wings—summoning glowing stones that crashed down.

Rock-type: Ancient Power!

BOOM BOOM BOOM!Stones slammed down just as Incineroar hit the ground—dust exploded upward.

Incineroar roared in pain—Rock was strong against Fire-types.

"Hurricane!" Dylan pressed on.

Moltres flapped again—another cyclone barreled down.

"Explosive Blaze!"

ROAR!!

Incineroar's furious bellow echoed—flames surged skyward in a massive eruption.

The attack intercepted the oncoming Hurricane—Moltres couldn't dodge.

It squawked in pain, retreating as the flames licked at its feathers.

Still—the blowback only seemed to fuel its rage.

Galarian Moltres's Berserk ability triggered—its Special Attack rose sharply.

The storm couldn't break through the flames—Moltres couldn't follow up for now.

But that was fine.

Dylan watched as the fire cleared, the glowing red aura intensifying around his Legendary bird.

This one had a real temper.

No wonder its Ability was Berserk, and its signature move was Fiery Wrath.

He recalled—when he brought this Moltres home, it clashed constantly with the Kanto Moltres.

Totally different personalities.

Galarian Moltres looked down on Kantonian Moltres for being weak.

Kanto Moltres dismissed Galarian Moltres as some weird mutant.

He had to separate them constantly to keep them from fighting.

Come to think of it… Zapdos and Articuno had the same issues.

(End of Chapter)