"Pssst... I think she's gone."

Gohan sighs as he emerges from behind the tree, glancing around to verify Lucy's claim. After the first few battles, even his horrendously overleveled Sighduck started to feel the weight of several Super Effective hits. Oh, and poison. Lots of poison. Pokémon poison (Poison) doesn't hurt the normal way – it won't fry your brain or cause you to void yourself. But it eats away at a pokémon's HP reserves... slowly but surely... until they're ripe and unable to battle. While this is good for people, who both don't typically have an HP Aura to be drained or need one to stay conscious, it does makes getting through this gym hellish.

Good thing Lucy came packing antidotes.

"You know, I think they might be getting bored. It took only a few seconds for her to decide I wasn't here and walk off."

"Really? I thought she seemed pretty intent stomping off looking for you."

"Okay, maybe frustrated is a better word," he says. "But if I can reach the Gym Leader... uh, what was her name?"

"Gardenia?"

"That sounds about right. Um, if I can get to her, then the other's can't do anything once I challenge her! That's how it works, right?"

"I dunno... she might say something like 'NOT UNTIL YOU DEFEAT MY MINIONS, CHALLENGER!'"

"It's better than fighting through them before finding out I could've snuck past."

"True," she says, sticking her head past the corner and looking. "Good news, I think I can see her. We're almost at the other end of the gym."

"That's great!" Gohan grins – beating this Gym with only Sighduck and Core-fish would is gonna get them so much EXP. Core-fish has already gained... like, two levels. That's pretty impressive considering how often he's been knocked out. And Sighduck is like halfway to Lvl. 54.

"Okay Gohan, there's two Gym Trainers standing ahead of us. They're both facing perpendicular to our direction – probably to burst out and catch us as we approach Gardenia," she informs him as she turns around." Uh. Where is he? "Gohan?" ... Gohan?"

A rustling in the tree answers her.

"i'm in the treee"

"GOHAN HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET UP THERE?!"

Gohan's response is cut off by the arrival of one of the Aroma Ladies. She looks around wildly, glaring at the one in visible view: "Oh, not here, is he?!"

"I... uh..."

The lady follows her gaze... and sees only rustling leaves. She blinks.

"Wait, he's going through...?!" She looks down at Lucy in renewed respect. "Well, er, that's certainly one way to get past the members of the gym. How did he even..."

The two gym members approach, rushing through the brush – a boy and a girl. "Miss Jenna, did you beat him?!" she asks. "I knew the challenger couldn't get past all of us!" They grin – the boy turns to Lucy and gives semi-patronizing apologies. They falter when he notices her smirk. He falls silent when he notices Jenna's grim, yet somehow slightly amused expression.

"M-miss Jenna?"

Her finger answers them, as they turn to see Gohan drop out of a tree several meters away through the brush. Right between their previous posts. That they just left.

The two are mortified. Lucy cackles as Gohan rushes forwards, shielding his eyes from any potential eye-contact with gym members that might appear to challenge him. He only puts his arms down when he gets within a few feet of the Gym Leader atop her, uh, is that a patch of grass? A really tough green rug? The point is, he made it. There's a fence around the area, no, the arena. No Gym Members are rushing in here.

"Well, uh, hi there!" she says. As he looks at Gardenia, a smile starts to grow on his face. FINALLY, this is what we came here for! "I'm pretty surprised you got to me so quickly. That was, well, an interesting way of getting through the Gym. I wasn't waiting very long at all!"

"Oh, cool." Gardenia laughs under her breath at his under reaction. "So... I just battle you, and if I win, I get your merit badge?" Pft!

"Well, yes. Don't think it'll be easy, though!" she shouts as she whips out a Great Ball. "I heard about your super-duck~. I'm not gonna take it easy just cause its your first badge challenge with it!"

The Aroma Ladies, beauties, lasses and youngsters gather round. This gym's been in the thick of things recently, hasn't it? Dawn ascended to championhood only a year or two ago. Ethan quickly followed, and as a two-time Champion too! This doesn't look like a normal champion's story - he doesn't fit the narrative set up by aces like Cynthia and Alder, nor the more recent trend of 'pokedex wielding kid with rare pokémon coming out of bum-frick nowhere to become champion within a week'. But there is something about him, isn't there? No, not his admittedly inhumanly muscular form for an eleven-year old.

"Okay, then," he says. The two size each other up, walking to opposite ends of the 'arena' – Gardenia grins as she leans against a fence post. Gohan smiles back, a bit nervously.

"This is a Gym Leader, huh? She seems surprisingly friendly. That's a nice change of pace, heh – even Mr. Piccolo was a little abrasive when I first met him. I hope this is a fun match!"

"So... this kid somehow got a level fifty-something pokémon to listen to him without a single badge to his name. Wonder how? Is he just super strong or something? Those are some muscles he's got. But they won't help him in a Gym Battle!"

Simultaneously, they flip their Poké Balls out with an "I choose you!" from Gardenia and a "Uh, go!" from Gohan. The two pokémon appear in a flash of light! Core-fish, flexing and crowing and holy SHIT is that a a bear?!

Sighduck was sent out!

The foe sent out Beartic!

"Corrr...?"

"Uh..." Gohan scratches the back of his head as the bear postures, roaring its head off. The spectators cheer as Lucy doesn't cheer, because she's not part of the posse. "I thought you used Grass-types?"

"I do!" she says. "But the fusion mix-up was kind of a thing, and I got really attached to this guy!" Beartic grumbles in agreement. "I traded a perfect-IV cherrim to keep him after the fact, and it was totally worth it!"

"BEARTIC."

"I have to say, though, I really wasn't prepared for someone to bring a Water-type into my Gym," she says with a pouty frown. "I mean, it goes against even the most basic type knowledge. Which made it totally unexpected!" She grins again. "Caught us off guard, I think! If you can get past our normal attacks, our backup plans might fall flat!"

"Oh, uh, thanks!"

"But that's not going to save you!" she shouts, pointing a finger! Jabbing it, even! "Prepare for battle!"

Leader Gardenia wants to battle!

"Beartic, use Facade!"

With a mighty "GWOOOARH!" ringing throughout the air the Freezing Pokémon charges, a yellow aura rippling around it! Good thing the fat thing is slow. "Core-fish, run between its legs!" Core-fish does so – the mighty bear's fist slams down, missing it by a couple of inches at most. "Now, use Knock Off!"

The crustaceoid somehow jumps and with a black sparking claw, smacks Beartic across the back of the head. The chunky pokémon stumbles, and something falls off – is that an old apple core? It grumbles at it straightens up, slowly turning towards Core-fish...

"G-Gohan!" Lucy shouts from the sidelines. "Those are Leftovers! They're weird, but they let pokémon heal over time DON'T LET THE THING PICK–" she's cut off. Right, literally everyone else here is supporting their leader. Her help is drowned out by the crowd.

The foe's Beartic used Facade!

The yellow sheen appears again, and Beartic lunges - and this time it manages to knock the corphish away. The pokémon rolls across the field of battle in a daze, uhd-uhd-uhding its brains out as it rolls up against a post.

"Dang! Core-fish, are you okay?!"

"Finish it off with Icicle Crash!"

"GWWAAAaAOOORAGH!"

The last thing Core-fish sees before blacking out is a disturbingly large icicle pop into existence just above it.

"Core-fish?"

"uhd..."

Beartic growls, crossing its arms as it stands over the fallen pokémon. Gardenia frowns.

"Ah, well. That was just the warm up anyways, right?"

Gohan silently nods as he returns Core-fish. He did good enough, probably. Those Leftovers he knocked off sounded like they would be useful.

He's going to need to be trained, though.

"Go, Sighduck!"

Sighduck was sent out!

This is a pickle, Gardenia thinks. Could she have prepared for this? Probably not, and she doesn't really need to; a few Grass-types should still be able to take it down and end the kid's run. But Beartic isn't going to wing this. Bulldoze isn't super effective, Icicle Crash is not very effective, Facade just won't do enough damage... and Sheer Cold doesn't work on any pokémon with a higher level than the user.

"GWOOOAAARARGH!"

With a wave of her hand she commands it to "Use Bulldoze!" The bear roars in response, stomping on the ground – ripples on the ground rush towards the duck, staggering it before it has a chance to move out of the way. It, him, her? Whatever, its a pokémon. In any case, while it doesn't look like it did much damage it had the intended effect.

Sighduck's speed fell!

"All right, Sighduck, use Surf!"

"PSY!"

Sighduck used Surf!

The foe's Beartic fainted! Sighduck grew to Lvl. 54!

Gardenia blinks as she returns Beartic - did it just level up? Dang, its a good thing pokémon can't evolve mid-battle. That might actually let him net the win.

"All right. Gardevoir!"

The foe sent out Gardevoir!

With a flash of light common to all pokémon releases, the creature materalizes on the field. With an uncomfortably seductive "Garrrrrrr~" it sizes up the duck in front of it. A staredown ensues – only to be broken with the first commands of attack!

"Sighduck, use Body Slam!"

"Gardevoir, use Thunderbolt!"

"BZZZZZT."

Sighduck is Paralyzed! It may be unable to move!

Sighduck is Paralyzed! It can't move!

"W-what?"

Gardevoir puts a hand to its mouth, laughing a noblewoman's cackle that reminds him a lot of Frieza. That bastard. Erika smiles more warmly, though she's still aggressive.

"I know you're a beginner, but I was serious when I said I wasn't going to go easy on you! Bulldoze lowered your pokémon's speed just enough for Gardevoir to attack first, and your psyduck should have lost a good amount of HP just now – and it's paralyzed."

"Paralyzed?! That can happen in pokémon battles...? Is he crippled for life? ... Wait, no, if being Poisoned isn't the same as being poisoned, then maybe the capital letter here means its different too."

Surely enough, while Sighduck seems irate it doesn't look like someone who was just permanently crippled. An electric field ripples around him, causing him to twitch every few moments as his own aura seems to restrict his movement.

"Sighduck, use Aqua Tail?"

One blue-glowing whip later, Gardevoir is knocked onto its back, wondering how the hell that tiny duck just knocked it to the floor. It doesn't surprise anyone else, though. Gohan grits his teeth. Sighduck may still be very strong, but he's been reduced from a lightning bruiser to a mighty glacier. If they get enough hits in, this might not-

"Gardevoir, use Flash!"

"SIGHDUCKCLOSEYOUREYES!"

Sighduck closes his eyes. Gardevoir croons in confusion as Gardenia scratches her head.

"That's original. I know league rules forbid Struggling until after all your PP is used up, but I don't think that counts."

"Should... should we be talking in the middle of a battle?"

Gardenia shrugs as the two psychic pokémon square off. Sighduck with closed eyes. "Well, no?" She shrugs again. "It won't help me win. But that's not the point, is it? This is supposed to be sport. Sportsmanship!" She pumps a fist. "Fun!"

"Yeah, okay. I guess my old fights weren't exactly quick either."

"Hm?"

"Uh, Sighduck use Body Slam!"

Sighduck used Body Slam!

The foe's Gardevoir fainted!

"Your psyduck is really strong, even for its level," she says as she returns the downed Embrace Pokémon. "What are its IVs?"

"I don't know what those are."

"Ah... you really are a beginner with pokémon, huh?" Gohan shivers as she looks at him - into him. Those are the eyes of someone who knows stuff. "Am I right? Is there something about you?"

"No?"

"Mph." She's clearly not convinced, but brushes it aside for now. "Heheh, well, lets see if you can take down Cacnea!"

The foe sent out Cacturne!

As the cactine pokémon materializes the posse whoops into cheers! Lucy scowls as she looks at it - she's trying to finish the fight. This... is the perfect pokémon to take out Sighduck with.

"Sighduck, use Confusion!"

"Cacturne, use Leech Seed!"

Sighduck is Paralyzed! It can't move!

Gohan blinks in surprise as Sighduck flails, quacking in distress as the seeds hit him and immediately start sprouting. It frantically tries to pry them off but their vines pulse with stolen power: Sighduck only succeeds in hurting itself. Its aura flares again with Paralysis and causes it to twitch, forcibly ending its efforts.

"S-sighduck, stop!"

"Cacturne, Energy Ball!"

The foe's Cacturne used Energy Ball!

It's Super Effective!

Leech Seed absorbed Sighduck's energy!

Sighduck staggers - and Gohan gapes. Was that - was that a ki blast?! No, he couldn't sense it. It didn't feel right. Sighduck certainly felt it, though. It growls, a bit surprising for a duck. Platypus? Platyduck.

"Body Slam!"

With a flourish, Gardenia whips a hand towards her pokémon and commands it to use "Spiky Shield!" Sighduck slams right into the spiny energy field and collapses. An eighth of its HP total falls into the shadow realm. Even more is sucked out by Leech Seed.

Sighduck's vision flickers. Is this what its like to lose a battle? Valuable learning experience indeed. He falls to one knee – not very used to being this low on HP.

"Psy... owwrdowwwrd owwrd..."

"Cacturne, finish it off with-!"

"BODY SLAM!"

The foe's Cacturne is Paralyzed!

Leech Seed absorbed Sighduck's energy!

It's Gardenia's turn to blink in surprise as Sighduck climbs to its feet. Cacturne has been batted into another one of the fence posts - its aura twitches with the same electric energy as Sighduck's. Body Slam can cause Paralysis? Huh. The two trainers lock eyes. Whoever gets the next strike... will win.

"Sighduck, Body Slam!"

"Cacturne, keep trying to use Energy Ball!"

Sighduck is Paralyzed! It can't move!

The foe's Cacturne is Paralyzed! It can't move!

Leech Seed absorbed Sighduck's energy!

"BODY SLAM! SIGH DUCK! You can do it!" Gohan shouts, throwing a pair of thumbs up. "I believe in you!"

Sighduck is Paralyzed! it can't move!

The foe's Cacturne is Paralyzed! It can't move!

Leech Seed absorbed Sighduck's energy! Sighduck has fainted!

...

Leader Gardenia has won the battle!

...

Gohan lost the battle!

...

Gohan looks on in shock. One hit. It would have taken one more hit. Cacturne would be down. That wretched plant monster standing... being returned... that was standing before him would be down for the count.

He silently returns Sighduck as the posse around him erupts into cheers and starts to disperse. Shouts of "Yeah!" and "Totally expected, Gardenia!" are heard as they spread back out across the gym, probably intending to get back to normal gym activities. Lucy's the only one left behind, leaning onto a fence post with a frown. He lost.

"Hey."

A hand on his shoulder. Huh? Oh, it's Gardenia. What do you want? She holds out a hand. ... Oh, she just won a battle. Yeah, whatever, Turned over 432 Poké to Leader Gardenia. She smiles in a surprisingly subdued manner.

"You did really good, Gohan. It's really obvious you're a beginner – you have a long, long way to go before you're ready to be really competetive with your pokémon battling. But you did really well for how much experience you have."

"Thanks."

"Hey, I'm being serious here!" she pouts. "Most people aren't really able to think outside the box - they even expect pokémon to escape attacks on their own, and almost limit their commands to just Moves. It's been a while since I've seen someone avoid the effects of one with something other than just dodging it or, well, using another Move."

"Really...?"

"You're really strong, aren't you?" she says. Blood rushes to his cheeks as he feels a poke on his chest. "Dang, you feel like you could take a Move or two yourself. ... You've been in real fights before, haven't you?"

"Um. Uh... yes, actually. I have – could I please not talk about them...?"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. But those are going to give you an edge." She smiles, and he can't help but smile back. "Trainers – you need more than theory, you know? Even experience in pokémon battling, at this point its all sport. All reduced to competitive theory. You know what it's like to have to think on the fly in an actual scrap. You can apply that here, and have all the time to learn theory! She looks smart," she says. Who? Oh, she's pointing to Lucy! His traveling companion sheepishly waves – she's part of the conversation now? "Hey! Teach him about type coverage - that'd be a good start!"

"U-uh, sure?"

Whatever, back to Gohan. Gardenia puts a hand on his shoulder and resumes the lecture: "Look, you really don't have to feel so down. At all. You can always come back, right? You might not have a pokédex or an super rare starter like the real privileged or lucky kids. You might even be thinking something like 'oh, one of my first pokémon is so strong! I never got the chance to learn how to fight for real!' You know that's not true. If you just keep going you'll be forced to learn how eventually. And you already know how to think on your feet."

"Do I? I-I barely know how pokémon battles work. I only arrived in this world a few days ago and I–" he claps his hands over his mouth, eyes wide. Crap! Did he just– Lucy is wincing. He did. SHIIIIIII–

"I'm gonna ignore what you just said! I'm sure it'll get out eventually. Okay?" Dang, that's nice of her. I think? "You might not really get how pokémon battling works yet, but you'll learn. And when you adapt, your experience with thinking on your feet will help you tremendously. I can't wait to see what new things you bring to the table!"

"O-oh, thanks!"

"Mhm! Now, I hope you have a good memory, because there's a lot of things you're going to need to learn about."

"Uh..."

"Type matchups, ability variations, entry hazards, same type attack bonus, status effects, secondary status effects, held items, useable items, status moves, league rules vs. legal rules, switchouts, power points, pledge moves, effort and individual values, move variations, priority moves..."

Delta Species

Class: Phenomena

Delta Species, also known as Type Variations, are pokémon that appear to hold a typing atypical of their kind. The term has recently been expanded to include humans – a Delta Person is one noted to have unusual abilities. Most deltas, for reasons not yet known, have been found in the remote Holon region: it is currently believed that a delta's type uniquity is a property of the individual, rather than the population. They are more likely to be found near each other, though. Certain professors believe that they may provide insight into how typing can vary wildly between closely related species - and provide an answer to whether typing is more spiritual or physiological in nature. Their presence on the competitive scene has been minimal, but htey have been used as subversive presences – similar to how sudowoodo was used as a decoy Rock-type for quite a while before information on it was more widespread.

Known Variances:

Bug/Water-type kabutops

Dark-type charmander

Dark-type meowth [kanto variant]

Dragon-type charizard

Electric-type magnezone

Electric-type tyranitar

Electric/Fighting-type machoke

Electric/Poison-type shuckle

Fighting-type Kingdra

Fighting-type human

Fighting/Fairy-type wigglytuff

Fighting/Ground-type excadrill

Fighting/Steel-type marowak

Fire-type gardevoir

Fire-type gyarados

Fire/Fairy-type delphox

Fire/Ice-type vulpix [alola subspecies]

Flying/Dragon-type aerodactyl

Ghost-type kangaskhan

Grass-type wooper

Grass/Steel crobat

Grass/Steel-type beedrill

Ground/Water-type stunfisk

Ice-type primarina

Normal-type ampharos

Normal-type clefairy

Normal/Ghost-type shuppet

Poison-type goomy

Poison/Ice-type crygonal

Poison/Steel-type pawniard

Psychic-type golduck

Psychic-type ninetails [both subspecies]

Psychic-type sceptile

Psychic/Bug-type ledian

Psychic/Steel-type noctowl

Rock-type klinklang

Rock/Ghost-type aerodactyl

Rock/Normal-type dodrio

Steel-type eevee

Steel-type pikachu

Water-type mew

Water-type salamence