On the cusp of the beginning of their journey, Shun'ei and Meitenkun make their way out of the city gates.

"Wow… Looking at the field like this, it's so huge!" Meitenkun said. "I don't know where we can even start."

"The obvious thing to do is to start catching Pokémon." Frosta said, being with the two boys. "If you wanna start off on the right foot in any region, Shun'ei, you gotta build your team."

"And another thing to consider is the different Pokémon Types as well." Mari said. "The Pokémon types your opponents have could put your Pokémon at an advantage or disadvantage depending on your Pokémon's types."

"That sounds pretty obvious. But Frosta's right. I need to assemble the best team I can." Shun'ei said.

"Well, what're you looking for?" Peacock asked.

"Let's see… According to the map, the closest Gyms are either in Cortondo or Artazon. So, I will definitely need a Fire or Poison type." Shun'ei said.

"Hey, here's an idea!" Frosta said. "Why not catch a Shroodle like that Team Star Grunt sent against Rinkah?"

"That sounds like a great idea, Shun! They seem pretty common around here. You can probably catch one easily." Meitenkun said.

And so the group accompanying Shun'ei spread out past the front gates of Mezagoza to start searching. A few minutes later, Shun'ei was able to spot a few of them. "There we go. Found some."

"Great job, Shun!" Meitenkun said. "I think this would be a perfect time to see how you do in a battle."

"Right. Okay, let's get to it, Quaxly!" Shun'ei said as he sent out his starter.

Quaxly faced down the nearest Shroodle he was closest to, and the one in his sights chittered at the confrontation.

"It's your first time, Shun'ei, so don't worry if you're a little slow." Frosta said.

"Quaxly's moves are Pound, Growl, and Water Gun, just so you know!" Mari informed.

"Okay, let's start with the basics. Use Pound!" Shun'ei said. At that, the duckling Pokémon slammed into Shroodle, dealing it some damage. Shroodle fired back by hitting Quaxly with a Bite attack.

"Yikes! That one is quite feisty." Meitenkun said.

"Yeah… Kind of reminds us of someone we know, don't it?" Shun'ei asked.

"Oh, you mean…?" Meitenkun started to ask.

With the distraction, Shroodle tried to catch Quaxly off guard by spitting some Acid Spray at it.

"Shun'ei, watch it!" Frosta warned.

"Now for a Water Gun." Shun'ei said.

Quaxly blasted water from its mouth that repelled the acid and hit the mouse pokemon dead center, weakening it.

"Okay, here goes…!" Shun'ei said as he threw a Pokéball. Shroodle was encapsulated in it, and after three shakes, it was caught. A moment later, Shun'ei lets Shroodle out. "Hey there. That was a close one there. You almost had us."

Shroodle chittered, but otherwise seemed okay with things.

"Nice first catch, Shun'ei." Frosta said.

"Yep. I think this little gal is gonna be a big help with the first few Gyms." Shun'ei said.

"So, which one you want to challenge first?" Frosta asked. "Alfornada is pretty far off."

"I think I'll go for Cortondo first." Shun'ei said. "Bug seems like a very reasonable first Gym, if you want my opinion."

"Sounds reasonable to me." Peacock said. "Looks like the gyms have pretty good typings here. Bug, Psychic, Normal, Water, Ice, Ghost, Electric and Grass. Pretty challenging lineup."

"Let's go back into Mezagoza and travel to Cortondo out of the west gate. It's the fastest way to get there." Bow said.

As Shun'ei's group herded out of the west gate and headed to Cortondo, they soon ran into a familiar face in Rinkah, who seemed to be tossing a Pokéball up and down after a successful catch, before seeing the group.

"Ah, I figured we'd run into each other soon." Rinkah smiled.

"Rinkah. So, you just caught one too, huh?" Shun'ei said.

"A couple, actually. My team's up to three. Minus Reazah, of course." Rinkah beamed with a smile.

"Shun'ei just caught his first Pokémon other than Quaxly." Frosta said.

"Since you're here, I take it you want to test out your new Pokémon, right?" Shun'ei said.

"Hm. I suppose we can. After all, we both have to gauge the potential our starting members have." Rinkah smirked as she adopted a battle stance. "Let's do it!"

~Cue: Rinkah's Rival Theme (VS. Zinnia - Traditional Japanese Version by Hyuman)~

VS. Rinkah

Shun'ei was challenged by Flame Warrior Rinkah!

"Let's test the fighting spirit of your Pokémon! Chya!" Rinkah yelled as she tossed out a Pokéball, as it had a fiery trail to it, opening up to reveal a Salandit.

"Ready, Quaxly? Let's go!" Shun'ei said.

Quaxly was ready to go, leaping into battle and brushing his crest up for a fight.

"Come at me with all your might! Hold nothing back!" Rinkah smiled. "Acid Spray!"

"Go, Water Gun!" Shun'ei called out.

The attacks clashed midair before puddling on the ground.

"Not bad." Rinkah smiled. "But let's see you deal with the gas variant! Smog!" Rinkah yelled, as Salandit shot small amounts of poisonous gas at Quaxly.

"Keep it together, Quaxly. Use Pound!" Shun'ei said.

"Counter with Scratch!" Rinkah informed as a Pound and Scratch bout began between Salandit and Quaxly. However, a few Pounds later and Salandit was forced to yield, collapsing to the ground as Rinkah recalled her.

"You fought with all you could." Rinkah commended Salandit before bringing out another Pokéball. "Litleo! Let's go!" Rinkah said as she sent out her second of three, a small fire lion cub.

"I'm sensing a theme here… is her team all fire types?" Bow asked.

"Well, she has to live up to her title somehow. Water Gun!" Shun'ei said.

"Use your speed to dodge, and charge for a Headbutt!" Rinkah informed as Litleo dodged the streams of water, rushing full force at Quaxly.

"Intercept it with another Pound!" Shun'ei said.

Quaxly and Litleo met forces, but with the raw might of Headbutt being higher than the raw might of Pound, this was the first lost engagement in the fight between Shun'ei and Rinkah, as Litleo charged through Quaxly's Pound, sending the water duck flying backwards!

"Yikes… Guess I set that one up. Rest up, Quaxly. Leave the rest to Shroodle." Shun'ei said as he sent out his newest member.

"This is where you show the true signs of a warrior! Backed in a corner, nowhere else to go! This is where warriors are made, or fools crumble!" Rinkah declared. "Litleo, charge!"

Litleo roared as he charged full force at Shroodle.

"Rack it up with Fury Swipes!" Shun'ei said. Shroodle evaded and scratched up Litleo, connecting with Fury Swipes up to 3 times.

"Man, despite having less Pokémon, Shun'ei is not slowing down." Flamberge said.

"Commendable at that." Rinkah smiled. "Litleo, Ember!"

Litleo's mouth glowed bright as he shot a small fireball at Shroodle.

"Rush at it with Bite!" Shun'ei said.

Shroodle evaded the fireball and chomped down hard on Litleo, as the lion cub yelped in pain and whimpered as it landed on its side.

"Rest. You've fought your best." Rinkah informed as she recalled Litleo.

"Shun! Rinkahs only got one Pokémon left, and that's Fletchling!" Meitenkun reminded.

"Heh. Indeed! Come on out, Fletchling!" Rinkah smiled as she sent out the small bird.

"Let's go. Let's get some Acid Spray on it!" Shun'ei said.

"Did you not pay attention to my previous fight with a Shroodle? Fletchling, evaporate it with Ember!" Rinkah exclaimed as Fletchling rinsed and repeated what happened with the last Shroodle that it faced.

"Gotcha! Use Bite with the mist for cover!" Shun'ei said.

"Huh!?" Rinkah exclaimed.

Shroodle cleverly used the poison mist that came from the result of Fletchlings counter and attacked, nailing it with its sharp tooth before it could even react!

Fletchling gave a painful peep, as its poor defenses made it a near one shot as it barely stood.

"Fight with vigor and spirit to the end! Peck it!" Rinkah exclaimed as a fire lit up in Fletchling's eyes, bruised and all, as it began rapidly pecking Shroodle in the head!

"One last Scratch should do it!" Shun'ei said..

Shroodle endured the pestering pecks as it targeted Fletchling and scratched it down, ending the battle.

(End song)

"Battle over! Shun'ei wins!" Frosta announced.

"Well fought." Rinkah smiled as she recalled Fletchling. "I gave you my all and you did the same. I can tell we're going to be excellent rivals on each of our journeys."

"True that." Shun'ei said as the fight got the attention of a new face that just happened to be passing by. "Whoa… Seems we got quite an audience."

"Indeed. Like a small platoon of soldiers gathering about." Rinkah mused at their appearances.

In attendance were a few humanoid looking Pokémon in red and black, having the appearances of chibi-esque knights.

"These things look really cool." Meitenkun said as he flipped some pages until he found the entry. "Ah! Here it is! Charcadet, the Fire Child Pokémon, a Fire-type! Burnt charcoal came to life and became a Pokémon. Possessing a fiery fighting spirit, Charcadet will battle even tough opponents."

"My, such charming fiery knights." Depressed Constance said.

"Hm." Rinkah smiled at hearing the entry and then looking at Shun'ei. "Perhaps another rivalry challenge is in order, Shun'ei. How about we each have a Charcadet and see how strong we can make them?"

"Hmm… Well, it looks like there are enough of them for everyone here." Shun'ei said.

"My thoughts exactly." Rinkah smiled.

"So, what do you say, little guy?" Shun'ei asked.

"How about you, little fella?" Rinkah asked as the two Charcadets that were asked both nodded eagerly.

"Seems like they're all for it." Shun'ei said as the two got their Pokéballs ready.

"Hey Constance, why don't you snag one?" Frosta asked. "I can tell you're interested."

"Am I even allowed to have one of my own?" D. Constance asked as she felt a tug on her dress and looked down.

"Seems like this little guy wants to come along with you." Meitenkun said.

"Truly, you wish to accompany me?" D. Constance asked as the Charcadet nodded. "I thank you, I shall give you the same name as my ancestor, Noa." she said with a small smile as Noa the Charcadet jumped up with joy.

Rinkah caught her own Charcadet as she smiled at the group catching their own as well. "Well, I must be off. I still have much team building to do." Rinkah mused as she looked to Shun'ei. "Until we meet once again, Shun'ei."

"Sure will. But for us, it's off to Cortondo for our first Gym Battle." Shun'ei said.

And so the group headed west where they crossed multiple farmlands as they saw a small village where many of the people were busy gathering olives of all things.

"Whoa…this is nuts…so many olives…whoa…even the olives are moving." Frosta said, looking to some green moving olives.

"No…those are Pokémon." Meitenkun said, flipping through his guidebook. "Lemme see…ah, here it is! Smoliv, the Olive Pokémon! A Grass and Normal Type! This Pokémon converts nutrients into oil, which it stores in the fruit on its head. It can easily go a whole week without eating or drinking."

"Oooh!" Perfuma said. "I just found myself a new companion!"

"Oh, you wanna catch one, Perfuma?" Flameberge asked.

"David said we should look for more partners to add to our teams in case the tournament has new rules. So…." Perfuma said, taking a Pokéball and throwing it at the closest Smoliv, getting an easy catch. "One more friend add for me!"

"Alright then, Shun'ei. Let's get you all registered to go at the Gym." Flamberge said. "You feel ready to go?"

"Yeah. With the team I have, I'm good to go." Shun'ei said.

With that, the group headed towards the Cordondo Gym building and headed to the front desk.

"Welcome to the Cordtondo Gym. How may I help you all today?" the receptionist asked.

"Our friend Shun'ei here wants to compete in the Paldea Gym Challenge, and he's starting here." Perfuma said.

"Very good. Mr. Shun'ei, before you face each Gym Leader in Paldea, you must first take that gym's respective Gym Test." the receptionist said to the young man.

"Gym Test?" Shun'ei asked.

"It's just like in Galar. Each Gym has a certain challenge you will need to go through before you face the Gym Leader." Frosta said..

"And in our case here in Cortondo…. It's the Olive Roll!" the receptionist said.

"Olive Roll? Sounds simple enough." Shun'ei said.

"Head outside to the gym test field, then. A staff member will show you how it works." the receptionist said.

"Good luck, Shun!" Meitenkun said.

Shun'ei headed to the designated area where the test was, as he saw a giant olive shaped ball and an obstacle course with ramps, all ending in a large basket.

"Here's how the Olive Roll works. It's a test of stamina and control. Your goal is to get this giant olive shaped ball, into the basket at the end. Once the ball is in the basket, you pass!" the staff member explained. "Are you ready to try?"

"Sure am. Time to see if Master Tung's training has paid off." Shun'ei said.

"Then let the test begin!" the staff member announced.

Shun'ei got his hands together as he started to push the olive down the course. It was a bit tricky at first, because the ball bounced a lot. But he managed to land the olive into the basket with a single strike.

"Whoa…nicely done." the attendant said.

"Nice one, Shun!" Meitenkun said.

"You've passed the test and have the right to face Katy, the Bug Type Gym leader." the attendant said.

"Alright then. Here we go." Shun'ei said.

The group was soon taken up to the rooftop of a treehouse where a woman dressed as a baker was feeding a flying Vivillon.

"There there. Nice and tasty, isn't it?" she said.

The Sugarbug

Katy

"Oh!" the woman said, looking to the group. "Welcome, I am the proprietor of Patisserie Soapberry…oh…apologies…forgot I'm not in my shop. What I meant to say is…I am the gym leader of Cordondo, Katy. A pleasure." she said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. You seem to be quite friendly with the Pokémon here." Shun'ei said.

"I saw your olive rolling. You're quite impressive yourself." Katy said. "As you might've figured out, my main line of work is creating sweets as a pastry chef. Little sweets that bring happiness with just one bite, Bug type Pokémon hiding in the foliage….both are small and yet very powerful. Don't let your guard down unless you want to find yourself knocked on your feet!"

"Let's get started, then. I'm ready when you are!" Shun'ei said.

With that, Shun'ei and Katy took their positions, and the battle began!

(Cue: Gym Leader Battle Theme- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)

"Let's start off with you, Isla!" Shun'ei said as he sent out his Shroodle.

"A little assistance if you would, Nymble." Katy said as she brought a small grasshopper-like Pokémon that had its third set of legs rolled up on its back.

"Whoa, that's certainly another new one." Mari said.

"Nymble? Here it is! Nymble! The Grasshopper Pokémon! A Bug type! It has its third set of legs folded up. When it's in a tough spot, this Pokémon jumps over 30 feet using the strength of its legs." Meitenkun said.

"Sounds quite fast. Time to see how fast. Poison Fang!" Shun'ei said.

Isla the Shroodle lept at Nymble and bit right into it with its poisonous tooth, giving it a good chunk of damage, but not enough to poison it.

"Nymble, Struggle Bug please." Katy said. The grasshopper Pokémon struck back with its own attack that hit Isla back in return.

"Okay, now for a round of Fury Swipes!" Shun'ei said.

Isla attacked Nymble with the move, striking it three times as it went down. Katy recalled it.

"You did well, Nymble, rest for now. I leave the rest to you, Tarountula!" Katy said, sending out a spider like Pokémon that was wrapped up in a ball of its own thread.

"Another new Bug type!" Flamberge said.

"Lemme check out this one." Mari said, scanning the spider with her Syega Comm. "Got it! Tarountula, the String Ball Pokémon! A Bug Type! The ball of threads wrapped around its body is elastic enough to deflect the scythes of Scyther, this Pokémon's natural enemy. That's certainly interesting and impressive."

"Looks like we're in for a tough one. Use Bite!" Shun'ei said.

"Tarountula, Bug Bite please!" Katy said.

Both Pokémon went and bit at each other with their sharp teeth.

"Alright, Isla. Pull back. Okay, Charcadet, it's your time to shine!" Shun'ei said as he sent out his newest Pokémon.

"A Charcadet? Picked that up on the way here, did you?" Katy asked.

"You bet. A pretty handy one too. Now, Fire Spin!" Shun'ei said. Charcadet obliged and trapped Tarountula in a spiral of flames to inflict damage on it over time. "Follow it up with Astonish!" he said as Charcadet finished off the spider-like Pokémon.

"Hmm…very well done. But…we've just reached the final surprise. And I promise…it will not be sweet." Katy said as she recalled Tarountula. "Now come…Teddiursa!" she said, sending out a Teddiursa.

"A normal type Pokémon?" Mari asked.

"Be careful, Shun. I don't think she sent this one out to throw you off." Meitenkun said.

"I did say it wouldn't be sweet." Katy said as she pulled out a black lookalike of a Pokéball. "Now, my darling little Pokémon! Time to break free of your cocoon and come into your own! Let's go!" she said as energy was sucked into the ball before she tossed it at Teddiursa as it became enshrouded in crystal. It soon emerged, glimmering like a jewel as an ornament appeared on its head looking like a bug in grass.

"Whoa! What's this?" Shun'ei asked.

"Ah…that's right. You aren't from Paldea so you don't know how to do it. This…is Terastallizing!" Katy said.

"So this is what the Phantom was talking about back during Athena's trial!" Frosta realized.

"Its type has completely changed too!" Mari said. "Scanning it, its Normal typing has been replaced with Bug."

"Just stick with Charcadet, Shun! You've got this!" Meitenkun said.

"Right. Ember!" Shun'ei said.

Now that Teddiursa had the Tera type of Bug, Charcadets fire attack did more damage to it. Although, Katy had a response to it.

"Terastalization isn't just to give a Pokémon some glimmer, you know." Katy said. "Watch this. Use Fury Cutter!"

Energy burst from Teddiursa's bug ornament hat before it attacked Charcadet with the Bug type cutting move in question, dealing it more damage than usual despite it not having so much effect, all with a glittery explosion.

"So a Pokémon that knows moves of a certain type gain a boost when Terastalized into the corresponding Tera Type. I'll need to keep that in mind." Shun'ei said. "But for now, let's go for another Ember!"

Charcadet hit Teddiursa one more time with its fire attack, dealing another super effective hit. After that, Teddiursa exploded in sparkles as it went down as Katy recalled it.

"Well done…you've defeated me wonderfully. Congratulations." Katy said. "Now then…"

A photo was soon taken of the group and Katy with each of them all holding a cupcake as the photo was taken.

"With that…the Bug Badge is yours." Katy said.

"Thank you. That was an intense battle." Shun'ei said.

"And you beat me without using Terastalization yourself. That's impressive." Katy said. "In fact…" she said, presenting him with a dark sphere. "This is a Tera Orb. Consider this a bonus in defeating me."

"With that, you'll be able to use Terastalization too, Shun." Meitenkun said.

"I would bet. This power is certainly incredible." Shun'ei said.

"You're gonna do great in the gym Challenge, Shun'ei." Flamberge said. "And how you challenge the gyms is up to you. You've got the freedom to go to any of 'em in any order."

"But if you want recommendations…Artazon would be the next best choice." Mari said.

"Hmm… I've got some good typings against it. So, might as well." Shun'ei said.

"Then lets get going to Artazon!" Frosta said.