Boe and Lydia made their way through the bustling streets of Humilau City, heading toward the northern docks where the gym awaited. The city's unique architecture, wooden platforms, and beachside structures created a vibrant, tropical atmosphere. As they walked, the salty sea breeze swept through the air, and the gentle lapping of the waves against the docks provided a soothing backdrop.
Up ahead, the Humilau Gym came into view—an open-air building attached to the docks. The battle arena consisted of a wide expanse of water, with large, green lily pad-shaped platforms floating on the surface for non-water Pokémon to stand on. It was as beautiful as it was intimidating. Boe took a deep breath, nerves mixing with excitement.
"Ready?" Lydia asked, glancing at him with a smile.
Boe nodded. "I'll go first."
They approached the gym together, and as they stepped closer, Gym Leader Marlon came into view. His dark tan and wild blue hair stood out, and he wore only swim leggings, looking every bit the skilled swimmer.
"Sup! You look strong!" Marlon greeted Boe with a wide grin, his laid-back energy immediately apparent.
Boe smiled back. "Thanks. I'm ready for this."
"Shoots! Let's start!" Marlon said, pumping his fist as he moved to his position on the opposite side of the watery arena.
Boe took his place, the excitement fueling his determination. Marlon tossed his first Poké Ball, and with a burst of light, a massive Carracosta appeared on one of the lily pads, its rocky shell gleaming in the sunlight. Boe sent out Olive, his Serperior, whose long, elegant body slithered onto the lily pad. Olive's eyes narrowed, ready for battle.
"Olive, Leaf Blade!" Boe commanded.
Olive's tail glowed green, and with incredible speed, Serperior slashed across Carracosta with a super-effective hit. The Water-type Pokémon staggered but wasn't down yet.
"Carracosta, Shell Smash!" Marlon called.
Carracosta's shell glowed white as its body was surrounded by a red aura. Its shell cracked slightly, lowering its defenses but boosting its speed and power. Before Olive could strike again, Carracosta lunged forward with a Crunch, sinking its teeth into Olive's body.
"Olive, hang in there!" Boe urged.
Olive winced but quickly shook off the attack, retaliating with another Leaf Blade, this time taking Carracosta down.
Marlon chuckled, shaking his head. "Dude… You're really into this, huh!"
Boe grinned. "Duh, this is my last gym battle. I plan to give it my all."
Marlon nodded approvingly as he sent out his next Pokémon, Wailord. The massive Pokémon splashed into the water, sending waves crashing across the arena, drenching Boe, Marlon, and the crowd nearby.
"Olive, Leech Seed!" Boe commanded.
Olive sent out a flurry of seeds that sprouted vines and wrapped around the enormous Wailord, slowly sapping its energy. But before Olive could act again, Wailord sprang into the air with Bounce, crashing down onto Olive with a powerful hit.
"Olive, return!" Boe called, quickly recalling his Serperior. He grabbed another Poké Ball. "Gwen, I choose you!"
His Galvantula skittered onto the lily pad, its electric fur crackling with energy. The vines from Leech Seed continued to sap Wailord's energy, transferring it to Gwen.
"Gwen, Thunder Wave!" Boe ordered.
Gwen sent out a pulse of electricity that paralyzed Wailord, slowing its movements. As Wailord attempted another Bounce, Gwen narrowly dodged the attack, the water splashing everywhere.
"Now, Electro Ball!" Boe shouted.
The electric orb shot forward from Gwen, striking Wailord for a super-effective hit. The combination of Electro Ball and Leech Seed's draining proved too much, and Wailord fainted.
Marlon grinned. "Awww, dude…" He tossed his last Poké Ball. "Go, Jellicent!"
The ghostly Jellicent appeared, hovering above the water with an ethereal glow, its eyes gleaming with determination.
"I know I'm about done, but I'm still just so pumped up!" Marlon called.
"Thunder Wave again, Gwen!" Boe commanded.
Once more, Gwen paralyzed the opposing Pokémon, but Jellicent retaliated with Ominous Wind, hitting Gwen hard. Boe could see that Gwen was struggling.
"Gwen, return!" Boe called, recalling the tired Galvantula. He sent Olive back out. "Let's finish this, Olive! Leaf Blade!"
Olive's tail glowed green as it slashed at Jellicent with a super-effective hit. Jellicent reeled from the blow and retaliated with Brine, hitting Olive harder than expected.
"Leaf Blade again!" Boe shouted.
Olive struck Jellicent once more. Marlon called for Jellicent to use Recover, but the paralysis stopped it. Olive finished it off with Dragon Tail, securing Boe's victory.
Marlon clapped. "You don't just look strong—you're strong fo'reals! I was swept away! Oh yeah, yo. I gotta give you this!"
He handed Boe the Wave Badge and a TM for Scald. Boe took the badge, his heart swelling with pride. His eighth and final badge. He turned to Lydia, smiling as he settled in to watch her earn hers.
Lydia's battle at the Humilau Gym began with her usual confident energy. Her first opponent was Marlon's Carracosta, and she led with Liepard. The battle was fast-paced, with Liepard darting around Carracosta, trying to land quick strikes. However, Carracosta's Shell Smash increased its speed and power, forcing Lydia to switch tactics. She called out Jiana, her Zebstrika, whose electric speed proved overwhelming. Jiana's Rock Smash landed a decisive blow, knocking out Carracosta.
Marlon followed up by sending out his towering Wailord. Jiana, still strong, met the giant with Wild Charge, slamming into Wailord with electrifying power. Though the recoil hurt Jiana, Wailord was left weakened. It responded using Bounce, but Jiana's speed allowed her to dodge just in time, delivering a final Wild Charge to secure the win.
Marlon's final Pokémon, Jellicent, entered the arena. Lydia switched to Thorn, her Simisage, who made use of Leech Seed to tangle up the Jellicent's movements. After a fierce exchange, Jellicent tried to recover with its healing abilities, but Thorn's relentless attacks, boosted by the environment, left Jellicent unable to keep up. With a final Energy Ball, Thorn secured Lydia's victory.
Marlon grinned in admiration. "Whoa, that was something! You're tough!" With her victory, Lydia earned her final badge.
After Lydia's victorious battle, she and Boe walked out of the Humilau Gym, smiles plastered on both their faces, their spirits high. The warm breeze from the nearby ocean brushed against them, and they could still hear the distant sound of waves gently hitting the docks.
"That was amazing, Lydia!" Boe said, nudging her lightly. "I thought Carracosta had Jiana, but Rock Smash came through!"
Lydia grinned. "Thanks! I was worried when it used Shell Smash. But Jiana's speed always pulls through. Your battle was intense too. Olive really crushed it."
Boe chuckled. "Olive was ready for that. But Marlon kept me on my toes."
They laughed as they walked to the Pokémon Center, still buzzing from their victories. Inside, they handed their Poké Balls to Nurse Joy and took a seat.
Boe turned to Lydia. "Hey, since we're both celebrating our last badge, how about dinner? My treat."
Lydia's eyes lit up. "Absolutely! I'm starving!"
Boe smiled. "Great. Let's find a spot by the docks. It feels right after today."
As their Pokémon healed, the excitement between them continued to grow. They were one step closer to the Pokémon League, but for now, it was time to relax and celebrate their journey together with a well-deserved dinner.