The next morning Izuku has breakfast with his dads before heading to the station with them to catch a train to Castelia City. After getting there the train is about ready to leave. "Remember to call us at every Pokémon Center you stop at, stay safe, and keep smiling," Papa says while he and Dad let Izuku board the train to Castelia City. Izuku smiles while hugging them both before he says, "I promise I will call at every Center and follow all safety checks. I just can't wait to battle the next Gym. I know my Pokémon and I can win, Right Joltik;" last part directed to Joltik who chitters in agreement. "We know we just love and care about you so much. Remember to have fun but please don't give us another heart attack anytime soon and I will be hoping by the Tao Dragons you stay safe," Dad says while looking at him seriously. "I promise to not look for trouble. I love you too Papa and Dad," Izuku responds before hugging them both, then running onto the train as it's calling for the last boarding. Izuku waves to them as the train pulls out as Papa ways back with both arms above his head and huge smile and his Dad just straitened his hat and nods at Izuku eyes shining happily. Izuku smiles even more before finding an empty seat and sitting down for the rest of the ride.
Taking two hours to reach Castelia City the train grinds to a halt. After getting off the train Izuku heads to the Pokémon Center. Once entering he sees the tv in the lobby playing a live stream of the Indigo League with a black haired kid with a baseball hat and a yellow mouse Pokémon using a krab Pokémon against a blue bat Pokémon. "The winner is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town," the announcer says, before Izuku pulls his attention away. He quickly walks over to the phones and dials his dads's office number. After a moment his Dad picks up after the first few rings. "Izuku you made it to Castelia City safely I see," Dad says with a happy frown. "Yep, just wanted to let you know I got here safely and am going to battle the Gym today and hopefully be on the road to Nimbasa later today. I will hopefully see you guys soon, love you Dad and tell Papa I love him too," Izuku says with a determined look in his eyes. "All right I won't keep you then, hopefully see you soon and I love you little passenger and I will," Dad says before hanging up. Izuku gets up from the phones before walking out of the Pokémon Center heading towards the Gym.
As Izuku walks into the Castelia Gym amazed to see that it looks like a giant garden or greenhouse. "Welcome young man, are you here for a battle?" A voice asks. Izuku looks around for a second to see a man with brown hair wearing a green shirt and red with black striped pants petting a Sewaddle in a tree. "Um, yes, I'm Izuku Kandó and I've come to challenge for the Gym Badge. Are you the Gym Leader by chance?" Izuku questions him. "Yes I'm the Gym leader Burgh please follow me ," Burgh leads Izuku through the gym to a back room with a wide open area with a battlefield. Izuku walks to one side of the field while Burgh walks to the other with a referee standing to the middle. "This will be a three on three Gym battle and will only be over when one side loses all three of their Pokémon. Gym Leader and challenger please send out your first Pokemon." The ref calls out. "Dweeble let's go," Burgh calls while sending out his Pokémon with a smile. "All aboard Litwick," Izuku calls out, sending out his Pokémon looking excited for a battle. "All right Litwick let's test the tracks with smog then will-o-wisp," Izuku calls Litwick following through and covering the field with the smoke before releasing the will-o-wisp.
"Dweeble dodge using dig," Burgh calls. Dwebble completely dodges the attack by burying underground and comes out hitting Litwick hard sending it back across the field.
"Now Dwebble use X-scissor," Burgh says confidently. Dwebble with incredible speed launches across the field with both claws glowing with energy shaped in an X. "Litwick Minimize and then will-o-wisp to stay on track," Izuku calls. Litwick nearly has enough time to shrink down under the attack as Dwebble zooms over Litwick missing its target. Then Litwick releases the flames again hitting Dwebble from behind who cries out in pain as flames which causes burns to appear.
Dweeble flinches in pain from the burns while scurrying quickly back to Burgh's side of the field. "Well that was a surprising turn of events but this is over. Dwebble use Rock Wrecker," Burgh says with surprise in his voice. Dweeble launches rock at the Litwick. " Litwick use Fire Spin and then Hex full speed ahead!" Izuku yells excitedly, getting fired up from the battle. Litwick counters the rock with flames which causes an explosion after a moment of the attacks pushing against each other. Only then for Dweeble to get hit by ghostly energy knocking Dwebble out. "Good job Litwick keep going full speed ahead," Izuku congratulates Litwick as Burgh returns Dwebble to its Pokéball. "Challenger wins this round Gym Leader Burgh send out your next Pokémon," Ref says. "Come on out Whirlipede," Burgh calls releasing his next Pokémon. Izuku looks at the Pokemon and remembers all the information he looked up about the Pokemon trying to come up with a strategy. "Alright Litwick use Firespin," Izuku says, warily looking at the Pokémon. Litwick unleashes the fire at Whirlipede when Burgh says," Whirlipede use Steamroller then Poison Sting." Whirlipede rams right through the flames hitting Litwick hard sending it flying back and landing by Izuku feet before launching Poison Sting hitting and causing dust to be thrown up. After the dust clears shows Litwick being knocked out. "Litwick return," Izuku calls returning his Pokémon.
After returning Litwick Izuku studies Whirlipede while the ref says, " Challenger please send out your next Pokémon;" before Izuku pulls out a Pokéball tossing it in the air, " All aboard Jangmo-o!" Jangmo-o appears on the field in a flash of light growling. "Let's test the tracks Jangmo-o use screech," Izuku says while observing how Whirlipede will react. Whirlipede just sits there taking the screech head on without flinching. "Whirlipede use Steamroller again," Burgh motions to Jangmo-o before Whirlipede zooms forward. "Jangmo-o use Protect follow with Dragon Claw and Headbutt," Izuku says calmly. Jangmo-o raises a barrier right as Whirlipede gets within range. Whirlipede bounces off the shield only to screech in pain as Jangmo-o rakes his claws down its side then using Headbutt to send it hard into the ground. Whirlipede slowly gets up as Burgh looks on; "Whirlipede use Poison Sting then String Shot." Whirlipede slowly releases the attack while Izuku looks on and says, "Jangmo-o jump to the side to dodge and then cut through that string shot for full speed ahead to victory with Dragon Claw." Jangmo-o follow through dodging the Poison Sting attack and then cutting through the threads with his claws hitting Whirlipede head on knocking it down and out; "Whirlipede is unable to battle Gym Leader please send out your next Pokémon," the ref states. "Whirlipede return, Leavanny come on out," Burgh calls while returning his Pokémon and releasing his final Pokémon. "All right Jangmo-o use Scary Face," Izuku says, seeing how strong and fast Leavanny is from just watching it. Jangmo-o's eyes start glowing while looking at Leavanny. "Leavanny use string shot and Leaf Storm," Burgh calls out.
Leavanny moves quick and launches a string shot tangling up Jangmo-o before launching the storm of leaves. Hitting Jangmo-o before Izuku could even respond. Jangmo-o slowly gets up scrapes all over and still tangled in the thread with Izuku looking on; "Jangmo-o use dragon claw to free yourself and then use use Iron Defense with Headbutt." Jangmo-o frees itself before grey steel coloring covers Jangmo-o who rushes forward. "Leavanny use Hyper Beam," Burgh says. Leavanny charges the attack only to be hit hard by Jangmo-o stumbling back before hitting the little Pokémon with the attack causing an explosion. After the smoke clears Jangmo-o is knocked out. "Challenger please return and send out your last Pokémon. Izuku quickly returns Jangmo-o before saying, "Joltik full speed ahead to victory," Izuku calls as Joltik jumps down onto the battlefield. "Joltik use Electroweb," Izuku says. "Leavanny use Leaf Storm follow by x scissor," Burgh counters. Leavanny sends a storm of leaves that cancel out the electroweb and moves forward with the x scissor. "Joltik dodge using agility, then electro ball, and full speed ahead with Bug Bite," Izuku calls, right as Leavanny is closing in on Joltik. Joltik quickly scurries out of the way while raising it speed then hitting Leavanny with the electric attack knocking it off balance and then jumps forward and bites down hard causing Leavanny to cry out and stumble back. "Leavanny we need to finish this use Hyper beam full power," Burgh calmly says while watching. Leavanny starts charging the attack only for Izuku to say, "Joltik finish this with Sucker punch." Joltik zoomed forward and lands the hit sending Leavanny into the ground knock out with hyper beam fuzzing out.
Burgh returns Leavanny to its Pokéball before smiling at Izuku, " It's with great joy I give you the Insect Badge young man." Izuku accepts the badge before saying, "Thank you for such a fun battle, I hope we can have a rematch someday." "That sounds like a splendid idea," Burgh replies happily. Izuku turns and walks out of the Gym and back to the Pokémon Center to get his Pokémon healed.