The afternoon sun hung high as Marley and I made our way through the streets of Eterna City. Shadows stretched across the old brickwork of the buildings, softened by the hum of leaves rustling in the wind.
We arrived at the Eterna City Gym just past midday.
The same girl in the purple tracksuit was already waiting at the front, her expression unreadable behind the round lenses of her wire-frame glasses.
"Right on time," she said, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Gardenia's expecting you. Come on."
She turned sharply and led us inside.
The Gym interior was quiet. But it made sense, considering where we were.
The battlefield wasn't the usual bare terrain or rocky plain.
It was… overgrown.
Dense foliage took up the entire center of the arena. Several tall, leafy trees stretched upward toward a skylight cut into the roof, their branches spreading wide like a canopy. Numerous smaller bushes and rocks create a miniature forest within the arena.
And at the center of it all, leaning against the largest tree, was Gardenia.
Her hands were on her hips, head tilted with the unmistakable air of casual confidence. Her short, orange hair is styled with a distinct, sharp fringe. She wears a dark top under a green poncho. Orange shorts and green boots complete her outfit.
She looked exactly like I remembered from the games and anime.
"I'm Gardenia," she called out with a bright grin. "Gym Leader of Eterna City. Lover of Grass-types, sunlight, and a good challenge!" Her voice echoed slightly in the open chamber.
I started making my way to one end of the battlefield "I'm Paul, from Veilstone City. Let's have a good battle."
But she didn't move toward the other end.
Instead, her eyes suddenly shifted—and widened.
"Oh my god," she whispered. "Is that a Shaymin?!"
She practically bolted across the field before anyone could stop her, weaving between the trees with surprising agility.
Marley instinctively stepped back as Gardenia skidded to a halt in front of Marley, eyes locked on the small form peeking from Marley's pouch.
Shaymin's ears twitched. Her green eyes stared wide for a second—then she buried her face in Marley's pouch with a tiny squeak.
"Aw, she's shy," Gardenia said, kneeling down slightly to try and see her better. "I can't believe this! A real, live Shaymin! And she's just as tiny and cute as I imagined!"
"She doesn't like unfamiliar people," Marley said softly, placing a protective hand over the pouch.
Gardenia put both hands up in surrender, but her smile didn't fade. "Right, of course. Sorry, I just got excited. She's one of my favorite Pokémon, y'know?"
Shaymin peeked out again, eyes narrowed with weariness this time.
Still, the attention clearly flustered her.
"She's always like this around new people," Marley added, giving Shaymin's fur a gentle stroke.
Behind us, the referee-in-training cleared her throat sharply.
"Miss Gardenia," she said, tone dry. "You have a challenger. The one who requested a battle bigger than the traditional three-on-three."
Gardenia stood up straighter, brushing herself off and taking a long breath through her nose.
"You're right," she said. Then leaned closer to Marley and whispered, "But I can't make a bad first impression on Shaymin, right?"
With a playful wink, she turned and jogged back to her side of the field, calling out with a grin, "Five-on-five it is!"
The girl in the tracksuit raised a hand, her voice echoing slightly.
"The Eterna City Gym Battle between Paul, the challenger, and Gardenia, the Gym Leader, will now begin!"
She continued, clipboard in hand, her words clear and practiced:
"As per the request of the challenger, this will be a five-on-five match. The battle ends when all of one side's Pokémon are unable to continue. Substitution rules are as follows: the Gym Leader is allowed two mid-battle substitutions. The challenger may substitute Pokémon at will."
I rolled my shoulders once, settling into my stance.
Across the field, Gardenia's playful expression had sharpened into something more focused.
Still friendly. Still bright.
But behind that smile was a veteran of a thousand battles. A Gym Leader who took her title seriously.
"I hope you're ready," she called out. "Because I'm going to bring everything I've got. You don't make a request like that unless you're planning to go all the way!"
My hand moved to my belt.
"I am."
The wind rustled through the trees above us. Sunlight streamed directly down from the open roof, as it filtered through the leaves and branches of the trees within the arena.
The moment the referee dropped her hand, Gardenia moved first.
"Let's get this started right," she called, unclipping a Poké Ball from her belt. "Cacnea, you're up!"
With a flash of white light, the cactus Pokémon appeared in the center of the battlefield, landing with a slight bounce on the ground.
It immediately turned around toward Gardenia, and for a second, it looked like it was going to run back to her.
Gardenia took a half-step forward, smiling gently, but Cacnea stopped short. Its stubby arms lowered, and something flickered in its expression.
A kind of hesitation.
Like it wanted to hug her, but knew it couldn't.
Gardenia's smile faltered just for a second. "You're doing great," she said quietly. "Let's show them what we've got."
Cacnea turned back around with a more determined look.
I clipped a Poké Ball off my belt.
"Larvitar. You're first."
She appeared on the opposite side of the field in a burst of red light, landing on the edge of the arena, just outside the denser brush.
Gardenia raised an eyebrow.
"A Ground and Rock type, huh?" she mused. "Against a Grass-type Gym Leader? That's bold."
I didn't blink. "It's fine, I trust my Pokémon."
Gardenia grinned. "Well then, let's see what that trust looks like in action. I'll let you make the first move."
I didn't waste time.
"Rock Slide. Collapse the right side of the field."
Larvitar's eyes gleamed.
She slammed her small foot into the dirt with a low rumble, and then rocks emerged along the battlefield. A sudden pulse of energy burst outward, cracking the edge of a tree root.
Chunks of stone rolled forward, hammering through a thicket of shrubs and knocking loose debris into Cacnea's path.
Gardenia's tone was quick, sharp. "Dodge left and use Pin Missile!"
Cacnea ducked to the side. It wasn't particularly fast, but sharp enough to avoid the brunt of the rubble. It planted its arms wide, and a flurry of small, glowing needles launched from the crown of its head in rapid fire, arcing through the air like darts.
"Use the tree as cover."
Larvitar scrambled towards one of the larger tree trunks in the arena. The Pin Missile struck the thick wood in rapid succession, the needles embedding themselves harmlessly in the bark as she took cover behind it.
But Gardenia was already moving again.
"Close the gap, Cacnea! Drain Punch!"
Cacnea's small feet pounded across the field, surprisingly agile as it sprinted in close, one stubby arm glowing with green, swirling energy.
"Scary Face."
Larvitar's eyes flared red.
Cacnea hesitated mid-sprint, for just a second. Its legs twitched, momentum faltering. That red-eyed glare stopped it cold.
"Follow up with Stomping Tantrum!"
Larvitar roared and slammed both feet into the ground.
The earth trembled.
A sudden shockwave burst from beneath her, lifting dirt and knocking Cacnea off balance mid-attack. It stumbled back, arms flailing.
Larvitar surged forward.
One sharp stomp, and another.
The tremor knocked Cacnea backward into one of the stones from the earlier Rock Slide, sending a puff of dust into the air.
Gardenia winced slightly, but her voice stayed upbeat.
"Cacnea, Needle Arm!"
From the haze, Cacnea lunged forward, both arms glowing a bright green. It twisted mid-air, one glowing limb pulled back
"Iron Head!" I called
Larvitar's head was surrounded by a white aura, steel energy concentrating around her skull. She ducked forward, momentum surging into her legs, and threw herself headfirst into the oncoming blow.
The clash burst with a flash of green and silver light. A shockwave cracked the air as the two collided, Cacnea's Needle Arm slamming down just as Larvitar's Iron Head rose to meet it.
The resulting impact sent both Pokémon flying backward from the point of contact.
Larvitar hit the ground with a hard thud, but rolled and came up in a crouch. Her breathing was sharp, focused. Not tired or panicked.
Cacnea tumbled across the dirt and landed awkwardly, barely catching itself on one knee. Its stubby arms trembled from the counterforce.
Excellent. The steel energy from Iron Head blocked a lot of the damage Needle Arm would've done. What should've been a devastating Grass-type strike, a quad weakness, had been reduced to a more neutral exchange.
Gardenia let out a quick, surprised laugh—not mocking. Genuinely impressed.
"Well! You weren't kidding. You really do trust her."
I gave a small nod. "She's not done yet."
Neither was Cacnea.
"Pin Missile!"
"Dodge. Then Bite."
Cacnea fired, thin needles launching from its arms in quick volleys. But Larvitar was already moving—low to the ground, slipping just beneath the spray of needles.
She lunged upward from the side, jaws open.
Bite connected.
Her teeth sank into Cacnea's arm, and the smaller Pokémon cried out, struggling in her grip.
"Cacnea, shake her off with Needle Arm!"
The spiky arm not currently ensnared whipped around, aiming a sharp jab at Larvitar. The blow connected, but without the full force of a proper swing, it served more as a painful prod. It was enough, however, to break Larvitar's hold, sending her skidding backward with a frustrated growl.
They squared off again, both breathing hard.
"Finish it," I said.
Larvitar darted forward again, fangs flashing.
Another Bite.
But it was a bit different than normal.
Sharper. Heavier. A darker aura clinging to her teeth.
Cacnea took the hit full-on. Its eyes widened, and then it collapsed.
The referee's flag went up. "Cacnea is unable to battle!"
"Well done, Larvitar. You even learned a new move" I congratulated her.
Gardenia exhaled softly, returning Cacnea to her Poké Ball in a beam of red light.
"That was a strong opening," she said with a smile. "Looks like Larvitar doesn't back down from a type disadvantage."
She reached for her next Poké Ball. "But I'm just getting started."
With a flick of her wrist, she sent out her second Pokémon.
"Let's keep the roots growing. Tangela, let's go!"
The blue mass of writhing vines appeared on the battlefield, its beady red eyes peeking out from beneath the foliage. It swayed slightly, absorbing the warmth of the sun like it had been waiting for this exact moment.
"Grass Knot!"
There was no delay. The grass on the ground shifted, slithering like snakes, and a tangle of grass surged forward from beneath Larvitar, coiling around her foot in an instant.
She struggled against it, growling low.
"Break free with Stomping Tantrum!" I called.
Larvitar lifted her free foot and slammed it down with force, sending a burst of kinetic tremors through the earth—but the grass knot held. Cracked soil surged up, but Tangela danced nimbly across the debris, untouched.
"Rock Slide!" I ordered next.
Larvitar pushed her weight into the attack, pulling loose jagged stones from the terrain and flinging them forward in a crumbling arc.
Tangela swiftly darted sideways, its vines pulling it out of the blast zone.
What? That speed—
"Tangela, Solar Beam!"
Sunlight shimmered around Tangela in an instant. The orb of radiant energy forming between its vines charged far too quickly.
That's when it clicked.
It's a naturally sunny day today. The roof's open. The Tangela must have Chlorophyll.
"Protect!"
Larvitar braced just as the Solar Beam erupted. A gleaming barrier of light snapped into place, absorbing the full blast of sunlight energy before it could connect.
The impact still pushed Larvitar back a step, grass knot straining but not snapping.
But she couldn't take another one of those.
"Return," I said quickly, holding out her Poké Ball. A red beam pulled her away just before the knot tightened further.
I unclipped my next Poké Ball, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Your Tangela's fast," I said across the field.
Gardenia smiled. "Why, thank you!"
I tossed the next ball forward.
"You're not the only one who can use the weather to your advantage."
The flash of light formed into Chimchar, landing in a low crouch. The sunlight gleamed across his fur, and he cracked his knuckles.
Gardenia lifted her hand. "Grass Knot again!"
The blades of grass shot forward, snaring around Chimchar's foot before he could move. But I was ready this time.
"Flame Wheel."
Chimchar's body ignited in a whirling blaze. The fire burned away the knot at his feet instantly, the spinning heat warding off the next creeping grasp as he launched himself forward in a tight, fast spiral.
Tangela dodged again, quick on its feet, bobbing between patches of foliage with unnatural agility.
"Scorch the field, lock it in." I called.
Chimchar didn't need more direction.
He spun tight loops, scattering flame along the underbrush. Leaves curled and blackened. A thin trail of fire built up in a crescent arc, hemming Tangela in.
It turned—left, right, back—but the way was blocked.
The tree behind it loomed. No room left.
"Now finish it!"
Chimchar tucked low and rocketed forward again, a searing comet aimed straight at the Tangela.
"Ancient Power!" Gardenia called.
Tangela's vines slammed into the ground, and four glowing stones erupted from the soil, each outlined with purple energy.
The first and second rocks shattered as Chimchar's Flame Wheel plowed through them.
The third also broke, but it managed to stop the Flame wheel, revealing Chimchar.
The fourth collided with full force, crashing into Chimchar's chest and launching him backwards across the field.
But we weren't done.
"Ember!" I called.
Still mid-air, Chimchar twisted and fired, mouth opened wide as a burst of sun-boosted flame shot toward Tangela.
The ember struck.
Tangela cried out as fire licked across its vines, singeing them and leaving charred patches in its wake.
Gardenia raised her Poké Ball, frowning slightly.
"Tangela, return."
She made her first substitution, red light pulling the burned Pokémon back to safety.
I glanced at Chimchar. He was back on his feet, panting but steady.
A single ember did a lot of damage to the Tangela. But it wasn't as impressive as it seems.
The sun boosted it. It was a STAB move. Add in that it was Super effective as well. If that had been Flamethrower, Tangela would've gone down in one hit. I need to work on that.
I made a mental note.
After this Gym Battle, we'd fix that.
Gardenia's expression was calm, but I could see the subtle glint of challenge in her eyes.
She wasn't playing around anymore.
"Bellossom, your turn!"
The Poké Ball burst open in a flash of green light. The Bellossom twirled into view, a pair of vibrant red flowers blooming atop her head, leaves folding neatly as she landed with a soft sway. Sunlight caught the petals as she pirouetted lightly in place.
Gardenia gave a light call. "Let's dance a little. Teeter Dance, now!"
Bellossom spun faster, her body glowing faintly as waves of dizzying, spiraling energy rippled outward from her movement.
"Chimchar, Dig!"
But before Chimchar could react, the waves reached him.
His eyes crossed, then widened. He staggered, claws scraping against the dirt. His body tilted one way, then the other, like he couldn't tell left from right anymore.
I clicked my tongue in irritation. That speed boost from Chlorophyll again.
"Poison Powder," Gardenia followed smoothly.
"Chimchar, Flame Wheel! Snap out of it and burn the powder!"
He took a step forward, eyes squinting—
Then slipped, tumbling onto his side.
Bellossom leaned forward and released a cloud of fine purple dust that shimmered in the sunlight before settling directly onto Chimchar's back.
He coughed, still swaying where he laid.
Bellossom began glowing, absorbing sunlight again, energy pooling around her in a soft golden hue. Even before Gardenia could give the call, I knew what was coming.
"Solar—"
"Return," I interrupted, recalling Chimchar mid-charge.
A flash of red, and he was gone—just in time to avoid the incoming blast.
I stared across the battlefield at Bellossom.
"You're really leaning into the sunlight strategy."
Gardenia gave a small shrug, smiling. "When the weather's right, why not make the most of it?"
"That's fine. I'll just change the weather."
I reached for my next Poké Ball.
"Let's go, Gible."
The Dragon-type landed with a short hop, growling low as she hunched forward, eyes locked on Bellossom.
"Sandstorm."
Gible's eyes narrowed. She opened her jaws wide and with a rough snarl, the wind shifted.
A low roar rose up from the battlefield as gritty wind surged outward in a spiraling arc. The sunlight dimmed as a haze of swirling sand filled the arena, dust whipping through the miniature forest and stirring the trees. Visibility dropped, and Bellossom flinched, already bracing against the storm.
Gardenia cupped her hands. "Teeter Dance!"
But the loss of Chlorophyll slowed Bellossom down.
"Dig!"
Gible had already vanished below the dirt, scattering earth behind her as she tunneled. The Teeter Dance began too late—the spirals of confusion flared outward, but Gible was already beneath the field.
I watched Gardenia's eyes sharpen.
She was good, but for too long I fought under the battlefield she dictated. Now I'll take the lead.
The trees on the battlefield rustled under the whipping wind, their roots shifting slightly with the vibration of the tunnel below.
"Now!" I called.
The ground directly beneath Bellossom exploded upward as Gible burst out, jaws wide. She slammed into Bellossom's side in a full-bodied tackle, dragging the Grass-type a few feet back and sending it skidding through the dust.
Bellossom recovered quickly, hopping to its feet.
"Dazzling Gleam!"
Bright light flared from her body in a burst of rainbow energy. The sandstorm scattered the beam slightly, but Gible still winced as the energy clipped her shoulder.
She growled, pawing at the ground.
Gible's tough. She can take a few of those.
"Bite!"
She lunged again, teeth bared, closing the distance in a flash. Bellossom tried to dodge, but her movement was sluggish now. Slower. Less graceful.
Gible latched onto one of the leafy arms, earning a cry from Bellossom.
"Solar Beam!" Gardenia countered, wasting no time.
Bellossom's petals flared wide and energy gathered between them, but significantly slower in this weather.
"Dig again!"
Gible let go and dropped into the ground before the beam could fire, vanishing in a swirl of sand and earth.
Gardenia's expression turned more serious as Bellossom released the Solar Beam into empty air. It carved a glowing path through the dust, but failed to clear the sandstorm.
"We're adapting," I said. "You should consider switching."
"I don't back down so easily," Gardenia replied, adjusting her stance. "I believe in Bellossom."
Her voice was calm, but to me they felt like words thrown around without meaning.
The ground rumbled beneath Bellossom again.
Another hit incoming.
The match was shifting.
Gible was starting to dominate the tempo.
And in a sandstorm, that wasn't going to change anytime soon.
Bellossom exhaled sharply, the sand buffeted against her face as she struggled to maintain her footing in the harsh wind. The leaves along her body fluttered in the current.
Gible slipped out of the ground again, another precise strike.
Her jaws clamped onto Bellossom's side with another Bite, and this time the recoil sent the Grass-type stumbling back, legs dragging grooves into the dirt.
"Teeter Dance!" Gardenia called again, but Gible was already gone, diving back into the earth before the dizzying energy pulses could hit her.
It became a rhythm.
Dig. Strike. Bite. Disappear.
Even the hits that Bellosom landed hardly mattered. Some scatter bits of Dazzling Gleam. Gardenia doesn't even attempt to use Solar Beam anymore. The sandstorm had thrown her timing completely off. Without the sun to boost her speed she was too slow.
At the same time, Gardenia isn't switching Bellosom out. I guess that she doesn't want to use up her last switch.
Gardenia clenched her fist. "Dazzling Gleam, one more time!"
The glow flared again—bright, sharp, and fast.
But not fast enough.
Just as the light intensified, a swirl of dust erupted around Gible, obscuring her form. The Dazzling Gleam, aimed at where Gible had been, veered wide as she vanished within the sandstorm.
It's time to finish it. "Dragon Rage."
Gible's mouth glowed with a crackling blue energy.
She opened wide and fired.
The blast surged forward in a concentrated wave, slamming straight into Bellossom's chest.
The impact sent her flying, tumbling through the air before skidding hard across the dirt and crashing into a low bush near the edge of the field.
She didn't get up.
"Bellossom is unable to battle." The referee announced.
Gardenia let out a soft breath, her eyes calm but focused. She lifted the Poké Ball.
"You did beautifully," she murmured, recalling Bellossom in a flash of red light.
Then, she reached for her next choice.
Her fingers lingered for a moment.
Then she threw.
The next Poké Ball arced through the air in a practiced throw, light spilling across the field as her fourth Pokémon landed in a perfect crouch.
Roserade.
The bouquet Pokémon landed lightly on her feet, her twin flower-arms raised like a stage performer. Her cape of green leaves rippled faintly in the wind stirred by the lingering Sandstorm.
I narrowed my eyes.
This was her ace.
"I was saving her for later," Gardenia admitted with a grin. "But Gible's caused more trouble than I expected."
Roserade moved first.
"Magical Leaf!"
She flung her arms outward, and glowing leaves burst into a spiraling pattern around her before launching forward in a perfect arc.
I called it the second I saw them move. There was no dodging this move.
"Take it and counter with Dragon Rage!"
Gible tucked her chin, braced herself, and growled low as the shimmering leaves struck across her side.
A draconic shockwave erupted from her jaws, purple-blue energy slamming across the field and exploding against Roserade's arms.
Roserade stumbled, just slightly, but it was the first hit she'd taken. Her stance readjusted, more cautious now.
"Grass Knot."
Vines surged from the soil like lashes, slicing across the dirt.
"Dig!" I snapped.
Gible dove underground just in time, her tail flicking down as the first vine struck where her feet had been.
Roserade didn't move. Just waited.
Gardenia spoke softly. "Flash."
Roserade raised one bouquet and waited for Gible to reappear.
A burst of blinding white light shined on Gible's face the moment she burst back up from below.
She still managed to clip Roserade's side. Not a direct hit, but enough to draw a hiss of pain and force Roserade back a step.
"Bite!" I followed up immediately.
Even dazed, Gible twisted midair and lunged, fangs bared.
She chomped into Roserade's arm hard, and this time Roserade grunted. The sharp teeth sank in, and she staggered back a full pace.
But then—
"Poison Jab."
The bouquet in Roserade's other hand lit with violet light.
Before Gible could recoil, she was struck point-blank.
She hit the dirt hard, rolling once before digging her claws in to stop.
She rose again. Shaky. Stubborn. Refusing to stay down.
I breathed out slowly. We have time for one more attack.
"Dig"
Gible burrowed down again.
Gardenia didn't flinch.
"Weather Ball."
Roserade's bouquet glowed, creating an orb with a brown color, infused with the energy of our sandstorm. She twirled once, graceful and deadly, then threw the orb straight into the ground beneath her.
The explosion hit like a buried mine.
Gible came flying from the blast zone, limbs flailing, caught completely by the pressure wave. She hit the field hard and slid several feet before her momentum stopped.
She didn't get up.
The referee raised the other flag for the first time in this battle.
"Gible is unable to battle."
I exhaled slowly and raised her Poké Ball.
"You did great," I said quietly, and returned her.
Across the field, Roserade stood tall, graceful as ever, but now visibly marked. Her cape was torn slightly, and a small scuff marked one knee. One of her bouquets trembled faintly.
Not enough damage to take it down, but enough to show that Gible's efforts weren't worthless.
Gardenia gave a slow nod.
"She's a tough one," she said. "But I expected no less from a trainer like you."
"You don't have to worry about me," I said coolly, adjusting my stance, pulling Ursaring's Poké Ball from my belt. "The score's already 2–1 in my favor."
I tossed the ball up, and it cracked open in a flash of red light.
"Ursaring, you're up."
Ursaring landed on the field, muscles tense, claws gleaming. The moment his feet hit the dirt, the sand around him twisted into gusts, brushing past his thick fur.
Across the field, Gardenia paused for just a moment, then smiled faintly and returned Roserade.
"Come back. It's not your turn yet."
The light from her Poké Ball dimmed, and a beat later she tossed another Poké Ball. Tangela reappeared.
It still looked rough, scorched vines, uneven footing. But there was a flicker of energy in its movement. It recovered some energy while it was recalled.
And then it flared.
The moment the battle resumed, Tangela's body pulsed with orange flames. I saw it twitch in pain, the burn from Chimchar's ember was still there.
"That's your last switch," I said flatly.
Gardenia placed one hand on her hip. "Oh, I know. But I have a plan, just you wait."
"Ursaring, Slash!"
Ursaring roared and lunged forward, claws extending with a metallic shimmer.
"Grass Knot," Gardenia called, quick as a snap.
Thick blades of grass shot from the ground and caught around Ursaring's ankles mid-step.
He stumbled, body pitching forward as the blades of grass yanked him off-balance. The Slash attack missed wide, claws carving into dirt instead of vines.
"Leaf Storm!" Gardenia shouted, eyes sharp.
Tangela planted its vines into the soil and let out a cry.
A whirlwind of spinning leaves erupted around it, slamming into the air above the battlefield—aimed not at Ursaring, but into the sandstorm itself.
Oh I get it, she's getting rid of the sandstorm. But if she's going to leave herself wide open for us...
"Hyper Beam," I calmly commanded.
Ursaring clenched his jaw, inhaled deeply, and then opened his mouth wide.
A beam of orange-white light burst forward.
It ripped across the field like a cannon blast, straight into Tangela just as the storm of leaves shredded the sky.
The Sandstorm buckled.
Then disappeared entirely.
At the same time, Tangela collapsed from a direct Hyper Beam.
The referee raised her hand. "Tangela is unable to battle!"
Gardenia didn't even blink. Her hand was already on her next Poké Ball.
"Let's finish this. Go, Cherrim!"
A new light burst across the field, and the tiny flower Pokémon appeared. Cherrim's petals were curled tight in its overcast form, until Gardenia pointed forward.
"Sunny Day!"
Two white orbs appeared on the sides of Cherrim, and were released into the sky. The orbs combined into one and burst upward into the open sky.
In an instant, the entire gym brightened.
The artificial sun blazed down through the open roof, searing in its intensity.
Cherrim bloomed instantly.
Its petals unfurled, in the blazing sunlight it looked radiant, glowing with vibrant yellows and pinks, its whole body alight with the boost.
Ursaring panted, his claws digging into the dirt as he finished recharging from Hyper Beam.
The second he recovered, I gave the order.
"Hammer Arm!"
He launched forward with a roar, fist glowing with heavy force.
"Solar Beam!" Gardenia countered.
Cherrim, now fully powered by the sunlight, fired the Solar Beam almost instantly. The beam slammed into Ursaring's chest mid-charge, making him stagger. But he powered through it, gritting his teeth as he kept running. His Hammer Arm connected a second later, sending Cherrim sprawling backward across the grass.
The blow hit hard, but Cherrim bounced back quickly, rolling through a patch of grass and landing on its feet with surprising agility.
"Morning Sun!"
A golden shimmer wrapped around Cherrim's body, soaking in the sunlight as its bruises began to fade. The petals trembled, glowing faintly. It was healing really fast.
"Tch…" I clicked my tongue. "Ursaring, Slash! Don't give it time to recover!"
He charged again, claws raised—and Cherrim met him head-on.
"Weather Ball!"
The glowing orb Cherrim launched was tinted orange and red, fire-typed now under the sun's heat.
It struck hard, sending Ursaring reeling, but not out. He pushed back with a furious swipe, cutting across Cherrim's side.
The moment Ursaring's claws connected, Cherrim cried out, its petals fluttering from the impact as it was flung backward across the grass.
It landed hard, skidding into the roots of a tree.
But it didn't stay down.
"Solar Beam!" Gardenia shouted, voice sharp now.
"Hyper Beam!" I answered without hesitation
Cherrim's body lit up, glowing with stored sunlight as it snapped back upright, bruised but not broken. The air around it shimmered, particles of light gathering to its center.
Ursaring roared and planted his feet. A ball of gold energy appeared in front of Ursaring's mouth. He fired it as soon as Cherrim released Solar Beam.
Twin beams surged forward—gold and green, racing to meet in the center of the battlefield.
They collided in a blinding flash, the shockwave tearing through the grass. The roots of the trees crackled, swaying under the pressure of the clash.
Neither side gave in easily. It was a contest of raw will.
But, Ursaring's beam began to push forward.
The Solar Beam started to fracture.
With a final cry, Cherrim was overwhelmed. Hyper Beam tore through the remnants of the Solar Beam and slammed into her, sending her crashing into the dirt once again.
Dust filled the air.
I shielded my eyes from the blowback.
Gardenia didn't say anything.
She just waited.
And so did I.
The dust cleared, and Cherrim was struggling to get back to it's feet.
Its legs shook. Its petals were dim now, color faded, but it looked straight ahead with defiance.
I could see the light pulsing beneath its skin again.
Morning Sun?
No. It wasn't the glow of healing.
It was orange. Another Weather Ball.
Cherrim fired it off with all of its remaining strength then collapsed.
Ursaring was still recharging, he can't dodge this.
The Weather Ball slammed into Ursaring's chest, and he also collapsed.
Gardenia and I were both silent.
Then the referee raised both flags.
"Cherrim and Ursaring are both unable to battle!"
I slowly exhaled.
She was down to just Roserade. Only one left.
I still have Chimchar and Larvitar waiting in reserve. They'd taken some hits, but they could still fight. Additionally, they got some rest to recover a bit in the time they spent in their Poke Balls. I'm sure the two of them would win against Roserade.
But I also have Electabuzz and Metang.
Metang...
Its Psychic typing would hit hard. Roserade couldn't take too many direct hits from Zen Headbutt or Confusion. But that Weather Ball, boosted by the sun, would turn Fire-type. Super effective against Metang's Steel typing.
Then there's Electabuzz. His typing worked better defensively. All of his attacks are resisted by Roserade. Grass typing for the Electric type attacks, Poison typing for the Fighting type attacks.
That's something I'll have to fix later.
Still, I had my answer.
Metang had just rejoined the team. He was overdue for a battle that mattered.
I reached for his Poké Ball.
"Metang," I said, voice low but firm, "Stand by for battle."
The red light burst forward in a flash of metal and energy. Metang hovered above the battlefield, its body gleaming in the sunlight.
Gardenia smiled as she reached for her final Poké Ball.
"It's not the end yet," she called. "Let's finish this properly."
She released Roserade.
The familiar shape materialized in front of her. Petals open, stance poised, light dancing off the tips of its twin bouquets.
It also recovered a bit of it's stamina while it was recalled.
Gardenia gave a small breath out. Calm. Focused.
She wasted no time. "Roserade, Grass Knot!"
Ribbons of grass surged up from the battlefield, weaving into long cords that snapped upward, higher than before.
Since Metang is floating, the usual Grass Knot won't work.
So it was aiming far above the ground.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Magnet Rise, go even higher"
Electric energy surged beneath Metang as its body lifted sharply, rising even higher into the air. The Grass Knot lashed out below, twisting through empty space.
"Zen Headbutt," I called.
Metang's eyes glowed bright blue. It leveled itself in the air and launched forward like a cannonball, its forehead glowing with blue energy.
"Flash!"
In a burst of light, Roserade twirled and unleashed a blinding burst, white light erupting across the battlefield.
Metang reeled mid-air, veering off-course. The Zen Headbutt missed cleanly, smashing into one of the trees on the edge of the battlefield instead.
I clicked my tongue. Alright, so she's baiting my direct attacks.
Gardenia pointed. "Now, Weather Ball!"
Roserade spun, gathering the heated air into a fire-tinged orb in its bouquet.
It launched the sphere with precision, aiming it straight for Metang, still recoiling from the Flash.
"Bullet Punch!"
Metang surged forward, its arms bright silver and impossibly fast. The Bullet Punch connected with the Weather Ball while Roserade was still in the final stages of gathering it.
The fiery orb detonated prematurely, engulfing both Roserade and Metang in a burst of heat and smoke. The resulting explosion wasn't as powerful as it could have been, but both Pokémon visibly recoiled, taking damage from the unexpected blast.
But the damage wasn't significant.
Metang hovered, barely scorched. Roserade collected a bit of dust on her petals, but stood in a ready stance.
Gardenia narrowed her eyes slightly. Still smiling, but sharper now.
Gardenia didn't waste a second.
"Solar Beam!"
The petals on Roserade's bouquets opened wide, swifting drawing in the sunlight.
Roserade fired almost immediately.
A searing beam of golden light burst forward, crackling with raw solar energy.
"Flash Cannon!" I called.
Metang's eye glowed as it hovered higher. A core of white energy charged between its claws, and with a pulse, a beam launched from the orb.
The two attacks collided mid-air in a screech of light. Solar Beam and Flash Cannon grinding against one another in a storm of color and sound. The entire gym was bathed in flickering gold and silver, the impact pressing both Pokémon back.
But the Solar Beam had the edge.
The solar energy crashed through Flash Cannon and struck Metang square in the chest. The explosion rocked the field, kicking up a wave of dust.
But when it cleared, Metang was swaying slightly in the air, but stable.
I exhaled through my nose.
Metang's Steel typing let it resist the attack.
Gardenia's eyes flicked up. "You built it tough," she said, half-grinning.
"Of course I did."
She didn't miss a beat.
"Magical Leaf!"
Roserade's petals shimmered again, spinning out a spiral of glowing leaves, homing in from every direction.
But this time, I didn't go for a dodge or an attack to overpower it.
"Confusion," I said.
Metang's eye lit with psychic light.
The air rippled.
The leaves stuttered mid-flight, wobbling, twitching, slowing in their arc.
Metang seized control of them. Paused their motion.
One by one, the leaves froze in place, hovering mid-air around Metang in a quiet orbit.
A moment passed.
Then I gave the command.
"Fire them back."
Metang's eyes glowed brighter. The air shimmered as it turned its body, and with a single psychic pulse, the orbiting leaves shot forward reversed in flight, spinning back toward their source like razor-edged boomerangs.
The improvised volley cut across the battlefield, streaks of green flashing through the air.
Roserade lifted her bouquets in defense. The leaves collided, not strong enough to deal real damage, but enough to give us the opening we needed.
"Meteor Mash!"
Metang surged forward like a bullet. Its claw-arm gleamed silver with condensed steel energy, the light trailing like a comet as it closed the gap.
Roserade had no time to dodge.
The Meteor Mash struck clean, slamming into her chest with a heavy crack.
She was thrown backward, crashing against the base of one of the battlefield's trees with enough force to shake the trunk and dislodge a flurry of leaves from the branches above.
Before she could recover—
"Zen Headbutt. Finish it now!"
Metang shot forward again, eyes blazing with psychic energy.
Gardenia's voice rang out, urgent. "Dodge it—!"
Too late.
Metang smashed into Roserade like a meteor. A sickening crack echoed through the gym as Roserade and Metang smashed through the trunk, splintering wood flying outwards.
A violent gust of dust and leaves erupted from the shattered tree.
Metang floated back up.
Roserade didn't rise again.
The referee raised her flag. "Roserade is unable to battle," she said softly. "The victory goes to Paul, the challenger"
The battle was over.
I heard Shaymin's unmistakable squeal of excitement from above.
Marley was already making her way down from the stands, her dress brushing softly against the stair rail as she descended. Shaymin sat on her shoulder, petals catching the warm sunlight that still filtered through the open ceiling.
When they reached the field, Marley's calm expression had the faintest trace of a smile.
"That was… incredible," she said softly. "You were so calculated and focused. It was so intense."
Shaymin landed beside her, fluffing up proudly. "You looked very cool out there," she said with a sage nod. "Not as cool as me, of course, but you held your own."
I let out a short breath—half-exhale, half-laugh.
"Thanks."
Gardenia walked over then, her stride casual, but there was an energy in her step—pride and just a bit of fatigue.
"You were amazing," she said, offering her hand. "I mean that. You gave me one of the best battles I've had in a long time."
I accepted the handshake.
"It was harder than I expected," I admitted. "Way harder than a second badge battle should've been."
That got a chuckle out of her. "Yeah, I figured you might say something like that."
She reached into her jacket pocket and retrieved a small velvet case, popping it open with a practiced flick. Nestled inside was a gleaming badge. It was shaped like three trees in a forest, with the trunks whited out. The Forest Badge.
She placed it in my hand with a grin. "Here. You earned it."
I looked down at it for a second, then back up at her. "Thanks. But, what do you mean you 'figured'?"
Gardenia tapped her chin. "Right. You probably didn't know. There's a system Gym Leaders use to privately leave notes on a trainer's card, visible only to other Gym Leaders."
I blinked. "There is?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Roark left a note after your battle in Oreburgh. It said, and I quote:This trainer is exceptionally skilled. I recommend adjusting difficulty, use Pokémon scaled for one or two badges higher than the challenge."
I paused. "He did what?"
Gardenia raised both hands. "Hey, don't get upset! It's not a requirement or anything. Gym Leaders can ignore the recommendation, we're expected to exercise our own judgement. But I figured—what's the harm in giving you a real challenge?"
She paused, eyes searching mine. "But if you'd rather I hadn't, I can remove the note. It won't carry forward to the next Gym if I don't keep it on your card."
I shook my head.
"No, I was just a little surprised." I said firmly. "In fact, I prefer it this way."
Her brow rose.
"I want Gym Leaders to push me," I continued. "Even harder than this. This is the best way for me to improve. If the Gym Leaders didn't give me a challenge, then there would be no point in collecting the badges."
Gardenia smiled again. "Then I won't touch the note."
She turned back toward her side of the field, waving. "Good luck on your next challenge. I have a feeling we'll be seeing your name more often."
As she walked away, Marley stepped closer. Shaymin had curled into the crook of her elbow now, finally quiet.
We stood there for a while, the sun high above, the warmth of the badge still faint against my palm.
Honestly… it was pretty disrespectful of me.
Coming into this Gym Battle thinking I could give myself disadvantages on purpose.
Holding back.
I was looking down on the Gym Leaders—people who train just as hard as I do, who dedicate their lives to testing trainers.
I'm not doing that again.
They're going to push me to give my best, so I have to respond in kind.
From now on, no holding back. No sandbagging.
I looked back at the battlefield one more time before we turned to leave.
I had the badge.
And now, I had something more important, too.
Resolve.
AN: So, I decided that I'm going to have Gym Leaders up the difficulty in their gym challenges against Paul. I felt this was a pretty logical way to do that, instead of having Paul sending out weaker Pokemon.
Also, as I was doing a final review I realized that I made a minor mistake: James gives his Cacnea to Gardenia sometime after the Hearthome Tag Battle Tournament. Obviously that hasn't happened yet, so just assume that James gave Cacnea to Gardenia sometime in Eterna Forest so that there's no continuity issues.
Up next is the piano that gives nightmares to anyone who played DPP without prior knowledge.