Gladion asked, "You're here to challenge me for the badge?"
"Absolutely!" Gary said immediately, standing straighter. "I've come all the way here specifically for your badge, Gladion!" He paused before adding proudly, "Although getting an autograph afterward would still be nice."
One of the cheerleaders immediately raised her pom-poms and shouted, "Focus on the badge first, Gary!"
Another added, "You can fanboy after you win!"
Gary nodded seriously. "You're right. The badge comes first. The autograph comes second."
Gladion rubbed his temple. His headache had somehow returned.
"Then let's start with your challenge and we can talk later," Gladion said, deciding that getting the battle over with was probably the best way to preserve what remained of his sanity.
Gary nodded eagerly. "Sounds good!"
Gladion gestured toward the battlefield before asking, "What level of match are you looking for? Two-star or higher?"
Gary's expression immediately became serious. "While it is my second badge challenge, I think I'm ready for a four-star challenge."
The cheerleaders gasped.
"Four stars already?"
"Gary's really going for it!"
"That's the Gary Oak confidence!"
Gladion studied Gary for a moment. A four-star battle for someone on their second badge challenge was ambitious, but not impossible.
Gym Leaders were supposed to adjust their strength according to the challenger's experience. If Gary believed he was ready, Gladion had no reason to refuse.
"All right then," Gladion said.
He stepped toward his side of the battlefield and reached for his first Poké Ball. "This will be a three-on-three battle. No switching after a Pokémon has been knocked out, unless the rules of the battle require it. The challenger may choose his Pokémon first."
Gary's grin returned immediately. "Perfect."
He grabbed his first Poké Ball and threw it forward. "Squirtle, let's go!"
The Poké Ball opened in midair, releasing Squirtle onto the battlefield. The small Water-type landed firmly on its feet and immediately raised its arms, looking far more confident than its size suggested.
The cheerleaders immediately began cheering.
"Go Squirtle!"
"Show them what you've got!"
Gary pointed toward Gladion. "This is going to be a great battle!"
Gladion reached for his own Poké Ball.
"Lileep."
Lileep emerged onto the battlefield, its strange body settling against the ground as its tentacles moved slowly.
"That's Lileep," Gary said. "Rock and Grass type. Its defensive capabilities are annoying, and it can recover with Giga Drain."
Gladion raised an eyebrow.
Gary grinned. "I told you. I'm a big fan."
Gladion sighed. "So you've actually studied my gym team."
"Of course!"
"Good."
The referee raised his hand. "Begin."
Gary moved first. "Squirtle, use Water Pulse!"
Squirtle spun its arms forward, launching a swirling sphere of water across the battlefield. Gladion responded instantly. "Lileep, dodge!"
Lileep pulled itself sideways just as the Water Pulse crashed into the ground. Water splashed across the battlefield, but Gary had anticipated the dodge.
"Now! Rapid Spin!"
Squirtle tucked itself into its shell and began spinning rapidly, rushing toward Lileep.
"Constrict!"
Lileep's tentacles snapped forward and wrapped around Squirtle before it could reach its target. Squirtle struggled as Lileep tightened its grip.
"Water Gun at point-blank range!" Gary ordered.
Squirtle blasted water directly into Lileep's face, forcing the Fossil Pokémon to loosen its grip.
"Break away and use Absorb!" Gladion commanded.
Lileep's tentacles glowed with energy as it drained some of Squirtle's strength. Gary immediately recognized the danger.
"Keep moving! Don't let it drain you!"
Squirtle rolled across the battlefield, narrowly avoiding another attack before Gary shouted, "Use Bite!"
Squirtle rushed forward and clamped its jaws onto one of Lileep's tentacles. Lileep recoiled, and Gary took the opportunity.
"Water Pulse!"
The attack struck at close range.
Lileep was knocked backward and crashed onto the battlefield.
Gladion's eyes narrowed. Gary wasn't merely attacking. He was using Squirtle's mobility to prevent Lileep from establishing its defensive rhythm.
"Rock Tomb," Gladion ordered.
Rocks erupted from beneath Squirtle, forcing it to leap between them. Gary immediately shouted for Squirtle to use Rapid Spin, allowing it to smash through one of the rocks before jumping over another.
"Now Water Gun!"
The attack struck Lileep directly. Gladion frowned. "Lileep, use Mega Drain!"
Lileep absorbed energy from Squirtle, restoring some of the damage it had taken.
The battle continued for several minutes. Lileep's superior defensive abilities allowed it to endure attack after attack, but Gary refused to let Squirtle fight in one place. Eventually, Gladion saw an opening.
"Lileep, Ancient Power!"
Energy gathered around Lileep before rocks flew toward Squirtle.
"Squirtle, jump!"
Squirtle leaped over the attack, but Gary's eyes suddenly sharpened.
"While you're in the air, Water Pulse straight down!"
Squirtle fired its attack downward. The Water Pulse struck Lileep and finally knocked it unconscious.
Gary clenched his fist. "Yes!"
The cheerleaders erupted.
Gladion recalled Lileep. "Good battle." He reached for his second Poké Ball.
"Graveler, you're up."
Graveler emerged with a heavy thud.
Gary looked at it carefully. "Rock and Ground type."
Gladion smiled faintly. "You know your types."
"That's because I'm going to be a Pokémon Master."
"That's what everyone says."
Gary pointed forward. "Squirtle, Water Pulse!"
"Graveler, Defense Curl!"
The Water Pulse struck Graveler, but the Rock Pokémon braced itself and endured the attack.
"Rollout!" Gladion ordered.
Graveler curled into a ball and began rolling across the battlefield.
Gary's eyes widened. "Squirtle, move!"
Graveler chased Squirtle around the arena, growing faster with every rotation. Squirtle narrowly avoided it several times, but the battlefield gave it fewer places to escape.
"Jump!" Gary shouted.
Squirtle leaped.
"Now use Water Gun!"
The attack struck Graveler while it was moving through the air, knocking it off course.
"Again!"
Squirtle fired another Water Gun.
Graveler crashed against the ground.
Gladion frowned. "Graveler, Rock Throw!"
Graveler hurled several stones.
"Rapid Spin!"
Squirtle spun through them, but Gladion had predicted the maneuver.
"Rock Blast!"
Several rocks erupted from Graveler's body and struck Squirtle repeatedly.
Squirtle fell. Gary clenched his teeth. "Squirtle, get up!"
The Pokémon slowly pushed itself upright.
"Water Pulse!"
The attack struck Graveler's chest but he endured and hit Squirtle with a rollout.
Squirtle collapsed as Graveler remained standing, although barely.
Gary recalled Squirtle. "You did great, Squirtle."
He took out another Poké Ball. "Now let's see if this one can handle you."
"Electabuzz, let's go!"
Electabuzz appeared with electricity crackling around its body.
"Thunder Shock!"
Lightning raced across the battlefield.
"Graveler, Dig!"
Graveler disappeared underground just before the attack struck.
Gary grinned. "I expected that. Electabuzz, keep moving!"
Electabuzz began running across the battlefield.
Graveler burst from the ground but Gary was ready as soon as it appeared.
"Thunder Punch!"
Electabuzz's fist slammed into Graveler before it could attack. Graveler staggered.
"Finish it with thunder!"
The lightning struck Graveler and it finally collapsed.
Gladion recalled it. He reached for his final Poké Ball.
"Scyther."
The mantis Pokémon emerged with its blades gleaming.
Gary's expression became serious. The cheerleaders immediately started shouting again and cheering him on.
Gary nodded. "Electabuzz, we've got this."
The battle began at full speed. Scyther vanished forward with Quick Attack.
"Thunder Punch!"
Electabuzz swung, but Scyther twisted around the attack and struck with Wing Attack.
"Thunder Shock!" Gary ordered.
Lightning spread across the battlefield.
"Double Team!" Gladion ordered.
Several Scyther appeared around Electabuzz.
Gary looked around quickly.
"Don't panic! Spin around and use thunderbolt!"
Electabuzz spun around as electricity exploded outward, destroying several illusions.
The real Scyther was already behind Electabuzz and struck with its arms.
Electabuzz stumbled.
"Now! It's in our sight. Use fire punch before it escaped again." Gary clenched his fist.
"Fire Punch!"
Electabuzz's fist connected with Scyther, sending it flying backward and knocking it out.
The cheerleaders exploded into celebration as the referee declared his victory.
Gary raised both fists triumphantly. Gladion walked toward him with a small smile.
"Congratulations, Gary Oak."
Gary's eyes immediately lit up. "So... about that autograph—"
Gladion sighed. His headache had returned.
"One thing at a time."
-----Author Notes------
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