Cyllage Gym, Gym Leader Grant.
When it comes to Grant, anyone living in Cyllage City has probably heard of him.
Because this man… is simply too strange.
First, his skin.
Second, his style. His hair actually had sparkling, diamond-like crystals embedded in it.
And then—his obsession.
He loved climbing walls. As long as there was a wall, he'd scramble up it and hang from there like it was the most natural thing in the world.
In his own words: "I just really love walls—or any rock surface that lets me feel the beauty of stone up close, anytime, anywhere."
Weird. That was the only evaluation Ash could give him right now.
But, of course, he'd judge for himself when they actually met.
Being a Rock-type Gym, the Pokémon he used were obviously Rock-types.
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"Ash, have you decided which Pokémon you'll use?"
On the way to the Gym, Serena asked gently.
She wasn't sure if Ash had done any research on Grant, the Cyllage Gym Leader.
In fact, just last night, Serena had secretly stayed up late, searching through forums and reading multiple posts written by other trainers who had battled Grant.
They were basically player notes: "Tips to beat Grant" or "Grant's Rock strategies."
If Ash knew nothing about him, Serena was prepared to step in and explain everything she'd learned.
After all, she understood she wasn't anywhere near Ash's level in battling. But if that was the case, then she'd have to show her worth in other areas.
This was something she felt she could do.
If Ash already knew about Grant, she'd stay quiet. But if he didn't, she wanted to support him in any way possible.
What Serena didn't know was that Ash had already studied Grant.
"Yeah. His Cyllage Gym is the one usually recommended to challenge right after the Santalune Gym. He specializes in Rock-types. Clemont, you should know him too, right?"
Ash turned to Clemont, who looked awkward and shook his head.
"No… not really. There are many Gyms in every region, and I don't know every Gym Leader. Grant just happens to be one I never studied."
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The four of them continued climbing up the largest mountain in Cyllage City.
After half an hour, they finally reached the top.
Now—it was time to challenge the second Gym in the Kalos Region!
The moment Ash stepped inside the Cyllage Gym, he was hit by a faint earthy scent.
Being built into a mountaintop, the place had a very unique atmosphere.
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"Ding! [Congratulations to the host for arriving at the Cyllage Gym. Beginning sign-in…]"
"Ding! [Sign-in successful! Rewards granted…]"
System Space expanded: now 300m × 300m × 300m!
100 million Pokécoins!
Full Evolution Stone Set ×3!
To Ash, rewards like money and stones were nothing new. Unless it was something like a new power card or a rare attribute enhancement, the only real excitement was the expanded System Space.
Still, free rewards were free rewards.
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Walking deeper inside the Gym, they found a massive artificial climbing wall built into the rock.
The surface was filled with colorful, protruding holds for climbing.
At the very top—there was Grant, hanging upside down like a gecko.
When there were no challengers, this was his favorite thing to do: hanging, dangling, and clinging to walls.
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"Grant! I'm Ash from Pallet Town! I've come to challenge your Gym!"
"Pika!" Pikachu chimed in with excitement.
Grant twisted his body around and looked down at Ash.
"Welcome, challenger. Of course you may battle me. But first—you must come up here! You can either climb this wall, or take the staircase on the side. The battlefield is at the top. Which will you choose?"
His voice was full of confidence.
"Eh? Climb that? Isn't that dangerous?" Serena gasped.
The artificial cliff was at least thirty or forty meters tall.
Grant noticed the others with Ash didn't seem like challengers.
"It's fine. Only the challenger needs to decide. Your friends may take the staircase if they prefer."
He gestured toward the other passage.
"Serena, you guys take the stairs."
Ash cracked a grin. For him, this was child's play.
His body moved like a lizard's, swiftly and effortlessly scaling the wall.
In fact, it barely even looked like climbing—it was almost like flying.
His hands gripped hold after hold, each movement smooth and powerful.
Serena, Bonnie, and Clemont took the stairs.
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By the time Ash reached the top, Grant was actually stunned.
Then, with wide eyes, he gave Ash a big thumbs up.
"Incredible… You actually broke my climbing record. Your physical strength is amazing! Since you chose to climb, I'll only use two Pokémon. If you'd chosen the stairs, I'd have used three. And as for you—the challenger must use all the Pokémon currently in your possession!"
He led Ash onto the battlefield atop the cliff.
By the time Serena and the others made it up, the referee announced:
"Now begins the Gym Battle between challenger Ash and Gym Leader Grant! Grant may use two Pokémon, while the challenger may use all of his! Battle, begin!"
Serena blinked in confusion.
Clemont explained, "Some Gyms have their own unique rules. It varies by leader."
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"Then my first Pokémon will be—you, Onix!"
With a thunderous roar, the giant Rock Snake Pokémon emerged.
"Alright then. I choose you, Froakie!"
"Froga!"
Froakie leapt forward. Over the past weeks, Lucario and Sceptile had both been helping train him.
His speed, his precision, and his skill execution had all drastically improved.
This would be his chance to shine.
Onix's level: 28.
Froakie's level: 23.
Despite being lower leveled, Ash had always preferred to let his Pokémon grow strong before evolving.
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"I see. So you're going to rely on type advantage right from the start, eh? But my Onix isn't so easily beaten! Onix, Rock Polish!"
"Rooaaar!!"
Onix's massive body slithered across the battlefield, its rocky skin gleaming as it polished itself.
The resistance of the air around it lessened, its speed increasing dramatically.
Ash's eyes sharpened.
"Froakie! Show him the results of our training! Use Water Pulse!"
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T/N:
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