The Gym Leader of Stow-on-Side was an old acquaintance. Shiro had captured him once before, and winning the battle this time was just as easy. Moving north, the next challenge was in Ballonlea, where the Gym Leader was an old woman named Opal. She liked using Pokémon that looked cute but did not belong to one clear type.
Opal always referred to them as "fairies." If not for Shiro's knowledge of fairy-type moves, he might have really thought the old woman had actually raised fairy-type Pokémon already.
Fairy-type was returning, but it was not yet the time.
He crushed her team without much effort, then traveled south toward Motostoke Gym.
* * *
Half a month days later.
Inside the battle arena of the Motostoke Stadium.
"Incredible! Unstoppable!"
Rylan stood at the referee's position, his body trembling as he shouted, "Challenger Shiro's Growlithe is moving so fast it can barely be seen! It has already defeated two of Gym Leader Kabu's Gym-level Pokémon in a row! Does the Gym Leader have more to send out? He's chosen Arcanine, the evolved form of Growlithe!"
His voice thundered through the loudspeakers, echoing across the entire arena. Around the field, more than a dozen professional cameramen stood steady, not a single hand shaking.
Kabu, though only in his thirties, looked aged beyond his years. His face was covered in sagging wrinkles, and streaks of white hair showed along his black temples.
Gripping the damp towel draped around his neck, he gave his order expressionlessly.
"Arcanine, use Extreme Speed and Crunch!"
On the battlefield, Arcanine was larger than Growlithe by a full size. Its mane was thick and fiery, the black stripes across its orange body bold and powerful, making it look like a proud tiger.
Facing it, Growlithe showed no fear. Instead, it was excited. Hot breath flared from its jaws as it prepared to move.
Shiro's eyes flickered as he studied Arcanine's strength.
[Name: Arcanine
Type: Fire
Level: 42 (Gym)
Ability: Justified
Held Item: None
Moves: Extreme Speed, Fire Fang, Flare Blitz, Howl, Helping Hand, Crunch, Retaliate, Reversal, Agility, Ember, Roar, Bite, Leer, Flame Wheel, Take Down, Flamethrower…]
Growlithe stood at level 41, only one level below Arcanine. The difference was tiny.
This Arcanine had clearly reached Gym-level by evolving with a Fire Stone. Judging by its size and the strength of its flames, the stone must have been of fairly high quality.
But Growlithe had two advantages: its long-trained speed and its Flash Fire ability.
Flash Fire allowed it to absorb fire-type moves aimed at it, powering up its own flames in return. It was practically the perfect counter to a fire-type opponent.
Kabu's first two Pokémon had already suffered because of this. Their fire-type moves did nothing, only making Growlithe stronger, allowing it to finish them with two quick strikes.
This time the man had learned his lesson. He chose Extreme Speed and Crunch.
Arcanine on the field dashed forward, moving so fast its body blurred, circling Growlithe and searching for an opening.
But speed against speed was a dangerous gamble. If it rushed from behind only to be met by an even faster counterattack, the fight would be over instantly.
"A test, huh…" Shiro gave a quiet snort. "Growlithe, use Swift!"
In the center of the battlefield, Growlithe opened its jaws. A pale gray energy gathered quickly, forming simple star shapes.
Arcanine saw this as an opportunity. It lunged straight at Growlithe's back.
Kabu's brows furrowed. Something felt wrong. He wanted to call for his Pokémon to stop, but the words never left his mouth.
What if Arcanine hit Growlithe before the Swift was released? It could interrupt the move and land real damage. But…
A sharp bark cut through the air.
"Arrrcnainnne!"
Arcanine cried out in pain, head snapping upward. A large number of small star-shaped blasts struck its side, breaking through its momentum and cutting off Extreme Speed. It stumbled back, forced to retreat.
"Heh…" Shiro smiled.
Arcanine's movements were being tracked by Unown A's psychic power. No matter which direction it tried to strike from, Growlithe could turn immediately to counter.
"Growlithe! Flamethrower!" Shiro followed up.
"Grooowl!"
Growlithe shut its mouth tight. Heat welled inside, flames spilling out even before it opened again. In a blink, it unleashed a massive pillar of fire.
Arcanine tried to dodge, but the flames moved faster than it could escape. The blaze slammed into its body, drawing a desperate howl.
Kabu could only watch, helpless. Fire had no effect on Growlithe. It was immune and could even feed on the flames to grow stronger.
With no options left, he raised a Poké Ball and recalled Arcanine.
"I give up."
His voice was calm and direct. He had no thought of prolonging the battle or proving himself as a Gym Leader.
"Oh! Gym Leader Kabu has forfeited once again! He is the first Gym Leader to concede to a challenger, and also the one with the most forfeits… Well, it seems this spectacular battle has come to an end. The winner is the challenger, Shiro!"
Rylan's voice rang out as Kabu approached Shiro.
Under the focus of numerous cameras, the Gym Leader pulled a badge from his pocket and handed it over.
"This is the Fire Badge," he said nonchalantly, then grabbed the towel draped around his neck and walked off without another word.
Shiro watched him leave, doubts stirring inside. He slipped the badge into his own pocket and wondered, 'This guy… The Motostoke Gym is actually one of the weakest? The easiest to beat?'
He recalled Granny Shae's warning before his journey, and the sudden explosion in the Wild Area caused by that Golem.
They had warned him to be cautious of Kabu, that he might be dangerous. Yet the challenge had ended this smoothly.
It didn't add up.
Shiro kept his eyes on Kabu's fading figure as he exited through the side door. Then, turning to the cameras, he put on a bright smile and spoke casually.
"A refreshing match! I felt extremely tense. A single mistake in battle can lead to complete defeat. Though Gym Leader Kabu surrendered, it was only because he saw the fight turning against him. Continuing would have been a waste of time. In truth, our strengths weren't that far apart."
Just then, several cameras pushed closer, their bright flashes making him frown slightly. Noticing it was a group of Galar fans who had rushed in from outside, he said nothing. He simply turned and walked quickly out of the gym.
Behind him, Rylan and several black-uniformed company staff followed closely. Outside, only two simple ribbons hung at the entrance. But on both sides, an overwhelming crowd of people surged forward like a swarm of locusts.
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