With the power of Swords Dance, the two Scyther clashed again, their battle growing even more intense. However, because they had the same type and similar moves, it was hard to determine a winner. The two Pokémon fought from the ground to the air and back again. Natsui's ears were filled with the constant clang of their blades colliding, and his eyes could barely keep up with their speed.
Perhaps sensing that the long battle was not going in his favor, Bugsy started to get anxious. He repeatedly ordered his Scyther to use Quick Attack combined with X-Scissor, seemingly trying to find an opening through high-speed combat. But Natsui didn't give him that chance, using Double Team and Agility to launch effective counterattacks. Back and forth they went, but it was Bugsy's Scyther that started to fall behind.
In the end, Scar's skill was superior. It found an opening in its opponent's attack and landed a critical Night Slash, winning the battle.
Thud...
Bugsy's Scyther fell to the ground, unconscious. Natsui's Scyther, on the other hand, had used a massive amount of energy through constant movement and high-intensity fighting. Although it had won, it was also panting and covered in sweat.
The referee raised his flag. "Scyther is unable to battle! The winner of this gym match is the challenger!"
Recalling his Scyther, Bugsy walked over to Natsui with an emotional expression.
"I lost. Your Scyther is truly amazing. I can't believe that I, a Bug-type specialist, lost to another Bug-type Pokémon. It seems my own training is not yet complete."
Natsui smiled slightly. As his Scyther, Scar, walked over, he patted its head. "Before I caught it, this Scyther was already the leader of its pack. It's one of the strongest of its kind. And to be honest, your Scyther is very strong too. If I had been even a little careless, I would have been the one to lose."
"I see..." Bugsy's eyes widened in understanding, but this only made him more curious about the island of Bug-type Pokémon Natsui had mentioned. Hmm, I have to go there for my next training trip! Next month... no, I'll go next week!
After a brief chat, Bugsy took a badge from his pocket and placed it in Natsui's hand.
"This is the Hive Badge, proof that you've defeated me. Please take it."
Natsui said his thanks. As Erika walked up beside him, they both looked down at the badge in his palm. It was red and black and shaped like a ladybug, looking no different from the ones he had seen on Earth.
With this badge in hand, he now only needed one more to be able to participate in the Silver Conference.
After a bit more small talk, Natsui and Erika said their goodbyes and left.
They didn't leave Azalea Town right away. Instead, they first found an inn with a hot spring to stay the night, soaking to relieve their fatigue and recover their energy. After all, they had walked a lot of mountain roads going to and from Charicific Valley, and they needed a rest.
The next morning, after a full night's rest, they were refreshed and full of energy, ready to set off for the city of the final gym.
...
Goldenrod City was a large and prosperous metropolis. Located in the mid-western part of the Johto region, right by the sea, it was the region's financial, technological, and political center. On the entire continent, it was the only international city that could compare to Saffron City. From their names alone, Goldenrod and Saffron, one could tell that people associated them with money and opportunity.
After leaving Azalea Town, Natsui and Erika traveled for a day and a half before finally arriving in the great city. Their final destination was the Goldenrod Gym. The Gym Leader was Whitney, a specialist in Normal-type Pokémon. Defeating her would earn a trainer the Plain Badge.
Walking through the streets of Goldenrod City, they saw towering skyscrapers and endless traffic. Even the people's clothing was much more fashionable. Being there made Natsui forget he was in the Pokémon world; it felt just like being in a major city back on Earth.
I guess in any world, there are always people rushing around, busy with their lives...
Seeing Natsui looking around curiously, Erika couldn't help but chuckle. "You've seen both Saffron City and Goldenrod City now. Which one do you think is more prosperous?"
Heh, trying to test me!
"They're about the same," Natsui said after a moment's thought. "When cities develop to this level, besides a few different landmarks, there's not much difference. The only real distinction is that one is by the sea and the other isn't."
Erika nodded. It was true; once a city's scale and technology reached a certain point, they all started to look alike.
Following the street, they arrived at the Goldenrod Gym. It was located right in the city center and was a massive building that looked like a large sports stadium from the outside. If it weren't for the Pokémon League logo on the door, Natsui would have thought it was a soccer stadium.
However, when they arrived, a staff member informed them that the Gym Leader, Whitney, had just gone out and was not in the gym at the moment.
Hearing this, Natsui couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He had been pretty unlucky these past few days. First Bugsy was gone, making him wait three days, and now Whitney was gone too. Was fate trying to balance out his smooth journey by throwing these obstacles at him?
Luckily, the staff member then told him that Whitney was just wandering around the city and would definitely be back by tomorrow, which made Natsui feel a bit better.
Leaving the gym, Natsui looked at the unfamiliar streets and turned to Erika. "It's only noon. Let's find a place to stay first, and we can come back later."
"No problem," Erika agreed, then added with a smile, "Since we have some free time now and we're finally in Goldenrod City, why don't you come shopping with me?"
Hearing this, Natsui looked at Erika and felt a wave of guilt. It was true. She had followed him all over, never once complaining. How many people would do that? He really should take some time to properly accompany her.
"Of course. Where do you want to go?"
Erika thought for a moment. "I've heard the department store here is very famous. Why don't we go there first?"
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