"Gloom~!"
Gloom stood on the floor, half-asleep with its droopy face, looking both silly and oddly endearing.
"If the opponent's a Gloom… then you're up, Leafeon," Nozomi said after a moment's thought, tossing a Poké Ball forward.
It had been a while since Leafeon's last battle—time to let her stretch her legs again.
As the Poké Ball burst open, Leafeon leapt gracefully into the arena, walking with elegant, measured steps. Her leaf-like ears and tail swayed lightly as she moved.
But her poise lasted only a few seconds—until she caught a whiff of Gloom's odor.
Her delicate nose wrinkled instantly.
Evolved from an Eevee, Leafeon had a strong love for cleanliness, and such an overwhelming stench was absolutely intolerable. Still, her fighting spirit kept her from backing down.
"What a beautiful Pokémon!"
The Cerulean Gym staff watching the match were practically starry-eyed.
"That's… Leafeon?" Erika asked uncertainly, her expression showing surprise.
"Oh? You actually recognize Leafeon?" Nozomi raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Erika to identify it so quickly.
"I've seen one before," Erika admitted. "But to see a Leafeon here in Kanto… that's quite surprising."
Nozomi smiled faintly. You'll have plenty more to be surprised about soon enough.
"That's enough talking—let's begin the match!" Erika said briskly, gesturing toward Gloom. "Gloom, use Razor Leaf!"
"Gloooom~!"
Gloom's round body trembled as several sharp green leaves shot out of nowhere, slicing through the air toward Leafeon.
Leafeon's eyes flashed sharply. With a light leap to the side, she easily dodged every incoming leaf.
"So easily…?" Erika's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
She hadn't expected Razor Leaf to finish the battle in one go, but she certainly hadn't thought it would fail to even graze her opponent.
"Leafeon, let's return the favor—Razor Leaf!" Nozomi commanded.
An eye for an eye. Leafeon's own Razor Leaf flew forth in return.
The difference was instant and brutal. Though both used the same move, Leafeon's attack was faster, sharper, and far more powerful—completely overwhelming Gloom's attempt.
"Incredible…" someone murmured. If the earlier dodge had shown Leafeon's agility, this Razor Leaf displayed her raw power perfectly.
Erika's expression grew more serious. This Leafeon's strength… it's almost on par with my main team.
Even so, Erika had no intention of giving up. "Gloom, dodge it quickly!"
Of course, a powerful Pokémon didn't always mean a powerful Trainer. As a Gym Leader who had faced countless challengers, Erika knew that very well.
A battle tested more than the Pokémon's strength—it also tested the Trainer's command.
"What—!?"
Just as Erika thought she had predicted Leafeon's rhythm, the flying leaves suddenly curved midair as if they had eyes, cutting through Gloom's attempted dodge and striking her squarely.
"Glooooom!"
Gloom dropped from midair, her body covered in several shallow cuts.
"Gloom!" Erika cried out.
But Nozomi wasn't about to give her any breathing room. "Leafeon, Quick Attack!"
In a flash, Leafeon turned into a streak of silver light. The next instant, a blur shot across the arena—Gloom, who had barely started to get up, was sent flying.
Before Erika could react, Leafeon's tail glowed metallic silver. She spun and delivered a clean Iron Tail strike.
Gloom collapsed instantly, unable to move.
"Gloom is unable to battle!" the referee announced from the edge of the field, raising the flag.
Leafeon stood before the fallen Gloom, lifting her head elegantly—only to immediately inhale a lungful of Gloom's lingering odor. Her expression froze, and even her leaf-colored face seemed to turn a few shades greener.
Fortunately, Erika didn't leave Gloom out there as a biological weapon. She quickly recalled her fainted Pokémon into its Poké Ball.
"I underestimated you," Erika admitted. "To show my respect, I'll be using my true strength from here on out."
Nozomi rolled his eyes.
Just say you want a rematch—you don't have to dress it up like that.
So the rumors online were true after all: Erika of Celadon Gym really did have a bit of a sly streak.
"Go, Victreebel!"
She threw another Poké Ball, releasing her main Pokémon—Victreebel!
Unlike the dopey Weepinbell it had evolved from, Victreebel's sharp eyes gleamed with menace, radiating danger from every inch of its pitcher-like body.
"Come back, Leafeon," Nozomi said immediately. Facing Erika's ace, keeping Leafeon out would be a bad idea.
By his estimation, Victreebel's strength was clearly above Leafeon's. Keeping her in meant a likely loss.
Nozomi didn't feel like wasting time. He reached for another ball.
If you're using your main Pokémon, then I'll bring out mine.
Click.
The Ultra Ball opened.
"Draaaah!"
A deep, echoing roar filled the entire Celadon Gym.
The massive, round-bodied Dragonite appeared in the arena, wings unfurling as its kind, large eyes locked onto the opponent.
"My second Pokémon—Dragonite. Please take care of us," Nozomi said with a calm smile.
Erika didn't respond. She just stared at the Dragonite with her mouth open.
"This is just… too…"
After several seconds, she still couldn't find the right word.
She only wanted to win a simple Gym match—how did she end up facing a Dragonite?!
And another thought crept up on her.
Is this guy really a rookie trainer?
Erika studied Nozomi carefully. She had already checked his League registration earlier, but his skill and composure didn't resemble any rookie she'd ever met.
She couldn't even remember the last time she'd seen a challenger with a Pokémon as powerful as Dragonite.
But there was no turning back now.
"Please… take it easy on me," Erika said with a stiff smile.
"Likewise," Nozomi replied politely.
Then, without warning, Dragonite lunged forward—straight toward Victreebel.
"Victreebel, Acid!"
Under Erika's command, a jet of violet fluid burst from Victreebel's mouth, spraying toward Dragonite.
"Dragonite, dodge and use Dragon Pulse!"
Despite its size, Dragonite's movements were astonishingly agile. It twisted aside to avoid the acid completely, then opened its mouth—firing a blazing orb of blue energy straight down at Victreebel.