The Pewter City Gym's battlefield was a carefully designed arena that mimicked a natural rocky terrain. Stratified stone platforms rose at various angles, making it a heaven for rock type Pokemons.
Flint walked beside Gladion, his presence more distracted than supportive. The gym's referee official walked ahead, explaining the specific rules for this challenge.
"Three-star badge challenge," the referee explained, turning to Gladion. "Specific regulations apply. Each trainer may use two Pokémon, and only the trainer can initiate Pokémon switches during the battle. This tests not just the Pokémon's individual capabilities, but the trainer's strategic decision-making."
Gladion nodded, his mind already calculating potential strategies. The three-star challenge was more complex than a standard first-ti trainer's battle. The Gym leader checked a deeper understanding of type matchups, individual Pokémon strengths, and tactical thinking of a trainer.
The decision crystallized in Gladion's mind with surgical precision. Arsenal, his Magby, would be his first Pokemon, while Hydros, the Squirtle, would provide the critical type advantage against rock-types and be his trump card.
'Jeez, It would have been much easier to win with any of my other Pokemon. But where is fun in that?' Gladion thought to himself.
Flashback-----
Gladion was choosing his two Pokemon for his first battle. He had decided that he would be challenging the gym for a three star badge. So Mystique, Guy and Collosus were out.
That left him with Nyx, Hydros, Arsenal and Zeus. While choosing Nyx would be a safe option since she was a lot stronger for a 3 star badge challenge, he wanted to give one of Arsenal and Zeus so battle experience even though both were weak against rock types.
And considering that he can use Zeus in the
Cerulean City Gym battle, he decided to use Arsenal. And as for second Pokemon, he chose Hydros. He was pretty sure that after more than two months of training, Hydros was strong enough to handle both of Flint's Pokemon.
Arsenal was an interesting case. As a two-star level Pokémon, he was powerful but too arrogant for his own good. The Pewter City Gym battle would serve as a chance for him to gain so battle experience beyond training scenarios.
Hydros, in contrast, was a solid three-star Pokémon. His water-type moves would provide a clear advantage against rock-types.
The selection wasn't just about winning. It was about growth, about creating opportunities for his team to develop and understand their potential.
With that thought in his mind , Gladion had laid out his reasoning to his entire team.
"Arsenal," he had explained, "this isn't just about winning. This is about learning. You'll be facing your first real gym battle. Every move, every mont is an opportunity to understand yourself better."
The Magby had puffed up with pride, small flas dancing around his body.
Arsenal couldn't resist taunting Zeus, the Elekid who had been left behind for the battle.
[Look at ,] Arsenal boasted, flas flickering with excitent. [I'm going into battle while you're stuck here. Clearly, I'm the superior Pokémon.]
Zeus, typically a bundle of destructive energy, looked deflated. His electric sparks dimd, a rare mont of genuine disappointnt.
Recognizing the tension, Gladion knelt beside Zeus. His voice was calm, reassuring.
"Hey," he said softly, "Don't take this the wrong way. The Cerulean Gym is a water-type gym. You'll absolutely be my primary battler there."
The promise reignited so of Zeus's characteristic spark. Electric energy began crackling around him once more, his natural arrogance slowly returning.
Arsenal needed real battle experience. Training could only teach so much—actual gym battles would expose the young Magby to unpredictability, to the real challenges of competitive battling. Rest of his Pokemon had battle experience as they battled Gym Pokemon back ho or even his dad's Alakazam or even his Mom's personal team.
Hydros would provide stability in the match in case he needed to defeat both the Pokemon by himself. His three-star battle prowess and type advantage ant he would put up a solid performance.
Both Flint and Gladion stood opposite each other.
"A three-badge challenge for a first-ti trainer?" Flint's voice carried a mix of curiosity and challenge. "Interesting."
The referee raised his flags. "This will be a gym battle between Gym Leader Flint and Challenger Gladion Vortex. Two Pokémon each. Begin!"
Both the trainers threw out there Pokeballs.
Flint's first Pokéball opened, revealing an Onix. The rock snake Pokémon towered over the battlefield, its rocky segnts gleaming under the artificial lighting.
Gladion's choice was deliberate. "Arsenal, let's go!"
The small Magby erged, looking comically tiny compared to the enormous Onix.
Flint couldn't hide his surprise. "Are you serious?"
Using a fire type against a rock type was a fundantal error.
'So he is just an overconfident rookie. What a disappointnt!' Flint thought
Gladion's smile was knowing. This was about more than just winning. This was a lesson for Magby.
Magby refused to learn moves that were not fire type moves or normal type that were also acceptable to him. He refused to believe that there were moves that were stronger than his fire moves.
And that's why he decided to show Magby that he needed moves other than fire and normal type.
"Onix, Rock Throw!" Flint commanded.
Massive stone fragnts hurtled toward Arsenal. But Gladion and Magby was prepared.
"Smokescreen!" Gladion's voice rang out.
A thick cloud of smoke erupted, obscuring the battlefield. The rock fragnts crashed into empty space, missing their target completely.
"Ember, now!" Gladion followed up.
A fire stream burst through the smoke, striking the Onix's rocky surface. They weren't powerful enough to cause significant damage, but they were never ant to be.
"Scary Face!"
Arsenal's expression transford, radiating an intense intimidation. The Onix visibly slowed, its movents becoming more sluggish.
Flint gritted his teeth. "Onix, Screech!"
A ear-splitting sound erupted across the battlefield. But Arsenal stood firm, its resolve unbroken.
"Smokescreen again"
The smoke was big enough to cover both Onix and Magby.
"Fire Punch now"
The attack was precise. A strong fire covering Maggby's fist connected with Onix's body, creating visible stress fractures in its rocky composition.
"Onix make him regret coming close to you" Flint said as Onix used Bind to take hold of Arsenal with his tail
Arsenal tried to get out to no avail as the Onix slamd him into the ground, instantly knocking him out.
'Arsenal fought valiantly but was ultimately overpowered. Now he would know that he needs moves other than fire and normal types to win against bad matchups.' Gladion thought
As the Magby was recalled, Gladion knew the first phase of his plan was complete.
'Now ti to win the gym battle.'
"Hydros, you're up!"
The Squirtle erged with a confident expression on his face.
Flint's Onix was wounded but still formidable. But against Hydro's water type advantage and power, it was useless.
"Water Gun!"
The precision was remarkable. Hydros's attack targeted the stress fractures created by Arsenal's earlier assault. The high-pressure water stream found perfect weak points.
One powerful Water Gun was all it took. The massive Onix crashed to the ground, defeated.
Flint was shocked to see his Onix get knock out with a single move even with the type advantage.
Flint's eyes glead with respect. "Not bad, Trainer Vortex. Not bad at all."
---Author Notes-------
Thankyou Caron Stephens, Daniel Wallace and Douglas Pilkington for supporting !
Y'all can read 12 extra chapters on my pat*reon.
spat reon/mrmi24
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