Pokemon: Gym Leader

The battle that followed was already without suspense. Gary only had a Nidoking left, while Jeanette still had three Pokémon.

However, it didn't matter.

Under the coordinated efforts of Dylan and Selene, Gary's Nidoking was quickly overwhelmed and lost its fighting ability.

Though Selene's Incineroar also lost its fighting ability, it didn't matter.

Because Jeanette was now going to battle alone. With her double battle partner eliminated, the chances of turning things around were slim.

"I surrender."

After realizing there was no hope, Jeanette helplessly chose to forfeit.

There was no point continuing the battle. Dylan and Selene worked well together, and both had strong Pokémon.

It was just too difficult; she could only say it was too difficult.

Jeanette instinctively glanced at Gary, who nervously turned away, silently avoiding her gaze.

It was awkward, but Gary was more speechless. What could he do?

Sigh~ Jeanette sighed inwardly. She had worked hard to decide to challenge the Rota Gym for the second time.

She should have known better than to do a double battle. Her own challenge might have made more sense, even if it meant commanding two Pokémon alone.

"Dylan Gym Leader, Selene."

When Jeanette regained her composure, Dylan and Selene walked over. She straightened her emotions and spoke up.

Meanwhile, Gary was almost visibly disgusted.

"Unfortunately, you two still haven't defeated us," Dylan said with a smile, meeting their gazes.

"The double battle challenges are more about teamwork and quick reflexes, but unfortunately, you two didn't show that today," he continued, shaking his head. "Though we were targeting Gary for a focused breakthrough, it wasn't without a solution. But neither of you figured out how to defend and counterattack. It's not just about teamwork; it's more than that."

"I feel very ashamed," Jeanette said, a bit helpless. Even though Gary was the first to be overwhelmed, since it was a double battle, Jeanette couldn't do anything about it. She too bore some responsibility.

All in all, both of them didn't perform well in this battle.

"I really don't suit double battles," Gary remarked with a roll of his eyes and a shrug.

"Forget it, Dylan Gym Leader, I'll challenge again next time," he added, waving his hand. There was no point in staying after losing.

"Goodbye."

Dylan smiled and watched Gary and his cheerleaders leave.

"Dylan Gym Leader, is Selene really just an apprentice?" Jeanette asked, curious and amazed. If true, that was incredible.

"Mm-hmm~" Selene blinked her big eyes. She must be impressed by my strength, huh? Haha~

"Yes," Dylan nodded.

"She's so strong~!" Jeanette admired. To reach such a level in just three months—she must be a monster.

"Hehe~ My teacher taught me well," Selene said modestly, though clearly pleased with the praise.

"Selene is very talented. I believe that once she sets off on her journey, she will make even more progress," Dylan said with a smile. Selene was already close to reaching the Elite Four level, truly an amazing growth speed.

Too bad she didn't start her journey at the same time as Red and Blue. Otherwise, Dylan would've loved to see them all competing together.

But then again, if they started at the same time, Selene would likely be on a tour of the Alola region by now.

"Will Selene participate in the Indigo League this year?" Jeanette asked curiously. With only two months left before the Indigo League, it seemed like there wasn't much time, but with Selene's strength, she could probably still get the badges.

"I'm not sure," Selene said, frowning. "I want to be the champion, but I don't think I can beat Champion Lance this year."

"I probably won't challenge the League this year. I'll wait until next year," she added after a moment's thought. "By the time I start my journey, it'll already be the end of the year, and there won't be enough time to travel properly."

"I'll aim for next year instead and work hard. I think I can challenge the regional champion then."

As for which region, Selene hadn't decided yet.

"I see. But honestly, if you weren't participating, it would be much less stressful," Jeanette joked. She understood the vast gap between people.

Selene was clearly one of those gifted monsters, a born trainer. Competing against her would be pointless.

"The difficulty of this year's Indigo League will still be high. Miss Jeanette, just do your best," Dylan reminded Jeanette. Even without Selene, there were still Red and Blue, both incredible trainers.

"Is that so?" Jeanette asked, slightly stunned.

"I understand now. For a newcomer like me, getting into the top four would be a success."

Then, Jeanette smiled gently. She had a calm attitude about it.

"Thank you for your time today, Dylan Gym Leader. I'll take my leave now."

"It was no trouble at all. You're welcome to challenge us again anytime," Dylan replied with a smile.

"I will~ I really want your badge," Jeanette said, smiling sweetly. She then curtsied to both Dylan and Selene before turning and leaving gracefully.

"Jeanette really has the air of a noble lady," Selene said with sparkling eyes, quite envious.

"She's from Crimson City, so it's understandable," Dylan shrugged. The name of Crimson City gave it away.

"Good job today, Selene. Keep it up and aim to take down Champion Lance soon," Dylan said, patting Selene on the shoulder.

"So, Teacher Dylan, please stop setting goals for me!" Selene complained, her eyelids twitching.

"Selene, as an apprentice from Rota Gym, you should aim higher."

"Thank you so much, Teacher Dylan," Selene said sarcastically.

"Hahaha~ Alright, I'm heading to the backyard now," Dylan chuckled, walking toward the back of the gym. He still hadn't released his Pokémon yet.

"Meow~"

As soon as he entered the backyard, a pink light flew toward him.

"Meow~ Meow meow meow~"

The round, chubby Jigglypuff snuggled against Dylan, purring non-stop.

"Alright, alright~ Is the canned food all gone again?" Dylan said, smiling as he held the fat Jigglypuff.

"Meow~!"

"You really need to eat less, little one. It hasn't been that many days, and I feel like you've gained at least five pounds," Dylan laughed, poking Jigglypuff's belly.

"Meow~ I haven't!" Jigglypuff protested, but suddenly sniffed the air and seemed puzzled.

"That's the scent of the big white dragon... and the big ice dragon too!" Jigglypuff's body glowed with a faint pink light as it backed away, looking at Dylan in surprise.

"Their scents are so strong! Did you catch them, Dylan?"

"Yep, surprised? Unexpected?" Dylan grinned, holding Jigglypuff closer and releasing his other Pokémon, including the magical-faced Meow and others. He then sat down on a picnic blanket.

"This trip to Unova was a big success, and I experienced some interesting things."

"Meow~ Dylan, you didn't take me along! I wanted to see the fun too..."

"What are you looking at? All you do is eat and sleep, if I threw you like a weapon you wouldn't even react."

Dylan couldn't help but laugh.

"That was an accident, Meow, and... and it was in Dylan's bag, so I could sleep peacefully, Meow."

Jigglypuff sounded a bit weak, but as she continued speaking, she became more confident.

"Dylan, that's too much, Meow! How could you throw me into the Thunder of the Great Black Dragon?!"

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry," Dylan said, squeezing Jigglypuff's big face.

After playing with Jigglypuff for a while, Dylan lay on the picnic mat, feeling the breeze and thinking about the upcoming schedule.

There hasn't been any news from Zinna in the Hoenn region yet, no need to hurry. The northern journey needs to be expedited, add that to the plan.

Alola could also be considered, with the shiny Necrozma, the Ultra Space can be entered and exited at will.

Each of the Ultra Beasts can be captured a few times, and there's also the sealed Necrozma.

Dylan's eyes flickered slightly, imagining a future where he would have Necrozma: Dawn Wings on his left and Necrozma: Dusk Mane on his right. Both could transform into their Ultra Forms, perfect.

"Now, which team should I form next?"

Dylan thought about his next team. He actually had many Pokémon of different types.

For instance, his partner Pikachu, and partner Eevee, but he didn't have a specific team focused on a particular type.

Soon, Dylan had an idea and quickly sent a text message to his old friend.

Ding Ding~

Suddenly, Dylan's phone rang.

"Hello~"

As soon as the call was answered, a bright and energetic female voice came through.

"Dylan, long time no see, did you miss Leah?"

"Nope."

"Huh? How could that be? Leah is so cute, after losing me, shouldn't you be crying and feeling like the days are dragging on?"

Leah's 'shocked' voice was very loud.

"Just say what you need to say." Dylan lazily responded.

Since Leah called, it was obviously for something important.

"Well... Dylan, I found out that a high-ranking member of Team Rocket is plotting something big."

"What do you mean?"

Dylan raised an eyebrow. Although Leah usually wasn't serious, she was extremely reliable when it came to matters involving Team Rocket.

"Apparently, Team Rocket has started a new plan, and this time, they will have their very mysterious three high-ranking members lead the team to execute it. And Leah here, just happened to learn the target location of one of their plans."

Leah proudly said.

"As expected of you, Leah. When is the operation happening?"

"It should be in a few days. I'll dig around some more in the next few days, and then I'll need you to come over, Dylan."

Leah was very familiar with this process: gather intelligence, and leave the action to the big guy, nice.

"Okay, contact me in advance then."

Dylan nodded.

If Team Rocket's plan required the three high-ranking members to personally act, then it was undoubtedly the three legendary birds project.

Dylan's eyes flickered slightly, wondering which of the three members Leah would have found information about regarding the legendary bird's location.

Well, capturing both the people and the birds would be perfect.

With Dylan's return, the Rota Gym became popular again, even making it onto trending searches along with the news of Lance changing his username to "Doduo."

Unquestionably, the Rota Gym had been bustling recently.

Although there still wasn't any challenger that impressed Dylan, he had Selene handle some of the challenges, claiming it would help her accumulate battle experience.

Then...

'If you can't even beat an apprentice, how do you plan on challenging the gym leader?'

Many challengers left the Rota Gym in tears, after being completely beaten by an apprentice who was still underage, which was a blow to their pride.

By Saturday, Dylan and Lillie flew towards the southeastern part of the Kanto region with Reshiram.

At the Pokémon Center near the Rock Mountain Tunnel, Dylan met Leah again.

"Wow~ Dylan, your Pokémon is so beautiful!"

As Reshiram landed, a disguised Leah quickly approached, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Reshiram.

"It's called Reshiram. I just caught it recently."

"Mm-mm~ It's really too beautiful! Where did you catch it? I want to go too..."

Leah spoke quickly, but before she could finish, she seemed to notice something from the corner of her eye. Her pupils suddenly shrank, and she immediately hid behind Dylan.

"What's wrong?"

Dylan was taken aback and noticed that Leah's grip on his shoulder was tightening, clearly very nervous.

"Look over there," Leah whispered in his ear.

"Mm?"

Dylan followed the direction Leah pointed towards and saw three figures.

One was a tall, muscular man wearing a tank top and baggy pants, with a baseball cap and large sunglasses, obscuring his face.

Next to him was a tall, slender young woman with gray-blue long hair. She wore a tight yellow sexy crop top that revealed her slim waist, white casual three-quarter pants, and yellow high heels.

A lazy, charming aura radiated from her. She was an attractive woman.

Beside this gray-blue-haired woman was a young man with purple hair, wearing a mask and a suit-like outfit.

This was Karen and Will!

The Johto Elite Four from the Gold/Silver era, with Will being the first member, specializing in Psychic-type, and Karen, specializing in Dark-type, had even defeated Bruno, making her the head of the Johto Elite Four.

As for the big guy with the sunglasses, Dylan could tell from his physique that it had to be Lt. Surge!

No wonder Leah had such a big reaction—it turned out she had seen her former colleagues from the organization.

But how did Karen and Will get involved with Lt. Surge? Weren't they active in Johto?

Dylan was a bit puzzled, especially since the side story later showed that the Masked Organization took over the remnants of Team Rocket, but that was after Team Rocket's downfall in Johto.

Yet Team Rocket was still active in Johto, and Karen and Will had come to Kanto and seemed to be quite close to Lt. Surge.

This was getting interesting.

(End of Chapter)