Pokemon: Gym Leader

That Diantha actually wanted to challenge him—Dylan was honestly a little surprised.

"Since it's a request from Miss Diantha, I'd be happy to accept."

Dylan naturally agreed. To battle Diantha was something he couldn't ask for more.

He was genuinely interested in powerful trainers from the original works.

"Thank you very much."

Diantha gave a soft, elegant smile—it was quite radiant.

"Then Miss Diantha, according to the rules of the Rota Gym, you'll draw an attribute first."

Lillie took a small spinning wheel from her bag and handed it to Diantha.

"All right."

Diantha curiously examined the little spinner. Dylan was a multi-type trainer and was gradually working toward mastering all types.

That was no secret anymore. Some people, frankly, made the gap between them and others feel inhuman.

Diantha pressed the "Go" button, and the pointer began spinning rapidly.

Before long, it slowed and finally stopped in a pink section.

"Fairy type, huh?"

Diantha looked at the indicator, her clear eyes sparkling slightly. She was hardly unfamiliar with Fairy types.

Everyone knew her ace was Gardevoir, which was part Fairy-type.

"Shall we find a battlefield nearby?" Dylan asked.

"Come with me. I know a proper battlefield nearby."

As a former Kalos Champion, Diantha knew Lumiose City like the back of her hand.

She sent Serena a message and then led Dylan's group to a large nearby training facility.

This facility was well-equipped—even with a scoreboard. Not bad.

There were still a few trainers sparsely training there. Dylan and Diantha took up opposite sides of the battlefield and looked across at each other.

The scoreboard lit up, displaying half-body portraits of Dylan and Diantha.

"Then I, Leaf, will be the referee!"

Leaf confidently walked to the center of the field and glanced at both Dylan and Diantha.

"Now beginning the Rota Gym challenge match. Challenger: Diantha."

"Battle rules: 6-vs-6 full battle. Gym Leader Dylan sends out first and cannot switch Pokémon. If all six of Dylan's Pokémon are defeated, the challenge is successful."

"Battle start!"

Leaf swung her arm down and then stepped off the field.

All the commotion quickly attracted the attention of nearby trainers. After all, Pokémon battles were hugely popular, and a public full battle was a big deal.

"Whoa! That really is Miss Diantha—I thought she looked familiar!"

"She's having a full battle? Wait, the guy she's battling… he looks really familiar too!"

"Damn! That's Dylan, the Champion of Kanto! I saw his match against Galar's Champion Leon!"

"What's Diantha doing?! She's battling that kind of monster?! Nooo, not my goddess Diantha!"

"Can you shut up? Miss Diantha is way stronger than that clown Leon. No way she gets steamrolled like him!"

Spectators quickly gathered. Diantha wasn't just a former Kalos Champion—she was also a mega-celebrity, beloved by fans and trainers alike.

Even though she wasn't Champion anymore, it didn't affect her popularity.

And Kalos trainers firmly believed Diantha was as strong—or stronger—than any other region's Champion.

Naturally. Who'd admit their own Champion was worse?

"Looks like we've drawn quite a crowd, Champion Dylan..."

Diantha looked a bit sheepish as she noticed the growing audience. Her popularity in Kalos was truly sky-high.

"No need to worry. I'm used to having spectators when accepting gym challenges." Dylan smiled and shook his head.

"Then let's begin in earnest, Miss Diantha."

Dylan slowly unfastened the top two buttons of his black shirt, loosening his collar.

"Since this is your first challenge at my Rota Gym, please allow me to formally introduce myself."

"I am Dylan, Gym Leader of the Rota Gym—a multi-type trainer."

Hearing Dylan's calm and composed tone, Diantha's eyes gleamed slightly. As expected of Champion Dylan—what an opening.

"Today, I'll be using Fairy-type Pokémon to battle you. Miss Diantha, you're not unfamiliar with Fairy-types, are you?"

"They are graceful and elegant, as enchanting as fairies, and behind their cute exteriors lies tremendous power."

Dylan slowly slipped on his black gloves and enlarged a Poké Ball in his hand.

"Are you ready, Miss Diantha? Then allow me to show you the unique charm of Fairy-types."

With eyes locked on Diantha, Dylan tossed his first Poké Ball.

"My first Pokémon will be—this one!"

"Klefki, ready for battle!"

The Poké Ball opened with a flash of white light, revealing a floating Pokémon that looked exactly like a keyring, with various keys dangling from it.

It was Klefki.

Beep~ Klefki, Steel/Fairy-type. The Key Ring Pokémon.

Ability: Prankster

Moves: Play Rough, Imprison, Fairy Lock, Torment, Reflect, Light Screen, Spikes...

Description: It never lets go of keys it likes. To prevent theft, it often carries the keys to vaults.

"Klefki as the opener, huh? That little guy is no joke."

Leaf clicked her tongue as she listened to the Rotom Dex. She hadn't seen Dylan use Klefki before, but it was clearly annoying to deal with.

That much was obvious. With the Prankster ability and a Steel/Fairy typing, Klefki had amazing resistances.

Immune to Dragon and Poison, and only weak to Fire and Ground—easily one of the best type combinations.

"Hawlucha, you're up."

After a brief pause, Diantha tossed her first Poké Ball.

A Pokémon with humanoid and avian features landed in front of her. It had beautiful, colorful plumage, a beak-like head, and a powerful build.

It was Hawlucha.

Beep~ Hawlucha, Fighting/Flying-type. The Wrestling Pokémon.

Ability: Unburden

Moves: Sky Attack, Reckless, High Jump Kick, Flying Press, Swords Dance, Detect, Roost...

Description: It leaps gracefully with its wings, delivering elegant but deadly strikes. These moves are honed in its forest home.

Looks pretty strong.

Lillie curiously observed the muscular Hawlucha—it looked just like a gladiator.

But Hawlucha is weak to Fairy. That means Diantha chose a Pokémon with a disadvantage from the start.

She sure is confident.

"Challenger moves first," Dylan said with gentlemanly grace, motioning with his hand.

"Then I won't hold back." Diantha lifted her arm elegantly.

"Hawlucha, Swords Dance!"

Diantha went for a buff first. Swords Dance boosts physical attack by two stages, making Hawlucha a lot more dangerous.

Hawlucha struck a strong pose, and an intense, sharp aura surged around it—Swords Dance!

"Fairy Lock."

Dylan calmly issued his command.

Klefki swayed slightly, pink energy flying toward Hawlucha and forming a pink lock symbol that attached to it.

Diantha's brow furrowed. She recognized the move—Fairy Lock! Klefki's signature.

It's like Mean Look: it prevents switching out for all non-Ghost Pokémon.

But unlike Mean Look, Fairy Lock has a time limit—and a stronger binding effect. You can't escape even with Baton Pass.

With Prankster active, Fairy Lock activated instantly.

"Spikes," Dylan ordered again.

Klefki continued jingling as sharp spike fragments scattered across the battlefield.

Just as the Spikes were laid, Hawlucha finished its Swords Dance.

"Hawlucha, go in with Fire Punch!"

Diantha's expression turned serious. Her Hawlucha had inherited Defog, but she didn't want to risk Klefki pulling something during the setup.

Although Hawlucha prefers fighting on the ground, it could fly—so as long as it didn't land, the Spikes wouldn't matter.

Hawlucha bent its knees, leapt high, and spread its wings to glide toward Klefki.

Its flight was like a glide—fast and stylish—closing the distance in no time.

Flames erupted from its right fist—Fire Punch!

But—

"Metal Sound." Dylan smiled coolly.

WNNG~ WNNG~!

Klefki backed off, shaking violently as unbearable metallic screeches turned into semi-solid sound waves.

Hawlucha flinched, as though struck—Metal Sound tore into its eardrums, contorting its expression.

White light flashed around it—its Special Defense fell sharply.

"Hang in there, Hawlucha!" Diantha's face tightened.

Prankster made Klefki's status moves lightning-fast—there was no time to prepare.

Metal Sound didn't deal damage, but it was grating.

Still, Hawlucha was one of Diantha's main Pokémon. It quickly adapted and resumed its charge.

But its speed clearly dropped.

Hawlucha threw its flaming fist—but Klefki narrowly dodged with a sideways juke.

Still, Hawlucha's experience showed—it followed up with a left-hand Fire Punch.

"Thunder Wave."

Electric sparks crackled around Klefki and shot straight into Hawlucha.

Paralysis!

Electric current surged through Hawlucha, freezing its muscles.

It lost its balance and fell toward the ground—crashing.

"..."

Diantha's expression visibly changed.

What a nasty little thing!

What's so cute and charming about your Fairy-type Pokémon?!

(End of Chapter)