POKEMON : STARTING WITH FLASH METAGROSS

In the EMI Gym, Scorbunny made its debut during a gym challenge, marking a high starting point for its battling career.

As the referee waved the flag, Scorbunny immediately dashed toward the opposing Roserade with incredible speed!

"Roserade, use Stun Spore!" the gym apprentice commanded, reacting swiftly with a status-inflicting move.

However, Scorbunny, ever agile, lightly stepped with its left foot and dodged the incoming powder with ease.

"That trick won't work!"

"Scorbunny, use Ember!" Rax called.

"Mi too!" Scorbunny cried out as it planted its right foot, pivoted, and launched a fiery Ember attack with a powerful kick.

The flames surged forward, resembling more of a fireball than a mere spark, and struck Roserade directly.

"Ro—"

Boom!

Even with the level difference, the intense flames caused massive damage to Roserade, who staggered back.

"Scorbunny, Ember again!"

"Mi too!"

Using its agility, Scorbunny darted to Roserade's side, pivoted on its left foot, and unleashed another Ember with its right. The fire hit its mark once more, leaving Roserade no time to recover.

The gym apprentice had underestimated Scorbunny, unfamiliar with Pokémon from the Galar region. Her decision to open with Stun Spore, which couldn't touch Scorbunny, had already sealed her fate.

Before long, Roserade fainted, unable to continue.

The gym apprentice recalled her charred Pokémon with a heavy heart and sent out her next: a Lotad.

"Lotad, use Fake Out!"

With incredible speed, Lotad clapped its hands together, startling Scorbunny and causing it to momentarily freeze.

"Lotad, follow up with Water Gun!"

"Scorbunny, counterattack!" Rax commanded calmly.

Though briefly stunned, Scorbunny quickly regained its composure. Driven by its momentum, it darted to Lotad's side and delivered a powerful kick.

Crash!

Lotad skidded across the battlefield, its Water Gun interrupted before it could even fire.

Rax smirked. "If you disrupt my rhythm, I'll do the same to yours!"

Encouraged by its success and Rax's support, Scorbunny's confidence soared.

The gym apprentice clenched her teeth, realizing her go-to strategies weren't working. "Lotad, use Teeter Dance!"

"Scorbunny, Quick Attack!"

Before Lotad could begin its dance, Scorbunny blurred into motion and struck it with a lightning-fast blow, sending Lotad flying once more.

Rax chuckled at Lotad's bewildered expression. He wondered if the poor Pokémon might develop a fear of being kicked.

The battle's rhythm was now entirely under Scorbunny's control. Lotad's attempts to retaliate were quickly countered or evaded, leaving it no opportunity to recover.

"Lotad, Water Gun!"

"Scorbunny, finish it!"

Bang!

With one final kick, Lotad was sent sprawling. This time, it stayed down, either truly defeated or too embarrassed to continue.

The first gym apprentice was defeated, and Scorbunny had taken down two opponents in a row, exceeding expectations.

Rax caught the leaping Scorbunny and playfully scratched its nose.

"Great job!"

"Mi too!"

"Now let's watch your teammates show their stuff!"

Scorbunny hesitated, eager to continue battling, but Rax insisted.

"Be a good sport. Your task is done; let the others have their turn."

Scorbunny thought of its teammates—Marowak, Metang, and Skiploom—all of whom had supported it during training. Reluctantly, it nodded and accepted a bottle of MooMoo Milk from Rax.

---

The second gym apprentice soon arrived—a confident, mature woman with a sly smile.

"I heard there's a strong young challenger here," she said teasingly. "Go easy on me, won't you?"

Rax raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by her attempt at distraction. With a flick of his wrist, he sent out Marowak.

"A Ground-type should keep things interesting," he said.

The woman released her first Pokémon, Mawile, a Steel- and Fairy-type.

"Mawile, use Bite!"

"Marowak, Counter with Bonemerang!"

The battle was short and decisive. Marowak's expertly wielded bone club struck Mawile multiple times, leaving it battered and unable to continue.

The gym apprentice's second Pokémon, Tangela, fared no better. Marowak's relentless strikes overwhelmed it, and soon it joined Mawile on the sidelines.

As the apprentice withdrew her Pokémon in defeat, Marowak calmly walked back to Rax, exuding quiet confidence.

Scorbunny, watching from the sidelines, was awestruck.

"Mi Rabbit!" Scorbunny pointed to Marowak's bone club, clearly wanting one of its own.

Rax sighed. "You'll get one when you're older."

Scorbunny seemed content with that promise—for now.

---

Rax was soon led into the main arena, a massive battlefield surrounded by a lush forest.

Standing opposite him was the gym leader, a thin man with bangs who smirked as he approached.

"Young man, you should always be gentle with women," he said.

Rax blinked, confused but ready to battle. "Let's just see who comes out on top."

The stage was set for the official gym battle to begin.