"Welcome to Nimbasa Gym. I'm Elesa, the Gym Leader here. It's a pleasure to meet you," Elesa greeted him.
"Hello. My name is Gary," Gary replied.
"So, how was the ride? Did it scare you at all?" Elesa asked curiously.
"It was fine. Pretty thrilling, actually. But when can we start the battle? This doesn't look like a battlefield," Gary said.
The roller coaster ride had been entertaining enough, but Gary cared far more about the Pokémon battle. The room was small and there was no arena in sight.
"The battlefield is behind that door over there. Come with me."
Elesa walked toward the door, which opened automatically as she approached.
Immediately, a wave of shrill cheers poured out.
Behind the door was indeed a proper battlefield. In the stands lining the walls on both sides of the arena, a crowd of girls stood waiting.
"Elesa! I love you!"
"Elesa! Elesa!"
"I missed you so much...!"
The girls in the stands went wild the moment they saw Elesa.
"They're this fanatical?" Gary was baffled.
He could understand people admiring Elesa.
But come on... it was only nine in the morning.
Who would have nothing better to do than rush over to watch a Gym battle first thing in the day?
Besides, Gary hadn't scheduled the battle in advance. He'd only shown up this morning. These girls had almost certainly been invited by Elesa herself.
After all, Elesa had her own fashion brand, and she sometimes held runway shows right here in her Gym. Bringing in girls to fill the seats and build atmosphere for those events was practically a necessity.
"I'm going to dazzle you with adorable Pokémon, so you'd better be careful," Elesa said.
Elesa was a Trainer who adored cute Pokémon. The Pokémon she used were all cute-looking Electric-types.
"I'll do my best to stay alert."
Gary's expression turned slightly indifferent.
"What?" Elesa noticed the shift in his expression and asked, "Do you think cute Pokémon can't be strong?"
"That's not it. It's just that most cute Pokémon aren't particularly powerful. And if you're treating me like a Beginner Trainer, you're going to lose badly," Gary warned.
"Alright, I won't treat you like a Beginner Trainer. Let's begin." With that, Elesa walked over to the opposite command area.
Seeing both Trainers in position, the female referee immediately announced, "Then... the Gym battle at Nimbasa Gym is about to begin! Each side will use three Pokémon. The battle ends when all of one side's Pokémon are unable to continue. Additionally, only the challenger has the right to substitute Pokémon."
[Ding! Mission released: 1. Earn the Nimbasa Gym Badge / Rewards: Low-Level Rare Candy x6, Volt Switch Permanent Move Tutor, Premium Magnet x1!]
[2. Earn the Nimbasa Gym Badge using only Unova Region Pokémon / Rewards: Low-Level Rare Candy x6, Electric-type Self-Select Permanent Move Tutor, Random Held Item x1, Ability Expansion Stone x1!]
Gary was dumbfounded.
He'd known Elesa wouldn't be using high-level Pokémon, but he hadn't expected the rewards to skip Mid-Level Rare Candy entirely. Everything on offer was Low-Level.
Gary had even considered using Chandelure in today's match. If he did that now, it would just be bullying.
"Zebstrika, shine in the spotlight!" Elesa threw the first Poké Ball.
Go!
[LV29 Zebstrika♂ / Gym-tier]
Seeing Zebstrika's level, Gary felt rather helpless. Even though it had reached its final evolution, its level still fell squarely within Beginner range.
"Excadrill, this Gym battle is all yours." Gary called off the Pokémon he'd originally planned to use and sent out Excadrill instead.
Go!
[LV32 Excadrill / Champion]
"Oh! A shiny...!"
Elesa was surprised the moment she saw Excadrill's coloration.
"I see you knew this was an Electric-type Gym and came prepared with a Ground-type. But type advantage alone won't be enough to beat me." Elesa gave her order confidently. "Zebstrika, use Flame Charge!"
"NEIGH!"
With a sharp whinny, flames erupted across Zebstrika's body as it charged forward at incredible speed.
"Block it with Protect, then set up Sandstorm," Gary commanded.
Bang!!
Excadrill raised a Protect barrier and blocked Zebstrika's Flame Charge, then swung its steel claws. A swirling Sandstorm formed instantly, quickly engulfing both Excadrill and Zebstrika.
"Flame Charge again!"
Elesa wasn't concerned in the slightest and pressed the attack.
Zebstrika's hooves hammered against the ground as flames wrapped completely around its body, and it charged at Excadrill once more.
Watching Zebstrika bear down on it, Excadrill showed no sign of panic. Gary calmly ordered, "Dodge."
Whoosh!
Excadrill vanished from its position in an instant. Zebstrika was startled and slammed on the brakes, skidding a meter or two across the ground before coming to a stop.
Zebstrika was just turning to search for Excadrill when it heard—
Gary: "Horn Drill!"
Whoosh!
A flash of silver light streaked across several meters in a heartbeat, slamming straight into Zebstrika's body.
Bang!!
Zebstrika was knocked clean off the field and crashed to the ground, unable to get back up.
"Zebstrika is unable to battle! Excadrill wins!" the referee announced.
"Even though you were defeated that quickly, you fought well." Elesa consoled her Pokémon as she recalled Zebstrika.
"What an outstanding Trainer. That really was dazzling — but now it's your turn to be dazzled."
"You're up, Emolga! Take the spotlight!"
Elesa threw her Poké Ball with a flourish.
Go!
[LV27 Emolga♀ / Gym-tier]
Elesa's Emolga wasn't high-leveled either — actually lower than Zebstrika. Gary genuinely couldn't figure out what order she was sending them out in.
"Excadrill, use Rock Slide!" Gary ordered.
"Drill!"
Excadrill condensed chunks of rock and hurled them forward.
"Show them your aerial skills!"
Emolga displayed superb flying ability, weaving gracefully between the falling rocks without a single one landing a hit.
"Let's dazzle Excadrill — Attract!" Elesa seized the opening.
"Dig!"
Bang!
Excadrill was far too fast. It immediately burrowed underground, avoiding the Attract entirely.
"So what if you dodged Attract? Dig can't reach something in the air," Elesa said.
Gary ignored her. Instead, he looked up at Emolga soaring near the ceiling and immediately ordered, "Excadrill, use Scorching Sands on the sky!"
"Huh?"
Elesa looked puzzled. She had no idea what Gary was thinking.