The Duskmire Gym loomed ahead like a stone fortress, its dark walls lined with banners of storm clouds and flickering blue lightning bolts. Alex stood before the massive double doors, his team gathered at his side—Groyvle, Riolu, Charcadet, and Larvesta.
He hadn't forgotten the sting of the tournament loss. He had trained until his muscles ached and his Pokémon's moves were sharper than ever. Today, there was no room for hesitation.
Pushing the doors open, Alex stepped into a wide battlefield. The floor was polished stone, streaked with painted arcs of lightning. High above, lights buzzed faintly, casting a cold white glow. At the far end stood the Gym Leader—a tall, broad-shouldered man with short black hair and a confident smirk.
"Well, if it isn't the kid from the tournament," the Gym Leader said, his voice deep and steady. "I saw your matches. You've got skill, but I also saw you lose. Let's see if you've learned anything since then."
Alex's jaw tightened. "I have."
"Good," the leader replied, stepping forward. "Name's Roderick, leader of the Duskmire Gym. I specialize in Electric-types. Let's see what you've got."
Battle Start
Roderick tossed his first Poké Ball, releasing a Luxio whose fur crackled with sparks.
"Grovyle, you're up!" Alex called.
The battle opened fast—Luxio darted forward with a Quick Attack, but Grovyle sidestepped, his Leaf Blade glowing emerald green. He slashed across Luxio's side, earning a sharp yelp.
"Thunder Fang!" Roderick ordered.
Luxio lunged, electricity crackling in its jaws. Alex reacted instantly. "Block it with Leaf blade then counter with a quick attack!"
luxio would try to bite Grovyle but he would block it with Leaf blade using the blade to cut luxio's mouth letting a deep red mark and making luxio stop and then Grovyle would cut distance using quick attack and finishing the battle
Roderick smirked. "Not bad. But can you handle this?"
His second Poké Ball released an Electrode, the orb Pokémon rolling in place like a ticking time bomb.
"Electrode, Charge Beam!"
A beam of pure electricity shot toward Grovyle, but Alex was ready. "Dodge and use Mega drain!"
Grovyle leapt to the side, then he would have used mega drain draining some of electrode's energy. but Electrode retaliated instantly with a blinding Explosion. The blast filled the arena with smoke and dust.
When the haze cleared, Electrode lay fainted—but Grovyle was barely standing, breathing hard.
"You did great," Alex said, returning him. "Riolu, you're up!"
Roderick's final Pokémon hit the field—a Manectric with piercing yellow eyes. Its fur bristled with raw energy, arcs of lightning snapping across its body.
"Flame Charge!" Roderick commanded.
Manectric blurred forward, surrounded by a fiery aura.
"Counter it, Riolu—Force Palm!"
Riolu met the charge head-on, his palm glowing with fighting energy. The impact cracked the stone floor, pushing both Pokémon back.
"Thunderbolt!"
Electricity surged from Manectric's fangs, striking Riolu hard. He grit his teeth, sparks dancing across his fur, but stayed upright.
"Double Team, now!" Alex shouted.
Multiple copies of Riolu flickered across the field, weaving in and out. Manectric snarled, unsure where to strike.
"Break its guard—Bullet Punch!"
Riolu zipped forward, fists striking in a blur. Manectric reeled, but before Roderick could order a counter, Alex made his move.
"riolu, now use close combat!" riolu would get close to Manectric using close combat and having Manectric in a combo "Don't let him breathe use Bullet punch and continue till he falls!" Riolu would continue punching manectric not letting him scape
"Manectric use discharge!" Manectric would use discharge gaining some distance it would use to bite riolu with a thunder fang
"riolu finish it with a final bullet punch!" riolu would punch the Manectric again this time defeating it "good job riolu!"
Victory
Roderick recalled his Pokémon, smiling despite the loss. "I can see you've learned a lot since the tournament. You've got a dangerous mix of instinct and adaptability. Keep honing it, and you'll go far."
He handed Alex the Duskmire Badge—a small, polished emblem shaped like a lightning bolt.
Alex accepted it without a word, though his heart pounded. This wasn't the tournament win he had wanted, but it was proof they were moving forward.
Outside, the late afternoon sun painted the town in shades of gold. Alex walked through the streets with his team at his side, each Pokémon looking satisfied but still hungry for more.
The path leading out of Duskmire stretched ahead, bordered by tall grass swaying in the wind. Alex glanced back at the town only once.
"We keep moving," he murmured. "The next challenge is out there—and we're taking it."
With the badge secure in his pack and his team walking beside him, Alex stepped forward, leaving Duskmire behind for whatever came next.