Franklin rolled his shoulder once, eyes locked on Ethan now—not casually anymore.
"Don't get comfortable," he said, pulling out his second Pokéball. "That was the easy one."
The wind picked up again as he threw.
"Farfetch'd—take the field."
The Farfetch'd that emerged was… wrong.
Its feathers gleamed pale gold instead of brown, the leek in its wing polished smooth like a blade that had tasted battle more than once. It landed lightly, eyes sharp and calculating.
A shiny.
Rocky lowered his head, stone plates grinding as he tracked the much smaller opponent.
Ethan's mind raced. Small target. Fast. Precise. Bad matchup for a body this big.
"Rocky, Stealth Rock again."
Onix roared, slamming his tail down. Fresh jagged stones erupted and locked into place across Franklin's side of the field, tightening the hazard net.
Franklin didn't even blink.
"Poison Jab. The belly."
Farfetch'd moved.
Not fast—efficient.
It slipped between falling stones, leapt off a fragment mid-air, and drove the leek forward in a sharp, upward thrust.
"Rock Slide!" Ethan snapped.
Boulders crashed down—
—but Farfetch'd danced through them. One step, one pivot, one glide. The leek struck true.
THUD.
Rocky recoiled as purple light spread across the impact point, venom seeping into the cracks between his stones.
"ONIX—!"
Poison took hold immediately.
Ethan clenched his fist. That thing's trained. Properly trained.
Franklin didn't press the advantage.
"Return."
Farfetch'd vanished in red light before Rocky could counter.
Ethan's eyes widened. "He's cycling."
Franklin's next Pokéball was already in the air.
"Swablu."
The cotton-winged Pokémon emerged mid-spin—and the Power Herb shattered instantly.
"Solar Beam."
Ethan's blood ran cold. "Rocky, get out—!"
Too late.
Green light condensed at point-blank range and fired like a cannon. The beam slammed straight into Onix's chest, blasting him backward across the arena. Stone cracked. Dust exploded.
Rocky hit the ground hard, poison still ticking.
"ONIX…"
Ethan didn't hesitate. "Return."
The Pokéball absorbed Rocky just before he could collapse completely.
The gym was silent now.
Franklin adjusted his stance, calm as ever. "You handled my opener well. But Flying gyms don't fall to one answer."
Ethan exhaled slowly, eyes sharp again.
"Fine," he muttered. "Then let's change the question."
He reached for another Pokéball.
"Noibat—your turn."
The ball opened, and Noibat burst into the air with a sharp screech, wings snapping open as the wind responded instinctively.
Swablu fluttered higher, cotton wings glowing faintly with residual energy.
Franklin smiled—just a little.
"Good. Let's see how you handle the sky."
Franklin looked at Noibat. 'Swablu dodge the Stealth rock, because the switch was too fast, a proper Pokémon to fight the Bat will be my Murkrow, but I can't send him out'.
He moved his hand. "Use Aerial Ace"
Swablu shot forward, wings tucking in as Aerial Ace triggered—clean, direct, impossible to miss.
Ethan's voice cut through the air.
"Noibat, Wing Attack. Head-on."
Noibat didn't hesitate.
The two Pokémon collided midair.
Wind detonated outward as wing met wing, feathers and soundwaves tearing through the space between them. The impact didn't cancel the move cleanly—but it bled the force out of it. Swablu was pushed back instead of punching through.
Both Pokémon spun apart.
Noibat steadied himself first, sonar pulses rippling faintly from his body as his wings beat harder.
Franklin raised an eyebrow. Good timing. Not panic. Not luck.
"Again," Franklin ordered calmly. "Aerial Ace."
Ethan clicked his tongue. He's testing reactions. Fine.
"Noibat—Supersonic."
The ultrasonic cry burst outward just as Swablu lunged again. The bird Pokémon faltered mid-dive, flight path wobbling as its eyes glazed for half a second.
Confusion took hold.
Swablu veered, Aerial Ace scraping past Noibat instead of hitting cleanly. The move still grazed him, but the force was sloppy.
"Noibat, Absorb—now."
Noibat swooped low, green light flickering as he latched onto Swablu's side for a split second before kicking off. Energy siphoned back into him, stabilizing his breathing.
Franklin nodded slowly.
"You're not trying to win fast. You're buying airspace."
Ethan didn't answer. His eyes stayed locked on the sky.
Swablu shook its head, confusion fighting discipline. Franklin made the call.
"Return."
Red light recalled Swablu just before the confusion could cost him more.
The moment it vanished, Ethan's shoulders tensed.
Here it comes.
Franklin released the next Pokéball in one smooth motion.
"Murkrow."
Dark wings snapped open as Murkrow emerged, its red eyes immediately locking onto Noibat. The moment it touched the field, Stealth Rock triggered—sharp stones slamming into its side.
Murkrow hissed, but stayed airborne.
Franklin didn't flinch.
"Haze."
A dark mist spread instantly, washing over the field. Supersonic's lingering effects vanished like they'd never existed.
Ethan grimaced. "So that's how you want to play it."
Murkrow darted forward, shadows clinging to its wings.
"Faint Attack."
"Noibat—Double Team!"
Noibat split midair, images scattering as the dark strike passed through an illusion. The real Noibat climbed higher, breathing hard but focused.
Franklin watched closely now. Not judging—measuring.
"Good," he said quietly. "Most challengers panic here."
Ethan smirked, just a little.
"Yeah? I grew up around dragons. This is just turbulence."
The battle wasn't decided.
But the tone had changed.
This wasn't a kid challenging his first gym anymore.
This was a trainer proving he belonged in the sky.
"Haze."
The word fell like a guillotine.
Dark mist swallowed the air again, erasing the last traces of Double Team as if the clones had never existed. The sky felt heavier—thicker, quieter.
Murkrow vanished into the fog.
Ethan's eyes widened. "Noibat—!"
Too late.
Murkrow burst out of the mist behind Noibat, wings slicing cleanly through the air.
"Aerial Ace."
The hit landed flush.
Noibat cried out as he was smashed downward, spiraling before slamming into the ground with a dull, sickening thud. Dust kicked up. The gym went silent.
"Get up," Ethan said sharply—then softer. "You've got this."
Noibat pushed himself upright, wings trembling but still spread. He shook his head once, sonar pulses flaring again.
Ethan exhaled. 'Okay. Enough dancing.'
"Noibat," he said, voice steady, "move change. Dragon Rush."
Noibat's eyes flared violet.
Something clicked—a deep, internal shift. The familiar feeling of Double Team released, replaced by raw, coiling draconic force. Wind screamed as energy wrapped around Noibat's body.
Franklin's eyes sharpened. 'He's willing to give up safety for commitment'.
Noibat launched forward, Dragon energy tearing through the mist like a spear.
Murkrow barely twisted aside.
The Dragon Rush missed by inches, the force ripping past Murkrow so violently it sent shockwaves through the air.
"Faint Attack," Franklin called immediately.
Murkrow reappeared in a blur of shadow—
—and got slammed mid-phase by a sudden Wing Attack.
The impact cracked through the gym.
Murkrow was hurled downward, smashing into the ground and skidding across the stone floor before coming to a stop in a cloud of dust.
A beat.
Two.
Murkrow staggered back to its feet, breathing hard.
Franklin raised his hand. "Roost."
Murkrow leapt back, dark wings folding as it landed, light gathering around its body. Injuries began to fade—but the Stealth Rock spikes still dug in, biting the moment it touched down.
Murkrow hissed in pain, healing partially but paying the price.
Ethan noticed. His eyes narrowed.
Grounding a Flying-type in a field with Stealth Rock…
Yeah. That works.
The crowd of Bird Keepers murmured now. Falkner leaned forward slightly, eyes bright.
Franklin smiled—small, sharp, approving.
"Good adaptation," he said. "You're learning when to trade defense for pressure."
Ethan wiped sweat from his brow and grinned back.
"Guess I'm finally catching the wind."
Above them, the sky felt closer than ever.
And the battle was only halfway done.
Ethan planted his feet and took a slow breath, tuning out the noise of the gym, the watching trainers, even Franklin's calm presence.
"Dragon Rush to close in," he said, sharp and clear. "Then Absorb."
Noibat screeched, the sound sharp enough to make the air vibrate.
Dragon energy wrapped around his small frame again as he shot forward, not wild this time—focused. The rush tore straight through the lingering mist, forcing Murkrow to react instead of control.
Franklin's eyes flicked. "Aerial Ace—"
Too late.
Murkrow launched, wings cutting in a perfect arc, but Dragon Rush didn't try to overpower it—Noibat angled through the strike. The attacks collided, wind exploding outward in a shockwave that rattled the gym's pillars.
Murkrow was knocked back midair.
"Now!" Ethan shouted.
Noibat twisted, eyes glowing faintly green as thin tendrils of energy latched onto Murkrow's shadow.
Absorb.
Murkrow shrieked as its strength was siphoned away, the glow around Noibat intensifying as his bruises visibly eased. It wasn't a huge drain—but it was enough.
Enough to tilt the balance.
Murkrow crashed down again, wings scraping the ground. Stealth Rock bit in again as it touched down, sharp stones tearing into it before it could regain footing.
Franklin clicked his tongue softly. Chip damage stacking. Smart.
Murkrow tried to rise.
Tried.
Its wings trembled… then gave out.
The referee stepped forward.
"Murkrow is unable to battle!"
A beat of silence—
Then the gym erupted.
Bird Keepers stared. Falkner's jaw dropped just a little. Bugsy let out a low whistle. Whitney grabbed Lyra's arm like she needed proof this was real.
Ethan exhaled hard, shoulders dropping as relief hit him all at once.
"Good job," he said quietly.
Noibat fluttered back, landing shakily on his shoulder, chest puffed out in obvious pride.
Franklin recalled Murkrow, his smile wider now—genuine.
"Well done," he said. "You didn't overpower him. You outpaced him."
He reached for his next Poké Ball.
"Next," Franklin continued, eyes sharp with interest, "let's see how you handle something that doesn't need to dodge."
The ball opened.
"Pidgeotto—let's fly."
Wings beat against the air as the larger bird Pokémon took the field, eyes locked onto Noibat with predatory focus.
Ethan's grin returned—slow, excited, just a little feral.
"Yeah," he muttered. "This is the good part."
Back in the stands—
Erika leaned forward, eyes locked on the field. "He sent out his ace already?"
Sabrina's gaze sharpened, psychic energy faintly stirring around her temples. "That means he's done testing. He's serious now."
Whitney swallowed. "Is… is that a bad thing, or a good thing?"
They got their answer instantly.
"PIDGEO—!"
The cry cut through the gym like a blade.
Pidgeotto vanished in a blur, wings slicing the air as Aerial Ace landed clean and brutal. Noibat didn't even have time to recover altitude—the hit sent him spiraling down, skidding across the ground before going still.
The referee raised a hand.
"Noibat is unable to battle!"
Ethan clenched his jaw, returning Noibat without a word. "You did great," he murmured.
He didn't hesitate.
"Mareep, you're up."
The little Electric-type popped out, wool crackling with static as she stomped her hooves, trying to look brave.
Franklin didn't waste the moment.
"Mud-Slap."
Pidgeotto swooped low, kicking grit straight into Mareep's eyes. She bleated in surprise—
"Aerial Ace."
The second strike was clean, merciless. Mareep was knocked back hard, tumbling once before collapsing, sparks fading from her fleece.
The referee didn't delay.
"Mareep had been returned!"
Silence.
Whitney's hands clenched into fists. "She didn't even get a move off…"
Lyra's voice was small. "That was… fast."
Erika looked away, jaw tight. "That's what a real Gym Leader looks like."
Sabrina's eyes never left Ethan. "This is where most challengers break."
Down on the field, Ethan recalled Mareep slowly. He stood there for a moment, staring at Pidgeotto circling above, its wings steady, confident.
Two Pokémon down.
No panic.
No anger.
Just calculation.
"…Yeah," Ethan muttered under his breath. "Figures."
His hand moved to another Poké Ball—heavier than the rest, cold in his palm.
"Alright," he said, voice steady as stone. "Rocky. Round two."
The ball snapped open.
"ONIX!"
The massive Rock Snake slammed onto the battlefield, Stealth Rock glittering ominously around the field once more as Pidgeotto's shadow passed overhead.
Franklin smiled, clearly pleased.
"Good. Let's see if your foundation holds."
Ethan's eyes hardened.
'Now the real gym battle starts.'
Kitsu's fingers dug into the railing.
'Xiōngdì… what are you doing?' she thought sharply. 'Rocky's still poisoned.'
Down on the field, Ethan hadn't missed it—not the faint purple sheen along Onix's stone plates, not the way Rocky's movements were a half-beat slower than before. He just… chose not to react to it.
Because reacting meant panicking.
Franklin noticed too. Of course he did. A Gym Leader didn't miss details like that.
"You're keeping him in despite the poison," Franklin said calmly, Pidgeotto circling above him like a blade on a string. "Most challengers switch."
Ethan exhaled, slow and controlled. "Most challengers don't need him to stay."
Rocky rumbled, tail grinding against the stone floor as poison ticked again—small damage, but relentless.
Franklin's smile widened, just a little. "Pidgeotto. Roost."
The bird dropped, landing lightly as its wings folded, injuries knitting over in a soft glow.
Erika hissed under her breath. "He's resetting momentum…"
Sabrina's eyes narrowed. "And stalling out the poison."
Ethan's grip tightened. That's fine.
"Rocky," he said clearly, "Dig."
Onix slammed headfirst into the ground, vanishing beneath the arena floor just as Pidgeotto took off again.
Franklin raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Mud-Slap, spread wide."
Pidgeotto beat its wings hard, blasting dust and grit across the battlefield, obscuring the surface.
Kitsu bit her lip. 'If Dig misses, Rocky's done.'
The ground trembled.
A split second later, Onix erupted from beneath Pidgeotto in a violent burst of stone and debris, slamming straight into its underside.
"PIDGEO—!"
The crowd gasped as Pidgeotto was launched upward, barely regaining balance midair.
Ethan didn't let the moment breathe. "Rock Slide!"
Jagged stones tore free from the ceiling supports, crashing down across the arena. Pidgeotto twisted, dodging most—but Stealth Rock flared as it clipped one on landing, slicing its wing.
Franklin clicked his tongue. "Well played."
Poison pulsed again through Rocky's body, his roar weaker this time.
Kitsu squeezed her eyes shut. 'Please… just a little longer.'
Ethan met Franklin's gaze, unflinching.
"You're right," Ethan said quietly. "Most people would switch."
Then, softer—just for Rocky to hear:
"But you're not most Pokémon."
Rocky lifted his head, stone plates grinding together as if answering him.
Franklin straightened, excitement finally breaking through his calm.
"…Good. That's the kind of answer I wanted."
Pidgeotto spread its wings once more.
The air in Violet City Gym went razor-thin.
This wasn't a beginner's match anymore.
This was a test.
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch here and give me power stones and enjoy