Hulbury stirred beneath the first golds of dawn, the sea breathing soft against the docks like a sleeping titan. The cries of Wingull skimmed across the harbor breeze, and the smell of salt mixed with the scent of blooming seagrass drifting in from the cliffside gardens.
From a tall apartment above the market street, a small figure stepped out onto the balcony, ponytail swaying, eyes bright despite the early hour. Niyah stretched, exhaled, and whispered with that usual spark of mischief:
"Alright… today's the day."
Her bag was neatly packed, her Pokéballs clipped in polished alignment, and inside her chest buzzed that familiar thrill before a battle. But beneath it, faintly pulsing, was something deeper. The same hum that came from the Rusted Sword hidden in her backpack. It was quieter now, almost expectant. Watching.
"Let's make a splash," she murmured, slinging the bag over her shoulder.
Down the hall, Nessa's door was still closed, though Niyah could already picture her triple checking every pump, valve, and flow system in the Gym's massive water maze. She grinned at the thought of the poised Gym Leader fussing over every detail.
—
The Center's glass doors slid open to reveal Nurse Joy humming softly, the faint chime of healing machines harmonizing in the background. When she looked up and saw Niyah, her eyes sparkled in recognition.
"Well, if it isn't Hulbury's little stormcloud! Nessa told me to expect you," she said, sliding a tray of Pokéballs forward. "I take it you're ready for the big day?"
Niyah nodded. "Yup. Gotta make sure everyone's in top shape before I, you know, totally ruin your boss's win streak."
Joy blinked. "You live with her now and you're still this bold?"
"Gotta keep her on her toes," Niyah said, half-laughing as she handed over her Pokémon. "Besides, if she didn't want chaos, she shouldn't've let me stay."
"Fair point," Joy said, chuckling as she placed the Pokéballs into the healing unit. "You know, people in town are still talking about your first match. We don't often get kids who take down Gym Leaders that fast. Or… uh, who prank the seafood market in one afternoon."
Niyah scratched the back of her neck, sheepish but proud. "Well, can't change who I am."
The machine chimed, returning her partners fully restored. She gathered them up, gaze softening briefly. "Thanks, Nurse Joy. I'll make sure not to break anything too big."
"That's… oddly comforting?" Joy replied with a nervous smile.
Niyah laughed, spun on her heel, and stepped back out into the sunlight, her shadow stretching long toward the water stadium that gleamed at the end of Hulbury's main road.
—
The roar of the crowd was faint here in the lower levels of the gym, an undercurrent rather than a shout. Hulbury Gym was both beautiful and treacherous, a cathedral of glass and water and light. Sunbeams danced across transparent panels, refracting blues across the path of cascading aqueducts that flowed above and around her.
The challenge was simple on paper: manipulate colored switches to redirect massive water jets that blocked the paths forward. But in practice? The currents were fierce enough to knock a person clean off their feet.
And no Pokémon could be used.
Niyah stood before the first pillar, grinning up at it like it had personally challenged her.
"Alright, so no Pokémon… doesn't mean no powers."
Roty hovered at her shoulder, screen blinking a warning red.
"Btzzz, reminder! Psychic interference during league-sanctioned trials is, technically a violation…"
"Technically, that rule only applies to Pokémon," Niyah interrupted, already focusing. The psychic energy hummed faintly around her fingertips. "So I'm fine to have fun!"
With a flick of her wrist, the nearby valve lever twisted, metal creaking as if turned by the wind. The column of water dropped, revealing a path of soaked tile.
"See? Easy," she whispered, darting forward.
From the observation deck above, Nessa leaned casually against the railing, arms crossed. Her sharp eyes followed the challenger's every move. The girl was quick, too quick to have manually pulled each lever. And the subtle shimmer in the air when she moved through the mist? That was no trick of light.
"You little psychic," Nessa murmured under her breath, lips curving faintly. "You think I can't tell?"
She didn't call it out. Instead, she pressed the mic button and addressed the arena announcer.
"Let her through," she said smoothly. "Let's see how far her instincts take her."
Below, Niyah's pace quickened, her focus a blur of logic and mischief. She was teleporting short distances now, phasing past the sprays and appearing just beside the next switch before anyone could blink. When one of the water bursts surged up unexpectedly, she telekinetically yanked a lever behind her without turning around.
"Shortcut achieved," she said with a grin, stepping through the final gate as the cascade of water faded behind her.
From above, Nessa folded her arms, the faintest smirk tugging her lips. "I swear, that child is chaos wrapped in starlight."
—
The main arena was roaring by the time Niyah stepped into the light. The crowd of spectators, locals, tourists, and fans who'd followed her first victory, erupted into cheers and laughter.
"There she is! The prankster girl!"
"Go get her, Mini Mimikyu!"
Niyah waved sheepishly, her grin bright and fearless as the announcer's voice boomed:
"Trainers, the Hulbury Gym Battle is about to begin!
Challenger Niyah Soleil, taking on the Water-Type Gym Leader, Nessa!"
Across the water field, Nessa appeared in a shimmer of mist and light, poised and radiant as ever in her blue and orange uniform. Her confident calm contrasted perfectly against Niyah's electric restlessness.
"Welcome to my turf, Niyah," Nessa called. "I hope your training's paid off."
"Oh, you'll see," Niyah said, a smirk coming on her face.
"Then let's make some waves. Go! Goldeen!" Nessa's Pokéball arced through the air, releasing a swirl of water that burst open into the elegant form of Goldeen. It spun in place, horn gleaming, the surface rippling with reflected light.
Niyah grinned and tossed her own ball. "Lumos! You're up!"
The flash revealed the tiny candle Pokémon, his flame flickering defiantly against the ocean-blue arena. The audience collectively gasped.
"A Litwick? Against a Water-type?!"
"Is she out of her mind?!"
"Trust me," Niyah whispered, "this little candle burns hotter than the sun."
The referee's flag dropped.
"Battle start!"
"Goldeen, Water Pulse!"
The air rippled as Goldeen summoned a sphere of compressed water energy. It fired, twisting like liquid glass toward Litwick.
"Smokescreen!" Niyah called.
Litwick spun once, releasing a thick billow of shimmering black smoke. The pulse slammed into it, dispersing the vapor into steam. The crowd gasped as the arena briefly filled with fog.
"Now, Energy Ball!"
Through the mist, a sudden flash of green burst out, Lumos's small body glowing with power as he hurled a perfect orb of concentrated grass energy straight into the steam.
Goldeen shrieked as the impact detonated, sending water flying high into the air. When the fog cleared, the fish was wobbling, fins fluttering.
Nessa's eyebrows rose. "You've been busy."
Niyah winked. "Told you."
"Recover, Agility, then Horn Attack!"
Goldeen darted forward, a blur of white and gold slicing across the water's surface.
"Acid Armor!" Niyah snapped.
Litwick's flame flickered violently as the horn connected, then steadied, unfazed.
Goldeen's horn sank into nothing as Litwick's body liquefied into molten translucence, then reformed just behind the fish, his flame flaring hotter. He let out a low hiss.
"Now, Fire Spin!"
The attack ignited the air, flames rising into a spiraling column of heat that wrapped Goldeen mid-leap. The crowd gasped as the steam exploded outward, the sheer temperature of the fire evaporating the water midair.
When the light faded, Goldeen splashed down, eyes spiraled. The referee's flag shot up.
"Goldeen is unable to battle! Litwick wins!"
The crowd roared, half in disbelief, half in awe.
Even Nessa, recalling Goldeen, allowed herself a small smile. "That firepower is new."
Niyah folded her arms, grinning. "Guess he learned a few tricks."
Above them, mist still danced in the air, remnants of steam from where fire had defied water.
The tide, it seemed, was starting to turn.
—
"Not bad," Nessa said, voice cool as the waves rising behind her. She plucked another Pokéball from her belt, the glint in her eyes matching the metallic sheen of the casing. "But let's see how your little candle holds up against something faster."
She tossed it high. "Arrokuda, let's dive in!"
With a crack of light, the spear-shaped fish burst into the water like a bullet, cutting through the pool with terrifying precision. It circled once, creating a whirlpool around itself just by swimming. Its eyes, sharp, predator-like, locked onto its opponent.
Niyah inhaled slowly. She'd seen Nessa's training sessions. She knew how brutal Arrokuda's acceleration was.
She smiled. "Lumos, that's your cue to rest."
The little Litwick bobbed gratefully back into his Luxury Ball. Niyah's hand went to the next one, her voice dropping into something playful yet deadly.
"Let's turn up the fear factor. Mimi, you're on!"
From the flash of the Luxury Ball, shadows rippled outward like ink in water. Mimikyu emerged, tilting its ragged Pikachu hood as the crowd erupted in both awe and unease. Its shadow swayed beneath it, alive, coiled like a predator waiting to strike.
Nessa's lips pressed together. "You've gotten stronger, haven't you?"
Mimikyu's eye holes glowed faintly violet in answer.
The referee raised the flag again. "Round two begin!"
"Arrokuda, Aqua Jet!"
The water split as Arrokuda shot forward, a silver streak skimming the surface. It hit with explosive force but Mimikyu didn't even flinch. Its body rippled like liquid shadow.
"Disguise broken!" Roty chirped.
The fake body tore slightly, smoke-like essence escaping before reforming.
Niyah smirked. "You had your free hit."
"Mimi use Astonish multiple in a row!"
The arena lights dimmed slightly as Mimikyu blurred, its true shadow detaching from its feet and slamming into Arrokuda's side. The fish reeled, caught off guard by the sheer speed. But before Nessa could order a counter, another blow landed.
Then another.
The shadow moved independently, a ghostly mirror copying each hit from a different angle, an evolved technique from their earlier training. The crowd gasped as Arrokuda was batted around like a toy between two unseen hands.
Nessa grit her teeth. "Whirlpool now!"
Arrokuda dove, creating a churning vortex around Mimikyu, the suction dragging the ghost downward. For a moment, the water swallowed her completely.
Niyah only crossed her arms. "You think that's gonna hold her?"
Mimikyu's shadow shimmered beneath the whirlpool and vanished.
Nessa blinked. "She teleported?"
"Nope," Niyah said. "Double Team."
A second Mimikyu appeared behind Arrokuda, still low on the field tiles.
"Now, Wood Hammer! Chain it!"
Mimikyu lunged forward, her clawed hands glowing with a fierce, bright green aura. She struck once, twice, each blow cracking through the air like thunder, the sound of splintering wood echoing unnaturally through the waterlogged arena.
The last hit connected midair, Arrokuda was launched upward, then smacked down with a heavy splash.
Steam hissed up from where the water met the ghost's cursed energy. The crowd roared as Arrokuda's form floated motionless, swirls in its eyes.
"Arrokuda is unable to battle! Mimikyu wins!"
The arena thundered. Hulbury's spectators, so loyal to their Water Leader, couldn't help cheering for the underdog who'd just outsped a speed demon.
From across the field, Nessa's stern mask softened into something between respect and disbelief. "You really are full of surprises."
Niyah tilted her head, her grin small but dangerous. "Told you I'd make a splash."
The two locked eyes, one glowing with calm blue resolve, the other with playful defiance. The air itself seemed to hum with tension.
Then, Nessa reached for her final Pokéball.
—
"This battle isn't over yet," Nessa said, steady and confident as she pulled her last Pokéball free. "Let's show them what Hulbury's real strength looks like!"
She threw the ball with practiced precision,
"Drednaw, take the field!"
The heavy thud that followed shook the water itself. Drednaw emerged with a deep growl, armored shell glistening with sea spray. Its gaze was fierce, commanding. The crowd roared; this was the Pokémon everyone came to see.
Niyah tilted her head, appraising the opponent. "Drednaw… looks different today."
Nessa smirked. "That's because this one isn't my personal partner. My real Drednaw would flatten most challengers. But don't underestimate this one, it's still the pride of Hulbury Gym."
The turtle let out a low rumble, snapping its jaws as if to agree.
Niyah chuckled and raised her last Pokéball, voice rising above the sound of the crowd.
"Alright, Iris, let's put on a show!"
Light blossomed outward as Togetic appeared in midair, spinning gracefully before perching on a shimmering current of psychic air, her feathers glowing faintly. The crowd "aww'd," some waving tiny flags or Poké Dolls.
Then Niyah's eyes sharpened. "Start off with Magical Leaf!"
Togetic twirled, sending a flurry of luminous leaves dancing through the air. They zipped forward in tight spirals, impossibly fast, each one carrying her will. They slammed into Drednaw's shell, bursting into tiny motes of light.
"Razor Shell!" Nessa countered.
Drednaw's claws glowed ocean blue as it lunged from the water, slicing through the field with shocking speed. The hit connected, forcing Togetic backward in a flare of sparks. She recovered midair, fluttering to keep her balance.
Niyah smirked. "Looks like the current's picking up."
"Then brace yourself, use Rock Tomb!" Nessa called.
Chunks of rock rose from the pool's floor, glimmering with energy. They shot toward Togetic in jagged bursts.
"Extrasensory!"
Togetic's eyes flashed gold, halting the stones midair before flipping them back toward Drednaw. The turtle ducked, one rock grazing its shell before splashing down beside it.
The crowd gasped at the psychic display.
Nessa's heart thudded once. "She's using Extrasensory like a barrier now? That's advanced psychic focus…"
Niyah, calm as ever, said, "You haven't seen anything yet. Metronome!"
Togetic twitched her small claws. For a tense second, nothing. Then, a surge of white energy erupted around her.
"Solar Beam!" Niyah shouted in glee.
A miniature sun formed between Togetic's wings. Without hesitation, she released it. The golden beam tore through the air and hit Drednaw square in the chest, blasting it into the pool. Water hissed and steamed.
The crowd's reaction was instant, half disbelief, half awe.
"She called the move before it finished forming?" Nessa muttered, watching Togetic hover amid fading light. "That's not chance. She's directing Metronome."
"Guess you caught on," Niyah said, voice sly but proud. "Iris doesn't roll dice anymore. She picks her miracles."
For the first time in the match, Nessa's pulse spiked not out of panic, but thrill. This was a true fight.
Her hand went to her Dynamax Band. "Then I won't hold back anymore!"
A beam of scarlet light surged skyward. "Drednaw, Dynamax!"
The turtle roared, growing in size until it towered over the arena, water cascading from its shell like waterfalls. It wasn't Nessa's true partner, but the sight was still awe-inspiring. The air trembled with power.
Niyah narrowed her eyes, bracing herself against the rising wind from the transformation.
"Let's see how your luck holds now!" Nessa shouted. "Max Rockfall!"
Drednaw's eyes blazed. It reared back and hurled massive spectral stones down like meteors. The impact sent waves rippling across the field, debris spraying everywhere.
"Iris, Morning Sun!" Niyah commanded.
A warm golden light burst around Togetic, the rays catching even through the storm. Her wounds glowed and sealed; her breathing steadied. The crowd gasped again, Niyah's timing was perfect.
Drednaw snarled and reared again.
"Max Geyser!" Nessa cried.
The turtle unleashed a towering spout of water that crashed over the field like a tsunami, swallowing Togetic whole. Steam burst as the spray struck.
For a moment, the water churned.
Then..
"Metronome!" Niyah's voice cut through the roar.
From within the storm, lightning sparked. Togetic burst free, haloed in white light, electricity crackling across her feathers.
"Thunderbolt!"
The bolt tore downward like divine retribution, slamming into Drednaw's chest. Electricity raced along its shell, lighting up the arena. The massive turtle staggered, its Dynamax energy flickering.
Nessa grit her teeth. "Hold steady! We're not done!"
But Drednaw's breathing was uneven. It was too damaged to fully focus. Its glow dimmed, shrinking back down to normal size with a heavy splash.
Niyah exhaled, lowering her arm slightly. "You did amazing, Iris. Let's wrap this up."
Togetic nodded, eyes soft but resolute.
"Magical Leaf, finish it!"
The air shimmered again, and a final volley of glowing leaves sliced through the mist, striking true. Drednaw collapsed forward, sending ripples across the pool before going still.
The crowd fell silent, just for a heartbeat, then exploded into cheers.
Announcer:
"Drednaw is unable to battle! The victor of the Hulbury Gym Battle is, Niyah Soleil!"
Nessa stood frozen for a moment, wind tousling her hair, the remnants of sea spray glittering like stars around her. Then she smiled, soft, tired, proud.
Walking across the arena, she met Niyah at the center, holding out her hand.
"You weren't kidding," she said quietly. "You've got real power behind that playful smile."
Niyah shook her hand firmly, her grin more subdued now. "You taught me how to use it."
The two exchanged a look that said more than any crowd noise could, a mix of mutual respect and something almost familial.
Then Nessa handed her the Wave Badge and the Whirlpool TM, leaning in slightly as she did.
"By the way," she whispered, "the Shiny Stone's waiting for you… back at the apartment."
Niyah blinked, surprise flickering into joy. "You serious?"
"Wouldn't tease you about something like that."
Niyah pocketed the badge, looking up at the cheering crowd, then back at Nessa. "Guess that means training time's not over yet."
Nessa smirked. "Not even close."
The sea breeze carried their laughter through the open roof of the Hulbury Gym, mingling with the roar of the crowd and the crash of waves, marking not just a victory, but the start of something far bigger.