After resting for the night, the next day he headed once more to the Coumarine City Gym.
In front of the enormous tree, after being announced by the gym staff, Cain came face to face with the current Gym Leader of Coumarine City.
It was an elderly man dressed in gardening attire, with a large pair of shears in one hand and a watering can in the other. His face bore a kind smile. This was Ramos, the Gym Leader of Coumarine City, an older man but still full of vitality.
Cain politely bowed slightly and said, "Mr. Ramos, sorry to trouble you."
Mr. Ramos' smile remained as he squinted and waved his hand, first looking at Cain and then at the Blaziken standing beside him. With just that glance, he understood Cain's purpose.
Without saying much more, he simply gestured for Cain to follow him into the large tree, which was in fact the gym itself.
Once inside, it was clear how the Coumarine City Gym and the ancient tree were completely fused into one.
"Young Cain, you come from Leafy Town in the Hoenn region, right?" Ramos said while walking ahead.
Following behind him, Cain responded, "That's right. I came to the Kalos region to train. Before arriving in Coumarine City, my Blaziken just completed its evolution, so I'd like to challenge the gym."
Cain hid nothing. Having Blaziken at his side was a clear statement of intent. At that moment, Blaziken's aura hadn't yet fully stabilized. With Mr. Ramos' experience and age, he could easily notice it.
As a veteran Gym Leader, encountering talented young trainers from the league was something he was always willing to support.
Mr. Ramos stored his shears at his waist and, with his hands behind his back, continued walking slowly inside. Upon hearing Cain's words, he nodded several times with an approving expression. "Good, good."
As someone who had spent his entire life surrounded by plants and dedicated to gardening, Mr. Ramos considered himself an old tree nearing its fall.
Whenever he came across a promising new seed, he was more than willing to help it grow. And Cain wasn't just a seed—he was a sprout already showing remarkable growth.
However, Cain hadn't come only for the gym badge.
Mr. Ramos was an expert in plant cultivation and Grass-type Pokémon training, with unique knowledge in those areas. As someone who owned a developing island, Cain had many things he wanted to ask him.
But before discussing that, the priority was the battle.
This would be a private gym match. Besides Cain and Mr. Ramos, only the official gym referee was present.
It would also be Blaziken's first official battle since evolving, so both Cain and Blaziken took it very seriously.
"If you want to train your Blaziken, then my first Pokémon will be this one," Mr. Ramos said with a smile, tossing a Poké Ball.
The match would be a three-on-three battle.
As a Gym Leader himself, Cain was already familiar with the rules, so there was no need to explain them.
More than a gym challenge, this was an opportunity for Mr. Ramos to help Cain train his Blaziken.
The Poké Ball opened on the battlefield, revealing a Victreebel.
Cain gave a signal to Blaziken, who immediately leapt onto the battlefield.
Pokémon: Victreebel (Light Blue)
Gender: Male
Level: 39
Type: Grass + Poison
Ability: Chlorophyll
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Synthesis, Ingrain, Giga Drain, Power Whip
Basic Moves: Vine Whip, Growth, Wrap, Sleep Powder, Poison Powder, Stun Spore, Acid, Knock Off, Sweet Scent, Leaf Tornado, Stockpile, Swallow, Spit Up, Razor Leaf, Leaf Storm
Learned Moves: Gastro Acid, Seed Bomb, Worry Seed, Snore
TM Moves: Protect, Solar Beam, Rest, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Nature Power
A Victreebel just on the verge of reaching the Advanced level.
An ideal opponent to test Blaziken's abilities.
Cain looked appreciatively at Mr. Ramos, who continued smiling with squinted eyes. He had deep respect for veterans who dedicated their lives to the league and trained the next generation without asking for anything in return.
"Blaziken, Swords Dance."
With Cain's command, the battle officially began.
Mr. Ramos showed a hint of surprise.
Swords Dance was not an easy move to obtain.
Cain had no hesitation in using it from the start. Without prior setup, interrupting Blaziken would be difficult for Victreebel.
"Victreebel, use Sleep Powder, Poison Powder, and Stun Spore," Mr. Ramos responded without delay.
From Victreebel's wide mouth came a burst of mixed powders—a troublesome and effective combo for controlling the opponent.
"Blaziken, wrap yourself in fire. Don't let those powders come close," ordered Cain.
"Blaazk!"
After completing the Swords Dance, Blaziken's eyes gleamed intensely. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and, with a loud burst, enveloped his entire body in flames.
"Charge in with Flame Charge!"
Blaziken launched himself powerfully, blasting through the cloud of powders and heading straight for Victreebel.
"Victreebel, Grass Knot." Mr. Ramos stayed composed.
Grass Knot is a tricky move to execute, especially against a fast opponent. But Mr. Ramos was a master of the technique.
Before Blaziken could reach maximum speed, roots emerged from the ground in his path. At just the right moment, they snagged his foot.
The flames around him prevented Blaziken from falling, but they made him stumble and lose balance, halting his attack.
Cain showed a flicker of surprise. Victreebel's precision in predicting movements was impressive.
"Victreebel, Energy Ball," Mr. Ramos ordered immediately.
From Victreebel's mouth emerged a green sphere of energy, launched directly at Blaziken, who hadn't yet recovered from his stumble.
"Blaziken, Fire Punch." Cain trusted his Pokémon.
Still kneeling on one knee, Blaziken ignited his fist in flames and struck directly at the Energy Ball.
Boom!
The collision caused an explosion. Blaziken took some damage from the shockwave, but thanks to his resistance to Grass-type moves, it wasn't serious.
"If running's not an option, then jump. Blaze Kick!" Cain commanded.
(End of chapter)