The Gym loomed over the town like it had always been there.
Not towering. Not flashy. Just solid, stone walls, wide glass panels, clean lines. It looked less like a battlefield and more like a courthouse. A place where judgments were passed quietly and without ceremony.
Grant stopped at the base of the steps.
He hadn't meant to.
Nyra noticed anyway.
"You're doing that thing," she said gently.
Grant exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "It doesn't feel like the others."
"That's because this one doesn't scare people with strength," Nyra replied. "It scares them with consistency."
Normal-type.
Adaptable. Enduring. Relentless.
No elemental weaknesses to lean on. No obvious advantages to exploit.
Just fundamentals.
Grant glanced down at his Poké Balls. Dewott. Swadloon. Drilbur.
Do I actually deserve this badge?
Behind him, Dewott shifted its stance, scalchops clicking softly. Pignite snorted from Nyra's side, flames flaring briefly before she calmed it with a hand. Whirlipede rested low, armor solid against the ground. Drilbur scraped its claws against stone, eyes bright with anticipation.
Grant straightened.
"Alright," he said quietly. "Let's prep properly."
Preparation isn't being scared, it is refining your strengths.
They didn't rush inside.
Instead, they returned to the Pokémon Center's outdoor training yard. Grant forced himself to slow down, to think, not just rehearse.
"Normal-types aren't weak," he said aloud, more to himself than anyone else. "They're balanced. Which means they punish mistakes."
Nyra nodded. "And they don't go down easily."
Grant knelt before his team.
"Dewott," he began. "You've got speed and cutting power. But if you overcommit, they'll tank the hit and counter."
Dewott met his gaze, jaw tight.
"Swadloon," Grant continued. "Your Protect is solid, but Normal types hit hard and often. You can't rely on blocking forever."
Swadloon's leaves rustled, but it didn't look away.
Finally, Drilbur.
"You don't have type advantage here," Grant said honestly. "What you have is movement. Dig, position, endure and defend."
Drilbur nodded once, serious.
Nyra handled her own prep separately.
Pignite drilled Arm Thrust against reinforced wooden posts, fists striking in clean, controlled bursts. Whirlipede practiced defensive rotations, stopping and repositioning on command instead of rolling endlessly.
They weren't cheering each other on.
They were focusing.
After nearly an hour, Nyra wiped sweat from her brow. "Gym rules are one-on-one," she said. "No tag-outs. No shared progress."
Finally they were at the gym's entrance.
Nyra looked and Grant and smiled, "You go first."
Grant smiled faintly. "I know."
The Gym doors closed behind Grant with a soft, final thud.
The sound echoed longer than it should have.
The arena inside was wide and deceptively simple, smooth stone floor broken by raised platforms, sliding panels embedded into the ground, and pressure plates that shifted terrain without warning. No traps. No gimmicks screaming for attention.
Just a space that reacted.
Lyra went into the balcony to watch the Gym challenge , giving Grant a thumbs up.
Grant swallowed.
Normal-types didn't overwhelm you with flash.
They wore you down.
A calm voice carried across the arena.
"Welcome."
The Gym Leader stepped forward from the opposite side.
She wasn't imposing in size, but her presence was undeniable, black dense hair tied neatly back, sharp eyes softened by a knowing smile. She wore a clean jacket with subtle Normal-type insignia stitched at the cuff.
"My name is Lenora," she said evenly. "And this Gym doesn't test power."
Her eyes settled on Grant.
"It tests judgment."
Grant straightened instinctively. "Understood."
Lenora inclined her head. "Then let's begin."
First match was Grant vs Gym Trainer[1]
Grant released Swadloon first.
The opposing Trainer sent out a Lillipup, its stance low, eyes bright with alert intelligence.
"Lillipup doesn't stop," the Trainer warned. "Ever."
The battle started instantly.
Lillipup darted forward, Tackles landing in quick succession. Swadloon reacted on instinct, leaves snapping shut as Protect flared into existence.
The first hit bounced harmlessly.
The second rattled the barrier.
The third pushed.
Grant's pulse spiked. "Hold it, steady!"
Swadloon gritted through it, barrier trembling but intact. The moment the attacks paused, Grant shouted, "Now, Bug Bite!"
Swadloon lunged, snapping cleanly into Lillipup's flank before retreating.
Lillipup yelped, but didn't fall.
It came back harder.
Again and again, the exchange repeated: pressure, defense, counter. Swadloon's breathing grew uneven. Protect flickered, still strong, but no longer effortless.
They're testing endurance, Grant realized. Not reactions.
When Lillipup finally faltered, Grant recalled Swadloon immediately.
Victory.
But his hands were already shaking.
Second Match : Grant vs Gym Trainer[2]
The next Trainer released a Watchog.
Grant chose Dewott.
The moment the match began, Watchog's eyes gleamed, calculating, unsettlingly focused.
"Careful," Lenora called from the sidelines. "Watchog waits."
Dewott moved first, Aqua Jet slicing across the field. The hit landed, but Watchog barely staggered.
Then its eyes glowed faintly.
Dewott froze.
"Shake it off!!" Grant shouted.
Dewott struggled, muscles locking for a split second too long. Watchog lunged, Crunch snapping shut against Dewott's side.
Dewott cried out as it hit the ground, sliding hard across the stone.
Grant's chest tightened. "Dewott!!"
It pushed itself up immediately, teeth clenched, eyes burning with frustration.
Razor Shell followed, fast, clean, forcing Watchog back.
But Watchog didn't retreat.
It countered.
Another Crunch, this one catching Dewott mid-motion.
The impact knocked the wind from Dewott's lungs. It hit the ground and didn't rise immediately.
Grant felt his heart slam into his ribs. "That's enough, come back!"
Dewott tried to stand.
Its legs buckled.
Grant recalled it instantly, breath hitching as the Poké Ball returned heavier than before.
Lenora's voice was calm, but firm.
"That was the correct call."
Grant nodded, jaw tight.
Dewott was conscious, but shaking. Hurt badly enough that sending it out again would be reckless.
I lost my ace, Grant realized. Before the Gym Leader.
Grant won the match through swadloon, but the victory tasted wrong.
As Dewott was rushed to the Pokémon Center's on-site medical station, Grant stood alone at the edge of the arena, staring at his remaining Poké Balls. One thing was clear, Dewott could not fight the next battle.
Swadloon.
Drilbur.
Both healthy.
Both untested at this level.
Nyra watched from the stands, hands clasped tightly. She didn't shout encouragement.
She trusted him to think.
The setback settled in for Grant.
Lenora approached slowly.
"You're disappointed," she observed.
Grant swallowed. "I pushed him too hard."
Lenora nodded once. "Normal types punish impatience. But they also reward awareness."
She turned back toward her platform. "You may challenge me when you're ready."
Grant inhaled deeply.
No turning back.
The Gym battle started : Grant vs Lenora
Lenora released her Pokémon with a smooth, practiced motion.
"Cinccino."
The Normal-type landed lightly, fur pristine, eyes sharp with precision. It moved like it already knew where the battle would end.
Grant felt the pressure instantly.
He chose Drilbur.
The arena shifted the moment the battle began, platforms rising, terrain angling. Cinccino moved first, Tail Slap snapping through the air in rapid succession.
Drilbur dove underground just in time, Dig carving a clean tunnel beneath the strikes.
"Good," Lenora said calmly. "But don't stay hidden."
Cinccino waited.
Listened.
The moment Drilbur surfaced, Cinccino spun, Rock Blast sending fragments crashing down.
One struck Drilbur's shoulder, forcing it back underground.
Grant clenched his fists. "You're okay, reposition!"
Drilbur burst out again at a new angle, Scratch landing cleanly this time. Cinccino slid back, skidding but steady.
Then it smiled.
Wake-Up Slap.
The blow landed squarely, knocking Drilbur across the platform.
Grant's breath caught, but Drilbur rolled, caught itself, claws digging in.
It stood.
Lenora's eyes narrowed slightly. "It doesn't quit."
Grant felt something steady him. "Neither do I."
Grant recalled Drilbur before the next exchange.
He released Swadloon.
Cinccino struck immediately, relentless. Swadloon raised Protect, but this time, it didn't waver.
The barrier held.
Grant shouted, "Now,Bug Bite!"
Swadloon moved with confidence, snapping cleanly, retreating without panic.
Again!
Again!
Cinccino adapted, shifting angles, striking the barrier faster, harder.
Cracks spread.
Swadloon's leaves trembled.
Grant stepped forward instinctively. "You can stand, with me."
Swadloon held.
The barrier shattered, but not before absorbing the worst of the blow.
Swadloon countered with everything it had.
Cinccino staggered.
The arena fell silent.
Lenora raised her hand slowly.
"…Enough."
Cinccino returned.
She reached for her second and final Poké Ball.
"Now," Lenora continued evenly, "let's see what you do with what you have left."
The ball clicked open.
"Herdier, Let's do this ."
The Normal-type hit the field with a solid thud, fur bristling, stance low and grounded. Its eyes never left Grant.
Herdier barked sharply, sound echoing through the arena.
"Work Up," Lenora said calmly.
Herdier's posture tightened, muscles coiling with rising intensity.
Grant reacted instantly. "Bug Bite, don't let it set up!"
Swadloon surged forward, jaws snapping into Herdier's side. The hit landed cleanly, forcing Herdier back a step. A thin tear appeared in its fur.
Herdier snarled.
Then it charged.
Take Down.
Swadloon raised Protect just in time, the barrier flashed into existence, absorbing most of the impact, but the force still shoved Swadloon backward across the platform.
Cracks formed instantly.
Grant's breath caught. "Again, Protect!"
The second barrier formed, but weaker.
Herdier didn't hesitate. Another Take Down slammed into it.
The barrier shattered.
Swadloon was thrown hard, skidding across stone before finally stopping near the edge of the arena.
"Swadloon!" Grant shouted.
It tried to rise.
Its leaves trembled.
Then it collapsed, eyes still open, but unfocused.
The referee raised a flag. "Swadloon is unable to battle."
Grant recalled it slowly, chest tight.
You did more than enough.
Lenora nodded once. "Good pressure. You softened it."
Herdier stood breathing hard now, scratched, winded, but very much standing.
Grant wiped his palms on his jacket.
"…Drilbur."
Drilbur vs Herdier
Drilbur burst onto the field with a sharp cry, claws already digging into the ground.
Herdier attacked immediately, Bite, fast and brutal. Drilbur barely dodged, fangs snapping shut inches from its head.
"Dig!" Grant yelled.
Drilbur vanished underground.
Herdier waited.
Listened.
The moment Drilbur surfaced, Herdier spun, Crunch catching Drilbur across the shoulder. Drilbur cried out, tumbling back.
Grant felt panic spike. Not again...
"Stay with me!" he shouted.
Drilbur shook itself, grit clinging to its fur. Its breathing was ragged, but its eyes were sharp.
It lunged forward on instinct, Scratch carving across Herdier's chest.
Herdier staggered.
Both Pokémon stood still for half a second, locked in exhaustion.
"Finish it," Lenora said quietly.
"Now!" Grant echoed. "Metal Claw!"
Drilbur's claws glinted as it struck.
The blow landed squarely.
Herdier froze… then dropped forward before finally collapsing.
Silence.
The referee hesitated, then raised the flag. "Herdier is unable to battle."
Drilbur swayed.
Grant's heart stopped for a beat, but Drilbur stayed standing.
Barely.
Grant exhaled shakily, crouching as Drilbur looked back at him, chest heaving, victorious by the thinnest margin imaginable.
Lenora recalled Herdier, a small smile touching her lips.
"Well fought," she said. "Both of you."
Lenora smiled, not kindly, but respectfully.
"You lost your strongest Pokémon early," she said. "You adapted. You protected instead of forcing victory."
She stepped forward and held out the Basic Badge.
"That is balance."
Grant accepted it with shaking hands.
Nyra finally breathed.
But Grant's eyes were already on the medical station.
Dewott…
Victory had come, but it had cost him more than he expected.