The Pokémon Center doors slid open with a soft chime that felt far too gentle for the way Grant pushed through them.
The air inside smelled clean, sterile even, laced with the faint sweetness of disinfectant and berry tonic. It was the kind of place meant to calm trainers down. It didn't work on him.
He held Dewott's Poké Ball tightly in his hand, knuckles pale, thumb rubbing the smooth red curve over and over as if friction alone could undo what had happened earlier. The memory was still sharp: Dewott standing his ground too long, refusing to back down, taking hit after hit because Grant hadn't told him to stop soon enough.
"Grant."
Nyra's voice came from behind him.
He turned.
She stood just outside the entrance, gym badge case clipped to her belt but still empty, Whirlipede's ball in one hand, Pignite's in the other. She looked steady, too steady, like she was holding herself upright on purpose.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Grant broke first.
"I...I need to get him checked," he said quickly, lifting the Poké Ball slightly, as if the reason for his rush needed proof. "I'll be back before your match. I promise."
Nyra nodded. No hesitation. No hurt in her eyes.
"I know," she said. "Go."
Grant hesitated anyway.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Nyra… I know this gym's tough. Normal-types don't mess around. But you..." He stopped, exhaled, then started again, firmer. "You don't fight like anyone else here. That matters. I believe in you."
That earned a small smile. Real. Warm.
"Then don't worry," she said softly. "I'll be careful. I always am."
That word 'careful' stuck with him.
Grant nodded once, then turned and walked deeper into the Pokémon Center before he could second-guess himself.
Behind him, Nyra watched the doors close.
And for the first time since stepping into the city, she felt truly alone.
Nyra POV:
The gym doors loomed taller than she expected.
It wasn't flashy like the others she'd seen in videos, no blazing elements, no dramatic terrain shifts. Just solid stone, warm wooden accents, and banners embroidered with clean, simple patterns.
Normal-type.
Straightforward. Honest. Relentless.
Nyra took a slow breath before stepping inside.
The battlefield was wide and open, polished stone underfoot, overhead lights bright but not harsh. Lenora stood at the far end, hands clasped behind her back, posture relaxed but commanding.
Nyra hadn't taken more than three steps onto the gym floor before a whistle cut through the air.
"Hold it right there."
A young trainer stepped forward, confidence bordering on cockiness, a Patrat perched on his shoulder like it owned the place.
"You don't just walk to the Leader," he said. "You earn it."
Nyra nodded once. "Fair."
The referee signaled.
Gym Trainer
"Patrat, Tackle!"
The Normal-type leapt forward immediately, fast and reckless.
"Whirlipede, keep your distance," Nyra said. "Poison Tail."
Whirlipede shifted sideways instead of meeting the attack head-on, tail flashing as it struck Patrat mid-lunge. The hit landed cleanly, purple veins briefly surfacing under Patrat's fur.
Patrat stumbled but pushed through, eyes narrowed.
"Tackle again!"
The impact rattled Whirlipede's armor. Nyra felt it in her chest.
"Back up," she said calmly. "Don't trade blows."
Whirlipede retreated just enough, letting the poison work. Patrat's movements slowed, its breathing uneven.
One more Poison Tail dropped it.
The trainer recalled his Pokémon, frowning. "You play it safe."
Nyra didn't respond. She didn't need to.
She barely had time to step forward before another trainer blocked her path ,older this time, posture relaxed, eyes sharp.
"You won't poison your way through everyone," she said. "Try this."
Gym Trainer 2
"Lillipup, Bite!"
The attack came fast. Whirlipede barely raised its guard in time, teeth scraping against its armor.
Nyra's fingers twitched.
Too close.
"Poison Tail, then pull back!"
Whirlipede struck, then immediately retreated. Lillipup snarled, shaking off the hit, determination burning brighter than the poison.
"Work Up!"
Lillipup's stance changed instantly, stronger, more focused.
Nyra felt tension crawl up her spine.
"Don't rush," she whispered. "We'll wait."
The battle stretched longer than the first. Lillipup hit harder. Whirlipede endured, armor chipped, breathing heavy.
Nyra watched carefully.
Too carefully.
Lillipup lunged again , and Nyra reacted.
"Withdraw!"
The recall beam pulled Whirlipede away just as the attack would've landed.
The trainer blinked, then shrugged. "Guess that's that."
Nyra exhaled, recalling Whirlipede fully this time.
She'd won.
But she'd also pulled back early.
And she knew Lenora had been watching the entire time.
When Nyra finally reached the main battlefield, Lenora was waiting , hands folded, expression unreadable.
"So," Lenora said, smiling kindly. "You're Nyra. I watched your friend's challenge earlier."
Nyra stiffened slightly. "Is he..."
"He's hurt," Lenora interrupted gently. "But learning. As all trainers do."
That wasn't quite reassurance. But it was something.
Nyra bowed her head. "I'm ready."
Lenora nodded. "Very well. One-on-one. Normal rules. We fight until one side can no longer continue."
The referee raised a flag.
Nyra released her first Pokémon.
"Let's go, Pignite."
The Fire-type burst into the arena with a heavy thud, flames flickering along his shoulders as he rolled his neck and grinned, confidence practically radiating off him.
Lenora smiled. "Watchog."
The Normal-type appeared calmly, standing upright, eyes sharp, tail flicking once.
The battle began.
Watchog moved first.
"Hypnosis."
The air seemed to shimmer as Watchog's eyes glowed faintly. Pignite staggered, shaking his head violently.
"Don't let it in," Nyra said, calm but firm. "Focus on me."
Pignite growled, stamping a hoof, flames flaring brighter as he fought the pull.
"Flame Charge!"
He surged forward, fire trailing behind him, slamming into Watchog and sending it skidding back.
Watchog barely flinched.
"Retaliate."
The counterattack was brutal. Watchog slammed into Pignite with full force, the impact echoing across the arena. Pignite slid back, claws scraping stone.
Nyra's heart jumped, but she didn't panic.
"Arm Thrust."
Pignite rushed in again, fists flying in a rapid series of blows. Watchog was driven backward, finally showing strain.
"Hypnosis again."
Pignite didn't fall asleep, but his movements were getting sluggish now.
The exchange continued, fire and force, endurance against endurance. Neither Pokémon backed down.
Then Watchog collapsed, but not before giving a final 'Crunch.'
At the same time, Pignite did too.
The referee hesitated, then raised both flags.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!"
A murmur rippled through the gym.
Nyra exhaled sharply, recalling Pignite at once. She didn't feel disappointed. She felt… relieved.
He didn't push past his limit.
Lenora's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary.
"Well fought," she said.
Nyra nodded, steadying herself.
"Whirlipede," she whispered. "You're up."
"Cinccino, let's do this.", Lenora commanded.
Cinccino was fast. Faster than Nyra expected.
It darted across the field, movements fluid and precise, fur shimmering as it struck and retreated before Whirlipede could counter.
"Tail Slap!"
The blows came in rapid succession. Whirlipede curled instinctively, armor absorbing most of the damage, but not all.
"Poison Tail," Nyra ordered.
Whirlipede lunged, barely clipping Cinccino as it spun away.
Nyra's fingers tightened around the edge of her jacket.
Don't rush. Don't panic.
Cinccino struck again, harder this time.
Whirlipede skidded back, breathing heavy.
Nyra hesitated.
Just for a second.
"Withdraw."
The recall beam caught Whirlipede mid-motion.
The referee's flag dropped.
"Whirlipede is unable to continue. Challenger Nyra has no remaining Pokémon."
Silence.
Nyra stared at the field, chest rising and falling as the reality settled in.
She had lost.
Not because she was outmatched.
Because she chose to stop.
Lenora approached, voice calm.
"You fought well," she said. "But strength isn't only knowing when to pull back. It's knowing when to hold on."
Nyra met her gaze. "I know."
Lenora smiled faintly. "Come back when you do."
Grant POV:
Dewott lay unconscious on the soft white bedding, chest rising steadily, bandages wrapped neatly around his torso.
Grant sat beside the bed, elbows on his knees, head in his hands.
I pushed him.
The thought wouldn't leave him alone.
He remembered White's voice, quiet, unsettling.
Pokémon follow their trainers into pain. The question is whether you deserve that loyalty.
Grant clenched his fists.
Was this strength?
Or just stubbornness wrapped in pride?
He glanced at the Poké Ball on the table. Drilbur. Swadloon.
They trusted him.
Nyra trusted him.
And right now, he wasn't sure he trusted himself.
His gaze drifted toward the gym, visible through the window across the street.
I should be there.
The nurse's voice pulled him back. "Your Dewott will recover. You did the right thing bringing him here."
Grant nodded, but the doubt remained.
Nyra's battle ended somewhere beyond those walls.
Win or lose, he wasn't there.
And that hurt more than he expected.
Outside, the gym doors opened.
Nyra stepped into the sunlight alone.
She didn't look defeated.
She looked thoughtful.
And somewhere across the city, Grant stood up abruptly, heart racing, certain of only one thing.
When they met again, both of them would have questions.
And neither of them would like the answers they were starting to find.