"Show you my Pokémon? Very well! Go—Gyarados!" bellowed Crasher Wake with booming enthusiasm, tossing his first Poké Ball across the pool.
The sphere burst open, releasing a flash of white light that splashed into the water below. A massive shape surged upward—a long blue serpent breaking the surface with a thunderous roar.
"GYARAAAAA‑DOS!!"
Water cascaded off the giant dragon's scales, sending ripples all across the arena pool. Its fierce eyes locked on Gary like a predator sizing up its prey.
[Lv 41 Gyarados ♂ / Gym]
Gary's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Not bad," he muttered. "Looks like this one's been trained to command the entire arena. Might even be his lead ace for water control."
The referee raised his flag. "The Gym Battle between Challenger Gary Oak and Leader Crasher Wake of Pastoria City will now begin!"
Wake grinned broadly beneath his mask. "Let's see what a Kanto trainer can really do!"
Gary smirked, flicking a Poké Ball between his fingers. "Since this is a Water‑type gym, an Electric‑type seems fair. Come out, Electivire!"
A thunderclap followed the burst of light as Electivire landed heavily on the platform, sparks dancing between the twin cables on its back.
"ELECTIVIIII‑RE!!"
[Lv 63 Electivire ♂ / Champion ]
Water condensed on the steel railings before instantly evaporating from the surrounding voltage.
The apprentices gasped; they could feel the static even from a distance.
Wake's tone remained firm. "Don't underestimate my Gyarados, Gary. Most challengers don't last two turns."
Gary chuckled. "Then let's make this quick."
"Gyarados, Waterfall!" Wake commanded.
"ROOOAR!" Gyarados reared back, wrapping itself in a torrent of roaring water. The cyclone propelled it forward at incredible speed, water jets splitting around its massive body as it charged across the pool.
Gary thrust his hand forward. "Electivire—Thunder! Now!"
A surge of electricity exploded outward. "VIIIIIRE!"
Golden arcs raced up Electivire's arms before bursting skyward. Thunder cracked above the gym, followed by a pillar of lightning crashing down directly into the pool.
The explosion of light and steam engulfed the entire arena.
"GYAAA‑RAA‑A‑A!!" Gyarados howled as volts raged through its entire body. The smell of ozone filled the air as it convulsed, water splashing wildly.
Within seconds, the Gyarados's movements slowed. Its eyes rolled white, and it collapsed onto the water's surface with a trembling shudder.
Half‑submerged, Gyarados floated limply, the static still crackling faintly around its scales.
"Gyarados is unable to battle! Electivire wins Round One!" announced the referee.
Crasher Wake recalled his fainted Pokémon, setting his jaw firmly. "Don't think type matchups are everything! I've got more where that came from. Go, Quagsire!"
A splash followed as a blue, round‑bodied Pokémon emerged from its Poké Ball with a cheerful "Qua‑gsiireee!"
[Lv 45 Quagsire ♂ / Gym ]
Gary raised an eyebrow. "Ground and Water‑type, huh? So you're planning to cancel out my Electric attacks."
Wake grinned. "Let's see how you handle this! Quagsire, Mud Bomb!"
Quagsire formed a sphere of muddy water between its paws and hurled it forward with surprising strength.
"Electivire, use Swift!" Gary countered immediately.
Electivire slammed its fists together; golden stars of energy shot from between them, tens of brilliant projectiles flying through the air in perfectly curved arcs.
The Swift stars collided mid‑air with the Mud Bombs—boom, boom, boom!—erupting into sprays of smoke and brown mist. Some stars managed to pierce through, striking Quagsire and forcing it to stumble back with a splash.
"Quaag!" it grunted.
Gary smirked. So, even with Ground immunity, Swift still hits clean—it's not blocked by typing.
Wake wasn't done. "Quagsire, jump up and use Ice Beam!"
The Pokémon propulsed itself with Hydro Pump from the pool, firing a chilling white‑blue blast from its mouth.
"Electivire, Hyper Beam! Counter it head‑on!" Gary commanded.
Electivire's eyes narrowed. "Viiire!" A dense orange sphere formed between its palms, quickly coalescing into a massive beam of energy.
The two attacks collided mid‑air in a flash of blinding light.
Bang!!
Ice shattered instantly under the overwhelming force of Hyper Beam. The explosion filled the air with steam and condensed smoke.
Boom!!!
When the cloud cleared, Quagsire floated belly‑up in the water, dizzy spirals in its eyes.
"Quagsire is unable to battle! Electivire wins again!" the referee declared.
Wake recalled Quagsire, shaking his head but smiling. "You're strong, Gary Oak—stronger than I expected. But let's see how you handle my ace! Let's shine, Floatzel!"
A flash of blue burst out from the Poké Ball. The sleek Sea Itachi Pokémon landed gracefully, water swirling around him as his twin flotation sacs inflated.
"Floo‑tzeeel!"
[Lv 49 Floatzel ♂ / Gym]
"Alright, Electivire," Gary said quietly. "One last round."
"Electivireee!" the Electric‑type growled, fists sparking.
Wake's grin widened. "Floatzel, Aqua Jet—full speed!"
The Pokémon's body gleamed as water enveloped it in a spiraling rush. With a flash, Floatzel rocketed forward, faster than any eye could follow.
"Electivire, charge up—Discharge!"
Before Electivire could release its attack, Aqua Jet struck first. Thump! The collision sent both Pokémon into the pool with a huge splash of foaming water.
But the moment they hit, Electivire's cords glowed gold.
"ELEC‑TIVIIIIRE!!"
The surge that followed was deafening. Lightning danced through the water, spreading out like a spider's web. Floatzel cried out, body stiffening from the shock.
"Flooo! Tzeeel!"
Water steamed; bubbles rose, then went still.
Floatzel floated upward, unconscious, its fur singed in small patches.
"Floatzel is unable to battle! Electivire wins! Victory goes to Challenger Gary Oak!" the referee announced.
Wake gave a hearty laugh, recalling Floatzel. "Ha! I've been waiting for a battle like that!"
Crasher Wake crossed the stepping stones and approached Gary, water still dripping from his arms. He held out a palm‑sized badge shaped like a ripple set within a blue circle.
"This is proof of your victory at the Pastoria Gym," he said warmly. "Take it—the Fen Badge."
Gary took the badge respectfully. "Thanks, Wake. That was a great match."
[Ding! Mission Complete– Reward Distributed to Trainer's Pack.]
Gary checked the incoming item.
[Zap Gem] – A consumable gem infused with pure electrical energy. When held, it doubles the power of one Electric‑type move upon use. The gem shatters afterward.
Gary whistled under his breath. "A Zap Gem, huh? Rare stuff… Though single‑use only."
He thought for a moment, fingers brushing his chin. "Still, perfect for a Z‑Move setup or Zap Cannon burst. Two times normal damage with Electivire's current output? That's devastating."
The gem shimmered faintly, its surface reflecting miniature lightning bolts. "It's short‑lived but volatile—just like real power."
He closed the interface and murmured to himself, "System, exchange reward option—redeem for Rain Dance."
[Ding! Skill redemption successful.]
"Perfect."
Rain Dance materialized as a data light before fading into his skill logs.
"With that," Gary said, "I've got control over weather now. Between Lightning Rod teams and water‑storm variants, coverage won't be an issue."
Using Rain Dance granted a strategic advantage—by calling thunderclouds, Electric Pokémon could fire amplified Thunder attacks with near‑perfect accuracy. Magneton and Magnezone were even known to use magnetism to trigger natural lightning strikes, summoning down electrical storms across entire battlefields.
Gary looked again at his badge case. The neatly arranged symbols glimmered faintly inside—he had already collected five Badges now, with three to go.
"The next challenge…" he murmured, tracing a finger over the empty slots, "is in Canalave City."
Gary looked at his Badge case. He had already collected five Badges, with only three remaining.
"Time to train up the rest of the team," he told himself. "No more holding back."
"After collecting all the Gym Badges, it would be time to upgrade the rest of his Pokémon."
Gary glanced at the 82 Intermediate Rare Candies in his inventory and made his decision. His Sinnoh Pokémon had all surpassed Level 50, so the candies were no longer effective on them.