Outside Greenfield City, in the southwestern region of the League.
After nearly a month, Ethan finally managed to walk out of that ancient forest.
"Whew, I'm exhausted."
"Next, I need to find an inn to get some proper rest, and then I can prepare for the gym challenge."
Ethan smiled faintly, returned all his Pokémon to their Poké Balls, and walked toward Greenfield City.
Although it was only late April approaching May, the temperature in the southwestern region of the League was already quite high. Walking down the streets, one could even see young ladies wearing short skirts.
Greenfield City was located next to the Greenfield Forest. Combined with the abundant sunlight of the southwestern region of the League, the vegetation was especially lush, and plants grew throughout every street and alley, making the whole city wrapped in shades of green. That was also why it was called the Green City.
Thanks to the abundance of plants, the temperature there was much lower than in other cities of the southwestern region of the League, making it a famous destination to escape the summer heat.
"The Grass-type gym of Greenfield City, huh?"
After reaching the inn, while resting on the bed, Ethan began reviewing information about the gym.
Not only Fire-type Pokémon thrived in the southwestern region. Just like how the move Sunny Day benefited more than just Fire types, Grass-type Pokémon also lived quite comfortably there.
The next morning, Ethan woke up early and applied for the gym challenge at the Pokémon Researchers' Guild headquarters in Greenfield City.
The Greenfield Gym—or rather, the Greenfield Club—was located in flower fields on the outskirts of the city. With its wooden buildings, the place blended perfectly with nature.
"It's a beautiful flower field, isn't it?"
The staff member from the Pokémon Researchers' Guild was a young woman with a sweet face. At that moment, as she admired the flower field, she smiled so broadly her eyes curved like crescent moons.
"Yes, it's truly beautiful."
Ethan nodded and stopped to admire it as well.
"Wait... are those... Gracidea flowers?"
Suddenly, Ethan spotted several Gracidea flowers—the same ones that had appeared in his mother's flower field. He couldn't help but be surprised.
"Did Shaymin come here too?"
"Or maybe this is a different Shaymin from the one that came from Stonefield Town to Greenfield City?"
Ethan grew thoughtful and began looking around, searching for possible traces of Shaymin.
"President Elena, why did you come personally?" At that moment, a woman wearing a long green dress arrived from the other side of the flower field. Seeing the person crouched down observing the flowers, she asked.
"Ah, I came to take a look at the flower field, and I brought him along." President Elena Greenwald pointed at Ethan with a smile.
"He's today's challenger?"
"Hello, I'm Victoria Holt, president of the Greenfield Club."
"I'm Ethan Black, today's challenger. Nice to meet you."
After introducing themselves, they walked together toward the gym.
"Alright, let's prepare to begin the gym evaluation."
Once she entered work mode, President Elena became completely serious and began setting up several instruments.
Ethan and Victoria nodded and took their positions at opposite ends of the battlefield, ready to begin the match.
Each gym had different rules and scenarios. The Greenfield Gym was arranged like a meadow, allowing Grass-type Pokémon to fully display their abilities. The battle rules were 2 vs. 2: when both Pokémon on one side were knocked out, the battle would end.
"Pretty standard for a gym."
After hearing the referee announce the rules, Ethan nodded.
At the same time, Victoria had already sent out her Pokémon: a Bellossom.
Bellossom was Gloom's evolution through a Sun Stone. It naturally loved intense light, and upon appearing on the field, the red flowers on its head swayed gently as it showed a delighted expression.
"Bellossom, huh? Then the chosen one will be you, Shuckle."
Ethan smiled and threw his Poké Ball. Shuckle's figure appeared on the field.
Seeing that Ethan sent out a Shuckle against Bellossom, both President Elena and Victoria were visibly surprised.
Clearly, in their understanding, Shuckle was not exactly a Pokémon suited for gym battles.
"Since you're the challenger, I'll let you make the first move." Victoria gave Ethan a deep look before speaking.
"Alright. Shuckle, get ready: use Acupressure."
Ethan smiled as he ordered Shuckle to begin using Acupressure to raise its stats.
"Acupressure? Bellossom, stop it quickly—use Magical Leaf!"
Victoria's expression changed slightly as she issued the command. Magical Leaf condensed throughout the area and flew toward Shuckle like a torrent.
"Shuckle, block it with Gyro Ball."
Fwooo~
At Ethan's command, Shuckle began spinning rapidly in place.
A strong wind burst across the field. The Gyro Ball blocked every single leaf without letting a single one through.
"What?"
Victoria was stunned by this sight. She clearly didn't expect Shuckle to be this strong.
"Shuckle, use Rock Throw."
Following Ethan's orders, Shuckle began gathering energy in the form of rocks.
Due to his training to make Pokéblocks, Shuckle had already mastered this move very well; he could even condense the rocks into perfectly square bricks.
This time, since the move was for attacking, the rocks formed sharp stalagmite-like shapes in the air, shooting toward Bellossom like arrows.
The range of Rock Throw was very wide; a blanket of rocks fell from above, leaving Bellossom with nowhere to dodge.
"Bellossom, use Razor Leaf!"
Shhh!
Shhh!
The rocks descended like projectiles. Bellossom quickly launched Razor Leaf while moving gracefully. The two attacks collided in the air and exploded, kicking up a cloud of dust.
But just as Victoria thought Bellossom had managed to stop the Rock Throw, she saw the surrounding rocks, under Shuckle's control, suddenly change direction and crash directly into Bellossom.
With a stifled cry, Bellossom was buried under the rocks. The impact created an even larger burst, scattering all the previous dust.
When the cloud dissipated, Bellossom was standing atop the rocks, panting heavily. Although it had managed to avoid direct damage, its energy was nearly depleted.
"Finish it. Shuckle, use Hidden Power!"
Shuckle fired the energy already gathered inside its mouth, and the impact drained the last of Bellossom's strength.
(End of chapter)