The morning mist hung low over the canals of the city, but the interior of the Canalave Gym was as sharp and cold as a polished blade. I took a deep breath, adjusting my bag. I'd spent the last week on the ferry back to Sinnoh mentally simulating this battle, but no amount of theory prepares you for the real thing.
"Mr. Julian? The Gym Leader is ready for you. Please follow me."
I followed the attendant through a heavy set of metal doors. The battlefield was a massive rectangle of reinforced concrete, designed to withstand the crushing weight of Steel-type Pokémon. Standing on the opposite podium was a man who looked like he was carved out of granite: Byron, the master of the Canalave Gym.
"So, Byron," I said, a faint smile playing on my lips as I took my position. "I heard you personally cleared your schedule for me. I guess Roark really did give you an earful about the 'Fairy Doctor' coming to town."
Byron let out a booming laugh that echoed off the high rafters. "Gwahaha! That he did! My son doesn't usually talk about rookies, but he said there was a trainer out there making the 'impossible' look easy. You've kept me waiting, Julian! I've been itching to see how these Fairy-types of yours handle a real wall of iron!"
I rubbed my forehead, feeling a bit of a headache coming on. Battling a specialized Steel Gym was already a nightmare for a Fairy-type trainer, but having a fired-up Byron at the helm made it a "Level 99" difficulty spike.
"Alright, then. I'm relying on your guidance, Byron," I said, my voice dropping into a focused, serious tone.
The referee stepped forward, raising his flags. "This is an official Gym Match between Gym Leader Byron of the Canalave Gym and the challenger, Julian! The stake is the Mine Badge! The rules are 3-on-3. Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon. Battle, begin!"
"I'm leading with a classic!" Byron shouted, unhooking a Poké Ball. "Show them your shine, Bronzor!"
With a flash of light, a bronze-colored, circular Pokémon appeared. It looked like an ancient mirror, with six beads around its rim and glowing yellow eyes. It hovered in the air immediately—it was clear this one had the Levitate ability.
"A defensive wall with psychic utility," I muttered. "In that case... Togepi, it's time for your debut! Let's go!"
I threw the Poké Ball, and my newest partner appeared with a joyful chirp. "Togi-togi... priii! (Mommy, are we playing a game?)"
I winced slightly at the "Mommy" part. I'd spent the last few days trying to explain the concept of "Daddy" to her, but Togepi was stubborn. I'd eventually just accepted my new role as a parental figure.
"That's right, little one. It's our first big stage," I said softly.
"A newborn?" Byron raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "You've got guts, kid! But guts won't save you from the weight of steel! Bronzor, use Gyro Ball!"
"Bronn!" The bronze mirror began to spin violently, encased in a silver, metallic energy. It hummed like a turbine as it launched itself at the tiny Togepi.
"Now, Togepi! Sweet Kiss!"
Togepi stood her ground, tilted her head, and blew a glowing pink heart directly into the path of the spinning mirror. Pop! The heart burst against Bronzor's face. The bronze Pokémon's rotation immediately became wobbly. It veered off course, stumbling through the air before crashing into the concrete floor with a metallic clang right next to Togepi.
The smoke cleared. Bronzor looked dizzy, its eyes swivelling in different directions. Confusion had set in.
"Follow up with Yawn!" I commanded.
Togepi patted her eggshell and released a sleepy white bubble. It drifted lazily through the air toward the disoriented Bronzor.
"Snap out of it!" Byron roared. "Ignore the bubble! Set the stage with Sandstorm!"
Bronzor shook off the worst of the dizzyness and concentrated its power. The bubble hit, sinking into its metallic frame, but the Sandstorm was already howling. Gritty yellow dust filled the arena, whipping around the field and dealing chip damage to everything it touched.
"Great job, Togepi! Come back for now!" I recalled the little one before the sand could wear her down. "Sylveon, you're up! Take the stage!"
Sylveon landed gracefully, her ribbons wrapping around her legs to shield her from the wind. "(Leave the rest to me,)" she purred, her eyes narrowing.
"While he's drowsy, use Calm Mind!"
Sylveon closed her eyes, and a soothing pink-and-purple aura enveloped her. On the other side of the field, the Yawn finally took effect. Bronzor's eyes closed, and it settled into a deep sleep on the floor.
Because Byron was the Gym Leader, he couldn't switch out. He had to watch as Sylveon stood there, meditating through the sandstorm, her Special Attack and Special Defense rising higher and higher.
"Bronzor! Wake up! This isn't a nap, it's a battle!" Byron shouted, his voice nearly drowning out the wind.
After a few tense seconds, the bronze mirror twitched. It shook off the sleep, glowing with a renewed, angry light.
"Excellent! Interrupt that meditation with a full-power Gyro Ball!"
Bronzor didn't just spin this time; it became a silver blur, tearing through the sandstorm like a drill.
"Stop the Calm Mind, Sylveon! Meet them with Swift!"
Sylveon's eyes snapped open. Her ribbons lashed out, and a barrage of golden stars—supercharged by her Pixilate ability and three rounds of Calm Mind—flew into the air. In this world, her Pixilate didn't just turn the stars into Fairy-type energy; it made them hit with the force of a falling comet.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The stars slammed into the spinning Bronzor one after another. The sheer concussive force of the boosted Fairy-energy began to slow Bronzor down. It fought against the pressure, trying to push through the wall of stars, but the Calm Mind boosts were too much. The spinning stopped, the silver glow faded, and Bronzor was sent tumbling backward across the concrete.
It hit the back wall and slid to the floor, swirly eyes indicating it was out for the count.
"Bronzor is unable to battle! Sylveon wins!" the referee called.
Byron didn't look upset. In fact, he looked thrilled. He recalled Bronzor with a flash of red light. "Well played, Dr. Julian! Using a status-lock to force a setup... very clever! But the real defense of the Canalave Gym is about to begin!"
He reached for a heavy-duty Poké Ball on his belt. "Let's see how your 'Pixie Stars' handle a true mountain of metal! Rise up, Steelix!"
With a thunderous crash, a massive, grayish-white serpent made of solid rock-hard steel erupted onto the field. It towered over Sylveon, its massive jaws snapping as it let out a roar that shook the very foundation of the building.
I looked up at the giant. "Alright, Sylveon... things just got heavy."