Seeing Gym Leader Norman looking like he'd been emotionally nuked by Rayquaza, Aiden suddenly felt a little… guilty.
Yeah—using a Legendary to clear a Gym is kind of bullying.
Even a Champion would struggle if you pull out Rayquaza like it's your starter.
But…
That overwhelming, crushing feeling?
It really was addicting.
"Ahem… Leader Norman, you—"
Norman waved it off and burst out laughing.
"It's fine. Challenging Rayquaza was just me getting carried away."
"I've been called 'the strongest under the Hoenn Elite Four' for years."
"Even I… have dreams of challenging the Elite Four someday."
Then his expression turned serious.
"Aiden. Since you have Rayquaza, don't show it casually."
"Someone with bad intentions might target you."
He took a breath, then smiled again—more grounded, more confident.
"Even if I lost… I think my partner and I might break through that wall we've been stuck at."
He opened a drawer and took out a badge.
"No matter what—thank you."
"This is the Balance Badge, proof you defeated Petalburg Gym."
"Keep pushing forward. And when the Ever Grande Conference begins, I'll be cheering for you."
He handed it to Aiden.
Then, under his breath, he muttered with a regretful grin:
"Man… if I'd known there was a guy like you, I would've let my daughter travel with you back then…"
Aiden blinked, confused for half a second—but he didn't press it.
Norman and his apprentice were people Aiden trusted. They'd seen Rayquaza, sure, but their character didn't give off "greedy" vibes at all.
He accepted the badge, thanked Norman again, and left the Gym.
Pokémon Center Shockwave
Back at the Pokémon Center, Aiden handed Grovyle and Pidgeotto to Nurse Joy.
Seeing both Pokémon badly injured and fainted earlier, Nurse Joy naturally assumed the Gym Challenge had failed.
"Did you… win your Gym battle, Aiden?"
She asked gently—high EQ, no judgment.
Aiden casually lifted the badge.
"Yep. Won it. This is the Balance Badge."
For a second, Nurse Joy froze.
And so did everyone else in the lobby.
Because Petalburg Gym wasn't some beginner place—many Trainers had been failing there for weeks.
A few frustrated Trainers were ready to complain—
Until they saw the real badge in Aiden's hand.
The mood flipped instantly.
"WHAT—he actually beat Petalburg Gym?!"
"That's insane…"
"No way. I want to battle him. He has to be cheating!"
Nurse Joy recovered, smiled warmly, and pulled out a clean badge case.
"This is a Gym Badge Case—I'll gift it to you."
"If you're entering the Hoenn League, you'll need eight badges."
"Good luck, Aiden."
Aiden thanked her. Soon after, his Pokémon were healed and energetic again.
He planned to stay one night in Petalburg City, then head toward Rustboro City for the second Gym.
Time was tight.
He'd started late, and there were still seven badges to go.
Ash Arrives
Just as Aiden was about to leave, the Pokémon Center doors opened.
A boy in a cap walked in, a Pikachu perched on his shoulder.
Behind him were his companions.
Ash Ketchum.
Seeing the crowd, Ash looked around, confused.
"Uh… why is the Pokémon Center so packed today?"
Beside him, Brock immediately locked onto Nurse Joy and sprinted forward like a missile—
Only to get cut off by Aiden.
Aiden didn't hate Brock. Honestly, having a Breeder in your party is cheat-level support.
But Brock's one fatal weakness was also legendary:
He could not stop himself around pretty women.
Aiden stepped in calmly.
"Hey. Your behavior is already crossing the line."
"If Nurse Joy reports you, that's detention territory under Hoenn League regulations."
"Want me to call Officer Jenny?"
Brock instantly snapped back to reality.
His eyes—still smiling, but slightly annoyed—looked Aiden up and down.
Nurse Joy, however, gave Aiden a small appreciative smile.
Ash, May, and Max rushed over when they noticed tension.
Then they heard what the crowd was talking about—
This tall guy, a "new Trainer," had defeated Norman and obtained the Balance Badge.
Max's reaction was immediate.
As Norman's son and biggest fan, he couldn't accept it.
"My dad doesn't lose!"
Ash, on the other hand, lit up like someone said "free battle."
"So you're strong?"
"Then battle me! Pikachu and I want to fight!"
May stared at Aiden, cheeks faintly red, looking like her brain short-circuited for a second.
Aiden's mouth twitched.
…Why are you blushing??
He coughed once.
"I'm not battling right now."
"I just finished a Gym match. My Pokémon need rest."
"If you want a real match, see me at the Ever Grande Conference."
Aiden turned to leave—
But Max stepped in front of him.
"If you're really strong, why won't you fight Ash?"
"Unless… you got that badge with some dirty trick!"
That crossed the line.
Aiden's eyes cooled.
"If it weren't for Norman's sake, those words alone would earn you a lesson."
Max went stiff.
Wait—how did this guy know who his dad was?
Aiden exhaled.
"Fine."
"One-on-one."
"But we wait until my Pokémon are fully rested."
Ash's eyes sparkled instantly.
"Deal!"
And just like that…
A new battle was set.
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/SorenSwiftTL