Brock rested a Poké Ball in his palm but didn't throw it yet.
"Before we begin," he said calmly, "how many badges do you have? And how many Pokémon?"
I met his gaze evenly. "No badges yet. This will be my first."
A small smile tugged at my lips.
"And I have two Pokémon."
There was no hesitation in my voice.
Brock nodded once. "Then we'll make this a two-on-two battle."
"No problem," I replied simply.
From the sidelines, Leaf felt her cheeks warm again at my calm confidence. She folded her arms, pretending not to stare.
Brock stepped into position. "Very well. Let's begin!"
He threw his Poké Ball.
A flash of white light burst onto the field, forming into a rocky, round Pokémon with muscular arms.
Geodude.
I answered immediately.
"Bulbasaur, let's go!"
Bulbasaur landed lightly, eyes sharp and focused.
Leaf blinked. "You have a Bulbasaur too?"
I gave her a slight grin. "Sure do. Looks like we're a match, beautiful lady."
Her face turned red instantly.
"I—th-that's not—!"
From across the field, Brock cleared his throat. "Perhaps you can save that for after the battle."
Leaf turned even redder. "W-We're not flirting!"
I chuckled. "Right. Battle first."
The Gym quieted.
"Geodude, use Rock Throw!" Brock commanded.
Geodude smashed the battlefield and hurled a massive rock straight at Bulbasaur.
"Bulbasaur, catch it with Vine Whip — and send it back!"
The vines shot forward and wrapped around the incoming boulder. The impact forced Bulbasaur back slightly, claws scraping against stone.
Leaf's eyes widened. "He's catching it?!"
With a powerful swing, Bulbasaur redirected the rock at Geodude.
"Rock Polish!" Brock ordered.
Geodude shimmered as the rock slammed into it. Dust filled the air, but Geodude endured the blow.
"Rollout!"
Geodude curled up and launched forward, spinning at high speed.
The first hit knocked Bulbasaur back.
The second hit came harder.
Leaf leaned forward slightly, worry flickering across her face.
Geodude came around for the third strike, momentum increasing dangerously.
I remained calm.
"Bulbasaur — Razor Leaf. On the ground in front of you!"
The leaves tore into the battlefield floor, carving out a sudden crater.
Geodude, unable to change direction mid-Rollout, dropped straight into the hole.
The spinning stopped abruptly.
Brock's eyes sharpened. "Using the field itself…"
"Geodude, get out!"
But the steep stone edges made escape difficult.
I didn't waste time.
"Razor Leaf."
The attack descended cleanly into the crater.
When the dust cleared, Geodude lay motionless.
The referee announced, "Geodude is unable to battle!"
Leaf let out the breath she'd been holding. "That was really smart… you didn't overpower it — you outplayed it."
Bulbasaur stood proudly, breathing hard but steady.
I looked across at Brock.
"Let's continue."