Chapter 321: I Promise You’re Gonna Love This

"I stand with the League!"

Bruno declared solemnly, wearing a serious expression.

"Good, good! I never doubted it," Dylan said, applauding. "I can tell at a glance you're a man of justice, Bruno."

Relieved, Bruno let out a long breath. Excellent. No more worries about spending the rest of his life behind bars.

"So, Bruno," Dylan asked curiously, "can you tell me what Lance and the others are planning lately?"

After all, this world's situation was different from the Adventures manga, where the Kanto Elite Four debuted as villains. Lance and the others here had resigned from the League voluntarily.

"That old lady brought us to Cerise Island," Bruno said without hesitation, selling out his "teammates" instantly. "She wants to use it to summon a legendary giant bird Pokémon."

"Lugia?" Dylan asked.

"Not sure. But she said it's likely to be Lugia."

Dylan raised an eyebrow. So it really had come full circle—Cerise Island was the Kanto Elite Four's base in Pokémon Adventures.

"To summon it, they need all eight original badges. That's why I had the chance to come out alone."

Bruno pulled out two badges from his pocket—Dylan recognized them at a glance. The Boulder Badge from Pewter and the Cascade Badge from Cerulean.

He nodded. The eight original Kanto Gyms were historically significant, the first established when the League was formed. Their original badges were made from high-energy materials.

In the manga, Team Rocket had used badge energy to fuse the three Legendary Birds. The Elite Four used Cerise Island itself as an amplifier to summon and control legendary Pokémon.

"How'd you get these two badges?" Dylan asked.

"Their defenses were just too lousy," Bruno replied, scratching his head. "I slipped in and stole them easily. Didn't even run into anyone. I don't think they've noticed yet."

Bruno looked a little exasperated. He'd heard the stories of Pewter and Cerulean being... underwhelming. Now he understood.

"I see. Well then, Bruno, please take those badges back."

"...Huh?" Bruno blinked.

"I'll need you to stay undercover with Lance and the others. If they make any extreme moves, I'd like you to report back to me."

Dylan gave the instructions calmly. Unlike Team Rocket, extreme Lance would absolutely kill if he felt justified.

"Alright," Bruno agreed immediately. He'd really just come to report anyway—Lance and his crew were clearly doomed.

There was no future with them. The real path forward was with Dylan.

"Champion Dylan, can I challenge your Gym?"

After finishing the serious talk, Bruno's hands were itching.

He'd joined the League to fight strong Trainers and improve himself—unfortunately, his colleagues had all turned out to be maniacs.

"Of course you can. You want a challenge?"

"Ha! That's what I like to hear!" Bruno grinned broadly, his aura radiating wild fighting spirit.

"A battle with a strong opponent like Champion Dylan is bound to make me stronger!"

His beliefs were simple: battle!

Bruno believed that both humans and Pokémon grow through the trials of combat. He'd spent his life training in the mountains, growing alongside his Fighting-types through endless sparring and hardship.

To never stop moving forward. To always pursue greater heights. To never be complacent. That was Bruno.

"I'm looking forward to seeing your Fighting-type team. But first, let's see what type you'll be up against."

Dylan gestured to the roulette wheel.

"Great! It's just too bad you haven't built a Fighting-type team yet, Dylan. I love Fighting-types—they pack a punch!"

Bruno pressed the button, slightly regretful. A battle against Dylan's own Fighting team would've been thrilling.

"I'll have one someday," Dylan replied with a small chuckle.

The wheel stopped.

The pointer landed in a reddish-purple section, marked with a geometric hexagon symbol.

Bruno went completely silent.

That was the Psychic-type symbol.

He'd pulled Psychic?!

"Looks like your luck's not great today, Bruno." Dylan couldn't help but smile.

Fighting-types are weak against Psychic-types.

"This could be rough," Bruno muttered.

It wasn't like he hadn't fought Psychic-types before. But... this time, his opponent was Dylan!

Still, Bruno clenched his fists and nodded firmly.

"But I, Bruno, never back down!"

He'd been through every kind of battle imaginable.

Psychic-types? Whatever! At least it wasn't Ghost-types—those were his worst matchups.

But even against Ghosts, Bruno had never given up.

His mighty Fighting Pokémon wouldn't flinch!

"That's the spirit. Just what I'd expect from a former Elite Four."

Dylan praised him sincerely. Bruno had guts, and Dylan respected that.

They stepped into the battle arena, each taking their positions.

"Now commencing the Rota Gym's official challenge match. Challenger: Bruno."

Leaf raised a small flag and declared sweetly.

Bruno gave her a second look—not because of her looks, but because she had taken Lorelei's former position as the youngest Elite Four.

And now she was serving as Rota Gym's referee?

Dylan really was something.

"Battle rules: 6v6 full match. Dylan goes first. Dylan cannot switch Pokémon. If all six of Dylan's Pokémon are defeated, the challenge is successful!"

"Battle start!"

Leaf stepped off the field, and the scoreboard lit up.

"I didn't expect Bruno to challenge Gym Leader Bro. I wonder how many of his Pokémon will defeat Bro's?" Asha sat back, curious.

This was a showdown between the former Kanto Elite Four and the current Champion—iconic.

"Maybe two? Bruno's Champion-tier," Yellow guessed.

"Just beating one of the boss's Pokémon is a feat. He got unlucky—Psychic counters Fighting," Silver said calmly.

"Psychic-types are already hard to deal with, and for Fighters, it's even worse."

Honestly, Bruno might want to wash off some of that bad luck—of all the types, he had to draw this?

On the field—

"Since this is your first time challenging the Rota Gym, Bruno, allow me a formal introduction."

Dylan smoothed the collar of his shirt and spoke in a calm, refined voice.

"I'm Dylan, Leader of the Rota Gym. I specialize in multiple types. Today, I'll be using my Psychic-type team to battle you."

He pulled out a sleek black glove and slipped it on as a Poké Ball expanded in his palm.

"I'm sure you've faced Psychic-types before. Their strength lies in mental power. Even without physical contact, they can crush foes with a thought."

"Mysterious and formidable—such are Psychic-types. You're lucky, Bruno. Today, you get to experience their true power."

Dylan's smile deepened as he tossed his Poké Ball.

"My first Pokémon will be—Indeedee!"

A flash of white light, and a female Indeedee landed gently on the field, wearing a soft and calming smile.

"Indeedee?" Bruno frowned and quietly slipped his Steelix's ball back into his belt.

If he remembered right, Indeedee was Psychic/Normal-type.

That meant it didn't resist Fighting.

"Hitmonchan!"

Bruno threw his first Poké Ball.

A humanoid Pokémon landed with a thud. Red boxing gloves on its hands, brown torso, and plate-like crest atop its head.

Hitmonchan.

Beep~ Hitmonchan, Fighting-type, the Punching Pokémon.Ability: Iron FistMoves: Focus Punch, Close Combat, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Bullet Punch, Detect…

Its fists could slice the air. Even a glancing blow could burn.

Looks strong.

Yellow tilted her head as she scanned the data.

"Indeedee," Dylan said gently.

The Psychic Pokémon raised both hands, a wave of mental energy spreading from her form.

A violet light bathed the field.

Psychic Terrain activated.

Psychic Terrain boosts Psychic moves and blocks priority attacks.

Bruno's expression darkened.

He'd hoped to use Fake Out or Bullet Punch to close the distance early—but with the terrain up, those options were now blocked.

"Hitmonchan, use Throat Chop!"

Bruno barked, and the battle began in earnest.

Even if he had a disadvantage, Bruno wouldn't cower—he charged head-on!

"Trick Room."

Dylan smiled faintly.

Trick Room?

Bruno blinked. His Hitmonchan wasn't exactly fast to begin with—and now it couldn't use priority moves.

Indeedee created a glowing white cube between her hands.

Just as Hitmonchan's shadowy fist closed in, the Trick Room expanded across the field.

For a moment, the whole arena shimmered and twisted—then stabilized.

Trick Room active.

BAM!

Hitmonchan's Throat Chop landed squarely, blasting Indeedee across the field.

She cried out as she crashed to the ground, severely wounded.

Indeedee's physical defense wasn't great, and that move hit hard.

"Don't let up! Hitmonchan, one more powerful Throat Chop!"

Bruno was in full battle mode now—his punches sharp, his eyes wild with excitement.

Combat was bliss!

"Baton Pass!"

Just as Hitmonchan's shadowed fist flew again, Indeedee turned to light and returned to Dylan's Poké Ball.

Baton Pass.

Bruno blinked. A baton pass, huh?

Dylan's smile only grew deeper.

"No worries, Bruno. You're gonna love what comes next."

I promise—this is going to be thrilling.

(End of Chapter)