94. Gym Battle(Part 1)

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Gallade stepped onto the battlefield, its posture upright and determined. The air was still, and there were no spectators present to watch the match. It wasn't Gallade's turn to battle yet, but it waited patiently, aware that its opportunity was near. Its sharp gaze turned toward the Gym Leader, observing her intently.

She was strikingly beautiful, with a poised demeanor befitting a skilled leader. Hmm! A peculiar thought crossed Gallade's mind, catching it off guard. Why was it thinking about her appearance at all? Shaking off the strange notion, it focused on the battle at hand.

Rosa, the Gym Leader, was commanding her Electabuzz with precision. The match unfolding before Gallade was entirely one-sided—a demonstration of the Gym Leader's expertise. Rosa's demeanor was serious and cold as she directed Electabuzz, whose swift, decisive moves overwhelmed the challenger. Under her command, victory was assured.

As Electabuzz landed the final blow, the challenger's Pokémon fainted. Rosa's expression softened as she addressed the defeated Trainer. "You've lost," she said calmly. "Come back next time, but focus on strengthening your Pokémon first. I can't give you the Badge yet."

The challenger, disheartened, sighed. This was his third loss at this Gym. His Pokémon were strong, trained to Peak levels, yet Rosa's leadership proved too much to overcome. He muttered a quick "Thank you," recalled his Pokémon, and left the arena with a heavy heart.

Gallade watched the scene unfold before stepping forward to meet Rosa. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she noticed it approaching. Before she could speak, Gallade used telepathy. "Hello," it greeted. "I'm here to challenge the Gym on behalf of my Trainer."

Rosa's eyebrows lifted in recognition as she pulled out her phone and quickly checked her messages. Sure enough, there was a message from Evan, Gallade's Trainer. The name sparked a sense of familiarity in her. "Evan… why does that name sound so familiar?" she mused, scrolling through her contacts. Moments later, she found a chat history with Violet, her friend, and everything clicked.

"Your Trainer is Evan? The one who creates customized top-quality energy cubes?" she asked. Gallade nodded, confirming it.

Rosa's face lit up with a smile. "Violet told me about him! She mentioned meeting a very talented Breeder. I didn't realize you were his Pokémon." She paused, then added, "When you return, let him know I'd love to meet him for advice on energy cubes."

Gallade blinked, slightly taken aback, but nodded politely. "I'll tell him. Can we begin the battle now?"

Rosa's demeanor shifted instantly. Her warm smile disappeared, replaced by a cool and focused expression. "Of course," she replied firmly. "Let's see what you've got. Send out your Pokémon!"

With practiced precision, Rosa tossed a Pokéball into the air. "Ampharos, go!" she commanded as the Electric Pokémon materialized, its golden body shining in the light.

As Rosa finished speaking, the Pokémon appeared on the battlefield—a bipedal creature with a yellow body, resembling a kangaroo but entirely bald after its evolution. It was Ampharos, and its presence radiated the unmistakable strength of an Peak-level Pokémon.

Gallade analyzed the opponent carefully, considering its next move. It was about to send out Lurantis when Gardevoir's voice echoed in its mind.

"Brother, let Charizard go first," Gardevoir suggested. "This Pokémon is the weakest. Save Lurantis for the second or third round."

Gallade was momentarily surprised but trusted its sister's judgment. With a decisive nod, it threw Charizard's Poké Ball instead. 

Rosa noticed the shift in Gallade's choice, her curiosity piqued. Her eyes studied the Charizard that materialized before her, and a flicker of surprise crossed her face. 

The Charizard was larger than usual, its muscular frame exuding a powerful aura. Her gaze lingered on its golden eyes, a feature she found odd. Was this normal for a Charizard?

Before Rosa could ponder further, Charizard let out a mighty roar, spreading its massive wings wide. Its piercing gaze locked onto Ampharos, ready for battle.

Rosa recovered quickly and spoke with calm authority. "You may attack first. Let the battle begin. The cameras will record everything and send it to the League's official website."

Charizard acknowledged the announcement with a nod. It wasted no time, launching itself into action. With a powerful beat of its wings, it surged toward Ampharos, a ball of flame forming in its hand as it prepared a Fire Punch.

"Thunder Punch!" Rosa countered without hesitation.

The two attacks collided in a fiery explosion of energy. Flames and electricity clashed, sending shockwaves rippling through the arena. Neither Pokémon emerged victorious from the initial clash as both retreated to reassess.

Charizard soared into the air, gaining the advantage of height. It retaliated by unleashing a searing Flamethrower, the heat of the attack palpable even at a distance. Rosa frowned at the intensity. Was Charizard's flame always this hot?

"Light Screen!" Rosa commanded.

Ampharos responded with a sharp glow of blue light, creating a shimmering psychic barrier. The Flamethrower slammed into the Light Screen but failed to breach it. Rosa immediately issued another order.

"Rain Dance!"

Ampharos cried out, its voice resonating through the arena. The once-clear sky began to darken as storm clouds gathered overhead. Raindrops threatened to fall, a clear attempt to shift the battle in Ampharos' favor. 

Charizard, however, refused to let this happen. While it wasn't particularly weak to water, it knew rain would pave the way for Ampharos' devastating Thunder attacks. Moreover, the strategy would hinder the rest of Gallade's team.

With a fierce roar, Charizard countered with Sunny Day, casting away the looming clouds. The arena was bathed once again in radiant sunlight, halting Ampharos' momentum. 

Rosa furrowed her brows, realizing the strength of her opponent. This Charizard wasn't just stronger; it was strategic and determined. The battle was only just beginning, and already, the heat was intense—both figuratively and literally.