Chapter 340 · Senior Brother Brawly
One week later…
Shroomish — Lv. 20
Grovyle — Lv. 24
Bagon — Lv. 15
Lairon — Lv. 35
Seven days of special training had nudged everyone's level high enough, Gary felt, to handle a Gym battle.
"Great! You're finally going to challenge the Gym—don't lose," Zinnia urged.
Since discovering the fossil in Granite Cave, she'd been eager to return to Rustboro and revive it, but Gary had insisted they stay in Dewford Town for additional training. Now, at last, they could move on.
"Relax, I won't lose," Gary replied with a smile.
They pedaled their mountain bikes to the Dewford Gym, perched on a cliff at the edge of town—far from the main streets.
The moment they arrived, the system chimed:
[Ding! New Mission Released]
Earn the Dewford Gym Badge
Reward: 5 × Mid-Grade Rare Candy, TM — Force Palm (permanent), 1 × Premium Black BeltEarn the Dewford Gym Badge using only Pokémon listed in the Hoenn Pokédex
Reward: 5 × Low-Grade Rare Candy, TM — Fighting-type move of your choice (must be a level-up move), 1 × Random Battle Item
Gary selected the second option immediately. Among the possible rewards was Power-Up Punch, a modest 40-base-power move that raised the user's Attack each time it landed—an invaluable tool for physical sweepers.
"Allow me!" Afraid Gary might stall again, Zinnia rushed up and rang the bell.
Gary sighed. They had trained only a week; to Zinnia, it probably felt like he was avoiding the Gym Leader.
A young man opened the door. "Can I help you?"
"Hi, I'm Gary Oak. I'm here for a Gym battle," Gary said.
"Come on in." The attendant led them to the main arena, where a flip-flop-wearing youth was warming up. It was, of course, Brawly—the Dewford Gym Leader.
"Senior Brother Brawly, long time no see," Gary greeted him.
"Huh?" Zinnia blinked in surprise. Clearly the two men already knew each other.
Brawly studied him for a second. "Gary…? Is that really you?"
"Sure is, Senior Brother." Gary grinned.
Years ago, they had trained together under Chuck in Cianwood City. Brawly had left for Kanto soon after, and they'd never crossed paths again.
"I never thought you'd become a Trainer," Brawly said nostalgically. The kid from back then was now challenging his Gym in Hoenn—how time flew.
"I'm here to ask for your guidance," Gary replied.
"Then let's see what you can do." Brawly stepped to his position. "Standard rules here are two-on-two."
"Got it." Gary took the opposite spot.
"You've been a Trainer for a while," Brawly said. "Are you using your old partners, or the Pokémon you caught here in Hoenn?"
"This trip, I'm battling exclusively with Pokémon I caught in Hoenn," Gary answered.
"In that case, I know exactly who to send first. Go—Machop!"
FWIP!
[Lv. 20 Machop ♂ / Quasi-Elite]
Seeing the potential readout, Gary knew this Machop was one of Brawly's main projects.
"Shroomish, your turn."
FWIP!
A Shiny Shroomish with orange bands materialized on the field.
"A Shiny!" Brawly whistled. "You caught it here in Hoenn?"
"Yeah—Petalburg Woods."
"Talk about luck." Brawly had searched there himself and never found one.
Gary only smiled—his Shiny Charm deserved the credit.
"The battle begins!" Brawly called out. "Machop, Cross Chop!"
Machop dashed in, arms crossed and wreathed in crimson aura.
Cross Chop at level 20? Gary noted—either Brawly had taught it with a TM or this Machop was exceptionally gifted.
"Headbutt!" Gary countered.
Just before impact, Shroomish sprang forward, headbutting Machop. Machop's twin arms struck simultaneously, knocking Shroomish back, and a puff of spores burst from Shroomish's body, drifting onto Machop.
Machop stiffened—Effect Spore had triggered.
"Effect Spore…" Brawly muttered.
"Shroomish isn't something you want to trade blows with," Gary said calmly. Its EX Effect Spore meant every contact move risked poison, paralysis, or sleep.
"Then we'll finish this fast! Machop, Dynamic Punch!"
"Chop!" Muscles reddening, Machop charged again, fists glowing.
Guts, Gary realized. Machop's Ability had activated—the status condition had boosted its Attack by fifty percent.