9 Chapter 9: First Gym Battle (Part 1)

I hummed a tune to myself as Ladon moved through the air.

Holding onto his neck I enjoyed the view as well.

There is nothing like flying on the back of a pokemon, let me tell you.

Though eventually it came to an end when Ladon landed at our destination after two hours of flying.

Striaton City.

Where the first gym in the Unova Gym circuit is located.

Fun fact, trainers do not have to collect badges from the gyms in order like they do in the games. So long as a trainer has eight badges from eight recognized and legal gyms of a region by the time their yearly regional tournament rolls arounds they can qualify to enter it.

However since this is my first every gym circuit I am going to take the traditional route.

For nostalgia sake.

"Good work buddy." I said, patting Ladon on the neck.

I then returned him to his pokeball. Once I did I started exploring the city.

Since I wanted to give Ladon a bit of time to rest because he flew me all the way here.

I'm not like a certain pokemon protagonist who will simply rush to a cities gym for a battle the moment he arrives.

Besides, I am not in any rush.

The gym circuit last for nine months.

Plenty of time for me to earn all eight badges.

Then once I did I have a two month grace period to prepare for the regional conference.

Which takes place in August.

Another fun fact I learned. The days of the week and the months in this world are exactly the same as in my old one. The only difference is that every month in this world has 30 days exactly.

Meaning a year here is 360 days instead of 365.

I moved around the city, taking in the sights and sounds for two hours.

But once they passed I started making a beeline for the gym.

It's time for me to have my very first gym battle.

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Arriving outside the Striaton gym I noticed its exterior looks exactly like it does from the anime.

I wonder if that means the interior is the same as well.

Considering that when I did research into the Unova region gym leaders I learned that half of them are not the same ones featured in the anime and games.

I also did a bit of research into other regions and learned that familiar names like Steven Stone, Lance, and Cynthia are not the current champions of their home regions.

Though at the moment Alder is the current Unova champion. A position he has held for many years.

The point I'm trying to make is the timeline here makes no sense to me.

But there's no use worrying about it.

The only thing I can do is move forward and see what happens.

Moving up to the gym doors I pushed them opened and stepped inside.

Seeing the interior is the same from the anime.

Currently there are several people enjoying meals at various tables. Being served by a number of waiters.

One of them walked up to me. A smile on their face.

"Good day sir, how may I help you?" He asked.

"My name is Ezra Grimheart, and I am a pokemon trainer looking to challenge the gym today." I said. "If possible."

"Of course." He said. "But before that, how about a nice meal?"

"Yes, please." I said.

Since once again, unlike a certain pokemon protagonist I am not impatient and know how to enjoy things.

"Follow me then please?" The waiter asked.

So I did and I was seated at a table.

I was then given a menu, ordering a nice pasta dish with a side of breadsticks.

It tasted amazing.

As I wiped my mouth with my napkin after finishing my meal I noticed a man approaching my table.

He has green eyes, with a mix of dark red and dark blue hair sitting atop his head. He is also being followed by three very recognizable people.

Cilan, Chili, and Cress.

Who look about ten years old at the moment.

Reaching my table the man gave me a slight bow. "Greetings challenger, my name is Callum Harris. The gym leader here."

"A pleasure to meet you sir. The name is Ezra Grimheart. And also, the food was delicious." I said.

"I'm glad you liked it. Now if you'll please follow me. We can start your gym battle." He said.

"Thank you." I told h

I then stood up and pushed in my seat before following Callum, the three brothers close behind us.

"Are those kids related to you?" I asked him.

"My sons." He said. "Are they bothering you?"

"Not at all." I told him.

Callum nodded.

The two of us then passed through a set of doors and I saw a battle arena on the other side.

As Callum moved to take up position on the far side of it, I stayed on the side near the doors.

While the three brothers moved into the middle and took seats in some chairs that were set up.

Except for Chili, who grabbed a set of flags.

"This is a three-on-three battle between the gym leader Callum Harris, and the challenger Ezra Grimheart. The match will be over when either of one sides pokemon is completely unable to continue battling, or one of the two sides concedes defeat. Only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions. Begin!" Chili said.

As soon as he did so Callum sent out his first pokemon.

A Darmanitan.

'Now it begins.' I thought.

I then took a pokeball off my belt and sent out Dragonite.

When I did so the brothers got stars in their eyes.

"So cool!" Cress said.

"You are a dragon-specialist I take it?" Callum asked me.

"That's right." I told him.

"Well I am honored to battle you." He said.

"Likewise." I spoke.

The battle then kicked off.

"Rain Dance, then Water Pulse!" I called out to Dragonite.

"Counter that with Sunny Day, then use Rock Slide." Callum calmly spoke.

As he did so the field remained unchanged at the field effect moves canceled each other out.

Then Darmanitan summoned several rocks around itself and hurled them in the direction of Dragonite before he could launch his own attack.

So he took a direct hit.

But he didn't go down.

"Take to the air. Then use Agility, followed by Water Pulse once more." I commanded.

"Don't allow that Darmanitan. Use Taunt."

Dragonite took to the air but before he could boost his speed Darmanitan made that impossible.

Since unlike in the games moves like Agility and Taunt are actually useful in this world.

So Dragonite could not power up. But he was able to release an orb of water, striking Darmanitan in the chest.

But the ape-like pokemon simply shrugged the attack off like it was nothing.

"Work Up. Then use Fire Punch." Callum said.

'No way are we going to keep letting you control the pace of this battle.' I thought. "Sandstorm." I said.

Dragonite then whipped up a massive sandstorm across the entire field.

"Gyro Ball. Clear out the sand." Callum said.

After he did so the storm was blown away by Darmanitan.

"Rain Dance once more, then use Water Pulse again." I instructed.

Rain clouds formed this time and water blanketed the field. After it did so Dragonite released a powerful pulse of water, scoring a direct hit.

But the Darmanitan got back up once more.

'This things endurance is no joke.' I thought.

But I would expect nothing else from a pokemon trained by a gym leader.

"Very good. To think one of my first challengers for this years gym circuit would be this strong." Callum spoke.

"Of course. I want to be a dragon master, so I need to be strong and face strong challengers." I replied.

"Well said. Even so, that doesn't mean you'll win this. Darmanitan, Fire Blast."

"Counter using Hydro Pump." I said. Hoping Dragonite can pull it off, since we still have trouble with that move.

Darmanitan unleashed a stream of powerful flames from its mouth, across the entire field. But Dragonite unleashed a powerful blast of water to counter it.

As the water and fire streams collided, steam blanketed the entire field.

"Work Up once more, then use Hammer Arm."

"Counter using Extreme Speed!"

Callum got a look of surprise on his face.

But it was too late.

Through the steam I could see Dragonite slam into Darmintan, sending it into the ground.

"Now finish this. Hydro Pump!" I called.

Dragonite then unleashed a full power blast of water at Darmanitan at point blank range, sending it flying into the gym wall behind Callum.

Where it fell to the floor, unconscious.

"Darmanitan is unable to battle. That means Ezra and Dragonite are the winners." Chili said.

"Excellent work." I told Dragonite.

"Drago!" He cried. Spreading out his wings as he did so.

Meanwhile Callum calmly returned his Darmanitan.

He then took a pokeball off his waist and enlarged it.

Getting ready to send out his second pokemon.

Well he can bring it on.

We're ready for whatever he wants to throw at us.