In the courtyard of the Fuchsia Gym, Gary Oak and Mr. Koga prepared for their battle.
Originally, Mr. Koga thought the match should take place in a traditional arena, specifically on the second floor of the rented building. However, seeing the goofy expression on Arcanine face, he hesitated.
That Pokémon looked like it could cause some serious destruction!
Thus, they decided to settle their differences in the yard instead.
"Come on, old man! Show him what you've got! How dare he look down on our Janine!" Aya cheered from atop a nearby rock formation.
"Auntie!!" Janine pulled at Aya's sleeve in exasperation. "What kind of girl is so eager to get married!"
Having calmed down, Mr. Koga observed that while Gary and Janine didn't seem like a couple, the way his daughter looked at this boy was definitely not simple!
"Kid, if I win, you'll have to marry into our family! If I lose, I'll let my daughter marry you! How about that?" Mr. Koga proposed tentatively.
Gary sighed in disbelief. "Sir, I'm really just here for a gym battle. Besides, your daughter is too young; why rush into things?"
"Uh… you have a point," Mr. Koga relaxed a bit, realizing this kid probably didn't have ulterior motives.
Suddenly, Janine had an idea. "How about this: if Gary wins, Dad gives him the badge; if you win, Dad will let me take over the gym!"
Mr. Koga immediately became flustered. "Alright! It's settled!"
"That's too hasty…" Gary thought helplessly at this father-daughter duo.
Janine ran over to Gary, raising her small fist. "Go for it! If you beat my dad, I'll… I'll… give you a kiss!"
After saying this, she blushed and quickly hid behind the rock formation, peeking out with just her head showing.
Gary rubbed his forehead; girl, you're playing with fire here…
Turning to look at Mr. Koga…
Mr. Koga's expression darkened; damn it, kid! I won't lose!!
"Isn't this just raising the stakes for me?" Gary shook his head. "Whatever! I'm definitely getting that badge!"
"Let's get started!" Aya, acting as referee, waved her hand eagerly. "The rules are two-on-two! When one side's Pokémon can no longer battle, the match is over! The gym trainer cannot switch Pokémon—let's go!"
Mr. Koga pointed dramatically at his chest with one hand. "I will protect the honor of ninjas! Go, Venomoth!"
"Go, Arcanine! Show them what you've got!" Gary clapped his hands as his Arcanine leaped into the arena.
Mr. Koga was experienced and didn't rush into action right away; he planned carefully before making a move.
"Venomoth, rise high and use Quiver Dance!" Mr. Koga aimed to boost his Pokémon's stats.
Gary smirked; this was all too familiar to him. "Arcanine, use Roar!"
"Woo!!" Arcanine howled at the sky, causing Venomoth to shudder and instantly return to its Poké Ball in a flash of red light.
With a thud, the second contestant—Golbat—took its place!
"Use Extreme Speed! Then follow up with Thunder Fang! No chances!" Gary commanded swiftly.
With surging energy all around it, Arcanine lunged at Golbat, biting its wing as crackling electricity surged through its fangs!
Sizzle~ Golbat was left smoking from the electric attack.
Looking at the referee for confirmation and seeing no objections, Arcanine's mouth glowed red again as it prepared another fiery attack.
"Judgment call here, Aya; I was careless," Mr. Koga frowned.
Aya reluctantly pouted her lips and said: "Fine then; Arcanine wins."
Upon hearing the referee's voice, Arcanine finally released its grip on Golbat, letting it drop to the ground…
Smacking its lips in disappointment, Arcanine thought: Not tasty…
Gary shrugged his shoulders; that was an instant win—what more is there to say?
"Now it's time for my ninja!" Mr. Koga called out seriously. "Go forth again—use Hypnosis! Let's show them what we're made of!"
"Close your eyes and use Flamethrower! Go!" Gary responded immediately.
"Woo…" As instructed by Gary, Arcanine closed its eyes and sniffed before opening its mouth wide.
Boom! Bright orange flames erupted forth as Venomoth desperately tried to dodge!
The flames grazed one wing as it plummeted from mid-air.
"Ah! Venomoth!" Mr. Koga's face darkened further; he hadn't expected this trainer brought home by his daughter would be so strong.
The Pokémon designated for gym battles was being utterly dominated!
Without announcing an end to the match—Arcanine advanced toward Venomoth, ready to deliver another devastating flamethrower attack at any moment.
Aya anxiously looked at Mr. Koga. "Brother! Think of something fast! If we lose this battle, then little Janine won't inherit the gym!"
"Sigh~ Just call it," Mr. Koga said resignedly as he recalled his Pokémon with a sigh of defeat. "Skill-wise, I'm outmatched here."
"But~!" Aya still looked unwilling as she gazed at Arcanine in distress.
"I said call it!" Mr. Koga snapped angrily.
"It's… Gary from New Town… who wins," Aya sighed heavily in resignation.
"I accept my defeat wholeheartedly; there's nothing more to say." Approaching Gary, Mr. Koga took out a scroll and opened it up revealing a pink badge inside!
"Don't say that; you didn't even use your full strength against me. I merely took advantage of this gym battle," Gary politely nodded while accepting the badge.
"Sigh~ I'm getting old… Can this gym battle setup really help educate beginners and give them experience?" Mr. Koga lamented. "Maybe it's time to close down the Fuchsia Gym."
Hearing her father's dejected tone made Janine's brows furrow slightly; honestly speaking—did she really not want to inherit the gym?
Or did she just want to oppose her father?
"Please don't say that; every gym has its significance—especially one as historically rich as the Fuchsia Gym, which carries not only educational responsibilities but also historical meaning," Gary encouraged him gently.
"Sigh~ Thank you for your advice—but you saw it too; my daughter doesn't want to inherit it and my sister is too naive…" Mr. Koga sighed again.
"Brother!!" Aya interjected dramatically!
"I believe Janine will come around if you give her some space for self-expression," Gary smiled as he removed the badge from the scroll preparing to pocket it.
Suddenly—whoosh! In an instant movement, Gary felt something wet on his face while the badge vanished from his hand!
"Janine!" Mr. Koga's face turned red with anger as he pointed trembling fingers at Gary, "Y-you… what are you doing?!"
With a flushed face, Janine placed the badge on her scarf before covering her face with it saying: "I promised my dad I'd kiss you if I succeeded… Well, I did that."
However next up—I announce that ownership of the gym has changed hands! Rules must change too—unless you agree with me otherwise—you won't get this badge!"
With a slight smile—as if not surprised by this turn of events—Gary replied: "Then as Gym Leader of Fuchsia Gym, can you accept my challenge?"
Janine, trying hard to appear more mature nodded back resolutely: "Challenger! As Gym Leader of Fuchsia Gym, I accept your challenge!"
Mr. Koga felt touched and wiped his eyes happily before running over to Aya's position excitedly: "Then I'll be your referee!"
Aya blinked in confusion pointing at herself: "What about me?"
Mr. Koga disdainfully rolled his eyes: "Stay where it's cool; you look like a flower butterfly~"