Pokemon: Gym Leader

Yes, I'll wait for an opportunity to spar with Dylan and collect his Gym Badge as a keepsake.

Alder thought about this, though it seemed a bit odd for a regional champion to challenge a Gym.

But apparently, over in Galar, their Gym Leaders often compete alongside their undefeated champion Leon, so it's not that strange after all.

Meanwhile, back in the battle arena…

Lacey calmed herself and finally sent out her trump card, the last of her four Pokémon.

"Excadrill!"

In a flash of white light, a dark brown Pokémon landed in front of Lacey. It had a robust body, a white face, and its most striking feature—sharp steel blades on its forehead and claws. This was Excadrill.

"Is this one a Fairy-type too?" Lillie asked, puzzled as she observed the fierce-looking Excadrill.

It didn't look like one at all.

'Beep~ Excadrill, Ground/Steel type, Subterranean Pokémon.

Ability: Mold Breaker

Moves: Horn Drill, Drill Run, Swords Dance, Dig, Rock Slide, Slash, Terastallization Burst, Rapid Spin, High Horsepower…

Description: Its drill-like steel body can penetrate iron plates, making it a vital part of tunnel engineering.'

No Fairy-type, huh? Well, that makes sense. Bringing an Excadrill into a Fairy-type team isn't all that unusual.

Lillie blinked and remembered her brother's strategies, and it no longer seemed so strange.

"Gym Leader Dylan, our Blueberry Academy is the sister school to Orange Academy, so our students are also proficient in Terastallization."

Lacey took out a black Tera Orb and addressed Dylan.

"I'm aware."

Dylan smiled and nodded. Terastallization was a power developed by Professor Sada and Professor Turo from the Paldea region. Essentially, it allows a Pokémon's type to change to its Tera Type. Every Pokémon has a specific Tera Type, and Terastallization transforms it into that type.

For example, Lacey's Excadrill was naturally Ground and Steel, but its Tera Type was Fairy. Once Terastallized, it would become a Fairy-type.

After Terastallization, its strengths and weaknesses would change to match the Fairy-type, but it could still get STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) for using Ground- and Steel-type moves.

If the Tera Type matches the Pokémon's natural type, the power boost would be even greater. For instance, if this Excadrill Terastallized into its Ground or Steel type, it would gain extra power—effectively boosting its battle strength.

In comparison to Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and Dynamaxing, Terastallization offered more tactical flexibility, which was one of its major advantages.

While Terastallization doesn't inherently increase a Pokémon's raw strength, it's a powerful tool. Take Gyarados, for example. It's undoubtedly strong among Water-types, but its fatal weakness to Electric moves drags it down significantly.

However, if Gyarados Terastallized into a pure Water-type, it would not only enhance its Water-type moves but also reduce its Electric-type weakness from 4x to 2x, making it much more formidable than one might expect.

That's the advantage of Terastallization.

"You truly are knowledgeable, Gym Leader Dylan," Lacey said as the black Tera Orb in her hand began to glow. She had initially thought she might need to explain Terastallization, unsure if Dylan was familiar with it.

But it turned out there was no need.

"Excadrill!"

Lacey tossed the Tera Orb towards her Excadrill.

The moment the orb touched Excadrill, radiant energy enveloped its entire body, forming crystal-like structures.

"What is that?" Lillie asked, stunned.

"That's Terastallization from Paldea. It changes a Pokémon's type," Alder explained, intrigued as he watched the transformation process.

Alder had some knowledge of it. It was, after all, a way to enhance a Pokémon's abilities, similar to Galar's Dynamaxing or Alola's Z-Moves.

However, unlike Dynamaxing, which could only be used in energy spots in Galar, Terastallization had no such limitations. Alder had even pulled some strings to get a Tera Orb for himself, and he found it quite interesting, especially with the tactical flexibility it offered.

Crrrrack!

The sound of shattering crystals echoed as Terastallized Excadrill emerged.

Its entire body gleamed with a crystalline glow, but the most eye-catching feature was the pink, heart-shaped crown atop its head—a hallmark of the Fairy Tera Type.

"A Fairy Terastallized Excadrill, so it's a pure Fairy-type team?"

After Alder's explanation, Lillie understood, though she found it rather peculiar—but not entirely wrong.

"Excadrill, Dig!"

Lacey quickly commanded her Excadrill after thinking for a moment.

Excadrill dived into the ground with incredible speed, disappearing beneath the battlefield.

"Take to the air," Dylan said with a light chuckle.

Dig allows Ground-type Pokémon to burrow underground, but a well-timed Earthquake would make Excadrill regret that.

Unfortunately, Darkrai doesn't know Earthquake.

Darkrai floated into the air, its blue eyes calmly watching the ground below, waiting for Excadrill to resurface.

"Excadrill, Terastallization Burst!"

Lacey gave another order when she saw Darkrai wasn't giving Excadrill any openings.

The ground beneath Darkrai bulged as Excadrill emerged, its body glowing with pink Fairy-type energy. With a heavy swipe of its claws, a beam of light from Terastallization Burst shot towards Darkrai.

Fairy-type Terastallization Burst!

Terastallization Burst is normally a Normal-type move, but once a Pokémon Terastallizes, the move's type changes to match the Pokémon's Tera Type. It also adapts based on whether the user's Attack or Special Attack is higher.

In Excadrill's case, its Terastallization Burst was, naturally, Attack-based.

"Thunder."

Electric sparks flickered around Darkrai as a massive bolt of lightning descended from the sky.

The Thunder attack collided with the Terastallization Burst, creating a dazzling light display of pink and gold. But soon, Thunder overpowered Terastallization Burst and crashed down.

"Excadrill, dodge!"

Lacey called out urgently to her Pokémon.

Excadrill, now lacking its Ground typing due to Terastallization, was no longer immune to Electric-type moves.

It tried to dive underground again, but Thunder was too fast.

Boom!

The lightning struck Excadrill as it was halfway into the ground, leaving the air sizzling with electricity.

With a loud crash, Excadrill collapsed to the ground, its body smoking and its Terastallization fading—signaling its defeat.

"Excadrill is unable to battle. Darkrai wins. Challenger Lacey's four Pokémon have all been defeated. This challenge ends in failure," Alder announced the final result.

None of the three spectators were surprised by the outcome.

Lacey lowered her head in disappointment. She hadn't managed to take down even one of Dylan's Pokémon.

"You did well, Miss Lacey."

Dylan approached her with his Nightmare Pokémon floating behind him.

"Gym Leader Dylan…"

Lacey raised her head, but then bit her lip and looked down in shame.

"I'm sorry to have let you down. I'm still too weak."

Her voice was soft. She had thought becoming one of the Four Heavenly Kings at the academy meant she was a skilled Trainer.

But after this battle, she felt utterly defeated. Even though Dylan had gone easy on her, she had still failed miserably.

"No, no, Miss Lacey, you're not weak at all," Dylan shook his head.

"Although the final result wasn't great, I noticed quite a few bright spots in you, Miss Lacey, during our battle."

"As for the crushing defeat, I do have some confidence in my own strength. When faced with my team of legendary Pokémon, most people might struggle even more than you did, Miss Lacey."

Dylan didn't think Lacey, who had almost been swept by Darkrai, was weak.

After all, as he said himself, using a team of legendary Pokémon, Dylan could easily claim to be the strongest trainer in the world right now.

Even if Leon himself were here, he'd have to kneel. In an official battle, Kyurem and Ultra Necrozma are no joke.

Even against that old monster, Dylan, with Ultra Necrozma in hand, no longer felt any fear.

"And at the very least, Miss Lacey, you showed me a brilliant and unwavering will." Dylan smiled warmly as he looked at Lacey.

Lacey was stunned and raised her head, staring blankly at the young Gym Leader in front of her.

"So please, Miss Lacey, choose one. I recognize your talent and will as a trainer."

Dylan took out five beautiful, delicate little brocade boxes from his spatial bag and gestured for Lacey to pick one.

These were the five new badges currently available at the Rota Gym: Poison, Dark, Ghost, Dragon, and Legend.

"But I..."

Lacey snapped back to reality, feeling flustered as she looked at the five little brocade boxes in front of her.

She was really embarrassed!

As the daughter of Clay, she knew that a Gym Leader didn't necessarily have to be defeated for a badge to be awarded—if the Gym Leader recognized the challenger, they could still give their badge.

But in this Gym Challenge, she had lost so miserably...

Could someone like her really deserve the Rota Badge? Lacey's face flushed with embarrassment.

"Hahaha~ Lacey, just pick one. You took a beating from legendary Pokémon—getting a badge to make up for it is fair enough."

Alder laughed, teasing her.

"And since Dylan recognizes you, there's no need to doubt yourself. Against that team, even if it were me, the result wouldn't have been much different."

Alder crossed his arms and seriously commented. And he wasn't wrong.

Forget about the absurd dragons, Reshiram and Kyurem—just that Darkrai alone was already Champion-level.

Alder sincerely believed that if he were up against that Darkrai, even his ace Volcarona would struggle in a hard-fought battle, and he wasn't even sure he could win.

"Just accept it, Lacey. After becoming stronger, you can challenge Dylan again to show him your growth—that would be the best way to repay his trust in you."

Clay also encouraged his precious daughter.

"I understand! I will not let down Gym Leader Dylan's trust!"

The Gym Leader's willingness to give his badge to a challenger was a deep form of trust, and for the first time, Lacey felt the joy of being recognized by a powerful trainer.

But it also meant that she had to work even harder, not to let this recognition go to waste, and to make sure others didn't think Dylan had poor judgment!

"I'm looking forward to it. Now, go ahead and pick one—or leave it to chance. One of these boxes contains the most precious Rota Legend Badge."

Dylan nodded in satisfaction and then spoke gently.

There's actually a Legend Rota Badge!!!

Lacey's beautiful eyes immediately lit up, and Alder and Clay were equally astonished.

The Legend Rota Badge was undoubtedly the most special. The other Rota Badges could be obtained through normal challenges, but this Legend Badge… who in the world could defeat Dylan and his team of legendary Pokémon?

The only way was to get the golden Legend team and earn Dylan's recognition, and then to draw it randomly from these Rota badges.

Its rarity was unimaginable.

Lacey's breathing quickened. If she could draw this Legend Badge, she would likely be the only person in the world to have it!

A one-in-five chance! Could she do it?

"Oh, Lacey, trust me, pick this one! It's definitely the right one!"

Alder was excited, pointing to the box in the middle. The thrill of this blind draw was just too much.

"After all, I was the one who picked the golden Legend team for you earlier, wasn't I, Lacey? Believe me!"

Lacey couldn't help but glare at Alder when she heard that. You still have the nerve to mention it! Thank you very much!

But Alder wasn't wrong—he had indeed chosen the golden Legend team for her earlier, so...

Lacey bit her lip, her gloved hand trembling slightly as she reached for the middle box.

Dylan handed her the box and put away the other four.

Lacey took a deep breath, slowly opening it as Alder and Clay curiously leaned in.

The box opened, revealing a beautifully crafted green gemstone badge with a deep purple Poison-type emblem on top.

It was a Poison Rota Badge.

"Huh? It's Poison?" Alder scratched his head.

No way, his instincts were usually spot-on. What a pity.

But suddenly, Alder felt a sharp, blade-like gaze directed at him. Yep, it was from the adorable Lacey.

"Uh... Lacey, this time was just an accident," Alder said awkwardly.

"Champion Alder," Lacey said with a blank expression.

"Thank you so much for your help today!"

Ahhh! I was so close to the Legend Rota Badge!! Ahhhh!!

(End of chapter)

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