The next day.
Silas changed into the Elite Trainer outfit he had not worn in a long time. The set consisted of three pieces, top and bottom, along with a cap.
Its color scheme resembled that of an Ultra Ball, primarily black with golden stripes as accents, low key yet capable of highlighting his status.
The collar featured a unique design embroidered with an exclusive emblem symbolizing Elite Trainer status.
There was even a cape attachment for the top, but Silas felt that was far too flashy.
He was not like the dragon master from the Kanto region who never went anywhere without his cape.
"Min~"
(Silas looks so handsome today. Super handsome.)
"Phion~"
(Silas, today you are just like the male lead from television.)
"Morpe~!"
The moment he stepped out, a group of little ones surrounded him with praise.
Helplessly, Silas picked up the loudest cheering Minccino and pinched its little cheek. "With such a sweet mouth, I will take you along today to cheer for me."
Minccino nodded vigorously, unusually serious.
Cheering was its specialty.
If Minccino was going, the other little ones wanted to go as well.
Silas did not refuse. Having a cheering squad during a match was not a bad thing.
After getting his promise, the little ones urged Silas to hurry and eat.
Today they were helping together with the ranch's daily work.
Normally he did not need them unless it was harvest time, when the whole family had to work together.
While the Pokémon were busy, Silas made a trip to the cave.
Seeing him arrive, one of the three Noivern stood up proudly.
In last night's contest, it had laughed last.
The other two Noivern turned their heads away, choosing not to look.
Silas stepped forward to examine them. This one was the youngest of the three.
"Noi~!"
It lowered its large head and nudged Silas, as if acting spoiled and also seeking confirmation.
"Alright. You will be the first to appear."
Silas agreed with a smile. The Noivern had grown quickly.
Within the ranch, their strength ranked only below Cyclizar and Kangaskhan, and on paper they were comparable to the Mudsdale brothers.
Of course, in a three versus three team battle, the three Noivern together would not be a match for the Mudsdale trio.
Taking out a Poké Ball, Silas recalled Noivern and waved to the other two, instructing them to watch over the ranch.
This battle with Gym Leader Gurkinn would use his main force, showing maximum respect.
With Minccino and the others helping in the fields, the work was finished quickly. Silas recalled the Pokémon he would bring into their Poké Balls and hung the final one around his neck.
He directed Cyclizar beneath him and lifted Minccino from his head into his arms. "Let's go. Cyclizar, to the Shalour Gym."
Cyclizar roared excitedly and sprinted forward at top speed toward the gym.
The Shalour Gym had also prepared early. Silas was not a rookie trainer.
Gym Leader Gurkinn would use his main Pokémon.
Korrina had learned about it yesterday and immediately called Serena. The two girls agreed that during the battle, Korrina would provide a live broadcast.
Serena also wanted to see her brother battle. Since childhood, in her heart, her big brother had always been the most outstanding and capable, able to do anything.
He would never give up because of a small failure.
He had not disappointed her expectations.
Even through the screen, Serena's excitement seemed ready to burst out as she eagerly awaited the match.
...
Pokémon battles were a sport enjoyed by all ages.
Gym challenges were a crucial part of it. Collecting eight badges allowed participation in the League Conference.
Beyond the regular badges given to test new trainers, gyms also issued special badges.
By gathering the eight special badges of a region's major gyms, one could challenge the Elite Four.
Of the eight special badges, Silas had already obtained the Bug Badge from Santalune Gym, the Cliff Badge from Cyllage Gym, the Fairy Badge from Laverre Gym, and the Plant Badge from Coumarine Gym.
He still lacked the Rumble Badge from Shalour Gym, the Voltage Badge from Lumiose Gym, the Psychic Badge from Anistar Gym, and the Iceberg Badge from Snowbelle Gym.
Each of these four Gym Leaders was stronger than the last, particularly those of Shalour and Lumiose.
But the most difficult to handle was Anistar Gym, as its leader Olympia was a clairvoyant.
As everyone knew, those who dealt in mysterious psychic abilities were never easy opponents.
The four Gym Leaders were strong, but he was no weaker now.
Let it begin with Shalour Gym.
Standing once more on one side of the battlefield, Silas listened as the host announced the rules.
Three versus three. Neither side could switch Pokémon.
Fighting types embodied a spirit of charging forward relentlessly.
Even if outmatched, they would still draw their blades.
In simple terms, they were stubbornly brave.
"Are both trainers ready?"
Silas gripped a Poké Ball and nodded.
"Then let the battle begin."
Two Poké Balls were thrown onto the battlefield.
At the very moment the battle started, the aura around Gurkinn visibly changed. His gaze became sharp.
He resembled the Pokémon before him.
It had white feathers, a V shaped crest on its head, blue eyes, bandages wrapped around its wrists, and stood upright like a fighting rooster.
Flames burst from its wrists, burning fiercely against its opponent, carrying an undying fighting spirit.
It was Blaziken, the evolved form of Combusken.
A Fire and Fighting type Pokémon whose combat style centered on punches and kicks.
"It is starting," Korrina said excitedly to Serena outside the field. "It is Blaziken against a huge Noivern."
"Ah, did the Noibat evolve?"
Serena asked in delight. The last time she visited her brother's ranch, the Noibat were tiny and timid.
Afraid she could not describe it clearly, Korrina removed her watch and pointed it toward the battlefield.
Opposite Blaziken stood a massive, imposing Noivern. It spread its wings, whipping up a violent gale.
There was none of the former timidity from its Noibat days. In its place was the courage and arrogance of a dragon.
"Wow, it is Noivern. Go Noivern. Win this battle for my brother," Serena cheered.
On the field, Noivern's large ears twitched. It heard a familiar voice.
At the same time, the pressure of a high apex creature bore down upon Blaziken. Noivern was eager to fight.
It glanced back at Silas. Seeing him give a slight nod, Noivern no longer restrained itself.
It released a deep dragon roar, its scales vibrating as dragon blood within it boiled hotter with the coming battle.
In terms of typing and species, Noivern held an absolute advantage.
It had nothing to fear.
With a powerful gust of wind, it launched the first attack.
(End of Chapter)