"Emmm..."
Looking at the muscular man with a fierce expression and the slender, delicate girl beside him, the receptionist found it hard to believe they were siblings.
She remembered this karate girl; she had challenged the Gym just half an hour ago. However, she seemed rather fragile, leaving with tear-filled eyes in the end...
The Gym Leader really is sinful.
"Sir, are you here to challenge the Gym?"
Despite the man's intimidating demeanor, the receptionist maintained a professional attitude, approaching him with a smile.
"I'm here to destroy this gym!"
The muscular man glared, saliva flying as he spoke, his voice booming.
"Okay, so you're here to challenge the Gym. Please wait a moment."
The receptionist, mentally tough, maintained an awkward but polite smile as she turned to walk toward the back.
"Don't worry, Sis! I'll make sure to settle this score for you!"
"Brother!!! I told you it was just a normal battle, I just couldn't beat Dylan!"
"He made you cry, and you still call him brother?"
Hearing the muscular man's incredulous voice and the karate girl's embarrassed and angry response behind her, the receptionist quickened her pace.
Selene smacked her lips, watching the siblings with great interest.
Soon, Dylan arrived at the Gym. What met his eyes was the karate girl pouting with her arms crossed and her brother, standing like a towering figure with a scowl on his face.
"Miss Luna?"
Dylan was a bit surprised to see the karate girl. Hadn't she just failed the challenge?
"Gym Leader Dylan, I'm very sorry, but my brother wants to challenge you."
Luna spoke apologetically, her face slightly flushed.
Although she had indeed lost control of her emotions and shed some tears after the crushing defeat, she didn't have a bad impression of the gentle-natured Gym Leader.
Besides, after the battle, he had kindly pointed out her weaknesses in combat. He was a very responsible Gym Leader.
"You're the Gym Leader, this scrawny kid? You're the one who made my sister cry, right?"
The muscular man scrutinized Dylan, his tone hostile.
"I apologize for that." Dylan offered an apologetic look to the Luna.
The girl indeed seemed fragile; in fact, several female trainers had been rattled by his Poison-type Pokémon in recent days.
Luna's face turned even redder.
"Hmph~ This isn't over, but I'm not unreasonable. Let's settle this according to Gym rules."
The muscular man snorted. Did this Gym Leader not know of his title as the Black Belt of Saffron City?
Today, he was going to make sure this scrawny Gym Leader got what was coming!
"I see. In that case, I accept your challenge."
Dylan chuckled. So, he was here to stand up for his sister.
But that was understandable. What brother wouldn't want to defend his precious sister after she had been 'bullied'?
This was the perfect opportunity to test out his new team.
"Kid! You're the challenger! Last year, I made it to the top sixteen in the Indigo League!" The muscular man proudly crossed his arms.
"Yes, yes."
Dylan smiled and responded as he headed to the battlefield.
The muscular man snorted again in dissatisfaction. This kid!!
"The battle for the Rota Badge will now begin. The challenger is Kiyo from Saffron City."
"The battle will be 3vs3. The Gym Leader cannot switch Pokémon. The first to have all three Pokémon unable to battle loses."
"Battle, begin!"
The referee announced the rules and then stepped aside.
The muscular man still wore a fierce expression. Despite his hot-headedness, he wasn't entirely brainless. Before coming, he had carefully asked his sister about the Gym Leader.
This Gym Leader uses Poison-type Pokémon, and poison shouldn't be a big problem.
"Before the battle begins, please allow me to introduce myself."
Dylan habitually adjusted the collar of his shirt, wearing a gentle smile.
Today, he wore a black casual shirt and black pants, making him look elegant and charming.
"I am Dylan, the owner of this Rota Gym and a multi-type Trainer."
"Mr. Kiyo, do you know about Dark-type Pokémon? Their mischievous image is quite charming. I'm very fond of them."
"So, I'd like you to experience firsthand the evil aesthetics of Dark-type Pokémon."
With a flick of his wrist, a minimized Poké Ball enlarged in his hand, which he then threw.
"Then, my first Pokémon will be this one."
"Incineroar, prepare for battle!"
With a flash of white light, a muscular, humanoid Pokémon appeared before Dylan, spreading its arms wide and letting out a deep, menacing roar at the muscular man.
The Pokémon's body was primarily red, extremely muscular and robust, with a snarling face that was fierce and menacing, sharp claws gleaming coldly, and a belt around its waist.
It was Incineroar, the final evolution of Litten!
After five days of training on Victory Road, Litten had leveled up quickly.
'Beep~ Incineroar, Fire/Dark-type, Heel Pokémon
Ability: Intimidate
Moves: Darkest Lariat, Swagger, Throat Chop, Fire Fang, Bulk Up, Cross Chop, Fake Out, Parting Shot…
Description: Its personality is violent and unruly, but it dislikes bullying the weak. It gets fired up when facing strong opponents.'
"Oh my gosh! How did Gym Leader Dylan raise it so fast? This is insane!"
Selene looked at the Pokédex entry of Incineroar and couldn't help but blush.
Her Litten hadn't even evolved into Torracat yet! And the Gym Leader's had already evolved into Incineroar!
Was this her problem? Who in the world could evolve a Litten into Incineroar in just five or six days?
"Hehe~ After all, Gym Leader Dylan is a genius." The receptionist chuckled.
"That's true; he's my teacher, after all." Selene blinked, fully agreeing.
It was only natural for an apprentice not to be as skilled as her teacher.
"???" Kiyo stared blankly at the powerful and imposing Incineroar.
Wasn't this Gym Leader supposed to specialize in Poison-type Pokémon? What's with this Dark-type declaration?
The muscular man glanced at his sister, who also looked utterly confused.
"Hmph~! Knowing that I'm the Black Belt, he still dares to use a Dark-type Pokémon? Does he not take me seriously?"
But soon, the muscular man regained his composure and became furious.
Fighting is strong against Dark! As the Black Belt, specializing in Fighting-type Pokémon, this guy actually dared to use a Dark-type Pokémon?
What nonsense about the aesthetics of evil, I'll crush him with one punch!
"Machamp! Show him what real strength is!"
The muscular man, in a fit of anger, threw out his ace, Machamp.
A humanoid, four-armed Pokémon landed in front of the muscular man. With bulging veins, muscles, and a robust physique, it was Machamp, the final evolution of Machop.
'Beep~ Machamp, Fighting-type, Superpower Pokémon
Ability: Guts
Moves: Double Chop, Strength, Vital Throw, Knock Off, Low Kick, Wide Guard, Low Sweep, Brick Break, Fire Punch…
Description: Its entire body is composed of impressive muscles. With a single punch, it can send unlucky opponents flying over the horizon.'
This muscle-bound guy wasn't just boasting; this Machamp was quite strong.
Selene was surprised as she looked at Machamp's Pokédex entry, giving the muscular man an impressed glance. No wonder he made it to the top sixteen in last year's Indigo League.
"That's a well-trained Machamp."
Dylan assessed the Machamp, nodding in approval.
"But it's a shame you'll have to experience the full force of a Dark-type Pokémon."
A slight smile tugged at the corners of Dylan's lips. He hoped that after the battle, this muscle-bound man would calm down a bit.
Otherwise, Officer Jenny would have work to do.
(End of Chapter)