Dylan's expression was peculiar at the moment. If one had to describe it, it could be summed up as: awkward!
He had only wanted to tease Blue a little by bringing up Red, but unexpectedly, Blue's stubborn side had kicked in.
"Mr. Blue, gym challenges aren't something to be taken lightly. Besides, with your current strength, even if you didn't defeat me, you still qualify to receive the Rota Badge."
The implication: Stop messing around. Just take the badge and leave.
Dylan carefully chose his words and took out a box containing the Rota Badge, offering it to Blue.
Although Blue had indeed lost this gym battle quite badly, especially since his team was swept by Darkrai, that didn't negate his overall strength, which was worthy of a badge.
In fact, this was the third time Dylan had attempted to give out the Rota Badge. The first was to Red, the second to a diligent, bespectacled trainer who kept challenging him, and now the third time was to Blue.
Dylan's criteria for awarding badges were quite high: strength (or potential), willpower, mindset, and command ability were all essential.
Though Dylan always projected a sunny and polite image, deep down, he was proud and would only give his badge to someone who truly earned his approval.
To compete in the Indigo League, trainers only needed eight gym badges, and with Kanto's eight official gyms plus a number of smaller, unknown gyms, there were plenty of badges to earn without ever visiting the Rota Gym.
So, Dylan wasn't about to lower his standards. He aimed to make the Rota Gym's badge the most prestigious one of all!
"What do you mean by this, Dylan?"
But upon seeing the box with the Rota Badge, Blue's face immediately soured.
"Don't misunderstand, Mr. Blue. Since you're the grandson of Professor Oak, you should understand that gym leaders have more criteria for awarding badges than simply being defeated in battle."
"To be frank, with your strength, you're practically guaranteed to win the Indigo League, so you deserve this Dark Rota Badge."
Dylan opened the box, showing Blue the badge inside.
Blue's frown deepened as he stared at the Dark Rota Badge, which had been named by Dylan himself.
The badge was exquisitely crafted, emitting a faint glow. Blue, with his sharp eye, could tell at a glance that the material used to make it was far from ordinary.
The badge even featured a small, stunning black diamond as decoration, making it look truly exceptional.
"The Rota Gym currently has two different types of badges, Dark and Poison, each corresponding to different attributes. Only those who have earned my approval for their mastery of these attributes will receive one."
Wow, your gym is really over the top, isn't it? Even the badges have attributes? What, are you planning to make 18 different kinds of badges to match every type?
Blue was stunned and momentarily speechless.
"Normally, for challengers with strength like yours, Mr. Blue, I'd take the battle seriously."
"This badge should rightfully be a testament to your victory, but… since I 'awakened,' I haven't given out a single badge. At this point, that doesn't seem quite right either."
Dylan spoke with some helplessness. Though Officer Jenny understood Dylan's criteria for awarding badges—after all, each gym leader had different standards for their challengers—Jenny had still expressed concern. After all, Dylan hadn't given out a single badge in over a month, which was even stricter than Viridian or Cinnabar Gyms.
Hearing Dylan's honest words, Blue's expression softened significantly.
His pride was immense, and it was precisely because of that pride that, in the original story, he'd lost his cool after Red dethroned him as Champion so quickly.
"Dylan, I must seriously tell you, you've got the wrong person!!"
Blue's handsome face now carried a rebellious expression, and his previously messy spiky hair was slicked back as he regained his confident, radiant self.
"I'm Blue! Hmph, even if I'm going to get a badge, I'll do it by beating you fair and square!"
"You're giving me one? What do you mean by that? This is practically an insult to me!"
"If it weren't you, Dylan…"
Blue's arrogant and self-assured tone returned, but to Dylan, it made him seem surprisingly endearing and even a bit amusing.
"But Mr. Blue, this badge is what you deserve—"
"No buts!"
Blue waved his arm dramatically, cutting Dylan off in a righteous tone, his voice booming.
"I'd rather never get the Rota Badge than accept a handout. If I take this badge, what's the difference between me and a beggar?"
Blue's determination was clear, and it was also a reflection of his true thoughts at that moment.
Selene and the receptionist, watching from the audience, were both taken aback, their impression of Blue shifting as they gained newfound respect for him. Though arrogant, he clearly had principles.
"Besides… I don't believe I can't earn this badge through my own skill," Blue added, glancing confidently at Dylan.
"Dylan, I've got to say, I respect you. You're the first man who's ever made me lose so badly!"
"I'm honored," Dylan chuckled. Leave it to Blue to lose a match yet speak as if he'd won.
"This isn't funny! You don't understand," Blue protested, trying to be serious despite the amused smile on Dylan's face.
"I've been a prodigy since I was a kid! No one, not even Red, can compare!"
Blue wasn't lying. Red was his lifelong rival, but up until now, they had battled five times, with Blue winning three of those matches. Though Blue always claimed that the two losses were due to Red's luck, believing he should have had a perfect record.
"Mr. Blue, the world is a big place."
Dylan sighed. It was clear to him that Blue genuinely believed what he was saying. Blue's arrogance was deeply ingrained because he had always seen himself as a natural-born genius.
"Of course, the world is big. But Dylan, I'm going to tell you right now—I will stand at the top!"
Blue's lifelong dream was to become the world's strongest trainer, and he firmly believed he could achieve that.
"I don't doubt it," Dylan nodded. Blue would definitely become one of the top trainers. As for the very best... well, that seemed unlikely.
"See? I knew you'd get me, Dylan!"
Blue's eyes lit up, and he smirked, satisfied. He was beginning to like this gym leader. Not in that way, of course, but Dylan was strong enough to be his friend, and their personalities clicked, even if they didn't see eye to eye on everything.
Dylan was way more likable than that gloomy Red. Clearly, the whole childhood friends thing was just a fluke.
"But, Dylan, is there really no way we can keep battling today? I've got plenty more Pokémon!"
Blue checked the time. It was already 4:30 PM, so it was getting late, but he wasn't ready to give up.
Why should Red get to beat two of Dylan's main Pokémon? That was totally unfair!
Plus, Blue really wanted Dylan's badge. Hadn't Dylan just said that he hadn't given out a badge in over a month? Well, it was about time for Blue to change that!
"I believe in you, Mr. Blue. How about this—why don't you come back when you're fully prepared?"
Dylan thought for a moment before suggesting this.
"Or… are you saying you don't need any preparation to beat me? If that's the case, I'd say you're underestimating me."
"Hmph, I guess I didn't think this through."
Blue frowned. He respected Dylan's strength, especially since he'd just suffered a brutal defeat.
If he was going to challenge Dylan again, he needed to win, and rushing in with a hastily assembled team wouldn't get him past that Darkrai.
"In that case, I'll go back and reconsider my strategy and team composition."
Blue made up his mind. Dylan was the strongest opponent he'd faced so far, and he needed to be fully prepared if he wanted to win.
"Dylan, you just wait! Next time, I'll defeat you fair and square and take that Rota Badge!"
Blue's confidence was shining through once again, the spirit of a young and determined trainer radiating from him, making him look dashing and charming.
You had to admit, apart from his extreme arrogance, Blue really was an outstanding individual in every way.
"I'm looking forward to it," Dylan smiled and nodded.
"Alright, I'm heading out. Gary!"
Blue shrugged, returning to his usual laid-back tone as he turned to leave, even calling out to Gary in the audience.
"Oh, by the way, Dylan…"
"Yes, Mr. Blue?"
Dylan looked curiously at Blue, who had suddenly turned back.
Dylan looked curiously at Blue, who had turned back.
"Just call me Blue. After all, you're a gym leader I respect," Blue casually waved his hand.
"I'm curious about the golden lineup on your spinner," Blue asked with interest.
"Oh, that's a special perk for challengers: the Legendary Gold lineup," Dylan replied with a light smile.
"Legendary Gold?" Blue was taken aback.
"Yes, if you land on that, I'll use a team composed entirely of Legendary Pokémon. However, it currently only supports 2v2 battles."
"???"
Blue was shocked.
So you're saying you have more than just Darkrai as your Legendary Pokémon? And you consider this a perk??? You use Legendary Pokémon to face challengers? Who taught you that?
"Also, if you can defeat me using the Legendary lineup, not only will you receive the highly valuable Legendary Rota Badge, but you'll also get a mysterious gift from me."
"Mr. Blue, aren't you looking forward to it?"
Dylan said with a gentle smile, teasing Blue.
Hearing this, Blue's expression became a bit awkward. Defeating Darkrai and another unknown Legendary Pokémon in a 2v2 battle...
"Ahem… Hmph, this is interesting."
Blue cleared his throat twice, waved to Gary, and left the Rota Gym without looking back.
"Haha~ I suddenly find this person quite interesting."
Selene couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
Blue's last expression of barely containing his frustration was truly hilarious.
"Blue isn't a bad person at all. It's just that he's too proud. Once you earn his respect, you'll find he's actually quite decent. It's just that his personality hasn't been corrected yet. After he gets a good lesson, he'll be more restrained."
Dylan shrugged. He didn't dislike Blue for this reason.
Blue wasn't a bad person, but his excessive pride made him hard to defeat. Only Red, who was both his rival and childhood friend, could truly defeat him. Being beaten by someone he least wanted to lose to was the only way for Blue to reflect on his own issues.
Since Red was his rival and childhood friend, their relationship was entirely different from that of outsiders, so only Red could correct Blue's personality.
Outside the Rota Gym.
After leaving the Rota Gym, Blue stopped and looked back at the luxurious and imposing building, falling into deep thought.
"Dylan…"
After a long time, Blue's face broke into an excited smile. This was so interesting!
"Blue."
"What is it?"
"Are you coming back to challenge the Rota Gym?" Gary asked, puzzled.
"Of course! But I need to prepare properly. Dylan's strength is indeed quite formidable, so I need to be well-prepared," Blue replied without hesitation.
"Blue, Dylan doesn't just have the Dark-type lineup; he also has a more despicable Poison-type lineup," Gary reminded, having suffered from it firsthand.
"I know."
Blue frowned. This was indeed a point that needed to be considered, as the Rota Gym used random lineups.
"No worries. I'll bring two lineups next time. Hmph~"
Blue decided to have his grandfather lift the restrictions so he could bring two lineups for the challenge.
"But… Blue, what if you land on that Legendary Gold lineup?"
Gary asked cautiously.
"…"
Blue fell silent.
"It won't be that lucky," Blue said dismissively.
"But it's better to be prepared, Blue!"
"It won't be that lucky."
"But what if…"
"You jinxer! Just shut up!"
Blue was getting angry.
"Why can't you just wish for something good for me? Can't you hope for some good luck for your brother?"
"That spinner has only a few golden sections. How could I be so lucky to land on one?"
"Gary, look at you. You keep failing in gym challenges. Can't you learn from me?"
"You must be in your rebellious phase! Tonight, let Blastoise train you properly. No, Blastoise needs to rest, so let Pidgeot give you some special training."
"I've always said Grandpa and Sis are too lenient with you!"
Seeing his brother ranting, Gary shrank his neck, feeling quite aggrieved.
He wanted to argue, saying, "But you haven't even battled Dylan at the Rota Gym, and we don't even know if you'll win next time…"
But seeing his rarely seen ranting older brother, Gary decided it was better to keep his life in mind.
(The End of This Chapter)