The next day dawned bright and warm, casting soft rays of light over the small town where Alex and Drake had been staying. After Drake's hard-fought victory the day before, the excitement still lingered in the air, but now it was Alex's turn to face the Grass-type Gym. While Drake had spent the morning relaxing and admiring his new Leaf Badge, Alex had been focused, mentally preparing himself for the battle ahead.
Sparkyx and Ironux stood beside him as they walked toward the Gym, both of his Pokémon looking eager for the challenge. Sparkyx had its usual boundless energy, flicking small sparks from its tail, while Ironux remained calm and composed, its red eyes glowing with quiet determination. Alex had trained both of them hard, but today, it was Ironux that would take the spotlight.
"Ironux, today's your day," Alex said, glancing down at his Steel-type partner. "Grass-types can't do much to you, so we're going to rely on your strength and endurance to get through this."
Ironux nodded silently, its metallic body glinting in the sunlight as they approached the Gym. Alex felt confident that Ironux was more than prepared for the battle ahead. Its resistance to Grass-type moves would give him a significant advantage, and Ironux's raw power would be more than enough to handle whatever Liana threw at them.
As they reached the doors of the Gym, Alex took a deep breath. This wasn't his first Gym battle, but each one came with its own set of challenges. He had watched Drake's battle closely and learned a lot from it. Now it was time to put that knowledge to the test.
Inside, the Gym was just as Alex remembered from yesterday—lush greenery, the smell of fresh leaves, and soft sunlight filtering through the ceiling. Liana stood calmly at the far end of the battlefield, waiting patiently for him. She gave him a small, welcoming smile as he approached.
"Back for your own challenge, Alex?" she asked, her voice calm and collected.
Alex nodded, stepping forward with confidence. "Yeah. I watched Drake's battle yesterday, and now I'm ready for my turn."
Liana's eyes gleamed with interest. "I'm looking forward to it. You seem like a trainer who prepares carefully. But remember, every battle is different."
Alex gave a small smile. "I know. But I think Ironux and I are ready for anything."
Liana nodded, clearly pleased with Alex's confidence. She gestured toward the battlefield, signaling that the match was about to begin. "Then let's get started. Two-on-two, just like before."
Alex and Liana both stepped into position at opposite ends of the battlefield. Alex took one last deep breath, calming his nerves, and glanced at Ironux. His Steel-type Pokémon stood at attention, its gaze locked on the battlefield ahead, ready to fight.
"Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!" the referee called, raising his flag.
Liana reached for a Poké Ball on her belt. "Ivysaur, let's go!"
With a flash of light, Liana's Ivysaur appeared on the battlefield, its broad green leaves spread wide as it let out a determined growl. The same Ivysaur that Drake had faced the day before. Alex knew it would be a tough opponent, but he also knew that Ironux was more than capable of handling it.
Alex didn't hesitate. "Ironux, you're up!"
Ironux stepped forward, its red eyes glowing brightly as it took its place on the battlefield. The contrast between the two Pokémon was stark—Ivysaur, the embodiment of nature and life, versus Ironux, a symbol of raw strength and unyielding defense.
Liana smiled slightly, her calm demeanor unwavering. "You've chosen well. Grass-type moves won't do much to a Steel-type like Ironux. But don't think this will be easy."
Alex's eyes narrowed in focus. He knew Liana was a skilled Gym Leader, and even though Ironux had the advantage, he couldn't afford to get careless. "Ironux, let's show them what we've got. Use Iron Punch!"
Ironux's fist began to glow with a bright metallic sheen as it charged forward, moving faster than its bulky frame would suggest. It closed the distance between itself and Ivysaur in a matter of seconds, raising its glowing fist for a powerful strike.
"Ivysaur, block it with Vine Whip!" Liana commanded.
Ivysaur's vines lashed out, wrapping around Ironux's arm as the Steel-type swung its punch. The vines struggled to hold back Ironux's raw power, but Ivysaur managed to deflect the attack just enough to avoid a direct hit.
Alex wasn't fazed. "Ironux, don't let up! Use Iron Punch again, but go for its body this time!"
Ironux pulled back, its glowing fist still crackling with energy. It adjusted its aim and swung again, this time striking Ivysaur directly in its side. The impact sent Ivysaur skidding across the battlefield, its vines flailing as it tried to regain its footing.
Liana's calm expression didn't falter, though Alex could see a flicker of tension in her eyes. "Ivysaur, Leech Seed!"
Ivysaur shook off the hit and launched a cluster of seeds toward Ironux. The seeds sprouted into vines mid-air, aiming to wrap around Ironux and drain its energy.
"Ironux, use Iron Defense to block it!" Alex called.
Ironux's body glowed with a silvery sheen as it hardened its metallic plates, fortifying itself against the incoming Leech Seed. The seeds hit Ironux, but they bounced off its reinforced armor, unable to penetrate the Steel-type's defenses.
"Good job, Ironux!" Alex shouted, feeling the momentum of the battle swinging in their favor. "Now, finish it with one more Iron Punch!"
Ironux's fist glowed brightly once more as it charged forward, closing the distance between itself and Ivysaur in a matter of seconds. The punch landed with a resounding impact, and Ivysaur let out a groan as it collapsed to the ground, too exhausted to continue.
"Ivysaur is unable to battle!" the referee announced. "The first round goes to Alex and Ironux!"
Alex let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He felt a surge of pride as Ironux stood tall on the battlefield, its red eyes glowing with determination. They had won the first round, but the battle wasn't over yet.
Liana recalled her fallen Ivysaur, her expression still calm despite the loss. "Impressive. Your Ironux is as strong as I expected. But the real challenge begins now."
She reached for her second Poké Ball. "Weepinbell, it's your turn!"
With a flash of light, Liana's Weepinbell appeared on the battlefield. The same Pokémon that had given Drake so much trouble the day before. It swayed slightly, its bell-shaped body moving with the breeze as its large, round eyes focused intently on Ironux.
Alex watched Weepinbell closely, remembering how dangerous it had been in Drake's battle. Weepinbell's Grass-type moves wouldn't be much of a threat to Ironux, but its Poison-type attacks could be a problem if Alex wasn't careful.
"Weepinbell, use Razor Leaf!" Liana commanded.
Weepinbell spun around, sending a flurry of sharp leaves flying toward Ironux. The leaves sliced through the air with impressive speed, but Alex knew that Ironux's Steel-type defenses would shrug off the attack.
"Ironux, block it with Iron Defense!" Alex called.
Ironux's metallic body glowed with a silvery sheen as it fortified itself once more. The Razor Leaf attack struck Ironux, but the leaves bounced harmlessly off its hardened exterior, unable to penetrate its defenses.
"Now, use Iron Punch!" Alex shouted.
Ironux charged forward, its fist glowing with bright energy as it prepared to strike Weepinbell. The Grass-and-Poison-type tried to dodge, but Ironux's punch was too fast. The blow landed squarely on Weepinbell's side, sending it skidding across the battlefield.
Liana's expression tightened slightly as Weepinbell struggled to recover from the hit. "Weepinbell, use Vine Whip to keep your distance!"
Weepinbell lashed out with its long vines, trying to keep Ironux at bay, but Alex wasn't going to let it regain control of the battle.
"Ironux, get in close and use Iron Punch again!" Alex commanded.
Ironux dodged the incoming vines with surprising agility for its size, quickly closing the distance between itself and Weepinbell. It raised its fist, which glowed brightly, and delivered another powerful punch. The impact was enough to knock Weepinbell back once more, but this time, something strange happened.
As Weepinbell hit the ground, it began to glow—not with the usual faint light of a Pokémon fainting, but with a strange, flickering glow. The light grew brighter, and then, before anyone could react, Weepinbell vanished completely.
The entire Gym fell silent.
Alex blinked in confusion, trying to process what he had just seen. He had expected Weepinbell to faint after that last hit, but instead, it had completely disappeared. Not fainted, not recalled—just gone.
"What… what just happened?" Alex muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.
Even the referee seemed stunned, unsure of how to react to the bizarre event.
Liana's calm expression had finally cracked. She stared at the empty spot where her Weepinbell had been moments ago, her composed demeanor now replaced by concern and confusion. The silence in the Gym was palpable, with the rustling of leaves outside the only sound that broke through the tension.
Alex exchanged a bewildered look with Ironux, still standing ready on the battlefield. He wasn't sure if this was part of the battle, some trick he hadn't seen before, or if something far more unusual had occurred.
"Liana?" Alex finally spoke, his voice low but firm. "What just happened to your Weepinbell?"
Liana didn't respond right away. Her eyes remained fixed on the spot where her Pokémon had disappeared, as though she were trying to comprehend it herself. Finally, she shook her head, snapping herself out of her daze. She stepped forward, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"That… wasn't supposed to happen," she said quietly, her voice laced with concern. She glanced toward Alex, her usual calm replaced by a serious, almost urgent tone. "This is… what I feared."
Alex's heart pounded as he sensed the gravity of her words. Whatever had just happened wasn't normal, not even in a battle with a skilled Gym Leader like Liana. He recalled how Drake had mentioned something odd about Pokémon disappearing after fainting, but this was different—this was instantaneous, with no warning at all.
"What do you mean?" Alex asked, stepping forward as Ironux moved to stand by his side, its red eyes still glowing faintly in alertness.
Liana took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing how much she should reveal. She glanced toward the referee, who was still standing in stunned silence, unsure of how to continue.
"This battle is over," Liana said, her voice firm now as she turned to the referee. "Alex, you've won this match. But there's something far more important we need to discuss."
The referee, clearly shaken, nodded and stepped back, lowering his flag to signal the end of the battle. "The Gym Leader has forfeited the match. The victory goes to Alex and Ironux."
Alex barely registered the announcement. His mind was focused entirely on Liana and the strange disappearance of her Weepinbell. He recalled Ironux, who had finished the battle without breaking a sweat, and stepped closer to the Gym Leader.
Liana's gaze was troubled as she approached Alex, her eyes darting between him and the battlefield where her Pokémon had vanished. Finally, she spoke in a low voice, one filled with the kind of tension Alex hadn't seen from her before.
"This has been happening more and more," Liana said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Pokémon… disappearing, vanishing right after fainting. I've seen it in a few battles now, but never like this. It's always after the fight ends. But now…"
She trailed off, her gaze locking on Alex as if searching for answers.
Alex's stomach twisted as he remembered the rumors and stories he had heard during his journey through the Kanto region. Drake had mentioned something strange happening to Pokémon after battles, but Alex hadn't taken it seriously at the time. Now, standing in the Gym where a Pokémon had disappeared before his eyes, the reality of the situation hit him hard.
"How long has this been happening?" Alex asked, his voice tense.
Liana crossed her arms, her expression hardening as she thought back. "It started a few weeks ago. At first, it was just rumors—trainers saying their Pokémon fainted and never woke up, disappearing without a trace. But now… it's becoming more common. It happened here, in my Gym, during a battle I had just last week. One of my challenger's Pokémon vanished after fainting."
Alex frowned, his mind racing. "And you don't know why?"
Liana shook her head. "No one does. We've tried to contact the Pokémon Centers, the League officials, even some of the researchers in the region, but no one has a clear answer. It's as if the Pokémon are just… gone. There's no trace of them, no sign of where they went or how to get them back."
Alex felt a cold chill run down his spine. The idea of Pokémon disappearing like this, without any explanation, was terrifying. He glanced down at the empty battlefield again, where Weepinbell had been only moments before, and felt an overwhelming sense of unease.
"But why didn't you stop the battle earlier?" Alex asked, his voice filled with a mixture of confusion and frustration. "If you knew this was happening, why didn't you say anything before?"
Liana sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I didn't want to cause a panic. Not every battle ends this way. Some Pokémon faint normally, and they're fine. I thought maybe it was just a fluke, something rare. But after seeing it happen to my own Weepinbell…"
Her voice trailed off again, filled with a deep sense of regret.
Alex stood in silence for a moment, trying to process everything. This wasn't just a strange phenomenon anymore—it was a real, growing problem that was affecting the entire region. If Liana, a Gym Leader, didn't know what was going on, then how much worse could this get?
"What do we do now?" Alex asked, his voice calm but serious.
Liana's expression hardened. "I don't know. But I do know that we can't ignore this anymore. We need to find out what's happening to these Pokémon, and why they're disappearing after battles. There has to be some kind of explanation."
She turned away from Alex, her gaze distant as she stared at the empty battlefield. "I've been in contact with some other Gym Leaders in the region. They've noticed similar disappearances in their own towns. We need to figure this out, before more Pokémon vanish without a trace."
Alex felt a surge of determination well up inside him. This was more than just about winning Gym Badges now—something bigger was going on in the Kanto region, and if Pokémon were disappearing after battles, then every trainer in the region was at risk.
"How can I help?" Alex asked, his voice steady.
Liana turned back to him, her eyes filled with gratitude. "I don't know what's causing this, but we need to find out where these Pokémon are going. There are some researchers in Saffron City who are studying strange occurrences like this. They've been investigating unusual energy readings around certain areas of the region. If anyone can help us figure this out, it's them."
Alex nodded, already thinking ahead to his next steps. "I'll head to Saffron City and see what I can find out. If the researchers are onto something, maybe they can help us track down what's happening to the missing Pokémon."
Liana smiled, though there was a shadow of worry in her eyes. "Thank you, Alex. We need more trainers like you—ones who are willing to step up and face these kinds of challenges."
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, shimmering object—the Leaf Badge. "You've earned this, not just for your battle today, but for your willingness to help."
Alex accepted the Leaf Badge with a quiet nod, though the usual excitement that came with earning a Gym Badge was tempered by the mystery of what had just happened. He pocketed the badge, his mind already focused on Saffron City and the answers that might lie there.
Before he could leave, however, Liana placed a hand on his shoulder. "Be careful, Alex. Whatever is causing this… it's powerful. Stronger than anything we've faced before. And it's growing."
Alex nodded, feeling the weight of her words. This was more than just a Gym Leader's concern—it was a warning.
"I will," Alex said, his voice firm. "And I'll find out what's going on. We'll figure this out."
With that, Alex turned and walked out of the Gym, Sparkyx and Ironux by his side. The sunlight outside felt warmer than it had before, but the sense of unease lingered as he made his way toward the Pokémon Center to regroup. His mind was racing with questions about the disappearing Pokémon, but one thing was clear: his journey had just taken a darker, more dangerous turn.
Whatever was happening in the Kanto region, it wasn't going to stop. And Alex knew he would have to be ready for whatever came next.
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