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The front desk girl at the Rock Gym had been working there for three years. During that time, she had found a wealthy boyfriend and was even preparing for marriage. Yet, she had never witnessed anything so outrageous.
"Can a Pokémon directly replace its Trainer in a Gym challenge? This is simply unheard of," she thought, watching Gallade stride into the Gym. The young woman pulled out her phone and began frantically messaging her friends.
"Let me tell you, I just saw something outrageous!" she typed. "You wouldn't believe it—it's unbelievable. You've never seen anything like this before..."
For a moment, Gallade's unusual arrival became the most exciting story she had to share with her closest friends.
Unaware of the complex thoughts swirling around the humans, Gallade continued inside the Gym. The enormous rocky arena bustled with energy. A strong, tan-skinned man in shorts was commanding an Onix in a heated battle against another Trainer. Spectators gathered around the arena, watching intently. Though not as packed as the Water Gym next door, it was still a lively crowd.
Gallade calmly entered the players' rest area and waited. The other Trainers looked on in confusion. A lone Pokémon entering the competition area? Carrying five Poké Balls? The sight was mind-boggling. Pokémon commanding Pokémon—it was a concept too farfetched for them to process.
Ignoring their bewilderment, Gallade stood silently, observing the battle. The Gym Leader easily overpowered his opponent, demonstrating clear dominance with his elite-level Pokémon. Witnessing this, Gallade frowned slightly and began communicating telepathically with Pikachu and the others.
After a brief conversation, Gardevoir, Gallade's sister, made the decision. "Let Pidgeot take this one," she insisted. "And if he loses, I'll pluck every golden feather off him when we return."
Pidgeot shivered at the thought. Gardevoir was truly terrifying when she got serious. There was no arguing against her; he would have to fight and win. The alternative was unthinkable.
Gallade nodded in agreement. Charmeleon was ruled out—it was only at an advanced level and had just recently improved its strength. For this Gym, only Pikachu, Lurantis, and Pidgeot had the power to ensure victory.
As the previous match concluded, the Gym's monitor displayed Evan's name, along with the number of Badges he owned.
"Next, Evan!" called the Gym Leader.
Hearing this, Gallade used Teleport to appear at the Trainer's designated spot. The Gym Leader froze at the sight of Gallade.
"Evan?" he asked hesitantly.
Gallade nodded, then communicated telepathically. "I will battle on behalf of my Trainer."
The Gym Leader was momentarily speechless. Then he remembered an earlier message in the Gym Leaders' group chat from Madison at the Water Gym. She had mentioned encountering something bizarre: a Pokémon competing in place of its Trainer. At the time, it had seemed like a joke. But now, it was clear that she had been serious.
Though perplexed, the Rock Gym Leader, Collin, shrugged. The rules didn't explicitly forbid Pokémon from representing their Trainers.
"Alright," he muttered, signaling for the match to begin.
When many spectators saw this scene, their expressions turned strange.
"Ah, this... Is this even allowed?" someone muttered.
Letting a Pokémon battle alone was unheard of. But instead of disapproval, curiosity took over, and the crowd's interest piqued.
"Damn, it seems like it works," someone else exclaimed. "You could send your Pokémon to handle Gym challenges by themselves!"
The thought caught on quickly. Many Trainers in the audience started envisioning the possibilities—letting their Pokémon travel and fight on their behalf. No more exhausting journeys; Pokémon could train in the wild, save on travel costs, and still return stronger.
Their imaginations spiraled, and soon, subtle glances shifted to their own Pokémon standing beside them. The mood became oddly intense.
Sensing their Trainers' newfound gaze, many Pokémon began to grow uneasy. "What the heck is this?" one might think. "I feel like my Trainer is plotting something!"
Unaware of the brewing excitement in the audience, Gallade stayed focused. After confirming everything was set, he threw Pidgeot's Poké Ball onto the field.
In a flash of light, Pidgeot appeared, its shimmering golden feathers dazzling under the arena lights. The crowd gasped in awe.
"Whoa, is that... Shiny?" someone shouted.
The audience erupted in exclamations of amazement, phones snapping pictures of the stunning Pidgeot. Calm and composed, Pidgeot ignored the attention, subtly adjusting his pose to appear even more majestic. The narcissistic streak in him was hard to miss.
"Shiny Pokémon, huh?" someone in the audience murmured with envy.
"Tsk, must be loaded," another added.
Collin, the Gym Leader, sighed and looked at his Onix, still waiting on the battlefield. Against the radiant Pidgeot, the sturdy Onix suddenly seemed... plain, like it came from a small countryside quarry.
Pidgeot's appearance screamed prestige, radiating the aura of wealth. Collin couldn't help but think how miners in the city would scramble to catch such a Pokémon if encountered in the wild.
But this was China. Rules here were stringent. Pokémon with Trainers could not be sold, and even transactions involving uncertified Pokémon were heavily restricted. Alliance regulations ensured fairness and safety for all Trainers. Any suspicious activity—whether unauthorized transfers or illegal sales—was quickly flagged, often resulting in swift intervention by the security team.
These strict measures, while seemingly excessive, had turned China's Alliance into the strongest in the world. Though the rules added complexity, they ensured safety, fairness, and opportunities for growth, even for the weakest Trainers.
In China, being an Elite Trainer wasn't enough to boast about—it was merely a starting point. The regulations had cultivated fierce competition, transforming even beginners into formidable challengers over time. This was why Collin's Trainers were unparalleled globally.
As the murmurs died down, the battle began.
Pidgeot took the initiative. At the signal, he launched into action, using Tailwind. A powerful gust swept through the indoor arena, boosting Pidgeot's speed dramatically.
Pidgeot's strategy was straightforward—dominate with sheer speed. His movements were so fast that even seasoned Trainers struggled to follow. Collin narrowed his eyes, preparing to counter the incoming storm.