"Yes, my name is Gary, and I'm here to challenge the Gym," Gary said firmly, eyes steady and voice brimming with confidence.
"Bonjour, Gary," greeted a tall woman draped in violet and silver, her lavender hair catching the light as she gracefully turned.
"I'm Fantina, the Gym Leader of Hearthome City's Gym." A playful smile crossed her lips.
"You look so young—so I assume you haven't been a Trainer for long, oui?"
Gary smirked. "You might be surprised, Ms. Fantina. I've been a Trainer for three years, and I've already won the Pokémon League Conference three times. I'd like to face your strongest Pokémon. Don't hold back—rules or not."
Fantina blinked in surprise. For a moment, the poised leader was speechless—then a delighted sparkle flickered in her violet eyes. "Oh-ho! A three-time Champion? Magnifique! You certainly aren't like most challengers who walk through my doors."
Her expression shifted from curiosity to thrill. "Très bien, Gary Oak! You've certainly piqued my interest. I accept your challenge with full strength."
Turning toward the side of the stage, she called out, "Thomas, darling! You'll officiate this match!"
"Yes, Ms. Fantina!" replied the tall referee, striding into position. The man had to be six-foot-five at least, with a name that sounded more like it belonged to a calm butler than a referee. Gary nearly chuckled under his breath. Fantina's whole team—it seemed—had flair to spare.
Thomas raised his flags and announced formally, "This is an official Gym Battle for the Relic Badge between the Challenger, Gary Oak, and Gym Leader, Fantina! Each side will use three Pokémon. Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon during this match. Trainers! Are you ready?"
A familiar digital chime rang in Gary's mind.
[Ding! Task issued: 1. Obtain Hearthome Gym Badge. Reward: 6 Intermediate Rare Candies, Shadow Punch TM, Top Spell Tag ×1.]
[2. Use only Sinnoh-region Pokémon to obtain Hearthome Gym Badge. Reward: 6 Intermediate Rare Candies, Ghost-type Move Selector (permanent), Random Pokémon Item ×1.]
Fantina grinned, spinning gracefully before striking a theatrical pose with her Poké Ball. "Très bien—let's make this battle fabulous! Gengar, the stage is yours!"
She tossed the ball high into the air. A swirl of purple mist burst open, filling the arena with dancing wisps of light. Out of the cloud formed a plump shadow with a mischievous grin—Gengar—who emerged laughing with a haunting echo.
"Gen-gaaaaarrr!"
[Lv. 40 – Gengar – Gym]
Gary smiled, excitement building. "A Ghost-type Gym… this should be fun. Alright then—Weavile, let's get this started!"
He threw his Poké Ball sharply. A flash of icy blue light burst forth, and Weavile landed gracefully on the floor, claws glinting with a cold sheen. A wave of frost shimmered outward as the nimble Pokémon raised its head, eyes gleaming with pride and excitement.
"W–Weavile…?"
Weavile stared around in disbelief, eyes wide. It pointed a claw at itself as if to ask, Me? You're really sending me out?
"Huh? What's wrong?" Fantina asked, puzzled. Weavile's expression wasn't fierce at all—it looked oddly moved.
Of course, Fantina had no way of knowing the story behind that look. Since being captured by Gary, Weavile had never once been chosen to battle. Its appearance rate until now had been precisely zero.
Gary often told Weavile, "I'll train you properly and send you into the next big battle, just wait."
But every time a real fight came around, he ended up picking someone else.
After being let down again and again, Weavile had quietly stopped believing him.
And yet, today… here it was, standing on the field at last.
"Is that Weavile really okay?" Fantina asked, noticing how stunned it was.
Gary scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed. "Uh… Weavile, snap out of it. This is a real battle!"
"W–Weavile!!"
Weavile flinched at his voice, then clenched its claws. The shock melted into raw determination. At once its stance changed, the air around it sharpening as it entered a battle-ready state.
The referee lifted his hand. "Battle, begin!"
Fantina snapped her fingers dramatically. "Gengar, darling—open with Night Shade!"
Gengar's eyes flashed scarlet, and his grin widened unnervingly. "Gen… gaaaarrr—!"
He unleashed twin beams of inky-black darkness that shot from his eyes, slicing across the battlefield like living shadows.
Gary didn't flinch. "Weavile, knock it away with Icy Wind!"
"Weaaa!" Weavile slashed his arms forward. A gust of freezing mist spiraled out, colliding with the Night Shade beams in a sparkling explosion. The resulting shockwave sent icy particles glimmering through the air as the crowd gasped.
Fantina covered her mouth, smiling in awe. "Ohoho! Splendid! So your Weavile knows how to dance too!"
Gary smirked. "We don't just fight—we perform."
Weavile crossed its claws and struck a pose, tail flicking sharply. "Weaaa-vile!"
Fantina leaned forward. "Très charmant. But can you handle this? Gengar—use Mean Look, then Curse!"
Gengar's grin turned sinister. "Gen-garrr…"
A chilling glare locked onto Weavile, crimson eyes freezing it in place—then Gengar began to dig spectral claws into his own body, channeling dark energy.
"Not happening," Gary said quickly. "Weavile—use Taunt!"
Before the curse could spread, Weavile darted forward in a blur, wagging its claws mockingly right in front of Gengar's face. "Weaaa-vi-vile!!"
Gengar froze mid-curse, twitching angrily, face turning comically red with frustration.
Fantina gasped and laughed at the same time. "Oh, la la, what sass! Mon pauvre Gengar!"
Gary crossed his arms. "That's what happens when you underestimate my partner's speed and attitude."
"Gen-garr!" Gengar scowled, glaring furiously.
Gary's tone turned sharp. "Now! Weavile, Nasty Plot!"
Weavile pressed its claws to its forehead, dark energy swirling around as shadows gathered like an aura. Its special attack power rose sharply, energy crackling around its body.
Fantina's eyes glittered. "Such sinister grace… Oui, this is beautiful! But beauty isn't enough to defeat me. Gengar, Shadow Ball!"
Gengar raised his hands, forming a swirling sphere of ghostly energy. "Gengaaaar!"
The Shadow Ball tore through the air, glowing violet and black.
Gary snapped his fingers. "Dark Pulse—now!"
Weavile lunged forward, a jet of pure shadow erupting from his mouth. The two orbs collided midair—
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the gym, light and shadow intertwining before bursting outward. When the smoke cleared, Gengar was on the ground—eyes spinning.
Fantina's jaw dropped. "Mon dieu! Gengar?!"
Thomas raised his flag. "Gengar is unable to battle! The victory goes to Weavile!"
Fantina sighed as she recalled Gengar in a beam of red light, giving a wistful smile. "Ah, Gengar, you danced beautifully. Rest now, my love."
Gary chuckled lightly. "That's one down."
Fantina gave him a playful wink. "Don't get too confident, chéri. This dance has only begun."
She tossed another Poké Ball into the air—it spun with a glittering swirl of lavender before releasing a majestic, witchlike figure cloaked in mist.
"Mismagius! Take the stage!"
[Lv. 49 – Mismagius – Gym]
"Mismaaa~gius!" sang the spectral Pokémon, her voice echoing like a haunting melody as she floated above the arena.
Even Gary looked impressed. "Wow… she's gorgeous."
Fantina smiled proudly. "Of course. Mismagius is one of my star performers—her beauty is matched only by her power. Let's show them, ma chère!"
Gary's determination ignited. "Alright, Weavile—let's keep that rhythm. Use Dark Pulse again!"
Weavile sliced through the air, sending out another ripple of shadow energy toward Mismagius.
Fantina twirled gracefully. "Double Team!"
In an instant, the arena filled with dozens of shimmering copies of Mismagius, every illusion smiling mockingly as they weaved around each other like dancers in an exquisite ballet. Weavile's attack tore through one, dispersing it into vapor—but dozens more remained.
Gary frowned, thinking quickly. "She's too agile up there… Weavile, pull back!"
Weavile turned, eyes blinking wide in confusion. "Weaa?!"