She'd lost—the gym challenge ended in failure.
Caitlin had never imagined this outcome. Even after her journey through Unova, she remained a proud noblewoman at heart. Her temperament had softened, her composure matured, but deep down, she was still proud.
And today, she'd lost. In a 4-vs-4 battle… she'd only defeated one opponent—a weather-setting support bird.
Even her ace, the Mega Metagross, had been taken down almost effortlessly. If Dylan hadn't had Greninja block with Water Shuriken for fun, even Bullet Punch wouldn't have landed.
"Caitlin…"
Watching her stand in silence, shoulders heavy, Cynthia felt complicated emotions well up.
"It was an excellent battle, Miss Caitlin."
A warm, gentle voice broke the silence. Caitlin looked up—Dylan was already approaching, that striking black Greninja loyally following at his side.
"I must've embarrassed myself, Gym Leader Dylan…" Caitlin lowered her gaze, her tone tinged with shame.
She couldn't even muster anger—because her defeat had been that one-sided.
His Pokémon hadn't seemed overwhelmingly more powerful than hers—yet she had lost completely.
"Not at all. Miss Caitlin, your skills are impressive. You remained calm and composed throughout the battle. Even when errors happened, you didn't panic."
"No trainer is perfect. No one can guarantee every choice they make in battle is correct. That's part of the journey."
Dylan's smile was as warm as sunlight.
"You didn't defeat me this time, but I believe you're worthy of this badge."
He opened a small velvet case, revealing a beautifully crafted badge with a shimmering aquamarine teardrop gem.
The Water-type Rota Badge.
Caitlin's eyes flickered with a soft glow as she stared at the elegant emblem.
"I want that!"
Wallace practically leapt out of his seat, eyes glued to the badge. He loved this one way more than the Normal-type version.
"I… can I really?" Caitlin hesitated. She adored the badge, but her noble pride told her she hadn't earned it.
"Of course," Dylan said gently. "The badge goes to those I recognize as worthy. You've earned it."
"Take it, Caitlin," Cynthia called out. "It's Dylan's way of showing his respect. Even Wallace only managed to beat one of his Pokémon—and he got a badge too."
Wallace: (︵)
Wallace sulked. Why bring him into this? So hurtful…
Caitlin glanced at Wallace, her pressure suddenly lifting. So even the former Champion of Hoenn only took down one Pokémon? She felt much better.
"Thank you so much, Gym Leader Dylan."
With both hands, she reverently accepted the badge and bowed slightly.
"You're very welcome. Come back and challenge me again when you're ready."
With the battle over, Dylan led Caitlin, Cynthia, and the others back to the guest lounge.
"Another one got a Rota Badge," muttered the bird keeper, scratching his chin.
"She's not ordinary," the psychic said. "I just looked her up. She's a newly appointed Elite Four in Unova."
The match result didn't look great, but anyone who could defeat even one of Dylan's Pokémon was already among the rare few.
"No wonder. And those others too—they're special. That was Champion Cynthia from Sinnoh," said the older woman, her eyes sparkling. Cynthia was her idol!
She had to get an autograph later!
In the lounge:
"Dylan, I heard from Professor Orin—you caught a bunch of Paradox Pokémon in Area Zero?" Geeta asked after sipping her tea.
"That's right. I caught quite a few," Dylan nodded. "They're rare in the outside world and pretty strong."
"Paradox Pokémon?" Steven leaned forward, intrigued.
"They live in Area Zero in Paldea," Geeta explained. "But because of their violent temperaments, they've been sealed off from the public to protect people."
"Wallace, your Iron Bundle is one of them," she added.
"Oh right, Dylan mentioned that to me," Wallace recalled.
"If you have extras, Dylan, I'd love to trade," Geeta offered.
"You could just go to Area Zero and catch them yourself, couldn't you?" Dylan blinked.
Geeta was strong—strong enough to survive a run through Area Zero, at least without going too deep.
"Wild ones don't guarantee good stats. Trading with you is much easier," she smiled. Though the real reason was that she wanted to build a stronger bond with Dylan.
"I see…" Dylan raised an eyebrow.
"Just let me know what you're looking for—I'll find it." Her words weren't empty. As Chairwoman and Top Champion of Paldea, she could practically get anything—short of legends.
"Any Steel-types among them?" Steven perked up. Steel was his favorite.
"There are. Lillie, could you grab them?"
"Sure thing, big bro!"
Lillie ran off, returning with a silver case from Dylan's room.
"There are 22 known Paradox species, but 8 are unique. I caught multiples of the other 14."
He opened the case. Fourteen Poké Balls gleamed inside.
"These guys are dangerous. Aside from the ones I've raised, I don't let them roam the backyard—too prone to fighting over territory."
He labeled each ball and set them out. "No need to hold back—take your pick. I trust you all."
Dylan had planned this. Paradox Pokémon were rare, and entrusting them to capable friends like Cynthia and the others built goodwill that could pay off down the road.
"Dylan, what about Iron Treads and Iron Thorns?" Steven asked.
"Iron Treads is a fast, tanky physical attacker. Iron Thorns hits like a truck." Dylan explained briefly, showing their entries via Rotom Dex.
In the end—
Steven picked Iron Treads.
Geeta chose Sandy Shocks.
Cynthia took Iron Hands.
Caitlin hesitated, but upon seeing Scream Tail's data, accepted it.
She made a mental note: she would repay Dylan for this favor.
Dylan was pleased. Favors like these were more valuable than money—and these people could make those favors count.
"Soon, I'll head into Ultra Space for some Ultra Beasts…"
They were even rarer than Paradox Pokémon. Some had even been classified as Legendaries in the past.
At least with Paradox Pokémon, you could just go to Area Zero.
But with Ultra Beasts, unless the Ultra Wormholes opened, you weren't seeing one.
An Alola trip was definitely on the horizon.
Dylan glanced at the gentle Lillie beside him. He'd take care of her past.
After chatting for a while, he gave them a tour of his backyard—lush terrain, wild Pokémon, and so many of his own it felt like a mini-ecosystem.
By dusk, Dylan treated them to dinner at Rota Town's best restaurant, then offered them rooms for the night at the Gym. There were plenty to spare.
Around 8 PM, in the backyard:
"Thanks for today, Leaf."
Lying on a picnic mat beneath a starry sky, Dylan smiled at the girl beside him.
"Hehe~ well, as long as you know. You're my bro after all," Leaf beamed, her eyes crinkled in amusement.
"But Dylan, what if Giovanni goes back to his old ways? You helped him escape…"
Leaf frowned slightly. She didn't mind Dylan's antics, but she hated Team Rocket.
"He won't—for now. He's got personal stuff to deal with."
"…You know who Silver's father is, right?"
"?"
"It's Giovanni."
"…What?!" Leaf froze, stunned.
Giovanni—the head of Team Rocket—was Silver's dad?!
"It's true. I saw photos of him and his son. It's definitely Silver. Giovanni's kid went missing around the same time you did."
"But… Silver hates criminal organizations," Leaf murmured, shocked.
She was sure that if Silver found out now, he'd reject it outright.
"Let's not tell him for now."
Dylan nodded. Then he pulled out a Poké Ball and handed it to her.
"A reward for all your help."
"Another Pokémon? You're so boring sometimes," Leaf teased, but took the ball anyway—curious to see what he picked this time.
"Open it. See if you like it."
Dylan didn't mind the teasing. He was confident she'd love it.
"Alright."
Leaf clicked the button.
A burst of light—followed by a sharp cry.
A magnificent bird Pokémon unfurled its wings, its icy-blue glow shimmering beneath the night sky.
"???"
Leaf stared, momentarily dazed—then her eyes lit up.
"You like it?"
Dylan asked, watching her glowing smile.
Thanks to a certain electric pig, her fear of birds had mostly faded after the Power Plant incident.
"WAHH!! Dylan~! Shut up—I LOVE you!!"
Leaf squealed, flinging herself into Dylan's arms, hugging his neck tightly.
She never imagined he'd gift her this. It was way too precious!
How could she possibly repay him?
"Dylan! I'll give you ten babies!"
She had no choice. Time to sacrifice herself.
"???" Dylan blinked.
Submissive girlfriend energy.