"I'm looking forward to it."
Dylan raised an eyebrow. A Z-Move, huh...
"Well then, since this is an official gym challenge, Professor Kukui, would you like to draw a type?"
He glanced at Lillie, and she understood instantly—she pulled a small roulette spinner from her bag.
Draw a type?
Kukui caught on quickly. He'd done his research on Rota Gym. Itto and Amelia came closer to get a look as well. The wheel had a ton of type icons on it.
"Professor, just press this," Lillie said, holding the wheel up to him.
"Alright."
Kukui, clearly intrigued, pressed the button. The pointer began to spin rapidly. Whatever it landed on would determine the type Dylan used in battle. No wonder Rota Gym had become such a sensation—it was even being called the strongest gym in Kanto.
The pointer eventually slowed and stopped on a green icon—Grass Type.
"Oh? Grass, huh. Looks like I got lucky."
Kukui chuckled, thinking like many others that Grass-types were relatively easy to deal with.
Grass was a classic type—after all, many starter Pokémon were Grass-type, and there were plenty of Grass-type trainers and Pokémon out there.
But truly strong Grass-type specialists? Those were rare. Champions with Grass teams were basically nonexistent. Even Elite Four members who used them were few and far between.
"That's not true, Professor—my brother's Grass team is really strong," Lillie said with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. "It's very different from what you'd expect."
"Oh?" Kukui's interest deepened.
"Now I'm really curious to see it for myself."
He grinned confidently. He was a Champion-tier trainer, after all. Could a Grass team really give him that much trouble?
"Let's head out back to the battle field—dinner can wait!" Itto said enthusiastically.
He was a trainer himself—not as strong as Dylan or Kukui, but still a respectable ace-level trainer. Battles always excited him.
Everyone moved to the large battle court in the villa's backyard, which Itto normally used for training his own Pokémon.
"Commencing official Rota Gym battle challenge. Challenger: Professor Kukui of Alola."
"Battle rules are 5 vs 5. Gym Leader Dylan will send out first and is not allowed to switch Pokémon. The challenge is won if all five of Dylan's Pokémon are rendered unable to battle."
"Begin!"
Leaf raised a small flag and stepped back, officially starting the match.
"Now that's professional!" Itto gave her a thumbs-up.
"Hehe~ I've done it a lot at the gym," Leaf replied modestly, looking a little shy around Dylan's parents.
"Leaf sometimes helps my brother as a referee," Lillie added with a smile.
"Ohh, makes sense." Itto and Amelia exchanged a knowing glance.
On the battlefield—
"Dylan, don't go easy just because I'm a professor. I'm the real deal," Kukui said, adjusting his cap and grinning.
He wasn't kidding. Among native Alolans, Kukui was easily the strongest trainer in the region.
"Don't worry, Professor. I take every challenger seriously," Dylan replied with a calm smile.
"And since this is your first time challenging Rota Gym, please allow me a proper introduction."
He straightened his collar, his smile gentle.
"I'm Dylan, Leader of Rota Gym. I specialize in all types, and today, I'll be using a Grass-type team against you."
"Grass-type Pokémon are wonderful. They're cute, resilient, and possess a tenacity that can astonish even the toughest opponents."
"Are you ready, Professor Kukui?"
Dylan gracefully pulled on a black glove, a Poké Ball enlarging in his palm as he tilted his head slightly to the side.
Kukui grinned wider. Alola might not have gyms, but he'd challenged gyms elsewhere before. Still, he'd never encountered a Leader with such flair.
This guy was interesting. Very interesting.
"Kid's really got the act down these days," Itto muttered, hand on his chin.
Compared to the last time with Zinnia, Dylan's whole entrance was even smoother. He really knew how to make an impression.
That's my son! Smooth and stylish!
"Well then… let's get started!"
Dylan tossed out his first Poké Ball.
"Go, Amoonguss!"
A flash of light revealed a rather bizarre-looking Pokémon. It resembled a mushroom, with a large, Poké Ball-patterned cap and two similarly patterned arm shields. Its grayish stalk-like body was topped with a scowling face and a wide, pink mouth.
To put it nicely—it looked kind of creepy.
Ding~ Amoonguss. Grass/Poison Type. Mushroom Pokémon.
Ability: Effect Spore
Moves: Spore, Solar Beam, Toxic, Rage Powder, Giga Drain, Synthesis, Pollen Puff…
It swings its cap-like arms in a luring dance to attract prey. Prefers dark, damp places.
Listening to the Rotom Pokédex, Itto fell silent.
"…This thing is part of the main team?"
"Amoonguss, huh…" Kukui mused, then threw out his own first choice.
"Incineroar!"
A flash of white, and a powerful, menacing Incineroar stood proudly at Kukui's side.
Unfortunately, this one had Blaze, not Intimidate—so no Attack drop for Amoonguss.
Still, this was likely Kukui's ace Pokémon.
"As the challenger, please take the first move, Professor."
Dylan politely gestured for him to begin.
"Alright then—Incineroar!"
Kukui's voice was full of energy as he threw his arm forward.
"Parting Shot!"
"Grassy Terrain."
Incineroar snarled something sharp and cutting at Amoonguss, whose scowl grew darker. A flash of light surrounded it—Parting Shot had lowered both Attack and Special Attack.
Incineroar returned to its Poké Ball in a beam of light.
But at the same time, a gentle green glow spread from Amoonguss—Grassy Terrain had been activated, softening the loss of offensive power.
"Go, Braviary!"
Kukui's second Poké Ball released a majestic eagle Pokémon that soared overhead, letting out a piercing cry.
Ding~ Braviary. Normal/Flying Type. Valiant Pokémon.
Ability: Keen Eye
Moves: Brave Bird, Defog, Air Slash, Crush Claw, Aerial Ace, Sky Attack…
A brave sky warrior—respected even more by its peers the more scars it carries.
This Braviary looked strong.
Lillie's eyes widened slightly. As an Alolan, she'd heard of Kukui for a long time.
Rumor had it he'd once attempted the Island Challenge, but hadn't made it to Trial Captain.
She hadn't expected the same man—now a researcher—to be such a capable Champion-tier trainer.
"This looks tough… Braviary has the aerial advantage. Amoonguss probably won't even be able to touch it."
Itto rubbed his chin, noting Amoonguss's poor speed.
"Flying beats Grass. A bad match-up."
Dylan showed no concern. As a Gym Leader, unfavorable matchups were standard practice.
Any serious challenger would obviously bring type counters.
"Braviary, use Aerial Ace!"
The eagle let out a fierce cry and swept downward like a bolt of lightning.
"Sweet Scent."
Dylan's command was soft and calm.
Amoonguss twirled its stubby arms, releasing a cloud of pink, sweet-smelling mist all around itself.
Kukui frowned. That wasn't an attack—it was a supportive move, usually used to lower evasion or distract foes.
But something about it felt… off.
Was there something else in that mist? The pink was thick, and hard to see through. Maybe he was imagining it.
Braviary dove through the scent cloud, slamming into Amoonguss with Aerial Ace.
Amoonguss let out a pained grunt—Flying was super effective, and Braviary had great Attack.
"Spore," Dylan said, lips curling slightly.
"No good, Dylan! My Braviary can fly!"
Kukui grinned. Spore was powerful, sure—but Braviary could just stay airborne.
"Oh? Professor Kukui, take a closer look."
Kukui glanced at Braviary and suddenly froze.
The eagle was hovering awkwardly, wings faltering as it struggled to stay aloft.
"Braviary! What are you doing? Fly, come on!"
It flapped once—twice—shaking off some of the pink mist. It tried to ascend again, quick and forceful.
But Amoonguss's Spore was already in motion—bursting forth like a cloud of pollen.
A moment later, Braviary wobbled… and dropped like a rock.
It hit the ground with a thud, fast asleep.
Spore: Sprays sleep-inducing spores to cause the opponent to fall asleep.
Yep. Braviary was out cold.
Amoonguss happily bounced over, tapping Braviary's head with one of its mushroom cap arms. Satisfied that it was in a deep slumber, its wide pink mouth curled into an even creepier grin.
"It actually put Braviary to sleep?" Itto was stunned.
Didn't make sense. Braviary was fast and strong—how did Amoonguss even manage?
Now Braviary couldn't fight back at all.
"…What happened?" Kukui frowned. Was it that Sweet Scent?
If Braviary hadn't lingered near Amoonguss, it should've avoided the spores.
Sweet Scent could definitely cause a lapse in guard, but Kukui knew his Braviary—it was too well-trained to fall for that.
He looked at Dylan, seeking confirmation.
"It was spores," Dylan said with a soft smile. "I mixed a small amount of Spore into the Sweet Scent. Hard to see. Once Braviary breathed it in, it was already too late."
Kukui's frown deepened.
So there was something off with that scent.
"What a reliable back that is~"
Dylan looked proudly at his Amoonguss, snoring Braviary beside it.
"Anyone who calls Amoonguss ugly when its back is this useful—we'll have words! What a strong, skilled, and beautiful back!"