Elliot stood inside the Cerulean Gym, the scent of chlorine filling his nostrils as he navigated the damp, humid air.
Before he could challenge Misty, he did a quick inventory check.
x4 Pokémon Gacha Tickets – Still saving for a rainy day.
x1 Bronze Ability Ticket – Recently fused.
"Alright, let's see what I get."
Elliot spun the Bronze Ability Ticket.
A flicker of light, a surge of energy—
And then a notification.
[Congratulations! You have obtained: Passive Ability – Friendliness Charm!]
Elliot stared.
"Huh. RNG really has a sense of humor."
It was a passive aura that made him appear slightly more presentable and likable to people.
Not bad.
But it wouldn't save him from someone who actually wanted him dead.
Still, it was free.
He'd take it.
The sound of water splashing snapped Elliot out of his thoughts.
He looked up just in time to see Misty climbing out of the pool, water cascading off her as she reached for a towel.
"You're here for a challenge?" she asked, tying her hair back.
"Of course," Elliot replied.
Misty nodded, studying him.
"What Pokémon and stage?"
"Two Pokémon. One second-stage, one first-stage."
Misty grumbled.
"No one ever lets me use my main team," she muttered before pulling out two Pokéballs.
Elliot smirked, releasing his Shiny Weedle and handing it a Bug-Type Pokéblock.
"Watch this," he said.
Weedle chirped, munching happily.
As Misty took her position, the referee stepped forward.
"This will be a 1v1 battle. Only the challenger may switch out. Each side will use two Pokémon. Are both trainers ready?"
Elliot and Misty nodded.
"BEGIN!"
Both trainers threw out their first Pokémon.
Elliot's Charmeleon emerged with a sharp growl.
Misty's Staryu spun in midair, its gem-core blinking ominously.
"Charmeleon, use Leer!" Elliot commanded.
Charmeleon's eyes flashed, sending a wave of intimidation toward Staryu.
Misty countered instantly.
"Staryu, Swift!"
Golden energy stars shot forward, striking Charmeleon.
Not too damaging.
"Again, Leer!"
Another defense drop.
Misty narrowed her eyes.
"Get in close and Water Gun!"
Staryu darted forward, forming a high-pressure stream of water.
Elliot smirked.
"Crunch. Now."
The moment Staryu opened its nozzle, Charmeleon's fangs glowed darkly—
And CHOMP.
A devastating bite clamped down on Staryu's core, cutting off its attack mid-stream.
The Water-Type shuddered—and fainted.
Misty sighed, recalling Staryu.
"Not bad," she admitted, grabbing her second Pokéball.
"But let's see how you handle this."
A brighter glow filled the battlefield as Misty sent out Starmie—Staryu's evolved form.
Elliot tensed.
Starmie was faster.
Stronger.
And way more dangerous.
"Leer!" Elliot ordered.
"Bubble!" Misty countered.
Charmeleon's intimidating glare lowered Starmie's defenses—
But in return, a wave of bubbles exploded forward, slamming into Charmeleon's body.
"Again! Leer!"
Another defense drop—
Another Bubble!
This time, Charmeleon staggered, weakened.
Misty's eyes glinted.
"One more time!"
Elliot's hand shot to his Pokéball.
"Return, Charmeleon!"
A beam of red light withdrew the Fire-Type before the next attack could land.
In its place—
Deino appeared.
The Dark/Dragon-Type shook itself, fangs bared.
Misty blinked.
"A Dragon-Type, huh? This just got interesting."
Elliot didn't waste time.
"Deino, Nasty Plot!"
The battlefield darkened for a moment as Deino's mind sharpened, its Special Attack surging.
Misty frowned.
She knew what that meant.
Elliot was prepping for something big.