Pokémon: Starting with Lucario and Gardevoir

"Professor Oak's lecture doesn't start until the day after tomorrow." Safia blinked her bright eyes and asked, "I wonder if Brother Haoyan has any other plans besides attending the lecture?"

"Arrangements?" Haoyan was taken aback.

Upon seeing Haoyan's expression, Safia immediately perked up, grabbed his arm, and shook it vigorously, saying expectantly, "Since Brother Haoyan is alright, why don't you help me?"

"I've been challenging the Rustboro Gym every day for the past few days, and I've lost every single time. I don't know what to do!"

"Brother Haoyan is so amazing, can you help me?"

Safia looked so expectant that Haoyan really couldn't refuse.

Anyway, Professor Oak's lecture doesn't start until the evening, so I have a lot of free time in the afternoon. Helping Safia out won't hurt.

"Okay," Haoyan agreed.

Safia immediately became happy and pulled Haoyan toward the dojo.

... ...

Chapter 12 Shafia: Good brother, tell me quickly!

The Kanaz Gym shares a similar architectural style with many buildings in Kanaz City.

It adheres to a solid and robust style.

Because the gym leader uses Rock-type Pokémon, which are relatively heavy.

Moreover, their actions are quite tumultuous, so the battleground was specially reinforced when the dojo was built.

The dojo was bustling with noise.

Many trainers come from various regions to Rustboro City to attend Professor Oak's lecture.

There are also many more trainers coming here to take on challenges than usual.

There are already quite a few trainers battling it out in the arena.

Excited, Safia went to get a number plate as soon as she arrived.

He and Haoyan sat in the audience to watch the match.

To challenge a Gym Leader, you must first defeat the trainee trainers within the Gym.

Only by defeating all the trainee trainers can one be qualified to challenge the Gym Leader.

After defeating the gym leader, you will receive the gym's badge.

The number of badges a trainer has is a fairly direct indicator of their skill level.

"Brother Haoyan, look, that's the owner of the Azalea Pavilion over there," Shafiya said, pointing to a girl in the distance.

Haoyan followed her gaze and saw that Dujuan was wearing a puffy dress with a red bow tie around her neck.

A red headscarf tied her long hair.

The overall feeling is very quiet, but there is also a touch of playfulness.

He is commanding a Nosecat Trainer in a battle against another Trainer.

“It’s that North-facing nose. I lose to it every time I challenge it,” Safia said with a frustrated look.

Haoyan glanced at Dujuan's north-facing nose, and the data naturally came into his view.

Pokémon: Nose

[Attribute]: Rock

[Level]: 16

[Ability]: Magnetism (Uses magnetism to attract Steel-type Pokémon, preventing them from escaping.)

[Introduction]: The North-facing nose has a strong magnetic force that attracts and collects iron to protect its body. In critical moments, its magnetic force will be significantly strengthened.

... ...

The Gym Leader's responsibility is to select skilled Trainers for the League.

Therefore, when facing challengers, Gym Leaders use Pokémon that are roughly the same strength as the challengers' Pokémon.

You can get a badge as long as you pass the test.

They will not use their main battle Pokémon.

The main Pokémon of a Gym Leader is usually between level 40 and 50.

If they use their main battle Pokémon, then it almost eliminates the possibility for new trainers to obtain badges.

"You said you challenged several times and lost every time. Did you use Coco Dora every time you challenged?" Hao Yan asked Shafiya after watching Du Juan fight on the field.

"Yeah, my Cocodora is a Steel-type, which is perfect against Rock-type, isn't it?"

"My Torchic is type-countered by Rock-type Nosebridge, so I've never used Torchic before," Safia replied with some confusion.

"Mm." Hao Yan responded softly, his gaze still fixed on Du Juan in the battlefield.

It's rare to see a girl who likes and excels at the somewhat 'rough' Rock type.

During the battle, Du Juan was completely at ease and knew exactly what her opponent's next move would be.

It is said that Cuckoo is also a top student at the Pokémon School in Rustboro City.

Because of his excellent performance, he successfully passed the alliance's assessment and was directly appointed as the museum owner.

... ...

On the battlefield, the cuckoo's north-facing nose stood still.

With his short arms, he picked up a stone and threw it at his opponent.

While the opponent was dodging, Dujuan immediately spoke up and instructed Chaobei to use the sleeping move.

The physical strength and energy lost earlier were quickly replenished.

This caused Du Juan's opponent to completely break down mentally.

The north-facing nose already has a high level of defense!

Wearing down his stamina is not an easy task.

Now, a simple act of sleeping completely replenishes my stamina.

Let all our previous efforts go to waste.

"I concede!" The challenger immediately gave up the match.

... ...

"Ugh, the north-facing nose of the Azalea Pavilion owner is so unfair."

"Just when we saw a glimmer of hope for victory, it was wiped out again." Safia felt a deep sense of empathy as she watched the defeated challenger leave the stage.

“Actually, beating Chao Bei Bi isn’t that difficult,” Hao Yan said slowly, turning his gaze away.

"Really?" Safia's eyes lit up immediately. She excitedly grabbed Haoyan's arm and shook it excitedly beside him.

"Good brother, please tell me quickly!"

"Please, just tell me." Safia shook Haoyan's arm while looking at him with pleading eyes.

Haoyan had previously demonstrated his formidable fighting prowess in Petalburg Woods and on Route 104, leaving a deep impression on Safia.

"OK OK."

"Stop shaking me, you're making me dizzy," Haoyan joked.

Don't let Safia's cute appearance fool you, she's surprisingly strong.

The shaking made Haoyan feel carsick.

"Hmm!" Safia opened her eyes wide and stared at Haoyan without moving, her eyes full of anticipation.

Hao Yan stopped being coy and directly told Safia all the details he had just observed and the things he needed to pay attention to during the battle.

... ...

"I see!"

"No wonder I kept losing before, so this is the trick!" Safia said after listening to Haoyan's explanation.

It felt like a revelation!

... ...

Chapter 13 Brother Haoyan's prediction was so accurate!

Inside the dojo, the referee signaled for Safia to come up on stage.

"Next challenger, Safia."

After several days of challenges, most of the staff at the dojo recognized Safia.

Unlike other trainers, you don't have to defeat trainee trainers before you can challenge a gym leader.

She can go directly onto the stage.

"Little sister Safia, it seems you're very confident this time," Du Juan said with a smile to her determined little sister.

"Yes, your secret about facing the baby has been exposed!" After Hao Yan's explanation, Safia was full of confidence for this battle.

"Oh?"

"Then it seems I have to take this seriously..." Du Juan was somewhat surprised by Safia's state.

"Come on! I can do it!" Safia silently cheered herself on, then looked at Haoyan sitting in the audience.

Du Juan followed Shafiya's gaze with some curiosity and also saw the handsome Hao Yan.

Haoyan felt Dujuan's gaze, a warm smile appeared on his face, and he nodded to her in a friendly manner.

"He's quite handsome," Du Juan replied with a smile.

... ...

"Challenger Safia versus Rusty, the Gym Leader of the Rusty City, the match begins!" The referee waved the flag, and the match officially started.