Lunar age?!
Is that even legal?!
"Big brother, does that mean you know my dad?" Max blinked his bright eyes, full of curiosity. "Did you challenge the Petalburg Gym before?"
"Nope, I'm actually a Gym Leader too. I've just heard about your dad," Caleb replied.
Mention the Petalburg Gym and you instantly think of its Leader—Norman, the man said to be closest to Elite Four level. He had a monstrous Slaking that left a deep impression on Caleb.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, he even briefly controlled Rayquaza. But since Max was here, Norman was probably based more on the anime version in this timeline.
"Wow, so you're a Gym Leader, big bro? Let me guess—what type do you specialize in?"
Max looked behind Caleb at his Pokémon: Pachirisu munching on a Sitrus Berry, Chansey cuddling Litten, and Gastly levitating a red dictionary with Psychic.
"Hmm... no idea."
The types were too scattered—Normal, Fire, Electric, Ghost, and Poison. Not a clue what type he focused on.
Caleb smiled and extended his hand. "I'm Caleb from Solaceon Town, Poison-type Gym Leader. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too!" Max quickly shook his hand.
It happened to be lunchtime, so Caleb invited Max to join him.
While chatting over the meal, Caleb learned that Max was headed to Kanto to challenge the Indigo League.
"Kanto? But you're in Sinnoh?"
"Yeah... the Lily of the Valley Conference in Sinnoh doesn't start until next June, but the Indigo Conference kicks off in January. I messed up the timing..." Max scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
First time traveling and already making rookie mistakes—had he caught the "Ash effect" from spending too much time around him?
"But it's already almost November. Two months... is that really enough time?"
"Don't worry! I got this!" Max puffed out his chest. "Don't judge me by my size—I've traveled with my sister before. And I heard the Gyms in Kanto are way easier to beat."
?!
Caleb and Green both turned their heads at the same time, looking at Max like he'd just said something utterly ridiculous.
Kanto Gyms? Easy? Who told you that?
In Kanto, aside from Pewter and Cerulean, the other six Gym Leaders were measured on the same power scale as your dad, kid.
Especially that one from Viridian—you could stack a dozen Normans and still lose. Wake up, man!
They wanted to break the truth to the poor boy, but seeing how confident and hopeful he looked, neither had the heart to ruin his dreams.
Sure, Kanto Gym Leaders were strong, but they were also notorious for going easy. Maybe they'd show mercy out of respect for Norman?
As they were finishing up, Max suddenly said, "Caleb, let's battle!"
Everyone froze for a moment.
Kid, aren't you a bit too confident?
Green just sighed, already picturing the scene of a bright-eyed young boy getting utterly crushed.
"Sure," Caleb nodded eventually.
Might as well call it a post-lunch workout.
Fiona tried to stop them but quickly realized it was hopeless. She leaned in and whispered, "He's just a kid... go easy on him."
Caleb gave her a reassuring smile and a little "OK" gesture. Message received.
Hopefully...
They picked a field on the 22nd floor. It was roughly the size of a basketball court.
There didn't seem to be any protective measures, but the area was actually surrounded by an invisible barrier. Not a single bit of energy would leak out.
"Caleb, what kind of match do you prefer? Singles? Doubles? One-on-one, three-on-three, or four-on-four?" Max called out from the opposite side.
Dang. Four Pokémon already? Was this kid really managing all that?
Caleb thought for a moment and chose doubles.
The referee blew the whistle, and both sides tossed out their Pokémon at the same time.
Poof!
A flash of white light.
"Kirlia~"
A soft, elegant voice rang out as a fairy-like Pokémon appeared, its skirt-like lower half fluttering like a ballerina's.
Kirlia—Max's first Pokémon. Back when it was still a Ralts, they'd promised to travel together when he grew up.
"Treecko!"
The second Pokémon was a bright green gecko-like creature.
Probably one of the starters he got from Professor Birch.
Caleb sent out Gastly and Litten.
Litten wore a black-and-gold silk scarf around its neck, with a silver bell dangling from it—gifts from Caleb and Chansey: a Silk Scarf and a Soothe Bell.
As soon as it landed, Litten's Intimidate ability kicked in.
Kirlia's physical attack dropped one level. Treecko's did too.
Max clenched his fists. With physical attacks weakened, they'd have to rely on special moves instead.
"Kirlia, use Confusion! Treecko—"
But before Max could even finish, Litten was already on the move.
Fake Out struck Treecko straight on, interrupting its move before it could begin.
Meanwhile, Gastly launched a Dark Pulse right behind it.
The golden rule of double battles: focus fire!
The tight coordination gave the opponents zero breathing room.
"Treecko!"
Max shouted, but there was nothing he could do. Treecko was knocked out.
He quickly recalled it, putting all his hopes on Kirlia now.
"Use Psybeam!"
"Sucker Punch," Caleb said calmly.
Kirlia had just raised her hands, focusing her psychic energy—when Gastly was already in her face.
"Geh-heh-heh..."
A blast of dark energy sent Kirlia flying into the invisible barrier.
Beep! The referee blew the whistle. "Kirlia is unable to battle."
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
"That was so fast!"
The whole battle lasted less than a minute.
Some in the crowd recognized Caleb and discreetly stopped recording.
Gym Leader violently defeats a minor—twisted justice or moral collapse...?
Yeah, that title would go viral.