The moment Elijah stepped out the door, Umbreon hopped onto the windowsill, watching its Trainer's retreating figure, lost in thought.
Just… wait here?
While its Trainer was out working hard for its sake, was it supposed to just nap at home?
At that moment, Umbreon noticed a few "familiar faces" passing by outside.
"Big Bro Itsuki, you're finally challenging the Azalea Gym today, huh?"
"So jealous! You're the same age as us, but you're already strong enough to take on a Gym. If only we were as strong as you, Big Bro Itsuki, that guy wouldn't have stolen my favorite Pikachu cookies…"
Umbreon recognized two of the human kids.
They were the two unlucky ones whose snacks its Trainer had… er, won fair and square two weeks ago.
But this time, there was a new face in the group.
A human kid, maybe a year or two younger than its Trainer, with slightly chubby cheeks.
What caught Umbreon's attention more, though, was what the three kids were saying.
A Gym?
Back when Umbreon was with the old lady, it had heard of such a thing.
It seemed to be a title for humans with very strong Pokémon.
So, here's the question. That annoying old human last night mentioned "Elite Four," and these kids were talking about "Gym Leaders." Which was stronger?
After a brief moment of thought, seeing the three kids' figures getting farther away, Umbreon pried open the window latch and leaped out.
Like a black cat darting across rooftops, it followed the trio from a distance.
…
Not long after, inside the Azalea Gym.
A muscular man with a mustache, his six-pack abs gleaming under the sunlight streaming through the window, declared, "I am Azalea Gym's Leader, Bugsy! State your name, challenger!"
The boy flashed a smug grin and introduced himself, "I am Itsuki, a genius specializing in Psychic-types, traveling across Johto!"
Itsuki, who looked a year or two younger than Su Sheng, gave Bugsy a slight bow, but his tone carried little respect.
"Itsuki? I heard about you from Hayato. Seems you've got some potential."
Bugsy recalled briefly.
The Hayato he mentioned was the current Gym Leader of Violet City in the Johto League, the father of the future Gym Leader Falkner.
"Hmph, didn't expect my name to spread so fast. That old guy in Violet City wasn't much of a challenge. I hope you don't disappoint me, Uncle Bugsy."
Itsuki flicked open his collar, revealing three badges pinned inside, one of which was unmistakably the Zephyr Badge from Violet Gym.
"A talented but cocky young punk, huh…"
Bugsy, still lean and not yet the chubby figure of the future, smiled faintly, his six-pack rippling.
"Then give it a shot, short stuff!"
Bugsy struck a karate stance, tossing out a Poké Ball.
It was… a Scraggy, a Pokémon from the Unova region!
Clearly, Bugsy was going easy.
After all, the kid was only eight or nine years old.
How strong could he be?
Even if his friend Hayato lost, Bugsy wouldn't resort to using his ace Pokémon to crush the kid just to save face.
That'd be too low.
"Hmph, it's up to you, Natu."
Itsuki tossed out a Poké Ball in return.
A small bird-like Pokémon with unfocused eyes landed on the field.
Natu, a Psychic/Flying-type.
A perfect counter to Bugsy's Fighting-type specialty.
"The Gym Battle between Leader Bugsy and Challenger Itsuki now begins… Start!"
The referee's announcement barely finished before Itsuki launched an aggressive assault.
Right from the first exchange, Bugsy realized this brash kid's strength wasn't just in his mouth.
His talent was undeniable.
With proper guidance, he could absolutely reach Elite Four level.
But neither the two battling in the arena nor the sparse morning audience noticed…
In a corner of the spectator seats, an Umbreon crouched on the back of a chair, its blood-red eyes fixed intently on the battle below.
…
"Machoke is unable to battle. Misdreavus wins."
Moments later, the referee raised a flag. "Since both of Leader Bugsy's Pokémon are unable to battle, the winner is Challenger Itsuki."
"Ugh, Hayato's gonna tease me for this."
Bugsy scratched his head, recalling Machoke.
After Scraggy was defeated, he'd gotten a bit more serious, sending out Machoke—not his absolute ace but a solid second-tier member of his team.
Yet he still lost.
"Hmm, a bit more pressure than Violet Gym, but that's about it."
Itsuki shrugged with a smirk.
Gotta say, the kid's attitude was begging for a smack.
But Bugsy didn't say anything.
If you've got the strength to back up your arrogance, why not flaunt it?
He wouldn't pull the "I didn't use my main team, that's why I lost" excuse.
Even with his secondary Pokémon, losing to Itsuki in terms of Trainer command was the reality.
"Alright, Psychic kid, this Hive Badge is yours."
Bugsy handed Itsuki the badge signifying victory in the Azalea Gym challenge.
He was starting to look forward to this year's Silver Conference.
If no new prodigies emerged, Itsuki might have a clear shot at the League Championship.
But what intrigued him more was what would come after—the Elite Four Challenge or even the Champion Challenge.
Who'd put this kid in his place?
Would it be that young but physically imposing glasses-wearing girl, Lorelei?
Or that cape-wearing Dragon Tamer who always looked like everyone owed him money, Lance?
Heh, with their personalities, neither would go easy on Itsuki.
Bugsy was already eager to see it.
"Who's the next Gym Leader this genius will crush? Honestly, I'm getting a bit bored."
Itsuki's smug tone remained as he accepted the Hive Badge.
Thud!
Suddenly, a heavy landing sound drew the attention of Bugsy, Itsuki, and the handful of early-morning spectators.
A Pokémon, unfamiliar to most of them, stood with its body crouched, knees slightly bent, clearly in battle mode, approaching the center of the arena.
"It's that jerk's bad Pokémon!"
"Damn it! My Psyduck chips!"
Among everyone present, only the two unlucky kids recognized Umbreon.
But as they looked around, they didn't spot that jerk anywhere.
Could it be… this was just a wild Pokémon?
"Hm? An unfamiliar Pokémon. What do you want?"
Bugsy spoke up first.
In an era before Professor Oak developed the Pokédex, even Gym Leaders didn't have the comprehensive knowledge of later generations.
Not to mention, types like Dark, Steel, and Fairy hadn't yet been officially documented by the League.
Umbreon raised its right front paw slightly, extending a single claw and beckoning toward Bugsy.
The meaning couldn't be more clearer.
(End of Chapter)