Last edited: 07/01/2020

★👑★

White~

After Reshiram took me and Lucario to Virbank City, I returned it back into its Pokéball and we began looking around. It appeared as a harbour, with a lot of docks and waterways. Nonetheless, it was a city that people were living happily in.

As I was walking around, I recalled that the Pokéstar Studios was nearby, which was the place where Touya was working at with his films. Before I head to the Gym, I decided to stop by and check how things were going.

"Well look who it is; Miss White, how have you been?" a man greeted me.

It was one of the two presidents; Mr. Gold. The other one was another man named Stu Deeoh.

"I'm doing great. How's my brother doing in your films?" I responded.

"Oh, he was wonderful! The passion he had in his eyes—I was so glad he became an actor and supported the company! Although it was a bit tough to manage his busy schedule and the restless trainers who had challenged him—"

Touya never had—never would have—a hard time beating any trainer, at this point. His team was very strong. He had a Charizard from Professor Oak(who also had a Charizardite X), a Sceptile from Professor Birch, a Pikachu that he caught while filming in Kanto, a Zoroark—I don't know-how—and a Musharna.

He befriended the Xerneas the same way I befriended Reshiram.

He also had a Greninja with a hidden Battle Bond ability that he also befriended while he was in Kalos. It made me remember Samurott that Touya had to release.

After Touya finished a film, he stumbled upon a group of abandoned Oshawotts and Dewotts that were hiding from humanity. Realizing that they were disorganized as a group, Touya's Samurott offered to stay behind and take care of the group.

Touya knew that so long as evil exists in the world, that group of Oshawotts and Dewotts would never find tranquillity, which forced him to make a life-changing decision and released Samurott.

I was saddened by their parting. Their bond and memories would still last through the thousands of years that would past, but they wouldn't be side by side when it happens. We didn't learn what happened to him and the group after that incident.

Touya also had a Leavanny but just like Gothitelle, he decided to leave her with Mom to help her with the house.

He also had a Hydreigon, but he gave him to Iris so that he can help her take the next step to become a Dragon Master.

The Greninja he had was only with him temporarily. While we were in Kalos, we found him training in a forest and I recalled it asking to come along with him. I learned his previous trainer was the same Ash that helped Bianca while I was in another region. Touya agreed for Greninja to join his team, but I was thinking about returning it to Ash since he was its original trainer.

That's why I thought about Touya and Samurott; Greninja must have wanted to travel with Ash again.

"—like magic! So how about you, Miss White? Black always checks on home and he wouldn't stop worrying about you," he asked.

Although I blanked out through his usual rambling, I was able to respond calmly.

"I'm also doing well. I'm here to check on the Virbank Gym and possibly get another badge for my collection."

"Ha-ha, another badge, eh? Well if you wish to know something about the Gym Leaders from before and now, three—or I guess five, if we count the trio as separate people—of the original Gym Leaders had retired, so three new badges waiting for you," Mr. Gold exclaimed.

"I see. Thank you for the info. If I may ask, where is the Virbank Gym?"

"Well... you may have to look closely to find that Gym. Quite odd but very fitting, at the same time. Just continue heading south from here and find that Gym sign on the door. Can't really say you can't miss it though..."

"Is the Gym in a bad condition?" I questioned.

"Oh no, not like that. The Gym Leader, Roxie, is indeed a strong trainer and the Gym itself appears similar to that of the underground music club you'd see in movies—not my cup of tea, personally, but I'm not the one to judge. You are the one who can control your own opinions, you know. That's the beauty of choice," he responded in a casual way.

I smiled and gave him a small wave. "Noted; thanks for the info."

After Lucario and I said our goodbyes to Mr. Gold, we head south—like he said—and began our search for the Gym. From his description, I shouldn't be expecting the regular Gym-like building I'm used to. I had a feeling I won't be able to find it on my own, but that feeling was short-lived when I spotted a few trainers leave the Pokémon Center.

I nodded to Lucario and approached the two trainers that left the building.

"Hello there. Could you help me with something?" I asked them.

Their eyes instantly widened after I spoke those words. Confused, I tilted my head to the side, until one of them spoke up. Like I had mentioned earlier, there were two of them; one with aqua blue hair and matching eyes and another with an orange cap over his black hair.

"Aren't you the Champion?" the aqua-haired one asked, shock evident in his tone.

"Well if you're talking about the one who defeated Alder, then yes I am the Champion."

"W-whoa, really!? That's so cool! Can we battle you, Miss? Please?" the one with the orange cap requested in a pleading voice.

I glanced at Lucario to gain his approval, in which he responded with a nod and a confident smile.

"Well then, since Lucario approves, then I'll accept your challenges."

I noted to myself to challenge the Gym Leader after this battle. The aqua blue trainer took out a Magmar and the other boy brought out a Herdier. Lucario stepped in front of me, while I grabbed another Pokéball and brought out Gardevoir.

It would be egotistical for me to call it a clean sweep. but it was... honestly. Through the years, I've changed my battling style: allowing my friends to decide on the moves they wanted to use during each battle. I stood perfectly still—perfectly silent—as Lucario used Aura Sphere towards Herdier and Gardevoir used Shadow Ball against Magmar.

The Magmar had survived the Shadow Ball attack and used Flamethrower towards Lucario. Gardevoir stepped in front of him and used Psychic to stop the fire from touching Lucario, as the latter summoned a light blue bone and attacked Magmar with finesse.

"A-awesome..." the boy with the orange cap commented.

"That's the champion for you... the one who was able to beat Alder..." the aqua blue boy added.

"Sorry about your Pokémon, especially when they had just came from treatment. I was actually hoping I could ask where the Virbank Gym was," I informed them.

Before they were able to speak, another voice interrupted them from behind my back.

"No need, I'll take you there."

I turned around and noticed some of the people who were walking by stopped and watched the battle. The person who spoke earlier was a female with spiky white hair, tied up in a short ponytail from the top of her head, and blue eyes. She was also wearing a sky blue and purple striped shirt with a guitar in hand.

"Roxie is the name, music's my game. I'm also the Gym Leader of the Gym you were looking for—and after that rocking battle you displayed earlier, I just can't wait what other colours you're hiding behind your strategies."

"Well then, I'm glad you're able to pick up the challenge I hoped to ask."

Roxie nodded. "Of course. I know a challenge when I see one. However, do me a favour and don't underestimate me. Those trainers you've defeated—they were also the trainers who lost to me back in the Gym."

"I'd say the same for you. I'm not someone who can be defeated so easily," I replied.

After Gardevoir returned inside the Pokéball, Lucario and I followed Roxie towards the direction of the Gym.

"I heard the rumours about you; The Wordless Champion, the one who silently swept their opponents clean. But rumours like those don't scare me, so I hope you'll give it your all."

I didn't really remain silent—literally, yes, but also no. Lucario and Gardevoir were gifted with the ability of telepathy, where we communicate through our minds. I've been with Serperior for a while, to the point of understanding what I was going to command her before I could tell her myself. No wonder she was thoroughly cunning during our journey together...

Nonetheless, I smiled. "Trust me; I will."

We stopped in front of a door in the middle of an alley. After entering through the door with the Gym symbol, I had an impression of a trashed up basement with this place. It didn't really appear tidy and clean, like the Gyms I'm used to. However, never judge a book by its cover, right?

Roxie led me downstairs, where I was greeted by the sight of an empty concert hall. In the middle of the room was the stadium I was familiar with. On the opposite side of where I currently stood were a few instruments, such as the drums and an electric guitar. And like all the concert halls, the seats were very dirty, with trash everywhere.

"Welcome to the Virbank Gym. My rock band "Koffing and the Toxics" and I would typically hold concerts here... We're pretty famous in Unova and parts of the other regions. That's typically why I'm not here in the Gym on a regular basis," Roxie explained, as she headed to the spot across from mine.

"That sounds like some Gym Leaders I've met. However, it's usually someone else who ran the Gym during the original Gym Leader's absence," I commented.

"Is that so? Unfortunately, I'm not one of those Gym Leaders. 'If no me, then no badge'. That's how it works here."

I nodded. "I understand, especially when you seem to also be pursuing the career of a rockstar as well."

"Right. I technically have a concert coming up, so consider this Gym battle 'special treatment' for someone such as yourself."

"I'm honoured. Any rules, or are we going by the standard rules?" I asked.

"Normally, I would ask my challengers to use all of their Pokémon and I would only use three but if the rumours were true, then there would be no excitement from it. So... Let's stick with one Pokémon each."

I agreed to the terms, allowing Lucario to step in front of me as the Pokémon I chose. Roxie grabbed a Pokéball and brought out a Garbodor; a strong looking one, if I may add. However, they didn't faze me or Lucario.

'Good luck, Lucario. Do your best for the both of us,' I telepathically encouraged him.

'I know.'

"I'll be starting the first move. Garbodor, use Sludge," Roxie exclaimed.

Garbodor extended their arm and the tubes on their fingers began to spray a large goop of sludge at Lucario. As for Lucario, he had to deflect them, as a move had already been initiated. Lucario summoned a bone-like staff, glowing in a brilliant light blue shade, and twirled it in a circular motion, cancelling the attack before it reached him.

After that, Lucario began to use Extreme Speed as a way to get closer to Garbodor.

"Garbodor, dodge it!" Roxie commanded.

Through her will, Garbodor did what she said, by using his arms to hoist his body into the air. Lucario stopped and glanced up as Garbodor landed on the spot he was on a few seconds ago. He stood in a fighting stance, ready for Garbodor's next move.

"Alright Garbodor, now use Doubleslap!"

Garbodor's hands began to glow and extended towards Lucario. In an attempt to dodge, Lucario once again used Extreme Speed and managed to dodge their attacks. However, he wasn't able to get close to Garbodor at this rate.

I began to wonder what I should do next. Although Lucario didn't appear tired, I knew he was going to run out of energy at this rate. I thought back from my previous experiences with past Gym Leaders I've defeated, like Koga and Janine.

'Lucario! Use—'

★👑★

Be sure to vote and comment on the story. Also, correct me on any mistakes during the story.

Hope you enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next chapter~

~Lisa