"Hello, my name is Gary. I came from the Kanto region. I was passing through and decided to challenge your Gym," Gary introduced himself.
"Ahh… the Kanto region. That's a long way from here." Larry responded weakly, then shuffled over and asked in a sluggish tone, "So you're here to challenge the Gym? Are you planning to enter the Paldea League Conference?"
Gary was a little puzzled.
In all his time challenging Gyms, this was the first Gym Leader who had ever asked him that question.
Under normal circumstances, the question would have been pointless—but as it happened, Gary genuinely had no plans to enter the Paldea League Conference. He hadn't caught many Pokémon in the Paldea region, and he had no idea how many strong Trainers were competing here either.
More importantly, Gary was already planning to enter the Unova League Conference. He might as well skip Paldea's. He'd be turning sixteen in only a few years, and by that point he wouldn't even be eligible to compete in League Conferences anymore.
"That depends. I might enter, or I might not. It mostly comes down to whether I have the time," Gary said.
"If you're not even sure you'll compete, then I'd suggest giving up on the Gym challenge," Larry advised.
Gary's brow twitched.
He'd met Gym Leaders who handed out Badges far too easily, but this was the first one who'd ever tried to talk a Trainer out of challenging in the first place.
"According to the regulations, aren't Gym Leaders forbidden from refusing a Trainer's challenge?" Gary asked helplessly.
"True, that's what the rules say. But I'm only trying to persuade you. You might not even enter the Paldea League Conference, so the Medali Gym Badge wouldn't be of any use to you," Larry said wearily.
Gary could only feel that Larry's voice was steeped in fatigue—the man was the picture of a burnt-out salaryman.
"It's still plenty useful. A Badge makes a fine souvenir. After all, it's something my Pokémon and I earned together," Gary said.
Seeing that Gary still insisted on the challenge, Larry complained, "What a hassle. If it weren't for the rules, I'd just hand you the Badge and be done with it."
"Come with me. The battlefield's outside."
Larry gave a feeble wave and led Gary out to the venue beyond the Gym. At the same time, a man in a suit and tie followed them out of the building—he would naturally be serving as the referee.
The two took their places in the command areas at either end of the field. The emitters around the perimeter released their energy, forming a protective shield that enclosed the entire arena.
"Let me introduce myself properly first. I'm Larry, Gym Leader of the Medali Gym. The Pokémon I use are Normal types, so you'd do well to face me with Fighting-type Pokémon. It'll make things far more convenient," Larry explained.
"Alright… understood."
Gary was at a loss for words. This Larry really was hopelessly lazy—but at the very least, the man was willing to battle. That alone made this far better than the alternative.
"Then let's get the rules out of the way," Larry signaled.
The referee, clearly long accustomed to Larry's manner, immediately announced: "The Gym Battle between Medali Gym Leader Larry and challenger Gary will now begin. Each side may use three Pokémon. The battle continues until all Pokémon on one side are unable to fight. Only the challenger has the right to substitute Pokémon."
[Ding! Mission released: 1. Obtain the Medali Gym Badge / Reward: Intermediate Rare Candy x3, Facade Permanent Move Tutor, Premium Silk Scarf x1!]
[2. Use a Paldea region Pokémon to obtain the Medali Gym Badge / Reward: Intermediate Rare Candy x3, Normal-type Self-Select Permanent Move Tutor, Random Pokémon Item x1, Permanent Normal-type Tera Shard x1.]
Judging from the mission rewards, the three Pokémon Larry would be using fell between levels 30 and 39—all within Gym tier, though only barely worth calling that.
Having spent even this short a time with the man, Gary had to admit Larry's listless character genuinely matched a lineup like this. And yet, Larry was a member of the Elite Four. There was no chance he didn't have far stronger Pokémon tucked away.
"Komala, come out." Larry released his Pokémon without even waiting for the referee's signal.
The referee paid it no mind. That was simply how his Gym Leader was—treating every Gym battle like one more chore to slog through.
Gary knew there'd be no point in taking a battle against Larry seriously, so he might as well end it fast.
"Annihilape, I'm counting on you." Gary threw out his Poké Ball.
"Anni!"
Annihilape appeared with a roar. The moment it saw that its opponent was a Komala, it cocked its head, wondering why its rival was fast asleep.
"Don't mind it. That's just how Komala is—its eyes are always closed. It's technically in a Rest state, but it's half-dreaming and half-awake, so it can sleep and attack at the same time," Gary explained.
"Anni!"
Annihilape was astonished. It had never seen a Pokémon like this before. With its EX Vital Spirit Ability, Annihilape could never fall asleep. If it hadn't learned the move Rest, it wouldn't even know what sleep felt like.
"The battle's started. Komala, Yawn," Larry ordered.
Gary: (O_O)??
I know Larry's phoning it in, but this is going too far. He actually used Yawn on Annihilape.
Any ordinary Trainer watching would assume Larry simply didn't know what Annihilape's Ability was.
But Gary knew Larry was an Elite Four member. He was certainly aware of Annihilape's Ability. Even if there'd been only a one-in-three chance of it, Larry wasn't the type to take that gamble.
Komala, eyes still shut, turned to face Annihilape and let out a great big Yawn.
It had to be said—watching a creature with permanently closed eyes suddenly turn your way and pull something like that was a truly bizarre sight.
"Annihilape, use Cross Chop!" Gary ordered.
"Anni!"
Annihilape charged at Komala.
Komala said nothing and rushed toward Annihilape in turn—except it showed no intention of attacking at all. Instead, it spread its arms wide, as if asking for a hug.
Annihilape faltered for a beat, but followed through with Cross Chop all the same. Komala was sent flying backward, knocked out cold the instant the two Pokémon met.
"Komala is unable to battle! Annihilape wins!"
Against Annihilape, Komala had never stood a chance—it was finished in a single move.
"So it really is a Vital Spirit-type Ability," Larry remarked idly, then took out his Poké Ball and recalled Komala.
What is with this guy? He clearly knew exactly what Ability Annihilape has, and he used Yawn anyway. He's deliberately throwing the match, Gary grumbled inwardly.
Gary couldn't be bothered to comment on Larry's attitude any further. Better to just settle this quickly—the mission rewards were all he was after anyway.
"My second Pokémon is Dudunsparce. Come out." Larry gave the introduction and tossed his Poké Ball.
[Lv. 35 Dudunsparce ♂ / Quasi-Elite]