1 Chapter 1 [ReEdit]
In a enclosed Arena the sound of fighting could be heard, Explosions, Growls, roars of pain and determination. Five Spectators watch as two young man battle with there Pokémon to determine who will be the next gym leader in the grand region of Kalos after the Leader Ramos a grass specialist finally retired after the ultimate weapon incident with Team Flare and the death of Lysander.
The two young men battling it out were not grass type specialists; in fact, these two were a young man named Ryan who specializes in normal types, while the other was a young man no older than 20 by the name of Slate. Slate was the son of the region's professor, Professor Sycamore, and a researcher in another region, Doctor Amelia Hemlock. Due to the two not being married when Slate was born, he took on the last name Hemlock, which may explain his type specialty as well. Being named after a poisonous plant, he uses the poison type as his specialty to the highest degree he can, with other Pokémon being rare on his team but not nearly impossible.
Slate had always admired the three different positions in the league: the champion Symbols of power in each region, ambassadors and protectors of the region as a whole, are even able to attain renowned fame outside of just their post of champion. Elite 4 also hold the power but are less powerful than the champion; however, they protect the cities of their region from harm and work together to keep the people safe.
But for Slate, he saw one job as more important than the others; they may not protect the whole region, but they do hold power over their own cities and protect their own communities, whether it be from wild Pokémon or evil trainers. The gym leaders were some of the strongest trainers in the region—those who could overcome their weaknesses in type variation and make the next generation learn how to strategize and work to adapt and become better trainers, teaching them lessons for the future. Slate knew he wanted to be one, but it was a dream he thought he could never fulfill until he heard Ramos planned to retire.
This was his chance. He went through the tournament with each step becoming harder and harder, but he overcame it all to finally reach his goal. Now, in front of the champion and elite four as judges, he could show his worth, no longer in the shadow of his father. Sycamore was a man he had no attachment to, not because he was abused or neglected, but because he just felt like he was secondary to Sycamore's research, and each day someone would say, "He should be proud to be the son of someone so famous." Or "Why don't you become a researcher like your father?" But the one he hated the most was when people, whether they were trainers or civilians, said, "I bet he only got this far because of his father backing him." It was enough to create a sense of disdain. Slate never acted like a spoiled brat or said hurtful things outright, but he did distance himself to try and prove the world wrong.
On one faithful day, Slate was able to get his trainer's license and catch his first Pokémon, a Skorupi, and that's how his journey started. Slate took on the gym leaders to improve himself, then traveled to other regions to explore, challenge other leaders, and catch new Pokémon. This all led to him coming back to Kalos, where he finally entered the tournament with determination to take the first place goal and the position of gym leader.
It was a six-on-six battle for the final battle. The trainer Ryan had one pokemon left compared to Slate's three, one being close to down and one fully healthy and ready to go, while his current Pokémon had little damage. His Drapion, the Pokémon he started out with, is now more than strong enough to fight the battle to the very end.
"Drapion, let's end this and win us that gym to help the next generation." Slate says with a smirk that he was ready for it and wanted it badly.
"Slaking, I know they have the numbers advantage, but we can win this. I believe in you!" Ryan called out to his own Ace Pokemon.
Both Pokémon growled defiantly at one another, ready for battle. Usually slaking would be relaxing and lying down during most of the fight, but right now it was standing upright with the determination and energy of a Vigorath.
"Drapion swords dance, then use a poison jab!" Slate gave out the order, and Drapion charged forth after swords appeared dancing around its body, its claws both glowing a sickly purple, ready to inflict the most amount of pain on its opponent.
"Go slaking Bulk up, then meet it with a fire punch!" Ryan called out Slaking, following the order, roared its body feeling with energy before its fists covered in flames and charged forth, ready for the battle to end. The two attacks clashed, causing an explosion to push the two Pokémon back, but Slaking's face took on a slight purplish hue in its cheeks.
The Slaking had been badly poisoned, and this was not good for the Pokémon facing three poison types with no items allowed.
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3rd Pov Spectators booth
The newest member of the elite 4, after it was discovered Malva was a member of Team Flare, that they had no choice but to let her go. Pele was her name, and as an immigrant from Alola, she whistled at the scene before her. With the battle as intense as it was, she couldn't help but feel fired up. It reminded her of battles between Kahuna's
"You've got to admit that Drapion is on champion level, don't you agree, Diantha?" Pele says with a wide, friendly smile
Diantha hummed. She was still getting used to the very friendly Pele, as she was almost the polar opposite of Malva, but one thing was for sure: Pele was much more skilled than Malva in terms of her fire-type speciality.
"I must agree. I know as well that my Gardevoir would have a hard time with Drapion being partially a dark type as well, which would cancel out any psychic advantage I have." Not to mention the boy has a Toxapex and another Pokémon that could deal with ground types. He uses his type advantages and mastery over the Pokémon to push forward. "If he didn't go for the gym leader position, I would feel threatened for my own position." Diantha says with a hum.
She knew she may not be the strongest champion in the regions compared to the likes of her friend Cynthia or the unbeaten Leon of Galar, though she was confident she could take on Lance or Geeta of Paldea.
"I have to agree with the observation that the Toxapex is a marvelous water type and trained to a very high degree. "I'm quite happy someone can appreciate water types such as he does, even if he has it for the poison type." Seibold says with a nod
"Hmm, I am quite curious about that pokemon he used in the last round, myself, as one of his reserve members." Wikstrom hummed but couldn't remember "What was it called again?" Wikstrom asks
"Revavroom is what it's called a Paldea pokemon. Even if Paldea just recently opened its borders, people have been interested in its Pokémon and why some Pokémon evolve there and not in other regions." Diantha says
It was one part of the tournament where you could have 6 Pokémon and 6 Reserves they could switch out to before each round slate. Pokémon were as listed.
Slate's Main Team consisted of Drapion, Salazzle, Nidoqueen, Crobat, Glarian Weezing, Clodsire.
His reserves were Revaroom, Dragalge, Toxtricity, Overqwill, Toxapex, and Amoonguss.
All the Pokémon were strong, and each had a uniqueness to them. Drasna hummed, looking at the two as they continued back and forth.
"It's a shame he didn't use that darling Dragalge this round; it looks closer to an Alpha variant than my own Dragalge." Drasna says
An Alpha pokemon was a more powerful variant of a regular pokemon with a much larger size, similar to the totem Pokémon in Alola, but still having some differences such as increased aggression and sometimes moves only pokemon in their egg group could learn.
"Oh, oh, the battle could be coming to a close." Pele says with a wide grin that she is happy she could see such great trainers. Even Ryan was a skilled trainer, probably better than Lenora, Whitney, and even Norman when it comes to normal-type pokemon. A lot of people would never specialize in such a type, but there are a rare few.
As Pele pointed out, the battle was coming to an end, but the group looked back down at the battlefield with interest.
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[3rd Pov Battlefield]
Drapion charged towards the slaking once more, using its claws and tail to hold it in place like a vice.
"End this Drapion and use a full-powered Venoshock!" Drapion's body gave off a purplish glow before firing it at the held-in-place poisoned slaking at point blank, sending it tumbling back after the drapion let go. After it did so, the slaking fell backwards, crashing into the ground. The battle was over.
"Slaking!" Ryan called out, but there was no coming out. The referee announced the winner.
"Winner from Luminose City, Slate Hemlock!" The referee called out giving there official calling for the ending for the match.
Slate walked over to Ryan and held out a red-colored antidote, saying, "This should help." Pausing for a moment, he spoke again to Ryan "You are a great trainer, and I hope to challenge you again someday."
Ryan wanted to be angry but couldn't be. He gave a smile, taking the antidote, and said, "Thank you. I hope we meet again. The gym battle will be where we see each other again."
Ryan shook Slate's hand before being guided out of the arena. Slate smiled and felt overwhelmed in the moment. He couldn't believe it; he finally achieved his goal of becoming a gym leader. Not too long after, the Elite Four and Diantha came down to the arena in tow with Ramos himself, who had a smile on his face.
"Greetings, young man. I am Ramos, but I'm sure you know that I will be leaving Coumarine City in your hands. I hope you will keep it safe." Ramos says he is holding out his hand.
"I will, sir." "I promise I will do everything in my power to keep it safe." Slate says with a soft smile, shaking the older man's hand. When Slate hummed, he felt something in his hand—a key. The key to the gym in Courmarine City
"Now that the gym has been passed over, we will get a design for the badge written up. During this time, the league will also set up a home for you in Coumarine. Do you have any questions?" Diantha asked curiously.
"The Pokémon I use during the gym challenges are determined based on the gym badges the challenger has, correct?" Slate asks
"That is correct, cutie. Let's say you are challenged in the first gym. You wouldn't be able to use drapion, but you could use a Skorupi or Ekans or something of that nature." Pele says this with a wide smile.
"Then I have nothing more to say." Slate says
Diantha smiles and says, "Then all I can say is welcome to the league, Slate Hemlock. I must ask, what do you wish for your badge to be called?"
"Hmm, the corrosion or the virulent badge? Both sound quite unqiue in my mind… but Virulent pops more." Slate says with a smile that this was the time when he would finally become the gym leader he always wished to be.
