Celadon City
(Y/N) couldn't contain his excitement as he approached the Celadon City Gym. He had spent the night in a nearby hotel, eagerly anticipating his battle with the Grass-type Gym Leader.
(Y/N): Wait a minute.
Upon reaching the gym's entrance, his enthusiasm quickly turned into frustration. A sign on the gym door declared it to be CLOSED.
(Y/N): WHAT!!!
He began banging his head on the door in frustration.
(Y/N): What. Is. The. Point. Of. A. Gym. If. It's. Never. Open!!!
Suddenly, the door swung open, and a gym member peeked his head out.
"Who are you!"
(Y/N): Well, I came here to challenge the gym, but I might just burn the Celadon City down now.
"W-What?"
(Y/N): Nothing... Listen, when is the gym gonna be open?
"Our lady Erika is on a journey right now. She'll come back in a few days."
(Y/N): Then... Can I at least know where she went?
"I believe that she has gone somewhere near the Safari Zone."
(Y/N): Safari Zone? Alright, I can work with that, thanks!
Next Day
Y/N) searched through the whole Safari Zone the day before, but couldn't find the gym leader. As a last resort, he decided to explore the area surrounding the Safari Zone. He thought that if he couldn't find her inside the Safari Zone, he might have better luck outside it.
As he wandered through a vast forest, he couldn't help but feel a little anxious.
(Y/N): I hope I don't get lost... I hope...
His exploration led him to a tall grass field.
(Y/N): From what I know, the leader is a Grass-type specialist, so maybe...
He ventured into the tall grass, not knowing what to expect.
Suddenly, something gelatinous touched his ankle. He looked down to find a curious Tangela.
(Y/N): Well hey, little guy.
Out of nowhere, another Tangela touched him from behind, and then another, and another. In a blink of an eye, numerous Tangelas surrounded him.
(Y/N): H-Hey...
The Tangelas all jumped at him at once, causing him to fall to the ground. (Y/N) tried to run, but his legs wouldn't move.
(Y/N): Damn it...
"Stop that!"
A voice from the grass commanded the Tangelas, and they immediately obeyed, lining up in an orderly fashion.
(Y/N) stood up and scanned the area for the source of the voice.
(Y/N): Who is that..?
Out of the tall grass, a beautiful well-dressed lady emerged.
"I apologize about that. The Tangelas here are pretty aggressive."
(Y/N): N-No need to apologize, I should've been more careful Besides, it's not even your fault.
"Thank you for being so thoughtful. My name is Erika, by the way."
(Y/N): Oh, my name is (Y/N). Nice to meet you, Erika.
She smiled at him sweetly, causing his face to redden.
Suddenly, more people appeared from the grass.
"Lady Erika, we were worried!"
"Please don't disappear like that."
Erika: Sorry, but I was gone for only five minutes.
"Still, Miss Erika, you're quite famous, so something might happen."
(Y/N): You're famous, Erika?
"You!"
One of the individuals pointed at (Y/N).
"Be more polite toward our leader."
Erika: Please, let him be. He's my friend.
(Y/N): Yeah, why are you all so protective-
A realization quickly struck (Y/N). Erika was the name of the gym leader he was going to fight.
Suddenly, an idea came up in his mind.
(Y/N) knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
(Y/N): Ah, how could I forget. You are the powerful gym leader of Celadon City. Lady Erika, please forgive me and my ignorance.
"And that's exactly how you should talk to her."
Erika: It's a-alright... Please stand up.
(Y/N): It's fine, ma'am. I actually have a favor to ask.
Erika: Yes...?
-I humbly request this. I am a gym challenger, and I need to battle thee to earn my third gym badge. Please be considerate and grant me thy wish, ma'am.
He spoke with a medieval tone and awaited her response.
"But, sorry, man. Our lady right now is currently busy."
(Y/N) got up and regained his composure.
(Y/N): Well... It was worth a try.
Erika: Wait.
Erika seemed to scan the area for a moment.
Erika: I accept the challenge, but not here.
(Y/N): O-Oh, of course.
Erika: Do you know a place?
(Y/N): Well...
(Y/N) released Corviknight from his Poké Ball.
Erika: Oh my...
The large presence of Corviknight intimated the people and terrified the Tangelas.
(Y/N): C-Corviknight, smile.
Corviknight grinned, but didn't make it any better as more gasps were heard and the Tangelas started fleeing the scene.
(Y/N): A-Anyways, ma'am.
He offered his hand to Erika.
(Y/N): Please accompany me and my Corviknight. We will quickly find a good place to fight.
"No! My lady, it's too dangerous."
Erika: No, it's alright. I believe in this gentleman.
She grabbed (Y/N)'s hand and jumped onto Corviknight's back.
"W-We'll go with you then!"
(Y/N): Nope, the limit is two! Let's go now!
Corviknight nodded and they took off into the sky.
As they were scouting the area, (Y/N) felt a bit nervous as Erika held onto him from behind.
Erika: This Pokémon, it's not from the Kanto region, right?
(Y/N): Oh, yes. It's from the Galor... Galer..? Ga... Oh! Galar region, ma'am.
Erika: Galar... Sounds interesting.
(Y/N) glanced over his shoulder and smiled.
(Y/N): Yeah, I kinda wanna go there one day, ma'am.
Erika: (Y/N), you really don't have to be so formal... Just Erika is fine.
(Y/N): Oh sorry about that. I just did that to mess with your followers. Well then, Erika?
Erika: Yes, (Y/N)?
(Y/N): How about that area over there?
He pointed to a small open space surrounded by trees.
Erika: Looks good to me.
(Y/N): Alright, Corviknight, let's land over there.
Corviknight descended and (Y/N) jumped down first, extending his hand to help Erika.
Erika: Thanks.
(Y/N): Don't mention it.
(Y/N) walked to the opposite side of Erika, with Corviknight standing nearby.
(Y/N): So, should we start?
Erika brought out her Poké Balls.
Erika: Yes, but I have to mention that my way of a gym battle will be a little different from the previous battles you fought.
(Y/N): Interesting, how?
Erika tossed all three of her Poké Balls into the air, releasing Tangela, Bellsprout, and Vileplume.
Erika: It will be a team battle.
(Y/N): Nice. I can work with that.
(Y/N) summoned the rest of his team, and the stage was set for a unique gym battle.
(Y/N): Let's have some fun then!
Erika: Yes, I'll start first. Vileplume! Sleep Powder!
The area filled with sleep-inducing powder.
(Y/N): Everyone! Get on Corviknight's back and Corviknight, fly up!
Frogadier and Raichu leaped onto Corviknight's back as it soared into the air.
Erika: Tangela, Vine Whip and reel them in!
(Y/N): Dodge it! And Raichu, use Thunderbolt on Tangela!
Corviknight tried to evade Tangela's Vine Whip, but its wing was ensnared. However, Raichu leaped down to engage Tangela and struck it with a powerful Thunderbolt, causing Tangela to faint.
(Y/N): Nice save, Raichu.
Erika: Tangela, come back, and Vileplume, Petal Dance!
Tangela returned to its Poké Ball, and Vileplume began a furious Petal Dance.
(Y/N): Corviknight! Come down now! And Frogadier, use Quick Attack on Bellsprout!
Frogadier dashed toward Bellsprout, but unexpectedly, Bellsprout countered with a Quick Attack-like move.
Erika: Good job with the mimic, Bellsprout!
(Y/N): Mimic?
Erika: It is a move that can copy the opponent's attack. Now, Bellsprout, Vine Whip!
Bellsprout relentlessly attacked Frogadier.
(Y/N): Corviknight, help him out! Drill Peck on Bellsprout!
Erika: Vileplume, finish Raichu off, and Bellsprout-
Corviknight got to Bellsprout first and had already fainted it.
(Y/N): Okay! Let's finish this! Frogadier, Quick Attack, and Corviknight, Air Slash!
Erika: V-Vileplume! Sleep powder!
Vileplume was about to release more sleep powder, but Frogadier's Quick Attack hit first. Vileplume was launched into the air, and Corviknight's Air Slash swiftly defeated it.
Erika: It is my loss...
(Y/N): Let's go!!! I m-mean, we did it!
Frogadier nodded, Corviknight smiled, and Raichu gave (Y/N) a thumbs-up.
(Y/N): You all did an awesome job, thank you. Rest up now.
(Y/N) returned them all to their Poké Balls.
Erika did the same, and she approached (Y/N).
(Y/N): Thank you for the great battle. Now I know what a team battle is like, and-
She suddenly got closer to (Y/N) and started examining his clothes.
-Umm...
Erika: O-Oh sorry, I wanted to give you the badge and was looking for where I can put it.
(Y/N): Ah, give me one second!
(Y/N) swiftly removed his backpack, revealing all of his badges pinned inside.
Erika: Oh, then I'll put mine right here.
She pinned her badge next to Misty's badge.
Erika: Looks great.
She beamed at him, causing (Y/N)'s face to redden yet again.
It was the hint of matureness Erika possessed that kept making him nervous.
(Y/N): T-Thank you...
(Y/N) closed his backpack and put it back on.
Erika: You know, (Y/N), I'm really happy right now.
(Y/N): Hmm? Why?
Erika: It feels like I befriended a very kind-hearted person.
(Y/N): Well, s-same here, Erika.
She smiled again, and it had a noticeable effect on (Y/N).