As Ash left the Pewter Gym, he kept his pace steady, but the moment he turned the corner, he bolted.
He weaved through the streets of Pewter City, his mind racing. Misty was already too suspicious—he needed time to think, about what to tell her and Cyel needed to fight the Gym.
"Pikachu if you are going to remain outside of your pokeball i need you to act different from how you usually do." Ash states
"Athena," he whispered.
For a moment, nothing happened. The alley remained still, the only sound the distant chatter of Pewter's citizens.
Then, the air shimmered. The Shiny Gardvior was infront of him.
"You ready to teleport us into the gym?" Ash asks as he tap the phone on his screen his and with a quick change of outfit lady Cyel was standing in his place.
Athena gave a soft nod, her piercing red eyes scanning Ash—now Cyel—with quiet amusement. "You do enjoy making things complicated for yourself."
Cyel smirked, adjusting the scarf around her neck. "Complicated is how I survive."
Pikachu—now feigning indifference—gave a lazy flick of his ear, hopping onto Cyel's shoulder. He looked nothing like the energetic, battle-ready Pokémon from minutes ago.
Athena extended a hand, her psychic energy flaring to life. "Very well. Hold still."
In an instant, the alley vanished.
The air around them shimmered, and a heartbeat later, they reappeared just outside the Pewter Gym's challenger entrance—undetected, unseen.
Cyel took a deep breath, rolling her shoulders. "Alright. Time to battle. BROCK I HAVE COME TO BARGIN!"
The gym's doors slid open with a mechanical hiss, revealing the battlefield beyond. Brock, who had just finished cleaning up after Ash's battle, looked up with mild surprise.
"...Bargain?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow.
Cyel strode forward with an air of regal confidence, the sharp click of her boots against the stone floor echoing through the gym. She stopped at the challenger's box, Pikachu lounging lazily on her shoulder as if he hadn't just swept through Brock's team.
"Yes, bargain," Cyel repeated with a smirk. "Though, in this case, I suppose 'battle' would be a more appropriate term."
Agito let out a tired sigh from his position on the sidelines. "Another one? This is turning into a busy day."
Brock crossed his arms. "You're not from around here. Are you the star badge challenge?" His sharp eyes flicked to the golden embroidery on Cyel's hat… Zapdos then to the poised stance she held. "I assume you know the rules?"
"I do," Cyel said smoothly. "And I trust you won't disappoint me."
"I am Brock leader of the Pewter City Gym!"
"I am Lady Cyel of Kalos."
Brock exhaled through his nose, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're confident. I like that." He reached for his Poké Ball. "Let's see if you can back it up. Standard three-on-three match. First to knock out all three Pokémon wins. Ready?"
Cyel tilted her head. "Of course."
She reached into her coat, pulling out a Poké Ball of her own. The air crackled with tension as the battle was about to begin.
Brock smirked, tossing his next Poké Ball. "Alright then, let's see how you handle this! Golem, let's go!"
With a burst of light, the massive Rock-type landed on the battlefield, cracking the ground beneath it.
Cyel gave a confident grin, tossing her own Poké Ball high into the air. "Snack, it's your turn!"
A massive Snorlax materialized on the field, landing with a heavy thud before lazily stretching its arms.
Brock raised an eyebrow. "A Snorlax, huh? You do know Golem's got the power to hit through all that bulk, right?"
Cyel smirked. "We'll see." She raised her hand. "Snack, start with Substitute!"
Snorlax's body shimmered as a smaller, translucent replica formed in front of it.
Brock narrowed his eyes. "Golem, use Stone Edge!"
Jagged rocks shot up from the ground, crashing into the substitute—but the real Snorlax remained untouched, watching sleepily from behind its clone.
Cyel smirked. "Now, Yawn!"
Snorlax gave a deep, lazy yawn, releasing a pink mist that floated toward Golem.
Brock's expression tightened. "Golem, use Earthquake before it takes effect!"
Golem stomped down hard, sending a powerful tremor across the battlefield. The substitute shattered under the force, but the real Snorlax remained standing, its sleepy eyes unfazed.
Then, just as Golem prepared to move again, its body wobbled, eyes drooping. With a final, sluggish sway, it collapsed, fast asleep.
Cyel grinned. "Perfect. Snack, Belly Drum then, Baton Pass!"
"Golem Wake UP!" Brock shouts
Snorlax's body glowed before dissolving into light, transferring its presence to Cyel's next Pokémon.
She grabbed another Poké Ball and tossed it high. "Ace, you're up!"
A Lucario landed gracefully in front of the sleeping Golem, its eyes glowing with unwavering focus.
Brock tensed. "A Lucario? Golem you need to wake up now!"
Cyel smirked. "Not just any Lucario. Ace, Swords Dance—twice!"
Ace crossed its arms, a shimmering aura flaring around it as its attack power skyrocketed. By the time Golem showed any sign of stirring, Ace had increased its strength twice more.
Cyel tilted her head slightly, grinning. "Hey, Brock, just wondering—are we allowing Mega Evolution?"
===
Misty leaned forward in her seat, arms crossed, watching the battle with narrowed eyes. The moment she had heard Star Badge Challenge back in the Gym lobby, she had known something was off. And now, as she sat in the stands, she was sure of it.
This "Lady Cyel" was not normal.
Her Snorlax had barely been touched before setting up the perfect handoff. Now, a Lucario with quadruple its normal attack power was standing over Brock's sleeping Golem like a predator about to tear into its prey.
And then Cyel had the audacity to casually ask, "Are we allowing Mega Evolution?"
Misty watched Brock's jaw tighten. That hesitation? That was rare.
Lucario didn't even need Mega Evolution to wreck Brock's team at this point. If he said yes—which, by League rules, he technically had to—he was just signing his own defeat faster.
Brock let out a slow breath. "Yeah, we allow it."
Cyel's smirk widened. "Good. Ace, let's do this."
Lucario's paws met in front of its chest, a swirling light of energy forming between them. The Keystone on Cyel's glove flared to life, responding to the pulse of power.
Misty felt the air shift as an intense wave of Aura flooded the battlefield.
The transformation was instant.
Mega Lucario stood in Ace's place, its crimson eyes locked onto Golem's stirring form.
Cyel gave a lazy flick of her wrist. "Close Combat."
Ace blurred forward.
The moment Golem's eyes opened, it was already over.
A single, explosive series of strikes—faster than Misty could track—sent the Rock-type skidding across the battlefield, slamming into the wall.
Brock barely had time to react. "Golem is unable to battle!"
Misty watched Brock exhale sharply, recalling his Pokémon. There was a flicker of frustration in his expression, but also something else.
Respect.
This wasn't a trainer trying to prove themselves. This was a hunter, systematically dismantling their opponent.
Misty swallowed as Brock tossed out his next Poké Ball.
Steelix.
The massive steel serpent crashed onto the field, letting out an ear-splitting roar.
Cyel simply adjusted her stance, unfazed.
Misty could already see the outcome.
Brock didn't stand a chance.