Pokémon: Trainer Paul

Veilstone City – Pokémon Daycare

"I'm heading out for a bit."

After finishing his meal, Paul spoke to Reggie, who was busy cleaning up the dishes.

"At this hour? Are you going to challenge Maylene?"

Reggie paused, looking up with a smile as he wiped the table.

"I'm going to find a Pokémon first, then I'll get that badge."

"In that case, good luck with your Gym Battle!"

"I will."

Leaving home, Paul swiftly gathered his scattered Pokémon, returning a few to their Poké Balls before heading toward the Veilstone Gym.

Veilstone Gym

Situated on the outskirts of Veilstone City, the Gym was surrounded by a serene environment. It wasn't just a Pokémon Gym—it was also a fully functional martial arts dojo.

As Paul stepped inside, he was met with the sight of a group of men dressed in white training uniforms, practicing various fighting techniques in unison.

Before he could go further, a senior disciple overseeing the training approached him.

"Hello, young man. What brings you he—?"

The man stopped mid-sentence, his expression shifting dramatically as he took a closer look at Paul.

"Wait… you're Paul?!"

His reaction was as if Paul had come not to challenge the Gym, but to outright destroy it.

It wasn't surprising. This man recognized Paul not for his skills as a Pokémon Trainer, but for something else entirely—Paul was the boy who had once defeated Maylene, a prodigious martial artist, in the Veilstone Youth Fighting Tournament.

Even if Maylene had grown stronger since then, there was no sense of pride in saying that she was "no longer weaker than him." After all, for a professional fighter, losing to an amateur was already humiliating enough.

"Yeah, I'm here to challenge Maylene." Paul stated flatly.

"Please wait at the battle arena. I'll inform the Gym Leader immediately."

Without another word, the man pointed Paul toward the battlefield before hurrying off toward the other side of the Gym.

Paul, as calm as ever, walked into the familiar battle space, silently observing his surroundings.

On one of the walls, several mottos were displayed:

"One good deed a day."

"One meal a day."

"One encounter, one chance."

Before long, the disciple returned, accompanied by a girl with short pink hair, dressed in a tank top and gloves. Bandages and plasters were stuck to her nose and arms. Behind her, stood a strong and confident-looking Lucario.

"Paul! It's been so long! So, you've finally started your journey?"

Maylene greeted him with a mix of nostalgia, wariness, and seriousness—all layered with complex emotions.

Unlike in the original canon, where Maylene and Paul barely interacted, this world's Paul had already met Maylene through the Veilstone Youth Fighting Tournament.

Back then, Paul had already dished out enough of his trademark harsh criticisms, and Maylene had already experienced her fair share of frustration because of him. So now, her mindset was much more composed.

"I'm here to see if you've improved—and to take your Gym Badge while I'm at it."

Paul's tone was indifferent.

"Heh, that's just like you." Maylene smirked. "But don't forget, I'm the Gym Leader now. I won't let you take that badge so easily!"

Her fighting spirit burned bright, and Lucario's eyes gleamed with determination.

"We'll see."

"Let's get started." Maylene signaled to the referee.

"Now commencing the Gym Battle between challenger Paul and Gym Leader Maylene. The match will be a three-on-three battle, and the match will conclude when one side's Pokémon are unable to continue."

"Only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokémon."

The referee formally announced the rules.

Maylene nodded. "Here we go! Give me everything you've got!"

"You should be telling that to yourself."

"Battle start! Go, Machoke!"

As the Gym Leader, Maylene took the initiative, throwing out her first Poké Ball.

"Machoke!"

A gray, humanoid Pokémon with a muscular build appeared on the battlefield. Around its waist was a golden belt, below which it wore a black wrestling-style shorts.

"You're starting with that?"

Paul smirked, but then his expression turned serious as he threw his own Poké Ball.

"Gible, get ready for battle."

"Sha! Sha! Sha!"

A furious-looking Gible landed on the battlefield, its dragon-like eyes gleaming with an intense bloodlust. It locked onto Machoke with a murderous glare, as if the Fighting-type Pokémon had committed some kind of unforgivable crime.

Paul frowned slightly at the sight. Ever since Gible had learned Outrage two days ago, it had been acting strangely.

It seemed that the move had triggered some kind of unknown reaction when combined with Dragon Dance—a technique that enhanced the hidden power of Dragon-types. As a result, Gible had been unusually aggressive.

Paul had deliberately chosen Gible as his lead Pokémon, intending to let it vent its built-up rage.

"That Gible… it doesn't look normal." Maylene warned. "Machoke, be careful!"

"Machoke!"

Machoke raised its arms into a defensive stance, prepared for battle.

Paul, however, didn't rush to attack.

"Dragon Dance!"

"Sha!"

With an intense murderous aura, Gible began to spin and jump in place, its body glowing with white light. Its Attack and Speed increased.

"Bulk Up!"

Rather than attacking immediately, Machoke flexed its muscles, strengthening both its Attack and Defense.

"Dragon Claw!"

Paul gave the command.

The moment Gible's dance ended, it lunged forward at lightning speed. Its small claws radiated a brilliant green energy as it slashed at Machoke.

"Counter with Cross Chop!"

Machoke, having studied its opponent's movements, swiftly crossed its arms and met Gible head-on.

BAM!

The impact sent Gible flying backward.

"Machoke!"

Even though Machoke had overpowered its opponent, it instinctively winced, sucking in a breath as it glanced at its reddened palms.

Paul smirked. Rough Skin took effect.

"Draco Meteor!"

Still airborne, Gible's mouth glowed orange as it fired a massive sphere of energy into the sky. The sphere exploded, raining dozens of meteors down upon the battlefield, completely covering Machoke's position.

"Machoke, block it with Dynamic Punch!"

"Machoke!"

Steadying itself, Machoke gathered all its strength and swung a powerful punch into the descending meteors.

BOOM!

The largest meteor shattered on impact, and the resulting explosion engulfed the battlefield in smoke. Smaller meteors crashed to the ground, leaving craters in the once-pristine Gym floor.

From within the smoke, a shadow darted forward. Two crimson eyes locked onto Machoke.

"Dragon Claw!"

"Not good!"

Maylene's warning came too late.

Gible shot out from the smoke and slashed at Machoke's legs, sending the Fighting-type tumbling to the ground.

"Fire Fang!"

Without giving Machoke a chance to recover, Gible pounced, sinking its flame-covered fangs directly onto Machoke's head, engulfing it in flames.

Critical hit!

"Machoke!"

Machoke screamed in agony, struggling to pry Gible's jaw open. But the combination of Fire Fang and Rough Skin meant that every movement only caused more damage.

Panicking, Maylene shouted, "Machoke, use Seismic Toss!"

"Machoke!"

Summoning the last of its strength, Machoke gripped Gible's body and began spinning, slamming the Dragon-type repeatedly against the ground.

But it was too late.

With one final vicious bite, Gible's flames burned brighter, and Machoke collapsed, unconscious.

"Machoke is unable to battle!"

As Machoke fell still, Paul's voice cut through the air—calm and commanding.

"Gible, return."

"Sha… sha~"

Hearing its Trainer's call, Gible hesitated for a moment before loosening its grip and retreating to Paul's side.

And so, the first round belonged to Paul.

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