[Emberpine City Gym]
Sasha happily sipped her coffee, with Charizard and Incineroar standing to her left and right, and a Flareon in her arms, her expression utterly lazy.
Ever since that battle with Caitlin, Sasha originally thought she would become the weakest gym in Aurient, just like "Cerulean Gym," and had even started learning borderline dances online.
But what she never expected was that the tactics Axel gave her were unexpectedly effective.
Intimidate from Incineroar, combined with a trash-talking strategy, had made her virtually invincible in Central City.
Not only did the trainers of Central City bow under the oppressive force of Incineroar, even the gym examiners sent by the Aurient League were beaten so badly they lost their bearings.
The once obscure Emberpine City Gym quickly gained fame, attracting large numbers of trainers and gym apprentices from nearby to challenge it.
If she wanted to, the Emberpine City Gym could even attempt to compete for a place among the 'Eight Major Gyms' of Aurient.
As long as she became one of the Eight Major Gyms, she could receive strong support from the Aurient League.
Double the salary, and the difficulty of obtaining rare Pokémon would greatly decrease.
She'd soon be on top of life.
But thinking about that figure who gave her the tactics, Sasha temporarily dismissed the idea.
They had agreed it would only be once... who knew how that guy would laugh at her if he came again.
Better to wait until he graduates from college before going for the Eight Major.
With that thought, Sasha had recently completely relaxed, even planning to raise a baby team to train beginner trainers in Emberpine City.
"Hmm~ besides Litten, what other low-level Pokémon should I get?"
"Hidden Ability Smoliv?"
"No no… that would be completely living in Axel's shadow."
Sasha absentmindedly scrolled through short battle videos, trying to find a suitable Pokémon.
Just then, a blogger she followed suddenly pushed out a bunch of videos.
Sasha's eyes lit up.
This blogger was a Muk trainer, famous for invincible trash talk, attracting a lot of fans.
Sasha was one of them.
As an Incineroar trainer, she constantly needed her Incineroar to learn new trash talk to enhance the effectiveness of its taunting strategy.
She immediately clicked on the video and placed her phone in front of Incineroar.
"ROAR!"
Incineroar's eyes lit up, picking up the nearby Litten in anticipation of learning new trash talk.
But the next moment, Incineroar was dumbfounded.
'Is the blogger's account hacked?'
'The content of this video is completely different from before.'
At a glance, the entire feed was full of similar videos.
A pink Dragonair carrying two people on its back, and beside it was the blogger's voice with a sobbing tone.
[Dragonair is so freaking cool, the trainer on Dragonair's back is even cooler, and anyone who gives this video five stars is even cooler than Daniel!]
[Boohoo, Dragonair don't leave, I haven't filmed enough yet, please fly slower…]
[Next I declare, compared to Dragonair, my Muk is just trash!]
The whole feed, all full of self-deprecating, Dragonair-praising videos.
Completely different from the blogger's usual style.
Incineroar confusedly put down Litten and handed the phone back to Sasha.
'This stuff is for Togepi to watch, not suitable for us evil tigers.'
Looking at the phone screen, Sasha was also stunned for a moment.
'That trainer on Dragonair's back… why does he look so familiar?'
Just then, "ding dong," the doorbell rang.
"Excuse me, is the gym open today?"
Hearing this voice, Sasha's body trembled, instinctively wanting to say "we're closed."
But before she could speak, a big pink head poked in through the doorway.
"Gym Leader Sasha, long time no see."
Looking at the Dragonair that looked exactly like the one in the video, and the person on its back, Sasha and Incineroar exchanged a glance, both seeing the bitterness in each other's eyes.
'Case closed…'
'The blogger must have encountered this bastard and completely lost his way.'
'Also, why is this guy here again?'
Sasha helplessly patted her big tiger, signaling him not to panic, then got up and walked over to Axel, politely saying, "Mr. Axel, you've already defeated the Emberpine Gym once. According to League rules, I have the right to refuse your challenge."
Axel grinned, "I'm not challenging you. She is."
"She?", Gym Leader Sasha looked surprised at the little girl beside Axel, feeling it was a bit unbelievable.
She had a fairly deep impression of Eva Elsie.
Using Smoliv, she defeated a karate trainer and got the first full score in the exam.
'But… using Smoliv to challenge me? Am I drunk?'
As a Fire-type trainer, Sasha felt all Grass-type Pokémon were weaklings.
"Little girl, are you sure you want to challenge me?"
The little girl glanced at Axel. After receiving his encouragement, she politely nodded at Sasha.
"Yes!"
"Alright then, let's have a proper battle," Sasha rubbed her hands together vigorously.
Ever since learning that tactic from Axel, she always felt she was living in his shadow.
Since there was a chance today, she would have a satisfying one-hit KO to dispel the shadow in her heart.
The gym referee quickly took position, standing on the side farthest from Axel.
Because he just took a bath and didn't want to get dirty again.
"The gym challenge is about to begin. Will both sides please prepare!"
"This is a 2v2 battle, conducted under gym rules."
"The Gym Leader may not switch Pokémon. Neither side is allowed to attack the trainers…"
After reading out a string of restrictions, the referee announced the start of the battle.
Sasha released her Pokémon first. A flash of red light, and Incineroar appeared in the arena, baring its fangs and claws, its tiger eyes locked on the little girl.
"Release your Pokémon, little girl. I'll let you go first."
"Thank you, Gym Leader Sasha!"
The little girl quickly reviewed the tactics Axel taught her in her mind and pulled out a Luxury Ball.
"Come out, Aron!"
A four-legged Pokémon with a metallic body appeared opposite Incineroar, letting out a tender roar.
This little guy was completely covered in armor, obviously a Steel-type Pokémon.
Gym Leader Sasha froze for a moment.
'Could it be that this girl saw I used Incineroar, so didn't dare to send out her Grass-type Smoliv?'
'But… this Aron is so small, surely it will get one-shotted by Incineroar too.'
While Sasha was zoning out, Incineroar let out a mighty roar, Intimidate activated, and a downward aura appeared on Aron's body.
Aron clearly remembered the tactics her master taught in advance, its short legs moved frantically, quickly appearing in front of Incineroar.
It slammed its head forward… Incineroar's fur only shook slightly.
Sasha's mouth twitched.
'Damn, this is another one coming after me!'
Ever since she used the Intimidate and trash talk combo, Emberpine Gym had gained a reputation as the dirtiest gym in Central City.
Now the opponent brought such an adorable, soft and cute Aron.
If they posted a video of her beating up Aron, her reputation would be completely ruined.
Thinking this, Sasha decisively commanded her Pokémon to use the weakest move.
"Incineroar, use the weakest-powered Ember!"
Hearing Sasha's command, Axel's lips curled up.
'This round, it's in the bag.'
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y