The Moonwood Town gym pulsed with the heartbeat of celebration, people shared vibes with the music played by the band.
The crowd's energy surged as the band paused, signaling a pivotal moment, and all eyes turned to the main stage at the battlefield's center.
Erza Vortex ascended the stage, her fiery hair catching the spotlight, her presence commanding silence from the raucous crowd. As the former Gym Leader of Moonwood's minor Ground-type gym and one of the strongest ace trainers in Kanto, her legacy was etched in the town's heart, and now she stood to pass the torch.
Her voice, steady yet thick with emotion, carried through the stadium's speakers, each word landing like a stone in a still pond. "For the past decade, I've held the honor of leading Moonwood's gym in my father in law's stead. It was a minor Ground-type gym, a tribute to his war-forged spirit, a place where I poured my heart to keep his dream alive. But today, my son—our son—Gladion, has taken that dream, my dream, and made it his own. He's not just carried it; he's made it grander, bigger, a beacon for all of Kanto. He's transformed this gym into a major General-type powerhouse, the first of its kind, and I'm standing here as the proudest mother alive to officially pass the position of Gym Leader to him."
Her voice cracked, tears glinting as she scanned the crowd—locals who'd watched Gladion toddle through Moonwood's streets, now cheering for their champion. "Maren would be beaming right now, seeing his grandson rise where he once stood. Gladion's not just my boy—he's Kanto's future, and I know he'll lead this gym with the same fire that burns in our family." The crowd erupted, a wave of applause and shouts—"Erza!" "Gladion!"—as Ben, in the front row with Milo and Lila, wiped tears, clutching his twins.
Erza stepped back, handing the microphone to Gladion, her hand lingering on his shoulder, a silent vow of faith.
Gladion took the stage, his smirk softened by a rare vulnerability, his dark hair tousled under the lights.
The crowd hushed, sensing the weight of his words. "This gym," he began, voice steady but laced with emotion, "was my grandpa Maren's reward for his war deeds—his blood, his sacrifice in the Infinite Pokémon War that earned him Moonwood's ground. My mom took that spark and built a legacy, keeping it alive through years of grit and love. Now, it's my turn, and I'm not just carrying it forward—I'm making history. This is the region's first General-type gym, not just in Kanto, but Johto, Hoenn, beyond. General-type trainers are rising, and they need guidance, not just to win battles, but to master the pros and cons of a mixed team and fight some Pokemon of different types in a single battle. I've lived it. I know the pros, the cons, the thrill of weaving different strengths into one unstoppable force. I'll teach trainers to find their way, to turn diversity into power."
His voice grew fiercer, eyes blazing. "But this gym isn't just about battles—it's about duty. As a League-sanctioned Gym Leader, I pledge to protect Moonwood and its surrounding lands. Beast tides, wild Pokémon rampages, poachers, bandits, Team Rocket's slinking grunts—whatever threatens this part of Kanto, I'll crush it. My Pokémon and I will stand as a wall, keeping our people safe, our home strong. This is my vow, and I swear it on the Vortex name!"
The stadium shook with cheers, a goosebumps-inducing roar as fists pumped, banners waved—"Gladion!" "Moonwood!"—the crowd electrified by his resolve.
Gladion raised a hand, silencing the crowd as reporters scribbled furiously, pens racing to capture his next words. "Here's how the gym would work," he said, voice clear, commanding. "We're not a playground—trainers need at least two Pokémon to challenge us. One- to three-star battles, for beginners, I would use two Pokémon: both in its first evolution, the other in its second if it's a gym battle for the 3rd badge. Four- to six-star battles, for mid-tier trainers, feature Pokémon mostly in their second evolution, with one or two exceptions. Seven- to eight-star battles, the big leagues, bring final-evolution Pokémon, and at eight stars, you'll face one of my main team—scaled down to keep it fair. Most of these battles will use my gym Pokémon—that I have caught in my travels for this purpose—not my elite squad."
He paused, smirking, as the crowd leaned in. "Then there's the Ace Challenges—for the elite, the hardcore, the powerhouses. These are battles against my main team: Colossus, Zeus, Eldergreen, the heavy hitters. They're the toughest fights you'll get from me. For those who don't know what Ace trainers are, they are —veterans, rangers, military pros, top battlers who've honed their craft for decades. Ace Challenges aren't just tests; they're career-makers. The higher your rank, the bigger your shot at military command, ranger leadership, or elite roles. Win big, and you're swimming in brand deals, sponsorships—every Ace battle's telecasted, millions watching, wallets opening. It's glory, cash, and a chance to prove you're the best."
"Main team battles!" A kid in the stands whispered, "I wanna fight Colossus someday!" Ace Challenges were Kanto's pinnacle, a gauntlet for trainers who'd already conquered gyms and leagues. They drew the likes of war-hardened generals, rangers who tamed wildlands, and battlers whose names adorned stadiums.
A high Ace rank could land you a general's star, a ranger captain's badge, or a seven-figure deal with Poké Ball brands. Televised in all three regions Kanto, Johto and Hoeen, these battles were spectacles, turning victors into legends and their wallets into vaults.
Gladion's speech ended with a raised fist, his vow echoing in the stadium's heart.
Milo and Lila, perched on Ben's shoulders, waved their Colly-Wolly and Gengar plushies, squealing, "Big bro's the coolest!" Erza wiped a tear, her pride a quiet fire, while Ben hugged the twins, whispering, "That's our Gladion—making history....as always."
-------Author Notes------
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