Rustboro Gym

"Finally, we can challenge the Rustboro Gym!"

That morning, after breakfast, Gary and Rosa arrived at the Rustboro Gym, located across from Rustboro's Pokémon School, at the time they had arranged with Rustboro Gym Leader Roxanne.

"But why does this Gym look like it was built out of stone?"

Standing outside the Gym and looking at the Rustboro Gym, which resembled a massive boulder, Rosa could not help complaining.

That sort of architectural design simply did not appeal to her tastes at all.

"The Rustboro Gym specializes in Rock-type Pokémon, so the Gym's building design is mostly related to the type it specializes in."

Beside her, Gary recalled that Brock's Pewter Gym had a similar style, so he explained.

"I can understand that, but I still don't like this kind of style."

For most girls, this sort of style was simply impossible to appreciate, and Rosa was no exception.

"Actually, I can't appreciate it either." To be honest, Gary did not like this style either.

"Right? I prefer this kind of style..."

After seeing that Gary shared her opinion, Rosa immediately became interested and began discussing it with him, excitedly talking about the architectural styles she liked.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Gary and Miss Rosa that Miss Roxanne mentioned?"

Just as Gary and Rosa were enthusiastically discussing what kinds of buildings they liked, an unfamiliar voice suddenly interrupted them.

Upon hearing the greeting, Gary and Rosa stopped and looked toward the source of the voice. They soon saw a man in a Rustboro Gym uniform looking at them with a strange expression.

Even without being told, Gary and Rosa knew that he had to be a Rustboro Gym staff member.

Gary and Rosa naturally noticed his odd gaze as well. After thinking about it for a moment, they quickly understood why.

He must have overheard them discussing the Rustboro Gym's architectural style.

Realizing this, Gary and Rosa exchanged a glance, their faces immediately turning awkward.

However, Gary was rather thick-skinned. Despite the man's strange look, he nodded and admitted, "That's us."

"Yes, that's us," Rosa echoed from beside him.

"Then I have the right people." Having confirmed that he had not mistaken them for someone else, the staff member explained why he had come.

"Mr. Gary and Miss Rosa, Miss Roxanne has been waiting inside the Gym for quite some time. Please follow me."

"Alright, sorry to trouble you." After exchanging a glance with Rosa, Gary followed the staff member into the Rustboro Gym with her.

When they followed him to the battle arena inside the Gym, they happened to see Gym Leader Roxanne directing a group of people as they adjusted several cameras.

"Miss Roxanne, I've brought them here," the staff member who had led Gary and Rosa said quietly after approaching Roxanne.

"Alright, I understand." Roxanne nodded upon hearing him.

Then, at Roxanne's signal, the staff member who had led Gary left the battle arena, presumably to return to his own work.

"Gary and Rosa, welcome to our Rustboro Gym."

The moment Roxanne saw Gary and Rosa arrive, she smiled and welcomed them.

"Thank you." Gary smiled lightly in response.

"By the way, Miss Roxanne, what are you all busy with?"

Rosa, standing beside Gary, had noticed the group adjusting the cameras and was quite curious, so she asked.

"Well, I'm planning to record our Gym battle and use it as study material for the Battle Department at our Pokémon School."

In response to Rosa's question, Roxanne explained her purpose.

"Would either of you mind?"

After explaining why they were adjusting the cameras, Roxanne looked toward Gary and Rosa and asked for their opinions.

"I have no objections." Gary naturally did not care about such a minor matter.

"Me neither." Seeing that Gary had no objection, Rosa immediately agreed as well.

"Then thank you very much." Roxanne smiled when she saw that both Gary and Rosa had agreed so readily.

"The cameras have been adjusted. Let's begin our Gym Challenge!"

After the cameras had been set up, Roxanne turned her attention to Gary and Rosa.

"Gary and Rosa, which one of you will go first?"

After taking her place on one side of the battle arena, Roxanne asked Gary and Rosa, who were standing at the edge of the field.

"I'll go first." Upon hearing Roxanne's question, Gary stepped forward and walked to the other side of the Gym arena.

"Alright."

After Roxanne agreed, the Rustboro Gym referee stepped out and began announcing the Gym's rules.

"The Gym Challenge between Gary of Pallet Town and Rustboro Gym Leader Roxanne will now begin. Each side may use two Pokémon. The battle will end when both Pokémon on one side are Unable to Battle."

After pausing briefly, the referee continued, "Additionally, the Gym Leader may not switch Pokémon during the battle."

"Now, please send out your respective Pokémon."

Thus, under the referee's watchful gaze, Roxanne, as the Gym Leader, was the first to send out her Pokémon.

"Come out, Geodude!"

Roxanne immediately threw a Poké Ball. In a flash of white light, a Geodude appeared on the field.

Pokémon: Geodude

Type: Rock, Ground

Ability: Rock Head

Gender: Male

Level: 23

Aptitude: Gym

Moves: Defense Curl, Tackle, Rollout, Rock Throw, Rock Tomb, Stone Edge, Mega Punch...

"So it's Geodude!" Using the system's function, Gary checked Geodude's Data Panel and gained some understanding of Roxanne's Geodude.

"Since it's Geodude, then this will be your opponent!"

After saying that, Gary threw out a Poké Ball as well. A figure emerged amid the white light.