Pyroar

After a long journey, Bai Shi finally arrived in Icirrus City.

Eager to earn his eighth Badge, Bai Shi rested for just one night at the Pokémon Center before challenging the Icirrus Gym.

"Welcome to the Icirrus Gym. I am the Gym Leader, Brycen."

"Bai Shi, correct? You seem ready to face me!"

"Give it everything you have. Show me what you and your Pokémon can do!"

The speaker was a lean, muscular man wearing a blue half-mask and a blue martial arts uniform that left half of one shoulder exposed.

"Gym Leader Brycen, I look forward to learning from you!"

Dressed in a down jacket, Bai Shi bowed slightly and replied politely.

"Each side may use three Pokémon. The match ends when all the Pokémon on either side are unable to battle."

"During the battle, the Gym Leader may not voluntarily switch Pokémon. The challenger may switch freely."

After the referee finished announcing the rules, the Gym battle officially began.

"Come out, Vanillish!"

As the Gym Leader, Brycen sent out his Pokémon first: a blue-and-white Pokémon shaped like an ice cream cone.

"An Ice-type Vanillish? Litleo, I'm counting on you!"

Seeing this, Bai Shi chose Litleo to face it.

"Leading with a Fire-type Pokémon. A conventional strategy."

Brycen nodded to himself when Litleo appeared.

Using Fire-type Pokémon to challenge the Icirrus Gym was practically every challenger's standard approach, so he was hardly surprised.

"Litleo, use Noble Roar!"

Bai Shi seized the initiative and gave Litleo its command.

Litleo opened its mouth and let out a roar brimming with fighting spirit.

Vanillish received quite a fright, and both its Attack and Special Attack fell.

"Vanillish, use Icicle Spear!"

Unwilling to let that go unanswered, Brycen ordered Vanillish to counterattack.

A dense barrage of sharp icicles shot toward Litleo.

"Litleo, hide