The wind pressed the Azalea Town Gym's green flag against the doorframe, making the Butterfree silhouette on it sway back and forth. Lin Hao had just stepped over the threshold when a Geodude crawled slowly past beneath the vines. "Anyone here?"
"Coming! Challenge registration is over here."
A boy carrying a bug-catching net emerged from behind the bushes. His round glasses sat crooked on his nose, and two leaves were caught in his hair. He ran up to Lin Hao, then slowed when he saw Pikachu and the Pokédex.
Lin Hao handed him the Pokédex. "I'm here to challenge the Gym."
After scanning his information, the boy rubbed his fingertips twice along the edge of the screen. He handed the Pokédex back, avoiding Lin Hao's eyes. "Bugsy, Gym Leader of the Azalea Gym."
Standing beside Lin Hao, May quietly tightened her grip on her Poké Ball as Bugsy returned the Pokédex. "He recognized you," she murmured.
"I noticed." Lin Hao put his Pokédex away.
"He actually didn't shout."
"Good. Saves us the trouble."
Bugsy took his place at the other end of the battle platform, straightened his reflective glasses, and set his net aside. "This will be a one-on-one battle. Win, and you'll receive the Bug Badge."
Lin Hao pressed the button on the Poké Ball at his waist. "Charmeleon, come stretch your legs."
Red light touched the ground. Charmeleon flicked its tail, its flame sweeping over the fallen leaves. Several Butterfree hovering nearby immediately flew to the other side of the greenhouse.
"A Bug-type against a Fire-type. That's a type disadvantage." Bugsy watched Charmeleon, drawing the hand holding his Poké Ball slightly into his sleeve.
Lin Hao looked at him. "Want to change the rules?"
"No." Bugsy raised his head and threw his Poké Ball. "Heracross, use Megahorn!"
Heracross