Hau'oli City, at the newly built Gym.
The Gym was lively even though its sign had yet to go up,
especially after the eight prospective Gym Leaders Professor Kukui had found arrived, along with Ash and his friends.
The Gym grew even livelier.
At the judges' table, Professor Kukui, Li Wei, and Lance sat upright.
On the other side of the battlefield stood the Gym challengers: the six students from the Pokémon School.
Mallow and Steenee,
Lana and Popplio,
Kiawe and Turtonator,
Sophocles and Togedemaru,
Lillie and Snowy (Alolan Vulpix),
and Ash and Rockruff.
Ash had wanted to send out Pikachu, but Li Wei had vetoed that.
Professor Kukui nodded to the prospective Gym Leaders with a smile.
"Everyone, the ability to guide others is an important part of being a qualified Gym Leader."
"Your ability to guide others will be tested in mock battles against them."
Acerola raised a question. "But aren't there only six novice challengers?"
Ash eagerly raised his hand.
"No problem! I can battle more than once!"
"Pikachu!"
"Up next is Kiawe VS Kahili in a Gym Challenge! This will be a one-on-one battle, Rotom!"
"The challenger loses if their Pokémon is unable to battle, Rotom!"
Kahili had taken on Gym Challenges before, so she was quite familiar with the process.
Gym Leaders chose their Pokémon according to the challenger's strength.
Kahili smiled. "Kiawe, how many Gym Badges have you earned?"
"Uh... how many should I say I have?"
"..."
Li Wei shrugged. "Just pick a number."
Kiawe really did pick one at random.
"Then let's say two."
"In that case, this is the Pokémon I'll use!"
Kahili sent out Oricorio (Pom-Pom Style) again.
"It's Oricorio (Pom-Pom Style)!"
Lillie was very familiar with this Pokémon,
because her steward was skilled at using Oricorio (Pom-Pom Style).