Equestria. Canterlot. The Pokemon School. Day.
"Okay. You've shown up on time." Appearing here at the Pokemon School and sitting in the staff room was BigTime Ben. Joining him were notable faces. Mainly of the Equestria League Gym Leaders. Notable faces such as Roseluck, Sunset Shimmer, Zecora, Soarin, Mayor Mare and Ms Harshwhinny. They were just two Gym Leaders short.
"Welcome to the Gym Leader Summit. A Gym-Leader only even that includes the future of a region's Gym Leader." Ben explained. "Not all of you could make it, but this is good enough.
"So...What do we do here?" Sunset Shimmer asked. "What about the future."
"Well, just two things, really. The first thing first is deciding on how this league can work out. Mainly your positions." Ben pointed at all of them. "Not all of you have substitutes. In case you're not there. I know you won't always be there, Zecora. Sunset."
"Nope. I don't have a substitute." Sunset shrugged. "It's kind of a miracle I somehow manage to show up for every Gym Battle so often. Even when I was in jail..."
"What was that about jail?" Ms Harshwinny's ears perked up before shifting her attention to Sunset Shimmer.
"Nothing!" Sunset scrunched her face, keeping her little jail story a secret.
"I've been at the Pokemon House as of recently. Trainers just come there instead if they want to challenge me," said Zecora as she didn't have a substitute. Her Gym was at Manehattan, but due to recent events, she has had to have battles at the Pokemon House. Zecora couldn't think of anyone at the moment fit to be her substitute.
"Hm-hm." Ben nodded in understanding. "Then...how do these options sound for you two? Gothitelle."
"Gothitelle." Using her Psychic abilities, Gothitelle had formed a massive projection screen of Psychic energy, which had then shown different individuals popping up.
"I had my Pokemon send out surveys for who would wish to be a substitute Gym Leader if given the chance. We have a lot of options, but I'll start with those close to your homes. Soarin. You already work as a Wonderbolt so that's two jobs. However, some of your fellow Wonderbolts, mostly Misty Fly, have suggested becoming substitutes for you. Sound good?"
"Oh! Yeah, I'm cool with that!" Soarin nodded in approval. "She's got some great Pokemon with her."
"Mhm. And because so many of them have offered to try, the 5th Gym might end up changing into a Flying-Type Gym. But that Double Battle theme won't leave it at all. Sunset. Finding a Fire-Type substitute for your Gym was definitely tricky. Surprisingly, not many trainers in Equestria own Fire-Type Pokemon."
"So...No one?" Sunset Shimmer's ears lowered.
"I would've selected Flannery of the Hoenn Gym Leaders, but I did find a select few to fill those shoes in case you can't be there as often. There are few dragons over at the Dragon Lands who've offered to fill that role, but it's hard to tell if they'll be showing up on time. Nopony in Ponyville, Canterlot, Trottingham and so on were found for it. But Daylight Blazer said that if it comes down to it and he doesn't end up succeeding in the Equestria League, he'll come right for that role."
"Whew. Sounds good to me." Sunset Shimmer shrugged as she was fine with it. "You know...just now, I was thinking of my counterpart in the Human World, but that needs to be worked out. I can still make it here to the Gym even if I'm at the Human World occupied by something."
"I know you will." Ben nodded. "Somehow, you're always on time. Love to see it. Now, it's worth noting that Bon Bon, despite recently becoming the 2nd Gym Leader, has started reconsidering it. She is still a secret agent that has missions ordered by Celestia during these cosmic times."
"Secret agent?" Mayor Mare uttered as this was her first time knowing this.
"Pretend you didn't hear that..." Ben scrunched his face, accidentally giving out Bon Bon's secret occupation. "Ahem! Anyway! I tried getting Misty from the Kanto Gyms involved once more, but she turned it down. So, in case Bon Bon ends up giving up that spot...who could replace her? Does anyone here know of any skilled Water-Type Trainers? If not then maybe someone else from another region could come by."
He asked as they all started thinking of possible contenders. Water-Type Pokemon were common, no doubt. Possibly the most common typing out there and a majority of the population at least owned one Water-Type.
"Hm...Sonata only has Vaporeon though and Aria just has Brionne..." Sunset pondered. "And they're all searching for the rest of the sirens so, Nah. That wouldn't work."
"Everypony back in Ponyville either have no Water-Types or just one Water-Type." Mayor Mare put her hooves together, pondering deeply as her glasses lit up from within the shadows. "Now that I think about it...Princess Twilight owns all of those Pokemon back at PokePark, doesn't she?"
"She does. But she's been assigned to a Pokemon Professor, so she's out of the picture." Ben replied as Twilight was shot out of the Gym Leader role.
"I don't know anypony that has a lot of Water-Types," Soarin grumbled. "Never seen one in Cloudsdale or the Wonderbolts Academy.
"Hm, you think about that. In the meanwhile, I can think of someone who could fill that role while we search for someone." Ben snapped his fingers as Gothitelle had then shown the image of a Water-Type Trainer from the Galar Region. "This here is Gym Leader Nessa. Much like Misty, she is the second Gym Leader and Water-Type expert in her respective region. She's also shown interest in Equestria as well."
"That seems fine." Mayor Mare and Ms Harshwhinny equally agreed. So did Roseluck, Zecora, Soarin and Sunset Shimmer.
"As for you two. Mayor Mare. Ms Harshwhinny. You don't have any issues. You can do your natural work and be Gym Leaders with all the time in the world to spare. But you will have to think of a future protege."
"We are getting old...This white streak isn't helping." Mayor Mare flipped her mane. "If we did have proteges for our Gyms, I'd choose...Not sure actually."
"Mmm. I can't think of anypony right now either." The same went for Harshwhinny as they both didn't have ponies on their minds that could take after their gym.
"Ah, it's fine. Even though it's been three years, not everyone will be stacked with Pokemon, that's for sure." BigTime Ben chuckled. "But I believe that eventually, everyone will befriend more Pokemon to the point where they will be surrounded by them more than they already. And when both worlds are forever connected, they will truly be closer than ever before."
"G-Gothitelle!" Gothitelle immediately started crying from Ben's words. So did Soarin and Mayor Mare once taking it all in.
"Nicely put, sir," Roseluck commented.
"Now then. I was wondering if we could work something out with our final Gym Leader. But everything seems fine there. The 8th is already as complete as it needs to be. Maybe not with the name."
"Come to think about it...who's the final Gym Leader that everypony has to get through to enter the League?" Sunset Shimmer questioned as none of the other Gym Leaders were even aware of the final Gym Leader.
"Ah, the final Gym Leader? Well, it was a difficult choice. There are many options we could choose from. The main of this last Gym is more about endurance and such. And the final Gym Leader is a former Gym Leader. Once the first and now the last!" Ben aimed his hand at the projection as the Gothitelle brought a familiar figure into view.
Brock.
"Brock?!" They all said.
"Right-Right! It started with Brock and will end with Brock! That was a nice saying that Gothitelle shared with me once. Brock once stopped being a Gym Leader when he started travelling with Ash during the early years. But even with his status as both a Pokemon Doctor and Breeder, those Gym Leaders skills never faded away. Brock offered to be the final Gym Leader of Equestria and I can't think of a better pick."
"I've heard about Brock from Ash..." Mayor Mare said. "The Kanto Region is considered a region for many to start out in, apparently?"
"You can start in any region even depending on where you are. But there's a fun little saying for young trainers. First you kick it in Kanto, then you head to Johto. Brock's brothers and sisters, mainly his brother Forrest, have been watching over the Gym in his absence. Even now, he has another gym to look after."
"A family of Gym Leaders, huh? Hm-hm." Thinking about it made Roseluck chuckle a bit as her memories pictured her along with another pony. "That would be fitting if my sister were here."
"Oh, right." The Mayor of Ponyville swivelled her attention to Roseluck. "I remember you having a sister, Roseluck. What was her name again? It's been a while."
"Rosa. My big sister." Roseuck closed her eyes, envisioning her sister as it brought upon a soft smile. "Haven't heard from her or seen her in quite a while. Has it really been 21 years?"
"21 years? Yikes..." Soarin scrunched his face, realizing how large of a year gap that was without two siblings seeing each other. "That's a long time."
"She must be extra busy if you haven't spoken or seen each other for that long," said Sunset.
"Mmm. She came here to Canterlot back then to study at Celestia's School of Talented Unicorns." Reminiscing more about the past, Roseluck looked outside the window, gazing at the school. She could see her big sister now walking through those doors. "Rosa had talent alright. Big talent for her magic so it would make sense for her to go there."
"Haven't seen her there. Have I?" Sunset Shimmer started thinking, wondering if she had ever seen Rosa before. From what she could gather, Rosa should at least resemble Roseluck in a way.
"But I only got a few letters from her once she went there. Afterwards, I didn't hear much about her later on. And that's about it." Roseluck halted her reminiscing before slumping her head on the table. "Wonder what she's doing now? Or even where she is..."
"I got chills all of a sudden." Shining Armor couldn't help but shudder. There was something eerie about everything that had been said afterwards. The room turned silent afterwards with a quiet atmosphere.
"Ah, sorry!" Roseluck sat up. "I didn't mean to make it a downer! It's just that Brock was the first Gym Leader in his hometown and uh, I'm the first of mine plus we both have siblings and I figured that since we all have that in common I'd...um-" Roseluck blushed, trying to stabilize the conversation.
"No need to worry, Roseluck." Ben raised his arm. "You said what you needed to say and that is good enough. Happens to most of us, honestly."
"Okay..." Relieved to hear that, Roseluck slumped on her seat with her ears dropping afterwards.
"Now. This briefing has come to an end. But, there is still one thing left to do at this summit. After going through your recent battle records, I've seen that some of you are stronger than you let on. Especially you, Mayor Mare. I can see that I chose wisely to have you be the 7th Gym Leader.
"Ohohohoho! Too kind! You're too kind!" Mayor Mare appreciated that compliment, chuckling rapidly.
"But Roseluck. Your strength as a trainer is perhaps larger than expected. Even for the 1st Gym."
"M-My bad! I know you told me to calm down and not use Roserade anymore to make it easier for everypony. I swear I caught myself a Roselia to even things out. Promise."
"Your choice of Pokemon is fine. You don't have to apologize. It's just that you've started growing so much that it might be hard for us to keep the 1st Gym for you. Or even keep the Grass Gym as the first one in general."
"Yeah. Ever since Applejack taught me a few things, I've been a fast learner. Maybe I get that part from my big sister. She's a fast learner too. So, are you saying that I should be swapped out for another position?"
"Maybe. Obviously, Gym Leaders are meant to hold back against upstart trainers until the 7th or 8th. So you being extra strong and hiding your strength is common. But compared to your fellow Gym Leaders..."
"I'd like to think I've gotten stronger!" Soarin raised his hoof. "I've got Spitfire to thank for that. She's allowed our Pokemon to start taking part in Wonderbolt activities and yon won't believe just how much it worked out for my Corviknight!"
"My strength as a trainer remains adamant." Harshwinny chimed in. "But it proves to be efficient against the Challengers I face. Plus, I barely have the time to train all of my Pokemon."
"I've only had Stoutland for the longest. Alakazam and Whischash are still new, but they can learn fast. Stoutland's still the one who helps me through the trickier moments. Isn't that right, boy?" Mayor Mare patted her Stoutland on the head.
"Stoutland!"
"Well, then. With all of this ever-increasing growth, I have the urge to perhaps rearrange the Gym positions. Or perhaps I'm wrong on that part. The only way to solve this predicament always comes down to a Pokemon Battle! Mayor Mare. Ms Harshwinny. You're both good where you are right now. But Roseluck, I'm curious about where you could stand."
"Trust me! I think I can stand pretty high!" Roseluck grinned before thinking to herself. "This means I can permanently get rid of that whole easy pickings debacle in the past."
"Then, Roseluck, Zecora, Soarin, Sunset. We will have a battle between you four. And even after it's over, it'll be up to you all to decide who goes where." Ben ordered.
"Oh, so like a double battle like with my gym?" Soarin asked.
"Mm-mm. It's a free for all!" Ben exclaimed. "We'll have it at the practice grounds here at the Pokemon School. Time to see how far you've come."
It was off the practice grounds of the Pokemon School. No one was using it at the moment so now was a good time to take that spot before someone does.
The practice grounds were made specifically for students to have as many Pokemon Battles as they wanted, which means that the field itself was massive to hold many of them and the various moves that would be flying around. Physical or ranged.
And standing on four different sides, north, south, east and west were Roseluck, Sunset, Zecora and Soarin. Ms Harshwinny and Mayor Mare were exempt from this, choosing to watch the battle from afar. Looking outside of the window were some of the students within the Pokemon School closest to the practice grounds.
"Alright now, you four. One Pokemon each. And I'd like for it to be your strongest Pokemon." Ben spoke, laying out the short rules. "This all ends until one Pokemon on either side is still standing. It'll only take one Pokemon for me to see where you all stand and your aces are the best to go with. That way, I can get a good grasp on the rest of your Pokemon. Now, send them out, please."
"Righ then. Go, Roserade!" Roseluck went first, sending out her Roserade.
"Roserade!"
"It's a tie between Braixen and Volcarona. But I'm going to go with Braixen for this one!" Sunset Shimmer chose Braixen after going through her options.
"Braixen!"
"I choose my Corviknight!" Soarin threw his Poke Ball at the same time Zecora did. Zecora already had her strongest Pokemon and that would be her Zebstrika.
"Corviknight!"
"Zebstrika!"
"If any of you were wondering, especially Soarin, you're free to use your Z-Moves or anything special for your Pokemon. It's all about your best."
"Yes!" Soarin pumped his hooves.
"As if I'd let you have the time to pull it off." Sunset Shimmer interjected, raining on Soarin's parade.
"We'll see."
"Now then! Battle...Start!" Ben struck his arm down, ordering the beginning of the battle.
"Let the first go first! Roserade, use Posion Jab on Zebstrika!"
"Roserade!" Roserade went first before anyone else. Covering her bouquet arms in poison, the Bouquet Pokemon went straight for Zebstrika.
"So you've chosen to attack me?" Zecora narrowed her eyes. "Zebstrika, use Agility!"
"Zeb!" Zebstrika's eyes flashed as he had moved faster than the eye could see, zooming to the side whilst also leaving a massive dust cloud behind. Roserade had thrust her arm forward, only to miss by 3 seconds.
"Rose?" Roserade gasped. Zecora was also a trainer that communicated with her Pokemon via mental communication or even mannerisms. A perfect way to exempt her rhymes from her battles considering that her entire Gym Theme was about speed. Because of this, Pokemon Trainers always feel like they're battling against a Wild Pokemon.
"Zebstri!" After using Agility, Zebstrika's speed had increased, causing him to zip around Roserade before then using Spark. He had used Flame Charge right as Roserade was just now trying to track Zebstrika's movements. The Thunderbolt Pokemon's body was covered in flames, causing him to smash into Roserade. "Strika!"
"Rade!" Roserade went flying as Zebstrika then went for his next target. Corviknight. Zebstrika was now faster than before thanks to Flame Charge posting his speed. At this point, he was already becoming a blur.
"Braixen, use Psybeam!"
"Brai...!" Braixen jumped into the air, raising her wand and channelling her hidden Psychic abilities that her future evolution possesses. She aimed it at the ground, right between where both Corviknight and Zebstrika were.
"Corviknight Steel Wing and deflect it!"
"Corviknight!" Corviknight cawed as he had hardened his already hard and metallic wings with extra metal. Right as Braixen had unleashed Psybeam and Zebstrika was zooming over, Corviknight used Psybeam for himself. He flew up, whacking his wings onto the beam at full force. With his steely endurance, he managed to redirect the beam, sending it towards Zebstrika.
"Zeb?!" Zebstrika gasped, quickly zipping to the side to avoid the incoming beam. A total miss as Psybeam had hit the ground instead. Corviknight was already airborne, causing Flame Charge to also miss its mark.
"Corvi!" But Corviknight wasn't done. Once Braixen failed her Psybeam, Corviknight approached her with Steel Wing. Braixen was currently falling after losing her airtime, making her extremely vulnerable in the air.
"B-Braix!?"
"Protect yourself with Fire Spin, Braixen! Quick!"
"Braix!" Braixen quickly used Fire Spin, covering her eyes as she allowed the spiral of flames to protect her while she was falling. And that proved to be successful as Corviknight could not only fail to fully connect his Steel Wing, but the emergence of the spiralling flames had struck him, knocking the Steel-Flying-Type back.
"Vi!" A super-effective collision as Braixen's sphere touched the ground. Fire Spin also had its secondary effect which was already affecting Corviknight. He would gain a spiral of flames that would damage him each time he would use a move.
"Braixen," Braixen smirked as she completely spick and span, untouched by anyone. At least for now.
"Zebstrika!" Zebstrika, however, ended up approaching Braixen only seconds after Fire Spin had ended. And it came in hot with Spark, zooming through the area with lightning-fast gallops.
"Roserade! Use your thorns!"
"Roserade!" But halting Zebstrika and even Corviknight from doing anything else was Roserade. She had used her hidden thorns which raced out of her bouquet of arms, wrapping around Corviknight's wings and Zebstrika's hooves.
"Cor?!"
"Zeb?!"
"Now, spin with Power Whip!"
"Rose...RADE!" Roserade put all of her strength into this, moving two heavy Pokemon. Her arms trembled, but she managed to pull it off, instantly forcing Corviknight and Zebstrika to move. And with the strength of Power Whip, it was made easier for her as she started spinning with them.
"Braix!" Braixen ended up being hit by the spinning Zebstrika and Corviknight, becoming collateral damage as she was knocked back. "X-Xen!"
"Yes! Now slam them!"
"Rose!" Roserade lifted her long thorns for a moment before then dropping them to the ground with a slamming motion. Corviknight and Zebstrika had hit the ground with Power Whip's strength being the catalyst.
Ben observed how Roserade was able to hit three Pokemon via the usage of the thorns. Roseluck was certainly showing a lot of promise and this level of strength might give Ben a good grasp and idea of what the rest of her Pokemon were like, even if they weren't her ace Pokemon.
"Corvi...Knight!" But even with Roserade's impressive display, Corviknight and Zebstrika had broken out. The thorns had been ripped apart as the dust had also been blown away by their cries.
"Uh oh..." Roseluck's eyes widened as her mane blew in the wind from the force of Zebstrika and Corviknight cawing and weighing.
"Not bad! But how about this?! Brave Bird!"
"Corviknight!" Corviknight covered himself in a blazing gold aura before then shooting to the skies.
"Zeb!" Zebstrika, with Zecora's mental communication, had then used Spark, chasing after Corvknight in the air. Spark allowed Zebstrika to gain some airtime as he became a lightning bolt that was ascending. Corviknight looked back to see the Thunderbolt Pokemon approach.
"Cor?!"
"Dodge, Corviknight and focus on Roserade!"
"I've got Roserade! Braixen, Fire Spin!"
"Brai...Xen!" Braixen would now focus on Roserae next, having two moves that would work splendidly on the Grass-Poison-Type, making her the most vulnerable Pokemon out of anyone here.
"Counter with Energy Ball!"
"Roserade!" Roserade wouldn't let herself go down so easily. She summoned Energy Ball, quickly launching it at the Fire Spin that came her way. The sphere of nature met with the spiral of flames, causing a temporary struggle. However, Braixen's flames managed to reign supreme, burning through the Energy Ball. "Rade?!" Roserade had taken the flames, directly too.
At the same time, Corviknight soared through the air, trying to escape from Zebstrika. He had then descended, shooting straight for Roserade. Zebstrika, under Zecora's commands, had taken a quick detour. "Corvi!"
"Look out, Roserade!" Roseluck shouted out, noticing how Corviknight was coming straight for her.
"R-Roserade...!" Roserade growled, still feeling the flames of Fire Spin as they were also affecting her.
"Let's take out two birds with one stone! Fire Pledge!"
"Braixen!" Braixen stabbed her stick on the ground, causing pillars of fire to rush forward, aiming for both Roserade and Corviknight. When the pillars reached them, they form a ring of pillars and then merge into one giant fire pillar.
"Slow down, Corviknight!"
"Cor?!" Corviknight had just reached Roserade, only to then be stopped by Fire Pledge. The flames acted as a barrier as Corviknight had stopped at the very last second.
"Wait a second...Where's Zebstrika?!" Sunset Shimmer noticed one of them was missing. Zebstrika was missing as Zecora had this constant smile on her face. This was because Zebstrika was building speed.
A black and white blur could only be seen along with a faint sign of fire Sunset Shimmer and Soarin spotted Zebstrika's rapid movements as Zebstrika had been using Agility and Flame Charge the entire time.
"Zecora, you sneaky...!" Sunset Shimmer gasped, unable to finish her sentence.
"My Zebstrika's speed is now hard to track! All I need now is this one final attack!"
"Zebstrika!" Zebstrika, with all of his gathered speed, would use Spark. Meanwhile, Roserade was trapped within the flames, unable to move as they had consumed her. At the same time, Zebstrika was aiming to ram into both Corviknight and Braixen.
"Metal Sound, Corviknight! Quick!"
"Braixen, use Attract!"
"Zeb!" But it was too late for that. Zebstrika was too fast. Corviknight couldn't emit that horrible scraping sound and Braixen certainly didn't have the time to wink and send hearts his way. Thus, Zebstrika had crashed into Corviknight and Braixen, causing them both to fly off. But not without direction.
Zebstrika purposely focused on the pillar of Fire Pledge before it could fade away. They had been both added into the flames, especially Braixen who was the one who made it in the first place. Zebstrika was right to do it on time with his speed as the pillar had then combusted, lighting the area with an orange and red colour.
Everyone's mane started blowing. Even Zecora's which always stayed adamant for the most part. The only one unphased by everything was Zebstrika as he was free from the effects of the flames. And once the combustion ended, along with the smoke clearing, there was only one victor.
That would be Zebstrika. Roserade, Corviknight and Braixen had all fainted, landing on a pile with Corviknight at the bottom, Braixen in the middle and Roserae right on top.
"That's the match!" Ben called it to a close.
"Awww...!" Roseluck, Soarin and Sunset Shimmer groaned as they hoped they would win this.
"Well, I've seen enough. That was a riveting battle. Well done on your victory, Zecora." Ben approved of this battle and how it all played out as Zecora bowed her head. Everyone went over to their Pokemon, congratulating them for doing a good job despite their loss.
"So, what does this mean? Am I gonna be knocked back down to 4th?" Soarin asked, wondering if his position as a Gym Leader would change.
"Hmm...After going through it all, it's clear that you're all practically even. Even with type differences. Your losses were mainly due to clever tactics, which happens. Roseluck. You still have ways to go. Sunset Shimmer, I can see the same potential for you. Zecora. You won. What say you?"
"I don't exactly have a decision. I enjoyed this battle, so I could care less for positions." Zecora revealed that she simply enjoyed this battle more than anything. Gym Leader positions weren't that important to her.
"Hm. I suppose you're fine with 4th then. Right!" Ben clapped his hands. "Looks like no one is swapping out now. Perhaps in the next summit with more Gym Leaders, that can happen, but we'll see. Aside from that, this Gym Leader Summit is now over. I'll keep records of this, of course."
"They're younger than us so their potential is fairly intimidating, isn't it?" Mayor Mare spoke to Harshwinny.
"Indeed. They are only going to improve as time passes on. Ah, I envy youth sometimes."
"That was a fun battle." Roseluck shook hooves with Sunset Shimmer, Soarin and Zecora. "But it looked like you were all coming after me mostly."
"Hehehe..." Soarin and Sunset chuckled together. They weren't trying to mostly focus on Roserade. Mainly Corviknight.
"We'll have this summit in 5 months! See you until then!" Ben closed it off as this Gym Leader Summit had come to an end. For their very first summit, it was a successful one.
Upcoming positions for substitute and potential future Gym Leaders had already been established along with the revelation of the final Gym Leader, much like the Pokemon Trainers, the future of the Gym Leaders looked bright as the journey continues.
Chapter 730 End.