Gary turned around and saw a young woman with short brown hair standing behind him. She wore black tights under short brown denim shorts, a green half-cape fluttering behind her shoulders, and a small carved waistcoat fastened neatly around her chest. Her expression was confident, her smile lively.

She was none other than the Eterna Gym Leader — Gardenia, the Grass-type specialist.

"Are you Gardenia?" Gary asked with polite curiosity.

"Yes," Gardenia said, nodding briskly. "Since you already know who I am, that must mean you're a Trainer who's come to challenge the Gym, am I right?"

Gary nodded. "Correct. My name's Gary, from Pallet Town."

"Well then, Gary from Pallet Town," Gardenia said with a light laugh, "you're lucky. I just returned from Eterna Forest, and I happen to be free right now. Come inside."

Without another word, she turned and walked into the Gym, her green cape flipping elegantly.

Gary blinked, amused. "Straight to business, huh?"

He followed her inside.

The Eterna Gym looked more like a living greenhouse than a battlefield. Sunlight filtered through the translucent ceiling, illuminating the lush carpet of grass below. The air smelled faintly of flowers and earth, and vines curled up the wooden walls. Small Grass-type Pokémon wandered by the pathways — Budew, Petilil, and even an Oddish turned its round face curiously toward the new visitor.

Gary glanced around in admiration. "This Gym feels alive."

Gardenia chuckled. "That's the idea. It should feel like the Eterna Forest itself."

She stretched her arms lazily. "You caught me at the perfect time. I just got back from a little exploration run. The forest keeps me from being bored."

Gary smiled faintly. "I've heard that about you. Most Gym Leaders wait for challengers to come find them. You seem like the type who goes looking for adventure instead."

Gardenia grinned. "You're not wrong. I like battles, I like the smell of soil, and I like movement. Sitting on a bench waiting for challengers would drive me crazy."

She led Gary to the main arena — a field blanketed in fresh green grass, with scattering sunlight forming a pattern of shifting leaves on the ground. It was beautiful, but Gary knew it was dangerous for anyone going up against Grass-types.

Gardenia turned back to face him. "Tell me, Gary. How long have you been a Pokémon Trainer?"

"Three years," Gary replied plainly.

Gardenia raised an eyebrow. "Three years? That's a solid amount of experience. Then I suppose this won't be an easy match."

Gary simply smirked. He already knew that most Gym Leaders adjusted their Pokémon's strength according to a challenger's experience, and Gardenia seemed no different.

"Alright," Gardenia said, looking toward her referee. "Rina, get ready to announce the match."

"Understood," Rina said, stepping onto the referee's podium and holding a flag.

[Ding! Task Released]

1. Get the Eterna Gym Badge

Reward: Intermediate Rare Candy ×3, Synthesis Permanent Skill Learner, Top Miracle Seed ×1.

[Sub-option Task]

2. Use Sinnoh-region Pokémon to get Eterna Gym Badge Equivalent Reward: Intermediate Rare Candy ×3, Grass-type Permanent Skill Learner of Your Choice, Random Pokémon Item ×1.]

As always, the system's mechanical tone rang clear in Gary's mind. He grinned slightly. Alright, let's get the Forest Badge.

Rina raised her right arm and announced loudly, "Now begins the official Gym battle between Challenger Gary from Pallet Town and Gym Leader Gardenia! Each side may use three Pokémon. The match ends when all Pokémon on one side are unable to battle. Only the Challenger can switch Pokémon. Trainers, are you ready?"

"Ready!" Gardenia and Gary said simultaneously.

Gardenia reached for her first Poké Ball. "Let's start light, Cherubi — go!"

With a bright flash, a small round Pokémon appeared. Its pink body gleamed like a ripe cherry, its twin leaves bouncing as it smiled adorably.

"Cherubi!" it chirped.

[LV24 Cherubi / Gym]

Gary folded his arms. "A test run, huh? Makes sense."

He pulled a Poké Ball of his own. "I'll make this quick. Go, Glaceon!"

"Glaceon!"

The Snowflake Pokémon appeared with a burst of icy air, frost spreading beneath her paws as her diamond-blue fur sparkled in the light.

[LV58 Glaceon / Champion]

Gardenia blinked, surprised. "A Glaceon? In Eterna City? You must have gone through Mount Coronet to evolve it — impressive."

Gary nodded. "Caught it in Snowpoint. She's been my partner for a long time."

Rina swung down her flag. "Begin!"

Gary raised his hand. "Glaceon—Icy Wind!"

"Glaaace!"

A shimmering breeze rolled across the field, scattering frost in its path.

Gardenia countered immediately. "Cherubi, use Chlorophyll to boost your speed and charge in!"

"Boo!" Cherubi squeaked, its leaves glowing with energy. It darted forward — but as soon as it entered the icy current, the cold frozen air struck too fast.

Frost encased its small frame almost instantly. Its body stiffened; it stumbled and fell, frozen solid.

"Cherubi has lost its ability to fight! Glaceon wins!" Rina declared.

Gardenia returned the frozen Cherubi with a calm sigh. "You're better than I expected, Gary. That was beautifully efficient."

Gary smiled faintly. "You can't outrun the cold."

Gardenia took a second Poké Ball from her belt. "Alright, Bellsossom — I'm counting on you!"

She threw it high, and with a flash, a tiny Pokémon wearing a leafy green skirt and flower crown appeared, spinning cheerfully.

"Bellossom!"

[LV32 Bellossom / Gym]

Gary studied her. "Only Level 32?" He smirked slightly. "Fine. Glaceon, use Snow Scene!"

A blizzard of glimmering flakes began to whirl across the Gym battlefield. Within seconds, the glass dome turned white with heavy snow, plunging the arena into winter.

Gardenia squinted. "Bellossom, Magical Leaf!"

"Belloooo!"

Bellossom spun gracefully, her flower petals scattering multicolored leaves that cut through the falling snow, zigzagging toward Glaceon.

Gary's voice stayed calm. "Dodge it, then counter with Blizzard."

Glaceon crouched low, the leaves slicing past her fur harmlessly. Then she exhaled, unleashing a devastating Blizzard. The air turned into a howling white storm; snow and ice battered everything in sight.

The impact was immediate — Bellossom couldn't resist it. The small Grass-type Pokémon struggled, trying to summon more petals in defense, but the cold overpowered her completely.

Gardenia quickly shouted, "Bellossom, use Petal Blizzard to block!"

"Belloo!"

Bellossom released a flurry of pink petals swirling like a miniature storm, meeting the cold wind head-on — only for the petals to freeze instantly, falling like shattered glass. The powerful Blizzard crashed into her and sent her tumbling across the field.

When the snow settled, Bellossom lay fainted.

"Bellossom has lost the ability to fight. Glaceon wins again!" Rina raised her hand.

"Another one down," Gary said calmly, his breath misting in the cold air.

Gardenia looked at Glaceon with admiration. "Your Ice-types are unbelievable… but let's see how you handle my partner Pokémon!"

Gardenia's third Pokémon is confirmed to be Roserade, and its level corresponds to the standard for a Gym Pokémon.

As for how Gary determined it, because Ash used Aipom to defeat Roserade, that Aipom is almost the strength of the gym level.