- Blessed by Divinity -

Strength Recognizes Strength

"Sylveon use hyper beam!"

The battle between Valerie and I had been close. However, I was able to maintain my early advantage. With the knowledge that Valerie specialised in fairy type pokemon, I already had a plan which was working to the fullest.

Slowbro was able to easily defeat the opposing Spritzee, with Valerie's use of trick room backfiring. Unfortunately, the psychic pokemon was defeated by her next pokemon Florges but Doublade was able to avenge his defeat. Valerie's last pokemon was Sylveon and from what I had seen so far, was her strongest pokemon.

"Straight up Doublade!"

Sylveon's ability would have meant that the usually normal type attack would actually damage the steel ghost pokemon. However, we were too fast for the pixie pokemon, easily evading the attack.

"Shadow sneak."

The sword pokemon vanished into thin air, reappearing behind a stunned Sylveon who was directly hit. The opponent was thrown onto the floor before Valerie but her determination meant that she wasn't giving up just yet. However, the injuries from the battle were beginning to stack up and she was clearly tiring.

"Wrap this up with iron head!"

Like a bullet, Doublade charged through the air, connecting his attack with the weakened Sylveon. That was the last straw for the pixie pokemon as she couldn't continue to battle following that attack. The referee saw the result, announcing me as the winner.

Valerie crossed the battlefield after returning her defeated Sylveon back to her pokeball. As she handed me the badge, her voice caught my attention, making me look up into her eyes.

"I can see something in you, challenger. You're blessed with a gift that I haven't seen in any other trainer for a very long time. You're destined for a great future."

Her parting words stuck in my head for long after. Usually, the gym leader would congratulate me on the victory before saying that I had trained well. But this time, Valerie supposedly saw something mysterious is me that even I was clueless about.

Two arms wrapping around my body pulled me out from the trance. A shock of light blonde hair was congratulating me on the victory as I returned the embrace. Both of our faces were painted with smiles as we exited the gym, happy about the result.

"Well, that's that. Now you can prepare for your showcase."

Elaine nodded in agreement, eager to train her pokemon once more for the upcoming event. However, a person running toward us caught my attention. I snapped my head from the conversation to the man who was closing the distance between us.

"Hey! Trainers! Trainers, I need your help!"

The man was wearing a construction workers' overalls, with a bright yellow helmet placed on his head. His frantic expression alerted us, something was off.

"We were working on the extension to the pokeball factory when a wall came loose and fell on three of our guys. Some people in masks rolled in and took over the area. We were no match for their pokemon but they bought me enough time to escape and find help. Please trainers, I'm begging you for help!"

Elaine and I exchanged very brief nods before agreeing to help. Innocent people were being harmed once more by this terrorist group and people who had the power to stop them, like us, needed to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

The man lead us through the city before we stopped at the foot of a small hill, a wide bricked building rested at the peak.

"It's just up the hill. I'll go to find the police but make sure that you stay safe."