Since Pewter City is famous for its mineral resources and its Gym specializes in Rock-type Pokémon, it naturally follows that Eterna City, surrounded by forests, features a distinct Grass-type Gym.
As the trio stepped into the Gym, they were stunned by the dense bushes and trees everywhere; it was like being back in Eterna Forest.
"The setup here is almost identical to the Celadon Gym back in Kanto!" Ash exclaimed, reminiscing. "Looks like Gardenia is another rich Gym Leader who isn't short on cash!" He couldn't help but marvel, noting the orange-haired woman being accosted by Brock in the distance. If Brock could somehow win her over, he'd probably never have to worry about money again.
"I appreciate your admiration, but I only like spending my time with my adorable Grass-type children!"
Dressed entirely in shades of green, Gardenia seemed to have no interest in romance, desiring only a life with her Grass-type Pokémon.
"How could this be?"
It was the first time Brock had been rejected so bluntly. Before his Croagunk could even leap out to deliver a Poison Jab to the waist, its trainer had already collapsed in defeat.
"Croagunk..." The purple glow on its hand faded. This was only the second time it had encountered this situation.
"Well, this is..."
Dawn and Ash exchanged wry looks, each grabbing one of Brock's arms and dragging him toward the battle arena.
The battle arena was filled with trees and bushes, an environment clearly advantageous to Grass-type Pokémon. Seeing the challengers ready, Gardenia immediately began the match.
"The Gym Battle between Gym Leader Gardenia and Challenger Ash, with the Gym Badge at stake, will now begin!" The referee succinctly announced the rules before declaring the start.
"Let's get straight to it! Cherrim!"
Gardenia sent out a Cherrim in its sunny form: a skirt made of pink petals, a large yellow head, and five petals framing its face.
"It's not a Cherubi!" Ash was a little surprised but quickly set the thought aside, throwing out Aipom's Poké Ball.
"Aipom!"
Aipom skillfully landed on its tail and immediately started making faces at the opponent, looking incredibly mischievous.
"No beating around the bush. Challenger Ash, you can have the first move!" Gardenia stated, her expression serious. Gym Leader Roark had warned her that Ash was an exceptional trainer.
"Use Swift!"
Aipom flicked its tail, unleashing a barrage of golden stars that surprised Gardenia.
"Everyone, let's cheer together!"
In the audience, Dawn, dressed in her cheerleader uniform, along with her Pokémon, cheered for Ash and Aipom.
"Piplup!"
"Buneary!"
"Pachirisu!"
Brock just shook his head with a smile at Dawn and the cheering Pokémon, then refocused on Ash's battle.
Facing the overwhelming Swift, Gardenia instantly commanded a powerful Grass-type move: "Use Solar Beam!"
"Cherrim!"
The berry on Cherrim's head quickly absorbed sunlight, condensing it into a thick, scorching beam aimed at Aipom. Due to Cherrim's Flower Gift ability, which boosts its team's attack output by in harsh sunlight, the instantly fired Solar Beam easily tore through the Swift attack and hurtled toward Aipom.
"Use Agility to charge!"
Ash wasn't fooled. Aipom had already started moving the moment Gardenia commanded Solar Beam. The scorching sun above guaranteed an instant-fire Solar Beam, and with the Flower Gift ability, Swift was bound to be destroyed. Fortunately, before the Solar Beam arrived, Aipom used the mobility from Agility to swiftly dart around the surrounding trees, constantly avoiding the attack while rapidly closing in on Cherrim.
"Use Petal Dance!"
Seeing Aipom close by, colorful flowers surrounded Cherrim, ready for a focused strike.
"Use Screech!"
Aipom let out a sudden, ear-splitting noise. Cherrim's planned Petal Dance instantly halted, and it covered its ears in discomfort.
"Oh no!"
What happens when a squishy opponent is ambushed by an assassin?
Naturally, Aipom followed up with Focus Punch, landing hit after hit until Cherrim collapsed to the ground. Discovering the opponent hadn't completely fainted, Aipom immediately landed a finishing blow with Double Hit!
"Aipom!"
Triumphant in its first Gym Battle win, Aipom excitedly danced on the spot. Before Ash could praise it, Aipom's body began to glow white.
"It finally evolved!"
Dawn cheered for Ash. In the current team, only Aipom and the newly captured Buizel hadn't evolved yet.
The newly evolved Ambipom grew a second tail, and the tuft of hair on its head forked. Since it was female, this tuft of hair was exceptionally long. Ambipom realized it had evolved and immediately ran to Ash for praise.
"Even after evolving, you're still so immature!" Ash said, scratching Ambipom's tuft of hair while it happily made circles with its new tails. After all this time, Aipom—now Ambipom—had finally learned Double Hit.
"What an enviable evolution!"
Gardenia recalled Cherrim and sent out a very energetic Turtwig. Just from its eyes, Ash could tell it was distinctly different from his own.
"It looks like a very fast one!" Ash thought as he threw the Poké Ball for his Staravia (which he had temporarily swapped for Swellow).
The two Pokémon then put on a show of speed for everyone. The shocking star, however, was not the returning Staravia, but the Grass-type Turtwig. The speed competition between the two was almost equal, truly astonishing everyone.
"Can a Turtwig really be that fast?" Dawn wondered. She thought Ash's Turtwig was fast, but this one was even more impressive.
"It... must be this Turtwig's innate talent," Brock replied vaguely, unsure how else to explain it.
The speed contest continued on the field. The Turtwig, with its incredible speed, was able to keep pace with Staravia, even when the latter was using Quick Attack. This sight was truly eye-opening for Ash, who understood the in-game stats. However, the existence of Pokémon that exceeded their expected stats proved that this world was real and full of infinite possibilities.
"Use Double Team!"
Ash didn't dwell on it, instead commanding the move he had planned to defeat this particular Turtwig.