"Red, you should already know that the Rota Gym's badge system has changed."
Dylan smiled as he spoke.
"With your strength, you've definitely earned this first Rota Badge. But this is only the Fire-type Rota Badge."
"And I'm guessing… you're not planning to stop at just one, right?"
Hearing Dylan's words, Red fell silent again, returning to his usual calm and stoic demeanor.
He did want the Rota Badge—all of them.
But at his current level, that was going to be insanely difficult.
There were eighteen Rota Badges, one for each type. And beyond that, there was still the Ultimate Legendary Rota Badge—the absolute pinnacle.
"So, you can take this first Rota Badge as a symbol of my recognition and approval."
"But now that you've earned this one, if you want more, you're going to have to work even harder."
Dylan placed the box containing the Fire Rota Badge into Red's hands, his tone half-joking.
"Because next time, if you want a second badge, even if you defeat three of my main Pokémon, I'm going to have to seriously consider whether or not to give it to you."
The first Rota Badge was relatively easy to obtain—Dylan only needed to acknowledge a challenger's strength.
But for the next ones?
The standards would be much stricter.
Of course, it varied from person to person. Take Blue, for example—he had only managed to defeat two of Dylan's main Pokémon and still received his first badge.
So, when Blue came back for another challenge, he'd have to defeat at least three before Dylan would even consider giving him a second badge.
"..."
Red stared at the intricately designed Rota Badge in his hand, his brows furrowed.
Logically, he didn't really want to accept it—after all, he hadn't defeated Dylan.
But at the same time…
Damn it, he really wanted it.
Especially since Blue already had one.
"Come on, Red, don't overthink it. It's not embarrassing at all. Besides, don't you really want to defeat Dylan?"
"This badge will motivate you even more."
Leaf reached out and closed the badge case for him, grinning.
Red pressed his lips together, then lifted his head to meet Dylan's gaze.
His pure crimson-red eyes reflected Dylan's face.
"I will defeat you."
His voice was firm, carrying absolute determination.
"I look forward to it," Dylan responded with a smile.
"But it's not going to be easy, you know. Dylan is insanely strong! But don't worry, I believe in you, Red!"
"Take down the final boss, Dylan, and you'll be Kanto's number one!"
Leaf beamed, flashing him an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
Red: (⊙—⊙)
"…Woman, what nonsense are you talking about?" Dylan chuckled.
Final Boss?
Him?
Come on, he was just a warm-hearted, kind, and responsible Gym Leader under the Pokémon League!
"Ehehe~" Leaf giggled innocently, trying to play it off.
"Well, since you're here, Red, why don't you stay for a meal before you leave?"
Dylan ignored Leaf's antics and turned to Red.
"..."
Red hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
He wasn't great at socializing, but Dylan and Leaf were two of his closest friends.
"…Dylan, where's the restroom?"
But before anything else, he had something important to do.
After getting directions, Red quickly entered the restroom, took out the badge case, opened it, and snapped a photo.
Then, he sent it to a certain someone.
Truthfully, he wasn't the type to show off.
He didn't really care about things like bragging.
Except when it came to one specific person.
Because that smug bastard was always messing with him.
It didn't take long before a reply came.
Annoying Guy: ?
Red: ?
Annoying Guy: No way! Absolutely impossible! There's no way you beat Dylan! (No way.jpg)
Red: Like you did?
Annoying Guy: Tch. Knew it. (Heh.jpg)
Red: I defeated three of Dylan's main Pokémon.
Annoying Guy: ?
Red: Including Entei.
Annoying Guy: THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!!! (I don't believe it.jpg)
OH. MY. GOD.
THIS FEELS AMAZING.
Red could almost physically feel the frustration through the messages.
He could already picture Blue losing his mind over this.
Refreshing. So refreshing!
Looking at the fiery-red Rota Badge, Red couldn't help but admire how well it suited him.
After all, his name was Red.
A red Fire-type Rota Badge? Absolutely perfect.
"Red, you look like you're in a really good mood."
Leaf tilted her head as she watched him return from the restroom.
Normally, Red's expressions didn't change much. He had a calm and collected air—almost too composed at times.
If you didn't know him well, you'd think he was cold and distant.
But right now?
It was painfully obvious that he was in a great mood.
Because his lips were twitching—he could barely suppress a smirk.
"..."
Red quickly pulled down his hat and looked away.
"Red, let's head to the treatment room first. Your Pokémon need to recover." Dylan said with a smile.
He then motioned for Lillie and the others to take care of the next challenger, Selene.
"No problem, Gym Leader! Leave it to me!" Selene confidently pounded her chest.
"…Don't use your main Pokémon to bully the newbies again."
Dylan narrowed his eyes at her.
This wasn't the first time she'd done this.
"Whaaat? Come on, you gotta trust your precious disciple a little more, boss!" Selene whined.
"No, it's because I know you that I don't trust you." Dylan deadpanned.
"Selene, you're almost a fully-fledged trainer now. Keep it low-key."
"I knooow, I know!"
Selene struck an adorable OK sign with her fingers.
Dylan sighed, shaking his head before leading Red to the healing room.
"Is she your apprentice?"
"Yeah. She's a bit mischievous, but she's almost an official trainer now." Dylan sighed again.
Time really flew—Selene had already been his apprentice for almost five months.
As Dylan and Red disappeared from view, Selene's innocent, cheerful expression suddenly turned into an excited grin.
"Ahem~"
She coughed dramatically, then turned toward the spectators with a dangerous gleam in her eyes.
Yellow, a newcomer, blinked in confusion at her senior's sudden change in demeanor.
And then…
"WHO WANTS TO CHALLENGE THE ROTA GYM?! I ACCEPT ALL CHALLENGES!"
Her voice was clear and bright, but it carried an unshakable confidence and dominance.
Her entire aura screamed power.
Yellow was shocked.
The trainers in the audience, who had been discussing the last battle, immediately froze.
And then—in perfect synchronization—they all stood up and rushed toward the exit.
"…Huh? Hey! Don't run away! Aren't you guys supposed to be trainers?!"
"At least leave two of you behind! Don't all run away at once!!"
Watching Her Senior Stomp in Frustration, Yellow Had an Epiphany
As Yellow watched her senior, Selene, furiously stomping her foot and chasing after the fleeing trainers, a thoughtful look crossed her face.
She was starting to understand something.
Inside the Guest Lounge
After chatting for a while about random things, Red couldn't hold back any longer.
"Dylan, that Charizard of yours…"
The Mega Charizard Y from earlier had left a deep impression on him.
"That was a Mega Evolution, also called Super Evolution. It's a form of temporary enhancement that Pokémon can achieve, though it hasn't been fully researched yet."
"It's not a permanent evolution, but rather a temporary power boost."
"Right now, researchers in Kalos are studying it, and it probably won't be long before the knowledge spreads."
Dylan explained casually.
"How did you find out about it?" Leaf asked, curious.
"The origins of Mega Evolution trace back to the Draconid people. My mom is a member of that tribe, so of course I know about it. But the elders never intended to spread the knowledge, so I just never used it before."
Dylan shrugged.
"..." Red fell silent.
But then, Dylan pushed a box toward him.
"?"
"This is a Charizard X Mega Stone, and this is a Key Stone. They're yours." Dylan smiled.
"I can't accept this."
Red refused immediately, not even needing to think.
He knew that a stone capable of temporarily evolving a Pokémon had to be extremely rare and valuable.
Dylan had already given him a Roaring Moon. If he accepted this too… how was he ever going to repay him?
For someone like Red, who was mildly socially anxious, accepting gifts like this made him uncomfortable.
He saw Dylan as a friend and rival, but he didn't want to keep taking things from him.
"Not gonna lie, I have a lot of these." Dylan said casually.
He wasn't exaggerating.
Since he knew Mega Evolution would eventually go mainstream, he had brought it up with Professor Rowan long ago.
As a result, Dylan had tons of Mega Stones. Almost every type—except for ultra-rare ones like the Latios and Latias stones.
Just for Charizard alone, he had over twenty—ten X and ten Y.
As for Key Stones? Too many to count.
"Roaring Moon was a gift to thank you for helping me before. This Mega Stone and Key Stone? Let's just say… I'm helping you out this time."
Dylan smiled. He understood how Red thought.
But to him, these stones were nothing compared to how much he valued Red as a person.
Whether it was as a rival or for Red's potential, Dylan was more than happy to lend him a hand.
Red: "..."
"After all, you're going to be Kanto's Champion one day, right?" Dylan said, grinning.
"As the Champion, I'll be counting on you to have my back."
Red fell silent.
You? Counting on me?
But with the way Dylan had phrased it, refusing again felt wrong.
"…If you ever need anything, just tell me. I'll be there immediately!"
Red's voice was firm, deeply moved.
Dylan was more than just a friend—he was family.
And Red meant what he said.
When he became Kanto's Champion, he would have Dylan's back.
"Hah, don't worry. I won't be shy about it."
Dylan chuckled, nodding in satisfaction.
Hah, at this rate, even if I do nothing, I'll be able to waltz through the Kanto League just based on connections.
Now, all he had to do was gift Blue a Blastoise or Tyranitar Mega Stone and rake in even more favorability points.
Excellent.
Red? Secured.
Blue? Also secured.
Once these two fully developed, along with Selene and Yellow, they'd all reach the top—Champion and Elite Four level.
At that point, Kanto would be absolutely unstoppable.
Yeah, this plan had potential.
Although… there was still one more slot open.
Who should I add to complete the team?