Dewford gym is an unassuming building. Once, a sprawling complex that seemed as much a water park as a battle facility, now it is little more than a seaside pitch and a modest rectangular building. It’s just down the street from a mom and pop café all the Dewford hipsters like to frequent in the afternoons. Alexei is spotted by a school of the aforementioned hipsters, who whisper to one another just loud enough for the Birdfather to hear.[break][break]
“Oh man, Sheriff’s got a new challenger.”[break]
“Or maybe they’re like, gonna go on a secret mission the Chairwoman gave them.”[break]
“Or they’re boyfriends. Can’t rule that one out.”[break][break]
Navy steps out of the gym, sipping on a cola. Not expecting to walk smack dab into the other gym leader, the cola spills all over him.[break][break]
“Shit!” Navy curses, stumbling back, regarding Alexei. “…oh. Sorry, didn’t see you there. I can get Hattori, that’s my Greninja, to wash you off before our match. Didn’t expect ya to teleport in.” With that concession offered, he grins.[break][break]
“Excited for a rematch, huh? Hasn’t been a week since we had our match on your turf.”

[break][break]

+ Alexei Ivanov

From Navy’s shadow emerges a Greninja. Hattori is small, more like a large Frogadier than a proper Greninja. Taking the coat, comically oversized in his hands, the shinobi gives his Lord’s guest a polite bow, turns, and goes to clean it for him.[break][break]
The hipsters break like a wave upon the Birdfather’s chilling gaze. Terrified of him, they migrate to the café next door to sit, chat, and gossip. That means no peanut gallery will see Alexei off into battle. It’s for the better, really.[break][break]
Tossing his soda in a nearby trashcan, Navy obliges his senior.[break][break]
“Not much to the place, really.” Navy proves how correct he is. A short walk down to the pitch on the beach reveals that it is not, in fact, Navy’s official pitch. “Got this set up as a side deal. The locals get mad they can’t see my matches, so I put on a show sometimes. Train with the other trainers in my gym, take some exhibition matches.”[break][break]
Just off the coast are the remnants of the last gym built here. It seemed more a water park or an obstacle course. The sight of it makes Navy scoff, although not entirely with derision.[break][break]
Inside, there isn’t much to the place. A mural drawn in crayon depicts events both past and future, drawn by Eris Halla. There’s also an adorable Tyranitar drawn by her hands, along with Yveltel. The reception area is spacious but there are precious few seats. Beyond a viewing area for any visiting council folk, a small office, and a break room, there is only one place left to visit.[break][break]
The battlefield. The proper pitch. This gym famously took two months to open, but there seems to be nothing much to it.[break][break]
“Not much to look at, huh? Got a question for you, Alexei. Sorry if it’s an obvious one. Why do you wanna take the gym challenge? For that matter, what made you decide to be a gym leader?”

[break][break]

+ Alexei Ivanov

“I respect that.” Navy chimes in after Alexei finishes. “You wanna do your part in helping the world around you. Hell, I really respect that. The Elite 4 sounds like a bad job. Egos, title matches…sounds like a lot of bullshit. Glad you stuck to your gym. I love what you did with the place. You’ve made a lot of people happy, running that place…”[break][break]
His voice trails off. There’s something pensive in his town. The smile fades.[break][break]
“No offense – really, I mean it – but I think Hoenn has enough non-traditional gyms. You practically invented the concept. My brother loved them. He watched the streams whenever he could. Problem is, we’re at war. I’m not saying that knowing how to sky joust or race isn’t entertaining, or a good skill to have, or that it teaches nothing, but Hoenn needs battlers. Rocket showed their hand with the battle that took place here. It’s only gonna get worse.”[break][break]
A brief pause before he continues, running the pokeballs containing his selected Pokemon between his fingers. He picked up on this sleight of hand trick a lifetime ago. It doesn’t serve much practical purpose, but it’s entertaining for him.[break][break]
“You sure you need the help as a battler? I looked up your public record. You’re a war hero. You’ve participated in League raids practically since the beginnings of Hoenn’s recent problems. Help me out here before we start, we’ve got a moment: what do you feel your deficiencies as a battler are?”

[break][break]

+ Alexei Ivanov

“Mmm…” The gym leader chews over what his fellow has to say. Running a hand along his chin, feeling the five o’clock stubble already growing there, he racks his brain for what to say to that.[break][break]
“Understanding that’s the first step.” He finally hits on saying that. “I’d rather know I was weak and work from there than think I’m strong. That said…if you wanna climb this mountain, you should know you’ll get hurt a lot more. That’s just how it goes. The warrior’s road is a painful one.”[break][break]
Navy shakes his head, deciding to pivot tactics. There’s many ways to skin a cat.[break][break]
“I don’t think the Elite 4 are that united in their methods. Each one’s a beast unto themselves. I can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that one of ‘em isn’t cruel to their Pokemon. I was a detective once, you know. Check this out: if Melody overworked her Pokemon to the point of cruelty, Cobalion wouldn’t stay with her. As a matter of fact, he’d work to actively oppose her.”[break][break]
“Each one has their own method. Melody understands her Pokemon. Callan strategizes with his. Matias picks ones that suit his own nature. I dunno Connors, so I can’t speak about him. I’ll use Fairburne instead. She’s the only one that seemed cruel to her Pokemon out of that batch. Point I’m making is this: there’s as many paths to the mountaintop as there are people willing to walk them.” Clearing his throat, he presses a button. Their pitch starts to descend. Clear walls give way to a stainless steel elevator shaft.[break][break]
“I’ll do what I can to help you find your way. Ready?”


[break][break]

+ Alexei Ivanov

“My worst?” Navy asks while they descend through the steel corridor, down to where the true battlefield awaits.[break][break]
Two Pokemon are already loose in the arena, both hidden out of sight. Now that the elevator has begun its descent, it’s time to make their move. Two thieves in the night strike. One from the left, one from the right. Hattori and Ellie, Navy’s signature Greninja and a new Sneasel he’s just picked up, seem united in purpose. They move to snatch the challenger’s pokeballs and disperse with them to either side of the field.[break][break]
“Suppose some Rocket goons manage to snatch your pokeballs. What then?”

[break][break]

+ Alexei Ivanov

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Hattori and Ellie lounge on the far sides of the field. Hattori’s eye has the same bright glint as ever. Ellie looks bored, toying with the ball like a cat with string. They both trust their gym leader to deliver his spiel.[break][break]
“Alright. Lesson one: expect anything. Rocket likes to cheat. They don’t play fair. Think about what you can do without Pokemon, or keep one of your balls hidden. Even better, have six at your belt and hide one somewhere. Here…” Rooting around in his scarf, he pulls out a single red pokeball.[break][break]
“Of course, it’s against League regulation, but what Mother Goode doesn’t know won’t hurt her.” Replacing the ball, he looks to the two Pokemon. They bunch close, toss the balls between one another, and eventually hide them behind their back.[break][break]
“Pick one of my Pokemon and they’ll return the ball to you. When we get to the battlefield down below, one’s gonna run off. Your job’s to navigate the field and find the other ball. Whichever Pokemon holds the ball you pick will also be harassing you. Not gonna ask if you think you can handle it, because you’re gonna have to if you want my badge.”

[break][break]

+ Alexei Ivanov

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Lesson two: you make the most of what you have. You’ve helped out enough to know there’s some real shitty situations you can land in. Valor’s ‘bout doing what you can when there’s stuff beyond your control. Come on, Ellie. Give the man back his ball.”[break][break]
Sighing, Ellie runs back up to Alexei. The curious black weasel cocks her head when she looks up at him. Sniffing the air, she takes in his scent. Held in a clawed hand is Fenrir’s ball.[break][break]
Hattori takes this time to salute and dive off the platform into the battlefield below. Using a water spout from one hand, he controls his descent. He can last be seen moving to the south, through a terrible outcrop of rocky terrain. It would make for a great place to hide from a flier.[break][break]
“Make yourself scarce, Ellie.” Ellie nods, running away as well. When the field lands in the middle of the vast granite battlefield, it’s just Navy, Alexei, and the sole pokeball left to the Skyfather.[break][break]
“Your move, Ivanov. What’s next? I’ll be able to watch and speak to you from here.”


[break][break]

+ Alexei Ivanov

[attr="class","pokeclass"]