Bug type. That was my speciality. Trainers would come to my gym in droves, stomp my employees, then stomp my team. I only ever had an advantage against those who chose the Grass type as their starter, and even then, they would still win by catching some bird or something on Route 1.

Well I’ve had enough. I’m always the joke. I’m nothing compared to the seventh and eighth gym leaders, who use Fairy and Dragon types respectively. Trainers always prepare for them and the League, but never for me. I’m just a roadblock; an obstacle, not a challenge.

Thing is, though, the League said I should go easy on the new trainers, and they handed me a Surskit and a Metapod. A fucking Metapod. It only knows String Shot and Harden. I’ve always used Bug types my whole life, and I have strong contenders, but being the first gym leader, I’ve been discouraged from using them.

They enforce friendship and harmony between a trainer and their Pokemon, and yet they hand me some random creatures in the forest instead of letting me use my life-long partners and friends? Fuck that. Today will be different.

As of today, my gym will no longer be a joke. I’ve decided to use Triple Battles, a form of battle only practiced in the Unova region. I’ll have a full team of six; my friends that I’ve grown up with. We trust each other. They trust in my ability to lead. Sometimes, I don’t even need to say commands; they just know what I’m thinking.

Youngster James in my challenger today. He chose the Water type starter and a Pidgey on Route 1. He only caught that bird because he thinks it’ll be a good counter for my gym. He probably doesn’t even plan on keeping it. There’s no love and friendship in those Pokeballs.

“Welcome to the Bug gym!” I say. “We’ll be doing Triple battles.”

“But I only have 2 Pokemon,” James replies.

“That’s fine, but just know I’ll be using 3 at once.”

“Pff, okay. This is the first gym, so I don’t even need 3 to beat you.”

The referee counts us down. James throws out his starter and the Pidgey. I throw out 3 of my most trusted comrades: Volcarona, Scizor, and Galvantula.

The color in James’ face drains instantly. Today he’ll learn. Today he’ll learn what it means to be a specialist. Today he’ll learn just how terrifying Bug types can be.