"Gligar, listen closely. You need to really feel the power of the wind. There are many kinds of wind—whether it's from a Pokémon or from nature itself. No matter the source, wind is wind. Learn to feel it. Whether it's a tailwind or a headwind, the power is completely different."
"Gligaaa!"
"Good. Let's keep training. Pidgeot, use Hurricane at half power!"
"Pid!"
"Gligar, ride the wind and feel the power of Hurricane!"
Sometime after leaving the town where Gligar was found, Ash and his group arrived in a forest near Veilstone City.
Since Gligar couldn't actually fly, Ash had to help it adapt to different types of wind—only by mastering that could it learn to glide effectively. Once it evolves into Gliscor, its power will reach a whole new level.
Pidgeot flapped its wings and released a half-strength Hurricane.
Gligar didn't hesitate and dove right into the swirling storm, letting the winds buffet its small body as it tried to understand and adapt.
"Ash and Gligar are working so hard. I really admire how he's always so full of energy," Dawn said, watching them from the sidelines.
She couldn't help but feel a bit envious. Compared to Ash's relentless energy, she often found herself hesitating.
"Every Trainer is different, Dawn. There's no need to sell yourself short. You and your Pokémon have your own unique bond and strengths too," Anabel said with a gentle smile as they both watched Ash and Gligar train.
"You're right, Anabel. And wow, I never expected Ash to actually catch that Gligar. But it really seems to like him a lot—it's always pulling funny faces at him. So cute!"
With its purplish-pink body and constant silly expressions, even Dawn had grown fond of the little guy.
Gligar had struggled quite a bit at first, but it was gradually getting the hang of gliding with both headwinds and tailwinds.
"Nice work, just like that! Keep it up, Gligar!"
"Pikapi!"
Even Pikachu was cheering Gligar on from the sidelines.
Suddenly, a loud boom echoed from somewhere nearby.
"What was that?"
The explosion brought Gligar's training to an abrupt stop.
"This is close to Veilstone City. Don't tell me… the Galactic Gang's already making a move?" Ash's eyes narrowed. "Pidgeot, can you go check out what's going on up ahead?"
The blast had come from quite a distance—far enough that Ash couldn't pinpoint it even with his Aura Power. All he could sense was a vague direction.
Pidgeot took off immediately, and Ash and the others quickly gathered their things and followed on foot.
Their destination: the heart of Veilstone City.
…
"Please don't be like this, Lucario! I already told you, I've made up my mind! I was defeated so easily by Reggie's little brother—and the things he said to me… I just can't be a Gym Leader anymore."
In the forest near Veilstone, a girl with short pink hair was arguing with her Lucario.
The bandage on her nose made her especially easy to recognize.
"Luca! Lucario!"
"That's enough! I've already made up my mind! No matter how much you try to change it, it's not happening. I… I'm just not cut out to be a Gym Leader. I'm too weak…"
This girl was Maylene, the Gym Leader of the Veilstone Gym.
A recent event had struck a serious blow to her confidence.
You see, Veilstone City was also home to a Pokémon Breeder named Reggie—yes, Paul's older brother, and the same Reggie Ash met during his Battle Frontier challenge.
Reggie had once said he'd temporarily step away from battles to focus on raising Pokémon.
And a few days ago, Paul returned.
Naturally, Paul immediately challenged Maylene's Gym.
Maylene's Gym had always been the one Paul looked down on the most.
It was his hometown Gym, so of course he was familiar with how "weak" it was.
No surprise—Paul easily crushed Maylene.
But when Maylene handed over the Gym Badge, Paul couldn't resist mocking her, saying it was the easiest battle of his life and that she was the most pathetic Gym Leader he'd ever faced.
You can imagine how Maylene felt.
Under normal circumstances, a Gym Leader should have stronger mental resilience.
But Maylene had already been struggling with doubts about whether she was really fit for the role, considering a journey to improve herself.
Paul's harsh words pushed her over the edge—and she resolved to resign from her position as Gym Leader.
"…Looks like this is where that explosion came from," Ash muttered.
"Pika!"
"Pid!"
Ash and the others had arrived, following Pidgeot straight to the source of the commotion.
And just as he suspected—Paul had struck again with his usual insults and abrasiveness.
He never learns, does he?
"Whoa! That's a Lucario, right? So cool! It's such a rare Pokémon! Is it yours? I'm Dawn. Nice to meet you!"
Dawn immediately pulled out her Pokédex and scanned Lucario excitedly.
Maylene looked stunned at the sudden appearance of these strangers.
"Miss Maylene, there you are! Please, don't resign from being a Gym Leader! Veilstone Gym can't lose you! You're a role model to Trainers everywhere!" A few men in martial arts uniforms appeared and pleaded earnestly.
"Wait… she's a Gym Leader?" Dawn blinked in surprise.
"That's right. This is Maylene—the Gym Leader of Veilstone City," Ash said as he returned Pidgeot to its Poké Ball and walked over with Pikachu on his shoulder.
He looked straight at Maylene.
"Let me guess… it was Paul, wasn't it? That guy loves tearing people down—acting like he's some kind of authority, belittling everyone's hard work just because it doesn't match his way of doing things."
Maylene stared at Ash in shock. How does he know all this…?
"Hey, Ash! Long time no see—welcome to Veilstone City!"
A familiar voice called out—it was Reggie!
He'd been nearby and heard the commotion, so he came over to check it out.
"And Anabel, too! I didn't expect to see you here as well. Please, make yourselves at home at my place—allow me to show some hospitality."
Reggie smiled warmly at Anabel.
Of course, they knew each other—Reggie had once challenged the Battle Frontier, and Anabel, with her ability to hear the voices of Pokémon, had left a lasting impression on him.
"Reggie, we can catch up later. For now, go find your little brother and bring him to Veilstone Gym."
Ash's voice was firm—no room for argument. His aura practically radiated confidence.
Paul was going to pay for this one.
In fact, Ash didn't mind giving Paul a lesson right in front of his older brother.
Reggie probably wouldn't mind either. He'd been dealing with Paul's cold personality for years—he might even be relieved that someone was finally standing up to him.
Maylene instinctively shrank back under Ash's commanding presence.
The Veilstone Gym was just ahead.
Ding!
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