Things had happened in such a whirlwind fashion that Leon’s head was still spinning. His arrival to Inset a couple of months ago, his subsequent becoming of a ranger, and then only about two weeks or so ago had he qualified to take up the position of Gym Leader in the southern gym here in Rigel. He was still having trouble wrapping his mind around the whole thing, if he were being honest. It had been odd for a few people to recognize him when he’d been wandering around at the Pride festival, but he supposed that was something he was going to have to get used to now.


Though he’d always had a fondness for dark types, it was weird to think he was technically limited to them now. Well, he could still use other Pokemon outside of gym battles, but what was the point in catching non-dark types now that they were all he could use in official matches? Not that he minded, really, since they were the only types he had caught until now anyway. It just meant his hunts for new Pokemon to use would have to be a bit more picky from now on.


He’d heard rumors that wild Houndour had been spotted before in city limits, so he figured he could start there. And if he found other Pokemon lurking about, he could just use them to train his current team. He had to keep them in shape now more than ever. But who could use it the most? They were all about equal right now, and it would probably be best if he trained them separately for the time being. The three of them didn’t always get along (or, more accurately, Beryl and Ace fell for Tony’s provocations far too often), and he didn’t want his first impression on the city to be a man who couldn’t keep his own Pokemon from fighting each other. Now how embarrassing would that be? He’d worked hard to try and keep his standing good despite his troubled youth, and he wasn’t about to let it all go to waste.


Now, who to train first? Maybe Ace, since he wouldn’t actually be using him to fight against Houndour when they found him. He didn’t do well with fire types for obvious reasons, so Beryl would likely be the one up against the Houndour when they found one. With that thought in mind, he released the Weavile from his Pokeball.


<So, what’s the plan here? > he asked, picking at his teeth with a pair of his claws like he couldn’t care less. Leon gave a yawn as he rubbed at an eye, glancing down at Ace.


“We’re going to be on the hunt for a Houndour,” he said, and Ace didn’t look too thrilled about that. “Listen, you’re not gonna be the one fighting it. I’m not an idiot. We’re just going to be doing some training in the meantime. How often do you find somethin’ you’re lookin’ for right off the bat, huh?” The Weavile seemed more pleased with that answer.


< So Beryl’s gonna be handlin’ the dirty work? Don’t trust Tony enough not ta just take ‘em out? > he laughed, and Leon sighed.


“What do you think?” he muttered, kicking at the ground for a moment in brief irritation. “Whatever.
Let’s just get down to business. Be on guard; wild Pokemon in the city can be a lot more desperate than out in the wilderness.”