Valor Rising Episode 13 - Not the Champ, Not Yet

Episode 13 – Not the Champ, Not Yet
As the trio arrives in the peaceful town of Bucklin, Kaden faces a challenge before the Gym battle even begins. In a place where quiet strength matters most, a familiar rival and a hard-earned lesson remind him that confidence is good—but only when it’s matched with wisdom.

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:00

In Ballora, where steel and spirit are forged as one, a new journey begins. With friends by his side and courage in his heart, Caden sets out to rise above every trial. This is Pokemon Valor Rising. Fences stretched long and straight beneath the morning sky as the team put miles between themselves and the aftermath of the Team Crucible ambush. Mudbray grazed lazily in a nearby field. A pair of mill tank flicked their tails near a red barn with white trim. Up ahead, Buckland Town rested in the valley like a place untouched by hurry. Wind chimes sang softly from farmhouse porches. Fresh bread scents drifted down the main road. Wood storefronts stood neatly spaced. Flower boxes bursting with color beneath each window. Libby breathed deeply.

SPEAKER_00 1:25

Okay, I love this place.

SPEAKER_03 1:28

Crush nodded quietly in agreement.

SPEAKER_00 1:30

Feels steady.

SPEAKER_03 1:32

Caden adjusted his backpack strap.

SPEAKER_01 1:34

Yeah, it's calm and quiet. It's really nice.

SPEAKER_03 1:38

Valarut rustled happily in the tall grass. Steleon walked with a quiet metallic rhythm, the soft tink of her steps oddly peaceful here. Gabite sniffed at fence posts with curious focus. Everything about Bucklin felt simple and deliberate. As they entered town, the trio noticed something unusual. No one stared at them like strange outsiders. No one gasped at Gyarados coiled in the irrigation pond. No one whispered about Steleon's gleaming armor. The townsfolk simply nodded politely and continued their work. An older woman, sweeping her porch, paused.

SPEAKER_00 2:15

Passing through?

SPEAKER_03 2:17

Caden perked up.

SPEAKER_00 2:19

Not exactly. We're here for the gym. Jim's at the end of Maine. Don't rush it.

SPEAKER_03 2:25

Crush glanced sideways with a furrowed brow.

SPEAKER_00 2:28

Don't rush it. What does that mean?

SPEAKER_03 2:30

The woman tapped her broom lightly against the wood.

SPEAKER_00 2:33

Clara believes in patience.

SPEAKER_03 2:35

Libby blinked, still distracted by the smell of fresh bread.

SPEAKER_00 2:40

Normal type gym, right?

SPEAKER_03 2:42

The old woman chuckled softly.

SPEAKER_00 2:44

Normal doesn't mean easy.

SPEAKER_03 2:46

Something triggered in Caden's mind, remembering hearing the same thing from Avery and Rev.

SPEAKER_00 2:52

You know that's not the first time we've heard that. Guess that means you should pay attention. Good luck, kiddos.

SPEAKER_03 2:59

The trio made their way down Main Street until they reached a dead end. And there it stood. The Buckland Gym looked more like a large farmhouse than a battle arena. White painted wood, wide porch, lanterns hanging neatly from beams. But the field behind it told a different story. Marked lanes crisscrossed a carefully tended grass arena. Wooden posts, moving platforms, rope obstacles, and padded barriers stood arranged like a strategic puzzle rather than brute terrain. A sign hung above the entrance. Adapt, endure, outlast. Caden read it twice as he tried to imagine what it would look like as a battle strategy. Crush nodded slowly.

SPEAKER_00 3:44

That's not a brute force motto.

SPEAKER_01 3:47

No, it's not. That sort of makes it harder to prepare for.

SPEAKER_03 3:51

Libby grinned with anticipation.

SPEAKER_00 3:53

I like her already.

SPEAKER_03 3:55

Just then a loud crash echoed from the side street. Curse you, stable buckets! The trio froze.

SPEAKER_01 4:03

Ugh, you've gotta be kidding me.

SPEAKER_03 4:06

Uncle Wes stumbled into view, hat askew, tangled in a bundle of rope that clearly belonged to a nearby wagon. I meant to do that, he shouted to no one in particular. Persian emerged gracefully behind him. Tora Cat followed, now walking with far more confidence than the Litten they had battled before. Libby smirked as she fought back a chuckle.

SPEAKER_00 4:30

He's early, and he's got a new friend.

SPEAKER_03 4:33

Wes squinted at them dramatically. Aha! My rival appears again. Fancy meeting you in this suspiciously quiet town. He attempted a dignified stride, but instead tripped over a chicken. The chicken was fine. Wes was not. Wes straightened his back and dusted himself off. Alright, kid. No more warm-ups. I've been studying, training, and strategizing. Crush leaned over toward Libby.

SPEAKER_00 5:04

Strategizing? Oh, I can't wait to see this.

SPEAKER_03 5:08

Wes lowered his voice. Normal type gym ahead, right? Means adaptability. Means unpredictability. Means I've been preparing for everything. Caden smiled before narrowing his eyes with intense focus.

SPEAKER_01 5:23

Well, then let's see it.

SPEAKER_03 5:27

Well, ain't you confident? How's about we make this more interesting and run a two versus two? Caden smirked with a swagger that bordered on arrogance.

SPEAKER_01 5:36

Sounds good to me. Old man.

SPEAKER_03 5:40

In a flash, Wes sent out Persian and Toracat. Caden countered with Gabite and Steleon. Immediately things felt different than before. Wes was different. Persian was different. And Toracat? Well, Toracat had fire. Persian started first by darting in and out with calculated precision, striking and retreating. Toracat didn't rush. He waited, watching for openings. Caden stood tall, still brimming with confidence.

SPEAKER_01 6:11

Gabite, charge in! Use Dragon Rage! Stilion, don't wait! Irontail!

SPEAKER_03 6:17

With impressive agility and grace, Toracat and Persian dodged both attacks as Stilion's Iron Tail cut down a wooden light post, and Gabite's Dragon Rage obliterated a small chicken coop. Wes's eyes widened as he saw a gap. Now's our time! Go get 'em, Toracat. Use fake out. Gabite staggered, losing his balance and tumbling into the chicken coop rubble in response. Now! Fire fang! Massive flames struck in a flurry of sharp teeth, forcing Steleon to shield Gabite, who hadn't regained his balance. Libby turned and whispered to Crush.

SPEAKER_00 6:56

He's better. Stronger than before.

SPEAKER_03 6:58

Crush nodded with just a hint of concern.

SPEAKER_00 7:01

He's thinking ahead. He wasn't lying about his training.

SPEAKER_03 7:04

For the first time, doubt crept into Caden's thoughts. Steleon had taken a heavy hit while shielding Gabite, and only because Caden had rushed in with too much confidence and not enough strategy. But Steleon was tough. She turned to Caden with a look that made it clear she wasn't backing down. Gabite also turned to Caden and shook off the remaining debris with a nod. Caden had made a mistake in underestimating his opponent, but his team had his back. He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and called out his next command.

SPEAKER_01 7:37

Okay, we've got to be smarter about this. Steleon, iron defense. Gabite, dig!

SPEAKER_03 7:44

Gabite disappeared underground. Persian tried to reposition, but Gabite erupted upward beneath it, knocking the shifty cat onto its side. Toracat attacked with fury swipes, but Steleon dodged and followed with a clean iron head that sent Toracat backward into the rubble. The exchange had already lasted far longer than any previous match against Wes, but it had finally come to a head. Across the field of battle, two trainers locked eyes and shared a subtle nod of respect. Wes broke the brief moment of silence. Alright, y'all, one last attack. Let's end this rodeo.

SPEAKER_01 8:24

Steelion? Gabite? You've got us this far. You know what to do. Work together and end this!

SPEAKER_03 8:31

Persian charged with slash, and Toracat lunged forward, teeth bared, going for a bite attack. Caden's duo held their ground, waiting for just the right moment to counter. Then, in perfect unison, Gabite's Dragon Claw and Steleon's Metal Claw landed with overwhelming force. In a cloud of dust and debris, Persian and Toracat both fainted. Wes stood quietly for once. He returned his Pokemon carefully. You're still ahead, little man. But the gap's shrinking. He adjusted his hat properly this time. You're good, and you've got talent. But you ain't the champ yet. Don't forget that. He turned to leave, paused, and then looked back. Y'all heading to that gym, right? Caden nodded. Wes smirked faintly. Normal types ain't flashy, but they win because they don't quit. You go charging in there like an angry bull again, and Clara will have you back at the Pokemon Center licking your wounds before the rooster crows. He tipped his hat and walked off, only stumbling slightly this time. Libby blinked in amazement.

SPEAKER_00 9:38

Was that advice?

SPEAKER_03 9:41

Crush crossed his arms.

SPEAKER_00 9:43

Maybe we owe him a little more credit than we thought.

SPEAKER_03 9:46

Caden stood silently, replaying the battle in his head. He took a few steps toward a nearby bench and sat with Gabite and Steleon still by his side.

SPEAKER_01 9:56

They won that battle. Only because you two bailed me out. I was arrogant. I didn't respect my opponent, and you two almost paid the price. I'm not gonna make that mistake again. From here on out, we battle smart and we battle hard every single time.

SPEAKER_03 10:16

Steleon and Gabite looked back at him intently. They didn't understand the words, but they could clearly feel what he meant.

SPEAKER_02 10:23

Uncle Wes was right. I'm not the champ. Not yet.

SPEAKER_03 10:30

After a visit to the Pokemon Center, the team headed to Town Square for a meal. That is when they met the Buckland gym leader, Clara. She was calm, steady-eyed, dressed simply in practical clothes. A Valoran Miltank stood at her side, strong and unmoving, but friendly and welcoming at the same time. Clara spoke in a warm tone.

SPEAKER_00 10:51

You've come far, but Buckland doesn't test speed or power.

SPEAKER_03 10:55

She gestured toward the field behind the gym.

SPEAKER_00 10:58

It tests discipline and grit.

SPEAKER_03 11:00

Caden swallowed the bite of pizza he'd been chewing and responded respectfully.

SPEAKER_01 11:05

I accept your challenge, and we look forward to the opportunity to prove ourselves.

SPEAKER_03 11:12

Clara smiled gently.

SPEAKER_00 11:13

Rest well tonight. Tomorrow we'll see how well you endure.

SPEAKER_03 11:17

As Clara walked away, Caden turned back to see Libby, eyes wide as saucers, watching Valoran Miltank.

SPEAKER_01 11:24

Uh Lib? What are you staring at?

SPEAKER_03 11:27

Libby snapped back to reality, stuttering slightly.

SPEAKER_00 11:31

Did you see that Miltank?

SPEAKER_02 11:33

I want one. I I need one.

SPEAKER_03 11:36

Caden chuckled a bit.

SPEAKER_02 11:39

Alright. That well, that one belongs to Clara.

SPEAKER_01 11:44

So how about we get you back to the camp before you do something well crazy.

SPEAKER_03 11:50

That night, after a short walk to the trio camp just beyond town. Firelight flickered softly. The sounds of distant farm animals drifted through the air. Caden stared into the flames.

SPEAKER_02 12:02

Everything was a bit different. Steel water, grass, fire, and rock.

SPEAKER_03 12:09

Crush nodded, like he'd been thinking the same thing.

SPEAKER_00 12:12

Now normal. Sounds simple, but it won't be easy.

SPEAKER_03 12:15

Libby stretched her arms as Warturtle curled up beside her.

SPEAKER_00 12:19

No gimmicks, no type tricks, just who can outlast who.

SPEAKER_03 12:24

Steleon rested beside Caden, steady and solid. Kabitch scratched patterns in the dirt. Valarut watched the tree line carefully, and Syndrinal stoked the fire. Caden exhaled slowly.

SPEAKER_02 12:38

This one feels important.

SPEAKER_01 12:40

I mean they all are, but this one feels like our chance to prove are more than type advantages and strategy. This is where we prove we have the toughness it takes to be champions.

SPEAKER_03 12:54

The wind moved gently through the fields as Caden envisioned how the battle might go. Buckland slept soundly as the fire faded. The night was quiet and peaceful, but tomorrow would not be.

SPEAKER_01 13:07

In a town where strength whispers instead of shouts, Caden's next trial waits. This is Pokemon Valorizing.