"It actually evolved!" Giselle exclaimed in alarm. Her Gabite couldn't defeat Pidgeotto before, and now, seeing the magnificent Golden Pidgeot emerge from its evolution, a sense of dread settled over both her and her Pokémon.
At the same time, on the other side of the battlefield:
"That was truly unexpected. Good thing I switched opponents," Gary joked, his full attention focused on the clash between his Wartortle and Leaf's Ditto.
Ditto is a truly magical Pokémon. The only move it can learn is Transform, allowing it to perfectly copy an opponent's appearance and use their moves. However, because its genetics aren't truly altered, it can only use each copied move five times, and its base HP remains unchanged.
"Gary, I didn't expect your Wartortle to be so strong," Leaf praised. "Even after being worn down by Red's Pidgeot, it can still keep fighting!"
While Red and Giselle were locked in their aerial duel, Leaf and Gary were in a fierce battle of their own. Although Ditto had the advantage of starting with full health, Gary's Wartortle was his trusted ace. For a while, the two were locked in a stalemate.
"Aren't you going to switch your Pokémon?" Leaf asked, puzzled by Gary's stubbornness.
"No way! Red hasn't switched out his Pokémon, so how could I possibly back down first!" Gary declared firmly, unwilling to concede even on such a small detail.
"You boys and your pride…" Leaf said with a sigh, not quite understanding what he was insisting on. Perhaps this was the strange romance of a rivalry.
BANG—
Wartortle used Rapid Spin to knock Ditto away. A blue aura flared around its body—its Torrent ability had been triggered. A thick jet of water shot out, knocking Ditto to the ground.
(Torrent: When HP is less than 1/3, the power of Water-type moves increases by 1.5 times.)
"Well done, Wartortle!" Gary exclaimed, realizing this was his chance to decide the match with Leaf.
"Ditto, use Psybeam!"
"Wartortle, aim a Water Gun at the ground to dodge!" Gary commanded calmly.
PSSSH—
Wartortle fired a blast of water downward, using the recoil to launch itself into the air and neatly dodge the Psybeam.
"From the sky, use a full-power Skull Bash!" Gary shouted excitedly.
"Oh no! Ditto, quickly dodge!"
"Don't even think about it! Wartortle, use Water Gun to freeze Ditto's feet!"
Startled by the sudden aerial assault, Ditto hesitated. It was a fatal mistake. A blast of water froze its feet to the sand, leaving it immobile.
"The victor has been decided!"
Ditto couldn't escape. It was struck in a vital spot by Wartortle's powerful Skull Bash.
"Ditto is unable to battle!" Professor Oak announced.
A white light dissipated, and Ditto transformed back into its soft, amorphous form.
"Come back, Ditto!" Leaf recalled her fainted partner. "I'm counting on you, Ivysaur!"
The recovered Ivysaur appeared on the field, its gaze serious as it faced Wartortle. Both were Starter Pokémon from the same batch, their talents surpassing many of their kind. Though they had both been bullied by Red's Charmander when they were young, that was to be expected—Charizard's line had a reputation for being the "tyrants" among the starters.
"Ivysaur, use Leech Seed!"
"Wartortle, use Rapid Spin!" Gary said confidently. "Leaf, you should know that a probing attack like that won't work on me!"
"You never know!" Leaf replied with a mysterious smile. After Wartortle deflected the seed, she immediately ordered, "Now, use Vine Whip and throw it into the air!"
"What!" Gary looked stunned. "Wartortle, quick, dodge!"
Four vines shot from Ivysaur's back, two of them grabbing Wartortle tightly.
"In that case, Wartortle, use Water Gun directly!" Gary shouted, aiming for a mutual knockout.
"Ivysaur, I believe in you! Use Solar Beam!"
"Saur!"
Ivysaur gritted its teeth, enduring the blast of cold water. Fortunately, the warm climate of Porta Vista Beach weakened the move's power slightly. With ample sunlight, the energy for Solar Beam quickly gathered on its back.
"Fire with full power!" Leaf shouted excitedly.
A golden beam of pure solar energy shot out, striking Wartortle head-on.
"Wartortle is unable to battle!"
"This is troublesome," Gary shook his head helplessly. "I didn't expect Pidgeot's attack power to be so high earlier. I should have played it safe."
Though he was criticizing his own recklessness, he knew that if he could go back in time, he would still choose to face Red head-on. Perhaps that was just the nature of his obsession.
"Come back, Wartortle!" Gary took out another Poké Ball. "This time, I'll send out a power-type!"
He tossed the ball into the air. "You're up, Nidorino!"
"This Pokémon is…?" Leaf took out her Pokédex. "Nidorino, the Poison Pin Pokémon. It is easily angered and quick to start a fight. After its horn pierces an opponent, it releases a powerful poison."
"It looks pretty scary…" Leaf mumbled, telling her Ivysaur to stay alert.
"It's a pity Ivysaur also has the Poison type; otherwise, Nidorino could have used its Poison Point ability to wear it down," Gary said lightly, deliberately revealing his Pokémon's ability.
(Poison Point: When using a contact move to attack a Pokémon with this ability, there is a 30% chance of poisoning.)
"But my Nidorino is most proud of its strength! Nidorino, use Horn Attack!"
"Roar—!"
Nidorino let out a beastly roar, charging furiously toward Ivysaur.
"Ivysaur, use Vine Whip to stop it!" Leaf quickly commanded.
"Too naive! My Nidorino has undergone intense strength training. Ivysaur's vines alone can't stop it!" Gary said, full of confidence.
"Saur!"
Ivysaur's four vines wrapped around Nidorino, but the enraged Pokémon easily tore them away. With a powerful kick, it drove its sharp, poisonous horn into Ivysaur.
"Saur…"
Ivysaur struggled to get up, a green aura flaring around its body.
(Overgrow: When HP is less than 1/3, the power of Grass-type moves increases by 1.5 times.)
"It seems Ivysaur's HP is running low," Gary murmured, directing Nidorino to continue its assault.
The heavy footsteps approached again. Leaf realized this was her last chance and commanded Ivysaur to use Solar Beam, hoping to take Nidorino out first. The only types that could reliably counter Nidorino were Ground and Psychic, and Ivysaur had neither.
"Too late! Nidorino, use Double Kick!"
"Oh no!"
Ivysaur, still absorbing sunlight, couldn't dodge. It was struck in a vital spot by Nidorino's kick, then collapsed under a final Horn Attack.
"Ivysaur is unable to battle!"
Professor Oak looked at his grandson with satisfaction, noticing his clear growth as a trainer.
***
(End of Chapter)
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