Noland sent out Venusaur again, clearly trying to make the most of his Grass-type powerhouse. Against an Electric-type like Electivire, Venusaur's natural resistance to Electric attacks gave him a strong defensive edge.
"Electivire, continue the fight! Use Dig!" Gary commanded sharply.
"Electivire!!"
With a roar, Electivire rotated his body and dove toward the ground. The earth softened beneath his claws as he burrowed quickly underground, vanishing from sight.
Seeing this, Noland's lips curled into a grin. "Perfect. Venusaur, quick—use Earthquake!"
"Venaaa—SAUR!"
Venusaur reared up on his thick legs and slammed them hard into the ground. Tremors surged outward like shockwaves, shaking the battlefield violently.
The arena floor cracked and shattered as the seismic waves rippled through it.
"Electivire!!"
Gary's partner was forced upward by the quaking ground, thrown out of his burrow with a grunt of pain. Sparks danced across Electivire's body as he landed roughly, clearly badly hurt by the Earthquake.
"Damn… careless!" Gary muttered, gritting his teeth. He hadn't expected Noland's Venusaur to know such a devastating counter to Dig.
He clenched his fist. If I let Electivire use Dig against a Pokémon that knows Earthquake again, I'll deserve to lose.
Noland pressed his advantage. "Venusaur, finish it! Use Energy Ball!"
"Vena—saur!"
Venusaur lowered his head, glowing green light condensing in his mouth before forming into a swirling orb of pure Grass-type energy. With a sharp bellow, he launched it straight at Electivire.
"Electivire, Light Screen, now!" Gary barked.
"Electivire!!"
Electivire raised his thick arms, golden light forming into a barrier in front of him. The Energy Ball slammed into the shimmering screen and exploded in a violent blast. The shockwave sent Electivire flying backward, crashing to the ground.
When the dust settled, Electivire struggled to rise—then fell, his body twitching with static before lying still.
"Electivire is unable to battle! Venusaur wins!" the referee declared.
Gary let out a sharp breath and recalled his partner. "You did well, Electivire. Take a rest." He clipped the Poké Ball back to his belt, narrowing his eyes at Venusaur. "Alright then. Glaceon—your turn!"
He tossed a Poké Ball, and in a flash of light, his Glaceon emerged, landing gracefully on the battlefield.
"Glaceon!!" it cried, its breath already frosting the air.
"Venusaur, Energy Ball again!" Noland wasted no time.
Venusaur roared, another glowing green sphere forming between its jaws before it fired it straight toward Glaceon.
Gary remained calm. "Ignore it! Set the stage—Hail!"
"Glaceon!!"
Glaceon didn't flinch as the Energy Ball streaked toward it. Instead, it raised its head, howling sharply. The skies above the Chimney darkened as heavy, icy clouds gathered, swirling ominously. Shards of ice began to fall like silver rain.
Boom!
The Energy Ball collided with Glaceon, exploding in a burst of light. But thanks to the lingering Light Screen from Electivire, much of the damage was absorbed. Glaceon shook off the hit and stood tall, its eyes gleaming.
"Good! Now, Blizzard!" Gary called.
"Glaceeooon!!"
Glaceon exhaled, unleashing a ferocious Blizzard that whipped across the battlefield like a frozen storm. The wind howled as sharp ice crystals pelted everything in their path.
"Venusaur, counter with Petal Dance!" Noland commanded.
"Venusaur!!"
Energy surged through Venusaur as countless glowing pink petals burst from its flower. The petals swirled into a violent storm, whirling forward to clash against the Blizzard.
The two storms collided, ice and petals shredding each other midair. But Glaceon's Blizzard gradually overpowered Venusaur's Petal Dance, the icy winds pressing the flower storm back step by step.
"Venaa… saur!!"
Venusaur wailed as the blizzard slammed into him. Already frostbitten from earlier, his body couldn't withstand the icy assault. His legs gave out, and with a final cry, he collapsed onto the ground, eyes swirling in defeat.
"Venusaur is unable to battle! Glaceon wins!" the referee announced.
Gary smirked, nodding toward his partner. "Nice work, Glaceon."
"Glaceon!" The Ice-type Pokémon lifted its head proudly, tail flicking with satisfaction.
Gary's heart swelled slightly. Glaceon had been one of his very first Pokémon, back when it was just an Eevee. Though he rarely used it in public Gym battles, it had trained diligently at Professor Oak's lab, honing its skills every day. Now, standing here against a Frontier Brain, Glaceon finally had the chance to prove itself—and it was shining.
Noland recalled Venusaur, looking thoughtful. "You've raised your Pokémon well. But the battle isn't over yet. Let's finish this with my strongest partner—Pinsir!"
He hurled his last Poké Ball.
"Pinsiiirrrr!!"
Pinsir emerged with a roar, snapping its massive horns menacingly. The sheer presence of the Bug-type radiated raw strength.
Gary narrowed his eyes. Pinsir was powerful, but its fighting style was straightforward—close combat only. Against a special attacker like Glaceon, it would be at a disadvantage… unless Noland had a strategy.
"Glaceon, start us off! Blizzard!" Gary ordered.
"Glaceoooon!!"
The Ice-type launched another devastating blizzard, snow and frost sweeping across the field.
"Pinsir, Dig!" Noland countered.
"Pinsir!!"
Pinsir immediately dove underground, avoiding the blizzard entirely. The ice storm raged above, coating the battlefield in frost while Pinsir tunneled below.
Gary frowned. This again… but I won't fall for it twice.
"Glaceon, use Swift! Track its position, then follow up with Iron Tail on the impact point!"
"Glaceon!!"
Golden stars shot from Glaceon's mouth, homing in on the hidden Pinsir. They struck the ground at a specific spot, confirming Pinsir's location.
"Now!" Gary shouted.
Glaceon leapt forward gracefully, its tail glowing with metallic light. With a spin, it brought its Iron Tail crashing down on the marked spot.
"Pinsir, catch it! Use Vice Grip!" Noland roared.
"PIN-SIIRR!!"
The ground split open as Pinsir burst upward, its massive horns snapping shut with terrifying precision. They clamped directly onto Glaceon's Iron Tail, stopping the attack cold.
Gary's eyes widened. "What?!"
"Glaceee!!" Glaceon yelped in shock, struggling to pull free, but Pinsir's grip was unyielding.
"Pinsir, Vital Throw!" Noland ordered.
Pinsir roared and, with brute force, swung its head. Glaceon was flung violently across the battlefield, crashing into the arena wall with a painful cry.
"Glacee…!!"
Gary winced, his fists tightening. Glaceon staggered to its paws, but it was clearly hurt.
"Pinsir, Dig again!" Noland pressed.
"Pinsir!!"
The Bug-type burrowed underground once more.
Gary exhaled sharply, making a quick decision. He couldn't let Glaceon be caught like that again. "Glaceon, you've done enough. Return!"
Pinsir sensed that his opponent had disappeared, so he emerged from the ground and looked around. Noticing the Ice-type was gone, he glanced at Gary, saw the Poké Ball in his hand, and realized the Glaceon had been recalled.