After scattering the entry hazards, Axel also fell into thought.
According to the original strategy, now was the time to switch in a phazer, or let Eternatus slowly grind the opponent to death.
But Elesa had clearly entered rage mode.
If he sent out Ho-Oh now... Axel didn't even dare imagine what kind of explosion Elesa would have.
Eternatus hadn't been brought either, so the next best match would be Sirfetch'd.
But thinking about the big characters "Fighting Gym Arena" plastered on Sirfetch'd, Axel felt a wave of embarrassment.
It was decided, let the paralyzed Nihilego 1v3.
Isn't it just reduced speed and a chance to skip turns? Could he really lose?
"Nihilego, stay on the field. Inflict Toxic on Emolga!"
"Woo~ Ee~"
Nihilego's tentacles turned purple and quickly inflicted a layer of severe poison on Emolga.
"Continue using Bind!"
Just then, a flash of electricity surged through Nihilego's body.
Paralysis triggered, and Emolga took the opportunity to break free.
"Chii! Chii! Chii!"
After being hard-controlled for several minutes, Emolga flew furiously around Nihilego in the air.
If it could learn a trash-talk move, it was hard to imagine how filthy its insults would be.
"Emolga, seize the chance to attack!"
This time, Elesa didn't let Emolga get close, she had it attack from a distance using Quick Attack and Tail Whip.
Axel smiled indifferently and continued having Nihilego use Light Screen and Reflect.
Emolga was already badly poisoned, could it really outlast him?
Sure enough, as Nihilego used Light Screen and Reflect again, even though Emolga lowered Nihilego's Defense three times with Tail Whip, its HP dropped to less than half.
Elesa waved her hand, "Emolga did great. Use Volt Switch to return!"
"Chii! Chii!"
The little fellow glared fiercely at Nihilego, then returned to the Pokéball in a flash of lightning.
Axel grinned, 'That little flying mouse has quite a temper.'
'But... does Zebstrika know you provoked Nihilego?'
"Raaah!", A white flash burst out, Zebstrika let out a spirited roar.
But before it could finish roaring, a nearly invisible sharp rock stabbed into its body.
Zebstrika's proud cry was immediately mixed with pain.
'Damn it, why is today's challenger so dirty?'
Zebstrika had just complained internally when it saw the purple poisonous material on the ground.
'???'
'Emolga, what the hell did you do?'
'Since when does a normal Pokémon throw out so many traps in battle?'
'You just watched the opponent do that and didn't stop them?'
'Fine, I'll do it myself!'
Before Elesa could give orders, electricity began crackling around Zebstrika's body, clearly about to use Volt Switch again.
Elesa hurriedly shouted, "Zebstrika, calm down!"
"The opponent's Defense has already been lowered three times by Emolga, use High Horsepower now and land a fatal hit."
Zebstrika's eyes lit up.
'Defense reduced three times?'
'Emolga, you're a good mouse!'
'Watch big bro avenge you!'
"Raaah!"
Zebstrika roared excitedly, muscles bulging as it charged toward Nihilego without hesitation.
Axel narrowed his eyes slightly, assessing the current situation.
High Horsepower is a Ground-type move, quadruple effective against Nihilego.
Its only weakness was its relatively low accuracy, which made it easy to miss.
But currently, Nihilego was paralyzed, and Axel wasn't Ash Ketchum.
There was almost no chance of dodging Zebstrika's attack.
Since that's the case...
"Nihilego, use Power Split!"
Power Split, a Psychic-type status move.
It uses psychic energy to add the user's and target's Attack and Special Attack together, then splits them evenly.
Considering Nihilego's low physical Attack, this move would significantly weaken Zebstrika's offensive power.
"Woo~ Ee!"
Nihilego nodded heavily, a red light flashing through her eyes.
That red light pierced the air, connecting Nihilego and Zebstrika's bodies.
The next moment, Zebstrika felt a noticeable drop in its physical strength.
Even though its Special Attack had increased significantly, that boost was completely useless for this particular move.
Crack!
At the same time, a crisp sound echoed through the air.
Zebstrika's body collided with the Reflect wall Nihilego had previously set up, its charge was disrupted again.
Both its speed and power were significantly reduced.
The toxic effect struck once more, and this time the poison was clearly stronger than before, even Zebstrika felt a bit of pain.
Elesa, who had just relaxed her clenched fists, balled them up again, her upper and lower teeth chattering.
'Damn it, this guy is just too steady!'
But still, Nihilego's stamina had already been worn down significantly by Emolga.
With Zebstrika's Attack, even if some of it was split, it should be enough to one-shot that dirty Ultra Beast with a quadruple Ground weakness.
But just then, Axel's gentle voice sounded again, "Nihilego, use Protect."
"Woo~ Ee~"
Nihilego swayed her body and unhesitatingly threw up a shield.
Zebstrika's charge was completely interrupted, the energy on its body drained away and vanished.
The two Pokémon stood less than a meter apart, staring each other down.
Axel grinned, 'History seems to be repeating itself?'
Seeing Axel's smile, Elesa gritted her teeth hard.
'Does he really think Zebstrika is as easy to bully as Emolga?'
"Use Stomp!"
"Raaaah!"
Zebstrika didn't hesitate, its front hooves rose high, bursting with heavy earth-toned light.
Nihilego blinked, 'Is Zebstrika trying to shake hands?'
'If so... wouldn't it be rude not to shake back?'
Thinking that, Nihilego decisively reached out a tentacle and grabbed Zebstrika's front hoof.
In front of Nihilego's soft body, Zebstrika's wild power couldn't be fully released.
The attack fizzled instantly, and it stared blankly at Nihilego.
'Is this how battles are supposed to work?"
'Also, the opponent's strength... might just be a billion too much!'
Before it or Elesa could react, Nihilego had already hugged Zebstrika's head and casually floated upward.
Only at this moment did Elesa and Iono finally realize something important.
"What level is your Nihilego?"
Axel glanced at the system panel, "Level forty. What's wrong with that?"
'I'm using a Gym-level Pokémon... to fight a Gym. Isn't that totally normal?'
Iono, Elesa: "..."
'Same level as our main force... and you came here using a stall team to fight for badges?'
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