After the meal, Norman's family quickly took Ace to a training ground at the Pokémon Center.
Norman stood at one end of the field and said to Ace, "Let's do a three-on-three battle. The match ends when one trainer's three Pokémon are all unable to battle. How does that sound?"
"A Gym battle?" Ace was surprised for a moment, then laughed. "It seems like you're very used to Gym matches, Uncle Norman. That works for me."
"Alright, let's begin!" Norman threw out a Poké Ball, and a Vigoroth appeared on the field.
"Victreebel." Ace also threw his Poké Ball. Victreebel landed and instantly shot out its vine whips, aggressively striking at Vigoroth.
"Block it, then use Slash!"
Compared to its pre-evolved form, Slakoth, Vigoroth was much more energetic and faster. Its sharp claws instantly blocked Victreebel's vine whips. It then followed up with a Slash from its right claw, aiming to cut the vines.
"Pfft!" The hollow vine whips quickly released a mix of three different powders. Caught at close range, Vigoroth was instantly affected.
"Poison and paralysis, a dual effect?" Seeing his Vigoroth's motion stiffen as it tried to slash the vines, Norman immediately understood.
"But this is also an opportunity! Vigoroth, use Facade!"
Vigoroth roared, instantly ignoring its abnormal status conditions. It swung its arm, deflecting Victreebel's vine whips, and charged forward. It then delivered a lightning-fast punch to Victreebel.
"Bang!"
Victreebel was sent flying by the punch, crashing hard into a wooden wall behind it.
"Use Razor Leaf!" Victreebel leaped up, its leaves a blur as it fired a barrage of sharp leaves at Vigoroth.
"Get in close!" Vigoroth became a series of blurs, expertly punching and deflecting all of Victreebel's Razor Leaf attacks in a flashy display of skill.
"Amazing," Ace said sincerely. To train a Vigoroth to be this fast and have such high resistance to status effects was a testament to Norman's skill as a trainer, placing him among the best in this world.
As Ace spoke, Victreebel used Synthesis, recovering from the damage it had just taken.
"You're not bad yourself. Fire Punch!"
"Use Grass Knot!"
As Vigoroth's right fist ignited with flames, two thin blades of grass shot up from the ground, wrapping around its right leg.
"Snap!"
Sure enough, as Vigoroth charged forward, it tripped and fell to the ground, and its Fire Punch fizzled out.
"Now's our chance!" Seizing the fleeting opportunity, Victreebel's vine whips struck like a spear, piercing into Vigoroth's body.
As the poison powder was injected, Vigoroth, despite its Facade temporarily suppressing the status effects, began to look a bit winded.
"Facade!" Norman noticed Vigoroth's abnormal state and wanted to use the same tactic again, but it was too late.
Although Ace's Victreebel was slow in movement, its attack speed was enough to make many despair! As Vigoroth struggled to get back up, a new volley of Razor Leaf attacks rained down. This time, Vigoroth didn't have the energy to show off and block them. The numerous flying leaves hit their mark, and Vigoroth let out a cry of frustration before falling over, unable to continue the battle.
"Well-trained. I'll have to get serious now." Norman recalled Vigoroth, then opened another Poké Ball. A large Ursaring appeared on the field.
"Come back, Victreebel." Ace also recalled his Victreebel. He instinctively reached for Ninetales's Poké Ball but, after a moment's thought, moved his hand to Blastoise's instead. The surrounding structures were all made of wood. Using Ninetales might risk burning the place down. In contrast, since the structures were built to float on the sea for many years, their drainage systems were excellent. Even if he flooded the place, the water would quickly drain away.
"Ursaring, use Thrash!"
As Norman gave the command, Ursaring's body visibly swelled. It was its muscles bulking up. Ursaring charged forward, throwing a powerful punch at Blastoise.
"Use Hydro Pump!" Blastoise aimed its cannons, firing two powerful streams of water at Ursaring.
"Thud!"
Ursaring smashed one of the Hydro Pump attacks with its fist, but the second one hit. Ursaring had to block with its other arm to minimize the damage.
"Now, Thunder Punch!" Electricity surged, and the current traveled through the water, shocking Blastoise, who flinched.
"Use Hammer Arm!" Norman was just as sharp at seizing opportunities. In the brief moment that Blastoise was stunned, Ursaring charged forward and delivered a devastating Hammer Arm to Blastoise's shell.
"Thud!"
Blastoise crashed through the wall and fell into the sea outside. When it surfaced, it was already unable to battle.
"That's some good power." Ace recalled Blastoise, and a wave of his aura, Life Return, surged into the Poké Ball. The previously fainted Blastoise instantly recovered half its health.
"Let's continue. Show me your ace." With the score tied, Norman's confidence returned. He beckoned Ace to send out his next Pokémon.
"Alright, my ace is right here." Ace opened a Poké Ball, and a Chansey appeared on the field.
"A Chansey? And a different color one at that?" Norman was stunned. It was hard for him to imagine how strong a support Pokémon like this could be in a battle.
"Use Mega Punch!"
"Use Hammer Arm!"
Both Pokémon charged at each other. At that moment, Norman had a bad feeling. Chansey's speed was far beyond his imagination!
"Thud!"
With a dull thud, Ursaring's body bent into a 'C' shape, its eyes nearly popping out. It crashed through the wall behind it, skipped four times across the sea surface, and then slowly sank before floating back up.
"That kind of raw power..." Norman watched the perfectly fine Chansey in shock. Before his Ursaring could even land its attack, Chansey's punch had sent it flying with brutal force.
"Come back, Ursaring." Norman recalled the floating Ursaring and then sent out his strongest Pokémon, Slaking.
As the lazy Slaking appeared on the field, Caroline said, "I thought this was a friendly match? Why are you sending out your strongest Pokémon?"
Max also glanced at Slaking, secretly gulping. He knew just how powerful Slaking was. If it weren't for Slaking's limiting ability, Max felt his dad's Slaking could take down any Pokémon!
Ace also looked at Norman's Slaking, his expression gradually becoming serious. A strong opponent...