"Slakoth and Metang are both unable to battle! The first round ends in a draw!"
As the referee raised both flags horizontally, it signified that the first battle between Natsui and Norman had ended in a mutually destructive stalemate.
There was no helping it.
After the initial exchange ended, the two Pokémon continued to tangle for quite a while.
Both sides went back and forth, and while ending the probing phase, they also pushed the battle to the simplest and cruelest stage—close-quarters combat!
It had to be admitted that this Slakoth had been raised exceptionally well by Norman. In terms of performance, strength, and experience, it was undoubtedly a cut above Metang.
But Metang relied on its outstanding defense, plus the advantage that Normal-type moves from Slakoth dealt half damage to it. Using Steel-type moves, it stubbornly forced a mutual destruction!
Seeing such a result, unlike Natsui's gratification, Norman could only smile helplessly.
There really was… nothing he could do about it.
After all, type advantages often play a decisive role when two Pokémon cannot completely widen the gap between them, and the battle just now was exactly like that.
"Nicely done." Looking at Natsui, Norman praised, "Actually, don't look down on my Slakoth just because it hasn't evolved yet. Its strength is very high. Before you, there have already been too many people who underestimated it and ultimately fell before it."
Natsui also knew he wasn't boasting or trying to save face.
Judging by the strength this Slakoth displayed, it would indeed give those Trainers who didn't know the depth of things or were just starting out a profound and unforgettable 'surprise'!
Natsui smiled, "Being able to fight it to a draw, Metang indeed took advantage of certain type benefits. I am already very satisfied with this result."
Seeing this young man in front of him being so humble, neither arrogant nor rash, Norman nodded in satisfaction.
As expected of a man who could consecutively win two regional league championships, he was indeed extraordinary. At least this attitude was worthy of praise.
Indeed, only such a person was truly worthy of becoming the goal his son admired and his role model!
Recalling their respective Pokémon, Norman took out a second Poké Ball.
"Next is the second battle. However, I have to remind you, compared to the Slakoth just now, this Pokémon of mine is even stronger!"
"I understand. Please bring it on. After finishing the warm-up, I'm going to get a little serious too!"
Okay, I take back what I said earlier. It seems this man isn't that humble after all…
Hearing Natsui's answer, Norman smiled slightly and didn't mind. Instead, he threw out the second Poké Ball.
With a flash of blue light, a Pokémon appeared on the battlefield. It was entirely white, with a tuft of red fur on its head, sharp claws, and a tail, resembling a standing ape.
This was…
Seeing this Pokémon, Misty, who was sitting next to Caroline in the spectator seats, took out her Pokédex again.
The Pokédex quickly provided feedback.
The Pokédex beeped: "Vigoroth, the Wild Monkey Pokémon. Normal type. The evolved form of Slakoth. Compared to the lazy Slakoth, Vigoroth is always itching to move and wants to go on a rampage. It can't even sit still for a minute. Its heart beats at 10 times the speed, and the blood throughout its body boils. If it doesn't move its body, stress will accumulate excessively, making its physical condition worse."
Slakoth's evolved form?
Misty lowered the Pokédex in her hand and looked doubtfully at the restless Pokémon in front of her.
Judging solely from the description, it seemed to be at the opposite extreme of Slakoth. It was hard to imagine that it was actually Slakoth's evolved form!
Could it be that because it slept too much before, it was now so full of vitality?
Unlike Misty's gossipy curiosity, inside the Trainer's command area, Natsui was pondering another matter.
Last time challenging the Dewford Gym was the same; Brawly consecutively brought out his Makuhita and Hariyama—Pokémon of the same species but different forms.
Why was it that here, Norman was using the same routine?
After fighting this one, he wouldn't send out Slaking next, would he?
Could this be a characteristic of Gym Leaders in the Hoenn region?
Although he had doubts in his heart, his hands were not idle. He took out the Poké Ball he had prepared long ago.
"Go, Combusken!"
As Natsui threw the Poké Ball with force, his Combusken took the field once again after its last challenge at the Dewford Gym!
Actually, it wasn't hard to see from this frequent appearance rate that Natsui was indeed diligently training its strength.
As soon as Combusken took the field, looking at the opponent in front of it, a flame-like fighting spirit had already ignited in its heart.
Vigoroth naturally didn't yield to it either. First, it glanced sideways at Combusken, then shook its butt, actually making a provocative gesture!
The flames in Combusken's heart burned even brighter.
The friction between the two Pokémon before the match also filled this competition with the smell of gunpowder. Once the referee signaled the start of the match, it directly entered the climax!
Combusken and Vigoroth strode toward each other. The moment they met, one Pokémon executed a high kick while the other extended a straight punch. Fists and feet intersected, colliding in one spot!
Vigoroth was undoubtedly stronger than the Slakoth just now.
However, similarly, Combusken, with its Fire and Fighting types, also had more of an advantage than in the previous match!
Most importantly, having already experienced several battles, Combusken wasn't inexperienced like Metang. It wasn't that easy to deal with!
"Vigoroth, use Slash!"
"Combusken, use Double Kick!"
The two Pokémon clashed again, yet neither could do anything to the other!
But what surprised Natsui even more was that when Combusken jumped back to open up the distance and used Flamethrower to try and wear down the opponent from mid-range, Vigoroth actually used the same move!
Two Flamethrowers met in the middle of the field, forming a massive ball of fire!
Looking at this flame, a look of astonishment appeared on both Natsui's and Combusken's faces. What was going on!?
Vigoroth could actually use Flamethrower!?
Thinking of Slakoth's Blizzard just now, Natsui was speechless. He didn't know what kind of messy moves Norman had taught his Pokémon.
Seeing the man and Pokémon so surprised, Norman smiled slightly, evidently appreciating their shocked appearance at this moment!
He didn't know on how many challengers' faces he had seen this exact same expression.
In fact, he taught his Pokémon these non-STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves precisely to embody the element of surprise in battle and give these challengers an unexpected 'experience'!
This could be said to be a little hobby of his, as well as his battle style.
Even Vigoroth raised its eyebrows, looking provocatively at Combusken, muttering a few sentences, seemingly saying: Little punk, didn't expect that, did you? I know your moves too! What can you do to me!!
Combusken was infuriated, its anger burning even hotter, and it strode toward Vigoroth!
Natsui did not stop it. In fact, appropriate anger could better stimulate the fighting spirit of Fire-type Pokémon. This was a double-edged sword; it depended on how the Trainer used it.
Sure enough, in a state of burning anger, Combusken's attacks became more aggressive and rapid.
Scratch, Peck, Double Kick, Quick Attack…
Continuous moves were used by Combusken. Under its frenzied offensive, even Vigoroth, a Pokémon with equally agile limbs and abundant energy, was somewhat exhausted from coping with it.
Moreover, during the battle, Vigoroth also discovered that in terms of speed, this Combusken was actually on par with itself!
This greatly startled it.
After all, in previous Gym battles, it wasn't that it hadn't fought this kind of Pokémon before, but no matter which one, none could match the speed of this Combusken in front of it!
This made dealing with it increasingly strenuous.
Norman naturally noticed this too. His brows furrowed slightly, evidently also pondering how to break the deadlock.
But in this state, Combusken's speed and attack had already reached their peak; one could say it was fast and ruthless. Judging by Vigoroth's strength and the moves it had mastered, it seemed…
It seemed they had to wait until Combusken's stamina weakened a bit!
Hopefully, Vigoroth could hold on until then!
Natsui naturally didn't know what Norman was thinking. Unlike Norman, who was thinking about how to defend, he was also trying to find Vigoroth's weakness.
No one understood his Combusken better than him, because he also clearly understood that this kind of frenzied offensive indeed couldn't last too long.
Now it depended on whether Combusken could break through Vigoroth's defense first before its stamina weakened, or if Vigoroth could hold on until the end and turn the tables in one fell swoop!
So, what exactly is your weakness…
Carefully observing Vigoroth's every move, Natsui also frowned in thought.
And wouldn't you know it, with this look, he really discovered something!
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