During these several clashes, it was clear that the Arbok Aju had trained was quite strong.
'As expected of the Gym Leader renowned for being the best at stalling, it's been so long and there's still no clear winner. Xiao Zhi's Krabby is clearly not weak; if it were a Trainer from a major competition, they would have probably won already.'
Li Qingfeng began to evaluate to himself. Xiao Zhi's Krabby had been very well-trained by Professor Da Mu, making it a Pokémon that could be used right out of the box.
In game terms, its level was similar to the one at Cerulean Gym.
Krabby continuously struck Arbok's body with Metal Claw, and red lights flashed on its body, indicating that the additional effect of Metal Claw had been triggered.
As Krabby's physical attack increased, Arbok felt its stamina draining faster and faster. Aju sighed inwardly when he saw the current situation.
After Xiao Zhi commanded Krabby to use Shell Blade, Aju also ordered Arbok to use Poison to force Krabby back.
Just as Aju had planned, Krabby fell into a poisoned state, but Arbok also lost its ability to battle as a result.
Li Qingfeng was not surprised by this outcome. A little-known fact is that Krabby's base physical attack stat is 105. A Krabby with increased physical attack should not be underestimated.
Aju nodded slightly; the strength of this Krabby exceeded his expectations. He said, "Your Krabby is very strong. I didn't expect it to block Arbok's Poison. It seems my training is still insufficient."
After defeating Arbok, Krabby's body suddenly glowed. Xiao Zhi was very excited when he saw its appearance.
After the light dissipated, a large crab appeared, with only its head and pincers red, and the rest of its body white.
Its head was covered in protruding shell, its left pincer was much larger than its right, and many teeth had grown around its mouth.
Xiao Zhi took out his Pokédex to scan it, then recalled it. Before this, Li Qingfeng had told him the difference between Poison and regular poisoning. Now, Kingler was afflicted with Poison, and as time passed, it would only get worse.
So, he took out his second poké ball, seemingly intending to make a switch.
"Venomoth, I'm counting on you!"
Facing a poison-type Gym, Venomoth, who had learned Psychic-type moves, was naturally a good choice. Its pink body immediately caught Aju's eye.
"A shiny Pokémon? Not bad."
Aju praised it, then threw out a poké ball.
A somewhat bizarre-looking Mothim appeared. Xiao Zhi quickly scanned it and saw the Pokédex display that this Pokémon was named Mothim.
Butterfly vs. Mothim, it looked like it would be a very visually appealing battle.
Xiao Zhi remembered a strategy called "Simple Tailwind Team" (from analyst Sapphire) that he had once heard Li Qingfeng describe.
'This strategy is very suitable for beginners, and perfect for a Trainer like you who excels at high speed.'
Li Qingfeng's words exuded confidence, as if he were quite familiar with that Trainer.
Xiao Zhi shouted to Venomoth beside him: "Venomoth, quickly use Tailwind!"
(Li Qingfeng: Isn't that only used in Double Battles?)
Venomoth immediately obeyed Xiao Zhi's command, emitting a gentle breeze. The breeze gradually turned into a strong wind, forming a powerful current. This current spread outwards from Venomoth as its center.
[Tailwind: For four turns, it can increase our side's speed.]
Seeing this, Aju also shouted simultaneously: "Mothim, scatter Toxic Spikes around."
Mothim immediately spread its wings, releasing a dazzling light from its body. Under the cover of the light, countless tiny poisonous thorns began to fly out from Mothim's body.
These poisonous thorns carried intense toxicity. Propelled by Mothim, they scattered around like a downpour. The thorns drew dangerous trajectories in the air, landing on the ground.
Every place hit by the Toxic Spikes became a potential trap, emitting a thick poisonous gas. But soon, these Toxic Spikes disappeared, seemingly hiding themselves.
"Venomoth, strike first, use Psybeam!" Xiao Zhi saw Mothim's movement and quickly commanded Venomoth to attack.
Venomoth immediately leaped up, shooting a brilliant beam of light from its eyes. This beam of light seemed like an illusion, blooming with colorful radiance, and flew rapidly towards Mothim.
Compared to Substitute Poison, Aju actually had an even more suitable strategy for Mothim. Aju waved his hand forward and said, "Butterfly Dance to dodge."
Mothim, relying on its flexible wings and agile body, sensed the threat of Psybeam from Venomoth. It immediately spread its wings and quickly dodged the attack.
Although it was hit once at the beginning, the light of ability level-up soon appeared on its body. Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed were increased!
Mothim turned and spun in the air, swiftly dodging the pursuit of Psybeam. Its body nimbly weaved between the beams of light, avoiding Venomoth's attack unscathed.
Xiao Zhi was slightly disappointed to see Mothim's agile dodge, but he wasn't discouraged.
"Venomoth, don't stop attacking, keep using Psybeam!" He calmed down and instructed Venomoth again.
Venomoth once again gathered strength, its eyes flashing with intense light, and fired another Psybeam. This time, Venomoth aimed at Mothim's trajectory, trying to seal off its dodging space.
Seeing this, Aju began to counterattack: "We'll use Psybeam too."
Venomoth was faster, and the Psybeam it fired aimed at the moment Mothim turned, swiftly hitting its body. Mothim cried out after being hit, but did not retreat.
Mothim was furious from the attack, readjusted its posture, and quickly counterattacked. It instantly emitted a strong light, firing a Psybeam from between its eyes, flying towards Venomoth.
Xiao Zhi saw the Psybeam fired by Mothim and hurriedly shouted: "Venomoth, quickly dodge! Then use Superpower to control it."
Venomoth quickly realized the danger. It swiftly leaped backward, and with the boost of Tailwind, it flexibly dodged Mothim's Psybeam.
Immediately after, Venomoth concentrated its mind, emitting a powerful psychic force, trying to control Mothim's movements. The Superpower, like a pair of invisible hands, silently enveloped Mothim.
Mothim felt a strange pressure, feeling its body being restricted. It struggled, trying to break free from Venomoth's control, but the Superpower's restraint prevented it from moving freely.
It is well known that Bug-type is super effective against Psychic-type. As the Gym Leader of a poison-type Gym, he naturally had a way to break Psychic-type moves: "Mothim, use Bug Buzz."
Mothim obeyed Aju's instruction, vigorously spreading its wings and emitting a sharp, piercing Bug Buzz. The Bug Buzz passed through the arena, striking Venomoth's body, causing the opponent's body to slightly waver.
Venomoth's Superpower was disrupted by the Bug Buzz, gradually losing control. Mothim successfully broke free from Venomoth's restraint and began its counterattack.
----
Well, there's a big task waiting for you in the Wild Area.