"Tangela, use Leaf Storm!"
The moment Charizard appeared, Erika immediately commanded Tangela to use its remaining strength to launch a final offensive. Countless leaves shot out, coalescing into a storm that swept toward Charizard, seemingly intent on devouring it.
"Charizard, use Fire Blast!"
Scorching flames began to condense. The effect of Baton Pass allowed Charizard to inherit the Special Attack and Special Defense that Sylveon had maximized using Calm Mind. The instant Charizard opened its maw, scorching flames surged out, forming a large character.
The moment it contacted the Leaf Storm, the flames instantly incinerated the leaves. The speed was so fast that from Tangela's perspective, it could only see a flash of red light suddenly appearing in the Leaf Storm it had just released. The next second, the entire Leaf Storm exploded, and the scalding heat wave hit Tangela, making it feel unstable.
A red light flashed. Before the Fire Blast could hit Tangela, Erika preemptively recalled Tangela into its Poké Ball.
"Go, Victreebel, use Leaf Storm!"
Seeing the awaiting Charizard, Erika didn't dare to probe and immediately had Victreebel unleash a big move.
"Charizard, use Fire Blast!"
With Charizard's quasi-Ace strength and its Special Attack now boosted to the extreme, Victreebel's Leaf Storm looked exceptionally fragile.
Ineffective as it may be, the Leaf Storm at least served as an obstruction, allowing Victreebel to successfully dodge the flame's barrage. However, the side effect of Leaf Storm activated, causing Victreebel's Special Attack to drop. It would be even more difficult to use Leaf Storm again to defend against Charizard's offensive.
"Victreebel, use Power Whip!"
The physical move with 120 power was deployed. Victreebel's vine whips quickly expanded, transforming into a long whip that struck toward Charizard. This was Victreebel's last chance.
"Charizard, use Flame Charge, then Fire Blast!"
Flames surged, Charizard's speed increased, and then the Fire Blast descended, instantly shattering the Power Whip. The scattered flames, like shooting stars, flew toward Victreebel.
"Victreebel, use Leaf Blade to block the flames!"
Emerald green leaf blades covered Victreebel's twin leaves, striking down the flames that rushed toward it one after another.
"Charizard, use Flame Charge, then Fire Blast!"
Flames surged again, but to Erika, this sight was exceptionally despairing. Fire Blast descended once more, and she could only instruct Victreebel to use Power Whip again to counterattack. Without surprise, Victreebel's offensive was shattered once more.
Concurrently, Gu Yuan utilized Charizard's speed advantage, having Charizard use Flamethrower again, which directly slammed into Victreebel. The Type Advantage prevented Victreebel from standing up immediately, and Fire Blast was already close at hand.
A red light surged again, and Erika recalled Victreebel into its Poké Ball.
Looking at the Charizard, whose desire for battle was growing stronger, Erika knew very well that she had already lost. However, as a Gym Leader, she could not surrender, even in a situation where defeat was certain. Taking out her last Poké Ball, Erika prepared to go all out!
"Vileplume, use Petal Dance!"
Releasing her final Pokémon, Erika immediately launched an attack. Pure white petals flew, gathering together to charge toward Charizard. Petal Dance has a high base power of 120 and can last for a period, but the cost is that the user falls into confusion afterward. However, Erika could not afford to worry about that now; she could only attack with all her strength.
"Charizard, use Fire Blast, then Flame Charge to gain altitude!"
A raging fire descended, instantly dissolving the Petal Dance. Immediately after, Vileplume launched Leaf Storm again, combining its power with Petal Dance to attack. This was Vileplume's strongest strike.
Pure white petals and emerald green leaves merged and complemented each other, like a scroll painting. However, behind the captivating beauty hid a surging killing intent.
"Charizard, use Fire Blast, then use Flamethrower for defense!"
The Fire Blast formed by condensed flames shot out, but unlike before, it could not easily shatter the opponent's offensive; instead, it was itself shattered. However, Charizard's attack was not over. The three-time speed boost from Flame Charge was enough for Charizard to quickly release a second move.
Flamethrower was unleashed, forming a fire shield in front of Charizard. After shattering the Fire Blast, the power of Leaf Storm and Petal Dance had been weakened, and at this point, they could not break through the Flamethrower's defense.
When the offensives of both sides ended, Erika clearly understood that her very last chance had been annihilated. The side effect of Leaf Storm took hold, affecting Petal Dance as well. Vileplume's mind also began to confuse, and it would soon lose its mind.
"Charizard, use Fire Blast!"
"Vileplume, use Seed Bomb for continuous attack!"
Large, green-glowing seeds shot out. Although Seed Bomb looks like a Special Move from the outside, it is actually a Physical Move and is not affected by the side effect of Leaf Storm. Several Seed Bombs, combined with the last vestiges of Petal Dance's power, rushed out together.
The pure white petals did nothing to defend against the attack. Instead, the Seed Bombs exploded the moment they contacted the Fire Blast. The continuous explosions successfully shattered the power of Fire Blast, but that was all.
Confused thoughts began to occupy Vileplume's mind, causing it to become disoriented, unable to distinguish friend from foe, and randomly unleashing moves everywhere.
Gu Yuan did not continue to press the attack, instead looking at Erika. There was no need to continue; Vileplume's current state was no longer enough to turn the tables. Erika knew this too and immediately recalled Vileplume into its Poké Ball.
The reason Gu Yuan could end the battle so easily was largely thanks to Sylveon. It was Erika's oversight that gave Sylveon the chance to boost itself with Calm Mind, which then led to Charizard's unstoppable sweep.
"You are indeed very strong. I wonder how your two-on-two battle strength is?"
Recalling Vileplume, Erika did not immediately hand the Rainbow Badge to Gu Yuan, but smiled and asked.
"I don't know, I've never battled that way before."
Reflecting carefully, Gu Yuan realized he usually commanded all his Pokémon in battle, so this answer was appropriate.
"Is that so? Then how about a two-on-two battle with me?"
"Regardless of the outcome, this Rainbow Badge belongs to you."
Fearing Gu Yuan might not believe her, Erika directly placed the badge into Gu Yuan's hand.
"That sounds great. Please enlighten me."
Having received the badge, Gu Yuan did not refuse. Soon, the two people lined up again. Four Poké Balls were opened simultaneously.
Gu Yuan chose not to let Sylveon and Charizard continue the battle, instead sending out Alakazam and Annihilape. The final result was self-evident; Erika's Pokémon lost the match without even being able to touch Alakazam and Annihilape.
After winning, Gu Yuan didn't dare to linger and immediately ran off, afraid that Erika might suddenly rage.