"Anzu, Anzu, you can do it! Anzu, Anzu, victory's yours!"
"Anzu's here—another gym's about to fall…"
Anzu's cheer squad played the role of hype team, their energy unmatched, giving off real cheerleader vibes.
Thankfully, they weren't wearing the "eccentric" outfits of a typical cheer squad, keeping things relatively normal.
Otherwise, with such a wild scene, Li Xuan genuinely worried the livestream might get banned.
"Hello, Gym Leader. Are you available for a battle? This young lady found your dojo through the livestream."
Anzu smiled brightly, her manners carrying the grace of a refined lady.
In contrast, her cheer squad…
The difference was stark!
"Of course, no problem. Miss Anzu, please follow me."
Li Xuan smiled and led Anzu into the dojo.
Her cheer squad followed, banging drums and gongs.
To an outsider, it might look like a festival parade.
The livestream was set up in the battle arena. After getting Anzu's consent, Li Xuan openly streamed his first Gym Battle.
Too bad there was no director to cut to the cheer squad for some eye candy.
[Wait, is this Gary a cute girl?!]
[I declare Pallet Town my second hometown!]
[?? I'm still fueling up, okay? And I'm a guy!]
"Thanks to 'What's Gym Leader Li Eating Today' for the popularity vote! I haven't eaten yet—planning a late-night snack after the stream. Seeing how hard your streamer's working, hit that follow and like button!"
Li Xuan multitasked effortlessly, standing on one side of the arena and recalling his Tyrogue.
"Today's referee is off, so I'll serve as both Gym Leader and referee. The rules are 2v2. The battle ends when one side's Pokémon are all unable to fight."
After stating the rules, Li Xuan adjusted his collar, exuding confidence. "I'm Li Xuan, the new Gym Leader of the Fighting Dojo."
"As the name suggests, I specialize in Fighting-types. Both trainers and Pokémon must break their limits through relentless training. My partners and I are no different."
"If you want to challenge me, show me everything you've got!"
With a flourish, Li Xuan spun a Poké Ball and hurled it onto the field.
"Tyrogue!"
Tyrogue stood tall, its bandaged arms flexed forward, radiating fearless energy!
[Here it is, here it is! A Gym livestream without a battle? No way!]
[She's so cute—Streamer, crush her! Show this little lady how tough a gym can be!]
[666, that guy's got some dark tastes.]
Li Xuan's opening speech sent the livestream into a frenzy.
Anzu, a veteran of many Gym challenges, wasn't fazed by his declaration. Her delicate hand gripped a Poké Ball and tossed it skyward. "Scyther, go!"
"Scy!"
A green mantis with razor-sharp scythes landed on the field, its nearly five-foot height a testament to its trainer's skill.
In contrast, Li Xuan's Tyrogue was barely three feet tall.
Not to mention the type matchup: Tyrogue's Fighting versus Scyther's Bug/Flying.
The livestream viewers, the cheer squad, and even Anzu herself thought an unevolved Pokémon against Scyther was like an ant trying to shake a tree.
"Gym Leader Li, it looks like this battle will be my win."
Anzu's smile widened as she looked at the pint-sized Tyrogue and commanded, "Scyther, use Quick Attack!"
"Scy!"
Scyther moved like the wind, its powerful legs bursting into motion with dizzying speed.
"That slow?"
Li Xuan frowned, pointing out, "Scyther's wind-up is too obvious. For Quick Attack, it pauses before accelerating—completely unnecessary. Tyrogue, show it real speed."
In an instant, Tyrogue vanished from its spot.
Scyther, mid-sprint, glanced around frantically.
Smack!
Fake Out!
The clap echoed sharply!
Scyther froze, its mind blanking.
"Rapid Spin."
Li Xuan issued the next command.
"Tyrogue!"
Tyrogue spun like a top, its speed climbing rapidly.
Smack, smack, smack—
Its spinning legs, boosted by the wind, landed blow after blow on Scyther's abdomen, forcing it to retreat!
"Scy!"
Scyther winced, leaping back to escape Tyrogue's range, crossing its scythes to shield itself.
"There are many ways to counter explosive moves like Quick Attack. Fake Out is just one, and it can reveal the opponent's ability based on their reaction."
Li Xuan explained calmly:
"For example, if Scyther had Steadfast, its speed would've increased after being hit by Fake Out. But its Quick Attack glow was slightly brighter than normal, so it's got Technician."
As he spoke, Tyrogue maintained its Rapid Spin, accelerating until afterimages trailed behind it.
"Scyther, use Wing Attack!"
Anzu, flustered, urged Scyther to counterattack.
A white glow flashed as Scyther's wings unfurled, radiating menace!
"Target its abdomen. Use Mach Punch."
Li Xuan remained unruffled.
"Tyrogue!"
A gust swept through as Tyrogue dashed forward.
Without using Double Team, its sheer speed created faint afterimages, disrupting Scyther's rhythm and throwing its attack into chaos.
Bang!
One punch!
Just one punch!
Tyrogue's fist struck Scyther's abdomen, the shockwave erupting within, sending Scyther flying back from the recoil.
"So strong…"
Anzu was stunned.
If Tyrogue evolved—into any form—it could crush her Scyther effortlessly.
She'd initially thought Li Xuan was overconfident, a rookie Gym Leader's arrogance.
Now, she realized she was wrong.
This guy was sandbagging!
"Scyther, use Double Team, then Wing Attack!"
Anzu didn't hold back, deploying a tactic feared by most trainers:
Double Team + [Move].
"For most, Double Team is tough to crack."
Li Xuan didn't interrupt, watching Scyther's movements and explaining, "Today, your streamer's showing you how it's done!"
"Tyrogue, let's give them a show!"
"Tyrogue!"
Tyrogue roared with battle spirit, spinning like a top again!
In moments, its repeated acceleration blurred it into a vague afterimage!
Facing it was a swarm of Scyther clones rushing in!
"Scy!"
After Double Team, countless Scyther filled the field, each using the same move, indistinguishable from the real one!
The sound of slicing air roared as blinding white light streaked above the arena!
The overwhelming assault aimed to take Tyrogue down!
Anzu clenched her fist, hoping her tried-and-true tactic would pose a threat to Li Xuan!
Bang, bang, bang!
Tyrogue, a blurry afterimage, unleashed a flurry of kicks in a single second.
Every clone it struck vanished into white smoke.
"Now, Scyther!"
Anzu seized the moment.
"Scy!"
The real Scyther, perched above like a general, charged with its scythes gleaming under the lights, its wings glowing blindingly!
Tyrogue glanced up and launched a kick skyward!
Bang!!!
A deafening crash echoed.
Scyther was sent crashing into the wall, collapsing in defeat.
Anzu's hair fluttered from the gust, her face etched with shock!