Erika actually has a pretty good temper, but Ash's battle methods truly make this experienced Gym Leader feel quite disgusted.
That's right, disgusted. Erika really can't think of any other word to describe that battle style except disgusting.
Hypnosis, Dream Eater, Ability Exchange, Position Swap... each of these moves is more nauseating than the last, leaving Erika with a feeling of powerlessness.
That final loss was really suffocating!
The breath pent up in Erika's heart was to be completely released in this third round, so she chose to bring out one of her main forces, Venusaur!
This Venusaur is the weakest among her main forces, but is still at the Professional Junior Level.
The gap between the Professional Level and the Elite Level is not trivial. The reason Ash was able to use his Elite Level Pikachu to defeat Raichu back then was partly because Pikachu's partner form augmentations were ridiculously overwhelming, with partner skills being overpowered.
On the other hand, it was because Lt. Surge's Raichu was terribly trained with all its ability values at the lowest tiers.
But Erika's Venusaur is different. Ash took a glance at the opponent's stats, all of which were uniformly at B level. Although it didn't have A level ability values, B level ability values for a Pokémon are already quite good.
E level is either a waste or not trained yet, D level is somewhat poor, C level is considered normal, and B level is already excellent.
A level will filter out a large number of Pokémon just by qualification, and the effort and precision required to upgrade to A level is much harder than B level. Just because Ash has many Pokémon with A level ability values doesn't mean this level is easily reached.
In reality, those who can train a Pokémon to A level are extremely rare, which is why Pokémon with A level ability values have the capability to battle above their level.
Like Kirlia, whose overall abilities are close to S level, can bridge the gap between stages, battling Advanced Peak and Elite Intermediate without distinction, and finally winning the battle.
So B level is already the top normal Pokémon can achieve at the same level, which demonstrates how well Erika has trained this Venusaur.
This is definitely not an opponent Ash could easily surpass in level!
So, when Ash saw Venusaur, he felt completely disheartened. This is just bullying a newcomer! Do you believe I'll summon Gengar here!
"Why aren't you speaking? I can give you a three-move advantage first~ Don't say I'm bullying you." Erika was also afraid of scaring Ash away, and since she broke her word first, even if she gave Ash a Gym Badge regardless of winning or losing, the behavior was a bit unethical.
After all, it's not that Ash doesn't have Pokémon to contend with hers, and if she had said earlier she would use a Professional Level Pokémon to battle, Ash might have already kept Gengar in his team, ready at any time.
So this time, both emotionally and rationally, she was in the wrong. She conceded by allowing Ash three moves first before taking action.
Ash took a deep breath and nodded, "Deal. You give me a three-move advantage, but I won't take the badge if I win. We'll just count by the normal win-loss. If I lose, I'll challenge again next time."
The idea of directly giving the Gym Badge might have been acceptable to the old Ash, but not to him now.
A win is a win, and a loss is a loss. The world has never been about fairness. Others travel, train, and prepare their Pokémon longer than you; they're stronger, so why can't they use their main Pokémon?
Restricting a Pokémon's strength to battle at the same level as a challenger is the greatest unfairness to the Gym Trainer.
So Ash frankly stated that if he wins, he takes the badge, but if he loses, then a loss is a loss, and he'll challenge again next time, rather than agreeing to be given the badge.
As for the three moves allowed by the opponent... it's just that the other party broke the agreement first. After all, they initially agreed on an Elite difficulty, then temporarily changed it to Professional Level, so what's wrong with allowing three moves?
Upon hearing this, Erika was a bit surprised. She hadn't expected Ash to be so resolute, refusing even the Badge given for free.
After all, people generally challenge a Gym for the Badge, yet Ash doesn't seem to be purely after the Badge.
"Alright, let's begin then. I promise you, I won't retaliate."
"Ve-nus!" Venusaur stomped on the ground, taunting the already shaky Gardevoir on the field.
Gardevoir glanced up at Venusaur, ignoring it. Now, even just standing was a big effort for her, but since Ash hadn't recalled her, it meant Ash still had a strategy.
"Gardevoir, can you still hold on?"
"Gar-de" Gardevoir nodded.
"Then for the last time, I ask you to use Sunny Day!"
Erika was slightly surprised. Does Gardevoir know that many moves, even Sunny Day?
Facing Venusaur without using Sunny Day means Ash plans to use Fire Type Pokémon next, as Sunny Day has a real boost to Fire Type damage.
However, her Venusaur's hidden ability is Chlorophyll, meaning Sunny Day also boosts Venusaur's power just as much. This not only sets the stage for Ash's Pokémon but also prepares the stage for Venusaur.
"Gar-de!" Gardevoir squeezed out her last bit of strength to form a small sun and tossed it into the sky.