On the other side, Erika was still thinking about what secret Ash might reveal, but Ash returned her the same expression.
Except one stuck out his tongue, and the other made a funny face.
This made Erika's expression freeze, and she took several deep breaths to swallow the words of anger that were about to burst out.
Be a lady... Erika... Be a lady...
After suppressing her emotions, Erika forced a fake smile: "Very well, Ash, you've learned the first lesson of battling: Don't tell your opponent about your Pokemon's information. Now, let me teach you the first lesson of being a man: Don't mess with women!"
"Bellossom, Petal Dance!"
Petal Dance is one of the ultimate moves of the Grass Type, but like the Dragon Type's Outrage, using it continuously will cause confusion, and is only used as a decisive move for victory!
But now, Erika was so angry she couldn't hold it in for another second!
"Flower Brew!"
Bellossom shouted, and powerful Grass energy burst from her body. The Psychic holding her was shattered by the immense Grass energy.
She then started her graceful dance, and beautiful petals fell around her, filled with lethal intent.
"Gardevoir, Mystical Fire!"
"Gardevoir!" Intense flames burst from Gardevoir, burning all the falling petals.
However, as more petals scattered from Bellossom, the flames seemed to be doused slightly by the petals!
Fire is indeed strong against Grass, but Petal Dance contains immense Grass energy, and since Mystical Fire is not Gardevoir's innate move, the fire couldn't completely fend off the falling petals.
Slowly, Gardevoir was completely surrounded by the falling petals, with no space left to dodge.
If she wasn't a Psychic Type Pokemon...
"Gardevoir, Ally Switch!"
As the command was given, Gardevoir's eyes gleamed blue, and in the next moment, she swapped places with Bellossom!
The dancing Bellossom suddenly found herself amidst the burning flames!
But due to the petals still falling from her, the remaining flames were burst open from inside out!
The danger still loomed, Bellossom continued to control the petals, attacking Gardevoir, unlike the Solar Beam that would recoil back onto itself.
Seeing this, Ash decided to stop defending: "Gardevoir, Psyshock!"
"Gardevoir!"
Gardevoir lifted her slender hand and unleashed a massive psychic force, penetrating the Petal Dance and hitting Bellossom hard!
But simultaneously, the Petal Dance hit Gardevoir as well, petals slicing across her, leaving tiny wounds on her pristine white body.
Grass energy seeped through the wounds, causing pain on Gardevoir's face.
Though both sides attacked, in theory, Bellossom had the upper hand, as Petal Dance is a powerful Grass move, while Psyshock is just an advanced Psychic move.
However, Petal Dance must be used continuously until the user becomes confused, and Psyshock disrupted Bellossom's mind, pausing her dance and stopping the petals.
"Ability Exchange!" Taking advantage of Bellossom's pause, Ash used another tricky move, Ability Exchange!
Gardevoir's ability is Telepathy, which is not very useful in battle, but Bellossom's Chlorophyll is quite helpful!
A light shot from Gardevoir, hitting the swaying Bellossom, followed by another light from Bellossom returning to Gardevoir.
The Ability Exchange was successful, and with the last light of Sunny Day, Gardevoir's speed doubled!
"What have I done… There's no choice, Bellossom, continue Petal Dance, defeat Gardevoir!" Watching Bellossom's ability being swapped, Erika's face flickered with regret, guilt, and shame.
As a Gym Leader, she let anger cloud her judgment and used a move that couldn't be changed, an elementary mistake. Reflecting on her earlier 'don't mess with women' remark made her cringe.
But with things as they were, she could only grit her teeth and continue using Petal Dance.
Ash's side had already been hit twice by Grassy Glide and once by Petal Dance, her health was on the brink; if another hit landed, victory would be hers!
"Teleport, Fire Punch!"
As Bellossom stood up, Ash commanded Gardevoir to launch one last attack; a Sunny Day powered Fire Punch would be deadly!
Gardevoir flashed above Bellossom, her white hand igniting in fierce flames, then delivered a powerful strike!
Simultaneously, countless petals from Bellossom formed sharp Leaf Blades, slicing upwards at Gardevoir!
"Boom!"
A loud explosion resounded, shockwaves spread outward, blowing charred petals to the edges of the arena.
Thanks to special installations, the ashes didn't spread throughout the entire Gym.
However, no one paid attention to that; all eyes were on the rising smoke, waiting for the outcome of this decisive blow.
As the smoke dissipated, Gardevoir and Bellossom stood silently on the ground. Then, Gardevoir let out a cry, kneeling halfway on the ground.
Before Erika could smile, Bellossom let out a soft moan and fell to the ground.
The battle's outcome was decided, Gardevoir emerged victorious!
Even though Gardevoir was on the verge of collapse, she fought till the end.
The other Gym female employees exchanged glances.
This was the second Pokemon of their leader to fall, when had their leader faced such a difficult battle while battling someone of a lower level?
Even though Psychic Type, the initial Pokemon wasn't even Elite Level!
Though it evolved, its level was still one rank lower, yet it claimed two victories in a row, it was indeed remarkable.
The Sunny Day also faded at this moment along with the green energy on the ground.
Sunny Day and Grassy Terrain's time was up.
Meanwhile, Gardevoir's Double Wall also faded, putting both sides back on equal ground.
But Erika was left with only one Pokemon, while Ash still had three.
"Bellossom is unable to battle, Gardevoir wins." The staff member announced the result with a slight tremor in the voice.
Erika took out a Pokeball and recalled Bellossom.
"This is my last Pokemon, and also one of my main Pokemon. Whether you defeat it or not, I'll give you a badge." Erika took out a red and white ball, and said to Ash.
Ash felt something was amiss upon hearing this.
"Wait, what do you mean by main Pokemon? Don't tell me..."
"Go, Venusaur!"
"Venusaur!"
The majestic and powerful Venusaur appeared on the field.
This is the final evolution of Kanto's Three Starter Bulbasaur, and also one of Erika's true main Pokemon.
Seeing the opponent's condition, Ash's facial expression turned sour.
Venusaur—Professional Junior Level!
This is too much! I didn't say I wanted to fight at the Professional Level, where's the intermediate difficulty you promised? Where's the Elite Level? What do you mean by bringing out that Venusaur!
"Erika, what is the meaning of this?"
"Didn't I say, regardless of a win or loss, I'll give you the badge, but I need to vent." Erika smiled sincerely, but to Ash, the smile seemed rather sinister!
She intended to teach him a lesson regardless of the rules to vent her frustrations.
This is exactly what Erika meant by—don't mess with women!