"Next is the third match!"
Erika raised her finger, and the third Poké Ball grew from small to large before quietly popping open.
Pressing the button in the center of the ball allows the Poké Ball to adjust between two sizes: The large size is about the size of a baseball, making it easier to throw. The small size is about the size of a ping-pong ball, making it easier to carry. The miniaturized Poké Ball can also quickly enlarge to release a Pokémon.
In short, the functional design is very thoughtful. The technical aspect is maxed out.
A soft light dispersed, and a graceful Pokémon landed lightly. Its body was emerald green, with two bright red flowers on its head that looked like flames. Yellow-green leaves resembling a skirt swayed gently, supporting its body in place of feet.
It was none other than the Pokémon that exuded an aura of tranquility and beauty—Bellossom.
After an Oddish evolves into a Gloom, it can choose to evolve into a Vileplume using a Leaf Stone, or into a Bellossom using a Sun Stone. By the way, although Bellossom looks like a female Pokémon, it is actually just like Gardevoir... with a 1:1 male-to-female ratio. Do not be mistaken by accident~~
"Bellossom, I'm counting on you," Erika's voice remained gentle, though a hint of seriousness that could not be underestimated was faintly audible.
It was fortunate that she had only been swept by one Pokémon defeating two so far. If she were swept by one defeating three... That would mean the Gym's discernment had failed to judge the challenger's specific strength, a massive oversight.
"Mai mai!" The long-eager Misdreavus, "Mengmeng," gave a happy cry. Her figure flickered, appearing and disappearing as if melting into the light, taking the lead to display the eeriness of the Ghost-type.
This was the troublesome thing about Ghost-types. Except for a small number of corporeal Ghost-types... other incorporeal Ghost-types could be said to come with innate invisibility. And this was still daytime; if it were dark at night, they would be even harder to spot.
Although this card... oh... although this ability isn't written on the Pokémon's stat panel, it definitely possesses this capability. Smile. Don't say I'm talking nonsense.
"Battle begin!" the referee waved his flag to announce.
"Mengmeng, Will-O-Wisp!" Ash issued the first command.
A ghostly light flashed in Misdreavus's eyes. Several clusters of cold, spectral violet flames appeared out of thin air, drifting silently toward Bellossom.
Erika responded calmly, "Bellossom, Petal Dance."
Bellossom moved at the sound. Like a top-tier dancer, it began to spin and leap... This was, in itself, a Pokémon that loved and excelled at dancing. The red flowers on its head and the leaf skirt below its waist danced along with it. Countless brilliant petals shot out accompanying the dance, not only accurately intercepting the incoming Will-O-Wisp but also whipping up a fragrant yet dangerous storm of petals within the arena.
Boom—
The explosion began—it was an intense clash. At the same time, fine Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, and Stun Spore quietly mixed into the petals, spreading with the airflow, intending to take control of the entire field.
There was just a small problem. Although a Pokémon like Misdreavus has a sense of smell, it actually doesn't need to breathe. The effects of various powder-based moves are very poor against it.
Pokémon of a similar type include inorganic beings like Geodude and Magnemite. These types of Pokémon have no bodily fluids flowing inside them and do not need to breathe... Most toxins have very poor effects on them, or are nearly ineffective.
The most absurd among them are Pokémon like Magcargo. Pokémon whose bodily tissues are composed entirely of super-high-temperature magma cannot be poisoned. No toxin can withstand temperatures of thousands of degrees after entering their bodies. Even in their drifting state, these powders couldn't possibly approach them before being destroyed by the superheated air.
"Mystical Fire!" Ash saw that the long-range harassment was broken and immediately changed tactics. Misdreavus opened her mouth and spat out a swirling vortex of scorching fire carrying a special fluctuation, attempting to break through the barrier of petals.
The difference between Mystical Fire and Will-O-Wisp is probably that Mystical Fire is more controllable. Similar to the difference between Razor Leaf and Magical Leaf? One can guide, the other cannot.
However, Bellossom's dance became increasingly rapid, and the wall of petals became heavier. Although Erika didn't issue a command, Bellossom was clearly preparing other moves. This was a combo developed through daily training.
"Now, Bellossom, sweep everything away—Leaf Storm!" Erika saw the timing.
Although Leaf Storm generally uses leaves, Bellossom had been trained to use petals. Her Leaf Storm was unleashed on the foundation of Petal Dance. The advantage: faster activation, greater power. The disadvantage: greater burden, higher difficulty.
Bellossom suddenly stopped spinning, and the accumulated power erupted with a bang. 'Stockpile' was a tactic Erika used often, but she rarely used the accompanying 'Spit Up' or 'Swallow.' She generally used 'Ingrain.' So, she would use the power of 'Stockpile' on other moves to enhance their effects.
A green storm, far more massive and violent than Victreebel's, rose from the ground. It swept up the sky-filling petals, the powders, and all the broken vines and crushed leaves remaining on the field from the previous battle, forming a devastating energy vortex that crushed toward Misdreavus.
Using the elements on the field flexibly is also a part of a Pokémon's strength.
Facing this unavoidable full-field attack, a flash of inspiration sparked in Ash's eyes. "Mengmeng, aim at the vines on the ground, maximum power Mystical Fire!"
If it were just this command, one obviously wouldn't guess what he intended to do. But Misdreavus possessed the ability of telepathic communication.
Misdreavus: I got it!
"Mai—!" Misdreavus no longer tried to oppose the Leaf Storm directly but instead poured out her full power. A thick pillar of fire shot straight toward the ground at the remains of the vines left by the Tangrowth, which had already been baked extremely dry by the energy.
Boom—
The Mystical Fire instantly ignited the ground full of dry vines. Borrowing the powerful airflow generated by the Leaf Storm, the fire spread madly, spiraling upward, and in the blink of an eye, it turned into a spectacular and terrifying fire tornado.
Following the direction of the air rotation caused by the Leaf Storm, the flames heated the air, forming a vortex in the opposite direction. This was an extended operation of Mystical Fire's controllability.
Misdreavus's fire tornado collided violently with Bellossom's green Leaf Storm.
Sizzle—
Fire and plants intertwined crazily and annihilated each other, filling the entire arena with rising steam and the smell of scorching. The absolute type advantage was revealed undoubtedly at this moment; the fire tornado swallowed the Leaf Storm with the force of crushing dry weeds and smashing rotten wood.
It ignited all the broken vines, leaves, and petals within the Leaf Storm. As the fire tornado became even more massive, its overall structure also became loose, and then it slammed ruthlessly into where Bellossom stood.
"Mo..." Bellossom had nowhere to hide; this fire tornado was too big. A green energy layer appeared around her body. It was 'Protect'.
Pidgeotto had used this move before, and now Bellossom used it too. However, there was a small problem now. The duration of Protect is generally not too long. But the duration of a fire tornado is obviously not short.
Under the continuous roasting of the fire tornado, Bellossom had to forcibly extend the maintenance time of 'Protect'. But this would not only cause great pressure on the body, the energy consumption would also grow larger and larger.
"Mai mai?" Misdreavus looked at the opponent enveloped by the fire tornado and did not continue to increase the firepower. Misdreavus was not bloodthirsty. At most, she liked playing pranks.
"Mai mai!" Seeing that Bellossom seemed unable to hold on, Misdreavus began to actively suppress the fire tornado without Ash needing to say anything.
Boom—
Under Misdreavus's interference, the fire tornado was forcibly dispersed.
"Rong—" Because the fire tornado suddenly disappeared, Bellossom suddenly lost the reason to persist. Her body was slightly scorched by the flames, the light in her eyes faded rapidly, and she finally fell weakly onto the charred ground.
"Bellossom is unable to battle, Misdreavus wins! Therefore, the winner is the challenger, Ash from Pallet Town!" the referee announced loudly.
"We won!" Ash clenched his fist. How should one put it? The nice way to say it—this was the easiest battle ever. The not-so-nice way to say it—well, let's not say it.
"Mai..." Misdreavus slowly descended from mid-air. Although she won, she was covered in grime from the smoke and dust, her body stained with black soot.
Ash quickly ran to Misdreavus and squatted down, his eyes full of concern. He reached out and gently patted the dust off Misdreavus's body, carefully combing her somewhat messy hair.
"Mai mai~~" Feeling her trainer's gentle touch and praise, Misdreavus narrowed her eyes. She rubbed comfortably against Ash's palm, letting out a happy cry that carried a hint of coquettishness.
"Thanks for your hard work, Mengmeng! You fought beautifully!" Ash's voice was full of admiration. "Look, you've turned into a little dirty kitten. But it doesn't matter, I'll go help you wash up clean later."
Ash didn't think too much about it; he just wanted to clean Misdreavus up—this is a very normal thought, right?
But when these words reached Misdreavus's ears, they tasted a bit different.
Misdreavus: Help me take a bath?
Misdreavus: Help me wash clean?
Misdreavus: ...
Misdreavus's thought circuit overheated.
Misdreavus's eyes turned into swirls.
Ash: ...
____
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