"Frogadier, go!"
"Frog!"
The shiny black, domineering Frogadier appeared and locked its gaze firmly onto Onix.
[Pokémon: Onix]
[Ability: Sturdy]
[Gender: Female]
[Talent: Gym-tier]
[Level: 25]
[Moves: Tackle, Bind, Rock Throw, Stone Edge, Screech, Harden…]
"A Water-type shiny black Frogadier?"
Shiny Pokémon always drew attention. The examiner glanced at Lin Yu in surprise.
With the call: "Exam begin!"
The six-to-seven-meter-long Onix snapped open its white eyes, cold light flashing within.
Real-life Onix was nothing like the cute, clumsy version in animation.
Its massive body exuded overwhelming pressure.
A timid Pokémon might have surrendered without fighting.
But Frogadier had grown up in the Secret Realm.
It hadn't feared even Gyarados there.
How would it fear this smaller Onix?
"Onix, use Harden, then Tackle!"
Rumble…
Glitter flashed over Onix's body, hardening its exterior.
Its huge frame charged across the battlefield, whipping up a fierce gale.
A single charge felt like an army surging forward.
"Frogadier, Double Team!"
Lin Yu gave the command calmly, quickly analyzing strengths and weaknesses.
Frogadier held a type advantage, so every strike would deal heavy damage.
Onix was higher level,
but its enormous body came with a critical flaw:
it was far too clumsy for such reckless charges.
Frogadier's fingers flicked, and dozens of black afterimages appeared at once.
Its wilderness survival experience, plus Lin Yu's recent targeted training,
left Onix completely unable to tell the real from the fakes.
The examiner was skilled in command, though.
"Rock Throw! Smash them!"
Energy condensed. Watermelon-sized rocks formed a circle around Onix and slammed down.
Hitting the clones sent clouds of dust flying.
But in that moment, Lin Yu reacted instantly:
"Frogadier, use Grass Knot while it's casting Rock Throw!"
Grass Knot: Damage scales with the target's weight — the heavier the target, the greater the harm!
Frogadier understood. Before the smoke cleared, it darted nimbly like a true ninja, leaping behind Onix.
A bright light flashed on its leg, slamming hard into Onix's tail.
BOOM!
The giant Onix crashed to the ground, raising dust and letting out a pained shriek!
"Onix!"
"Keep going — strike while it's down!"
Lin Yu showed no mercy after the first hit.
"Rasengan!"
Rasengan, with 120 power —
and it was Water-type.
Other than a short charge time, it was the strongest move Frogadier had.
Two clones appeared beside Frogadier, helping to spin the small, fist-sized sphere of energy.
"Hold on, Onix!"
Thanks to Harden and its Sturdy ability, Onix hadn't fainted immediately despite its massive weight.
But everything had happened too fast.
The examiner had only planned to test with Tackle, never expecting Frogadier to unleash such a huge move.
Onix barely recovered.
When the smoke cleared, three identical Frogadiers charged toward it, spinning a tiny blue sphere!
It was confused.
What could such a small ball do?
But the moment the Rasengan — brimming with dense Water-type energy — drew near, Onix froze in terror.
"ROAR!!"
A deafening, draconic roar erupted.
Towering, tangible flames burst forth. High in the sky, a massive Charizard snorted.
The flames had crashed between the two Pokémon, canceling out the attack.
Onix's confusion vanished, replaced by pure shock and fear.
The Rasengan had only grazed its body,
yet it had already ground a deep dent into its rocky hide.
It couldn't imagine what would happen if it took a direct hit —
the sphere might have pierced straight through it!
It wouldn't be fatal, but healing would be nearly impossible.
"Lin Yu — exam passed!"
While other matches were back-and-forth struggles, this one had been a one-sided domination.
"Watch your power next time, kid."
Zhong Yue glanced at Frogadier.
Was that Water Pulse? The power was insane.
Smart use of Grass Knot, though.
The kid's command skills were excellent.
At the Elite stage, Pokémon battles unfolded in an instant.
A Trainer's on-the-spot judgment meant everything.
Later, at Gym, Lord, Master tiers…
battles would only grow faster and deadlier.
Without sharp commands, it was no better than wild fighting.
"Got it~"
Lin Yu nodded. He hadn't expected it to go that far —
he'd only wanted to test Rasengan's power.
And it had exceeded all expectations.
Even Onix couldn't take a single hit.
The other exam candidates, spectators, and Gym students stared dumbfounded.
"What was that last move? A new special move?"
"That tiny ball… needed the Gym Leader's Charizard to stop it?!"
"Three Frogadiers spinning that ball… and it hit that hard?!"
"So strong!"
There was no denying it —
Rasengan looked incredibly cool.
Lin Yu thought so too.
"Frog!"
Frogadier hopped to Lin Yu's side, expression sharp and determined.
Lin Yu knew what it meant:
That was fun. I want more fights like this!
"Don't worry, you will."
Who knew Frogadier was such a battle junkie?
Lin Yu patted its head, then headed to Xue Nai's battlefield.
He found her match was still raging.
And from the looks of it, Xue Nai had the upper hand.
Sure enough,
moments later, Xue Nai's Braixen won the clash with a powerful Flamethrower, defeating Magmar.
"Junior! Junior! I passed!"
Overjoyed, Xue Nai recalled Braixen, ran over, and threw herself into Lin Yu's arms.
It was only November, not yet cold, so both wore thin clothes.
Lin Yu could clearly feel the soft warmth against his chest…
They awkwardly pulled apart a second later, faces flushing bright red like sunset clouds.