"Squirtle, use Water Gun!"
Squirtle immediately spat out a thick stream of water from its mouth.
"Use Wing Attack."
Pidgeotto's wings glowed white as it moved forward to meet the oncoming water column. Under Gary and Squirtle's puzzled gazes, it effortlessly split the Water Gun in half with a single sweep of its wings.
"How is that possible?! This Pidgeotto's strength is unbelievable!" Gary exclaimed in shock.
"Red's Pidgeotto must have undergone special training to strengthen its wing muscles!" Professor Oak immediately deduced the reason. As a highly experienced Pokémon professor, he could tell at a glance that Pidgeotto's wing muscles were far more developed than those of its peers. Even the talent of a shiny Pokémon might not reach such an outstanding level.
"As expected of Professor Oak. Back at Bill's Lighthouse, Pidgeotto had already started carrying a Pokémon Power Enhancer and underwent rigorous wing muscle restriction training." Red's explanation helped Gary understand why Squirtle's Water Gun had been so easily countered.
"I underestimated you, Red~" Gary sighed. He hadn't expected his initial probing attack to end in failure.
"But… Squirtle's strength goes beyond this!" Gary said confidently. "Squirtle, use Rapid Spin to kick up sand!"
Squirtle quickly spun its body, intending to stir up sand and obstruct Pidgeotto's vision.
"Please wait a moment!"
A pleasant female voice rang out from the crowd. The previously excited Gary turned his head irritably, angry at whoever dared to interrupt his battle with Red.
"So it's you!" Red said in mild surprise. The girl standing before him was none other than Giselle, who had once decided to set out on a journey from Pokémon Tech.
"What? Surprised to see me?" Giselle's glamorous makeup drew the attention of many male travelers. Even Gary, who had been annoyed just moments ago, glanced at her a few times, curious about her relationship with Red.
(This girl isn't simple!)
Leaf, also a girl, naturally understood the look Giselle was giving Red. She had that same look herself. Wait—why did she say "same"?!
"How many girls has this child charmed already?" Delia said with a conflicted expression, though she was secretly pleased with Red's charisma. If he were as dense as Ash, who knows when he'd ever get a girlfriend.
Giselle was also wearing a swimsuit, but hers was unexpectedly bold—a black lace design. No wonder so many men were reluctant to take their eyes off her.
"So why are you interrupting my battle with Red?!" Gary demanded unhappily.
"Because I also see Red as my rival!" Giselle looked at Red. "He did that kind of thing to me at Pokémon Tech. I absolutely won't forgive him so easily!"
"Oh~" ×N
The crowd collectively let out intrigued murmurs, eagerly anticipating what would happen next. This was far more entertaining than a Pokémon battle.
"Hey, hey! Don't make defeating you sound so misleading!" Red hurried to correct her, lest Delia misunderstand and think he was some irresponsible playboy.
"How boring!" Giselle pouted, then looked at Leaf with faint hostility. "So you're Red's traveling companion? You don't look like much!"
"Oh really? Who doesn't know the 'prestigious reputation' of Pokémon Tech?" Leaf shot back.
(My judgment was right. She's definitely interested in Red. No wonder she's targeting me!)
"So you want to challenge Red again? Sorry, but I'm the one battling Red right now. You can wait until we're finished!" Gary urged, hoping Giselle would leave. After finally running into Red, he wasn't about to let anyone ruin this rare and thrilling Pokémon battle.
"Isn't that perfect? I'd also like to see the strength of someone qualified to travel with Red!" Giselle said provocatively, clearly unwilling to miss this chance to battle.
"You mean…" Red guessed.
"A two-on-two Trainer battle!" Leaf said in surprise.
"That's right. I'll team up with him, and you and Red can try to defeat us!" Giselle explained, signaling Gary to let Squirtle recover first.
"Fine. I've been wanting to test Leaf's strength anyway~" Gary said with a slight smirk. If he couldn't stop it, then he'd raise the battle to a whole new level.
"A Trainer double battle? How interesting!" Professor Oak stepped forward, standing at the center of the battlefield. "I'll serve as the referee for this match!"
"Thank you, Professor Oak!" ×3
"Grandpa, let me show you how strong I've become!"
"Let me clarify in advance—I'm not Red's traveling companion. We just happen to be traveling together temporarily! Just like you, I see Red as my rival!" Unable to endure Giselle's constant hostility, Leaf finally explained.
"Seems I misunderstood!" Giselle sighed in relief, though she still wouldn't let Leaf off easily.
(If I don't defeat her thoroughly, I won't be able to vent this resentment!)
Leaf thought angrily. Even after giving ground, Giselle still refused to give her a friendly look.
"Now, the red side—Red and Leaf—will face the green side—Gary and Giselle. Each side may use three Pokémon. The side whose Pokémon all lose their ability to battle will lose. Pokémon may be switched during the match. There is no time limit!"
Professor Oak waved the flags in his hands, signaling the start of the battle.
"I'm counting on you, Ivysaur!"
"I'm counting on you, Cubone!"
Leaf and Giselle simultaneously threw their Poké Balls, and two Pokémon appeared on the battlefield.
"Yes! I didn't expect a Ground-type Pokémon!" Leaf said happily. In terms of attributes, Ivysaur clearly had the advantage. She had originally planned to use Ivysaur to counter Gary's Squirtle, but unexpectedly, Giselle had sent out Cubone, who was also disadvantaged against Grass-type moves.
"Don't get too cocky. Pokémon battles aren't decided by type advantage alone!" Giselle remained calm, showing not the slightest panic. This made Gary, her teammate, regard her a bit more highly.
(It seems Pokémon Tech isn't entirely full of trash.)
"Cubone, use Screech!"
A piercing noise rang out, attempting to lower Pidgeotto and Ivysaur's Defense. Ivysaur covered its ears in pain, trying to minimize the impact, while Pidgeotto in the sky showed an annoyed expression.
"Strange. Why is Pidgeotto reacting so mildly?" Giselle wondered aloud.
"Big Pecks. Looks like Defense-lowering moves won't work on Pidgeotto!" Gary explained, analyzing its Ability.
Professor Oak, watching from the sidelines, nodded in satisfaction at Gary's composure and knowledge.
"What an annoying Ability. Looks like ordinary tactics won't work!" Giselle said regretfully.
"Ivysaur, use Razor Leaf!" Leaf commanded. "We don't have time to wait for you to set up strategies!"
Countless leaves shot from Ivysaur's back, speeding toward Cubone and Squirtle.
"Squirtle, use Rapid Spin!"
Squirtle retreated into its shell and spun rapidly, easily shattering the incoming Razor Leaf into harmless fragments through sheer rotational force.
"Ivysaur's Razor Leaf was countered so easily!" Leaf said in disbelief, though she didn't show disappointment. After all, her opponent was Gary. If he were defeated that easily, she'd be the one suspicious.
"Aerial Ace."
Red spoke calmly, but the moment Gary and Giselle heard his voice, their expressions turned cautious. An attack launched by Red was never something that could be taken lightly.