"Venonat, hurry and dodge!" Aya shouted in panic.
After hearing the command, Venonat immediately jumped on the spot, avoiding the first attack of the Bone Boomerang. However, Cubone's Headbutt still struck Venonat's body.
The pained Venonat collapsed to the ground. Just as it tried to get up, the returning Bone Boomerang hit its head from behind, nearly knocking it unconscious.
"Venonat, quickly use Psybeam!" Aya ordered.
"Use Bonemerang Barrage to destroy the Psybeam," Red said calmly.
Cubone did not assume any defensive stance. Instead, it turned defense into offense, using the bone club in its hand to shatter Venonat's Psybeam. Taking advantage of the momentum, it rushed in front of Venonat, preparing to strike with another bone attack.
Just as Cubone's bone club was about to hit Venonat's body, a Voltorb suddenly rolled into the middle of the battlefield and used Explosion, producing a cloud of smoke.
To deal with the sudden attack, the now-calm Cubone immediately swung the bone club in its hand, dispersing the surrounding smoke.
After the smoke completely cleared, a man dressed in a dark blue ninja outfit appeared on the field as if out of thin air.
However, Red noticed the man's slightly hurried breathing. It was obvious he had not expected the smoke to dissipate so quickly.
"Aya, you are far too immature!" the man scolded.
"I was too careless!" Aya knelt on one knee, admitting his mistake.
"You've been observing for so long. Finally willing to show yourself? The Gym Leader of the Fuchsia Gym—Mr. Koga!"
"Hahaha! As expected, I can't hide it from you, Red!" Koga said. "I've been looking forward to your arrival for quite some time!"
"What?! This kid is the challenger my brother values so highly?" Aya said in shock.
"Red, I will do everything I can to stop your progress using the full level of a Gym Challenge battle!" Koga said solemnly. With a ninja technique, he suddenly produced a scroll. Embedded within the scroll was the Soul Badge.
"Defeat me, and you can obtain this Soul Badge!"
"No problem. I'm looking forward to it," Red replied.
"The match will be conducted in a 2-on-2 format. Aya, you will serve as the referee for this battle," Koga said.
"We will now begin the official Gym Challenge. The two sides are Gym Trainer Koga and Red from Pallet Town. Each side may use two Pokémon. There is no time limit. The match begins now!" Aya announced.
"Cubone, continue the battle."
"In that case, my lead will be Venonat!"
Koga threw his Poké Ball, and a well-developed Venonat appeared in front of Cubone.
"This Venonat has good battle experience. It seems it's close to meeting the conditions for evolution," Red said softly.
"As expected, nothing escapes you, Red. If it wins this battle, it might just meet the conditions to evolve," Koga explained.
"Then it seems your wish will fail, because my Cubone will not lose," Red said confidently, showing absolute trust in the Cubone he sent out.
"Venonat, use Stun Spore!" Koga ordered.
"Spin the bone club and disperse the Stun Spore," Red said calmly.
Venonat shook the powder off its body, attempting to paralyze Cubone. However, Cubone easily blew it away with the bone club in its hand.
"Charge forward and use Bonemerang Barrage."
Holding the bone club, Cubone rapidly closed the distance with Venonat.
"Dodge carefully and take the opportunity to use Psybeam."
"Bang—"
The bone club smashed into the spot where Venonat had just been standing, leaving a deep pit in the wooden floor. Koga and Aya both winced in pain at the sight—another expensive repair bill.
Psybeam shot out from Venonat's eyes, hitting Cubone at close range. Fortunately, the confusion effect failed to trigger.
"Calm down. Focus your energy and then attack with the bone club."
The angry Cubone gradually calmed itself, analyzing Venonat's dodging trajectory in its mind. Concentrating its spirit, it planned to defeat Venonat with the next move.
"Venonat, use Confusion to control Cubone's body."
Seeing Cubone adjusting its state, Koga immediately ordered Venonat to disrupt it.
Venonat's Confusion lifted Cubone into the air, but Cubone had already thrown the bone club in its hand first.
Fearing the bone club would hit it, Venonat's fear surfaced, and the Confusion controlling Cubone instantly collapsed.
After returning to the ground, Cubone immediately rushed toward Venonat. It lowered its body as if to perform Headbutt, intimidating Venonat psychologically. When the bone club returned to its hand, Cubone struck with a single blow, knocking Venonat to the ground.
"Venonat has lost the ability to battle!" Aya announced.
"Your Cubone is excellent. Judging by its behavior, it still seems like a young one? Yet its battle talent has been cultivated extremely well under you," Koga praised.
...
The second battle took place outdoors. Red followed the Koga siblings to the arena in the backyard.
"Please, I'm counting on you—Golbat!"
The final Pokémon Koga sent out was Golbat, planning to use the advantage of the open sky to defeat the challenger.
"This time it's your turn, Milotic!"
(A/N: To be honest, Milotic needs as much screen time as possible… just a bit of self-teasing.)
Milotic did not immediately join the battle after emerging from its Poké Ball. Instead, it turned around and pounced on Red, wrapping its serpentine body around him and occasionally rubbing its face against his cheek.
"Wow, that Pokémon is so beautiful!" Aya said enviously, mesmerized by Milotic's beauty. Unfortunately, Milotic only had eyes for Red and paid no attention to Koga or Aya.
"Cubone! Cubone!"
Seeing this, Cubone shouted loudly, trying to snatch the right to battle from Milotic. Since you came out but aren't even fighting, you might as well give the spot to me.
Milotic glanced at Cubone like it was looking at a child and snorted softly. Slowly sliding down from Red's body, it moved in front of Golbat and prepared for battle.
"The battle begins!"
"Golbat, use Wing Attack!"
Golbat flew down from the sky toward Milotic, its glowing white wings striking Milotic's body.
"Milotic, use Twister!" Red ordered.
Milotic swung its tail, creating a tornado that trapped the Golbat attempting to escape.
"Use Water Pulse!"
Milotic gathered a sphere of water in its mouth and then fired it, striking Golbat's body.
Thanks to Milotic's Adaptability Ability, the power of Water Pulse was further enhanced. With just that single move, Golbat was nearly knocked down.
"This power… it's not to be underestimated…" Koga said seriously, mistakenly believing Milotic to be Red's ace Pokémon. Otherwise, how could a single Water Pulse possess such strength?
"Golbat, hold on. Use Supersonic and then follow up with Leech Life!"
Golbat released a piercing Supersonic from its mouth, affecting Milotic's condition. Then it flew in front of Milotic, revealing its sharp fangs and preparing to drain Milotic's stamina.
"Aqua Ring," Red said calmly.
Water droplets floated around Milotic, quickly forming a curtain of flowing water that blocked Golbat's attack.
"Finish it with Aqua Tail!"
Wrapped in flowing water, Milotic swung its tail with great force, striking Golbat's body and knocking it to the ground.
"Golbat has lost the ability to battle. Therefore, the winner of this match is Red from Pallet Town."
Aya announced the final result of the battle.
"A wonderful match. Both Cubone and Milotic performed excellently. No wonder you're a challenger valued by other Gym Trainers."
Koga stepped forward and shook Red's hand, praising his strength.
Removing the Soul Badge from the scroll, Koga placed it in Red's hand.
"This Soul Badge is yours."
After receiving the Soul Badge, Red turned to leave. However, Koga suddenly called out to him from behind.
"Red, how about having a true battle at the Elite Four level?"