“Battle, begin!”
With the referee’s command, Tianlin and A-Huo sent out their Pokémon at the same time.
“Go, Beldum!”
“Finish it, Victreebel!”
On the water battlefield, the two Pokémon stood on floating platforms, facing each other.
Tianlin was slightly surprised—Victreebel was a fully evolved, three-stage Pokémon, and A-Huo already had one.
It was clearly prepared specifically for battling a Water-type Gym.
“Beldum?
What kind of Pokémon is that?” A-Huo frowned.
He had never seen it before.
Since Beldum was native to the Hoenn region, and his Pokédex only contained Kanto data, it showed nothing.
Tianlin smiled.
A Pokédex can’t compare to my system.
Victreebel (Male)
Type: Grass/Poison
Ability: Chlorophyll
Nature: Calm (+Sp.
Def, −Speed)
Potential: Gym-level (reduced from higher potential due to poor early training and premature evolution using a low-quality Leaf Stone)
Current strength: Early Elite level
“No wonder…” Tianlin thought.
It wasn’t properly trained—it had simply evolved early for quick power.
This might work against weaker Gyms, but later on, it would struggle badly.
“Let’s begin!
Victreebel, use Razor Leaf!”
Leaves flew toward Beldum.
“Beldum, use Iron Defense!”
Beldum stood still as a metallic sheen covered its body, sharply boosting its Defense.
The Razor Leaf struck with a series of clanging sounds, barely doing any damage.
“What?!
That defense is insane!
Then use Toxic!”
A-Huo still hadn’t realized Beldum’s typing.
“Beldum, use Iron Head!”
Beldum charged forward, crashing into Victreebel and dealing heavy damage.
“Steel-type… and immune to poison… so it’s a Steel Pokémon!” A-Huo realized.
“But it’s slow—Victreebel, use Vine Whip and bind it!”
Victreebel wrapped Beldum with its vines, lifting and smashing it repeatedly against the walls.
“Hmph, see?
I’ve prepared for this—pull it closer and use Hidden Power!”
“Let me tell you—my Victreebel’s Hidden Power is Ground-type.
You’re finished!” A-Huo declared proudly.
“Oh no, he’s going to lose!” Violet exclaimed from the sidelines.
“Stay calm,” Daisy said.
“Look at Tianlin’s expression.”
Tianlin… was smiling.
“Laugh all you want—this is over!” A-Huo snapped.
“That’s close enough.
Stop there, Beldum.”
Victreebel suddenly couldn’t pull Beldum any further, no matter how hard it tried.
“A-Huo, you made two mistakes,” Tianlin said calmly.
“First—Beldum weighs about 95 kg.
Mine weighs 102 kg.
And Steel-types have incredible physical strength.”
“What?!
Then why could I pull it earlier… was that intentional?!” A-Huo’s face changed.
“Exactly.
It was to close the distance.
And your second mistake—Beldum isn’t just Steel-type.
It’s also Psychic-type, which counters your Victreebel.”
“Beldum, use Zen Headbutt!”
At close range, Beldum struck with Psychic energy, knocking Victreebel straight into the water with super-effective damage.
“Damn it… I fell for it!” A-Huo recalled Victreebel.
“Then I’ll use this—go, Poliwhirl!”
“Referee, I forfeit this round.
Return, Beldum,” Tianlin said suddenly.
Since he was battling on behalf of the Gym, he couldn’t switch freely—only forfeiting would allow him to withdraw a Pokémon.
“What?!
Are you looking down on me?” A-Huo snapped.
“You bastard!” Violet shouted.
“Your Beldum isn’t even hurt!”
“I’m not underestimating you,” Tianlin said calmly.
“Beldum was just born—it’s not suited for prolonged battles.
Next, I’ll use my most trusted partner.”
“What?!
I lost to a newborn Pokémon?!” A-Huo was visibly shaken.
“It’s your turn—Grovyle!”
“Hmph, a Grass-type?
You may have the type advantage, but this is a water field! This story is hosted at g.com.
Poliwhirl, dive in!”
Poliwhirl disappeared beneath the water.
Grovyle stayed alert on its platform, waiting for the moment Poliwhirl would attack.
“You won’t get that chance!
Poliwhirl, use Bubble Beam from underwater!”
“It’s too naive,” Tianlin said.
“Every attack has a direction.
Grovyle—endure it and sense the source!”
Grovyle closed its eyes, calmly feeling the flow of the attack.
The damage was minimal.
Suddenly, it opened its eyes.
“Found it!
Use Leaf Blade!”
The slash cut into the water, sending a sharp wave downward and striking Poliwhirl, forcing it out.
“Damn it—my strategy again!” A-Huo gritted his teeth.
“Poliwhirl, use Hypnosis!”
“Don’t let it!
Use Quick Attack!”
Grovyle struck instantly, interrupting the move.
“You fell for it!
Hypnosis was just bait—now use Body Slam!” A-Huo shouted.
Poliwhirl lunged forward.
“I use that tactic all the time,” Tianlin said calmly.
“Did you think I wouldn’t recognize it?
Hypnosis with low accuracy is obviously bait.”
“Grovyle—full power Mega Drain!”
Grovyle countered instantly, grabbing Poliwhirl and draining its energy, restoring itself to near full health.
“Damn it!
Come back, Poliwhirl!
Useless… you should’ve evolved into Poliwrath already!” A-Huo snapped angrily.
“The problem isn’t your Pokémon—it’s you.
Don’t blame them,” Tianlin said coldly.
“Hmph, enough talk!
I won’t lose!
My last Pokémon—go, Charmeleon!”
The two Pokémon locked eyes.
A-Huo’s starter versus Tianlin’s starter.
The final battle was about to begin.