Powerful Feebas

Feebas suddenly leaped out of the inflatable fish tank, splashing a string of crystal-clear droplets!

Pale blue Water-type energy surged around its body in an instant, steadily lifting its tiny form like an invisible cushion of water as it glided in a light arc to the center of the battlefield.

Sunlight streamed down through the Gym's skylight, falling upon Feebas.

Its purple scales shimmered with scattered, brilliant luster beneath the interplay of waterlight and sunlight, carrying a faintly fantastical charm as the light flowed across them.

Unyielding battle intent burned in Feebas's round eyes as it locked firmly onto the Geodude opposite it.

Its tiny body was not even half a person's height, forming a stark contrast with Geodude's massive frame. Clear blue Water-type energy glowed around it like a faint halo, and its presence was not inferior in the slightest.

In the Gym's spectator stands, many people had never seen a Feebas before. They leaned forward curiously, their gazes fixed on this unusually shaped Pokémon as murmurs rose one after another.

At that moment, the livestream chat completely exploded, with the comments of new and old viewers forming a stark contrast—

"What is that? It looks kind of strange. Is it some new kind of Magikarp?"

"I thought it was just a pet Pokémon. Why would the streamer send it out? It looks so weak. Geodude could turn it into dried fish with one stomp!"

"Has the streamer lost it? Sending some trash fish Pokémon against Geodude?"

"Probably doesn't want to fight anymore. The Gym Leader already promised to give him the Stone Badge anyway."

"Newbies, quit talking nonsense! What do you know? Don't compare it to Magikarp. Go check the Feebas training video the streamer posted before if you don't understand!"

"No matter how strong it is, it's still just a fish."

"Remember what you said. Don't get slapped in the face later. Watch closely—go, Feebas! Show these guys what you're made of!"

"..."

Different opinions clashed fiercely in the chat, the dense wall of text nearly drowning out the screen.

Lin Mo paid it no mind. He merely nodded at Feebas before him, his eyes filled with trust.

[Pokémon: Feebas (Shiny)]

[Type: Water]

[Category: Fish Pokémon]

[Ability: Swift Swim]

[Moves: Splash (Mastered), Tackle (Mastered), Thrash (Proficient), Water Pulse (Mastered), Icy Wind (Mastered), Whirlpool (Proficient), Hypnosis (Beginner)]

Roxanne studied Feebas with great interest, the hem of her dark gray skirt swaying gently with her movements. "A Shiny Pokémon. That's rare, but..." Her tone shifted as she ordered Geodude, "Use Smack Down first. Test its strength."

Geodude let out a deep growl, making the rocky ground beneath it faintly tremble.

The next second, small stones scattered across the field rose into the air, as though drawn by an invisible force, gathering in front of it.

The two thick arms on its back shot out and precisely grabbed several fist-sized chunks of rock. Its stone arms suddenly bulged, clearly packed with force.

"Whoosh—whoosh—"

Several sharp whistles tore through the air as Geodude suddenly exerted force, viciously hurling the stones toward Feebas.

Though these rocks were smaller than the stone spheres from the earlier Rock Blast, they contained even greater explosive power. They flew so fast they nearly left afterimages, hurtling toward their target with fierce momentum.

"Feebas, Whirlpool!" Lin Mo's command was short and clear.

Feebas violently swished its tail, and a white water tornado surged up from the ground in front of it. The spinning current carried powerful suction, sweeping every incoming rock into its vortex.

The stones spun at high speed within the water tornado, colliding and grinding against one another as tiny sparks flew. In the end, they were ground into fine grains of sand and slowly rose along with the whirlpool.

The water tornado's diameter continued expanding, its highest point even reaching the Gym's dome. The spinning water reflected the sunlight streaming through the skylight, gleaming brilliantly against the dark yellow rocks around it like a flowing feast.

"Th-this is Whirlpool?" someone in the stands cried out. "Since when was Whirlpool this powerful?!"

Roxanne's pupils narrowed slightly. "That level of control over the move... isn't simple."

The new fans in the livestream were instantly stunned, while the old fans immediately seized the chance to flood the chat.

"See that? That's Feebas's strength!"

"Who just called it a trash fish Pokémon? Step forward and take your beating!"

"Holy crap! The little fish the streamer brought is this strong?"

"Whirlpool? Are you serious about this move's power?"

"Did you see that? All those people calling Feebas useless trash, come out and apologize now!"

"..."

Lin Mo watched the constantly spinning sand within the water tornado, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Although Tyrantrum had lost just now, it had already exceeded Lin Mo's expectations by going back and forth against a battle-hardened Geodude—

After all, the little guy had only been revived for a little over half a month. Mastering Dragon Dance and Ice Fang so well was no easy feat.

But Feebas was different. It was Lin Mo's starter Pokémon, carrying all of his hopes and companionship.

Over nearly a year, its daily move training had never stopped. From basic moves and Water-type energy control to complex move combinations, countless training sessions had long made its use of moves second nature. Every flow of energy was as precise as instinct.

Not to mention the special training in Petalburg Woods!

In order to perfectly display the Water-and-Ice combination move in the Pokémon Contest, Feebas had long become thoroughly familiar with every detail of the water tornado created by Whirlpool—the speed of the current, its size, and its duration!

Seeing this, Gym Leader Roxanne immediately realized that trading ranged attacks put Geodude at a disadvantage and swiftly adjusted her strategy.

"Geodude, use Rollout to move quickly around the field. Avoid its attacks while closing in, then use Stomping Tantrum when the time is right!"

Clearly, Geodude had nothing to gain from a ranged battle. Only by suppressing Feebas at close range could it fully leverage its advantage in power.

The instant it received the command, Geodude's massive body curled into a perfectly round giant stone ball.

Its gray rocky body ground violently against the uneven stone battlefield, producing a piercing "Creak—creak—" sound.

Sparks and fragments of rock scattered along its rolling path, creating an immensely impactful scene.

Like an out-of-control heavy stone ball, it raced over the rugged battlefield with jolting momentum. Though it was not especially fast, it carried tremendous force, every roll making the ground faintly tremble as it charged toward Feebas.

"Feebas, Water Pulse!"

Lin Mo's voice remained as calm as ever, without the slightest hint of panic.

Feebas responded with perfect understanding. With a light flick of its tail fin, pale blue Water-type energy instantly gathered around it, condensing into a crystal-clear, translucent ring of water before it.

As it violently swung its tail fin, the water ring shot toward the rolling Geodude with a howling gust of wind.

At that moment, Geodude's Rollout had only just begun, and its speed had yet to reach its peak.

Bang! A dull impact rang out as the water ring struck Geodude squarely.

The pale blue Water-type energy clung to it like a parasite, instantly invading its hard rocky body and spreading across it.

Geodude's rolling rhythm abruptly stalled. Its massive body shook violently, and a pained groan escaped its throat.

Compared to its ironclad physical defense, its special defense was much weaker to begin with.

Not to mention that Water-type moves had a fourfold type advantage against the Rock- and Ground-type Geodude. This strike had truly dealt it considerable damage.

Yet there was not a trace of panic on Roxanne's face. Her eyes remained sharp as blades as she decisively commanded,

"Geodude, don't stop! Keep rolling and build up all your power!"

An astonishing scene unfolded—

This Geodude did not interrupt its Rollout after being struck by Water Pulse. Instead, after forcibly enduring the attack and trembling slightly, it actually accelerated its rolling once more!

One had to know that if other Pokémon used Rollout, the moment they were hit by an opponent's attack, the move would inevitably be interrupted. There would be no way to continue.