First Badge

"You beat two of my Pokémon that quickly? Not bad!"

"But I'm not handing over the Badge so easily!"

"Roserade, I'm counting on you!"

Gardenia's expression turned serious as she sent out her final Pokémon.

Bai Shi's strength was nothing like that of a Pokémon Trainer who had yet to earn a Badge.

She would have to show what she was capable of if she wanted to avoid the embarrassment of a shutout.

"Roserade, use Toxic Spikes!"

The moment the match resumed, Gardenia, backed into a corner, made the first move.

Roserade scattered Toxic Spikes across the field.

They would take effect when Bai Shi switched Pokémon,

poisoning whichever Pokémon entered the field.

"Dunsparce, use Flamethrower!"

Bai Shi ignored the spikes and called out to Dunsparce.

Dunsparce opened his mouth and blasted a searing column of fire as thick as a grown man's arm toward Roserade.

"Roserade, use Protect!"

Gardenia did not want Dunsparce's Fire-type move to set the plants around the field ablaze.

She had Roserade use Protect to block the Flamethrower.

A transparent barrier appeared in front of Roserade.

It shielded her from the onrushing flames.

"Dunsparce, use Dig!"

Bai Shi's eyes flickered as he gave the command.

Dunsparce repeated his earlier tactic, burrowing swiftly underground and heading straight beneath Roserade.

"The same trick won't work on me twice."

"Roserade, aim into the hole and use Magical Leaf!"

Gardenia raised an eyebrow and spoke calmly.

Roserade thrust both arms into the hole and released a flurry of sharp leaves.

The leaves raced through the earth as though guided by trackers, driving Dunsparce back out.

"Roserade, finish him with Solar Beam!"

Gardenia glanced up at the clear sky and gave her command.

Dense points of light began gathering around Roserade.

Under the clear sky, Solar Beam formed rapidly.

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