Super Gible's First Battle

Bathed in a violet aura, Gible looked downright cocky. It showed no fear of being surrounded by Shiny Cubone and Mutant Phanpy.

What it hadn't expected was that neither opponent was easy to deal with.

Ground Spike!

Knock Off!

Shiny Cubone rushed forward, swinging the bone club in its hand with formidable force.

Mutant Phanpy stamped the ground, sending Ground Spikes toward Super Gible.

Super Gible used the same move and charged toward Shiny Cubone.

But it had never imagined Mutant Phanpy's Ground Spikes would be so sturdy—even stronger than its own.

I was too hasty.

It had no chance to get close to Shiny Cubone before the Ground Spikes trapped it.

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, Shiny Cubone's attack struck Super Gible squarely.

But Super Gible barely felt it. Its violet aura absorbed much of the damage.

Huh!?

Shiny Cubone winced. That was the recoil from its opponent's Rough Skin.

Tackle!

Super Gible knocked Shiny Cubone back. Neither side had gained an advantage in the first exchange.

That ability was a real nuisance.

The second exchange came, then the third and the fourth...

Neither side could gain much ground, though Shiny Cubone and Mutant Phanpy had the edge.

Super Gible was panting, with little strength left to fight.

Liu Xin seized the moment and threw a Poké Ball.

Ding!

After shaking for about a minute, the ball finally captured Super Gible.

"That was a tough fight. I didn't expect it would take two Pokémon working together to catch it."

"But something this strong and troublesome will be formidable once it's trained."

Ito Hei was a little envious. Super-series Pokémon were said to be incredibly rare.

But Liu Xin had found this Super Gible first. Ito Hei couldn't try to take it from him.

Excited, Liu Xin let Super Gible out. Now he could see all its stats clearly.

Everything before was the same, but one new entry had appeared.

Super Ability: Violet Aurora (Coats the body in violet light that absorbs large amounts of damage while enhancing the Pokémon's own ability and move damage)

"So that's what its ability does. No wonder it could knock my Giant Onix away."

"Combined with its Rough Skin, that's terrifying. The damage would be incredible."

Liu Xin was thrilled. He felt even more confident about challenging the South China Gym now.

"Let's keep training and get stronger."

"I'm challenging the South China Sisters tonight."

At the South China Gym.

"Well, if it isn't the little girl from yesterday?"

"Did you bring your boyfriend to challenge us today?"

Sakura and the others teased Sen Anxiang. The young girl waved her hands frantically. "No, no! We're just good friends, trainers traveling together."

"And Liu Xin is a good person."

Already calling me a good person?

Liu Xin felt a little wounded, though she hadn't meant anything by it.

He waved a hand. "I'm here to challenge the South China Gym today. How does it work?"

Sakura smiled. "You're an eager one."

"Since so many people challenge us, one of us three sisters is chosen at random to battle you."

"Beat your opponent, and you can go inside to challenge our younger sister, Misty."

"Once you beat Misty, you'll earn the South China Gym badge."

No wonder Ito Hei and I were separated. His battle must have started too.

Liu Xin asked, "So you're my opponent, Sakura?"

Sakura nodded and tossed out a Poké Ball. "No need to talk any more. Let's begin."

"One-on-one. Go, Seel!"

Seel was adorable, its body white as snow and its tail shaped like a fountain.

Seel:

Level: 20

Attack: 170

Special Attack: 190

Liu Xin threw his Poké Ball. "Go, Super Gible! Time for your first battle."

Gible.

Its limbs popped out like a balloon's as it huffed and tried to taunt Seel. It was painfully cute.

All bluster in a tiny package.

"Uh... looking like that, how is it supposed to intimidate anyone?"

Even Liu Xin worried about Super Gible's attempt at a taunt.

Sakura hid a smile. "What a cute Pokémon. I wonder how well it can take a hit."

"Seel, use Aqua Jet!"

Water gathered in Seel's mouth before surging toward Super Gible in a stream as thick as a barrel.

"Use Bulldoze!"

Thud!

Super Gible stamped the ground hard. Water leapt into the air, and Ground Spikes shot up through it, blocking the oncoming Aqua Jet.

"Activate Violet Aurora! Close the distance and fight it up close."

"Sand Tomb!"

Fine sand appeared from every direction. Seel looked confused. What was happening?

The sand slowly gathered, weaving together like a spiderweb.

It restricted Seel's movement, making it slow and clumsy while the shifting sand kept attacking.

"Use Ice Shard!"

"Freeze the sand, and it won't be a threat."

It was a good idea, but it didn't help.

Ice Shard did freeze the sand, but it also gave Super Gible time to close in.

Tackle!

Super Gible slammed into Seel headfirst. Empowered by Violet Aurora, the blow left Seel reeling.

Dragon Breath!

Rays of light gathered in Super Gible's mouth, drawing in the air from all around. A faint dragon's cry echoed within.

The force of a dragon and the rush of wind were palpable. This was a dragon-type move capable of tremendous damage.

Of course, any dragon-type Pokémon could use it.

Boom!

The attack struck without hesitation, hitting Seel dead-on.

Ding! Super Gible's Dragon Breath hit Seel. It was highly effective.

When the dust settled, Seel lay unconscious on the ground, unable to battle.

The fight had ended quickly. Super Gible was so proud that it danced with delight.

Watching it dance, Sakura smiled. "It really is an adorable Pokémon."

"And strong, too. You've earned the right to challenge my younger sister—Misty, the leader of this gym!"

"Here. This is your proof that you've qualified to challenge her."

She tossed Liu Xin a key and stepped aside to clear the way.

Ito Hei was still locked in a hard fight, but he should be fine.

Liu Xin opened the door. The space beyond looked much like the one outside: another indoor pool, though much smaller.

The place seemed purpose-built for gym battles. Misty stood at the far end.

She looked much as she did in the anime, but several years had passed. She had grown into a real beauty.

She was every bit as striking as her three sisters outside. Perhaps her travels and adventures had given her a charm all her own.

Misty looked at Super Gible and smiled. "Welcome, challenger. Congratulations on making it here."

"I'll keep this simple. My gym battle is best of three."

"Whoever wins two rounds first is the victor."