"Ah, hello! I'm Yong!"
Yong looked at the young man before him. He seemed like a very levelheaded person.
"That was a fantastic battle! Normally, rookies can challenge the Gym Leader directly after getting past Wufu..."
Takeda stepped forward and explained to Yong,
"But since you're stronger than Wufu, your previous battle can't serve as a benchmark. So this time, I'll be your opponent!"
Taking out a Poké Ball, Takeda looked at Yong seriously.
"Defeat me, and you can challenge Miss Roxanne!"
"I will!"
"Good! Come on out, my partner!"
"Roar!"
A familiar roar reached Yong's ears. After the white light faded, the Pokémon before him was the partner he knew best-Onix!
Although this Onix was a little smaller than Yong's own, which measured over nine meters long, his battle-hardened presence was every bit as imposing! His dark body radiated an overwhelming sense of pressure!
Pokémon: Onix, Lv. 20, Rock Snake Pokémon. When he tunnels through earth and stone underground, he causes rumbling that shakes the ground. He travels underground at eighty kilometers per hour. Gender: Male Type: Rock + Ground Nature: Sassy Ability: Sturdy. One-hit knockout moves have no effect on Pokémon with this Ability. Moves: Rock Throw (Proficient), Tackle (Proficient), Harden (Proficient), Bind (Proficient), Rock Slide (Proficient), Slam (Proficient), Screech (Proficient), Dig (Mastered) Egg Move: Head Smash (Proficient) TMs: Protect (Proficient), Self-Destruct (Proficient)
Almost at the intermediate level. He's a good opponent for you, Marshtomp! But that Self-Destruct move? Yikes... terrifying!
An uneasy feeling stirred in Yong's heart. He shook his head and sent out Marshtomp.
"Marsh??"
Seeing that the opponent was an Onix, Marshtomp looked a little confused too. Marshtomp turned back toward Yong, as though asking whether that was their companion.
He patiently explained,
"This is our opponent's Onix. You need to take this seriously!"
Since they trained together and exchanged insights on moves, and Marshtomp had a greater aptitude for learning them, Marshtomp could practically be considered Onix's teacher when it came to moves. In turn, Onix could guide Marshtomp in strengthening energy. The two Pokémon were both friends and teachers to each other, helping one another grow. Yong was worried Marshtomp wouldn't take this seriously.
"Marsh?"
"Marsh!"
After thinking for a moment, Marshtomp nodded, gave him a reassuring look, and settled into a battle stance.
Yong finally relaxed. Marshtomp really was reliable and worthy of his trust!
"Oh? Looks like you have an Onix too?"
Across from him, Takeda asked curiously after watching their exchange.
"Yes, Onix was my first Pokémon! Just like Marshtomp, he's one of my best partners!"
Takeda's eyes lit up, as did those of a certain girl watching through a screen.
"Of course! Rock-type Pokémon are the cutest!!! You've got good taste, young man!"
They automatically ignored the Ground-type part.
Yong's face darkened. He realized, speechless, that the young man opposite him had a melodramatic side too. And what happened to the Ground typing? Did you two swallow it?
Huh? Where did that girl's voice come from?
He composed himself and returned to the matter at hand.
"I'll be the referee! Each side will use one Pokémon! The first side whose Pokémon is unable to battle loses, and the other wins! Now, the challenger will make the first move!"
The clear female voice rang out again over the suddenly activated speakers.
Takeda, who knew exactly what was going on, exchanged a glance with a thoughtful Yong.
"Let's go, Marshtomp! Water Gun!"
Opening with a probing attack, Marshtomp gathered blue Water-type energy in its mouth and sent a jet of water shooting toward Onix!
"Dig!"
"Roar!"
With a flick of his tail, Onix burrowed underground before Water Gun could hit. He was highly skilled at Dig.
"Don't let him get away! Earthquake!"
Using this powerful move in battle for the first time, Marshtomp pounded both arms into the ground. Powerful Ground-type energy unleashed violent tremors that radiated forward and underground from where Marshtomp stood.
Thankfully, this was a purpose-built Gym battle facility. Although some rocks fell from the walls, the overall structure remained intact.
Rumble!
"Roar!"
Amid the continuous, low rumbling, Onix suddenly burst out of the ground and wrapped his enormous tail around Marshtomp!
Earthquake didn't work? No! Was that Protect?
"Onix, hold tight and use Slam!"
"Marshtomp! Water Gun!"
"Marsh!"
Facing the Water Gun head-on, Onix's attack weakened slightly, but he still successfully used Slam, smashing Marshtomp into the ground. Both sides took heavy damage in this exchange.
"Excellent timing. Takeda and Onix are even more in sync now!"
Up on the top floor, Gym Leader Roxanne voiced her approval.
"That was Protect just now, wasn't it?"
Yong asked curiously.
Takeda nodded.
"When you've been partners for a long time, you develop that kind of understanding!"
Yong nodded in acknowledgment.
Combining moves and coordinating without commands... Gym Trainers really are impressive! There's still so much to learn, but the battle isn't over yet!
"Marshtomp, hang in there! Use Water Gun again!"
"It's no use! Onix! Serpentine Movement!"
What's that? Yong froze for a moment.
Onix lay flat against the ground, his body twisting from side to side like a real snake as he swiftly slithered toward Marshtomp, dodging Water Gun along the way.
"That works too?"
"Why wouldn't it? You have to learn how to use every advantage you have!"
Takeda answered loudly.
"You can't afford to zone out! Now, Slam!"
"Roar!"
Onix raised his tail, wrapped it around Marshtomp again, and hurled Marshtomp toward the ground!
"Marshtomp! Rock Smash!"
Caught in the rocky tail's coils, Marshtomp heard the command and gathered energy in both arms once more. White currents surged around them as Marshtomp struck Onix's tail with unstoppable momentum and the resolve to cleave through the waves!
Bam!
"Roar!"
"What!?"
Takeda was shocked. How could this happen?
The massive damage and intense pain interrupted Onix's attack!
The rocks on his tail cracked! That single blow knocked him flat against the ground, groaning continuously, while Marshtomp seized the chance to break free.
"What a powerful Rock Smash!"
Watching from the top floor, Roxanne also thought that Rock Smash was a little outrageous. Why was it so strong? Was that really Marshtomp's strength? Was she sure this wasn't a Swampert?
A Fighting-type move with double effectiveness! Mastered move proficiency! Enhanced strength!
As far as Yong was concerned, it really was that powerful!
Looking at the weakened Onix, Yong was considering whether to deliver the final blow when Takeda raised his hand and recalled him.
"There's no need to continue. Onix has already lost!"
"But..."
"You've earned my approval. You can continue your challenge!"
Ding! Marshtomp has won an official battle! Earned 100 Training Points! Earned a large amount of experience! Rock Smash, Water Gun, Supersonic, and Earthquake proficiency increased!
Just as Yong was about to speak, the female voice over the speakers interrupted him again.
"Come on up! I'll be waiting on the top floor. Let's have a real battle and prove the strength of Rock types!"
Uh, this must be Roxanne, right? That rock-collecting fanatic from the original anime, the one who even dared to snatch Steven's rocks? That's you, isn't it?
"Takeda, you've gotten rusty! Where's that Rock-type steadiness? I didn't see any!"
Takeda helplessly spread his hands. Yong gave him an understanding look, waved, and continued upstairs.
Watching Yong recede into the distance, Takeda looked up at the ceiling and shouted,
"Miss Roxanne, don't get too carried away!"
Hmph! Carried away? Ignoring Takeda's shout, Roxanne stood and stretched.
"I won't get carried away. Today is a day for a serious battle. Don't you agree, Nosepass?"
"Nose... pass!"
Beside her, a blue, irregularly shaped Pokémon resembling a magnet, with a large red nose, answered in a low voice.
A closer look revealed that Nosepass was actually floating in the air rather than standing on the ground.
"Who should I choose? How about having your dad battle?"
"Nosepass!"
"All right, all right, I was joking! Haha!"
Her clear laughter echoed through the hall. On the nearby mountain path, the boy was about to arrive!