At the Petalburg Gym, Gary's battle with Norman was still underway.
After switching out Sceptile, Young Master Mao rubbed his brow with a slight headache.
Normal-types could learn far too many moves.
With both Blizzard and Flamethrower in Vigoroth's move pool, Sceptile had been rather restricted in battle.
"Come on, little brother. You've still got more tricks up your sleeve, don't you?" Norman beckoned to Gary expectantly.
"I actually do." Gary smacked his lips. "Blaziken, you're up."
"Shamo!" Taking light, nimble steps, Blaziken raised both fists, flames bursting from its wrists.
"Vigoroth, Encore, Tickle!" Norman immediately launched another attack.
"Detect, then Double Kick!" A spark flashed in Gary's eyes.
"Sha~" Blaziken sidestepped Vigoroth's swinging claws, then leaped lightly and kicked its right leg hard into Vigoroth's back. With a twist of its waist, it followed up with its left.
Thump, thump! One clean Double Kick sent Vigoroth flying.
Vigoroth performed two consecutive backflips to bleed off the force before barely managing to steady itself.
"Bulk Up." Gary seized the opportunity to boost its stats.
"Vigoroth, use Slash!" Norman challenged it at close range again.
But Gary chose not to meet force with force. "Blaziken, Agility!"
Whoosh! A red shadow flashed past, and Vigoroth missed again.
"Focus Energy!" Young Master Mao calmly continued stacking boosts.
"We can't let this continue. Vigoroth, charge in. Focus Punch!" Watching Gary's relaxed expression, Norman couldn't help frowning.
He kept feeling that Gary was setting him up!
"Yaru!" Vigoroth lunged wildly at Blaziken, scorching white fighting energy gathering around its right fist as it slammed viciously toward Blaziken's chest.
"Detect, then Low Kick." Young Master Mao used the same trick again.
A sharp glint flashed in Blaziken's eyes as it saw through Vigoroth's movements. Then it ducked with the momentum and landed a precise Low Kick