"The rules of the battle are one-on-one. Each trainer can only use one Pokémon. The battle ends when one side is unable to continue!"
Runa Sigrid's companion, Xiaoyi, stood to the side, acting as the referee.
"So, what kind of Pokémon will the Populus Euphratica player send out?"
Populus Euphratica remained silent, then took out Poison Rose's Poké Ball. A flash of white light burst forth, revealing the elegant figure of Poison Rose standing opposite Strong Chicken.
Runa Sigrid raised an eyebrow at the sight of Poison Rose's energetic stance.
"You've trained your Poison Rose well! However, its type is at a disadvantage against Strong Chicken, so you should attack first!"
Albus didn't hesitate and gave his command. "Poison Needle!"
"Rollili!"
Poison Rose lifted its hands slightly, and a shimmer of light bloomed from its rose buds. A moment later, sharp purple poison needles materialized and shot through the air like a storm of petals, heading straight for Strong Chicken.
When Pokémon evolve, the way they use their moves often changes. For example, after Squirtle evolves into Blastoise, it sprays water from the cannons on its shell instead of its mouth.
Poison Rose was no different.
During its previous stage as a Mimosa, moves like Stun Spore and Seed Bomb were fired from the buds on its head. But now, as Poison Rose, these moves were released from the rose buds on its hands.
Runa Sigrid, a skilled trainer who had already collected three Gym Badges, reacted swiftly.
"Strong Chicken, dodge it!"
Here it comes! One of the signature moves in the Pokémon world!
Strong Chicken bent its legs and pushed off the ground, launching itself high into the air. The poison needles whizzed by harmlessly beneath it.
"Follow up from the air! Flame Wheel!" Runa Sigrid commanded loudly.
"Just!"
Strong Chicken let out a fierce cry as flames engulfed its body, forming a blazing red meteor streaking downward toward Poison Rose.
Poison Rose had no way to dodge. Any attempt to use Seed Bomb or Stun Spore would be futile—the intense heat of the flames would burn them away before they could take effect.
"So this is what it means to be at a type disadvantage?" Albus remained calm and gave his next order.
"Poison Rose, use Magical Leaf!"
"Luo-lili!"
Poison Rose instantly understood and aimed its hands at the ground. A large number of glowing leaf blades, seemingly infused with energy, shot out from its rose buds.
The sudden surge of wind lifted Poison Rose off the ground, allowing it to evade the descending attack.
"You used the air current created by Magical Leaf to lift yourself? Great strategy!" Runa Sigrid's eyes gleamed with admiration.
But Albus wasn't done yet.
"It's not over. Poison Rose, use that move from the air!"
That move?
Runa Sigrid quickly analyzed the situation, focusing on Poison Rose's movements.
In mid-air, Poison Rose brought its hands together, and a brilliant green light condensed into a massive seed—Seed Bomb!
Runa Sigrid instantly recognized it.
"Strong Chicken, remember our special training! Face the target and use Double Kick!"
"Exactly!"
Strong Chicken's eyes burned with determination. It coiled its legs and then sprang up, aiming a powerful kick at the incoming Seed Bomb.
But the expected outcome didn't happen.
The moment Strong Chicken's foot made contact, the Seed Bomb detonated instantly, releasing a fine powder into the air.
"That's…!" Runa Sigrid gasped. "Did you combine Seed Bomb with Stun Spore?"
No, it wasn't just Seed Bomb and Stun Spore.
Albus watched as Poison Rose landed gracefully on the ground.
This was the result of their special training. A fusion of a "mine bomb," which exploded on contact, and Stun Spore. The power and effect were far superior to an ordinary paralysis-inducing attack.
Strong Chicken, caught off guard, fell to the ground, its body twitching uncontrollably due to paralysis.
Albus saw an opportunity. "Poison Rose, use Magical Leaf with full force!"
"Luo-lili!"
Poison Rose, thrilled by its successful strategy, attacked with renewed energy. Its eyes shone with determination, and an overwhelming wave of Magical Leaf surged from its rose buds.
The sheer volume of leaves created a violent wind, howling through the battlefield.
The sight triggered a thought in Albus' mind.
This looked a lot like another move—Leaf Storm.
In the games, Leaf Storm was described as an attack that used sharp leaves to create a storm, though it came with the drawback of lowering the user's special attack afterward.
Could they train Magical Leaf to function as a low-tier version of Leaf Storm—without the negative side effect?
As he considered this, the barrage of Magical Leaf struck Strong Chicken.
Despite being paralyzed, Strong Chicken had impressive endurance. It managed to shake off the paralysis almost immediately.
Then, something unexpected happened.
Its body suddenly erupted in flames.
The ability—Blaze—had been triggered!
Blaze: When a Pokémon's HP drops below a certain level, the power of its Fire-type moves increases.
Runa Sigrid's eyes gleamed.
"If Blaze has been activated, then… Strong Chicken, use Blast Burn to finish the battle!"
"Just!"
Strong Chicken's flames burned fiercer than ever. Under the full effect of Blaze, it unleashed an enormous, fiery blast shaped like the kanji for "big." The attack was so fast and powerful that Poison Rose had no chance to evade.
The flames engulfed it in an instant.
"Poison Rose is unable to battle! The winner is Miss Runa Sigrid!"
Populus Euphratica: "..."
Albus stood silently.
He had fought hard, but in the end, all it took was one powerful move from his opponent to turn the tide completely.
It was frustrating but also a valuable lesson. Overcoming a type disadvantage was no easy feat.
He sighed and recalled Poison Rose back into its Poké Ball. "You did great. Thank you for your effort."
Runa Sigrid approached him with a bright smile. "That was a fantastic battle! If my Strong Chicken didn't have two years of training experience, I might have lost instead."
Albus gave a modest smile. "I still have a lot to learn."
Runa Sigrid chuckled. "Do you have any other Pokémon? Want to go for another round?"
Albus shook his head. "No, that's enough for today."
His Ancient Moon Bird couldn't be revealed in a public battle. If he used it, its sheer power could easily flatten half of Manchester.
And then, by the next morning, he'd be a wanted criminal across the entire Hoenn region.
"Alright," Runa Sigrid said with a hint of disappointment. Then her face brightened. "Since you're traveling alone, why don't you watch the Pokémon Contest with us?"
Albus hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "That sounds good."