Pokemon: Gym Leader

Blue's expression shifted constantly as he debated whether or not to switch out Arcanine.

But he just couldn't swallow his frustration!

He had the type advantage, yet somehow that cursed cotton ball was making him look like a fool!

"Grassy Terrain," Dylan calmly commanded.

Whimsicott let out a clear, cheerful cry, spreading its tiny arms as a green light radiated across the battlefield.

In the blink of an eye, fresh, tender green shoots sprouted from the ground, and a faint glow flowed into both Whimsicott and Arcanine's bodies.

Grassy Terrain: While active, Pokémon on the ground periodically recover HP. Grass-type moves are boosted in power, and the damage from Earthquake, Bulldoze, and Magnitude is reduced.

"Arcanine, return!"

Seeing this, Blue didn't hesitate anymore. He swiftly recalled his Arcanine.

If he didn't take Whimsicott out quickly, its condition would only improve. That would be unacceptable!

"This thing can fly... Nidoqueen won't be able to hit it properly," Blue muttered, narrowing his eyes as he strategized.

Whimsicott's Grass/Fairy typing made it quad-weak to Poison. Blue's Nidoqueen would've been an ideal counter.

But Whimsicott's floating mobility, combined with its Prankster ability giving priority to status moves, made it infuriating to deal with. Blue had to admit this little troublemaker was far more annoying than he had anticipated.

"Pidgeot!"

Blue decisively tossed out another Poké Ball, sending out his ace Flying-type.

With a sharp, commanding cry, Pidgeot soared into the battlefield, its keen eyes locking onto Whimsicott.

"Pidgeot, use Hurricane!"

Blue didn't waste time, immediately ordering an all-out assault.

Whimsicott's Light Screen still had a bit of time left. Blue really wanted to use Defog to remove it.

But if he used Defog and then Whimsicott followed up with Encore, it would be game over.

"Moonblast," Dylan countered with a soft smile.

Behind Whimsicott, a glowing moonlit projection rose, its light coalescing into a shimmering pink energy ball.

At the same time, Pidgeot flapped its wings with immense force, creating a massive whirlwind that surged forward.

The Fairy-type Moonblast and the Flying-type Hurricane collided midair in a fierce clash, sending shockwaves rippling outward.

Boom!

The two moves exploded upon impact, releasing a strong gust of wind that buffeted the battlefield.

"This thing's Special Attack isn't bad either," Blue muttered, narrowing his eyes.

Though Pidgeot's Hurricane slightly overpowered Moonblast, it hadn't completely overwhelmed it. That alone was enough to show Whimsicott had decent Special Attack.

It was becoming clear that long-range attacks wouldn't easily bring down Whimsicott. Fortunately, his Pidgeot was a versatile attacker.

The green glow of Grassy Terrain pulsed again, restoring Whimsicott's HP and gradually healing its wounds.

"Pidgeot, close in! Use Brave Bird!" Blue commanded without hesitation.

Pidgeot let out a sharp screech as red flames resembling a bird's silhouette began to envelop its body. Within moments, the fiery figure solidified as Pidgeot dove toward Whimsicott with incredible speed and force.

"Whimsicott, dodge it," Dylan responded, raising an eyebrow.

Whimsicott floated upward in an attempt to avoid the fiery charge. However, Pidgeot was far faster and wasn't about to let it escape.

Whimsicott ascended just enough to dodge the initial impact, but Pidgeot quickly banked midair and looped around for another strike.

The half-transparent Light Screen around Whimsicott finally shattered, its effects coming to an end.

"Protect."

A shimmering barrier of light materialized in front of Whimsicott just in time to intercept Pidgeot's Brave Bird.

Boom!Pidgeot slammed into the protective barrier with immense force, the impact reverberating across the battlefield.

Despite its strength, Brave Bird couldn't break through the Protect. Exhausted, Pidgeot immediately retreated to recover.

"Giga Impact!"

"Hurricane!"

Blue and Dylan shouted their commands at nearly the same time.

Pidgeot spread its wings to summon another massive whirlwind, but Whimsicott, enveloped in a glowing white aura, moved faster.

With reckless abandon, Whimsicott launched itself headfirst into Pidgeot like a battering ram.

Giga Impact—a high-risk, high-reward Normal-type move akin to sharing pain, leaving both user and target severely damaged.

Blue's face contorted with frustration. Whimsicott's Giga Impact was absolutely maddening!

Pidgeot cried out in pain as the energy from Giga Impact wreaked havoc on its body. The attack was devastating.

Meanwhile, Whimsicott staggered back, visibly battered but still standing thanks to the passive healing from Grassy Terrain.

"Pidgeot! Don't give up! Use Hurricane again!"

Although Pidgeot was heavily wounded, Blue shouted encouragement, urging it to keep fighting.

Pidgeot gritted its beak and flapped its wings, mustering the strength for another Hurricane.

"Light Screen," Dylan commanded calmly.

Whimsicott's defenses reappeared as a faintly glowing barrier materialized in front of it, reducing the effectiveness of special attacks.

But Pidgeot's Hurricane surged forward, closing in fast.

Could Whimsicott pull it off in time?!

Everyone in the audience leaned forward, holding their breath.

Boom!

The Hurricane hit Whimsicott head-on, slamming it into the ground with incredible force. Dust and debris filled the air.

"Did it manage to set up Light Screen? Did anyone see?"

"I don't know... I think it finished the move?"

"If the Light Screen is up, I doubt Hurricane was enough to take it down..."

"If Whimsicott survives this, Blue's gonna be in a world of hurt. His Arcanine's already low, and Pidgeot's practically spent."

"He's already in a bad spot! Even if Whimsicott's down, it's taken two of his main Pokémon out of the game."

The spectators exchanged murmurs, many recalling their own traumatic experiences with Whimsicott.

As the dust finally settled, Whimsicott lay sprawled on the ground, swirls in its eyes indicating it had fainted.

Seeing this, Blue exhaled a long breath of relief.

"Whimsicott is unable to battle. Pidgeot wins!" the referee announced.

"Impressive work, Blue. You managed to defeat my Whimsicott," Dylan remarked as he recalled his fainted Pokémon, a small smile on his face.

Despite Whimsicott's defeat, Dylan was pleased with its performance. After all, it had left both Arcanine and Pidgeot in tatters.

Now, it was just a matter of cleaning up the rest of the match.

"Tch! Don't get cocky, Dylan! I told you—I came here today to beat you!"

Blue's confidence remained as strong as ever, despite the situation. Sure, he wasn't in an advantageous position, but so what? He'd been the first to defeat Whimsicott!

"Very well, then. Let's see how you handle this. Your second opponent awaits, Blue."

Dylan casually tossed another Poké Ball.

"Ferrothorn, take the stage!"

With a low, metallic growl, Ferrothorn emerged onto the field. Its spiky, metallic body glinted menacingly under the stadium lights, three vine-like appendages swinging ominously.

"Ferrothorn, huh? Grass and Steel."

Blue frowned. Ferrothorn's typing left it weak only to Fighting and Fire. Unfortunately, Arcanine was in no shape to deal with it.

"Let's see how you handle this, Dylan!" Blue called out, trying to mask his growing unease.

But deep down, he was screaming internally:

Why are Dylan's Grass-types so ridiculous?! Why is this so hard?!

Blue's frustration was written all over his face, and ironically, that only made Dylan's smile grow wider.

(End of Chapter)