Chapter 56: Fire, Fire, Fire

"Charmander, continue using Charm!"

Since there was a type advantage, Xia You didn't need to switch to other moves; he would simply use Fire-type attacks to burn through Tangela.

Rika shouted loudly, "Tangela, use Bind!"

Tangela, which had been constantly dodging the flames, made a sharp turn. Seizing an opening, the vines on its body wriggled forward rapidly and tightly coiled around Charmander!

Was it trying to close the distance to engage in Normal-type melee combat?

However, for Xia You, such a decision played right into his hands!

With the boost from Chlorophyll, Tangela's speed was incredibly fast. Xia You had originally been worrying about how to end this battle in the most energy-efficient way, but now that an opportunity had been delivered right to him, he naturally wouldn't miss it.

"Charmander, let your Charm travel along its vines!"

Under the tight constriction of the vines, Charmander was enduring constant pressure, its face contorted in pain. Upon hearing Xia You's command, it opened its mouth and spat out a burst of sparks, using the vines as a medium to burn toward Tangela's main body!

"Oh no!" Rika said anxiously, "Tangela! Let go, quickly!!"

However, it was too late to undo the Bind; the flames spread along the vines toward Tangela at an extremely high speed!

In the next second, Tangela's entire body was ignited, looking much like a moving fireball!

"Well done!" Xia You said calmly, "Charmander, take this chance to close the distance!"

By the time Tangela finally managed to break free from the flames, it found an orange-yellow figure had already arrived right in front of it!

Before it could react, following Xia You's next command, another burst of sparks erupted, enveloping Tangela!

Fire beats Grass; the effect was superb!

Looking at the heavily burned Tangela, Rika shook her head slightly and recalled it, immediately sending out her second Pokémon.

This was a peculiar Pokémon shaped like a trumpet with a large mouth. On either side of its yellow body grew massive leaves, and its pair of large, round black eyes made it look somewhat dazed.

Pokédex: "Ding! Oddish, the Capture Pokémon. Grass/Poison type. The evolved form of Bellsprout. Looking no different from a plant, Oddish primarily preys on Bug-type Pokémon. Once prey is detected, they launch sharp leaves and use toxic powder to paralyze the target, finally digesting it completely with digestive liquid."

Although Charmander had sustained minor injuries, Xia You had no intention of replacing it.

As the two Pokémon prepared, perhaps due to the previous failure, Rika chose to take the initiative.

"Oddish, use Razor Leaf!"

A continuous stream of sharp leaves shot out from the stem of the Oddish. With a wave of his hand, Xia You commanded Charmander to counter with Charm!

Bang!!

The two moves collided and neutralized in mid-air. Once the leaves and flames had both vanished, the Oddish unexpectedly vanished silently and charged toward Charmander.

"So fast? Does your Oddish also have the Chlorophyll ability?" Xia You asked in surprise.

"You guessed correctly." As she spoke, Rika glanced at the Kirlia beside Xia You, a smile appearing on her face as she said calmly, "Your Pokémon holds the type advantage, but today's abundant sunlight has helped me recover some of that disadvantage."

Eh?

That tone, and that slightly mischievous smile—was she complaining that I only know how to bully people with type advantages?

Returning his thoughts to the field, Xia You had already vaguely guessed her intention.

Seeing the Oddish approach Charmander, Xia You shouted his command, "Charmander, use Smokescreen!"

A black smokescreen erupted from Charmander's mouth. Unexpectedly, just as it began to shroud itself, a thick yellow liquid suddenly sprayed from the Oddish's large mouth, splashing toward the direction where Charmander was hiding!

It was a Poison-type digestive liquid that could deal damage while simultaneously lowering the target's Special Defense!

Seeing the perfect synergy between Oddish and Rika, this move must have been executed countless times in previous Gym battles!

Despite Charmander dodging in advance and having the smokescreen for cover, it was still caught in the splash of the digestive liquid.

From within the smoke, a pained cry could be heard from Charmander, but it quickly regained its composure.

As the smoke gradually spread, it covered half the battlefield in an instant. Oddish stood outside the smoke, but Charmander was nowhere to be seen.

The atmosphere shifted abruptly. The field became exceptionally quiet, so still that one could hear a pin drop, yet after waiting for a long time, Charmander still did not reappear.

Rika glanced at Xia You; seeing his expression remained normal, she knew things were not simple.

Was this tactic intended to stall until the digestive liquid wore off?

Thinking of this, Rika no longer hesitated and shouted, "Oddish, use Razor Leaf!"

Oddish once again gathered leaves and swept them into the smokescreen. The swift, blade-like leaves brought with them gusts of wind that quickly dispersed the smoke.

"Now!"

Seeing this, Xia You yelled. At his command, Charmander endured the damage from Razor Leaf and lunged out from the other side, aiming directly at Oddish and breathing a burst of Charm!

Because Oddish was still releasing Razor Leaf, it was stuck in a state of inability to dodge, forcing it to take the full brunt of the damage!

The flames enveloped Oddish! It was super effective!

However, Charmander's attack was not over. It continued to run toward Oddish, first extending its sharp claws to scratch at it fiercely. After several dozen repeated scratches, it followed up with Dragon Rage, releasing a shockwave at extremely close range that knocked Oddish down.

Seeing Oddish unable to get up, the blue-haired girl raised her right hand and shouted, "Oddish is unable to battle!"

Rika silently recalled it. Just as she was about to send out her final Pokémon, she suddenly saw Charmander's body enveloped in a glow of light.

"Eh? It's evolving?"

Having followed Xia You for a long time, Charmander had finally accumulated enough experience and was beginning to evolve!

Soon, as the light faded, it was replaced by a much stronger Charmeleon!

Charmeleon's appearance was far more ferocious than Charmander's; not only had its skin color deepened and its claws become longer and sharper, but its eyes were also more spirited, and a horn-like protrusion had grown on its head.

Pokédex: "Ding! Charmeleon, the Flame Pokémon. Fire type. The evolved form of Charmander. It excels at using Flamethrower and can master a large number of Fire-type moves. The power of its moves is closely related to its mental state; if it encounters a strong opponent, it becomes extremely excited, not only breathing blue-white flames but also causing the flame on its tail to burn intensely."

The evolved Charmeleon roared toward the sky, erupting with powerful fighting spirit!

And its evolution also meant that Xia You's starter Pokémon had finally all entered their second stage!

Rika let out a soft sigh.

The type disadvantage was already there, and now the opponent had suddenly evolved, undoubtedly becoming even stronger. The final battle would certainly be even more difficult.

Despite not wanting her Pokémon to get hurt, her pride as a Gym Trainer compelled her to send out her final Pokémon.

"Go, my most precious partner—Weezing!"

(End of Chapter)