Chapter 20: Let's Play a Round First

Although Raichu was hit by Magical Leaf, it did not take much damage because Grass-type moves do not have a type advantage over Electric-type moves.

However, this still caught Xia You's attention.

Instead of dodging using speed, it used moves to clash head-on?

While it seemed fine on the surface, looking at the result, had he miscalculated the power of Magical Leaf?

But since the attack had been effective, Xia You naturally wouldn't change his tactics. He continued to shout, "Kirlia, one more time! Magical Leaf!"

Seeing the Magical Leaf condensing once again, Matsushita did not command Raichu to use Thunderbolt this time. Instead, he yelled, "Raichu, get out of the way, quickly!"

However, despite the warning, the rate of fire for Magical Leaf was simply too fast. Even though Raichu tried to scramble away in advance, Kirlia controlled its direction, causing the leaves to chase it like a rapid-fire sweep, eventually striking its body.

*Da-da-da!*

The thick smoke kicked up by the explosions obscured everyone's vision. When the smoke cleared, Raichu was covered in wounds. It shook its head and continued to charge toward Kirlia.

"Raichu, use Megaton Punch!"

Raichu stood on its hind legs, clenched its claws into fists, and as a blue light emanated from them, it began throwing punches at Kirlia.

[Megaton Punch: A Normal-type physical attack. The user attacks the opponent with its maximum strength using its fists. If it hits, it deals significant damage.]

"Kirlia, use Double Team!"

At Xia You's command, Kirlia instantly split into over a dozen illusions. Unable to distinguish the real body, Raichu could only swing its fists wildly, scattering a few of the afterimages.

Matsushita frowned and shouted, "Raichu, wipe them all out! Thunderbolt!!"

Hearing this, Raichu abandoned its physical punches and exerted its full strength. As electrical light flickered across its body, dozens of thick currents of electricity erupted from its center, spreading rapidly in all directions.

The sound of crackling electricity was incessant. Because the light was so blinding, even Xia You had to shield his eyes with his arm.

When the dust finally settled, Xia You hurriedly looked up. The illusions had all vanished, leaving only Kirlia standing in the distance, staring quietly at Raichu.

It turned out that in an instant, it had used Teleport to escape the range of the dangerous area-of-effect attack.

"Excellent!" Seeing that it was uninjured, the tension in Xia You's heart finally eased. "Kirlia, use Confusion!"

Kirlia raised its hands, and without warning, Raichu was lifted into the air. It was then slammed heavily back down onto the ground.

"Damn it!" Matsushita shouted loudly. "Raichu, get up! Close the distance!"

Raichu struggled to its feet, bursting with its final reserves of energy as it rushed toward Kirlia.

It was only then that Xia You suddenly remembered this Raichu's weakness.

He remembered from the anime that when Ash failed his first challenge at the枯叶 (Withered Leaf) Gym, and during his second battle against this Raichu, he discovered that because it had evolved too quickly, it had not learned any speed-based moves. Ultimately, Pikachu defeated it by using high-speed movement and Quick Attack to outmaneuver it.

By this time, Raichu had already reached Kirlia. Matsushita yelled, "Raichu, use Body Slam!"

Following Matsushita's command, Raichu leaped high into the air, spreading its body as it pressed down toward Kirlia.

Although there were other ways to dodge this attack, Xia You chose the simplest and most direct method.

"Kirlia, use Psychic!"

In the next second, the rapidly falling Raichu hit something like an invisible air wall. It was lifted back up in mid-air as if an invisible giant had grabbed it by the tail; it was swung around repeatedly before being flung to the side, crashing onto the ground once more.

But this time, its eyes rolled back, and it could no longer get up.

The referee watching the match raised his colored flag and announced loudly, "Raichu is unable to battle! Kirlia is the winner!"

Hearing that Kirlia had won, Koharu, who was in the spectator stands, couldn't help but clap excitedly.

Just as Xia You had said before, watching a match live and being immersed in the atmosphere was indeed much more exciting and spectacular than watching it on television!

Furthermore, emotionally, because she was rooting for Xia You, her mood fluctuated along with the progression of the battle, which served to heighten her excitement.

Retracting Raichu, Matsushita gave Xia You an affirming nod. "Being able to defeat my Raichu is enough to prove that you aren't just a simple Baby. However, if you want the badge, you'll have to defeat this guy first."

As he spoke, he threw out his second Poké Ball.

With a flash of blue light, a strange yellow and black Pokémon appeared in the arena.

This Pokémon stood on two legs, was primarily yellow with black stripes, and had a black lightning bolt symbol on its chest. Two short fangs curled out from its mouth, and near its pointed ears were two circular organs used for storing and discharging electricity.

[Pokédex: *Beep. Electabuzz, the Electric Pokémon. An Electric-type, the evolved form of Elekid. A very rare Pokémon. Electrical currents occasionally flicker across its body. Because it loves to consume electricity, it often causes widespread power outages in cities.*]

Xia You recalled Kirlia and sent out Bulbasaur.

"Bulbasaur, I'm leaving the second round to you!"

"Bulba! Bulbasaur!"

Seeing that Bulbasaur was ready, Matsushita shouted, "The real game has only just begun! Go, Electabuzz!"

Electabuzz strode forward toward Bulbasaur, clearly full of fighting spirit.

Xia You commanded, "Use Razor Leaf!"

A flurry of green leaves flew toward Electabuzz like spinning blades.

Matsushita, following his previous pattern, commanded, "Electabuzz, use Discharge!"

Two brilliant bolts of electricity suddenly shot from Electabuzz's head, converging into one and colliding with the Razor Leaf.

However, this time, the two moves canceled each other out, and neither side gained an advantage.

Seeing that Matsushita continued to use this method of response, Xia You understood in his heart. Perhaps due to the trainer's personality, it seemed that just like the Raichu before, this Electabuzz had also abandoned speed-based moves in favor of a diversified offensive.

Seeing Electabuzz getting closer, Xia You ordered again, "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"

Two vines rose into the air and lashed out fiercely toward Electabuzz. However, Electabuzz did not dodge; it took the hit from the Vine Whip and forced its way directly in front of Bulbasaur.

"Now!" Matsushita yelled. "Use Thunder Punch!"

In the next second, Electabuzz's fists suddenly erupted with electrical light. It swung its fists and struck Bulbasaur heavily.

However, Xia You wasn't particularly worried about this.

In terms of typing, although Grass-type does not have a type advantage over Electric-type, Electric-type moves against Grass-type only deal half damage due to type resistance.

This was exactly why Xia You had let Bulbasaur conserve its strength back at Sakuragi Park.

Because the main force for challenging the Withered Leaf Gym had, from beginning to end, actually been Bulbasaur!

(End of Chapter)