The Ghost-type—a type that has always been rather mysterious. However, as the Gym Leader of Celadon City, Erika has battled against trainers specializing in Ghost-types before.
She considered herself fairly knowledgeable about Ghost-types, so there shouldn't be any major issues. And as a Gym Leader, she also trusted Dylan's integrity.
Dylan certainly wouldn't use his main team against her in battle. Erika was self-aware enough to know that if Dylan brought out his top-tier Pokémon, she would be utterly defeated.
"Miss Erika, you're actually quite lucky. I just happened to obtain a pretty decent Ghost-type Pokémon yesterday," Dylan said, expanding the Pokéball in his hand and flashing a warm, sunny smile.
Erika was taken aback upon hearing this.
"I'll let you test its strength today," Dylan said as he tossed the Pokéball.
"Ceruledge! Get ready for battle!"
In a flash of white light, a humanoid Pokémon clad in blue-purple armor slowly rose, unfolding the blade-like swords from its arms.
"Wow! This Pokémon is so cool!" exclaimed Violet, who had rushed over from the training field after hearing about the battle, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Ceruledge.
Its aura was cold and stern. The blue-purple armor clung tightly to its body, and the energy blades of flame and ghostly power on its arms made it incredibly stylish and impressive.
It was none other than Ceruledge, the Fire/Ghost-type Pokémon that evolved from Charcadet!
Beep Ceruledge, Fire/Ghost-type, Fire Swordsman Pokémon
Ability: Weak Armor
Moves: Shadow Claw, Smokescreen, Flame Charge, Bitter Blade, Solar Blade, Phantom Force, Destiny Bond (Inherited)...
Description: The swords of flame on its arms burn with the resentment of a swordsman who perished before achieving his goals.
Daisy immediately pulled out her Pokédex to check Ceruledge's data.
Indeed, Dylan had evolved his Charcadet into Ceruledge last night and spent some time leveling it up in a growth simulation.
Unfortunately, Ceruledge had not yet learned its signature move, Bitter Blade.
"Fire-type too? Looks like it's going to be tough for Gym Leader Erika to deal with this one," Daisy said, holding her cheeks with a hint of concern for Erika.
After all, Erika specialized in Grass-types, and all her Pokémon were Grass-type, which had a disadvantage against Ceruledge's Fire-type.
"Don't underestimate Gym Leader Erika; she's no pushover," Flint said. Although he also felt it would be difficult for Erika to handle Ceruledge, he was still rooting for her.
On the field.
"Fire and Ghost-type, huh?" Erika mused for a moment before throwing out her first Pokéball.
"Victreebel, I'm counting on you!"
In a flash of white light, a large Victreebel with a yellow body covered in spots appeared before Erika. A leaf sprouted from its head, covering its gaping mouth, and at the tip of the leaf was a brown vine with small yellow leaves. Below its gaping mouth were two fierce-looking eyes.
Beep Victreebel, Grass/Poison-type, Flycatcher Pokémon
Ability: Chlorophyll
Moves: Leaf Storm, Power Whip, Sludge Wave, Sweet Scent, Sleep Powder, Toxic, Synthesis...
Description: It dissolves its prey, which are drawn by the sweet scent of its nectar. This is a brutal plant Pokémon.
Seeing Victreebel's impressive stats on the Pokédex, Daisy blinked in admiration.
"As the challenger, Gym Leader Erika will make the first move," Dylan gestured, allowing Erika to begin.
"Then I won't hold back," Erika said, her expression serious. After all, her opponent was Dylan, so she had to be very cautious.
"Victreebel, use Sweet Scent!"
Victreebel opened its giant mouth, releasing a large amount of sweet pink aroma that drifted toward Ceruledge.
Sweet Scent, a Normal-type move, uses the pleasant fragrance to attract the opponent, making it easier to land attacks.
"Smokescreen," Dylan said with a calm smile.
Ceruledge swung its arm blades, and an eruption of high-temperature flames exploded outward, spreading black smoke in all directions.
A Fire-type Smokescreen!
The Smokescreen engulfed the Sweet Scent completely, and the residual smoke continued to expand toward Victreebel.
"Victreebel, use Sludge Wave," Erika ordered without hesitation.
Victreebel spewed a large amount of toxic sludge from its mouth to meet the incoming Smokescreen—a Poison-type move, Sludge Wave!
The wave of sludge crashed into the Smokescreen, and before long, the Sludge Wave had overpowered the smoke and continued advancing.
As expected, this Ceruledge wasn't particularly strong yet. Its growth probably lagged behind Victreebel's, Erika realized.
Dylan, being the skilled Gym Leader he was, wouldn't use his top-tier Pokémon against her. That much was clear. Good Gym Leaders like him always adjust the strength of their Pokémon based on the challenger's level.
"Phantom Force."
With a swift slash of its right arm blade, Ceruledge opened a deep rift in space and vanished into it.
Phantom Force, a Ghost-type move, allows the user to enter another dimension and then strike the opponent. It's somewhat similar to Giratina's signature move, Shadow Force, but there's a fundamental difference in reality: Giratina's Shadow Force is actually quite overpowered.
Of course, right now, the focus was on the battle.
"Victreebel, stay alert and watch your surroundings!" Erika shouted.
Victreebel responded, its eyes scanning cautiously, while the vine on top of its head twitched in anticipation.
Suddenly, a dark rift opened behind Victreebel, and Ceruledge emerged, its arm blade glowing with ghostly energy as it slashed downward.
"Victreebel, behind you!"
Victreebel quickly turned, but the Phantom Force blade had already landed.
Phantom Force struck Victreebel, causing it to cry out in pain. However, in the next instant, Victreebel's vine shot out and wrapped around Ceruledge's neck.
Ceruledge's eyes flashed coldly as it attempted to slash through the vine with its arm blades, but it wasn't that easy.
"Victreebel, use Sleep Powder!"
"Flame Charge," Dylan said with a raised brow.
Victreebel spat out a large amount of powder from its mouth, but flames suddenly burst from Ceruledge's body, and the approaching powder was incinerated before it could reach the Fire/Ghost Pokémon.
This…
Erika furrowed her brow. Dylan's reaction time was incredibly fast. In her mind, that Sleep Powder should have been a guaranteed hit. Even if Ceruledge attacked Victreebel with its blades, putting Ceruledge to sleep would've been worth it.
But now the Sleep Powder was ineffective, and the Flame Charge couldn't be avoided either.
As she expected, Ceruledge slammed into Victreebel with Flame Charge.
Bang!
Flame Charge struck Victreebel directly, causing it to cry out in pain. The Fire-type move was super effective against the Grass-type Victreebel, and the damage was significant.
Not only that, but with the successful hit, Ceruledge's speed increased by a level.
However, Victreebel's vine remained tightly wrapped around Ceruledge's neck, squeezing even tighter.
"One more Flame Charge," Dylan ordered decisively.
Ceruledge's flames ignited once again, and it charged into Victreebel once more. Victreebel cried out in pain, visibly weakened from the hit.
"Victreebel, use Toxic!" Erika shouted suddenly.
Despite the pain, Victreebel managed to open its mouth and spray a deep purple liquid onto Ceruledge's face.
Ceruledge shook its head uncomfortably, but the toxic liquid had already seeped into its system.
The next second, Ceruledge showed signs of pain, with deep purple poison spots appearing on its body, emitting a terrifying toxic glow.
The first wave of toxic corrosion!
Erika's expression brightened instantly. The Toxic attack hit! This was excellent news!
"Hmm?" Dylan raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Erika.
Well, well, well, this elegant Grass-type specialist is using poison now? And her expression doesn't seem quite right either?
"Nicely done, Gym Leader Erika!" On the spectator seats, Flint excitedly waved his arm.
"If the Toxic hit, it's just a matter of time for Ceruledge now. Dylan can't switch out his Pokémon!" said Daisy, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Erika is amazing!" Violet cheered, rooting for Erika.
Indeed, to deal with the Ghost-type Pokémon, you had to fight fire with fire—or, in this case, poison with poison!
"Who would have thought Dylan would experience being poisoned one day?" Daisy remarked, almost in disbelief.
Lillie, Selene, and Asha: (-)
(The 'Receptionist will be now on be named Asha)
"Victreebel, use… Sludge Wave!" Erika commanded, abandoning her earlier plan.
She had originally considered using Synthesis to restore Victreebel's health, but there wasn't enough time. Victreebel couldn't withstand another attack from Ceruledge. Using Synthesis would be a death sentence.
Seeing Erika's sudden change in tactics, Dylan couldn't help but chuckle. As expected from a Gym Leader of her caliber, she wasn't like the usual challengers.
This decision to use Sludge Wave was spot on.
Victreebel let out a low cry as dark purple toxic sludge surged directly toward Ceruledge.
Ceruledge let out a grunt. Although the Poison-type Sludge Wave wasn't super effective against it, Victreebel's high Special Attack made the damage quite respectable.
Ceruledge endured the Sludge Wave, its eyes, seemingly ablaze, cold as ice.
"Ceruledge, Shadow Claw!" Dylan called out.
"Victreebel, another Sludge Wave!" Erika quickly countered.
But Ceruledge was far faster. Its cursed, glowing blade slashed through the air, leaving behind two eerie trails. Victreebel froze in place.
As Ceruledge coolly turned and lowered its arm-blades, Victreebel collapsed to the ground.
"Victreebel is unable to battle. Ceruledge wins!" Violet declared, announcing the result of the match.
On the scoreboard, Victreebel's icon dimmed on Erika's side.
"You've done well, Victreebel. Rest up now," Erika sighed as she recalled her Pokémon, offering it some comforting words.
Though she had lost the round, there was no doubt that Victreebel had laid the foundation for Erika's strategy. The once intimidating Ceruledge was now poisoned!
Her plan was now crystal clear—just like the challengers who often faced her with poison-type tactics.
This strategy was certainly effective!
"That was an excellent performance by your Victreebel, Miss Erika. You truly live up to your reputation as Celadon City's renowned Gym Leader," Dylan praised her, impressed with her performance.
Calm, rational, and sharp-minded—Erika had made all the right decisions, especially considering that she had a type disadvantage against Ceruledge.
"You flatter me, Gym Leader Dylan," Erika replied modestly, a soft smile on her face.
"Let's continue then. I'm curious to see how you plan to deal with my Ceruledge next," Dylan gestured for Erika to proceed.
"My second Pokémon will be this one!"
Erika's expression turned serious as she threw her second Pokéball.
"Jumpluff, I'm counting on you!"
Dylan was momentarily taken aback by the name.
The Pokéball opened in a flash of white light, revealing an adorably small, blue Pokémon floating in front of Erika.
Its body was round and blue, with three cotton-like puffs extending from its body, and its face beamed with a lively smile.
It was none other than the Grass/Flying-type, Jumpluff!
Looking at the little Pokémon, Dylan found himself deep in thought.
"What a cute Pokémon," Lillie exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she pulled out her Pokédex to scan it.
Beep
Jumpluff, Grass/Flying-type, Cottonweed Pokémon
Ability: Chlorophyll
Moves: U-turn, Cotton Spore, Acrobatics, Leech Seed, Protect, Synthesis, Tailwind, Pollen Puff…
Description: No matter what kind of wind blows, it can skillfully control its cotton to travel anywhere in the world it wishes to go.
Lillie smiled at the entry. She couldn't help but find this Pokémon utterly adorable. Its smile was so contagious!
"Miss Erika," Dylan said thoughtfully after a moment.
"What is it, Mr. Dylan?" Erika asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Perhaps it's not my place to ask, but… you're not planning to stall for time and let Ceruledge faint from poison, are you? Surely, that's not the plan, right?" Dylan carefully phrased his question.
Jumpluff was very fast and had the advantage of flight. Coupled with moves like Protect, stalling Ceruledge out until the poison took effect was certainly feasible.
Dylan genuinely had no countermeasures—he couldn't switch out Ceruledge, and Ceruledge wasn't a Flying-type, nor was it proficient in special attacks.
But Erika was a refined and nature-loving lady, a distinguished Grass-type Gym Leader. Surely she wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics, right? Even though Erika had a lively and energetic side in private, this was an official Gym battle, and other Gym Leaders, like Daisy and Flint, were watching.
Given her poise and noble upbringing, Erika wouldn't stoop to such a lowly tactic, right? She would surely opt for an honorable victory.
"…"
Erika remained silent.
The deafening silence made Dylan freeze as well.
Something didn't add up. In his memory, Erika wasn't this kind of person. What had changed her?
(End of Chapter)