"Isn't Toxapex a Poison and Water-type Pokémon?"
Red looked at Toxapex and recalled the information he had seen on the Pokémon League's official website. However, that website only showed the Pokémon's types and didn't provide detailed information.
Red had a great memory, so he quickly remembered Toxapex's types.
But he couldn't recall exactly what kind of Pokémon Toxapex was.
No matter—testing it out would be fine.
"That's right, Red. My Toxapex is quite tough to handle. It's one of my key players."
Dylan smiled as he spoke. He wasn't lying—Toxapex was indeed a crucial member of his current team.
Although it wasn't his ace, Dylan had to admit that his ace might not be as difficult to deal with as Toxapex.
"..."
Red's usually serene face grew serious.
Since Dylan said that, Toxapex must be very strong!
"Charizard, Air Slash!"
After a moment's hesitation, Red decided to make the first move to test things out.
Toxapex was a Water and Poison-type Pokémon, weak only to Ground, Electric, and Psychic types, and resistant to Fire-type moves.
However, among the three types that counter Toxapex, Charizard only knew Dig, which would inevitably make contact with the ground and thus be affected by Toxic Spikes.
Fortunately, Flying-type moves would deal normal damage to Toxapex.
Charizard flapped its wings heavily, and a powerful gust of wind formed an air blade that shot towards Toxapex.
"Light Screen," Dylan said with a faint smile, speaking slowly and calmly.
Toxapex lowered its two front tentacles, and a semi-transparent Light Screen materialized in front of it.
Light Screen is a Psychic-type move that reduces the damage from special attacks for a set period.
"..." Red frowned slightly.
The sharp Air Slash hit Toxapex's tentacles directly, causing Toxapex's body to shiver for a moment, but then…
Nothing else happened!
The Light Screen became more solid, eventually merging into Toxapex's body, completing the shield!
"What kind of defense is this? Did Air Slash not hit?" Ash stared, pointing at Toxapex in disbelief.
Air Slash hit, but Toxapex only shivered a bit and took the hit without much effect?
"Toxapex's physical and special defense are extremely high. When our Arbok and Drapion practice their moves, they use Toxapex as their target."
"Even their Earthquake doesn't deal much damage to Toxapex."
Ilene explained with a gentle smile. This way, both Arbok and Drapion could improve their move intensity and Toxapex's defense.
However, currently, the attack strength of Arbok and Drapion had long fallen behind Toxapex's defensive growth rate.
If Toxapex weren't so reserved, then if it were a Pokémon like Arbok, it would definitely say to Arbok and Drapion, "Is that all? Haven't you eaten? Put some effort in!"
"Huh?"
Ash was dumbfounded.
Red on the field had already furrowed his brows. Not only was the Air Slash's impact on Toxapex less than ideal, but with the Light Screen up, how could Charizard attack from a distance?
The Light Screen's reduction of special attack damage was too effective.
"Toxapex, Iron Defense."
Dylan's tone remained relaxed. He had great trust in his Toxapex, especially since Red didn't know much about it.
Toxapex let out a low hum, and a metallic sheen enveloped its body.
Iron Defense, a Steel-type move, greatly increases the user's physical defense.
"Dragon Rush!"
Red said solemnly.
If long-range attacks were ineffective, then close combat was the way to go! And he couldn't just watch his opponent strengthen.
Toxapex had already used Light Screen. If it used Iron Defense twice more, Charizard wouldn't be able to land a hit!
Roar~!
A furious dragon's roar filled the air as the powerful Dragon energy surged around Charizard, descending from the sky.
Dragon Rush!
Charizard was not only strong in special attacks but also excelled in close combat!
Dragon Rush's charging speed was fast, and it soon arrived above Toxapex.
"You've fallen for it, Red."
Dylan's lips curled up.
"Toxapex, Baneful Bunker!"
Toxapex immediately stopped using Iron Defense, and a strange purple barrier appeared around its body.
Baneful Bunker! This is Toxapex's exclusive move.
Baneful Bunker: Protects itself from most moves from other Pokémon.
Yes, it's essentially a Protect-type move, but unlike Protect, during Baneful Bunker, if an opponent uses a contact move against Toxapex, the attacker will be poisoned!
And contact moves generally include most close-range attacks, Dragon Rush being no exception.
"Wait! Charizard!" Red looked at the peculiar purple barrier with some unease.
But it was too late. Charizard was too close to Toxapex, and even if Charizard wanted to stop, it was already too late.
Boom!
The fierce dragon slammed into the Baneful Bunker shield, and a torrent of energy surged, creating a strong wind. The dragon roared frantically, trying to shatter the shield below.
But it was futile. Although the Baneful Bunker shield was thin, it was exceptionally sturdy.
As Dragon Rush's violent impact continued, a purple fluid from the Baneful Bunker flowed over the dragon, eventually seeping into Charizard's body.
Dragon Rush finally exhausted its power, and the Baneful Bunker shield dissipated into light particles. Charizard flapped its wings, trying to fly away.
But just then, a layer of purple poisonous light suddenly enveloped Charizard, making its body stiffen and its face contort in pain.
Red's pupils contracted. Poisoned?! Was it because of that strange purple Protect?
Wait, does your Protect carry poison? Is there such an excessive move?
Red fell silent.
And this scene also left the surrounding crowd stunned.
"Huh? How did Charizard get poisoned?"
"Baneful Bunker! It's that Baneful Bunker move!"
"Goodness, this move is too sneaky!"
"Sure enough, Pokémon with abstract appearances are always troublesome!"
"Guys, I suddenly really want to play a Poison-type team too!"
The spectators were either astonished, intrigued, or silent, but all were impacted in some way.
"Venoshock!"
Dylan didn't care about this. He immediately ordered Toxapex to pursue.
Toxapex raised its two tentacles, and purple poison gathered. Two columns of poisonous liquid shot out.
Poison-type, Venoshock!
Bang~!
The Venoshock struck Charizard, who was just recovering from the poison, right in the face.
That's right, Toxapex aimed the poison directly at Charizard's face!
Charizard roared in pain as its strong body toppled, crashing heavily to the ground.
The Merciless ability always targets critical hits on poisoned opponents, and Venoshock's power doubles against poisoned targets!
This means that this Venoshock hit two buffs—Charizard had no chance of escaping the pain!
And as Charizard hit the ground, it triggered another layer of Toxic Spikes, with purple poison quickly enveloping Charizard again.
"Hiss…"
Seeing this, Ash and the others couldn't help but gasp, and Charmander beside Ash stared blankly at its now miserable senior, its eyes wide with shock.
That's right, the damage from Toxic Spikes and poisoning does not overlap! Even if poisoned, the damage from Toxic Spikes still applies.
Because a single layer of Toxic Spikes does not cause true poisoning, only two layers will poison the opponent, something Dylan has experimented with.
In fact, compared to the two-layer Toxic Spikes poisoning, the three-layer Toxic Spikes with its toxic status, Dylan found a single layer of Toxic Spikes more practical.
Charizard was lying on the ground, eyes shut, face twisted, and body curled up. The pain from Venoshock and the subsequent impact had left it in agony.
Pain! It really hurt so much!
"Red has no hope left." Brock shook his head as he came to this realization.
Charizard was already poisoned, and with that series of attacks, Charizard's condition was critical.
And with Toxapex's ridiculous defense and Light Screen protecting it, even if it was a battle of attrition, Charizard would be worn out, not to mention Toxapex's self-recovery.
Red's defeat was certain.
"This guy is really strong…" Misty agreed, looking at Dylan with admiration.
Although there was already a Poison-type Gym in the Kanto region—Fuchsia City's Koga was a Poison-type expert.
Misty wondered who was better at using Poison-type Pokémon: Dylan or Koga.
Curious, Misty tilted her head, suddenly looking forward to a battle between these two Poison-type experts.
Hmm, that scene would definitely be very interesting.
(End of Chapter)