Pangoro landed a Sky Uppercut, hitting heavily on Hariyama's chin, pulling its burly body directly up from the ground and knocking it into mid-air.
"Hariyama!!"
Brawly turned pale with fright and could not help but shout out loud. But no matter how anxious he was, there was nothing he could do now. He could only watch helplessly as his Hariyama's eyes rolled upward, and immediately after, it fell backward and smashed onto the ground with a loud bang!
The entire venue was completely silent. The gym girls all widened their eyes, looking at Hariyama who was lying on the ground unable to get up. They simply could not believe that Brawly's ace Pokémon had actually lost!
"This..."
Clearly, the two Pokémon had fought for a long time just now. They were once inseparable and hard to distinguish, causing great damage to each other, and both looked equally scarred. But unexpectedly, in the end, it was still Pangoro who won the final victory.
Why did it turn out like this?
Seeing such an outcome, Brawly also took a step back, looking completely lost.
Before the battle, he was full of confidence; after the battle, he questioned his reality.
Hariyama was his ace Pokémon, yet it was still no match for Bea's Pangoro!
He really did not understand why this woman's Pokémon was so strong that it could defeat his two Pokémon consecutively!
However, although Brawly was the person involved, Natsui on the side saw it clearly.
It can only be said that, although both are Gym Leaders, Brawly only knows how to surf every day. His Pokémon are negligent in training, and mostly accompany him to play in the water. How could he be Bea's opponent?
Bea is a ruthless person who trains together with her own Pokémon!
And in the battle, despite the two Pokémon looking evenly matched, Pangoro not only had stronger strength and a more solid physique, but its perseverance was also extraordinary. Several times after receiving attacks, it forcefully gritted its teeth and carried out a counterattack.
So, isn't it only natural that he lost to such an opponent!
Pangoro returned to Bea's side, raised its head arrogantly, and swept its unruly gaze to the side. And those gym girls who just triumphantly thought that Brawly was invincible, under its aggressive gaze, all subconsciously shifted their gazes away.
Its trainer does not like to speak, but that does not mean it cannot back up its trainer!
And defeating the opponent is the best method!
The referee finally came back to her senses at this time and raised the colored flag.
"Har... Hariyama is unable to battle! The challenger wins this gym battle!"
Hearing this, Brawly also hurriedly adjusted his mentality and clapped his hands to applaud.
"What a wonderful battle." Clearly having lost, and feeling very uncomfortable in his heart, he still had to pretend to have an appearance of not caring. He walked slowly toward Bea, with a smile hanging on his face, and congratulated her verbally, "This Pangoro is really amazing; I indeed did not misjudge it! Or rather, you are the most powerful female trainer I have encountered since I have owned Pokémon!"
At the same time as he spoke, he took out a badge from his pocket and handed it to Bea.
"Take it. This is the proof of defeating me."
Unexpectedly, Bea did not even look at that badge. She just bowed to Brawly to show courtesy, and immediately turned her head and walked toward the exit without looking back.
However, when passing by Natsui and Misty, she hesitated slightly. Immediately, she did not leave right away, but sat down next to Misty.
This series of actions directly confused Brawly.
What is wrong?
Why does she not want the badge?
Defeating the gym and taking away the badge, isn't this a very normal thing?
Hiss... could it be that a mistake appeared in some step!?
Seeing his face full of bafflement, Natsui stood up and walked toward him. At the same time, he smiled and said: "Sorry, she is not good with words. Let me convey it for her. Actually, she did not come here for the badge, and coming here to challenge was not to participate in the Ever Grande Conference either. She merely came to train her own Pokémon, that is all."
Hearing Natsui explain it like this, only then did Brawly suddenly realize.
"So that is how it is..."
Just as he wanted to say something more, seeing that Natsui was already walking toward the trainer command area on the other side, his heart moved, and he could not help but ask: "Are you also here to challenge me?"
"That is correct." Natsui nodded. Immediately, he glanced at Hariyama who was still lying on the ground again, and pretended to be suddenly enlightened. "Eh? Could it be that apart from these two defeated Pokémon, you already have no Pokémon that can continue to fight? Or is it that without these two Pokémon, you have no way to defend the gym?"
"Hahaha, of course not. How is that possible..."
Brawly's eyebrow twitched. He felt that this man spoke without using his brain. He is a Gym Leader; how could it be possible that he only has these two Pokémon in his hand!
However, this tone really makes people feel angry...
He carefully sized up this man. Looking from the aspect of age, he is a few years younger than himself. Looking from the aspect of appearance, he is also more handso... cough cough, equal to himself.
Look at the audience seats again.
Not counting that female challenger who made his heart flutter, coming together with this man, there was also a pretty little girl.
Although because her age is still young, she has not fully grown up yet, it can be foreseen that when she grows up, she will definitely be a great beauty!
He really has good luck with women...
Thinking of this, the fire in his heart became even bigger!
"Are you also here to challenge the gym?"
"Of course." Natsui seemed not to feel the hostility that suddenly erupted from Brawly, still maintaining a face of innocent smiles. "However, I am not as powerful as she is, and I do not have any powerful Pokémon in my hand. I still ask you to go easy on me!"
Oh? Not very strong?
A brilliant light exploded in Brawly's eyes!
That is perfect!!!
The failure just now not only made him lose face in front of that female challenger, but even in the eyes of the gym girls, he probably also lost face. Now he can just use you to get it back!
Thinking of this, he also became pleasant and kind, afraid of scaring away this challenger.
"It does not matter, it does not matter. I happen to have a few not very strong Pokémon too. Then let us continue the match."
In the audience seats, seeing this scene before her eyes, Misty could not help laughing out loud.
Brother Natsui's acting skills are too clumsy, right?
Even so, that idiot named Brawly actually did not see it, and still thought Brother Natsui was a pushover!
She naturally also saw through Brawly's thoughts, knowing that he wanted to redeem himself on Brother Natsui.
It can only be said that this person is truly too arrogant and clueless about the real world!
What do you have to compare with Brother Natsui?
Brother Natsui is younger than you, and has achieved higher achievements than you. Even the girls who like him, whether it is Sabrina or Erika, and also me, this world's number one beautiful girl, which one is not prettier than those people in your gym!?
The most important thing is, does he really think that those Pokémon of Brother Natsui are really some weak Pokémon!?
She also was not kind enough to go and remind Brawly. She just shouted "Go Brother Natsui" once, and then put her legs together, leisurely watching the excitement.
Instead, Bea on the side, hearing Natsui say that he was not very powerful, cast a curious look at Misty.
The day before yesterday, because she left directly after fighting with Shauna, she had not seen Natsui battle. But judging from today's battle comprehensively, although Brawly is stronger than Shauna, he is not stronger by too much. Fighting with such an opponent, there should be no problem, right?
Feeling her gaze, Misty held back her laughter. She just shook her head at her, but did not say much more.
Saying too much would seem like she was bragging about Brother Natsui herself.
It is better to let her go and discover it slowly by herself!
Sigh, however, I really want to see if this woman who always has a calm expression will still maintain this kind of expression after learning that Brother Natsui is the champion of two regional conferences?
In the battlefield, Natsui and Brawly stood separately.
Different from just now, some of the gym girls, seeing Natsui's appearance like this, began to cheer and encourage him one after another.
This also made Brawly even more annoyed.
These people, usually which one does not revolve around him? How come today there are people who "rebelled"?
Because the gym rules had just been explained, there was naturally no need to say more at this time. It was still sending two Pokémon on the field.
As the one being challenged, after pondering for a moment, Brawly also decided on his Pokémon to battle.
"Come out, Hitmontop!"
With a flash of blue light, a Pokémon looking like a street kid appeared on the venue.
This was already Brawly's best choice.
In fact, after his Makuhita and Hariyama were defeated by Bea one after another, although he still had more than a dozen other Pokémon, there were only a few that were presentable.
And this Hitmontop was one of the relatively stronger ones among them!
For Natsui, he had fought against Hitmontop before, so naturally, he would not feel unfamiliar, knowing that it is a kind of Pokémon extremely good at leg attacks.
Needless to say, among his own Pokémon, there was also only one Pokémon with the Fighting attribute, and which was also similarly good at leg attacks, so naturally, he could only use it to battle.
"Next is up to you, Combusken!"
Wait until Combusken appeared, Brawly looked at this Pokémon, and his heart also felt greatly relaxed.
As a local rookie trainer in the Hoenn region, the Torchic that can be obtained as one of the three choices when going out to travel, as well as its evolved forms, can be said to be the Fighting-type Pokémon he encounters most often when sitting in the gym, apart from those Machops that are really everywhere on the streets.
The Combusken in front of his eyes had not even evolved into Blaziken yet!
Being able to send such a Pokémon on the field, it is visible that what this man said was correct; his Pokémon are indeed relatively weak.
This also let him put down his heart.
He was just afraid that just like that female challenger just now, he would also take out some Pokémon from other regions, or some third-stage Pokémon. That would be hard to deal with!
Fortunately, up to now, everything is within his control!
"Brawly! Go for it!!"
And just at this time, on the second-floor stand, Shauna finally popped her head out.
Compared to those other gym girls, she was also the one who supported Brawly most firmly without doubt. Although just now because of running away, she did not see how Brawly fought with Bea, she had also heard about the matter of Brawly being defeated.
Now seeing Brawly continue to fight, she decisively popped her head out to cheer and encourage the person she likes!
And for Brawly, this was undoubtedly a huge encouragement, and it also proved that not all gym girls had lost confidence in him.
Thinking of this, he no longer pursued the matter of Shauna hiding from him and acting as the Acting Gym Leader the day before yesterday. Instead, a big smile appeared on his face, and he waved his hand to Shauna.
Shauna, thank you for your unwavering love.
Just watch, I will defeat this man, and make you always feel proud of me!
Regaining his confidence, Brawly looked at Natsui with eyes full of fighting spirit. Regarding the man, he did not ask for his name actively like just now, but directly chose to start the match.
"Hitmontop, approach it, and then use Triple Kick!"
For these people specializing in the Fighting attribute, fighting them with the same attribute himself, he naturally dared not have any contempt.
"Combusken, use Detect!"
For him, taking advantage of the opponent not getting close yet, maxing out the state first, and then responding to changes with constancy, carrying out a counterattack within defense, is the most secure way!
Combusken's gaze became sharp suddenly. In that instant, even Hitmontop's movements in its eyes seemed to have become slower.
Hitmontop stood its body upside down, spinning just like a top, came close to Combusken, and kicked its big foot with spikes high up, kicking toward Combusken's face!
Combusken naturally would not show weakness either. Amidst Natsui's command sound, it first jumped backward, dodging this attack, and then taking advantage of the gap in Hitmontop's attack, it used Double Kick to carry out a counterattack.
The two Pokémon engaged just like this.
It is just that compared to that kind of head-on collision of strength with Bea, at this time, they were more like a clash on skills.
And after fighting for a few rounds, Brawly indeed saw it. This Combusken's strength was indeed not considered too outstanding. Although it was not that easy to deal with, at least it was not like his Makuhita's sense of powerlessness when facing Pangoro. It could be said to be on par with his Hitmontop.
A bit difficult to handle...
His brow could not help but furrow again. This had a very big difference from the battle he envisioned.
Why are today's challengers all so troublesome?
In the field, the two Pokémon were still fighting. Compared to other Pokémon, they were both the kind of Pokémon that favored leg attacks. This also made the highlight of this match all on their lower bodies!
Kicking out, clashing, retreating, kicking out again, clashing again...
In just the time of a few short minutes, the two Pokémon had attacked each other no less than a dozen times!
Although most attacks were neutralized by the opponent, in the oversight, it was still inevitable to hit each other a few times. Furthermore, as their physical strength decreased continuously, they soon also became equally breathless, looking shaky!
Hold on...
Seeing Hitmontop swaying, unable to spin like when it appeared, Brawly's heart almost rose to his throat!
And compared to it, Combusken relying on that kind of unyielding fighting spirit of Fire-type Pokémon, just stood motionless forcefully; instead, a pair of sharp eyes stared intently at Hitmontop!
Feeling its momentum, Brawly was suddenly startled. It was also only at this time that he remembered the "perseverance" and "guts" that had long been abandoned by himself!
Could it be said that, on this small island remote and far away from the mainland, I have been leisurely for too long, and I have really already deviated from the Fighting Way that I once always held firm to?
-----------------
On Patreon—there are 120 early-access chapters available.
My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/LEYI396