Norman raised an eyebrow, a confident smile tugging at his lips.
"Slakoth, to the field!"
"Slakothhh…"
The sluggish Pokémon lumbered forward onto the battlefield, swaying lazily as if it hadn't slept in days.
Silas exhaled a quiet breath of relief. At least it's not Slaking… Norman was famous online for using the Slakoth line as his core team. Facing Slaking in his very first Gym battle would have been overwhelming.
"Corphish, let's go!"
"Cor-phiiishhh!!"
The crustacean snapped its pincers with determination.
Norman's calm command followed immediately.
"Slakoth, Icy Wind."
"Slakothhh…"
With surprising effort, Slakoth exhaled a chilling breath. Frosty winds swept across the battlefield, ice crystals trailing in its wake.
"Corphish, Harden!" Silas countered quickly.
Corphish's body gleamed with a white shine as its shell tightened, the icy gale coating its surface with frost. The cold bit deep, but the reinforced shell held firm.
Norman's eyes narrowed slightly, impressed. "Not bad. Your Corphish resists the cold better than expected."
"Shake it off and Bubble Beam!" Silas ordered.
"Cor-phiiishhh!!"
Corphish snapped its claws open, releasing a dazzling stream of bubbles that shimmered in the air before blasting toward Slakoth.
"Dodge, then Headbutt," Norman commanded.
"Slakothhh!"
Slakoth sluggishly leaned to one side, the first bubbles whizzing past. Then, with its head glowing a milky white, it suddenly lunged forward with startling force.
BAM!
The Headbutt smashed into Corphish, sending it tumbling back across the arenabefore skidding to a stop.
"Corphish! Get up!" Silas shouted.
"Cor…phiiishhh…"
Corphish's claws dug into the floor. Shaking, it forced itself upright, glaring at its foe.
Norman's calm voice followed: "Don't let it recover - Finish this with another Headbutt."
Slakoth's eyes flickered with focus, its body surging forward for another strike.
"Corrr-phiiishhh!!"
Corphish's pincers glowed and snapped shut, catching Slakoth mid-charge. With a loud CRUNCH, the two Pokémon locked in place.
"End this! Aqua Jet!" Silas commanded coldly.
Water spiraled around Corphish's body, energy gathering.
"Corrrr-PHIIISHHH!!"
Like a living torpedo, it rocketed forward, slamming into Slakoth at point-blank range.
BOOM!
The impact hurled Slakoth backward. Dust exploded across the field.
When the smoke cleared, Slakoth lay sprawled, eyes swirling in defeat.
The referee raised his flag. "Slakoth is unable to battle! Round One goes to the challenger's Corphish!"
Norman calmly returned his Pokémon. "Impressive. Your Corphish fights with grit and excellent timing. You read the battle like a veteran, not a beginner."
Silas bowed his head slightly. "Thank you for the guidance, Mr. Norman. But this was Corphish's hard work and I can't take all the credit." He hesitated, then added with a small smile: "And… I know you weren't using your full strength."
Norman chuckled inwardly. Sharp eyes. This boy has real talent ,He sees right through me.
In the stands, May leaned forward over the railing eyes sparkling and cheeks puffed with excitement . "I've never seen Dad praise anyone like this!"
Caroline smiled warmly. "Then May, study hard. This is the very first challenge since our Gym opened and it's something to remember."
...
Norman hurled his second Poké Ball.
"Go—Vigoroth!"
"Viiigorothhh!!"
Another ape-like Pokémon landed on the battlefield, more muscular and brimming with restless energy. It pounded its chest with a wild cry.
The referee raised the flag. "Challenger, do you wish to switch Pokémon?"
Silas's expression hardened. He recalled Corphish. "Rest for now. Carvanha, your turn!"
"Car-vaaaanhaaa!!"
The piranha Pokémon emerged in a splash of light, snarling and hovering above the ground with menacing fangs.
Almost instantly, the heat of the battlefield made it uncomfortable. It drifted low, searching for damp air, water glinting along its scales.
Norman didn't waste a second. "Vigoroth, Bulk Up!"
"Viii-gorothhh!!"
The ape flexed, muscles bulging as a red aura rippled around its body. Its attack and defense surged higher.
"Carvanha, Screech! Stop it!" Silas ordered.
"Carrr-vaaaanhaaa!!"
The Pokémon shrieked, a piercing noise that made even May cover her ears.
But Vigoroth only snarled, unfazed, its bulk-up complete. Its body gleamed with newfound power, veins pulsing as its claws dug into the ground.
Silas's heart sank. That thing's not just tough it's faster now too…
The real battle was about to begin.
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(End of chapter)