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Brock temporarily buried his doubts deep in his heart. It was still time for a Gym challenge, and any questions would have to wait until after the challenge was over.
However, Brock still felt a bit strange. Usually, in a Gym challenge, the challenger would ask questions, and the Gym Leader would answer.
But now, it was completely reversed. How could he, the Gym Leader, be less knowledgeable than a Rookie Trainer? Was this reasonable?
"A Pikachu that knows Fighting-type moves can indeed be a winning ace, but can you get past this stage? Go, my second Pokémon, Onix!" As Brock finished speaking, he threw out his second Poké Ball.
With a flash of light, a massive creature appeared on the field!
This Pokémon looked as if it was composed of a dozen rocks, and its overall appearance was like a python. This was also one of the more famous Pokémon in Kanto, Onix.
However, compared to Geodude, Onix was relatively rarer. Not only that, but at the same level, Onix's stats in all aspects significantly surpassed Geodude's.
Unless there was a huge difference in their ability potential, otherwise, at the same level, Onix would absolutely crush Geodude in all stats.
Therefore, even at the same level, it would be impossible to win as easily against Onix as before, not to mention that this Onix's level was actually one higher than Geodude's; its level had already reached intermediate-advanced.
Of course, this was just Brock's thought. In reality, for Ash... as long as it wasn't something that couldn't be put to sleep, anyone could come.
"Return, Pikachu."
"Pika-pi~"
Ash recalled Pikachu, then took out Butterfree's Poké Ball: "I choose you, Butterfree!"
"Bilibili~~"
Butterfree returned to the field.
"It's Butterfree again? The same move won't work on a Gym Leader. If you still plan to use the Sleep Powder strategy, I advise you to think twice."
"I think so too, so... Butterfree, use String Shot!" Ash nodded, agreeing with Brock's statement, then waved his hand, launching the first attack.
"Onix, Sandstorm." After a moment's pause, Brock immediately commanded.
String Shot was different from Sleep Powder. The latter's speed was actually very slow. As long as the opponent dared to use Sleep Powder, even with the Compound Eyes ability, Brock could immediately have Onix use Dig to dodge it.
Then, it would wait for an opportunity in the hole, and the moment it emerged, it would directly use Rock Slide to finish off the opponent.
A Pokémon like Butterfree, if hit once by a Rock-type move, the battle could be over.
But Ash seemed to have thought of this as well, not using Sleep Powder at the start, but String Shot.
He wanted to use String Shot to slow down Onix, and String Shot's speed was much faster than Sleep Powder's. Even if Dig was used, it would be impossible to completely avoid it.
Therefore, Brock simply used Sandstorm to enhance Onix's special defense attribute, while also causing trouble for the opponent.
Although using a weather-based strategy against a Rookie Trainer was a bit too much, Ash was not an ordinary Rookie Trainer after all.
After this battle, win or lose, Brock had already decided to give the Gym Badge to him. Just the fact that he defeated Geodude without taking damage against a type disadvantage, Ash deserved this Gym Badge.
As for now... let's just say his competitive spirit had risen!
Butterfree spat out a segment of white silk, which wrapped around Onix without any hindrance.
However, Onix's body was simply too massive. It couldn't be completely covered like Geodude, only managing to wrap about half of it.
When Butterfree tried to continue wrapping, Onix already struggled, breaking the silk threads on its body!
But the silk threads in the crevices of its body were not something that could be easily broken free from.
Those tiny, sticky threads would become a powerful weapon to hinder Onix's movement and the release of its moves!
At the same time, a strange, eerie wind began to blow across the entire field, followed by countless tiny sand and stones being blown onto Butterfree by the howling gale.
Sandstorm, a weather-type move, causes a small amount of damage to Pokémon other than Rock and Steel types periodically, and it also increases the special defense stat of Rock-type moves. It is the best battle weather for Rock-type Pokémon.
Ash was also stunned when he saw the Sandstorm swirling on the field. Although he had been cramming a lot of Pokémon-related knowledge and moves in the group during this time, he hadn't yet started to learn about weather-type moves and tactics from the experts in the group.
In other words, he had no idea what Sandstorm did.
"Bilibili~~" Butterfree, hit by the sand and stones in the strong wind, let out a somewhat pained Growl. The swirling Sandstorm not only caused damage to Butterfree but also obstructed its vision, reduced its flying speed, and made it difficult for Sleep Powder to hit the opponent.
After all, this was windy weather. Powder-type moves would be directly blown away by the wind when used, but... "Butterfree, use Sleep Powder!"
"Idiot, don't use that move!" The moment Ash spoke, Misty quickly shouted.
However, Butterfree on the field had already immediately executed Ash's command, using Sleep Powder.
As expected, the Sleep Powder was instantly swept away by the fierce sand, mixing into the sand, completely unable to touch Onix in the slightest.
"Good opportunity, Onix, use Rock Slide!" With Sleep Powder missing and Butterfree in its recovery phase, Brock didn't miss this opportunity and immediately ordered Onix to attack!
Onix roared, and several large rocks appeared around its body, then all flew towards Butterfree.
The Rock Slide in the Sandstorm looked very inconspicuous, which also indirectly increased its accuracy.
"Oh no, Butterfree, quickly dodge!!!" After all, he was a Rookie Trainer. Even with the guidance of a top Trainer, the time was too short. This mistake with Sleep Powder was due to his rookie foundation.
Therefore, all Ash could do now was have Butterfree dodge on its own.
At this critical moment, Butterfree's excellent speed was showcased.
Just as Rock Slide was about to hit, Butterfree flapped its wings, swiftly moving a distance to the right, narrowly dodging the Rock Slide attack.
Seeing this, Ash exhaled a sigh of relief.
"That was close. If it had been hit by Rock Slide, it would have been over... I didn't expect Sandstorm to have such an effect. As expected of a Gym Leader, not to be underestimated." Ash wiped the sweat mixed with sand from his forehead, speaking with a serious tone.
Misty also patted her full chest, letting out a soft breath. The dangerous scene just now made her feel very nervous.
She didn't expect Ash to make such a mistake... No, it should be said that it was normal for Ash to make such a mistake!