At the same time, Grey's Poké Ball hit the floor.
"Bre!"
Breloom landed on the field, looking harmless as a houseplant.
"What Pokémon is that?"
Ash lifted his Pokédex, only to find it still couldn't scan. For a second he wondered if Professor Oak had given him a knockoff—why else would it fail on two Pokémon in a row?
"That's Breloom—Grass/Fighting. It's from Hoenn. A Kanto Pokédex not recognizing it is normal."
Grey spared Ash a quick answer, then focused on the field.
Their raw power was close; Breloom had the type edge.
But this Electabuzz was trained by Lt. Surge—stronger than some random roadside Trainer's.
This battle wasn't to be taken lightly.
Lt. Surge struck first—speed to match his Electric specialty. "Electabuzz, Quick Attack!"
Electabuzz clapped its fists—white light coated its body.
It launched; the burst of speed was almost too fast to track with the naked eye.
A white afterimage snapped past—Breloom's gaze tracking with it.
"Don't watch it—use Growth!"
"Bre!"
Breloom flexed—white light flashed.
Its frame swelled just a touch, a red aura slipping over its body.
Attack and Sp. Atk rose!
Whoosh!
Electabuzz cut in at the flank, a golden fist chambered and driving for Breloom's head!
It looked reckless, but a flicker of Electric energy flashed in the instant before impact.
Grey read it and called at once: "Slip right—and fire Spore!"
Fights flip in a heartbeat; Electabuzz, veiled in white light, was lightning-quick.
Almost the moment Grey spoke, the gap snapped shut!
Wind hissed off the oncoming punch—Breloom slid to the right; the left slit in its cap tilted toward Electabuzz!
The cap puffed, swelling subtly.
Lt. Surge dropped his folded arms and barked, "Electabuzz, Thunder Punch!"
"Biri!"
Gold light flashed—Electabuzz's left fist burst with a crackling storm.
Arcs danced at its knuckles as it swung straight for Breloom's head!
At the same time, Breloom's cap gave a soft puff—
A cloud of powder fanned out—Thunder Punch scattered most of it!
Even so, the current bleeding off that fist weakened.
And Breloom was already retreating.
That alone kept it from eating Thunder Punch clean.
"Your Spore's nothing special."
Lt. Surge refolded his arms and laughed.
"Who said I wanted it asleep?"
Grey tapped his temple and called, "Now—Leech Seed!"
Spore done, Breloom's cap thumped again—
While Electabuzz's fist was already at point-blank!
Breloom chose to take it.
Thud!
Thunder Punch crashed onto the springy cap, dumping its full electric charge!
A harsh zzzt crackled; arcs hopped over Breloom's cap, trying to crawl in and paralyze—
But Breloom didn't take it for free.
As it took the hit, a seed spat from the cap's slit!
The Leech Seed flew fast, slapped onto Electabuzz's neck, and burst a spray of vines that raced over its body.
In seconds, Electabuzz was trussed tight.
"That move is awesome—Bulbasaur's learning that next!"
Seeing the tide tilt Grey's way, Ash immediately thought of his Bulbasaur.
It… actually fit?
Swap Sleep Powder for Spore; it already had Leech Seed.
Perfect!
"Hmph. Don't think party tricks work on my Electabuzz."
Lt. Surge snorted and went for brute-force. "Electabuzz—Flame Punch, burn it off!"
Grey came right back: "Breloom—Toxic, right on its head!"
Lt. Surge: ???
Hearing Grey's call made Lt. Surge's stomach turn.
A Fighting-type Trainer using Spore, Leech Seed, and Toxic—cheap shots?!
"Every Trainer's got their own best tactics."
Grey smiled, the corner of his mouth quirking. "Me? I dabble in all of them."
"Electabuzz—Flame Punch while you roll! Don't let that Toxic land!"
Lt. Surge swallowed his Unovan curses and barked the order—he couldn't let Toxic stick.
Badly Poisoned is foul—damage ramps up every turn.
Stack that with Leech Seed and Electabuzz would be taking two damage sources at once—
And Breloom could still attack.
Hit once, count it as three. Who tanks that?
"Biri!"
Gritting through the tightening vines, Electabuzz forced a side roll.
Heat flared from its fist and raced up the vines—
Trying to burn them off and break free.
But—
"Guluglu~"
Dark, bubbling venom seeped from Breloom's cap slit.
It shook its head—beads of purple light popped free with a soft pop-pop—
Just as planned, Toxic found its mark.
It splattered across Electabuzz's body, biting into skin and leaving raw burns.
Purple bubbles—the mark of poison—floated over its brow; Electabuzz did not look well.
On the bright side, the vines finally burned through.
"There's still time. Just drop it before the poison stacks…"
Lt. Surge set a short clock in his head, steadying himself. "Electabuzz—make it really tingly—Thunderbolt!"
After that gross little sequence, he wasn't letting Electabuzz get in close again.
Grey had the same thought. Knowing Static was its Ability, he didn't feel like gambling the proc.
If he could grind it out, safe was better.
He did feel a tiny bit sorry for Lt. Surge.
While offering that mental condolence, Grey didn't stop: "Dodge—and hit another Leech Seed!"
"???"
Lt. Surge's jaw went slack.
This is how you run a Fighting-type?
If Bruno of the Elite Four saw this, he'd strip your Fighting card!
"Don't stereotype Fighting types, Lt. Surge. Pokémon have infinite possibilities."
Grey seemed to read him; he waggled a finger and spoke softly.
"You—!"
Lt. Surge's teeth chattered with anger.
On the field—
Electabuzz raised both hands—its electrode-like antennae drew a savage current to its fists!
The charge lanced forward, gathering to a point—
A serpent of lightning speared out!
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