"Ka-dabra!"
Kadabra appeared, its fox-like face exuding a mature, composed air. Its chest was armored like leather, and it clutched a silver spoon in its paw.
A Psychic-type, the pre-evolved form of Alakazam, and a natural counter to Gengar.
Li Xuan sized it up, giving it a solid nod.
But only solid.
If Heracross faced it, Kadabra might have a shot at winning.
But the dojo's star, Primeape, was on the field.
"The Gym Challenge for a badge begins now. It's a two-on-two match, with the challenger attacking first," Li Xuan announced, standing ready. He glanced at his system to check the strength gap between the Pokémon.
Pokémon: KadabraLevel: 24
Pokémon: PrimeapeLevel: 45
Well…
No way to go easy here.
With Kadabra's flimsy defenses, Primeape could knock it out with a single kick, even halfheartedly.
"Kadabra, use Confusion!" Gary commanded, well aware of type advantages.
He had Kadabra try to restrain Primeape with psychic power.
In low-to-mid-tier battles, Psychic-types were like a glitch in the matrix.
If they landed a hit, it was game over for the opponent.
Gary was banking on this. Against a Fighting-type, Kadabra could dominate if it played its cards right.
Unfortunately, the level gap was just too wide.
Kadabra raised its silver spoon, aiming at Primeape, but the monkey's agility was unreal. Each psychic wave Kadabra sent was effortlessly dodged.
After sidestepping, Primeape even taunted Kadabra by shaking its rear.
"Ka-dabra!"
Kadabra's face flushed with anger, teetering on the edge of a full-blown tantrum.
"Gary, your Kadabra's too focused on aiming," Li Xuan advised. "For a fragile Pokémon like it, that's a death sentence against faster opponents. Primeape, use Swagger!"
Offering guidance before commanding was Li Xuan's signature move.
"Prime-ape!"
Primeape turned, beckoning with a taunting gesture.
Kadabra, already fuming, exploded with rage. A red aura surged around it, boosting its attack.
But as the glow faded, dizziness replaced the rush, leaving Kadabra staggering like a drunk uncle.
"Kadabra!" Gary shouted, sensing trouble. He quickly recalled it and sent out his next Pokémon. "Go, Growlithe! Use Leer!"
"Arf! Arf!"
An orange puppy burst from the Poké Ball, landing with a snarl and glaring at Primeape, its growls laced with menace.
Ability: Intimidate!
Growlithe's round eyes narrowed sharply, trying to lower Primeape's defenses with a piercing stare.
This was Gary's strategy!
He'd planned for both scenarios.
If Kadabra failed, Growlithe would take the stage, combining Intimidate with Leer to weaken Primeape's attack and defense.
A few rounds of this, and victory was assured!
As planned, blue light shimmered around Primeape as its attack and defense dropped a stage.
"Hmph!" Gary smirked, nose high—until he was floored. "What?!"
Two bursts of red light erupted from Primeape!
Its attack skyrocketed!
If Primeape's earlier primal aura felt vague, now it was practically tangible.
A single step sent shockwaves through the arena, the floor creaking and nearly flipping Growlithe off its paws!
"Gary, forgot to mention—my Primeape's ability is Defiant," Li Xuan said, his grin widening.
To Gary, that smile felt downright sinister.
Defiant: When stats are lowered, Attack sharply increases (+2).
[No clue what just happened, but Gary's getting wrecked, and I'm living for it ^_^!][Can't handle this kid's meltdown. Outsmarted himself!][Took advantage of the Gym Leader's no-switch rule, only to get schooled by Defiant. Deserved!]
The chat roasted Gary, especially a user with the ID "GonnaBePokémonMaster," typing like a machine gun, clearly Ash mocking his rival.
Even the mighty Gary had his off days, and this stream was prime material to loop later for maximum embarrassment.
"G-Growlithe! Use Agility!" Gary stammered, shaken but still in the fight. Instead of attacking, he had Growlithe boost its speed.
"Encore," Li Xuan said softly.
"Prime-ape!"
Primeape clapped, taunting Growlithe into freezing mid-sprint, as if hard-locked by the move.
Agility was interrupted!
Growlithe, now facing Primeape head-on, used Leer again.
Primeape's defense dropped, but its attack surged again.
Now, Primeape's attack had spiked five times, one step shy of max!
A mere swing of its fist tore through the air with a gust strong enough to sting.
Gary: ???
Was this really a Fighting Dojo?
Since when did Fighting-types pull off such devious tactics?!
Seeing Primeape's attack reach absurd levels, Gary briefly considered forfeiting and coming back next year.
[Who said Fighting-type Trainers are all straightforward? This is 'honest' battling?!][Don't stereotype based on one guy's moves.][Justice for Ash! Cutting through the nonsense!]
The chat, once mocking Gary, flipped to pitying him.
This was straight-up ruthless!
Who teaches a Primeape Encore?
With so many offensive moves to choose from, why pick Encore?!
"Primeape, use Outr—no, wait, just use Scratch," Li Xuan said, scratching his cheek, going easy.
Primeape charged, each step shaking the ground like an earthquake.
Growlithe bolted, but the trembling arena slowed it down, no match for Primeape's speed.
Within seconds, Primeape grabbed Growlithe.
"Arf! Arf! Arf!"
Growlithe yipped, pleading for mercy.
"Heh."
Primeape chuckled, tossing Growlithe aside.
Boom!
Growlithe flew like a cannonball, slamming into the wall and fainting on impact.
Good thing Primeape held back, or Growlithe would've been puppy paste.
"…"
Gary, stone-faced, recalled Growlithe and sent out Kadabra again.
But…
Having watched the carnage through its Poké Ball, Kadabra refused to come out.
And with that, Gary completely lost it.