"Roar!"
A brilliant white light enveloped the Brute Dragon it was using Dragon Dance.
The moment Zhang and Shilong's Pokémon collided, the Brute Dragon had already begun to buff itself. At the same time, Glimmora completed its own move, Sandstorm, and a gray-yellow tempest of grit rose to engulf the entire battlefield.
Glimmora
Level: 48 (Gym Leader Tier)
Type: Rock / Poison
Ability: Toxic Debris (When hit by a physical attack, scatters poisonous spikes at the opponent's feet.)
Item: Focus Sash (If at full health, allows the holder to survive a single lethal attack with 1 HP remaining.)
Under the effect of Dragon Dance, the Brute Dragon's Attack and Speed were each raised by one stage.
"Brute Dragon, try a special attack," Zhang instructed calmly.
"Glimmora, double-defense tactic," Shilong's voice sounded at the same time.
"Roar!"
The heat-dissipating membranes on the Brute Dragon's back flared open as it unleashed a great roar from its massive maw. A colossal pillar of fire erupted forth.
Rumble!
Where the flames scorched the ground, shimmering, glass-like fragments fell—the desert sand had been vitrified by the intense heat.
"Protect!" Glimmora's petals flared open with remarkable calm, and a translucent barrier materialized before it.
Bang!
The Brute Dragon's fiery breath slammed into the barrier and was completely neutralized.
"I remember now, Glimmora can learn Spiky Shield," Zhang murmured to himself. "Protect, followed by Spiky Shield… an invincible defense. It's a shame I can't use Z-Moves or Dynamax here. Otherwise, breaking this strategy would be easy."
Defensive moves like these couldn't completely block the overwhelming power of a Z-Move or a Max Move. Looking at Glimmora, Zhang instantly understood Shilong's tactics. The Sandstorm would inflict chip damage, while Protect and Spiky Shield would stall for time. The Focus Sash was an insurance policy, increasing the margin for error.
To be honest, it was a thoroughly frustrating strategy to face.
"Roar!" The Brute Dragon opened its mouth once more, spewing another torrent of flames.
Spiky Shield!
Glimmora used Spiky Shield, blocking the Brute Dragon's attack yet again.
"What a disgusting tactic. Alternating between Protect and Spiky Shield… it seems almost impossible to crack."
"That's a champion-level trainer for you. Their strategies are on another level."
"Looks like this newcomer is going to lose."
The audience buzzed with discussion, equally annoyed by the double-defense strategy.
"Brute Dragon, use Dragon Rush."
Zhang gave the order softly. This defensive tactic was indeed effective, but only effective—not unbreakable. He had dealt with far more infuriating stall tactics back when he played the games.
"Roar!" The Brute Dragon stomped its massive feet and launched into a charge toward Glimmora, its body wreathed in draconic energy. After activating Dragon Rush, its speed was boosted by 100%, making it nearly as fast as Quick Attack.
Watching the charging Brute Dragon, Shilong frowned slightly.
What is this kid trying to do? he wondered, puzzled. Has he already figured out a way to break my double-defense strategy?
Bang! Bang!
With heavy, thundering footsteps, the Brute Dragon closed the distance and was now right in front of Glimmora.
Protect!
Glimmora deployed its protective skill again as the translucent barrier rose.
Boom!
The massive Brute Dragon crashed head-on into Glimmora's barrier but was stopped dead in its tracks, unable to advance even an inch. The sight of the tiny Pokémon halting the behemoth was, for a moment, utterly shocking.
Bang!
The Brute Dragon took half a step back, planting its feet firmly, and raised its head high.
"Roar!" It unleashed the move Roar, and a sound wave visible to the naked eye spread out in all directions with the Brute Dragon at its center.
Spiky Shield!
Glimmora attempted to block the incoming Roar with Spiky Shield.
Bang!
The first sound wave was successfully blocked. But immediately after, a second, third, and fourth wave followed, washing over Glimmora like a relentless tide.
Pop!
The energy of the Focus Sash on Glimmora burst, nullifying the second sound wave's damage and saving it from being knocked out.
But it couldn't stop the third, fourth, or fifth waves.
Rumble!
Glimmora was overwhelmed by the successive waves of sound and was sent tumbling.
This was Zhang's solution: a sustained, multi-hit attack that outlasted the defensive moves.
"Holy crap! You can break it like that? What kind of move was that?"
"Incredible! This year's rookies are something else!"
"I'm a veteran gym trainer myself, and honestly, I couldn't have cracked that tactic. This kid is terrifying!"
The audience stared at Zhang in shock. It was truly astonishing for someone so young to possess such strategic depth.
"You win, lad." Shilong recalled Glimmora with a look of deep satisfaction. With such an excellent junior rising through the ranks, the future of the Daxia region was bright. "There's no need to continue. Your Pokémon is trained exceptionally well. None of the other Gym-level Pokémon I have would be a match for it."
"Keep it up, lad!" he said with encouragement. "I hope that one day, you'll challenge the Elite Four—challenge us for real—and become a true champion."
"Go on!" Shilong threw the object in his hand with force.
Rumble!
The Tera Orb flew with incredible speed, streaking across the massive battlefield with a sharp whistle before arriving in front of Zhang.
Clap! Zhang raised his hand and caught the orb with ease.
Just as I thought, Shilong noted internally. He isn't an ordinary person but a powerful martial artist. Otherwise, where would such a potent, murderous aura come from?
After one last glance at Zhang, Shilong turned and left the arena.
"No way, he caught something moving that fast? This guy is definitely not normal." The audience had also noticed the anomaly.
"Return, Brute Dragon." After recalling his Pokémon, Zhang walked back toward the stands.
Next up was Bea's challenge.
"Go for it, Bea," Zhang said.
As they passed each other, the two high-fived.
"Don't worry. A Rock-type gym is no trouble for me," Bea said, walking confidently onto the battlefield. Most of her Pokémon were Fighting-types, giving her a massive advantage. She felt no pressure at all.
After returning to his seat, Zhang began to study the Tera Orb in his hand. Now that he possessed it, he could perceive the Tera Types of his own Pokémon, as well as those of his opponents.
I remember you can change a Pokémon's Tera Type in the games. I wonder if that's possible in reality, Zhang mused, looking over his team's information.
As he was lost in thought, Li Zhifeng approached him.
"Hello there, young man!" the old man said with a warm smile.
"Can I help you, sir?" Zhang asked, looking at Li Zhifeng with some curiosity.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Pokémon Battle Doctor, Li Zhifeng."
"I see great potential in you and would like to invest in your future. Would you be interested?" Li Zhifeng asked with a friendly grin.
"Invest in me?" Zhang's eyes shifted slightly as he considered the offer.
The so-called investment was a common practice where the older generation of trainers provided resources and support to promising newcomers. When those trainers grew strong, they would repay the favor, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. Such arrangements were quite common in the Daxia region.