Chapter 341 · Gary vs. Brawly

"Shroomish, use Stun Spore!" Gary ordered.

Shroomish shuddered, releasing a cloud of yellow-green powder that drifted toward Machop. Machop charged straight through the spores, arm cocked, and slammed a Dynamic Punch into Shroomish, hurling the tiny Grass-type over ten meters away.

"Shroo…!"

Shroomish managed to stay on its feet, but its eyes spun—it was now confused.

Machop, having inhaled the spores, became paralyzed. Although Guts would eventually let it fight through the paralysis, its movements were clearly slowed.

"Shroomish, return," Gary said, recalling the dazed Pokémon. He had no intention of gambling on confusion-ridden attacks while Machop slowly adapted to the status.

"Grovyle, I'm counting on you!"

FWIP!

"Cha!" Grovyle materialized and immediately taunted its old rival.

Machop flushed with anger, ready to strike the moment Brawly gave the word.

"Machop, Cross Chop!"

Despite the paralysis, Machop lunged forward—much slower than usual.

"Leaf Blade!"

Grovyle dashed in, twin leaves merging into glowing emerald blades. As they met, Grovyle slashed twice across Machop's chest and abdomen, knocking the Fighting-type to the ground.

Machop's raw power was useless if it couldn't connect; no matter how it swung, Grovyle slipped away. A few futile counterattacks later, another Leaf Blade finished it.

"As expected of Grovyle—so agile," Brawly said, returning Machop. He threw his second Poké Ball. "Let's go—Makuhita!"

FWIP!

[Lv. 25 Makuhita ♂ / Elite]

Makuhita, its body resembling a yellow punching bag, bounced onto the field.

Gary narrowed his eyes. He knew Brawly's signature strategy: a customized Rollout that turned slow Pokémon into spinning projectiles. Sending Grovyle against that gimmick, sight unseen, was risky.

"Grovyle, take a breather." He recalled the Wood Gecko and sent Shroomish back out.

"Mush-room!"

A quick rest had cleared Shroomish's confusion and restored a bit of stamina.

"Fake Out!" Brawly called.

Clap!

Makuhita slammed its palms together, releasing a short-range shockwave that caught Shroomish off guard and prevented Effect Spore from triggering.

"Leech Seed!"

"Mush-room!"

Seeds shot from the opening on Shroomish's cap, but Makuhita tucked in its limbs and rolled forward at high speed—Brawly's custom Rollout—letting the seeds sail past. The moment they hit earth, the seeds sprouted thick vines that tried to latch onto the spinning fighter, but Makuhita was simply moving too fast; the vines withered seconds later.

"Headbutt!"

Using Makuhita's approach against it, Shroomish lunged and rammed the spinning fighter at point-blank range.

"Force Palm!"

Makuhita's fist snapped out mid-roll, the compressed air blast sending Shroomish skidding back. A burst of spores puffed from Shroomish's body, drifting onto Makuhita—this time, the status took hold, and the powerhouse nodded off, fast asleep.

"Sleep? Seriously…" Brawly groaned. Poison or paralysis would've triggered Guts; sleep shut the Ability down entirely.

Shroomish staggered—Machop's earlier damage plus that Force Palm had taken a toll—but it held on.

"Leech Seed!"

The seed struck the dozing Makuhita, sprouted, and wrapped vines around its torso, sapping its strength. Shroomish's own energy rebounded visibly.

"Mega Drain!"

Glowing green tendrils of energy snaked from the vines to Shroomish, doubling the drain effect. Makuhita's vitality plummeted.

"Makuhita, wake up!" Brawly shouted, sweating bullets, but his Pokémon merely snored as its strength was siphoned away.

Moments later, Makuhita slumped—KO'd.

"Makuhita is unable to battle—Shroomish wins! Both of Gym Leader Brawly's Pokémon have been defeated. The victor is the challenger, Gary!" the referee announced.

"Man…" Brawly sighed, recalling Makuhita. "Guess I still need more work on that Rollout strat."