Chapter 114: The Battle at the Fuchsia Gym

"Venonat, quickly dodge!" Janine said in a panic.

Upon hearing the command, Venonat immediately jumped, avoiding the returning Bone Club Boomerang. However, it was too late to dodge the initial charge, and Cubone's Headbutt struck Venonat's body. The pained Bug-type fell to the ground, and just as it tried to get up, it was hit in the head by the Bone Club Boomerang from behind, almost fainting.

"Venonat, quickly use Psybeam!" Janine ordered.

"Use Bone Club to destroy the Psybeam," Red said calmly.

Cubone didn't assume a defensive posture. Instead, it switched from defense to offense, using the Bone Club in its hand to dismantle Venonat's psychic beam, and then rushed forward, preparing to strike it down.

Just as Cubone's Bone Club was about to hit Venonat's body, a Voltorb suddenly rolled into the middle of the arena and used Explosion, creating a cloud of smoke. To deal with the sudden attack, the composed Cubone immediately swung its Bone Club, dispersing the surrounding smoke.

After the smoke completely dissipated, a man in a dark blue ninja suit had appeared out of nowhere in the arena. Red carefully noticed the man's slightly hurried breathing; he evidently hadn't expected the smoke to dissipate so quickly.

"Janine, you're still too immature!" the man scolded.

"Brother, I was too careless!" Janine knelt on one knee, admitting her mistake.

"After observing for so long, you're finally willing to show yourself? Mr. Koga, the Gym Leader of the Fuchsia Gym."

"Hahaha! I still couldn't hide from you, Red!" Koga said. "I've been looking forward to your arrival for a long time!"

"What?! This kid is the Challenger my brother values so much?" Janine said in surprise.

"Red, I will do my best to stop you with the full power of a Gym Leader!" Koga said solemnly, conjuring a scroll with ninja techniques out of thin air. The scroll was embedded with a Soul Badge. "Defeat me, and you can get this Soul Badge!"

"No problem. I'm looking forward to it," Red replied.

"The battle will be two-on-two. Janine, you will be the referee for this match," Koga said.

"Now beginning the official Gym Challenge! The two sides are Gym Leader Koga, and Red from Pallet Town. Each trainer may use two Pokémon. There is no time limit for the match. The official match begins!" Janine announced.

"Cubone, continue the battle."

"In that case, my vanguard is Venonat!"

Koga threw the Poké Ball in his hand, and a well-developed Venonat appeared before Cubone's eyes.

"This Venonat has good battle experience. It seems to be close to evolving," Red said softly.

"You still can't hide it from me, Red. If this battle is won, perhaps this Venonat can meet the conditions for evolution," Koga explained.

"It seems your wish will not come true, because my Cubone will not fail," Red said confidently, showing absolute trust in his battling Pokémon.

"Venonat, use Stun Spore!" Koga ordered.

"Spin the Bone Club to blow away the powder," Red said calmly.

Venonat shook powder from its body, attempting to paralyze Cubone, but it was easily blown away by the Bone Club in Cubone's hand.

"Charge forward and use Bone Club Barrage."

Cubone, holding its weapon, quickly approached Venonat.

"Be careful to dodge, and seize the opportunity to use Psybeam."

BANG—

The Bone Club smashed into Venonat's original position, creating a deep pit in the wooden floorboards, which truly pained Koga and Janine to see. It was another extra repair cost.

A Psybeam was released from Venonat's eyes, hitting Cubone's body at close range. Fortunately, the confusion effect did not trigger.

"Calm down. Focus Energy, then use your Bone Club."

The angry Cubone gradually calmed down, thinking about Venonat's dodging trajectory. It concentrated its spirit, intending to defeat Venonat with the next move.

"Venonat, use Confusion to control Cubone's body."

Seeing Cubone adjusting its state, Koga immediately instructed Venonat to cause a disturbance. The Confusion released by Venonat floated Cubone into mid-air, but Cubone first threw the Bone Club in its hand. Fearing the Bone Club would hit it, Venonat revealed its timidity, and the Confusion controlling Cubone disintegrated.

Cubone, back on the ground, immediately approached Venonat, feigning a Headbutt to intimidate it. After the Bone Club returned to its hand, a single attack knocked Venonat to the ground.

"Venonat is unable to battle!" Janine announced.

"Your Cubone is excellent. From its demeanor, it seems to still be a young one, but its battle talent has been cultivated very well by you, Red," Koga praised.

The second match was held outdoors. Red followed Koga and Janine to the arena in the backyard.

"I'm counting on you, Golbat!"

Koga's final Pokémon was Golbat, relying on the advantage of the open sky to defeat the challenger.

"It's your turn now, Milotic!"

Milotic, emerging from its Poké Ball, didn't immediately engage in battle. Instead, it turned and pounced on Red, wrapping its serpentine body around him and occasionally rubbing against his cheek.

"Wow, this Pokémon is so beautiful!" Janine said enviously, captivated by Milotic's beauty, but unfortunately, Milotic's eyes were only on Red.

"Cubone! Cubone!" Cubone cried out, wanting to snatch the right to battle from Milotic. Anyway, you came out and aren't battling, so why not let me?

Milotic glanced at the child, snorted, then slowly uncoiled from Red and moved in front of Golbat, ready to battle.

"Match start!"

"Golbat, use Wing Attack!"

Golbat flew from above towards Milotic, its wings emitting a white light as they struck Milotic's body.

"Milotic, use Twister!" Red ordered.

Milotic swung its tail, creating a vortex that trapped Golbat, who was trying to escape.

"Use Water Pulse!"

Milotic's mouth condensed a water ball, then released it, hitting Golbat's body. Due to Milotic's Adaptability ability, the power of Water Pulse was further enhanced, and just one move almost knocked Golbat down.

"This power… It's not to be underestimated…" Koga said gravely, mistakenly thinking Milotic was Red's trump card.

"Golbat, hold on. Use Screech, then follow up with Leech Life!"

Golbat released a piercing noise from its mouth, affecting Milotic's state, then flew in front of Milotic, revealing its sharp fangs, intending to absorb its stamina.

"Aqua Ring!" Red said calmly.

Water droplets floated around Milotic, quickly transforming into a curtain of flowing water that blocked Golbat's attack.

"The final move, Aqua Tail!"

Wrapped in water, Milotic's tail forcefully struck Golbat's body, knocking it to the ground.

"Golbat is unable to battle. Therefore, the winner of this match is Red from Pallet Town!" Janine announced the final result.

"A wonderful battle. Both Cubone and Milotic performed excellently. As expected of a challenger highly regarded by other Gym Leaders." Koga went up and shook hands with Red, praising his excellent strength.

Taking the Soul Badge from the scroll, Koga placed it in Red's hand. "This is your well-deserved Soul Badge."

After receiving the badge, Red turned to leave, but Koga suddenly called out to him from behind.

"Red, why don't we have a Elite-level showdown?"

(TL: Not sure if he meant elite-four or elite level, so i just used elite)

[Chapter Complete]

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