As the owner of the gym, Aoki would not take the lead.
Cynthia, who was the challenger, had to go first—this was the default rule of the Gym Challenge.
"Garchomp, use Sandstorm!" Cynthia's order marked the beginning of the battle.
Her powerful Garchomp had the ability Sand Veil, which boosted its evasion in sandstorm weather. In effect, this indirectly increased the Pokémon's movement speed.
Using Sandstorm as the opening move was a perfect fit for Garchomp's strengths.
It was going all out from the very start.
"Slowking, use Rain Dance!" Aoki responded swiftly to Cynthia's command.
Having fought against Shuichi's sandstorm team on the battlefield before, Slowking already knew how to counter it. The moment Aoki gave the order, Slowking summoned the rain.
To counter weather effects, one had to use opposing weather.
Sandstorm not only enhanced Garchomp's combat abilities but also inflicted continuous damage on non-Rock, Ground, or Steel-type Pokémon.
Just as Garchomp was about to whip up the sand, faint clouds formed inside the gym—rain clouds summoned by Slowking's Rain Dance.
However, unlike Shuichi's Rhyperior on the battlefield, which had been easily overwhelmed by Slowking, Cynthia's Garchomp was on an entirely different level.
The sheer power of Garchomp's Sandstorm clashed with Slowking's Rain Dance, canceling each other out.
Neither weather effect took hold.
Cynthia's expression remained calm, but Aoki's quick counter to Garchomp's Sandstorm earned her respect.
Though Aoki was primarily known as a Breeder, his position as a Gym Leader wasn't just due to connections—he had real skill.
"In that case, Garchomp, Sand Attack, then close in with Dragon Claw!" Cynthia swiftly adjusted her strategy.
The difference between Shuichi's tactics and Cynthia's was clear.
When Shuichi's Sandstorm had been countered, he had struggled to adapt, but Cynthia, with her vast combat experience, immediately shifted to close-quarters combat.
After all, Garchomp excelled in physical attacks, and its speed was formidable.
With a powerful swipe of its claws, Garchomp kicked up sand that had yet to be swept into a storm and hurled it directly at Slowking. Without hesitation, it lunged forward, covering the distance in an instant.
"Slowking, use Water Pulse to shield yourself, then Teleport and follow up with Psychic!" Aoki commanded without missing a beat.
The bond between Slowking and Aoki was strong—seeing the incoming sand, Slowking didn't flinch. A shimmering blue orb of water formed around it, nullifying the Sand Attack. Then, in the blink of an eye, Slowking vanished with Teleport.
Just as it seemed Slowking would evade Garchomp's Dragon Claw, Cynthia smirked.
As if anticipating the move, Garchomp's claws dug into the ground, and its speed surged.
But the instant it made contact, Slowking's Teleport activated, reappearing behind Garchomp.
A faint scratch marked Slowking's arm. Though not deep, Garchomp's attack had still landed.
Had Slowking not enhanced its Psychic abilities with Mew's essence, the damage would have been far worse.
Slowking's natural talent for Psychic powers was undeniable.
Against a physical powerhouse like Garchomp, taking direct hits was not an option.
Yet, the moment Slowking reappeared, it retaliated—six dark orbs of Psychic energy formed and shot toward Garchomp like piercing arrows.
Cynthia hadn't expected her usual tactics to fail against Slowking.
Seeing the immediate counterattack despite the injury, she ordered, "Garchomp, Stone Edge!"
If it couldn't dodge, it would trade blows!
Sharp stone pillars erupted beneath Slowking.
Almost simultaneously, Slowking's Psychic struck Garchomp, while Stone Edge slammed into Slowking.
Both Pokémon reeled from the impact. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
However, while Garchomp—a Dragon-type—wasn't severely hurt, Slowking had taken another wound, looking increasingly battered.
Seeing the distance between them widen again, Cynthia changed tactics. "Garchomp, Draco Meteor!"
One of the most powerful Dragon-type moves—a direct confrontation.
But Aoki had no intention of facing Garchomp head-on.
A strategy had long been forming in his mind. Previous battles had been team fights or wild survival encounters, never a one-on-one .
Now was the time to test it against Garchomp.
"Slowking, Trick Room!"
Aoki had taught Slowking Trick Room long ago but had never found the right opportunity to use it.
Just because it hadn't been used in battle didn't mean it hadn't been practiced.
At Aoki's command, a dark-pink, cube-shaped energy field expanded rapidly, enveloping both Garchomp and Slowking.
Trick Room reversed the speed hierarchy within its confines—the slowest Pokémon would become the fastest, while the fastest would be severely hindered.
Comparing Slowking's and Garchomp's speeds, in this space, Slowking would dominate.
Garchomp, mid-Draco Meteor, suddenly felt sluggish. But with Cynthia's order unchanged, it continued its attack, launching a condensed energy sphere toward the gym's ceiling.
Draco Meteor—successfully unleashed!