Chapter 113: Chapter 110
Generally, Gym leaders asked the challengers for their levels, and would match it with Pokemon of similar levels. Since he had no badges, the Gym leader would assume he is a beginner, and start with weaker Pokemon. But Giovanni sent an Elite stage Pokemon straight away.
"I hope Lapras doesn't have to battle. Even with a type advantage, it's difficult to battle Elite stage Pokemon with non Elite stage Pokemon. If he sends all Elite state Pokemon, then Lapras wouldn't be their match" thought Alex worriedly.
While it was technically possible for Pokemon below the Elite stage to defeat Elite stage Pokemon, it was usually an uphill battle. And Nidoking, Nidoqueen and Rhydon, the three Pokemon which he guessed he would face, could learn Thunder, which Lapras was weak against. And they most certainly had Rock type moves too, which Lapras was also weak against.
"Go Magneton" said Alex as he sent out his Magneton, deciding to worry about the other things later and focus on the battle with the Persian.
"Magneton" it cried as it faced off against the Persian.
"Giovanni gestured at Alex, granting him the first move, as was the norm during Gym battles.
" Magneton! Set up Electric Terrain!" said Alex.
The battlefield started surging with tendrils of electricity as Magneton channelled Electric energy throughout the battlefield.
"Use Nasty Plot," said Giovanni calmly.
Persian sat down, and stared at Magneton with a wicked look on its face.
"Use Iron Defense" said Alex.
Magneton started shining with a silvery light, as its defences were boosted.
"Swift" commanded Giovanni calmly.
"Deflect with Gyro Ball!" said Alex.
Persian shot stars towards Magneton, but Magneton spun around to deflect it.
"Use Thunderbolt" said Alex.
Magneton shot a bolt of thunder towards Persian, which it avoided without prompting from Giovanni.
"Metal Sound" yelled Alex, hearing which Magneton made a harsh clanging sound, which seemed to make Persian uncomfortable.
"Use Dig" said Giovanni, upon which Persian immediately burrowed into the ground.
"Magneton, stay afloat, and be careful!" said Alex.
Dig could do a lot of damage to an Electric type Pokemon like Magneton, but it did not have the effect of hitting a Pokemon up in the air. Magneton could naturally use electromagnetic force to levitate in the air. Especially after it learned Magnet Rise, it could freely stay suspended in the air for a long time. Alex couldn't understand what Giovanni was planning by having Persian use dig.
After a few minutes, while Magneton stayed alert, there was no Persian using its jumping ability to connect Dig. As Alex was thinking, he noticed the tendril of electricity slowly fading.
"He used Dig to delay until the Electric Terrain wore off!" thought Alex. He said, " Use Electric Terrain once more"
"Come out and use Taunt" came the voice of Giovanni. Persian leapt out of the ground, waggled its paws towards Magneton while making a weird sound.
Magnetom paused the Electric Terrain it was setting up and started at straight at Persian.
Alex knew that at least for a while, Magneton was only capable of attacking. It couldn't use moves like Iron Defense, Light Screen, Reflect, Electric Terrain, or even Metal Sound for a while. While Pokemon with stronger strength could ignore the effects of Taunt, Magneton was about the same level as Persian, so it fell for the Taunt. Alex was impressed with Giovanni's strategies.
"Use Discharge" said Alex.
"Dodge and use Power Gem" said Giovanni.
Persian attempted to dodge, but was still hit with a few tendrils of electricity. But it shrugged it off and used Power Gem.
"Use Gyro Ball to deflect" said Alex. Since Gyro Ball was technically an attacking move, it was exempt from the Taunt.
"Magneton spun around and deflected all the rocks hurled it's way.
" Play Rough" said Giovanni.
Persian covered itself with whitish light and hurled itself at Magneton.
"Why would Giovanni hse a Fairy type move against a Steel Type Pokemon?" thought Alex.
Nevertheless, it was a great opportunity. He could tank this attack and fire back hard.
"Take the attack, and then fire a Flash Cannon!" yelled Alex.
As he had predicted, Persian's attack barely did anything, and Magneton fired a Flash Cannon at point blank range. Persian suffered a direct hit and was flung across the stadium. Persian barely remained standing, as the Analytic ability of Magneton boosted the power of the attack since it moved last.
"Now finish it off! Use Thunderbolt" yelled Alex.
"Magneton fired a Thunderbolt at Persian. It tried to dodge, bit was too hurt to move as swiftly as before. It was hit with the attacks, and fell down with circles in its eyes.
Giovanni impassively watched as this happened, and then he withdrew his fainted Persian. He then took another Pokeball from his belt and tossed it out.
"Nidoking!" thought Alex as he looked at the level 56 Nidoking that was sent out. Its ability was Sheer Force, and it was holding a Life Orb. Alex's favourite combination from his previous life. Luckily, his Nidoran had the ability Hustle, which would evolve into Sheer Force when it became a Nidoking, and Life Orbs while rare was not a problem for a shareholder in the Oak Corall.
While its Ground typing resisted Magneton's Electric attacks, Magneton's Steel typing resisted Nidoking's Poison typing.
But Nidoking could learn Fire type moves, which would be devastating if it hit Magneton.
Alex had a strategy that he had worked on for some time, but it would work only once, as Giovanni would be expecting it and take countermeasures after its first use. The Taunt from Persian wore off when it fainted, hence he was free to use any move he desired again.
"Well. Here goes" thought Alex, as he gestured to Giovanni, indicating that he would not switch Pokemon.
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