Chương 129: Chapter 130: Was he really that confident
Erika awkwardly tucked her hair behind her ear, her pale neck flushing slightly as she faced Dylan's strange gaze.
It seems she really did intend to use that tactic, Dylan confirmed.
Well, Erika wasn't exactly the same as he remembered her. Perhaps, because she was facing such a powerful opponent, she had no choice but to employ special strategies.
Dylan nodded. To defeat a strong opponent, one must use every tool at their disposal. Nothing wrong with that.
"Ceruledge."
Dylan called out to Ceruledge.
Ceruledge raised its arm blades, but just as it was about to act, a deep purple glow of poison flared up around it, causing Ceruledge to bow its head in pain.
The second wave of toxic erosion.
"Jumpluff, Tailwind!" Erika quickly commanded Jumpluff.
Jumpluff chirped joyfully, flapping the two cottony balls on either side of it. A powerful gust of wind blew from behind it, settling underneath Jumpluff.
A Flying-type Tailwind, boosting the speed of her Pokémon for a period of time.
"Phantom Force!" Dylan raised an eyebrow.
Ceruledge's eyes flickered with a ghostly flame, and it slashed with its right arm, opening a rift in space.
A Ghost-type Phantom Force attack.
Trying to hit Jumpluff through normal means would be too difficult. Ceruledge wasn't as fast as Jumpluff to begin with, and even after two speed boosts from Flame Charge, it still couldn't match the Jumpluff empowered by Tailwind.
And that's without mentioning that Jumpluff had the aerial advantage. Even if Ceruledge specialized in ranged attacks (which it didn't), it would be hard to hit a Jumpluff that was deliberately dodging.
"Jumpluff, stay alert!" Erika called out to her Pokémon.
Jumpluff swayed gently with the wind, scanning its surroundings.
Soon enough, the rift appeared behind Jumpluff in mid-air, and Ceruledge emerged, its glowing blade slashing down toward Jumpluff.
"Jumpluff! Dodge quickly!"
Jumpluff sensed the movement behind it and, without turning, flew forward with the aid of Tailwind.
The blade of Phantom Force slashed down but cut only through air—Jumpluff had dodged!
Erika's companions, watching the battle, let out a sigh of relief.
"Ceruledge, Flame Charge!"
But just then, Dylan's voice rang out—relaxing too soon was a mistake!
Ceruledge had begun falling back to the ground after missing its attack, but suddenly, flames flared up around it.
A Fire-type Flame Charge!
Using the momentum from Flame Charge, Ceruledge shot toward Jumpluff at high speed.
This sudden turn of events startled Erika.
"Jumpluff! Use Protect!"
As Flame Charge closed in, Jumpluff retreated and quickly conjured a protective barrier, a green shield appearing in front of it.
Bang!
Flame Charge collided with the Protect barrier, successfully blocked.
"Quick reflexes," Dylan chuckled softly, impressed by Jumpluff's reaction speed.
The flames of Flame Charge faded, and without the ability to fly, Ceruledge plummeted toward the ground.
But at that moment, the deep purple glow of poison flared up again around Ceruledge, hideous blotches appearing on its skin as the third wave of toxic damage hit.
Ceruledge let out a pained grunt, the poison's third attack proving quite severe.
"Jumpluff, Acrobatics!"
Jumpluff spun in the air, launching itself toward the poisoned Ceruledge at high speed. A Flying-type Acrobatics attack!
When the user is not holding an item, Acrobatics' power doubles!
Bang!
Jumpluff crashed into Ceruledge, sending it tumbling heavily to the ground.
Though Jumpluff's attack power wasn't particularly high, this well-timed strike against an already weakened opponent did serious damage.
"Sunny Day!" Erika, finding her rhythm, called out excitedly, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
This is incredible! Oh my gosh! She was actually putting pressure on Dylan!
As expected, Grass-types and Poison-types are a natural pair! A Grass-type Pokémon with poison is the real deal!
Jumpluff, riding the wind, ascended higher as a glowing orb formed in front of it and shot up into the sky—casting Sunny Day, a Fire-type move!
Brilliant sunlight began to bathe the battlefield, and Jumpluff's body started to shine with a green light.
This was Jumpluff's Chlorophyll ability!
Chlorophyll: When the weather is sunny, the Pokémon's speed doubles.
This was the final nail in the coffin.
Dylan watched the sunlit Jumpluff and shook his head. Now it was up to Erika to defend against what came next.
"Erika is amazing!" Violet, watching the battle, sparkled with excitement. There was no question that Erika had the absolute advantage now.
"That Ceruledge is built for direct combat, and it's quite powerful. Although the poison has weakened it, Erika's strategy has been impeccable!" Daisy commented.
Daisy's understanding of battle mechanics was superior to her companions, and she couldn't help but admire Erika's tactics.
Ceruledge was meant for straightforward fights, but with the poison damage and its inability to fly, it was no match for Jumpluff. Especially now that Sunny Day and Chlorophyll had come into play.
"No wonder she's a Gym Leader," added the trio of Lily, Lillie, and Asha, though they didn't seem too worried. This was, after all, just Dylan's first Pokémon.
At this point, Ceruledge was in bad shape. It had already taken a hit from Victreebel's Sludge Bomb, been poisoned three times, and then hit with Acrobatics. If Jumpluff's attack power were any higher, Ceruledge would have been downed by now.
And because of the hit from Acrobatics, Ceruledge's Weak Armor ability had triggered, lowering its defense but sharply boosting its speed. But it still wasn't enough to outpace Jumpluff.
The key now was one thing:
"Will it use Destiny Bond?" Erika wondered, her mind racing. When battling a Ghost-type Pokémon, you can never be too careful—even if the opponent is on the brink of defeat! After all, no one knows if the opponent will go for a one-for-one trade.
As an experienced Gym Leader, Erika was well aware of this. But she didn't know if Ceruledge could learn Destiny Bond.
"What's the matter, Erika? Too scared to attack? Look at Ceruledge's condition—let your Jumpluff strike. What are you hesitating for?"
Dylan smiled as he noticed Erika's hesitation. He could guess what she was thinking.
Dylan really has a wicked sense of humor!
Erika pursed her lips, unsure if Dylan was baiting her into attacking or if he was bluffing. Maybe Ceruledge didn't know Destiny Bond after all?
For a moment, the battlefield was quiet.
"Ceruledge, Phantom Forc—"
"Jumpluff, Solar Beam!"
Dylan's lips curled into a faint smile, as he pretended to order Ceruledge to attack.
But Erika, acting swiftly, gave her command.
A brilliant white light gathered in front of Jumpluff—Solar Beam, one of the most powerful Grass-type moves. Normally, it requires charging, but with Sunny Day, it could be fired immediately.
Though Solar Beam wasn't very effective against the Fire-type Ceruledge, in Ceruledge's current state, it was more than enough to knock it out.
She took the bait.
In Dylan's eyes, the smile deepened as the sunlight transformed into a white beam, breaking through the air.
"Ceruledge," Dylan said, the smile at the corner of his mouth growing wider.
Ceruledge looked up at the incoming beam of sunlight, unperturbed.
That calm 'accepting death' posture...
"Oh no! Gym Leader Erika has been provoked by Gym Leader Dylan! He did it on purpose!"
Flint, watching the battle, changed his expression. If the sunlight hit, Ceruledge absolutely wouldn't withstand it! But the connection of Destiny Bond would take Jumpluff down with it! Erika, how could you fall for Dylan's trick!!
It was indeed a connection!
Erika's expression hardened but then she broke into a smile.
"Mr. Dylan! I've already guessed! Jumpluff!"
With Erika's words, Jumpluff suddenly turned its body, and the beam of sunlight changed direction, shooting past Ceruledge from the side.
Boom!
The sunlight struck the ground, causing a series of rumbling explosions where it swept through, but surprisingly, the beam did not hit Ceruledge!
"Ah? This works too?" Lily was stunned.
"She predicted that the Gym Leader brother would have Ceruledge use Destiny Bond..."
Daisy was somewhat surprised; the sudden change in the direction of the sunlight was clearly premeditated.
This Gym Leader of Celadon City was indeed not without merit; she truly had skill.
However...
Daisy looked at Ceruledge, her expression odd. Had Ceruledge really just used Destiny Bond?
"Damn! That beam of sunlight was amazing!"
"Wow!!"
"Gym Leader Erika!! That was incredible!"
"Destiny Bond can't be used consecutively, so Gym Leader Erika is going to win this round!"
Flint and his companions were also amazed. This deliberately angled beam of sunlight had successfully baited out Destiny Bond.
"Impressive—great awareness," Dylan applauded Erika without holding back.
This proactive attack to bait out Destiny Bond was a good move; Destiny Bond was a truly shameless ultimate move that could result in a one-for-one trade at critical health, and once successful, it was practically impossible to defend against.
However, such a bug-like move couldn't be used consecutively; once Destiny Bond was baited out, it would be a chance to take down the opponent.
"Thank you for your praise, Gym Leader Dylan," Erika smiled, knowing it was time to send Ceruledge off.
"Jumpluff, Solar Beam."
Jumpluff gathered sunlight again, a white beam descending from the sky.
"Destiny Bond." But Dylan calmly uttered those two words at that moment.
???
Erika's pupils shook. Destiny Bond? How could this be?!
Ceruledge's eyes flashed with darkness, standing there calmly facing the falling beam of sunlight.
"Wait! Jumpluff!"
Erika panicked and called out to Jumpluff.
Jumpluff also wanted to redirect the beam, but it was too rushed; the beam was already nearing Ceruledge.
Boom!
The beam finally hit Ceruledge, a violent roar sounded, and a fierce wind burst forth.
When the energy of the beam dissipated, Ceruledge was already down and unable to rise, but a gray aura shot rapidly toward the Jumpluff in the air.
Seeing this, Erika's face turned pale; it really was Destiny Bond.
Destiny Bond successfully connected with Jumpluff, causing it to feel excruciating pain, and then it fell from the air, crashing to the ground.
Jumpluff had also lost its fighting ability.
This... Flint and his companions were dumbfounded.
The scene fell into silence.
Erika's heart was in turmoil; this wasn't right!
"Gym Leader Erika, the poison is about to arrive; you could have won this round," Dylan suddenly spoke.
"Mr. Dylan, you..."
Upon hearing this, Erika tightly pressed her lips together, her voice slightly hoarse.
Yes, the fourth round of poison was indeed approaching, but she really hadn't anticipated it!
"Gym Leader Erika, although your awareness deserves praise, you were too cautious about Destiny Bond." Dylan shook his head.
"After Jumpluff's first Solar Beam attack, when did you get the illusion that I would have Ceruledge use Destiny Bond?"
"..." Erika bit her lip tightly.
As long as the first Solar Beam hit, Ceruledge would definitely lose its fighting ability.
She wanted to ask, in that situation, how could Dylan dare not have Ceruledge use Destiny Bond?
If she had just ordered Jumpluff to attack, Ceruledge would have gone down directly! How could he have the audacity to gamble on that?!
Courage was an essential quality for a trainer, but this was an extraordinary level of bravery!
Was he really that confident? What kind of psychological master was he?
(End of chapter)
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