Chapter 37: Rock-type Pokémon can't exist without space, just like Jews can't exist without their shampoo boy.
Fiddlesticks' "Psychic" propelled Waterwave Finneon into the sky.
The earlier "Stealth Rock" and "Earthquake" became foreshadowing, causing Kabuto to lose its ability to battle due to damage from its teammate's "Electro" during the pursuit.
This left Du juan with only two Pokémon.
The battle finally reached a stalemate at this moment.
Of course, because Nosepass's "Stealth Rock" had been induced to explode by Fiddlesticks' "Psychic," its stamina wasn't very high.
Seeing this, Du juan hesitated for a moment, but still didn't let Nosepass use "Explosion" while it was the only one on the field.
Nosepass's attack was... well, if this "Explosion" didn't finish off the opponent, it would only leave her lowest-level Golem in a two-against-one situation.
In any case,
"The outcome is still uncertain, I'm counting on you next, Golem!"
Du juan sent out her last Pokémon.
Thanks to the previous "earthquake," all the remaining "Invisible Rocks" in her half of the field had been triggered, preventing any damage to the Pokémon that switched in later.
Meanwhile, Golem was also the strongest offensive Pokémon among her four!
"Don't think you're invincible just because you can fly! Golem 'Knock Down' them, then continue 'Discharge' towards Nosepass."
Choosing not to use "Thunder Wave" was obviously to prevent a "second chance," and besides, the Ground-type Golem wouldn't be harmed by her teammates' "Discharge."
Having calmed down, Du Juan was absolutely certain that if both sides were grounded, the Rock/Ground dual-type Golem would be stronger.
Link, on the other hand, understood even more clearly that the current situation was essentially a test of their ultimate offensive capabilities.
If either side loses a Pokémon first, the subsequent battle will collapse instantly.
However, on the offensive end, his side has a huge advantage.
This is not only because Finneon's type advantage is against its opponent, but also because Nosepass's has a huge inherent weakness.
Professor Oak praised it in a senryu: "
A Nosepass that faces north always points due north, never failing."
Nosepass, affected by magnetic fields, can only face due north; it cannot turn around, bend over (it has no waist), or turn its head (it has no neck).
In other words, its aiming ability is limited.
Incidentally, the challenger's area where Link is located is, directionally, to the north.
Although Du juan used her small privilege as a Gym Leader to cover up this fatal flaw, she was completely exposed to Link and could not deceive him at all.
Long before the battle, he had already told Fennekin and Dolphin everything about Nosepass's weakness and how to deal with this situation.
He didn't take advantage of this in the first half of the battle, precisely for this moment.
"A good opportunity! Water Jet!"
The Dolphin spewed water to accelerate its movement, bypassing Golem's Knock Down and Nosepass Discharge.
However, the target of this attack wasn't any Pokémon, but rather the outer edge of its opponent's half of the field—directly behind Nosepass.
Seeing this, Du Juan's heart tightened. She hadn't expected her opponent to discover Nosepass's weakness without her revealing any opening.
Was it luck or strategy?
It didn't matter, because she had already trained to target Nosepass's weakness!
"Water Gun!"
It was still the simple Water Gun, unassuming but effective.
Facing this attack that could render Nosepass unable to battle, Du Juan instead showed a relaxed smile.
"Nosepass, use Thunderbolt now!"
Dog-type Pokémon have a sense of smell, and Fighting-type Pokémon can detect attacks.
This Nosepass, being a magnet, can further spread electromagnetic waves after using Levitate, allowing it to control the entire battlefield and lock onto any opponent.
At this moment, her Nosepass has spontaneously locked onto Finneon, and no matter how it tries to dodge, it can't escape this attack. Link's overconfidence
in his ability to exploit Nosepass weakness and close the distance, putting Finneon in danger, was the cause of his defeat!
However, Link, who was prepared for this level of resistance, remained calm: "Imitate." The
Fennekin, which had been using Miracle Eye and Psychic to steal and eat everything from the start, finally began to play a role.
It mimicked Finneon's earlier "Nature Force," transforming the abundant Rock-type energy within the Rustboro Gym into a massive, overwhelming mass of rocks that simultaneously attacked Golem and Nosepass. Having consumed a significant amount of Ground-type energy with "Earthquake," the subsequent "Nature Force" move was naturally "Rock Slide."
Countless rocks crashed down.
The powerful attack from behind caused Nosepass, whose reaction was slower and whose "Thunderbolt" hadn't yet been fully activated, to instinctively flinch, failing to unleash this attack that was highly effective against Finneon.
The subsequent "Water Gun" severely injured Nosepass, leaving it swaying precariously.
However, this risky attack also came at a price for Link; the energy-depleted Fennekin could no longer maintain "Psychic," and both she and Dolphin fell to the ground.
Seeing this, Du Juan was filled with courage and seized the only opportunity in the battle so far—
"Grenadier uses 'Rock Slide,' Nosepass... 'Explosion'!"
To avoid the opponent's attack and seize Nosepass's weakness, Fennekin and Finneon were now extremely close to Nosepass.
At this distance, neither Protect nor any other move could stop Nosepass's 'Explosion', which was released at the cost of all its energy.
Not to mention that Grenadier in the distance would also block the opponent's escape route with "Rock Slide."
She won!
Just as Du Juan thought this,
"'Water Jet'."
The value of the priority move was still increasing.
As a Rock-type expert, Du Juan's understanding of her own Pokémon, her application of tactics, and her ability to seize opportunities to counterattack all surpassed that of ordinary trainers.
However,
the lack of "Trick Room" ultimately made it difficult for Rock-type Pokémon to implement her tactics due to their natural speed deficiency.
Although Link hadn't had time to ask Mew about the principle of "Trick Room" in this real world.
Undoubtedly, the unbalanced team composition resulting from forcibly pursuing the rock attribute caused Du Juan to miss her only golden opportunity.
A small mistake can lead to a huge disaster.
Both Nosepass and Golem could only watch helplessly as the Water Porpoise, carrying the Fennekin on its back, narrowly escaped their combined attack.
Nosepass was rendered unable to fight.
The Fennekin and the Water Porpoise both consumed Star Peach Fruits, regaining some strength. With their abilities greatly enhanced, they combined their "psychic power" and "water gun" to defeat Du Juan's last remaining Golem…
"Sigh, time to switch to artificial intelligence."
Read 10+ Chapters Advanced chapters ahead at Patreon.
[email protected]/Horizons685
(End of Chapter)