The dignified Grass-type Gym Leader was actually being suppressed by a challenger using a Grass-type Pokémon.
Erika had originally had a good impression of this challenger. When she saw him send out Bulbasaur, she even thought about offering some guidance.
But looking at the current situation… guidance clearly wasn't necessary.
Bulbasaur had been trained extremely well—and it was equipped with an incredibly infuriating set of moves.
Effective? Absolutely.
Annoying? Even more so.
Erika took a deep breath and recalled Weepinbell. The corner of her eye twitched as an impulse surged within her—she almost wanted to send out her full team, all near–Gym Leader level or higher.
After a moment, she suppressed the thought.
She couldn't bully a challenger like that. Erika still had professional ethics.
"Vileplume."
Erika finally sent out a Pokémon at roughly the same level as Bulbasaur.
Pokémon: Vileplume – Lv. 36
"Vileplume, Sleep Powder!"
Erika wanted to strike first and prevent the opponent from repeating the previous battle's tactics.
Thankfully Vileplume doesn't know Taunt…
"Bulbasaur, dodge it—then use Toxic!"
Ash understood Vileplume's characteristics well. Since it was nighttime and there was no Sunny Day, neither side could benefit from Chlorophyll.
Vileplume's large flower allowed it to release a huge amount of pollen, but it also made its head heavy and slowed it down.
Bulbasaur, meanwhile, had undergone speed training, so it was naturally faster than Vileplume.
"Toxic again…"
Erika clenched her fists, her face darkening.
Although Bulbasaur had short legs, they moved quickly. It easily dodged the incoming Sleep Powder.
Then the seed bulb on Bulbasaur's back fired a stream of Toxic, hitting Vileplume directly. Purple liquid splashed across its body, and the telltale violet glow of poisoning appeared.
The next move will definitely be Leech Seed…
Erika quickly analyzed the situation.
Even if she used Poison Powder to poison Bulbasaur, it could simply recover with Leech Seed, offsetting the damage.
In that case, the only one truly suffering would still be Vileplume.
"Growth!"
Erika chose a boosting move, planning to let Bulbasaur stall while Vileplume strengthened itself. After a few boosts, it could knock Bulbasaur out in one strike.
Bulbasaur launched Leech Seed, vines sprouting and piercing into Vileplume's body, steadily draining its energy.
Trying to boost Attack and Special Attack for a one-hit knockout?
Seeing Vileplume's body grow larger from Growth, Ash easily guessed Erika's plan.
So he had Bulbasaur use Substitute.
Erika's expression darkened even further. She was beginning to regret accepting this young trainer's challenge.
"Ash's strategy is… really stable," Misty said awkwardly, trying to explain things to the shop assistants beside her.
Brock silently pondered the battle.
The two shop assistants looked at Ash with unfriendly expressions. If they had known this trainer fought like this, they would have refused the challenge from the start.
Is this even a battle?
It felt more like psychological warfare.
Substitute blocked damage. Bulbasaur also had Protect. Alternating between the two, who knew how many turns it could stall?
Vileplume looked destined to follow Weepinbell's fate.
Again and again, Vileplume's attacks either struck the Substitute or were blocked by Protect. Meanwhile, Bulbasaur's condition kept improving thanks to Leech Seed.
Vileplume's body glowed with the purple light of poison, while vines continuously drained its energy.
From beginning to end, it had been completely at a disadvantage.
Eventually, Vileplume couldn't endure any longer. It collapsed, losing its ability to battle.
As expected… people who play tactics really do have dark hearts.
Erika slowly exhaled and recalled Vileplume, her face expressionless. Then she turned toward Ash, her deep eyes filled with complicated emotions.
The referee reluctantly announced the winner.
Ash gently recalled Bulbasaur. As he looked up and saw Erika walking toward him, he suddenly felt a little nervous.
"Ash, the Bulbasaur you trained is very impressive."
Erika extended her hand, her beautiful eyes staring straight at him. A gentle smile appeared on her lips.
"Miss Erika, you let me win. Actually, I—"
Before he could finish speaking, the hand he extended was firmly gripped by Erika. A painful squeezing pressure followed immediately.
"Why does the atmosphere suddenly feel a bit cold?" Misty quietly stood behind Ash.
She decided not to say anything. After all, Ash had used such an irritating strategy against such a beautiful older sister.
If Ash used that same tactic against her, she'd probably be furious too.
Erika had initially had a good impression of Ash. She had even considered going easy on him and letting him earn the badge.
But that guy showed absolutely no mercy. Every shameless tactic imaginable had come out.
"This is the Rainbow Badge."
Erika took out the badge and handed it to Ash, along with the Poké Dollars awarded for winning the Gym challenge.
She also added Ash's contact information, saying she hoped they could exchange insights about Grass-type Pokémon training in the future.
Exchange training insights?
Looks more like she wants a chance to get revenge…
Ash suddenly regretted using that strategy against a Gym Leader.
He should've tested it on some random trainer on the road instead.
"Thank you, Miss Erika. I'm sorry for the offense just now," Ash said as he accepted the badge.
"I hope we can battle again next time."
Watching Ash leave, Erika's eyes flickered with a strange light.
"Congratulations on earning the Rainbow Badge, Ash."
Misty first offered a cheerful congratulations, but then her expression turned serious.
"You'd better use that strategy less often."
"You might get revenge for it someday."
Ash's eyelids twitched.
Sure, the strategy was a bit dirty, but it shouldn't provoke trainers enough to seek revenge… right?
Shouldn't it just be a case of train harder if you lose?
If you lose to someone, sometimes you should reflect on yourself. Have you trained seriously all these years?
"Misty, don't scare him," Brock said calmly.
"Most people defeated by that strategy will feel frustrated, but revenge probably won't happen."
You think Pikachu's shock therapy is for decoration?
"Alright, it's getting late. Let's head back and rest," Ash said, checking the time and thinking about tomorrow's plans.
"How about going to the department store tomorrow?"
"Yes! Let's go!" Misty replied excitedly.
The group returned to the Pokémon Center.
Tonight, there were even more injured Pokémon waiting for treatment than during the time when Lt. Surge deliberately injured challengers' Pokémon.
"I'm sorry."
"Please wait a moment—things are a little too busy right now."
Nurse Joy, looking exhausted, gazed at the long line of Pokémon waiting for treatment, clearly overwhelmed.
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
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