Chapter 367: Duel with Norman (Part 1)

Chapter 367: Chapter 367: Duel with Norman (Part 1)

Chapter 367: Duel with Norman (Part 1)

Inside the Petalburg Gym battlefield.

It was May’s first time standing in the spectator area of her family’s Gym. She looked at the combatants excitedly, "Ash and Dad’s Gym Challenge has finally started. I really don’t know who will win!"

"May, this is your first time watching your father’s Gym battle. It’s your turn to challenge tomorrow, so you need to work hard!" Caroline said.

Hearing this, May’s voice softened immediately, "I know... Mom!"

Norman’s disciple, Kinji, stood in the referee’s position:

"The Gym Challenge is about to begin. It will be a three-Pokémon limit. The match ends when all Pokémon of either the Gym Leader or the challenger are unable to battle. Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon during the battle."

Norman said earnestly: "Alright, Ash, it’s starting. My first one is this... Please, Slakoth!"

[Pokémon: Slakoth]

[Type: Normal]

[Gender: Male]

[Level: Gym Advanced]

[Ability: Truant (If a move is used, it will rest the next turn)]

[Potential: Elite]

[Moves: Scratch, Yawn, Encore...]

"Slakoth, huh? Go, Solrock!"

Ash sent out Solrock, which had just broken through to Gym Advanced level.

Norman looked at Solrock carefully, "Ash, you’ve trained your Pokémon very well!"

"Mr. Norman, I’m starting now. Solrock, use Telekinesis!"

"Slakoth, use Shadow Ball!"

As Solrock released Telekinesis, Slakoth rubbed a dark purple orb of light and threw it out.

Shadow Sneak and Telekinesis collided. One had the type advantage, the other had the level advantage, and the two moves canceled each other out.

"Solrock, Stone Edge!"

Solrock condensed stones and fired them at Slakoth.

"Slakoth, dodge and then use Hidden Power!"

Facing Solrock’s Stone Edge, Slakoth dodged by moving.

Clearly, this was the result of training Norman had conducted to address the flaw of the Truant ability. The Truant ability meant it couldn’t attack the turn after using a move, but it didn’t affect its ability to dodge.

After dodging the last stone, Slakoth gathered all its strength and fired eight white orbs of light at Solrock. The orbs formed an oval, encircling Solrock in the center.

"Solrock, use Psychic!"

Solrock released powerful Psychic energy, wrapping itself to take Slakoth’s attack head-on.

The dust settled.

A faint light shone on the horn on top of Solrock’s head.

Seeing this, Norman felt something was wrong, "Slakoth, move quickly!"

Hearing Norman’s words, Slakoth reluctantly started to run.

A faint blue light flashed in Ash’s eyes, "Solrock, Solar Beam!"

With the help of Ash’s Aura, Slakoth’s movements seemed to be in slow motion. Solar Beam instantly engulfed Slakoth.

At this point, Norman could only hope for Slakoth’s resilience, "Slakoth, hang in there!"

Solar Beam was powerful, but Solrock was not a Grass-type Pokémon after all, so the power of the move was quite limited.

Slakoth actually managed to endure this move with its extraordinary perseverance.

"Slakoth, use Blizzard!"

"Solrock, the opponent is at the end of its rope. Use Flamethrower!"

Slakoth blew a fierce Blizzard on the field. Solrock’s eyes flickered slightly, and it spat out a scorching flame to meet it.

The two ultimate moves collided in the air. When two moves clash, the one with more stamina and the one on the right usually have a higher probability of winning, so Solrock’s Flamethrower, taking advantage of Slakoth’s drained stamina, successfully took it down.

Seeing this result, Kinji also raised the flag in disbelief and announced: "Slakoth is unable to battle. Solrock wins!"

"Ash, your Solrock has mastered many moves, and it can use every one of them skillfully. It’s truly amazing. Now, my second Pokémon is this. Go, Vigoroth!"

[Pokémon: Vigoroth]

[Type: Normal]

[Gender: Male]

[Level: Gym Advanced]

[Ability: Vital Spirit (By stimulating its fighting spirit, it will not fall asleep)]

[Potential: Quasi-Champion]

[Moves: Focus Punch, Slash...]

"Return, Solrock."

Ash recalled Solrock to switch it out, "I choose you, Taillow!"

"Is Ash in such a rush to switch Pokémon? But Solrock clearly still had some fight left in it, right?" May was very confused by Ash’s actions.

Brock guessed, "Taillow’s level is already quite high. Perhaps Ash wants to use this battle to let Taillow find an opportunity to evolve."

May turned around suddenly, "That’s too risky!"

Caroline glanced at May in surprise, then comforted her calmly, "May, Ash isn’t taking a risk. He has strong confidence in his Pokémon."

"But things like evolution, how can they just happen on command?" May was still a bit worried.

"Don’t worry, Ash is currently still in the advantageous position," said Brock.

"Taillow, use Steel Wing."

"Siba!"

Taillow’s right wing lit up with white light, diving towards Vigoroth to attack.

"Vigoroth, use Slash!"

"Yagiyagi!"

Vigoroth stared at the flying Taillow, swinging its arms. Just as Taillow was about to hit it, its right arm lit up with white light, meeting Taillow’s Steel Wing.

Bang!

The two Pokémon collided, and Taillow, whose strength was insufficient, was knocked back by Vigoroth.

"Siba!"

Taillow climbed up and flew back into the sky, eyes fixed on Vigoroth, its Aura erupting completely. As its Aura reached its peak, Taillow’s spirit and energy reached the same level, and a white light emanated from its body.

Under the light of evolution, Taillow’s body size grew rapidly, and soon a Swellow over a meter tall appeared before everyone.

"It really... evolved..." May opened her mouth, unable to believe her eyes.

Ash smiled and shouted, "Very good, Swellow, use Air Cutter!"

"Vigoroth, use Slash again!"

Facing the Air Cutter fanned by Swellow’s wings, Vigoroth used its super speed, bouncing off the wall to pounce on Swellow.

Facing Vigoroth’s Slash, Swellow didn’t even retreat. It flapped its wings violently, and two larger Air Cutters flew out, forcibly stopping Vigoroth, which was about to rush into its face.

"Vigoroth, use Flamethrower!"

"Swellow, use Quick Attack."

Facing the flames sprayed by Vigoroth, Swellow burst into full speed and slammed into Vigoroth’s chest. This solid hit sent Vigoroth flying several meters away.

"Very good, Swellow, next use Brave Bird."

"Vigoroth, use Blizzard!"

Swellow flew to the highest point, folded its wings, and used gravity acceleration to perform Brave Bird, attacking Vigoroth. Vigoroth blew a storm, trying to interrupt Swellow’s attack. Under the blowing of the Blizzard, Swellow’s speed decreased, but it didn’t stop. And Vigoroth’s luck was also quite bad; the Blizzard didn’t trigger the freezing effect.

Just like that, Swellow’s Brave Bird hit Vigoroth head-on and took it out in one wave.

"Vigoroth is unable to battle. Swellow wins!"

Norman smiled. This result was within his expectations, so he said, "Ash, your trust in your Pokémon is truly admirable."

"Mr. Norman, you flatter me!" Ash replied with a smile.

"Ash, my last one is Slaking. I wonder how you will deal with it?"

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