【LV15 Geodude♂/Elite】
Xiao Mao saw Geodude's level and knew how strong Xiao Gang was.
"Squirtle, it's your turn."
Xiao Mao threw out his Poké Ball, releasing Squirtle.
"Squirtle!"
Squirtle looked at Geodude with confidence. They had met Geodude on Route 3 yesterday. One Water Gun could instantly defeat it. He didn't need to worry at all.
"It's a Water-type Pokémon, Squirtle…." Xiao Gang was also stunned. He finally understood why Xiao Mao was so confident. It was because he had a Water-type Pokémon.
Geodude was a Rock and Ground dual-type, being weak to Water-type moves. Against a Water-type of the same level, it would be instantly defeated with a single Water-type move.
"I'll go first, Squirtle use Water Gun."
"Squirtle!"
Squirtle, without hesitation, launched a barrage of Water Guns.
Seeing the rapid-fire Water Guns, Xiao Gang was shocked. "It's impossible to dodge. Use Roll Out to dodge!"
Geodude immediately started rolling, its speed was not slow. It was able to dodge the Water Guns, but unfortunately, it didn't roll for long before crashing into a rock. The Water Guns, still pursuing, struck it directly.
"Hiiss...!"
Geodude's special defense was weak. It was struck by the Water Gun and fainted.
"He's definitely not just any ordinary newbie."
Xiao Gang watched Geodude fall and was certain that Xiao Mao was completely different from other new trainers.
After all, making a Pokémon change the form of its moves to attack was something a newbie trainer couldn't do.
"Geodude, return."
"Your Squirtle is amazing, but my last Pokémon is not so easy to deal with."
Xiao Gang retrieved his defeated Geodude and then threw out another Poké Ball.
Bang!
A serpent-like Pokémon made entirely of rock appeared. The Onix was 8.8 meters long, a massive creature. Its entire body was made of gigantic stones, giving off a sense of overwhelming presence. It invoked a primal fear in all who saw it.
Gigantophonia!
"Squirtle!"
Squirtle was also startled. Although it had seen a picture of Onix in the Pokédex, it didn't expect Onix to be so massive. It became a bit panicked.
"Squirtle, don't be afraid. Onix is only large, but like Geodude, it is very weak to Water-type moves." Xiao Mao encouraged.
"Squirtle." After being reminded by Xiao Mao, the trace of fear in Squirtle's heart disappeared.
"What a great trainer." Seeing Xiao Mao comforting his Pokémon during battle, Xiao Gang knew that this alone made Xiao Mao superior to most new trainers.
"Onix, use Bind."
Xiao Gang got serious and launched his attack first.
"Roar!!"
Onix moved slightly, twisting its body and swinging its tail at Squirtle. The field was small and there was no place to dodge Onix's sweep.
"Don't worry about it, just use Water Gun to attack Onix's head." Xiao Mao commanded.
Squirtle shot out a straight line of Water Gun towards Onix's head. The two attacks collided simultaneously, but the Water Gun didn't manage to instantly defeat Onix.
Onix's tail had already bound Squirtle and shifted its direction. It deflected the path of the Water Gun, preventing Squirtle from using it to attack Onix.
"Squirtle, gather up a Hydro Pump!" Xiao Mao commanded.
"Squirtle!"
Squirtle concentrated the water element in its mouth, gathering a Hydro Pump.
This was a move that Squirtle learned yesterday afternoon. It was not yet proficient in using it. Although it could successfully gather a sphere of water, the attack range was too short and it wasn't a reliable move yet.
"No good! Onix, throw Squirtle away quickly."
Xiao Gang knew the power of Hydro Pump. His own Onix had just taken a direct hit from a Water Gun. If it was hit by a Hydro Pump, then it would be over.
"Roar!!"
Onix mustered all its strength and slammed its body into the ground, throwing Squirtle into the air.
However, at the moment when Onix launched Squirtle, it already gathered a Hydro Pump and fired it out.
Bang!!
The Hydro Pump slammed into Onix's tail.
"Roar~!"
Onix let out a cry of pain, its massive body falling to the ground.
Bang!!
Squirtle was also thrown out of the ring and slammed against the wall. However, protected by its shell, it didn't suffer fatal damage. It was injured, but not badly.
No matter what, Onix's size and weight were there. Even though Onix's Attack was weak, its Defense could sometimes be used as a weapon.
The battle concluded. Onix could no longer fight, and although Squirtle was injured, it didn't faint.
Xiao Gang recalled Onix and said, "I lost this Gym battle."
"I accept."
Xiao Mao smiled.
"Squirtle! Squirtle!" Squirtle was overjoyed to have won a Gym battle for Xiao Mao.
However, Squirtle's joy didn't last long. Its body suddenly stiffened.
"Hmm?" Xiao Mao also noticed the change in Squirtle. He immediately realized that its level had increased from level 15 to level 16.
The next second, Squirtle shone with the light of evolution.
"What?! It's evolving!" Xiao Gang was also surprised. He didn't expect his Onix to become the catalyst for Squirtle's evolution.
The light of evolution faded, and in its place appeared Wartortle.
Wartortle's size, both in height and width, was twice that of Squirtle's. Its head had two fluffy ear-like appendages that looked like wings, and two small fangs protruded from its upper jaw.
"Congratulations, your Squirtle evolved!" Xiao Gang congratulated.
"Thank you." Xiao Mao replied politely.
"This is the Gray Badge. It's proof that you defeated the Gym. Collect eight Gym Badges recognized by the Pokémon League and you can participate in the Indigo League." Xiao Gang handed Xiao Mao his Badge.
Xiao Mao took the Badge and looked at it.
In the Special Edition world, this would be an important item that could allow trainers to command higher level Pokémon and even control Legendary Pokémon.
However, in the anime world, the Badge is merely proof of defeating the Gym, used to participate in the League.
【Ding! Mission completed, reward sent to your inventory.】
"Thank you for the match. Goodbye."
Xiao Mao said goodbye and left the Gym.
......!
【Pokémon: Wartortle♂】
【Type: Water】
【Level: LV16】
【Potential: Champion】
【Ability: Torrent (When the Pokémon's HP is below ⅓, Water-type moves have their power increased.)】
【Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Water Gun, Withdraw, Rapid Spin, Hydro Pump, Protect.】
【Friendship: 212 (Max: 255)】
Leaving the Gym, Xiao Mao checked Wartortle's stats.
Pokémon evolution could awaken species-specific moves. Wartortle awakened the Protect move.
The Protect move was extremely useful. It could block any attack. Although it lost its effect after being used too many times, using it twice in a battle was no problem.