NOVEL WEB Chapter 20: Chapter 20: First Round Win
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Although Raichu was hit by Magical Leaf, since Grass-type moves don't have a type advantage against Electric-types, it didn't sustain much damage. However, this still caught Ethan's attention.
It didn't dodge using speed, but instead used a move to clash directly? While it seemed fine on the surface, did he perhaps miscalculate Magical Leaf's power? But since the attack was effective, Ethan naturally wouldn't change his tactics and continued to shout, "Kirlia, let's do it again! Magical Leaf!"
Seeing Magical Leaf form again, this time Lt. Surge didn't order Raichu to use Thunder Shock. Instead, he shouted, "Raichu, quickly dodge!" However, despite the command, Magical Leaf's firing speed was incredibly fast. Even though Raichu ran early, Kirlia controlled its direction, sweeping over it like rapid fire, quickly catching up and hitting its body.
Rat-a-tat-tat!
The thick smoke from the explosions obscured everyone's vision. When the smoke cleared, Raichu, bearing visible scratches, shook its head and continued to charge at Kirlia.
"Raichu, use Mega Punch!"
Raichu stood on its hind legs, its claws forming fists, glowing blue, and began punching Kirlia.
Mega Punch: A Normal-type physical attack. The user strikes the opponent with maximum power from its fist. If it hits, it can cause significant damage.
"Kirlia, use Double Team!"
At Ethan's command, Kirlia instantly split into a dozen illusions. Raichu couldn't discern the real body and could only wildly punch, dispersing a few illusory figures. Lt. Surge frowned and shouted, "Raichu, eliminate them all! Thunderbolt!!"
Hearing this, Raichu abandoned its punching attack. It exerted its full body strength, and as electricity shimmered across its surface, dozens of thick currents rapidly spread outwards from its center. The crackling sounds were incessant, and the light was so dazzling that even Ethan had to shield his eyes with his arm.
When all the dust settled, Ethan quickly looked up. He saw that all the illusions had vanished, leaving only Kirlia standing in the distance, silently staring at Raichu. In an instant, it had used Teleport to dodge the dangerous area attack.
"Excellent!" Seeing that it wasn't injured, Ethan's anxious heart finally settled. "Kirlia, use Confusion!"
Kirlia raised its hands. Without warning, Raichu was lifted into the air and then dropped heavily, crashing to the ground.
"Darn it!" Lt. Surge shouted. "Raichu, quickly get up! Close the distance!"
Raichu struggled to its feet, unleashing its last bursts of energy, rapidly approaching Kirlia. It was only then that Ethan suddenly remembered this Raichu's weakness. He recalled that in the anime, after Ash's first failed challenge at the Vermilion Gym, during his second battle against this Raichu, he discovered that it hadn't learned any speed-related moves due to evolving too quickly. Ash's Pikachu eventually outmaneuvered it with Quick Attack and Agility, eventually defeating it.
By this time, Raichu had reached Kirlia. Lt. Surge shouted, "Raichu, use Body Slam!"
Obeying Lt. Surge's command, Raichu leaped high, spreading its body, and came crashing down on Kirlia. Although Kirlia could have used other methods to dodge this attack, Ethan chose the simplest and most direct way.
"Kirlia, use Confusion!"
The next second, Raichu, which was rapidly falling, seemed to hit an invisible wall of air. It was lifted again in mid-air, as if an invisible giant had grabbed its tail, swinging it back and forth, finally sending it flying sideways to crash onto the ground again.
This time, however, it rolled its eyes and couldn't get up.
The referee watching the battle raised his colored flag and loudly announced, "Raichu is unable to battle! Kirlia wins!"
Hearing Kirlia win, Koharu in the spectator stands couldn't help but applaud excitedly. Just as Ethan had said earlier, watching a live battle, being immersed in it, was indeed much more exciting and engaging than on television! And emotionally, being on Ethan's side, her mood fluctuated with the match, further exciting her.
Recalling Raichu, Lt. Surge nodded affirmingly at Ethan: "To defeat my Raichu proves you're not just a simple baby. But to get the Badge, you still have to defeat this next guy."
Saying this, he threw his second Poké Ball. With a flash of blue light, a strange yellow and black Pokémon appeared on the field. This Pokémon stood on two legs, was mostly yellow with black stripes, had a black lightning bolt symbol on its chest, two short fangs curling outwards from its mouth, and two circular organs for storing and releasing electricity near its pointed ears.
Pokédex: "Beep. Electabuzz, the Electric Pokémon. Electric-type. Electabuzz's evolved form. A very rare Pokémon. Electricity constantly crackles across its body. Because it enjoys consuming electricity, it often causes widespread power outages in cities."
Ethan recalled Kirlia and sent out Bulbasaur.
"Bulbasaur, the second round is yours!"
"Bulba, Bulba!"
Seeing Bulbasaur ready, Lt. Surge shouted, "The real game has just begun! Go, Electabuzz!"
Electabuzz strode forward, approaching Bulbasaur, clearly full of vigor. Ethan commanded, "Razor Leaf attack!"
Sheets of green leaves, like spinning blades, flew towards Electabuzz. And Lt. Surge, as before, commanded, "Electabuzz, use Thunder Wave!"
From Electabuzz's head, two dazzling bolts of electricity suddenly shot out and converged, colliding with Razor Leaf. This time, the two moves canceled each other out; neither gained an advantage.
Watching Lt. Surge continue to use this defensive approach, Ethan understood. Perhaps it was due to the Trainer's personality; it seemed that, just like Raichu before, this Electabuzz also neglected speed-based moves in favor of diverse offensive options.
Seeing Electabuzz getting closer, Ethan once again ordered, "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"
Two vines rose into the air, striking fiercely at Electabuzz. However, Electabuzz didn't dodge. It withstood the Vine Whip attack and charged directly in front of Bulbasaur.
"Now!" Lt. Surge shouted, "Use Thunder Punch!"
The next second, Electabuzz's fists suddenly glowed with electricity. It swung its fists, striking Bulbasaur hard. However, Ethan wasn't particularly worried about this. Type-wise, although Grass-type has no type advantage over Electric-type, Electric-type moves only deal half damage to Grass-types due to type resistance.
This was why, back in Sakuragi Park, Ethan had told Bulbasaur to conserve its energy. Because the main attacker for challenging the Vermilion Gym was, from start to finish, actually Bulbasaur!
Ethan has secured his first victory against Lt. Surge's Raichu, showcasing Kirlia's agility and strategic use of Psychic powers. Now, Bulbasaur is up against Electabuzz, and Ethan seems to have a clear plan, knowing Bulbasaur's type advantage in defense.
How do you think this second round against Electabuzz will unfold?
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