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Chapter 34 - Chapter 34 The cracked hypnotic powder, sandstorm!

Brock temporarily buried his doubts, as it was still the time for a Gym challenge. Any questions would have to wait until after the challenge was over.

However, Brock still felt a bit strange. Usually, during a Gym challenge, the challenger would ask questions, and the Gym Leader would answer.

But now it was completely reversed; he, the Gym Leader, was less knowledgeable than a beginner. Was this even reasonable?

"A Pikachu that knows Fighting-type moves can indeed be a winning ace, but can you get past this round? Go, my second Pokémon, Onix!" As Brock finished speaking, he threw out his second Poké Ball.

With a flash of light, a giant appeared on the field!

This Pokémon seemed to be composed of a dozen rocks, and its overall appearance was like a python. This was also one of Kanto's more famous Pokémon, Onix.

However, compared to Geodude, Onix is much rarer. Not only that, but at the same level, Onix's stats in all aspects are significantly higher than Geodude's.

Unless there's a huge difference in their ability value potential, otherwise, at the same level, Onix will absolutely crush Geodude in terms of various stats.

Therefore, even at the same level, facing Onix would definitely not be as easy a victory as just now. Not to mention, this Onix's level is actually one level higher than Geodude's; its level has already reached the advanced intermediate stage.

Of course, this was just Brock's thought. In reality, for Ash... as long as it wasn't something that couldn't be put to sleep, anyone would be the same.

"Return, Pikachu."

"Pikapi~"

Ash recalled Pikachu, then took out Butterfree's Poké Ball: "I choose you, Butterfree!"

"Bilibili~"

Butterfree returned to the field.

"It's Butterfree again? The same move won't work on a Gym Leader. If you still want to use the Sleep Powder tactic, I advise you to think twice."

"I think so too, so... Butterfree, use String Shot!" Ash nodded, agreeing with Brock's statement, then waved his hand and launched the first attack.

"Onix, Sandstorm." After a moment's pause, Brock immediately commanded.

String Shot is different from Sleep Powder. The latter's speed is actually very slow. As long as the opponent dares to use Sleep Powder, even if its ability is Compound Eyes, Brock can immediately have Onix use Dig to avoid it.

Then, it can wait for an opportunity in the hole and directly finish off the opponent with Rock Slide the moment it emerges.

A Pokémon like Butterfree, if hit by a Rock-type move even once, the battle can be over.

But Ash seemed to have thought of this, and at the start, he didn't use Sleep Powder but instead used String Shot.

He wanted to use String Shot to slow down Onix, and String Shot's speed is much faster than Sleep Powder. Even if Dig is used, it's impossible to completely avoid it.

Therefore, Brock simply used Sandstorm to strengthen Onix's special defense attribute, while also causing trouble for the opponent.

Although using weather-based tactics against a Rookie Trainer was a bit excessive, Ash was not just any Rookie Trainer.

After this battle, regardless of win or loss, Brock had already decided to give him the Gym Badge. Ash deserved this Gym Badge just for defeating Geodude without taking damage despite the type disadvantage.

As for now... let's just say his competitive spirit had been ignited!

Butterfree spit out a length of white silk, which wrapped around Onix without any hindrance.

However, Onix's body was simply too massive; it couldn't be quickly enveloped like Geodude. It could only manage to wrap about halfway.

As Butterfree tried to continue wrapping, Onix already gave a struggle, directly breaking the silk threads on its body!

But the silk threads within the crevices of its body were not something that could be easily broken free from.

Those tiny, sticky silk threads would become an effective weapon to hinder Onix's movement and the release of its moves!

At the same time, strange, eerie winds began to blow across the entire field. Following that, countless tiny sand and stones were scattered onto Butterfree with the howling winds.

Sandstorm, a weather-type move, causes slight damage to Pokémon other than Rock and Steel types every so often, and it increases the special defense ability of Rock-type moves. It is the best battle weather for Rock-type Pokémon.

Ash was also stunned when he saw the Sandstorm swirling on the field. Although he had been diligently studying a lot of Pokémon-related knowledge and moves in the group during this time, he hadn't yet started learning about weather-type moves and tactics from the group's experts.

In other words, he had no idea what Sandstorm did.

"Bilibili~~" Butterfree, struck by the sand and stones in the strong wind, let out a somewhat pained Growl. The swirling Sandstorm not only damaged Butterfree but also obstructed its vision, reduced its flying speed, and made Sleep Powder difficult to hit the opponent.

After all, this was weather with strong winds; powder-type moves would be directly blown away by the wind when used. But...

"Butterfree, use Sleep Powder!"

"Idiot, don't use that move!" The moment Ash spoke, Xiao Xia quickly shouted.

However, Butterfree on the field had already immediately executed Ash's command and used Sleep Powder.

As expected, the Sleep Powder was instantly swept away by the strong winds and mixed into the sand, completely unable to touch Onix in the slightest.

"Good opportunity, Onix, use Rock Slide!" With Sleep Powder missing and Butterfree in its recovery phase, Brock didn't miss this opportunity and directly ordered Onix to attack!

Onix let out a roar, and several massive rocks appeared around its body, then all flew towards Butterfree.

Rock Slide looked very inconspicuous within the Sandstorm, which incidentally increased its accuracy.

"Oh no, Butterfree, dodge quickly!!" After all, he was a Rookie Trainer. Even with the guidance of a top Trainer, the time was simply too short. This mistake with Sleep Powder was due to his beginner's foundation.

Therefore, all Ash could do now was have Butterfree dodge on its own.

At this critical moment, Butterfree's excellent speed was showcased.

Just as Rock Slide was about to hit, Butterfree flapped its wings, swiftly moved a certain distance to the right, narrowly dodging the Rock Slide attack.

Seeing this, Ash breathed a sigh of relief.

"That was close. If it had been hit by Rock Slide, it would have been over... I didn't expect Sandstorm to have such an effect. As expected of a Gym Leader, not to be underestimated." Ash wiped the sweat mixed with sand from his forehead, speaking with a serious tone.

Xiao Xia also patted her full chest and let out a soft breath. The near-miss scenario just now made her feel very nervous.

She didn't expect Ash to make such a mistake...

No, it should be said that it's normal for Ash to make such a mistake!

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