Chapter 79 Fairy Association, the Eighteenth Attribute
"This is just the beginning!" San Yang muttered smugly, then commanded his Gastly to launch another attack.
Dark-type moves are indeed doubly effective against Psychic-types.
However, having learned his lesson once, Xia Mu wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
After inquiring about Gardevoir's situation and receiving her eager reply, Xia Mu also entered true battle mode.
He could play along with ordinary trainers, but against those who knew how to use tactics and possessed considerable strength, Xia Mu would naturally take it seriously.
...
As time passed, the battle between Gardevoir and Gastly continued.
The intensity of this battle had reached a new level, leaving most onlookers dumbfounded and incredulous.
Trainers familiar with San Yang, in particular, admired his superb skills and meticulous planning.
Even so, Xia Mu handled the situation with ease, and Gardevoir's strength was indeed far superior to Gastly's.
They weren't even in the same league; Gardevoir was level 47, while Gastly was only level 39.
If it weren't for San Yang's superior command skills, Gastly would have been defeated by Xia Mu long ago.
"It's a pity your Gastly's level isn't high enough, and its damage output is insufficient. If you could train it better, or even evolve it into Gengar, you might be able to win.
"However, your tactics are too underhanded. While suitable for Ghost-type Pokémon, Ghost-type Pokémon can't just rely on sneak attacks and clever tricks to win. You can explore the power of Ghost-type Pokémon more deeply."
Xia Mu gave him his evaluation.
While praising him, there was also a hint of belittling.
This San Yang was indeed not weak; at least he commanded the Ghost-type Gastly with ease. Clearly, he had mastered his sneak attack strategy, and many trainers must have suffered at his hands in the past.
"Don't be so smug! You've only countered Sucker Punch and Dark Lurker's surprise attack. Stop giving me grand theories; the battle isn't over yet." San Yang ignored Xia Mu's advice, his growing impatience stemming from Gastly's inability to quickly defeat Gardevoir.
Indeed, his tactics had been exposed, his tried-and-true moves rendered ineffective, meaning that using this method in future battles would be useless against those present.
Surprise attacks could be blocked with Protect or Substitute, and in battle experiments, Xia Mu even discovered that Teleport could be used to anticipate surprise attacks and dodge them in advance. However, he hadn't yet tested other support skills.
Nevertheless, Xia Mu believed that while surprise attacks had become purely stealthy in the real world, their fundamental nature remained unchanged.
For example, if the opponent used... The rule that Sudden Attacks are ineffective with non-offensive moves is now being applied to Gardevoir using Teleport to dodge, effectively rendering Sudden Attacks ineffective.
However, the real world is the real world, and skills have changed to some extent.
For example, Teleport is no longer a skill for escaping battle, but rather a skill for moving and dodging within a certain range.
Regarding skills that can directly disengage from battle, Xia Mu currently only knows that U-turn remains the same as in the game, unchanged.
After using U-turn, the Pokémon automatically returns to its Poké Ball.
As for Phantom Assault, countering it is even simpler.
In the game, you either use Substitute to block it, or you use Phantom Assault to counter it in the same way.
Of course, speed is crucial. For example, if both Gardevoir and Phantom Assault are used simultaneously, the faster attacker will strike first, allowing the attacker to then strike the first attacker.
After all, Phantom Assault is a stealthy attack; once exposed, the attacker becomes a target.
Gardevoir doesn't know Phantom Assault, so Xia Mu's only countermeasure for now is Substitute.
However, while Substitute doesn't have the HP-based limitations of the game, it still consumes a lot of stamina.
Actually, Xia Mu has many techniques in mind to counter the first-round stealth attack.
For example, what would happen if a real-world flying skill clashed with Phantom Assault…?
"That's enough. You've been attacking all along, now it's my turn. I've completely figured out your fighting style, Gardevoir, Moon Power!" With Xia Mu's command, he gave San Yang no more chances.
Moon Power, a special attack move that isn't exclusive to Fairy-types!
Although the damage to Ghost-types is only average, and even halved against Poison-types, the level advantage and previous consumption make this move enough to instantly kill Haunter.
As for moves like Moon Power, even experienced trainers, let alone ordinary trainers, have never heard of them, let alone seen them.
Fairy-type has not yet been officially recognized as a new type in this era.
Ultimately, Fairy-type is too special; most of its moves are exclusive skills, and currently only some regional leagues have established Fairy-type research groups.
For example, the Galar region has research on Fairy-type.
...
Inside a hidden room.
Blaine watched Natsuki and Gardevoir on the battle stage, shaking his head helplessly.
Although he had signaled Natsuki to be lenient and give away some badges, and Natsuki had agreed, only two badges had been given away so far, just yesterday.
And these two were given away rather reluctantly; although the two trainers were very excited to receive the badges, it was essentially charity.
"This kid is steady in his actions, but he's too flashy. I wonder if he can send out a few more badges this afternoon," Blaine muttered to himself, then looked at Mulan, who was intently watching Gardevoir.
"What's wrong, old woman?" Blaine's address was very affectionate, as if he were addressing his wife.
Hearing his question, Mulan turned her head to look at him, not minding the form of address, and continued, "Have you heard of the Fairy-type Association that was recently established in academia?"
"Fairy-type Association?" Blaine was slightly taken aback, then shook his head. "I haven't heard of that. There shouldn't be such an association in the Kanto region. Is it a new organization established in your Galar region?"
Mulan nodded solemnly. "Not only in the Galar region, but also in the Kalos region, Hoenn region, and so on, there are research labs established by these academic organizations. The purpose is self-evident; you can probably guess it. It's to study whether Pokémon have an eighteenth type. After all, this kind of thing has happened before..."
"You mean, a new type has been discovered, and there is sufficient evidence, and it is currently being investigated in practice?" Blaine asked in shock.
Mulan adjusted her glasses and continued, "Yes, part of the reason I came to the Kanto region this time was to study the Pokémon there, looking for any traces of Fairy-type Pokémon. Xia Mu surprised me; Gardevoir's Moon Power move has been officially classified as a Fairy-type move, exceeding the Psychic-type category."
"What? Gardevoir has a Fairy-type?" Blaine was astonished, looking back at the battle arena.
He hadn't seen Moon Power before and was wondering what this new move was, but now he knew some special information.
"Whether Gardevoir has a Fairy-type requires further investigation. But how did Xia Mu know about Moon Power? Did Gardevoir learn the move itself and then use psychic telepathy to tell Xia Mu?" Mulan was filled with doubt. "Gardevoir from the Hoenn region, as a Psychic-type Pokémon, is also linked to the Fairy-type..." As Mulan finished speaking, Blaine remained stunned for a long time.
If Fairy-type were officially listed as the eighteenth type, it would mean that the balance of power in the past could be broken.
...
Haunter was unable to battle, and San Yang was eliminated.
Although he was strong enough to deserve the Crimson Badge from Natsuki, he was too arrogant and ruthless towards his Pokémon.
Especially after recalling Haunter, the look of disgust and his critical words were clearly punishment for Haunter's loss.
This behavior of blaming only the Pokémon without considering his own shortcomings was too despicable.
Even if he had some strength, Natsuki wouldn't take him seriously.
If he weren't currently playing the role of a substitute Gym Leader, he would have really been able to teach him a lesson, showing him how to treat his Pokémon and how to recognize how worthless he was.
...
Next, three more battles followed.
The opponents' levels weren't high: one was only level 29, one was level 31, and the other was level 35.
Xia Mu still used Gardevoir. After all, with continuous battles, its experience points were nearing the point of leveling up, and it would be a waste to switch it out now.
Having had many experiences, Xia Mu had a clear understanding of how much experience points are needed to level up.
Gardevoir successfully reached level 48.
Only then did Xia Mu recall it into its Ultra Ball, letting it rest and prepare for future battles.
As Xia Mu had initially planned, if possible, he didn't intend to send out any Pokémon other than Gardevoir and Charizard.
He wanted to allocate resources most efficiently to the Pokémon he needed most, thus reducing the League Coins required for training.
"Next challenger, Ash, please step onto the battle stage."
With the referee's command, Ash, who had been waiting in the stands for a long time, jumped up excitedly.
"Finally, it's my turn! I can hardly contain myself!"
'Pikachu!' Pikachu also eagerly jumped for the challenge.
At this point, Pikachu and Ash had reached a point of perfect understanding, allowing them to convey their emotions to each other.
"You have to be careful, Ash. Natsume's strength is extraordinary. And since he recalled Gardevoir, you'll be facing other Pokémon next, so you won't have the advantage of stamina anymore," Brock warned. "
I know, I know, don't worry. Pikachu and I won't lose to any opponent. And don't forget, I defeated Blaine! I already got the Crimson Badge, hehe," Ash, still unaware of the difference in strength, boasted about already possessing the Crimson Badge.
Xiaoxia, standing to the side, was clearly speechless. She said, "That badge of yours is somewhat questionable. You'd better remember Brock's warning, and the information we gave you before, right? Don't send Pikachu against every opponent."
"Okay, okay, I know. You're really long-winded, Xiaoxia." Ash replied dismissively, running off the stands with Pikachu, much to Xiaoxia's annoyance.
Passing by Sora, Seaman, Sweetie, and Ari, who were all familiar with each other, they all offered Ash words of encouragement.
This further excited Ash, making him confident that he could win against any opponent.
On the arena, Ash and Natsume faced each other across the distance.
"Finally, it's your turn, Ash. You've been waiting long, haven't you?" Natsume said with a smile, her gaze fixed on Pikachu.
She had noticed it before, but hadn't paid much attention. Now, looking at it again, Pikachu's level wasn't low; at least it was considered a mid-elite.
It's a pity that this Pikachu is only mediocre at the moment; it hasn't learned many moves, such as Iron Tail.
[Pikachu]
[LV: 38]
[Gender: Male]
[Type: Electric]
[Nature: Timid]
[Ability: Static (Consumes static electricity, sometimes paralyzing opponents it touches)]
[Moves: Cheek Smash, Quick Attack, Tail Wag, Electric Shock, Growl, Thunder Wave, Double Team, Agility, Thunderbolt, Thunder.]
...
I wonder if Ash will use Pikachu. If he does, Xia Mu wants to see if this Pikachu can create a miracle for him.
"Hehe~! Brother Xia Mu, send out your Pokémon! Pikachu and I are already itching to go!"
Ash's words clearly indicated that he wanted to use Pikachu in the battle.
Having received this answer, Xia Mu no longer hesitated: "In that case, get ready! Go, Charizard!"
With a Great Ball released, Charizard appeared, unleashing a loud roar.
"It really is Charizard? Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash shouted.
'Pikachu!' Pikachu cried out, leaping forward into the battle arena, ready for battle.
This matchup surprised many, while others were intrigued.
A battle between Charizard and Pikachu... Although Electric Mouse was only a regular Pokémon, it was an Electric-type, which was super effective against Charizard's Flying-type.
With a high enough level, defeating Charizard wasn't impossible.
Especially after hearing that Ash had obtained the Crimson Badge, even if not from Xia Mu, it still made people curious about his strength.
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(End of Chapter)