"You really dare to say that…"
With just one sentence, Xia You left a deep impression on the three beautiful sisters of the Cerulean Gym!
Daisy smiled slightly. "Whether it's being a Trainer or performing water ballet, both are our main professions. Alright, please come."
Led by the three sisters, Xia You followed them through a passage and arrived at the edge of the swimming pool.
At this moment, the audience who had just come to watch the performance had all left, and there was no one to disturb them.
It was then that, as the other two sisters threw floating boards into the pool, the battleground was completed with such a simple operation.
One could only say it was quite perfunctory…
But then again…
Xia You's gaze swept back and forth across the floating boards a few times, not daring to be careless.
After all, this was a Water-type Gym, surrounded by water, and he didn't have any Water-type Pokémon. The range of movement available to his Pokémon was limited. Therefore, every step needed to be taken with caution.
"Alright." Violet clapped her hands and smiled. "Now we can battle!"
Without saying anything more, Xia You walked to the Trainer command area on the other side, facing the Cerulean Gym sisters across the water.
At the same time, Daisy's voice came from afar.
"The battle rules here are simple. Each of us three will use one Pokémon. As long as you defeat all of us, you will have successfully challenged us!"
Violet crossed her arms, a look of amusement on her face. "So, who do you want to challenge first?"
One could say it was that very sentence that slightly ignited their fighting spirit!
Xia You's gaze swept over each of their faces, but he couldn't see anything in particular.
"Anyone is fine. You all decide."
"That's quite big talk." As the third sister, Lily volunteered. She stepped forward and took out a Poké Ball from her pocket. "Since that's the case, let me meet you first! Come out, Goldeen!"
She opened the Poké Ball, and with a flash of blue light, a white fish Pokémon with a single horn on its head appeared in the pool.
Goldeen's data flashed through Xia You's mind.
He remembered it was a pure Water-type Pokémon, with well-developed dorsal and caudal fins, able to swim at a speed of five knots in the water. Because its tail fin flowed elegantly like a dress, it was also called the Queen of the Water.
Glancing at his feet, Xia You also sent out his first Pokémon.
"Eevee, I choose you."
Hearing Xia You's command, Eevee let out an excited cry and leaped directly from the shore onto a floating board.
In terms of typing, there was no direct advantage or disadvantage between the two Pokémon.
Therefore, victory would depend on strength and command. However, because of the advantageous terrain, it would not be easy for Eevee to defeat Goldeen.
Everything would depend on Eevee's performance—and his commands!
Daisy, the eldest sister, acted as the referee. Seeing that both Pokémon were ready, she announced loudly:
"Cerulean Gym Challenge—begin!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Lily gave her order.
"Goldeen, use Peck!"
With Lily's command, the battle officially began!
Goldeen submerged into the water, disappearing from sight. After a few breaths, ripples spread across the surface, and Goldeen suddenly sprang out of the water, flying straight toward Eevee!
Its speed was indeed very fast!
Xia You's gaze sharpened. "Eevee, dodge it!"
Relying on its excellent agility, Eevee sidestepped and avoided the attack.
"Use Tackle!" Xia You continued.
As the two Pokémon crossed paths, Eevee leaped into the air and slammed toward Goldeen.
Unfortunately, just as Eevee was about to hit, Goldeen twisted its body, dodged the blow, and splashed back into the water.
In the initial exchange, neither side gained an advantage.
But it was enough to make Lily realize that the Trainer in front of her was not easy to deal with.
Eevee landed steadily on another floating board, but water splashed onto its body, soaking its fur.
It shook itself, but the water wouldn't come off completely.
Seeing this, Lily smiled. "Very good! Goldeen, keep it up and force it into the water!"
Goldeen repeated its tactic, launching another Horn Attack.
This time, with its fur weighed down by water, Eevee's speed was clearly affected. It barely dodged the attack, the horn grazing past its body.
Xia You exhaled softly, but his concern deepened.
If Eevee were hit and fell into the water, the situation would become extremely unfavorable.
He needed a solution.
His eyes scanned the floating boards and noticed two of them had collided. A plan slowly formed.
"Eevee, jump onto that floating board!"
Although confused, Eevee followed the command.
Seeing this, Lily smiled dismissively. "Whatever you do now is useless! Goldeen, use Horn Attack!"
Goldeen leaped out of the water again.
"Eevee, retreat!"
Eevee backed up several steps, shifting its weight to one side of the floating board.
The board tilted upward!
At that exact moment, Goldeen charged forward—its horn slammed straight into the tilted board!
Worse still, its horn became stuck, leaving Goldeen hanging helplessly in midair!
"What?!" Lily cried out, while Daisy and Violet widened their eyes in shock.
They never expected such a tactic!
Xia You smiled faintly.
A fish out of water, no matter how strong, was helpless.
"Eevee, finish it!"
"Goldeen, get back into the water!" Lily shouted anxiously.
Goldeen struggled desperately, but its horn wouldn't come free.
"Damn it! Goldeen, use Supersonic!"
Sound waves rippled outward, briefly confusing Eevee—but once it regained focus, nothing could stop it.
"It's over," Xia You said calmly.
Eevee charged forward with Tackle, knocking Goldeen unconscious.
"You're really good…"
Lily sighed, recalled Goldeen, and stepped aside.
As she retreated, Violet stepped forward.
"You've got some skills," she said, releasing her Pokémon. "But the next one won't be easy. Come out, Krabby!"
A crab Pokémon emerged from the water, its massive pincers raised high.
Its dull eyes gave it a slightly foolish look.
Krabby's data flashed through Xia You's mind.
Its pincers were powerful weapons, though they could fall off during battle—only to regrow quickly. When threatened, it could also release foam to enlarge its appearance, sacrificing mobility for power.
After a moment of thought, Xia You recalled Eevee.
"Eevee, come back. You did great."
He gently patted Eevee, then took out another Poké Ball.
"It's your turn now, Bulbasaur."
Blue light flashed as Bulbasaur appeared on the floating board.
"Bulba! Bulba!"
Bulbasaur stared intently at Krabby, its fighting spirit rising.
In terms of typing, Grass-type Bulbasaur clearly had the advantage over Water-type Krabby.
But the same problem remained.
In an arena surrounded by water, limited footing would decide everything.