Crystal Steelix was over 9 meters long, with an enormous head, while Banette was just over 1 meter tall. The visual contrast between the two Pokémon, one super-sized and the other very small, was quite striking on the field.
However, Natsui wouldn't underestimate this Ghost-type Pokémon just because of its size.
A small body often contains immense power!
From a type perspective, Crystal Steelix, being Ground and Rock-type, had no advantage or disadvantage against the Ghost-type Banette, which was good news for Morty.
At least he didn't have to worry about a type disadvantage preventing his Pokémon from showing its true strength.
As the battle began, both Pokémon moved simultaneously.
"Banette, use Shadow Ball!"
"Crystal Steelix, get close to it!"
Under the trainers' commands, Banette formed a Shadow Ball and threw it at Crystal Steelix, while Crystal Steelix charged toward Banette with unstoppable momentum!
The dark sphere flew closer, but Crystal Steelix didn't dodge or evade, simply charging straight through it!
In fact, with its massive body on such a small field, it would be very difficult to dodge attacks unless it used Dig to go underground.
But this was indoors, and the area outside the field was floored. If it used Dig and accidentally broke the foundation, it would surely damage the building's structure.
There was no need to demolish someone's gym just for a battle.
Smack!
The Shadow Ball hit Crystal Steelix as expected. Although it took damage, Crystal Steelix seemed unfazed thanks to its tough hide, maintaining its speed as it closed in on Banette.
The next second, its gaping mouth opened wide as its massive head lunged to bite down on Banette!
That mouth was at least two meters high. While it wasn't filled with sharp teeth like a Gyarados, if it clamped down on Banette, it could definitely swallow it whole!
Facing the enormous maw right in front of it, Banette's body vanished into thin air. When it reappeared, it was already behind Crystal Steelix!
Seeing Crystal Steelix's back completely exposed, it was about to use Shadow Ball again when it heard a whistling sound as a shadow as fast as lightning slashed past its eyes!
Before it could react, it felt a tremendous force strike it. In an instant, it felt like it had been whipped by something, and its body was sent crashing heavily to the ground!
Bang!
Banette was slammed onto the field, its head spinning.
When Banette came to its senses, it saw Crystal Steelix slowly turning its head, staring at it with its blood-red eyes, its tail slowly retracting!
Unlike Banette's confusion, Morty, on the side, had witnessed the entire sequence.
Just after Banette had dodged, Crystal Steelix seemed to have predicted its position and, without hesitation, used Iron Tail, striking Banette.
It was so fast that he had no time to warn his Pokémon!
It was as if it had anticipated its move in advance!
"Not bad…" he said, looking at Natsui. "Whether it was against Gastly or now Banette, you always seem to anticipate their moves. It seems you're very familiar with the attack patterns of Ghost-type Pokémon."
The first exchange seemed to have resulted in damage for both sides, but Morty knew that Crystal Steelix clearly had the upper hand!
Natsui shrugged without explaining.
The attack patterns of Ghost-type Pokémon were fairly limited, and disappearing and reappearing was something his own Gengar had done countless times. He was very familiar with the tactic!
On the other side, after Banette regrouped, Morty issued another command.
"Use Night Shade!"
A terrifying black light emanated from Banette's body, transforming into a phantom that quickly swept toward Crystal Steelix!
Natsui's eyes narrowed, but he still had Crystal Steelix endure the attack head-on.
The phantom reached Crystal Steelix in an instant and struck it. Crystal Steelix grunted and took a step back.
This move dealt damage to the target, with the amount depending on the user's strength. Banette was undoubtedly strong, so the damage dealt to Crystal Steelix was not insignificant.
Shaking its head, Crystal Steelix stared intently at Banette with its blood-red eyes.
But surprisingly, after a successful hit, Morty made no further moves. Instead, he studied Natsui for a long time and asked, "Why don't you have your Pokémon use Dig to dodge my Night Shade? That's a signature move for many Ground-type Pokémon, isn't it?"
He seemed to have noticed that Natsui could have dodged but took no action, letting Crystal Steelix take the hit.
This was highly unusual!
Hearing Morty's question, Natsui was momentarily stunned, then laughed.
No wonder he was a gym leader; he had noticed something was off so quickly...
Quite sharp.
Looking at the ground beneath Crystal Steelix, Natsui said helplessly, "Sorry, it's not that I don't want to use it. It's just that with Crystal Steelix's size, I'm worried it might destroy this gym."
"So that's why you're holding back?" Morty realized, then smiled. "Don't worry. I'm sure you noticed when you came in that this gym is built on high stone steps. That was done precisely for situations like this. Rest assured, the steps are filled with earth. You can battle without holding back. And even if the gym collapses, the Pokémon League will cover the repairs!"
"So that's how it is." Hearing Morty's explanation, Natsui was genuinely relieved.
The battle continued.
This time, when Banette repeated its tactic and used Night Shade again, Natsui waved his hand, and Crystal Steelix's head began to drill into the ground. In an instant, its massive body completely disappeared underground!
The phantom passed over the hole, not even touching Crystal Steelix's shadow.
"Such a fast Dig!"
Morty was stunned. He hadn't expected Crystal Steelix to dig so quickly; it defied common sense!
He had battled Ground-type Pokémon before, but in his memory, he had never seen any Pokémon burrow into the ground so swiftly!
Just then, the ground began to tremble. Immediately after, the earth broke open, and Crystal Steelix shot out from under Banette, sending it flying into the air with its head!
"Watch out! Banette, dodge it!"
Banette, in mid-air, was about to disappear, but before it could, Crystal Steelix opened its mouth and, in one gulp, swallowed it whole!
"Banette!"
Morty's eyes widened. He could see Banette struggling fiercely after being swallowed, but as Crystal Steelix's mouth clamped shut, the space inside was compressed, and the struggles gradually weakened until they ceased completely!
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