"Geodude, go interrupt Eevee!"
Hearing Gu Yuan's command, Flint couldn't let Geodude continue charging and ordered it to attack immediately.
Unfortunately, Geodude was still a bit slow.
Under the effect of Yawn, the drowsy Geodude's movements became even slower.
Taking advantage of this, Eevee launched another attack.
With no time to dodge, Geodude was blasted away by Swift.
"Wake up quickly, Geodude! Use Rock Throw to defend!"
The pain and Flint's shout quickly brought Geodude out of its drowsiness. Unfortunately, Gu Yuan didn't intend to give Geodude a chance to strike back.
Before Rock Throw could land, Eevee's Swift struck Geodude again.
There was nothing to be done; higher skill mastery allowed Eevee to act so freely.
"Eevee, continue using Quick Attack to close the distance and finish the battle with the last Swift."
Following the command, Eevee transformed into a streak of white light and darted forward.
While Geodude struggled under the pain and couldn't use its moves, Eevee directly attacked up close.
This time, Geodude hadn't even hit the ground before its eyes swirled and it fainted.
"Hmm, it's been a long time since I've faced such a strong trainer. I feel like I'm boiling over."
"Then it's up to you, Onix!"
Flint recalled Geodude and sent out his second Pokémon.
Gu Yuan just wanted to respond with a silent "heh." No matter how well he and Eevee performed, he didn't believe Flint hadn't faced Intermediate or even Senior Rank challengers. Such battles would be far more intense.
So Flint's words were clearly just him being polite, intended to motivate the challenger and observe if they would grow arrogant after an easy win.
Gu Yuan thought Ash might not have been unaware of type disadvantages. Perhaps the constant praise had made him lose focus gradually.
Still, Gu Yuan didn't forget he was in the middle of a battle.
The moment Onix appeared, Gu Yuan again commanded Eevee to use Swift.
He didn't switch Pokémon. Instead, he planned for Eevee to wear down Onix's stamina, giving Charmeleon enough of an advantage to win.
Like Geodude, Onix's Special Defense was low. Even Junior Rank Eevee's Swift could not be fully blocked by Onix.
"Onix, use Rock Slide to block the attack and counter Eevee!"
Following Flint's command, Onix acted, its massive body giving a sense of pressure.
Huge rocks fell, blocking Eevee's attacks and aiming at Eevee itself.
"Eevee, use Quick Attack!"
Turning into a white streak, Eevee easily maneuvered between falling rocks, closing the distance to Onix.
"Onix, continue using Rock Slide! Don't let Eevee get close."
Flint had learned from Geodude's defeat and wouldn't allow Eevee to approach.
Massive rocks fell, covering Eevee's path.
If Flint had looked closely, he might have noticed Eevee was deliberately guiding the rocks, but Flint was completely focused on defeating Eevee.
Gu Yuan didn't actively attack next. He let Eevee use Quick Attack to move around Onix, forcing Onix to repeatedly use Rock Slide.
Soon, the battlefield became littered with rocks.
"Come back, Eevee. You've done very well."
Seeing Eevee panting, Gu Yuan recalled it into its Poké Ball.
After using Rock Slide so many times, Onix's stamina was greatly reduced.
"Charmeleon, go! Use Dragon Breath!"
Gu Yuan sent out his second Pokémon.
Seeing Charmeleon, a Fire-type, Flint hesitated but immediately commanded Onix to counter with Rock Slide.
"Circle around Onix and keep up the pressure with Dragon Breath!"
To prevent Charmeleon from being overwhelmed on entry, Gu Yuan began his final tactic.
"Onix, Rock Slide!"
Massive rocks fell, but Charmeleon had no intention of dodging.
The rocks Flint released were blocked by the previously fallen rocks, leaving a gap for Charmeleon to move freely.
Gu Yuan knew exactly which moves Onix could use.
"Onix, counter with Dragon Breath too!"
Realizing his initial attack caused trouble, Flint quickly changed tactics.
The green wave of Dragon Breath surged out, but hitting a moving Charmeleon through the rocks was difficult.
Charmeleon, with high mastery, had no problem targeting the massive Onix.
As Charmeleon got closer, Onix's large body became a hindrance to itself.
Rocks previously used to block Eevee now obstructed Onix.
They prevented him from dodging Dragon Breath and limited Onix's movement.
"Onix, use your tail to fling these rocks at Charmeleon!"
Onix twisted its body and threw massive rocks.
"Charmeleon, use the gaps to dodge."
The rocks collided and shattered, but Charmeleon's movements were unhindered.
"Now! Use Slash to cut the rocks and follow up with Dragon Breath!"
Following Gu Yuan's command, Charmeleon leapt forward. Its white-glowing claws cut through the flying rocks with ease.
Then green Dragon Breath shot straight at Onix's head.
"Onix, counter with Dragon Breath!"
Two green Dragon Breaths collided, but Charmeleon's higher mastery gave it the advantage.
The impact struck Onix's head.
Though it didn't cause severe damage, it allowed Charmeleon to move more freely.
"Keep pressing Onix with Dragon Breath!"
Onix's massive body now hindered him, unable to maneuver effectively in the narrow space.
Even twisting according to Flint's commands, Onix was blocked by Charmeleon's Slash.
The repeated Dragon Breath attacks wore Onix down.
"Charmeleon, use Slash to push back Onix and follow up with Dragon Breath!"
White-glowing claws struck Onix. The pain and force from Slash made Onix stagger backward.
Green Dragon Breath hit Onix's head precisely.
Onix groaned in pain and slowly collapsed.