A one-on-one battle—simple, direct, and above all, time-efficient.
But Koga wasn't about to hold back just because his opponent was Nozomi, or because it was only a 1v1 match.
As a Gym Leader, his pride demanded that he fight with everything he had, especially when facing someone as formidable as Nozomi.
"Go, Crobat!" Koga hurled the Poké Ball forward.
With a sharp bang, a flash of white light split the air. A Crobat appeared in the sky above the battlefield—its slender violet body cutting through the air with elegant menace, its four wings beating rapidly, radiating power.
"Crobat, huh?"
In Nozomi's memories of Koga, his ace Pokémon had always been Crobat. So this confirmed it—Koga was fighting seriously.
"Let's go, Dragonite! I'll leave this battle to you!"
Nozomi's choice was clear.
If Koga brought out his mainstay, then he would respond with equal respect.
"Roaaar!"
Dragonite's deep cry echoed through the Fuchsia Gym, a sound that rumbled in everyone's chest.
Compared to Crobat's sleek entry, Dragonite's appearance was far more awe-inspiring.
That much was obvious from Janine's wide-eyed expression on the sideline.
She hadn't expected it at all—that the same Nozomi who had just battled her earlier would now send out a Dragonite!
"Let's begin!"
With a sharp gesture, Nozomi signaled Dragonite, who immediately lunged at Crobat.
As it shot forward, Dragonite raised one massive arm and swung it down.
"Dragon Claw!"
The motion was fast—blindingly fast. The sharp talons flashed with a chilling light, a blow that would surely deal devastating damage if it landed.
But Koga didn't flinch. "Crobat, use Agility and dodge!"
Crobat was naturally much faster than Dragonite, and its small, nimble frame made it even more elusive. With Agility enhancing its movements, it easily evaded the deadly swipe, slipping past Dragonite's claws like a shadow.
"So fast…"
Nozomi narrowed his eyes.
Crobat's speed was beyond what he'd expected. Naturally, Crobat was already an exceptionally fast Pokémon—but Koga's Crobat seemed to have extraordinary talent even among its kind. Together, those traits made it a blur that danced beyond reach.
"But that's fine," Nozomi said calmly, a small smile forming. "Dragonite, use Thunderbolt!"
He refused to believe Crobat could dodge forever.
Sparks crackled along Dragonite's twin antennae as golden electricity surged, forming into a glowing orb.
Crack!
A thick bolt of lightning lanced forward, splitting the air as it raced toward Crobat.
"Keep dodging, Crobat!" Koga commanded.
Koga was the type who preferred to plan and observe before committing to a direct fight. Rather than rush in recklessly, he wanted Crobat to analyze Dragonite's attack patterns first.
Crobat twisted and darted in the air, dodging every lightning strike by mere inches.
The clash dragged on for several minutes.
But as time went on, Crobat's movements began to slow.
Koga's eyes sharpened. Continuous evasive maneuvers had drained its stamina heavily.
He had to act fast—or Crobat would eventually get caught.
Once that happened, the tide would turn completely.
Thinking swiftly, Koga decided the best way to stop Dragonite's barrage was to counterattack. "Crobat, use Poison Sting!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
At his order, Crobat's wings flared wide, releasing a flurry of poisonous needles that filled the air, raining toward Dragonite.
"Dragon Pulse!" Nozomi countered.
Dragonite opened its mouth and unleashed a rippling burst of draconic energy that swallowed the barrage of poison needles whole, neutralizing the attack perfectly.
The exchange disrupted Dragonite's Thunderbolt, giving Crobat a moment's breathing room.
Having been on the defensive for too long, Koga seized the chance to shift momentum. "Crobat, use Supersonic!"
Invisible waves of sound rippled outward, engulfing Dragonite.
The high-frequency vibrations grated harshly against Dragonite's senses, making it growl in irritation.
"Hold on, Dragonite—use Hurricane!"
A powerful gale erupted, swirling dirt and debris into a storm that disrupted the incoming sound waves.
Using the obscuring winds as cover, Dragonite suddenly flared its wings and vanished in a blur—Agility boosting its movement as it dove straight toward Crobat.
The massive dragon's body split the air with a sonic boom. Its speed outpaced even the sound of its own charge—by the time the noise reached Crobat's ears, Dragonite was already upon it.
"Thunder Punch!"
Electricity burst from Dragonite's fist as it slammed its glowing punch toward Crobat's side.
"Crobat!"
Koga barely had time to shout a warning.
It was too late. Crobat was too close—too slow to escape.
BAM!
The electrified punch connected, hurling Crobat backward through the air, spinning wildly as it crashed through the wind.
"Did that do it?"
Nozomi watched carefully. With Dragonite's overwhelming strength and Thunder Punch's super effective power against Flying- and Poison-types, he was confident the match was decided.
But Crobat wasn't done yet.
As it tumbled through the air, just before hitting the ground, it suddenly forced its wings open again—beating weakly, painfully, but enough to lift itself back into the air.
It looked battered and exhausted, but the fire in its eyes still burned.
"What an incredible Crobat," Nozomi murmured sincerely.
Then he raised his hand. "Dragonite—Dragon Pulse!"
"Roooaaar!"
Dragonite roared, releasing another surge of draconic energy that blasted toward Crobat.
This time, the attack was slower—but Crobat's body wouldn't respond anymore.
The Thunder Punch hadn't just injured it; it had also left a faint paralysis that sapped its mobility.
Every flap of its wings took immense effort now. Dodging was impossible.
BOOM!
The Dragon Pulse struck Crobat squarely, the explosion rocking the ceiling of the Fuchsia Gym.
A hole blew open in the roof, sunlight streaming through the dust and smoke.
Crrrk… thud.
Crobat fell to the ground, unconscious—unable to battle any longer.