After arriving at the battlefield, both Trainers took their positions at opposite ends of the arena.
Without hesitation, the black-leather-jacketed teenager tossed out a Poké Ball.
"Come out, Beedrill!"
Bang!
"Bzzzzz—!"
The Poké Ball burst open in a flash of rainbow-colored light.
A vicious giant wasp appeared on the battlefield.
Its eyes gleamed like oval-shaped red crystals.
Its body was covered in yellow-and-black tiger-striped armor.
Both forelegs had evolved into long white lance-like stingers, making it look like a knight wielding twin spears.
This intimidating Pokémon was none other than the infamous Beedrill, known among traveling Trainers as one of the forest's most feared bandits whenever they appeared in swarms.
"System, scan and display this Beedrill's data."
As the leather-jacketed boy released his Pokémon, Ash immediately issued a command.
Ding. Scanning. Please wait...
[Pokémon: Beedrill]
Level: LV.13
Type: Bug / Poison
Nature: Brave
Ability: Swarm
Potential: Green Potential
Moves (Copyable):
Proficient
Fury Attack
Poison Sting
Twinneedle
Skilled
Harden
Fury Cutter
Novice
Bug Bite
This Beedrill appeared to have been caught fairly recently.
Its level was only LV.13, actually one level lower than Bulbasaur's.
Its potential was merely Green Potential, and its move pool wasn't particularly extensive.
"Bulbasaur."
"This is your first official battle against another Trainer's Pokémon since joining my team."
"So do your best."
Ash smiled as he sent Bulbasaur onto the battlefield.
"Bulba!"
Although Bulbasaur was normally a gentle Grass-type Pokémon, its strong sense of responsibility and justice—developed during its time serving as a guardian at the Pokémon sanctuary—had left it yearning for strength.
No matter how powerful the opponent was...
It never feared battle.
It was always willing to draw its sword.
Just two days ago, it had boldly attacked an entire swarm of dozens of Beedrill at the sanctuary.
Compared to that?
Facing a single Beedrill was nothing.
"Huff... Huff..."
Before the battle had even begun, Bulbasaur was already pawing at the ground like a young bull preparing to charge.
Its eyes burned with fighting spirit.
Hot breaths escaped from its nostrils.
Earlier, when it had first entered the Battle Hall, Bulbasaur had been nervous because of the large crowd and unfamiliar environment.
But now?
With battle imminent and its fighting spirit fully awakened, it had completely forgotten about the spectators.
At this moment...
The only thing in its eyes was the Beedrill standing across from it.
The opponent it had to defeat.
"Battle begin!"
The referee standing beside the field decisively announced the start of the match.
"Beedrill, strike first!"
"Use Poison Sting!"
The leather-jacketed boy immediately launched the opening attack.
"Bzzz!"
Beedrill moved instantly.
A crimson flash passed through its eyes.
The stinger on its abdomen suddenly became like the barrel of a machine gun, unleashing a barrage toward Bulbasaur.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Streams of tiny purple needles shot through the air.
Although Poison Sting was a Poison-type move and Bulbasaur's Poison typing made it immune to poisoning itself...
It wasn't immune to the move's physical damage.
The toxins might not affect it.
But being riddled with dozens of sharp needles still hurt.
Each needle carried real offensive power.
Watching the airborne Beedrill immediately exploit its aerial advantage with long-range attacks, even Ash felt a trace of difficulty.
However—
He had no intention of confronting it head-on.
Grass-type Pokémon with powerful recovery abilities relied on a single core principle throughout their entire growth cycle.
Whether now...
Or eventually as a Mega Venusaur and supreme special tank...
Their greatest weapon was:
Attrition.
Drag the battle out long enough.
The opponent would eventually tire.
They would eventually make mistakes.
And once poison effects began accumulating, the longer the fight continued, the easier it became to wear the enemy down.
This battle would be no different.
As long as Beedrill's stamina was gradually depleted, Ash didn't believe it could avoid making a mistake forever.
"Bulbasaur!"
"Run!"
"Dodge them! Don't clash head-on!"
The moment Beedrill's barrage began, Ash issued his instructions.
"Bulba!"
Originally, Bulbasaur had wanted to counter with Razor Leaf immediately.
But it trusted Ash completely.
Not only because of the bond between Trainer and Pokémon...
But also because Pikachu, Greninja, and the others had thoroughly drilled one lesson into it:
Listen to Ash.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
"Bulbaaa!"
Without hesitation, Bulbasaur sprinted across the battlefield.
Its four legs pumped furiously as it raced around the arena.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Poison Stings rained down everywhere.
Yet not a single one hit.
Bulbasaur hadn't evolved yet.
Its body remained small and agile.
Light as a swallow and fast as the wind, it darted around the battlefield with astonishing nimbleness.
Poison Sting wasn't a shotgun-like area attack.
It was still fundamentally a single-target move.
The only difference was that its impact zone was larger than a single point—roughly the size of a winnowing basket.
Against an agile Bulbasaur?
That coverage simply wasn't enough.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Beedrill kept adjusting its aim.
Its tail continuously pivoted from side to side.
The barrage never stopped.
Yet no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't land a clean hit.
Soon, even Beedrill was beginning to pant from the effort.
The leather-jacketed boy immediately recognized the problem.
Seeing his Pokémon's stamina beginning to drain, he quickly changed tactics.
At the same moment—
A smile appeared on Ash's face.
The battlefield situation was actually much clearer to him than it was to his opponent.
"Now."
"They can't avoid it anymore."
"Bulbasaur!"
"Stop running!"
"Use Razor Leaf and counterattack!"
The instant the opposing Trainer changed tactics, Ash ordered Bulbasaur to switch as well.
"Bulba! Bulba! (Finally!)"
After all that running, Bulbasaur had been bottling up frustration.
Now that it finally had permission to fight back, it didn't hesitate for even a second.
Its four feet slid across the battlefield.
Screeeech!
It came to a sudden stop.
Spinning around, it faced Beedrill directly.
Then—
The large leaves beneath the bulb on its back exploded outward.
Dozens of razor-sharp leaves shot through the air like a storm of flying blades.
Straight toward Beedrill.
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T/N:
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