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The Venusaur Leader's gaze narrowed slightly.
The surrounding members of the Family also quieted down.
The atmosphere in the air changed.
The Venusaur Leader's voice deepened.
"To think you would refuse such a supreme honor, a path that could lead you to the pinnacle?"
Its tone carried clear dissatisfaction.
"Tell me your reason."
Venusaur raised its head.
It turned its head to look at Roy beside it.
Then it turned back, facing the Leader who stood at the pinnacle of their Family, and voiced its response.
"I want to go with my Master to a higher and wider world, to a greater stage."
Its voice echoed throughout the garden.
"I will not stay here."
"And."
It glanced at the surrounding members of the Family who had just completed their evolution.
"I believe our Family members are all an outstanding breed."
"They do not need to rely on your power forever."
"They can complete their own great path of evolution on their own."
Venusaur took a deep breath, its chest heaving.
It finally said.
"Lastly, I still want to say."
"Although you are very powerful."
"I believe that as long as I continue to hone myself and fight alongside my Master."
"I can still reach that incredible pinnacle."
Once these words were spoken, the entire garden went quiet.
It was so quiet that only the sound of the wind blowing through the sea of flowers remained.
The surrounding Ivysaur and Venusaur widened their eyes, looking at this outsider of their Family in disbelief.
How could it dare to speak to the Leader like that?
How could it refuse the Leader's invitation?
It actually said... that it could reach the pinnacle by relying on itself and that human?
The Venusaur Leader was silent for a few seconds, then slowly turned its massive head.
Those deep green eyes landed on Roy.
A scrutinizing gaze.
It was as if it wanted to see right through this human from the inside out.
"Trusting a human?"
The Venusaur Leader's voice rang out, its tone filled with deep incomprehension.
"And you are unwilling to trust your own kind?"
"Humans are insignificant."
Its voice became low and powerful.
"Their lives are short, their bodies are fragile, and their senses are dull."
"He cannot truly understand your power."
"Nor can he bring out your full potential."
Roy stood where he was, his eyes narrowing slightly: *Uh, sometimes being able to perfectly understand what Pokémon are saying isn't necessarily a good thing. It translated all the compliments and insults directly.*
However, he didn't care. In the eyes of many powerful wild Pokémon, human Trainers were just a shortcut to take advantage of, or even a burden.
But the Venusaur beside him was different.
Venusaur suddenly raised its head.
A gleam flashed in its eyes.
"No!"
Its voice rose sharply.
"My Master is a powerful being!"
With this roar, the surrounding lower-tier members of the Family were scared into taking a step back.
Venusaur took a step forward, its four legs stomping on the grass and making a dull thud.
Its gaze met the Venusaur Leader's without flinching.
"My Master is not the insignificant human you describe."
"You do not understand his power."
"He brought me from weakness to where I am now. He has stood by my side in every battle, and he has been with me through every difficulty."
"He has never given up on me."
"And I will never give up on him."
"I trust him!"
The Venusaur Leader watched it.
It was silent for a long time.
Then, it slowly closed its eyes.
When it opened them again, there was something new in those deep green eyes: disappointment.
"Child. You have experienced too little."
"You have seen too little."
"You are a very promising prospect, very rare."
"I cannot just let you leave so easily."
As soon as it finished speaking, the giant flower on its back suddenly lit up.
A suffocatingly massive pressure exploded outward with it as the center.
The air felt as if it had been pressed down by an invisible giant hand.
The Venusaur Leader raised its head; there was no more gentleness in those eyes, only scrutiny.
"I must see for myself."
"Whether this human is truly as powerful as you say."
The moment the Venusaur Leader released its fighting spirit, Venusaur used its massive body to shield Roy securely behind it.
Its head was slightly lowered, its gaze fixed intently on the Leader before it, emitting a low growl from its throat.
A complex expression flashed in the Venusaur Leader's eyes.
"Child, are you going to make an enemy of your own Family for a human?"
Venusaur did not flinch.
Its voice was as firm as iron.
"He is not an ordinary human."
"He is my Master."
Just then, a palm gently patted Venusaur's rough skin.
Venusaur was slightly startled and turned to look.
Roy was standing by its side, a faint smile on his face.
"It's okay, Venusaur."
"Since the Leader wants to see my abilities so much."
"Then let him see."
"Our coordination!"
Venusaur's eyes lit up instantly.
Like two ignited stars.
It turned back abruptly, the petals on its back blooming fully.
Battle state, switched!
As soon as Roy gave the order, it could launch an attack immediately.
The Venusaur Leader watched this scene, a hint of surprise flashing in its eyes.
This human... actually able to earn such trust from a Venusaur?
Interesting.
But only interesting, nothing more.
"Then come."
The Venusaur Leader's voice deepened, and the giant flower on its back began to emit waves of emerald light.
"Let me see for myself."
"Just how capable you really are."
The surrounding members of the Family retreated frantically, clearing a large open space.
The atmosphere in the air was as tense as a drawn bowstring.
The wind stopped.
The flowers stopped swaying.
Time seemed to freeze in this moment.
Roy's right hand reached towards his waist at lightning speed.
A Poké Ball was yanked from his waist!
"Come out!"
Roy gave a low shout, tossing the Poké Ball high into the air!
The Venusaur Leader's pupils contracted slightly, its gaze following the Poké Ball as it moved upward.
The next second, the Poké Ball popped open, and red light burst forth!
A massive orange-red figure soared into the sky from the red light!
A deafening roar echoed throughout the entire garden!
Charizard! It took to the skies!
Its strong wings flapped, whipping up a gale that blew the surrounding grass and leaves every which way.
A ball of intense flames had already gathered in its mouth.
The orange-red firelight illuminated its entire body, making it glow.
The Venusaur Leader's eyes widened instantly.
Not good!
It instinctively tried to dodge, but it was too late; the distance was too close!
And it had completely not expected this human to use Sucker Punch!
Charizard opened its large mouth, and a massive, 'big'-shaped flame slammed down from the sky!
The scorching firelight instantly engulfed the Venusaur Leader.
The explosion was deafening, and the heatwave swept in all directions!
The surrounding Ivysaur were scared into screaming and retreated frantically.
The flames dispersed.
The Venusaur Leader stood where it was, covered in black ash.
A few petals on its back had been scorched.
Its expression was somewhat dazed.
Clearly, it hadn't expected this human to launch a sneak attack.
And this Charizard was quite strong!
Roy watched this scene, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
He pondered to himself: *I just said I would show him my capabilities. I am a Pokémon Trainer, and possessing multiple Pokémon is perfectly normal, right? After all, the opponent is an Elite Four Level combatant. And a massive Leader at that. If there's a chance to use a Sucker Punch, why not take it? Otherwise, I'd definitely be getting beaten to a pulp later.*
...
The Venusaur Leader shook its body.
The black ash fell from its body in showers.
Its expression shifted from dazed to sullen.
"What a cunning human boy."
Its voice carried a hint of irritation.
"To think you would resort to a sneak attack!"
Before the words had even faded, two thick green Vine Whips whipped out from its back, moving at an astonishing speed!
Accompanied by the sound of tearing through the air, they headed straight for Charizard in the sky!
Wherever the Vine Whips passed, the air was whipped into sonic booms!
Charizard's pupils contracted, and it flapped its wings violently, attempting to dodge.
Just as they were about to wrap around its ankles, right at that moment!
"Swish! Swish!"
Two other equally thick Vine Whips shot in from the side!
They accurately entangled the Venusaur Leader's two Vine Whips!
It was Roy's Venusaur!
Its four legs were firmly planted on the ground, the muscles on its back bulging high, and all its strength was poured into the Vine Whips!
It forcibly pulled the two Vine Whips off course.
Charizard seized this opportunity, soaring upward to evade the attack.
"Well done!"
Roy shouted loudly.
"Charizard, keep restricting it with Fire Spin!"
Charizard roared, flapped its wings, and carved an arc in the air.
Opening its mouth again, a blazing Fire Spin shot out from its mouth!
Heading straight for the Venusaur Leader on the ground!
At the same time, Roy's Venusaur wasn't idle either.
From its back, countless Razor Leaf blades shot out!
The green leaves spun in the air, carrying a sharp glint, covering the sky as they descended upon the Leader.
Fire. Razor Leaf. The dual attacks fell simultaneously!
The Venusaur Leader's eyes sharpened.
It whipped its Vine Whips violently, breaking free from Roy's Venusaur's entanglement.
Then, the two Vine Whips danced rapidly in the air, forming an impenetrable defensive net!
The flames were whipped away! The Razor Leaf blades were knocked aside!
A cacophony of clanging sounds rang out!
Roy narrowed his eyes.
*Good grief. This old thing really has some tricks up its sleeve.*
However, a smile curled on his lips; this was just the beginning!
"Charizard, Fire Punch! Cut in from the left!"
"Venusaur, Leech Seed, block its movement path!"
Roy's commands fired out like a machine gun.
Both Pokémon executed them immediately!
Charizard tucked its wings, and its body dove down rapidly!
Its right fist ignited with raging flames, heading straight for the Leader's left flank!
From Venusaur's back, countless tiny seeds shot out, scattering on the ground around the Leader!
The seeds sprouted upon hitting the ground, growing vines madly in an attempt to entangle the Leader's limbs!
A hint of seriousness appeared in the Venusaur Leader's eyes.
*This human's command... really has something to it.*
It let out a heaven-shaking roar, and its entire body erupted with emerald light!
Energy burst!
The vines spawned by Leech Seed were shattered to pieces by this burst of energy!
Charizard's Fire Punch smashed down, and the Leader's Vine Whips met it!
Fist and whip collided, erupting with a dull thud!
Charizard was knocked back, flipping several times in the air before stabilizing itself.
And the Venusaur Leader only took a single step back.
Roy's brows furrowed.
*Fighting two-on-one, and this old thing still isn't at a disadvantage? And its skill execution is so fluid? Is this the power of an Elite Four Level?*
However, he had no time to marvel.
Because the Venusaur Leader's offensive had already arrived.
Its two Vine Whips lashed out in two directions simultaneously.
One whipped towards Charizard in the air! One swept towards Venusaur on the ground!
The speed was astonishing!
"Charizard, pull up!"
"Venusaur, use Protect!"
Charizard flapped its wings violently, its body shooting straight up!
The Vine Whip grazed past its tail, a narrow escape!
Venusaur crouched on all fours, and a pale green light shield appeared on the surface of its body.
It held for the moment, but Roy knew clearly that they couldn't keep fighting like this.
The Leader had already adapted to the rhythm of Charizard and Venusaur.
If they kept draining energy like this, it would find a flaw sooner or later.
He needed to turn up the heat.
His right hand reached towards his waist again.
His fingertips touched the last Poké Ball.
He had to find a good opportunity.
He couldn't be impatient, couldn't be chaotic.
The situation on the battlefield was becoming increasingly deadlocked.
Charizard kept maneuvering in the air, occasionally spitting out a burst of flame to harass the opponent.
Venusaur was locked in a head-on confrontation with the Leader on the ground, Vine Whip against Vine Whip, Razor Leaf against Razor Leaf.
Two against one.
But the Leader did not fall behind in the slightest.
Its combat experience was too rich.
Every attack was perfectly timed.
Every defense was airtight.
And its stamina and defense were simply outrageous.
Roy watched with his eyelids twitching.
*This guy, isn't its hide too thick?*
But just as the Leader was focused on dealing with Charizard and Venusaur.
The third Poké Ball was thrown fiercely into the air by him!
"Zapdos, come out!"
The Poké Ball popped open!
Golden lightning exploded from the ball!
A sharp cry echoed across the sky!
Zapdos!
Spreading its wings, its entire body was wrapped in crackling arcs of electricity!
Its appearance caused the Venusaur Leader's pupils to contract violently.
*There's more?*
Before it could react, Zapdos had already dove down!
Quick Attack combined with Drill Peck!
"Pfft!"
Zapdos's sharp beak pecked fiercely into the Leader's back!
Immediately following that, a thick bolt of electricity erupted from its body!
Thunderbolt!
The electric current surged wildly over the Leader's body!
Paralysis effect triggered!
The Venusaur Leader's body stiffened violently, its four legs twitching uncontrollably!
Its massive body was knocked back repeatedly by this sudden impact!
"Thump, thump, thump!"
Every step left a deep footprint on the ground!
It retreated a good seven or eight steps before barely stabilizing itself!
The surroundings were dead silent.
All the Venusaur Family members widened their eyes, looking at this scene in disbelief.
The Leader... was pushed back?
The Venusaur Leader stabilized its body, shook its head, and dispelled some of the paralysis.
Its gaze swept across Charizard, Venusaur, and Zapdos.
Finally, it landed on Roy.
There was no more contempt in those deep green eyes.
Replacing it was a hint of... recognition.
"Three such powerful Pokémon."
Its voice was low, as if talking to itself.
"And to be able to command them simultaneously with such fluidity."
"It seems this human..."
"Truly has some ability."
A more intense fighting spirit suddenly erupted in the Venusaur Leader's eyes!
"However."
Its voice sounded like a rumble of thunder.
"The trial will not end here."