Chapter 36: Poisonous Rose vs. Mighty Rooster

"The rules for the match are one-on-one, each participant may use only one Pokémon, and victory is awarded when one side falls!" Saori's companion, Xiaoyi, stood to the side, acting as referee.

"So then, which Pokémon will Hu Yang send out?"

Hu Yang was silent for a moment. He took out the Poké Ball containing Roselia, and with a flash of white light, Roselia’s beautiful figure appeared opposite Combusken.

Saori’s brows rose when she saw Roselia’s vibrant appearance. "Your Roselia has been raised excellently! However, its type is countered by Combusken. You may attack first."

Hu Yang didn’t refuse and gave his command: "Poison Sting!"

"Roselia!"

Roselia gracefully lifted its hands, a radiance blossoming from the buds of its roses. Instantly, sharp, purple poison needles formed, flying toward Combusken like a storm of pear blossoms.

Usually, after a Pokémon evolves, the parts used to execute moves change accordingly. For example, when Squirtle evolves into Blastoise, its Water Gun comes from the cannons on its shell, not from its mouth.

Roselia was no exception. As Budew, moves like Stun Spore and Seed Bomb were launched from the bud atop its head. Once it evolved, these moves came from the rosebuds in its hands.

Faced with Poison Sting, Saori, a trainer who had collected three Gym Badges, reacted swiftly: "Combusken, dodge!"

Here it was—the legendary skill of the Pokémon world!

Combusken’s legs tensed, and it suddenly leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the barrage of poison needles.

"Chase from the air, use Flame Wheel!" Saori commanded loudly.

"Combusken!"

With a cry, Combusken was engulfed in searing flames, descending like a red meteor from the sky.

Roselia had nowhere to run. Whether it used Seed Bomb or Stun Spore, the flames would burn them away before they could get close.

"So this is the power of type advantage?" Hu Yang did not panic; he calmly issued his order: "Roselia, use Magical Leaf!"

"Roselia!"

Roselia instantly understood her trainer's intent. She aimed her hands at the ground below.

A surge of blade-like leaves, almost sentient, erupted from her rosebuds, carrying her small body up into the air on a whirlwind.

"Using the whirlwind from Magical Leaf to rise into the air? That's impressive command!" Saori's eyes brightened with admiration.

"It’s not over yet," Hu Yang said with a smile.

Using Stun Spore directly would be neutralized by Combusken’s flames. In that case—

"Roselia, use that move from the air!" Hu Yang ordered.

That move—which one?

Saori was baffled, carefully observing the battle.

Roselia, midair, clasped her hands, and a concentrated green light coalesced into a large, sturdy seed.

It was Seed Bomb!

Saori recognized the move and quickly instructed, "Combusken, remember our special training—against airborne targets, use Double Kick!"

"Combusken!" Combusken’s eyes burned with fighting spirit.

Its legs tensed, and it leapt up, precisely kicking the seed bomb flying toward it.

Yet, the expected scene of the seed bomb being kicked away did not occur. Instead, as it was struck, it exploded instantly.

A fine powder was propelled outward by the shockwave, spreading rapidly in all directions.

"That is..." Saori gasped, "Seed Bomb and Stun Spore—how did you do that?!"

No, it wasn’t simply Seed Bomb and Stun Spore.

Hu Yang’s gaze fell on the elegantly landing Roselia.

It was the result of their recent special training: a fusion of "Landmine Bomb," which detonates on enemy contact, and Stun Spore.

Its power and effect far surpassed a typical stun bomb.

Combusken was paralyzed, falling from the sky and landing with spasms it couldn't control.

Hu Yang seized the opportunity: "Pour all your strength into Magical Leaf!"

"Roselia!"

Roselia, seeing the fruits of her training defeat her foe, was visibly excited.

Her eyes shone with resolve, and, fueled by emotion, she unleashed far more Magical Leaves than usual from her rosebuds.

A rush of air was stirred, whistling through the field.

Quantity transformed into quality.

The gathered Magical Leaves nearly formed a swirling vortex, a nascent tornado.

Hu Yang’s heart skipped a beat.

The scene reminded him of another move—

Leaf Storm.

In the game, this move is described as whipping up a storm of sharp leaves to attack the opponent; after using it, the user's special attack is greatly reduced due to recoil.

If Magical Leaf could be specially trained, could it become a low-grade version of Leaf Storm?

And, used without the aftereffect of sharply lowering special attack.

The thought flashed through his mind.

Meanwhile, the barrage of Magical Leaves struck Combusken.

Perhaps Combusken had high resistance to paralysis, because as soon as the leaves hit, it recovered.

Flames burst forth uncontrollably from its body.

That was its Blaze ability!

Blaze: When HP is low, the power of Fire-type moves increases.

"Blaze is triggered?" Saori said, "In that case, Combusken, use Overheat to finish the battle!"

"Combusken!"

The flames on Combusken flared ever brighter. Empowered by Blaze, a fiery glyph in the shape of the kanji for 'big' formed, leaving Roselia no chance to dodge, and struck her instantly.

"Roselia has lost the ability to battle. This match goes to Miss Saori!"

Hu Yang was silent.

He had spent so long attacking with minimal effect, while his opponent needed only a single move to deliver a decisive blow with critical impact.

Hu Yang felt numb. Trying to win against a type disadvantage was indeed difficult.

"You’ve worked hard." He recalled the defeated Roselia into her Poké Ball.

Saori approached, still exhilarated. "Battling you was really enjoyable. If my Combusken didn’t have two years of training, I might have lost this fight."

Hu Yang replied modestly, "Not at all."

Saori smiled, "Do you have any other Pokémon? Would you like another match?"

Hu Yang shook his head. "None left."

The Ancient Moon Bird couldn’t be sent out now; the power of its moves could level half of Autumn Leaf Town.

If he did, he’d be wanted by the Hoenn League across the entire region the next day.

"Alright," Saori said regretfully, then turned with a smile, "Are you traveling in Autumn Leaf Town alone?"

Hu Yang nodded. "Yes."

Saori invited him, "Would you like to join us to watch this year’s Grand Festival?"