The Steelix emitted a chilling, soul-stirring gleam across its body, which, like hardened steel, was covered in scars from past battles, adding a fierce aura to it.
Compared to the massive Steelix, the Jolteon opposite it seemed so small and helpless.
At this moment, facing the terrifying Steelix, Jolteon couldn't help but feel a tinge of retreat in its heart.
Whimper, battles are so scary; it's more fun to play hide-and-seek at home with Vaporeon and Flareon...
However, thinking of Naoki, Jolteon quickly regained its spirit. Naoki needed help, how could it hide at home and enjoy leisure?
For Naoki, it was willing to fight!
With the sound of the referee's whistle, this Gym battle officially commenced.
"Steelix, Dig!" Faced with the Steelix that restrained Jolteon, Jinshou did not underestimate it but instead adopted a conservative strategy from the start.
Upon command, the large and cumbersome body of Steelix suddenly became agile and swift.
Its massive head burrowed into the ground, disappearing like clay oxen into the sea, with its entire body soon diving underground.
A bulge rose on the surface, quickly moving toward the distant Jolteon.
"It really is troublesome!" Naoki thought, as Jolteon, due to its laziness in training, had only mastered a few moves.
Although it had eaten a Thunder Steamed Bun, Jolteon had not undergone systematic special training, leaving it with an extraordinary Electric Type Energy yet quite average in other aspects.
"Forget it, we're just here to make up the numbers anyway." They did their best; the rest depended on their opponent's skill level.
Thus, Naoki, without changing his expression, spoke out: "Jolteon, Agility!"
"Jolteon!"
Jolteon started to run swiftly, with Steelix hot on its heels.
All of a sudden, Steelix burst through the soil, its massive body sending Jolteon flying.
Having received such a heavy hit, Jolteon fell from the sky, eyes rolling back, and soon fainted.
"As expected..." Naoki thought, if it were Pikachu, he could have it use Iron Tail to attack the Steelix beneath the ground.
"Jolteon is unable to battle; the challenger Jinshou wins this match!" The referee announced the result and asked if the opponent needed to switch Pokemon.
Jinshou shook his head: "No need."
"I was restrained; it seems you've prepared well, but from here on, the difficulty won't be as low as it was at the beginning!" Naoki returned Jolteon and took out a second Poke Ball.
Hearing this, Jinshou's heart tightened, his right hand subconsciously forming a fist.
Is this Gym Leader going to send out that powerful Zapdos just now?
However, as a flash of white light passed, it was not Zapdos that appeared, but a Pikachu.
Jinshou immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness, it's not that Zapdos.
"Steelix, Dig once more!" As the battle commenced, Jinshou adopted the same strategy as before.
Steelix's massive body dug into the ground, swiftly making its way toward Pikachu.
"Pikachu, observe your surroundings!" Naoki said.
"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu cautiously surveyed its surroundings, eyes locked on the movements of Steelix beneath the ground.
Due to Steelix's enormous size, its body couldn't be concealed, causing it to create a winding bulge on the surface even while using Dig.
Seeing that Steelix was about to emerge, Naoki seized the opportunity and shouted: "Now, jump up and use Iron Tail!"
As the words fell, Pikachu instinctively reacted.
It leaped up just as Steelix broke through the ground.
Pikachu's lightning tail shimmered with a metallic gleam, transforming into steel before striking heavily down on Steelix's head, forcing Steelix's body to crash to the ground.
"Has Dig been countered?!" Jinshou changed strategies without hesitation: "Now, use Bind!"
Steelix's body immediately moved, closing the gap between it and Pikachu with Dig. Pikachu was now perfectly trapped within its massive body.
The steel body contracted suddenly. Like a serpentine Pokemon hunting, its hard body quickly confined Pikachu tightly in its center.
Pikachu struggled with its two tiny paws against Steelix's body in an attempt to break free, but Steelix's grasp was firm, making escape impossible despite all its efforts.
Realizing the danger, Pikachu released a surge of electricity, but the energy struck Steelix with little effect, transmitting down its form into the ground.
Electric Type moves, ineffective!
"Pikachu, use Charm!" At this point, the only hope was to confuse Steelix with Charm, hoping to break free when it lets down its guard!
"Don't give it a chance; Steelix, Sand Tomb, finish it!" Jinshou reacted swiftly, immediately giving the command.
Hearing its Trainer's voice, Steelix shook its head, breaking free from being charmed by Pikachu's cute appearance.
The next second, sand filled the air, forming a sandstorm whirlpool centered around Steelix, trapping both Steelix and Pikachu in the middle.
"Pikachu!" Naoki tried to call out, but his vision was obstructed by the sandstorm whirlpool, making it impossible to see what was happening inside.