c11: The Battle Is Over, Stirring Gary's Efforts
"Go ahead, Kingler!" Gary shouted, releasing his fourth Pokémon.
"We've got this, Garchomp," Alex responded, calling out his ace pseudo-legendary.
From the very start, the gap in strength between the two trainers was obvious. Gary's Pokémon, though well-trained, were standard Kanto fare solid but limited in scope. Meanwhile, Alex had already fielded a Metagross and now brought out Garchomp, a powerhouse pseudo-legendary from the Sinnoh region.
In contrast to Gary's steady, traditional Breeder path, Alex's team reflected rare Pokémon obtained through high-level training systems and unorthodox methods. The difference was undeniable.
But Gary didn't flinch. His pride as Professor Oak's grandson wouldn't let him.
"Kingler, use Bubble Beam!"
Garchomp didn't even blink. It powered through the stream of glowing bubbles with Brick Break, its claw glowing with focused fighting energy. The attack struck Kingler square on the head. Kingler dropped instantly, knocked out before even landing a second move.
There was no way around it Alex's Garchomp was his strongest Pokémon so far.
Seeing his Kingler go down without resistance, Gary gritted his teeth. He wanted to quit, but his pride wouldn't let him bow out so easily. Face tense, he called out his fifth Pokémon.
"Nidoking, let's go! Show them what you've got!"
Nidoking emerged with a powerful roar, stomping the battlefield with his claws and tail. The crowd responded with admiration Gary had raised it well, with strength and presence that matched an elite contender.
"Nidoking, your Breeder work is solid," Alex acknowledged. "But defeating me? Not happening."
"Go, Onix!"
A cloud of dust exploded from the field as Onix emerged. But this wasn't just any Onix. As the smoke cleared, gasps filled the Pokémon Center. Alex's Onix was a towering giant nearly twice the size of a normal Onix, with jagged armor-like skin and deep-cut eyes full of menace.
"How can an Onix be that big?" someone in the audience whispered.
Nidoking looked up way up. Onix's serpentine head loomed high above him, and its piercing glare made Nidoking falter. For a moment, the Poison/Ground-type looked like he'd rather go find a safe den and hide.
"Nidoking, don't panic!" Gary barked. "Stay sharp! You've faced worse!"
His words seemed to steady Nidoking. The Pokémon snarled, regaining composure, and locked eyes with Onix, determination burning once again.
"Nidoking, use Megaton Punch!"
The punch landed solidly on Onix's rocky hide but Onix barely moved, letting out a low rumble. It sounded more amused than hurt, as if saying, That's it?
Nidoking reeled back, clearly stunned. It was like punching a mountain.
"Earthquake!" Alex commanded.
With a single swing of its massive tail, Onix slammed the battlefield. The entire floor trembled violently. Cracks formed beneath Nidoking's feet as the shockwave traveled through the ground, destabilizing him. Nidoking's legs buckled, and he dropped to a knee, sinking slightly into the fractured terrain.
"Rock Slide!" Alex followed up.
Boulders materialized from above—massive chunks of stone conjured by Onix's command and hurtled toward Nidoking.
One, two, three… the barrage struck full force. The final boulder sent Nidoking flying backward into the wall of the Pokémon Center battlefield. With a groan, he slumped to the floor, unconscious.
"Nidoking!" Gary shouted in frustration, rushing forward to recall his fifth fallen partner. He clenched his last Poké Ball tightly.
"My final Pokémon... let's go Alakazam!"
"Alakazam… a powerful Psychic-type," Alex said with a slight nod. "Good choice. But that's as far as you'll go."
He threw a Poké Ball. "Go Electivire!"
"Thunderbolt!" Alex called without hesitation, launching into combat before Gary could even issue a counter-command.
"Alakazam, Teleport!"
In a blur of shimmering psychic light, Alakazam vanished from the field. Reappearing behind Electivire, it unleashed Psychic the blue aura surged forward, striking Electivire and immediately throwing it into a chaotic frenzy. Sparks flew from its body as it flailed.
"Electivire, snap out of it! Break Psychic's control!" Alex shouted.
But Electivire, overwhelmed by the confusion caused by the Psychic wave, couldn't respond. Alakazam's eyes glowed brighter as it followed up with Confusion the invisible energy lifted Electivire and hurled it through the air. The impact with the ground sent dust flying.
Electivire groaned. The pain seemed to knock some clarity back into it. Using Smelling Salts, it shook off the lingering disorientation, staggering upright.
"You good?" Alex called out. "Great job."
Electivire turned, locking eyes with Alex. Despite the scratches on its body, it grunted firmly still ready to fight.
"Electric Terrain!"
With a roar, Electivire surged with power, releasing bolts of electricity across the battlefield. The current crackled around the field, and sparks danced through the air.
Alakazam winced. The field had become hazardous even a Pokémon of its speed and precision felt the effects of paralysis creeping in, static flaring on its body.
"This is what I wanted," Alex grinned. "An electrified field amps Electivire's moves and slows down Teleport abuse. Haha, I'm kind of a genius, aren't I?"
"Alakazam, use Double Team!"
Gary's strategy was solid—splitting Alakazam into a field of illusionary clones not only bought time but also muddled Electivire's tracking amid the electric terrain.
But Alex wasn't fazed.
"Use Thunder!"
The skies darkened. Energy surged upward as the heavens cracked open with a roar. A colossal bolt of lightning tore down from the clouds, obliterating all the Alakazam copies.
The real Alakazam, now exposed, didn't even have a chance to react before the bolt struck. The impact left the Psychic-type smoking and collapsed—its golden armor charred black. It had fainted.
And just like that, all six of Gary's Pokémon were down.
It was a complete victory for Alex.
Applause and murmurs filled the field. The gap between the two trainers had been undeniable. Gary approached Alex, sighing.
"I lost... and pretty badly. Thanks, Alex. You helped me see how much I still lack. I'll train harder no matter what."
Alex nodded, offering a rare smile. "You're strong, Gary. You've just got to refine your team, and don't hesitate to think outside the Kanto box."
With a few final words, Gary turned and left. His spirit hadn't broken it had only ignited anew.
Not long after, Ash, Misty, and Brock came running over.
"That was awesome!" Ash shouted. "Alex, your Pokémon are way too strong! Where do you even find them?"
Alex scratched his head and shrugged. "Maybe just… really good luck? (╯e╰)╮"
He obviously couldn't tell them he had a system backing him a cheat that turned the world into a lottery machine.
After a bit of chatter, Ash asked, "Hey Alex, what's next? You going to challenge another Gym?"
"Yeah, heading to Vermilion City for my next badge."
"Why don't you travel with us?" Ash beamed. "It'd be great! You're strong, and I could learn a lot from you!"
Alex waved it off. "Nah, thanks, but I'll pass."
The truth was, traveling with Ash was never peaceful. No matter what timeline or region, trouble followed him like a magnet. Rocket plots, Magma/Aqua incidents, Skull interferences… nope. Alex preferred to avoid becoming a walking Team target.
"Oh, and Ash," Alex added, "did you forget you haven't challenged the Cerulean Gym yet?"
"Ah!" Ash froze in place. "You're right! It's Misty's fault she kept dragging me around and I totally forgot!"
The trio took off running toward Cerulean Gym in a comedic panic.
Watching them leave, Alex finally remembered something the system rewards he'd been promised for defeating Cerulean Gym.
System prompt: Initiating reward draw...
The virtual wheel spun with excitement.
🎉 Congratulations! You have obtained: 1x Qualification Enhancement Serum and 1x Feebas.
"Nani!? Feebas!?" Alex blinked, stunned. "That thing's even worse than a Magikarp. This is a Silver-tier reward?"
Investigation Mode activated. Please review the obtained Pokémon.
A data disk appeared on the system panel, flashing with a detailed profile of the Feebas.
Alex squinted at it, suddenly suspicious that there was more to this seemingly useless catch than met the eye…
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