"So many Double Teams! But they're useless against Turtwig, you know. Let's get straight to it, use Leaf Storm!"
Turtwig's seedling on its head glowed green, and sharp leaves swirled into a massive storm, sweeping through the surrounding air.
"It even knows the powerful Grass-type move Leaf Storm. It seems this Turtwig is quite high-leveled!" Brock's expression was slightly surprised from the audience, but he wasn't worried.
"Relax, relax!" Dawn waved her hand dismissively, as if full of confidence in Ash, "Ash will definitely win, definitely!!"
Brock shared the same thought, so he continued to focus his attention on Ash in the arena.
Although Turtwig's sharp Leaf Storm swept through Staravia's Double Teams one by one, the real Staravia was not among them.
"Isn't this battle a bit indirect?" Gardenia muttered her thoughts while searching for Staravia's real body with Turtwig.
"Staravia ~"
Just as Gardenia and Turtwig, one person and one Pokémon, were observing their surroundings for Staravia's trace, an excited cry came from above.
The person and Pokémon instinctively looked up, only to find Staravia's body falling vertically from above, with several white air currents emanating from its beak.
"Turtwig, close your eyes quickly!" The intense sunlight forced Gardenia to close her eyes, and she suddenly thought of a possibility, quickly ordering the nearby Turtwig.
But it was too late; Turtwig was clearly affected and involuntarily closed its eyes.
"Aerial Ace + Wing Attack!"
In that brief moment, Aerial Ace, with its impact increased by the vertical descent, hit the Grass-type Turtwig, followed by the additional strike of Wing Attack.
"Turtwig ~"
Under Staravia's continuous barrage, even the incredibly fast Turtwig could only fall with regret.
"You worked hard, Turtwig!"
Gardenia comforted Turtwig with a hint of apology. This round was largely due to the Trainer's skill level; otherwise, with Turtwig's speed, it shouldn't have lost like this.
"It seems I can only get straight to it and bring out my last Pokémon!" Watching Ash celebrate with Staravia, Gardenia sent out her third Pokémon, Roserade.
This was a humanoid Pokémon, elegantly holding a pair of red and blue roses in its hands, wearing what looked like a mask and a cape, as if attending a masquerade ball.
"It's your turn, Grotle!"
Ash decisively threw a Poké Ball, and a Grotle, comparable to a Torterra, entered the arena.
However, despite its massive appearance, Grotle's expression was a bit simple-minded, as if it had a hint of a gentle giant.
"Ah!"
However, to everyone's surprise, Gardenia, seeing Grotle, reacted as if a sensitive spot had been touched, staring at the huge Grotle with a flushed face.
"This Grotle is so big, I'd love to have a loving exchange with it!" Her mouth spewed out wild words, looking exactly like Brock when he saw a Big Sister.
This left Ash, Dawn, and Brock utterly astonished, while Grotle maintained its gentle expression.
"Grotle, Growth!"
The battle continued. Right from the start, Grotle's body began to swell, then shrank back, continuously increasing its Attack and Special Attack.
And because the sunlight was exceptionally strong, under Sunny Day, the effect of Growth would double.
"Weather Ball!"
During the battle, Gardenia finally regained her composure, decisively giving the attack command while Grotle was in its enhanced state.
Weather Ball is a move that changes type and increases power based on the weather.
For example, under Sunny Day, Weather Ball would become a scorching Fire-type fireball, and its power would double.
"Roserade ~"
Looking at the unmoving, simple-minded Grotle, Roserade decisively threw the large fireball from its bouquet.
"Light Screen!"
A magical, transparent wall appeared in front of Grotle, preparing to withstand this Fire-type Weather Ball, which was super effective against the Grass-type Grotle.
"Grotle ~"
Although the damage was halved, the Fire-type's advantage over the Grass-type still inevitably caused Grotle pain.
"My dear little one, I really didn't mean it!" The opponent's face showed considerable distress, but as a Gym Leader, her attacks were truly ruthless.
"Weather Ball!"
Seeing Grotle scorched, Gardenia, knowing the move was effective, eagerly used Weather Ball again.
Seeing another scorching fireball coming, even the usually good-tempered Grotle couldn't help but roll its eyes. The woman opposite claimed to like it, but her attacks were truly vicious.
"Solar Beam!"
This time, Ash didn't let Grotle take the hit again, directly using the powerful Solar Beam to counterattack.
The first time Grotle took the hit was during the enhancement stage of Growth. By the time it finished, the opponent's attack had already arrived, forcing Grotle to endure the first Weather Ball.
Now that the enhancement was complete, under Sunny Day, Grotle's both attacks had increased by two stages, allowing it to directly clash with the opponent's Weather Ball.
Absorbing sunlight through the large tree on its back, Grotle instantly blasted a Solar Beam towards the Weather Ball.
Because both attacks had increased by two stages, this Weather Ball only held its ground for a moment before being blasted towards Roserade's position.
But the opponent, with its agile movements, easily dodged the sweeping Solar Beam.
"Even though Grotle is big and its defense is impressive, its speed can't compare to Roserade's!" Gardenia said playfully, winking one eye.
"That's not necessarily true!" Ash smiled back at her, then shouted loudly: "Grotle, use Grass Knot!"
Beneath the lively Roserade's feet, an inconspicuous green vine appeared.
"Oh no!" Gardenia was slightly startled, "Dodge quickly!"
Although Grass Knot didn't cause much damage to Roserade, it unexpectedly tripped Roserade.
At this critical moment, a dark green energy bar, like a snake, rushed towards Roserade's position, continuously draining its stamina.
"Rock Climb!"
Even though Grotle and later Torterra were often criticized for using Rock Climb to charge in and get knocked out, Ash still chose this move, mainly because of its considerable power.
"Grotle ~"
Grotle's thick legs stomped hard on the ground, causing the area where Roserade stood to rise, forming a rock wall.
Grotle's front claws suddenly lengthened, climbing the rock wall with an unstoppable momentum, and then delivered a heavy blow to Roserade.
The referee promptly went to the fallen Roserade, checked on it, and announced the result: "Roserade is unable to battle! Grotle wins! Therefore, the winner is Trainer Ash!"
"That's great!"
Ash walked contentedly to the simple-minded Grotle and stroked its head.
Because Grotle was no longer using Rock Climb to get knocked out.