“I have no issues.”
Yu Feng had no problem with this rule; what's not to like about getting an orange badge by fighting a few less battles?
Only someone who is either a masochist or asking for trouble would insist on fighting all three battles.
“If there are no problems, then let’s begin. My choice is him, go Raichu!”
After confirming Yu Feng had no other questions, Lt. Surge released his ace Raichu. Facing an opponent of the same level, he had to respond. As for the little Pokémon later?
It’s fine; he doesn't just have one Raichu, and the Raichu he uses against challengers isn't the same as his own. But even then, those challengers still can't win, so does that have anything to do with him?
“Rai!”
A well-developed Raichu appeared before everyone, even stronger than the Raichu Ash saw earlier. Its red electric sacs pulsed with golden electrical currents, indicating Raichu's excellent condition.
“How about it? How well-trained is my Raichu? Isn’t it much stronger than your companion’s pet?”
Lt. Surge and Raichu made the same gesture, arms crossed, looking at Yu Feng with great arrogance, wanting him to see how perfectly his Raichu was raised. His Raichu was not like pet Pokémon such as Pikachu.
“I don’t agree with the idea that not evolving makes a Pokémon a pet, but your Raichu is indeed well-trained. In that case, my choice is her, go Alcremie!”
Although Yu Feng acknowledged Lt. Surge’s excellent training, he refused to accept the notion that not evolving makes a Pokémon a pet, as many crucial skills can only be learned without evolving.
Moreover, many Pokémon become unsightly after evolving, such as Teddiursa and Ursaring, Smoochum and Jynx, Glameow and Purugly, Bunnelby and Diggersby, and Dragonair and Dragonite.
Of course, in Yu Feng's opinion, the most drastic change was Dragonair evolving into Dragonite. It felt like it was going to evolve into a graceful Eastern dragon, but it ended up as a large lizard with wings.
But that's getting off-topic; the battle must proceed.
“Hmm? Why did you send out a baby too?”
Lt. Surge's eyes widened as he looked at Alcremie, who only reached Raichu’s waist. He had shown such sincerity, so why did the other party send out a little baby to battle?
Raichu also looked at Alcremie, who wasn't even as tall as its waist, with disdain. How could something so short have any fighting power? It would probably cry for a long time if hit.
Alcremie also put her hand to her mouth, looked at Raichu, then looked at Yu Feng, and then pointed to herself, indicating if she really had to fight that. She didn't look like she was cut out for battle, did she?
“She’s not a baby; this is her final evolution, she’s just a bit small.”
Yu Feng waved his hand, indicating that she was already in her final evolution. He gestured for Lt. Surge not to underestimate her because of her small size.
“The official Gym challenge now begins. Both Trainers will engage in a one-on-one single battle with a limit of four Pokémon.”
“The Gym Trainer—Lt. Surge is using Raichu, and the challenger—Yu Feng is using Alcremie. There is no time limit! Let the battle begin!”
With a dinging sound, the referee announced the start of the match.
“I still say she’s a baby! Raichu, shock her until she's numb!”
Lt. Surge was very displeased with Yu Feng sending out a “baby.” How could a Pokémon’s final evolution be so small? It felt like a deliberate slight.
Raichu seemed to sense its Trainer’s anger, and a thick bolt of electricity shot out directly towards Alcremie.
Yu Feng had also established his communication channel with Alcremie. Alcremie casually flung out a large chunk of cream, blocking Raichu's sure-hit Thunder Shock.
Lt. Surge found it hard to imagine how such a small Alcremie could conjure a piece of cream larger than herself, and even use it to block his Raichu’s attack.
Smelling the burnt cream from the electric shock, Raichu was somewhat moved. It didn't know why, but this cream smelled very good.
I want to eat it, I want to eat it, I want to eat it.
Raichu's feet started moving on their own, slowly walking towards the alluringly fragrant cream.
“Raichu, snap out of it!”
Lt. Surge frowned as he watched Raichu, who was completely mesmerized. Something could actually waver his Raichu’s will; it was truly a dangerous, high-calorie item.
Upon hearing Lt. Surge's call, Raichu shook its head, forcefully pulling its attention away from the cream. It glared fiercely at Alcremie. Seriously, she made him lose face in front of his Trainer; she couldn't be allowed to stay.
Alcremie, however, looked at Raichu with an innocent expression. It was Yu Feng who told her to throw the cream; what good was it for Raichu to glare at her?
“Are you even too lazy to give commands? If ranged attacks are blocked by cream, then how about this? Raichu, Thunderbolt Punch!”
Lt. Surge’s teeth were itching as he looked at Yu Feng, who had his eyes closed and wasn’t even giving commands. It was truly infuriating to be looked down upon like this. But this was a Pokémon battle; if electric attacks were blocked by cream, then close combat would do!
“Rai!”
Raichu also became invigorated, though one had to ignore its peripheral vision constantly glancing at the cream.
However, despite that, Raichu's hand showed no mercy. White light gathered on its small fist, and with an unstoppable momentum, it smashed down towards Alcremie.
Watching Raichu’s Mega Punch, Alcremie made no move, but her body momentarily became somewhat loose and floppy, like a melting ice cream.
Raichu punched Alcremie’s body. The expected feeling of hitting flesh wasn't there; Raichu felt like it had punched a puddle of mud, sinking deeply without any impact.
This made Raichu momentarily stunned. Normally, hitting other Pokémon didn't feel like this at all.
“Raichu, continue! Thunderbolt Kick!”
But Lt. Surge didn’t know Raichu’s feelings. Seeing Raichu hit, he happily told Raichu to continue attacking, as he didn’t know how Raichu felt.
Hearing Lt. Surge’s command, Raichu was a bit troubled. Its hand was stuck, and with its current size, how could it perform a kick?
“Sometimes, you also need to pay attention to your Pokémon’s movements. Attract, then charge up in place.”
Yu Feng finally opened his eyes and spoke his first words to Lt. Surge since the battle began. He then waved his finger, indicating that Lt. Surge’s habit of giving commands without observing his Pokémon’s status was very bad.
While this was an aftereffect of bullying too many weak opponents, he wasn't one of those rookies.
Alcremie’s eyes sharpened upon hearing Yu Feng’s words. A milky-white heart shot out from her hands, hitting Raichu directly in the mouth.
Raichu, hit, instinctively closed its mouth. A rich sweetness immediately filled its mouth, instantly making it lose all desire to continue fighting.
At the same time, red hearts uncontrollably burst from its eyes, and it stopped its struggling movements.
Golden sunlight began to gather in Alcremie’s hands, and a scorching aura gradually emerged from them.
(The data is getting worse and worse, I'm going to die.)
