"Yes."
The man leading the way immediately stepped into the center of the battlefield and picked up the flag to prepare.
"The battle will be a one-on-one match! The field is a standard battlefield! If the challenger wins, they will receive a gym badge!" Kai announced loudly.
As his voice fell, Nathan didn't hesitate to throw out his Poké Ball. "Come out, Metang!"
"Metang?" Luan's expression showed surprise. He knew Nathan had a Volcarona, but didn't expect him to have a Metang as well. Still, surprise was just surprise.
Luan quickly sensed Metang's strength, then took out his own Poké Ball.
A flash of red light, and a Pokémon appeared in the arena.
"Come out, Tsareena."
A figure draped in a green gown appeared in Nathan's line of sight.
This Pokémon had petal-like head decorations with white spots and a golden crown made of flower filaments. Draped in a flowing green dress, she resembled a cute and elegant noblewoman.
Tsareena, a Grass-type Pokémon.
This Pokémon is loved by other Pokémon for its beauty and is also popular among wealthy ladies in human high society.
"Tsareena?" Nathan looked surprised and glanced at Luan. He didn't expect such a burly, bronze-skinned man to have a Pokémon like this.
"Hey, hey, what's with that look?" Luan seemed to sense the judgment in the air and said helplessly, "Don't be fooled by my appearance. I've got a pure and childlike heart too, y'know."
That's not a childlike heart—that's more like a maiden's heart...
Nathan twitched at his words, covering his face. "Alright, alright, let's just start the battle."
"Sure." Luan grinned and nodded.
Then, his expression turned serious. "Tsareena, use Grassy Terrain and Quiver Dance!"
Tsareena let out a cute cry and waved her arms. Green sprouts suddenly emerged from the ground beneath her feet and rapidly spread across the entire battlefield.
The whole field was soon covered in green.
Right after that, Tsareena began to dance.
Nathan didn't hesitate. "Metang, use Agility with Metal Claw. Interrupt her!"
Metang currently knew the following moves: Metal Claw, Scary Face, Iron Head, Iron Defense, Zen Headbutt, Agility, Confusion, Thunder Shock, Thunder Wave, and Thunder Punch.
Not too many moves.
And among them, the three Electric-type moves were nearly useless against Tsareena, a Grass-type Pokémon who would take reduced damage from them.
Metang moved swiftly.
But just as it was about to reach Tsareena, Luan suddenly shouted, as if he had been waiting for this exact moment.
"Tsareena, Magical Leaf!"
Despite performing Quiver Dance, Tsareena immediately launched Magical Leaf. A barrage of sharp leaves struck Metang, inflicting some damage and interrupting its attack.
"This Tsareena… she must have received special training." Nathan muttered to himself. Most Grass-types couldn't release Magical Leaf that quickly, especially at such close range. Yet this Tsareena managed to do it, breaking Metang's assault.
This was clearly part of Luan's tactic—luring the opponent and using Magical Leaf to counter when they approached.
"Tch. Didn't expect that. But it's no big deal."
Nathan took a deep breath and gave another command. "Metang, use Iron Defense, then Agility. Circle around Tsareena."
Metang relaxed its body, becoming incredibly light.
It began circling Tsareena at high speed.
Luan found it difficult to determine where Metang would strike from next—but he didn't need to know.
"Tsareena, use Teeter Dance!"
Luan gave the order.
Teeter Dance—a move that causes confusion in surrounding Pokémon through a wobbly dance.
Nathan knew its effect well and smirked. "Metang, get in close and use Scary Face."
Metang, already circling behind Tsareena, shot forward without hesitation.
Luan frowned and said quickly, "Tsareena, Magical Leaf behind you!"
Tsareena let out a cry and turned to attack.
But just as she turned around, Metang's creepy pale face—a ghastly illusion created by Scary Face—suddenly loomed before her.
Staring at the terrifying expression, Tsareena froze in fear and let out a terrified scream.
"Metang, use Zen Headbutt combined with Iron Head. Attack!"
Nathan wasted no time.
Metang's forehead glowed as it surged with energy, and it slammed into Tsareena with great force.
Bang!
Tsareena was sent flying by the powerful blow.
"Don't give her a chance! Metang, charge in with Agility and attack with Metal Claw!"
Nathan's voice rang out again.
Luan's expression changed, and he shouted, "Tsareena, get up and dodge!"
Tsareena looked like a battered girl—disheveled and exhausted—but she forced herself to her feet, only to see Metang approaching with its sharp claws.
She froze again, her eyes wide with fear.
"This... is that the flinch effect after Zen Headbutt?!"
Luan suddenly remembered. Scary Face induces fear, and when followed by Zen Headbutt, the lingering fear can increase the chance of the target flinching.
A rookie trainer… with an Elite-level Pokémon… and this much theoretical knowledge?
Luan couldn't help but be impressed. Many trainers, due to the vast number of moves and interactions, aren't aware of combo effects like this—or at least not thoroughly.
Even he wasn't fully aware of this synergy.
Yet this rookie used it so fluidly.
Bang!
Because of the flinch, Tsareena couldn't dodge in time and was struck again by Metang, crashing into the ground in the distance.
She let out a painful cry.
"Tch."
Luan shook his head and quickly called out, "Tsareena, use Aromatherapy!"
Aromatherapy removes status conditions. The sweet scent helps Pokémon momentarily forget their fear.
A pink mist rose from Tsareena's body and floated gently around her.
Seeing this, Nathan frowned slightly, deep in thought.
With Tsareena in this condition, one more full-power attack from Metang would knock her out. But Tsareena is a Grass-type Pokémon—capable of learning plenty of recovery moves like Absorb.
If she had one of those, she might recover and drag out the battle.
Nathan had to prevent that from happening.
At that moment, Luan quickly gave a new command. "Tsareena, scatter Stun Spore and Sleep Powder, then follow up with Magical Leaf!"
Tsareena nodded and released a cloud of spores, forming a misty ring above her like a trap.
Charging in now would mean getting hit by Stun Spore or Sleep Powder.
Then came the sharp leaves again—Magical Leaf slicing through the air toward Metang.
"Metang, dodge." Nathan said calmly.
Metang quickly moved to the side to avoid the attack.
Seeing an opportunity, Luan shouted, "Tsareena, Sunny Day!"
"Interrupt it! Use Confusion!" Nathan ordered immediately.
With Grassy Terrain plus Sunny Day, if Tsareena knew the move Synthesis, she'd become incredibly durable and hard to deal with.
Metang's eyes flashed with pink light as it unleashed a wave of psychic energy.
Boom!
The strike landed, interrupting Tsareena's attempt to change the weather.
"One last strike. Confusion."
Nathan called out again.
Tsareena was already heavily injured from the previous hit and barely able to stand.
Metang, obeying the command, launched another Confusion.
Even though Psychic-type moves aren't super strong, they still pack a punch.
Bang!
Hit again, Tsareena was knocked down and this time passed out completely.
[Your Pokémon "Metang" has won the battle! Gained '—' experience points. Level up! Now at level 33!]
"As I thought, it was still too soon to have you battle." Luan sighed, recalling Tsareena. It seemed she was a relatively new addition to his team.
"This match goes to the challenger, Nathan!"
Kai immediately announced the result.
"Return, Metang." Nathan said, and Metang was recalled into its Poké Ball in a flash of red light.
At this point, Luan handed Tsareena's Poké Ball to Kai for healing, then took out a badge and handed it to Nathan. "Here's your badge. You're indeed strong—an impressive trainer."
"Not bad, I guess." Nathan smiled and accepted the badge.
The Lake City Gym Badge featured a finely carved Zarude—intricate and lifelike. Visually, it was quite beautiful.
Luan smiled. "It's a pity I didn't get to battle your Volcarona. That's a little disappointing. Hurry up and make your Pokémon stronger. Who knows, maybe we'll face each other again in the national tournament."
"The national tournament?" Nathan looked at Luan in surprise. "You're planning to participate too?"
"Of course. I'm quite interested in the national championship." Luan chuckled and nodded.
"Tch, looks like I really do need to level up fast. I've got a feeling there are tons of strong trainers in the national tournament. I don't want to enter and not even make it to the top sixteen…"
"By the way, which gym are you planning to challenge next?" Luan asked Nathan.
"I'm thinking of heading home first. Then maybe go straight to North City, or stop by River City before heading there," Nathan replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.