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Chapter 63: Third Gym (3)
🕑 Added 2024-12-29 17:58:55 +0000 UTCGladion looked at Surge's last Pokemon.
'A Raichu huh? This one looks strong too.' Gladion thought
"Hey Guy, Let's get this match over with a clean sweep to show your Youth. What do you say?" Gladion called over to his Machoke who bellowed a shout of Youth, making Gladion chuckle.
The Gym trainers who were watching the battle though were having their own murmurs.
"Did you see that Machoke just knocked out both of boss Pokemon in a single attack? Just how strong is that Pokemon? Has the kid really won 2 gym badges only?" Someone said
Another one quipped "But why is this Machoke always flexing his muscles and showing his super white teeth while shouting something? He is a weirdo."
"Wait, Is not that boss's Raichu that he uses against 8 or 9 badge star trainers?" Someone said surprised looking at the Raichu.
"You are right. But is not this supposed to be only a 6 star fight?"
Both the trainers on the battlefield were too far to hear their words and concentrated in to the finale of the match.
Surge's eyes glinted with a veteran's cunning. "Let's see how your Machoke handles a true electric-type Pokémon."
Gladion's mind raced. He looked at Surge's Raichu which looked pretty strong.
'A Raichu as expected but this one looks stronger than his previous two Pokemon. This is going to be fun.' Gladion thought with a wild grin on his face.
"Raichu, Quick Attack!" Surge commanded.
The electric mouse became a blur of motion, moving so fast that even Gladion could barely track its movement. Guy, despite his training, was caught off guard since the last two Pokemon were not this fast.
At the last moment, he crossed his muscular arms, creating a defensive guard.
The impact was strong. Guy skidded back several meters, his crossed arms absorbing most of the devastating blow. Dust billowed around the point of impact, revealing Guy's gritted determination.
Surge didn't give him a moment to recover. "Iron Tail, now!"
Raichu's tail glowed metallic white, transforming into a razor-sharp weapon capable of splitting rocks. Simultaneously, Gladion shouted, "Fire Punch, Guy!"
The fire punch collided with the iron tail in
mid-air, creating a massive shockwave that reverberated through the gym. Both attacks neutralized each other in a spectacular display of raw power.
'While Raichu has only one tail, Machoke has two hands,' Gladion thought, a smirk playing on his lips. "Fire Punch with your other hand!"
But Surge was no amateur. "Thunder Punch, spin and counter!"
Raichu's agility was breathtaking. It spun, its tail disengaging from the first attack, while its electrified fist rocketed towards Guy. The punches collided this time, creating another explosive burst of energy that knocked both Pokémon backward.
'Ugh, Of course he knows thunder punch. This is going to be troublesome. Guy would need a boost to match the Raichu.'
Internally, Gladion analyzed the situation. Guy was strong, but Raichu's speed and versatility were presenting a significant challenge.
"Bulk Up!" he commanded, knowing they needed to change the battle's dynamics.
Muscles visibly expanded on Guy, his body becoming more compact and powerful. Surge, however, saw an opportunity. "Thunderbolt! Keep going until you hit him."
Electric bolts rained down on Guy, who dodged with increasing difficulty. Each bolt carried the potential to end the battle if it struck a direct hit. Some grazed Guy, sending jolts of electricity coursing through his fighting-type body.
"Your Machoke is good at close range," Surge said, "but the weakness of fighting types is long-range combat."
'He is right. Guy doesn't have any moves that he can use at long range. When he evolves into a Machamp, the first thing that I am doing is buying him a hyperbeam.' Gladion thought as he looked at the current predicament
The thunderbolts were relentless. Guy, despite his incredible training, was being worn down. One particularly strong bolt struck him directly, sending him tumbling across the arena. Another one was heading his way as the Raichu closed on him with another Thunderbolt .
Gladion knew that they needed a game-changing move. "Protect!" he shouted.
A translucent energy shield materialized just as Surge's Raichu launched a finishing thunderbolt. The attack dissipated harmlessly, but Gladion knew Protect was now unavailable for the rest of the match.
Raichu looked momentarily exhausted from the continuous electric attacks. Guy was breathing heavily but was still standing.
Gladion noticed that Guy was now closer to Raichu. Both Guy and Gladion's eyes met. They shared a moment of unspoken understanding.
"Poison Jab!" Gladion commanded to use the TM move that Guy had recently learned.
Guy charged, moving with surprising speed for a Machoke. Raichu attempted to dodge but couldn't completely evade. The poisonous strike grazed its side.
Even if the attack only grazed, it was the only thing that Gladion needed.
Poison began to affect Raichu. Its movements slowed, electricity crackling less intensely.
"Low Sweep! Low Kick! Vital Throw!" Gladion called out in rapid succession.
With a low sweep, Raichu was in the air after losing his balance and with a Low kick he was out of breath. The Bulk Up from earlier multiplied the damage.
With a final, decisive throw, Guy sent Raichu crashing to the ground. The referee raised the flag. "Raichu is unable to battle! Machoke wins!"
Surge looked genuinely impressed. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."
Gladion exhaled, realizing how close the battle had been. Guy walked back, giving a thumbs-up in his signature Might Guy style.
As the dust settled from the intense battle, trainers and gym staff who had been watching began to applaud. Lt. Surge approached Guy, a rare smile breaking through his typically stern demeanor.
"That was some impressive fighting," Surge said, patting Guy on the shoulder. "Your training and spirit are something else. Most Machoke I've seen would have fallen by my Raichu long before now."
Other Gym trainers also started praising Guy.
Gladion patted Guy on his shoulder, his eyes filled with genuine pride. "You did it," he said softly. "But more importantly, you proved something much bigger."
Guy tilted his head, curious.
Gladion continued, "You ran away from your clan because no one believed in training, in pushing beyond limits. Today, you've shown every Machop and Machoke that true strength comes from dedication, from the spirit of youth!"
Tears welled up in Guy's eyes. These weren't just tears of joy, but of vindication. Every moment of lonely training, every ridiculous workout routine, every time he'd been laughed at by other Pokémon for training so hard - it all led to this moment.
"Your clan will hear about this someday," Gladion said dramatically. "You're not just a Machoke anymore. You're a symbol of what hard work and determination can achieve!"
At those words, something magical happened. Guy began to glow - a brilliant, pulsating light that filled the entire gym. Trainers stepped back in awe as the transformation began.
His body expanded, muscles becoming even more defined. Two additional arms burst forth, each one rippling with strong muscles. The light intensified, then suddenly dissipated.
Where Guy the Machoke had stood, Guy the Machamp now posed - in an absolutely ridiculous, Might Guy-inspired sunset pose, complete with a "Nice Guy" thumbs up and a sparkling background that seemed to materialize out of nowhere.
[YOUTH HAS TRIUMPHED!] Guy shouted and with his new four arms, he made a thumbs up gesture from all of them.
Guy continued his dramatic pose, tears streaming down his face. [I HAVE PROVEN THE POWER OF YOUTH! MY CLAN WILL KNOW THE TRUTH!]
A young trainer whispered to another, "Is this normal?"
"Nothing about this Machamp seems normal," came the reply.
Surge himself was surprised by the unexpected evolution but he was more surprised by something else.
'Why does this Machamp feel so strong? This one is on completely another level. What the fuck did this kid feed him?' Surge thought astonished as he walked up to Gladion to satisfy his curiosity.
"Where did you find this Pokémon?"
"Well, I found him in our Gym's backyard" Gladion said, "Though, You should not ask this question to Guy. He would say that Youth brought us together. Hahahaha"
Gladion laughed at the end as Guy flashed him another thumbs up.
Surge looked at both of them weirdly
'Some things in this world are truly beyond explanation.'
Comments
David Lawson
YOUTH!
