(A/N: Hello everyone! Hope you're enjoying this bonus chapter! Before we dive in, I wanted to share some exciting updates from my Patreon. Thanks to recent polls, the number of chapters ahead has been increased to 80, and at the same time, the price has been reduced to make it more accessible for everyone. I've also set up new community goals, right now we're at 56 Patrons, and if we reach 70, I'll be doing double uploads for an entire week right here on Webnovel! On top of that, I'll be releasing an exclusive side story, only available on Patreon. Being part of the main plot, and they'll explore fun scenarios like a possible pairing with Cynthia, a new member for John's already monstrous team, or even an expansion on his mysterious backstory, why is his last name Pokemon? Those ideas and more will be turned into polls on Patreon soon. So if you're curious or want to help shape the story while getting way ahead on chapters, feel free to check it out. Thanks so much for reading, and now, enjoy the chapter!)
"The current competition is the Hulbury Stadium Challenge. Trainer John will challenge Gym Leader Nessa of Hulbury Stadium. Both sides may use three Pokemon. When one trainer has no available Pokemon, the battle will end!"
"Please send out Pokemon from both Trainers!"
In the massive stadium, tens of thousands of spectators watched the match. Two Trainers dressed as athletes prepared for their duel.
"Gym Leader Nessa, I'd like to ask, how do I get to the Isle of Armor?" Just as Nessa was about to throw her Pokeball, John suddenly called out loudly.
John had no choice but to ask now. During battle, Trainers had few opportunities to communicate. If the battle ended, he'd be escorted out before he could even ask his question.
If he wanted answers, he had to seize this moment.
Nessa paused, unable to understand why someone would bring this up before battle. "Let's discuss it after we finish this match."
As she spoke, she picked up a Pokeball.
"I hope you'll actually talk after the fight..." Seeing that his opponent was unwilling to speak now, John could only continue with the battle and took out his own Pokeball.
Both threw their Pokeballs skyward simultaneously.
With silver light flashing, two Pokemon landed on the field.
Nessa's first Pokemon was Quagsire, LV 70.
Light blue, plump, and slippery, with two eyes that looked like sesame seeds
John's Pokemon was his Totem Venusaur.
Water-type Gyms naturally called for Grass-type Pokemon. However, his luck wasn't bad, the Pokemon he faced was Quagsire, Water and Ground type, which took quadruple damage from Grass moves!
The referee confirmed both sides were ready and announced immediately, "Battle begin!"
"Venusaur, Petal Blizzard!" The advantage was his, no need for honor among thieves. John chose to strike first.
Venusaur's hill-like body swayed slightly. Countless pink petals and green leaves fluttered around it, condensing within seconds into a massive pink tornado that surged toward Quagsire with unstoppable force.
Even so, battlefields in the Galar region were much larger than those in other regions. Due to the prevalence of Dynamax, venues had to accommodate at least two giant Pokemon, requiring expanded arenas.
"Dig!" Nessa commanded immediately.
Since you couldn't hide on the battlefield, you'd hide beneath it.
The Ground-type Quagsire was naturally familiar with Dig. Its smooth, loach-like body slipped into the soil beneath its feet, immediately "sliding" underground.
Seeing Quagsire dodge Petal Blizzard with Dig, John laughed and gave another order.
"Earthquake!"
Venusaur lifted its foot slightly, then stomped heavily. Suddenly, with it as the center, dense cracks appeared within five meters, and invisible vibrations spread across the entire battlefield.
"Quagsire, come out!" Nessa shouted hastily.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
When a Pokemon using Dig is attacked by Magnitude or Earthquake, the move's power doubles.
Less than one meter from the surface, Quagsire was directly shaken by the Earthquake.
"Quagsire is unable to battle! Venusaur wins!" the referee announced.
The stadium fell somewhat quiet, though it had been noisy since John entered, everyone supported Nessa.
No helping it, John wasn't exactly a popular figure here.
If asked about Nessa's appearance, John's assessment would be four words: "striking and confident."
Nessa recalled Quagsire with its Pokeball, pondering a question.
Why did the Grass-type Venusaur know Earthquake?
Because of TMs and move tutors.
Earthquake was a move Venusaur could learn through technical means. John thought Earthquake paired with Petal Blizzard created an almost inescapable combination unless facing a Pokemon that could fly or teleport. That's why he'd taught it to Venusaur.
Right now, the effect was satisfying.
Nessa didn't hesitate and immediately threw out her second Pokeball.
The Pokemon that appeared was Golisopod, LV 70.
Its carapace was like fine iron, covering its body like an armored general.
This was the ace Pokemon of Guzma, the Team Skull leader John had defeated back in the Alola region.
"Golisopod, First Impression!" Nessa immediately launched her counterattack.
Golisopod stepped forward and rushed ahead, its sharp claws coated in pale green light as it struck toward Venusaur. Despite its armor, its speed wasn't particularly fast, but First Impression was a special move, it could only be used when first entering battle, but it was powerful and had higher priority than ordinary moves.
Priority essentially meant speed advantage!
Within moments, Golisopod had reached Venusaur.
"Petal Blizzard," John commanded.
Immediately around Venusaur, pink petals began spiraling rapidly.
This time, the petals didn't form a large tornado pushing forward. They simply circled around Venusaur, spinning faster and faster.
When Golisopod struck with First Impression into the petal storm, it felt like cutting through thick mud, easy at first, but increasingly difficult the deeper it went.
Not only that, but soon Golisopod found its sharp claws, which had cut into the petal tide, were deeply trapped in the "mud" and couldn't break free.
The surrounding petals began rotating faster, and the pink twister seemed to reappear.
It was indeed reappearing, but with a slight difference from before.
Smaller scale, stronger storm.
As for Golisopod?
It had been caught by the pink tornado and hurled straight into the sky. When it would fall was anyone's guess.
Nessa watched helplessly, having no time to give directions.
This defensive use of Petal Blizzard was something John had learned from battling other Gym Leaders.
He was a trainer who aspired to become a Pokemon Master. Challenging gyms wasn't just about defeating them, it was about learning from them.
Gyms in games provided experience after winning.
As for gyms in reality, you could only steal techniques through battle.
(A/N: Patreon Goal 56/70: Double upload for a week)