"Enough is enough, Roxanne. Aoki is here to challenge you. Don't you also want to test your skills against powerful Trainers and apply what you learned from school in real battles?" Steven stopped Roxanne, who was still counting, and spoke quickly.
"Is that so? Good!"
Sure enough, upon hearing about the battle, Roxanne stopped what she was doing and looked at Aoki with excitement in her eyes.
In the future, while serving as the Gym Leader of the Rustboro Gym, Roxanne would also work as a teacher at the Trainer's School. By then, she would have fully integrated her academic knowledge into practical battles.
But now, she was still just a girl fresh out of school, full of dreams.
With Steven's help, the battle was quickly arranged.
Since the official referees were on break, Steven acted as the temporary referee.
Each Trainer could use three Pokémon. The battle would end when all three Pokémon on one side were unable to continue.
It was a simple and standard rule.
As the Gym Leader, Roxanne sent out her first Pokémon.
Nosepass (Light Cyan)
Gender: Male
Level: 45
Type: Rock
Ability: Sturdy
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Rollout, Tackle, Block
Basic Moves: Tackle, Harden, Block, Rock Throw, Thunder Wave, Rest, Spark, Rock Blast, Power Gem, Rock Slide, Discharge, Sandstorm, Earth Power, Stone Edge, Lock-On, Zap Cannon
Learnt Moves: Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Magnet Rise, Fire Punch
TM Moves: Gravity, Thunderbolt, Earthquake, Double Team, Rock Tomb, Stealth Rock, Volt Switch, Bulldoze
Aoki had battled Nosepass before.
As a Rock-type Pokémon, Nosepass was unusual. Though not an Electric-type, its magnetic properties allowed it to use Electric-type moves, which could surprise opponents expecting a typical Rock-type weakness to Water.
If Nosepass evolved into Probopass, it would gain the Steel typing, increasing its resistances but also making it more vulnerable to Fighting and Ground moves.
Fortunately, Roxanne's Nosepass had not evolved—perhaps she didn't know how to trigger its evolution.
"Since it's a Rock-type, go, Slowking!" Aoki threw his Pokéball, summoning his Slowking.
Hearing Aoki's choice, Roxanne allowed herself a small smile.
Another Trainer who assumed a Water-type would counter her Rock-type.
She thought her strategy was unnoticed, but Aoki and Steven had already seen through it. The recent graduate still had much to learn about real battles.
Steven sighed, realizing his cousin was still thinking like a student rather than a seasoned Trainer.
Aoki's Slowking was no ordinary Slowking.
Its Water typing was almost secondary.
"Slowking, a Water/Psychic-type Pokémon, is extremely rare. Only two wild specimens have been documented—one in Kanto and another in Johto. Aoki's Slowking is the only one known to have been caught. Researchers believe Slowking evolves from Slowpoke, but the exact method remains unknown."
As if confirming her academic background, Roxanne pulled out a small notebook and recited Slowking's details.
Though the Pokédex existed, its database was still incomplete, so school-trained Trainers like Roxanne kept their own records—valuable resources for research.
Aoki's Slowking was Level 47, putting it at the upper Elite tier. With some training, it could reach the pseudo-Champion level.
Currently, its aptitude was near-blue, meaning reaching the pseudo-Champion tier would be no issue.
"Very detailed notes," Aoki remarked.
Given Slowking's rarity, compiling such information was impressive.
A true honor student.
"Slowking, use Nasty Plot!" As the challenger, Aoki made the first move.
A sinister gleam flashed in Slowking's eyes as its psychic power surged, sharply boosting its Special Attack.
"Nosepass, use Lock-On!"
Once the battle began, Roxanne's demeanor shifted entirely. Focused, she gripped her notebook, analyzing every move.
At her command, Nosepass's eyes gleamed, locking onto Slowking's position—ensuring its next attack would not miss.
Aoki immediately understood Roxanne's strategy.
"Slowking, use Hydro Pump!"
This move had been mastered during Aoki's time on Neverland, refined over months of training. Now, Slowking executed it effortlessly.
Water energy gathered in Slowking's mouth, its cheeks swelling before releasing a high-pressure blast, enhanced by psychic energy, straight at Nosepass.
"Nosepass, use Zap Cannon!"
Roxanne's command came at the same time.
Lock-On guaranteed Zap Cannon's accuracy—a devastating Electric-type move with a base power of 120, notorious for its low accuracy. But paired with Lock-On, it became a sure hit with a guaranteed paralysis effect.
This was Roxanne's battle plan: a textbook-perfect strategy.
In a team battle, this Nosepass would be terrifying.
But this was a one-on-one match—and Aoki had already seen through her tactics.