Pokemon: The Master Of Monsters

"Psybeam!"

Gary didn't want to waste any time, so he commanded Alakazam to use Psybeam once again, finishing off Weepinbell instantly.

Alakazam LV23 → LV24!

After defeating Weepinbell, Alakazam's level increased by one. The gym's onlookers were stunned by Gary's performance.

"This Gary is too good."

"Yeah, I can't believe he defeated Ms. Erika's two Pokémon with just one Pokémon."

Some of the female apprentices in the gym were worried when they saw Erika was at a disadvantage, while others were stubbornly hopeful, thinking Erika could still turn the tables.

Sabrina, however, watched coldly from the sidelines. She knew very well that Alakazam was not Gary's strongest Pokémon, and Erika couldn't make him go all-out yet.

Although two of Erika's Pokémon had been defeated, she was confident her trump card could still win.

"Gary, I admit that you are strong, but my love for Pokémon will not lose to you," Erika said firmly.

"Go, Gloom."

With a flourish, Erika threw her final Poké Ball.

Gloom appeared.

A blue, plant-like Pokémon emerged from the ball, and its stench immediately filled the air. It was Erika's trump card.

[LV33 Gloom♀ / Gym Leader's Pokémon]

Gary frowned upon seeing Gloom. It wasn't that Gloom was strong, but because it was exceptionally weak compared to others. The only reason it had become Erika's trump card was because of its unique ability to produce a terrible stench, capable of knocking out most Pokémon that couldn't resist it.

Gary even suspected Erika kept Gloom from evolving into Vileplume because Gloom's stench would be lost upon evolution.

"Gloom, let your stink go," Erika ordered confidently.

Gloom released a foul-smelling gas from its flower-like head, and the curry-colored cloud drifted toward Alakazam.

"Hu..."

Alakazam's Confusion couldn't block the overwhelming stench. After only a few breaths, Alakazam was knocked unconscious by the nauseating smell.

"Is this stink really that powerful?" Gary thought, staring in disbelief as Alakazam slumped over.

"My Gloom, the stink is so strong! If your Pokémon can't resist it, you can't defeat me!" Erika laughed triumphantly, enjoying the victory.

Gary was speechless. This method of fighting was ridiculous. In high-level competitions, this tactic wouldn't even be allowed. The stench would quickly dissipate in large official arenas, and it wouldn't even be effective.

"Ms. Erika, fighting like this doesn't help Pokémon grow stronger," Gary said, speaking his mind.

Erika froze, stunned by Gary's words. She hadn't expected him to be so blunt. But rather than admitting the problem, she clung to her approach.

"This is also a kind of strength. If you have the ability, come and defeat me," she said stubbornly.

Gary said nothing more. He recalled Alakazam and sent out his next Pokémon.

"Go, Scizor!"

Gary tossed out the Poké Ball, and a red, steel-type Pokémon appeared in a flash of light.

[LV31 Scizor♂ / Quasi-Elite]

Erika was shocked when she saw Scizor. "What! A steel-type Pokémon?"

Despite Erika's weakness, she was still knowledgeable about Pokémon. Steel-types were immune to the effects of poison and smell. Gloom's stench would have no effect on Scizor.

"Fury Cutter combo!" Gary commanded immediately.

Scizor darted forward, its pincers glowing with energy as it sliced through the air toward Gloom. Before Gloom could react, the first blow hit, followed by another, and then a third, each strike more powerful than the last.

"Stinky!" Gloom wailed as it took hit after hit from Scizor's attack.

With each slash, Gloom was knocked further and further back until it finally collapsed, unable to continue the fight.

"Gloom...!" Erika cried out, rushing to her beloved Pokémon's side.

Despite Gloom's defeat, Erika was relieved to see that it was still alive.

"Gloom is unable to battle. Scizor wins! The winner is... Challenger Gary!" the female referee announced.

The battle was over.

After confirming that Gloom was fine, Erika stood up and walked over to Gary. With a small smile, she handed him the gym badge.

"Gary, the Rainbow Badge is yours. I will also consider your suggestion about training Pokémon more seriously," Erika said sincerely.

"Thank you," Gary replied, accepting the badge with a smile.

[Ding! Mission completed. Reward has been distributed to your space backpack.]

Gary took a moment to examine the badge in his hand. It was beautiful, but his thoughts drifted to something else.

"It's a pity that the Pokémon capable of learning the Sunlight Technique are all with Grandpa," he thought to himself.

None of Gary's current Pokémon could learn the move, and only a few could ever master it. Butterfree and Exeggutor—two of Professor Oak's Pokémon—were among the few who could. Growlithe, for example, could only learn it once it evolved into Arcanine, and none of Gary's other Pokémon had the potential to learn it.

After leaving the Celadon Gym, Sabrina turned to Gary and asked, "Gary, are we going to Fuchsia City next?"

Gary shook his head. "No rush. Let's go to the game hall here first. I've heard you can exchange game coins for rare Pokémon there."

Sabrina raised an eyebrow. "A game hall? I've heard of it but never been there."

Gary grinned. "It's fun. I'll show you around. If I win enough game coins, I can exchange them for some rare Pokémon."

Taking Sabrina's hand, they made their way to the Pokémon Center. After Gary dropped off Alakazam with Nurse Joy, they grabbed some lunch and then headed to the arcade.

The arcade was a brightly lit, bustling place filled with all sorts of games. As they entered, they were greeted by a friendly receptionist.

"Welcome, both of you!"

One of the women at the counter, a receptionist named aria stepped forward. She smiled warmly and introduced herself, "Hello, welcome! My name is aria If you need any assistance, feel free to ask."

Gary glanced at her, noticing how pretty she was. He thought, It's no surprise that the Rocket organization could hire such a lovely staff for their arcade. I bet the salary here is pretty high.

"It's my first time here," Gary said. "How do I exchange game coins?"

Aria led them to the exchange counter and explained, "The exchange rate here is 100 yuan for one game coin. How many would you like?"

Gary blinked in surprise. "What? One game coin for 100 yuan? That's pretty steep."

Sabrina looked at Gary in surprise, but they both knew they had to try if they wanted to get their hands on rare Pokémon. Gary made a mental note to save up game coins by playing the games, hoping he could win enough to get something valuable in exchange.

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