43 Chapter 43: The First Gym Badge

Heracross's Endure ability this time was even more terrifying than when Swellow used it previously. After all, it's a Fighting-type Pokémon, and using Fighting-type moves grants a power boost.

As a Normal-type Pokémon, Slaking, being hit by a Fighting-type move, naturally suffered double damage. Moreover, it had already expended a lot of energy in previous battles. All these factors combined resulted in Slaking losing its ability to fight directly and sustaining severe injuries.

"The gym trainer has lost all their Pokémon. Challenger Rex wins!"

Although amazed by Rex's strength, the apprentice gym referee didn't neglect their duty as a referee and promptly announced the outcome.

"Come back, Slaking!"

After recalling Slaking, Norman walked up to Rex.

"Rex, your strength is impressive. Although I'm not very fond of the tactics you used with Swellow, I have to admit they were effective!"

Norman didn't show any anger. After all, the power displayed by Slaking just now already exceeded the typical strength used for gym challenges.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Norman. Because your Slaking's strength was too overwhelming, if I didn't do that, Swellow might not have lasted more than a few rounds!"

Rex honestly expressed his thoughts, admitting that his victory wasn't very honorable.

"Haha, you don't need to worry too much. What you did didn't violate the rules. This is the Balance Badge of our Petelburg Gym. You've earned it fair and square."

Norman took out a badge from his pocket and handed it to Rex, saying.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Norman!"

After receiving the Balance Badge, Rex expressed his gratitude to Norman.

Then, after carefully examining the Balance Badge, Rex put it into the badge case he obtained from Nurse Joy. This was the first badge he obtained in this world and held special significance.

However, he didn't strike a pose or try to show off like Ash did in the anime; such cheesy moves were not his style.

Rina watched the battle between Rex and Norman from start to finish. Initially, she thought the gap between her and Rex's strength had narrowed, believing that with some effort, she could catch up and defeat him.

However, after watching this match, she felt that the gap between her and Rex hadn't narrowed at all, which left her somewhat disheartened.

"Rina, it's your turn to challenge. Why are you standing here daydreaming?"

It wasn't until Rex walked up to Rina and patted her shoulder that she snapped out of her daze.

"Alright, I got it!"

Embarrassed, Rina replied.

She was just momentarily unable to accept Rex's strength. However, after this interruption, she finally came to her senses and realized that her top priority now was to obtain the badge from the Petelburg Gym through the challenge.

Due to the severe injuries sustained by Norman's Pokémon in the battle against Rex, they were unable to participate in the battle immediately. Therefore, Norman switched to another set of Pokémon for gym challenges.

The first match was between Norman's Zigzagoon and Challenger Rina's Wurmple.

"Zigzagoon, use Shadow Ball!"

"Wurmple, use Poison Sting!"

As the commands were issued, the two Pokémon began their duel. In the end, it was Wurmple's Poison Sting that triumphed, directly knocking out Zigzagoon after landing five consecutive hits, rendering it unable to continue the battle.

Rex didn't know if Wurmple was lucky or if its ability was just to land consecutive attacks, but he could ask about it after the match was over.

After that, Norman sent out his second Pokémon, a Teddiursa.

As soon as it appeared, it quickly closed in on Wurmple with its speed. Before Wurmple could react, it used Thunder Punch, causing Wurmple, who was already injured, to lose its ability to fight directly.

"Go, Breloom!"

Rina's second Pokémon was Breloom, a Fighting-type Pokémon that had the advantage over Teddiursa's Normal typing.

"Breloom, use Stun Spore!"

Rina's strategy was to use Stun Spore to immobilize Teddiursa's speed so she could deal with it calmly.

This strategy worked well. Teddiursa, who was careless for a moment, was paralyzed by Stun Spore. With its speed inhibited, the outcome of this match was already determined.

However, Norman, as a trainer, was not to be underestimated. Before being hit by Breloom's Mach Punch, Teddiursa temporarily shook off the paralysis, allowing it to strike Breloom with a Headbutt. This attack also caused Breloom considerable damage.

"Come on, Kangaskhan!"

Norman's third Pokémon was Kangaskhan, a rare and powerful Pokémon. Its presence alone made Rex feel its imposing aura.

"Breloom, use Leech Seed!"

Rina didn't choose to switch Pokémon but continued to use Breloom. This time, she opted to close in on Kangaskhan and then use the Fighting-type move, Mach Punch.

In the end, Kangaskhan was struck by Breloom's Mach Punch before it could unleash its Thunder Punch. However, Kangaskhan's strength allowed it to withstand the blow, grabbing Breloom with one hand and using Ice Punch with the other. With a single hit, Breloom lost its ability to fight.

"Come out, Grovyle!"

As expected, Rina's third Pokémon was her starter Pokémon, Grovyle, which had been with her throughout her journey.

"Grovyle, use Leaf Blade!"

Rina believed in Grovyle's strength, so she chose to continue the close combat with Kangaskhan.

"Kangaskhan, use Earthquake!"

Kangaskhan had lost a considerable amount of energy due to the Mach Punch, its body sagging noticeably. However, it still endured and unleashed the Earthquake move.

The terrifying shockwaves rushed toward Grovyle, causing it to struggle to maintain its stance. 

Now, both Pokémon had expended a great deal of energy. Rex knew that the outcome of the match was about to be determined, but he couldn't predict who would emerge victorious.

"Uncle Norman, let's have our final showdown. Grovyle, unleash your most powerful Leaf Blade!"

"Good, just as I wanted. Kangaskhan, use Fire Punch!"

Both Pokémon understood that this move would likely decide the outcome of the battle, so they exerted all their strength to unleash their skills at each other.

In the end, Grovyle, with its speed, struck Kangaskhan's head with Leaf Blade before Kangaskhan could use Fire Punch. Whether intentional or not, this Leaf Blade hit the same spot as the previous one, making the scar on Kangaskhan's head even more prominent.

This Leaf Blade strike dealt even greater damage to Kangaskhan. The intense pain in its head caused Kangaskhan's body to shift, causing its Flame Punch, originally aimed at Grovyle's chest, to miss and barely graze Grovyle's shoulder after the shift.

Thus, although Kangaskhan's Flame Punch also inflicted damage on Grovyle, it did not render Grovyle unable to fight.

Instead, due to inertia, Kangaskhan took a few more steps forward and fell to the ground, losing its ability to fight.

"The match is over. Trainer Rina wins the gym challenge!"

The apprentice gym referee promptly announced the outcome of the match.

"Congratulations, Rina. You've finally earned the Balance Badge through your hard work!"

After recalling Kangaskhan, Norman walked over to Rina and congratulated her.

"Thank you, Uncle Norman. But I feel like my victory this time was somewhat lucky. If your Slaking were still in good condition, I might not have won!"

Although Rina was happy to have passed the Petelburg Gym challenge, she knew that if Norman's Slaking were still in the battle, she might not have won.

"Rina, you don't have to think like that. I've already told you before, as a gym leader, my duty is to award badges to deserving trainers, not just based on the outcome of battles. Your performance has exceeded the requirements for receiving the Balance Badge, so you earned it with your own strength!"

Norman said sternly to Rina.

End of Chapter.