Chapter 34: Ivysaur vs Golem Battle

The air inside Brock's Gym was thick with tension, a mix of dust, stone, and adrenaline. I stood at one end of the battlefield, my fingers flexing slightly at my side. Ivysaur's Pokéball felt solid and cool in my hand. My mind was already calculating, running through possibilities as I eyed my opponent. Flint, Brock's father, stood opposite me, his rugged face weathered but sharp with anticipation. He wasn't someone to underestimate, but I wasn't someone to lose either.

"So, Brock's gone off with Ash and Misty, huh?" My voice was calm, almost conversational, though my focus was razor-sharp.

Flint raised a brow, his arms crossed over his chest. "You know them?" His gravelly voice echoed through the gym.

I nodded once. "Ash and I are both from Pallet Town." My eyes flicked to the referee in the middle. "Let's get this started, shall we?"

Flint's smirk deepened. "Show me what you've got, kid."

The referee raised his arm, voice steady. "This will be a one-on-one battle. Choose your Pokémon wisely."

Both of us nodded in agreement. Flint's demeanor was casual, but the way he shifted his weight told me he was ready for a serious fight. From the stands, I could hear Alisha's voice—light, teasing, as always.

"Hey, Punit! Win fast so you can take me out for a candlelight dinner!" She blew exaggerated kisses my way, drawing a chuckle from the crowd. I didn't need to look to know she was leaning over the rail, grin as wide as ever.

Flint shot me an amused glance. "She always this excited?"

I smirked. "As far as I know, yeah. Always."

Alisha's voice rang out again, louder this time. "Beat that old man like I did before!"

Flint's expression twitched at that, muttering under his breath, "Old man, my foot."

She laughed, a sound full of mockery and joy, the perfect way to get under his skin. "You can barely stand after I crushed you."

Flint shook it off, his smirk faltering just a little. He wouldn't lose his cool over something like that. He was a veteran. A gym leader's father. But me? I was a strategist. His experience wouldn't save him from that.

I tossed my Pokéball into the air. "Ivysaur, let's go!" My voice was steady, eyes fixed on Flint's reaction.

The familiar sight of my Grass-type companion materialized on the battlefield, vines extending, ready for combat. Flint mirrored the motion, his own Pokéball hitting the ground with a soft thud. The impact was anything but soft, though. Golem appeared with a booming thud, its massive body crashing into the stone floor. The gym shook slightly, and the boulder-like Pokémon locked its cold, steady gaze on Ivysaur.

I pulled out my Pokédex, though I didn't really need to. The monotone voice cut through the still air. "Golem, a Rock and Ground-type. It can blow itself up with explosive force, and its body is so durable that even dynamite blasts won't scratch its hide."

Alisha, never missing an opportunity to rile me up, shouted, "Crush him, Punit! Show them who's boss!"

I kept my voice calm, eyes narrowing as I gave Ivysaur the command. "Ivysaur, Leech Seed and Grassy Terrain."

Ivysaur's bulb glowed, releasing tiny seeds that flew toward Golem, wrapping themselves around the rocky giant's body, sprouting vines that began draining its energy. Beneath Ivysaur, the ground shimmered, vibrant green grass sprouting up in a circle around him, the healing aura giving my Pokémon a subtle advantage.

Flint's grin didn't falter. "You think a little healing's gonna save you? Golem, Stealth Rock and Rock Polish."

The ground trembled as Golem slammed its massive fists into the floor, jagged rocks shooting up all around Ivysaur. The battlefield was now littered with deadly spikes, ready to punish any switch I made. And then, Golem's body began to gleam, the rough texture of its hide polishing into a smooth, almost metallic shine. Its movements became quicker, more dangerous.

I didn't hesitate. "Ivysaur, Razor Leaf, then Toxic!"

Ivysaur's vines whipped forward, launching a barrage of razor-sharp leaves that sliced through the air toward Golem. At the same time, Ivysaur released a cloud of dark, poisonous gas, coating Golem in a slow-burning toxin.

Flint's face hardened, the playful smirk gone. "Nice try. Golem, Bulldoze and Heavy Slam."

The ground beneath my feet quaked as Golem charged forward with terrifying speed, the earth buckling under its weight. The shockwave knocked Ivysaur off balance just as Golem's shadow loomed overhead. With a deafening crash, Golem brought its full weight down in a devastating Heavy Slam.

Ivysaur hit the ground hard, but I wasn't fazed. "Recover with Giga Drain!"

Ivysaur's vines glowed green, latching onto Golem and rapidly siphoning its energy. Golem grunted, its movements slowing as both the poison and Leech Seed took their toll. But I could tell it wasn't done yet.

Flint gritted his teeth. "We're ending this! Golem, Self-Destruct!"

The gym fell into a tense silence. For a moment, time seemed to slow. Golem's body began to glow, swelling with explosive energy. Alisha's playful attitude disappeared in an instant.

"Are you crazy!? He's gonna blow the whole place up!"

My heart raced, but I kept my voice calm, cutting through the chaos. "Ivysaur, Vine Whip and Take Down. Now!"

Ivysaur reacted instantly, vines lashing out and wrapping around Golem, yanking it toward him with surprising force. Without missing a beat, Ivysaur charged headfirst, slamming into Golem just as its core glowed brighter. The impact sent Golem tumbling backward, its Self-Destruct interrupted, the energy fizzling out harmlessly.

The gym was still for a heartbeat. Flint's eyes widened, but before he could react, I command my system though my thoughts to evolve ivaysor into venosaur. Ivysaur's body began to glow. My breath caught as his form shifted, growing. His bulb expanded, vines extending, the glow intensifying.

"Ivysaur… you're evolving."

In moments, Ivysaur's frame expanded, the bulb blossoming into a massive flower. When the light faded, Venusaur stood tall, towering and majestic, casting a shadow across the battlefield.

Flint's disbelief was almost palpable. "No way..."

Alisha, from the stands, gasped and then let out an excited yell. "Oh, you lucky guy!"

I didn't waste any time. "Venusaur, Seed Bomb and Solar Beam. End this."

With a low growl, Venusaur launched a massive ball of seeds that exploded against Golem, knocking it back. The sunlight streaming through the gym's skylight was absorbed into Venusaur's flower, powering up a blinding Solar Beam. The beam struck Golem with a thunderous crash, sending it sprawling across the battlefield, defeated.

For a moment, the gym was silent, save for the faint hum of Venusaur's breathing. Flint lowered his head, chuckling. "Well... guess this old man got outplayed."

I allowed myself a small, satisfied smirk. "Good fight, but I always play to win."

Venusaur let out a low growl of triumph as I recalled him into his Pokéball. Flint did the same with Golem, shaking his head.

Just as the dust settled, Alisha leapt from the stands, her arms wrapping around me in a tight hug. "We won! Now, where's my kiss? And don't forget about that candlelight dinner!"

I awkwardly tried to free myself from her grasp, shooting Flint an apologetic look. He just laughed. "You two a couple or what?"

"No." I replied quickly.

"Yes!" Alisha chimed in at the same time, her laughter echoing through the gym.

Flint tossed me a Boulder Badge, his smile kind despite his loss. "Well, looks like you are. Go on, have fun."

As Alisha dragged me toward the exit, her energy never fading, she grinned, teasing, "Come on, my champion. You owe me dinner!"