"Pidgeotto?"
Brock was stunned that Kazuki would send out a Pidgeotto against his Geodude. "Looks like you've still got a lot of studying to do! After you lose this match, go home and reflect on it properly!"
"Geodude, use Tackle!"
Geo—dude!
On the rocky terrain, Geodude's mobility received a significant boost.
However, Kazuki's Pidgeotto held a clear level advantage. Even in a type-disadvantaged environment, it was able to easily dodge Geodude's Tackles.
"What? That fast?" This was Brock's first time seeing a Pidgeotto with such high speed in flight.
Kazuki made full use of Geodude's inability to fly, constantly baiting and kiting it through the air.
"Geodude, use Rollout!"
Under Brock's command, Geodude curled into a ball and began rolling at high speed across the battlefield.
Kazuki didn't immediately order an attack from Pidgeotto. Even though it took the occasional hit from Rollout, Pidgeotto's Big Pecks ability allowed it to endure the blows.
Once Rollout ended and Geodude entered its post-move recovery lag, Kazuki decisively ordered Pidgeotto to use the Ground-type move—Sand Attack—blurring Geodude's vision, then followed up with a Tackle from behind.
Thanks to the level difference, even facing a type disadvantage head-on, it only took one hit to send Geodude flying into a corner, knocking it out of the battle.
Brock was stunned for a good while before he finally came back to his senses. "Return, Geodude!"
"I didn't expect your Pidgeotto to be so well-trained!"
"I apologize for underestimating you earlier. But things won't be so easy from here on!"
"Come on out—Onix!"
Onix's massive body instantly coiled across half the arena upon appearing.
This time, Pidgeotto's dodging space became even more limited.
Kazuki had Pidgeotto fly rings around Onix for a while, but it was eventually forced into a corner.
"Pidgeotto, use Gust!" Kazuki commanded, no longer holding back, unleashing its finishing move.
"It's useless! Even if your Pidgeotto is higher level than Onix, it's still only in its second form!"
"If it's not a Pidgeot using Gust, it can't shake Onix! This is what we call type disadvantage—wait, what?!"
Before Brock could finish his lecture, Pidgeotto's Gust actually lifted the massive Onix into the air.
Only then did Brock realize this Pidgeotto was no ordinary Pokémon—far from a wild one. It was comparable to what elite Trainers would use.
"Onix, use Smack Down! Pull Pidgeotto to the ground!"
Now Brock was taking the battle very seriously, no longer dividing his attention with explanations.
After all, from those few exchanges, he understood that Kazuki's training methods weren't inferior to his own. There was no need to lecture him on the basics.
Onix was clumsy, yes—but its size made up for it.
The battlefield was only so big. Even with perfect evasive maneuvers, Pidgeotto took quite a few hits.
In the end, having fought two battles in a row, Pidgeotto ran out of stamina and was defeated by Onix.
"You did great, Pidgeotto. Come back and rest."
Kazuki had never intended to defeat Onix with Pidgeotto. His true goal was to wear it down—drain its stamina and defense to prepare for Pikachu's electric assault.
"Your turn, Pikachu!"
Pika!
Fired up by Pidgeotto's valiant fight, Pikachu now brimmed with fighting spirit.
"So you're sending Pikachu after all? Even if Onix isn't in peak condition, regular Electric moves still deal next to no damage against it!"
Though Pidgeotto's performance had surprised Brock, he didn't believe every one of Kazuki's Pokémon could defy type advantage and level restrictions.
"Onix, use Bind!"
Brock's strategy was to restrain Pikachu and force it into submission. Rock-types didn't fear Electric moves—physical contact wouldn't hurt them.
But even the first step failed. Pikachu dodged with Quick Attack, leaping directly onto Onix's head.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Pika—CHUUUUU!!!
Pikachu's Thunderbolt lit up the entire Pewter Gym.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion followed, dust and debris flying everywhere as the enormous Onix crashed to the ground, losing the will to fight.
Brock stood motionless on the platform, recalling Onix. He was stunned—blown away by Kazuki's performance using Pokémon with type disadvantages.
"You're a bad guy! You electrocuted the Onix our big brother worked so hard to raise! That was his pride and joy!"
As soon as Brock was defeated, a swarm of his younger siblings rushed down from the second floor, ready to accuse Kazuki.
Seeing this, Misty hurried to stand protectively in front of Kazuki. "Hey now, this was a Gym Challenge! Of course he had to go all out!"
"The fact that your big brother was defeated by a Pikachu and Pidgeotto—despite the type disadvantage—just shows he still has room to grow!"
"You little brats, don't be so unreasonable!"
Misty spread her arms wide, blocking the oncoming swarm of children.
"You're wrong! Big brother's Pokémon are the strongest!" The kids were still at the age where they fiercely insisted on being right.
"Tommy, Billy, that's enough! She's right. I still have much to learn," Brock scolded his siblings and quickly stepped forward to grasp Kazuki's hand.
The Gym Leader facade vanished instantly—Brock now wore a look of genuine admiration.
"Please, tell me—how did you train Pikachu and Pidgeotto to use moves beyond their level?"
"Please teach me!"
"I've had some family reasons that kept me from traveling and training, so most of my knowledge comes from reading manuals."
"Maybe my perspective's been too narrow. I apologize for what I said before."
Hearing Brock's heartfelt words, even Flint on the sidelines felt ashamed. But witnessing Kazuki's victory through counter-typing finally gave him the resolve to face things head-on.