Chapter Forty-Six: The Entrance of the Great Onyx Snake

"Dragomecia, use Sneak Attack!" Zhao Fang quickly issued the command. Sneak Attack allowed Dragomecia to strike first when the opponent launched an offensive move, further boosting its speed. So, before Geodude's Rock Slide crashed down, Dragomecia's hands shimmered with a dark glow, and its claws raked across Geodude's body, leaving a deep mark.

Magikarp watched the battle with vacant eyes, the wound on its forehead causing sharp pain, yet it had no intention of retreating into its Poké Ball. It simply observed in silence.

"This kind of speed... it's troublesome. Geodude, use Rock Polish!" The burly man stroked his chin. He hated speed-type Pokémon the most—those that acted with impunity thanks to their agility. He had tried to use Mud-Slap to create terrain that would limit speed, but in front of Dragomecia, who could float above the ground, the muddy field became an obstacle for his own Pokémon instead.

"Don't give it a chance! Dragomecia, use Scare!" Zhao Fang understood the opponent's intent. Rock Polish could greatly increase a Rock-type Pokémon's speed, and if Geodude caught up, Dragomecia would be in trouble.

Dragomecia stared intently at Geodude, and in the next instant, Geodude, in the midst of using Rock Polish, shivered all over, its move interrupted.

"Now's the time! Close in on the enemy and skillfully use Dragon Tail!" Zhao Fang issued another command, though he remained vigilant, carefully watching both Geodude and the opposing trainer.

From the moment Geodude entered the battle, it had used Tackle, Rock Slide, Rock Polish, and Mud-Slap—four moves in total. By rights, it shouldn't be able to use any others, but Zhao Fang worried the burly man might have a way around this.

"Dragon-type? Geodude, use Rock Slide!" The burly man's tone showed surprise, but he had no better options. Of the four moves used, only Rock Slide might be effective, and the opponent's behavior made it clear they were using a Ghost-type Pokémon.

Normally, Dragomecia would have difficulty dodging such a Rock Slide, but Zhao Fang had specially trained Dragomecia’s speed, so it managed to evade the attack and struck Geodude squarely across the face with its tail.

Zhao Fang couldn't help but cover his own face. Was Dragomecia influenced by Magikarp? Why was it now copying Magikarp, slapping others in the face so fiercely?

The burly man frowned; his opponent was too agile, making Rock Slide hard to land.

"Rock Polish," he commanded again.

"Keep using Dragon Tail!" Zhao Fang responded. Dragomecia closed in smoothly and, once more, lashed Geodude across the face with its tail.

"Now! Geodude, use Rock Slide on yourself!" The burly man quickly ordered. Geodude stopped its move and switched to Rock Slide. Dragomecia wanted to dodge, but its tail was already in motion, landing on Geodude's face. Meanwhile, rocks from above crashed down, striking both Geodude and Dragomecia.

Zhao Fang felt a bit helpless. This burly man did not seem like an ordinary trainer—who else would have such extensive battle experience, using Rock Polish to lure Zhao Fang in, then forcing a mutual injury?

Yet Geodude, struck by a Rock-type move, didn’t suffer much damage, while Dragomecia absorbed the full force.

"Quick, dodge!" Zhao Fang ordered. Dragomecia swiftly moved to the side, but when it stopped, scars marked its face.

"Rock Polish again," the burly man commanded. Zhao Fang was frustrated; his opponent was plainly presenting a dilemma: either rush in and interrupt, or watch Geodude's speed increase—but rushing in could mean getting hurt.

"Dragomecia, use Dragon Tail!" Zhao Fang gave the order once more, and Dragomecia, without hesitation, charged forward and again struck Geodude’s face.

"Rock Slide!" As expected, the burly man countered.

"Dragomecia, use Sneak Attack, then dodge!" Zhao Fang had anticipated this move. As Dragomecia used Dragon Tail, he issued the command. Dragomecia's hands glowed with dark light, its speed boosted by Sneak Attack. With a quick backstep, it dodged Rock Slide, then darted forward to claw Geodude’s face yet again.

After several blows, Geodude let out a cry and lost its ability to fight.

"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! Your Pokémon’s speed is truly impressive," the burly man said, recalling Geodude while applauding.

"Thank you for your praise. Geodude was a formidable opponent too," Zhao Fang replied earnestly. He did not relax, pondering what the next Pokémon would be. He was fairly certain it would be Onix.

"But this battle isn't over yet! To claim victory, you must have a will as steadfast as stone. Come, Onix, show your might!" the burly man shouted, hurling his final Poké Ball. Indeed, it was Onix.

But as Zhao Fang looked at this exceptionally well-bred Onix, he couldn’t help but swallow hard. Was it really so huge?

The massive body and the enormous rock head gave Zhao Fang a sense of oppression by size alone. His Dragomecia had so far used Scare, Sneak Attack, and Dragon Tail, with one move left available.

Zhao Fang felt that if he wanted to defeat this opponent, it would depend entirely on luck—and he still didn’t know what four moves the Onix would use.

"Onix, use Sandstorm!" the burly man gave his first command, and Onix immediately whipped up a swirling dust storm.

"Dragomecia, use Scare!" Zhao Fang ordered, saving his last move for later, wanting to observe the situation first.

Dragomecia used Scare, but it was ineffective; Onix ignored the attack completely, and the sandstorm had already been unleashed, its biting winds mercilessly attacking Dragomecia’s body and impairing its vision.

"Useless, huh..." Zhao Fang felt a headache coming on. Pokémon with such strong mental fortitude could indeed ignore the effects of Scare and Sucker Punch.

"Rock Polish," the burly man intoned calmly.