Zhou Zhiwen hadn't expected that, even under a four-times disadvantage, the Scizor could still win. He admitted he had been a bit careless.
Still, losing like this left him feeling somewhat unwilling to accept it.
He looked at Wen Qi beside him and said, "Want to go another round? Your Scizor is really strong. Even though I don't know how it kept fighting after being hit by a Fire-type move, I just can't accept this defeat."
Hearing Zhou Zhiwen's words, Wen Qi glanced at the eager Scizor beside him and asked helplessly, "You're not planning to use your Gym-level Pokémon, are you? Even though I don't know you well, I do know that anyone who becomes the captain of the Search Team must have a Gym-level Pokémon."
"My Scizor can still fight, but going up against your Fire-type Gym-level Pokémon right now would basically be a losing battle."
Zhou Zhiwen had indeed intended to use his Gym-level Pokémon—his starter, Charizard, now at level 54. But thinking about bullying an injured Pokémon that was also at a type disadvantage felt a bit too much.
After a moment's thought, he pulled out a Combusken. He had recently saved up points to exchange it from the League. It hadn't been trained long, but it had Green-tier potential and was now around level 30, just like Wen Qi's Torterra—perfect for a match.
Zhou Zhiwen opened the Poké Ball, and a Combusken appeared in the center of the field.
Seeing the Combusken, Wen Qi noticed it was Green-tier, level 31, with a Hidden Ability—a Speed Boost Combusken—and understood Zhou Zhiwen's intent.
Still, using Fire-type Pokémon in the Southwest region was a huge advantage. Fire-types were rare there, while Grass-types were abundant. Almost any trainer you ran into had a Grass-type Pokémon, all at a disadvantage against Zhou Zhiwen's.
On Wen Qi's side, the Torterra slowly walked up to face the Combusken. The battle was about to begin.
Seeing the towering Torterra, Zhou Zhiwen couldn't help but second-guess whether sending out his Combusken was the right call. But since Combusken had the type advantage over Torterra, it should win, right?
For some reason, Zhou Zhiwen felt an inexplicable unease.
The battle began.
This time, Wen Qi struck first.
"Torterra, use Ingrain, Absorb, Growth, and then give yourself a Grassy Terrain."
After this sequence of moves, Torterra quietly rooted itself into the earth, its body beginning to merge with the surrounding environment. Using Ingrain, it sank its roots deep into the soil, drawing a steady stream of life force.
Next, it used Absorb, pulling the natural essence from its surroundings into its body, gradually growing stronger.
As time passed, Torterra activated Growth, its body becoming more robust, the patterns on its shell growing clearer.
Finally, it unleashed Grassy Terrain. In an instant, the area around it burst into lush greenery, vibrant and full of life. Within this field created by Torterra, it seemed to become the guardian of the forest, breathing and growing in harmony with nature.
After this series of moves, Zhou Zhiwen and his Combusken were completely stunned.
Combusken looked at Zhou Zhiwen, pointing at the Torterra across from it, its expression as if to say, "Are you sure you want me to fight this thing?"
It had seemed fine before—just a bit sturdy—but now, with its increased height, the aura it radiated, and that overwhelming vitality, was Zhou Zhiwen really sure this little one could beat it?
Zhou Zhiwen knew this was a tough ask for Combusken, but the battle had already started, and there was no backing down. He gave Combusken an encouraging look.
That look seemed to say, "Go on, go on. Every chicken has to die someday—either as light as a feather or as heavy as a mountain. Right now, you're as heavy as a mountain. Charge bravely!"
He even gave Combusken an encouraging gesture.
With no other choice, Combusken steeled itself and prepared to fight.
Zhou Zhiwen shouted, "Combusken, use Agility to close in on Torterra, then hit it with Double Kick."
Wen Qi watched as this Speed Boost Combusken, incredibly fast, dashed right up to Torterra, landed the Double Kick, and quickly retreated.
Wen Qi thought he heard Torterra let out a cry, but then nothing happened.
Torterra just stood there, still absorbing nutrients and boosting its vitality, as if the attack had barely registered.
At that moment, Zhou Zhiwen and Combusken felt utterly helpless. They couldn't deal damage—no damage at all!
With close combat ineffective, they had no choice but to resort to Fire-type moves.
Zhou Zhiwen and Combusken exchanged a glance, both understanding the plan.
"Combusken, use Flamethrower!"
Combusken suddenly spread its wings, and a blazing torrent of flame shot from its mouth, surging toward Torterra like a fiery dragon.
The flame traced a dazzling arc through the air, instantly engulfing Torterra in a sea of fire.
Combusken went all out, pouring every bit of its Fire-type energy into that single attack.
Torterra was hit, and white smoke billowed from its body—clearly taking damage.
Zhou Zhiwen and Combusken were both thrilled.
But then, the Grassy Terrain beneath Torterra suddenly radiated vibrant life.
The grass seemed to come alive, surging toward Torterra to heal its wounds. Under the grass's nourishment, Torterra's injuries quickly recovered.
Torterra just stood there, still absorbing energy. It had taken some damage, but not much.
Seeing that the opposing Combusken was nearly exhausted, Wen Qi said, "Torterra, finish it."
With that, he ordered Torterra to use Razor Leaf while charging up an Energy Ball.
The opposing Combusken saw the Razor Leaf coming. Though fast, it managed to dodge.
But in that moment of evasion, Torterra's Energy Ball suddenly struck, hitting Combusken directly and knocking it to the ground.
When the Razor Leaf came, Zhou Zhiwen had sensed Wen Qi had a follow-up. If he had warned Combusken, it could have dodged. But given Combusken's state at that point, even if it had avoided that Energy Ball, it wouldn't have dodged the next one. Torterra was still brimming with energy.
Meanwhile, his Combusken had used up all its Fire-type energy and would have to rely on close combat from there. Charging in would likely have ended even worse, so this was fine.
He just hoped this battle wouldn't shake Combusken's confidence. He'd need to debrief it later—this loss was brutal. Most of its attacks had barely scratched Torterra.
Even the Fire-type move that did cause damage was quickly healed by the Grassy Terrain. There was just no winning this.
Wen Qi had initiated this battle to test his Pokémon's current strength, and it turned out they were indeed impressive.
Beyond that, he wanted to show off his power to Zhou Zhiwen. He had noticed Zhou Zhiwen trying to curry favor with him, and maybe he could even recruit him later.
Showing off his strength now would also make Zhou Zhiwen see him in a new light.
This wasn't just a display—it was also a warning. After providing so many high-grade Energy Blocks, Wen Qi wanted to make it clear that he wasn't someone to be trifled with.