Chapter 25: Vortex of the Tide

Chapter 25: Whirlpool

A crisp "ding!" from the system echoed in his ears.

But Lu Yun had no time to mind it, for his next opponent had already stepped onto the field.

A violet, hardened shell gleamed with a faint, watery sheen. Two sharp spikes jutted downward, anchoring firmly into the ground. The jet-black body nestled within was tightly enveloped and well-protected. A pale pink tongue flicked out from the shell, sensing the water elements in the air.

Staring at the sturdy shell of the Shellder before him, Lu Yun felt a hint of vexation.

"Fleecy, use 'Thunder Shock' again!"

Lanny's commanding voice sounded from behind.

This suited Lu Yun perfectly. Though he knew his electric energy had strengthened considerably after special training, he still wasn't clear on its limits.

Lu Yun wanted to gain a precise understanding of his own strength so that in future battles, he would know which enemies he might defeat, and which ones he'd need to avoid for now.

The Goldeen from earlier had been too weak—even weaker than he himself was before training—and not enough to warrant his full power.

Sparks crackled!

A terrifying current surged forth once more, and the dramatic thunderbolts reappeared in the arena.

Misty's pupils contracted. In all her life, she had never seen a Flaaffy with such electric might.

A sense of gravity pressed on her heart as she quickly commanded Shellder.

"Shellder, use 'Withdraw' first, then freeze the moisture on your shell with Ice Energy!"

'Withdraw' was a defensive skill only Pokémon with hard shells, like Shellder and Squirtle, could use. It greatly increased their defense.

Bang!

A collision resounded as Shellder clamped its two shells tightly together, a faint purple radiance shimmering on its surface.

A dry, grating sound followed. The icy energy Shellder released instantly froze the droplets on its shell, adding an extra frosty shield to its already formidable defense.

Boom!

The ferocious thunder crashed down upon Shellder with unstoppable force.

The frost enveloping Shellder absorbed part of the impact before melting away in an instant. The wild lightning coiled and writhed across the shell like a serpent, probing for a weakness to exploit.

But Shellder was, after all, the Gym Leader's Pokémon. Though usually used to test rookie Trainers, its training was thorough, and it possessed virtually no exploitable flaws in battle.

A faint, unwilling whine seemed to escape as the current circled the purple shell, lingering before it finally fizzled out with a soft crackle.

The shell, once vividly purple and glossy, now bore blackened scars from the onslaught, but it was otherwise unharmed.

Misty secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She had to admit, before seeing the outcome, her nerves had been taut.

Lanny, experienced as he was, immediately shifted tactics after seeing Lu Yun's 'Thunder Shock' fail to break through.

"Fleecy, close in on Shellder and use 'Thunder Punch'!"

Lu Yun obeyed, charging toward Shellder.

"Not so fast! Shellder, use 'Whirlpool' on Flaaffy!"

Whoosh!

A massive spiral of water burst from Shellder's mouth.

The surging torrent raged like a tornado, intent on destroying everything in its path. Even Lanny, standing at the edge of the arena, could feel the spray on his face.

Lu Yun was less than five meters from Shellder; at such close range, he had no chance to dodge. His body was swept helplessly into the churning vortex.

He spun wildly, his body tossed like laundry in a washing machine, battered by the fierce current. Dizzy and crushed by the pressure, Lu Yun struggled to catch his breath.

"Not good! I was too reckless. If only I'd played it safer just now!"

Lanny, witnessing the scene, was filled with regret. He had underestimated the Gym Leader and hadn't been cautious enough.

Misty, seeing Lu Yun trapped, felt a surge of joy.

Watching her opponent, powerless within the whirlpool, she decided to finish this determined challenger once and for all.

"Shellder, increase your power! Spin the 'Whirlpool' upward as much as possible!"

Her clear voice echoed across the empty arena.

"She intends..."

Lanny's pupils shrank. He glanced apologetically at Lu Yun, who was ensnared in the swirling waters.

More forceful jets erupted from Shellder's mouth, its precise control gradually narrowing the mighty waterspout, focusing and conserving energy to extend the whirlpool higher.

The watery column twisted rapidly upward through the arena, wild currents raging skyward. From outside, it looked as if the Cerulean Gym now boasted a pillar made entirely of water.

Just as the "water pillar" was about to brush the ornate glass ceiling, Misty abruptly ordered Shellder to stop.

The whirling "Whirlpool" collapsed in an instant, dissolving into a torrent of falling droplets—a sudden, torrential rain upon the gym.

Lu Yun, carried high by the waterspout, now plummeted freely toward the ground.

A slight, triumphant smile curled Misty's lips.

"From this height, it won't kill the Flaaffy, but in this battle, it won't be able to stir up any more trouble."

Lanny was filled with remorse, watching his Pokémon in danger due to his own faulty command.

The pale yellow wool around Lu Yun's neck fluttered violently in the air. Fighting off dizziness and nausea, he recognized the danger but remained calm. In fact, he closed his eyes in serene acceptance.

"Has he resigned himself...?"

Misty, watching Lu Yun fall without struggle, couldn't help but sigh.

"A pity. If the Trainer hadn't made a miscalculation, perhaps this Flaaffy might have stood a chance."

Suddenly, the blue crystal orb on Lu Yun's tail flashed with dazzling light.

A low hum filled the air.

A powerful electromagnetic field swept across the arena in an instant.

Time seemed to freeze. Faint currents flickered around Lu Yun, and his plummeting body slowed, then, in an uncanny display, hovered gently in midair, as if he were a Flying-type.

"How can this be!?"

Misty involuntarily stepped forward, shock and disbelief surging within her.