Although Raichu was hit by the Magical Leaf, because the Grass type doesn't have an advantage over the Electric type, it didn't cause much damage.
However, this caught Natsui's attention.
Did it not dodge using speed, but instead used a move to counterattack?
Although there seemed to be no problem, in terms of the outcome, had she underestimated the power of the Magical Leaf?
But since the attack had worked, Natsui naturally wouldn't change tactics and continued shouting, "Kirlia, once more, Magical Leaf attack!"
Seeing how the Magical Leaf materialized again, this time Lt. Surge didn't order Raichu to use Thunderbolt, but instead shouted, "Raichu, dodge quickly!"
However, although he said that, the speed of the Magical Leaf's firing was too fast. Even though Raichu moved out of the way in advance, Kirlia controlled its direction, like a burst, quickly reaching him and striking his body.
Boom-boom-boom!
The dense smoke from the explosion hid everyone's view, and when the smoke cleared, Raichu, with marks of wounds, shook his head and continued charging towards Kirlia.
"Raichu, use Mega Punch!"
Raichu was seen standing on his hind legs, his claws turning into fists that shone with a blue light, and throwing punch after punch at Kirlia.
Mega Punch: A physical Normal-type attack. The user strikes the opponent with a punch using all their strength. If it hits, it can cause considerable damage.
"Kirlia, use Double Team!"
At Natsui's command, Kirlia instantly split into more than a dozen illusions, and Raichu, unable to see the real body, could only use his fists to randomly scatter some of the false images.
Lt. Surge frowned and shouted, "Raichu, take them all out, Thunderbolt!"
Upon hearing this, Raichu abandoned his punching attack, tensed his whole body, and, as electrical light flickered on his surface, dozens of thick electric currents rapidly spread around him.
The crackling sound was incessant, and because the light was too dazzling, even Natsui had to cover her eyes with her arm.
When the dust settled, Natsui quickly looked up and saw that all the illusions had disappeared, leaving only Kirlia standing in the distance, staring at Raichu.
It turned out that in an instant, she had used Teleport to avoid that dangerous area attack.
"Good!" Seeing that no harm had been done, Natsui's heart finally calmed. "Kirlia, use Confusion!"
Kirlia raised her hands, and Raichu, without warning, was lifted into the air and then slammed forcefully against the ground.
"Damn it!" Lt. Surge shouted loudly, "Raichu, get up quickly! Close the distance!"
Raichu struggled to get up, released his last bit of energy, and quickly approached Kirlia.
And it was then that Natsui suddenly remembered Raichu's weakness.
She recalled that in the anime, when Ash lost his first challenge at the Vermilion Gym, in his second battle against this Raichu, he discovered that due to its rapid evolution, it hadn't learned any speed-related moves. In the end, Pikachu used Agility and Quick Attack to face it and defeat it.
At that moment, Raichu had already reached Kirlia, and Lt. Surge shouted, "Raichu, use Body Slam!"
Obeying Lt. Surge's command, Raichu jumped high, extended his body, and pounced on Kirlia.
Although there were other ways to dodge this attack, Natsui chose the simplest and most direct method.
"Kirlia, use Confusion!"
The next second, Raichu, falling at high speed, seemed to hit an air wall, being lifted again into the air, as if an invisible giant had grabbed him by the tail, shaken him repeatedly, and finally tossed him aside, crashing back to the ground.
But this time, his eyes rolled back, and he couldn't get up.
The referee observing the battle raised his flag and announced loudly, "Raichu is unable to continue, Kirlia is the winner!"
And upon hearing that Kirlia had won, Koharu, in the stands, couldn't help but applaud excitedly.
Just as Natsui had said earlier, seeing the battle in person, being immersed in the scene, was far more exciting and engaging than watching it on television!
Additionally, emotionally, being on Natsui's side, her mood fluctuated with the progress of the battle, which further fueled her emotions.
After recalling Raichu, Lt. Surge nodded to Natsui with approval, "To defeat my Raichu is proof enough that you're not just a simple baby, but if you want the badge, you still have to defeat the next one."
Saying this, he threw his second Poké Ball.
A blue light shone, and a strange yellow and black Pokémon appeared on the field.
This Pokémon stood on two legs, was mainly yellow with black stripes, had a black lightning symbol on its chest, two short fangs curving out of its mouth, and, next to its pointed ears, had two circular organs that stored and released electricity.
Pokédex: "Bip, Electabuzz, the Electric-type Pokémon. The evolved form of Elekid. It is a very rare Pokémon. Its body is occasionally traversed by electrical currents, and since it likes to consume electricity, it often causes large-scale power outages in cities."
Natsui recalled Kirlia and sent out Bulbasaur.
"Bulbasaur, the second round is up to you!"
"Saur, saur!"
Seeing that Bulbasaur was ready, Lt. Surge shouted, "The real game has just begun! Go, Electabuzz!"
Electabuzz took large strides towards Bulbasaur, clearly full of energy.
Natsui ordered, "Sharp Leaf attack!"
A multitude of green leaves, like spinning blades, flew towards Electabuzz.
And Lt. Surge, as before, ordered, "Electabuzz, use Shock Wave!"
From Electabuzz's head, two dazzling beams of light suddenly shot out, merging and crashing into the Sharp Leaf.
But this time, the two moves neutralized each other, and neither gained the advantage.
Seeing that Lt. Surge kept using this type of response, Natsui had already understood in her heart that, perhaps due to the trainer's personality, just like the previous Raichu, this Electabuzz had also given up on speed-related moves, opting for a diversified offensive.
Seeing Electabuzz getting closer and closer, Natsui gave another command: "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"
Two vines rose into the air and lashed forcefully at Electabuzz, but it, without dodging or evading, withstood the vine attack and charged directly until it reached Bulbasaur.
"Now!" Lt. Surge shouted loudly, "Use Thunder Punch!"
The next second, Electabuzz's fists suddenly lit up with electricity, and swinging them, he struck Bulbasaur forcefully.
However, Natsui wasn't too worried about this.
In terms of types, although the Grass type doesn't have an advantage over the Electric type, an Electric-type attack against a Grass-type only causes half the damage due to type resistance.
That's why, earlier at Sakuragi Park, Natsui had told Bulbasaur to conserve energy.
Because, from the start to finish, the main pillar to challenge the Vermilion Gym was always Bulbasaur!