The Third Battle Begins

  The battlefield was lush and vibrant, still coated in the rejuvenating grass of Gogoat's terrain. Charizard hracefully above, its wings outstretched, fmes flickering at its tail's tip. The air buzzed with tension as the final round of the Green Grass Trial enced.

  Naoki wasted no time. "Razor Leaf!" he anded.

  With a mighty burst of energy, Gogoat unleashed a flurry of glowing green leaves. They cut through the air like sharpened bdes, whistling toward Charizard.

  Leon responded instantly. "Charizard, use Heat Wave!"

  Charizard fpped its powerful wings, summoning an intense surge of heated air. Sparks of fire swirled within the wind, igniting the ining leaves. One by ohe Razor Leaves were ed in fmes, falling harmlessly to the ground like scorched petals.

  Watg the dispy, Naoki murmured. "Charizard's type advantage is overwhelming," he muttered under his breath. "Unless Gogoat knows Rock Slide, there's no way to nd a critical blow against its quad weako Rock."

  But Gogoat didn't have Rock Slide, and Naoki k. He adjusted his strategy. "I'll have to take a different approach," he said, regaining his posure.

  Leon gave his and. "Charizard, Fmethrower!"

  Simultaneously, Naoki ordered, "Gogoat, use Take Down!"

  Charizard's maw opened wide, unleashing a bzing inferno of fmes. The Fmethrower surged across the battlefield, painting the grass below in fiery e. Gogoat, uerred, charged forward at full speed, its determination unwavering.

  But Charizard's aerial mobility was unparalleled. It asded just as Gogoat reached its target, causing the charge to miss entirely. Charizard emerged unscathed while its fiery attack scorched Gogoat. Though the Grass Terrain below quickly began healing the damage, Naoki khis rhythm wouldn't hold for long.

  Leon seized the opportunity. "Charizard, Air Ssh!"

  Naoki reacted swiftly. "ter it with Vine Whip!"

  Two thick vines shed out from Gogoat, f a makeshift shield against Charizard's attack. The sharp wind-bdes of Air Ssh met the vines with devastating force, slig through them and striking Gogoat head-on.

  The Grass-type Pokémon was sent tumbling to the ground, uo rise. It had been knocked out.

  Naoki sighed. "Looks like this trial may see its first champion today."

  The third and final Gogoat stepped onto the battlefield, its posture exuding calm yet fierce determination. Charizard hovered above, fmes burning even brighter as Leon's signature Pokémon prepared to face its challenge.

  Leon, emboldened by the previous rounds, gave a fident and. "Charizard, use Heat Wave!"

  Charizard beat its wings powerfully, juring an intense surge of hot air. The searing winds swept across the battlefield, withering the lush Grass Terrain and removing the healing advahat had bolstered Gogoat throughout the trial

  Naoki furrowed his brow. "Clever," he admitted. "But we're not do. Gogoat, Leaf Bde followed by Horn Leech!"

  Gogoat dashed forward, its hlowing with emerald light as it prepared to execute its moves. The first ssh of Leaf Bde mao graze Charizard's side, but the fiery dragoaliated swiftly.

  "Charizard, Fre Blitz!" Leon roared.

  With a deafening cry, Charizard cloaked itself in bzing fmes, charging directly at Gogoat. The impact sent the Gogoat hurtling backward, the sheer iy of the attack leaving it uo recover.

  Gogoat y motionless on the grass as the fmes around Charizard receded. Despite the recoil damage inflicted by Fre Blitz, Charizard remaianding, its fmes bzing brighter than ever due to its Bze ability.

  The Gogoat was ko the ground and lost its ability to fight.

  Looking at the fallen Gogoat, Naoki reflected on their overall performand strength.

  "They've reached championship-level skill, but when faced with oppos of equal strength who have a type advantage, even Grass Terrain only provide so much support," Naoki thought to himself.

  Leon's Charizard was the perfect example.

  Even so, it was an admirable effort. The Gogoats had mao take down Leon's Dragapult and Haxorus. Their loss wasn't due to a ck of power but rather the i disadvantage of their Grass typing against Charizard's Fire-and-Flying bination.

  "If only they could master Rock Slide," Naoki mused, envisioning how such a move might have ged the oute of the match. "That could level the pying field ime."

  Lost in thought, Naoki then turned his attention back to Leon, who stood across the field. "gratutions, Leon. You've officially passed the Green Grass Trial."

  Leon grinned widely, his expression one of genuine joy. "That battle was incredible! Fighting alongside your Pokémon was exg, and your strategies kept me on my toes the eime! I'm super gd I came here!"

  "I'm happy too," Naoki replied, smiling. He couldn't help but admire Leon's prowess as the stro champion, his strategies, and adaptability proving his title was well-deserved. This had been Naoki's first formal Pokémon battle, and it was a thrilling experience.

  Leon, though satisfied with his victory, still felt a pang of disappoi. "It's a shame I didn't get the ce to battle your Koraidon or Calyrex," he thought. "But I guess that's something to look forward to ime."

  Just as the post-battle tension eased, Naoki's Indeedee approached carrying a tray of fresh gsses filled with milk.

  Naoki took the gsses gratefully ahe milk to Gogoats, who drank eagerly. He gently patted their heads, his tone warm and full of appreciation. "You all did wonderfully today. Thank you for your hard work."

  Despite the praise, the Gogoats seemed downcast, their gazes low.

  Naoki noticed the lingering disappoi on his Gogoats' faces and crouched down to sole them. "It's okay," he said gently, patting their heads. "This was just a friendly match. Keep w hard, and I'll do everything I to help you improve."

  He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "For example, if we master Rock Slide, you might be able tet Leon's Charizard directly. With a four-times type advantage, orong hit could take it down."

  The Gogoats perked up slightly at his encement, their spirits lifted by the prospect of being stronger.

  "Alright, go on and py now!" Naoki said with a smile, ruffling their fur affeately.

  The Gogoats gave cheerful bleats and bounded off, their earlier gloom repced with renewed determination.

  Turning back to Leon, Naoki suggested, "Why don't you release all your Pokémo's heal them up."

  Though surprised, Leon plied, releasing Dragapult and Haxorus from their Poké Balls. Both Pokémon appeared visibly fatigued and battered from the earlier battles.

  Naoki stepped forward with a tray of white liquid—bottles of fresh Gogoat milk. He hahem to the Pokémon, who hesitated for only a moment before drinking.

  The transformation was immediate. Their wounds began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye, and their energy visibly returned. Both Pokémon stood tall and alert as if they'd never battled at all.

  Leon stared, sck-jawed, at the miraculous recovery. His gaze darted between the now-healthy Pokémon and the remaining bottles in Naoki's hands.

  "What is that stuff? How does it work so well?" Leon finally blurted out, still in disbelief.

  "Gogoat milk," Naoki replied with a grin. "It's produced by the Gogoats here on the ranch. They're dairy Pokémon, and their milk is sold to the town and surrounding areas."

  "Gogoat milk?" Leon echoed, his voice tinged with incredulity.

  Naoki nodded. "It's not just nutritious—it has restorative properties, especially for Pokémon."

  Leon stood frozen for a moment, digesting this information. Then a thought struck him like a lightning bolt.

  'Wait a minute…' Leon's face twisted into an expression of mock horror. 'Does that mean I just fought a team of dairy goats?'

  He gnced around the ranch, his eyes nding on Koraidon and Dragoanding nearby. "If the dairy Pokémon here are that strong," Leon muttered to himself, "just how powerful are the rest?"

  Naoki chuckled at Leon's rea but quickly refocused. He stood up, brushing off his hands. "Now that you've officially passed the Green Grass Trial, you've earned a reward. Normally, the prize is a magical fruit wihat enhances a Pokémon's abilities. You choose oo give to your team."

  Leon's curiosity iqued, but something Naoki said caught his attention. "Wait—'normally'? Was today's trial different?"

  Naoki grinned, expining, "Yes. Typically, the Green Grass Trial has three rounds. In the first round, challengers fae Gogoat. In the sed round, they battle two at once. And in the final round, they take on three simultaneously."

  Leon's eyes widened. "That sounds intense!"

  Naoki nodded, his tone pyful but firm. "Aime, I'll make sure my Gogoats are ready—with a Rock Slide in their arsenal."

  Realizing Naoki's determination, Leon couldn't help but grin. "In that case, I'll bring my A-game too."

  Leon gnced over at Koraidon and Dragonite again, the Naoki's eyes with a mischievous glint. "ime, though, I want to battle your stro Pokémon."

  Naoki ughed. "Alright, deal."

  As the two trainers shook hands, Leon's mind wandered briefly. "How far is Paldea from Gar anyway?" he mused aloud, scratg his head.

  Naoki tilted his head, amused by the question.

  Leon ughed sheepishly, admitting, "I have a terrible sense of dire. If I get lost trying to get here again, you might o send someoo guide me.