Divine Plan? But I'm a Pokémon trainer.

Chapter 410 Iron Shell (Modern Appearance)
Joey, who was inspecting the gym, sent out the legendary Cobalion.

As a Gym Leader, you may sometimes face legendary Pokémon (male or female) – such as the Unova Champion sending Zekrom to battle a kindergarten kid for a few dollars of pocket money – but it's still too absurd for Nurse Joy to occasionally raise her hand and send out one of the top three Pokémon.

In Principal Xi Lan's opinion, Dr. Who is almost certain to lose this battle.

Using this Pokémon in gym battles is mostly to test how the gym leader will respond to an insurmountable opponent.

While a rookie gym leader may indeed encounter opponents far stronger than themselves (such as Link), the nature of the battle changes the moment Nurse Joy pulls out Cobalion.

The trainer, who is currently camping in the countryside, has taken over command from Porygon.

Defeating Cobalion, a legendary swordsman active in history, with untrained roadside Pokémon is no easy feat. Even if the Motospi, the Proud Pheasant, and the Long-haired Dog, which were originally intended for this battle, were used together, they might not be able to win.

However, Cobalion is not a perfect Pokémon.

While recalling the characteristics of this elf, Link quickly analyzed its attributes.

Steel/Fighting type, weak to Fighting, Ground, and Fire, twice as resistant to Normal, Steel, Grass, Ice, Dragon, and Dark, and four times as resistant to Rock and Bug.

Despite its slightly fatal weakness, its resistances are nothing short of amazing.

Especially since Cobalion isn't a pseudo-Steel-type Pokémon like Lucario, it's difficult to break through its defense without sufficient power.

Of the three Pokémon Link prepared for this battle, only the long-haired dog could pose a threat to him...

Should I switch Pokémon temporarily?
This is ultimately a 63-player battle, so Link doesn't necessarily have to send out his Mamoswine, since the Gym Leader can obviously choose which Pokémon to use based on the situation.

Theoretically, there shouldn't be much of a problem if the third one is also a Normal type.

But before that, he needs to test the strength of his opponent.

"Self-motivation."

First, strengthen the attack.

With the advantage in hand, Joey launched a decisive and aggressive attack: "Iron Head!"

With his body almost entirely made of iron, Gopaloon was surprisingly fast and agile, rushing towards him like a gust of wind with clanging footsteps.

However, the Wind's Protection shielded the proud pheasant, allowing it to relatively easily create distance and avoid the headbutt while focusing on strengthening itself.

Whether it's a legendary Pokémon or not, Flying-type Pokémon have an advantage against Fighting-type Pokémon.

Unfortunately, Cobalion was very skilled and experienced. He didn't even need Nurse Joy's command to unleash an "Electromagnetic Wave" that could restrict flying Pokémon.

To be honest, Miss Joy actually limited the strength of Cobalion.

Electromagnetic waves are faster than the wind, easily catching up with the proud pheasant.

Motor Lizard's Stand is even faster than "Electromagnetic Wave," leaping high into the air to block the dangerous attack for the proud pheasant.

Joey then came to his senses. The tail that had been cut off by the Greatsword Demon had become a Stand. Even Cobalion hadn't expected his opponent to be so proficient in Stand techniques.

Immediately, the Motor Lizard Stand continued its momentum, transforming into armor that did not hinder movement and attaching itself to the proud pheasant's body to protect it from the opponent's attacks.

With this armor, neither electromagnetic waves nor sandstorms can penetrate it.

Cobalion, who originally intended to sever the Stand directly, failed to make a move, but instead slowly began to accumulate Rock-type energy.

Upon seeing this, Link instantly saw through the true nature of the move and instructed the proud pheasant to immediately use "Clear Fog".

Driven by a fighting spirit and fueled by self-motivation, the proud pheasant excitedly flapped its wings, unleashing a fierce gust of wind mixed with star-shaped bullet patterns that swept across the field.

At the same time, Gopaleon's rock-type energy coalesced and took shape, transforming into dangerous bomb rocks.

There's no need to worry about the "Substitute" formed from the life force of the Motoskeleton. Just fill the field with "Invisible Rocks" and then "Roar" to drive away the Arrogant Pheasant. You can then use Bomb Rock to attack both the Substitute and your opponent's next Pokémon at the same time!
A fairly simple and steady plan, provided that the opponent fails to anticipate its intentions. Just as the numerous "Invisible Rocks" take shape, the "Clear Fog" spell, which has a special effect on them, arrives.

The bomb rocks, which should have been scattered all over the field, exploded one after another, creating a beautiful spectacle with their dazzling explosions.

"Fu~"

The Fiery Fox couldn't help but feel sorry for Cobalion, which is a Steel/Fighting type. No matter how many "Stealth Rocks" exploded, they couldn't do much damage to it. Perfectly predicting this move would only allow it to defend itself.

Link didn't take it seriously. The battle against this kind of elf was destined to be a tough one, and every wound and every scraping was meaningful.

Of course—if you switch to Fire Fox, you can use "Magic Flame" to burn it fiercely.

"Gopaloo!"

The violent explosions and subsequent secondary explosions filled Joey with immense worry.

The renowned Holy Swordsman was naturally not harmed by such a pointless scratch. Amidst the smoke and dust from the explosion, it stood firmly in its "Iron Wall" defense.

Realizing this, Joey calmed down: "Strengthen our defenses with 'Sandstorm'."

The Rock-type energy from the explosion of the "Stealth Rock" was not wasted by Cobalion; it used this energy to create a "Sandstorm," giving itself an advantageous terrain.

Cobalion's Special Defense is very weak, and sandstorm weather can effectively prevent it from being severely damaged by moves such as Fireball and Heat Wave.

"..."

Seeing this, Principal Xi Lan frowned, instinctively sensing that Miss Joey had made some crucial mistake.

"The proud pheasant uses 'Sunny Day' as its theme."

Dry terrain makes fire-elemental energy more active, and sunny days and sandstorms always complement each other.

The proud pheasant knows the move "Hot Wind". If used properly, it can combine with a sandstorm to create a move similar to "Hot Sandstorm" and inflict minor injuries on Cobalion.

But Link, despite repeated calculations, could not find this possibility.

The opponent's Pokémon is very strong; it depends on whether their trainer will give them a chance...

After identifying his opponent's location, Link immediately ordered the Arrogant Pheasant to use "Heat Wave" on Paleon.

Gopaleon was unfazed by this, easily discerning his opponent's intentions and using "Protect" to create a shield, blocking the opponent's attack.

Even though it is not a legendary spirit, the "hot wind" that had to be dispersed due to the sandstorm obscuring its vision could not penetrate its protection.

Cobalion's fighting style is just like its attributes—impenetrable.

Arrogant pheasants that haven't been systematically bred will find it difficult to compete.

"Make a wish, and then come back."

Left with no other choice, Link had to take it back.

It must be admitted that Copaleon is stronger than the support-specialized Motolizard and the ordinary Arrogant Pheasant.

However, he doesn't only have these Normal-type Pokémon.

"Go, Ditto."

The gym leader's last Pokémon usually enters the battle arena.

Its true form is not a real Ditto, but a Porygon that transforms its own texture into a Ditto.

(End of this chapter)