"Bellossom, use Leech Seed!"
Erika's Bellossom continued its rhythmic dance, launching green seeds from its crimson petals.
"Scizor, Slash!"
Feng Che noticed that Erika's tactics were still quite traditional, lacking the spark of innovation he expected from a veteran Gym Leader. He quickly lost interest in prolonging the exchange.
With a single, blinding flash of steel, Scizor sliced through the sea of petals. Every single petal was cut perfectly in half. Even the green seeds launched by Bellossom were cleaved mid-air before they could even land.
"How is this possible? I hid Stun Spore inside the Petal Dance!" Erika asked, her eyes wide with confusion. "Why hasn't Scizor fallen into paralysis?"
"That's a secret," Feng Che chuckled. He wasn't about to tell her that Scizor's specialized metallic plating was designed specifically to repel fine particulates like spores.
"Scizor, Bullet Punch!"
At Feng Che's command, Scizor blurred into a silver streak.
"Bellossom, create a floral wall of defense!" Erika commanded, keeping her cool.
The petals converged into a dense barrier, absorbing the impact of the Bullet Punch. Erika allowed herself a small, triumphant smile. That wall might look thin, but it was designed to withstand the weight of a heavy tank.
However, Scizor didn't stop. It took a deep breath, its pistons hissing. In a single second, it unleashed hundreds of silver-fisted shadows.
Thud-thud-thud!
Bellossom felt a titanic force surge through the barrier. The floral wall shattered into dust. A final, explosive punch sent Bellossom flying into the sky. It crashed back down to the earth, unconscious.
"Return, Bellossom." Erika felt a wave of frustration. Two of her partners had been defeated with relative ease. "Mr. Feng Che, I have one question."
"What kind of metal coating did you use for this Scizor's evolution? At that frequency of Bullet Punch, the friction should generate immense heat, yet I didn't see it flap its wings to cool down once. The answer must lie in the coating."
"Oh, just a very rare and precious metallic alloy," Feng Che played it off. It was an answer that explained everything while revealing nothing.
"Go, Vileplume!"
Erika released her final Pokémon. The Vileplume had massive, spotted petals that emitted a pungent, stifling stench.
"Holy cow, the smell... it's just like a Gloom!" "I smell stinky tofu and fermented herring!" The crowd immediately covered their noses, murmuring in disgust.
Hearing this, the Vileplume's petals drooped. It looked incredibly dejected. As its mood worsened, the odor intensified, now smelling like a pile of unwashed socks.
"Everyone, please, quiet down," Feng Che said loudly, stepping toward the center of the ring. "Pokémon cannot always control their natural traits. Ask yourselves: if your partner had an issue like this, would you abandon them?"
"Leader Erika doesn't despise her Pokémon; she treats them as family. My goal in opening this Foster House is to care for Pokémon with ailments or 'special problems' that others turn away from."
Feng Che looked at the Vileplume. "This odor isn't natural. It's a reaction to something it ate. Here, Vileplume, drink this." He handed a bottle of orange tonic to the Pokémon.
The Vileplume, touched by his kindness, downed the potion without hesitation. Moments later, the stench vanished. In its place, a refreshing fragrance drifted through the air, reminiscent of a forest after a summer rain.
"Leader Erika, this stench likely started recently," Feng Che explained. "The Pokéblocks it's been eating contained a herb called Flat-top Mushroom. On its own, it's fine, but when mixed with certain forest pollens, it creates that reaction. You should investigate your supplier."
Erika nodded thoughtfully, her gaze toward Feng Che shifting. This man... he's not just a trainer; he's a master of Pokémon breeding and health.
"Thank you, Leader Feng Che," Erika said, patting Vileplume's head as shimmering pollen drifted onto her hand. "This poor child lost all its confidence because of that smell. I tried everything, but nothing worked."
Feng Che turned to the crowd. "This is the bond between humans and Pokémon. My Foster House exists to ensure they get the best care. If your Pokémon has been diagnosed with an 'incurable' condition elsewhere, bring them here. I promise we won't give up on any of them."
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause.
"Well then, Erika, shall we finish the match?" Feng Che reached for Venusaur's ball, but Erika shook her head.
"No. If we continue, I will only lose. I choose to forfeit this final round," Erika said with a bow. "Your strength is immense—already touching the realm of the Elites. I need to go back and train harder."
"I will send a formal gift later on behalf of the Celadon Gym to celebrate your opening." With that, she recalled Vileplume and departed.
The moment Erika left, the crowd swarmed Feng Che.
"Leader Feng Che, please look at my Pokémon! It has a small problem!" "My Growlithe can't breathe fire anymore! No one can find the cause!" "Help me, Leader!"
Feng Che signaled his Galarian Slowbro and Slowking. Using their combined psychic powers, they gently moved the crowd back to form an orderly line.
"One at a time, please!" Feng Che shouted.
A large, stout woman managed to squeeze through to the front. "Leader Feng Che! My Granbull hasn't eaten in days. It's lost ten pounds! I'm worried sick!"
She released a massive, purple bulldog Pokémon. Despite its ferocious fangs, the Granbull was trembling, looking at the crowd with wide, terrified eyes.
"Nurse Joy said it has a severe psychological anxiety disorder," the woman fretted. "I'm so afraid it's going to wither away!"