Once both Trainers had sent out their Pokémon, neither attacked immediately; each wanted to gauge the other's intentions.
For a moment, they stood at an impasse.
Zinnia kept still because Shelgon was slow—any reckless move would simply give Grovyle an opening. She had learned that lesson the hard way from training with Gary's Grovyle.
"If you won't move, then I will."
Brendan finally broke the silence.
"Grovyle, use Leafage!"
Grovyle rubbed its palms together, forming several whirling leaves, and flung them toward Shelgon.
"Dragon Claw!" Zinnia ordered.
Shelgon swung a forelimb forward, shredding the incoming leaves with a glowing slash.
At that instant, Grovyle darted to Shelgon's left and launched Sucker Punch. The leafy blades on its wrists merged, glowed dark green, and slashed downward.
Thud!
Shelgon absorbed the blow, then turned its head and spat out a burst of Ember it had been holding in reserve.
"Cha-a-a!"
The hot flames struck Grovyle, which cried out and leapt back to widen the distance.
"What—Shelgon can use Ember?" Brendan blurted. He had assumed Dragon Claw was her only counter to Leafage—Zinnia had clearly baited him.
The moment Grovyle disengaged, Zinnia used her advantage.
"Dragon Breath!"
Shelgon spewed a searing emerald stream that struck Grovyle before it could recover.
"Cha-a!" Grovyle yelped in pain.
Zinnia's face lit up. After being on the receiving end of Gary's Grovyle for so long, it felt wonderful to turn the tables on someone else's.
"Grovyle, are you OK?" Brendan called worriedly.
Grovyle staggered upright. A vivid green aura—Overgrow—flared around its body: its Grass-type moves would now strike far harder.
"What's going on?" Zinnia muttered. She had never pushed Gary's Grovyle hard enough to trigger Overgrow.
"That's Grovyle's Ability," Gary reminded her from the sidelines. "When its stamina is low, Overgrow boosts Grass-type attacks."
Zinnia's brow furrowed. She had hoped to finish Grovyle off, but this Ability changed the equation.
"Time for a counterattack!" Brendan said.
Grovyle couldn't last much longer, so speed was critical.
"Grovyle, Leafage—full power!"
"Cha!"
Grovyle whipped up a storm of razor-sharp leaves and hurled it at Shelgon like a green cyclone.
"Headbutt!" Zinnia countered.
Shelgon charged straight into the barrage. Its armored body deflected most of the leaves and then smashed headfirst into Grovyle.
Bang!
"Cha-a-a!" Grovyle reeled. Even powered by Overgrow, Leafage hadn't stopped Shelgon's momentum.
"Dragon Breath!" Zinnia shouted.
"Leafage!" Brendan barked at the same time.
The two moves collided mid-air. Dragon Breath's heat ignited many of the leaves, but the sheer volume of foliage dampened the flames.
Boom!
The resulting blast wave flung both Pokémon backward. Grovyle crashed to the ground and lost consciousness. Shelgon, protected by its heavy shell, skidded but remained standing.
Shelgon wins the second round.
Brendan stared, stunned. He had thought Gary was his true rival—yet he had just lost two straight battles to a girl who hadn't even earned her third Badge.
"We did it!" Zinnia cheered. "My first win over a Trainer with two Badges!"
"Grovyle, return." Brendan recalled his partner, saying nothing. Frustration weighed on him like a stone.
"Honestly, Brendan," Zinnia said bluntly, "I expected more. Your Grovyle isn't half as versatile as Gary's."
"What—Gary has a Grovyle too?" Brendan exclaimed.
"Yep. His knows far more moves than yours. Even my Shelgon can't beat it," Zinnia replied.
(In truth, the difference wasn't that large—Gary's Grovyle simply had a broader movepool. But Zinnia never missed a chance to boast.)
Gary kept quiet. He knew Zinnia's temperament: if you wanted her respect, you had to defeat her first. Anyone she beat outright earned only scorn.
"I overestimated myself," Brendan admitted, forcing a smile. "I'll challenge you again after I'm stronger."
Gary raised an eyebrow at the sudden shift of focus—but said nothing.
"Zinnia, can I get your phone number? When I'm ready, I'll challenge you again," Brendan asked, pulling out a sleek communicator manufactured by the Devon Corporation. The device handled calls, texts, and GPS—cutting-edge tech in Hoenn.
Zinnia blinked.
"I don't have a phone."
"What?" Brendan was shocked. "How does anyone travel without one?"
"Is it that strange?" she asked, genuinely puzzled. Seeing Brendan's expression, she decided it must be important—then shot a mildly accusatory look at Gary, as if to say, Why haven't you gotten me one?