"What is going on?!" Blaine exclaimed in shock. Clearly, Ninetales possessed the Flash Fire Ability—how could it be harmed by flames, let alone its own?
"Could it be that the move Gengar used just now was...?"
"Ability Swap, a Psychic-type move. Its effect is to exchange Abilities between the user and the target. Accuracy and evasion do not affect this move," Red explained.
The moment Ninetales realized it could no longer nullify fire, it immediately used Extrasensory, completely dispelling the flames on its body.
Just as Ninetales let out a relieved sigh, something bizarre happened again. Its entire body began to float uncontrollably, slowly rising into the air, ending up awkwardly face-to-face with the Thousand-Year Gengar in midair.
"Shouldn't Gengar only have the Cursed Body Ability? Ninetales' current condition is more like it gained the Levitate Ability," Blaine said in confusion, then turned his questioning gaze toward Red.
"My Gengar is a thousand-year-old shiny Pokémon. Its Ability might be more special than modern Gengar. Perhaps Gengar as a species had Levitate as its Ability a thousand years ago."
Red brushed it off vaguely, offering no further explanation about the origin of Thousand-Year Gengar's Levitate.
"I see..." Blaine muttered, no longer dwelling on it.
"Since Fire-type moves won't work, use a Psychic-type move that counters Gengar—Ninetales, use Extrasensory!"
"My Gengar won't lose to Ninetales either—use Psychic!"
Both Pokémon unleashed their psychic power. After a brief clash, Ninetales ultimately came out on the losing end.
Unable to adapt to its floating state, Ninetales hesitated—and in that moment, Thousand-Year Gengar seized control of its body with Psychic, repeatedly slamming it to the ground.
"Ninetales, use Disable!"
Though Ninetales' stamina was steadily draining, Blaine, with his vast battle experience, remained calm and issued his command.
A bright blue glow shone in Ninetales' eyes, temporarily sealing Thousand-Year Gengar's move [Psychic].
"How boring… I didn't expect to be caught by this move myself," Thousand-Year Gengar said helplessly.
"Although you managed to rescue Ninetales from danger in time, unfortunately, Mr. Blaine, I won't give my opponent even a moment to catch their breath."
Red calmly looked at Ninetales and slowly gave his final command.
"Gengar, finish it with Shadow Ball!"
Thousand-Year Gengar gathered pitch-black energy in its hands and hurled a Shadow Ball straight at Ninetales, striking it directly.
Seeing Ninetales collapse with spiraling eyes, Blaine looked at Red with approval before recalling his incapacitated Pokémon.
"I underestimated you, Mr. Red. You truly deserve to be recognized by all Gym Leaders of the Kanto Region. No wonder Giovanni acknowledges your strength," Blaine praised, then threw another Poké Ball.
"My second contender is this one!"
As the white light faded, the power-driven Rhydon appeared before Red and Thousand-Year Gengar. It snorted heavily, its right foot scraping the ground, fully prepared for battle.
"Come back, Gengar!"
Just as Thousand-Year Gengar was about to continue fighting, Red recalled it.
"Aww, boss, I was just getting into it~"
Thousand-Year Gengar leaned toward Red with a bashful look, acting spoiled as it tried to get him to send it out again.
"You'd better drop that meaningless act, or I'll deal with you after the match," Red said irritably, then threw another Poké Ball.
"This is your first official battle—win this round for me, Tauros!"
A dazzling white light faded, revealing a sturdy gray Tauros standing before Rhydon. Its three tails swayed continuously, its right hoof stamping powerfully as it compared its battle aura with its opponent.
"Another power-type contender. This will be an exciting match," Blaine nodded.
"Tauros, use Iron Tail!" Red ordered, giving Blaine no time to react.
"Rhydon, quickly use Hammer Arm!" Blaine shouted, caught off guard by Red's aggression.
Tauros snorted heavily, its three silver-glowing tails lashing fiercely at Rhydon.
Rhydon was no weaker—it raised its thick right arm and met the attack head-on, its heavy punch colliding with Tauros' shining tails. A pure contest of strength began.
Both Tauros and Rhydon scraped the ground, trying to gain leverage and overpower the other.
Under the watch of Red and Blaine, Tauros ultimately gained the upper hand. Its Iron Tail struck Rhydon squarely, causing it to cry out in pain.
"The power of that Iron Tail is not to be underestimated!" Blaine said cautiously, astonished by Tauros' strength.
"Rhydon, use Stone Edge!"
"Tauros, use Stone Edge as well!"
Sharp stone blades floated around both Pokémon, launching toward each other under their control.
At the center of the battlefield, the blades collided continuously, producing cracking sounds.
After a brief exchange, Rhydon's Stone Edge prevailed. The remaining blades continued flying toward Tauros.
"So it's not a same-type move after all. Tauros, use Horn Attack to shatter them!"
Upon hearing Red's command, Tauros used its sturdy horns to easily smash the incoming stone blades.
"Rhydon, use Drill Run!"
The drill on Rhydon's forehead spun rapidly as it charged forward with heavy steps.
"Tauros, first use Rock Tomb to block its movement," Red ordered.
Tauros manipulated surrounding rocks, throwing them in front of Rhydon. To advance, Rhydon had to smash through them with brute force, slowing its movement.
"Tauros, use Iron Tail!"
With a roar, Tauros charged forward the moment Rhydon broke the last rock, its three silver-glowing tails striking Rhydon's vital points.
Rhydon let out a painful cry, but for victory, it endured the pain and forced its way forward, landing Drill Run directly on Tauros' vital spot.
Struck critically, Tauros' eyes turned bloodshot. It panted furiously, its muscles bulging, the hair around its neck rising from intense rage.
"Finish it with Iron Head!"
Before Blaine and Rhydon could react, Tauros forcibly broke through the Drill Run attack and slammed its steel-hard, silver-glowing head into Rhydon.
Tauros' terrifying strength pushed Rhydon back into a corner. If Red hadn't stopped it in time, Rhydon might have been knocked into the boiling magma beneath the battlefield.
"What terrifying power..." Blaine muttered.