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"Rooar?"
Steelix, who had just been charging forward, suddenly heard a commanding voice to stop. It hurriedly froze in place, quickly turning its head toward the old man who had stepped out, its face full of confusion.
Liam also wore a puzzled expression, lifting his head to look at the elderly man standing at the edge of the battlefield.
This was a broad-shouldered, powerfully built old man, well over fifty, dressed in casual clothing. Clearly, he had just been out for a stroll. Yet the faint aura radiating from his body showed that this man was anything but ordinary.
"Mr. Howard? What are you doing here?"
Although Liam didn't know this elder, Max recognized him and immediately spoke up.
"Howard? That name sounds familiar… I feel like I've heard it somewhere before."
Hearing Max call out the man's name, Liam scratched his head, feeling as if he had overlooked something important.
"Haha, long time no see, Max. I heard you were making waves this afternoon. That's not really like your usual style."
The man called Howard was clearly on familiar terms with Max. After Max greeted him, he responded warmly.
"Uh… hehe…"
Max could only smile awkwardly at Howard's words, choosing not to reply.
"Ahem, well then. I was just taking a walk here when I saw you and this young man about to battle. Since you didn't seem to have a referee, I volunteered myself. I'll be your judge. You don't have any objections, do you?"
Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward, Howard cleared his throat, then strode to the referee's position, addressing both Max and Liam.
"To have the famous Goldenrod Gym Leader serve as our referee—of course, we'd never object…"
Looking at Howard already standing in the referee's spot, Max could only answer with helpless resignation.
"Oh! So that's why your name was so familiar! You're the Gym Leader of Goldenrod City! A pleasure to meet you…"
Upon hearing Max's explanation, Liam finally remembered. Max had mentioned before that the current Goldenrod Gym Leader was a man named Howard. That must mean this leisurely fellow before them was none other than him.
"Ahem… yes, this is Mr. Howard, Gym Leader of Goldenrod Gym. Mr. Howard, this is my friend. He's not from Johto, so—"
Max's face turned dark. One moment he was praising Howard's fame, the next Liam was undermining him. Both Max and Howard looked a bit displeased.
"Ahem, hahahaha, no problem, no problem. I won't take offense at that. Well then, since you've both agreed, I hereby declare this match officially begun! Trainers, prepare yourselves!"
Masking his embarrassment with a cough, Howard raised both hands, his expression suddenly serious. Then he swiftly dropped them, shouting in a low, commanding voice:
"Battle! Begin!"
"Let's go, Flareon! Don't let them strike first! Use Flamethrower!"
"Flaaare!"
The battle erupted instantly. This time, Max reacted without hesitation, immediately commanding his Flareon.
At his order, Flareon leapt forward. Its small mouth opened wide, unleashing a thick stream of Flamethrower that surged straight toward Steelix.
"Good! Steelix, use Gyro Ball!"
Facing the oncoming torrent of flames, Liam instantly ordered Steelix to use the newly learned Steel-type move, Gyro Ball!
"Rooar!"
With a roar, Steelix spun its cylindrical body segments at high speed, creating a whirling storm around itself. The fiery torrent slammed against the spinning winds but was kept at bay, unable to touch Steelix.
"What! Gyro Ball can be used like that? Hmph! Don't get cocky! Flareon, Quick Attack! Close in!"
It was Max's first time seeing his Flareon's Flamethrower blocked in such a way. Gritting his teeth, he quickly ordered a close-range strike.
"Flaaare!"
Flareon growled and dashed forward, its furry body turning into a white blur as it streaked toward Steelix.
"You think you can take down my Steelix with a physical attack? Heh, dream on. Steelix, take it head-on!"
"Rooar!"
Steelix's pride lay in its unbreakable defense. A pure physical strike like Quick Attack didn't worry it in the slightest.
Bang!
"Flaaare!"
The crisp impact rang out. Flareon crashed into Steelix's body, only to be hurled backward, yelping in pain. It twisted in the air before landing on its feet, but its big eyes were already brimming with tears—it had clearly been hurt badly.
Steelix, meanwhile, looked completely unfazed. Its massive body hadn't even swayed.
Seeing this exchange, Max realized the extent of Steelix's defense. Clicking his tongue, he crossed his arms tightly, frowning as he thought. Then, suddenly, a spark lit up in his eyes—he had found a plan.
"Hmph, that tough hide is a real pain… but—Flareon, use Smog! Block its vision!"
"Flaaare!"
At once, Flareon opened its mouth again, spewing thick, purple smoke that spread rapidly, cloaking Steelix and the surrounding battlefield.
"Hm? Doesn't he know Steel-types can't be poisoned? No way he forgot. Something's up. Steelix! Move out of there and stay alert!"
Liam frowned, calling out toward his Pokémon hidden in the smog.
"Rooar!"
Steelix carefully shifted backward, its eyes wary as it searched the murky haze.
"No escape! Flareon, get in there! Use Will-O-Wisp to trap it!"
The instant Liam ordered retreat, Max struck back.
"Flaaare!"
Flareon leapt into the smog, charging straight toward Steelix's towering silhouette. Its tail flicked rapidly, scattering ghostly blue Will-O-Wisps that drifted around Steelix, clinging to its stony body.
"Rooar!"
Steelix roared in pain, flames licking its form—it had been burned.
"Steelix!"
Hearing its cry, Liam's expression stiffened.
"Perfect! Now, Flareon, get close and use Flame Burst!"
Max's eyes gleamed with triumph.
"Flaaare!"
Despite breathing heavily from the poisonous smog it had inhaled, Flareon rallied at its trainer's command. With a determined leap, it sprang beneath Steelix's head and roared—an eruption of searing flames burst outward like a volcanic explosion!
"Steelix, Protect! Then Stone Edge!"
Outside the haze, Liam's eyes narrowed, his aura surging. For a brief instant, his vision aligned with Steelix's, letting him see the scene within. He gave his command sharply.
"Rooar!!"
A thunderous roar shook the battlefield. Fire erupted, blasting the poison fog apart and engulfing half the arena in flames.
"Yes! We did it!"
Max cheered instinctively—only to be cut off a second later.
"Rooar!!!"
Steelix's bellow tore through the blaze. With a ground-shaking crash, jagged, glowing-blue stones erupted from the ground in a forest of spires, snuffing out the firestorm.
Pinned between the stone pillars, Flareon—its body glowing faintly with poison's toll—let out a weak whimper, one eye shut tight from pain. Then it collapsed, unconscious.
"Flareon!"
The sudden reversal left Max stunned. His eyes widened at his fallen Pokémon, disbelief etched across his face.