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"Flareon has lost the ability to battle! Steelix is the victor…"
The outcome was decided in an instant. Mr. Howard, who had been watching the match intently from the sidelines, was briefly surprised before quickly recovering and loudly declaring the result.
"Come back, Flareon. You did great, take a good rest."
Hearing the judgment, Max took out a PokeBall and recalled his Flareon, which was still stuck on the jagged stone pillars. He gently comforted it as he did so.
Rumble!
The moment Flareon was recalled, the sharp rock pillars that had erupted from the ground crumbled, turning into stone dust that scattered across the battlefield.
"Roarr!"
From the center of the falling rock dust, Steelix raised its head proudly and let out a victorious roar.
"Well done, Steelix. Keep up the good work."
Winning the first round brought a faint smile to Liam's face. After praising Steelix, he turned toward Max and spoke.
"So, Max, how about it? My Steelix is pretty amazing, isn't it? What are you going to do next?"
Liam was curious. Ever since Max had left Professor Oak's house early on, Liam wondered how much he had grown in this time.
"Heh, as expected of your Pokémon—its strength really is formidable. But we won't give up so easily! Go, Magcargo! I choose you!"
After hearing Liam's words, Max tossed out his second PokeBall. In a flash of light, a bright red Magcargo appeared on the battlefield. Huge droplets of molten lava dripped constantly from its body, sizzling against the ground and releasing plumes of thick smoke.
"Maaa!"
"Oh, so it's Magcargo, huh? Tsk tsk… now I'm curious to see what you'll do."
Liam looked at the Magcargo with interest, his mind working.
Magcargo's typing was Fire and Rock. That meant, sure, Steelix would still be at a disadvantage against Fire, but Steelix's Ground typing gave it a four times advantage over Magcargo's dual typing. No matter how you looked at it, the matchup didn't seem in Magcargo's favor.
"Both Pokémon are ready! Magcargo versus Steelix—battle begin!"
"Magcargo, use Flamethrower!"
"Maaa!"
As soon as Mr. Howard finished speaking, Max gave the first command. The magma sacs on both sides of Magcargo's jaw swelled in an instant. Then, with its mouth wide open, a stream of blazing fire mixed with molten rock burst forth—its power clearly much stronger than usual!
"Steelix, counter with Dragon Breath!"
"Roarr!"
Steelix quickly opened its mouth wide, releasing a stream of green energy. It spun and collided head-on with Magcargo's raging flames. The two attacks clashed in midair, neutralizing each other—neither side gaining ground.
"Stop the Flamethrower, Magcargo! Use Harden, then Rollout!"
Seeing the deadlock, Max immediately switched tactics.
"Maaa!"
Magcargo spewed out the last of its flames, slightly pushing back Steelix's Dragon Breath. Then its shell gleamed as it used Harden. A moment later, Magcargo retracted into its shell, which suddenly began to spin rapidly, kicking up clouds of dust as it rolled forward like a wheel straight toward Steelix!
"Steelix, use Harden too!"
"Roarr!"
As the rolling Magcargo came from the side, Steelix stopped its attack and glowed brightly, boosting its already iron-hard defenses even further.
Because of Rollout, the usually slow Magcargo now moved at high speed. In just seconds, it was right in front of Steelix. Its spinning shell leapt into the air and slammed hard against Steelix's massive body.
Bang!
The sharp collision echoed across the battlefield. Both Pokémon had strengthened their defenses, but even so, Magcargo's body strength and weight couldn't compare to Steelix's. After the impact, Magcargo let out a muffled cry as it was knocked back, landing heavily on the ground. Cracks spread across its once-sturdy shell.
"Don't give up, Magcargo! Keep using Rollout! The more you roll, the stronger it gets!"
Though his Pokémon was at a disadvantage, Max remained calm and commanded steadily.
"Maaa!"
Still tucked inside its shell, Magcargo began rolling again, faster and faster as it circled the battlefield, building momentum for its next strike.
"Max, don't tell me you think I'll just let you power up like that. I'm not that kind! Steelix, use Dig!"
Liam smirked as he shouted, quickly issuing a command.
"Roarr!"
Steelix—one of the Pokémon world's greatest diggers—roared and dove headfirst into the ground. In the blink of an eye, it vanished, leaving only a dark hole behind.
"Hmph, I don't need you reminding me of that! Magcargo, speed up your rolling! Don't let it pinpoint your position!"
Max scoffed at Liam's words, but gave his own order with determination.
"Maaa!"
Magcargo's shell spun even faster. By now, it was moving so quickly across the battlefield that most opponents would have no way to stop it.
But Liam wasn't like "most opponents."
"Heh, still as stubborn as ever, I see. But Max, watch carefully! Steelix, use Sand Tomb!"
Liam's voice rang out, confident and calm.
"What?! Oh no—Magcargo, dodge it!"
"Roarr!!"
Max's face instantly darkened, but his command came too late. With a thunderous roar, Steelix unleashed a swirling Sand Tomb. The ground gave way as a massive vortex of sand formed, sucking in Magcargo. Its momentum was drained, its rolling slowed, and it was dragged helplessly toward the center.
"Now, Steelix! Deliver the finishing blow!"
Seeing his chance, Liam swept his hand downward with complete confidence.
"Roarr!!"
The ground split as Steelix's colossal body surged upward. Its steel-hard head rammed violently into Magcargo's shell, launching it high into the air.
"Maaa!!"
Magcargo finally popped out of its shell, flailing as it screamed in panic while falling from above.
"It's over! Finish it with Double-Edge!"
Liam declared the final strike.
"Roarr!!"
Steelix's body gleamed white as it coiled tightly, then shot upward like a spring, aiming to collide with the falling Magcargo.
Everyone watching believed Magcargo had no escape left. But at that very moment, a small smile appeared on Max's face.
"Now, Magcargo—Shell Smash!"