"A bit troublesome," Roxanne sighed softly as she recalled Nosepass back into its Poké Ball. The Rock-type warrior couldn't hold on past the first round, which was entirely expected.
The powerful aura emanating from Alex's Lucario spread across the battlefield, making Roxanne silently acknowledge that her opponent was not only superior in strength but also possessed a fierce fighting spirit. Moreover, the clear type advantage between Alex's Steel-Fighting Lucario and Roxanne's Rock-type Nosepass made the battle decidedly tilt in Alex's favor.
Losing a Pokémon in the first round didn't bother Roxanne too much — defeat was normal in such intense battles. Yet what truly annoyed her was Lucario's eyes. They were strangely reddened, glowing fiercely like a blazing flame in the heart of the fighting warrior.
Although Roxanne was not a master of the Fighting type, she had studied its signature move carefully — Power-Up Punch. The move's name was fitting: each punch not only dealt damage but also boosted the attacker's own offensive power.
In other words, when Lucario's first hit landed on Nosepass, it didn't just drain its opponent's stamina but also received a self-buff that increased its attack strength — making each subsequent strike even more dangerous.
Frowning thoughtfully for a moment, Roxanne then sent out her second Pokémon without delay: "Come out, Probopass!"
As Probopass appeared on the field, related data naturally flashed in Alex's mind, clear and detailed like a technical readout.
[Type]: Steel, Rock
[Ability]: Magnet Pull — prevents Steel-type Pokémon that are not Ghost-type from escaping or switching out.
[Description]: Emits a strong magnetic force that disables nearby electrical devices.
Probopass stood like a sturdy monument in the arena, brimming with aura. The overwhelming pressure from its higher level clearly distinguished it from the earlier Nosepass. Its firm stance and determined eyes caught the attention of many in the crowd.
Suddenly, whispers began to spread:
"The gym leader has a Probopass — her second strongest Pokémon!"
"Although it's not as strong as the first, it's still her main Pokémon."
"Wow, this Alex really forced the gym leader to bring out her main fighter so early!"
"Lucario of Alex is powerful, but was it necessary to make Roxanne use her main Pokémon this soon?"
Questions and discussions buzzed among the trainers, and the atmosphere in the auditorium became more excited and tense than ever.
Roxanne turned to Alex, her eyes full of fighting spirit and determination. She spoke clearly, with confidence but no less politeness:
"Alex, your Lucario is very strong."
"In fact, with your current strength, you're fully qualified to earn the Rustboro Gym badge."
"But I know that you and your Lucario want more than just a badge."
"So, I brought out my main Pokémon!"
These words not only answered the questions in the crowd but also revealed Roxanne's resolve — she didn't just see this match as a competition but as a challenge to push the limits of herself and her opponent.
Alex smiled gently, his face calm as usual, unaffected by the praise or the crowd's attention. He answered formally but sincerely:
"It would be a great honor to have Gym Leader Roxanne use her main Pokémon."
In Alex's heart, the goal wasn't simply to claim the Rustboro badge but to help Lucario understand its true strength.
Although Probopass was six levels higher than Lucario, battle tactics weren't just about numbers.
Type matchups, quick trainer responses, precise commands, and Pokémon coordination were the true deciding factors.
A battle couldn't be judged by a simple number or ranking.
"Then let's begin!" Roxanne smiled, her beautiful eyes shining with seriousness that couldn't be mistaken.
It had been a long time since she faced an opponent as strong as Alex, and that alone pushed her to fight her best.
"Of course." Alex nodded, his smile also holding readiness and determination.
The audience showed admiration when they saw Alex boldly facing Roxanne's main Pokémon, calmly and confidently stepping into the battle.
"Truly worth the wait!" Cheers and excited commentary rang out everywhere.
A younger fan excitedly said:
"If Gym Leader Roxanne uses Probopass when I challenge her, no matter how strong my Aron is or how good my tactics are, I won't be able to win."
"The power of Probopass completely overwhelms my Aron!"
May, standing nearby among the crowd, clearly felt the strong aura radiating from Probopass. Her small hands clenched tightly, eyes full of worry and silently cheering for Alex. In her heart, this battle was not just a showdown of powerful Pokémon but a display of willpower, intelligence, and perfect coordination between trainer and Pokémon.