"Rock Tomb!" Roxanne launched the first attack.
The magnetic field around Nosepass twisted, and several sharp rocks condensed out of thin air, whistling as they smashed toward Sandile.
"Stomping Tantrum!" Jiang Han's voice was steady.
Sandile didn't dodge. It suddenly lifted a foot and stomped down heavily!
Boom!
A visible shockwave spread out from it, shattering the incoming rocks into pieces.
Although some gravel still hit it, causing some damage, Nosepass was also affected by the vibration from the ground, its floating body swaying for a moment.
The level gap was clear; even with the type advantage, Sandile still suffered a slight loss in this exchange.
"Continue with Rock Tomb!" Roxanne seized the opportunity, planning to use her level advantage to maintain pressure.
More rocks condensed, cutting off Sandile's movement space.
"Now, use Dig!" Jiang Han's voice suddenly rang out.
Sandile arched its body and instantly burrowed into the hard rock field beneath its feet, leaving only a dark hole. The falling rocks all smashed into empty space.
The field fell silent, with only Nosepass warily turning its body, trying to catch any movement underground.
Roxanne's expression also became solemn.
The skill Dig not only avoids damage but also allows the next attack to appear from the opponent's blind spot, making it very tricky.
However, at that moment, a glimmer of a successful scheme flashed in Roxanne's eyes.
She was waiting for this exact opportunity!
She had predicted that Jiang Han would use Dig to avoid the attack and create an opening for a close-range strike.
Boom!
Sandile's figure suddenly burst out from the ground directly beneath Nosepass, opening its large mouth to bite down.
"Too naive!" Roxanne sneered inwardly. "Nosepass, press down with your weight directly below—Body Press!"
What?
Jiang Han's pupils constricted slightly.
Body Press? A Fighting-type move!
This Nosepass had actually learned a Fighting-type move through a Technical Machine?!
Nosepass's massive and hard body, carrying immense momentum, crashed down!
If this hit landed, given Sandile's fragile Special Defense and its type disadvantage, it would definitely be knocked out instantly!
A hint of a victorious smile already hung on the corner of Roxanne's mouth. She had absolute confidence in her judgment and this trump card of Nosepass.
The battle should be over.
Boom!
With a loud crash, the entire battlefield shook. Sandile had no time to dodge and was pinned firmly underneath Nosepass's heavy body, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The smile on Roxanne's face grew more confident; she was even ready to announce her victory speech.
However, the dust slowly cleared.
The expected scene of Sandile losing its ability to fight did not appear.
Its limbs were sunk deep into the ground, its entire body pinned down by Nosepass. It was trembling all over and covered in wounds.
But its crimson eyes, instead of losing their luster, were burning with an unprecedented, boiling battle intent!
It had actually withstood the blow!
The smile on Roxanne's face instantly froze.
"How... is that possible?"
Looking at the unyielding figure in the field, Jiang Han felt a lingering fear, but it was quickly replaced by wild joy.
As expected of a Superior pokémon that had received massive resources; its physical constitution had managed to endure the fatal blow!
His chance had come!
"Great job, Sandile!" Jiang Han's voice was cold and decisive, echoing through the Gym. "Now, give back all the pain you received, doubled!"
"Counter!"
Sandile, pinned below, let out an angry roar as a blinding surge of energy erupted from its body!
This energy seemed tangible, forcibly lifting the Nosepass pressing down on it for a split second.
That was the moment!
Sandile gathered all its strength, turning into a black bolt of lightning, carrying that destructive impact as it slammed hard into Nosepass!
Bang!
Nosepass was like a baseball hit with full force, flying backward and drawing a pathetic arc in the air.
It slammed heavily into the rock wall behind it and slid helplessly to the ground. The magnetic light on its large red nose completely went out, and its eyes turned into spirals.
"Nosepass is unable to battle! Therefore, the winner is the challenger, Jiang Han!"
The referee's voice, as he raised the flag high, pulled the stunned Roxanne back to reality.
She had lost.
And she had lost completely, even after her most confident trump card was countered and even exploited by the opponent.
Counter.
This kid actually had such a hidden move up his sleeve.
Jiang Han recalled his wounded but still fierce-eyed Sandile, his face showing an exhausted look of lingering fear.
He walked up to Roxanne, slightly out of breath:
"It was a fluke, just a fluke. If Sandile hadn't been lucky enough to endure that hit, it would be the one down right now. Gym Leader Roxanne's command was truly outstanding."
These words were spoken with extreme sincerity, and they were very pleasant for Roxanne to hear.
As a genius graduate of the Trainer School and the Gym Leader of Rustboro City, she had her own pride.
Jiang Han's humility undoubtedly gave her a perfect way to save face.
Roxanne took a deep breath, regaining her composure as a Gym Leader, and looked at Jiang Han seriously:
"No, a loss is a loss. Luck is also a part of strength. You and your pokémon are both excellent, Jiang Han."
She took out a badge carved with a rock pattern and handed it over solemnly.
"This is the Stone Badge, proof of your victory."
"Thank you, Gym Leader." Jiang Han took the badge. As the cold metallic texture reached him, the corner of his mouth curled up slightly at an angle no one noticed.
Roxanne looked at him, her fighting spirit reignited:
"I'll remember you, Jiang Han. When you become stronger in the future and collect all eight badges, I look forward to having a proper battle with you using my main lineup!"
"For sure." Jiang Han nodded and turned to leave.
To him, this badge was merely a stepping stone toward a higher goal. As for a rematch with Roxanne... who knew where he would be by then.
Jiang Han walked out of the Gym, the warm afternoon sun dispelling the chill from inside.
He casually stuffed the Stone Badge into his pocket. Compared to the 400 Team Rockets points he received last night, this thing felt more like a worthless bonus.
Just then, from the corner of his eye, he spotted two hurried League police officers walking quickly into the Gym's entrance.
The leading officer spoke with an anxious tone.
"Is Gym Leader Roxanne here? We suspect last night's bombing was the work of the Team Magma. We were wondering if you've found anything here?"
Jiang Han's pace didn't falter for a second, as if he hadn't heard the voice behind him.
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