As Juan's words fell, the air in the training room seemed to grow heavy.
An unofficial battle?
Ariel looked into Juan's blue eyes, which seemed to contain the entire ocean, and read a hint of inquiry, a flicker of battle intent, and a pure curiosity that belonged to a master.
This was not a provocation, but the most direct invitation from a senior to a junior who had piqued his interest.
"Very well."
Ariel didn't waste any words and accepted cleanly and decisively.
Battling against a strong opponent was something he had always craved.
Juan flipped his wrist, spun a Poké Ball half a turn on his fingertips, and tossed it steadily.
A red light flashed, and a powerful Feraligatr with bulging muscles appeared in the center of the field.
Its body was blue, with a cream-colored lower jaw and abdomen, and bright red jagged fins on its back and head. Its thick tail slapped the ground powerfully, creating a dull thud.
Superior Level!
Ariel instantly saw through the Feraligatr's strength. It was a well-trained Superior Level Pokémon, with a steady aura and an imposing sense of pressure.
"This is a Pokémon raised in our Gym," Juan introduced, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable confidence.
Ariel nodded and reached back toward his waist.
Since the opponent was using a Superior Level, the most suitable choice on his side would be...
"Go, Krookodile!"
The Poké Ball opened, and a dark red figure darted out, landing steadily.
It was a Pokémon with a slender build, full of explosive power.
Its dark red skin was adorned with black stripes. Most striking were its eyes, covered by a dark membrane like a pair of natural sunglasses, exuding an unruly, bandit-like air.
Peak Superior Level!
The moment Krookodile appeared, its powerful aura—just one step away from entering the Gym Leader Level—collided violently with Feraligatr's steady presence.
The air in the training room seemed to be stirred by an invisible force. Even Deino and Larvitar, who were playing on the side, felt the pressure, unconsciously stopping their movements and looking over nervously.
Juan's gaze lingered on Krookodile for a moment. Deep within his calm eyes, there was a subtle ripple for the first time.
"Ground and Dark-type... I have the advantage in attributes," he said, stating it like a fact.
"But a battle is not just a game of attributes," Ariel replied.
The corners of Juan's mouth lifted imperceptibly; he seemed satisfied with the answer.
"Then, I will attack first."
Before the words had even faded, the command was issued.
"Feraligatr, Aqua Jet!"
At the command, Feraligatr pushed off hard with its feet. Its body was enveloped by a rapid current, turning into a blue water arrow that shot straight toward Krookodile at a speed difficult for the naked eye to track!
So fast!
Ariel felt a shiver in his heart. Was this the command level of a top-tier Gym Leader?
A simple priority move, yet executed with an oppressive pressure far exceeding the same level.
But his reaction was not slow either.
"Dodge, Sandstorm!"
Without choosing to clash head-on, Ariel's command was exceptionally clear.
Krookodile's seemingly cumbersome body displayed astonishing agility at this moment.
It simply shifted a small step to the left, tapped its toes lightly on the ground, and its entire body slid away like a phantom.
Whoosh!
The blue water arrow grazed past Krookodile's body, the resulting gale causing the skin on its body to ripple slightly.
Simultaneously, Krookodile opened its large mouth, and a murky yellow current of air spewed out, instantly sweeping across the entire field!
The howling Sandstorm obscured vision. Countless tiny grains of sand flew through the air, making a rustling sound. The environment of the entire training room was changed in an instant.
"Using Sandstorm to restrict my vision and Feraligatr's movements? A very clever choice."
Juan's voice rang out within the Sandstorm, still calm.
"However, it is not enough."
"Feraligatr, Surf!"
Ariel's pupils constricted slightly.
Surf?
Using Surf in an indoor field?
The next second, he understood Juan's intention.
In the middle of the Sandstorm, a massive surge of Water-type energy suddenly erupted. A giant wave generated out of thin air, sweeping toward all directions with overwhelming force!
This wave was not for attacking, but for—clearing the field!
The murky Sandstorm was washed away by the giant wave, instantly suppressed and dissipated. The field became wet, and the air was filled with thick water vapor.
Krookodile's Sandstorm ability was easily broken by Juan with a single Surf move!
Moreover, the slippery ground restricted Krookodile's movement to a certain extent, instead creating a favorable environment for the Water-type Feraligatr.
What a move for environmental control!
Ariel inwardly praised. This Gym Leader of the Sootopolis Gym truly had an understanding and application of Water-type Pokémon that had reached a masterful level.
"Ice Fang!"
Juan's command didn't pause for a second, one link after another.
Feraligatr roared, its thick legs pushing off the slippery ground. It opened its massive mouth, its white teeth covered in a layer of bone-chilling frost, aiming straight for Krookodile's neck!
As a Ground-type, Krookodile was doubly weak to Ice!
If this hit landed, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Juan's eyes were very calm. In his view, under the advantageous environment he had created, this strike was something Ariel would find hard to counter.
However, there was not the slightest panic on Ariel's face.
His voice was even steadier than before the Sandstorm was broken.
"Dig."
Two simple words.
Just as Feraligatr's icy, gleaming Ice Fang was about to touch Krookodile, Krookodile's figure abruptly vanished from the spot.
Boom!
Feraligatr's massive jaws snapped shut fiercely but bit into nothing, its teeth colliding with a harsh clatter.
The ground beneath its feet was left with only a bottomless pit.
Juan's brow finally twitched slightly.
He immediately realized something was wrong.
"Feraligatr, watch your feet, use Superpower!"
However, it was too late.
Ariel's voice rang out almost simultaneously with his command, but it carried a tone of finality.
"Now, Crunch!"
Bang!
The ground beneath Feraligatr exploded. Krookodile's arrogant figure, wearing its sunglasses, burst from the earth—not from directly below, but from an incredibly tricky angle, appearing at Feraligatr's side and rear!
This was an absolute blind spot!
Feraligatr couldn't turn around in time; it could only feel a terrifying, immense force striking its side.
"Snap!"
That was the sound of bones groaning under the immense force.
Krookodile's gaping maw clamped tightly onto Feraligatr's waist, Dark-type energy gathering on its teeth, madly eroding the opponent's body.
"Roar—!"
Feraligatr let out an agonizing roar. Its massive body was flung away by Krookodile's terrifying biting force, slamming heavily into the wall of the training room with a loud crash, then sliding helplessly to the ground, twitching twice before completely losing the ability to battle.
One-Hit Knockout!
From Dig to Crunch, the entire process was fluid, so fast it was suffocating!
Ariel looked at his masterpiece, feeling a rush of exhilaration in his heart.
This was his Krookodile!
Speed, power, and that cunning and ferocity hidden in its bones!
Juan looked at the fallen Feraligatr, silent for a full few seconds.
On his calm face, a crack finally appeared.
It was not pure shock, but a complex expression mixed with surprise, confusion, and admiration.
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