Silas immediately recalled Tropius to her PokéBall.
"Take a breather."
He reached for another ball.
"Espeon, you're back in."
Light flashed across the arena as Espeon gracefully landed in front of him.
"Don't worry boss. I'll handle these sentient pebbles no problem."
"Stay focused, those same rocks could knock you out if you aren't careful."
"So what you're saying is, if I am careful I can talk as much as I want."
Silas rolled his eyes but indulged his Pokémon.
"Sure, just take battling seriously please."
Flint was fully engaged in the battle now.
Whatever casual attitude he had possessed at the beginning was gone.
"Aggron, use Rock Polish!"
Aggron's body began to shine.
The rough surface of its steel armor seemed to become smoother as it moved, reducing resistance and increasing its speed.
Silas reacted immediately.
"Espeon, use Work Up. Watch Aagron carefully."
Espeon stomped firmly against the ground.
A red aura surrounded her body as both her physical and special offensive power increased.
Flint didn't give her any more time.
"Aggron, use Heavy Slam!"
Aggron charged.
Its enormous metallic body accelerated toward Espeon with frightening momentum. It was like a living freight train.
Silas' eyes narrowed.
"Espeon, use Psychic on yourself to increase your physical attributes."
Psychic energy surrounded Espeon's body.
It reinforced her muscles and movements, helping her push beyond her ordinary physical capabilities.
It also allowed for an increased reaction time since the psychic power encompassed her entire body so it was like each part communicated instantly with each other.
Silas immediately followed with another command.
"Now meet Aggron head-on with Iron Tail!"
Espeon rushed forward.
Her tail glowed brightly with Steel type energy while psychic power continued covering the rest of her body.
Neither Pokémon backed down.
They collided.
BOOM!
The deafening impact echoed throughout the arena loudly enough that Silas' ears actually hurt.
Despite Work Up and psychic power reinforcement, Iron Tail wasn't strong enough to repel Aagron, not even close
Espeon couldn't overcome Aggron's overwhelming physical power and weight.
She was forced backward.
However, the difference wasn't nearly as large as Flint expected.
Espeon flipped through the air while retreating.
Her forehead gem suddenly flashed.
A concentrated blast of blue electricity erupted from it. The attack struck Aggron before it could move away.
Electricity immediately crawled across its metallic body.
Aggron growled in frustration.
Then, a few seconds later, another crackle of blue energy appeared.
Silas smiled.
"Espeon, show your heart. All that smack you were talking before, let's see you back it up with actions. Use Iron Tail and Double Kick nonstop!"
Espeon's body was once again covered in psychic energy.
She rushed toward Aggron.
Flint burst out laughing.
"Hahahahaha! I love it!"
He pointed forward.
"You think a little paralysis will be enough for Espeon to overcome Aggron in a physical confrontation?"
Aggron roared.
"Aggron, use Dragon Rush and Iron Head together!"
Draconic energy erupted around Aggron's massive frame.
At the same time, metallic power concentrated around its head.
The combination transformed it into a charging battering ram.
Espeon attacked fearlessly.
Iron Tail, then Double Kick, and Iron Tail again.
The first clash shook the arena.
Espeon held.
The second finally overwhelmed her but Espeon wasn't out of the fight.
She kept lunging using Double Kick then striking using Iron Tail.
Aagron switched to Metal Claw and the 2 engaged in a fierce melee. Aagron's strength advantage and experience in close quarters soon began to show. After a few exchanges, Aagron completely suppressed Espeon.
Aggron smashed through her defenses and grabbed her with Metal Claw.
He slammed her into the ground then used Heavy Slam, deeply embedding Espeon into the Ground.
She was out cold inside the crater.
Silas immediately raised her Poké Ball and red light shot from the ball.
"You fought well, definitely worthy of respect. You kept your word to me. Take a long rest and let Tropius finish this for you."
Silas threw Tropius' Poké Ball.
She returned to the battlefield.
Flint looked between the exhausted Aggron and Tropius.
Silas wasted no time.
"Tropius, combine Dragon Pulse and Energy Ball!"
Dragon type energy and Grass type energy gathered simultaneously.
The 2 energies twisted together before condensing into a dense sphere in front of Tropius and then she fired.
The projectile tore across the battlefield.
"Aggron, Iron Tail!"
Aggron turned.
Its tail glowed metallic silver before smashing into the incoming combination attack.
For a moment, it appeared Aggron had knocked it away but then the unstable energies reacted.
BOOM!
The attack exploded directly in front of Aggron.
Smoke and energy engulfed its body.
Silas immediately pressed the advantage.
"Tropius, use Giga Drain!"
Several green tendrils of energy shot from Tropius.
They wrapped around Aggron's body and a strange green light began flowing through them.
Aggron's energy was visibly being siphoned away and transferred into Tropius.
Flint reacted quickly.
"Aggron, use Ice Beam!"
Silas' expression changed.
Ice type energy gathered around Aggron. Against Tropius, an Ice type attack was extremely dangerous.
Tropius immediately abandoned Giga Drain.
She pulled away just as Ice Beam tore through the space she had occupied.
The attack had forced him to stop his attack but Giga Drain had already accomplished its purpose.
Tropius regained some of the energy she had lost.
Aggron had lost more.
Flint immediately went on the offensive.
"Aggron, use Ice Punch and Mega Kick together!"
Silas' eyes widened.
Aggron moved.
It disappeared under the sheer shock of Silas and Espeon.
"Was that my Mega Shift technique? How could he have it?"
Silas watched in disbelief.
Aggron didn't possess anywhere near Infernape's mastery of the movement technique but it was still effective.
Aggron appeared directly in front of Tropius.
Ice covered one fist as he swung it. The punch landed cleanly right on Tropius' face.
Tropius was launched backward.
Her large body slammed into the arena wall with a loud thud.
Flint didn't let up.
"Now wrap this up with Stone Edge!"
Sharp stones erupted from the battlefield.
"Tropius!"
Silas' voice cut through the arena.
"You need to fly up right now! Dig deep!"
Tropius forced her battered body to respond.
Her wings moved.
She lifted from the ground just before the first Stone Edge pierced the area beneath her.
More sharp stones followed, trying to skewer his Pokémon in the sky. Tropius twisted through the air.
"Tropius, use Dragon Dance as you dodge!"
Draconic energy began flowing around her body as she maneuvered between the flying stones.
One passed beneath her. Another scraped dangerously close to her side.
She climbed higher and continued the rhythmic movements of Dragon Dance throughout.
Eventually, the barrage stopped. Tropius finished Dragon Dance as well. Her physical power and speed had increased. She hovered in the air and stared menacingly at Aggron.
Aggron stared back.
Neither Pokémon looked willing to retreat.
Flint smiled.
"It seems your Tropius wants a decisive fight."
Silas grinned.
"Why do you think I used Dragon Dance?"
Tropius roared.
"Combine Outrage and Leaf Blade!"
Draconic energy erupted around Tropius. Her eyes took on a savage intensity. At the same time, Grass type energy coated the sharp edges of her wings.
Flint responded immediately.
"Aggron, use Dragon Rush and Heavy Slam together!"
Aggron's body became enveloped in draconic energy.
Its immense weight and metallic body added even more force to Heavy Slam.
Both Pokémon charged.
Neither hesitated.
Tropius and Aggron collided in the center of the battlefield.
BOOM!
The first clash sent a shockwave throughout the arena.
Tropius twisted and struck with Leaf Blade.
The sharpened edge left a visible cut across Aggron's armor.
Aggron responded by smashing its body into Tropius.
A bruise formed beneath her hide.
They separated but soon charged again.
They clashed again and again with neither side gaining an advantage.
Leaves and dust scattered across the arena.
Aggron's armor gradually accumulated several visible cuts.
Tropius' body accumulated bruises. Neither Pokémon wanted to give in.
Silas watched closely.
Then he noticed something dangerous.
The draconic energy surrounding Tropius was beginning to fade.
Outrage was nearing its end.
That meant confusion would follow.
Aggron wasn't in good condition either, but Silas knew what would happen if the fight continued.
The moment Tropius became confused, Aggron would finish her.
Flint evidently noticed the opening too.
"Aggron!"
The Steel type gathered the remnants of its power.
Dragon Rush and Heavy Slam was its best bet.
Aggron shot forward.
Silas clenched his fist.
"Tropius, use everything you have with this next attack!"
Tropius roared.
The remaining draconic energy around her body flared violently.
Grass type energy surged along her wings.
Both Pokémon committed everything.
They finally collided creating a massive shockwave. The explosion swallowed the center of the arena.
Silas raised an arm to protect his face.
Flint stared into the cloud.
For several seconds, neither could see anything.
Then the smoke slowly cleared.
Silas lowered his arm.
Aggron lay unconscious. Tropius was unconscious too.
The 2 Pokémon had collapsed on top of one another in the center of the battlefield.
It was a draw.
Silas exhaled.
Flint began laughing.
"Hahahaha!"
His laughter echoed throughout the arena.
"Wow!"
Flint walked forward.
"Silas Cross, you are the first person in a while to get me this excited during a battle."
Silas smiled.
Flint reached into his clothing and produced a badge.
"I deem you worthy of this."
The Boulder Badge.
Silas accepted it.
"Thank you."
He looked toward the unconscious Aggron.
"And thank you for teaching me how a tank Pokémon ought to battle."
Silas had learned more than he expected.
Aggron hadn't simply stood there absorbing attacks.
Flint had used its weight, durability, momentum, defensive typing, and surprising bursts of movement offensively.
"I learned a lot today."
Flint smiled.
"No problem."
Then he sighed.
"I wish I could give you the Rock Tomb TM too, but you have to actually win for that."
Flint pointed toward the 2 unconscious Pokémon.
"Not tie."
Silas laughed.
"No worries."
He recalled Tropius.
"Next time I come back, I want you to use your real team."
Flint stared at him.
Then laughed again.
"Hahahahaha!"
He shook his head.
"If I did that, your Pokémon would suffer."
Silas didn't respond.
He simply waved over his shoulder and left the gym.
He would remember those words.
With the Boulder Badge added to his collection, Silas felt quite good.
His next target would be Cerulean City.