The massive storm clouds above had built up too much electrical energy. Lightning struck the battlefield again and again in a wild cascade, forcing Rex and Elesa to momentarily lose sight of what was happening within the arena.
Eventually, the last bolt fell. The clouds began to disperse, and the arena finally came back into view.
To Rex's surprise, Mega Ampharos had crash-landed on the ground. The dragon-electric Pokémon was visibly dazed, teetering unsteadily like it was dizzy from a punch-drunk spin.
Thankfully, Ampharos shook its head violently and managed to steady itself.
It was then that Rex saw the source—Machamp had landed a direct hit with its Dynamic Punch, leaving Ampharos confused.
But when Machamp emerged into view… Rex's heart sank.
His Pokémon was scorched black, its body still flickering with residual static. One of its four arms looked completely charred, like a burned log still smoking faintly.
Even with its inhuman toughness, Machamp had dropped into a crouch, breathing heavily, soaked in sweat and spasming with electrical aftershocks.
Rex didn't need to guess what had happened.
Machamp had taken the full brunt of that devastating Thunder. It had used its left arm as a lightning rod—absorbing most of the voltage—just long enough to deliver its explosive counterattack.
Most Pokémon would've fainted instantly.
Machamp had endured.
"Rex," Elesa said gently, frowning as she eyed Machamp's state. "Are you sure you want to keep going?"
Mega Ampharos was battered, yes, but still standing. Machamp, on the other hand, looked barely conscious.
Rex turned to his Pokémon. "What do you say? Can you keep fighting?"
Machamp slowly raised its burnt hand… and gave a thumbs-up, flashing a fierce, defiant grin.
He was still in it.
"In that case—Ampharos, Thunderbolt!"
Elesa didn't waste time. With Mega Evolution's timer ticking, she called for the finisher.
"Machamp, Earthquake!"
Rex responded in kind. Ampharos was grounded now—the perfect opportunity.
Machamp stomped down with all its strength. The entire field shook violently, cracks splitting the ground as shockwaves tore through the terrain.
Electric arcs answered in kind. Thunderbolt slammed into Machamp once again, and it cried out, frozen briefly as paralysis kicked in.
But the damage was done—Ampharos staggered from the seismic blow, nearly falling over.
"Machamp, now! Close in and go all-out—Superpower!"
Rex saw his chance. Machamp's Guts ability had activated the moment paralysis set in. It was burning with raw offensive power.
If it could land one more hit…
"Ampharos, Dragon Pulse!"
Elesa wasn't backing down. With retreat impossible, she called for a final clash.
A glowing spectral dragon surged from Ampharos's mouth, roaring toward Machamp.
But the Fighting-type didn't flinch. It braced its core, arms wide—and took the full impact to the chest.
The pain blurred its vision.
But Machamp didn't stop.
Fueled by instinct and sheer will, it pushed through the blast, broke the beam… and arrived right in front of Ampharos.
With everything it had left, it reeled back and struck.
One punch.
A booming, concussive shockwave erupted from the impact, sending Mega Ampharos flying backward like a ragdoll. It skipped across the ground before tumbling to a stop.
Machamp crumpled immediately after, finally collapsing, unconscious… but smiling.
Even in defeat, it had landed the last blow.
Across the field, Mega Ampharos struggled to stand. Then—flash—it reverted to its base form. Still conscious, just barely.
The match was over.
"Machamp is unable to battle—Ampharos wins!" Mira called out after a long pause, her voice shaking.
She looked like she hadn't breathed in minutes.
Elesa glanced over at Rex. "That's enough. Let's call it here."
Even though Rex still had one more Pokémon, and Elesa technically had none ready to battle, she didn't need to see more. Ampharos wouldn't last another round.
"I lost this one," she admitted with a wry smile. "But that was the best battle I've had in ages. Let's do it again sometime."
Rex nodded, still in the moment. "Same here. That was… incredible."
After exchanging a few more words, Rex said his goodbyes and left Nimbasa Gym.
His team had taken a beating. All three of his Pokémon were injured—badly. He needed to treat them immediately.
But something told him this match would mark a turning point.
A battle like that? It always left something behind.
Rex was sure—once they recovered, Machamp and the others would be even stronger than before.
(End of Chapter)