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From the moment the two Arboks saw each other, sparks flew. If Liam and Agatha hadn't been present, they probably would've started fighting on the spot.
"Seems like your Arbok is fired up too. Then let me explain the battle rules… Pretty simple—our Arboks will fight freely, without our interference. Let's see which one's stronger. After the battle, you can ask your Arbok whether it's willing to train with me."
Agatha laid out the terms in a cold voice. Liam hadn't even agreed yet when Arbok—Liam's Arbok—suddenly nudged him gently aside with its head.
"Chaa!"
"Uh… You want to fight too, Arbok? Alright then. Go ahead and give it your all. Your opponent's strong, so do your best."
Nudged away, Liam met the determined gaze of Arbok and immediately understood its eagerness. So, without stopping it, he stepped aside with Professor Oak, watching silently as the two Arboks faced off.
"Good. I like that fighting spirit. Let's begin."
Agatha nodded in satisfaction, then reached out to press the strange pattern on her Arbok's chest. As her fingers rubbed the symbol, the pattern on her Arbok's chest rapidly began to change...
"Chaarbok!"
With the change complete, Agatha's Arbok let out a fierce roar and slithered toward Liam's Arbok.
"So this is Agatha's Pattern Change Technique? Seeing it in person is really something… but I wonder what exactly this new pattern boosts?"
Liam frowned slightly, worried for Arbok. But there was nothing he could do—he simply kept his eyes fixed on the battle between the two mismatched Arboks.
"Huh? Liam? What's going on here?"
Just then, Delia came running over in a long engagement dress, clinging to Liam's arm with a curious expression.
"Heh, so you chose her in the end. Typical… Men really do go for the sweet, obedient types."
Agatha smirked as she glanced at Delia, her tone laced with sarcasm as she addressed Professor Oak.
"Ahem… They've started! Let's focus on the battle."
Caught in the crossfire, Professor Oak gave a nervous cough and quickly pointed at the two dueling Arboks to redirect everyone's attention.
"Chaarbok!!"
Just as Oak spoke, Liam's Arbok launched the first strike.
Opening its massive jaws, crackling sparks surged inside as four Thunder Fangs formed and snapped fiercely toward Agatha's Arbok.
"Hiss~"
Agatha's Arbok gave a disappointed hiss. As the Thunder Fang attack closed in, its body twisted—then, the moment Arbok struck, its target was torn apart like mist.
It was an illusion!
The real Arbok had already flanked Liam's Arbok from the left. In the next instant, it opened its jaws wide and drenched Arbok in a thick spray of Acid.
"Chaarbok!!"
Caught off guard, Liam's Arbok growled furiously. The Acid didn't deal much damage, but the searing pain was hard to ignore. Even before the Thunder Fang had fully dissipated, it turned its head, gathered another charge, and lunged again.
"Chaa!"
But once again, Agatha's Arbok was too fast. It dodged effortlessly and retaliated with another jet of Acid.
"Damn… That speed. So that's what Agatha boosted…"
Liam sucked in a breath. It was clear now: Agatha had enhanced her Arbok's speed. That's why it was able to dodge with such insane agility. He furrowed his brow, concern growing for his own Arbok.
"Chaarbok!!"
Miss after miss, splashed again and again with searing Acid, Liam's Arbok was at its limit. Its rage peaked as it roared in frustration. Its thick tail suddenly gleamed with a metallic sheen—Iron Tail—as it swept in a wide arc, trying to catch its opponent with a broader strike zone.
"Chaaa!"
But Agatha's Arbok dodged again, easily avoiding the attack. Then it opened its mouth wide, throat bulging—and let out a loud Belch. Propelled by a sticky fluid, a nearly-rotten berry shot out like a cannonball and slammed into Liam's Arbok.
With a cry of pain, Arbok was flung backward, crashing hard into the ground.
After repeated hits from Acid, some of which had lowered Arbok's special defense, the powerful special attack from Belch proved too much. Arbok lay sprawled and unmoving.
Agatha's Arbok didn't hesitate. Twisting its body, it reappeared beside Arbok in a flash. Its gaping maw began to glow with a dark energy, poised to strike the downed opponent.
"Stop!!"
"That's enough!"
Liam and Agatha's voices rang out in unison.
"Chaa…"
Hearing its trainer's command, Agatha's Arbok slowly closed its jaws, lifting its head and slithering back to her side without complaint.
"Arbok? Are you okay?"
Liam rushed to his Arbok's side. The Pokemon looked a little downcast.
"Chaaa…"
Arbok looked at him for a brief second before its eyes flashed with guilt. Then it suddenly buried its head into the dirt, leaving the rest of its body sticking out—clearly too ashamed to face anyone.
"Hah… You…"
Liam couldn't help but laugh. He reached out and gently tapped Arbok's back.
"Come on out already. Let's see if you still dare underestimate your opponent next time."
"Chaarbok…"
The only response came as a muffled growl from under the earth.
Seeing that Arbok still wouldn't budge, Liam frowned. He turned to Agatha, thought for a moment, then crouched down and spoke in a mock-stern voice.
"Now you see you're not the strongest. It's time to train hard and get stronger. What kind of look is that—head in the dirt? Come on. Get up. I'm leaving your Pokeball here so go train with Granny Agatha. When you're strong enough to beat her Arbok, I promise you you'll be the strongest Arbok in the world."
With that, Liam placed Arbok's PokeBall beside it, then stood up and nodded slightly at Agatha, silently mouthing, "I'll leave it to you." He quickly pulled Delia away and left the backyard of the lab.
"Chaaa? Chaarbok!!"
Still buried underground, Arbok could feel the tremors of retreating footsteps. As the sound of Liam's steps grew fainter and those words echoed in its mind, Arbok suddenly burst from the soil.
It glanced around—but Liam was already gone. Then it looked down at the PokeBall lying beside it.
"Chaaa…"
With a low, hoarse growl, its expression sank further.
Off to the side, Agatha turned to Professor Oak, dark lines forming on her face.
"Granny?! Do I look that old to you?!"
Professor Oak: "..." 'Why do I keep on catching strays today!'