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"Now's the time, Magcargo! Shell Smash!"
"What!!"
With Max's sudden command, the entire arena was shaken in an instant.
"Maaaa!!"
At that very moment, the panicked Magcargo, who had been plummeting from the sky and was about to be struck by Steelix, suddenly froze. Its eyes gleamed, and its whole body flared with a crimson light.
"Maaaa!!"
A roar followed. A shattering sound like porcelain breaking echoed through the air as Magcargo's shell suddenly cracked apart, exploding into countless fragments that scattered around. What remained was its molten-red body, flowing like living lava.
"Roarr!!"
Though Steelix was startled by the sudden transformation, in this critical moment it couldn't hesitate. It pushed forward with full momentum, its massive body barreling ahead with unstoppable force!
"Maaaa!!"
But the shocking twist came when Steelix was about to collide. Magcargo's falling body morphed, becoming half-liquid like molten clay. The impact dispersed harmlessly, and Magcargo wrapped itself around Steelix's head and body like searing magma!
"Rooarr!!"
The instant it was enveloped, Steelix let out a pained roar. Legends say Magcargo's body temperature is unimaginably high—and now Steelix was completely wrapped in it, the burning agony was undeniable.
"Steelix! Hang in there! Shake it off with Gyro Ball!"
Even Liam was momentarily stunned by this strange tactic—he had never seen a Magcargo used this way before. But Steelix's cries quickly snapped him back. Frowning deeply, he issued a rapid command.
"Rooarr!!"
Gritting its teeth through the pain, Steelix began spinning its enormous body, whipping up a violent storm of wind.
"Don't let it go, Magcargo! Use Heat Wave!"
Seizing the chance, Max didn't hesitate.
"Maaaa!!"
Clinging tightly to Steelix, Magcargo's body boiled violently. Huge magma bubbles formed and burst one after another, releasing waves of scorching hot wind. The heat storm engulfed both itself and Steelix completely!
"Rooarr!!"
Thud!
Within the suffocating flames and heat, Steelix finally collapsed with a roar, crashing heavily into the ground and raising a cloud of dust.
"Steelix is unable to battle! Magcargo wins! What a spectacular match!"
Despite the dust, Mr. Howard saw clearly enough to make the ruling. Seeing Steelix's swirly eyes, he praised Max aloud.
"Steelix!!"
Liam rushed over, watching Magcargo slide off Steelix's scorched body. His face was heavy with guilt.
"I'm so sorry, Steelix. I underestimated the opponent and made you suffer. Here, a Rawst Berry—it'll heal the burns. Eat quickly."
He stroked Steelix's head, gently placing a pale blue Berry into its mouth.
"Rooar…"
Swallowing the Berry, Steelix's burns slowly eased, and it let out a faint rumble, almost as if comforting its trainer instead.
"Heh… you're a tough one. Alright, rest now. You've worked hard."
"Rooarr…"
With a small smile, Liam returned Steelix to its PokeBall. Then he rose, turned back toward Max and his Magcargo—its shell had already regenerated..
"I've heard that Magcargo's shell is just cooled, hardened magma. Looks like that's true. Impressive, Max. You really surprised me."
Max smiled back.
"As long as I managed to surprise you, that means this battle's worth it. But I'm greedy—I don't just want to surprise you. I'll only be satisfied when I beat you and go home for a good night's sleep."
"Heh!"
He pulled a PokeBall from behind his back, tossed it forward.
"Then you'd better prepare for a nightmare tonight! Go, Larvitar! It's your time to shine!"
"Larvitar!"
A flash of light revealed a green Larvitar, bouncing happily on the battlefield.
"A Rock-and-Ground type Larvitar, huh? That's not a good matchup for us… but no matter what, we won't give up! Mr. Howard, please begin!"
Though Max frowned slightly at the type disadvantage, he quickly brushed it off. He already knew from the last two battles that typing doesn't dictate everything. His face lit with excitement as he urged the referee.
"Alright, alright. Don't be so impatient, young man." Howard raised his hands. "Magcargo versus Larvitar—battle begin!"
"Go for it, both of you!"
"Yeah! That last match was amazing—keep it up!"
The crowd, thrilled by the previous battle, erupted into cheers, their enthusiasm spilling over into this next round.
"Haha! Larvitar! You hear them cheering for us? Don't you dare lose! Charge forward!"
The roaring support ignited Liam's blood, reminding him of his battles on the Indigo Plateau years ago.
"Larvi! Larvitar!!"
Fired up, Larvitar charged ahead, its little legs kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Good! Magcargo, let's not let them look down on us—use Flamethrower!"
"Maaa!!"
With a fierce cry, Magcargo opened its mouth and unleashed a raging torrent of fire, the blazing stream rushing straight toward the charging Larvitar!