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"Dodge it, Larvitar! Dig into the ground and hide!"
"Larvi!"
Facing the incoming Flamethrower, Larvitar instantly reacted to the command—performing a sudden dive right into the hole Steelix had just dug!
"What! When did it run to that spot?! Damn it! Magcargo, use Earth Power! Shake it out of the ground!"
As soon as Larvitar disappeared into the earth, Max's expression shifted slightly, and he quickly ordered Magcargo to force it back out.
"Maaaa!"
At the command, Magcargo let out a cry, then suddenly sprang upward. The jump wasn't very high, but its magma-like body slammed heavily into the ground as it landed. A surge of earthen-yellow energy exploded out from beneath it, rapidly spreading in all directions.
"Larvitar!!"
The Earth Power clearly had an effect—an anguished cry rang out from underground, and Larvitar was forced out by the tremor, shooting up into the sky before crashing down again.
"Now, Magcargo! Use Flamethrower!"
Seeing Larvitar airborne, Max knew this was the perfect opportunity. Without hesitation, he gave the follow-up command.
"Maaa!!"
Magcargo's cheeks swelled again, and a torrent of scorching flames roared from its mouth, surging straight toward the helpless Larvitar in midair.
"Stay calm, Larvitar! Use Protect!"
Unfazed, Liam issued his counter-command.
"Larvitar!"
At once, Larvitar steadied itself mid-fall, its little arms crossed before its chest. A light-blue barrier shimmered into existence, wrapping it in a protective shield.
BOOM—!
The fireball exploded, shrouding the air in thick, black smoke. But when Larvitar fell back to the ground, it was completely unharmed, still hopping excitedly.
"Impressive… so this Larvitar actually knows Protect. Did it learn that from a TM? To pull it off in such a situation… this Larvitar's potential is outstanding."
From the referee's stand, Howard muttered his admiration as Larvitar reappeared.
"Alright, Larvitar—it's time to get serious. Let's go on the offensive! Use Screech!"
Liam smiled faintly, first plugging his ears with both fingers before calling the order.
Larvitar immediately stopped hopping, spun toward Magcargo, inhaled sharply, and let out a piercing cry.
"Larvi… TARRR!!!"
In an instant, the world seemed to lose all other sound. That indescribable screech drilled into everyone's ears—except Liam's.
"Ahhh! My ears!!"
For some reason, Larvitar's Screech was far more powerful than most other Pokémon's. Though it didn't cause direct damage, the auditory and mental torment was overwhelming. Almost instantly, everyone on the field—including Max—was forced to clamp their hands over their ears.
"Maaaa!!"
Magcargo writhed frantically under the sonic assault. Being a mollusk, it had no hands to block its ears—not that anyone could even tell where its ears were. But it clearly felt the torture, rolling its eyes back before retreating fully into its shell, like a turtle.
"Now, Larvitar! Use Hidden Power!"
Still covering his ears, Liam's eyes flashed as Magcargo withdrew. He had clearly been waiting for this exact moment.
Larvitar instantly stopped screeching, crossed its little claws, and summoned clusters of earthen-yellow orbs that began to circle its body, condensing a fierce energy.
The moment the noise ceased, everyone—including Magcargo—froze. Tears welled up in their eyes as they realized how blissful silence was.
Then—
"Larvi… TARR!!"
With a cry, Larvitar released its gathered power. Countless yellow orbs burst outward, unleashing a column of ground-type energy that blasted across the battlefield and slammed directly into the shell-encased Magcargo.
BOOOOM!!
The explosion shook the arena, earthen dust erupting like tidal waves that rippled outward. All eyes locked on the epicenter.
"Magcargo!!"
Only after the detonation did Max snap out of the lingering daze from Screech. His face darkened as dust billowed past him.
"Maa...…"
When the dust finally cleared, Magcargo lay sprawled on the ground, eyes spinning helplessly—it was done for.
"Magcargo is unable to battle! Larvitar wins! … Ugh, my ears…"
Howard jammed his fingers in his ears, wincing in pain as he announced the result. He eyed Liam and Larvitar with a mixture of respect and dread.
"Ha! We won! Great job, Larvitar!"
"Larr~! Larvitar~!"
Ignoring the furious glares of the audience, Liam ran to his partner, scooping up its little claws and bouncing in joy.
"Rest now, Magcargo… you fought well."
"Maa…"
Max smiled faintly as he recalled Magcargo, softly consoling it. Then, reaching to his neck, he tugged off a chain that held a small PokeBall.
"That was a thrilling match, Liam. Your strength is truly impressive. But now… I'll fight at full power. I'll show you the strength I built together with my father! Come forth, Charizard—show them your might!!"
With burning confidence in his eyes, Max tossed the PokeBall.
"ROAARRR!!"
The Charizard gifted by Professor Oak—raised carefully by Max since then—appeared in a blaze of fire. Its bulk was clearly larger than most of its kind. Its wings spread wide, kicking up a violent gale.
Liam's brows furrowed the moment Charizard appeared—not from its overwhelming presence, but because he noticed something else.
Across its chest ran a savage scar, stretching from its left shoulder down to its right flank. It was clearly a near-fatal wound. Yet Liam distinctly remembered—when Max had first set out, Charizard's body had been unscarred.
And when Max's shirt collar shifted as he drew the necklace, Liam caught a glimpse of a nearly identical scar on his chest.
"Max… just what have you been through…?"
Though Liam's face stayed calm, inside his heart raged a storm of fury—an uncontrollable anger now burning fiercely.