With the Sandstorm dissipated, the "air" on the battlefield became relatively calm, and Cacturne took the opportunity to release Cotton Spore and take control of the field.
Underground, Mega Steelix still seemed to be recovering from the intense fatigue caused by Giga Drain, there hadn't been any movement for a while.
Sato was happy to let the battle rhythm slow down as well, giving Cacturne a brief moment to recover.
Thanks to Steelix's defenses, and Cacturne's Giga Drain, a battle that looked like it was about to end now had to keep going.
The back-and-forth struggle had the crowd unconsciously clenching their fists, holding their breath as they watched.
Suddenly, Cacturne sharply turned its head to the right!
…But at the same moment, the ground beneath it was lifted upward.
Whether Flint had somehow given Steelix a feint command underground, or if it was something trained into it long ago, the result was crystal clear.
Just that slight delay was enough for Cacturne to lose the initiative, and Steelix launched it directly into the air.
"Steelix, Fire Fang!"
"Cacturne, Sucker Punch."
Sucker Punch prioritized striking first. Thanks to the move's nature, Cacturne landed the hit first and used the recoil to leap back quickly.
But for Steelix, Cacturne's Sucker Punch barely hurt. Seeing its prey about to escape, Steelix didn't hesitate to go after it.
All it took was a stretch of its neck.
Crunch!
Fire Fang bit Cacturne's left arm, and fierce flames instantly spread along its body.
As Cacturne screamed in pain, unable to break free from the fiery grip, Sato reached for its Poké Ball, ready to recall it.
But right then!
Cacturne raised its right hand, spiraling golden energy gathered at its fist, and it smashed Steelix square in the face.
Drain Punch!
Boom… Boom…
Boomboomboomboom!
Cacturne went all in, ignoring the flames engulfing its body, pounding Steelix over and over with no hesitation. Water Absorb kept it going, each punch fueled by the energy it reclaimed.
Steelix, for its part, had also gone berserk. Even as its most sensitive "face" was struck repeatedly, it refused to let go. Fire Fang clamped down harder, as if it held a personal vendetta.
The situation grew so intense that even those unfamiliar with battling could tell something was seriously off.
…And the crowd fell into complete silence.
Sato and Flint locked eyes, both with solemn expressions. After nodding to one another, they each raised their Poké Balls and recalled their respective Pokémon.
"Steelix forfeits!"
"Cacturne forfeits."
"…Steelix and Cacturne have simultaneously lost the ability to battle. Both Trainers, please send out your next Pokémon." The referee declared, face straight, voice flat, staying completely neutral.
And with Steelix's fall, Flint realized: his defeat was now just a step away.
If Sato sent out Gengar and timed Destiny Bond correctly, they could go down together with his final Pokémon…
"Tyranitar… prepare for battle."
Sato's voice snapped Flint out of his thoughts. As Tyranitar suddenly appeared on the field, a flicker of confusion passed through Flint's eyes.
"This guy's been demanding to join the fight for a while now. I can't just deny him his moment." "TAR!" Sato explained casually, and Tyranitar let out a roar in response.
Its Ability, Sand Stream, activated. Kicking up the third sandstorm of the day across the battlefield.
Flint looked through the sandstorm but couldn't make out Sato's expression. A sense of loss quietly rose in his chest.
'So this… is what it feels like to be surpassed by a real monster?'
"Please send out your battling Pokémon!" The referee reasserted his presence, doing his best to remind everyone that there was a third person on the field…
"Infernape… GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT!"
With a flash of red light, Flint sent out the partner who had been with him the longest, and his undisputed ace.
One of the Sinnoh starters, the aniki of the trio… no, Infernape!
---
"Why would the Boss send out Tyranitar? He should know Flint's ace is Infernape, and that Fighting-type moves are super effective against Tyranitar!"
In the stands, Mark was stomping his feet in frustration. Victory was within reach, and yet the final matchup had such a severe type disadvantage…
One slip-up and it could all fall apart!
Joseph pulled Mark back into his seat so he wouldn't block the view.
"Sato definitely knows that. But he went through with it anyway… all we can do is support him."
"B-BUT! but…" Mark stammered, unable to come up with a good counterargument.
Joseph didn't bother responding. He just shook his head slightly; then suddenly noticed Elite Four Bertha and the people with her get up from their seats and quietly leaving.
'They're skipping the final match?'
Confusion flashed in Joseph's eyes, but he ultimately turned his attention back to the field.
Tyranitar and Infernape were already locked in fierce combat!
---
"Fire Blast!"
"Stone Edge."
Flames raged. Stones flew. On the field, attacks collided and exploded in relentless succession.
Infernape's offense, speed, reflexes, and burst power… everything was top-tier.
But Tyranitar held firm at the center of the sandstorm, calmly launching wave after wave of large and small razor-sharp rocks, defending itself with impenetrable precision.
Infernape wanted to close in for melee combat, but Tyranitar blocked every attempt.
The raging sandstorm and the debris-covered battlefield only made Tyranitar feel more at home.
By contrast, Infernape could only circle around Tyranitar, constantly searching for an opening; while also being worn down by the sandstorm.
From the very start of the fight, Infernape had been at a clear disadvantage. Its powerful close-combat skills had nowhere to shine, completely suppressed.
"INFERNAPE, FLARE BLITZ!"
Prolonged exchanges wouldn't work. Flint went all in and ordered a full-force charge!
Countless Stone Edge "blades" came flying from all directions. Tyranitar relied on the move that had carried it through countless battles, trying to repel Infernape once again.
But Infernape suddenly curled into itself, maintaining the power of Flare Blitz while using Flame Wheel's rotation to push forward.
The spinning flames deflected every flying stone. Infernape carved a straight path toward Tyranitar like a flaming drill, close combat was now inevitable.
But then!
The battlefield ground suddenly shifted. A ramp appeared out of nowhere right in Infernape's path.
Still spinning, Infernape flew upward, directly over Tyranitar's head and its eyes widened in alarm.
It went off track!
Without needing a command, Tyranitar already had another wave of Stone Edge flying toward Infernape.
With no way to brace in mid-air, Infernape could only punch through the stones in front of it while enduring the rest from behind…
Seeing Tyranitar unable to reposition in time, Infernape -despite paying a heavy price- still managed to close the gap…
In the end, it had succeeded!
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150 Power Stones - Extra Chap
P@treon/Romeloff