"Wow!!"
Electivire surged forward in a single step, muscles tensing, sparks dancing across its arms. With a roar of determination, it swung both fists with explosive force, striking Steelix squarely across its metallic body.
Bang!!
Bang!!
Steelix's eyes flickered, a crack of pain crossing its rigid, armored face. It recoiled and let out a frustrated rumble, closing its eyes for a moment. When it opened them again, the pupils were wide and unfocused, the confusion of a chaotic state settling over it.
"Steelix, use Iron Tail!" Lucy commanded, her voice sharp and unwavering.
Even in confusion, Pokémon respond to commands. While Steelix's attack would be somewhat erratic, acting on instinct was far better than doing nothing.
Bang!
However, instead of swinging its massive tail, Steelix thrust into the ground beside it, drilling deep through the battlefield's surface. The earth trembled violently.
"Quick! Move toward the pool!" Gary shouted urgently.
Electivire reacted instantly, sprinting toward the water's edge. It leaped skyward just as Steelix's massive head burst through the ground, aiming to intercept.
Roar!!
Bang!
Electivire was struck midair by Steelix's Dig attack, the impact sending it sprawling onto the ground with a heavy crash. Sparks flew from its shoulders as it struggled to rise.
Barbara's voice rang out immediately, tinged with surprise and relief. "Electivire has lost its ability to battle! Steelix wins!"
Gary frowned. He had anticipated this moment. Dig was always a dangerous technique against Pokémon caught off-guard, and the chaotic battle conditions could confuse even the strongest trainers.
Unlike other Pokémon, Steelix was perfectly adapted to these circumstances. Having lived underground all its life, it navigated without light or sound, relying solely on vibrations to sense its surroundings. Even in chaos, Steelix instinctively sensed Electivire's movements and struck with precision, following its natural instincts rather than Lucy's commands.
This fortuitous event favored Lucy, though it wasn't enough to secure ultimate victory. Gary noted the lesson mentally. "Next time, I'll bring Earthquake," he thought. While it wasn't Electivire's strongest move, Earthquake could reliably counter underground Pokémon—a tactic usable by many Pokémon, including Charizard.
"Electivire, come back. Rest up," Gary ordered. Electivire returned to its Poké Ball, sparks flickering off its metallic arms as it disappeared.
"Charizard! Now's your turn!" Gary called.
Great!
[LV70 Charizard / Champion]
Roaaaar!!
Charizard burst from its Poké Ball, wings outstretched and flames roaring along its tail. Scott clapped his hands in excitement. "Charizard! That's the Pokémon to use!"
Gary had relied on Charizard before in previous Battle Factory matches and Stadium showdowns, but never in the Battle Dome. Here, it was their strongest choice. Only Charizard—and potentially Moltres—could hope to stand against Steelix's sheer size and raw power.
"Charizard, Inferno!" Gary commanded, flames roaring around the flying lizard as its wings churned the air.
Lucy didn't hesitate. "Steelix, Flash Cannon!"
Steelix did not attempt Hyper Beam. Instead, its eyes focused as it fired a concentrated silver beam at the ground. Sparks flew where it hit, creating metallic shrapnel that tore across the battlefield.
From above, Charizard spat roaring red flames. The inferno erupted in long, twisting streams that encircled Steelix, creating a blazing cage designed to trap the massive Pokémon.
Da-ni!!
Even Steelix, still partially confused, recoiled at the searing heat. Its eyes, previously blank and chaotic, gradually regained focus as the flames scorched its armored body. Unfortunately for Steelix, the burns were severe, halving its attack power and leaving it vulnerable.
"Steelix, Hyper Beam!" Lucy shouted, refusing to yield. She had chosen to attack head-on, demonstrating her characteristic aggressive style.
"Blast Burn!" Gary countered immediately, the flames from Charizard intensifying as it launched the devastating attack.
Da-na!!
Steelix fired its orange energy beam toward Charizard, while the flying lizard slammed its fists into the ground, sending sheets of blue fire surging forward along the surface. The two attacks collided in a cataclysmic explosion.
Boom!!
Boom!!
Two towering mushroom clouds of black smoke shot into the sky. Lucy's apprentices covered their mouths, eyes wide as they watched the chaotic scene unfold.
When the smoke finally dissipated, the battlefield was revealed. Charizard stood firm, wings flicking embers from its scorched hide. Though the lizard bore some burn marks and scratches, it remained strong and resolute.
Steelix, on the other hand, lay prone on the scorched ground. Its massive body was marked with burns, armor cracked in some places, and the fight drained from its eyes. Victory was clear.
Barbara reluctantly announced, "Steelix has lost its ability to battle! Charizard wins! The winner of this match is… Gary!"
Gary recalled Charizard into its Poké Ball, a satisfied smile on his face.
Lucy approached him, her expression calm but impressed. She extended her hand. "It's been a long time since I've faced a challenger who fought with such skill and determination. You're truly strong."
Gary shook her hand firmly, showing respect. "Likewise. Your Pokémon were incredible."
Lucy nodded and retrieved a shimmering golden emblem from her pocket. "This is the Battle Pike symbol, a token of your victory."
"Thank you," Gary said, taking the symbol. Like the other symbols he had collected, it gleamed with intricate craftsmanship. Each one held immense value, not only for its prestige but as part of a complete set.
[Ding! Mission complete. Rewards have been delivered to your space backpack.]
After the battle, Gary left the facility with Scott. They arrived at the Pokémon Center in Fuchsia City, where Joy attended to the three Pokémon who had fought fiercely.
"You handled that match remarkably well," Scott commented, a note of admiration in his voice. "It's clear that you've surpassed Lucy in skill."
Gary nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. Lucy is very strong, but her style is purely aggressive. With careful strategy, it's possible to outmaneuver even a Battle Frontier leader."
He considered the other leaders in the Frontier. "The next leader I'll face will be even stronger. Brandon and Anabel are on another level entirely. Brandon's Regice, Regirock, and Registeel have reached Elite potential, and his control over them is terrifying. Even Ash struggled against them."
Gary's mind flashed to Ash's previous attempts. He had lost repeatedly against Brandon's Regirock and Registeel, only barely managing to survive when Brandon allowed him to face Regice and three lower-level Pokémon.
"Anabel," Gary thought, "has Legendary Pokémon in some versions of the game, though in the anime she's a bit less formidable. Still, both leaders are on a level that rivals or surpasses even the Frontier's Elite Four."