"Tch. I knew this would happen."
Blue's expression didn't look too good as he clicked his tongue in irritation. Tyranitar's ability was undeniably troublesome.
And worse yet, it was a weather-based ability—he couldn't override it just by using Rain Dance to create a downpour. For Tyranitar, Sand Stream was an instinctual ability, something it could reassert at any time with ease.
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump!"
After a quick thought, Blue decided to start with a long-range attack to test the waters.
Blastoise let out a low growl, slightly crouched down, and the twin Pumps on its back began to glow with water-blue energy.
In the next instant, two massive jets of water tore through the sandstorm, barreling toward Tyranitar with immense force.
"Dragon Dance!"
A broad smile curved on Lucas's lips as he issued the command.
Tyranitar's massive body immediately began to move in an eerie rhythm, its movements mysterious and ancient in nature.
The incoming Hydro Pumps were dodged with astonishing ease and fluidity by Tyranitar.
"Damn it. Blastoise, Water Spout!"
Blue's face darkened slightly—this was already Tyranitar's second Dragon Dance!
As expected, long-range probing attacks like these were completely ineffective. In this sandstorm environment, Tyranitar's sensory perception was simply too strong.
Blastoise clenched its fists, a blue glow building up all over its body as it smashed both arms hard against the ground.
The entire battlefield trembled, deep cracks forming in the floor, and faint water-blue energy flickered within them.
Water Spout —one of the strongest Water-type moves! The better the user's condition, the more powerful the move. In the games, its maximum power could reach a staggering 150!
Jets of water erupted from the ground, violently surging toward Tyranitar from all directions.
"That's a pretty impressive Water Spout. Rock Tomb."
Lucas raised his eyebrows slightly in praise as he watched the overwhelming flood of water charging in. It was indeed a solid Hydro Pump.
But if that's all you've got—it's still not enough!
Tyranitar roared loudly as the ground began to tremble violently. Thick, solid stone walls rose up one after another, positioning themselves in front of Tyranitar.
Rock Tomb was usually used to block an opponent's retreat or restrict movement, but here, Tyranitar was using it defensively.
The surging water smashed hard against the stone walls, one after another being shattered by the intense barrage. Water splashed everywhere, and the crashing sound echoed ceaselessly.
"Rock Slide!"
Above Blastoise, massive boulders began to form and then came crashing down toward it.
"Pursuit!"
Lucas gave another quick command without pause.
Tyranitar surged forward with black light radiating from its body, stomping heavily on the ground as it charged toward Blastoise.
Its giant frame whipped up a sandstorm as it moved—shockingly fast!
"It's coming! Blastoise!"
Blue's eyes sharpened. With two stacks of Dragon Dance, Tyranitar's speed and power had both risen dramatically—this was a terrifying opponent.
Blastoise growled deeply, its face tensed with ferocity.
"Blastoise, Rapid Spin!" Blue shouted.
Blastoise pulled its limbs and head into its shell and began to spin at high speed like a giant spinning top, rushing straight toward Tyranitar.
And just at the moment Blastoise spun out of place, the Rock Slide came crashing down with a deafening roar.
Lucas remained unfazed—Rock Slide was never meant to land anyway. It was just meant to force Blue into a head-on clash. He hadn't expected it to hit.
After all, while Blastoise was somewhat slow-moving, avoiding a straightforward Rock Slide wasn't impossible—especially with Rapid Spin boosting its mobility.
"Crush it!"
Lucas's eyes were locked on the rapidly approaching Tyranitar and Blastoise, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
"TYRAN!"
Tyranitar let out a mighty roar. The ferocious aura it emitted was terrifying as its giant black-glowing claws swung down hard toward Blastoise.
Pursuit!
The two moves—Pursuit and Rapid Spin—collided forcefully. But in the very next moment, Blastoise's massive body was knocked flying by Tyranitar.
The power difference was overwhelming!
"Tyranitar's strength is insane!"
Everyone watching—Karen and the others—gasped. Pursuit was by no means a particularly powerful Dark-type move.
But in Tyranitar's hands, its effectiveness was frightening!
"Hydro Pump!"
"Stone Edge!"
Blue didn't panic. He quickly and calmly shouted a command to Blastoise.
Almost simultaneously, Lucas's voice echoed across the field.
Still mid-air, Blastoise extended its limbs and head, quickly regaining balance and adjusting its aim. Blue light surged from both its Pumps and its mouth.
Three fierce jets of water were fired at Tyranitar.
Triple Hydro Pump!
On Tyranitar's end, it spread its arms wide as a flurry of razor-sharp stones tore through the air, speeding toward Blastoise.
The Stone Edge and Hydro Pump clashed violently in mid-air!
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion followed, with shockwaves rippling through the battlefield and forcing both Tyranitar and Blastoise to retreat slightly.
"You're not getting away! Tyranitar, Earthquake!"
Lucas raised an arm to shield his face from the wind, the smile on his lips widening.
The savage beast let out another roar and slammed its foot into the ground.
The entire battlefield began to shake violently as powerful shockwaves radiated out. Blastoise was still mid-air and had no footing—it would inevitably be hit by the Earthquake as soon as it landed!
"So vicious…"
Watching the relentless aggression from Tyranitar, Marnie's eyes sparkled.
She loved it—such dominant, ruthless ferocity. This was the pseudo-legendary Tyranitar she admired!
"Surf!"
Blue gritted his teeth and tried to stay balanced as he shouted again.
One wave after another surged like a storm, giving Blastoise no time to reset itself. If he didn't respond, Blastoise would fall completely into a disadvantage.
Just as it was about to land, Blastoise's body glowed blue. The sound of waves echoed as a giant surge of water lifted Blastoise into the air.
But the Earthquake quickly shattered the Surf, though it had at least given Blastoise a brief moment to recover.
"Thunder!"
Lucas's eyes flashed.
Tyranitar roared once again as golden lightning crackled and sparked all over its body.
"Crap!" Blue's pupils shrank.
The Surf had just been broken—leaving water everywhere around Blastoise!
A brilliant golden bolt of lightning streaked through the sky, directly hitting Blastoise, which had nowhere to dodge…
Under the golden lightning, Blastoise's face twisted in pain as it crashed to the ground. Thunder had hit perfectly.
"Pursuit!"
Lucas smirked coldly and didn't give Blastoise any chance to breathe.
Tyranitar stomped forward again, its body wrapped in ghostly light as it charged toward the fallen Blastoise.
Pursuit, a Dark-type move that doubles in power if the opponent has already taken damage!
"Blastoise, Body Press!"
Blue's brows furrowed tightly—he had been trying to keep up this whole time, but now he'd finally been caught out.
Sparks still danced faintly over Blastoise's body, but it gritted its teeth and leapt toward Tyranitar.
A Fighting-type Body Press!
Dodging now was nearly impossible. Blastoise couldn't match Tyranitar's speed anyway.
"TYRAN!"
Tyranitar's face twisted into a ferocious grin as it swung its massive claw down at Blastoise.
Pursuit and Body Press collided heavily.
But just like before, it only held for a moment before Blastoise was struck and sent flying again.
"Hydro Pump!" Blue shouted, swinging his arm.
"Rock Slide!"
As Blastoise flew through the air, both of its Pumps surged with energy. Twin water jets shot toward Tyranitar before Blastoise crashed heavily into the ground.
At the same time, massive rocks fell from above, crashing down onto Blastoise's position.
The Hydro Pump hit Tyranitar directly, forcing it to stumble back two steps.
But Rock Slide smashed into Blastoise, which couldn't dodge. With a booming crash, Blastoise was buried under a pile of massive stones.
"Now for the final blow."
"Tyranitar, Giga Impact!"
Lucas chuckled softly as he looked down. Despite being hit by the Hydro Pump, Tyranitar was still fine.
It was time to end this.
"TYRAN!"
Tyranitar roared, a torrent of savage energy surging from its body as it became cloaked in dense white energy.
Giga Impact! Also known as Hyper Beam's physical counterpart—same level of power, just with brute force instead of special attack.
After a short charge-up, Tyranitar charged straight toward the rubble where Blastoise lay buried.
"Blastoise, Hydro Cannon!"
Blue's eyes sharpened as he raised his arm and shouted.
CRACK! The rubble was blasted aside. Blastoise rose from the debris, struggling to its feet as blue energy gathered around it.
A massive water orb formed in front of it—Hydro Cannon! The ultimate Water-type move that only Water-type starters could learn!
Tyranitar came charging in like a mad beast. Blastoise hurled the massive water orb forward, launching a devastating water beam.
BOOM!
Giga Impact and Hydro Cannon collided in an explosive clash!
Waves of force and ripples of energy spread violently across the battlefield, gales howling everywhere.
But soon, Tyranitar began to push through, overpowering the Hydro Cannon, closing in faster and faster!
"Blastoise!" Blue's face changed.
Hearing Blue's cry, Blastoise grit its teeth and tried to force out more power from within—but it was no use!
Its condition was simply too poor by now.
"TYYYYRANNN!" Tyranitar's roar thundered as it slammed into Blastoise with its spiraling white energy.
Under its terrifying strength, Blastoise was hurled violently into the Gym wall.
When Tyranitar finally let go, Blastoise was embedded deep in the specially-reinforced metal wall, its eyes spinning in a daze.
Staring at his Blastoise, completely incapacitated, Blue fell silent for a long while before shaking his head in resignation.
He... had actually been swept—defeated three-to-zero by just one Pokémon…
"Blastoise is unable to battle. Tyranitar wins. Since challenger Blue's three Pokémon are all unable to fight,"
"Victory goes to Acting Gym Leader Lucas."
Matori gave Blastoise a quick once-over and calmly announced the result.
Clap~ clap~ clap~
Giovanni approached with a faint smile, applauding slowly as he came closer.
"What a spectacular battle. As expected—monsters are monsters after all~"
(End of Chapter)