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Sparks and embers rained down like drifting pollen, carried on the stadium air.
Typhlosion's flames burst outward, roaring so fiercely it seemed as though the entire battlefield might be consumed.
Rooaaar!
The Volcano Pokémon landed heavily, cloaked in blazing fire.
After much deliberation, Lanny had chosen to lead with his strongest battler aside from Flaaffy Typhlosion. He trusted in its raw power.
Unless Nolan opened with his ace, this matchup would give Lanny the chance to strike first and seize momentum.
Even if Nolan did begin with his strongest Pokémon, Typhlosion could still wear it down before falling.
From the opposite side, Nolan released his choice.
A massive panda-like Pokémon hit the ground with a heavy thud.
Black-and-white fur bristled across its broad frame. Its fierce black eyes locked onto Typhlosion, and a bamboo leaf dangled lazily from its mouth, swaying in the battlefield breeze.
"Pangoro!"
Lanny's heart leapt. According to his intel, Pangoro wasn't Nolan's ace. His plan was working. Now Typhlosion only needed to finish this opponent quickly and efficiently.
---
The commentators' voices rang out over the speakers:
"A powerhouse Fire-type, Typhlosion, against the fierce and volatile Fighting-type, Pangoro!"
"It's the favorite, Nolan, versus the dark horse, Lanny! Who will seize the Championship trophy? The final battle begins now!"
Audrey's excitement rippled through the crowd, drawing cheers and whistles that shook the stands.
The referee signaled. The battle was on.
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"Pangoro, Bullet Punch!" Nolan commanded with calm precision.
Pangoro's muscles flexed, swelling with Steel-type energy. Its right arm gleamed silver-red, coated in condensed metallic force.
With a sharp kick, it launched forward, the ground cracking beneath its feet as it closed the distance with terrifying speed.
"Typhlosion—Eruption!'' Lanny countered.
A surge of searing heat exploded from Typhlosion's back, its flames fanning out like volcanic wings.
The energy condensed, glowing molten red and yellow until it resembled liquid magma. With a thunderous roar, the firestorm surged forward, a molten pillar blasting straight at Pangoro.
The steel-coated fist sliced the air, clashing with the oncoming inferno. Heat waves rippled violently. Even Pangoro's bamboo leaf began to smolder.
With a grunt, Pangoro thrust out its free arm.
"Protect!" Nolan ordered.
A translucent shield wrapped around the Fighting-type. The volcanic blast crashed into it, the collision forcing Pangoro to halt in its tracks. Its legs drove into the stone floor like stakes, muscles straining against the fiery torrent.
Step by step, Pangoro pushed forward through the flames, cracks spiderwebbing across the shield. With a final heave, it darted aside, slipping out of the worst of the blast.
The gap had closed.
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Lanny's brow furrowed. Typhlosion thrived at long range. Letting a Fighting-type like Pangoro close in could be dangerous.
"Smoke Screen—create distance!" he ordered quickly.
Typhlosion unleashed a torrent of thick black smoke, laced with glowing embers. The choking cloud engulfed Pangoro, singeing its fur and filling the air with a scorched stench.
But Nolan's voice rang calm and steady:
"Drain Punch."
Pangoro's eyes narrowed, glowing with predatory intensity. Black-green energy coiled around its fist, pulling at the smoke as though dragging it into a vortex.
The choking haze was sucked inward, spiraling into the growing sphere of power around its knuckles.
The searing heat condensed with the Fighting-type energy until the strike radiated like a miniature black hole of force.
With a growl, Pangoro lunged.
Boom!
The empowered fist slammed into Typhlosion's side, detonating with violent force.
"Grrhh!"
Typhlosion staggered back, its flames flickering as the massive panda's shadow loomed over it, ready to strike again.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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