"Unleash your burning passion! Turn the tide and sweep through all three!"
Flannery's fiery shout echoed across the arena as she tossed her final Poké Ball into the air.
"Go, Torkoal! I'm counting on you!"
"Torr~koal!"
The Fire-type landed with a heavy thud, smoke puffing rhythmically from its shell vents. The battlefield shimmered with heat.
Silas calmly raised his hand. "Sharpedo, return."
The water shark vanished into a red beam of light, leaving Flannery momentarily stunned.
"Eh? You're switching out now?"
But for Silas, the outcome was already decided. He smiled faintly. "No point wasting the moment. Let's give the others a turn."
He pulled out another Poké Ball. "Crawdaunt-you're up next."
"Craw-daaunt!"
The crustacean Pokémon snapped his claws, his crimson armor gleaming under the fierce sunlight. Across the field, Torkoal exhaled a plume of smoke, the air thickening with heat.
Flannery's ace Pokémon-a pure Fire-type-stood as a fortress. Its massive Defense stat rivaled even rock and steel Pokémon, though its sluggish pace made it the complete opposite of Silas's sharp, fast Crawdaunt.
Silas squinted slightly, sweat forming on his brow. The heat was suffocating.
'The temperature's spiking... as expected, Drought.'
Torkoal's Drought ability had triggered automatically upon entering the field, filling the arena with blazing sunlight.
Flannery grinned wide. "Torkoal, Sunny Day! Let's make it shine even brighter!"
Silas's eyes sharpened. "Crawdaunt, Rain Dance! Change the field!"
Both trainers' voices rang out simultaneously.
☀️🌧️
The clash of weather had begun.
Even without moving, both Pokémon exerted immense energy–the air above Torkoal shimmered with burning waves of heat, while Crawdaunt's claws glowed blue, summoning thick, dark clouds overhead.
Steam hissed between the two extremes as they fought for dominance.
'Of course,' Silas thought, watching the struggle unfold. 'Her control of Sunny Day's power is stronger than my Rain Dance mastery… especially with Drought boosting it automatically.'
The young Gym Leader might appear carefree, but her command of the battlefield was anything but simple.
Silas exhaled softly, lowering his arm. "Alright then. Forget the weather. Let's end this the old-fashioned way."
"Crawdaunt-Scald!"
"Craw!"
Boiling water erupted from Crawdaunt's claws, splashing across the battlefield and hissing on the sun-scorched ground as it surged toward Torkoal.
Flannery raised a finger dramatically. "Torkoal-Withdraw and spin!"
"Torrr~koal!"
The Coal Pokémon tucked its limbs into its shell and began spinning rapidly, deflecting the boiling spray in a whirling burst of steam.
Silas didn't flinch. "Then boost up-Dragon Dance!"
Crawdaunt began to move in a powerful, rhythmic motion, water rippling around its body as its aura intensified. Its speed and attack power surged.
Flannery's eyes widened slightly. "A setup move, huh? Clever."
Silas's voice stayed steady. "Rock Slide–now!"
Crawdaunt slammed its claws into the ground. Shards of stone shot skyward and rained down toward Torkoal.
"Block it, Torkoal—Flame Wheel!"
A blazing wheel of fire spun to life, smashing through the falling rocks in a burst of sparks as the Fire-type plowed forward through the rubble, flames licking at the air.
"Crawdaunt, Razor Shell!"
The crustacean surged forward, its claw shimmering like a blade of seawater.
Sparks flew as it met Torkoal head-on.
The two Pokémon clashed repeatedly-fire and water colliding in flashes of steam.
Flannery clenched her fists, shouting, "Torkoal, keep the pressure up! Stall it out! Don't let it land a solid hit!"
Silas's mind worked like clockwork.
'She's trying to buy time-waiting for Dragon Dance's boost to wear off. Clever, but not clever enough.'
"Crawdaunt, Aqua Jet! Drive straight through!"
The water Pokémon cloaked itself in a surging current and rocketed forward, slamming into Torkoal before it could adjust its aim.
"Flamethrower!" Flannery countered instantly.
A blazing pillar of flame erupted, sweeping across the arena with enough force to shake the ground. The battlefield charred black, the air dry and searing.
Silas shielded his face from the heat. "As expected… even without using Sunny Day again, Drought's power alone gives her an edge."
He could feel his throat drying, sweat dripping down his chin.
'But Crawdaunt's endured far worse than this in the wild. A little heat won't stop him.'
He snapped his fingers. "Close in-Aqua Jet and finish with Razor Shell!"
"Crawdaunt!"
The jet of water burst forth once more, cutting through the flames. Torkoal braced itself, smoke hissing violently from its shell as it took the full impact but its legendary defense held strong.
'140 base Defense… she's built that thing like a fortress,' Silas thought grimly.
Even with Dragon Dance, STAB, Adaptability, and a Mystic Water item boost, the hit only left scorched steam rising from Torkoal's shell.
"Still standing, huh?" Silas murmured. "Then let's see who lasts longer."
The two Pokémon charged again and again.
"Crawdaunt, Razor Shell!"
"Torkoal, Iron defence!"
"Crawdaunt, Razor Shell!"
"Torkoal, Flame Wheel!"
"Crawdaunt, Razor Shell!"
"Torkoal, Rapid spin!"
Each command was followed by another clash of steel, flame, and water.
Crawdaunt had the type advantage, landing blow after blow but Torkoal's sheer endurance, bolstered by the scorching weather, refused to give way.
For a long, tense moment, neither side yielded.
The arena crackled with steam and embers as both Pokémon glared at each other-each panting, each refusing to retreat.
Water hissed against flame. Flame scorched through mist.
A true battle of endurance-
fire versus water, passion versus precision.
And at the center of it all, two trainers who refused to back down.
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(End of chapter)