"Moo—!!"
As Natsuhiko's voice fell, a Pokémon with red eyes and clad in heavy armor stepped out from the dense forest step by step.
Its movement speed wasn't fast, but each step was steady and powerful, and just by looking at its appearance, it was extremely intimidating.
"Rhydon," Lance said in a deep voice.
Natsuhiko glanced at Rhydon's smooth head with its sharp spiraled horn, "Its trait is 'Hard Head'."
Such a trait can be observed relatively well from its appearance.
The role of the 'Hard Head' trait is to prevent some Techniques like 'Fierce Collision,' which would normally rebound certain damage to itself, from causing rebound damage.
Lance looked at the three Pokémon in front of him.
"It's a bit tricky."
Natsuhiko did not disagree with this.
But when he looked at Monferno and Latios, he got the answer.
Monferno, needless to say, its fiery personality and refusal to admit defeat meant it wouldn't back down even against stronger opponents.
Among Natsuhiko's Pokémon, it's the only one that dares to learn fighting techniques from Bewear.
Of course, that's also because Beedrill and Alakazam don't need it.
As for Latios's eyes, Natsuhiko was somewhat surprised.
Latios...
Showed no sign of retreat or fear; even though Rhydon was somewhat troubling, Natsuhiko could still see that trace of excitement in its eyes.
A slow smile spread across his lips.
This little guy is finally getting into the state.
"Let's give it a try; it won't waste much time," Natsuhiko said.
Lance chuckled lightly, "I think so too."
There's no always smooth sailing in battles; no peaceful years, it's just that someone is carrying the burden forward.
As Pokémon, if they face seemingly powerful opponents without any desire for challenge and attempts, if they don't go through difficulties and setbacks, how are they different from flowers in a greenhouse?
After just defeating a group of Pokémon, they're in great shape now!
"Monferno, Taunt."
"Keh-keh!"
Monferno stood upright, slightly beckoning its finger at Rhydon, full of taunting value.
Already having lost its rationality, Rhydon saw Monferno's gesture and its eyes grew even redder.
Boom!!
It lifted a foot and stomped heavily on the ground.
Boom boom boom!!
A series of sharp stone pillars burst from the earth, piercing toward Monferno's location.
Sharp Stone Attack!
Meanwhile.
Latios folded its wings and darted to Rhydon's side with extreme speed, pure white light burst into a dazzling milky glow the instant it opened its mouth.
Clean Radiance!
On the other side.
Bagon was slightly slower to appear at Rhydon's other side, slashing its sharp azure claw at Rhydon's ankle.
However, despite Rhydon's slow movements, its thick tail gleamed with metallic shine, whipping at Bagon like a sharp whip.
This all.
Happened within just a few seconds.
Monferno deftly made several flips and jumps, its paws tapped on the protruding stone pillars, avoiding Rhydon's 'Sharp Stone Attack,' utilizing the fighting techniques learned from Bewear in real battle.
Bagon's 'Dragon Claw' hadn't yet hit Rhydon before it was sent flying by Rhydon's swift 'Iron Tail.'
Only Latios's 'Clean Radiance' successfully hit it.
"Roar—!!"
Rhydon shouted out in pain, growing more fierce.
It raised its claw to slam toward Latios.
But the next second.
"Keh-keh!"
A sound cut through the air.
Monferno's 'Sonic Fist' arrived first.
Forcibly blocking the attack meant for Latios.
However, Monferno's strength compared to Rhydon's was still weaker by a margin.
It was slapped out by Rhydon.
Yet Latios used this opportunity to distance itself from Rhydon.
The worried gaze, almost immediately, fell on Monferno.
A single exchange.
Natsuhiko and Lance's two Pokémon had been repelled by it.
The two's expressions were serious, glancing at each other.
Their instant momentum let them know how to fight the impending battle.
The main attacker, is Latios, who excels at Special Attacks!
Its previous 'Clean Radiance' also successfully lowered Rhydon's Special Defense.
Special Defense was already Rhydon's weak point, and reducing its weakness made it even more evident.
"Oss..." Latios was somewhat remorseful.
"Keh-keh!"
However, Monferno flipped up from the ground, waved its hand at Latios.
Gently wiped off the dirt from its face.
The flame "boom"ed once on its tail.
Eyes firm.
Not retreating because of Rhydon's attack at all.
Instead, facing it again!
Bagon was the same, a bluish-purple light arose from its body, Dragon Energy started to stir under Lance's 'Dragon Power' infusion.
"Oss?"
Seeing these two Pokémon fight so fiercely, Latios was momentarily stunned.
Soon it furrowed its brow.
The gaze became sharp in an instant.
It was a look Natsuhiko had never seen before.
Moreover.
A surge of intense Dragon Energy erupted from its body, more apparent than that of Bagon.
Lance looked at Natsuhiko in surprise, but saw a smile on Natsuhiko's lips.
Latios's vast potential had yet to be fully tapped.
Fight again!
Monferno was the first to charge forward.
And Rhydon's most ferocious attack greeted it.
Rhydon clenched its fist tightly, rapidly concentrating Fighting Energy into its arm, then contracting it onto its fist.
Arm Hammer!
Monferno, not to be outdone, swung its fist as well.
Sparks seeped from between its fingers, quickly enveloping the fist.
It was set to face Rhydon head-on.
Would Rhydon evade this choice?
Clearly not!
However.
Just as the two fists were about to clash.
Monferno suddenly ducked low.
Rhydon's heavy and powerful fist grazed past its head.
Then Monferno grabbed its arm, using the momentum to steady itself.
It quickly turned.
Its back solidly slammed against Rhydon's body with a "bang".
Its other hand also grabbed Rhydon's arm.
Seeing this move, Natsuhiko's eyes suddenly lit up.
A familiar combat technique.
Isn't this the same over-the-shoulder throw Bewear used on Snorlax?
"Grrk!"
Monferno let out a low growl, its muscles instantly tense, and the flames on its tail shot skyward.
Crack——
The ground beneath them cracked layer by layer.
With wide eyes.
It surprisingly managed to lift Rhydon's feet off the ground using a clever force.
Though truly flipping it might be a bit excessive, it was an excellent opportunity for Bagon and Latios!
Bagon swiftly slipped to Rhydon's tail.
The "Shatter" technique fiercely bit into its tail.
Creating an opportunity for Latios!
In this situation.
Latios's heart surged.
It had only one thought now.
The opportunity created by Monferno and Bagon must not betray the trust of these two Pokémon!
Suddenly.
The surging Dragon Energy within Latios seemed to have broken through a critical point.
Its aura soared.
An enhancement in strength!
However, Latios remained unaware, focusing solely on accumulating power in its open mouth.
"Oss!"
A breath exhaled with unprecedented decisiveness from Latios.
"Dragon's Fluctuation" erupted.
Spreading across Rhydon's back.
"Roar——!!"
In pain, Rhydon struggled fiercely.
But Monferno gritted its teeth, clinging tightly to its arm, keeping its feet off the ground.
Bagon also held tight to its tail, as the dark energy clashed with Rhydon's metallic tail, producing a grating, tooth-jarring sound.
Latios was uninfluenced by Rhydon's roar, continuously spewing fierce breaths.
One after another, wave after wave.
Incessantly.
Finally!
When Monferno felt the foe behind it lose power, and Bagon found its tail limply hanging.
Boom!
The back of Rhydon, now completely charred, crashed heavily to the ground, losing its ability to fight.
Only then did Latios stop the attack, gasping for breath.
Monferno and Bagon fared little better, supporting themselves on their knees, panting.
Yet when the three Pokémon's eyes met.
They all smiled in unison.
Natsuhiko and Lance, who stood by commanding them, exchanged smiles.
Sometimes.
Pushing oneself often yields unexpected results.
Just like now.
They not only defeated this Rhydon but also witnessed Latios's strength rise.
Its potential is much stronger than it ever imagined.
——————
Third update! Asking for monthly votes~~