At such close range, Crobat had no chance to evade. It was struck head-on by Gyarados's Thunder Dragon Claw.
"BOOM—"
Crobat's body slammed into the ground with explosive force, blasting out a deep crater. Thick smoke billowed upward as its eyes spun in circles.
It had completely lost the ability to battle!!
Ian's second Pokémon was defeated once again by Gyarados.
...
"Crobat has lost the ability to battle. Please select your next Pokémon to enter the field."
The referee raised his flag and addressed Ian.
Ian's face turned slightly pale as he recalled Crobat and took out his final Poké Ball. He looked straight at Aaron and said,
"Aaron… you're really strong!"
"This is my last Pokémon. Even if I can't defeat you, I'll fight to the very end with my Pokémon!"
A firm, unwavering resolve flashed in Ian's eyes.
"Alright… you're strong too."
"Come on—the final battle. No regrets!"
Aaron nodded as he replied.
This guy had a truly pure heart.
That alone earned him respect.
"Come out… my strongest Pokémon!"
"Haxorus!"
Ian hurled his final Poké Ball.
A Pokémon appeared on the battlefield—1.8 meters tall, covered in a hard, horn-like carapace, with massive axe-shaped blades on both sides of its face.
It was Ian's strongest Pokémon: Haxorus!
"ROAR—"
The moment Haxorus landed, it threw its head back and roared, a powerful aura surging outward in all directions.
Its strength was undeniable.
Aaron's eyes flickered as Haxorus's status panel appeared before him:
[Name: Haxorus]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Brave]
[Type: Dragon]
[Ability: Rivalry]
[Base Stats Total: 540]
[Level: Advanced (Late Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential: Champion Level]
[Known Moves: Scratch (Proficient), Leer (Proficient), Dragon Rage (Proficient), Outrage (Basic), Assurance (Basic), Dual Chop (Basic), Dragon Claw (Basic), Dragon Dance (Proficient), Dragon Pulse...]
[Description: Haxorus, the Axe Jaw Pokémon. The evolved form of Fraxure. Possesses an extremely strong territorial instinct and will viciously attack any Pokémon that enters its domain...]
...
Aaron's eyes flashed with surprise.
Champion-level potential!!
Late Advanced strength, and a Dragon-type Pokémon on top of that.
A student with a Pokémon of this caliber and potential was extremely rare in a third-tier city like Sealine City!!
No wonder Ian was known as Sealine Trainer Academy's strongest high school student!
If not for himself—this so-called cheater—Ian would have bulldozed his way through the competition and taken the championship without question.
What a shame…
Today, even Dragons will have to bow before me.
Aaron thought to himself.
...
"The match begins—"
While Aaron was still thinking, the referee had already announced the start of the battle.
Ian once again seized the initiative, shouting to his Pokémon:
"Haxorus… Dragon Dance!"
"ROAR—"
Haxorus let out a fierce roar and began a powerful combat dance in place.
"Gyarados… Ice Fang!"
Aaron's voice sounded calm and steady.
Perched atop the rolling smoke clouds, Gyarados opened its massive jaws. Two icy, bone-chilling fangs rapidly formed along its teeth.
Stepping through the smoke, it dove downward, biting straight toward Haxorus on the ground.
At that moment, Haxorus's dance came to an end.
A faint red glow spread across its entire body.
Dragon Dance had taken effect.
Both its Speed and Attack rose by one stage. In addition, due to Haxorus's Rivalry Ability—and the fact that it shared the same gender as Gyarados—the power of its moves increased by 25%.
"Haxorus… Dual Chop!"
Ian's eyes burned with fighting spirit as he shouted.
"ROAR—"
Haxorus roared back, the axe blades on both sides of its face lighting up with brilliant white energy.
It charged straight toward the descending Gyarados, meeting it head-on.
"CLANG! CLANG—"
...