Considering Steelix's massive size, Kashiwagi chose the largest battle arena available.
"Are you absolutely sure this place is the most durable one you have?" he asked the owner repeatedly.
The owner replied just as many times, "Relax, sir! With these reinforced walls, even a Level 70 Pokémon couldn't smash its way out! If it breaks, not only will I not charge you for repairs, I'll pay you compensation!"
Hearing that, Kashiwagi felt about fifty percent relieved. Even if the owner was exaggerating, it should be enough to contain a Level 60 Steelix. The floor's foundation was also reinforced to prevent it from escaping via Dig.
He locked the heavy doors.
Taking a deep breath within the semi-enclosed arena, he released Aggron and Chansey. The former was his primary offensive force for this taming session, while the latter was there for life insurance. If Steelix landed a direct hit on Kashiwagi, the sheer momentum of one and a half tons—equivalent to a small car—would be enough to end him instantly, elemental energy aside.
"Come on out... meet our new partner!"
Kashiwagi barked the command, and his two Pokémon stood ready.
Flash!
White light burst from the Luxury Ball, hitting the ground and instantly transforming into a behemoth that made even Aggron look small.
Its iron-like body reflected the cold arena lights, and every slight movement created a draft of wind that sent chills down the spine. Its low roar was as deafening as a ship's horn, sounding like a terrifying monster from a sci-fi flick.
Seeing it in the flesh, Kashiwagi noticed it wasn't just overall larger; a typical Steelix has three lateral metal ridges, but this one had four. From bottom to top, the length and diameter increased; the base of the highest ridge was nearly as thick as a human torso.
Its massive head loomed like a thundercloud, blocking the lights and casting a giant shadow over the arena. At twelve meters tall (standing), it was practically touching the ceiling.
"ROAR!"
The Alpha Steelix surveyed its surroundings. Sensing something, it looked down and discovered the "toy-sized" Aggron, the "figurine-sized" Kashiwagi, and the "egg-sized" Chansey.
Malice flared in its pitch-black eyes. The unfamiliar environment and the presence of a threatening Pokémon immediately ignited its rage.
"ROOAAARRR—!!" The Alpha bellowed at Aggron.
"AAGG-ROON—!!" Aggron roared back even louder. Steelix's size was indeed staggering, but it wasn't enough to make him flinch.
So what if you're big? Aggron thought. Mawile is barely as tall as my knee and she beats me half the time!
The two titans glared at each other, neither willing to look away first. True to Soshiro's word, she had a fierce temperament.
"Strike first! Sand Tomb!"
Seeing Steelix's tail twitching to initiate an attack, Kashiwagi wasted no time.
Aggron slammed his fists into the ground, causing the earth to crack. A massive pit of swirling sand formed instantly beneath Steelix's weight!
"Roar?"
Steelix hadn't expected Aggron to be the aggressor. The ground vanished beneath her, and she plummeted into the pit. Given her extreme weight and segmented body, she sank rapidly; within seconds, only half of her length remained above the surface.
The bottom half had already hit the bedrock of the arena, and the swirling Sand Tomb couldn't move her an inch further.
"Sandstorm!"
Seeing the furious Steelix open her cavernous mouth to inhale, Kashiwagi gave the second command.
Aggron stomped the ground, turning the swirling sand into a violent vortex that swept toward Steelix. Simultaneously, the giant serpent spat out a blast of bluish-teal energy!
BOOM!
The Sandstorm and Dragon Breath collided in a violent explosion! The resulting shockwave of elemental energy buffeted Kashiwagi's hair and clothes like a gale.
But the Sandstorm quickly coalesced again, resuming its assault. Clearly, while Steelix's Dragon Breath was fierce, it was no match for Aggron's upgraded power.
Kashiwagi narrowed his eyes. "Follow up with Surf!"
"Roar!"
Aggron raised his right claw. A sphere of blue water expanded rapidly before he slammed it into the ground, sending a massive tidal wave crashing toward the trapped Steelix!
Steelix responded by rapidly rotating her second lateral ridge, drawing the surrounding sand into several sharp, glowing rocks. She fired them like bullets into the incoming wave.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The Stone Edge projectiles shattered the wave repeatedly, successfully dispersing the water.
However, Kashiwagi's primary goal with Surf wasn't damage; it was to further incapacitate the trapped giant. The water mixed with the sand in the pit, creating a thick, heavy mire.
Steelix churned her body trying to break free, but she only acted like a blender, accelerating the mixing of water and grit. Soon, the pit became a massive mud trap. Her movements grew sluggish; the mud was becoming far more troublesome than the loose sand.
Suddenly, she realized the radius of the pit was limited. She could reach her head outside the hole and use it as an anchor point to leverage her body out!
She slammed her massive head down onto the solid ground outside the pit. Kashiwagi smirked.
"She took the bait! Stomping Tantrum!"
"ROAR!"
The moment Steelix's head hit the floor, Aggron leaped into the air. He landed both massive feet directly onto her shovel-like head, delivering a flurry of brutal kicks!
The "resentment" from the earlier Surf being neutralized fueled the power of the move. Even for a Pokémon with physical defense as high as Steelix, the concentrated assault left her dazed and swaying.
But Aggron wasn't done.
"Superpower!"
Aggron seized Steelix's lower jaw. He sank his stance, roaring with a guttural effort as his body began to glow with a brownish-red aura. In a display of raw, terrifying strength, he literally hauled the eighteen-meter giant out of the mire!
"AGG-RONN—!!"
With a mighty heave, Aggron swung his arms, throwing Steelix toward the arena wall!
CRASH!
The floor and walls shuddered with a horrific impact. Aggron closed the distance, grabbed her tail, and began to spin her like a giant Ferris wheel. He let her skull collide with the floor and walls over and over again—Bang! Thud! Crash!
Steelix's confident roars were replaced by low, metallic groans.
"Alright, that's enough! Stop!" Kashiwagi shouted, having to stay low to the ground to avoid the wind from the spinning giant.
Aggron let go immediately, causing Steelix to fly into the reinforced wall one last time.
"Nale..."
The giant lay flat on the ground, making a sound like a dying train whistle.
"Man... you're getting more monstrous by the day," Kashiwagi praised Aggron.
The Level 60 boost had made Aggron far more powerful than he had anticipated. That newfound strength had clearly gone to Aggron's head, too; the Pokémon looked absolutely smug.
"Roar!" Aggron raised his claws and bellowed toward the ceiling, flexing like a bodybuilder.