"Blaziken, the Blaze pokémon. Level 39. Ability: Blaze..."
A stream of data flashed through Ariel's eyes, leaving him with a mixed feeling of relief and regret.
It wasn't the Hidden Ability, Speed Boost.
If it had been Speed Boost, he already had a script ready for this battle.
He would have avoided its edge in the early stages, letting the opponent's speed stack up, and then at a critical juncture, sent out Malamar to use 'Contrary.' This would have turned the opponent's speed buffs into a burden, instantly flipping the offensive and defensive positions for an easy win.
Unfortunately, there were no 'ifs' here.
The Blaze ability meant that when Blaziken's health was low, the power of its Fire-type moves would be significantly boosted.
This was a tricky ability that required a quick resolution; otherwise, he risked being taken down by a desperate comeback.
He recalled the nearly exhausted Weavile and lightly tapped the Poké Ball.
"Beautifully done. Leave the rest to us."
Then, he took out another Poké Ball.
"Go, Krokorok!"
"Roar!"
An arrogant-looking crocodile appeared on the field. It whipped its thick tail and sized up the opposing Blaziken with a 'what are you looking at' glare, looking like a fearless ruffian.
Krokorok was Dark and Ground-type.
Blaziken was Fire and Fighting-type.
From an elemental standpoint, this was a peculiar matchup.
Blaziken's Fighting-type moves could deal double damage to Krokorok, while Krokorok's Ground-type moves were equally effective against Blaziken.
Whoever could capitalize on their advantage first would seize the chance for victory.
"Have you finally brought out your ace?"
Flannery's voice rang out, her gaze completely locked onto Krokorok.
"But before my Blaziken, any opponent will be burned to ashes!"
She said no more and swung her arm down.
"Blaziken, Flamethrower!"
The command was lightning-fast.
Blaziken took a deep breath, its chest swelling, and a scorching pillar of orange-red fire erupted instantly, surging toward Krokorok.
The scale and temperature of this Flamethrower were far beyond what the previous Magmar and Arcanine could produce.
"Dig."
Ariel's voice was calm and steady.
Krokorok reacted instantly, its four claws scratching as its body lowered, diving underground a split second before the fire pillar arrived.
Boom!
The flames exploded where Krokorok had disappeared, scorching the rocky ground black and leaving behind wisps of blue smoke.
Flannery's offensive did not stop there.
"Now! Feel the vibrations of the ground with your toes!"
Blaziken bent its knees slightly, its feet planted firmly on the ground. Its eyes closed as its entire perception focused beneath its feet.
It was like an experienced martial arts grandmaster, quietly listening to the pulse of the earth.
Ariel's brow twitched slightly.
What impressive combat intuition.
This Blaziken was not only powerful but also extremely experienced in battle, incomparable to the previous two Pokémon.
It knew how to use its own advantages to neutralize the opponent's tactics.
Underground, Krokorok was traveling at high speed, preparing to launch a surprise attack from an unexpected angle.
However, above ground, the corners of Blaziken's mouth suddenly curled up. It snapped its eyes open and lifted its right foot, the fire vents at its ankles erupting with a powerful blast of air!
"Found you! Blaze Kick!"
Flannery's command was almost perfectly synchronized with Blaziken's movement.
Blaziken's right foot, wrapped in raging flames, stomped down hard on the empty ground three meters to its front left!
Bang!
The moment its foot landed, the ground shattered. Krokorok, who had just poked half its head out, was struck squarely by the descending Blaze Kick!
"Waaah!"
Krokorok let out a cry of pain as it was kicked out of the ground by the massive force, crashing heavily onto the floor with a scorch mark left on its back.
"What a prediction..."
Moore whispered in admiration from the referee's seat.
In his current role as a referee, he naturally had to maintain basic professional conduct, but watching his granddaughter's excellent performance...
As her grandfather, it would be a lie to say he wasn't excited inside.
Looking at the heroic Flannery on the field, Moore murmured.
"You've already become a Gym Leader capable of standing on your own, Flannery."
Ariel looked at the slightly battered Krokorok on the field, his heart untroubled.
He knew from the start that this battle wouldn't be easy.
The strength Flannery and her Blaziken displayed was the true final standard of a Gym Leader.
"Krokorok, can you still stand?"
"Roar!"
Krokorok shook its head and flipped back onto its feet, the ferocity in its eyes not diminishing in the slightest.
It bared its teeth at Blaziken, full of provocation.
"Good," Ariel nodded. "Since the underground route didn't work, then we'll attack head-on! Charge in and use Bite!"
"Just what I wanted!"
Flannery's fighting spirit was high.
"Blaziken, counter! Use Double Kick!"
Krokorok pushed off with its four legs, charging forward like a small tank, dark purple energy gathering in its wide-open maw.
Blaziken didn't retreat; instead, it moved forward, its body blurring as it left afterimages. Its long legs traced two sharp arcs in the air, one kicking toward Krokorok's jaw and the other toward its belly.
The Fighting-type move, Double Kick!
Bang! Bang!
Two dull impacts sounded in succession.
Krokorok's Crunch bit firmly into Blaziken's shoulder, but at the same time, its jaw and belly were accurately struck by Blaziken.
The double-effective Fighting-type damage caused Krokorok to grunt again, its charging momentum coming to a dead stop.
Blaziken wasn't faring much better. Struck by the Dark-type Bite, a deep row of teeth marks was left on its shoulder, with shadow energy constantly eroding the wound.
A round of exchanges, trading injury for injury.
But anyone could see that Krokorok, having taken super-effective Fighting-type damage, was more severely hurt.
"That's it, don't give it a chance to breathe! Fire Punch!"
Flannery's command followed immediately.
Enduring the sharp pain in its shoulder, flames erupted from Blaziken's wrist, enveloping its entire fist as it launched a powerful straight punch at Krokorok's face.
"Push it away with Sand Tomb!"
Ariel ordered immediately.
Krokorok, suppressing the pain in its abdomen, opened its mouth and blasted out a gale mixed with sand and stone.
The quicksand instantly enveloped both Pokémon.
Blaziken's Fire Punch was obstructed by the sand, its power greatly reduced, only managing to force Krokorok back a few steps.
But it also had to retreat temporarily to open up distance because its vision was blocked.
For a moment, sand and stones flew across the entire field, blurring the audience's view.
"Now, Krokorok! Use Stomping Tantrum!"
Ariel's voice pierced through the wind and sand.
From within the Sandstorm, Krokorok's roar rang out.
Krokorok charged forward, every step carrying immense power, cutting off Blaziken's movement.
"It's useless!"
Flannery's voice was full of confidence.
"An attack of this level isn't even enough for Blaziken to warm up! Break through it with Flare Blitz!"
"Boom—!"
With an explosion, a massive fireball, even more brilliant and dazzling than the previous Flamethrower, smashed its way out of the swirling Sandstorm!