The water exploded with countless arcs of lightning.
Electabuzz stood near the center of the pool, electricity erupting from every part of his body. The attack spread rapidly through the water, transforming the entire battlefield into a crackling death trap.
Several spectators instinctively stepped back from the glass.
Most aquatic pokemon would have been finished instantly. Unfortunately, Gyarados wasn't most pokemon.
The massive serpent roared as electricity coursed through its body. Its scales smoked and several portions of its body spasmed involuntarily, but the attack failed to deliver the devastating results Silas had hoped for.
Water conducted electricity. However, the same water also distributed the energy throughout the entire pool.
Instead of absorbing the full attack, Gyarados only received a third of the damage. He fought through the pain and finished the Dragon Dance.
The water around Gyarados exploded outward. His movements became noticeably faster.
Beth smiled.
"Now, use Waterfall."
Gyarados moved with surgical precision. The massive pokemon crossed half the battlefield in the blink of an eye leaving Monferno with barely any time to react.
A torrent of water enveloped Gyarados as it surged upward at Monferno. The impact was brutal.
Monferno was launched several meters through the air before crashing onto one of the floating platforms. The platform itself cracked.
Silas frowned.
The Dragon Dance boost was significant. This Gyarados had already been a powerful opponent. Now it had become even more dangerous.
Fortunately, Monferno wasn't alone.
"Grab him."
Monferno immediately obeyed. Instead of retreating after the attack, he lunged forward.
His arms wrapped around Gyarados' neck. The water serpent tried to shake him loose.
"Shadow Claw."
Dark purple energy covered Monferno's hands. He let go of Gyarados before slashing fiercely 3 times leaving claw marks across Gyarados' body.
Blood mixed with the pool water but despite the semi gory scene, the wounds weren't life-threatening. However they were definitely painful.
Gyarados roared furiously causing the entire battlefield to shake.
Beth immediately protested.
"What's the big idea? Playing dirty?"
Silas raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Your Sharpedo literally bit a chunk out of Electabuzz's arm. Where was your concern for playing dirty then? I am not one to suffer bullying, even in a gym."
Beth immediately looked away because she knew she was being unreasonable. The battle had simply become more personal now that her ace was bleeding.
Gyarados suddenly dove underwater again after wrapping around Monferno.
His eyes widened as the giant serpent dragged him underwater.
The spectators gasped.
Silas immediately understood the danger.
Monferno wasn't a water pokemon. The longer he stayed submerged, the worse things became. Underwater, Gyarados became far more dangerous.
The serpent twisted violently and smashed Monferno into the pool floor then into a wall then into the bottom again.
The difference in power and mobility was overwhelming but Monferno held on and responded with another Shadow Claw.
The situation quickly became unfavorable.
"Electabuzz!"
The electric pokemon immediately understood. He launched himself into the pool.
Gyarados sensed the incoming danger and released Monferno.
The moment he did, Electabuzz arrived with a Thunder Punch. His control over the move allowed him to control the electrical energy even underwater so Monferno didn't experience friendly fire.
The attack crashed into Gyarados' jaw causing the serpent to recoil. Monferno immediately escaped back toward the platforms.
When he finally surfaced, he was breathing heavily.
The audience erupted into applause.
That exchange alone had been more exciting than many entire battles.
Beth's smile widened.
She was enjoying herself now as was Silas. This was what battling should feel like. It should be dangerous and competitive.
"Electabuzz. Thunder Wave."
Several arcs of electricity shot across the pool.
Gyarados twisted through the water. Despite its massive size, the serpent displayed incredible agility and leapt out of the water causing the attack to mi.
Then Gyarados counterattacked with Aqua Tail.
Water gathered around its tail in the shape of a rotating vortex. The strike connected directly with Electabuzz. The electric pokemon crossed his arms defensively but still got launched backward.
Water-type attacks hurt, especially when the Pokemon can incorporate the surrounding water from the environment into their moves.
Even after everything Electabuzz had endured recently, the attack left him visibly shaken.
Silas immediately looked for a way to regain momentum.
"Monferno."
The fire pokemon glanced toward him.
"Use Aura Wave."
Monferno grinned at his trainer in understanding.
They were finally testing a combination move in real battle.
Aura Sphere formed instantly. Then Monferno added Vacuum Wave. The blue sphere compressed and condensed into a sharp blade before accelerating at Gyarados. The resulting projectile resembled a blue comet.
Unlike ordinary Aura Sphere, it traveled at astonishing speed. Unlike Vacuum Wave, it retained its tracking capability.
Gyarados attempted to dodge but the attack curved and struck directly against its chest.
The impact sent the massive serpent skidding backward through the water.
Beth's expression finally changed. For the first time, she stopped viewing Silas as a talented kid. Now she viewed him as a genuine threat.
Unfortunately for Silas, Gyarados remained standing despite all the punishment.
Silas suddenly realized something. Even after defeating Sharpedo, and applying constant offensive pressure, it felt like he was losing ground.
The realization bothered him.
Monferno started glowing. White light erupted around his body. The battlefield momentarily fell silent.
Silas recognized the phenomenon. It was the light of evolution. Monferno had finally crossed Level 40.
Months of training, countless battles, and near-death experiences had accumulated and finally paid off. Crossing the threshold of a tier was harder than a normal level up. Each tier advancement was significantly harder as well.
An evolving pokemon during a gym challenge wasn't unheard of but it remained rare enough to attract attention.
Monferno closed his eyes and sat down cross-legged. The light intensified. For a brief moment, Silas could almost feel Monferno's temptation.
Evolution into Infernape meant more power, a stronger body, and even greater energy reserves.
Most pokemon would've accepted immediately but Monferno remembered Mount Silver.
He remembered the Beedrill. He remembered Silas' teachings. A stronger foundation would benefit him in the long run.
Immediate strength or limitless potential?
Monferno chose to be patient and trust in his trainer.
The light began shrinking and compressed into Monferno. He was suppressing the evolution.
The glow weakened before disappeared entirely. The spectators sat in stunned silence. Even Beth looked genuinely shocked.
She had seen pokemon resist evolution briefly. Every experienced trainer had. But completely suppressing evolution at this level?
That was different.
Silas quickly scanned Monferno to confirm his suspicion of the level up and found that he was right. Monferno was now officially a pseudo advanced Pokemon.
The tier improvement represented a significant jump in power. His foundation was also further strengthened in the process. The eventual payoff would be enormous.
Beth recovered first.
She laughed.
"You are definitely an interesting one."
Then her smile sharpened.
"But this is over."
Silas smiled back.
"I agree."
Monferno immediately stood.
The battle had dragged on long enough.
"Monferno, use Acrobatics and Close Combat together."
Monferno disappeared in a flash. He moved so quickly that Gyarados could barely track him.
His body became a blur as he dashed across the air above the floating platforms. Then he descended upon Gyarados. Close Combat exploded into motion.
Not to be outdone, Gyarados retaliated immediately with Aqua Tail.
The resulting strikes carried tremendous force. Every attack from Monferno met resistance. Every opening was contested.
The exchange became a blur. The spectators watching from the upper viewing deck leaned forward.
Neither pokemon gave ground for nearly a full minute. Both pokemon accumulated injuries but Gyarados held a slight advantage. Its larger body allowed it to absorb punishment more effectively.
Monferno's breathing became ragged. Sweat covered his fur.
Beth smiled.
She saw the same thing.
Her ace was winning.
Then electricity exploded. Electabuzz had quietly recovered. The intense exchange made almost everyone forget that Silas had a second Pokémon on the field.
Now he unleashed Thunderbolt. The attack struck Gyarados squarely in the back. The resulting explosion illuminated the entire arena.
Gyarados screamed as its body convulsed violently but it shook it off in a powerful act of defiance.
Beth reacted instantly.
"Gyarados. Whirlpool."
The water began rotating.
A massive vortex formed around the serpent. The pool transformed into a spinning death trap.
Beth revealed her true strategy.
"Hurricane."
The spinning water rose upward while Hurricane descended causing the two techniques to merge.