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"Hruunngh!!"
Shelgon rolled over and scrambled back to its feet, looking as though it hadn't taken much damage at all. Its fierce eyes locked tightly onto Blastoise, and its front legs began scraping against the ground, clearly eager to charge!
"Such terrifying defense… It took Blastoise's attack head-on and still looks completely unfazed. If we want to win, we'll need another approach."
Delia watched the restless Shelgon calmly, thinking to herself.
After clearing seven Gyms and experiencing several major incidents, Delia's battle awareness had improved tremendously. She was no longer the reckless trainer who relied solely on brute force. She now understood that battles weren't won by strength alone.
So—
"Blastoise! Use Rain Dance!"
"Blas—toise!!"
As the two Pokémon faced each other, Delia gave the first command. Blastoise threw his head back and let out a long roar. Above the battlefield—now missing its roof—dark rain clouds rapidly gathered.
Crash—!
In the next instant, torrential rain poured down. Heavy droplets smashed against the ruined ground, kicking up dust and icy mist.
"Hruunngh!!"
Shelgon already hated the icy-cold ground beneath its feet. Now, drenched by rain and surrounded by drifting frost, its irritation grew visibly worse.
"Calm down, Shelgon! Don't panic—it's just rain! The opponent hasn't fully recovered yet. Press the attack now! Don't give it a chance! Charge in and use Dragon Claw!"
Clair immediately noticed Shelgon's agitation and issued decisive orders, clearly aiming to end the battle quickly.
"Hruunngh!!"
At the command, three sharp, dark-green dragon claws shot out from Shelgon's thick forelimbs. Then it burst into a heavy sprint, thundering straight toward Blastoise!
"It's coming! Blastoise! Use Flash Cannon!"
"Blastoise!"
Although Flash Cannon required a short charge time, Shelgon's speed made that window just barely sufficient.
"Blastoise!"
The twin cannons on Blastoise's back flared with dazzling white light. In the next moment, two brilliant beams blasted forward!
But—facing the incoming beams—Shelgon didn't dodge at all!
It slammed straight into the Flash Cannon, relying entirely on its hardened shell and overwhelming power. Step by step, Shelgon forced its way through the beams, advancing relentlessly toward Blastoise!
"This—this is insane!"
Delia couldn't help crying out, her face showing clear concern as she turned toward Clair.
"Hm? Insane? My Shelgon's defense is top-tier. Every bit of damage is within my calculations. What's reckless about that?"
Clair replied calmly, wearing an expression of complete control. Only when Shelgon reached a certain distance did she smile faintly and speak again.
"This distance is enough. Shelgon—dodge the Flash Cannon!"
"Hruunngh!"
Shelgon let out a low growl and suddenly shifted its body, narrowly avoiding the beam—
"Dragon Rush!"
"Hruunngh!!"
At point-blank range, Shelgon's entire body was instantly enveloped in roaring dragon energy! Its four feet shattered the icy rubble beneath it as it lunged forward with a ferocious roar, crashing straight toward Blastoise!
"Now! Blastoise! This is it—Protect!!"
"Blastoise!!"
Shelgon moved at terrifying speed, closing the distance in a blink. But Delia's command rang out at the exact moment. Blastoise roared and activated Protect, a pale-blue barrier forming instantly around him.
Shelgon's Dragon Rush slammed straight into the shield!
"Hruunngh!"
"Blastoise!!"
The force was immense. Even with Protect, Blastoise was pushed backward several steps, boots grinding against the ground, until Shelgon's momentum finally dissipated.
Shelgon landed and immediately tried to retreat—but before it could move—
Two thick arms clamped down onto its body!
"Got you! Blastoise! Now—use Ice Beam!"
"Blastoise!!"
Holding Shelgon firmly, Blastoise opened his massive mouth. Blue-white freezing energy rapidly gathered—
"Don't let it succeed! Shelgon—use Iron Head!"
"Hruunngh!"
Shelgon violently struggled. With a powerful kick of its hind legs, its round body broke free and slammed headfirst into Blastoise's abdomen, knocking him flat onto his back!
"Blastoise!"
Blastoise fell hard, limbs flailing helplessly. The fully charged Ice Beam fired straight into the sky instead, freezing the rain midair and turning it into countless ice pellets that rained back down.
"Well done, Shelgon! Finish it! Use Body Slam!"
Seizing the opening, Clair gave the final command. Shelgon leapt high, its heavy body spreading its short limbs wide as it descended with crushing force!
"Hang in there, Blastoise! You can't give up now! Use Ice Punch!"
This was the final moment of the battle. With no other option, Delia could only have Blastoise give everything he had!
"Blastoise!!"
Blastoise stopped struggling instantly. Determination flashed in his eyes. With a roar, his thick right arm shot upward, wrapped in freezing air—and then—
He punched straight into Shelgon's belly with everything he had!
Crack!!
The instant they collided, a sharp cracking sound rang out. The icy rubble beneath Blastoise shattered completely, and his body sank downward—the ground unable to withstand Shelgon's falling weight!
"Blastoise!!"
Trapped deep in the rubble, Blastoise threw his head back and roared—his voice filled not with pain, but exhilaration!
His right arm fell limply to the side, clearly injured—but the attack had worked.
Nearby, Shelgon's body was already more than halfway frozen solid.
The ice spread outward from its abdomen, sealing all four limbs completely. No matter how violently Shelgon struggled, it was useless.
"Blastoise? Can you still fight?"
"Blastoise!"
"Good! Get up, Blastoise! Use Ice Beam!"
"Blas—toise!!"
Blastoise forced himself out of the crater, stood tall, opened his mouth once more—and unleashed a roaring Ice Beam, blasting straight toward Shelgon!