Blaziken was covered in flames, transforming into a burning meteorite, charging straight at Krokorok with an indomitable and violent posture!
The momentum of this strike even caused the temperature of the entire Gym to rise once again!
Ariel's pupils constricted slightly.
Flare Blitz was incredibly powerful, but it also dealt recoil damage to the user.
Flannery intended to end this battle in the most forceful way possible.
"Krokorok! Give it your all too! Maximum power Stomping Tantrum!"
Facing the whistling "meteorite," Krokorok didn't back down.
It poured all its strength into the earth, its sharp fangs glinting coldly.
Krokorok took a fierce step forward!
Boom!
The ground in front of it began to crack, and powerful Ground-type energy erupted!
In the next second, the collision of fire and stone detonated with a bang, an Aftermath in the center of the field!
The massive roar was deafening, and the shockwave from the explosion even made people feel a sense of swaying.
Flames and rubble splashed in all directions, as if the entire field had experienced a small-scale volcanic eruption.
The dust cleared.
Blaziken was half-kneeling on the ground, panting heavily, its body covered in wounds from the rocks, and the recoil of Flare Blitz also left it looking exhausted.
On the other side, Krokorok's situation was even worse.
It was sent flying by the explosion's shockwave, only stopping when it hit the back wall; now charred all over, it struggled a few times but couldn't stand up immediately.
Although Stomping Tantrum blocked most of the damage, the power of Flare Blitz was simply too great.
The outcome seemed to have been decided.
Flannery looked at her Blaziken; although it had sustained significant injuries, it clearly still retained its fighting capacity.
Meanwhile, Ariel's Krokorok had reached its limit.
"It's over."
Flannery said softly.
However, Ariel looked at the figure struggling to get up on the field, and a faint, imperceptible smile appeared at the corners of his mouth instead.
He saw it—Krokorok's unwilling eyes.
It was a stubbornness that said, "I can still fight, I haven't lost yet."
As the big brother of the team, whose level had just been matched by Malamar, how could it fall here?
Especially after Weavile had achieved a magnificent record of a type-disadvantaged sweep of two, if it were to be one-shotted by the opponent's ace, how could it face the rest of the team in the future?
It couldn't afford to lose this face!
Ariel read its mind.
He cleared his throat and said in a slightly regretful tone, loud enough to be heard:
"Forget it, Krokorok, you've done well enough. Come back."
He paused and took out Malamar's Poké Ball.
"Next, let's swap in Malamar; it should be able to handle this."
These words were like a needle, accurately piercing Krokorok's proud self-esteem.
"Roar—!!!"
A heaven-shaking roar erupted from the fallen Krokorok's mouth!
It kicked its hind legs hard, miraculously standing up again! Although its body was still shaking, the fierce aura emanating from its core was stronger than ever before!
It turned its head and stared fixedly at Ariel—or rather, at the Poké Ball in Ariel's hand belonging to Malamar—its eyes filled with a massive surge of fighting spirit!
Swap to Malamar?
No! Absolutely not!
I am the leader of the team! This battle must be ended by me!
Flannery was stunned; she hadn't expected that Krokorok, already at its limit, could still burst forth with such incredible willpower.
Ariel smiled.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
"Oh? You still want to fight?"
He asked with feigned surprise, then shrugged his shoulders.
"Fine, I'll give you one more chance. But if you lose, there won't be any pokéblocks for you when we get back."
"Roar!"
Krokorok stomped its foot heavily, as if responding to Ariel's reverse psychology. An inexplicable power surged from within its body, its muscles bulging, and its aura rising steadily!
This was an explosion of potential! A battle for its dignity as the leader!
The Blaziken opposite felt this aura and assumed its stance again, its gaze solemn.
"The final showdown."
Flannery took a deep breath; she knew that the next strike would decide the final outcome.
"Blaziken, push the power of Blaze to its limit! Maximum power Flare Blitz!"
"Roar!"
The Blaze Ability on Blaziken's body was completely activated! The orange-red flames instantly turned a deep crimson, a symbol of power condensed to the extreme!
Once again, it transformed into a burning meteorite, rushing forward with even more terrifying heat and momentum than before!
This was the final strike, betting everything!
At this moment, Ariel revealed a smile of certain victory.
"I've been waiting for this!"
"Krokorok, I didn't tell you to use Dig to escape, but to use it to create an opportunity!"
"Stomping Tantrum!"
The moment the command was given, Krokorok didn't fully submerge into the ground like before.
It only sank its upper body into the ground, leaving its thick, powerful hind legs and tail on the surface, and then, with all its strength, it kicked and stomped!
Rumble—!
The entire rocky field trembled violently!
Centered on Krokorok, a visible shockwave spread out along the ground!
Stomping Tantrum!
This move might not be that powerful, but it has a special effect—lowering the opponent's speed!
By using Stomping Tantrum multiple times, Krokorok had unknowingly reduced Blaziken's speed to a very low level!
The rapidly charging Blaziken never expected its opponent to respond in this way.
It only felt the ground beneath it soften, the rhythm of the earth disrupted, and its forward momentum inevitably faltered!
When experts clash, victory or defeat is decided in an instant.
This momentary stall was a fatal flaw!
"Now! Bite!"
Ariel's voice sounded like the final verdict.
Krokorok, which had long been prepared, suddenly leaped out from underground, its wide-open maw filled with dark purple energy that had reached its peak density.
It didn't go for Blaziken's body, but accurately bit the leg that Blaziken used for support and balance!
Crack!
A sickening sound of bone cracking rang out.
"Screech—!"
Blaziken let out a shrill cry of pain, the flames of Flare Blitz instantly extinguished, and it fell heavily to the ground, the leg that was bitten twisted at an unnatural angle.
The battle was over.
Krokorok stood in place, panting heavily, looking at the Blaziken lying on the ground having lost its Ability to fight; its arrogant face finally showed a hint of a victor's exhaustion and satisfaction.
It wobbled and ultimately couldn't hold on, sitting down on the ground with a thud.
But it had won.
It had defended its dignity as the big brother of the team.
The entire venue was dead silent.
Moore's mouth hung open, unable to close for a long time.
A reversal, another reversal!
And in such a bloody and intelligent way!
Ariel slowly walked onto the field, came to Krokorok's side, knelt down, and took out a Potion to treat it.
"Well done, Boss."
"Roar..."
Krokorok responded weakly, but its slightly raised chin was full of pride.