Blazing flames wrapped around both fists as Mega Dragonite charged forward, carried by a spiraling gust of wind, diving straight toward Mega Abomasnow.
After the enhancement from Dragon Dance, the difference in speed between the two had widened even further. In Mega Abomasnow's perception, it only sensed a scorching aura rapidly approaching.
Before it could make any further movement, a violent pain erupted from its abdomen. Mega Dragonite's Fire Punch struck solidly.
Raging flames spread across Abomasnow's body, scorching the ice crystals covering its surface with sizzling sounds. Melted ice water was instantly vaporized by the intense heat, turning into clouds of white mist.
Mega Abomasnow's massive body was blasted backward, crashing heavily onto the ground. Spiderweb like cracks spread rapidly across the battlefield where it landed.
It struggled to stand up, but the intense pain coursing through its body made it tremble uncontrollably.
Mega Dragonite had not been attacking randomly. Both Scale Shot and Fire Punch had been aimed at the exact same location. Not only did the latter exploit the type advantage, it had also struck a critical point.
"The final Extreme Speed."
"Draa!"
Mega Dragonite transformed into a streak of light nearly impossible to follow with the naked eye. It darted around Mega Abomasnow repeatedly, waiting patiently for the opponent to expose a flaw.
Mega Abomasnow barely managed to stand, its body swaying unsteadily.
Its stamina had been severely drained, forcing it to adopt a purely defensive stance in order to minimize further damage.
Several times it hurled Ice Shards to block Giant Dragonite's approach, yet every single one missed.
Mega Dragonite slowly closed the distance, and the immense pressure it radiated caused Mega Abomasnow's focus to falter. A crack appeared in its defense.
As if its battle instincts had been triggered, Mega Dragonite launched its attack decisively, seizing the fleeting opening.
The streak of light suddenly halted.
Dragon Claw, carrying the extreme momentum of Extreme Speed, pierced forward with precision toward the wound on Mega Abomasnow's abdomen.
A sharp tearing sound echoed as ice crystals shattered like scattering petals. A cloud of mist rose into the air.
Mega Abomasnow's knees buckled, and its massive body collapsed powerlessly onto the ground.
It had completely lost the ability to battle.
At the moment Mega Abomasnow fell, its Mega Evolution form was released. The hail scattered across the battlefield gradually diminished, turning once more into gentle falling snow.
The temperature inside the gym rose slightly.
The gym trainer serving as referee finally snapped out of his stunned state and hurried forward to check. With a trembling voice he announced the result.
"Mega Abomasnow has lost the ability to battle. The winner is Mega Dragonite. Gym Leader Wulfric, please send out your next Pokémon."
The three versus three battle format meant the match was not yet finished.
"Well now, Silas, you and Dragonite have truly shown me the strength of young trainers."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Silas smiled slightly, his gaze resting on Giant Dragonite.
Based on the strength Giant Dragonite had just demonstrated, it clearly far surpassed Mega Abomasnow.
If not for the opponent's type advantage, Giant Dragonite could have ended the battle in half the time.
It could be said that Giant Dragonite's normal combat strength already stood at the level of a champion class trainer's main Pokémon. After Mega Evolution, it was even stronger, reaching the level of a master.
Of course, if Giant Dragonite were to completely release its own power and return to its original massive body size while combining it with the amplification from Mega Evolution, it would be capable of contending with some of the special second tier legendary Pokémon and could even compete with primary legendary Pokémon.
Well, that was under the assumption that the opponent was not using their full strength.
In a certain sense, the primary legendary Pokémon were not merely legendary Pokémon. They represented part of the fundamental framework that composed the Pokémon world itself.
Normally you could treat them casually and joke around, but once you truly angered one of them, the destruction they could cause might affect the entire Pokémon world.
A special mention was deserved for the two big brothers of the Hoenn region.
Either they were sleeping or they were fighting.
After receiving Giant Dragonite's response confirming that it could continue battling, Silas decided not to switch it out.
Instead, he prepared to send Cinccino onto the field.
Cinccino blinked in shock.
"Cin?!" (Wait, I have to battle too?!)
Silas, are you really willing to let such a cute little mouse like me get beaten until my nose is bruised and swollen?
The little Pokémon blinked its sparkling eyes pitifully.
At the same time, Wulfric recalled Abomasnow and threw out his second Poké Ball.
The moment the new Pokémon appeared, a tremendous rumbling shook the entire gym.
Cinccino looked up in astonishment and tugged at Silas's pant leg.
"Cin?" (Silas, Silas, is this giant block of ice also a Pokémon?)
"Yes." Silas picked up Cinccino in his arms, clearly much more relaxed now. "That is the Iceberg Pokémon, Avalugg."
Just from its appearance alone, Avalugg looked like a moving glacier.
Its enormous body was mainly composed of blue ice, with a mysterious purple color visible within.
Its head was pointed like the bow of an ice breaking ship.
This body structure allowed Avalugg to sail freely across extremely cold oceans. Its huge size also meant that few other Pokémon dared to attack it.
Despite its massive body, its personality was as honest and simple as Dondozo.
It was truly a straightforward and reliable Pokémon.
Avalugg's attacking methods were rather limited. Against the agile Mega Dragonite, its huge body simply became a living target.
Mega Dragonite refused to engage in close combat at all, denying Avalugg the chance to use moves such as Avalanche or Crunch.
Instead it kept its distance and continuously launched Scale Shot again and again.
Avalugg had no way to dodge.
In the end it was forced to use Iron Defense to strengthen its body and reduce the damage from the barrage.
Meanwhile, every time Mega Dragonite used Scale Shot its speed increased while its defense dropped by one stage.
Eventually its defense had fallen by four stages.
With the final Scale Shot attack, Avalugg had no ability to resist and was defeated.
The next Pokémon, Cryogonal, received almost the exact same treatment.
Mega Dragonite's speed rose to plus five stages, reaching an astonishing thirteen thousand points.
Cryogonal could not even touch it.
The reduction of four stages in defense made no difference at all.
Very quickly Cryogonal was struck by a single Extreme Speed and sent flying backward, crashing outside the battlefield.
"Cryogonal has lost the ability to battle. Mega Dragonite wins. Gym Leader Wulfric's three Pokémon have all lost the ability to battle, therefore the final winner is the trainer Silas."
The announcer declared the result rapidly.
Mega Dragonite had achieved a one versus three sweep, displaying overwhelming dominance.
"Cin! Cin!"
Cinccino sitting on Silas's shoulder clapped its little hands happily, genuinely delighted by Giant Dragonite's victory.
It wanted to share the moment with Silas, but when it noticed he was looking elsewhere, it stretched out its tiny hand and tugged his hair.
"Ow."
Silas winced and glanced helplessly at Cinccino.
"Cin~"
"That's right, Dragonite won the battle." Silas flicked the little Pokémon lightly on the forehead before raising his hand to touch his hair.
The spot Cinccino liked to pull had noticeably less hair now.
After the battle ended, Giant Dragonite returned to its normal form as the Mega Evolution faded.
It quickly rushed to Silas's side and pulled him into a big hug.
"Draa~!"
"Yes, yes." Silas patted Giant Dragonite's large head affectionately. "We won this gym battle entirely thanks to you today. You were incredibly amazing."
Cinccino climbed onto Silas's head and copied his movements, patting Giant Dragonite as well while chirping "Cin cin~"
After comforting Giant Dragonite, Silas treated its injuries briefly.
Only then did he receive the special Iceberg Badge of the Snowbelle Gym from Wulfric.
The badge was shaped like a snowflake, with a hollow center containing a transparent blue material that resembled a piece of ice. It perfectly matched the theme of the Snowbelle Gym.
Silas handed the badge to Giant Dragonite.
Giant Dragonite held it carefully in both hands while Cinccino leaned over curiously to examine it.
After chatting with Wulfric for a short while, Silas rubbed his hands together and quickly left the gym.
During the battle he had not felt the cold, but now the freezing temperature nearly made him feel like he would die from it.
Calling both of his Pokémon, Silas headed straight for the warm and comfortable Pokémon Center.
(End of Chapter)