"Geodude is unable to battle! Monferno wins!" The referee, jolted back to his senses by the commotion on the field, hurriedly raised his flag. His clear announcement echoed throughout the Gym.
Seeing Monferno defeat Geodude so decisively, Ash couldn't help but clench his fists tightly.
Although he still harbored resentment towards Shinji's previous methods, he had to admit that the momentum of the Monferno on the field at this moment was truly astonishing.
The Pikachu on his shoulder also cried out, "Pika!" Its cheek pouches flashed with a faint electric light, seemingly stirred by the fighting spirit.
Brock stroked his chin, his eyes filled with gravity and admiration. "It's not just the power boost from evolution. The key is Shinji's precise control over the timing of the evolution, allowing Monferno to completely master that abnormal Blaze energy in its extreme state. This ability to tap into a Pokémon's potential is truly terrifying."
"Great job, Shinji! Monferno!" Dawn's cheerful cheer was the first to break the brief silence.
She vigorously waved her pom-poms, her skirt swaying gently with the movement. The smile on her face was even brighter and more radiant than before. "That's it, no problem, no problem!"
Piplup and Buneary jumped up and down along with her, the miniature ribbons on them shaking, adding a touch of lively warmth to this cold, hard rock-based battlefield.
Roark recalled the fainted Geodude and gently stroked the Poké Ball, his tone gentle yet carrying a hint of understanding. "You've worked hard, Geodude. Get some good rest."
Roark looked up, took out another Poké Ball, and rubbed its surface with his fingertips. His gaze towards Shinji held a trace of approval. "Shinji, it seems you used me as a whetstone for your Chimchar's evolution."
As a veteran Gym Leader, he had long seen through Shinji's previous tactic: deliberately pushing Chimchar into a desperate situation precisely to trigger its Blaze ability and simultaneously complete its evolution.
This precise tactical planning and extreme exploitation of a Pokémon's potential made him feel a sense of admiration.
"However," Roark's tone shifted, a battle-hungry smile curling at the corner of his mouth, "be careful the whetstone doesn't break the blade."
"If the blade is sharp enough, it won't fear a hard stone," Shinji responded expressionlessly, his dark purple eyes showing no fluctuation.
"Bold words. Well, my second Pokémon is this one. Go, Rhyhorn!" Roark threw his second Poké Ball.
The Poké Ball was tossed into the air. A flash of white light, and a robust Pokémon landed steadily on the rocky battlefield.
Its entire body was covered in thick, gray armor. A sharp horn adorned its head, and its four limbs were thick and powerful. Upon landing, it emitted a dull thud that sent a slight tremor through the ground.
"Rhyhorn?" A flicker of surprise passed through Shinji's dark purple eyes.
He remembered Ash's second Pokémon during their battle was Onix. He hadn't expected Roark to send out Rhyhorn this time.
But he quickly dismissed the thought. There were no rules requiring Gym Leaders to use fixed Pokémon. Adjusting their lineup based on the challenger's strength was what a qualified Gym Leader should do.
With a thought, the pale blue system panel in his mind instantly unfolded, precisely locking onto the Rhyhorn on the field. Various data clearly appeared:
[Rhyhorn ♦]
Level: 38 (Superior Grade)
Type: Ground + Rock
Ability: Lightning Rod
potential: Medium
Moves: Tackle, Horn Attack, Take Down, Double-Edge, Stomp, Rock Blast
After scanning the data, Shinji had already made a decision in his heart.
Level 38, Superior Grade strength, medium potential. This Rhyhorn had been raised quite well by Roark.
For the newly evolved Monferno, which needed to adapt to its new power, it was the perfect real combat opponent.
"Rhyhorn, Take Down!" Roark didn't give Shinji too much time to prepare, taking the initiative to attack with a calm and decisive command.
Rhyhorn received the order, its right front hoof vigorously scraping the ground, kicking up showers of stone dust.
It lowered its head, its sharp horn aimed at Monferno. Its four limbs exerted force, and it charged forward like an out-of-control tank. A powerful gust of wind surrounded it, its momentum astonishing. Wherever it passed, the rocky ground was slightly dented by its steps.
Facing the unstoppable charge, Shinji remained calm and composed, his cool voice devoid of any ripple. "Dig."
Monferno reacted extremely quickly. Its hands instantly glowed white. It nimbly clawed at the ground and agilely burrowed underground, disappearing without a trace, easily avoiding Rhyhorn's direct charge.
Rhyhorn lost its target, skidding to a halt where Monferno had vanished. It anxiously turned its heavy head left and right, snorting white breath from its nostrils, a look of confusion and bewilderment in its eyes.
"Calm down, Rhyhorn! Feel the vibrations in the ground!" Roark, experienced, immediately spoke up to soothe and guide.
However, Shinji's command was one step faster, carrying an unquestionable resolve. "Now, attack!"
"Thud!"
The ground beneath Rhyhorn suddenly exploded. Monferno burst out of the earth like a cannonball, delivering a heavy blow to Rhyhorn.
Rhyhorn let out a pained grunt. Its massive body was actually knocked airborne by this sudden attack, arcing through the air before crashing heavily to the ground.
"Now, Mach Punch!" Shinji's command followed immediately, giving Rhyhorn no chance to catch its breath.
Monferno's figure flashed. Its right fist instantly lit up with a dazzling white light, carrying a sharp whistling sound as it shot towards the just-landed Rhyhorn like a ghost.
"Hmph, Rhyhorn, Rock Blast!" Not a trace of panic showed on Roark's face as he calmly gave the order.
The just-landed Rhyhorn, enduring the pain, forcefully raised its head and let out a roar.
Two streams of gray energy rapidly condensed in front of it, transforming into two rock projectiles the size of washbasins. With a whistling sound, they shot towards Monferno.
"Charge through," Shinji's voice remained cool, yet carried an unquestionable resolve.
A gleam flashed in Monferno's eyes. Facing the incoming rocks, it didn't dodge or evade. Instead, its forward charge accelerated.
Just as the rocks were about to hit, it threw both fists forward! The white light of Mach Punch drew two short, sharp trajectories!
"Crack! Crack!"
Two crisp sounds came almost simultaneously. The two seemingly indestructible rocks were directly smashed to pieces by Monferno's fists, stone fragments flying everywhere.
Monferno's figure had already passed through the flying debris. The remaining force of its Mach Punch unabated, it solidly struck Rhyhorn's body.
"Moo—!!"
Rhyhorn let out an even more agonized roar. Its massive body was sent sliding backward by this punch, its four hooves plowing two deep furrows in the ground.
"Dig," Shinji gave the same command again, not giving the opponent a chance.
For him, effective tactics didn't need frequent changes. Repeating them could better break the opponent's psychological defenses.
Monferno crouched down again, its hands rapidly clawing at the ground. Its figure instantly burrowed underground and vanished.
"You think the same move will work?" Seeing Shinji repeat the trick, a confident smile curled at the corner of Roark's mouth. "Rhyhorn, use Stomp on the ground!"
"BOOM!!"
Rhyhorn raised its thick front leg high and then brought it down with tremendous force, smashing it onto the ground.
A deafening sound reverberated throughout the entire Gym. A powerful shockwave spread outwards like a blast wave. The entire battlefield shook violently, even the mineral specimens on the walls trembled slightly.
Monferno underground was clearly affected by the impact. Moments later, it scrambled out of the ground somewhat disheveled, not far from Rhyhorn.
"Now, Rhyhorn, Double-Edge!"
Seeing Monferno forced out, a fierce glint flashed in Roark's eyes. No longer intending to hold back, he directly unleashed a powerful move.
Rhyhorn's entire body glowed with a dazzling white light, its aura instantly climbing to its peak.
It spread its four hooves and, disregarding its own safety, charged towards the just-stabilized Monferno with a determined, all-or-nothing momentum. Wherever it passed, the ground cracked and stone dust flew.
Seeing Rhyhorn's action, Shinji's dark purple eyes narrowed slightly as he gave a firm order. "Flame Wheel, use full power!"
"Waaahhh—!"
Monferno threw its head back and let out a long roar. The "ta" shaped flame on its tail instantly surged. Its entire body was enveloped in searing, crimson-red flames. Its rotating form transformed into a massive wheel of fire. The heat distorted the surrounding air as it fearlessly charged head-on towards the approaching Rhyhorn!
"Boom!"
The Flame Wheel collided fiercely with the white light-wrapped Rhyhorn.
Two powerful forces clashed and locked in a stalemate. The energy in the air fluctuated violently, forming visible streams of air that spread outwards.
"KABOOM—!"
Moments later, the two moves suddenly erupted. A violent explosion instantly engulfed the entire battlefield.
Dazzling light illuminated the entire Gym. A powerful blast of wind swept through like a gale, whipping everyone's clothes and hair into disarray.
Everyone couldn't help but raise their hands to shield themselves, squinting their eyes, utterly unable to see the situation on the field.
Only Shinji remained unmoved. His dark purple eyes pierced through the dazzling light, firmly locked onto the center of the battlefield. Only his purple hair whipped violently behind his head.
The aftermath of the explosion gradually dissipated, the blinding light faded, and the scene on the field finally became clearly visible to everyone.
In the center of the battlefield, both Monferno and Rhyhorn lay on the ground. The flames and white light on their bodies had long since vanished.
Swirls marked their eyes. Clearly, both had lost the ability to battle.
The referee hurried to the center of the field, carefully checked the condition of both Pokémon, then raised his flag and loudly announced, "Rhyhorn and Monferno are both unable to battle!"