Feathers Scatter!
Two deep, bone-exposing wounds appeared on Altaria's back! The quadruple-effective damage caused it to let out its most agonized cry yet. Its body tilted, nearly plummeting from the sky.
On the other side, the heavily injured Skarmory, crippled by Crunch, struggled to take flight again, but Krookodile gave it no chance!
"Earthquake!"
Ariel's command was merciless.
Although Ground-type moves are ineffective against Flying-type Pokémon in the games, this is not the game world—this is reality!
As long as Skarmory was on the ground and lost its aerial advantage, it could still be hit by Ground-type moves!
Krookodile stomped its feet heavily, unleashing a devastating force that spread outwards from its center, engulfing the entire battlefield! The ground undulated and cracked violently like waves!
Skarmory, already struggling to take off, completely lost its balance amidst the intense tremors. It was swallowed by the violent ground energy, its eyes rolling back as it lost consciousness.
Within the Sandstorm, the tide of battle had turned!
At the cost of Weavile sustaining continuous injuries, Ariel, with a series of lightning-fast commands, successfully broke through defenses, inflicted heavy damage, and achieved a crushing victory—all in less than a minute.
The entire Gym fell into a dead silence. Everyone was stunned by this fierce yet masterfully executed tactical coordination.
The wind gradually died down.
The sky full of yellow sand slowly settled, and the scene on the battlefield became clear once more.
Skarmory lay on the ground, having lost the ability to battle.
Weavile knelt on one knee, its body covered in tiny scratches from the sand. Its breathing was labored, clearly exhausted, but its gaze remained as sharp as a blade.
In the sky, only the solitary Altaria remained.
Its pure white wings were stained with blood and frost, each flap seeming exceptionally difficult. Its energy was at its lowest point.
And at the center of the battlefield, Krookodile stood tall.
Having just defeated a formidable opponent and showcasing its power within its favored weather condition, its confidence had swelled to unprecedented levels.
A wild, arrogant look flashed in its crimson eyes, as if the entire world lay beneath its feet.
Although it too bore injuries and had consumed considerable stamina, its aura of dominance had reached its peak.
"Return, Skarmory."
Winona recalled her Pokémon. The calmness on her face was gone, replaced by a complex expression mixing surprise, admiration, and seriousness.
She looked at Ariel, then at that overbearing Krookodile.
"I underestimated you."
"The battle isn't over yet."
Ariel's voice remained steady.
The Sandstorm completely dissipated. The final showdown was about to begin.
On one side: an overconfident, heavily fatigued Krookodile.
On the other: a severely wounded, yet tenaciously determined Altaria.
"Altaria, Brave Bird!" Winona gave the first command.
The final counterattack!
Altaria let out a clear, sharp cry, forcibly drawing out the last of its strength. Flying-type energy converged wildly around it. Carrying this power, it charged towards Krookodile!
The Flying-type ultimate move! Brave Bird!
"Roar!"
Krookodile let out a furious roar. Facing this attack, it neither dodged nor evaded, its eyes filled with contempt! Its massive body didn't retreat but instead charged forward, meeting the Brave Bird head-on!
It intended to crush its foe in the most brutal manner!
"Crunch!"
Boom!
The Flying-type energy exploded against Krookodile's body. The powerful impact caused it to let out a pained roar, halting its forward momentum.
But, it was only a momentary pause.
It had withstood the blow!
Using the explosion as cover, its massive figure had already closed in on Altaria. Its huge maw, lined with sharp teeth, descended with a momentum to end it all, biting down fiercely!
"Crack!"
The crisp sound was the final elegy.
Altaria's head drooped powerlessly as it slowly fell from the sky.
The battlefield, ravaged by the Sandstorm, was a mess. The ground was scarred with trenches of varying depths, as if clawed by a giant beast.
Krookodile stood at the center of the field, its chest heaving violently. Its heavy panting was especially clear in the silent Gym.
One of its legs trembled unnaturally—the price for enduring Skarmory's final Steel Wing. Yet, it held its head high. Beneath its goggle-like membranes, its ferocity hadn't diminished; instead, it carried a hint of arrogance from winning a hard-fought battle.
Winona watched this scene quietly, not immediately recalling Altaria.
Her gaze shifted between Ariel and the imposing Krookodile. There was something in her eyes—scrutiny, and also a kind of... acknowledgment.
The pent-up frustration in Ariel's chest finally released in a long exhale.
He had won.
It wasn't an easy victory.
But considering the opponent's level advantage, this battle was still brilliantly fought!
"Shall we continue?"
Ariel spoke, his voice slightly hoarse from the release of intense mental focus.
He knew Winona still had a Tropius. Although that Pokémon's stamina was more than half depleted, against Krookodile in its current state, the outcome was uncertain.
Winona shook her head, took out a Poké Ball, and a red beam recalled Altaria.
"No need."
Her voice was soft, yet clear.
"You've won."
Ariel was momentarily stunned.
Winona walked towards him, her steps steady, showing no emotional fluctuation from the defeat.
She was stating a fact.
"The purpose of a Gym battle isn't merely victory or defeat."
Winona stopped before Ariel, her gaze frank.
"It's to test whether a Trainer possesses sufficient wisdom, courage, and bond with their Pokémon to face the challenges ahead. You didn't give up in a desperate situation; instead, you used weather tactics to turn the battle around. That judgment and your Pokémon's resolve in responding to you... that's enough."
She took a badge from her pocket and held it in her palm.
It was an exquisite feather-shaped badge, entirely silver-white, reflecting a soft luster.
The feather badge.
Ariel reached out. As his fingertips touched the badge, he felt a cool, metallic texture.
He carefully picked it up. This small badge felt surprisingly heavy.
This wasn't just proof of a victory; it was an affirmation of his tactics, his Pokémon, and of himself as a Trainer.
"And this."
Winona handed over a thin hm disc disc.
"As promised, Protect."
Ariel solemnly accepted it and thanked her.
He didn't inspect it immediately. Instead, he turned and released Frogadier.
The little guy emerged and immediately sensed the tense atmosphere and the thick fighting spirit emanating from Krookodile, instinctively adopting a combat stance.
"It's alright. It's over."
Ariel crouched down, patted Frogadier's smooth head, then held the Protect hm disc in front of it.
"This is for you."
Frogadier tilted its head, took the disc with its forelimbs, and curiously examined it.
It could sense a peculiar energy fluctuation from this small disc.
Ariel watched it, already making calculations in his mind.
Frogadier's speed and attack were impeccable, but its defenses were frail. Having the Protect move would undoubtedly give it an extra life-saving card and greatly increase tactical flexibility.
Moreover, once Frogadier learned Protect, all of Ariel's Pokémon would have mastered this move.
Putting away the badge and remaining items, Ariel prepared to take his leave.
But Winona stopped him:
"Next, are you going to challenge Mr. Senri's Normal-type Gym?"
Ariel paused, then shook his head:
"No, I need to go to a place in Mauville City first..."
"A friend is waiting for me there."
Ariel casually gave a reason, not explicitly stating it. The term 'Team Rocket' was too sensitive.
Winona didn't press further, simply nodding:
"Mauville City is a mixed bag. Be careful."
Stepping out of the Fortree City Gym, the afternoon sun was somewhat glaring.
Ariel squinted, looking up towards the direction of Mauville City.
That guy Laic had told him about the possibility of promotion to Intermediate Cadre when they parted ways.
Ariel rubbed the cool feather badge in his pocket, recalling Laic's carefree face.
Mauville City... I'll make a trip there.