Arsenal's body curled inward as he transformed into a spinning wheel of fire midair.
Magmortar were already large and bulky Pokémon. When Arsenal used Flame Wheel, he became an enormous rolling inferno, like a massive truck tire set ablaze.
Flames roared around him and heat radiated outwards from the flame wheel. The ground beneath Arsenal was scorched black with every rotation of him. Smoke trailed behind like a comet's tail.
The Flame Wheel dropped from mid-air after Arsenal launched himself. It landed with a heavy thud that cracked the grass field.
Then it rolled forward with terrifying momentum. The spinning wheel of fire moved straight toward Hitmonlee's incoming kick.
The two attacks collided in an instant. Hitmonlee's leg struck the burning surface.
A pained grimace appeared on the Fighting-type's face immediately. The heat was unbearable for him as bis skin sizzled.
The sheer mass and speed of Arsenal's rolling body overpowered Hitmonlee's strength. The Magmortar crushed forward, rolling right over Hitmonlee. The Fighting-type disappeared under the flaming wheel for a moment.
When Arsenal continued past, Hitmonlee lay motionless on the ground. Burns covered his body. He was knocked out.
The referee raised his flag. "Hitmonlee is unable to battle!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. Bruno recalled Hitmonlee with a calm expression. He looked impressed rather than angry.
He reached for his next Poké Ball and released Poliwrath. The Water-Fighting-type landed with a punching stance.
Gladion studied the new opponent. 'A Water-Fighting type Pokémon,' he thought. 'I knew Bruno used other types besides pure Fighting, but I never thought he would budge on the supremacy of Fighting types. Type specialists usually believe their type is the strongest after all.'
He glanced at Arsenal. The Magmortar was still spinning in Flame Wheel form.
Gladion gave the order. "Continue using Flame Wheel and run him through too."
Arsenal rolled forward again, flames roaring around him and his next victim would be Poliwrath if Bruno did not do anything.
Bruno responded quickly. "Mud Shot on its path!"
Poliwrath shot large globs of thick mud out and splattered across the ground in front of the rolling Magmortar.
The mud slowed Arsenal's momentum. More shots followed. The wheel began to lose speed. Finally, it stopped completely.
Arsenal uncurled back to his normal form. Mud covered him from head to toe. His body heat though was burning the mud away already.
Bruno seized the opening and the break that he had gotten. "Belly Drum!"
Poliwrath began beating its own belly like a drum. Each hit echoed across the stadium. The Pokémon's muscles bulged bigger. It sacrificed half its health to maximize its attack.
Gladion's eyes narrowed. 'Belly Drum. That is a risky move. It gives massive attack power but leaves the user vulnerable by sacrificing fifty percent of its HP.'
Bruno shouted, "Close Combat!"
Poliwrath charged forward with incredible speed. It unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks.
Arsenal tried to block, but was unable to do so as the blows landed hard on him. Arsenal grunted with every impact. He swung his arms to fight back, but Poliwrath dodged gracefully and retaliated with a punch to Arsenal.
Gladion watched closely. 'If I am not wrong, one of Poliwrath's Pokédex entries says it is skilled at martial arts.'
He realized something important. 'It does not matter if my Pokémon have more raw power or speed. Bruno's Pokémon have skill. The skill of using martial arts. Arsenal's punches are being seen through easily. Poliwrath dodges and counters with skill. He is reading Arsenal's movements. It is like watching a skilled martial artist fight an unskilled kid.'
'An anime example of this would be the fight between Kid Goku and Master Roshi in Dragon ball. Even if Goku had more power back when he was a kid, Master Roshi had more skill and would have still beat Goku's ass.'
Gladion smiled as he saw Poliwrath still taking damage despite Arsenal's hits not landing.
Gladion thought further. 'Arsenal is tanking those hits, but he is also increasing his body heat as much as possible. He is trying to damage Poliwrath with contact burns.'
There were third-degree burns forming on Poliwrath's fists and legs.
Gladion decided to make a final move before forfeiting Arsenal. "Let us give them the last surprise."
"Arsenal, Smog!"
From Arsenal's cannons, thick purple poison smoke erupted. It spread quickly and shrouded both Pokémon in a choking cloud. Arsenal took another punch during that.
Bruno prepared to finish the match. Gladion spoke calmly. "I forfeit Arsenal."
He returned the Magmortar to his Poké Ball. "Good job, bud."
Poliwrath stood in the smoke, poisoned and burned. It had used Belly Drum earlier, so it was already missing more than half its health.
Bruno took the chance though. "Bulk Up!"
Poliwrath flexed its muscles. Its body grew even larger. It's attack and defense rose higher.
Gladion smiled. 'Oh, so he increased his attack further and added some defense too. Good choice.'
His smile grew wider. 'But let us see how your extra attack helps your Fighting type against my Ghost fighting type.'
He threw his next Poké Ball. "Let us go, Lee."
Annihilape appeared. His fists were clenched. He let out a low, menacing growl.
Lee looked at Poliwrath and spoke in his rough, intense voice. [I am going to crush everyone in my path. Annihilate. Annihilate. Annihilate!]
Gladion knew that something was clearly wrong in Annhilape's head. He laughed a short, broken laugh that sent chills through the crowd.
[Annihilate. Annihilate. Everything will be dust. Everything will be broken. I will break you. I will break everything!]
'Lets hope Bruno's Pokemon are alive after Lee is done with them.' Gladion thought with a wry smile
-----Author Notes------
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