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"Now commencing—the Hoenn Gym Challenge!"
"The challenger: Champion Liam!"
"The defender: Elite Four member and Lavaridge Gym Leader—Lord. Moore!"
"According to the rules of Lavaridge Gym, each side may only send out one Pokémon! The battle continues until one side surrenders or loses the ability to fight!"
"Now, please take your positions!"
At the open-air battlefield of Lavaridge Gym, several Gym Leaders stood around the field as spectators. The Fortree Gym Leader, Terry, acted as the referee, standing solemnly in position.
"Now, both sides—please send out your Pokémon!"
Liam and Moore stepped into position. Terry raised both hands and announced loudly.
"Heh… My rule has always been to decide victory in a single battle. So when it comes to choosing my Pokémon, I never hesitate—because I've already made my choice long ago! Go, my old partner! Show them your strength!"
"ROOOAR!!"
Moore tossed out a PokeBall with a smile. In a flash of white light, a Typhlosion, flames blazing fiercely from its back, appeared on the field with imposing presence!
"A Fire-type Typhlosion, huh? In that case—come out, Prinplup! You're up!"
"Poh-ha!!"
Water beats Fire. The moment Liam saw Typhlosion, he chose Prinplup without hesitation!
"Prinplup, the opponent is strong. Don't let your guard down."
"Poh-ha!"
Liam reminded seriously. After all, his opponent was an Elite Four-level trainer—and this was a one-on-one battle. There was no room for carelessness.
However, Moore frowned slightly upon seeing Prinplup.
"Champion… do you think I'm too old to be taken seriously? Sending out such a young Pokémon against me—isn't that a bit careless?"
Prinplup radiated fighting spirit, but Moore couldn't shake the feeling he was being underestimated.
"Ah… Please don't misunderstand, Mr. Moore. My Prinplup is very strong. And it's a Water-type—against your Fire-type, we naturally have the advantage."
Liam replied with a wry smile.
"Hmph! Do you really think a mere type advantage can suppress my Typhlosion? Fine! Since you've made your choice, I won't say more! Let's begin!"
The usually gentle old man completely transformed—his eyes now blazing with battle intent!
"Battle—begin!!"
Even Terry broke into a slight sweat seeing Moore's intensity and quickly signaled the start.
"It's starting, old partner! Show them your power—Flare Blitz!"
"ROOOAR!!"
The instant the battle began, Moore wasted no time!
Typhlosion's flames exploded outward, engulfing its body! In the next moment—it shot forward like a blazing lightning bolt!
"So fast! Careful, Prinplup! Use Surf!"
Liam was startled by the sheer speed. Without hesitation, he chose a defensive approach—not aiming to defeat, but to halt the momentum!
"Poh-ha!!"
With a cry, Prinplup summoned a massive wave behind it!
Leaping atop the surge, it rode forward with overwhelming force, crashing toward Typhlosion!
"Don't fear it! Charge straight through!"
"ROOOAR!!"
Incredibly… facing a move that should heavily counter it, Typhlosion didn't hesitate at all! Its flames burned even hotter as it plunged directly into the wave!
And then—
"ROOOAR!!"
It burst through the water, riding against the current, smashing headfirst into Prinplup at the crest!
"Poh-ha!!"
BOOM!
Prinplup was knocked off the wave and slammed heavily onto the ground!
"What?! Prinplup, are you alright?!"
Liam's expression shifted as he watched Prinplup struggle back up.
"Poh-ha!"
Prinplup cried out—it could still fight.
But Liam could clearly tell that hit had done serious damage. If not for Surf weakening the flames of Flare Blitz, that attack might have knocked Prinplup out instantly.
"Heh… An Elite Four veteran is truly formidable. But Prinplup—I believe in you! We won't lose like this! Victory isn't decided by brute strength alone!"
"Prinplup! Use Water Sport!"
"Poh-ha!!"
Prinplup sprayed countless droplets into the air!
Like rainfall, they spread across the battlefield—soaking everything, including Typhlosion!
"We're not done yet! Prinplup—use Rain Dance!"
"Poh—HA!!"
Dark clouds rapidly gathered overhead… and in the next moment, torrential rain poured down!
"ROOOAR!!!"
Typhlosion roared angrily as its body was drenched again and again.
Moore: "…"
Looking at the now muddy, rain-soaked battlefield, Moore's eye twitched slightly.
With Water Sport and Rain Dance combined, Typhlosion's firepower had been severely suppressed.
Winning… just got a lot harder.
"Hmph! Cheap tricks! Just some rain—so what?! Even weakened, flames are still flames! Don't worry about it—attack another way! Use Quick Attack!"
"ROOOAR!!"
Typhlosion dashed forward again, its body flashing white as it surged toward Prinplup!
"Prinplup! Use Blizzard on the ground!"
"Poh-ha!!"
Liam suddenly smiled.
Prinplup opened its beak and unleashed a freezing storm. The muddy battlefield instantly froze solid into ice!
CRACK!
"Huh—?! ROOOAR!!"
Typhlosion stepped onto the ice—
—and slipped instantly!
With a shocked expression, it crashed hard onto the ground and continued sliding forward uncontrollably due to inertia!
"Now, Prinplup! Finish it—Water Pledge!"
"Poh—HA!!"
Liam's eyes flashed as he seized the moment!
Prinplup raised one foot high, then slammed it down onto the frozen ground!
In the next instant… a violent surge of water burst upward from beneath the ice, shattering it apart and exploding upward beneath Typhlosion!!