"Rhyperior…"
The moment Gary released his Pokémon, Thorton's gaze sharpened noticeably.
The massive Pokémon stood firmly on the battlefield, its rocky armor layered like a fortress wall. The drill on its horn rotated slowly, grinding against the air with a low, oppressive sound. Each step it took caused the reinforced battlefield floor to tremble faintly, as if it were struggling to bear the weight.
"RHYOOOO—PHERIOR!"
Rhyperior let out a deep, thunderous roar, full of raw power and confidence.
At the same time, the electronic analyzer in Thorton's hand lit up. Lines of data streamed rapidly across the screen as the machine began analyzing Rhyperior's combat parameters, abilities, and potential move interactions.
After a brief pause, several lines of results appeared:
Lightning Rod Ability detected. Estimated win rate: 60%.
Hard Rock Ability detected. Estimated win rate: 50%.
Reckless Ability detected. Estimated win rate: 60%.
The machine provided three possible scenarios, each corresponding to a different Ability that Rhyperior might possess. Based on the Ability data alone, the analyzer calculated the odds of Infernape winning the matchup.
Lightning Rod and Reckless both offered limited advantages against Infernape. Lightning Rod was almost meaningless in a matchup without Electric-type pressure, while Reckless only boosted recoil moves—something Rhyperior might not even rely on heavily in this fight.
Hard Rock, however, was different. If Rhyperior possessed Hard Rock, the damage from super-effective moves would be reduced, significantly increasing its survivability. Under that condition, the analyzer judged the matchup as perfectly even.
Exactly fifty percent.
Thorton's eyes flickered briefly as he absorbed the information.
"So?" Gary asked calmly. "What's the result of your analysis?"
Thorton lowered the device slightly and replied in an honest tone, "I can't disclose exact values during a battle. But I can tell you this—my chances of winning aren't high."
"I see," Gary said with a nod.
He didn't waste another second.
"Rhyperior, Earthquake!"
"RHYOOO!"
Rhyperior slammed its massive foot down.
Boom—!!!
A violent tremor spread outward in all directions. The battlefield cracked as shockwaves surged beneath the surface, tearing through the ground like a living force.
Thorton's eyes widened slightly.
He attacked immediately… no hesitation at all.
"Infernape, dodge!" Thorton shouted.
Infernape reacted instantly. Without waiting for further instructions, it sprinted forward and leapt high into the air, narrowly avoiding the rippling earthquake as it tore through the ground beneath it.
Before Infernape could land—
"Stone Edge—spike formation!" Gary ordered.
Rhyperior punched both fists into the ground.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Jagged rock blades erupted from the earth in rapid succession, spreading outward like a deadly trap. Just as Infernape was about to land, the ground beneath it exploded upward.
"Infernape, break through—Drain Punch!"
"INFER—NAPE!!"
Infernape twisted midair, its fist glowing with Fighting-type energy as it smashed downward.
Bang!
The stone blade shattered instantly, fragments scattering across the battlefield.
But Gary's offense didn't stop there.
"Rock Blast!"
Rhyperior raised its arms, the drill-like cannons embedded in its palms glowing faintly.
Whirr—whirr—whirr!
A rapid barrage of rocks shot forward like cannon fire.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Several stones struck Infernape directly before it could fully stabilize. Infernape gritted its teeth, enduring the hits as it swatted away the remaining projectiles with quick, precise punches.
Gary's eyes narrowed.
Iron Fist.
Infernape's punches carried extra power—clear proof that it possessed the Iron Fist Ability. That explained its heavy reliance on close-combat moves.
"Infernape, Mach Punch!" Thorton ordered.
Whoosh!
Infernape vanished in a blur, closing the distance in an instant. Its fist slammed into Rhyperior's abdomen with a solid impact.
Thud!
But Rhyperior didn't budge an inch.
"RHY—PHER!"
Rhyperior grunted, its massive body absorbing the blow effortlessly. Thick armor and overwhelming physical defense rendered the attack almost meaningless.
Infernape immediately sensed danger.
It leapt backward, narrowly avoiding Rhyperior's attempt to grab it, then landed several meters away. Standing upright, Infernape raised its arms slightly and made a taunting gesture, deliberately provoking its opponent.
Rhyperior's eyes burned.
It was angry—but not reckless.
Against a fast, agile opponent, charging blindly would only invite counterattacks.
"Scary Face!" Gary commanded.
"RROOOAAARR!!"
Rhyperior's expression twisted into something fierce and terrifying. A wave of oppressive fear surged forward, striking Infernape directly.
Infernape's body stiffened.
Its movements slowed noticeably.
"Infernape, Flamethrower! Create distance!" Thorton ordered.
Infernape jumped backward while unleashing a stream of blazing flames. The fire surged forward, engulfing Rhyperior in a sea of heat.
"Stealth Rock," Gary said calmly.
Rhyperior ignored the flames licking across its body and slammed the ground once more.
Crack!
Sharp stones embedded themselves beneath the battlefield surface, hidden and waiting.
Thorton frowned.
He set hazards instead of pressing the attack…
"Drill Run!" Gary followed up immediately.
Rhyperior's horn spun violently as Ground-type energy wrapped around its body. With explosive force, it charged straight at Infernape like a living battering ram.
"Infernape, Flare Blitz!" Thorton shouted.
"INFER—NAAAAPE!!"
The flames on Infernape's head surged wildly, spreading across its entire body. The fire shifted from red to an intense blue as Infernape launched itself forward.
Boom—!!!
The two Pokémon collided head-on.
The impact triggered a violent explosion that blasted both of them backward.
Smoke billowed across the battlefield.
"Flamethrower!"
"Stone Edge!"
Both Trainers shouted commands almost simultaneously.
A torrent of fire burst from Infernape's mouth.
Jagged rock blades shot forward from Rhyperior's strike.
Boom! Crash!
The attacks collided—and both Pokémon were hit.
Even with Rhyperior's resistance to Fire-type moves, the damage was unavoidable. Still, compared to Infernape's injuries, it was negligible.
Infernape staggered as it landed, breathing heavily. Its movements were slower now, its stamina clearly draining.
Thorton's brow furrowed.
The analyzer only accounted for Ability interactions… it didn't consider skill combinations and battlefield control.
"This matchup is unfavorable," Thorton muttered.
"Infernape, return."
He recalled Infernape without hesitation.
Gary raised an eyebrow.
Stealth Rock was already in place. Any Pokémon entering the battlefield would take damage immediately.
"Magnezone," Thorton said calmly. "You're up."
Flash!
[LV59 Magnezone / Elite]
"Magne—ZOOONE!"
As Magnezone appeared—
Clang!
Hidden Stealth Rock burst from the ground, slamming into its metallic body.
Sparks flew.
However, with its Steel typing, the damage was minimal.
"Fire Blast!" Gary ordered.
Rhyperior opened its mouth wide, a spark igniting deep within its throat before erupting outward as a massive explosion of flames.
"Thunderbolt!" Thorton countered.
Magnezone's body crackled with electricity as it unleashed a powerful electric current.
But instead of striking Rhyperior—
The electricity bent unnaturally, curving through the air and being drawn straight into Rhyperior's body.
"What?!" Thorton exclaimed.
"Lightning Rod…"
The electricity was completely absorbed, strengthening Rhyperior instead of harming it.
Boom!
Fire Blast struck Magnezone head-on.
Flames engulfed its body as it was driven backward by the blast.
Rhyperior stood tall amid the smoke, utterly unshaken.