The battlefield was filled with lingering heat.
Although Gary had successfully provoked Thorton earlier, the previous Fire Blast from Rhyperior had ultimately failed to deal serious damage to Magnezone. The reason was simple and tactical — Rhyperior's Special Attack stat was naturally low. Even with a powerful move like Fire Blast, the damage output could not fully capitalize on Magnezone's Steel typing weakness.
Thorton quickly noticed that Magnezone was still in stable condition. His expression sharpened immediately.
"Magnezone, use Flash Cannon!"
Magnezone's single crimson eye glowed intensely. Steel-type energy condensed rapidly in front of it, forming a brilliant silver sphere that radiated metallic pressure.
Gary's eyes flickered calmly.
"Return."
Before Flash Cannon could be released, Rhyperior was recalled into its Poké Ball in a beam of red light.
The condensed energy in front of Magnezone did not disperse.
Instead, it continued hovering, humming with restrained power.
Thorton understood Gary's switching strategy instantly. He narrowed his eyes.
The moment Gary sent out his next Pokémon—
Flash Cannon would fire.
"Arcanine, go!"
Gary's Poké Ball opened mid-air.
A flash of light burst forward.
"Awoooooo!!!"
Arcanine landed magnificently on the battlefield, golden mane flowing like living fire. The instant its paws touched the ground, a powerful wave of Intimidate spread outward.
The sandstorm itself seemed to hesitate under the pressure.
BOOM!!!
Magnezone released Flash Cannon immediately.
The silver beam shot forward like a laser, striking Arcanine directly in the chest.
A cloud of smoke exploded outward.
For a brief moment, Arcanine's silhouette disappeared within the impact.
Thorton's gaze sharpened.
But the smoke parted.
Arcanine stood tall.
Its fur was slightly scorched, yet its eyes burned brighter than ever.
Fire-type Pokémon naturally resist Steel-type attacks.
The damage had been minimal.
"Flamethrower."
Gary's voice was calm but firm.
"ROOOAAAR!"
Arcanine surged forward through the smoke. Its jaws opened wide, and a torrent of blazing fire erupted outward.
The flames were not ordinary.
They roared like a living dragon, twisting violently as they rushed toward Magnezone.
"Thunderbolt!" Thorton countered instantly.
Electricity crackled violently around Magnezone's body. A golden bolt of lightning tore across the field.
Fire and lightning collided.
The impact shook the arena.
For several seconds, the two attacks clashed in midair — sparks flying, flames roaring, thunder splitting the air.
The smell of ozone and burning heat mixed together.
Then—
The flames began pushing forward.
Thorton's pupils shrank.
Impossible.
He activated his battle scanner.
The machine displayed the data rapidly.
Flame temperature: 1500°C.
The air around the Flamethrower distorted from sheer heat density.
The flames consumed the lightning.
BOOM!!!
Magnezone was engulfed in fire and blasted backward violently, crashing into the ground.
Gary did not give it time to recover.
"Fire Blast!"
Arcanine lifted its head high.
"Awooooo!!"
Flames gathered around its body like a blazing crown. A massive kanji-shaped inferno formed above it, expanding wider and wider.
With a powerful roar, Arcanine hurled the Fire Blast forward.
"Use Lock-On!" Thorton commanded.
Instead of dodging, Magnezone's red eye sharpened. A targeting grid locked onto Arcanine's body.
It would not miss its next attack.
BOOM!!!!
Fire Blast exploded.
The shockwave swept across the battlefield.
Magnezone dropped heavily to the ground.
For a moment—
It did not move.
Then slowly…
It floated back into the air.
Its armor was blackened, but it was still conscious.
"Zap Cannon! Now!" Thorton shouted.
Blue electricity condensed violently, crackling with destructive force.
Gary's lips curved slightly.
"Extreme Speed."
WHOOSH!!!
A sonic boom split the air.
Arcanine vanished.
The sandstorm was torn apart by sheer velocity.
CLANG!!!
Before Zap Cannon could fully form, Arcanine slammed into Magnezone at blinding speed.
The impact echoed like metal shattering.
Magnezone crashed violently into the battlefield.
Its single eye spun in dizzy spirals.
The referee raised a flag.
"Magnezone is unable to battle! Arcanine wins!"
Silence filled the arena.
Thorton stared at Arcanine.
Even accounting for the Fire-type advantage, Magnezone's defenses were formidable.
Yet Arcanine had broken through with overwhelming force.
That was not ordinary Elite-level power.
Was Gary's Arcanine approaching Champion-tier?
Thorton inhaled deeply.
The battle was far from over.
He recalled Magnezone.
Then—
"Tyranitar, I choose you!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!"
The ground trembled as Tyranitar landed.
Immediately, sand erupted violently around it.
Sand Stream activated.
The battlefield was swallowed by a raging sandstorm.
Stealth Rock activated upon entry, striking Tyranitar's body, but the damage was negligible against its rock-hard armor.
Gary recalled Arcanine calmly.
"You did well."
He threw another Poké Ball.
"Scizor, your turn."
A flash of crimson light appeared.
"Scizooooor!!"
Scizor hovered slightly above the ground, metallic wings vibrating with controlled rhythm. Its red armor reflected the swirling sand like polished steel.
This Scizor was one of Gary's main Battle Frontier challengers.
Its aura alone radiated veteran experience.
"Fire Fang!" Thorton ordered immediately.
"Lunge!" Gary commanded at the same time.
WHOOSH!!!
Scizor vanished into a red blur.
It struck first.
Its body slammed into Tyranitar's chest with explosive power.
BOOM!
Tyranitar staggered backward.
"Brick Break!" Gary followed smoothly.
Scizor's claws glowed white.
CLANG!!!
The strike connected directly with Tyranitar's torso.
Fighting-type moves were quadruple effective.
The damage was enormous.
Tyranitar roared angrily.
"RAAAAAH!!"
"Fire Fang!" Thorton pressed again.
Flames ignited around Tyranitar's fangs as it lunged forward.
But Scizor leapt backward effortlessly, wings buzzing sharply.
It avoided the bite by mere inches.
"Tyranitar, Earthquake!"
Tyranitar stomped the ground.
The entire arena shook violently.
"Iron Defense!" Gary commanded.
Scizor crossed its steel claws in front of its body. A metallic sheen enveloped it.
The Earthquake struck.
The ground cracked.
But Scizor endured.
"Now — Bullet Punch!"
Its wings screamed with acceleration.
WHOOSH!!!
Steel energy condensed around its fist.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Bullet Punch struck repeatedly in rapid succession.
Each impact echoed like hammer against stone.
Tyranitar's massive body trembled under the relentless assault.
Its breathing grew heavier.
"Dark Pulse!" Thorton shouted desperately.
Dark energy burst outward at point-blank range.
BOOM!!!
The explosion threw Scizor backward.
But Tyranitar was also caught in the blast due to proximity.
Smoke filled the battlefield.
Both Pokémon stood injured.
Sandstorm howled around them.
Gary did not hesitate.
"Bullet Punch!"
WHOOSH!!!
Scizor shot forward again.
"Fire Fang!" Thorton insisted, betting everything on type advantage.
Flames surged from Tyranitar's jaws.
It bit forward fiercely.
But Scizor did not retreat.
Instead—
It accelerated further.
Its steel fist gleamed brilliantly under the sandstorm.
CLANG!!!!!
Bullet Punch collided directly with Tyranitar's forehead.
Flames scattered violently.