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Its long white fur was scorched black, emitting the foul stench of burnt protein, but its indomitable momentum didn't weaken in the slightest.
The damage caused by the flames seemed like a mere tickle to it.
"Roar!"
With a deafening roar, Slaking's massive palm had already swung up, bringing a whistle that tore through the air as it slammed down fiercely.
It was Hammer Arm!
Tabitha's reaction was incredibly fast.
"Protect!"
A pale green energy barrier instantly expanded in front of Houndoom.
"Boom—!"
The loud explosion echoed within the cave, vibrating so hard it made eardrums ache.
Hammer Arm smashed solidly against the barrier. That "Protect" barrier, claimed to be able to withstand any attack, only held for a single second before making an overburdened "crack" sound and then shattering inch by inch.
Houndoom let out a howl of pain as it was caught by the residual force of the Hammer Arm. Its massive body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, slamming hard into a tree trunk behind it and creating a deep indentation.
One hit!
Just one hit!
The Elite Four Level Houndoom was defeated head-on by the Elite Four Candidate Slaking!
"This... how is this possible?"
The composure on Tabitha's face vanished completely, replaced by intense horror.
In terms of energy level, his Houndoom was definitely above Slaking.
In terms of typing, the Normal-type didn't counter the Fire-type or the Dark-type.
But now, the situation on the field was a total, utter crushing.
This wasn't a victory of technique, but absolute suppression through pure power!
Ariel, watching from the side, was also shaken in his heart.
He knew Norman's Slaking was strong, but he hadn't expected it to be this strong.
Is this the power that a monster with a base stat of 670 can unleash in the hands of a top-tier Trainer?
That Slaking simply didn't care for logic.
It ignored typing and ignored the level gap, using the most brutal physical attacks to destroy everything.
"Get up, Houndoom! Fire Blast!"
Tabitha roared, somewhat exasperated.
Houndoom struggled to slide down from the indentation in the tree trunk, the ferocity in its eyes completely triggered.
It howled toward the sky as a massive fire in the shape of the character 'big' condensed in front of it, the high temperature it emitted causing the air to distort.
Norman remained calm, uttering two words: "Earthquake."
Slaking raised both arms high and then hammered them heavily against the ground.
"Thump!"
The entire forest shook violently.
A visible shockwave centered on Slaking, spreading frantically along the ground.
The ground cracked, rocks shattered, and a destructive force instantly swept across the entire battlefield.
The Fire Blast that Houndoom had just finished condensing was directly dispersed by this violent vibration. Its footing became unstable, and its massive body was shaken half a foot off the ground before falling heavily.
Before it could even crawl back up, that white figure appeared before it like a ghost.
It was Slaking's Giga Impact!
Its entire body was covered in a layer of destructive light, like a meteorite, slamming fiercely into Houndoom's body.
"Rumble!"
The sound this time was louder than any before.
Houndoom didn't even have time to let out a cry of sorrow before it was pushed by this irresistible force, slamming into the tree trunk once again.
This time! The tree trunk snapped upon impact!
And it wasn't just one tree! Large trees fell one after another!
Everyone was forced back repeatedly by the violent aftershocks of the battle.
Ariel used his arm to shield his face from flying debris, but his gaze remained firmly Locked-On to one direction.
Not the center of the battlefield, but Sen in the corner.
The moment the dust rose, a flash of determination flickered in Sen's eyes.
He glanced at the completely suppressed Tabitha, then at Ariel who was watching him like a hawk, and finally gave a look to his three subordinates beside him.
Now is the time!
While everyone's attention was drawn to that earth-shattering battle, while the dust filled the air and vision was obstructed.
Like a cunning rat, Sen lowered his body and led his three subordinates, noiselessly hugging the edge of the cave and slipping toward the exit on the other side.
Their movements were very light and very stealthy.
Norman was fully focused on commanding Slaking, Tabitha was worried about his own Pokémon, and the Team Magma grunts were too busy looking out for themselves.
No one noticed them.
Except for Ariel.
An imperceptible curve formed at the corner of Ariel's mouth.
He didn't make a sound, nor did he immediately give chase; he just quietly watched those four figures disappear into the darkness of the cave entrance.
...
In the forest, light filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled silver glows.
Sen and his three subordinates ran frantically through the woods, the cold night wind scraping against their faces like knives.
They didn't dare look back; the massive rumbles coming from the cave behind them were like the death knells of the Grim Reaper, drumming against their fragile nerves.
"Boss, did we... did we escape?"
Cenk asked breathlessly, his voice trembling with the feeling of having survived a disaster.
Sen stopped, leaning against a large tree, panting heavily.
He looked back; he could no longer see the light from the cave entrance, only hearing faint sounds.
"We should be... safe."
Sen's voice was hoarse. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his tensed nerves finally relaxing.
He survived.
He survived that god-like fight between that monster Gym Leader and the Team Magma Executive.
"Damn, that guy named Norman is simply not human!"
Drak cursed with lingering fear.
"And that kid who framed you, Boss, we absolutely can't let him go!"
"Right! Once we get in touch with those lords, we must tear that kid into ten thousand pieces!"
The few of them cursed one after another, venting the fear and resentment in their hearts.
Sen's face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
Ariel!
He chewed over this name in his heart again and again, every word carrying bone-deep hatred.
"Don't worry, I will definitely take revenge for this."
Sen gritted his teeth, saying it word by word.
"Once the heat dies down, I'll let him know the consequences of offending me!"
He took a deep breath, calmed his emotions slightly, and prepared to lead his subordinates deeper into the forest to find a place to hide completely.
But just then, a somewhat playful voice—the one they least wanted to hear right now—came leisurely from the shadows ahead.
"Revenge? Mr. Sen, it seems you won't have the chance."
The bodies of the four men instantly froze.
They snapped their heads up, looking forward.
Under a massive ancient tree, a figure was leaning diagonally against the trunk.
Light passed through the branches and leaves, casting bright and dark spots on him, making his entire person look somewhat surreal.
That face—they wouldn't forget it even in death.
It was Ariel!
He had appeared here at some unknown time, like a hunter waiting for his prey to fall into the net, quietly and patiently blocking their only path.
"You... how can you be here?!"
Sen's voice changed pitch. The heart he had just let down instantly sank to the bottom, submerged in endless cold and fear.