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"Salamence! Charge straight into the sandstorm and use Dragon Claw!!"
Even Gyokuryu Shigen couldn't help feeling helpless. He never imagined that a single sandstorm would push his Salamence into such a passive situation. Knowing things couldn't continue like this, he made a split-second decision and shouted his command without hesitation.
"Roaaar!!"
Salamence, already burning with pent-up fury, threw its head back and let out a thunderous roar! Sharp dragon claws condensed instantly around its forelimbs as it plunged headfirst into the sandstorm, carrying a savage aura while charging wildly toward Tyranitar!
"It's coming, Tyranitar! Use Iron Tail!!"
"Graaaah!!"
Liam had long been prepared. The instant Salamence closed in, Tyranitar's thick, powerful tail shimmered with a steel-like sheen. Twisting its massive body, Tyranitar swung its tail sideways with a violent whoosh, smashing it straight into Salamence's neck!
Boom!!
Salamence was slammed hard into the ground, its body carving a long trench as it skidded across the battlefield. The sheer power behind that strike was terrifying.
"Now's our chance, Tyranitar! Use Rock Slide!"
"Graaah!!"
Tyranitar stomped heavily on the ground. In the next instant, sharp rocks burst upward from beneath the earth, surging forward and reaching Salamence in the blink of an eye!
"Salamence, use Protect!!"
"Roaaar!!"
Just as the rocks were about to pierce Salamence, a blue protective barrier enveloped its body. The rocks crashed violently into the shield, their tremendous force lifting Salamence off the ground—but failing to deal any real damage.
"Then follow up with Double-Edge!"
"Roaaar!!"
Using the rebound from the impact, Salamence spread its wings wide. A white glow erupted across its entire body as it spun forward at high speed, slamming brutally into Tyranitar!
"Graaaah!!"
The power of Double-Edge was immense—even Tyranitar's massive frame was sent flying. It cried out as it crashed into the ground, kicking up clouds of dust.
The dust was quickly swallowed by the raging sandstorm. Salamence descended slowly, squinting against the blowing sand. Its body was now covered in cuts and abrasions from flying grit and debris.
"Get up, Tyranitar! Show your true strength! Use Rock Tomb!"
"Graaaah!!"
Hearing Liam's voice, Tyranitar immediately struggled back to its feet and let out a thunderous roar. Enormous boulders materialized around it, then tore through the air at incredible speed, hurtling straight toward Salamence!
"Dodge it, Salamence!"
"Roaaar!!"
Salamence reacted instantly, leaping backward and taking to the air. Its crimson wings beat powerfully as its slightly flattened body weaved up and down, narrowly avoiding one massive boulder after another.
"Tyranitar! Use Screech!"
Seeing Salamence about to evade the entire barrage, Liam frowned, covered his ears, and shouted.
Then—
"GRAAAAAH!!!"
A piercing, skull-splitting shriek tore through the battlefield! Salamence's pupils shrank violently mid-flight. It completely forgot to flap its wings, and its body dropped straight down like a Tyranitar!
Bang! Bang! Bang!!
A series of heavy impacts followed as Salamence crashed into the ground, instantly buried beneath falling rocks.
"Roaaar!!"
But the rocks only held Salamence down for a moment.
The Tyranitars suddenly began to glow red-hot—then thick streams of Flamethrower blasted violently from within the rubble!
"ROAAAR!!"
With another furious roar, the shattered rocks were blown apart. Salamence stood in the center of the debris, battered and bloodied, its eyes glowing a terrifying crimson.
"Salamence! Use Dragon Rush!!"
"Roaaar!!"
Even though the situation was clearly unfavorable, Gyokuryu Shigen clenched his teeth and forced the command out.
With its wings damaged, Salamence barely managed to lift off the ground—only a little over a meter high. Then it roared again as a massive draconic aura formed around its body. An energy dragon wrapped itself around Salamence as it launched forward, charging ferociously toward Tyranitar!
"Stop it, Tyranitar! Use Stone Edge!!"
"Graaaah!!"
Liam shouted immediately. Tyranitar stomped the ground once more, and countless razor-sharp Tyranitar spikes erupted upward in rapid succession, forming a towering wall of Tyranitar spears in front of it!
"ROAAAR!!"
But Salamence charged without hesitation. Letting out a deafening roar, it slammed straight into the wall!
BOOM!!
A colossal explosion rang out.
Before Liam and Tyranitar's astonished eyes, Salamence burst through the shattered Tyranitar wall, roaring defiantly!
"ROAAAR!!"
"Graaaah!!"
Salamence smashed headlong into Tyranitar. Though the energy dragon surrounding it was already broken and incomplete, its momentum was still overwhelming.
"GRAAAH!!"
This time, Tyranitar showed iron resolve.
The instant it was struck, Tyranitar clamped both claws tightly around Salamence's wings. Driven by Salamence's remaining momentum, the two Pokémon tumbled together across the ground. Tyranitar's chest armor cracked under the impact—but its claws never loosened.
The two Pokémon locked together in a brutal struggle. Even Liam could no longer remain calm. He stepped forward, leaned over the railing, and roared with everything he had!
"Finish it, Tyranitar!! Use Ice Beam!!"
"GRAAAH!!"
"Don't give up, Salamence!! Use Hydro Pump!!"
"ROAAAR!!"
BOOOOOM!!!
Neither side held back. Tyranitar's Ice Beam and Salamence's Hydro Pump collided at point-blank range, triggering a massive explosion. Thick smoke engulfed the battlefield—and the raging sandstorm began to dissipate rapidly.
"Roaaar…"
"Graah…"
As the final traces of smoke were swept away by the wind, the battlefield was revealed.
Salamence was frozen solid into a massive block of ice, glittering under the sunlight. Beside it, Tyranitar lay sprawled on the ground, completely drained.
Both had lost the ability to fight.
"A draw!! Salamence and Tyranitar have both lost battle capability! What an absolutely spectacular match!! Let's give them a huge round of applause!!"
Although the fight had been obscured by sandstorm for most of the time, the footage displayed on the big screen allowed everyone to grasp the overall battle. It was an extraordinary duel—both Salamence and Tyranitar had fought magnificently.
"Come back, Tyranitar. You did an amazing job. I'm proud of you."
"Come back, Salamence. You worked hard—get some good rest."
As the commentator announced the result, Liam and Gyokuryu Shigen simultaneously took out their PokeBalls and recalled their Pokémon.
Then—
"What a blood-pumping battle! I feel like I've returned to my youth! That was incredibly satisfying!"
"Liam! Thank you for giving me such a match! But next—I'm going all out!"
"Go! PokeBall!"
"ROAR!!"
Gyokuryu Shigen's face burned with excitement. Despite his aged body, the pressure he gave off was immense. As his PokeBall opened—
A massive Dragonite, its entire body a vivid green, appeared on the battlefield with a resounding roar!