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"Miltank—Rollout!"
At Whitney's command, Miltank charged forward, her speed building with each stride before she launched into the air and tucked into a tight spin rolling like a giant living wheel. When she hit the ground again, she shot toward Tyranitar like a runaway boulder.
The sheer velocity kicked up clouds of dust from the hardened dirt arena.
"Tyranitar Stone Edge!" Kai countered.
He'd seen this tactic before and wasn't about to meet it head-on. Instead, jagged stone pillars erupted from the ground in Miltank's path.
But she didn't even try to dodge. With unstoppable momentum, Miltank slammed into the first stone, shattering it into rubble, then plowed through the others without slowing, barreling straight for Tyranitar.
For a Pokémon known more for farm life than fighting, her raw power was staggering.
Bam!
She crashed into Tyranitar's armored frame. The impact echoed through the stadium, but Tyranitar's rock-hard plating absorbed most of the blow.
Whitney wasn't discouraged. "Again, Miltank!"
If one hit didn't break through, she'd just keep hammering away until it did.
"Catch her!" Kai barked.
Tyranitar braced himself and, timing it perfectly, threw out both arms to grab the rolling Miltank.
Skreeee!
Her spinning body screeched against his armor, pushing him back several steps before her momentum finally died in his grasp.
"Now! Payback!"
Gathering dark energy into his right claw, Tyranitar slammed a devastating blow into Miltank's side.
She shot backward across the field like a volleyball spike, rolling until she skidded to a stop at Whitney's feet.
Thanks to her incredible endurance, Miltank got up scratched and sore, but far from finished.
"Not bad," Whitney admitted. "That move has flattened plenty of challengers, but you broke through it easily."
Kai smiled. "Your Miltank is still one of the toughest I've ever seen. If it weren't for Tyranitar, she'd have already taken the win."
Whitney's grin returned. "Miltank, Zen Headbutt!"
This time, Miltank sprinted forward without rolling. At mid-field she leapt, launching herself like a rocket toward Tyranitar.
"Dark Pulse!"
Tyranitar opened his jaws and unleashed a swirling blast of dark energy. Miltank powered through it, gritting against the damage, and slammed headfirst into Tyranitar's midsection.
"Now—Body Slam!" Whitney called.
Miltank rebounded, then sprang high into the air, spreading her limbs wide before plummeting down toward Tyranitar. Her weight combined with gravity could crush even the sturdiest foe.
"Iron Defense!" Kai commanded.
A metallic sheen coated Tyranitar's armor just as Miltank came crashing down.
The arena shook on impact. Even with the boost in defense, Tyranitar grimaced from the blow but he stood firm.
Miltank's strongest attacks were now spent, and Kai knew it.
"Hyper Beam—finish it!"
From point-blank range, Tyranitar unleashed a roaring beam of concentrated energy.
It slammed into Miltank's chest, driving her all the way into the stadium wall before the light faded. She slid to the ground, unable to continue.
The referee raised her flag. "Miltank is unable to battle! Tyranitar wins the first round!"
Whitney sighed but recalled her partner, smiling despite the loss. "You really are as strong as they say."
"And your Miltank is every bit as tough as I expected," Kai replied. "Most Pokémon wouldn't have lasted half as long against her."
Whitney nodded, pulling out her next Poké Ball. "Then let's see how you handle this one. Go Ambipom!"
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