They had witnessed many powerful battles before, but this was the first time they had seen such a decisive and overwhelming confrontation. The sheer one-sided dominance displayed was nothing short of a massacre. From the moment Gordon sent out his four Pokémon, the audience could sense something different in the air.
Aoki's indifferent expression and Tyranitar's ruthless assault made those who had initially envied Gordon now regard him with pity. Gordon himself had turned pale. Never had he encountered a Tyranitar like this—was this creature truly a Tyranitar? Many shared his disbelief. This was no ordinary Pokémon; it was a monstrous force of nature.
Despite his shock, Gordon's mind remained sharp. Sacrificing three of his Pokémon, he finally managed to slip one past Tyranitar's defenses. His Electivire broke through, rushing toward Aoki with desperate speed. If he could just subdue the Trainer, perhaps he could even capture this abnormally powerful Tyranitar. The thought sent a thrill through him.
But Aoki's smirk only widened.
Gordon had underestimated Tyranitar.
Had he forgotten its infamous title?
The Sandstorm Tyrant.
Aoki didn't refer to his own Tyranitar so lightly—this was the King of Sandstorms, a regal presence beyond mere brute strength, a testament to its mastery over energy. Did Gordon truly believe Electivire had slipped past its defenses?
As Electivire lunged toward Aoki, the sand that had been swirling around Tyranitar's feet suddenly lashed out like a whip, coiling around Electivire's leg and yanking it off-balance. The Electric-type thrashed, but the sandy tendril only tightened.
Then, the sand surged upward, engulfing Electivire entirely.
No matter how violently it struggled, the grains swallowed it whole, dragging it back toward Tyranitar. With a merciless stomp, the battle was decided.
The onlookers finally understood—this was no ordinary fight. Aoki wasn't the type to brutalize weaker opponents, yet every one of Gordon's Pokémon had been crushed without hesitation. Tyranitar's overwhelming strength left them stunned.
Some even wondered—was this a Champion-level Pokémon?
Only seasoned veterans like Drake and Chief Inspector Junsha recognized the truth: this Tyranitar was invincible within its tier, not yet at Champion level, but so dominant that no Pokémon of comparable strength could hope to match it.
To call it "invincible" might have been an exaggeration—but Aoki's Tyranitar had earned the right to stand above its peers.
As the last opponent fell, Tyranitar threw back its head and roared, unleashing a sandstorm that engulfed the battlefield. The grains swirled violently before settling, transforming the once-barren island into a desert.
Even Aoki's own Mega Swampert, a Pokémon capable of terrain alteration, couldn't reshape the land so effortlessly.
Tyranitar's debut had left everyone speechless.
Nearby, Steven watched with keen interest. As a specialist in Steel- and Rock-types, he couldn't help but admire this Tyranitar. He wondered—if it reached the same level as his own Shiny Metagross, which would prove stronger?
After the battle, Aoki approached Gordon, his earlier amusement gone.
"I gave you a chance," he said coolly. "I used only Tyranitar. You failed to seize it."
Gordon, pale and trembling, had no reply.
Aoki turned.
"Someone. Arrest him."
Two League investigators, who had witnessed the entire battle, stepped forward hesitantly.
But they obeyed.
As they restrained Gordon, Drake and Chief Inspector Junsha moved to Aoki's side.