After Yoshiki hesitated without commanding Hitmonlee to attack, Gary decided to seize the initiative.
"Nidoking, use Thunderbolt!" Gary commanded.
Nidoking released a thunderous roar that echoed throughout the Rock venue. High-voltage electricity erupted from its body, transforming into a lightning serpent that streaked toward Hitmonlee's position.
Hitmonlee attempted to dodge, but Nidoking's overwhelming presence caused a critical hesitation. The Thunderbolt struck home.
Paralyzing current instantly coursed through every corner of Hitmonlee's body. The Kicking Pokémon hadn't expected the physically imposing Nidoking to abandon close combat in favor of a ranged sneak attack.
"No!" Yoshiki exclaimed nervously, not expecting Gary's Nidoking to have mastered Thunderbolt.
"Ranged moves definitely prove useful," Gary murmured, suddenly recalling the battle from two months ago.
Ever since losing to Red in their garden match, Gary had learned from that defeat. He'd spent an entire month helping Nidoking master ranged techniques to prevent agile opponents from draining its stamina through evasive tactics.
"Hitmonlee, use Mega Kick!" Yoshiki commanded urgently, fearing his Pokémon would fall to Gary's Nidoking without landing a single meaningful blow.
Hitmonlee immediately launched upward, extending its right leg to execute Mega Kick toward Nidoking.
"Nidoking's strength isn't that simple," Gary stated calmly before his tone sharpened. "Nidoking, catch Hitmonlee's kick, then use Horn Drill head-on!"
Nidoking roared and charged toward the incoming Hitmonlee with heavy steps. Using just its right arm, it firmly caught Hitmonlee's body mid-attack. Hitmonlee's eyes widened in shock at Nidoking's terrifying strength.
Under Hitmonlee's frightened gaze, Nidoking thrust its sharp poison horn forward, stabbing deeply into Hitmonlee's vulnerable body.
"Nidoking, press the advantage! Throw Hitmonlee high into the air and finish with Stone Edge!" Gary shouted excitedly, executing a devastating combo.
Following Gary's command, Nidoking thrust its head upward, using the sharp poison horn to forcefully launch the severely injured Hitmonlee skyward.
Sharp stone blades materialized around Nidoking. Under its precise control, Stone Edge streaked toward the airborne Hitmonlee at fierce velocity.
Multiple impacts rang out sharply. The wounded Hitmonlee plummeted from the sky, crashing into the Rock venue floor and creating a considerable crater.
"Hitmonlee is unable to battle!" the referee announced.
Hitmonlee's pitiful state further highlighted Nidoking's overwhelming strength. Everyone eagerly anticipated Yoshiki's final Pokémon and whether it could challenge Nidoking.
"Damn it! I'm counting on you, Golem!" After brief hesitation, Yoshiki threw his last Poké Ball, investing all remaining hope in his final partner.
White light revealed Golem, its body covered entirely in rock. It regarded the battle-ready Nidoking ahead with obvious wariness.
Due to the massive strength gap, Nidoking hadn't suffered any meaningful damage from the earlier battle with Hitmonlee. It had been a completely one-sided domination.
"Golem, use Rock Blast," Yoshiki commanded.
Golem launched a barrage of hardened rocks toward Nidoking.
"Nidoking, Brick Break," Gary replied calmly, unfazed by the assault.
Nidoking's arm glowed with white energy as it effortlessly shattered the incoming rocks and charged toward Golem. It let out an intimidating roar meant to break Golem's will.
"Follow up with Brick Break!" Gary ordered.
"Golem, use Rollout!" Yoshiki called out desperately.
Just as Nidoking's glowing fist prepared to strike, Golem reacted first, curling into a ball and rolling forward to counter the attack.
"Not bad. But you're still going down," Gary stated coldly.
"Nidoking, finish this with Iron Tail!"
Nidoking forcefully pushed Golem's body backward before pivoting to swing its thick tail. The appendage gleamed with metallic silver light as it targeted Golem with Iron Tail.
"Golem, use Take Down!" Yoshiki shouted anxiously.
Unable to block Nidoking's fierce assault, the desperate Yoshiki commanded Golem to attack aggressively instead.
Golem committed everything, charging desperately toward Nidoking and ramming violently into its body.
Nidoking used its right fist, glowing with white energy, to deploy Mega Punch. It struggled slightly to halt Golem's Take Down before swinging its thick tail laterally. The close-range Iron Tail connected with Golem's body, knocking it down decisively.
"Golem is unable to battle! Therefore, the winner of this match is Gary from Pallet Town!"
The referee waved both flags to announce the match's conclusion.
"As expected, I lost. After all, he's a trainer from Pallet Town," Yoshiki muttered, collapsing powerlessly to the ground. He stared helplessly at the blue sky with white clouds, regretting his terrible luck that paired him against Gary in the fourth round.
"Victory! Contestant Gary has won again! Worthy of being a rookie trainer from the Land of Champions, he's beautifully advanced to the fifth round! Next, Gary will transfer to the main stadium. Let's eagerly await his performance!" the announcer proclaimed enthusiastically.
The victorious Gary showed no excessive celebration. Instead, he anxiously withdrew his Poké Ball to recall the slightly disappointed Nidoking.
After recalling his partner, Gary quickly left the command platform, paying little attention to Yoshiki, who was still lying there in a depressed state. That wasn't his concern.
Although Gary promptly left the platform, enthusiastic TV station staff intercepted him. They locked, anticipating gazes on Gary, eager eyes meeting his increasingly shy expression.
"Um, can you let me go?" Gary asked weakly, his battle confidence completely evaporated. He was clearly intimidated by the aggressive news media.
Unfortunately, the enthusiastic reporters had no intention of releasing Gary, shoving interview microphones into his face. He'd have to say something.
Gary's credentials weren't insignificant either. Just the title of Professor Oak's grandson was enough to prompt the news media to specifically target his matches.
Unable to escape using Teleport like Red, Gary could only remain in place and honestly answer reporters' questions.
Throughout the questioning, Gary kept glancing at Red in the audience with pleading eyes.
Red, please save me...