"Tricky…" Silas muttered, sweat beading at his temple as he stared at Norman's second Pokémon.
"Vigorothhh!!"
The ape Pokémon pounded its chest, muscles bulging as it stomped the floor, bursting with energy.
Norman's command cut through the tension.
"Vigoroth, Break Break!"
"Viii-gorothhh!!"
The Pokémon leapt forward in a blur, claws glowing white as it raised its arms to strike.
"Carvanha, Aqua Jet-run!" Silas barked.
"Car-vaaaanhaaa!!"
Water spiraled around its body, launching the piranha Pokémon like a cannonball across the field. It darted left and right, narrowly avoiding each strike.
Norman's eyes narrowed. 'He's buying time… letting Carvanha's Speed Boost ability kick in. Smart.'
But Vigoroth grew restless. Each miss only made it pound its chest harder, roaring in frustration.
"Vigoroth, calm down. Rock Tomb!" Norman's voice was steady.
"Viii-gorothhh!!"
Chunks of stone materialized in midair, slamming into the ground. Rocks scattered everywhere, cutting off Carvanha's routes of escape.
"Tch… it's trapped!" Silas gritted his teeth.
Norman's hand slashed through the air. "Thunder Punch!"
Vigoroth's fists sparked violently, electricity crackling until both hands glowed with lethal thunder.
"Carvanha, Psychic Fangs-meet it head on!"
"Carrr-vaaaanhaaa!!"
Its sharp jaws glowed with pink psionic light. With a flash, it lunged straight toward the incoming punch.
CRACK!
The clash lit up the arena-electricity ripping across Carvanha's scales. The piranha Pokémon wailed in pain, but its glowing fangs still cut into Vigoroth's arm.
"Finish it with Vital Throw!" Norman commanded calmly.
Vigoroth twisted, grabbing Carvanha with its other arm, and slammed it hard into the ground.
"Bang!"
The impact echoed through the Gym. Carvanha flopped weakly, tried to rise then its eyes swirled shut.
The referee raised the flag. "Carvanha is unable to battle! Challenger, send out your next Pokémon!"
Silas's fists clenched. He returned Carvanha with a quiet, "You did well. Rest now. Corphish and I'll carry this through."
Taking a deep breath, he hurled his next ball.
"Corphish, let's go again!"
"Cor-phiiiishhh!!"
The battered crustacean reappeared, pincers snapping defiantly despite its injuries.
"Bubble Beam!" Silas ordered.
"Corrr-phiiishhh!!"
A glittering torrent of bubbles streamed forward.
"Tank it!" Norman called.
Vigoroth crossed its arms, pushing through the barrage.
"Now-Shadow Ball!"
"Viiigorothhh!!"
A dark sphere pulsed in its hands, growing until it launched forward like a meteor.
Silas's eyes widened. "Protect yourself with Harden -brace!"
Corphish's shell glowed faintly, but the Shadow Ball detonated, filling the battlefield with smoke and shaking the arena.
"Flamethrower—sweep it clean!" Norman's voice rang sharp.
"Viiigorothhh!!"
The smoke lit up orange as a jet of fire roared across the stage.
"Corphish, Water Veil-wrap yourself!" Silas shouted desperately.
"Corrr-phiiishhh!!"
A coating of water enveloped its body, hissing as flames seared it. Steam billowed everywhere, obscuring the fight.
"Corphish…" Silas muttered anxiously.
The steam parted.
And Corphish still stood. Burnt, scarred, but unyielding its claws raised defiantly.
Then white light exploded.
"What-?!" Silas gasped.
Caroline in the stands clasped her hands together. "It's evolving!"
Norman lifted a hand. "Stop attacking, Vigoroth. League rules-no interfering during evolution."
May leapt from her seat, clapping furiously. "Big brother, come on! Beat Dad!"
Norman twitched at that, but held his composure.
The light faded.
Standing in Corphish's place was a far fiercer figure. A red-and-blue lobster with a golden star cresting its head, massive claws radiating raw strength.
"Crawdauntttt!!"
Silas's eyes widened. "Crawdaunt… you evolved!"
The evolved Pokémon snapped its claws, a translucent blade of water forming in their swing.
"Razor Shell!" Silas roared.
"Crawww-daunttt!!"
Crawdaunt lunged forward, its claws slashing with crushing force, each strike tearing through the air.
"Vigoroth, UpRoar- go wild!" Norman commanded decisively.
"Viiigorothhh!!"
The ape bellowed, its frenzy peaking. It lashed out with both arms in wild, reckless fury, slamming forward again and again.
The two collided.
Claw against fist.
Water slicing through air.
Roars shaking the Gym.
"Crawwww!!"
At last, Crawdaunt's final swing blasted through, sending Vigoroth crashing into the ground.
Dust cleared.
Vigoroth lay still, fainted.
The referee raised his flag. "Vigoroth is unable to battle! Victory goes to the challenger, Silas!"
The crowd erupted.
Silas staggered forward, staring at his partner. Crawdaunt's star-shaped crest gleamed under the lights, shining with pride.
"You did it…" Silas whispered, his chest tight. "We did it."
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(End of chapter)