However, in its Outrage state, Haxorus knew nothing of pain or sluggishness; it simply swung its sharp claws and axe-like tusks even more violently, turning the entire arena into its hunting ground!
The ground was torn into hideous gashes, gravel flew, and dust filled the air.
Weavile was like a tiny boat in a storm, in danger of capsizing at any moment.
It had already sustained several wounds from the shockwaves of Haxorus's attacks.
Beads of sweat seeped from Ariel's forehead.
He had to find an opportunity to win with one strike!
"Roar!"
Haxorus swung another Dragon Claw, and Weavile leaned back to the limit, the sharp claws grazing past the tip of its nose.
Opportunity!
"Throat Chop!"
Just as Haxorus's old strength was spent and its new strength hadn't yet arisen, Weavile's figure moved like a bolt of black lightning. Instead of retreating, it advanced, lunging straight into Haxorus's chest!
Its claws lit up with an ominous black glow, stabbing fiercely at the relatively softer armor on Haxorus's abdomen!
Thwack!
With a dull sound, Weavile's claws successfully pierced the defense, dealing significant damage to Haxorus!
But at the same time, it was completely exposed within Haxorus's attack range!
Stung by the pain, Haxorus let out an even more furious roar, and its other sharp claw, carrying overwhelming force, slammed down hard toward the Weavile inches away!
If that strike landed, Weavile would undoubtedly be defeated!
The audience's hearts were in their throats!
Yet, a flash of determination crossed Ariel's eyes.
This was the moment he had been waiting for!
"Weavile, final strike!"
"Ice Punch!"
At this critical moment, Weavile did not choose to retreat; instead, it poured all its strength, the attack power boosted by Hone Claws, and its Dragon-type counter-effectiveness into its right fist!
Crackle, crackle!
Extreme cold condensed on its fist, instantly forming an icy gauntlet emitting chilling white mist!
Facing the giant claw Haxorus was slamming down, it threw out that disproportionately small ice fist with fierce resolve!
One punch, right into Haxorus's mouth, which was wide open from rage!
Time seemed to slow down at this moment.
Everyone could clearly see that icy blue fist accurately slamming into Haxorus's mouth.
The extreme cold erupted instantly!
"Wooo——!!"
Haxorus's violent roar came to an abrupt halt, replaced by a cry of extreme agony.
Frost spread visibly from inside its mouth, instantly covering its head, neck, and then its entire massive body!
In just one second, the once-unconquerable Haxorus had turned into a lifelike ice sculpture!
Its descending giant claw stopped less than a centimeter above Weavile's head.
Bang!
Weavile was also sent flying by the massive recoil, rolling several times on the ground before stopping. It was covered in wounds and panting heavily, but its gaze remained sharp.
It was standing.
And that huge ice sculpture, after standing still for a few seconds, collapsed with a crash, hitting the ground with a loud boom.
Its eyes had already turned into spirals.
The referee was stunned for a long moment before suddenly raising the flag.
"Haxorus is unable to battle! Weavile wins!"
Cheers, more intense than any before, erupted like a long-dormant volcano, the sound wave nearly lifting the roof of the stadium!
"It won! It won again!"
"My god! Trainer Ariel has defeated two of Lance's heavy hitters in a row!"
"That's Lance! The dragon tamer of Kanto, and Ariel is actually holding his own against him to this extent!"
In the spectator stands, old man Drake finally relaxed his tense face, stroking his beard as the corners of his mouth lifted uncontrollably.
Good lad, you didn't embarrass me!
On the field, Weavile was panting heavily, its body covered in wounds from the life-and-death struggle with Haxorus, and it was even swaying as it stood.
But its gaze remained as sharp as a knife, staring fixedly at Lance opposite, refusing to fall.
Watching its partner, a wave of warmth surged through Ariel's heart.
You've worked hard.
Opposite him, Lance recalled Haxorus into its Poké Ball, his expression more serious than ever.
He took a deep look at Ariel and that battle-scarred Weavile whose fighting spirit remained undiminished.
He didn't speak, just silently took out the next Poké Ball.
A flash of red light.
A deafening roar resounded throughout the arena!
A massive Gyarados appeared on the field!
It was the very one that had confronted Ariel's Gyarados at the start!
Coiled in mid-air, its massive body was chilling, its cold eyes looking down at the tiny Weavile on the ground, and the fierce aura radiating from it made the audience in the front rows feel breathless.
"It's Gyarados! One of Lance's trump cards!"
"The aura of this Gyarados... it's too terrifying!"
The announcer commented excitedly, and everyone believed that facing a Gyarados in perfect condition, the exhausted Weavile had no chance of winning, and Ariel should choose to recall it.
However, Ariel did not.
He just looked at Weavile calmly, asking with his eyes.
Can you still fight?
Weavile understood its Trainer's intent; it let out a low growl, clawed a mark on the ground, and assumed a battle stance.
Its stamina was bottomed out, but its dignity would not allow it to retreat without a fight!
"Spirited," Lance's voice came, carrying a hint of approval, "but this is the end."
"Gyarados, Hydro Pump!"
No probing, no fancy opening moves; it went straight for a high-power finishing move!
Gyarados opened its maw, and a high-pressure jet of water, several times thicker than a fire hose, roared toward Weavile with overwhelming force!
"Ice Shard!" Ariel commanded.
Weavile used its last bit of strength to condense several Ice Shards shimmering with cold light, facing the terrifying Hydro Pump.
However, it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
The Ice Shards were crushed to pieces the moment they touched the Hydro Pump by the sheer force of the impact, and the Hydro Pump continued unabated, slamming squarely into Weavile!
Bang!
Weavile's small body was thrown far away like a leaf in a storm, rolling a dozen times on the ground before finally stopping at the edge of the field, its eyes turned to spirals, completely unable to battle.
A sigh of regret filled the arena.
Weavile was defeated but glorious; it had single-handedly defeated Lance's trump card Haxorus and continued to fight to the death without retreating, but it had ultimately reached its limit.
Ariel took out the Poké Ball and recalled Weavile, saying softly, "You did very well. Leave the rest to me."
He looked up, his gaze fixed on the fierce blue Gyarados in mid-air.
Although Weavile's final attack hadn't caused any substantial damage, its mission was already accomplished.
It had bought Ariel precious time to observe the habits and attack patterns of this Gyarados.
Furthermore, Weavile's defeat had also caused a slight laxity in the minds of Gyarados and Lance.
"Then, next up..."
Ariel took a Poké Ball from his belt and pressed the switch.
A flash of white light, and a strange figure appeared on the field.
Malamar!
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