Chapter 213: Just One Step Away from Final Victory!

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"Kangaskhan!! Hang in there! Use Reversal!!"

Professor Oak's face changed dramatically as he saw his Kangaskhan engulfed once again by lightning, letting out pained growls. He quickly shouted a command.

"Kangaa!!"

Cradling its pouch protectively with both arms, the pained Kangaskhan's eyes were tightly shut. But at Oak's command, it suddenly snapped them open! 

With a fierce roar, its powerful body twisted, and its thick tail—now glowing red—smashed hard into Nidoking's side!

"Ghuh!"

Struck with immense force, Nidoking let out a muffled cry, lifted off the ground, and was sent crashing violently into the floor.

"Nidoking!!"

The unexpected turn shocked Liam. He turned toward Nidoking, now collapsed on the ground, and shouted with deep concern.

"Kangaa…"

Having just landed a counterattack, Kangaskhan's body was now emitting faint wisps of black smoke. It staggered, swayed… then knelt forward onto the ground.

"Nido!!"

Nidoking, who had just been slammed into the floor again, let out an enraged growl. It dug its claws into the ground and slowly pushed itself up, bellowing at Kangaskhan before charging forward again.

"Nidoking! Wait!"

Liam quickly tried to stop Nidoking upon seeing it rise again to attack.

"Nido?"

Confused, Nidoking stopped and turned toward Liam.

Liam didn't answer but looked silently toward Kangaskhan.

Kangaskhan raised its head slightly and looked at Liam, letting out a low murmur. Then it spread its arms and gazed down at the unharmed baby Pokemon nestled safely in its pouch. A gentle smile formed on its face, and with that, it closed its eyes and collapsed onto its side with a soft thud—eyes spiraling.

"Kangaskhan is unable to battle! Nidoking wins!!"

Referee Darman reached out and quickly made the call to halt the match.

"Nido…"

Nidoking looked at the fallen Kangaskhan, and then at the baby Pokemon crawling out of the pouch and frantically nudging Kangaskhan's head in worry. It grunted in dissatisfaction before turning and slowly walking back to Liam's side.

"Heh… That's a mother's love. When you have kids of your own someday, you'll understand what she felt just now."

Liam patted Nidoking's shoulder gently, offering an explanation to his sulking partner.

"Nido…"

"Well done, Kangaskhan. Come back and rest…"

Professor Oak took out a PokeBall and recalled both Kangaskhan and the baby into it. He lowered his head and whispered a soft thanks, then tucked the ball away and clenched his right fist at his side.

"This next battle… I'm counting on you. Don't get careless…"

"Wooo~"

At his words, the Dragonite who had been standing silently behind Oak stepped forward. It gently tapped its fist against Oak's, letting out a low, relaxed growl.

"This is the last Pokemon I'm sending out! Liam, it's a shame my Charizard isn't here, but my Dragonite's power is definitely above even Charizard's. Don't let your earlier two wins make you overconfident!"

"Roooar!!"

With bold strides, Dragonite walked to the center of the field. It unfurled its wings with a dramatic flap and let out a powerful roar toward the sky. Its previously relaxed gaze had turned sharp, and even held a trace of anger—it had clearly witnessed the defeat of its longtime teammate and was ready to avenge it.

"Nidoking, you still good to go?"

Liam glanced at Dragonite's intimidating presence, then looked to Nidoking.

"Nido!!"

Without hesitation, Nidoking roared and strode out to face Dragonite.

Professor Oak's Dragonite was noticeably larger than the average member of its species. Standing before it, Nidoking looked quite a bit smaller—but not even a trace of fear showed on its face. It lifted its head high, locking eyes with Dragonite, unwilling to give an inch.

"Both Pokemon are ready! Battle… begin!!"

This time, Darman even elongated the call, glancing between the two Pokemon before shouting the start command.

"Dragonite! Fire Punch!"

"Nidoking! Hyper Voice!!"

The moment Darman's words ended, both trainers gave their commands simultaneously.

With the two so close to each other, the most effective tactic now was an all-out melee assault!

"Roooar!!"

"Nido!!"

Both Dragonite and Nidoking charged in simultaneously. Flames ignited on Dragonite's right fist as it drove a blazing punch at Nidoking.

Meanwhile, the sharp horn on Nidoking's forehead began vibrating at a high frequency, emitting an ear-piercing screech as it dashed forward with zero hesitation.

"Roooar!!"

Sensing the destructive power of Nidoking's Hyper Voice, Dragonite realized a direct clash wouldn't work in its favor. With agile movements belying its bulk, it twisted its body and dodged Nidoking's charge. Then, with a flaming uppercut from below, it struck Nidoking squarely on the jaw.

"Nido!!"

Nidoking reeled from the hit, head thrown back as it staggered backward several steps, crying out in muffled pain.

"Don't stop, Dragonite! Use Slam!!"

"Roooar!!"

Without delay, Dragonite swung its powerful tail around, wrapping it tightly around Nidoking's neck. Then, with a rapid flap of its wings, Dragonite took off—lifting Nidoking's heavy frame into the air.

(Note: This is how Slam is really meant to be used.)

"Nidoking! Fight back with Thunderbolt!"

Seeing Nidoking lifted off the ground, Liam shouted urgently.

"Nido!!"

Without even opening its eyes, sparks began dancing across Nidoking's body—Thunderbolt was ready to fire at any moment.

"Dragonite! Throw it down!!"

"Roooar!!"

In the very next instant, Dragonite twisted midair and released its grip. Nidoking's purple body shot toward the ground like a cannonball and crashed into the battlefield floor with a thunderous impact. Dust and debris burst into the air. Then a wild surge of electricity exploded outward from the dust cloud, leaving scorched marks across the arena.

"Nidoking!!"

"Now's your chance, Dragonite! Use Dragon Rage!!"

While Liam cried out in worry, Oak gave another command. Still airborne, Dragonite took a deep breath—and unleashed a powerful, blue-violet Dragon Rage that roared into the dust cloud.

A huge explosion erupted inside the cloud, and the shockwave scattered the smoke outward, gradually revealing the scene on the battlefield.

"Nido…"

In the center of the charred floor lay Nidoking, eyes spiraling, body scorched—completely unable to battle.

"Nidoking is unable to battle!! Dragonite wins!!"

Seeing the outcome, Darman quickly issued the result.

"Come back, Nidoking. You did great… truly."

Liam stepped forward and returned Nidoking to its PokeBall with a warm smile, whispering to it before clipping the ball back onto his belt.

"Roooar~"

Having just won the match, Dragonite gently landed on the ground, arrogantly turning its gaze toward Liam's side of the field—where Aerodactyl had been silently waiting. Its eyes glinted with provocation.

"Roarrr!!"

Aerodactyl could no longer stay quiet. It spread its wings wide, ready to fly in. But Liam quickly rushed over and smiled at it.

"Wait, Aerodactyl! Don't let yourself get provoked so easily. This battle means something different to me—not just whether I win or lose. It's a summary of my whole journey. I started out with three Pokemon… and I want them to finish this battle. So can you wait just a little longer, buddy?"

"…Raargh."

Aerodactyl looked down at Liam, saw the determination in his eyes, then gave a small nod. It turned to Dragonite, let out a fierce roar, and walked back to its spot, folding its wings and lying down to quietly observe the rest of the battle.

"Heh… Thanks, Aerodactyl. I promise I'll give Dragonite a proper lesson for you."

Smiling at the ever-understanding Aerodactyl, Liam returned to his position and drew out Garchomp's PokeBall, hurling it toward the field with force.

"Come out, Garchomp!! Let's show Professor Oak our true strength!!"