Chapter 214: Garchomp vs Oak's Dragonite!

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"Gaaaargh!!!"

As Liam threw out his PokeBall, Garchomp's towering white body appeared on the field. The moment it landed, it opened its mouth wide and let out a roar full of confidence. 

Its blazing eyes locked onto the Dragonite opposite it, burning with fighting spirit, ready to launch a powerful assault at any moment.

"So that's the alternate shiny Garchomp? It does seem quite strong. This kid's Pokémon are all exceptionally well-trained… That's definitely praiseworthy…"

Seeing Garchomp take the stage, Elite Four member Bronson's eyes gleamed with admiration as he nodded in appreciation.

"No doubt about its strength. That Dragonite from the Dragon Clan kid was taken down by this Garchomp without much effort. Its potential is definitely top-tier—maybe even above Professor Oak's Dragonite… but…"

Another Elite Four member, Norman, also nodded in agreement, but left a hint of suspense at the end.

"But what? You're still going to say Champion Oak's Dragonite is stronger, aren't you? Oak's Dragonite is even praised by the famed Dragon Master himself. Even if this Garchomp has exceptional potential and might surpass it someday, that's far off in the future. Right now? It's still lacking…"

This time it was Elite Four member Erika who spoke. She was swinging her legs lazily from a swing seat, clearly uninterested.

"Let's not jump to conclusions before the battle's even begun," said Agatha with a gentle smile as she watched Liam and Garchomp. "At our level, we should know better than anyone—trainer commands can drastically influence the outcome of a battle. A weaker Pokémon doesn't always lose to a stronger one. Until one side falls, who can truly say how it'll end?"

"You mean to say Oak's command ability is inferior to that greenhorn kid's? That's absolutely ridiculous…"

Agatha's comment drew a sharp rebuttal from Erika, who clearly didn't think much of Liam.

"Hmph. What's the point in all this talk? The battle's about to start. Let's wait for the result before saying anything else."

Agatha clearly didn't want to argue, maintaining her enigmatic smile as her attention focused on the two Pokémon now ready to clash.

"Hmph! Then let's just watch!"

Seeing that Agatha ignored her, Erika snorted and turned back to the match.

"Champion's side: Two Pokémon have lost the ability to battle. Challenger's side: One Pokémon is unable to battle, and one has lost the will to fight! Both sides' third Pokémon are ready! Battle—begin!"

Charles Goodshow glanced at Dragonite and Garchomp, then raised both hands vertically before swiftly slicing them down to signal the start.

"Garchomp! Charge in and use Dragon Claw!!"

"Gaaaargh!!"

"Dragonite! Use Aqua Tail!!"

"Rooarr!!"

The final showdown exploded in an instant. Garchomp's fins extended with shimmering blue-violet Dragon-type energy into massive claws. It moved like a phantom, charging at Dragonite with terrifying speed.

Meanwhile, a stream of water appeared around Dragonite's tail. It spun, whipping its tail forward, sending a fierce water column hurling toward Garchomp.

"Gaaaargh!!"

But Garchomp easily leaped over the sweeping Aqua Tail, its legs leaving the ground. From above, its glowing Dragon Claws came slashing down.

"Dragonite! Thunder Punch!"

"Rooarr!!"

Just as Garchomp was about to strike, Professor Oak's command rang out. Dragonite, not pausing even after using Aqua Tail, raised its right fist, crackling with electricity, and smashed it upward toward Garchomp's claws. 

The moment Thunder Punch collided with Dragon Claw, the two were locked in a deadlock for a second. But the very next instant, Dragonite's punch broke through, landing squarely on Garchomp's face.

"Gaaaargh!!"

The punch sent Garchomp flying backward. It quickly shook its fins midair to stabilize itself. As it hovered, pain still throbbed on its face. It now understood—the Dragonite before it… was absurdly powerful!

Professor Oak watched calmly as Garchomp stabilized itself. He had used Thunder Punch not for its Electric-type damage—it wouldn't affect Garchomp much—but in hopes of inflicting paralysis to hinder its speed. 

But Thunder Punch's paralysis effect was based on chance, so it was a gamble. Still, that hit alone, without added effect, was proof of Dragonite's overwhelming strength.

"…That attack… was insanely powerful…"

Even Liam was shaken. In all his previous battles, Garchomp had never lost in a pure power clash. This was the first time!

"Garchomp!! Win with your speed!! Kick up a Sandstorm!!"

Since power didn't work, he'd rely on speed. Use agility to take down the opponent!

"Gaaaargh!!"

Garchomp, still hovering in the air, raised its head and roared. A flurry of sand and wind burst into the arena, completely enveloping the field.

"That's it!! Now charge in again! Use Dragon Claw one more time!!"

With the field now obscured by the Sandstorm, visibility was low—but the connection between Liam and Garchomp remained strong. He could still sense its position and every movement. Raising his head, Liam shouted toward where Garchomp was.

"Gaaaarrr!!"

Garchomp nodded slightly mid-air and formed Dragon Claws on its fins once more. It turned into a blur of motion within the sandstorm, accelerating rapidly toward Dragonite.

"Dragonite! Use Agility!"

"Rooarr!!"

At the same time Garchomp launched its strike, Professor Oak responded again. Though the sandstorm blocked his view, his experience allowed him to judge from Liam's command and issue an immediate counter.

In the whirling sands, Dragonite shielded its face and let out a low roar. In a blink, its yellow body vanished. Garchomp's claws slashed only air where Dragonite had stood.

Sensing something wrong, Garchomp bent its legs, ready to leap—

"Rooarr!!!"

But just then, two powerful arms appeared behind it. Dragonite wrapped them around Garchomp's neck in a tight hold. The yellow limbs locked like iron chains, pressing down with immense force.

"?! Garchomp!! Use Stomping Tantrum!!"

The moment Garchomp was caught, Liam felt it and shouted toward the storm.

"Gaaaargh!!"

Its head restrained and unable to take flight, Garchomp raised a leg and slammed it hard into the ground. A shockwave of earthy force erupted from beneath it. Dragonite grunted and was blasted away by the impact.

Though Stomping Tantrum is a Ground-type move and Dragonite is a Flying-type, it wasn't airborne—so it took the hit!

"Dragonite!! Use Hurricane! Blow away the sandstorm!!"

Hearing the faint sound of Dragonite's grunt, Professor Oak realized it must've taken damage. The sandstorm hindered his view, so he could only act on instinct and experience.

"Rooarr!!"

Dragonite staggered back a few steps from the Stomping Tantrum, each step thudding heavily. Then, on Oak's command, it spread its small wings and roared. 

A fierce whirlwind formed around it, rapidly clearing the sandstorm. The remaining wind condensed into a massive twister of air, forming a raging Hurricane that surged down toward Garchomp!