"Both trainers have sent out their Pokémon, and Giselle will take the lead in attacking!"
As the Pokémon from both sides appeared on the field, the order of attack was quickly determined on the big screen, with Giselle launching the first strike.
"Marowak, use Bonemerang!"
Facing an unfamiliar opponent and not knowing much about him, Giselle chose to use a long-range attack to test her rival's strength.
Marowak's eyes narrowed after hearing the command. It raised its arm, gripping the bone club tightly. A white light suddenly flashed along the bone club's surface, and then Marowak hurled it directly toward Haxorus's position.
The bone club spun through the air, making a sound like a propeller as it flew straight toward Haxorus.
Boom!
Ash said nothing, and Haxorus remained completely motionless, as if rooted to the spot. The moment Marowak's bone club struck, it hit Haxorus directly in the face. However, both sides of Haxorus's face were protected by its massive, sharp tusks. Haxorus only shifted its head slightly and continued to stand without moving.
After striking Haxorus, Marowak's bone club bounced back instantly. It seemed to have a homing ability as it flew back in Marowak's direction.
Marowak reached out and caught its bone club, then looked up to see Haxorus slowly turning its head. The Dragon-type's scarlet eyes looked down at Marowak with an intimidating gaze.
"How is that possible?!" Giselle couldn't help but show a look of shock on her face when she saw this scene.
"Giselle's Marowak attacked, but Haxorus is completely unharmed!" The commentator was equally surprised by this development.
"Haxorus, Dragon Dance!"
Without acknowledging Giselle's surprise, Ash calmly issued his next command to Haxorus. After hearing the order, Haxorus's eyes flashed with intensity, and powerful blue energy suddenly emanated from its body.
As Haxorus swayed its body rhythmically, the blue energy gradually condensed and merged into its form. After this power settled, Haxorus's eyes seemed to become even sharper and more focused.
"So you're going to boost your attack first? I won't let you! Marowak, use Skull Bash!"
Watching Haxorus use Dragon Dance, Giselle guessed what Ash's strategy was. No matter what plan Ash had in mind, she couldn't let him execute it easily.
"Gala!"
After hearing the command, Marowak charged forward. Its entire body shot forward like a missile, leading with its skull-covered head. A white light appeared around its body, enveloping it completely and leaving a long white trail like a rocket launching into the sky.
"Block it!"
Facing Marowak's Skull Bash attack, Ash simply spoke calmly, while Haxorus stood motionless.
Compared to Muk, Haxorus was much faster and could easily dodge the attack. However, under Ash's command, Haxorus remained perfectly still.
The moment Marowak charged forward with Skull Bash, Haxorus suddenly raised its claw.
Boom!
Haxorus lifted its claw and grabbed Marowak's head directly. It stepped back with its left foot, immediately bracing against the ground. The sharp claws on its feet scraped against the field's surface, leaving deep scratches.
Despite this, Haxorus firmly blocked Marowak's Skull Bash attack. Watching this scene, Giselle's level of surprise reached a new height.
Haxorus had blocked the incredibly powerful Skull Bash without even using a move.
"Dragon Rage!"
While both arms resisted the Skull Bash, Ash's voice suddenly rang out. After hearing the command, Haxorus slowly opened its mouth.
"Rooooar!"
Low, rumbling roars came from deep within its throat. At Haxorus's abdomen, blue energy began to glow and shine. The power gradually rose from Haxorus's core and converged toward its mouth.
"Get away, quickly!" Giselle shouted urgently when she saw what was happening.
Haxorus had grabbed Marowak's head with its claws, but Marowak refused to give up the struggle. It suddenly swung the bone club in its hand and struck Haxorus's claw with force.
Crack!
Using the bone club's impact, Marowak successfully escaped from Haxorus's grip and landed back on the ground.
Boom! Roar!
At that moment, the energy in Haxorus's mouth exploded outward. Blue light roared forth like an enraged dragon, surging across the battlefield.
"Dig!"
Seeing the attack coming, Giselle spoke quickly. After hearing the command, Marowak jumped up from the ground, then plunged downward and rapidly dug a hole.
Boom, boom, boom!
Marowak used Dig to evade the attack just in time. Dragon Rage's energy struck the spot where Marowak had been standing moments before. As Haxorus gradually raised its head, Dragon Rage's light swept straight across the ground ahead. The field continued to explode in waves of destruction. After Haxorus stopped channeling energy, the attack finally dissipated.
Looking at the battlefield now, smoke gradually cleared to reveal the aftermath. A long scorched track had been carved across the entire grassland. The soil was blackened and charred, with wisps of dark smoke rising from the devastated earth.
"The destructive power of Haxorus is truly amazing! Thanks to Giselle's skillful evasion technique, Marowak managed to avoid serious damage. Can Giselle use Dig to gain an advantage?"
On the field at this moment, Marowak had used Dig to evade the attack and remained underground. Haxorus had stopped attacking and stood waiting.
Giselle was very cautious now and didn't launch an attack hastily. She seemed to be waiting for the right opportunity.
"Haxorus, Dragon Dance!" Seeing Giselle delaying her attack, Ash had no intention of waiting around. Since she wouldn't attack, he would force her hand.
"Rooooar!"
Haxorus roared after hearing the command. Dragon Dance was used again as blue energy was released once more. Haxorus's attack power increased further.
"Facing a surprise attack from Marowak that could come from anywhere, Ash is actually letting Haxorus use Dragon Dance without any concern! What incredible confidence!"
The commentator was surprised when he saw this scene. While he described it as confidence, in the eyes of Giselle and her classmates from her school, Ash's behavior seemed more like arrogance.
"Ash, are you looking down on me? Marowak, use Bonemerang!"
Seeing Ash act as if no one was around and letting Haxorus use stat-boosting moves so casually, Giselle felt somewhat angry. She immediately commanded Marowak to attack from underground.