BOOM!
The ground behind Haxorus cracked open, and grass flew everywhere. Marowak leaped into the air, raising the Bone Club in his hand once more.
Moving toward Haxorus's back, the Bone Club glowed with white light as it shot forward at high speed through the air.
"Haxorus, use Bite!"
Giselle had watched as Ash commanded Haxorus to use Dragon Dance. Feeling pressured and eager to gain an advantage, she heard the noise Marowak made when bursting from the ground. Both Ash and Haxorus noticed it immediately.
Ash gave the order directly to Haxorus. Upon hearing the sound, Haxorus spun around suddenly, his scarlet eyes locked onto the flying Bone Club.
He opened his mouth wide and clamped down with Bite just as the Bone Club reached him.
BOOM!
With a loud crash, the energy surrounding the Bone Club dispersed instantly. The light faded, returning the bone to its normal state, now held tightly in Haxorus's jaws.
"How is that possible?" Giselle's face showed surprise, while on the other side, Ash's eyes gleamed with confidence.
On the field, Haxorus seemed to understand what to do. His eyes flashed red as his jaws clenched harder. The bone made a strained, creaking sound.
CRACK!
The next moment, the Bone Club that Haxorus held in his mouth snapped in two from his incredible bite force. The broken pieces fell from either side of Haxorus's mouth.
"This can't be..." Both Giselle and Marowak wore shocked expressions.
"Wow! Haxorus's bite force is incredible! Marowak's trusty Bone Club has been bitten clean through!"
The announcer's voice rang out across the stadium. Marowak's Bone Club had a very high density—it wasn't just any ordinary bone. This bone was hard enough to smash rocks and dent metal when struck head-on.
Yet it couldn't withstand Haxorus's bite force. Without his Bone Club, Marowak had lost one of his most powerful offensive tools.
"Gala!"
Marowak stared at his broken Bone Club. After the initial shock wore off, he let out an angry roar.
Before evolving, Cubone had been a shy and introverted Pokémon, but after evolution, Marowak became fierce and aggressive. The Bone Club wasn't just a weapon—it was his most precious possession.
"This isn't good. Whether it's offense or defense, Marowak can't gain any advantage at all. What else can I do?"
Giselle tried to calm herself as she watched the scene unfold. She should have planned more carefully before launching that attack.
But her emotions had gotten the better of her, causing her to rush the assault without proper thought. Haxorus held a complete advantage in both attack power and defensive capability.
Now that Marowak had lost his Bone Club as an offensive weapon, she needed to stay calm.
As she thought hard about a strategy, Giselle suddenly noticed the traces left by Haxorus's Dragon Rage attack. Smoke still rose from the scorched ground.
"That's it! If I can restrict Haxorus's movement, there might be a chance!" Giselle looked at the battlefield, a plan forming in her mind.
"Marowak, use Fire Punch!"
Giselle called out suddenly. After hearing the command, Marowak clenched his fists tight. Blazing flames erupted around both fists.
"Fire Punch?"
In the audience, Misty felt slightly startled when she saw this. A Ground-type like Marowak could actually use Fire Punch.
"I see. That's why Ms. Giselle was so confident sending out a Ground-type Pokémon on a grass field."
Brock understood what was happening now.
In a normal grass field battle, most people would expect to see Grass-type Pokémon. Giselle had led with Marowak from the very start.
It seemed like she wasn't worried about her opponent sending out a Grass-type that would have a type advantage over Ground-types. That was because Marowak could use Fire-type moves.
"Marowak, use Fire Punch on the ground!" Giselle looked at the field and shouted to Marowak.
"Gala!"
After hearing the command, Marowak attacked with vigor, slamming his flame-wrapped fists directly into the grass.
Although the venue's lawn was full of vibrant green grass, under the intense heat of Fire Punch, the moisture was quickly drained away and the grass began to burn.
The flames spread outward from Marowak, almost seeming alive as they traveled along the field. They gradually encircled Haxorus, who quickly realized he was in a dangerous position.
As Marowak controlled the flames from the outside, they spread steadily toward Haxorus at the center.
"Amazing! Giselle has used the flames and the grass field to trap Haxorus! If Ash doesn't do something soon, Haxorus will be in serious danger!" The announcer praised Giselle's tactical thinking.
At that moment, the principal of the Pokémon Academy, who was watching the match alongside Charles Goodshow, saw his expression change when he witnessed this move.
Charles Goodshow glanced at him and smiled slightly. This kind of excellent on-the-spot thinking wasn't something taught in their schools. It was clear the young trainer had learned this herself during her travels.
On the field, Ash had remained calm throughout the battle, but now he seemed to perk up. A look of appreciation crossed his face.
As the flames spread across the battlefield, they gradually consumed Haxorus's figure. Yellow and the others began to feel worried.
"Now this is getting interesting! But..."
Looking at the scene where Haxorus's form had been obscured by the rising flames—only his outline barely visible—Ash showed no sign of concern.
"Haxorus, scatter the flames!"
FLASH!
Ash gave the order, and a red light glinted through the fire—Haxorus's eyes. Then...
ROOOAAR!
A deafening sound suddenly erupted. With this earth-shaking roar, an incredible rush of air swirled outward in all directions. The powerful airflow spread out, and the surrounding flames were blown away by the vibrations generated from that mighty roar.
Embers floated through the air. Haxorus raised his claws and held his roaring stance. His dark silhouette was illuminated by the embers drifting in the surrounding air. Standing on the burned and blackened earth, he looked absolutely awe-inspiring.