The flames around Larvesta's body, which had dimmed slightly, flared up once again.
The rhythm of the burning flames carried a powerful sense of vitality. Not only had the stamina it expended earlier been completely restored, it had even surpassed its peak state by a small margin.
The entire Pokémon became lively once more, radiating high fighting spirit.
Flannery suddenly took half a step back, her back hitting the railing of the battle position with a dull thud, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Only now did she finally understand the true intention behind Theo's seemingly passive strategy of dodging and enduring attacks earlier.
So he had been holding back a recovery move like Morning Sun all along, waiting for this exact moment!
"It can even use a recovery move?!"
The spectators erupted in an uproar. Their earlier confusion vanished instantly, replaced by astonished realization.
Those who had thought Theo's tactics were strange now revealed expressions of admiration.
What seemed like passive evasion and taking hits had actually been preparation for a recovery counterattack. This level of battle strategy was truly impressive.
Meanwhile, the livestream chat exploded even more violently:
"Holy crap! You can play it like this? Larvesta has a recovery move. How is Torkoal supposed to fight that?"
"I get it now! Larvesta taking hits earlier was not stupidity. The streamer was saving recovery for later. That is insane!"
"Larvesta can use Morning Sun? This is basically an endurance monster. Gym Leader Flannery is in trouble!"
"So that is how it works! I was criticizing the streamer earlier, but now I realize I just did not understand the strategy at all!"
"Not just that. Torkoal's Drought ability set up the sunny weather, but instead of benefiting itself, it ended up helping the opponent. That is brilliant!"
Moore, who had been standing to the side with his arms crossed, watching casually, now grew serious.
The relaxed expression on his face faded as he muttered softly:
"I did not expect this Larvesta to have a recovery move hidden as well. In that case, Flannery's advantage has completely disappeared."
…
"Larvesta, it is our turn to counterattack. Use Flame Wheel!"
Theo's voice carried rising momentum as it reached Larvesta, finally sounding the horn of counterattack.
Having already pushed its speed to the extreme, Larvesta instantly curled its body, transforming into an orange red flaming wheel.
This time, due to the accumulated speed from Flame Charge, its rotation was so fast that afterimages seemed to appear.
Wherever it passed, the air was torn apart, producing sharp whistling sounds.
The smokescreen barrier that Torkoal had created earlier was forcibly shredded and burned away by the high speed rotation, quickly dissipating.
Torkoal's figure was now completely exposed before Larvesta.
At the moment the black smoke fully dispersed, Larvesta stopped at the center of the battlefield.
Its five horns were raised high with pride as it let out a clear, bright snort toward Torkoal.
It was as if it were announcing that this was now its moment.
Flannery clenched her fists tightly, her palms drenched in sweat.
This battle felt as though she had been led into a trap from the very beginning, being pulled along step by step.
"Now! Charge!"
Theo continued issuing commands.
The Flame Wheel surged forward with unstoppable momentum, like a cannonball fired from a barrel, crashing straight toward Torkoal.
Torkoal attempted to use Rock type moves to counterattack, but to its shock, Larvesta's speed was simply too fast.
So fast that its attacks could not even properly lock on.
Whether it was trying to gather Ancient Power or prepare Rock Slide, by the time it aimed and prepared to strike, Larvesta had already slipped out of range like a phantom.
Then it would circle back and slam into Torkoal again with its high speed rotating Flame Wheel.
"Damn it!"
Watching Torkoal being struck repeatedly, its body beginning to show scorched marks and its breathing growing increasingly unstable, Flannery's brows tightened further, and her anxiety surged.
"Torkoal, use Flamethrower!"
Torkoal opened its mouth and unleashed a thick stream of flames, carrying scorching heat as it swept toward Larvesta.
But Larvesta reacted with incredible agility, darting to the side and easily avoiding the attack.
The flames brushed past its body and slammed into the battlefield, leaving behind a long blackened scorch mark.
"Switch to Fire Blast!"
Unwilling to give up, Flannery issued another command.
A massive fiery character formed in midair, carrying destructive power as it pressed down toward Larvesta.
Yet Larvesta once again relied on its overwhelming speed advantage to evade effortlessly.
It even took the opportunity during its dodge to slam into Torkoal again with Flame Wheel, causing Torkoal to let out a muffled groan of pain.
With attack after attack missing and its body continuously taking damage, Torkoal's condition worsened.
The red glow within its shell dimmed, clearly showing the extent of its energy consumption.
Flannery's expression grew increasingly grim. She knew that if this continued, she would be slowly worn down to defeat. Finally, she made up her mind, her voice carrying a trace of determination.
"No choice now! Torkoal, use Overheat!"
This was Torkoal's strongest move, its final trump card.
However, using it would severely drain its energy and drastically reduce its future offensive power.
At Flannery's command, the red glow within Torkoal's shell flickered violently, as if a miniature volcano were about to erupt.
In the next moment, raging flames burst out from its shell like a volcanic eruption.
A massive vortex of fire formed around its body, covering a wide area and engulfing everything within several meters.
This time, the attack's range was so large that it was nearly impossible to evade.
Although Larvesta reacted quickly and retreated, it was still struck by the edge of the flaming vortex.
It let out a cry of pain as the powerful heatwave blasted it away, sending it tumbling across the ground before it finally came to a stop.
The flames on its body flickered violently, and its horns drooped slightly, clearly showing that it had taken significant damage.
"Larvesta!"
Theo frowned slightly, concern flashing in his eyes.
But before he could give a command, Larvesta struggled back to its feet.
It once again bathed itself in the sunlight and, without hesitation, activated Morning Sun.
Golden healing light flowed around its body once more, rapidly restoring its injuries at a visible rate.
In no time, it regained its energetic state.
It was as if Torkoal's powerful Overheat had never caused any damage at all.
Seeing this scene, Flannery's face turned completely pale, her eyes filled with despair.
She knew she had already lost.
After using Overheat, Torkoal's energy had been severely depleted. The fire energy within its body had dropped drastically, and the power of its subsequent attacks would be far weaker.
Meanwhile, Larvesta could quickly recover using Morning Sun. In a battle of attrition like this, she had no chance of winning.
There was not even the slightest hope of turning the situation around.
At that moment, Mr. Moore, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke. His voice echoed clearly across the entire arena.
"This match, Flannery concedes."
"Grandpa!"
Flannery turned her head abruptly, her face filled with unwillingness.
"The battle is not over yet! I can still…"
"You have already lost."
Mr. Moore interrupted her, his tone calm yet carrying unquestionable authority.
"If you continue, it will only waste Torkoal's stamina. There is no need to let it suffer unnecessary damage."
He looked at Flannery, his gaze carrying a hint of admonishment.
"Recognizing the strength of your opponent is a lesson every trainer must learn."
Flannery bit her lip tightly.
Her gaze moved between Larvesta, still full of energy, and her own exhausted Torkoal. In the end, she slowly lowered her head.
She reached out and recalled Torkoal into its Poké Ball, her voice carrying an unmistakable sense of defeat.
"I understand, Grandpa."
Only then did Mr. Moore nod in satisfaction. He then turned his attention to Theo, his eyes shining with undisguised appreciation.
He slowly walked to the center of the field. At some point, a bright red Heat Badge had appeared in his hand.
The badge, engraved with flame patterns, faintly radiated warmth.
"Theo!"
Mr. Moore handed the Heat Badge to him, his tone becoming more formal.
"You have successfully challenged the Lavaridge Gym. This Heat Badge is yours."
Theo accepted the badge. It felt warm in his hand, as if it still carried the heat of fire. He gave a slight bow, speaking sincerely.
"Thank you, Elder Moore."
"No need to thank me just yet."
Mr. Moore waved his hand, his tone shifting as a hint of battle intent appeared in his eyes.
"Seeing such a promising young trainer makes my hands itch. Are you interested in having a battle with me?"
Theo paused for a moment, looking at Mr. Moore with some surprise.
"You want to battle personally?"
"Do not worry, I will not bully the young."
Mr. Moore smiled and explained.
"I have a Blaziken that just finished evolving not long ago. I have been looking for a suitable opponent to spar with. Would you be interested in battling it?
You can use whichever Pokémon you like. I have seen your videos. Aside from Larvesta, you also have three other Pokémon.
A Rock and Dragon type close combat Pokémon, a shiny Metang like that boy Steven's, and a Water type shiny Milotic, correct?"
Mr. Moore paused briefly before offering an extremely tempting condition, his tone carrying a hint of allure.
"If you can defeat my Blaziken, I will have my Typhlosion teach your Larvesta some moves.
It specializes in move tutoring. The powerful Fire type moves Flannery's Pokémon know were all personally taught by it.
At that time, it will expend its own energy to help your Larvesta quickly comprehend and learn those powerful Fire type moves, such as Fire Blast and Overheat.
So, what do you say? Do you dare to battle me?"
(End of Chapter)