"I won't be holding back for the rest of this match. Come out, Primeape!"
Chuck's first choice was a Primeape that stood nearly twice the size of a standard specimen. Based on primates, it had a spherical body covered in pale yellow fur, with black metal shackles around its bare limbs. Its hands were shaped like boxing gloves, and its face was a mask of eternal fury, marked by a throbbing cross-shaped vein on its forehead. Two thick plumes of white vapor snorted from its pig-like nose as it stomped the ground, vibrating with raw aggression.
"A Primeape, then? I'll go with this one."
Feng Che sent out Sigilyph. The ancient avian Pokémon beat its colorful wings, floating in the air with a vacant, enigmatic stare.
"Sigilyph! That's a rare one," a spectator whispered. "They say they're only found near ancient ruins. They're incredibly tricky." "But look at Chuck's Primeape! It's built like a tank. This is going to be a clash of titans!"
"I'll take the lead!" Chuck shouted. "Primeape, use Bulk Up!"
Primeape flexed, its muscles bulging to an even more exaggerated degree, its fur standing on end. With a feral roar, it kicked off the ground, launching its massive fist toward Sigilyph like a cannonball.
"Sigilyph, use Confusion."
Sigilyph's eyes flared with a deep violet light, wrapping Primeape in a psychic cage. However, with a grunt of pure physical exertion, the Primeape flexed its muscles and tore through the mental restraint.
This Primeape has undergone extreme physical conditioning, Feng Che noted. Its sheer tenacity and muscle density allow it to shrug off direct psychic suppression.
Primeape closed the distance, its fists blurring into a flurry of strikes aimed directly at Sigilyph's head.
"Sigilyph, Teleport."
The avian vanished in a shimmer of purple light. Primeape's fist struck nothing but an afterimage, instead slamming into the arena floor.
BOOM!
The ground buckled and collapsed into a deep crater.
"What a punch! It could probably crack a reinforced steel plate with that!" a fan screamed in excitement.
"Primeape, you're being too reckless!" Chuck barked, crossing his arms. "You should have predicted the Teleport exit point while you were in the air. You should have countered with an Aura Sphere or Rock Tomb. Learn from your mistakes!"
Primeape lowered its head in shame, its face turning a deeper shade of red as it began to channel its embarrassment into a cold, focused Rage.
Primeape: My Master is right. I will not let it happen again. I will accumulate my anger for a single, final blow.
Suddenly, Primeape slammed its fists into the ground using Close Combat. The impact sent dozens of jagged stones flying into the air.
"Now! Bullet Punch!"
Primeape's fists became invisible blurs, striking the hovering stones with such speed that they flew toward Sigilyph like a barrage of high-velocity bullets.
Impressive, Feng Che thought. Close Combat + Smack Down + Bullet Punch—it's developed a high-level muscle memory for skill combinations. It's no wonder he mentored Gary.
"Sigilyph, use Ally Switch."
Just as the stones were about to impact, Sigilyph swapped places with Primeape. Because the move was instantaneous, Primeape suddenly found itself high in the air, staring down at its own barrage of high-speed "bullets."
Primeape: Wait... how did I get up here?!
"Don't panic! Use Mind's Eye!" Chuck commanded. "Then use Bullet Punch to knock the stones away!"
Primeape closed its eyes, sensing the air friction and the trajectory of the oncoming rocks. Its hands moved in a rhythmic blur, intercepting each stone with its bare knuckles.
Clang! Clang! Bang!
Every stone was shattered or deflected by Primeape's iron fists.
"Unbelievable! It's parrying the rocks in mid-air!" "Feng Che's move was brilliant, but Chuck's training is on another level!"
The Elite View
Back in Johto, Bruno and Koga were watching the broadcast.
"Chuck is a master of his craft," Bruno noted slowly. "He has truly established his own martial school. His 'Art of Breaking Power with Power' turns his Pokémon into living weapons that treat offense as the ultimate defense. He has found his 'Way.'"
"As for Feng Che," Koga replied, "I suspect this Sigilyph is just a vanguard. During the Viridian selection trials, his primary strength was a Gyarados and a Flygon. Since he's holding back his main team, it's hard to judge his true ceiling."