Lucas watched as Sandslash's attacks barely tickled Snorlax and froze in place.
How are we supposed to fight this!?
What are we even using to fight!?
We're not on the same level at all.
"Bro... Aaron's Snorlax is probably way higher level than your Sandslash. Maybe we should..."
Luiz swallowed nervously and said to his older brother.
"Luiz... don't give up!"
"No matter how strong the opponent is, a Trainer must never give up easily. Your Pokémon are still fighting. What right do you have to talk about giving up!?"
Lucas said sternly.
Luiz paused, then looked toward Sandslash on the battlefield. Its eyes were full of fighting spirit. A trace of guilt appeared on his face.
He looked back at Lucas with determination.
"I understand, bro!"
"I won't give up so easily again..."
"Go for it, bro!"
"Go, Sandslash..."
A faint smile appeared on Lucas's face, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.
"Shraaa..."
Sandslash waved its claws at Luiz, as if to say:
"Leave it to me..."
Seeing the opponent hesitate to act, Aaron made his move.
"Snorlax. Use Tackle."
"Snorrr..."
Snorlax let out a low growl and charged forward with heavy steps. Despite its massive size, its speed wasn't slow at all. It slammed straight toward Sandslash.
"Sandslash. Use Dig to dodge!"
Lucas immediately shouted.
"Shraaa..."
Sandslash's claws glowed yellow as it rapidly dug into the ground. In an instant, it disappeared underground, easily dodging Snorlax's Tackle.
"Nice... Sandslash!"
Luiz shouted excitedly.
"Sandslash. Come out and use Crush Claw on Snorlax!"
Lucas smiled as he gave the command to the hidden Sandslash.
A faint smile curved on Aaron's lips.
Hiding underground and trying to play sneaky?
Too bad.
Is this just an ordinary Snorlax in front of you?
Observation Haki. Ever heard of it?
"Snorlax. Mega Punch."
Aaron said calmly.
"Snorrr..."
Snorlax narrowed its eyes. Its Observation Haki had already locked onto Sandslash's movement path.
The ground trembled slightly.
Sandslash burst out from behind Snorlax, claws glowing brightly as it swung down with Crush Claw.
But at that exact moment, as if it had predicted everything, Snorlax's right fist lit up with white light. Carrying a roaring gust of wind, it smashed straight into Sandslash's attack.
A Perfect-level Mega Punch.
With same-type power boosting it.
"BOOM!!"
A massive collision rang out.
"SHRAAA!!"
Sandslash cried out in pain. Its body was sent flying several meters before crashing heavily onto the ground. Its eyes spun. It had completely lost the ability to fight.
"Sandslash!!"
Lucas and Luiz cried out in shock.
They couldn't understand how Snorlax had predicted Sandslash's attack route so precisely, and then defeated it with a single punch.
"Sandslash has lost the ability to battle!"
"Red side, please send out your next Pokémon."
The referee waved the flag, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Come back... Sandslash."
Lucas recalled it and looked at Aaron.
"As expected of the top scorer. You're really strong."
Aaron just smiled faintly.
Beside him, Lily covered her mouth in shock.
"How did you know Sandslash would come out from there!?"
Aaron gave a confident smile and said calmly:
"When your bond with your Pokémon becomes one, it creates an incredible power."
He delivered the line with a bit of flair.
Lily's eyes widened slightly as she murmured:
"When my bond with my Pokémon becomes one..."
A light flickered in her eyes as she looked at Aaron with admiration.
"One day... I'll be able to do it too!"
Aaron had no idea that this one line of his would one day make his sister the only Trainer to achieve Bond Evolution with an Arcanine, becoming a legend.
At that moment, Lucas sent out his second Pokémon.
"Come out. Sawk."
A flash of light appeared.
A blue, humanoid Pokémon wearing a martial arts gi stepped onto the field. It was the Fighting-type Pokémon. Sawk.
[Name: Sawk]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Jolly]
[Type: Fighting]
[Ability: Inner Focus]
[Base Stat Total: 465]
[Level: Advanced (Peak Stage)]
[Potential: Elite]
[Moves: Leer (Proficient), Focus Energy (Proficient), Rock Smash (Proficient), Double Kick (Proficient), Low Sweep (Proficient), Karate Chop (Proficient), Brick Break (Basic), Bulk Up (Basic)...]
[Description: Sawk, the Karate Pokémon. On the mountains where Sawk trains, the sound of "SMACK! SMACK!" can often be heard. That is the sound of its relentless training.]
...
This was Aaron's first time facing a Sawk.
Fighting-type Pokémon did counter Snorlax. But there are two kinds of Snorlax.
One is his.
And the other… are just normal ones.
This Sawk was about to have a bad day.
"Sawk. I'm counting on you!"
"Use Bulk Up!"
Lucas shouted seriously.
"Hah!"
Sawk nodded and began flexing its muscles. A faint red glow spread across its body.
Bulk Up activated. Its Attack and Defense both rose.
Aaron watched Sawk strike exaggerated poses, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
"Snorlax. Use High Horsepower."