KRAAANG!
Thunder Dragon Claw tore into Bastiodon's shield-like head with a sharp metallic impact.
Sparks scattered everywhere.
Even with all that force behind it, the attack failed to break through. It only left a deep scratch across Bastiodon's armored head plate.
The faceless man's eyes lit up.
"Good. Just like that."
He raised his voice.
"Bastiodon, Iron Head!"
"GRRROOOM!"
Bastiodon let out a low, heavy rumble, silver light flashing across its iron-hard shield plate.
Then it charged straight at Gyarados.
At that distance, there was no time to dodge.
The armored head slammed into Gyarados with brutal force.
BOOOOM!
Gyarados's massive body was knocked several meters back. Fortunately, the Flame Clouds beneath it absorbed part of the impact, and Bastiodon's offensive power was not nearly as terrifying as its defense.
With its dragon scales protecting it, Gyarados managed to withstand the blow.
The faceless man pressed the advantage immediately.
"Bastiodon, Rock Tomb!"
"BASTIOOOON!"
Light flared around Bastiodon, and countless rocks tore free from the ground before blasting toward Gyarados.
Rock Tomb was not just an attack. Once the stones locked around the target, they could restrict movement and drag down its speed.
Aaron was not about to let that happen.
"Gyarados, Demolition Wind. Sweep them away."
"GRRRAAAOOH!"
Blue energy surged from Gyarados, and a storm of razor-sharp wind blades sliced through the air.
SHRAK! SHRAK! SHRAK!
The incoming rocks were cut apart one after another, reduced to clean fragments before scattering into the rain as fading energy.
Aaron's eyes sharpened.
"Heat Breath. Aim for Bastiodon."
Bastiodon's Apotheosis-tier Iron Defense had pushed its physical defense to an absurd level.
But it had not done the same for special defense.
And Gyarados was not limited to physical attacks.
"RRRRAAAAGH!"
Gyarados inhaled deeply, its chest swelling as heat gathered in its throat. Then it opened its jaws and unleashed a massive stream of scorching flames.
The blast roared toward Bastiodon like molten lava, boiling the rain in its path.
Bastiodon was far too heavy and slow to dodge.
The faceless man's expression grew serious.
"Bastiodon, hold it!"
"GRRRAAAH!"
The flames slammed into Bastiodon's shield plate.
FWOOM!
The terrifying heat instantly carbonized the nearby plants. Pain flashed in Bastiodon's eyes, but it dug its feet into the ground and endured, its massive body standing firm inside the blaze.
The faceless man saw his chance.
"Now! Heavy Slam!"
"BASTIOOOON!"
Bastiodon roared and forced itself forward through the Heat Breath. Silver light wrapped around its enormous body as it charged straight toward Gyarados like a moving fortress.
Aaron's mouth curved slightly.
"Cool it down. Hydro Pump."
Gyarados immediately cut off the flames.
Then it opened its maw again.
A massive Hydro Pump blasted out.
BOOOOM!
The jet of water slammed into Bastiodon's scorching-hot shield.
HSSSSSSSS!
Steam exploded outward in thick white clouds.
"GRRRAAAOOH!"
Bastiodon let out an agonized howl.
After being roasted by flames, its overheated armor had been blasted with high-pressure cold water. The sudden change hit so hard that even its monstrous defense could not completely absorb it.
The water cannon knocked Bastiodon off balance and sent it crashing heavily to the ground.
Aaron did not give it a chance to recover.
"Press the advantage."
His voice was calm.
"Thunder Destruction. Full power."
"GRRROOOAAH!"
Gyarados roared, and thunder rolled through the sky.
A massive bolt of lightning formed inside the clouds, twisting downward like a thunder dragon.
KRA-BOOM!
Before the soaked Bastiodon could stand, the lightning struck.
"BASTIOOOON!"
Electricity tore through its body, locking its muscles and making its huge frame seize against the ground.
If Bastiodon could curse, it probably would have cursed Gyarados a hundred thousand times.
Fire first.
Then water.
Now lightning.
What kind of dirty elemental combo was this?
Humans playing dirty was bad enough, but even the Pokémon were doing it now?
Who was supposed to survive that?
The lightning finally faded.
Bastiodon lay on the ground, its body charred black and completely stiff. Its eyes had not even turned into spirals.
Only the whites were showing.
Bastiodon was unable to battle.
The ultimate defense had fallen.
"RRRROOOAAH!"
Gyarados was breathing a little harder now, but it still raised its head and let out a victorious roar.
Three wins in a row.
That was worth being proud of.
...