Third Person POV
Flint looked at Cloyster standing on the battlefield and started thinking about how exactly he could counter the Pokémon. He had already realised that this was not the same Shellder Grey had brought before. The evolution had made a massive difference, and with the way Grey had trained it, Cloyster was now a completely different threat.
The obvious counter would have been a Fire-type Pokémon, but unfortunately, that was one area where his team lacked. Flint had once been interested in catching a Coalossal from the Galar region, as a Pokémon like that would have been perfect against opponents like Cloyster, but Galar was one region he had never explored. He also never bothered catching a Magcargo despite knowing it could be useful in certain situations. The main idea behind a fire type was to set up the sun to minimize the water type damage that cloyster can do and also hit back its ice type attacks with fire type attacks, maybe having hidden power grass or a grass type attack like solarbeam would also work out against cloyster, another easier option would be to just have a fighting type pokemon.
Most of his Pokémon were Ground and Rock-types, which normally worked perfectly for a Rock-type Gym Leader. However, against Cloyster, it was almost like giving Grey an advantage. A Ground or Rock-type Pokémon would have to deal with powerful Water-type attacks while also being vulnerable to Cloyster's strange defensive techniques.
Flint sighed internally.
"This kid really does make things difficult."
There wasn't much point thinking about what he didn't have though. The match was still going, and he had to make the best use of the Pokémon available to him.
The referee signalled for the next Pokémon to be released.
Flint calmly took out his Poké Ball and threw it forward.
"Gigalith, you're up."
A Pokémon made completely out of rocks appeared on the battlefield. Its body had a structure almost resembling a pyramid, with multiple orange crystals growing out of its rocky frame. Immediately it was hit with spike damage.
The massive Rock-type Pokémon then stepped forward and stared down Cloyster.
Cloyster also stared back with a surprisingly intimidating expression.
Despite its small size compared to Gigalith, it showed no signs of backing down.
The moment Gigalith landed on the battlefield, the environment changed once again.
Sand immediately started erupting around the arena as Gigalith's Sand Stream ability activated. The entire field was covered in a sandstorm, boosting Gigalith's special defense while also slowly damaging Cloyster.
Grey looked at the battlefield and honestly felt a little tired.
Another weather battle.
First Hippowdon, now Gigalith.
Flint was clearly making full use of the advantage that sand could provide for his team.
But there was nothing Grey could do about it. Complaining about the weather wasn't going to help him win.
Instead, he decided to end this quickly.
"Cloyster, Shell Smash."
The Shellfish Pokémon immediately began pushing its body beyond its limits. Its shell cracked open slightly as it sacrificed its defenses to gain a massive boost in offensive power and speed.
However, Flint had already anticipated this.
"Rock Slide."
A wave of rocks immediately formed above Gigalith and started crashing down toward Cloyster.
Cloyster had barely finished completing Shell Smash when the attack reached it. There wasn't enough time to properly create a defensive technique, so it reacted instantly.
Using Water Gun and Rapid Spin together, Cloyster created a half-formed version of its counter shield. It wasn't nearly as polished as its usual Ice Counter Shield because it was created in a split second, but it was enough to reduce some of the damage.
The rocks still managed to break through.
Cloyster was hit by the attack, taking super effective damage and being pushed backward.
However, Grey wasn't worried.
Because the main objective had already been achieved.
Cloyster now had the boost it needed.
Its Attack, Special Attack, and Speed had all increased significantly, while its defenses had dropped.
Flint noticed this as well.
Even though Cloyster had taken damage, he understood what Grey had done.
This kid had trained his Cloyster properly.
It wasn't just about making it stronger.
He had built a strategy around it.
Shell Smash for overwhelming offense.
That strange spinning tornado-like defense for protection.
The problem was now figuring out how to break through it.
If Gigalith could land a strong Rock-type attack, Cloyster's reduced defenses would mean it would take massive damage.
But if Cloyster got the chance to attack first...
Gigalith would be in serious trouble.
"Gigalith, Power Gem!"
A concentrated beam of energy shot toward Cloyster.
Grey immediately responded.
"Water Pulse."
The two attacks collided in the middle of the battlefield.
Normally, Power Gem should have overwhelmed Water Pulse due to the move power advantage, but after Shell Smash, Cloyster's boosted offensive power allowed it to match Gigalith's attack.
Both moves cancelled each other out.
Flint's eyes narrowed slightly.
This was becoming more troublesome than expected.
Grey immediately took advantage of the opening.
"Cloyster, Icicle Spear."
Cloyster started firing highly concentrated ice projectiles one after another.
The attacks kept coming without giving Gigalith any room to breathe.
Gigalith's biggest weakness became obvious.
Speed.
The massive Rock-type Pokémon was incredibly durable, but it was not fast enough to dodge a barrage like this.
Flint ordered it to use Stone Edge in an attempt to block the incoming attacks.
Sharp rocks appeared in front of Gigalith, creating a defensive barrier.
But Cloyster's Icicle Spear was relentless.
The attacks broke through the Stone Edge one after another and continued toward Gigalith.
The Rock-type Pokémon could only stand there as it was bombarded from all directions.
Left.
Right.
Front.
Back.
The damage continued piling up.
At that moment, Flint made his decision.
"Gigalith, rush towards Cloyster."
Gigalith started moving forward at its maximum speed.
Which, considering its size and build, was still relatively slow.
Grey was confused.
Why was Flint trying to bring the battle into close range?
Yes, Gigalith had a higher physical attack compared to Cloyster, but getting close also meant giving Cloyster the perfect opportunity to continue attacking.
Grey was about to order another Icicle Spear.
But before he could...
Flint gave his next command.
"Explosion."
Grey's eyes widened.
Gigalith's body started glowing as energy began building inside it.
Flint wasn't trying to win this exchange.
He was trying to take Cloyster down with it.
Grey immediately reacted.
"Cloyster, Icy Wind and Aurora Beam! Counter Shield!"
Cloyster started spinning at maximum speed, combining the two moves to create a powerful icy defensive barrier.
The next moment...
The battlefield was engulfed by a massive explosion.
The force of the attack shook the entire gym.
Cloyster managed to tank most of the explosion thanks to the counter shield, but even that wasn't enough to completely stop such a powerful move.
The shield shattered.
The remaining force struck Cloyster directly and sent it flying into the debris.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then...
Cloyster slowly pushed itself back up.
The referee looked toward Gigalith first.
The Pokémon had already fallen.
"Gigalith is unable to battle!"
Flint recalled his Pokémon, but his expression showed genuine surprise.
His calculations had been different.
He expected Cloyster to go down from Explosion.
That was the entire reason he had chosen that move.
Trade Gigalith for Cloyster, then take the battle to the final Pokémon.
But Grey's Cloyster had survived.
Barely.
Grey looked at Cloyster and immediately understood the situation.
The Pokémon was heavily injured.
One more strong attack could finish it.
Even a few more turns in the sandstorm might be enough to take it down.
Cloyster looked back at Grey.
Neither needed to say anything.
They both understood.
There was no reason to hold back anymore.
The next Pokémon would decide everything.
Meanwhile, Flint was already thinking about his next choice.
He had expected Cloyster to be gone by now.
Now he needed a Pokémon that could finish this injured Cloyster quickly while also being ready for Grey's final remaining Pokémon.
———————————
Flint stood silently for a moment, looking at the battlefield.
Cloyster was still standing.
Barely.
But it was standing.
The Pokémon was heavily injured, its shell damaged, and the sandstorm continued to slowly wear it down. However, Flint knew better than to underestimate it now. This was not just a Pokémon surviving on luck. Grey had trained it well, and even after taking an Explosion head-on, it was still ready to fight.
Flint thought about his remaining options.
After a few seconds, he finally reached for his last Poké Ball.
"Alright..."
"Let's finish this."
He threw the Poké Ball forward.
"Rhydon!"
The Poké Ball opened, and a massive Pokémon emerged onto the battlefield.
A large grey body covered in thick armor-like skin appeared, with a powerful horn on its nose and a muscular frame that immediately gave off the feeling of raw strength.
The crowd reacted immediately.
Another powerful Pokémon.
Grey looked slightly surprised when he saw Rhydon.
A Rhydon?
Against Cloyster?
Internally, Grey couldn't help but think about the matchup.
Rhydon had incredible power and durability, but it also had some major weaknesses against Cloyster. Both Water-type and Ice-type attacks were extremely effective against it.
However, Grey quickly understood the situation.
Flint was a Rock-type Gym Leader.
His options while facing Cloyster were probably limited as well.
Most of his strongest Pokémon would naturally have weaknesses against the very Pokémon standing in front of him.
There wasn't much Flint could do except rely on the strengths of his Pokémon.
The referee signalled for the battle to continue.
The moment Rhydon entered the battlefield, the spikes Cloyster had placed earlier activated.
The sharp hazards struck Rhydon, dealing some damage before the battle even properly started.
Flint didn't hesitate.
He knew this battle couldn't be dragged out.
"Rhydon, Dig!"
The massive Ground-type Pokémon immediately started digging into the battlefield, disappearing underground.
Grey immediately reacted.
"Cloyster, Water Gun!"
Cloyster opened its mouth and fired a powerful stream of water directly toward the ground.
But instead of attacking Rhydon...
Grey had a different idea.
The force of the Water Gun pushed against the ground, launching Cloyster's massive body upward.
For a Pokémon as heavy as Cloyster, using Water Gun as propulsion required incredible control.
But after everything Grey had trained it through...
Cloyster managed it.
The Pokémon barely avoided the moment Rhydon burst out from underground.
A massive horn shot upward.
"Drill!"
Rhydon's Horn Drill attack missed by only a small margin.
The crowd gasped.
That had been dangerously close.
Grey didn't waste the opening.
"Cloyster, Water Counter Shield!"
Cloyster immediately began spinning.
Water Gun and Rapid Spin combined together, creating a massive spinning vortex of water around its body.
It looked almost like a giant water shuriken moving across the battlefield.
Flint's eyes narrowed.
Once again...
That technique.
Grey had adapted Cloyster's Rapid Spin into another defensive and offensive option.
"Rhydon, Take Down!"
Rhydon lowered its body and charged forward.
The two Pokémon collided.
The spinning water vortex smashed into Rhydon with incredible force.
For a moment, it looked like the Rock-type Pokémon was going to be pushed back.
And then...
Flint gave another command.
"Hammer Arm!"
Even while being pushed back and taking damage, Rhydon raised one of its massive arms.
The Pokémon forced its way through the spinning attack and brought its arm down with overwhelming power.
The sheer brute force behind the attack broke through the Water Counter Shield.
Cloyster's defence was strong.
But Rhydon's physical strength was monstrous.
The attack landed directly.
However, Grey noticed something.
The moment Rhydon's Hammer Arm broke through the counter shield, Cloyster had made a decision.
It stopped maintaining the defence.
Instead...
It started charging Water Pulse inside its mouth.
Without the resistance from the shield, Rhydon's attack had even more force behind it.
The Hammer Arm struck harder.
Cloyster was sent crashing toward the ground.
But at the same moment...
"Water Pulse!"
A concentrated blast of water erupted from Cloyster's mouth at point-blank range.
The attack struck Rhydon directly in the face.
The crowd watched as both Pokémon were hit.
Rhydon's Hammer Arm smashed Cloyster into the ground.
The Water Pulse blasted Rhydon backward.
For a few seconds...
Neither Pokémon moved.
Then...
The referee looked toward Cloyster.
"Cloyster is unable to battle!"
The crowd erupted.
Grey recalled Cloyster, looking at the Poké Ball for a moment.
"You did great."
Cloyster had taken down three Pokémon and pushed another one to its limit.
There was nothing more he could ask from it.
Flint looked toward Rhydon.
"Good job."
He was about to recall the Pokémon and prepare for Grey's final choice.
But then...
Rhydon's body suddenly shook.
The massive Pokémon collapsed.
The referee looked surprised.
"Rhydon is unable to battle!"
For a moment...
Both trainers simply stared.
Neither had expected that.
Flint slowly understood what happened.
That final Water Pulse.
Rhydon had taken the full force of a Water-type attack from a Cloyster with its Shell Smash boost active.
A +2 Special Attack Water Pulse.
Against a Pokémon with a four times weakness to Water.
Even a Rhydon couldn't withstand that.
Flint recalled Rhydon, slightly disappointed.
He looked toward the audience.
For a moment, he expected disappointment.
After all, he knew many people had come hoping to see their Gym Leader win.
Some probably wanted to see the new Gym Leader defeated.
But instead...
The stadium exploded into cheers.
Flint looked surprised.
Many people were cheering for both sides.
Some even shouted that it had been an incredible battle and that Flint had given them a great match.
The crowd wasn't disappointed.
They were entertained.
And that was what mattered.
On the sidelines, Forest watched with wide eyes.
He was glad he had decided to come watch this battle.
Not only had he gotten to see several rare Pokémon, but he had also seen a trainer use creativity in ways he had never considered before.
The way Grey used Rapid Spin.
The way he combined different moves together.
The way he turned defensive techniques into offensive opportunities.
It made Forest think.
Could something like Gyro Ball be used in a similar way?
Maybe he could create his own techniques someday.
Of course...
He would have to wait until he became a trainer first.
Meanwhile, Grey walked forward.
The two trainers met in the centre of the battlefield.
Grey extended his hand.
Flint smiled and returned the handshake.
"Congratulations, Grey."
"You earned this."
He called over his assistant, who brought the badge case.
Flint took out the Boulder Badge and handed it to Grey.
Grey accepted it with a smile.
Another badge.
His fifth one for the Pokémon League challenge.
He carefully placed it inside his badge case.
Flint then handed over the prize money along with a reusable TM.
"Rock Tomb."
Grey happily accepted both.
The TM would definitely be useful.
Before Grey left, Flint exchanged contact information with him.
"If you ever need advice about Rock-type Pokémon, feel free to ask."
Flint looked at him seriously.
"I've seen many trainers begin their journeys over the years."
"Some show talent."
"Some show determination."
"But very few show both."
He smiled.
"You might be one of those trainers who would go far ."
Grey nodded respectfully.
After thanking Flint once again, he left the Pewter City Gym.
Author's Notes: Finally this was the last chapter to end this pewter arc and this match.
PS: Kindly provide powerstones and collections for continuous chapters