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"...Come back, Weavile. You've done your best—take a good rest."
Liam withdrew Weavile into the PokeBall with a low murmur, handing it over to the staff member beside him. Then, turning toward the Xatu who had already flown back to Anon's side, he let out a soft huff and quickly tossed another PokeBall onto the field.
"Go! Arcanine!"
"Woof!!"
"Arcanine! The opponent is strong! Be careful!"
"Woof!!"
"The battle resumes!"
As the referee saw Arcanine take the field, he quickly announced the continuation of the battle.
"Charge in, Xatu! Use Confuse Ray!"
Anon wasted no time issuing a command. Xatu flapped its wings and sped toward Arcanine, releasing a strange beam of light from its eyes.
Xatu had barely taken any damage during the previous round—it was still full of energy.
"End it quickly! Extreme Speed, followed by Thunder Fang!"
Seeing Weavile knocked out stirred something unpleasant in Liam's chest. Along the way, Weavile had been the one to suffer the most.
Back on Mt. Silver, it had taken an unexpected hit, and now it was brought down again by a Psychic-type Pokémon.
It was beyond frustrating.
The image of Weavile lying injured reignited a quiet fury in Liam's heart.
Weavile was the first Pokémon that had chosen to follow him—he had a special bond with it, one that couldn't be replaced by any other.
Garchomp had been hatched from an egg and was showered with affection; Nidoking and Arbok had been with him for half a year before being gifted to him by Professor Oak.
But only Weavile had chosen him under such special circumstances. It had trusted him, walked beside him, given so much. Whether it was being wounded by the Black Ape before, or injured by Xatu now—Liam couldn't help but be furious.
"Rooaaar!!"
Sensing Liam's anger, Arcanine's expression twisted into a fierce snarl. It hunched low, then burst forward like a streak of red lightning. The Confuse Ray didn't even come close—Arcanine had already dodged it.
With explosive speed, Arcanine twisted its body, planting all four paws on a tall rock to the side. With a powerful leap, it slammed into the unprepared Xatu.
Arcanine's claws struck with precision, pinning the Psychic bird mid-air. Sparks crackled in its jaws as it lunged in with a savage Thunder Fang.
"Teleport!"
"Xaaa!"
Just as Arcanine's fangs were about to sink into Xatu, Anon barked a command. In a flash, Xatu disappeared from Arcanine's grip. Its jaws clamped down on empty air, letting out sharp electric crackles.
"Grrrr..!"
With its prey gone, Arcanine landed atop a boulder and immediately turned, growling low at the Xatu that had reappeared on a grassy patch behind it.
"So fast… Damn it! Xatu! Use Tailwind to boost your speed!"
Anon narrowed his eyes at Arcanine, whose movements were unreasonably quick, and promptly ordered Xatu to accelerate.
"Don't let it work! Arcanine, Extreme Speed, again!"
Speed was Arcanine's greatest advantage—and when you have the upper hand, you seize it!
"Woof!"
The moment the command was issued, red energy burst from Arcanine's body. With all four legs, it launched off the rocky platform like a tiger descending the mountain, kicking up a cloud of dust behind it. A crimson blur streaked toward Xatu.
But just then—
The sky twisted and warped. A wave of powerful and eerie Psychic energy burst forth from the distortion, catching the speeding Arcanine completely off guard.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!
A series of explosions rocked the battlefield. Liam stood stunned as the smoke rolled across the field.
Only then did he realize—Xatu's Future Sight from earlier hadn't been nullified. He had let his anger cloud his judgment and had completely forgotten about it.
A completely rookie mistake.
"Grrr..!"
A faint, weak growl emerged from the smoke. Through the swirling haze, Arcanine's injured form leapt back out. It landed in front of Liam, faint scars all over its body, and gave a low snarl toward its opponent.
"Xatu!"
At that moment, Xatu's Tailwind took effect. A strong gust blew through the battlefield, sweeping the smoke away. Arcanine crouched low against the wind, its fiery mane whipping in the air like living flame.
"Arcanine... I'm sorry, buddy. This was entirely my fault."
Liam stood still as the wind tore across the arena. Gravel and debris kicked up by the storm scratched across his cheek, leaving a small, bleeding cut—but he paid no mind.
His eyes stayed fixed on Arcanine, who had dragged its body forward and stood protectively in front of him. His voice rang with genuine remorse.
"Woof..."
Hearing Liam's apology, Arcanine turned back briefly. It gave a low bark, shaking its large head as if to say it didn't mind.
"Hah... You're trying to comfort me now? I'm strong, y'know? I don't need comforting! I promise—I won't let you get hurt again this time."
Seeing Arcanine's easygoing response brought a smile to Liam's face. He turned his gaze toward Anon and Xatu, who had momentarily ceased their attack, and spoke sincerely.
"ROOOAAR!!"
Arcanine let out a thunderous roar in reply.
"Alright then! Anon! Thanks for waiting! I'm going to fight seriously now."
"It's just basic battle courtesy. I want to fight an opponent at their best—only then can I grow stronger. Besides, if the roles were reversed, I'm sure you'd have done the same for me."
Anon responded with a casual smile.
"Not necessarily.. I might've pressed the attack right away. You miscalculated this time! Arcanine, use Morning Sun!"
"Rooaaar!"
Liam grinned as he raised an eyebrow, letting Arcanine restore its health—a clear signal that the battle was back on.
"You're seriously restoring health right in front of me? That's underestimating me, isn't it?! Xatu! Use Psychic!"
"Xatu!"
"Arcanine, Protect! Keep recovering!"
"Woof!"
In an instant, the two resumed their clash.
"It's so moving! Is this what pure-hearted Trainers looks like? Someone who walks the path toward becoming a Pokémon Master, never giving up! Seeking the strongest opponents! The strongest Pokémon! This is the true spirit of a Trainer! It's... it's inspiring! I can't help but think of my own youth... back when I stood beneath the sunset... Ahem, sorry, I digress! The battle is still raging! Let's hear it for these incredible Trainers and their Pokémon!"
Audience: "AAAHHHHH!!"
"Xatu! Air Slash!"
"Xatu!"
"Dodge it! You've recovered enough! Let's do something thrilling—Arcanine, Double Team!"
Grrrr!"
From a crouch, Arcanine leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the incoming Air Slash. With a sharp growl, it landed running, dashing straight for Xatu. As it sprinted, numerous afterimages spread across the battlefield.
Though there was only one real Arcanine, the effect was like an army charging forward.
"Now! Use Flame Wheel!"
As the illusions bewildered Xatu, Liam gave the next command. In the blink of an eye, every Arcanine image burst into flames. The entire field turned into a sea of fire, blazing orbs of flame darting in every direction.
"Xatu! Fly up, now!"
Seeing the firestorm spread across the field, Anon frowned and quickly ordered Xatu to ascend.
"Don't let it escape! Ride the Heat Wave and go after it!"
Xatu's greatest asset was its flight—if it gained altitude, Arcanine would struggle to reach it. That couldn't be allowed to happen.
"Rooaaar!!"
The moment Liam gave the order, a powerful Heat Wave surged beneath Arcanine, propelling it upward like a fire-propelled missile. Like a blazing arrow, it shot straight at the climbing Xatu. Arcanine's agile body curled into a burning wheel midair, crashing violently into Xatu's back. The two Pokémon plummeted, smashing into the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Arcanine!"
"Xatu!"
Liam and Anon stared anxiously at the settling dust, eyes locked on the battlefield.
"ROOOAAR!!"
Suddenly, a triumphant roar pierced the haze. Arcanine burst out of the smoke, bounding toward Liam, rubbing its soot-covered head affectionately against him.
"Xatu is unable to battle! Arcanine wins!"
The referee, seeing Xatu lying motionless in the crater left on the battlefield, wasted no time declaring the victor.
"Yes! That was amazing, Arcanine!"
"Woof!!"