The battle between Onix and Charmander just intensified with time. At first, they were just comparing each other's strength by launching different, long ranged attacks at each other.
Those attacks always collided with each other, creating one explosion after another.
Sand, dirt and debris got scattered everywhere as Onix and Charmander traded blows with each other, like it was a tennis match.
"Stone edge!"
A powerful rock type move that had the power to knock Charmander out.
Onix slammed his tail on the ground and light blue rock pillars suddenly appeared on the ground. They headed straight towards Charmander.
As it was one of the most powerful rock type moves, it was sure to do a great amount of danger.
Arthur didn't just watch this happen though. He quickly ordered Charmander to block the path of the stone pillars.
"Use dragon tail on the ground!"
Slam!
Charmander slammed his tail that was oozing out dragon energy and the ground before him suddenly cracked, stopping the light blue rock pillars just before they could touch him.
"You are pretty good. Never thought a Charmander would use dragon tail." Brock applauded.
"It's just the start."
"I really like your confidence. Let's see how you will counter this. Sandstorm!"
Onix's huge body suddenly started to spin as he started brewing up a large sandstorm.
Sandstorm was one of the unique moves and it can be used in a variety of ways, both for offense and defense. The way Brock used this move was clearly to attack.
If Arthur didn't do anything, Charmander would be swept up by the sandstorm like Mankey. But he always had a plan ready in his disposal.
"Use dig!"
Charmander saw the sandstorm coming at him and hearing Arthur's command, started digging the ground with his sharp claws. It took him only an instant to make a hole and before the sandstorm could touch him, he was already in the hole.
'He had come prepared.'
Brock thought as the sandstorm went past the spot Charmander was standing on.
He had already concluded that Charmander wasn't an ordinary fire type. He knew moves that can easily cause a large amount of damage to Onix.
Even dig was a great strategy that was hard to predict and now, the question was where Charmander would come out from.
"Onix, keep looking out for any signs of Charmander." Brock ordered and himself started looking out for any signs of Charmander.
A move like dig was tricky because you don't know where a Pokemon would come from. It was perfect for sneak attacks and it worked perfectly against an opponent like Onix whose large frame made it easy for him to get sneaked on.
"You sure have a lot of weird tactics."
Brock said, looking at Arthur who has a calm expression on his face, as though he was not in the middle of a battle currently.
"It's fine if they are weird until they are working. I'm still nothing more than a rookie trainer."
"If all rookies are like you, then I don't think a gym leader like me would be able to survive for a long time."
Brock chuckled at his own words.
He wasn't lying at all. Although Arthur didn't have much battle experience, he easily made up for it due to his ability of analysing his opponent and using tactics that he knew would surely work.
At the same time, Arthur had not once panicked throughout the battle.
'It gives me the feeling that I'm playing into his hands.'
Brock felt cold sweat on his back as he thought of this possibility.
Crack!
At that moment, the ground behind Onix suddenly made a cracking noise. Brock immediately ordered.
"Onix, move around and use dragon breath."
But it was already too late. Arthur and Charmander were faster than Brock had predicted.
"Use dragon tail!"
Before Onix can even gather energy for dragon breath, Charmander was already in the air. He used Onix's large body as a stepping stone as he leaped in the air, narrowly missing dragon breath.
His tail shone as dragon energy gathered on it and green dragon scales appeared. He leaped high above Onix and used gravity as a way to increase the momentum of his attack.
Crash!!
Then, he crashed his tail directly at Onix's head.
"Gawwww!!"
A large painful scream reverberated throughout the gym as the impact of dragon tail crashed Onix into the ground, shattering the surface around him.
'Is it enough?'
Arthur thought as he looked at the pale face of Onix. The giant rock snake was gasping and there was a large bruise where Charmander's attack had landed.
It looked defeated, but there was a chance he would be able to wake up.
But at that moment, a shout came from Brock.
"I lost. Onix can't fight anymore."
Arthur stared at Brock in surprise, but Brock just stepped onto the battlefield — that looked to be in a terrible condition thanks to the battle — to check up on Onix.
As Brock had already accepted his defeat, there was nothing left. The refere looked to be frowning at the abrupt end of the battle, but he soon gave the official verdict.
"Onix can't battle anymore. This round has been won by Charmander and with this, Arthur of Pallet town has defeated Brock, the gym leader of Pewter city."
Hearing that, Arthur finally loosened his shoulders and sighed.
'I don't know what to feel about it. Onix could have surely gone for more.'
He thought as Charmander sprinted towards him with a smile on his face due to winning the battle. He was taking pride in the fact that he had defeated a rock type Pokemon despite the odds stacked against him.
It was surely a great enough accomplishment to brag against Scyther and Mankey later.
"Good job, Charmander. You were great."
Arthur praised Charmander and patted his head.
As he was doing that, he suddenly noticed Brock coming his way with a smile on his face. In his hands was the symbol of Pewter city gym — Boulder badge.