Salamence's Hyper Beam was immensely powerful, directly overwhelming Swellow's Hyper Beam and continuing to chase Swellow, who had already dodged ahead of time, not staying in the same place.
Immediately after, Swellow took advantage of Salamence's rest period and hit it with another Hyper Beam. The massive impact made Salamence fall toward the sea.
However, just before it hit the water, Salamence flapped its strong wings vigorously, quickly ascending and flying toward Swellow, while gathering a lot of energy in its mouth.
"Boom."
Salamence's Dragon Pulse collided with Swellow's Hyper Beam again, but this time the power of the two skills was equal, causing a huge explosion.
"Salamence, use Outrage,"
At this moment, Drake had acknowledged Rex's strength and decided to use his true power to fight.
"Swellow, intercept with Hyper Beam,"
Rex ordered.
After using Outrage, Salamence's eyes turned blood-red, its body enveloped in intense Dragon-type energy. Instead of dodging, it charged directly into Swellow's Hyper Beam, enduring the attack and quickly closing in on Swellow.
"Swellow is unable to battle. Salamence wins."
After checking Swellow's injuries, the referee declared the result.
Rex accepted his loss graciously. Swellow had lost due to the sheer strength of Salamence. Although it withstood the first wave of Outrage, it eventually succumbed to the second wave.
"Rex, your Swellow is quite injured. It's best to take it to a Pokémon Center,"
Drake advised after checking Swellow's injuries.
He had gotten a bit carried away, as Rex's Swellow forced him to unleash Salamence's full power, resulting in serious injuries to Swellow.
"It's alright, Mr. Drake. Don't worry. Come out, Victreebel, use Grassy Terrain,"
Rex reassured Drake, noticing his regret.
Swellow began to recover steadily under the Grassy Terrain's effect. Once its injuries had eased, it used Roost to heal itself completely, though it would need to consume some energy cubes afterward.
Then, Rex had Victreebel help heal Ash's injured Pikachu and Grovyle, saving him a trip to the Pokémon Center.
"Rex, your battle command skills are excellent. Keep at it, and you'll become a powerful trainer. You lost to me because of your Pokémon's lack of raw power, which can be improved with time and training. I believe you'll catch up someday."
Drake could no longer underestimate the boy before him. Though he knew Rex likely had only Swellow that could barely match his main Pokémon, he believed that given time, Rex would shine brilliantly.
"Thank you for your guidance. I'll keep working hard,"
Rex replied respectfully.
They stayed on Drake's ship for the rest of the day. After enjoying a sumptuous dinner hosted by Drake, they disembarked and went to the Pokémon Center to rest for the night.
"Look, there it is, Wales Island,"
Max exclaimed as a distant island gradually came into view.
After parting ways with Drake, Rex and his friends planned to go to Wales Island for special Pokémon training. The island retained an ancient ecological environment, making it an ideal place for training.
Rex and Ash aimed to earn their eighth badges to enter the Ever Grande Conference, while May prepared for the Pokémon Contest on Izabe Island. They needed some preparation time.
Upon reaching Whale Island, they restocked water and food in town before finding a secluded beach for training.
"My Bulbasaur has learned Petal Dance."
As Rex was practicing a strengthening exercise from Muscle Island, May ran over excitedly.
The exercise was indeed effective. Rex practiced it daily and used his abilities to heal muscle fatigue afterward.
At first, Ash and Brock wanted to learn it too, but none could get past the fifth stance. The muscle soreness from practice dissuaded them after their initial enthusiasm faded.
Without his ability to heal muscle fatigue, Rex himself wouldn't have persisted, given the intense soreness and the need to travel.
"Congratulations, May. I didn't expect Bulbasaur to be the first to show results."
Rex paused his practice, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and congratulated her.
May had Bulbasaur demonstrate its new skill, earning Ash and Brock's praises, making her feel elated.
"Ah."
Just then, a shout came from the distant forest.
Thinking Max was in danger, they hurried towards the sound with their Pokémon.
"What's wrong, Max?"
When they reached Max, they found him in a daze and asked.
"I saw it. I saw a Cradily."
Max said after snapping out of his daze.
"But Cradily is supposed to be extinct,"
Brock said, knowledgeable as ever.
"But I really saw it."
Max insisted, a bit angry that they didn't believe him.
"Maybe you mistook another Pokémon for it?"
May suggested.
"I believe Max. I have a Lileep, which evolves from Cradily. It must be real."
Rex supported Max.
"What? You have a Lileep? Show us."
Ash was excited to see the supposedly extinct Pokémon, and the others were equally eager.
"Uh, my Lileep is at my farm, so I can't show it right now."
Rex spread his hands, a bit helpless.
"Oh, well, that can't be helped."
Hearing this, they all sighed in disappointment.
"Rex, how did you get Lileep?"
Brock asked curiously.
"I found a Pokémon fossil and had Professor Birch revive it. If you find a fossil, you can ask the professor to revive it for you."
Rex briefly explained the process, satisfying their curiosity.
"I'm sure I saw a Cradily. I'll find it again."
Max said, then ran deeper into the forest.
(End of the chapter)