Inside the cabin, Summer and the three members of Team Yell were focused on the match being broadcast on the tablet. This was Marnie's fourth gym challenge, and her opponent was Bea, the Gym Leader of Stow-on-Side Stadium.
Bea, a karate prodigy in Galar, naturally specialized in Fighting-type Pokémon. For Marnie, who used Dark-type Pokémon, Bea was undoubtedly the toughest challenge she had faced on her gym challenge journey.
Both sides were limited to using three Pokémon each in this match.
Marnie's expression on the field remained cold, but the way she tightly gripped her Poké Ball showed her inner tension.
Her opponent, Bea, also showed no emotion. Facing Marnie and her Dark-type Pokémon, Bea remained on high alert, fully committed to the match.
With Bea having a large fan base and Marnie gaining recent fame from her battles, the atmosphere at the match was intensely heated. The same fervor filled the cabin with Team Yell's trio.
Upon Marnie's entrance, the trio immediately raised their support towels and cheered loudly, sending their wishes for victory to her from far away in Stow-on-Side.
Summer had known about the match earlier than the trio. Marnie had sent Summer a picture of her and her Grimmsnarl, a Pokémon she had captured in Glimwood Tangle, noting how hard she had to fight to catch it.
The bombardment of emoticons in her message conveyed her joy.
Further information came from Nessa, who mentioned she was rushing to finish work early to support a friend and check out a notable challenger.
Combining these pieces of information, Summer deduced that Marnie, with the support of Grimmsnarl, was ready to challenge Bea. As Bea's friend, Nessa naturally learned about the challenge preparations early.
Gym challenges in Galar were not spontaneous battles; they were major events broadcasted across the region, requiring thorough preparation and scheduling.
Sometimes, pre-match publicity was involved, as in this case. The matchup between the rising Dark-type trainer and the karate prodigy fighting a challenging opponent generated massive hype.
This was another reason for the match's immense popularity.
Team Yell's trio feared Summer might be too busy with his duties as a ranger to watch the match, so they came to the cabin to pull him along to watch it with them.
In reality, Summer had already planned his schedule to watch the match, even preparing hot tea.
"Let the battle begin!"
With the referee's shout, both sides sent out their Pokémon. Bea led with Hitmontop, known for spinning on its head and using its spike to disrupt opponents' rhythms while balancing offense and defense.
"I'm so nervous," Aya said, biting his fingers. Marnie's decision to challenge a Fighting-type gym was bold. She could have chosen the easier Ghost-type gym; was this to draw more attention to Spikemuth?
Marnie also sent out her Pokémon, Grimmsnarl, starting with her ace against the Fighting-type gym.
"Grimmsnarl, a Dark and Fairy-type Pokémon! Brilliant move, Marnie," Tim praised.
"Uh, Summer, could you say something too? Like about Marnie's next moves? Your serious face is making me anxious," Nayo said, still tense despite Tim's praise.
"Dynamax."
"What? Marnie is starting with Dynamax!" the commentator shouted.
The trio in the cabin were equally shocked. How did Summer know? Did he know Marnie's strategy beforehand? So envious.
Marnie recalled Grimmsnarl, and under the glowing influence of her Dynamax Band, the Poké Ball expanded. She threw it, releasing a giant, glowing Grimmsnarl onto the battlefield.
The crowd erupted with cheers. The live audience came to witness the thrilling power of Dynamax up close.
"Grimmsnarl, use Max Starfall."
"Hitmontop, use Dig."
Both trainers issued commands simultaneously. Hitmontop spun rapidly and burrowed underground. Falling stars missed their target, and a mysterious mist spread around.
"How sneaky! Using Dig to dodge Marnie's move," Aya shouted.
Marnie's expression twitched slightly, but she didn't panic. She commanded another Max Starfall.
Hitmontop, emerging from the ground, was hit by the falling stars. Enveloped in the mist, it collapsed like a toppled spinning top.
Bea recalled her fainted Hitmontop and sent out a white duck wielding a leek sword and shield: Sirfetch'd.
The crowd roared again. Everyone in Galar knew Sirfetch'd, famous for its duels with Escavalier depicted in well-known paintings.
Team Yell's trio cheered even louder, ensuring Marnie's momentum wasn't overshadowed.
"Sirfetch'd, use Detect."
"Once more, Max Starfall!"
Sirfetch'd focused intently on the incoming attack. It dodged the falling stars but couldn't escape the attack range entirely. Resolutely, it raised its shield to block.
When the dazzling light faded, Sirfetch'd was still standing, though severely injured, its resolve keeping it upright.
The Dynamax effect ended, and Grimmsnarl returned to its original size.
"Shine, Meteor Assault!"
Bea decided to unleash Sirfetch'd's last bit of strength. Meteor Assault would render Sirfetch'd immobile but was its final burst of power in its battered state.
"Marnie won't give you the chance. Grimmsnarl!"
Grimmsnarl sneered, turning into a dark blur and striking Sirfetch'd with Sucker Punch before it could launch its attack.
Sirfetch'd fell, clutching its leek sword and shield, a tragic sight ignored by some spectators.
"See? Feel Marnie's power!" Aya shouted.
Even with two Pokémon down, Bea remained composed. Her ace was yet to appear, and she hadn't used Dynamax.
"Go, Machamp."
The four-armed, muscular Pokémon appeared, its light blue skin and sharp eyes conveying power.
"No need for sorrow; crush everything, Machamp!"
Bea recalled Machamp and Dynamaxed it. A giant Machamp, enhanced by the unique Gigantamax form, took the field. Its form changed, with red markings from its fists, glowing eyes, dark red clouds around its waist, and a more robust build.
Seeing the imposing Machamp, Team Yell's trio looked worried. What now?
"Grimmsnarl, use Taunt."
Grimmsnarl taunted with harsh words, shrouding Gigantamax Machamp in dark light, reducing its attack and special attack.
The audience's Pokémon also showed discomfort at the harsh taunts.
"Punch, Machamp, G-Max Chi Strike!"
A massive fist descended, covering the entire field. Marnie's second Pokémon, Scrafty, faced the terrifying attack with stoic defiance, a red band tied around its neck.
It was a Focus Sash. If the holder had full HP, it would survive any one-hit knockout.
"Marnie successfully used an item to endure the critical hit!" the commentator exclaimed.
Summer nodded in approval. Marnie had prepared extensively for this challenge, clearly putting in significant effort recently.
Gigantamax Machamp's eyes sharpened further, increasing its critical hit rate.
"Again!"
Marnie smiled slightly. Someone provided a solution.
"Scrafty, use Dig.
Scrafty's eyes sparkled with brilliance. What a genius idea! The thought of making the opponent eat dirt filled it with the greatest determination it had ever felt in its life. With all its might, it began to dig, instantly disappearing beneath the surface of the earth.
The Gigantamax move still carried immense momentum, albeit without a target. It possessed power but lacked effectiveness.
Even the calm Bea couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. She hadn't expected her opponent to use her own tactics against her, but in this situation, there was no choice but to continue.
"Once more, Gigantamax Max Strike!"
Scrafty emerged from the ground. Facing the huge fist coming toward it, it raised its middle finger again. A lizard dragged the muscle-bound idiot into its Gigantamax form. It was worth it!
"Thank you, Scrafty." Marnie hugged Scrafty gratefully, recalling it. She sent out her next Pokémon, the Liepard.
Yes, this time she didn't send out her ace, Morpeko. She had investigated Bea's ace Pokémon and found out it had the Guts ability. In that case, its expertise in paralysis tactics would actually help the opponent.
"Split, Brick Break!"
"Liepard, Fake Out!"
Even the mighty Gigantamax Machamp couldn't help but flinch at the sound of Fake Out. Its arms froze in midair, its eyes widened.
"Again! Split, Brick Break!"
"Play Rough."
Speed was one of the keys to victory, and now, Liepard's speed surpassed that of Gigantamax Machamp. A dark aura enveloped the Gigantamax Machamp. Under the influence of Play Rough, it couldn't use the same move consecutively. Its arms once again hung in midair.
"It seems Marnie has effectively utilized the advantage of the Dark type," Summer smiled before the screen. He remembered Grandpa Gideon's teachings.
Now, smiling alongside him were Piers, of course, and Grandpa Gideon. See? This was the Dark-type Trainer from Spikemuth.
Gigantamax Machamp's expression was starting to crack. When had it ever felt so aggrieved facing Dark-type Pokémon?
"Cross Chop!"
"Psycho Cut!"
With resentment, Gigantamax Machamp leaped into the air, its four arms crossing, ready to deal a heavy blow.
Marnie initiated the attack command. The purpose of disturbing the opponent's mindset had been achieved. Now it was time to decide the outcome.
Liepard's tail gathered psychic power, rotating its body and hurling a pink blade at the airborne Gigantamax Machamp.
Gigantamax Machamp blocked Psycho Cut with two arms, but the remaining arms swung out with powerful chops. The frail-bodied Liepard couldn't withstand this move and collapsed to the ground, losing its strength.
"Player Marnie's Liepard has lost its fighting capability. The final Pokémon to determine the outcome is the Gigantamax Pokémon from both sides!" the commentator shouted, surprising the audience.
"Let's decide the victory with strength and skill, Marnie!" Bea looked at Marnie and shouted. In her view, Gigantamax Machamp, like Bea, relied on strength.
"Yeah, Marnie won't lose. That's right, for everyone," she recalled Liepard and sent out Gigantamax Grimmsnarl.
"Gigantamax Machamp, Close Combat!" Bea shouted. As long as this move hits the critical point, then using Bullet Punch to harvest would be easy. No, with Bea's power, hitting the critical point should be no problem.
"Roar Power!"
Bea burst with intense momentum, rushing toward Gigantamax Grimmsnarl. Marnie didn't take the offensive; she let Gigantamax Grimmsnarl use Bulk Up.
Bea's fists rained down on Gigantamax Grimmsnarl like a storm. Grimmsnarl endured the pain. When Gigantamax Machamp stopped, its arm and chest hair suddenly flung open, countless hairs entangling Bea's four arms.
"Quick, use Flame Punch to burn its hair!" Bea hadn't expected Gigantamax Grimmsnarl to abandon the attack to restrain it.
"Forget it, Gigantamax Grimmsnarl, Spirit Break!"
"What!" Bea didn't understand how the opponent could launch an attack.
Gigantamax Grimmsnarl leaped backward, using the power of its hair to charge toward Bea with great momentum. The deadliest part of Gigantamax Grimmsnarl wasn't its seemingly strong arms but its messy hair.
That was the hardest part of its fur.
Accompanied by the charge of the spirit, it struck Bea's chest. It opened its mouth wide, looking incredulous. It had actually lost?!
"The winner, Player Marnie!"
The audience erupted into the most intense cheers. Gigantamax Grimmsnarl also roared, announcing its victory.
Bea silently recalled her Gigantamax Grimmsnarl, tightened her chest strap, and calmed her excited heart. It seemed the opponent's skills were much more superior than her own.
The three members of Yell Team in the cabin were filled with tears. It was so touching. Marnie was really amazing, really strong, really cute.
Summer also agreed. The last move using Gigantamax Grimmsnarl itself was a good tactic. Suddenly, there was a ding from his pocket.
He took out his phone and saw a message from Marnie. Because the online platform was slower than being there in person, Marnie should have returned to the dressing room by now.
She sent a photo. In the picture, Marnie had a faint smile on her face. Behind her was Gigantamax Grimmsnarl with its arms open, and in front of it was the tired but joyful-looking Liepard, and the emotionless Scrafty.
It seemed everyone was enjoying the joy of victory.
At this moment, the three members of Yell Team suddenly activated their Marnie radars and gathered around Summer, staring at the photo on the phone in a daze, taking a long time to utter a word.
"Marnie...smiled?"
(End of Chapter)