Haxorus had been launched directly toward Alex's position. If Alakazam hadn't used Psychic to stop its momentum mid-air, Alex could have been seriously injured, or dead.
Yet Alex's expression remained unchanged, his face calm and focused in the midst of such danger, this composure really made Julian improve his impression of Alex a little.
No wonder he was able to rise up from a civilian trainer, that kind of mentality was rare.
"Haxorus!"
Alex called, his voice tinged with frustration as he looked at his unconscious Pokémon. Its powerful left tusk had broken in the clash.
He clenched his fists, feeling a little distressed, he knew it would take time for the tusk to regrow.
As the smoke cleared, Steelix's enormous body was still there, standing tall on the field, though there was a fresh scar on its forehead.
Haxorus's move was indeed very strong; the force of the explosion had pushed Steelix's defenses to the limit.
Seeing his opponent defeated, Steelix turned back toward Julian, his mouth open and eyes squinting at Julian.
"Good job," Julian couldn't help but praise.
Steelix's tail began to sway happily, to the amusement of the onlookers.
"Why is this big steel snake so powerful?"
Faye muttered curiously, still a bit in disbelief that Steelix could defeat Haxorus.
"Thea, this Steelix must be your cousin's trump card, right?" Faye asked Thea, curious.
The rest of the team waited for Thea's answer. Alex's strongest Pokémon had been defeated; the outcome of the match was becoming clear.
"No, the Walker family's trump card has always been either Metagross or Aggron, not any other Pokémon," Thea replied with certainty.
The Ace of Walker family members in all generations were either of these two Pokémon, and there had never been an exception.
So, she didn't believe that Julian would be an exception either.
The only explanation was that he had beaten Alex's Ace without even using his own.
As this realization dawned on the team, Faye shook her head in relief.
"Lucky for me your cousin challenged Alex and not me—I'd have been done for."
Thea smiled but didn't anything. If anyone should be blamed, it's Alex for his bad luck. Of all people, he had to provoke Julian. Her cousin might seem indifferent, but he was actually someone who held grudges fiercely.
Anyone who crossed him would definitely face his revenge sooner or later.
"Get your second Pokémon out"
Julian urged, noticing Alex's delay in sending out his Pokémon.
Julian's words felt like salt rubbed in the wounds to Alex, whose grip on his next Poké Ball tightened.
"Magmortar!"
Pokémon: Magmortar (Fire)
Level: 70
Qualification: cyan
Ability: Flame Body
Item: Charcoal
Gender: Female
Moves: Clear Smog, Flame Wheel, Confuse Ray, Scary Face, Fire Punch, Low Kick, Flamethrower, Sunny Day, Fire Blast, Hyper Beam
Disc Moves: Mega Punch, Mega Kick, Protect, Fire Spin, Thunder Punch, Earthquake, Mystical Fire
Genetic Moves: Will-O-Wisp, Heat Wave, Iron Tail, Overheat
--
Alex's second Pokémon, also with a cyan qualification, appeared in a flash of red light.
Having two powerful Pokémon with cyan qualifications explained Alex's impressive standing as a 3rd-year representative.
Even some trainers from moderately rich families didn't have two Pokémon of this quality.
Fire beats steel, but Ground beats fire.
So in terms of type, neither had any advantage.
"Steelix, Sand Tomb" Julian commanded.
The battlefield, a typical standard flat surface, quickly transformed as Steelix unleashed Sand Tomb.
In just a few moments, nearly half the field became a swirling pit of sand, moving in a vortex-like motion, aiming to trap Magmortar.
Magmortar's arms sank into the fine sand, which held tight like gripping hands, pulling it down inch by inch.
"Magmortar, Mega Punch!" Alex shouted.
With a powerful swing, Magmortar's punch blasted through the swirling sand, scattering it with a loud bang.
The flying sand pelted the area like bullets, forcing the spectators to shield themselves with their Pokémon again.
"Seriously, why didn't the two of them activate the protective barrier?" Faye grumbled. "Watching them battle like this is terrifying."
If not for their Pokémon's protection, they wouldn't dare watch the battle up close. Without a protective barrier, observing a fight at such close range was practically courting death.
The fine sand that just scattered had enough force to pierce straight through a body, turning it into a sieve.
One punch had freed Magmortar, but Steelix was quick to use the momentary distraction to close the gap.
Looming over Magmortar with its intimidating presence.
"Fire Blast," Alex commanded coldly.
Hot flames burned, the moisture in the air was continuously evaporated, and the entire space began to become distorted, as the heat waves rose.
"Dig"
Steelix swiftly burrowed underground, his entire body disappeared in an instant.
This Dig was faster than that of a Diglett's.
Before Alex could order an Earthquake, Steelix erupted from the ground directly beneath Magmortar, knocking it straight up.
"Drill Run" Julian followed up.
Steelix spun its body rapidly, turning into a drill, silver-white projectile aimed at the falling Magmortar.
"Fire Spin!" Alex shouted urgently.
Suspended in mid-air, Magmortar couldn't use many moves, making Fire Spin its best option.
Magmortar's barrel-like arm unleashed a wide vortex of flames, trying to block Steelix's Drill Run.
But flames alone couldn't fully obstruct a piercing move like Drill Run.
Steelix's attack cut through the flames instantly, like a drill slicing through water, and it struck Magmortar squarely in the stomach, driving it into the ground with tremendous force.
The impact shattered the ground beneath, and Magmortar fainted on the spot, unable to even growl.
Steelix stopped attacking, revealing Magmortar lying unconscious, its once-bulging stomach now showing visible dents, Magmortar's breathing had become faint and labored.
This was no ordinary knockout—Magmortar had sustained serious injuries and needed immediate medical attention.
"Hey, you—take his Pokémon to the medical room for treatment," Coach Wade called, pointing at Luis.
Luis, who had been recording the battle on his phone, was already thinking about how he'd edit and post the footage on internet. He'd even decided on a title;
"King Julian Defeats the 3rd-year Representative, Securing a Spot on the School Team!"
With a reluctant sigh at being called out by Wade, Luis pocketed his phone, grabbed Magmortar's Poké Ball, and jogged toward the medical room.
"Brother Walker, take it slow in the next match—wait till I'm back!" Luis shouted as he left.
*****
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