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The surging wind swept up flying sand, cloaking the entire battlefield in a dusty haze. The fierce sunlight had been obscured by the storm, and the sound of the horn echoed through the air.
Chris's first command was for Onix to use Sandstorm.
The summoned Sandstorm naturally replaced the Sunny Day effect brought on by Torkoal's Drought Ability. In Sandstorm conditions, non-Ground, Rock, and Steel-type Pokémon would suffer continuous damage.
Chris wasn't particularly concerned about the specific boosts from Sandstorm—his main goal was to keep the battlefield out of Sunny Day's control. With Sunny Day off the table, the duel was already looking easier for him!
"Torkoal, use Sunny Day!" Flannery called out, determined to reclaim the weather advantage.
In Sunny Day conditions, Fire-type Pokémon like Torkoal experience a significant power boost. For Flannery, this wasn't just about Torkoal; she was also mindful of Chris's Greninja, a Water type. Controlling the weather meant seizing the upper hand!
Since Sandstorm could replace Sunny Day, Sunny Day could naturally replace Sandstorm as well. It all came down to which Pokémon could command the weather more strongly.
Flannery felt confident in her Torkoal's strength, having trained it specifically as a top weather specialist. She didn't believe that Chris could have found a weather counter in the short time since their last battle.
"Sand Tomb!" Chris interrupted Flannery's attempt, launching an attack before she could reset the weather.
"Roar!"
With a thunderous cry, Onix slammed its tail into the ground, sending tremors across the battlefield. The ground around Torkoal cracked and shifted, the soil twisting into a vortex until it transformed into quicksand beneath Torkoal's feet.
"Torkoal!" Torkoal didn't flinch, shouting as it launched a glowing orb into the sky. The ball of light burst into a fierce, hot radiance, as though the sun had suddenly intensified its power, pushing back against the Sandstorm.
But the clash of weather effects was short-lived. In mere seconds, the bright Sunny Day attempt was swallowed up by the swirling sand.
"Sunny Day didn't activate? How is that possible?" Flannery gasped, shocked by the outcome. "Could this Onix really have more control over the weather than Torkoal?"
Flannery found it hard to believe. Torkoal's natural Drought Ability made it a born Sunny Day user, and it had a higher special attack than Onix. Why couldn't it win the weather battle?
But Chris had anticipated Sunny Day's failure.
While weather moves and abilities offer their own advantages, those boosts alone aren't always enough. As he commanded Onix to use Sandstorm, Chris had also brought out a special Rock horn and blown a signal, providing Onix with a 25% increase in all stats, along with a 50% boost to Rock-type moves. Additionally, Onix held a Smooth Rock, extending the Sandstorm's duration.
With a level advantage over Torkoal as well, Onix was a force not easily overpowered, even if Torkoal managed to initiate Sunny Day.
"Rock Slide!" Chris gave the next command.
Already trapped in Sand Tomb, Torkoal could only brace as countless rocks, each the size of a basketball, rained down from above, quickly burying it beneath the avalanche.
"Torkoal is incapacitated, Onix wins!" the referee announced.
Chris watched Torkoal's defeat and couldn't help but think, *Should I consider catching a Tyranitar?*
It seemed his lineup was starting to shape up well for a Sandstorm team.
With Garchomp's ability, Sand Veil, and Mega Garchomp's ability, Sand Force, he already had strong synergy. Mega Steelix also had Sand Force. Even his Aggron, though it didn't have a Sandstorm-specific ability, was a Steel/Rock type, perfect for the environment. Adding a powerhouse like Tyranitar would create a solid six-member team with four prime choices to dominate the field.
Plus, he still had his Rock horn. The Ground type's affinity with Rock-type moves meant that even without STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), Pokémon like Garchomp and Steelix could benefit from the Rock-type move boost.
The only problem was that Tyranitar's evolutionary line didn't inhabit Hoenn, making it a bit of a challenge to acquire.
*Maybe I should head to Slateport City to ask the old captain about when my ship will be ready,* Chris thought. *I can't wait to explore other regions.*
"Good job," Flannery said, forcing a smile as she returned Torkoal to its Poké Ball. She was clearly frustrated. Without control of the weather and her stalwart Torkoal, this was a completely different battle than the last time she faced Chris.
"Alright, try this on for size!" she said, throwing her second Poké Ball.
This time, instead of Arcanine, Blaziken appeared.
Blaziken, Level 44.
"Her Ace is Blaziken?" Chris mused, slightly surprised.
However, this was actually a good opportunity—if he defeated Flannery, he could gain valuable insights from her experience raising Blaziken, which would be useful for his own team.
"Blaziken, use Close Combat!" Flannery commanded.
"Onix, Rock Slide!" Chris countered.
It was clear Flannery was determined to take Onix down quickly.
Blaziken charged forward, its strong legs swiftly covering ground even through the swirling sand. But before it could close the distance, Onix's roar reverberated across the battlefield.
A dark portal seemed to open in the sky, as if connected to another dimension. Rocks, each the size of a basketball, poured down like rain onto the battlefield, creating a massive Rock Slide.
Rock Slide, power 75, and it hits all targets within range—a formidable Rock-type AOE move!
Blaziken, however, had no choice but to press forward. Close Combat was a high-stakes move that sacrificed its own defenses for a powerful offensive strike.
Chris didn't bother with evasive maneuvers; Onix's size and defenses were formidable, and he felt confident that his Rock Snake Pokémon could withstand any retaliation.
Soon, Blaziken closed the distance and launched its assault, a series of heavy blows landing against Onix.
A steady *thud, thud, thud* echoed across the battlefield.
But… something felt off to Chris. It was almost as if Blaziken's attacks lacked the usual power, leaving him to wonder just how much longer Flannery's efforts could hold up.