Altaria, the Dragon and Flying-type Pokemon, couldn't escape the disadvantage it faced against Tyranitar's Rock-type power. The match was clearly leaning in favor of the latter, unless Winona had a hidden trick up her sleeve—such as enabling Altaria's Mega Evolution. If Altaria transformed into Mega Altaria, its attributes would change to Dragon and Fairy, granting it immunity to Tyranitar's Rock moves. Unfortunately for Winona, she didn't have the necessary Mega Bracelet or the Mega Stone for Altaria, and neither had John noticed any such item on her Pokemon.
"Rock Slide!" John commanded confidently, signaling the decisive moment.
Tyranitar opened its massive arms, summoning a portal above the battlefield. Rocks began cascading down like a torrential rainstorm, crashing onto the ground and forming an ever-growing mound of debris. This was the third time Tyranitar had unleashed Rock Slide, and the battlefield was already half-buried under jagged stone.
"Altaria, use Hurricane!" Winona countered, refusing to back down.
Altaria flapped its wings with precision, generating a powerful storm that whipped around it. The swirling winds formed a shield, deflecting the falling rocks. The smaller debris, though sharp and chaotic, was easily swept aside by the gale. Protected within the eye of the storm, Altaria remained unscathed.
Winona's strategy appeared to be working. The earlier defeats weren't entirely fruitless; she had found a way to counter Rock Slide. But John smirked. He knew better.
"So what?" he muttered, issuing his next command with the same calm authority. "Use Hyper Beam!"
Altaria's defensive storm came at a cost—it limited its own mobility. Trapped within the vortex, it couldn't maneuver quickly enough to avoid Tyranitar's powerful beam. The destructive energy erupted from Tyranitar's maw, roaring across the battlefield with incredible force.
Winona froze. Should she have Altaria maintain its defense, risking direct impact, or abandon the storm to evade and suffer the Rock Slide? She hesitated for just a moment too long.
The beam struck true. The raw energy tore through Altaria's storm and slammed into the Pokemon with devastating impact, sending it hurtling across the battlefield and beyond the forested outskirts of Fortree City. Trees cracked and splintered under the force as Altaria tumbled to a halt, unconscious.
The referee raised his flag. "Altaria is unable to battle! Tyranitar wins! Gym Leader Winona has no remaining Pokemon. The challenger, John, is the victor!"
John leaned back with a satisfied grin as the screen on his Gameboy displayed the match results.
[Defeated Altaria LV58. Gained 6,325 XP]
[Defeated Winona, Gym Leader of Fortree Gym. Earned 30,000 Pokedollars.]
[Received Feather Badge. Your Fly ability has been upgraded to Secret Fly.]
[Obtained TM: Aerial Ace]
Winona delivered her post-match remarks.
[Winona: I underestimated you, and that mistake cost me the battle. Congratulations on your victory. Here's your Feather Badge and the TM for Aerial Ace. I hope they serve you well on your journey. Maybe we'll meet again at the Pokemon Championship. Good luck—you're going to need it.]
John pocketed his rewards and stepped outside the Gym, basking in the fresh forest air. Fortree City was a quaint place, its homes nestled high in the trees, blending seamlessly with nature. As he admired the surroundings, his thoughts drifted to his next destination. The Feather Badge was his sixth, and he was eager to test whether its stacking effects with the other badges would enhance his team's performance even further.
The TM he received intrigued him. Aerial Ace was a versatile Flying-type move with uncanny accuracy, capable of turning the tide in battle. In the games, it was akin to moves like Feint Attack or Shadow Punch—an unblockable strike. John recalled seeing it in the anime, where it had once been called "Rotary Attack." The move seemed particularly useful for swift counterattacks after an opponent dodged.
Curious, he decided to test it out. To his surprise, both Tyranitar and Steelix could learn Aerial Ace. The thought of these two heavy-hitters performing such a move was amusing, if not a bit ridiculous. Could they actually manage something that graceful?
Determined to find out, John headed to a wide, empty beach to experiment. He released Steelix as the test dummy and positioned Tyranitar at a distance. The sand stretched out beneath the afternoon sun, providing the perfect arena for some practice.
"Steelix, get ready! Tyranitar, use Dragon Claw on its tail!" John commanded.
Tyranitar lumbered forward, its stocky legs leaving deep footprints in the sand. Its claws glowed with a green, draconic energy as it closed the gap. Steelix, sensing the danger, raised its massive tail just in time to avoid the attack.
"Now, Aerial Ace!" John shouted.
Tyranitar paused mid-stride, planting its feet firmly in the ground. The massive Pokemon bent low, then launched itself forward with surprising speed. Its claws shimmered with white light as it lunged at Steelix, slicing through the air with precision. The impact landed cleanly, and even Steelix's durable frame shuddered under the force.
John couldn't help but laugh. "So that's how you pull it off, huh?" Watching Tyranitar—a hulking beast of sheer power—execute such an agile maneuver was both impressive and comical.
For now, though, he let himself enjoy the moment, standing on the beach with Tyranitar and Steelix as the waves lapped at their feet.