Rhydon was still slow from all the 'String shot', so the first 'Drill run' connected perfectly but, when Beedrill rose high up again for the second attack,
"Rhydon, now.", said Flint.
Rhydon's fang glowed red and it bit Beedrill with a 'CRUNCH'. The second 'Drill run' had also connected but Rhydon's fire fang also connected. No matter what, Rhydon would not let it go. It did an enormous amount of damage to Beedrill and Beedrill slowly closed its eyes and fainted.
Meanwhile, Rhydon also fell to the ground. It had also fainted.
"Both the Pokemons are unable to battle. Gym leader, please send out your last Pokemon. Challenger Axel, Please send out your second Pokemon."
The battle had turned its table again. Beedrill was sure to win but Flint had turned it around.
"Did your Rhydon know 'Flamethrower'?" asked Axel.
"No, It only knew 'Fire Fang'", replied Flint with a smug smile.
Axel had been fooled. He was so stressed out from the fear of 'Flamethrower' that he didn't even notice such a simple thing. This showed that gym leaders were not to be messed with. And it was also essential to read the challenger's mind in battle.
Both of them threw their Pokeballs.
Golem and Nidorino were now ready to battle. Miliot and Dexos were so surprised by the battle sequence that they didn't even comment on it. They now knew that this trainer was something else.
The battle started instantly.
"Golem use 'Rock Polish'"
"Nidorino, use "Focus energy"
Both of them used their status moves to enhance themselves. Golem had a big restriction in this fight. Though it was resistant to poison, the ground was filled with the mixture of 'poison' and 'String shot'. Its movement was restricted and it could not use its favorite move, Roll out.
As for Nidoran, Axel had let it practice in the ground filled with 'String shot' and it was immune to poison. So, its condition was better than Golem's.
"Golem use 'Rock blast'"
Golem started to throw the Rocks. Nidorino dodged the first 2 but was hit by the last 2 'Rock blast'. The power of 'Rock blast' increases with every hit. So Nidorino was hit good.
While dodging the attack, Nidorino was coming closer to Golem. It was also hard for Nidorino as there were String shots all over the ground. Once, he was near enough,
"Nidorino, now, use 'Earthquake'."
Since the 'Earthquake' was near enough, Golem was also hit pretty well. Golem was weak against ground type moves. Golem didn't have any way to dodge the attack, so, Flint instructed Golem to use 'Defense curl'
'Defense curl' was a double-edge move for Golem. It would raise its defense but Golem also had to curl and hide its weak spots which included its eyes too. For now, it could not see properly.
'Defense curl' would be an OP move if Golem could use 'Roll out' but it could not, in this situation.
Axel instructed Nidorino to use 'Horn Drill' with coating poison in it.
Flint was helpless now. Since Nidorino was very near now, due to Nidorino's speed and Golem's restriction in movement, he could only tell Golem to use 'Defense curl' 1 more time and withstand the attack.
'Horn Drill' hit Golem's boulder-like Shell. Since 'Horn Drill' was Nidorino's signature move, Golem was thrown out a few meters away. There was a crack in its boulder shell.
In games, 'Horn Drill' if connected, could make a target faint regardless of its level. However, in real life, it was not so. Even though the case, 'Horn Drill' hits extremely hard.
'Horn Drill' also takes up a lot of Nidorino's stamina. As for now, it could only use it 2 times.
"Nidorino, now use 'quick attack' and then 'Sludge Bomb'"
Golem was still trying to stand up when Nidorino hit it with 'Quick' attack but,
"Golem use 'Earthquake'"
Nidorino faced Golem's 'Earthquake' at a point blank range. Nidorino was also weak against ground type attacks. After the attack, Nidorino could not move for a few seconds, that was when Golem used 'Stone Edge'
'Stone Edge' was also hit at a point blank range. Nidorino flew a few meters away from the impact. These 2 moves were very effective against it. One was supper effective against it, and one was a powerful stab move.
The use of 'Stone Edge' and Nidorino flying a few meters have cleared a path free of 'String Shot'. So,
"Golem now use 'Roll out'"
'Roll out' after using 'Defense curl' would have double power. If this move hits, Nidorino would be down for the count. But maybe it was due to Nidorino practice in dodging attacks since it was Nidoran or due to pure luck, It dodged the attack,
And fired with 'Sludge bomb' which connected perfectly. Golem was now tired, injured and poisoned. However, it didn't give up and use 'Roll out' again as instructed by Flint.
Nidorino was now too tired and injured to dodge the attack. The attack landed and Nidorino was now finally down for the count.
"The Pokemon can no longer battle. Challenger is requested to send out his last Pokemon.", said the referee.
"There is no need. I forfeit the battle.", said Flint.
And he was right in doing so. Golem was in its last wits and was also poisoned. It would not be able to face Shedinja.
"Congratulation Axel, you have won the battle and now are entitled to receive the rock badge. I congratulate you on your first successful gym battle. Before anything, let's wait for the paramedics to come and heal our Pokemon.", said Flint.
This was how Axel had won his first gym battle.