Without hesitation, Aoki issued his command. Swampert kicked off the ground with tremendous force, launching itself forward with a powerful leap.
Though its forelimbs were well-developed, that didn't mean its hind legs were weak—far from it. Swampert's muscular legs propelled it across the battlefield at blinding speed, closing the distance to the Beartic in an instant.
"Beartic, Ice Beam!" Hachiku reacted swiftly, his voice sharp.
The Beartic's icy gaze locked onto the charging Swampert. Crossing its arms, it unleashed a frigid blue-white beam from its maw, aimed directly at Swampert's trajectory.
Swampert's Earth Hammer—a devastating combination of Earthquake and Hammer Arm—relied on seismic force amplified by its crushing strikes. The vibrations from Earthquake enhanced the impact of Hammer Arm, delivering a dual assault from above and below.
The Ice Beam struck Swampert's arms, frosting over its skin, but the Water/Ground-type barely flinched. Its eyes burned with determination, its charge unbroken.
During its training on the mysterious island, Swampert had faced far fiercer opponents than this Beartic. At first, it could barely withstand their attacks, but over time, it grew resilient enough to endure multiple blows before faltering. The Beartic's Ice Beam stung, but the pain was nothing compared to what it had already overcome.
Hachiku's expression tightened. "Beartic, Shadow Claw—follow up with full power!"
Dust erupted as Swampert's Hammer Arm collided with Beartic's crossed arms. The rocky terrain shuddered, cracks spiderwebbing outward from the impact.
For a moment, the two Pokémon seemed evenly matched—until the Beartic's legs sank into the shattered ground from the sheer force. Worse, it had needed both arms to block Swampert's single strike.
The difference in strength was undeniable.
"Swampert—Earthquake! Then another Hammer Arm!" Aoki's voice rang out.
With Beartic immobilized, this was the perfect chance. A direct Earthquake would rattle its already unsteady footing, leaving it vulnerable.
Hachiku's eyes widened. Beartic, a towering 2.6-meter powerhouse, was being overpowered by the 1.8-meter Swampert. The fact that their heights now appeared equal only emphasized how deeply Beartic had been driven into the earth.
Beartic grimaced but held firm, while Swampert grinned wildly, its frostbitten arms ignored. Placing one hand on Beartic's chest, it raised a foot—glowing with ground-type energy—and stomped down.
"Beartic, endure it! Use Stone Edge!"
A faint green barrier flickered around Beartic, mitigating some of Earthquake's damage, but Swampert's other arm was already swinging down.
Another Earth Hammer!
Beartic barely avoided total collapse, retaliating with jagged stones that erupted beneath Swampert. The attack landed, but Swampert's resistance to Rock-type moves lessened the blow. It stood firm, shaking off the debris.
"Finish this—Muddy Water!"
Swampert roared, unleashing a surging wave of murky water that crashed over Beartic, staining its pristine fur brown. The Ice-type's eyes fluttered shut—it was down.
Hachiku recalled his fallen Pokémon, murmuring praise, while Swampert thumped its chest triumphantly, reveling in the crowd's cheers.
Hachiku's jaw tightened. Losing the first bout stung. After a pause, he hurled his next Poké Ball. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by nοvelfire.net
A Walrein emerged—its blue body marked by white rings, twin tusks glinting, and a thick mane of fur shielding its neck.
Pokémon: Walrein (Light Blue)
Egg Moves: Aqua Ring, Rollout, Water Sport, Dream Eater
Basic Moves: Ice Fang, Fake Out, Crunch, Round, Powder Snow, Growl, Water Gun, Rollout, Encore, Ice Ball, Brine, Aurora Beam, Rest, Snore, Hail, Blizzard
Learnt Moves: Surf, Iron Tail, Aqua Tail, Icy Wind
TM Moves: Body Slam, Ice Beam, Earthquake, Frost Breath, Giga Impact
This Walrein was clearly one of Hachiku's strongest—a Quasi-Champion-level threat.
Swampert, already injured, faced an uphill battle.