Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

It's common knowledge—greater mass means greater inertia.

For a large Pokémon like Mamoswine, stopping its charge was no easy feat.

As Ryuji inwardly cursed Luo Yuan for his "underhanded" tactics, he barked out a command.

"Mamoswine, use your Ice Fangs to anchor yourself!"

Mamoswine slammed its frosty tusks into the ground, their sharp edges carving deep trenches as they dragged across the battlefield. Only after plowing out twin ten-meter-long grooves, half a meter deep, did it finally manage to stop just short of barreling off the arena.

"Whew!"

Ryuji sighed in relief.

He knew the Indigo League had security measures to prevent Pokémon from charging into the audience, but he had little faith in their effectiveness.

After all, his Mamoswine was nearly Elite-level. If the guards failed to contain it, he could very well end up spending the rest of his life behind bars.

---

From the Indigo League official viewing area, Sabrina observed the near-miss with a hint of disappointment.

She glanced at her Alakazam, which had been poised for action, and waved it down.

If Mamoswine had gone out of bounds, she could've exploited her position to help Luo Yuan by disqualifying Ryuji's Pokémon.

What a shame…

Ryuji, oblivious to how narrowly he'd avoided disaster, turned his attention back to the arena.

His expression twisted into frustration as he stared at the vanished Gabite.

"Mamoswine, use Earthquake!"

For any Pokémon burrowed underground, Earthquake was a devastatingly effective counter.

This would punish Luo Yuan's strategy!

Or so he thought, right until Luo Yuan raised his hand and calmly gave his own command.

"Gabite, now! Iron Head!"

Before Mamoswine could stomp, Gabite burst out from directly beneath it.

"Not good!" Ryuji's alarm bells rang.

But Gabite moved far faster than Mamoswine—or Ryuji—could react.

Having prepared while underground, Gabite shot upward like a missile, its head gleaming with a metallic sheen.

Bam!

The Steel-type move struck Mamoswine square in its unprotected underbelly, a critical weak point.

The sheer force of the attack tipped Mamoswine, which had already been unsteady with its front legs raised for Earthquake.

Gabite's Iron Head became the final straw, sending Mamoswine toppling over.

"Mah-ohhh!"

Mamoswine let out a panicked cry as it crashed to the ground, completely losing its balance.

"Whoa! What an incredible counter! Luo Yuan's Gabite launched a precise ambush with Iron Head, flipping Mamoswine onto its back before it could strike!"

The commentator's excitement mirrored that of the crowd, who erupted into cheers.

"But how did Gabite time its attack so perfectly from underground? Based on the available information, we can't quite figure it out," the commentator added, puzzled.

Ryuji was equally baffled.

As the opposing trainer, he had a clearer view of the connection between Luo Yuan and his Pokémon.

It felt as if Luo Yuan and Gabite shared an invisible bond, one so strong that Gabite could execute commands with just a glance or subtle gesture.

Even when Luo Yuan spoke aloud, it seemed more for show than necessity, as if his commands were redundant.

But Ryuji didn't have time to dwell on these thoughts.

"Get up, Mamoswine!" he shouted.

A Pokémon immobilized on the ground was in a dangerously vulnerable position, and Ryuji knew it.

And just as he feared, Luo Yuan wasted no time capitalizing on the opportunity.

"Stay down," Luo Yuan commanded.

Gabite sprang into action, spewing out a purple Dragon Breath.

The paralyzing energy struck Mamoswine, its numbing effect making it even harder for the Pokémon to rise.

But Gabite didn't stop there.

Dragon Breath was followed by Iron Tail, then Metal Claw, and finally, another Earthquake.

Each move hit like a relentless storm, leaving Mamoswine battered and unable to retaliate.

Its thick fur and massive body offered some defense, preventing it from fainting immediately, but the damage piled up rapidly.

Finally, with a roar, Mamoswine managed to stand as Gabite prepared to unleash Twister.

Instead of waiting for Ryuji's command, Mamoswine retaliated on its own, unleashing a powerful Blizzard.

This time, the icy attack was no mere Powder Snow.

"Blizzard! Mamoswine has finally turned the tables after a series of relentless attacks from Gabite!"

The freezing wind howled as the Blizzard engulfed Gabite.

The commentator's voice grew tense.

"This doesn't look good! Gabite's been hit by Blizzard! Considering Mamoswine's strength, this could be the end for Gabite!"

Mamoswine's furious expression softened as a trace of satisfaction flickered across its face.

But the smugness didn't last long.

Before anyone could fully process what had happened, Gabite's form—seemingly engulfed by the Blizzard—flickered and vanished like a mirage.

"What?!"

Mamoswine, Ryuji, the crowd, and even the commentator froze in collective disbelief.

What just happened?

Where did Gabite go?

A sudden rumble from the ground answered their questions.

From behind Mamoswine, the earth erupted as Gabite burst forth once more.

"Outrage!"

Gabite's eyes glowed crimson, its body enveloped in a fiery red aura.

The energy intensified, coloring its normally blue scales a brilliant shade of red.

With unmatched ferocity, Gabite slammed into Mamoswine's side.

The impact staggered the already battered Mamoswine, pushing it forward unsteadily.

But Gabite didn't stop.

Fueled by the chaotic energy of Outrage, it unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks.

Mamoswine, already weakened by the earlier onslaught, was unable to defend itself.

Blow after blow rained down, leaving Mamoswine reeling.

Its massive frame, once so intimidating, now swayed precariously.

Finally, after countless hits, Gabite struck one of Mamoswine's hind legs with its tail, sending the Ice-Ground Pokémon collapsing to the ground.

Mamoswine tried to rise, but its strength had been utterly drained.

It gave one last futile effort before succumbing to exhaustion, fainting on the battlefield.

"Mamoswine is unable to battle! Gabite wins!"