"Damn, this is tricky."
Sieg looked at the energetic Vigoroth, and his scalp tingled slightly.
"Vigoroth, use Chip Away!"
As expected, Norman immediately gave the command to attack. Vigoroth, with its strong arms, pushed off the ground and, in just a few powerful leaps, landed right in front of Carvanha.
"Carvanha, use Aqua Jet to dodge!" Sieg urgently ordered.
Water surged rapidly around its body, and with a whoosh, it shot across the field like a cannonball, weaving at high speed.
Sieg continued directing Carvanha to evade repeatedly, trying to buy time.
Norman keenly noticed the shift in Carvanha's speed and thought to himself, "Looks like he's stalling for time, trying to maximize Carvanha's Speed Boost ability."
Vigoroth, as its name suggests, wasn't one to sit still. It kept attacking, but each time, Carvanha narrowly dodged.
This made Vigoroth increasingly irritated. Watching the slippery Carvanha dart around like an eel, it pounded its chest in frustration and let out an angry roar.
"Raaahhhhhh!"
"Vigoroth, calm down and use Rock Tomb," Norman instructed coolly.
Vigoroth immediately manipulated rock energy, forming stone blocks and hurling them at Carvanha.
Sure enough, Rock Tomb slowed Carvanha down. The battlefield was now littered with rocks, making its evasive maneuvers much harder.
"Now, charge in with Thunder Punch!"
Electricity crackled from Vigoroth's fists. As the current intensified, its fists lit up like thunder, and it charged at Carvanha with full force.
"Carvanha, use Psychic Fangs!"
The area around Carvanha was already covered with rocks, so dodging with speed was no longer feasible. Sieg chose to confront the attack head-on.
Clash!
Using its speed, Carvanha struck with great momentum, its glowing pink fangs shimmering with psychic energy.
But Electric-type moves are super effective against Water-types. And Vigoroth's raw power far surpassed Carvanha's.
"Carvanha is using all its strength to block the Thunder Punch, but don't forget, Vigoroth can attack with the other hand too," Norman said confidently. "Vigoroth, use Chip Away again!"
Vigoroth slammed its other fist into Carvanha's body. Already at a disadvantage in strength, Carvanha was sent flying by the blow.
Boom!
Carvanha struggled to get up, but eventually collapsed, its eyes swirling.
The referee announced, "Carvanha is unable to battle. Challenger, please send out your second Pokémon."
Sieg stared at the scene in shock. He silently recalled Carvanha into its Poké Ball and muttered, "Thank you, Carvanha. I won't let your effort go to waste."
Taking a deep breath, Sieg looked at Vigoroth on the field and narrowed his eyes. Slowly, he pulled out another Poké Ball.
With a flash of white light, Corphish returned to the battlefield.
"Corphish, I'll have to count on you again."
The released Corphish had clearly recovered quite a bit of strength.
"Cor Cor!"
It waved its claws twice, letting out a spirited cry.
Corphish showed no sign of retreat!
"Corphish, use Bubble Beam!"
Corphish opened its claws again, launching a stream of bubbles that shimmered as they shot toward Vigoroth.
"Take it head-on!"
Vigoroth didn't dodge. It crossed its arms in front and absorbed the attack directly.
"Use Shadow Ball," Norman commanded, arms folded.
Despite its Normal typing, Vigoroth had a broad move pool.
It formed a dark, shadowy ball in its hands and hurled it like a basketball, sending it flying like a meteor toward Corphish.
Sieg saw the power behind the move and panicked. "No good, Corphish, use Protect quickly!"
The protective barrier formed swiftly, but the Shadow Ball was still overwhelmingly strong. It created a thick cloud of smoke, covering the battlefield.
"Now, use Flamethrower to sweep the area!" Norman commanded without hesitation.
A column of fire blasted across the field, and from within the smoke came Corphish's pained cries.
"Corrrr Corrrrrrr…"
Outside the field, Sieg grew increasingly anxious. "Corphish, use Aqua Veil to cover your body! Block the flames!"
Sizzle sizzle…
The sound of water vaporizing under intense heat came from within the smoke.
"This Flamethrower is crazy powerful…" Sieg wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. The pressure was mounting.
As he stood frozen, the smoke finally began to clear. There, in the center of the field, stood Corphish, still standing strong, eyes filled with determination.
Despite the burns and scars across its body, its proud pincers remained unscathed!
"Corphish, you…"
Just as Sieg worried, a radiant white light burst from Corphish's body.
The glow of evolution!
Sieg stared in awe, his heart quickly filling with joy.
Norman looked surprised as well and promptly commanded Vigoroth to halt its attack.
According to League rules, a Pokémon in the middle of evolution must not be interfered with!
In the stands, May jumped up excitedly when she saw what was happening. She clapped and cheered nonstop. She had been worried that her big brother might lose, but now, it looked like the tide was turning!
"Sieg, go! Beat Dad!"
Her young voice rang out loud and clear.
Hearing that, Norman's mouth twitched slightly. He felt something crack in his heart.
As time passed, the white light faded...
Standing before Sieg was a mighty Crawdaunt.
Compared to before, the evolved Crawdaunt looked fiercer and cooler, with a star on its head and more imposing pincers!
"Crawdaunt!" Sieg called out in delight.
"Crawwww!"
Crawdaunt let out a powerful cry. As it swung its claws, a faint shell-shaped blade appeared.
"That's Razor shell!" Sieg shouted in surprise.
"Crawdaunt, charge in and use Razor shell!"
With newfound confidence, Sieg ordered the close-quarters assault.
120 base physical attack plus Adaptability's Stat boost.
Can you withstand this blow?
Though it wasn't Crabhammer, the power of Razor shell was more than enough!
"Vigoroth, use Uproar!"
Norman issued his final command. After all, once that move starts, it sends the user into a frenzy.
Still, he didn't hesitate at all, a Gym Leader's decisiveness on full display.
Crawdaunt charged in with its proud pincers, water swirling around each swing as it unleashed a series of powerful and fierce strikes. Vigoroth had no choice but to meet the attacks with everything it had.
To not be outdone, Vigoroth swung its muscular arms wildly in a frenzy. It attacked without pause, ignoring its own defense completely, driven by sheer will and ferocity.
At that moment, there was no pain, only the thirst for victory and the thrill of battle.
"Crawwwww!"
The intense close-quarters fight came to an end with a thunderous roar from Crawdaunt.
The battered Vigoroth finally collapsed.
Panting heavily, Crawdaunt stood tall in the light of the arena, the star on its head shining brilliantly.
---------------
Short insight into Crawdaunt's thoughts after getting hit by the flamethrower and starting to evolve:
Crawdaunt: " Huff huff....."
"My attacks aren't enough for you ?"
"And who decided that ?"
"My body is burned, and I can't fight any longer ?"
"And who decided that ?"
"The only one who gets to decide such things is me."
"BEGONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"CRAWWWWWWWWWWWWW !!!!!!!"
(It really did feel like such a moment, you agree, no ?)