"Swampert, Water Pulse Barrage!"
A deep and commanding voice echoed across the battlefield as an exceptionally large Swampert charged forward. With a powerful leap, it shattered the icy surface beneath it, then swiftly gathered multiple Water Pulse orbs in its massive hands.
With a mighty swing, the Water Pulses interlaced in a cascading wave, creating a torrential downpour from above.
"Swampert, Iceberg Drop!"
A combination of Icy Wind and Ice Beam was unleashed, rapidly freezing the falling water into a massive iceberg that plummeted from the sky.
The overwhelming presence of an Elite Four-level Pokémon, coupled with Swampert's astonishing attack, left the sailors on the ship in a stunned stupor.
Those who managed to regain their composure dared not resist Swampert's assault. Instead, they turned their hopeful gazes toward Ron.
According to recent newspaper reports, Ron had also broken through to the Elite Four level. Surely, he could counter Swampert's offensive.
With his Fighting Aura activated, Ron instantly gauged Swampert's strength.
"Level 62, huh? Perfect—this will be a great test to see how powerful Machamp has become!"
Murmuring to himself, Ron released his Machamp onto the battlefield.
Another surge of Elite Four-level energy erupted, restoring confidence to the ship's crew.
From the stern, the captain's Swampert also sensed the presence of two Elite Four-level Pokémon. But all the captain could do now was trust Ron.
"Machamp, Second Gear—Finger Pistol: Daytime Tiger!"
Steam rose around Machamp's body as its skin took on a faint reddish hue. Bursting from the mist, Machamp unleashed a ferocious white tiger that tore through the frozen battlefield.
Having broken through to the Elite Four level, Machamp could now manipulate the energy in the air, further amplifying the power of Finger Pistol: Daytime Tiger.
In the next instant, the tiger clashed with the descending iceberg, momentarily halting its fall.
"Machamp, Finger Pistol: Morning Peacock!"
Blazing fists of fire erupted forward, working in tandem with the Daytime Tiger's energy to completely obliterate the iceberg.
As the battlefield trembled, Panier's Swampert seized the opportunity to surge toward the ship.
"Machamp, Iron Body: Starfall!"
Upon hearing Ron's command, Machamp launched itself into the air from the deck.
Utilizing Shave to accelerate its descent, Machamp executed a Force Palm before reinforcing its arms with Iron Body, transforming them into glowing blue meteor-like projectiles.
"Swampert, Earthshaker!"
Like Machamp, Swampert also used a combination technique centered around Force Palm.
Legends speak of Swampert's boundless strength, claiming it can effortlessly drag ten-thousand-ton boulders and shatter massive rocks with a mere swing of its stone-hard arms.
While this Elite Four-initial-level Swampert had yet to reach such extremes, its power was undeniably formidable.
The moment Swampert leaped, the ice beneath it cracked apart, as though it would collapse at any second.
In mid-air, Machamp and Swampert collided head-on.
The resulting shockwave surged outward like ripples in water, expanding in every direction.
Carrying the momentum of its falling strike, Machamp ultimately gained the upper hand, forcefully overpowering Swampert and sending it crashing down.
"Boom!"
The sound of ice shattering echoed across the battlefield. The already cracked ice floe gave way entirely.
The Pokémon closer to the ship managed to return safely, but Team Aqua's members and their Pokémon weren't as fortunate—they all plunged into the sea.
Fortunately for them, all of Team Aqua's Pokémon were adept swimmers, preventing any casualties.
"Nidoking, create a landing platform for Machamp!"
Upon receiving Ron's command, Nidoking condensed Blizzard and Ice Beam into the palm of its hand, then launched the freezing energy toward the ocean using Flying Finger Pistol.
The moment the ice struck the water, a large floating ice sheet rapidly formed, expanding outward.
Shortly after, Machamp burst out from beneath the sea, landing steadily on the ice.
Moments later, Swampert resurfaced as well.
The residual heat from Machamp's Second Gear evaporated the seawater on its body, leaving behind tiny crystalline salt deposits on its skin.
"Swampert, Hurricane Downpour!"
After hesitating briefly, Panier chose to continue the battle.
Swampert unleashed Surf, combining it with other Water-type moves to conjure a towering tidal wave in the blink of an eye.
As if influenced by Swampert's technique, the sky darkened ominously, as though a torrential storm was about to break out at any moment.
"Machamp, Finger Pistol: Evening Elephant!"
Pouring every ounce of its strength with Life Return into this final attack, Machamp's entire body glowed with a deep crimson aura, its muscles straining as if it had unlocked the ultimate gate of power—reminiscent of the Eight Gates technique.
With the execution of Finger Pistol: Evening Elephant, a massive red elephantine foot materialized, resembling an immovable pillar bracing against the incoming tidal wave. It struck with incredible force, attempting to pin the surging water in place.
Unknowingly, the intensity of the clash had caused the entire battlefield to grind to a halt.
All combatants understood—no matter how hard they fought elsewhere, the outcome of this battle hinged entirely on the showdown between Swampert and Machamp.
Under Swampert's command, the towering wave surged forward, its entire form funneling into a concentrated assault.
Fighting in the open sea, Swampert had an undeniable territorial advantage.
The colossal elephantine foot pressed downward, momentarily halting the tidal onslaught before an overwhelming force erupted from beneath, pushing against it with unrelenting might.
Visible cracks began to form across the red energy construct, proof that suppressing the massive wave wasn't as effortless as it seemed.
"Machamp, hold it down!"
Ron's sudden roar pierced through the chaos, as if injecting Machamp with newfound strength. The crimson aura around its technique flared once more, exerting even greater force.
"Swampert, drown them!"
Before Ron's voice had even faded, Panier immediately countered with his own command.
At the Elite Four level, a Trainer's encouragement was no longer mere motivation—it could directly empower their Pokémon.
Fueled by their Trainers' determination, both Machamp and Swampert unleashed their full might in a climactic clash.
The cracks on the red elephantine foot spread rapidly until, finally, it shattered entirely—yet its last vestiges of force pressed down in a final attempt to crush the wave beneath it.
The towering tidal wave, as if losing all momentum, collapsed into nothingness.
Riding the final burst of impact, Machamp struck Swampert with a devastating blow, sending it hurtling back into the sea.
A massive column of water erupted into the sky as Machamp skillfully utilized Moonwalk, landing gracefully onto a fresh ice platform sculpted by Nidoking.
This battle had proven one thing—despite the sheer difficulty of fighting opponents two ranks above its own level, Machamp had still emerged victorious!
"All units, retreat!"
Panier shot Ron a resentful glance before making the most pragmatic decision.
If they continued this battle, Swampert's defeat was inevitable—and with reinforcements potentially arriving at any moment, withdrawing was the only logical choice.
"You think you can come and go as you please!? Machamp, Finger Pistol: Morning Peacock!"
Even as he spoke, Ron commanded Gardevoir to teleport an top-grade Pokéblock to Machamp, replenishing its stamina. Without missing a beat, Machamp sprang from the icy surface, unleashing Finger Pistol: Morning Peacock.
"Brothers, charge!"
Emboldened by Ron's rallying cry, the sailors aboard the ship wasted no time, directing their Water-type Pokémon to join the pursuit—an all-out effort to finish off their retreating enemies.
"Do you really want mutual destruction?! My Swampert hasn't lost yet!"
As if to prove Panier's words, Swampert suddenly leaped onto a floating chunk of ice, unleashing a furious roar toward Machamp.
"Then let's settle this! Machamp, Finger Pistol: Daytime Tiger!"
With a deafening roar, a ferocious white tiger materialized, charging across the ocean's surface, carving a path straight toward Swampert.
And so, the battle resumed—more ferocious than ever!
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