Combusken led the way, followed closely by Aron, who was assisted by Larvitar's Sandstorm ability and electromagnetic levitation. Like a silver cannonball, the group charged forward with determination.
When Magmortar saw Combusken rushing toward it, the scorching heat radiating from its palms intensified, creating waves of blistering air. However, Combusken, having reached its maximum speed, showed no intention of retreating. With a powerful burst of momentum, it slammed heavily into Magmortar.
The fiery attack, backed by Combusken's strength, directly collided with Magmortar's fists. Though the impact didn't deal significant damage, it successfully interrupted Magmortar's Heat Wave attack and forced its arms apart, leaving its defenses wide open.
Seizing the opportunity, Combusken used the recoil to retreat slightly, positioning itself to shield Aron, who was still charging forward. The shimmering energy of Dragon Rush enveloped Aron's body as it straightened its trajectory and crashed headfirst into Magmortar's face.
BANG!
Magmortar, caught off-guard and unable to defend itself, endured the full force of the Dragon Rush. The impact sent it stumbling backward, nearly toppling over. Aron was also pushed back by the recoil, the draconic energy dissipating from its body—but a flicker of red appeared on its metallic hide. Magmortar's Flame Body ability had inflicted a burn on Aron.
Yet, this was far from the end of Aron's assault.
Still suspended by Magnet rise, Aron swiftly repositioned itself beside Combusken. Without hesitation, Combusken gripped Aron's hind legs, its muscles bulging with raw power beneath its feathers. With a mighty heave, it hurled Aron like a living projectile straight at Magmortar once more.
Propelled by Combusken's strength, Aron shot forward even faster than before, its entire body becoming a silver blur. Twin jagged horns of solid rock energy formed atop its head, crackling with power.
Head Smash!
This was a move Aron had inherited but never used in battle—until now. A Rock-type attack with devastating force, it struck Magmortar with full impact, exploiting its double weakness to Rock-type moves.
Magmortar, still off-balance from the previous assault, couldn't muster a defense in time.
BOOM!
The collision sent Magmortar crashing into the stone wall of the cave, its body embedding into the rock before sliding down limply, its eyes rolling back in defeat.
Seizing the moment, Aoki tossed a Poké Ball with perfect timing. The sphere shook once, twice—then clicked shut, confirming the capture of the fiery Magmortar.
Aside from its strength, pairing it with Miltank as a defensive duo could prove incredibly useful.
Meanwhile, Aron's body flickered with red again—the burn from Flame Body still affecting it. Aoki quickly retrieved a Burn Heal from his bag and sprayed it over Aron's metallic plating, soothing the lingering heat.
Just as the treatment finished, a brilliant white glow suddenly enveloped Aron. Aoki's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Aron had already been at level 31 before this battle, so evolution wasn't unexpected—but the timing was. It seemed defeating Magmortar had been the final push it needed.
Before the fight, Aoki had considered sending Politoed into battle to make things easier, but Aron had insisted that the three of them could handle it. Now, looking back, perhaps Aron had sensed something—that this battle would be pivotal for its growth.
Aron had fought with relentless determination, contributing just as much as Combusken and Larvitar. Both Dragon Rush and Head Smash had been executed flawlessly. More importantly, despite Magmortar's Flame Body ability, Aron hadn't hesitated—facing its natural fear of fire head-on.
Overcoming such a weakness was undoubtedly a key factor in its evolution.
Larvitar and Combusken trotted over, the former's tiny eyes gleaming with envy.
All of Aoki's second-stage Pokémon had evolved… except for it.
Still, Larvitar consoled itself—at least it had Bagon and Horsea for company. Shaking off its brief melancholy, it focused instead on sending waves of encouragement toward Aron.
Politoed approached as well, its webbed hands spreading outward as water energy rippled from its body. While it couldn't alter the entire cave's fiery environment, it could at least neutralize some of the heat around Aron, ensuring a smoother evolution.
"Aron!" the steel-type Pokémon called out in gratitude before closing its eyes, fully surrendering to the evolution process.
Excitement thrummed through Aron—after waiting so long, it was finally happening. Seeing Pokémon that were once weaker than it evolve first had been frustrating, but now, its time had come.
As Aron's cry echoed, the white light around it intensified, swelling until it completely obscured its form. Within the radiance, its body rapidly expanded, more than doubling in size. The single horn on its back split and multiplied, forming a jagged, armored ridge. Its limbs thickened, claws sharpening into gleaming metallic points. Even its once-round eyes took on a fiercer glint.
The transformation was swift and seamless.
The light faded, revealing the newly evolved Lairon—a hulking, metallic beast with a body forged for endurance.
"LAI—RON!!!"
Its voice, deeper and more resonant, boomed through the cavern as it flexed its powerful limbs. Its once-smooth plating was now layered with reinforced steel, some sections gleaming silver while others were darkened with battle-ready resilience. Even its teeth had transformed into razor-sharp metallic points, capable of grinding through the toughest minerals.
From now on, consuming diamonds would be far easier.
Aron had successfully evolved into Lairon, marking a new chapter in its strength.