Due to differences in body structure and typing, Pokémon using the same move could exhibit vastly different power levels.
For example, when a non-Fire-type Pokémon uses a Fire-type move, its power was usually much lower compared to that of a Fire-type using it.
As for Iron Tail, with Steelix's unique body structure, it was practically tailor-made for it. The move allowed Steelix to channel all the strength of its massive body, perfectly transferring that power through its segmented frame all the way to the tip of its tail.
The tail lashed out like a silver-white whip, crashing down with the force of a collapsing mountain. The air beneath it was torn apart, a thunderous sonic boom echoing as the strike descended.
Under such overwhelming pressure, Emboar had no chance to dodge—it could only brace itself and take the hit.
"Emboar, Protect!" Scott shouted.
Any seasoned trainer knew how terrifying a Steelix's Iron Tail could be. It was like a well-trained Ninetales unleashing nine consecutive strikes—one solid hit could potentially end the battle on the spot.
Even before the tail connected, the sheer air pressure forced Emboar's body deeper into the ground. The green barrier of Protect shimmered faintly, but it did little to inspire any real sense of safety.
Then—BOOM!
The moment Iron Tail connected, a deafening explosion ripped through the air, drowning out even the sound of Protect shattering.
Although the barrier was broken, it had managed to delay the Iron Tail for just a fraction of a second.
And that sliver of time allowed Emboar to cross its arms and activate Hammer Arm—meeting the terrifying blow head-on.
BOOM!!
More than half of Emboar's body was driven into the earth by the impact. The surrounding ground fractured and shattered from the sheer force.
CRACK
That wasn't the sound of the ground breaking—it was the sound of Emboar's arm bones snapping.
But at this moment, Emboar's arms were already numb. Even with broken bones, it couldn't feel any pain—it couldn't even feel its arms at all.
Scott stared at Steelix in utter disbelief.
'Since when the hell does Iron Tail hit this hard?!'
First, it had smashed through Protect, then shattered Emboar's defense even when it had used Hammer Arm—and broke its arms in the process?
This level of power completely rewrote his understanding of the move.
He'd known a Steelix's Iron Tail was strong, but this strong? Even a Ninetales's famed multi-strike technique paled in comparison.
Everyone watching, except Jake, had similarly grim expressions. None of them felt confident that even ten of their Pokémon could successfully block a single Iron Tail like that.
At least Emboar had managed to hold out—barely—and hadn't immediately lost the fight.
But its end was inevitable.
Steelix didn't give it time to recover. With a final, earth-shaking Double-Edge, Steelix slammed into Emboar—finally knocking it out cold and ending the battle.
Steelix turned to look at Julian, its gaze practically screaming, 'So… my Pokéblocks are safe now, right?'
Julian gave a slight nod. Though he was a little surprised himself—normally, Steelix's Iron Tail wasn't this devastating. Today, it felt like the big guy had gone into overdrive.
'Was it really just because of the food threat?'
Maybe he had just found a way to make Steelix even stronger.
After both trainers recalled their Pokémon, the battlefield automatically reset—standard procedure to prevent excessive damage.
The new terrain was neutral, offering no elemental advantages.
Julian sent out his fourth Pokémon.
---
Pokémon: Lucario (Fighting/Steel)
Level: 76
Potential: Blue
Ability: Inner Focus
Held Item: Muscle Band
Gender: Male
Moves: Life Dew, Work Up, Copycat, Quick Attack, Calm Mind, Endure, Detect, Feint, Metal Claw, Aura Sphere, Rock Smash, Force Palm, Metal Sound, Bone Rush, Meteor Mash, Heal Pulse, Vacuum Wave, Reversal, Extreme Speed, Helping Hand, Screech, Final Gambit, Counter, Dragon Pulse, Quick Guard
TMs: Low Sweep, Brick Break, Agility, Swords Dance, Dig, Bulk Up, Focus Blast, Dark Pulse, Protect, Drain Punch, Hyper Beam, High Jump Kick, Mega Punch, Ice Punch, Low Kick, Mach Punch, Flash Canon
Egg Moves: Mind Reader, Close Combat, Bullet Punch, Thunder Punch
Note: After absorbing the Fighting-type Ultimate treasure—Spirit of Combat, its physical attributes have been enhanced by 2x to 4x across the board.
---
"Luca!"
The sleek, canine warrior emerged, its calm yet piercing gaze scanning the battlefield with disciplined focus.
Scott couldn't help but nod in approval.
"A Fighting-type, huh… then you're up."
As he spoke, one of the Poké Balls on his belt opened automatically.
"Ken!"
A Blaziken burst forth, its white feathers and sharp V-shaped crest radiating intensity.
---
Pokémon: Blaziken (Fire/Fighting)
Level: 78
Potential: Blue
Ability: Speed Boost
Held Item: Weakness Policy
Gender: Male
Moves: Double Kick, Fire Punch, Brave Bird, Flamethrower, Feather Dance, Scratch, Quick Attack, Flame Charge, Sand Attack, Slash, Bounce, Focus Energy, Blaze Kick, Bulk Up, Reversal, Flare Blitz
TMs: Protect, Mega Punch, Mega Kick, Swords Dance, Fire Spin, Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, Thunder Punch, Payback, Facade, Fire Blast
Egg Moves: Crush Claw, Night Slash, Counter, Heat Wave
---
A Blue-potential Blaziken with Speed Boost—even if it wasn't Scott's ace yet, it was undoubtedly being groomed as a future powerhouse.
Blaziken locked eyes with Lucario. 'Finally, a worthy opponent.'
Flames ignited around its wrists. A fierce battle spirit began to boil in its chest.
Lucario, sensing the fierce aura radiating from Blaziken, remained unfazed. Its expression calm and composed as ever.
A powerful opponent like this naturally ignited Lucario's fighting spirit—especially since Blaziken itself was known for its formidable combat prowess.
"Mega Punch!" X2
Julian and Scott gave the command almost simultaneously.
Blaziken's powerful legs flexed, its talons digging into the ground as it launched forward like a crimson blur, leaving a small crater in its wake.
Lucario was no slouch in speed either.
The two Pokémon met at the center of the battlefield—fist against fist, a pure contest of raw power with no fancy tricks.
BOOM!!
The moment their fists collided, a shockwave erupted, sending visible ripples of force tearing through the air.
CRACK—CRACK—
The ground beneath them splintered instantly under the pressure.
"Ken?"
Blaziken looked at Lucario in surprise—it hadn't expected this guy to match it in power.
But then, it noticed Lucario's pupils narrowing slightly—and a sense of dread suddenly welled up inside it.
Too late.
An overwhelming surge of force exploded from Lucario's fist, shattering Blaziken's Mega Punch effortlessly. The impact sent Blaziken hurtling backward like a ragdoll.
Mid-air, Blaziken realized: 'It... wasn't even using its full power?!'
Every one of Julian's Pokémon boasted base stats far exceeding their species norms. Especially in terms of raw strength, they stood head and shoulders above others.
At its current level, Lucario's full-powered punch could pierce straight through a mountain.
Twisting mid-flight, Blaziken managed to disperse the remaining force of the Mega Punch, landing stably on the ground.
*****
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