Larvesta was the first to understand the provocation. The flames on its five horns surged upward once more, and it let out a crisp little snort toward Quilava, as if issuing a direct challenge.
In Larvesta's perception, the energy intensity within its opponent's body was simply not worth mentioning compared to its own.
Theo snapped out of his thoughts. Seeing Larvesta's high fighting spirit, the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
"Then let me show you just how powerful Larvesta really is."
Flannery's gaze sharpened as she took the initiative to give the first command.
"Quilava, strike first. Use Flame Wheel!"
Quilava responded instantly. The flames around its body surged, wrapping it completely.
It transformed into a spinning wheel of fire, charging toward Larvesta with a howling rush. Wherever it passed, the air itself seemed to distort from the heat.
Theo's eyes focused as he gave his command in a steady voice.
"Larvesta, show it what a real Flame Wheel looks like."
Upon receiving the order, Larvesta immediately curled its body into a tight sphere.
The flames erupting from its five horns suddenly became incomparably fierce, forming a massive flaming wheel even larger than Quilava's. Carrying far more terrifying heat, it surged forward to meet the attack head on.
The two flaming wheels collided violently in the center of the field, producing a dull, explosive boom.
In the next instant, Quilava's Flame Wheel was like a ball struck by a boulder. It was sent flying backward, rolling several times across the ground before finally stopping, its flames already dimmed significantly.
This was a direct manifestation of the gap in energy levels between the two.
Quilava lay on the ground, unable to stand. Its limbs trembled as it gasped heavily, clearly having expended enormous energy in that clash.
Meanwhile, Larvesta remained firmly in place. It slowly uncurled its body, a faint look of pride and disdain appearing on its face, as if to say:
"That's all you've got?"
Quilava was completely enraged by that expression. Its Blaze ability activated instantly.
The flames around its body surged violently, growing several times stronger than before, nearly engulfing it entirely as the temperature in the air spiked sharply.
The livestream chat scrolled even faster.
"Holy crap! Larvesta is ridiculously strong!"
"In the last match, Marshtomp got crushed by Quilava. Both are Fire types, how is the gap this big? Quilava can barely hold on!"
"Is this what a legendary level Pokémon looks like? That's insane! I love it!"
Flannery's expression darkened, unwillingness and stubborn determination flashing in her eyes.
"Quilava, use Overheat! Show it your power!"
Enduring the strain, Quilava let out an angry cry.
The flames around its body expanded rapidly, surging forward like an erupting volcano toward Larvesta.
This was the same ultimate move that had completely suppressed Marshtomp earlier. The scorching heat forced even the front row of the audience to instinctively lean back.
This was its strongest attack, and its final struggle.
"Larvesta, let's do it too. Flamethrower!"
Theo gave the command without hesitation.
Although Flamethrower's base power was not as high as Overheat, the difference in energy levels between the two Pokémon at this moment was simply too great.
The orange red flames from Larvesta's mouth condensed into a powerful pillar of fire. It forcefully overwhelmed Quilava's raging Overheat, like a blazing spear piercing straight forward.
At the moment the flames collided, Quilava's energy was completely suppressed.
The scorching pillar engulfed it instantly. A pained cry echoed across the battlefield, making everyone's heart tighten.
A few seconds later, the flames dissipated, and the smoke slowly settled.
Quilava lay on the ground, its eyes spiraling as it had completely lost its ability to battle.
For a brief moment, the entire arena fell into silence. Everyone was stunned by how quickly the outcome had been decided.
Then, thunderous cheers and gasps erupted all at once, applause roaring like a storm.
"That fast? Quilava got one shot?!"
"Larvesta's Flamethrower is insane! It's even scarier than Overheat!"
"I knew Larvesta was strong! It didn't disappoint!"
"Larvesta really delivered. The streamer is amazing!"
Standing at the battle position, the pride on Flannery's face froze completely, replaced by utter disbelief.
She stared at the defeated Quilava lying on the ground, momentarily lost.
"That's impossible… how could Quilava… lose so quickly…"
No matter how she thought about it, she could not accept that the Pokémon she had carefully trained had been defeated in such a short time, without even managing a proper counterattack.
At the edge of the field, Mr. Moore, who had been casually playing with the badge in his hand, suddenly stopped.
Behind his reading glasses, his eyes revealed genuine astonishment for the first time.
He looked at Larvesta with a more scrutinizing gaze.
"It seems that nickname was not given in vain. The incarnation of the sun. The fire energy within this Larvesta is indeed extraordinary."
Theo looked at the defeated Quilava on the field and gave Larvesta a gentle smile.
"Well done."
Larvesta shook its head slightly, the flames on its horns flickering happily as if asking for praise.
At this moment, Flannery took a deep breath and clenched her fists tightly. She took out a Poké Ball from her waist.
A red flash returned the defeated Quilava. She gently stroked the Poké Ball, her voice carrying a trace of hoarseness.
"You did well, Quilava. Get some rest."
Quilava's swift defeat was like a heavy hammer that shattered her initial pride and confidence.
Since taking on Gym challenges, Quilava had suffered occasional losses, but it had never been defeated so cleanly, without even putting up a decent fight.
However, Flannery quickly suppressed the disappointment in her eyes.
As a Gym Leader, she could not afford to dwell on defeat. She gritted her teeth, and the unwillingness surging in her chest transformed into even stronger determination.
When she looked up again, the arrogance on her face had quietly faded. There was now a sense of seriousness and sincerity in her gaze toward Theo.
"Theo, you are very strong. I underestimated you earlier. I apologize for my rudeness."
Before her words even fully settled, her wrist flicked sharply, sending another Poké Ball arcing cleanly through the air.
"But this Gym battle is not over yet.
Now, I'm sending out my partner from the very beginning. You had better be careful.
Torkoal, come out!"
A burst of white light exploded, and a Torkoal covered in a gray black shell landed steadily in the center of the battlefield.
Its heavy body struck the ground with a dull thud, causing even the platform to tremble slightly.
Although this Torkoal was not as enormous as the giant one Theo had seen at Mt. Chimney, it was still noticeably bulkier than an ordinary Torkoal.
Within the gaps of its shell, a flowing red glow could be seen, as if a miniature volcano were hidden inside its body.
What caught Theo's attention even more was that Flannery's Torkoal had not only mastered numerous powerful Fire type moves, but also a variety of Rock type techniques.
For Larvesta, a Bug and Fire type, this posed a significant threat.
[Pokémon: Torkoal]
Type: Fire
Category: Coal Pokémon
Ability: Drought (When it enters battle, the weather becomes harsh sunlight, increasing the power of Fire type moves and reducing the power of Water type moves.)
Moves: Ancient Power, Rock Slide, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Overheat
(End of Chapter)
TN: Finally able to update this. I bought like 150 chapters of this and after able to copy it through a complicated method for 30 chapters, the method stop working hahaha, now I'm back to google lensing it each scroll so I'm back to taking 10 mins per chapter sigh... I don't mind doing it because I genuinely like the story but even checking through ctrl+F stop working anymore so I don't know anymore if I miss some words or characters.
Anyway I uploaded alot of chapters from all the days I missed last week plus extra so you guys enjoy reading.