Chapter 111

"Magneton, use Metal Sound" said Alex.

Nidoking had a relatively lower special attack. Alex figured if he used Light Screen and reduced the damage even further, even if it used a Flamethrower, it could be tanked by Magneton.

"Use Toxic Spikes," said Giovanni.

Nidoking bellowed as it scattered purple and white spikes that turned invisible as soon as it touched the ground. Alex knew that when he sent his next Pokemon, it would immediately be poisoned.

"Use Iron Defense" yelled Alex.

Since Magneton had already used an Iron Defense earlier when fighting against Persian, its defence was now very high. It had a chance of not fainting even if it took a physical attack.

"Advance and use Fire Punch," said Giovanni.

"Uh Oh" thought Alex, as he had forgotten about this physical Fire type attack with super effective damage.

"Use Flash Cannon to keep it away" said Alex.

Magneton fired a Flash Cannon, which Nidoking deflected with its Fire Punch. But its charging momentum was interrupted, and it even took a few steps back.

"Flamethrower," said Giovanni impassively.

"Now is the best chance" thought Alex, as he decided to use that plan he had been hatching.

"Light Screen" said Alex. The Flamethrower by Nidoking partially passed through the Light Screen and hit Magneton. But even if it was a super effective attack, after a Light Screen was set up, and coupling with Nidoking's poorer special attack, it wasn't really that effective.

"Now! Magneton! Use Magnet Rise on Nidoking!" yelled Alex.

Magneton's eyes glowed, as Nidoking was lifted up into the air. It was lifted awkwardly, and was now a sitting duck mid air.

"Use Tri Attack" yelled Alex.

Magneton fired a Tri Attack which scored a direct hit on Nidoking. Its pained cry suggested that the hit may even have been critical. The combination of flames, ice, thunder briefly stunned Nidoking, but it was still attempting to stand.

"Magneton! Use Flash Cannon!" yelled Alex.

Magneton charged up a Flash Cannon and fired it at the groggy Nidoking. This time, it was sent flying and fell down. It did not get up, however, as it lay down with circles in its eyes. The decrease in special defence proved deadly.

"Well done" came the voice of Giovanni, as he withdrew Nidoking. He then sent out his third Pokemon.

"A level 68 Rhydon!" gulped Alex seeing the Pokemon he would be facing. A level 68 Pokemon was a lot stronger than both his Magneton and Charizard.

"Flamethrower," said Giovanni to Rhydon.

Rhydon spewed flames at Magneton.

"Light Screen, then Gyro Ball to deflect it " said Alex.

Magneton installed a Light Screen, and spun around with Gyro Ball to deflect what was left of the flames. Rhydon had moved a little bit closer without prompting by Giovanni.

"Rock Slide" said Giovanni.

"Dodge, and use Flash Cannon" said Alex.

Rhydon spawned rocks in the air above Magneton and rained them down. Thankfully, Magneton's Analytic ability helped it interpret the pattern of seemingly randomly falling rocks, and it dodged them. It then fired a Flash Cannon at the now close Rhydon.

"Take it, and move in to use Hammer Arm" said Giovanni.

Rhydon tanked the Flash Cannon, and charged at Magnetom unfazed. It then swung at Magneton. Magneton was sent flying by the super effective attack. But Rhyhorn was noticeably slower after, and Magneton did not faint, owing to the Iron Defense earlier.

" Stone Edge," said Giovanni. Rhydon gathered sharp rocks all around it and launched it at Magneton.

"There is no way Magneton can dodge or take this" thought Alex, seeing the fast and deadly rocks flying towards Magneton. He decided to go on the offensive to chip away at Rhydon instead.

"Use Flash Cannon! Full Power" said Alex.

"Magneton" cried the Pokemon, as it ignored all the rocks flying towards it, and focused its energy on a Flash Cannon which directly hit the Rhydon. Rhydon took a few steps back from the impact. But Magneton had fallen on the ground, unable to battle.

"Well done Magneton. You did a fantastic job. Now take some rest. Return" said Alex, as he returned Magneton to its Pokeball.

He then looked grimly at Rhydon which did not look that hurt from two Flash Cannon, and decided he needed to chip away at Rhydon with his second Pokemon, before finishing it off with his third.

"Well then. Here goes" thought Alex, as he sent out his second Pokemon.

"Go Lapras!" yelled Alex.

Lapras stood in the middle of the battlefield, meeting Rhydon's disdainful gaze. It cried out, its face turning slightly purple, as it was poisened due to the Toxic Spikes.

"Use Ice Beam to set up the floor" yelled Alex.

Lapras opened its mouth and shot an Ice Beam all around the floor, freezing over it with a layer of ice.

"Use Bulldoze" said Giovanni.

Rhydon, which looked uneasy standing on the slippery ice, connected its foot down hard on the ground, invoking Ground type energy, as it rushed towards Lapras.

"Dodge while sliding, and use Water Pulse" said Alex.

Lapras dodged the charging Rhydon, and shot a Water Pulse. Rhydon tanked it with a growl, and stared at Lapras angrily.

"Guess this is the gap between a non Elite stage and late Elite stage. Even super effective moves do limited damage" thought Alex bitterly.

"Use Brine" said Alex.

"Earthquake" said Giovanni.

Lapras connected yet another Water type attack, but the Ice layer was ripped apart by Earthquake, and Lapras was hurt by it too.

"Use Ice Beam on Rhydon" yelled Alex.

"Dodge it, and use Earthquake again" said Giovanni.

Rhydon sidestepped the Ice Beam, and raised its leg, prepared to use Earthquake.

"Ice Shard at its other leg" yelled Alex.

Lapras fired a quick shard of ice at the Rhydon standing on one leg, and it stumbled, cancelling the prepared attack in the process.

"Now, gather all Water energy possible, and use Surf" yelled Alex.

Lapras summoned a huge amount of Water energy, and rode along it to send it crashing down in Rhydon. The Rhydon which just regained its balance did not seem like it could dodge this attack.

"Use Thunder" said Giovanni. Rhydon braced itself and sent attacked Lapras with Thunder. Lapras which was surfing a huge wave towards Rhydon couldn't dodge the attack. It was hit with the Thunder, while Rhydon was hit with the Surf.

After the collision, Lapras fell to the ground with circles in its eyes, while Rhydon was still standing, albeit looking a little beat up.

"Good job Lapras. You did fantastically. Return" said Alex as he withdrew Lapras.

He then looked at Rhydon, and threw his third Pokeball, "Go Charizard! I am counting on you!"