Chapter 70: The Challenge of the Mauville Gym

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When Gary's Pupitar emerged from the dust, and Wattson's Electrode remained motionless, everyone knew the outcome of the battle.

The result didn't surprise anyone. As a breeze blew across the field, clearing the dust, it revealed the state of Electrode. It lay on the ground, eyes turned to spirals, clearly indicating it had lost the ability to continue fighting.

"Electrode is unable to battle, Pupitar wins!"

The referee, Walter, checked on Electrode and announced the result of the first round.

"Well done!"

Despite his Electrode being defeated, Wattson showed no disappointment. Instead, he laughed heartily and recalled his fallen Pokémon.

"Now for my second Pokémon. Go, Magneton!"

At Wattson's command, Magneton floated onto the battlefield, ready to face Pupitar.

Pokémon: Magneton 

Type: Electric, Steel 

Ability: Magnet Pull 

Level: 33 

Moves: Thunder Wave, Electric Terrain, Gyro Ball, Shock Wave, Electro Ball, Flash Cannon, Magnet Bomb, Iron Defense, Iron Head, Thunderbolt, Thunder...

"Keep going, Pupitar!" Gary encouraged his Pokémon to stay in the fight.

"Haha, very good!" Wattson chuckled after seeing Gary stick with Pupitar. He then called his next move. "Magneton, use Gyro Ball!"

Wattson selected the steel-type Gyro Ball to combat Pupitar, a rock-type Pokémon. Magneton spun rapidly, forming a high-speed metallic ball that rolled toward Pupitar.

"Pupitar, use Dark Pulse!"

Pupitar gathered dark energy, forming a black beam that met Magneton's Gyro Ball head-on. The force of the Dark Pulse slowed down Magneton's attack, but it wasn't enough to deliver significant damage.

"Nice work!"

Wattson, unfazed by the interruption, continued to give commands with a smile. "Now, Magneton, use Swift!"

Golden stars shot toward Pupitar. But Gary was quick with his own order.

"Pupitar, use Sandstorm!"

With a loud roar, Pupitar summoned a swirling sandstorm. The storm not only neutralized the incoming Swift attack but also spread across the entire battlefield, obscuring everyone's vision.

While Magneton, being a steel-type Pokémon, wasn't greatly affected by the sandstorm, both Wattson and Magneton had their vision severely hampered.

"Use Stealth Rock!"

Gary wasn't in a hurry to finish the battle. Instead, he prepared for Wattson's next Pokémon with a well-timed Stealth Rock. Rocks appeared in the sky, floating above the arena. Rather than attacking Magneton immediately, they hovered, waiting for Wattson's final Pokémon to make its appearance.

Wattson's expression shifted as he realized the sandstorm's purpose. "Magneton, float higher! Watch out for any attacks!"

Following its trainer's orders, Magneton lifted itself slightly in hopes of avoiding Pupitar's next move.

"Trying to avoid the attack by increasing altitude?" Gary caught on to Wattson's plan and quickly issued his next command. "Pupitar, use Rock Slide!"

Pupitar summoned large rocks above the field, and they began to crash down toward Magneton.

"Dodge, Magneton!"

Wattson called out in response. Magneton skillfully dodged the falling rocks, using its floating ability to maneuver out of harm's way. However, the intensity of the situation caused a brief lapse in attention, and just after avoiding one rock, another struck Magneton directly.

The impact sent Magneton crashing to the ground, and the remaining rocks quickly buried it. Pupitar, sensing its opponent's position, prepared to finish the fight.

"Now, Pupitar, use Dark Pulse again!"

With Magneton trapped beneath the rocks, Pupitar unleashed another Dark Pulse, sending the attack across the battlefield and striking Magneton.

The attack hit its mark, and Magneton, unable to react, was knocked out and fell in front of Wattson.

"Magneton!" Wattson called out in concern.

But it was too late. Magneton had fainted.

"Magneton is unable to battle, Pupitar wins!"

Walter declared as Magneton's eyes turned to spirals.

"Great job, Pupitar!" Gary praised his Pokémon for winning two rounds in a row before recalling it to its Pokéball.

After Gary withdrew Pupitar, Wattson did the same for Magneton. He then sent out his final Pokémon.

"Manectric, it's your turn! Let's show them the power of 100,000 volts! Hahaha!"

After a brief moment of disappointment, Wattson returned to his usual cheerful demeanor, commanding his Manectric to enter the field.

However, the moment Manectric appeared, the rocks floating above the battlefield—set earlier by Pupitar's Stealth Rock—came crashing down on it.

"Boom!"

The loud crash caused by the rocks buried Manectric.

"Manectric!"

Wattson's cheerful expression vanished as he called out to his Pokémon in worry.

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