The arena was silent save for the slow grind of rock as Onix curled its massive body across the battlefield.
Skylar stood steady, eyes focused.
Before him, Charmander crouched, claws ready, tail blazing defiantly against the overwhelming shadow cast by his opponent.
Across the field, Brock crossed his arms, appraising Skylar's choice.
—"A Fire-type. Against my ace. You're either bold… or out of options."
—"Not out," Skylar said. "Just done playing safe."
The judge raised the flag.
—"Final round—begin!"
—"Onix, Dig! Shake him!"
The ground exploded as Onix vanished underground in a matter of seconds, sending tremors through the stone floor. Charmander braced himself, crouched low.
Skylar didn't wait.
—"Charmander, Smokescreen! Wide spread—go!"
Charmander exhaled a thick black cloud that poured across the battlefield, obscuring the cracks and fractures. The arena became a haze of smoke and dust.
Misty leaned forward from the stands. "Smart… hiding Onix's point of attack."
But that didn't last long.
The ground burst open under Charmander's feet—Onix emerged in a blur, jaws wide, ready to crush.
—"Jump! Now!"
Charmander leapt just in time, tail flame trailing behind him. He flipped midair, landing on the top of a boulder.
Onix spun, tail slamming into the side of the field and sending a ripple through the stones.
Skylar shouted over the impact, "Ember—right at the eyes!"
Charmander let loose a concentrated burst of flame. It struck Onix in the face, forcing it to recoil slightly—not in pain, but in confusion.
—"Blinding him," Misty murmured. "Disrupting control…"
—"Not bad!" Brock called. "But you'll need more than tricks!"
—"Then I've got more," Skylar muttered. "Charmander—circle left! Stay mobile!"
Charmander darted from rock to rock, using the terrain that had worked against Scyther as cover. Onix chased, roaring, its massive body shattering stone and spraying gravel.
—"Now! Scratch to the leg joints!"
Charmander dove beneath Onix, slashing across one of the lower segments. The blow didn't do much damage—but Onix stumbled, just slightly.
Enough.
Skylar saw his chance.
—"Dragon Breath! Point-blank!"
From under Onix's body, Charmander opened his jaws and released a glowing stream of crackling green-blue energy. It surged upward through the rocky plates.
Onix roared and convulsed—shocked and staggered.
—"Yes!" Misty gasped.
Brock's voice rose. "Slam! Now!"
Onix twisted its full weight downward in desperation, body falling like an avalanche.
—"Charmander—retreat—hard right!"
Charmander jumped, just barely escaping the impact. He crashed into the dirt and rolled, then stood again—panting, singed—but still fighting.
Skylar's eyes narrowed. "Almost there…"
Onix pulled itself up slowly, steam rising from between its cracks.
Skylar raised his hand.
—"Flame Burst. Let's end this."
Charmander dug his claws into the earth. His tail ignited like a beacon—brighter, hotter. He took a deep breath, his flame pulsing.
Then he fired.
The concentrated burst of fire flew straight and true, hitting Onix directly in the cracked segment Scyther had weakened earlier.
There was a deep rumble.
Then silence.
Then—
Onix collapsed.
The ground shook. The last flames of the attack flickered across its stony hide before fading into embers.
The judge raised the flag.
—"Onix is unable to battle! Victory to the challenger—Skylar!"
The Gym erupted in applause.
Misty clapped hard from the side, eyes wide. "He did it…"
Skylar dropped to one knee, exhausted but smiling.
Charmander limped back toward him.
Skylar met him halfway, picking him up and pressing his forehead to his.
—"You were perfect."
Across the field, Brock approached. He looked down at his fainted Onix, then at the soot-streaked Trainer who had just beaten him with fire and willpower.
He extended his hand.
—"You earned it."
Skylar took the hand and stood.
Brock pressed the Boulder Badge into his palm.
—"You fought with clarity. Precision. And trust. That's what makes a real Trainer."
Skylar looked down at the silver-gray badge, its surface reflecting both firelight and stone.
—"Thank you," he said quietly.
Brock nodded once more. "You're ready for what comes next."
As the sun set over Pewter's cliffs, Skylar and Misty left the Gym together, silent for a while.
Then Misty grinned. "So, what's next?"
Skylar looked ahead, toward the winding path that led into the mountains.
—"We find the next challenge. Together."