Amid the relentless battle, both Pokémon bore fresh wounds.
A terrifying gash on Aggron's left arm had nearly ripped open its arm guard, tearing apart the silver-gray metal armor and exposing the dark-red flesh beneath.
Steelix was no better off. Fine cracks had appeared in several of the steel-rock segments along the middle of its body, while fragments of metal from its most severely damaged area lay scattered among the surrounding rubble.
Yet at this moment, they seemed oblivious to their injuries. Their eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit as they stared at one another.
"Clang—!!"
Steelix's Iron Tail swept in with overwhelming force. The air shrieked in the wake of the move, while the ground was plowed open into a deep trench and shattered rocks blasted outward like cannonballs.
Faced with a blow capable of snapping a small mountain in half, Aggron showed no intention of retreating.
Scarlet battle intent blazed in its eyes, while the steel armor covering its body shone with dazzling white light as energy flooded through it.
"Roar—!"
Rather than dodge, Aggron charged headlong toward Steelix's tail!
It raised its right fist high, covering it in a dense layer of Steel-type energy that condensed around the knuckles into a battering ram.
"Boom—!!"
Steel Tail and Iron Fist collided head-on!
The sound was more than a mere thunderous crash. It was a roar that pierced the body and struck straight at the soul.
A shockwave spread in every direction from the point of impact. The already devastated ground was overturned once more, rocks were blasted into the air, then ground into powder by the ensuing waves of energy.
Aggron's massive body slid back several meters before abruptly stopping. Its four claws dug deep into the bedrock, leaving two savage claw marks in the ground.
"Roar—!!"
It