Driven by the two seismic waves, the sandstorm became even more violent. Its coverage expanded further, like an invisible beast circling and roaring at the center of the field.
Seeing this, Flannery understood that she had to force Krookodile out, or she would remain trapped in a passive position. She immediately ordered, "Torkoal, Smog!"
"Woo—!"
Thick black smoke spewed from Torkoal's mouth. It was entirely unlike an ordinary Smokescreen—countless tiny crimson sparks were mixed within it, like volcanic ash compressed to the limit, spreading toward the center of the field with searing heat.
Wherever the black smoke passed, the air grew even hotter, and the gray stone-slab ground was baked to a faint red by the intense temperature.
Scalding black smoke intertwined with the sandstorm, forming an even murkier, more scorching chaos.
The temperature continued to rise. Even the referee standing outside the energy Barrier could not help taking several steps back, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Seeing this, Xinhai knew Flannery was trying to force Krookodile to reveal itself. He immediately commanded, "Krookodile, Stone Edge!"
Krookodile, which had long since moved to the side of the field under the cover of the sandstorm, gathered dozens of sharp-edged stones around itself and fired them toward Torkoal's flank.
Masked by the blowing sand, the stones made almost no sound as they cut through the air, like hunters lurking in the dark suddenly launching their attack.
By the time the slow-moving Torkoal sensed the danger, it was already too late to evade. Flannery's command rang out at the crucial moment: "Withdraw, Rapid Spin!"
Torkoal's limbs and head instantly withdrew into its shell, and its heavy shell began spinning at high speed like a gray top thrown through the air.
Stone Edge struck the rapidly spinning shell. Most of the