Wherever the pillar of fire passed, the air warped from the scorching heat. The scattered rocks on the ground glowed faintly red from the intense temperature, as though the entire arena were fueling this attack.
But Xinhai did not choose to clash head-on. Krookodile had expended a great deal of stamina, and Fire-type moves were further amplified in such high temperatures. Avoiding its edge was the best option.
"Krookodile, fall back into the sandstorm!"
Krookodile did not hesitate in the slightest. Just before Flamethrower reached it, its towering body leaped into the sandstorm still raging behind it.
The grayish-brown dust rose like a massive curtain, completely swallowing Krookodile's figure.
The next second, the thick Flamethrower crashed into the edge of the sandstorm. Crimson flames collided violently with the grayish-brown dust, hissing sharply.
The sand grains were scorched faintly red by the heat, while sparks danced and churned along the storm's outskirts like a miniature firestorm.
But a sandstorm was still a sandstorm, not some transparent Barrier that could be easily pierced.
Though Flamethrower looked overwhelming, it was thinned and diverted layer by layer at the edge of the sandstorm. Very little firepower actually penetrated the dust and reached the interior.
Crouching at the center of the sandstorm, Krookodile panted heavily and exhaled a scorching purple breath. Behind its sunglasses, its eyes locked onto Torkoal's position through the swirling dust.
It suddenly opened its mouth. Deep-purple Dragon-type energy rapidly gathered and compressed deep within its throat, forming a thick purple dragon-shaped beam that tore through the curtain of sand and shot toward Torkoal.
Torkoal had only just recovered from using Flamethrower when it sensed the surging Dragon-type energy within the sandstorm. Its tiny black eyes contracted sharply.
Flannery's voice rang out almost at the same moment, edged with urgency. "Torkoal, Protect!"