Cyel smiled to herself as Ace stared down the steelix and although the giant metal snake tried its best… It flinched backwards.
"Ace's ability isn't even intimidate! Why are you that scared! ACE! FINISH THIS ONE HIT FIRE PUNCH!" Cyel shouts out.
The relic barely has time to blink as the mega lucario travels acros the field in a lit a red flame trailing behind its cocked back hand.
Cyel barely was able to witness it as the fist connected before a massive shroud of dust covered the field from the force of the impact followed shortly by the earthy shaking… One could assume that was Steelix hitting the ground at an accelerated rate… Steelix was down.
Not just down—flattened.
The colossal serpent lay sprawled across the battlefield, its massive steel body utterly motionless. The crater beneath it spoke volumes about the sheer force behind that Fire Punch.
Brock's expression was frozen in shock, his jaw slightly slack as if his brain refused to process what had just happened.
"That's… impossible…" Brock muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
Cyel, standing on the opposite end of the battlefield, simply rolled her shoulders, looking completely unimpressed with her own handiwork. "Huh. Thought you'd last a little longer."
Misty's fingers twitched.
She had seen strong trainers before. She'd fought them. She was one herself. But this?
This wasn't strength.
This was domination.
And it was only Lucario's second opponent.
Brock let out a slow breath, regaining his composure as he recalled Steelix. There was something different in his posture now. He was taking Cyel seriously—not as a challenger, but as an opponent.
With a deep nod, he pulled out his final Poké Ball.
"Fine. If you're this strong, then I won't hold back either."
The moment the Poké Ball hit the battlefield, a Kabutops emerged, its scythes gleaming under the arena lights.
Misty narrowed her eyes.
Kabutops was fast. And more importantly—it had battle instincts.
If any of Brock's Pokémon could put up a fight… this was it.
Cyel only smirked, snapping her fingers.
"Ace. Bullet Punch."
Kabutops barely had time to react before Ace was already in front of it.
With a flicker of motion too fast for the untrained eye, Lucario's metal-coated fist crashed into Kabutops' chest.
The impact rang out like a gunshot.
Kabutops flew backward like it had been hit by a truck, skidding across the battlefield until it slammed into the stone wall of the Gym's arena, cracks spiderwebbing out from the impact point.
Silence.
Then, with a groan, Kabutops peeled off the wall and fell face-first into the dirt.
It didn't get up.
Misty exhaled through her nose, a sharp, controlled breath.
She had just watched Brock get soloed.
Completely. Effortlessly. Without mercy.
Agito blinked, then sighed, lifting his hand as if this was all just routine for him now.
"Kabutops is unable to battle. The winner is Lady Cyel."
A cheer erupted from the audience.
Cyel stretched, rolling her shoulders before reaching up to pat Lucario's head. "Good job, Ace. Hope you weren't too bored."
Lucario just gave a small nod, its red eyes flicking toward Brock, who stood there absolutely stunned.
Misty watched as Brock slowly walked forward and returned Kabutops to its Poké Ball. He turned to Cyel, and for a second, Misty wondered if he was about to demand a rematch.
Instead, he took a deep breath and extended his hand.
"…That was unbelievable. You earned this."
He placed the Boulder Badge into Cyel's open palm.
Cyel gave a cocky grin. "I know."
Misty could only stare as Cyel pocketed the badge, gave Brock a lazy salute, and was gone probably a Teleport.