Eruption!
Among Fire-type moves, this is one of the most powerful.
The maximum power of this move reaches 150 points, but only if the Pokémon using it is in peak condition. As its energy decreases, the power of Eruption diminishes as well.
However, Camerupt still had plenty of energy, despite being repeatedly attacked by Slowking. Its resilience was in good shape, partly due to the environment.
A flame more intense and darker than the Will-O-Wisp move emerged from Camerupt's mouth.
With the activation of this attack, the two volcanic humps on Camerupt's back began spewing black smoke, signaling that Camerupt was giving its all.
Upon hearing Butler's command, Steven became serious.
If this attack hit the Metang, even though they were pseudo-legendary Pokémon, they could sustain severe injuries.
"Cain, don't worry about this one. Keep attacking!" Steven exclaimed firmly.
Cain hesitated for a moment, considering whether to have Slowking help weaken Camerupt's attack. But after hearing Steven's words, he decided to focus even more on his assaults.
"Slowking, remember how Skorupi identifies enemy weak points. Use Psychic Water Gun all over its body and locate its weak spot," Cain commanded with determination.
"Yadon!" Slowking nodded seriously.
Its attack rhythm increased as it aimed Psychic Water Gun at Camerupt's humps.
A wave of fire enveloped the Metang.
"Protect!" Steven ordered.
"Earthquake!" was his next command.
Although Steven called both Metang by the same name, somehow the two knew exactly which one was to act in each situation. This was the kind of synergy that only time and constant practice could produce.
One of the Metang raised a protective shield, completely blocking Camerupt's Eruption move. Meanwhile, the other stopped levitating and struck the ground, sending a seismic wave back toward its opponent.
At the same time, Slowking's attack reached Camerupt's humps.
"Ruggg!" Camerupt roared in pain.
Slowking had found its weak spot, and with its Sniper ability, the damage was amplified, compounded by the four-times Water-type disadvantage.
The attack was devastating, followed by Metang's Earthquake move, which also struck an already weakened Camerupt.
"Ruggg!" Camerupt roared again, its eyes beginning to glow red.
Cain, using his scanning system, detected that Camerupt had entered an uncontrollable rage state. It was similar to what they had seen before with Breloom and Torkoal.
Butler also noticed the change. With a cold expression, he pulled a syringe from his pocket and began walking toward Camerupt.
"Steven!" Cain shouted upon seeing this.
"Understood!"
"Metang, use Hyper Beam!" Steven commanded.
Two destructive rays were unleashed from the Metang, blinding Butler and forcing him to stop in his tracks.
He narrowly avoided the attack by rolling on the ground, but the surprise on his face was evident.
"I can't let Camerupt fall to these attacks," Butler thought.
However, Camerupt was already in a full-blown rage.
"So, he's the one who's driven them to this..." Cain murmured to himself, understanding the situation.
Camerupt, now completely frenzied, launched another Eruption attack, this time targeting one of the Metang, which couldn't move after using Hyper Beam.
But just before the attack landed, Skorupi fell from the top of the cavern, shielded by a green energy barrier.
Steven smiled in satisfaction.
"A masterstroke, Skorupi," Steven commented.
This explained why Steven had allowed the Metang to use Hyper Beam without too much concern.
"Got it," Cain replied cautiously.
Although Camerupt had lost control, its attacks were stronger than ever.
"Return, Skorupi," Cain called out.
Having fulfilled its role, Skorupi quickly scurried back to Cain's side. Its greatest utility had been exhausted, and now everything depended on Slowking and the Metang.
The repeated Psychic Water Gun attacks from Slowking, combined with the Metang's Hyper Beam, had left Camerupt severely weakened. But now that it was in its rage state, it seemed immune to pain.
Despite everything, the outcome of the battle was almost decided. If Butler had no other Pokémon, Cain and Steven were on the verge of victory.
But did Butler have more Pokémon?
Cain and Steven didn't know.
However, Butler knew all too well. He had sacrificed everything for this encounter, including all his Team Magma companions. All he had left were his Mightyena and Camerupt.
He had severely underestimated Cain and Steven. These two didn't need to speak to command their Pokémon, which meant at least one of them had to be a psychic.
Finally, Camerupt, like Butler's other Pokémon, succumbed to its own rage.
"This is the final blow! Slowking, use your most powerful Psychic Water Gun!"
"Metang, another Hyper Beam!"
Cain and Steven commanded in unison.
Slowking and the Metang's attacks struck Camerupt simultaneously.
The Psychic Water Gun hit Camerupt's humps again, activating the Sniper ability once more and causing devastating damage. At the same time, the Metang's Hyper Beam struck it head-on.
Despite Camerupt's resilience and the environmental advantages, the outcome was inevitable.
Boom!
After a deafening explosion, as the smoke cleared, Camerupt lay on the ground, defeated.
Cain and Steven had successfully defeated a quasi-elite Pokémon in a joint battle. Although this Camerupt wasn't a typical quasi-elite Pokémon and had stopped listening to its trainer, it was still a remarkable achievement.
Both Slowking and the Metang gained significant benefits.
Slowking leveled up, reaching level 41.
Meanwhile, the two Metang, under Cain's watchful gaze, also leveled up, reaching level 45.
What does it mean for two Metang to reach level 45?
They both began to shine intensely!
They were evolving!
Just like that, all of a sudden!
(End of chapter)