Blast Burn!
Among Fire-type moves, this is a relatively powerful one.
The maximum power of this move reaches 150, and it is strongest when the Pokémon using it is at full health. However, as its stamina decreases, the power of the move weakens.
But right now, Camerupt's stamina is still holding up. Even after taking multiple hits from Slowking, it remains in decent shape.
This is due to the environment.
A darker, more intense flame than Flamethrower spewed from Camerupt's mouth. As it unleashed its attack, thick black smoke shot out from the volcano-like humps on its back—this was Camerupt going all out.
Hearing Butler's command, Steven's expression turned serious.
If Camerupt's move landed on Metang, even though Metang was a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, it could still suffer serious damage.
"Aoki, don't hold back this time—keep attacking!" Steven warned.
Originally, Aoki had considered letting Slowking use a move to weaken Camerupt's attack, but after hearing Steven's words, Aoki had Slowking continue its offensive.
"Slowking, remember how Skorupi finds weak spots? Use Water Gun all over Camerupt and find its weak point!"
"Yah dong!" Slowking nodded with a focused expression.
It fired a Water Gun at an even faster pace.
This time, its target was Camerupt's volcanic hump!
The raging flames shot toward Metang.
"Metang, hold on!"
"Metang, use Earthquake!"
Even though both of Steven's Pokémon were Metang, for some reason, they understood exactly which command was meant for which one.
This was the result of long-term teamwork.
One Metang managed to block Camerupt's attack with defensive maneuvers.
The other Metang canceled its Magnet Rise, dropped to the ground, and unleashed Earthquake—sending tremors directly at Camerupt.
At the same time, Slowking's Water Gun struck as planned. This time, instead of aiming at the head, Slowking used its psychic power to curve the attack downward, targeting Camerupt's humps.
"Roar!!"
The attack hit perfectly, triggering the Sniper ability, which increased the damage further—plus, the attack was quadruple effective against Camerupt's typing.
These two Water Gun attacks caused massive damage to Camerupt.
Right after Slowking's Water Gun, Metang's Earthquake hit Camerupt again while it was already in pain.
"Roar!!"
Camerupt let out another furious roar, and its eyes gradually turned red.
Aoki's system scan detected a status change—Camerupt had entered a berserk state.
Just like the Breloom and Magmar they had encountered before.
Butler noticed the change immediately. He was familiar with Camerupt's condition.
With a cold expression, he pulled a syringe from his pocket and moved toward Camerupt.
Noticing this, Aoki shouted, "Steven!"
"Got it!"
"Metang, use Hyper Beam!" Steven commanded.
Both Metang fired Hyper Beams simultaneously, the powerful blasts of energy cutting Butler off with their intense light.
Butler was forced to roll to the ground to avoid the attacks.
At the same time, a look of shock crossed his face. Wouldn't they risk being attacked by Camerupt if they fired Hyper Beam like that?
Butler's syringe was unsuccessful, and Camerupt fully lost control.
"So, this berserk state really is his doing!" Aoki thought.
Now completely out of control, Camerupt launched another blast of flames at one of the Metang.
This time, Metang was unable to defend itself, having just used Hyper Beam.
Just as the flames were about to make contact, a Skorupi suddenly dropped from above, surrounded by a green energy shield.
Steven smirked knowingly.
A well-timed intervention!
Skorupi!
This was why Steven had been willing to let Metang use Hyper Beam so freely.
He exchanged a glance with Aoki as if to say, "See?"
But Aoki gave no reaction.
Even though Camerupt had lost its mind, its attacks were becoming more and more powerful.
"Return, Skorupi," Aoki said.
Skorupi obediently scurried back to Aoki's side—it had done its part. Now, it was up to Slowking and the Metang.
Countless Water Gun attacks had already landed, combined with the Metang's Hyper Beams. Even with Camerupt's strength, it was severely battered.
But in its berserk state, it ignored its injuries entirely.
The battle was reaching its conclusion. If Butler didn't summon more Pokémon, Aoki and Steven—who had already surpassed the threshold of an Elite Trainer—would win!
Did Butler have any Pokémon left?
Aoki and Steven didn't know.
But Butler did. In his pursuit of this experiment, he had sacrificed all of Team Magma's Pokémon. How many did he have left?
Just the Mightyena by his side and the berserk Camerupt—nothing else.
Originally, he had expected to defeat Aoki and Steven quickly, but things kept going wrong.
They commanded their Pokémon without speaking. They had to be psychics!
Camerupt finally followed the path of all the other Pokémon before it—fully succumbing to its berserk state.
If not for this, it might have stood a chance.
Mightyena clearly recognized Camerupt's state and refused to approach, as did Butler himself.
"This is the final strike! Slowking, use your strongest Water Gun!"
"Metang, use Hyper Beam again!"
Slowking and the Metang unleashed their attacks at the same time.
The Water Gun struck Camerupt's humps once more, activating Sniper again—boosting the damage exponentially.
Meanwhile, both Metang fired another round of Hyper Beams.
No matter how strong Camerupt was, no matter how much the battlefield favored it—once it had gone berserk, the outcome was set in stone.
BOOM!
After a massive explosion, the dust settled, revealing Camerupt collapsed on the ground.
Aoki and Steven had done it!
They had taken down a pseudo-legendary Pokémon!
Even if it wasn't in full control of its Trainer's commands, it was still an incredibly powerful Pokémon.
Slowking and the Metang had gained significant experience.
Slowking leveled up to 41.
Aoki could also see that both Metang had gained a level as well—reaching 45.
What did a level 45 Metang mean?!
The bodies of both Metang began to glow white.
Evolution!
It happened so suddenly!