But why had Steven volunteered that information? Just because Haruki had a Beldum?
"Hmm, no wonder your Metang is so powerful."
When in doubt, play dumb. Haruki's look of shock shifted into one of admiration, causing Steven to raise a brow.
Well now… he's got some composure, at least.
Just as Steven was about to continue the conversation, his name suddenly came over the loudspeaker.
"I'm up. See you later."
"See you."
Haruki waved. He needed a moment to think about how to handle Steven anyway.
Three minutes later, Steven was already done with his match.
"…"
If you took out the time it took just to walk to the arena… then Steven finished his battle in under thirty seconds?
That was way too fast.
'Still, I've got the initiative now. I can't panic!'
Haruki told himself, though he hadn't fully worked it out yet.
Soon, Steven returned to the waiting area and walked straight toward Haruki.
"Let's exchange contact info. We can talk more after the tournament, this place…"
This time, Haruki took the initiative. He glanced around the place, subtly implying it was too crowded for conversation.
Steven had planned to keep talking, but there was no rush after just one battle. It was a good chance to observe more anyway.
"Alright."
They exchanged contact info, and Steven went back to his usual seat.
With that set aside, Haruki turned his full attention back to the Sandstorm Showdown.
The second round of the main event concluded, and among the remaining 64 contestants, there were no pushovers left.
In fact, among all the Pokémon, Haruki's Marowak was now below average in level.
Thankfully, level wasn't everything. Haruki still had a shot at advancing.
Soon, the third round of the main event began.
With 64 Trainers remaining, the matches would only pick up speed, and intermissions would get shorter.
The noise in the rear waiting area gradually faded, everyone focused intently on each match. It stood in stark contrast to the deafening cheers coming from outside.
One contestant after another stepped into battle.
This time, Haruki was again sent out before Steven. Maybe it was his imagination, but the stands looked even more crowded now.
Marowak entered calmly. Its "aloof" demeanor earned it quite a bit of applause.
Across the field, a towering two-meter behemoth crouched quietly in the sandstorm, as if trying to reduce its presence.
Hippowdon.
A Ground-type unique to the Sinnoh Region, often found in desert colonies, and the ace of Elite Four Bertha.
So it wasn't surprising that Hippowdon was even more popular than Marowak.
As always, the referee kept it short…
"BEGIN!"
Immediately, the intensity of the sandstorm doubled.
Haruki knew what that meant, Hippowdon had activated Sand Stream, summoning another wave of sand.
"Focus Energy!"
Haruki gave the opening command. As usual, he started by boosting his odds of landing critical hits.
Across the field, Hippowdon stayed motionless, but its move was already active.
The earth around Marowak began to loosen and churn, rapidly spinning into a trap.
Sand Tomb!
Marowak was swept into the swirling sand, nearly half its body buried in moments.
"Attack!"
"Maro~"
Trapped but unfazed, Marowak made no other movements.
Under Haruki's command, it raised its club and threw it without hesitation!
Bonk! Bonk!
Bonemerang struck true: two clean hits directly to Hippowdon's head.
Hippowdon was even worse at speed than Marowak and didn't dodge at all. Its pained roar rang out, and even the swirling sandstorm trembled.
A critical hit!
Haruki's heart surged with excitement. But then he saw Hippowdon open its massive mouth and let out a slow, rumbling cry.
It was Yawn…
"Marowak, use Screech!"
Haruki gave the command immediately, hoping to resist the effects of Yawn.
The grating sound of Screech echoed harshly, forcing the nearby speakers to lower their volume instantly. Otherwise, the entire audience would've suffered.
"Keep going, Bonemerang!"
Haruki gave another command. He wasn't sure if Marowak had already succumbed to Yawn.
The next second, Marowak firmly hurled its bone club.
Bonk! Bonk!
Another pair of direct hits striking the exact same spot on Hippowdon's head.
But Haruki frowned. Marowak seemed to be wobbling slightly?
Yawn hadn't been completely countered.
"Again!"
"Maro!"
This time, Marowak forced itself to stay conscious, looking toward the unmoving opponent still nestled in the sand.
'I have to win…'
Bonemerang… thrown!
But the next moment, the first hit of Bonemerang narrowly missed Hippowdon's head.
It went wide.
At the same time, Marowak dropped to one knee, nearly collapsing from exhaustion.
Bonk!
A sudden, familiar impact rang out, Bonemerang's second hit had struck Hippowdon's head dead-on!
"Uuuuuurgh~"
With a groan, the two-meter-tall Hippowdon collapsed!
Just then, as Marowak was about to pass out, the bone club suddenly flew back hitting it in the head.
Bonk!
Marowak staggered from the hit, the sharp pain jolting through its body.
…It woke up.
Marowak hadn't made a mistake at all.
That second hit of Bonemerang had been reserved… to wake itself up!
"Hippowdon is unable to battle. Marowak wins! Contestant 233, Haruki, is the victor!"
It wasn't until the referee shouted the results that the crowd snapped out of their daze.
Their stunned expressions gradually turned into admiration, and thunderous applause erupted for Marowak.
To win even striking its own head?
No doubt about it. That's one tough Marowak!
At that moment, Haruki didn't care that his name had finally been announced by the referee.
He rushed off the field and picked up the Thick Club Marowak hadn't caught for the first time, handing it back to it.
Seeing Marowak covered in bruises, Haruki clenched his teeth, but couldn't bring himself to scold it.
"You can't be that reckless next time."
"Maro~"
Marowak took the club and slung it over its shoulder, proudly lifting its head as if to say, 'Wasn't I great?'
"Yeah… you were awesome."
Haruki smiled, thinking, 'With a partner like this, what more could I ask for?'
Haruki had known from the start that facing Hippowdon would be an incredibly tough match.
In a tournament restricted to Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-types, Ground held a natural advantage.
That was how Marowak had managed to beat Steelix and Corsola. But now, it faced Hippowdon.
Also a Ground-type, but one that outclassed Marowak in nearly every category except Speed.
Size, level, attack, defense… Hippowdon had the edge in them all.
And Marowak had no moves that could counter it directly. So there was no choice but to go all out.
Relying on Bonemerang's flexibility, Haruki had sacrificed most defensive strategies in exchange for pure offense.
It all came down to who fell first. That was the best tactic Haruki could think of in such a short time.
And that final self-hit from Marowak?
That was the perfect finishing touch.
And entirely Marowak's own choice.