The Isle of Armor's Challenge Beach had drawn countless trainers from across the globe. Walking along the shoreline, you could witness pairs of trainers testing their skills against one another. For anyone seeking to measure their strength through battle, Challenge Beach was undoubtedly the finest venue on the Isle of Armor.
John and Mustard stood facing each other, having chosen the beach as their battleground. The dojo would be too cramped for them to fight at full strength, and if they caused another explosion like last time, Mustard's wife would certainly have words with them both.
John had actually battled Mustard once before, back when he was still an apprentice eager to demonstrate his growing abilities. That time, neither had fought at full power, it had been more of an exhibition than a true contest.
But now John came bearing the glory of championship victories. This wouldn't be a teacher-student sparring session or a coaching match, but a true championship battle.
Facing this legendary trainer who had claimed eighteen consecutive championship titles, John felt uncharacteristically nervous. Though age had begun to diminish both Mustard and his Pokemon's competitive edge, he remained a formidable opponent who couldn't be underestimated.
One of the dojo disciples, hastily recruited to serve as referee, swallowed hard and announced loudly, "The match beginning now is between Trainer John and Trainer Mustard! Battle rules are four-on-four selection from six Pokemon each. When all available Pokemon on one side lose their ability to fight, the battle concludes!"
"Now, please send out your first Pokemon!"
John and Mustard simultaneously drew Pokeballs from their belts, then extended their hands to signal readiness. The moment their eyes met, both Pokeballs flew skyward.
The crisp pop of opening Pokeballs rang out in perfect synchronization.
Silver light flashed as two Pokemon materialized on the sand.
Mustard's opening choice was Mienshao, a weasel-like Pokemon with hands concealed within flowing sleeves. It was renowned for superb technique, elegant movement, and lightning-quick mobility.
But what caught John's attention most was the level display above its head:
[Mienshao LV95]
Surprisingly high. This had to be one of Mustard's primary team members.
John's starter was Blaziken, a Pokemon that should have been the strongest in his roster, but had been relegated to the second string due to his other team members' exceptional abilities. However, Blaziken had never slackened in training. Through relentless effort and numerous rare enhancement items, its current strength far exceeded its former capabilities.
This time, John was giving Blaziken the chance to prove itself!
"Blaz!" Blaziken roared, fighting spirit blazing high.
[Blaziken LV90]
The referee confirmed both sides were ready, quickly announced "Battle begins!" and then scrambled to safety. At this level of combat, most people weren't even qualified to spectate safely.
Neither John nor Mustard launched immediate attacks, instead patiently studying their opponent's Pokemon while waiting for the other to make the first move. Neither trainer issued commands, as if the battle hadn't truly begun.
"Ha," John smiled, extending his arm to display his Mega Evolution bracelet. "Blaziken, MEGA evolve!"
"Blaziken!" Blaziken brought its fists together at chest level as blazing flames erupted from its feet like a volcanic explosion, spewing endless power. When the flames dissipated, Mega Blaziken stood with flame ribbons wrapped around its arms.
Mustard raised his eyebrows slightly, but had no intention of waiting longer.
"Mienshao, Fake Out!"
Upon receiving the command, Mienshao lightly tapped the ground and launched forward. Its speed seemed modest, yet strangely created afterimages in mid-air. The figure suddenly vanished halfway across the battlefield, reappearing beside Blaziken in the blink of an eye. Moving like a whirlwind, it spun through the air and flicked its long sleeves, fabric that looked soft but struck like steel blades, cutting through air toward Mega Blaziken's face.
Fake Out was an extremely high-priority move in the games, and its real-world execution speed was naturally astounding. Mustard's Mienshao's surprise attack came so fast that John couldn't even voice a command.
Clang! The sharp sound of violent metal collision rang out.
John couldn't react in time, but Mega Blaziken could. From the battle's start, it had activated Mind Reader. It lifted its leg for a Blaze Kick, stepping back while blocking its opponent's attack.
But Mienshao's assault wasn't finished. Though one strike was blocked, its spinning aerial form didn't halt. The sleeve that had attacked Mega Blaziken transformed from steel-hard to cloth-soft, easily flowing past the defense. Its body suddenly accelerated as the other sleeve joined the attack.
Clang!
Blocked again.
"Mienshao, you're not fighting fair, using Fake Out like Double Slap. Well, I can use Blaze Kick as a chain combo too."
Mienshao showed no intention of retreating, dancing like a whirlwind in the sky.
Clang!Clang!
The battlefield echoed with sounds like a blacksmith's forge, wave after wave of metallic strikes.
"Don't tell me you're combining Fake Out and Double Slap with Power-Up Punch," John muttered helplessly. If so, how many attack-boosting layers could Mienshao stack with these consecutive hits?
He couldn't let himself be led around like this.
"Stomp!" John commanded.
Mega Blaziken suddenly struck the ground with tremendous force. Violent shockwaves spread immediately, attempting to repel all nearby enemies.
But Mienshao had no intention of retreating. It stepped lightly and soared like a swallow, avoiding the shockwaves. However, it would pay the price for such recklessness in the next instant.
Mega Blaziken's Stomp was infused with Fire Pledge.
BOOM!
A pillar of flame erupted from beneath Mienshao, threatening to engulf the sky itself.
"Brick Break!" Mustard commanded at the critical moment.
Mienshao's eyes flashed as its right hand blazed with dazzling light, slashing downward to cleave the flame pillar straight through its center. The devastating chop carved a two-meter-deep groove in the ground before even making contact.
However, Mienshao felt no relief at escaping danger. Within its sensory range, Blaziken was approaching like a shooting star, electricity crackling across its body while its raised kick seemed to contain infinite power.
Seeing the incoming attack, Mienshao trembled, knowing this kick couldn't be avoided.
All it could do now was defend.
"Quick Guard!"