"Flame Charge!" On the battlefield, Yozora and Derrick issued their commands almost simultaneously, signaling the official start of this fiery duel of champions.
Boom…
A deafening explosion erupted as two spheres of fire—one large, one small—collided with full force. In an instant, a massive burst of flames surged skyward.
The enormous wave of fire swallowed both Pokémon on the field, making it impossible to see what was happening within.
At that moment, not only the two trainers, but many spectators at the scene, widened their eyes, staring tensely at the towering inferno, waiting for it to subside.
Three long seconds passed before the blazing wall finally dispersed.
There, standing opposite each other, were Charmeleon and Emboar, locked in a fierce test of strength.
Both Pokémon wore ferocious expressions, radiating terrifying pressure as they struggled with raw, unbridled power.
The crowd erupted in cheers at the intensity of the scene.
Yet…
Compared to Charmeleon, Emboar was larger, muscular, and powerfully built. Although its stamina had been reduced to less than half after being drained by Psyduck earlier, its sheer strength still surpassed Charmeleon.
Emboar's entire body tensed as it stepped forward, shoving Charmeleon backward with relentless force.
Under the pressure of both Pokémon, the specially designed battlefield cracked inch by inch.
Charmeleon's feet sank deep into the ground, and as Emboar pushed, it plowed a deep furrow across the arena.
"Uh-oh! Charmeleon's feet are buried in the ground! It looks like it won't be able to move!" the host exclaimed in shock.
A slight grin appeared on Derrick's face as he shouted, "Now, Emboar! Use Thunder Punch at full power!"
Thunder Punch?
The audience gasped. They had not expected that Emboar could even use an Electric-type move…
After all, as a Fire-type Pokémon, Emboar was naturally weak to Water. And Water-types were exactly the type of opponents Fire-types would frequently encounter—because no trainer is foolish enough to ignore elemental weaknesses!
Knowing this, Derrick, a Silver Trainer, had spent their long journey training Emboar to master Thunder Punch.
Fire against Fire.
Emboar's flames had little effect on Charmeleon, also a Fire-type. But Electric-type moves were another story—especially under the pouring rain, which soaked Charmeleon's body, making it far more vulnerable to electric attacks.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Emboar's fists crackled with electricity as it unleashed a relentless barrage on Charmeleon.
Charmeleon winced in agony, letting out muffled groans as jagged, bloody marks appeared across its body.
Yet, at the same time, Charmeleon's fighting spirit and latent potential surged dramatically.
In an instant, its eyes sharpened, pupils burning like molten fire.
Even more terrifying, the blue flames on its tail erupted fivefold, now towering over its own body.
"Here it comes… Charmeleon's berserk mode…" Derrick's heart skipped a beat.
At this moment, he could clearly feel Charmeleon's aura swell—it was now on par with Emboar, perhaps even slightly stronger.
"However, Charmeleon's injuries are worse than Emboar's. Its stamina must be near its limit…"
Thinking this, Derrick commanded, "Emboar, use Earthquake!"
Emboar stepped back and roared, sending out a white shockwave that rippled through the ground like a seismic wave.
The power of Earthquake spread in a wave pattern—starting moderate, growing stronger with each pulse, peaking, and then gradually fading.
Each Pokémon's Earthquake had a different power and range. For Emboar, the optimal attack range was between five and ten meters.
Hence, it had stepped back to create at least a five-meter gap before unleashing the move.
However…
At that same moment, Charmeleon used Flamethrower on the ground!
Buried deep in the earth, Charmeleon couldn't move freely, so Yozora ordered it to blast flames downward, propelling itself high into the air. This not only freed it from the earth's grip but also dodged Emboar's Earthquake.
—Unlike in simulation games, immunity to Ground-type moves doesn't come from being a Flying-type Pokémon—it comes from being airborne. Jumping, floating, or otherwise being off the ground also grants immunity.
Even Flying-types standing still on the ground would feel the full force of Earthquake.
"That… such a quick response…" Derrick stared at Yozora, amazed.
If it were him, how could he possibly have devised such a perfect tactic in such a short span?
"This… is the reaction of youth."
"Good job, Charmeleon! Use Flame Wheel!"
Charmeleon leaped high, twisting midair. With a flick of its tail, it sent a streak of fierce blue fire spinning outward from its tail flames.
Whoosh!
The blue fire struck Emboar, spinning rapidly into a terrifying vortex of flames.
Seeing Emboar trapped in the spinning inferno, Derrick's expression darkened.
Unlike Water-types, which could extinguish fire attacks with their own moves, Emboar—being Fire-type—could not put out the flames. It could either push through with sheer strength or endure the blazing torment.
Could Emboar break through the vortex with its raw power?
"If it were at peak condition, perhaps. But Emboar's stamina is already heavily depleted. Forcing a breakthrough now would only cause more damage."
Whether due to age or natural caution, Derrick chose to preserve Emboar's remaining strength, letting it endure the flames to conserve energy for the final showdown.
Five long seconds passed before the blue vortex finally dissipated.
Thud!
Emboar collapsed, scorched black, kneeling heavily on the ground, its hands pressed into the floor, sweat pouring, breathing like a furnace.
Across the field, Charmeleon was no better, already down on one knee, gasping heavily.
…
…
(End of Chapter)