After hearing Theo's explanation, Ash still looked half-convinced. His expression clearly showed that he did not entirely believe him.
Theo did not bother explaining further. Instead, he silently began analyzing the situation in his mind.
If he were to compare their strength using the Pokémon level system from the games in his previous life, Alain's Charizard was probably already close to level seventy.
Although it had not yet reached the absolute peak strength it displayed in the anime from his previous world, it was already infinitely close to true Elite Four level power.
As for Morrison, after suffering defeat at the Ever Grande Conference last year, his growth over the past year had indeed been remarkable.
His Metang had successfully evolved into Metagross.
Among all League participants, he was already considered top-tier and could definitely be regarded as a highly capable trainer. His current strength was already enough to rival many Gym Leaders.
Of course, that definitely did not include elite Gym Leaders like Norman, Juan, or Winona.
If converted into levels, Morrison's strength was probably around level fifty.
Using level seventy as the threshold for Elite Four class power, Morrison could already be considered a fairly famous and capable expert.
But when compared to Alain, the gap was simply enormous.
Most importantly, Metagross's Steel typing was naturally weak against Fire.
The majority of its Steel-type attacks dealt very limited damage against Mega Charizard X and would also be heavily resisted.
The difference in strength was massive, the typing matchup was unfavorable, and even its strongest attacks were resisted by the opponent.
Under those circumstances, the chances of victory were naturally extremely slim.
While Theo was silently analyzing everything, the battle on the field had already entered its fiercest stage.
Encouraged by Morrison's unwavering bond and support, Mega Metagross unleashed one final all-out assault.
But in the end, it still could not overcome Mega Charizard X's terrifying flames.
Eventually, it lost the ability to battle and reverted out of its Mega Evolution state.
"Metagross is unable to battle!"
the referee loudly announced.
Morrison gritted his teeth tightly and immediately recalled Metagross. With a flick of his wrist, a second Poké Ball shot into the air.
"Swampert, you're up!"
This was his very first partner.
The trump card that had accompanied him from the very beginning of his journey until now.
After the brutal clash earlier, Morrison already understood one undeniable truth in his heart.
The strength gap between his Pokémon and this arrogant trainer from Kalos was unbelievably large.
And among the Pokémon he still had remaining, aside from Swampert, none of them could pressure Mega Charizard X through type advantage.
If he recklessly sent out any of his other partners, they would simply be steamrolled without even the slightest chance to resist.
Sending out Swampert was now his only option.
And also his final one.
But the more he thought about it, the more regret filled his heart.
If he had known this would happen, then when he completed the League missions and exchanged points for a Mega Stone reward, his first choice should have been Swampert's Mega Stone.
If that had happened, then at the very least, he would still have some chance of victory against Alain right now.
Originally, among his entire team, only two Pokémon were capable of Mega Evolution.
Metagross and Swampert.
Back then, he had chosen Metagross's Mega Stone without hesitation because he valued the fact that Mega Metagross could float after Mega Evolving, granting immunity to Ground-type attacks.
Removing such a fatal weakness greatly increased fault tolerance in battle and would give him a better chance of winning the Ever Grande Conference.
As for Swampert's Mega Stone, his thoughts at the time had been simple.
He could just complete more League missions next year, earn more points, and exchange for it later.
But he never could have imagined that he would encounter this trainer from Kalos during the Ever Grande Conference.
And even worse, that the opponent's Mega Evolution ace would happen to be Charizard.
Not only was Alain far stronger than him, but his Pokémon's typing also perfectly countered Metagross.
If he had known this situation would occur, he would have obtained Swampert's Mega Stone no matter what.
Even if the strength difference still existed, he would never have fallen into such a hopeless position.
Naturally, Alain had no interest whatsoever in Morrison's internal struggle and regret.
He did not even have the slightest intention of switching Pokémon.
So what if it was Water-type?
His Charizard had even fought Mega Blastoise head-on before. Why would it fear an ordinary Swampert?
In the face of overwhelming power, so-called type advantage was meaningless.
At that moment, the Poké Ball burst open in a flash of red light, and a massive Swampert covered in thick dark blue skin landed firmly in the center of the battlefield.
"Go Swampert! You can do it, Swampert!"
"Teach Charizard a lesson!"
Ash and Max continued cheering loudly for Morrison.
Meanwhile, Brock stroked his chin thoughtfully and spoke up beside them.
"What a shame. Morrison was already at a disadvantage from the very start against Alain.
And it just had to be Charizard.
If it were almost any other Fire-type Pokémon, Swampert could completely dominate the pace of battle through type advantage. One Earthquake might even turn the entire battle around.
But against Charizard specifically, it's just too difficult.
Charizard is far too agile and can fly freely with its wings. Swampert's Ground-type moves are practically useless.
This battle is really hard to fight."
The development of the battle unfolded exactly as Brock predicted.
Mega Charizard X's speed and aerial mobility were simply overwhelming.
Swampert could only remain on the defensive, barely managing to search for openings to counterattack.
Dragon Claw.
Dragon Tail.
Outrage.
One violent Dragon-type attack after another crashed down endlessly.
Even though Water-type attacks somewhat suppressed Fire-types, Swampert still found itself steadily pushed backward.
In the end, it finally collapsed from exhaustion.
But its efforts were not meaningless.
After an intense life-or-death struggle, it still managed to leave Mega Charizard X with serious injuries.
Mega Charizard X no longer possessed the overwhelming momentum it had displayed upon entering the field.
Its body was now covered in wounds of varying severity, its chest rising and falling violently as it breathed heavily.
Only after Morrison sent out his third Pokémon, the fully evolved Gliscor with its Ground and Flying dual typing, did the situation finally change.
Relying on the excellent aerial combat skills it had honed since childhood, Gliscor finally succeeded in trading one for one with Mega Charizard X, taking down Alain's greatest ace at last.
......
After the first half of the battle ended, although Morrison had already lost three Pokémon, he still retained a trace of hope deep in his heart.
Maybe Charizard was Alain's only truly top-tier combatant.
Perhaps the remaining five Pokémon were relatively ordinary.
If that were the case, then maybe his own remaining three Pokémon still had a chance to reverse the situation.
Unfortunately, once the second half of the battle began on the Rock Field, Alain immediately revealed his second ace.
As the Poké Ball exploded open in a sweeping burst of red light, a gigantic figure resembling a towering mountain slammed heavily onto the battlefield.
A thunderous roar echoed throughout the entire stadium.
Its body was tall, sturdy, and overwhelmingly imposing.
Hard dark green armor-like rock plates covered its entire body, while savage ferocity surged within its eyes.
It was the tyrant of the desert—
Tyranitar!!
[Pokémon: Tyranitar]
Type: Rock / Dark
Classification: Armor Pokémon
Ability: Sand Stream (Upon entering battle, it summons a sandstorm that continuously damages all Pokémon on the field except Rock, Ground, and Steel types.)
Moves: Rock Slide, Stomping Tantrum, Crunch, Rock Tomb, Dig, Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, Blizzard, Hydro Pump, Dragon Dance, Dragon Claw, Outrage, Earthquake, Stone Edge…
(End of Chapter)