"Roar—"
The exhausted Arcanine struggled to get up, letting out a few unwilling growls toward Charizard, signaling that it could still continue fighting and didn't need any mercy.
"Arcanine, I didn't expect you to still be as stubborn as you used to be…"
Blaine gazed at Arcanine's desolate back with deep emotion, unable to stop himself from feeling saddened by its current stubbornness.
(Maybe I really am old… to have completely forgotten the stubbornness I once had…)
Back when Blaine and Arcanine were in their prime, they were truly unstoppable.
Unfortunately, time spares no one. Blaine, once a Fire-type Elite, has grown old and no longer possesses the passion of his youth.
And Arcanine, his very first companion, is no different.
(The story never clearly states Blaine's initial Pokémon, but according to game data, Arcanine is his representative Pokémon.)
Just as Blaine was about to admit defeat, he suddenly noticed three strange powers emerging from Red's body across the field.
"Looks like Boss still couldn't help but show mercy…" Thousand-Year Gengar muttered. This was also one of the reasons it was willing to follow Red.
Psychic power, Aura abilities, and Power of Viridian—these three energies converged together and flew toward the battlefield. But the Pokémon enhanced by these three powers was not Red's Charizard—it was the disadvantaged Arcanine.
"Why is this happening?" Blaine asked in confusion.
"Because I want to defeat you in the truest sense—not by relying on something like the advantage of time," Red explained, telling Blaine not to worry too much about what was happening.
Psychic power enhanced Arcanine's reaction speed, allowing it to better dodge attacks. Aura abilities strengthened its bodily perception, improving both its attacks and its ability to lock onto targets. Power of Viridian granted stamina recovery, enabling it to endure high-intensity battle!
Arcanine stared at its own body in disbelief. After receiving the blessing of these three powers, it vaguely felt as if its body was no longer aged—just like when it was young.
(This is the strength I should have had all along!)
Arcanine puffed out its chest, standing proudly before Charizard, preparing to engage in battle once again.
"To show my respect for you—and to thank Mr. Fuji for what he gave me and Charizard—we're going all out next!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Red threw the prepared Evolution Stones toward Charizard. Then he pressed the Key Stone in his palm. Under Thousand-Year Gengar's envious gaze, a bond formed, connecting Red and Charizard.
As the dazzling light of evolution faded, gray-black skin, ghostly blue flames, and crimson eyes—Mega Charizard X appeared before Blaine and Arcanine.
"As expected, Mega Evolution is as cool as ever…" Thousand-Year Gengar said enviously, casting a deep glance at Red beside it.
(When will I ever get my own Evolution Stones…?)
"What kind of power is this?! It can make Charizard evolve again?!"
Blaine and Arcanine stared in disbelief at Mega Charizard X after its evolution, both showing expressions of shock as they couldn't understand the changes happening to Charizard's body.
(Could this be the Mega Evolution that Mr. Fuji once mentioned in passing?)
Blaine suddenly fell into thought, recalling memories of being with Mr. Fuji at the Cinnabar research lab—but the memory was quickly interrupted by Charizard's roar.
"Mr. Blaine, why don't we continue the match first? I know you have many questions you want me to answer, but don't ruin Charizard and Arcanine's excitement!" Red said calmly.
"That's true—my old partner is extremely fired up right now!" Blaine said with a smile.
"Flamethrower!" x2
Ghostly blue flames and crimson flames clashed in the center of the battlefield, devouring each other's power.
Seemingly guessing Red's intention, Blaine ordered Arcanine to temporarily stop attacking, allowing it to absorb Charizard's flames into its body, triggering its Flash Fire ability.
"Charizard, Arcanine is now in its best state—don't underestimate it," Red reminded.
Charizard turned its head and nodded confidently. It didn't believe it could lose while having the boost of three abilities against an Arcanine with only one.
The battle erupted instantly. Charizard flapped its massive wings and rapidly closed in on Arcanine, striking with Dragon Claw.
"Arcanine, use Dragon Pulse!"
To Red and Charizard's surprise, Arcanine gathered draconic energy in its mouth, forming it into a shockwave that shot out and struck Charizard head-on.
Charizard was forced to pull back after being hit, touching the injured spot on its right claw while looking at Arcanine in mild shock.
(Since when can a dog learn Dragon-type moves?)
"What kind of look is that?! Back when I dominated the battlefield, you were probably still nursing in your mother's arms!"
Seeing the confusion in Charizard's eyes, Arcanine retorted disdainfully and snorted unhappily.
"One of my rivals back then was a powerhouse. My Arcanine learned Dragon Pulse specifically to defeat his ace Dragonite. I didn't expect it to come in handy even now," Blaine explained with a smile.
"This kind of battle development is even better—I'm really looking forward to what comes next!" Red said excitedly, issuing another command. "Charizard, use Dragon Claw!"
"Arcanine, use Flame Wheel!"
Charizard's claws, covered in emerald energy, collided with Arcanine, whose entire body was engulfed in flames. Perhaps due to the boost of the three energies, Arcanine did not fall behind this time and continued to clash evenly with Charizard.
"Dragon Rush!"
"Dragon Pulse!"
A ghostly blue draconic killing aura enveloped Charizard's entire body, transforming it into an energy dragon aiming to devour Arcanine.
Arcanine did not back down either, decisively unleashing Dragon Pulse at close range without any intention of retreating.
To Blaine and Arcanine's shock, Arcanine's Dragon Pulse was instantly devoured by Dragon Rush. Charizard then slammed fiercely into Arcanine, sending it flying over ten meters away.
"Arcanine, use Flamethrower at the rock wall behind you to offset the impact!"
Hearing Blaine's command, Arcanine let out a low growl and turned its head, firing Flamethrower at the rock wall. The blazing column of fire struck the surface, reducing a significant portion of the impact force.
"Bang~"
A soft sound rang out as Arcanine planted its paws firmly against the rock wall. The force from Dragon Rush had even caused the entire rock face to sink slightly, leaving Blaine in awe.
(So this is the power of Mega Evolution that Mr. Fuji mentioned… it's terrifyingly impressive…)
"Arcanine, use Dragon Pulse again!"
"Mr. Blaine, Dragon Pulse should be Charizard's specialty move!" Red said helplessly, shaking his head.
Charizard and Arcanine unleashed Dragon Pulse at the same time, but Charizard's ghostly blue Dragon Pulse was far stronger. In an instant, it devoured Arcanine's attack and turned it into its own power, surging forward rapidly toward Arcanine.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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