Chapter 185: Top 8! Vs. Leaf Green (2) [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Indigo Plateau – Stadium, Stands]
From the stands, sitting down, witnessing Moltres' appearance, Gold, Yellow, and Crystal all had stunned expressions on their faces. Meanwhile, Silver grinned smugly, seeing this as Red and Blue remained unusually calm, seeing Green's Moltres.
Gold was first to come out of his stupor as he whispered loudly to Silver in a startled tone, sweating nervously, "What the hell, man?!! Why didn't you tell me your big sis has a fucking Legendary on her!"
Silver simply eyed Gold as he casually replied, shrugging his shoulders with a smug grin on his face, "Why would I? If I said anything, I'd lose her element of surprise if Azure somehow knew, so I kept my mouth shut. And besides… seeing his stunned expression somehow makes me feel at ease."
Referring to Azure's troubled expression on the battlefield, both Gold and Crystal eased up as they had been defeated by him. Yellow, meanwhile, thought, stunned, 'So Green has a Legendary Pokémon too! Like Red!'
While the group was stunned, Blue and Red simply stared directly at the battle unfolding before them. Blue thought coldly as he wondered, 'So then, Azure, without your Arcanine, how will you win against Moltres now? You may have battled Molres in the past with your Legendary Pokémon Flash Fire ability, but without him, how will you win this battle?'
Red, meanwhile, shook a bit in excitement as he thought excitedly about witnessing the battle between Green and Sky, 'Oi! Oi! How dare you guys have this much fun battling each other to the fullest! Don't leave me out of this!'
Of course, they weren't the only ones stunned by this development. Certain groups of people were also watching the battle between them unfold…
/////
[Kanto Region, Indigo Plateau – Stadium]
The legendary Fire/Flying-type Moltres graced its presence. A gasp rippled through the crowd, quickly replaced by a wave of awe. Seeing this, Azure knew that Green wasn't holding back.
To open with a legend was a statement of intent, a challenge thrown with the weight of generations. Azure's smile, though still present, tightened.
He genuinely didn't expect Green to capture or keep Moltres in her team. But then he recalled the manga events as he cursed mentally in his head, 'No wait… she did technically capture them in the manga before. Trying to add firepower to her team against the Masked Man, so… why does she have it already!!!'
Many questions plagued his mind, but he shook his head as he thought, 'Fuck it. I have a battle to win, and I don't care if Green got Moltres like her Master's EX counterpart. I just gotta take down a Legend. I've done it before… and I can do it again. The question is… how in this harsh sunlight and without Arcanine's Flash Fire ability?'
But against a Legendary Pokémon, especially one with such raw power, the type disadvantage was glaring. Ghost moves were neutral against Fire and Flying. Moltres, however, could unleash devastating Fire and Flying attacks.
Azure called out, his voice unwavering, a testament to his experience, "Alright, Mismagius, it's showtime!"
Mismagius nodded, tilting its hat against the Flame Pokémon. Moltres wasted no time as it screeched, "Scheeeee!!!!"
*Fwp*
With a defiant screech, it soared into the air, wings beating with furious power. Green commanded, her voice steady, "Moltres, Flamethrower!"
A torrent of superheated flame erupted from Moltres's beak, barreling towards Mismagius. Azure's mind raced.
He had anticipated a powerful opening, but not this raw, unbridled force. His eyes narrowed as he ordered swiftly, "Mismagius, Double Team! Then Mean Look!"
*Woooosh*
Mismagius shimmered, splitting into multiple ghostly images just as the Flamethrower incinerated the spot where it had been moments before. The illusions darted around, making it impossible for Moltres to lock on.
From the confusion, one of the Mismagius images' eyes glows red, and a dark ghostly aura surrounds it. The aura then extends to the Moltres, making them freeze up.
Moltres roared, shaking off the initial surprise, as it glared intently where the Mean Look originated. Green conceded, a slight tilt of her head, realizing Azure's plan, "Clever, Azure. But my Pokémon won't go down to your ghostly tricks! Moltres, Hurricane!"
*Fwp*
The air above the stadium began to churn ominously. Moltres flapped its wings with increased vigor, conjuring a tempest that swept across the field.
*WOOOOSH*
The winds howled, tearing through Mismagius's illusions, forcing the true Mismagius to strain to resist being blown away. It was a special attack, but its sheer force was undeniable as it destroyed Mismagius' illusions, as the Bell Tower illusion was broken.
Mismagius cried out as the powerful winds buffeted it, dealing significant damage. Azure gritted his teeth as he declared, "Now! Use Destiny Bond!"
Mismagius was prepared to take the hit, intending to drag Moltres down with it. But Green ordered with a sly grin, "Moltres! Use U-Turn!"
*BOOOM*
Moltres divebombs Mismagius with one of its wings. Mismagius fainted, but then Moltres returned to its Poké Ball and sent out Ninetales in its place.
*Pop*
Azure frowned, seeing Mismagius' Destiny Bond timing missed as Green thought proudly at her plan working out, 'Bingo! That's one ghost annoyance down. Mean Look might've been troubling, forcing my Pokémon to stay, but thankfully, I can still switch out with U-Turn. If he used Destiny Bond or Perish Song, I have my out carefully planned out along with a boost from Ninetales Drought.'
Faced with such tactics, Azure felt a pang of disappointment but quickly suppressed it, focusing on the battle ahead. He returned Mismagius to its Poké Ball with a grateful nod as he said, "You did great, Mismagius. Rest well."
The crowd buzzed, a mix of awe at Moltres's power and sympathy for Azure's fallen Pokémon. Now left against Ninetales, Azure took in a deep breath as he readied his next Pokémon, "Whew… Alright, Venusaur, I choose you!"
*Pop*
Another burst of light, this time a vibrant emerald, and a colossal Venusaur lumbered onto the field with a determined glare with its held item [Miracle Seed]. Its massive flower on its back unfurled slightly, releasing a calming, earthy scent.
Its deep, resonant cry echoed Ninetales's growl, a challenge met with a roar, "Saur!!"
With Venusaur sent out, Green eyes narrowed as she thought cautiously, 'Sending out a Grass Type against Ninetales? What's he planning…'
The air grew warmer, the humidity rising thanks to Ninetale's Drought Ability. Fire-type attacks would now be significantly boosted.
And yet Azure countered with his Grass Type. Then his voice cut through the rising heat, "Venusaur, use Leech Seed!"
*Pop*
Venusaur let out a guttural bellow, and from its massive flower, glowing green seeds shot forth, arcing gracefully towards the swift Ninetales. Green ordered, her eyes narrowed, being cautious, "Dodge, Ninetales, then Flamethrower!"
*Ssss*
Ninetales, surprisingly agile for its size, weaved through the first volley of seeds, but one managed to cling to its flank, digging in. Ninetales yelped, a visible drain on its energy as the seed began to siphon its life force.
Undeterred, it opened its maw, and a torrent of superheated flame erupted, searing towards Venusaur. Azure's faith in his Venusaur's bulk was absolute as he ordered, "Venusaur, take it head-on, then Worry Seed!"
*Pop*
The Flamethrower engulfed Venusaur, hot steam rising from its thick hide. Venusaur roared in defiance, shaking off the flames with a grunt of effort. The Leech Seed clinging to Ninetales glowed brighter, transferring more energy to Venusaur.
Then, with a mighty heave, Venusaur spat out a wave of seeds. It sailed through the air with surprising speed, splattering directly onto Ninetales's chest.
The Worry Seeds began to grow as Ninetales recoiled from the pain. But to Green, her eyes widened, realizing Azure's plan, 'No! That's why he used Venusaur! Worry Seed changed my Ninetale's Drought ability to Insomnia!'
Having taken the attack for a trade-off, Azure smiled, seeing that he won't have to deal with Green spamming to switch in Ninetales using its Drought Ability anymore. Green bit out, her calm demeanor cracking slightly, concern for her Pokémon evident, "Damn it… Ninetales, Confuse Ray!"
*Shiii*
Ninetales, dizzy from the continuous drain of Leech Seed, wavered, but managed to conjure a swirling, disorienting mist that swirled around Venusaur. Venusaur shook its head, looking momentarily disoriented.
Azure commanded, ignoring the confusion, "Venusaur! Energy Ball and eat it!"
*Shiii*
Venusaur, still slightly wobbly, charged a ball of energy in front of it. It's getting clear as it lunges forward, devouring it.
*Gulp*
Its eyes shot open, regaining its clarity as it activated its Overgrow ability. Green frowned as she ordered swiftly, "Ninetales! Fire Blast!!"
*Sssss*
Ninetales began charging up a powerful ball of fire. Then it launched it at Venusaur as the ball of fire split itself open to reveal the shape of a 大 from its tails at the Seed Pokémon.
However, Azure anticipated this as he roared out, "Strong Style! SOLAR BEAM!!"
*PEW*
The inside of the flower on Venusaur's back glows white as sunlight is gathered in it. But thanks to the sunlight, thanks to Ninetales' own Drought Ability, it was instantly charged with immediate results.
Venusaur's flower closes, and yellow and green orbs of energy cover it, as sunlight is absorbed inside of it. The flower then opens, and the whole flower glows white. It releases a yellow beam of energy at the Fire Blast...
*SHINNG*
… Thanks to its Overgrow ability activating despite the sunlight boosting Ninetale's Fire Attacks, it was pierced through. Ninetales had no chance to retaliate or block as it was struck dead center, taking the hit.
*BOOOM*
Getting hit by a Strong Style Solar Beam, Ninetales wasn't out but looked harmed as it growled at Venusaur. Green gritted her teeth, seeing the situation as she thought, 'Ok, this is bad… Ninetales losing its Drought Ability wasn't in the plan, but… who the hell teaches their Pokémon to eat their moves for a power up?!'
Azure grinned, seeing Green's expression as he ordered, "Use Growth!"
Hearing that, Green's eyes narrowed as she countered, "Disable!"
Before Venusaur could benefit from Growth, it was halted by the mischievous Ninetales using Disable, unable to perform the move. It glared at it as Azure ordered, "Tch. Spoilsport… Agile Style Earthquake!"
*RMBL*
Slamming its foot down, it caused a crack in the ground as it unleashed a shockwave, hitting Ninetales, dealing super-effective damage. It slammed into Ninetales with a resounding thud, taking the hit.
*THUD*
Ninetales cried out, sent skidding across the dry ground, its elegant form now looking battered. It struggled to stand, the combined Leech Seed and direct hit proving too much. With a final, weak whimper, Ninetales collapsed.
The referee announced, raising his flag towards Azure, "Ninetales is unable to battle! Venusaur is the winner!"
A wave of cheers erupted from the Azure side of the stadium. Azure nodded, a flicker of pride in his eyes.
Venusaur let out a triumphant roar, its flower pulsing, "Saur!! (Praise me!)"
Green said softly, recalling her Pokémon, "You fought well, Ninetales."
She glanced at Azure, a hint of respect in her gaze. She said slyly, "Your Venusaur is stronger than I anticipated."
Azure merely smiled. Green snickered, hurling her Poke Ball into the air, "But let's see if you get out of this! Moltres!"
*Pop*
Moltres reappeared on the battlefield, letting out an overwhelming battle cry, "Scheeee!! (I'm back!! I shall have my revenge!!)"
Azure's smile momentarily faltered, but only for a second. Unlike before, he had anticipated Moltres' appearance this time as he thought seriously, 'Moltres again, huh? It's strong, but… my Pokémon are stronger. Time to unleash my trump card.'
He had the perfect counter, but it would require an immediate commitment. Azure mused aloud, a new glint entering his eyes, "Moltres, huh? If she's using her trump card, I guess I gotta do the same..."
Azure reached for a particular Poké Ball at his belt, one that felt heavier, imbued with a different kind of energy. He took it out, revealing a glowing Key Stone embedded in his glove.
This wasn't just a battle; this was a spectacle, and he was ready to add his blazing chapter to it. He declared, sending out his beloved Electric-type out against a Legend, "I need your power, friend... Ampharos, I choose you!"
*Pop*
With a flash, Ampharos materialized. The large, bipedal sheep Pokémon, with its long, red-tipped tail, stood proudly, its fluffy coat glowing with static electricity.
Around its neck was a necklace, its Held Item Mega Stone [Ampharosite] embedded in the necklace. It let out a confident battle cry, "Ampharos! (I'm ready!)"
The crowd stirred as one muttered, "An Ampharos against a Moltres?"
Another spoke up with a strategic counter, "A strong Electric-type, yes..."
Another spoke up in a doubtful tone at Azure's choice, "... but Moltres is legendary and boasted incredible Special Attack."
The type advantage was there, but the power disparity seemed vast. Many speculated Azure had made a misstep.
Green's serene smile widened. Her voice held a hint of challenge, a subtle taunt as she said confidently, "Ampharos? An interesting choice, Azure. But against Moltres, you'll need more than just a type advantage."
Azure merely grinned, a secret held within his gaze. He lifted his arm, the Key Stone on his glove pulsing with light as he said mysteriously, "You're right, Green. More than just a type advantage. I'll need every advantage. Did I ever tell you how I defeated Lance's team with one Pokémon before?"
*Shiver*
Green suddenly felt a shiver run down her spine as he said that. She thought, seeing his confident grin on his face, tried to reason herself, 'No way. There isn't a power-up where one of his Pokémon can match Lance's team. And without his Arcanine to battle Moltres, or his Mismagius Desting Bond to take it down easily, I should have the advantage… he's gotta be bluffing…'
Green tried to rationalize herself as she had seen Azure battle before, as she thought cautiously, 'No matter how many times I've seen it. I've seen him cornered before, regardless of how many times his power escalates in an instance. He can't pull off another miracle, right?'
However, reality was as disappointing as Azure proved his words true. His voice boomed, carrying across the stadium, filled with an unshakeable conviction, roaring, "Ampharos! The sparkle of our stone! Shall be our bond! Go beyond! MEGA EVOLUTION!"
The crowd gasped. The commentators' voices spiked with excitement. Green's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing her composed features.
*ZZZZZZZ*
A brilliant cascade of light enveloped Ampharos. The Key Stone on Azure's glove resonated with the Mega Stone around Ampharos's neck, creating a powerful, pulsating link…
*SHIII*
Ampharos's form began to shift as it was encased in a rainbow light shell, to grow. Its woolly coat elongated, trailing behind it like a magnificent, cloud-like cape. Its tail grew exponentially, becoming a vibrant, glowing beacon.
The red orbs on its body brightened to an intense crimson. And then, the most striking change: two large, flowing, feathery structures unfurled from its head, arcing gracefully like draconic horns.
*CRACK*
Bursting out from its rainbow-encased shell, the light subsided, revealing a transformed Pokémon. Mega Ampharos makes its debut, standing tall, majestic, and utterly powerful.
Its Electric typing was now fused with Dragon, radiating an aura of ancient strength. The shift was immediate, palpable. The stadium erupted in a wave of sound, a mix of awe and renewed excitement.
DJ Mary shrieked, their voices barely audible over the roaring crowd, "W-W-What is this!! Ampharos can evolve again?!! But this isn't possible!!"
The people were also baffled and shocked by the news. The audience and people seeing Mega Evolution for the first time were stunned, along with Dex Holders witnessing Mega Evolution for the first time.
*Tmp*
Mega Ampharos majestically gazed at the stunned Moltres with a challenging grin. Azure explained calmly with his arms crossed, "This is Mega Evolution Green. But as a good friend, Green, I'll let you know this much. My Mega Ampharos is now an Electric/Dragon-type. Good luck in the match."
Green's surprise quickly gave way to a calculating gaze. A Mega Ampharos, now Electric/Dragon, as Green thought bitterly, 'This changed everything. If what he said is true… Moltres's Fire attacks would be resistant against the Dragon typing, and Electric attacks were still super effective against its Flying typing… but did its stats gain a boost as well to this evolution…'
Green frowned, not knowing anything about Mega Evolution. She bit her lips as she thought bitterly, 'And I can't switch in either. I only have Blasty and Celfy in reserve. Clefy would be ideal, but with its Electric Attacks it wouldn't last long…'
Green, for once, now felt like she was cornered by this power move. Green admitted, her voice losing its edge of playful challenge and gaining a new note of seriousness as she declared, "Impressive, Azure… But even a Mega Evolution might not be enough against the power of a Legendary. Moltres, start with Flamethrower!"
*Sssss*
Moltres shrieked, a powerful cry that sent shivers down spines. It opened its beak, and a torrent of intensely hot flames erupted, coiling into a devastating stream that hurtled towards Mega Ampharos.
The heat was immense, visible even from the stands. Azure commanded, his voice firm, "Ampharos, Agility followed by Magnet Rise!"
*Zzzzz*
Mega Ampharos began to charge up electricity, activating Magnet Rise and Agility, increasing its speed by +2 stages. Mega Ampharos stood its ground, gazing up at the incoming fire, its flowing mane rippling in the thermal current…
*Zoooom*
… The Flamethrower missed, having struck where it last stood. Smoke billowed, momentarily obscuring the ground, only to show nothing.
Green bit her lips as she saw what happened in a cautious tone, 'At the last second, when it finished setting up, it used Double Team to avoid the attack.'
Green looked up to see Mega Ampharos above Moltres. Its eyes, now glowing with amplified power, locked onto Moltres.
Azure's voice resonated with absolute confidence as he commanded, "Now, Ampharos! Show them the might of a true Dragon! Strong Style! Dragon Pulse!"
*Shiii*
Mega Ampharos's massive tail glowed with a vibrant, multi-hued energy. It gathered power, its body tensing, and then unleashed a concentrated beam of multi-colored draconic energy in the shape of the dragon.
*PEW*
The Dragon Pulse, imbued with the amplified power of Mega Evolution, surged across the arena like a living rainbow, hurtling towards Moltres. Moltres let out a startled cry as it was hit by the rainbow-colored dragon-shaped beam.
*BOOOOM*
It attempted to swerve, but the Dragon Pulse was too fast, too potent. It slammed into the legendary bird, an explosion of pure energy rocking the arena.
Moltres shrieked again, a cry of pain this time, as it was sent spiraling backwards, its magnificent wings struggling to regain control. DJ Mary comments on the match, "An incredible hit! Mega Ampharos's Dragon Pulse connects! Even Moltres felt the power of that attack!"
Green's expression hardened. Her Pokémon had taken damage, significant damage, as she thought seriously, 'This is no ordinary Ampharos. Does a… Mega Pokémon can challenge a Legendary by this much…'
Green had no idea, but her eyes hardened resolutely against the challenge ahead. She commanded, determined to regain the offensive, "Moltres, you're faster! Use Hurricane, full power!"
*Fwp*
Moltres, now enraged, let out a furious cry. Its wings beat with immense force, stirring the very air in the stadium into a violent, rapidly swirling vortex.
*Woooosh*
The Hurricane, a storm of razor-sharp wind, formed rapidly, engulfing Mega Ampharos. The wind howled, threatening to rip Ampharos apart along with disrupting its balance in the air, throwing debris and dust into the air. Visibility plummeted.
Azure narrowed his eyes. Hurricane was a powerful Flying-type move, and while resistant against Mega Ampharos, its sheer force could be devastating.
More importantly, it had a chance to confuse. Azure commanded swiftly, "Ampharos, focus! Blast through it with Strong Style! Discharge!"
*KABOOOM*
Mega Ampharos sparked electricity, its flowing mane whipping wildly in the tempest. It stood firm in the air, a beacon of defiant light in the swirling chaos. Then, with a roar, it channeled its immense electric energy, "Aaaaaamp!! (I HAVE THE POWER!!)"
Bolts of pure, electric blue lightning arced from its body, not just towards Moltres, but through the very fabric of the Hurricane. The lightning ripped through the windstorm, tearing it apart from the inside using a blinding light of Strong Style Discharge.
The Hurricane faltered, dissipated, as the overwhelming electrical discharge dominated the air. Moltres, still generating the dying storm, was caught in the direct path of the outgoing Discharge.
*ZAP*
A colossal bolt of lightning, thicker than any Azure had ever seen Ampharos produce before, slammed into Moltres. The legendary bird cried out, a high-pitched wail of agony, as the super-effective Electric attack coursed through its body.
It convulsed violently, its fiery aura flickering erratically. DJ Mary shouted in disbelief, "Unbelievable! Mega Ampharos just tore apart Moltres's Hurricane with a Discharge! And the legendary Pokémon is taking massive damage!"
Moltres plummeted towards the ground, its wings spasming uncontrollably. It impacted the earth with a heavy thud, kicking up a cloud of dust. Its magnificent flames guttered, shrinking, as its body lay prone, panting heavily. The aura of ancient power that had surrounded it was gone, replaced by an aura of sheer exhaustion.
The stadium hushed, then erupted. Moltres, a Legendary Pokémon, was brought down in a single direct clash against a Mega Evolved Ampharos.
Green stared, her usual composure finally cracking. Her Moltres, usually an unstoppable force, was on the ropes after just two powerful hits.
She urged, her voice laced with desperation, "Moltres, get up!"
Moltres struggled, its head lifting slightly, its eyes bleary. It stood up one final time as it flapped its wings, giving a battle cry, "SCHEEEE!!!"
*FWP*
Seeing Moltres begin to make its final attack as the Harsh Sunlight was slowly fading. Green, seeing this, narrowed her eyes as she ordered, "Go all out, Moltres! Give it everything you have! OVERHEAT!!"
*SSSSS*
Moltres fires a large swirling ball of fire at Mega Ampharos. Azure felt the heat from the attack as he ordered, "Ampharos! STRONG STYLE THUNDER!!!"
*ZZZZZZZ*
Gathering all the electrical energy within its body. Mega Ampharos puts its flippers together, creating a beam of electricity between them. It then fires a large blue bolt of electricity at the target from its flippers.
*KABOOOOM*
Soon, both attacks of fire and thunder clashed into a beam struggle. But Green grinned as she ordered, "Now!! Increase your firepower, Moltres!!"
*SSSSS*
Moltres flaps its wings as the fire on its body turns blue it superheating the air and incinerating the area. But then Azure's eyes widened as the Strong Style Thunder was being pushed back from the air, or rather suppressed...
He tried to rationalize how it could happen, then it clicked in his head as he muttered, "By increasing the heat in the air… Moltres is superheating the air, effectively suppressing or rather blocking the effects of electric-type moves!"
*SSSSSS*
Azure frowns, seeing that the Overheat move was winning the clash as it gets closer to Mega Ampharos, sweating from the heat. Azure then yelled out loud, "Ampharos! Go all in! Unleash your electricity to the max!!"
*ZZZZZ*
Sparks of electricity enveloped Mega Ampharos' body. When Mega Ampharos increases the amount of electrical energy within itself, the red orbs on its body and wool emit a strong light as it flashes back and forth.
Green eyes narrowed with concern as she ordered, "Quick end it – "
*ZZZZZZZZZ*
But her words died in her mouth as Mega Ampharos unleashed all its stored electricity into the Strong Style Thunder as it roared, "AMMMMP!!! (MORE POWER!!)"
*SHIIII*
All the electrical energy it produced, shown in its lights from its red orbs and wool from its body, was put into the Thunder beam. It then pulsed to life as a huge chunk of its electricity was put into the beam as it pushed back Moltres' Overheat, causing the Legendary Pokémon's eyes to widen as it came at it full force.
*KABOOOOM*
Moltres was then engulfed in an electrical explosion as its Overheat move failed to counter its full power. Azure grinned as he thought, 'Even though Moltres is a legendary Pokémon… a Mega Ampharos light can be seen through space… now imagine facing that kind of power it produces in a condensed blast. The answer was obvious…'
*THUD*
Moltres then fell to the ground, flinching lightly as it tried to move at the exhausted Mega Ampharos in the sky. But the effort was too much. Its body slumped back down, unable to move, fainting…
The referee, after a moment of stunned silence, raised his flag. The Referee declared loudly, "Moltres is unable to battle! Mega Ampharos is the winner!"
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 250 PS to get a Bonus Chapter! Also, how did you guys like the match between Mega Ampharos against Moltres?