The Poké Ball burst open in a blazing flash of light.
A powerful roar shook the air as massive wings spread wide across the battlefield.
"Charrrriiiizaaaard!"
Charizard landed heavily before Tharion, claws digging slightly into the earth. Flames flickered from his tail as his sharp eyes immediately locked onto the opponent standing across the field.
Electivire.
Sparks crackled along Electivire's twin tails as the Electric-type Pokémon slammed its fists together, electricity jumping violently between them.
Gary grinned. "So you picked Charizard."
Ash's eyes sparkled with excitement from the sidelines. "Whoa… this is gonna be awesome!"
Professor Oak adjusted his glasses carefully. Even he could feel the difference in pressure radiating from the battlefield.
Selene stood beside Delia, gently rocking Aster, who remained completely asleep despite the rising energy in the air.
But Tharion knew something important.
Charizard battles were never small.
He raised his hand calmly.
Before the match could truly begin, four Poké Balls opened behind him in quiet flashes of light.
A graceful figure appeared first—Gardevoir.
Then another—Alakazam, eyes glowing with immense psychic focus.
From the shadows of the nearby trees emerged Metagross, its metallic body hovering silently.
And lastly, Espeon, landing lightly beside the others, gem glowing softly.
Gary blinked in surprise. "Uh… what?"
Tharion spoke calmly without even looking back.
"Barrier formation."
Immediately the four Psychic-types responded.
A deep hum filled the air.
Alakazam's spoons lifted as psychic energy radiated outward. Metagross locked into position above the field while Gardevoir raised her arms gracefully. Espeon's gem flared with brilliant violet light.
Within seconds, an enormous transparent psychic dome formed around the battlefield.
The barrier shimmered faintly like glass, enclosing the entire arena.
Outside the barrier, the wind fell silent.
Inside, the pressure intensified.
Ash stared in awe. "That's… insane."
Professor Oak nodded slowly. "A controlled battle field… remarkable."
Tracy hurriedly stepped back outside the barrier line, raising both hands.
"I will remain outside the protection field for safety!" he announced, trying to sound professional while clearly amazed.
Gary rolled his shoulders.
"Good," he said. "Because I wasn't planning to hold back."
Electivire roared in agreement.
Tracy raised his arm.
"Battle begin!"
Gary didn't hesitate.
"Electivire! Thunder Punch!"
Electricity exploded around Electivire's arm as it launched forward like a lightning bolt, ground cracking beneath its feet.
Ash gasped. "That's fast!"
Tharion remained perfectly still.
"Charizard."
Charizard already knew.
His wings snapped open and he surged into the air, flames bursting behind him as Electivire's electrified fist slammed into empty ground with a thunderous boom.
The impact shook the field—but the psychic barrier absorbed the shockwave completely.
Outside, Tracy stared wide-eyed.
Inside the arena, Charizard twisted midair.
"Flamethrower."
A roaring torrent of fire erupted downward like a dragon's breath.
Gary reacted instantly.
"Electivire! Dodge and use Thunderbolt!"
Electivire rolled aside just as the flames scorched the ground where it stood. In the same motion, electricity erupted from its body and blasted upward toward Charizard.
Fire met lightning.
The collision exploded in the sky with a violent flash of sparks and embers.
Ash leaned forward eagerly.
"They're both attacking full power from the start!"
Gary grinned fiercely. "Electivire! Close the distance!"
Electivire leapt again, muscles surging with raw power.
Tharion's voice remained calm.
"Wing Attack."
Charizard folded his wings slightly—then dove.
The dragon Pokémon slammed into Electivire with terrifying speed, wings glowing as they struck like steel blades.
BOOM!
The impact sent Electivire sliding across the ground, claws digging deep trenches in the grass before finally stopping.
Gary's eyes narrowed—but he was smiling.
"Not bad."
Electivire rose again slowly, sparks dancing along its body.
Across the field, Charizard landed heavily beside Tharion, wings slowly folding.
For a moment—
The battlefield fell silent.
Both Pokémon stared at each other.
Both trainers calm.
Ash whispered excitedly from the sidelines.
"This is just the first exchange… and it already feels like a league final…"
Professor Oak nodded gravely.
Gary Oak had grown stronger.
But standing across from him—
Was still a Champion who had never lost.
And the real battle had only just begun.
Dust still drifted slowly across the battlefield after the first exchange.
Electivire stood firm, electricity snapping across its body in bright arcs. The earlier Wing Attack had clearly hit hard—small scorch marks marked its fur where Charizard's flames had brushed past during the clash—but it was far from finished.
Across the field, Charizard flexed his wings once, a low rumble leaving his throat.
Tharion stood calmly behind him, arms folded.
Gary narrowed his eyes.
Something's off.
Charizard wasn't breathing heavily.
He wasn't showing strain.
In fact—
He looked almost… relaxed.
Gary clenched his fist. "Electivire! Thunder Wave!"
Electivire slammed both arms into the ground and released a spreading surge of crackling electricity that raced across the battlefield like a living net.
Ash leaned forward. "That'll slow Charizard down!"
Tharion spoke calmly.
"Take the air. Flame Charge."
Charizard surged upward just before the electric field reached him, fire exploding around his body as he shot skyward like a blazing meteor. The move didn't just avoid the Thunder Wave—it amplified his momentum.
Gary reacted instantly.
"Electivire! Thunderbolt—now!"
Electivire thrust both arms upward, launching a concentrated pillar of lightning toward the ascending Charizard.
The bolt struck.
A blinding flash filled the sky.
Ash gasped. "Direct hit!"
But the moment the light faded—
Charizard burst through the smoke completely unharmed, flames spiraling around him as his speed continued increasing.
Gary's grin faded slightly.
"…No way."
Tharion gave the next command.
"Dive. Dragon Claw."
Charizard folded his wings and descended like a falling comet. Blue draconic energy formed around his claws as he slashed downward.
Gary didn't panic.
"Electivire! Ice Punch!"
Electivire stepped forward and coated its fist with freezing energy, meeting Charizard head-on.
CRASH!
Fire and frost exploded outward as the two attacks collided. The shockwave rattled the psychic barrier surrounding the battlefield, sending ripples across its surface.
Outside the dome, Tracy nearly dropped his notebook.
"That barrier is the only thing saving the yard right now!"
Inside, both Pokémon were thrown back slightly from the collision.
Electivire skidded across the ground before regaining balance.
Charizard landed smoothly, wings spreading to stabilize himself.
Ash's voice trembled with excitement. "They're both incredible!"
But Professor Oak noticed something else.
"…Charizard isn't pushing."
Gary noticed too.
Electivire roared, sparks erupting violently from its body.
Gary shouted, "Electivire! Wild Charge!"
Electric energy engulfed Electivire completely as it charged forward like a lightning cannon, tearing across the battlefield.
This time—
Tharion didn't immediately command Charizard.
Instead, he watched.
Charizard's eyes gleamed with something almost playful.
At the last moment—
"Air Slash."
Charizard beat his wings sharply.
Invisible blades of compressed air shot forward, striking Electivire mid-charge. The impact staggered the electric Pokémon just enough for Charizard to follow up.
"Flare Blitz."
Charizard's body ignited.
A blazing inferno wrapped around him as he slammed into Electivire like a living meteor.
BOOOOOOM!
The ground cratered under the collision. Flames burst upward before fading, leaving Electivire kneeling in the center of the impact zone.
Gary gritted his teeth.
Electivire slowly rose again.
It was injured now—but still standing.
Ash clenched his fists. "Gary's Electivire is tough!"
Gary wiped sweat from his forehead.
But now he understood.
Charizard wasn't trying to end the fight.
He was testing.
Measuring.
Tharion looked at Charizard quietly.
And only he saw the faint system-style information flicker for a moment.
CharizardLevel: 99
Tharion exhaled softly.
You really are at the peak now.
Charizard shook flames from his wings and stared at Electivire again—not arrogantly, but patiently.
Waiting.
Gary tightened his gloves, determination burning in his eyes.
"If you think I'm done—"
Electivire roared in agreement.
Gary pointed forward.
"Then let's turn it up! Electivire—Thunder!"
Dark clouds formed instantly above the barrier as massive lightning gathered overhead.
Ash's eyes widened.
"That's a finishing move!"
Across the field, Charizard slowly spread his wings.
Tharion finally gave another command.
"Let's answer it."
The battlefield trembled as the next clash began to build.
And everyone watching realized—
The real battle was only just starting.