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Fire-type energy surged through Rapidash's veins.
The blazing mane formed of crimson flames erupted violently, sparks exploding outward as a blurred ring of fire condensed in midair and shot straight toward Honchkrow.
On the other side, Roserade closed its eyes, focusing completely on energy control.
An overpowering, sweet floral scent flooded the air.
Countless pink petals formed from pure Grass-type energy drifted gently, soft yet edged with lethal sharpness.
"Rosa."
With Roserade's clear, echoing cry, the sea of petals surged forward like a downpour, blanketing the battlefield.
Both Pokémon had already stepped into the elite tier.
Their moves were pushed to the absolute limit of energy compression and release speed, refined through relentless battles during this dangerous era.
Each attack carried a trace of cold killing intent.
But their opponent was no ordinary Honchkrow.
If it dared to face two elite Pokémon alone, it possessed power to match.
"Whirlwind."
Honchkrow's massive black wings spread wide, nearly blotting out the sky.
Violent air currents gathered beneath them, drawn in by some unseen force.
A shrill howl split the air as the atmosphere itself warped.
Whoosh.
The steel-hard wings swept forward.
A raging cyclone erupted instantly, swallowing the incoming storm of pink petals.
They were crushed. Torn apart.
The refined Grass type energy disintegrated into powerless motes of light.
Roserade's signature attack vanished as if it had never existed.
And it was not over.
Dark brown light flared along Honchkrow's wings, sharp and dangerous like honed blades.
"Night Slash."
Rip! Rip!
The air was sliced apart.
The blazing wheel of fire had not even reached Honchkrow's body before it was cleaved cleanly in two.
Razor-sharp energy shimmered across the enormous wings.
With a single beat, Honchkrow crossed the distance instantly, appearing above Roserade.
Blades of wind descended in a diagonal strike that seemed capable of cutting space itself.
Roserade's orange-red eyes shrank sharply.
The shadow of death surged up from deep within.
As a Pokémon specialized in long-range special attacks, much like a spellcaster from Kael's former world, Roserade's defense was its greatest weakness.
That was why the League had paired Fran with teammates.
Against an opponent so overwhelmingly stronger, a direct hit would end the battle instantly.
Without hesitation, Roserade activated its last resort.
A move with a long cooldown, usable only once per battle.
"Protect."
Buzz.
A crisp hum rang out as an oval, pale green barrier materialized, enclosing Roserade completely.
Clang.
Honchkrow's wing, coated in Dark-type energy, slammed into the shield.
The barrier shattered instantly.
But most of the damage was absorbed.
Only a residual impact remained, blasting Roserade backward through the air.
Behind the battlefield, Quark's mind raced.
Less than twenty seconds had passed since the fight began.
He could not follow the exchanges with his eyes, but one truth was painfully clear.
This Honchkrow was far beyond them.
Far beyond what their combined strength could handle.
What now.
Run.
No.
If he stayed behind with Rapidash to buy time while Roserade escaped with Fran, it would make no difference.
Honchkrow could fly.
It would hunt them down and kill them anyway.
Retreat was meaningless.
Quark pressed his dry lips together.
A fierce light burned faintly in his dark eyes.
There was only one choice left.
All or nothing.
"Megahorn."
"Flame Charge."
Quark roared.
Rapidash's pupils snapped tight.
The flames along its spine surged violently, swelling outward as if to engulf its entire body.
Its Flame Body ability is fully activated.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Burning hooves smashed into the ground as Rapidash charged forward.
Trailing flames wrapped around its body, drawn in by sheer speed.
At its horn, steel bright energy gathered and intensified, growing stronger with every step.
This was a technique forged through countless battles.
A desperate combination meant to decide life or death in a single strike.
Yet the man in black merely stood aside.
Unhurried. Unconcerned.
Beneath the hood, his gaze held nothing but disdain.
He did not need to command.
Against a gap this vast, strategy and technique meant nothing.
They were fragile illusions.
Dark teal energy erupted across Honchkrow's massive frame, spreading like living fire, igniting every feather.
An overwhelming pressure burst outward.
"Brave Bird."
Honchkrow accelerated instantly, like a supersonic war machine.
A ribbon of dark teal afterimage streaked through the air.
In the blink of an eye, it appeared directly in front of Rapidash.
Boom.
The impact detonated across the battlefield.
Rapidash's body, battered and bleeding, was hurled violently away.
The flames along its back flickered weakly, on the verge of extinguishing.
Shockwaves tore across the ground, wind screaming outward in all directions.
Quark froze.
His eyes locked onto the pale yellow figure spinning through the air, still wrapped in fading flames.
His thoughts went blank.
Despair. Grief. Terror.
Every emotion collapsed together.
And for the first time since entering Nanth Town, Quark truly understood.
They were about to die.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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