"Go, Charizard!"
Following Machamp's defeat, Yozora decisively sent out his next Pokémon.
"Roooaar!"
The instant Charizard appeared, it landed steadily on the battlefield. It raised its head toward the Altaria hovering above and let out a low, guttural growl, eyes filled with defiance.
"Wow! That Charizard is huge! And tall!"
"Yeah, it's at least 200 centimeters from the looks of it! Among the Charizard species, that size makes it a true standout!" The audience gasped in astonishment.
Ordinary Charizard usually stood around 170 cm tall.A specimen that reached 180 cm was already considered extremely well-built—so 200 cm was simply extraordinary.
Of course, the world was vast, and there was nothing it didn't hold.Some Charizard could even reach 3 meters.
But those weren't ordinary Charizard anymore. They were Totem Charizard—Pokémon with distinct genetic factors and bloodlines that set them apart from the norm.
Among regular Charizard, two meters in height already marked one as monstrously strong.
Yozora's Charizard was towering, with a thick, powerful neck. Around it hung a black metal necklace, inlaid with a massive blue gemstone—the unmistakable gleam of a Mega Stone.
And if that wasn't enough, strapped around its broad belly was a gleaming, golden Championship Belt.
"Tsk, tsk. A Mega Stone and a Championship Belt? This Charizard is covered in treasures!"
"Two held items on one Pokémon? That's outrageous!" The surrounding spectators buzzed with envy and jealousy.
"Charizard," Yozora called calmly.
Obediently, Charizard removed the Championship Belt.
When a Pokémon wore it, Fighting-type moves gained a 50% boost. But that effect only applied to Fighting techniques.
Though Charizard had earned the belt itself back when it was still a Charmeleon, carrying it around had little practical use—just a stylish accessory.
Better, then, to pass it on to Machamp, who could make the most of it. With its STAB bonus, Adaptability, Huge Power, and now the belt, Machamp's Fighting moves reached terrifying strength.
"A Mega Stone? Yozora, you actually got Charizard's Mega Stone?" Ryūnan's eyes widened in shock.
"Just lucky, I guess."
Yozora smiled faintly, then teased, "But with your family background, I'm surprised you don't already have Altaria's Mega Stone."
Ryūnan glared, stunned. "Do you think Mega Stones grow like cabbages on the roadside? Altaria's Mega Stone is incredibly rare. Sometimes, money isn't enough to buy one! And besides, this is still Kanto. With only two months left until the Indigo League Conference, I plan to travel to Kalos or Hoenn myself to secure one."
Yozora gave a small nod.Indeed, Mega Stones were scarce.
And since Altaria hailed from Hoenn, it was very likely that Kanto had no Altaria Mega Stones at all.
"So, what do you say? Do you still want to continue?" Yozora asked with a slight smile.
His meaning was clear.
Both Charizard and Altaria were at the peak of Lord-tier. But one carried a Mega Stone, while the other did not.
The outcome was already obvious.
"Of course!"
Yozora expected Ryūnan to admit defeat—but instead, Ryūnan smiled back. "We must fight until the end. Besides, I want to see your Mega Evolution for myself!"
"You want to see Mega Evolution? Heh… you may not get the chance. Charizard, Flamethrower!"
Yozora chuckled, and his order cracked like a whip.
"Altaria, Cotton Guard!" Ryūnan commanded swiftly.
In the next instant—
Fluffy cotton swelled dramatically around Altaria's body, doubling its size as it absorbed the incoming flames.
Cotton Guard raised Altaria's defense three stages—doubling it outright.
This technique was why Altaria's staying power was so formidable, able to endure and counterattack.
"Charizard, increase the output!" Yozora bellowed.
His words were like a key, unlocking Charizard's Blaze.
"Fwoooosh!!"
Charizard's blue flames surged, magnified fivefold, blazing hotter and wilder. Its body bristled with newfound energy, and the torrent of fire from its maw turned crimson, scorching with overwhelming heat.
The flames roared ceaselessly against Altaria's cotton shield.
At first, the fluffy barrier absorbed much of it—but soon it blackened, glowing red-hot, radiating suffocating heat.
Inside, Altaria writhed in agony. Before it could react, Charizard's flames burst through, engulfing its entire body.
"Altaria!" Ryūnan cried out in horror.
His Pokémon was high-level, no weaker than Charizard.
And with Cotton Guard, its defense was doubled.How could it still be overpowered?
Normally, Blaze only boosted firepower by 50%.
But Charizard's case was different. It carried the Triple Blaze ability. Once ignited, its flames multiplied far beyond ordinary limits.
"What terrifying fire…" The audience shivered.
Charizard's flames did not relent. The burning pillar trapped Altaria completely, roasting it alive second by second.
"Altaria, break free!" Ryūnan shouted desperately.
From within the inferno, Altaria unleashed every move it could muster. At last, it managed to slice open the fiery prison and escape.
But by then—
It was gravely wounded, gasping for breath. More than half its stamina was gone, its body covered in severe burns. In several places, embers still smoldered painfully on its feathers.
"It's over. Charizard, Dragon Breath." Yozora's voice was cold.
Altaria, as a Dragon-type, resisted fire—but against Dragon Breath, the tables turned. Dragon against Dragon: the effect was devastating.
"Roooaaaar!!"
Charizard opened its jaws, firing a green beam of Dragon Breath like a laser, sweeping the skies.
Altaria tried to dodge frantically. But with its strength sapped, its wings faltered.
Charizard, towering and unyielding, unleashed blast after blast, without a hint of fatigue.
Like a cat toying with a mouse, it chased Altaria relentlessly, Dragon Breath scorching across the battlefield.
…
…
(End of Chapter)