Exeggutor launched a rain of seeds toward Blaziken's feet.
The seeds fell, took root, and sprouted in an instant.
Blaziken's body suddenly became engulfed in a torrent of vigorous flames, resisting the invasion of the Leech Seed move. But because of that, his movements slowed down, giving Alolan Marowak the chance to intercept him.
Cain narrowed his eyes. In this battle against his rival, Blaziken's role was crucial: both the Grass-type Exeggutor and the Ice-type Jynx were targets where he could shine.
Florges gently shook her white petals, releasing a purple mist that slowly enveloped the entire battlefield.
With Tyranitar's sandstorm already reducing visibility, the field now grew even blurrier.
It was the move Misty Terrain.
The Alolan Exeggutor, a Grass and Dragon type, was half crippled.
The other Pokémon under Cain's command that were still free and in good condition rushed in to support Blaziken.
Blaziken soon realized he had unknowingly entered the enemy's formation: if he retreated, he would collide with Gardevoir and Marowak; if he advanced, only the half-disabled Exeggutor remained ahead.
He hesitated for an instant, then lunged toward Exeggutor.
His opponent smiled at the decision. At his side, the multicolored Alolan Muk swung a palm coated in toxic energy, hurling a mass of poisonous sludge skyward that curved through the air, falling right along Blaziken's path.
A heap of multicolored sludge hit the ground, corroding it open into a small yet bottomless crater, from which white smoke rose with a nauseating stench.
Blaziken moved with extreme agility, weaving from side to side to avoid every impact.
But because of that, the speed he had worked so hard to build up began to drop again.
Marowak was closing in fast!
Rumble!
The ground trembled, slowing Marowak's steps for an instant. Four vines sprouted around him—Florges had used Grass Knot again.
Recognizing the move, Marowak spun his bone rapidly, forming a small vortex of pale green flames that carbonized the vines instantly.
Florges had bought Blaziken a brief moment of respite.
Blaziken no longer dodged the sludge raining down from the sky, because Tyranitar had already raised a sand shield.
Made of sand and diamonds—the sand portion corroded easily, but the diamonds created by Diancie were far harder to destroy.
Watching so many of Cain's Pokémon clearing a path for Blaziken to approach Exeggutor, the man in silver clothes let out a mocking laugh.
Did Cain really think that merely getting close to Exeggutor would grant him an advantage?
He hadn't forgotten that the level gap was even greater than the type gap. Even if Exeggutor's Dragon type was suppressed by Misty Terrain's field effect, that didn't mean he was out of ways to attack.
Exeggutor's usually smiling face darkened.
The Alolan Exeggutor stood over ten meters tall, most of that height being its neck.
Suddenly, it lowered its head like a hammer and slammed it downward toward Blaziken.
Blaziken tried to dodge but felt his body locked in place. It was as if he had sunk into an invisible swamp—fine psychic threads wrapped around him like silk, holding him still.
Behind Marowak, Gardevoir stood with eyes glowing a dark light. The threads came from her.
Slowking, though powerful, couldn't match her; he hadn't been able to keep her restrained. She had broken free and now ensnared Blaziken.
Exeggutor's hammer-like head fell mercilessly. Blaziken stood firm, his gaze resolute and fearless.
He lowered his head, pressing a hand against the plumage on his chest. From between his feathers, multicolored energy threads flared out, wrapping around his body instantly.
"Mega Evolve, Blaziken!" At that precise moment, Cain activated Blaziken's Mega Stone.
Two Pokémon in Mega form!
Before, Cain could sustain a double Mega Evolution for three minutes; after much training, that limit had doubled to six.
The surge of Mega Evolution energy shattered Gardevoir's psychic bindings.
The transformation completed in a blink.
Mega Blaziken had arrived!
With a peculiar foot movement, Blaziken used the rotational motion of Aerial Ace to precisely dodge Exeggutor's hammer blow.
Third use of Swords Dance!
The four fire bands around his wrists melted into his body; flames erupted across him, then compressed into his fist.
Sacred Fire!
A crimson-golden flame shimmered in his hand.
Using the rotational momentum of Aerial Ace, he delivered the blow straight to Exeggutor's head.
Boom!
Exeggutor was launched backward at a speed even faster than its own attack, one of its coconuts charred and dented in.
Mega Blaziken dashed forward again, even faster—his Speed Boost ability had carried him to the peak of swiftness.
Fourth use of Swords Dance!
Marowak finally caught up from behind. Also a wielder of fire, he could sense that Blaziken's flames were a deadly threat.
His own fire came from the underworld—corrosive and searing. But Blaziken's flames, tempered with Ho-Oh's energy, were transforming into the fire of life.
Life fire and death fire were opposing flames. That was why not only did Marowak feel threatened by Blaziken's fire—Blaziken also felt repulsion toward Marowak's.
Marowak's bone ignited again, wrapped in flames.
Whoosh!
He spun the bone swiftly, forming a vortex of pale green fire. The sand Tyranitar tried to send as a barrier melted and disintegrated on contact with the vortex.
One hand on the ground, the other spinning the bone, Marowak leaned forward, ready to lunge, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Blaziken didn't retreat. He knew that breaking through the encirclement didn't depend on defeating Marowak.
"Maarrooww!" roared Marowak, leaping with both arms raised, slamming the bone down at Blaziken.
Mega Blaziken countered by leaping upward, his leg wreathed in fire, delivering a deadly kick.
Bam!
The Blaze Kick collided with the bone. It wasn't just a clash of strength—it was a duel of flames.
Boom!
A scorching wave of heat exploded from the point of impact.
In the end, Mega Blaziken's flames prevailed—the fire on Marowak's bone was extinguished.
Blaziken, however, didn't press the advantage. Using the rebound from Marowak's weapon, he propelled himself into a somersault, spinning through the air and resuming his charge toward Exeggutor.
Cain could only maintain double Mega Evolution for six minutes. Blaziken couldn't afford to waste them comparing whose fire burned stronger.
(End of Chapter)