Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Merry Christmas!

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Arf!

Arcanine shook its slightly charred fur and rose to its feet.

Fire Blast was certainly powerful, but Blaine's Arcanine was no lightweight; taking it down wouldn't be that easy.

Arcanine's frustration grew as it struggled to keep up with Charmeleon's relentless attacks, leaving no chance to counter.

Not that Charmeleon had any plans to let up. Before Arcanine could gather itself, another Fire Blast was already on its way.

With its natural Fire affinity, Charmeleon had no trouble unleashing repeated Fire-type moves, bolstered by Luo Yuan's long-standing training that had turned Charmeleon into a veritable "artillery." Charmeleon's strategy: debuff the enemy, then barrage them with high-power moves.

Bigger is better; more is best.

This was the Pokémon world's version of "might makes right."

Watching Fire Blast—a powerful finisher for most Fire-types—being spammed like a common attack, Blaine was utterly dumbfounded.

As a veteran Fire-type Trainer, Blaine knew all too well the strain Fire Blast put on a Pokémon. The move's sheer power was part of why it couldn't typically be used in rapid succession.

But now…

Seeing Charmeleon fire off a third Fire Blast without breaking a sweat, Blaine almost yanked his beard in shock.

"What kind of monster Charmeleon is this?"

First, an Aerodactyl that defied his understanding of fossil Pokémon; now, a Charmeleon throwing Fire Blasts around like candy.

When Arcanine barely dodged the fourth Fire Blast and was nearly thrown off balance by the blast's shockwave, Blaine realized that his Arcanine wasn't going to win this battle.

His best chance had been in the opening, during that one clean hit from Extreme Speed. If it had landed, maybe he'd still have a chance.

But after getting paralyzed by Dragon Breath, the outcome of the battle was already sealed.

No matter how powerful his Arcanine was, it couldn't stand up to Charmeleon's "artillery" tactics.

…

After a series of close calls with Fire Blast shockwaves, Arcanine finally collapsed, unable to dodge Charmeleon's ninth Fire Blast.

"…"

Blaine looked at the battlefield, which had been utterly ravaged by Fire Blasts, at a loss for words.

This is ridiculous!

How was anyone supposed to fight against something like this?

"Arcanine is unable to battle. Charmeleon wins!"

Blaine declared the result.

Roar!

Charmeleon roared toward the sky, and in that instant, a brilliant white light enveloped its body.

Within the glow, Charmeleon's form expanded, its wings unfolding from its back.

Roar!

A massive, orange Charizard—nearly a third larger than the average size—now stood on the battlefield, its bulky frame giving it a commanding presence.

With a mighty flap of its wings, Charizard stirred up a gust that sent rocks tumbling into the magma below, then let loose a searing Flamethrower that stretched all the way to the volcano's peak.

"…"

Charmeleon had been tough enough before evolution.

Now, as a Charizard…

Seeing this, Blaine's hand, which had been reaching for the Poké Ball containing his Ninetales, paused.

Initially, he'd planned to leverage Ninetales' Flash Fire ability to counter Charmeleon.

As a Fire-type specialist, Blaine knew that Charmeleon's moves would primarily be Fire-based.

Flash Fire would make Ninetales immune to Fire damage while boosting its own Fire-type moves.

It would have been effective against Charmeleon.

But with Charizard's evolution, Blaine knew its moveset would be more diverse, likely including Flying-type moves as well as Fire-type attacks.

He couldn't be sure Charizard would attack the same way as before.

And he wasn't about to gamble.

Besides, Luo Yuan still had Aerodactyl and another Pokémon he hadn't revealed yet. Blaine had to keep an eye on the bigger picture.

While this was technically just a Gym challenge…

The thrill of battle had rekindled something in Blaine after those last two rounds. It had been ages since he'd felt this excited.

Silently, he put Ninetales' Poké Ball back on his belt.

He decided to face Charizard with his strongest partner.

Turning toward the bubbling magma below, Blaine called out, "Let's show 'em our fire, old friend!"

Boom!

A red, stocky figure burst from the magma, trailing lava as it landed on the battlefield.

The dripping magma cooled on the ground, hardening into blackened rock.

The sheer heat radiating from the creature made the already sweltering air nearly unbearable, distorting the space around it.

Gah!

Responding to Blaine's call, Magmar appeared on the field.

"This is my third Pokémon—Magmar!"

Summoning Magmar seemed to invigorate Blaine.

"Magmar, huh…"

According to Zhen Niao's intel, Magmar was Blaine's ace—an incredibly formidable opponent.

Not one to underestimate.

Of course, Luo Yuan didn't need Zhen Niao's information to tell him that Blaine's Magmar was special. A Pokémon that could casually soak in magma was no ordinary foe.

This one will be tough, Luo Yuan assessed.

Watching the Magmar, Charizard's own newfound confidence was tempered by focus. It narrowed its eyes, studying Magmar carefully.

For a brief moment, both Magmar and Charizard stood still, sizing each other up.

The silence was broken by Luo Yuan.

"Let's start strong—Charizard, use Fire Blast!"

Hearing Luo Yuan's command, Blaine winced slightly. Does he only know this one move…

He almost regretted not using Ninetales.

Conditioned by training, Charizard moved instantly, taking a deep breath.

Flames churned in its belly before it exhaled forcefully.

A giant Fire Blast took form, larger and more intense than Charmeleon's. Charizard's newly enhanced power made the move even deadlier, its sheer size covering a third more ground.

Facing the oncoming Fire Blast, Blaine gave a simple command.

"Break through, Magmar!"

Gah!

With a piercing cry, Magmar's fists ignited as it launched into the air.

"Fire Punch!"

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T/N: LUOS CHATRIZARD IS 7'4" WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THATS CRAZY TRALLER THAN DRAGONITES AND TYRANITARS GRAAAAAAAAH

I, WiseTL, in my infinite grace and generosity, have bestowed upon you an extra 2 chapters as my holiday gift. 🎁 Consider it a glimpse of my benevolence—cherish it well.

May your festivities be as golden as my treasury and as plentiful as my updates. Farewell, mortals, until the next chapter. 😉

Now, bow in gratitude. 🌟