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Li Xiang shook off his dripping-wet scarf; the thing was practically a rag now.
Up in the sky, flames and thick fog intermingled like a fiery cloud, blocking out the harsh sunlight and casting the entire battlefield in shifting light and shadow.
Down in the snowy field, several craters had filled with shimmering water, with trickling streams continuously flowing in from the edges.
The high temperatures were rapidly melting the snow. It wouldn't be long before massive puddles formed.
But Li Xiang's focus wasn't on that. Compared to the water soaking his pants legs and shoes, he was more concerned with the situation above.
Although Rotom had regained some stamina using [Pain Split], the undeniable fact was that after prolonged combat, its reactions had slowed. Even with strength exceeding 100%, it couldn't fully utilize it.
This held true for any Pokémon; their condition approached its limits as stamina dropped and mental fatigue set in. Even with food supplements, recovery wasn't a matter of a few seconds.
The prolonged battle, combined with the previous match against the berserk Golurk, had left Rotom physically and mentally exhausted. Its attribute energy was also running low, making it really unsuitable to continue fighting.
If the opponent's Charizard seized an opportunity, there was an 80-90% chance Rotom would be taken out directly.
Li Xiang remained silent.
The Meicheng University captain's Charizard undoubtedly had overwhelming offensive power. The reason Meicheng University remained strong even after its older members left was largely due to this powerful Charizard.
The earlier [Fire Blast] was bright yellow tinged with blue-green, indicating a flame temperature above 2,500 degrees!
In other words, this guy, like Lin Feng's Charizard, was exceptional. Otherwise, the opponent wouldn't have been foolish enough to send out a Flying-type against an Electric-type, even with [Roost].
This was one reason Li Xiang considered the captain the biggest hurdle for achieving five consecutive wins.
Fortunately, the opponent's strength lay in the Fire type. And Incineroar feared Fire the least.
Moreover, the opponent's mental state didn't seem quite right. Superficially normal, but in Li Xiang's eyes, this guy was breathing rapidly, sweating profusely, lips trembling... He looked like he'd seen a ghost and was now fighting one.
Pressure. Undoubtedly, it was pressure. Pressure of this level could affect his judgment and, by extension, his Pokémon.
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Li Xiang's mind as his brain worked at high speed, strategizing.
Meanwhile, in the sky, after the violent explosion, two figures—one large, one small—descended rapidly.
Rotom looked weary, Charizard appeared spirited; the contrast was quite evident.
The fiery cloud gradually dispersed. Sunlight shone on Charizard as if outlining it in gold. With its back to the sun, it looked like a mythical dragon descending.
"Discharge."
"Heat Wave!"
The opponent's voice was extremely loud.
Charizard flapped its wings furiously, sending countless bright-yellow, high-temperature air currents mixed with blue-green sparks rolling toward Rotom!
Blue-green fire! Three thousand degrees!
Li Xiang showed surprise, even though he'd seen it in the recordings before.
Although Rotom was a Fire-type Pokémon, its maximum temperature had never exceeded 1,500 degrees, falling within the orange-red range.
But this Charizard had reached the threshold of blue-green fire.
[Solar Power] was truly terrifying! After all, it was an Ability that traded life force for output!
Not far away, a massive electric sphere materialized in the field, the sound of thunder incessant, intense flashes of light assaulting everyone's eyes.
The protective barriers continuously activated, barely managing to block the intense sound and light!
Rotom released lightning with all its might, pushing against the storm-like high-temperature air currents as it charged toward Charizard!
With the opponent's defenses, this Discharge was absolutely unstoppable! That meant if it could just touch Charizard's body, this match would be half over!
The exhausted Rotom struggled forward.
Alas, the 3,000-degree heat and accompanying wind force were too strong. Even a [Nasty Plot]-boosted Discharge couldn't break through. It could only watch helplessly as the lightning and flames collided, releasing extreme heat.
Finally, the lightning and fire transformed into smoke clouds filling the sky and shockwaves shaking the air.
Seeing this, Li Xiang decisively raised a PokéBall and recalled Rotom from within the smoke.
Forcing Rotom to persist would only be a pointless sacrifice. For safety's sake, it was better to let it rest more.
In the sky, Charizard flapped its wings, dispersing the choking smoke clouds. Having lost its target, it promptly deactivated its Ability.
[Solar Power] consumed its stamina in large amounts every second; it had to turn it off.
But just as it used the move, there was a snap sound. A dark figure shot up from the ground in front of Li Xiang!
A small crater instantly formed in the snowfield! Thunderous noise erupted!
In Charizard's vision, a ball of blue-glowing lightning was getting closer and closer!
'Good thing I didn't greedily try to use another move!'
[Roost]!
In an instant, white light enveloped Charizard. Its body seemed to lose control, plummeting downward! It just so happened to collide with the incoming lightning!
Zzzzt—BOOM!
Electricity surged over Charizard, then transformed into a puff of smoke. Charizard itself also crashed heavily onto the snowy field.
Fortunately, thanks to Roost, the damage from that fall height was nothing compared to the lightning. Stamina consumed by Solar Power and the lightning gradually recovered.
But after landing, without even fully recovering or getting up, Charizard, still enveloped in golden light, immediately unleashed an [Inferno]!
Surging bright-yellow flames tinged with blue-green expanded from its tail, turning into a blazing storm sweeping around it!
High heat met ice and snow, large amounts of steam expanded like a bomb! A small figure entirely wrapped in blue light was blown away by the steam!
It was Riolu, who had used [Electro Ball] and [Thunder Punch], then stuck to Charizard's back, planning to ambush it! Unexpectedly, Charizard was so alert. After landing, it immediately ended Roost, activated Solar Power, and used [Inferno].
Riolu hadn't had time to strike before being blown away by the rapidly expanding steam!
Within the vast smoke, inside a semi-circular crater, Charizard flapped its wings and returned to the sky, an expression of lingering fear on its face.
In that situation just now, if it had been even a second slower, Riolu's next attack would have landed. By then, even if it used Roost to negate its Flying type, it might not have fared well.
Deeply aware of how heavy that punch had been, Charizard flapped its wings rapidly, stirring up hot air currents! Rolling heat waves!
Copious steam rose, was blown away by the wind, then immediately rose again, making the entire field hazy.
It was also at this moment that Charizard realized, despite sweeping most of the field with its attack, it still couldn't locate Riolu.
Where on earth—
Boom!
A green shield shattered! Lightning like a sharp claw scraped viciously across Charizard's body! The shield broke!
In pain, Charizard immediately looked around, flames churning incessantly in its mouth, but the opponent had already vanished.
The Heat Wave scorched the ground's ice and snow, large amounts of steam spread into the air, making it impossible to see the surroundings! If it hadn't been smart enough to raise a shield immediately, it would have been knocked out long ago!
[Hurricane]!
Charizard flapped its wings with all its might. Howling gales assaulted every bit of air around it. Crisp sky-blue energy turned into a whirlwind-like storm! The water steam was churned and dispersed, revealing the surroundings.
Instantly, Charizard's expression stiffened slightly, its dark pupils contracted sharply! Because not far away, there was a small figure standing unwavering in the gale, letting itself be attacked by the sky-blue currents, holding aloft a super huge brownish rock! That boulder was bigger than the entire dragon!
And seeing its sneaky action discovered by Charizard, Riolu showed no panic. Instead, it smiled.
'You're awake now?'
Boom!
The boulder instantly exploded like a high-explosive shell! Countless flying rocks like raindrops rained down upon Charizard!
'You're 4x weak to Rock! What are you being so arrogant about!'
"Protect!"
The Meicheng University captain's sharp cry echoed throughout the stadium! Granting his wish, Protect appeared.
But the next second, Bang! The green shield was easily shattered. The scattered rocks continuously bombarded Charizard's body like fists one after another, dealing terrifying damage!
In the dust-filled sky, Charizard, covered in dust and wounds, wings drooping, fell powerlessly.
"No—! Hold on!"
The Meicheng University captain screamed miserably, eyes bloodshot!
Thump!
Ice chips and snowflakes splashed, along with some water. High in the sky, the storm gradually subsided.
Riolu panted heavily looking down. As a Fighting-type, that Hurricane really wasn't easy to withstand. Fortunately, Charizard's Hurricane energy was gathered over a wide area, had a large area of effect, so the dispersed power naturally diminished. It likely only took about one-fifth of the full force.
Although Charizard's Protect offset some of the force, the remaining power of Rock Slide was still significant. After all, 4x weakness was the original sin. Without [Reflect] or [Light Screen], a 4x weakness was a curse.
'Hm? Not down yet! It actually still had stamina!'
Watching the white light glowing on the body of the supposedly unconscious Charizard below and the feathers drifting around it, Riolu was extremely surprised. It had even secretly used [Swords Dance]!
Was Charizard's Protect that strong? But without overthinking, press the advantage!
Riolu kicked off the air, shooting toward the Charizard below like an arrow!
[Bulldoze]!
Thud!
Snow and ice flew into the air! A yellowish-brown shockwave spread outward! With this move, even ten Charizard wouldn't survive—
BOOM!
An unexpected explosion! From the spot where Charizard and Riolu were, azure flames surged wildly! Like a pillar of fire, it violently rose!
A golden figure leaped into the sky, flapping its wings. Azure flames burned fiercely across its body in patches. The flame on its tail resembled a torch! It was the tenacious Charizard! Second wind!
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
The nearly despairing Meicheng University captain laughed uncontrollably, his heart filled with immense excitement. As long as Charizard wasn't down, he still had a chance.
"Dammit!"
Li Xiang at the field's edge couldn't help but swear. His luck today hadn't been great. His opponents had all sorts of flashy situations. If not for his solid strength, he might not have made it this far.
But now an invisible Focus Sash had appeared. And twice at that! A holder of the Affection system? Twenty percent chance triggered twice? How the hell do you fight this? Might as well just give you the win!
Equally angry was Riolu below. Although it could sense Charizard's strong, unwilling to lose, wanting to repay its trainer firm conviction, it was still unconvinced.
The damage I dealt by taking moves head-on, why should you just tank it so easily?!
"Riolu!"
Enraged, Riolu gritted its teeth, ready to charge into the sky and give that Charizard a solid hit.
However, just as it was about to charge up, the god-like Charizard in the sky, like a candle burning its last bit of wick, eyes closed, wings drooped, tail flame dimmed. And fell powerlessly.
With a plop, it landed in a deep pit filled with water. —Unable to continue.
The Meicheng University captain's wild laughter instantly froze.
"BEEEEP—"
The referee blew the whistle.
Unfortunately, a certain iconic scene was not reenacted.