Moore understood very clearly that his Blaziken had been trained purely for close combat. Its greatest strengths lay in speed and explosive power.
When facing a Water type like Milotic that not only had a type advantage but also excelled at recovery and endurance tactics, being completely suppressed was only natural.
Losing this battle was not surprising at all.
In this world, there had never been an invincible Pokémon. Type matchups and tactical interplay were exactly what made Pokémon battles so fascinating.
Moreover, Theo was clearly no ordinary trainer.
A Shiny Metang, a Shiny Milotic… he claimed to be a rookie trainer from the Devon Corporation, but who really knew what his true background was?
The calm and composed way he battled was strikingly similar to Steven.
And that flashy, attention grabbing style he showed during Contest battles in the videos was almost identical to Wallace.
If someone said he had no special connection to those two, who would actually believe it?
Moore could not help but recall that Flying type Elite Four member from Indigo who always boasted about being the strongest Dragon trainer.
Despite raising a team full of Flying type Pokémon, he still insisted on carrying the title of a Dragon type Elite Four.
In the end, he could not even defeat the Ice type Elite Four from his own region, yet he still shamelessly proclaimed himself the strongest in Indigo.
Compared to someone like that who refused to admit defeat, Moore felt that calmly accepting his loss made him far more at ease.
Thinking this way, the small trace of frustration in his heart quickly disappeared without a trace.
Originally, Moore intended to display the demeanor of an Elite Four and end this sparring match gracefully.
However, when he saw Theo approaching with his Pokémon, his gaze landed on Theo's light green hair, which looked somewhat similar to Wallace's, and he was reminded again of that irritatingly familiar battle style.
For some reason, that faint bit of irritation in his heart quietly resurfaced.
"Hmph…"
Moore let out a soft snort and suddenly raised his hand, tossing another Poké Ball from his waist.
"Come out, Typhlosion."
Bang!
A flash of red light burst forth, and a figure even more robust and imposing than Blaziken appeared on the battlefield, surrounded by a surging aura of intense heat.
It was Moore's strongest ace, Typhlosion.
Flames blazed fiercely along its neck and back.
With every breath it took, it seemed to carry the scorching heat of a volcanic eruption.
A powerful aura far surpassing that of Blaziken spread out instantly, causing the temperature of the surrounding air to rise sharply.
All the remaining moisture on the battlefield evaporated in an instant.
"Let your Larvesta come over."
Moore's tone returned to calm, carrying a decisive firmness that allowed no argument.
"I lost the match, and I will honor the bet.
As for saying things like 'what if I had used another Pokémon,' there is no need for that…"
He paused slightly, his gaze settling on Larvesta.
"Come here. I will have Typhlosion teach you moves right now."
Theo had originally intended to say a few polite and modest words, but his eyes unintentionally swept over Typhlosion's status panel.
In that instant, his gaze locked onto it, his pupils shrinking sharply as his mind erupted in shock.
"Holy… what is this? This is not right. This is Typhlosion?!"
Previously, Theo had seen many posts about Mr. Moore on online forums.
They claimed that Mr. Moore had once been the strongest among Hoenn's Elite Four.
His ace Typhlosion had, during an inter regional Elite Four challenge, turned the tide of battle on its own and defeated several powerful opponents.
At the time, Theo had dismissed those claims as exaggerated hype.
After all, every region's Elite Four seemed to carry some sort of "strongest" title.
For example, in Indigo League, Johto's so called strongest Ice type trainer Pryce, Kanto's number one Fire type trainer Blaine,
And that man who called himself the strongest Dragon type trainer, the invincible Dragon master, the number one Elite Four member, Lance…
In any case, every Elite Four member's reputation seemed to be built around some exaggerated claim of being the strongest.
But now, after seeing Mr. Moore's Typhlosion's status panel with his own eyes, Theo finally understood.
Not only were the forum descriptions not exaggerated, they might have actually understated Mr. Moore's strength.
[Pokémon: Typhlosion]
Type: Fire
Category: Volcano Pokémon
Ability: Burning Soul (When its stamina is full, the speed at which it releases Fire type moves is greatly increased, while also possessing the effects of Flash Fire)
Flash Fire: When hit by a Fire type attack, it takes no damage; after entering the Flash Fire state, the power of its Fire type moves is greatly increased.
Moves: … Blast Burn, Overheat, Heat Wave, Eruption, Focus Blast, Scorching Sands, Solar Beam, Fire Pledge, Flamethrower…
Theo's gaze was completely drawn to the ability "Burning Soul," and his heart began to pound wildly.
When stamina is full, greatly increases the release speed of Fire type moves, and also comes with the effect of Flash Fire.
If he remembered correctly, this was an ability from a game in his previous life.
It seemed to be called something like a special trial reward, only obtainable after completing a certain challenge.
And now it actually existed in reality.
If Larvesta could also obtain the ability Burning Soul…
A bold and almost crazy idea began to take shape in Theo's mind.
If Larvesta could greatly increase the release speed of Fire type moves,
It could open with Sunny Day, then immediately use a Fire type move on itself to trigger the Flash Fire state.
Would that not be equivalent to having both the Drought ability and Solar Power at the same time, without the drawbacks of Solar Power?
Not to mention the massive increase in the speed of releasing Fire type moves.
With this triple layered enhancement, both the power and speed of Fire type moves would reach a terrifying level.
[Solar Power: Under sunny weather, a Pokémon consumes its own stamina more quickly in exchange for greatly increased special attack power.]
At that point, once Larvesta evolved into Volcarona, it could enter the battlefield, instantly set up Sunny Day, and immediately stack the Flash Fire state…
Just imagining that scene made Theo's heart race uncontrollably.
Seeing Theo staring fixedly at his Typhlosion, his gaze practically glued to it, Moore could not help but laugh.
"What is it? Stunned? This is my old partner. It has fought alongside me for most of my life!"
Beside him, Flannery immediately puffed out her chest proudly, lifting her chin slightly with a hint of childish boastfulness.
"This is my grandpa's ace Pokémon, Typhlosion!
So, what do you think?
Do not get too full of yourself just because you won one match. Typhlosion is my grandpa's strongest Pokémon.
No one can defeat it!"
Theo subconsciously nodded, inwardly sighing with admiration. Elder Moore's Typhlosion truly deserved the title of the strongest Fire type Pokémon.
At this moment, behind Theo, Larvesta heard Flannery's words.
Then it saw Theo staring only at Typhlosion, not even glancing at itself.
Immediately, it became unhappy.
Jealousy flared up inside it.
Its six little legs moved rapidly as it rushed forward like a streak, bumping its head against Theo's stomach as if protesting:
"What are you looking at? Why are you praising another Pokémon?
I am the strongest Fire type Pokémon!"
(End of Chapter)