The Dragon-Scaled Charizard that had broken through its shackles let out a roar toward the sky. The oppressive dragon cry affected all the Pokémon; the weakest, Cubone, could hardly endure the pressure and nearly fainted. Fortunately, Red promptly used his psychic power to offset the pressure and then used the Power of Viridian to heal Cubone.
"What an astonishing aura!" Thousand-Year Gengar said with trembling lips. Even after living for a thousand years, it was the first time Thousand-Year Gengar had witnessed Mega Evolution. It hadn't expected Charizard to undergo such a drastic transformation.
After seeing Charizard's strength, the green-glowing Scyther's scythe-like arms trembled from time to time.
"What's wrong? Scared?" the crimson Gyarados teased.
"No! I'm trembling from excitement for the battle that's about to unfold!" Scyther's eyes shone brightly as it shouted. It had long wanted to challenge Charizard.
"It seems your fighting spirit is running high. That makes me very pleased!" Red nodded, mainly looking at the smaller Dratini and Cubone. Seeing that the two little ones were not afraid of Charizard's pressure, he smiled in relief.
"Let's lay out a plan! The boss didn't order us to fight immediately—he must want the six of us to defeat Charizard through strategy!" Thousand-Year Gengar proposed. The other Pokémon agreed. Although Scyther didn't get along with Thousand-Year Gengar for now, it wasn't foolish enough to argue at a time like this.
(I hope this cooperation will let you reconcile!)
After glancing at Scyther and Thousand-Year Gengar, Red turned to Charizard.
"How's the adjustment going?"
Charizard nodded excitedly. The ghostly blue flames coiling around its mouth were itching to be unleashed. Though it knew Mega Evolution was only a temporary boost, Charizard couldn't stop smiling as it reveled in this form.
"To defeat Charizard, the key is defending against its flames!" Thousand-Year Gengar said, turning to the crimson Gyarados. "Gyarados, leave the flames to you!"
"Charizard isn't afraid of water, so our main damage source must be Onix. Rock-type moves can restrain it. As for Cubone, act according to the situation—this is mainly for your training!"
"Scyther and I will handle support attacks. Dratini can coordinate with Onix. Dragon-type moves can also restrain Charizard, but don't act recklessly!"
After hearing the battle plan, the others nodded in agreement. Scyther even cast a slightly approving glance at Thousand-Year Gengar, realizing this Ghost-type Pokémon might not be as lazy as it appeared.
"I just thought it through a bit. Anyone could've come up with it if they tried!" Thousand-Year Gengar said modestly. That instantly boosted everyone's favor toward it—a masterclass in emotional intelligence.
"Didn't expect Gengar to have such a way with words," Red praised, signaling Charizard to get ready.
"When this stone hits the ground, the battle begins!" Red said, pointing to the pebble floating in his psychic power.
Under the Pokémon's watchful eyes, Red tossed the pebble into the air. A few seconds later, it struck the ground.
"I'll go first!"
With a roar, the crimson Gyarados forcefully reduced Charizard's attack power, then swept its tail sideways amid a surge of water, striking at Charizard.
"Bring it on!"
Charizard's claws were covered in emerald energy as it used Dragon Claw to block the strike. Boosted by its Tough Claws ability, Charizard relied purely on brute strength to force Gyarados back.
"What a pity—we didn't make Charizard's dragon scales contract!"
Seeing that the gray-black dragon scales on Charizard's body hadn't changed, Thousand-Year Gengar realized that the Multi-Scale ability was still active.
Sharp stone blades floated beside the massive Onix. Cubone prepared to swing its bone club. Scyther began gathering airflow, and Thousand-Year Gengar formed a Shadow Ball in its hands.
After Dratini released a Dragon Breath, the four Pokémon's attacks followed, all surging toward Charizard.
The best defense is offense—Charizard had always believed this. Ghostly blue dragon energy covered its body, forming the phantom image of a ferocious dragon.
Dragon Rush was also boosted by Tough Claws, increasing its power by a full 30%.
The clash of attacks caused explosive destruction. Even the residents of Lavender Town were startled when they saw the explosion erupting from the distant hills. Some nearly called Officer Jenny, but Mr. Fuji and Rena quickly went to explain, preventing another unnecessary misunderstanding.
A scraping sound emerged from the smoke. Charizard's dragon scales had contracted after enduring the powerful attack—clearly, Multi-Scale had been nullified.
"What a great ability," Thousand-Year Gengar said enviously. The combined full-force strike of six Pokémon had barely made a dent. Charizard still looked brimming with stamina.
"Excellent! My flames are burning with excitement!"
Charizard unleashed scorching ghostly blue fire. The crimson Gyarados quickly used Hydro Pump, trying to extinguish it, but underestimated Charizard's current strength and was immediately suppressed.
The massive Onix hurriedly used Iron Tail, lifting a boulder to barely block the high-temperature flames. Yet the huge rock gradually melted under the intense ghostly fire.
Cubone stroked its bone club anxiously—it had almost lost it right before its eyes. Fortunately, Charizard knew it was Cubone's weapon and casually batted it back instead of melting it in a moment of excitement.
Noticing only five Pokémon in front of it, Charizard immediately understood Thousand-Year Gengar's plan. Thousand-Year Gengar's eyes glowed blue, attempting Hypnosis, while the ready Scyther launched an Air Slash.
"Petty tricks!" Charizard scoffed. It used Fire Spin on the ground, surrounding itself with pillars of flame that blocked Thousand-Year Gengar's sight and defended against the wind blades.
"Lie down for me!"
Charizard shattered the rocks on its body with a wingbeat, forcibly endured Onix's Rock Slide, then used Dragon Claw to pin Thousand-Year Gengar to the ground, following up with a Flamethrower straight into the fallen Gengar.
Engulfed in flames, Thousand-Year Gengar screamed before dissolving into mist.
"A Substitute? Not bad tactics," Red said with slight praise. He didn't believe Thousand-Year Gengar would be so easily burned away—if that were the case, a thousand years of experience would have gone to waste.
"Looks like my strategy worked!"
Grinning mischievously, Gengar floated out from the shadows, looking pleased with itself. Meanwhile, the excited Charizard sensed something was wrong—it temporarily couldn't use Dragon Claw.
"It's the effect of Disable," Red explained to the confused Charizard. "I stacked the Cursed Body ability on Gengar. There's a 30% chance to seal the opponent's previous move. The effect lasts four turns!"
(Disable used to be called Petrify. In the anime, it sealed the entire body, making the target unable to move. Personally, that feels too overpowered and inconsistent with the move's actual effect. Check the episode where Ash's old Charizard was petrified by Lorelei's Slowbro!)
"What a cunning Ghost-type Pokémon!" Charizard said unhappily. Its proud move had been sealed for four turns—truly frustrating.
"Well, it's to defeat a master like you!" Thousand-Year Gengar scratched its head awkwardly. The flattery pleased Charizard somewhat, but Gengar's eyes glowed faintly blue again—it was preparing Hypnosis.
"Trying to trick me!" Charizard roared angrily. It spewed ghostly blue flames and flapped its massive wings violently, unleashing Heat Wave.
The scorching air instantly swept toward Thousand-Year Gengar. Seeing this, Gengar abandoned Hypnosis and instead used Psychic to restrain the Heat Wave.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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