"Charizard, this isn't a 1VS1 duel between you and Gengar!" Red kindly reminded.
The gigantic Onix and the blood-red Gyarados attacked Charizard from both sides at the same time, using Iron Tail and Aqua Tail respectively.
'Perfect timing!' Charizard said excitedly. Compared to scheming against Thousand-Year Gengar, he preferred this kind of direct clash of strength.
At that moment, Charizard's wings shone with white light as he used Steel Wing. His massive wings hardened like steel, taking Onix's Iron Tail head-on. Spinning around, electricity wrapped around both fists as he struck the blood-red Gyarados with Thunder Punch.
A violent collision rang out. As the dust settled, the blood-red Gyarados had already shifted into its "Dark Dragon form," reducing half of Thunder Punch's super-effective damage.
Before Charizard could readjust, Dratini's Dragon Breath struck his arm. The hotheaded Cubone lowered its body foolishly and charged toward Charizard, unleashing a Headbutt that left the other Pokémon staring in disbelief.
"Why is this silly kid's head so hard?" Red sighed. Cubone was clearly a Ground-type Pokémon—how was its skull even more reckless than a Steel-type Pokémon?!
'...'X6
Under the gazes of the other Pokémon, Charizard lightly kicked away the Cubone attempting to headbutt him. The little one was simply too small. If Charizard hadn't lowered his head to look carefully, he might have accidentally stepped on it.
Blushing in embarrassment, Cubone chose to lie flat on the ground and pretend it had lost the ability to battle. Fortunately, none of its companions laughed at it. After all, that courage to charge forward alone was worth praise.
'Finished resting, Charizard?' Scyther stepped forward and said.
'Looks like you want a one-on-one duel with me. Just like you.' Charizard said helplessly. He could have attacked while his stamina was draining, yet he stubbornly clung to that so-called warrior's pride.
'Hmph! Not necessarily!'
Scyther's arms swelled instantly, a green glow appearing along both scythes. To strengthen the slash, Scyther even beat its wings, accelerating to boost its power.
The four-turn restriction had ended; Charizard could use Dragon Claw again. Emerald energy covered both claws, forming enormous dragon talons.
"Bang—"
With just a single claw, Charizard blocked Scyther's X-Scissor. His remaining left claw descended rapidly under Scyther's stunned gaze.
"That was close, good thing I made it in time!"
Thousand-Year Gengar let out a breath. Seeing Scyther at a disadvantage, it had immediately used Psychic to restrain Charizard's left claw, allowing Scyther to dodge.
'It doesn't feel great, but… thanks!'
Scyther tapped Gengar's right hand with its scythe, symbolizing reconciliation between the two Pokémon.
"Not bad!" Red smiled at the sight. He had finally gotten these two to make peace. The coordinated battle hadn't been in vain.
Countless sharp Stone Edges floated around the gigantic Onix. Under its control, they shot swiftly toward Charizard.
'Onix, you should know this level of attack can't defeat me!' Charizard scoffed. Turning his head, he unleashed Flamethrower, melting countless stone blades together, then shattered the remaining fragments with Dragon Claw.
"Unfortunately, this was just our tactic!" Thousand-Year Gengar laughed. Multicolored light gathered in its hands as it cast Confuse Ray at Charizard, intending to throw him into confusion.
Charizard had just flapped his wings to evade when the blood-red Gyarados behind him had already formed a Hyper Beam, combining with Dratini's Dragon Breath to blast directly toward him.
(I was careless!)
Charizard was stunned for a moment, then turned and used Dragon Rush to counter Gyarados and Dratini's assault.
"Got you!" Thousand-Year Gengar laughed.
As the explosion's dust settled, heavy breathing echoed through the sandstorm—along with a pair of crimson eyes burning with extreme fury.
'This isn't simple confusion—it's Outrage!' the blood-red Gyarados exclaimed, immediately recognizing Charizard's state.
Scorching flames swept across everything ahead. In Outrage mode, Charizard had no restraint left, desperate to defeat every enemy in sight.
"This battle's getting serious…" Red muttered, ready to act if necessary. If Charizard truly lost control, he would have to use his psychic power and the Power of Viridian to restore his senses.
Enraged, Charizard locked onto Thousand-Year Gengar first—the ghost-type that had been stirring up trouble all along.
From his mouth burst azure flames. His wings whipped up Air Slash. Dragon aura enveloped his body as he used Dragon Rush.
"Boss, save me!"
Thousand-Year Gengar panicked. Who unleashes three moves at once?! Seeing Charizard's stamina so "abundant," it immediately waved a white flag and surrendered to Red.
"Power of Viridian!" Red whispered. Blue light shone from his eyes as emerald natural energy surfaced around him.
The frenzied Charizard was restrained by psychic force. The green Power of Viridian quickly enveloped him, restoring his clarity.
"Gengar is out!" Red announced.
'Plans can't keep up with changes. Charizard's current strength is terrifying!' the gigantic Onix lamented.
'It's up to the three of us now. You two little ones stay back and watch!' Scyther said calmly.
A blue Dragon Breath shot from Charizard's mouth. Dratini answered with its own, but it lasted less than a second before being overwhelmed. The remaining force struck Dratini and blasted it back into a deep crater.
'You never listen to your seniors!' Scyther sighed helplessly, rushing in with X-Scissor for close combat.
Charizard understood Scyther's intent. He didn't recklessly use fire, instead clashing Dragon Claw against Scyther's blades. Thanks to his superior lineage, his forelimbs hadn't atrophied and remained as robust as when he was Charmeleon. Before long, he forcibly pinned Scyther to the ground.
"Dratini and Scyther are out!" Red declared.
"You're not much better…" Thousand-Year Gengar grumbled.
Seeing this, the gigantic Onix and the blood-red Gyarados charged forward. Onix used Double-Edge, while Gyarados used Aqua Tail—both strength-focused moves.
'Perfect!' Charizard exclaimed excitedly. Emerald light covered his hands, forming two massive Dragon Claws as he met their attacks head-on.
"Isn't he getting a bit too full of himself?" Thousand-Year Gengar muttered. Why not dodge with his wings? Why waste stamina clashing directly?
"If you could Mega Evolve too, you'd probably be even more arrogant than him," Red teased. The remark made Thousand-Year Gengar blush. Deep down, it envied Charizard's ability to Mega Evolve.
"Don't worry. Charizard isn't the only one who can Mega Evolve. You can too, Gengar," Red said calmly.
Thousand-Year Gengar nearly floated into the sky with joy. So it could Mega Evolve too? Time to get cocky!
"Boss, when can I Mega Evolve?!" it asked excitedly.
"No rush. Mega Evolution requires not only a Mega Stone but also a synchronized bond. You've been performing well lately, but you're still slightly behind Charizard and the other six," Red explained slowly.
"I see!" Thousand-Year Gengar realized in enlightenment.
Seeing brute force fail, the gigantic Onix used Stone Edge while the blood-red Gyarados fired a Hydro Pump. The two attacks struck Charizard at close range.
'Damn it, that's cheating!' Charizard growled. His wings flapped wildly to release Air Slash, while his mouth spewed blazing azure flames.
'Now's my chance!'
Cubone, who had been lying on the ground pretending to be unconscious, seized the opportunity and hurled its bone club, smashing it squarely onto Charizard's head.
In a dramatic turn, the blow to his skull instantly dispelled Charizard's Mega form. Before he could steady himself, he collapsed unconscious.
"Alright, the match is over!"
Red announced the end. For Charizard's first Mega Evolution to last this long was already impressive—after all, he had battled six Pokémon at once.
Cubone's Bone Boomerang had just happened to jar Charizard's tightly wound nerves for a split second, causing him to revert from his Mega Evolution form.