After a period of dedicated nurturing, Ash's Charizard had grown significantly more robust and imposing. However, compared to the wild Charizards in this valley creatures that had grown up amidst constant training and battle since birth he still appeared a bit small.
The Charizard standing before him was truly massive, standing half a neck taller than Ash's own.
"Oh my, he's going up against that one right from the start?" Liza understood the situation the moment she saw the standoff at the valley gates. She hadn't expected the Charizards inside to open the gates themselves to accept a challenge!
"Ash, is Charizard going to be okay?" Misty asked from behind him, her eyes fixed nervously on the two dragons.
"He'll be fine!" Ash replied with a confident smile.
Step by step, Ash's Charizard walked forward to confront the towering opponent. The other wild Charizards stepped back slightly, watching the impending duel with focused intensity. As the fighting spirit in the center reached a fever pitch, the surrounding dragons simultaneously let out pillars of fire toward the sky.
The battle was ignited!
Thud!
The two Charizards lunged forward in unison, their bodies colliding as they began a test of pure strength.
"Ash, your Charizard is incredibly strong!" Liza couldn't help but praise him. She knew the dragons of this valley better than anyone; that particular Charizard was a power specialist who obsessed over strength training. She hadn't expected Ash's Charizard, despite being smaller, to hold his own in a direct clash of power.
Ash smiled but said nothing. This was the result of the Macho Brace provided by the System an item that enhanced strength and speed across the board. The difference was night and day!
Boom!
The two dragons exerted force at the same time, pushing each other back. Suddenly, violent dragon energy erupted from both their bodies.
"What intense dragon energy!" Ash could feel the collision of energy through his Aura, manifesting as flashes of electricity in the air.
Huge dragon claws materialized over the talons of Ash's Charizard. Meanwhile, cyan scales appeared on the tail of the massive wild Charizard, which burned with the fire of life itself.
It was the Dragon Tail move!
The sight of Ash's Charizard using Dragon Claw made Liza's eyes light up once more. Facing the sweeping force of the Dragon Tail, Charizard crossed his glowing claws in front of him, bracing against the impact and stopping the attack cold.
"Roar!"
With a thunderous cry, Charizard swung his claws, forcing the larger dragon back. Then, with a sudden flap of his wings, he gave chase, swinging his glowing claws toward the massive Charizard's head.
Clang!
A wing shimmering with metallic light intercepted the Dragon Claw. Ash's eyes narrowed. The Charizard that had intervened was incredibly fast!
"Charizard, take on whoever comes! If they want to double up, fight them both!" Ash commanded.
Charizard grinned.
*Bond Points: 248/255*
Before the Dragon Claw energy could dissipate, he swung it toward the newcomer the one who had used Steel Wing. The dragon was fast, dodging the strike with ease, but after a sharp growl from the first massive Charizard, the intervener stepped back and did not interfere again.
The massive Charizard roared again, and Ash's Charizard nodded. The message was clear: the duel continued!
Ash's Charizard pressed the attack with his claws. The wild Charizard's talons began to glow with white light as he met the strike head-on.
It was the Slash move!
"Ash, your Charizard's wild instinct is incredible!" Liza was truly astonished. Misty could see it too this wasn't just a tactical battle; it was like watching two wild beasts fighting with claws, tails, and teeth.
"Why aren't they using Flamethrower?" Misty asked, confused.
"You can't just play with fire anytime you want," Ash joked.
*Bond Points: 250/255*
Only 5 points left!
"Again?" Liza noticed a faint red and blue glow flickering around both Ash and his Charizard at the same time.
"Roar!"
Charizard felt a surge of immense power rising from within his body. His Dragon Claw exploded with force, sending the massive wild Charizard flying back.
"He won!" Misty cheered.
*Bond Points: 251/255*
With a sudden boom, a wave of heat erupted from Charizard, and he was instantly enveloped in a sphere of raging flames.
"Hahaha! Charizard! Get stronger! Get even stronger!" Ash laughed toward the sky as if possessed.
Watching him, Liza suspected that Ash knew exactly what was happening to his Pokémon and had been waiting for this very moment.
"Roar!"
Charizard let out a world-shaking cry as a mysterious power began to take shape inside him.
"You Charizards! Two on one, three on one, challenge my Charizard as much as you can!" Ash shouted. There were only 4 Bond Points remaining. He needed the battle to become even more intense!
The situation was spiraling out of Liza's control. Suddenly, a Charizard roughly the same size as the first massive one but with an aura several times more powerful flew out from the depths of the valley.
Liza turned pale. "To think even he would be drawn out by you two..."
"That one is strong!" Ash said, his smile full of confidence.
"He isn't just strong. He is the strongest dragon in Charicific Valley. You can call him... the Charizard King!" Liza's voice trembled.
This dragon was the apex of the valley, the guardian of order. No matter how many battles took place, he ensured that harmony was maintained. The fact that he was showing himself to accept a challenge personally meant he took a great interest in Ash's Charizard.
"Roar!"
Facing the King's overwhelming pressure, Ash's Charizard didn't flinch. Instead, he let out a roar filled with battle intent.
*Bond Points: 252/255*
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).