"Ah-huh~!"
In the Hisui world, Electivire wore a solemn expression as it clapped its younger comrade Garchomp on the shoulder, offering final encouragement and advice before the battle.
Moments earlier, the long-stalled evolution of Monferno had finally broken through. After mastering the move Outrage, it had evolved into the valiant and commanding Infernape.
It was a moment worth celebrating. The Pokémon around them cheered with joy, and even the normally stoic Paul allowed himself a small smile.
After Torterra had healed and restored Infernape's strength, Paul, clearly in good spirits, suggested immediately:
"Let's test Infernape's flames against Garchomp."
The other Pokémon lit up, eager to watch the clash, but Electivire remained cautious.
If it were any other opponent, Electivire would not have felt even the slightest worry.
But Infernape was… different.
This monkey was dangerous.
Back when it was only a Monferno, in the heat of Blaze activation, it had already managed to fight opponents well beyond its rank. If not for overwhelming differences in raw power, it might have actually won.
Now, with its final evolution complete, Infernape had skipped tiers entirely—leaping from Elite-level through Ace to stand firmly in the Champion's class. Its very first act post-evolution had been to condense its flames into a titanic war-ape avatar and punch an entire hill into rubble.
Even Electivire had to admit: the sheer power was monstrous.
"Gaaar!"
Hearing its elder's warning, Garchomp only grinned, baring its sharp fangs. It raised a claw and pointed directly at Infernape, declaring its unshakable confidence to win.
Worry? Fear? Panic?
Those did not exist in its vocabulary.
Once its Rage Mode ignited, it would come charging with wild Dragon Claws—merciless and relentless.
"Vireee~"
Electivire resisted the urge to smack its head in exasperation. Instead, it nodded blankly, keeping its face expressionless.
Still… deep down, it knew.
This fight would not be easy.
Across the field, Infernape had already begun bouncing side to side, shadowboxing with fiery fists, testing its new body. Its fighting spirit blazed higher than ever.
"Begin when you're ready." Paul called out, his lips curling into the faintest smirk.
In truth, Infernape and Garchomp were alike. Both were uncontrollable when they cut loose, terrifying in close combat.
More importantly, both wielded powers that transcended their base forms: one channeling the essence of a dragon avatar, the other manifesting a flame war-ape from its crown of fire.
Paul's curiosity burned as hot as the battlefield itself.
Which would prove stronger?
"Gaaar~!"
Garchomp sprang skyward. Its eyes snapped open, glowing scarlet. With a roar, its body was engulfed in light.
Mega Evolution!
When the light shattered, Mega Garchomp hovered in the air. From its scarlet aura, a colossal dragon materialized, shrouded in crimson haze.
It bellowed downward, unleashing its fearsome Dragon's Majesty. The roar swept into a raging gale, birthing a Sandstorm that surged across the battlefield like a domain.
Bloodline, fury, and dragon power—three forces awakened together. Its Sand Force ability amplified its destructive might.
The intimidation was overwhelming, yet Infernape did not flinch.
Its own eyes turned crimson, radiating an ominous glow.
Above its head, the blazing crown of fire condensed into a towering column, tearing into the sky. From the inferno descended the upper body of a demonic Flame War-Ape, roaring as it materialized.
Meeting the dragon's glare with equal ferocity, the flame avatar clenched its fiery fists, eager for combat.
Four powers awakened in unison: Awakened Mode, Rage Power, Blaze, and Outrage.
Infernape's aura broke past all limits.
The once-clear skies warped into an ominous, oppressive twilight under the clash of titanic forces.
Then, at the peak of their surging momentum—
They moved.
The dragon plummeted from above, tearing the heavens, jaws gaping and claws slashing downward.
The flame ape surged upward, its blazing body swelling as it swung with both fists.
Their full-powered strikes collided head-on. For a heartbeat, time and space froze.
Then—
BOOOOOOM!!
An explosion of raw energy erupted, its shockwave flattening everything within reach. The earth split, rocks shattered, trees vanished.
Two silhouettes were blasted apart, hurled in opposite directions before crashing into the ground. Neither rose again.
"…Mewtwo. Torterra."
After a long silence, Paul finally spoke. The outcome was clear. This clash had ended in a draw.
With a flash of psychic power, Mewtwo teleported two battered Pokémon before the group.
"Raaaa~!"
Torterra let out a deep rumble. From the great tree on its back, clusters of green light—pure life energy floated down, gently settling upon the two wounded Pokémon.
Their injuries closed before the naked eye.
"Gaaar~!"
"Wah-cha~!"
Within moments, Garchomp and Infernape stirred, their strength was restored, and their eyes opening wide once more.
As vitality returned, so too did memory—the brutal clash just moments before.
Though the battle had ended in a draw, the two Pokémon bore themselves very differently.
Garchomp lowered its head in silence, frustration simmering in its chest.
Infernape, by contrast, stood tall with its chest thrust forward, flames burning with pride.
It was no wonder.
Garchomp had long reigned at the Champion level, its power honed and perfected through countless battles.
Infernape, however, had only just broken into this tier. Its strength was raw, barely mastered—and yet it had fought Garchomp to an even standstill.
For the land shark, the result was a bitter pill to swallow.
Paul stepped forward, his voice was calm but firm:
"You both did well. As long as you gave everything, that's enough."
To him, the world had never been fair. He had accepted that long ago.
"This match was a draw, yes—but that doesn't mean the next one will be. In a normal battle, the outcome could go either way. What matters is that you always fight with all you have."
The confrontation had been one of purest strength—no tricks, no terrain, no outside factors. The result did not surprise him.
After all, under his training, if Infernape's Blaze had amounted only to what the anime once depicted, it would have been a disappointment.
Turning his gaze toward the fiery ape, Paul continued:
"I've seen enough. Infernape's power is extreme—overwhelming, but volatile. Garchomp's is complete—balanced and reliable."
"Extreme power means greater potential, but also greater risk. It takes time and discipline to master it. Don't let yourself become a puppet of your own strength."
He paused.
"But don't try to smother it either. If you suppress the fire too much, its blaze will never burn as fiercely again."
The anime had once shown the danger of Infernape's unstable Blaze. Now, Paul meant to turn that cautionary tale into his guidepost.
"Wah-cha!"
Infernape thumped its chest with a fiery grin. It had endured too long in silence; it would not let its flames grow quiet again.
So long as it could cage the demon-ape within, then it could let its fire burn as hot and wild as it pleased.
Besides—surrounded by so many strong comrades, even if it lost control, it would not harm Paul.
Paul then turned to Garchomp:
"Your strength is complete and well-rounded. The dragon that shields you is near impenetrable. As long as that avatar holds, you won't take damage. You can trade blow for blow without fear—something that gives you an edge over Infernape's flames."
The Flame War-Ape that manifested above Infernape's head had no true defenses. Its strength was offense incarnate, but its body left openings that a sharp opponent could exploit.
It was, Paul mused, like two versions of the same technique.
"Gaaar!"
Understanding dawned in Garchomp's eyes. The bitterness faded, and replaced by resolve.
Next time, it would fight differently.
No more reckless charges into the air. It would turn the battlefield into a storm of sand—its Sandstorm and Sand Tomb forming a domain.
Let Infernape try to burn with all its might.
Even if it did, Garchomp's speed would give it ways to dodge, counter, and strike back.
Paul's lips curved into the faintest smile as he looked into the distance.
"Keep going. For you… the sky has no limits."
(End of Chapter)
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