"This power is way too ridiculous. Even Rhydon, famous for its strength, was so easily pushed to the corner by it, without even the slightest ability to resist."
The thousand-year-old Gengar looked at Tauros with surprise, but then thought—could a Pokémon that earned Red's recognition and became his companion be ordinary?
This was obviously impossible. The ancient Gengar felt more and more that Red's team was like a "monster sanctuary," specifically accepting Pokémon with exceptional talents who would be somewhat ostracized by their own kind.
"Come back, Tauros!"
"Come back, Rhydon!"
Red and Blaine simultaneously took out their Poké Balls to recall their respective Pokémon, preparing to send out new partners for the next round of battle.
"The hottest flame in the world, lava within lava—what is the burning flame that moves within it?"
Blaine raised both hands high, shouting the dramatic opening line for the Pokémon dwelling in the lava below that was about to make its entrance.
"Come out, Magmar!"
The lava below began to boil like ocean waves, then rose like a waterfall. In the churning molten rock, a fiery red Magmar emerged before Red and the ancient Gengar.
"Boss, this round should be my turn to battle, right?" the thousand-year-old Gengar asked, looking at Red with expectant eyes, ready to enter combat at any moment.
Unfortunately, Red didn't give the ancient Ghost-type this chance to fight, instead throwing another Poké Ball from his waist.
"There's only one battle round each. Don't be so selfish!" Red criticized.
Although Red knew this was because the ancient Gengar was overly excited from not being by his side for too long, this couldn't justify giving it extra battle opportunities, since other companions also wanted to come out and fight.
The brilliant white light faded, and Aerodactyl—with its sharp claws and serrated teeth, known as the Sky King of ancient times—appeared prominently, flying above Magmar and looking down at the Fire-type below with arrogant eyes.
"Well I'll be, didn't expect this guy to be sent out. Looks like this Magmar has the worst luck!" the ancient Gengar said in shock, never expecting the companion sent out this time would be Aerodactyl. Initially, it had thought Red would send out Marowak to hone its strength.
"Excellent type advantage tactics. Looking at the powerful aura this Aerodactyl faintly emanates, it doesn't seem like one revived through amber genes but should be an ancient Pokémon that has truly survived to this day. Red, your fortune is quite good!" Blaine praised.
"I won't hide it from you—this Aerodactyl was captured in the Grand Canyon Ancient Pokémon Specific Protection Zone, and its identity is also the leader of that group of Aerodactyl, so naturally its aura would be more imposing," Red slowly explained.
"I see. After all, you discovered that Grand Canyon protection zone, so the League has no reason to deliberately offend you over such a small matter," Blaine said with understanding.
If it were an ordinary person without any background or status, their captured ancient Pokémon might be forcibly confiscated by League officials and sanctioned under charges of attempted theft.
Fortunately, these ridiculous incidents wouldn't happen to Red, saving him from having to be annoyed for a while.
"Magmar, use Flamethrower!"
"Aerodactyl, use Stone Edge!"
Blazing flames spewed from Magmar's mouth, instantly forming a thick pillar of fire that rushed toward the flying Aerodactyl above.
Sharp stone blades materialized around Aerodactyl. Under the Sky King's control, they spun rapidly around its body, actually forming a stone blade barrier that blocked the flame damage.
"Excellent tactics!" Blaine was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but be impressed by Aerodactyl's performance.
After blocking the flame attack, the remaining stone blades continued flying toward Magmar's direction, planning to use this opportunity to deplete the Fire-type's stamina as much as possible.
"You're underestimating us! Magmar, use Fire Punch!"
Magmar immediately used its flame-covered fist to shatter the incoming stone blades, then stepped forward charging toward Aerodactyl's direction, using its jumping ability to attempt a Thunder Punch hit on the ancient flyer.
"Aerodactyl, use Agility to dodge, then follow up with Rock Slide!"
Magmar regrettably missed completely. The Aerodactyl before it instantly became a blur and disappeared from its original position, then a huge boulder appeared above Magmar, violently striking the Fire-type's body.
Fortunately, Magmar used its boiling flames to block much of the damage in time, using Fire Punch to forcibly shatter the giant rock crushing its body.
Although Aerodactyl wasn't afraid of flames, if it got burned by Magmar's Flame Body ability, it would still consume considerable stamina, so Red's command was to conduct ranged attrition tactics as much as possible, rather than rashly rushing in for close combat.
Obviously Blaine was also aware of Red's plan, so he kept commanding Magmar to get as close as possible to the Aerodactyl above, but the Sky King's speed was simply too fast—it wasn't an existence Magmar could reach at all.
If not for Magmar being able to use the familiar terrain advantage, it might not even be able to touch Aerodactyl's shadow.
"Aerodactyl, use Stone Edge again!"
Sharp stone blades struck Magmar's body again. The angry Fire-type decisively used Flamethrower, with thick pillars of fire continuously sweeping across Aerodactyl's movement trajectory.
'If you have the guts, don't dodge!' Magmar taunted, trying to anger Aerodactyl with this provocation.
A perfectly good battle competition had somehow devolved into a dodging game—what kind of nonsense was this?
No wonder Magmar was so frustrated.
Magmar panted heavily, unwillingly staring at the Aerodactyl above that was looking down on it.
When it first began battling Aerodactyl, Magmar had vaguely felt a strange, oppressive feeling. This oppressive feeling made its body feel tired, and the stamina consumed by releasing moves had actually doubled, making Magmar inexplicably feel a trace of panic.
"Aerodactyl, let Magmar witness your true strength!"
"Aerodactyl, use Dragon Claw!"
Aerodactyl's sharp claws were instantly covered with emerald energy, then using high speed, it rushed directly to Magmar's front, continuously using Dragon Claw to strike the Fire-type's body.
"Magmar, take this chance to use Thunder Punch!"
Magmar didn't choose to block the Dragon Claw attack, but actively approached Aerodactyl. A Thunder Punch fiercely hit Aerodactyl's body, making the Sky King involuntarily gasp.
After all, Electric-type moves could deal double super effective damage to Aerodactyl.
"Use Rock Blast at close range!"
Hard rocks condensed in front of Aerodactyl, hitting Magmar's body five consecutive times.
The Rock-type move Rock Blast, with five consecutive hits, was enough to make Magmar lose its ability to battle, but the Fire-type forcibly endured it, refusing to admit defeat.
"This is bad! Magmar, you must hold on!" Blaine shouted worriedly.