"Roar!"
The exhausted Arcanine struggled to its feet, stubbornly letting out a few low growls at Charizard, indicating it could still continue fighting and didn't need any mercy.
"Arcanine, I never expected you to still be as stubborn as before..." Blaine looked at Arcanine's weary figure with deep emotion, feeling saddened by his partner's current determination.
'Perhaps I really am getting old, having forgotten even my former stubbornness...' When Blaine and Arcanine were still in their prime, they had been so dominant and powerful.
Unfortunately, time spares no one. Blaine, who was once a Fire-type Elite Four member, had also aged and no longer possessed the passion of his youth. And Arcanine, his original traveling companion, was the same.
Just as Blaine was about to concede defeat, he noticed Red's body suddenly emanating three strange energies.
"Looks like the boss still has a compassionate heart..." the ancient Gengar murmured. This was one of the reasons the thousand-year-old Gengar was willing to follow Red.
Psychic power, Aura power, and Viridian Power. These three energies condensed together and flew toward the battlefield. But the Pokémon receiving these three energy enhancements wasn't Red's Charizard, but rather the disadvantaged Arcanine.
"Why is this?" Blaine asked in confusion.
"Because I want to truly defeat you, not rely on the so-called advantage of time," Red explained, telling Blaine not to worry too much about what was happening.
The psychic power enhanced Arcanine's reaction speed, allowing it to better dodge damage. The Aura power strengthened its physical perception, allowing it to better enhance attacks and lock onto positions. The Viridian Power granted stamina recovery, allowing it to endure high-intensity battles!
Arcanine looked at its current body with disbelief. After receiving the blessing of these three powers, Arcanine vaguely felt that its body was no longer aged, just like when it was young.
'This is the strength I should have had!'
Arcanine puffed out its chest, standing proudly before Charizard, ready to duel with the dragon once again.
"To express my respect for you, and to thank Mr. Fuji for his gift to me and Charizard, we will give our all!" As soon as the words fell, Red threw the Mega Stone he had prepared toward Charizard, then pressed the Key Stone in his palm. Under the ancient Gengar's envious gaze, a bond formed a connection between Red and Charizard's bodies.
After the dazzling evolution light faded, with gray-black skin, blue flames, and crimson pupils, Mega Charizard X appeared before Blaine and Arcanine.
"As expected, Mega Evolution is still as impressive as ever..." the ancient Gengar said enviously, glancing deeply at Red beside it.
'When will I get my own Mega Stone...'
"What kind of power is this?! It can actually make Charizard evolve again?!" Blaine and Arcanine looked at the evolved Mega Charizard X with disbelief, showing shocked expressions, not understanding the changes occurring in Charizard's body.
'Could this be the Mega Evolution that Fuji once mentioned in passing?' Blaine suddenly fell into memories, recalling the time he spent with Mr. Fuji at the Cinnabar Research Institute, but this memory was quickly interrupted by Charizard's roar.
"Mr. Blaine, why don't we continue the battle first? I know you have many questions you want me to explain, but don't spoil Charizard and Arcanine's excitement!" Red said with enthusiasm.
"True, after all, my old partner is quite excited right now!" Blaine said with a slight smile.
"Flamethrower!" both trainers commanded simultaneously.
Blue flames and red flames clashed in the center of the field, devouring each other's power.
Seemingly guessing Red's intention, Blaine instructed Arcanine to temporarily stop attacking and actively absorb Charizard's flames into its body, triggering the Flash Fire ability.
"Charizard, Arcanine is now in its best condition. Don't be too careless," Red reminded.
Charizard turned to nod at Red, looking extremely confident. The dragon didn't think it could lose to Arcanine, which only had one ability enhancement, when it had three ability enhancements.
The battle erupted instantly. Charizard flapped its massive wings, swiftly approaching Arcanine and using Dragon Claw.
"Arcanine, use Dragon Pulse!"
Under Red and Charizard's surprised gazes, Arcanine gathered dragon breath in its mouth, forming it into a shockwave that shot forward, hitting Charizard's body head-on.
Charizard, struck by Dragon Pulse, was forced to pull back distance, its right claw touching the injured area while looking at Arcanine ahead with slight shock.
'When did a dog learn Dragon-type moves?'
'What kind of look is that?! When I was dominating everyone, you were probably still drinking milk in your mother's arms!' Seemingly seeing the confusion in Charizard's eyes, Arcanine disdainfully retorted, snorting with displeasure.
"One of my rivals back then was a powerful trainer from the Dragon Clan. My Arcanine learned Dragon Pulse to defeat their ace Dragonite. I never expected it would come in handy now," Blaine explained with a smile.
"This battle development is even better. I'm quite looking forward to the upcoming duel!" Red said excitedly, giving Charizard a command. "Charizard, use Dragon Claw!"
"Arcanine, use Flame Wheel!"
Charizard's claws covered with emerald energy clashed with Arcanine's flame-covered body. Perhaps due to the three energy enhancements, this time Arcanine didn't fall behind, still contending with Charizard in strength.
"Dragon Rush!"
"Dragon Pulse!"
Blue dragon killing intent covered Charizard's entire body, transforming the fire dragon into an energy construct, attempting to devour the Arcanine before it.
Arcanine wasn't to be outdone, decisively using Dragon Pulse at close range without any intention of retreating.
Under Blaine and Arcanine's shocked gazes, Arcanine's Dragon Pulse was instantly devoured completely by Dragon Rush, then Charizard's body fiercely crashed into Arcanine, sending it flying ten meters away.
"Arcanine, use Flamethrower on the rock wall behind you to offset the impact!"
After hearing Blaine's command, Arcanine let out a low growl, turning to aim at the rock wall and using Flamethrower. The scorching fire pillar hit the rock wall, quickly cushioning much of the impact force for Arcanine.
"Bang!"
A resounding crash echoed as Arcanine extended its paws against the rock wall. The impact force from Dragon Rush had even caused the entire rock wall to sink, making Blaine gasp in amazement.
'Is this the power of the Mega Evolution that Fuji mentioned? Truly terrifyingly excellent...'
"Arcanine, use Dragon Pulse again!"
"Mr. Blaine, Dragon Pulse should be more of Charizard's specialty move!" Red said with amusement, shaking his head.
Charizard and Arcanine simultaneously used Dragon Pulse, but Charizard's blue Dragon Pulse was more powerful, quickly devouring Arcanine's Dragon Pulse and converting it into its own power, swiftly rushing to Arcanine's position.