Chapter 219: vs. Magmar!!
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Return, Rapidash."
As Rapidash vanished into a red light, the solid ground beneath Pikachu's feet disappeared. It landed directly on the scorching sand, which was so hot it sent the Pokémon hopping again. Pikachu quickly tried to calm itself, attempting to generate the unique electrical field for Magnet Rise beneath its paws.
"Zzt—"
This time, however, Magnet Rise didn't form perfectly under all four of its paws. The energy only materialized under its right hind paw, forcing it to balance precariously on one leg, stuck on the hot sand.
Its mastery of Magnet Rise wasn't yet perfect. Without the adrenaline of battle, it failed to work properly.
Ash couldn't help but ask, "Pikachu, can you still battle?"
"Boom!"
The answer came as flames erupted from Pikachu's body once more—it had been burned again.
Ash: "..."
Seeing Pikachu's miserable state, Ash didn't have the heart to make it continue. He quickly hopped a few steps onto the hot sand, personally picked up the Pikachu that was balancing on one leg, and carried it off the field. He then motioned for Misty to give it a burn-healing berry.
Ash couldn't resist kicking the hot sand and said, "Pikachu, you need to train more. What's so hot about a little sand? Having feet this sensitive is a sign of a weak constitution."
Pikachu: "?"
*You take off your shoes and come in here before you say something like that.*
The Sunny Day weather in the Cinnabar Gym grew even more intense.
"So, it's finally time for the last battle..."
Beneath his sunglasses, Blaine's face showed no sign of discouragement from the previous two losses. Instead, his expression grew even more fervent.
The Cinnabar Gym had badge restrictions for challengers, not just because the magma field was dangerous, but because every single one of Blaine's Pokémon was incredibly powerful.
It could be said that Ash's current level was already quite formidable, having completely transcended the rank of an ordinary rookie trainer.
"This youth's mind is quite sharp," Blaine offered as an evaluation of Ash.
Although his own two Pokémon had been a cut above in terms of overall strength, Ash's quick-witted commands had allowed his own to keep pace, repeatedly surprising him.
"So then, how will you face my final ace!?"
Blaine suddenly threw his arms wide, roaring at the entire volcanic arena. For a moment, his old frame seemed to burn with the passion of a fiery youth.
"Come forth, King of Magma!"
He didn't throw a Poké Ball, but as his voice fell, the magma beneath their feet began to churn violently, with bubbles of steam constantly rising.
"What's happening? What's happening?"
"We didn't say 'it can't fly,' did we?"
"We didn't say 'Torkoal' either!"
Ash, Misty, and Brock quickly looked down at the roiling surface of the magma.
"Splash!"
Suddenly, a figure burst through the magma, leaping straight out of the searing molten rock below. It slammed a claw onto the rocky edge of the arena, heaved itself up with one powerful arm, and landed steadily on the battlefield.
This Pokémon stood before Blaine, staring across at Ash.
"Whoosh..."
Instantly, a wave of intense heat washed over the entire arena. The hot steam made everyone squint, and Brock was even forced to abandon his referee position in the middle of the field, standing behind Ash just like Misty.
Among the group, only Blaine and Ash, both wearing sunglasses, remained unfazed.
"This is..."
Wearing his Wartortle-esque sunglasses, Ash was able to see the full form of the Pokémon that had just leaped from the magma.
It had a humanoid, upright body with red and yellow skin. Like Rapidash, the red patterns on its body looked like real, burning flames. Black shackles were clasped around its arms, thighs, and neck.
It had a large tail with a flame burning at its tip, much like a Charmeleon's. Its expression was somber, its eyes strikingly similar to Red's dead-fish eyes, and its mouth protruded slightly into a duckbill.
Merely standing there, its body was wreathed in a faint, fiery-red energy, radiating terrifying heat that blurred and scorched the surrounding air.
Most unnervingly, the Pokémon had just emerged from the depths, and streams of volcanic magma still clung to its body, dripping down. Paired with its grim face, it looked like a fiery demon god, enough to make a child cry in terror.
Its two feet were planted on the scorching sand, and the sand around them was instantly baked into charred, black debris...
"Pika..."
"Wartor..."
Both Wartortle and Pikachu were startled by this Pokémon's aura, instinctively hiding behind Ash.
*Isn't today's match supposed to be best two out of three? We should be done by now, packing up and heading back to let that guy Brock cook us a huge victory feast.*
Even Red, within Ash's soul, was momentarily stunned. While this Magmar's strength was a bit less than the Magmortar belonging to Zeus, the Team Rocket core executive he had encountered before, its aura was in no way inferior. In fact, it seemed to faintly surpass it.
"Is it because of this magma?" Red quickly understood the key.
Fire-type Pokémon could use external flames to forge their physical condition, and this Magmar had clearly been tempering its body in this terrifying magma for a long time. Its physical condition had already far surpassed that of most ordinary Magmar.
Red's brow suddenly twitched, as if he had discovered something.
"However, this energy, it should soon..."
But he didn't say it aloud.
"Pokedex beep. Magmar, the Duck Pokémon. Its body is like flame and magma, capable of withstanding temperatures over a thousand degrees. Touching it may result in a burn. Its looks are average, so catching one is not recommended."
The Pokedex chimed in.
Ash shoved the Pokedex back into his pocket. Who judged a Pokémon by its looks? Although this duck's appearance was indeed average, with an aura of flame like that, he would have thrown a Poké Ball already if it didn't belong to Blaine.
Seeing this, Ash swallowed hard, his gaze hardening as he kept his own aura at its peak. Then, he fiercely threw out his Poké Ball.
"I choose you! My ace!"
A red light flashed. Before the figure even appeared, a scorching pillar of fire shot up from the light, baking the air.
"ROOOAR!"
A dragon's roar exploded across the Cinnabar arena, unleashing a tangible shockwave that spread outwards. The magma in the entire volcano crater began to churn as if responding to this powerful cry.
"THUD!"
Charmeleon's figure appeared on the field. The moment it landed, its two powerful hind legs slammed into the hot sand, stomping two deep pits into the scorching ground.
Facing Magmar's demon-god-like aura, Charmeleon's own was not affected in the slightest. In fact, it was even stronger. Its claws were clenched, ready to charge into battle at any moment.
"A Fire-type, naturally, must be countered with a Fire-type!" Ash declared in a low voice.
Both Pokémon were Fire-types, and both had the character for "dragon" in their names. Rounding up, they could be considered two fire dragons.
Whether Fire or Dragon, both were extremely proud types of Pokémon. The moment they appeared, the two dragons locked eyes, staring intently at each other, the flames in their eyes flaring as if they wished for nothing more than to crush their opponent's head underfoot.
"When it comes to a battle of flames, Charmeleon and I will not lose to anyone!"
"ROOOAR!"
Ash and Charmeleon were the first to issue their declaration of war. The flames of battle were ignited.
Having already entered that strange state of bond once before, the tacit understanding between them now far surpassed what Ash had with his other Pokémon.
"In that case, let me see if your flames are hot enough!"
"GRAWRR!"
Blaine and Magmar also took their battle stances. Flame and magma churned. The battle was about to erupt!
(end of chapter)