"Fletchindeeeer!!!"
Fletchinder had evolved into Talonflame!
The newly evolved Talonflame unleashed a fiery gale, driving back Moltres's flames. But the Legendary's power was overwhelming, and even Talonflame staggered under the pressure.
But even after its evolution, Moltres's flames were far beyond what Talonflame could withstand. The newly evolved Talonflame spread its wings wide, using the light of its evolution to shield everyone from the legendary bird's scorching fire.
Yet, the price was heavy—Talonflame collapsed, losing its ability to battle.
"Come back, Talonflame. You've done enough—take a good rest." Ash recalled his partner with a firm expression, then lifted his eyes toward the blazing figure in the sky.
"Ash, what are you going to do? Talonflame looks badly hurt…" Serena's voice carried genuine worry.
"It's fine. A Heal Ball will patch it up in no time," Ash reassured her, though his gaze sharpened. "But this Moltres… it's way stronger than I expected."
Pokémon: Moltres
[Category]: Flame Pokémon
[Type]: Fire/Flying
[Ability]: Pressure
[Hidden Ability]: Flame Body
[Potential]: Purple
[Level]: 89
[Moves]: Wing Attack, Fire Spin, Agility, Ancient Power, Flamethrower, Safeguard, Air Slash, Sunny Day, Heat Wave, Solar Beam, Sky Attack, Roost, Hurricane, Burn Up, Overheat…
Ash exhaled and adjusted his cap. "Guess talking won't get us anywhere. That's fine. Pikachu—looks like you've got yourself a worthy opponent. It's been a while, huh? How about this one?"
"Pika…chu!!"
Pikachu leapt from Ash's shoulder, cheeks sparking. Its eyes burned with determination. It was level 89, same as Moltres. Pikachu had been stuck at this level for a while, simply because no opponent strong enough had appeared. But now? A legendary bird at the exact same strength tier—it was fate itself presenting a chance!
"What? Ash, are you serious? You're sending Pikachu against Moltres? That's a legendary Pokémon! Pikachu can't possibly win!" Trevor was so stunned he forgot all about snapping photos.
"Pikachu, you can do it! Bonnie and Dedenne believe in you!" Bonnie cheered, raising her tiny fists.
"Dene-ne!" Dedenne squeaked in encouragement.
Unlike Trevor's doubt, Bonnie and Dedenne's faith was unwavering.
"Come to think of it…" Clemont adjusted his glasses, eyes narrowing. "I've never actually seen Pikachu fight at full power. Ash wouldn't make a reckless move—there must be more to this."
"Ash, Pikachu… please, be careful." Serena's voice trembled as she clutched her hands tightly to her chest.
-------
"Skreeee!"
Moltres shrieked in rage, flames flaring. But then—
The instant Pikachu stopped concealing its true aura, a crushing wave of energy burst forth. It was the aura of a Peak Tier-3 Legendary Rank (Level 89)—just like Moltres itself. The air trembled. Moltres's eyes widened in realization: it had found a real opponent.
"Sceptile," Ash called, tossing a Poké Ball. His ace Grass-type emerged, standing tall. "Take care of everyone. Get them to safety. Pikachu and Moltres are going to need the entire crater for this battle."
"Sceptile!"
Sceptile nodded and ushered the group away, leaving Ash and Pikachu facing Moltres one-on-one at the fiery volcano's heart.
"Moltres, let's battle! But know this—the loser comes with me!" Ash declared. "Pikachu, Charge Beam!"
"Pika…CHU!"
Golden lightning erupted from Pikachu's body, streaking upward like a spear of thunder toward Moltres.
"Skreeeee!"
With a cry, Moltres's body shimmered with white light as it darted aside at impossible speed.
"Sky Attack… huh? Pikachu—meet it head on! Volt Tackle!"
"Chu—PIKA!"
Crackling with electricity, Pikachu lunged forward, matching Moltres's blazing dive.
This wasn't ordinary lightning coursing through Pikachu's body. With the Light Ball boosting its power, plus the Attribute Enhancement Card Ash had used on it, Pikachu's electricity was easily more than double that of any ordinary Electric-type of the same level.
The two attacks collided—Sky Attack versus Volt Tackle!
The air split with a deafening roar. Moltres screeched in pain, sparks dancing across its majestic wings. Pikachu's strike had forced it back!
Though Pikachu suffered recoil damage, its growing power had toughened its body enough to endure. At this level, Pokémon's physical resilience could shrug off drawbacks that once seemed dangerous.
"How do you like Pikachu's Volt Tackle, Moltres?" Ash clenched a fist. "Now—Thunder!"
"PIKACHUUUU!!!"
The sky darkened. A deafening boom rolled across the volcano as a colossal lightning bolt tore downward.
"Skreeee!!"
Enraged, Moltres summoned its most devastating weapon—Burn Up. Fire energy exploded from its beak, forming a blazing inferno. It was Moltres's strongest Fire-type move, a last resort with terrifying destructive power.
The two ultimate moves clashed—not colliding, but striking each other's targets directly!
"Skreeeee!!"
"Pikaaa!!"
The shockwave rocked the crater. Both Pokémon took the full brunt of the other's attack. Moltres, already paralyzed by Pikachu's lightning earlier, couldn't withstand the punishment. After Volt Tackle and Thunder, it let out a final cry before collapsing midair—knocked out cold!
Its massive body plummeted toward the molten lava below!
"No—Moltres is going to fall into the magma! Ash, the Poké Ball won't work if it sinks in there!" Clemont shouted in horror.
"Chamooo!"
A green blur streaked across the air.
Sceptile!
In perfect sync with Pikachu, Sceptile launched itself forward. Its speed was so immense that it left afterimages behind. It caught the fainted Moltres just before it struck the magma, then kicked off the rocky wall of the crater and vaulted back to safety.
Ash let out a breath of relief.
Then—
Ding! [Congratulations, Host. Pikachu has defeated Moltres! The Tenfold Experience Multiplier Card activates successfully—rewarding you with 1,200,000 battle experience points!]
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