"Roar!!!!"
With a deep breath, Charizard unleashed a powerful stream of fire directly at Ash, the intense heat indicative of its fury.
"Interesting..."
"Woof!"
In response to the incoming flames, Houndoom let out a roar that shattered the flames into sparks, but while Green was momentarily stunned, Ash seized the opportunity to punch him in the gut, sending him flying.
"While I don't know what's happening, if we're fighting, let's get started."
Upon hearing Ash's declaration and seeing Raticate's previous condition, Green, whose mind was clouded with rage, sent out his Poké Ball.
"Go! Steelix! Use Iron Tail!"
"Roar!"
Steelix emerged from the Poké Ball with a roar and charged toward Houndoom with a spinning tail, but Houndoom, acting on instinct, jumped to dodge the attack while simultaneously firing a Dark Pulse at Steelix.
However, at that moment, Green shouted, "Now! Attack the masked man directly!"
"Roar!"
Responding to Green's command, Steelix turned and charged straight toward Ash. It became clear that Green's true target was not Houndoom but Ash himself.
Without a hint of panic, Ash calmly addressed Houndoom.
"Houndoom..."
"Roar!!!"
With a roar, Houndoom launched itself into action, successfully knocking Steelix aside, and then opened its jaws wide to bite down fiercely on Steelix.
"Use Bite until it completely loses consciousness! Show it the power of evil, seize your prey! Rip its throat out! We are hunters! One strike kill! To death!"
At Ash's command, Houndoom's eyes glowed red as it sank its teeth deeper into Steelix.
Seeing this, Green threw his Poké Ball again.
"Go, Arcanine! Use Flamethrower!"
Unsure of what tricks Sebastian had up his sleeve, Green felt a sense of urgency to act first. As Arcanine burst onto the scene, it directed its Flamethrower at Ash in another direct assault.
This time, before Ash could respond, another figure sprang from the side, biting down on the flames. Houndoom had unleashed its powerful jaws, dissipating Arcanine's fire before Green and Blue could glimpse the figure's identity — a Houndour.
"Woof~!!!"
Houndour shot a piercing glance at Arcanine before lunging forward, its fearsome speed catching Arcanine off guard and pinning it to the ground. Instead of using its traditional Bite attack, Houndour slapped Arcanine in the face just as it was gathering flames in its mouth, effectively dispersing the flames. Taking advantage of this moment, Houndour struck toward Arcanine's throat.
"Now, Arcanine! Wrap yourself in flames with Flame Charge and defeat it! Charizard, attack Houndoom with your wings!"
With a furious shout, Green rallied his Pokémon. Arcanine erupted in a torrent of flames, completely enveloping Houndour, while Green's Charizard lunged toward Houndoom with sparkling wings outstretched.
Houndoom attempted to evade but found itself ensnared by Steelix's grasp.
"Roar! You won't escape!"
"Now, Charizard!"
Realizing that Steelix was holding Houndoom in place, Green clenched his fist in triumph; his plan had been set in motion. He had instructed his Pokémon on their true objectives, ensuring that Houndoom closed the distance before being restrained by Steelix. Although he didn't anticipate the appearance of Houndour, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
"Roar!!!!"
Seeing Houndoom caught, Green's Charizard roared and charged directly at Houndoom. Yet, to his shock, Houndoom wore a sinister grin in response to the incoming attack.
That expression made Green suddenly realize that something was off.
"Not good!"
"Woof~!!!"
Just as Charizard's wings were about to collide with Houndoom, the latter unleashed a thunderous roar and erupted in an even more ferocious flame that engulfed both Charizard and Steelix, a pillar of fire shooting into the sky, signaling that something significant was occurring in Saffron City.
As the blazing inferno receded, Houndoom stood atop the unconscious forms of Charizard and Steelix, slowly returning to Ash's side. Meanwhile, Houndour emerged from the flames, revealing an unconscious Arcanine at its feet.
"Well played — that calculation was almost perfect. You used your feigned anger to lead me into believing you'd lost your mind, while all along, you were plotting meticulously against me."
Ash said, patting Houndoom and Houndour on the head. "But you forgot one thing: when the level of disparity increases, any advance can be broken through sheer brute force."
Realizing his plan had been deciphered, Green's previously furious demeanor shifted to a calm expression as he looked at Ash, "Guess I'm just too weak... So what are you planning to do now?"
Though he spoke calmly, Green's fingertip was covertly clutching a small Poké Ball, searching for an opportunity to withdraw his first partner, Scyther, and create a chance to escape.
"Actually, I'm quite curious about one thing. What happened to your Raticate?"
At the mention of Raticate by the figure claiming to be Sebastian, Green nearly dropped his Poké Ball, but he restrained himself; facing Ash, who exuded such a palpable threat, he knew staying composed was vital.
"Hmph... that's just the price I pay for being weak... My Raticate is poisoned while trying to protect me from harm. Yes, weak me..."
As Blue watched the tense standoff between Ash and Green, she wondered if she should make a run for it, but something about the masked Sebastian felt familiar. Besides, exiting was not an option, as she felt several Pokémon poised to act if she made a move.
In the midst of her uncertainty, Ash remained silent for a moment after considering Green's plight, then snapped his fingers.
"Gengar!"
With Ash's command, a deep violet Gengar slinked out from the nearby shrubbery and, after casting a wary glance at Green, expelled a small orb before returning to Ash's side.
Green's forehead beaded with cold sweat as he watched Gengar pass him. Realizing that he was the one in danger from the start, he was now unsure what the orb on the ground represented.
"What is this...?"