(TN: Starting this point things might change because either I mistranslated something or the author forgot or change somethings like Steelix or the levels like there being no Master level(not sure yet) and just going directly to Legendary level.)
After the first attack was broken, Entei once again launched its assault.
But this time, Entei no longer relied on single-target techniques. Instead, it shifted to using a large-scale move.
"Sacred Fire!"
Flames burst forth from Entei's body. These flames were completely different from the ones it had used before.
Previously, its flames were a fiery orange, already searingly hot.
But now, the flames it released burned at an even higher temperature, so much so that faint traces of whiteness could be seen within them.
It was common knowledge that flames only shifted in color once their temperature surpassed certain thresholds.
And these nearly white flames left no doubt—their heat was far beyond imagination.
The inferno erupted violently from Entei, spreading outward like a virulent plague.
Mewtwo, seeing this, attempted to dodge. But against such an indiscriminate, all-encompassing attack, evasion was impossible.
"Mewtwo! Use Guard Swap! At the same time, fire off an Ice Beam! "
Nathan's voice rang out hurriedly, panic lacing his words.
He was genuinely afraid that this attack would burn Mewtwo to ashes.
It seemed Entei was truly fighting with lethal intent.
After Mewtwo used Guard Swap, its special defense values swapped with Entei's, causing Mewtwo's defenses to skyrocket in an instant.
Immediately afterward, Mewtwo unleashed Ice Beam, hoping to intercept the wall of Sacred Fire in front of it.
But when the beam of freezing energy struck the Sacred Fire, the results were underwhelming.
At most, it only slowed the fire's expansion—it did not extinguish it.
The Sacred Fire still spread outward, inching ever closer to where Mewtwo stood.
Nathan's mind raced at lightning speed, desperately searching for a countermeasure.
Then, a sudden idea flashed across his mind.
If it worked, there might be a chance to completely avoid the Sacred Fire.
"Mewtwo—use… Dive! "
Nathan barked the command.
Strictly speaking, there was no water nearby. But sand—sand stretched endlessly across this desert.
True, compared to water, sand was far less permeable, making diving into it difficult.
But with Mewtwo's strength, forcing its way beneath the sand was not impossible.
…
Entei, upon hearing Nathan's order, was stunned speechless.
Using Dive in the middle of a desert? Nathan's thinking was outrageous to the extreme.
But sure enough, Mewtwo leapt upward, then plunged headfirst into the ground, both hands pressed forward.
Though sand resisted far more than water, Mewtwo's power was extraordinary.
Relying solely on its own physical might, it forcefully burrowed into the desert floor.
The very moment Mewtwo disappeared underground, Sacred Fire swept across the surface, scorching everything in its path.
The waves of fire roared overhead, bringing with them crushing heat.
Yet such a wide-area move could not be sustained for long.
Within only a few breaths' time, the Sacred Fire dissipated.
The aftermath left the desert floor glittering—patches of sand had melted into fragments of glass, shimmering under the sun.
Sensing the heat above slowly fade, Mewtwo burst upward, breaking through the sand and emerging onto the battlefield once again.
Entei saw Mewtwo reappear completely unharmed, and a wave of frustration welled up in its chest.
Mewtwo's raw strength was already formidable, but with Nathan's clever commands, fighting it felt stifling.
Since ascending to the legendary tier, it had been countless years since Entei last faced such an opponent.
"Mewtwo, use Mega Punch! "
Seeing his partner safe and sound, Nathan allowed a faint smile to tug at his lips.
He had just discovered yet another creative application for Dive.
At his command, Mewtwo gathered all of its might into its fist and charged straight for Entei.
…
Entei, caught completely off guard, took the full brunt of Mewtwo's crushing blow.
"Damn! Nathan, your Pokémon hits too hard!"
With a miserable howl, Entei was sent flying, its body smashed violently into the ground.
Groaning, it quickly staggered back up, rubbing its aching head.
But now, its expression hardened.
A surge of flames erupted from its body, cloaking it in a blazing mantle.
Fixing Mewtwo with a sharp glare, Entei spat out several fireballs.
In the air, they rapidly merged into the shape of a massive, flaming "大"—the unmistakable mark of Entei's Fire Blast.
Unlike ordinary Fire Blasts, Entei's technique expanded rapidly as it surged forward, its size growing several meters before it even neared Mewtwo.
With a deafening boom, the massive explosion engulfed Mewtwo completely.
When the flames and smoke finally cleared, Mewtwo's form emerged again—but this time, its body was riddled with wounds.
And yet, despite its injuries, Mewtwo stood firmly, just as it had the very first time Nathan encountered it.
Back then, its armor had been scarred and battered, silently testifying to the glory of countless past battles.
The clash between the two Pokémon only grew fiercer.
But in the end, Mewtwo was still slightly weaker than a full-fledged legendary.
At last, it was defeated by a single decisive strike.
Yet Entei had hardly fared better.
Its body was swollen in several places, bruises and scorch marks covering its hide.
If only Nathan had possessed a second Mega Stone—then the battle's outcome might have been different, victory tilting firmly in his favor.
As for his final Pokémon, the Frosmoth, Nathan chose not to send it out, giving up the chance to continue the challenge.
Compared to Mewtwo and Volcarona, his Frosmoth was still lacking.
But Nathan firmly believed that with time, he could nurture Frosmoth to greatness as well.
Once the battle ended, Nathan personally escorted Entei and the others back to the Wandering Mountains.
Only when Entei returned to its territory and watched Nathan's figure vanish in the distance did it finally let out a sigh of relief.
It immediately began rubbing at its sore wounds.
"Agh… never again… I'm never battling Nathan's Pokémon again. That was pure torture."
Truth be told, Entei had already been enduring unbearable pain for some time.
But because of its pride, it forced itself to keep a brave front until it returned to its mountain.
Now that Nathan and the humans were gone, it no longer had to hide its suffering.
"You'll suffer for this pride of yours one day."
Suicune's calm voice broke the silence.
During the journey back, it had noticed the way Entei's eyes twitched with every step. Clearly, its injuries were far worse than it let on.
After living together for so long, they knew each other too well.
If Entei had truly won against Nathan's Mewtwo, there was no way it would've stayed this quiet.
On a normal day, it would already be boasting, scolding Nathan a little along the way.
"What do you know? Next time Nathan comes, I just won't show up. You and Raikou can go out instead—just tell him I'm meditating, working on a breakthrough."
Entei shot Suicune a glare.
Hah. Meditating? More like terrified of another challenge.
…
Meanwhile, Nathan and Kelly had already returned to the human city.
"Phew… finally over. But I'm still too weak."
Nathan sighed helplessly after sending the legendary trio back.
Kelly, still walking beside him, nearly choked on his own breath. Too weak?
If Nathan was "weak," then what were the rest of them? Trash?
He had just fought two legendary Pokémon, won one battle, and nearly won the other—leaving Entei so battered that Raikou probably wouldn't even recognize it when it woke up.
And he dared to call that weak?
"Kelly, are there any other dangerous places within our country? I mean the kind of places where legendary Pokémon might appear."
After lamenting, Nathan turned to ask.
Kelly thought for a while. Yes—there were such places, and not just one or two.
Take the Jadeveil Mountains, for example.
Even before Pokémon appeared in this world, it had always been a favorite destination for mountaineers.
The snowcapped scenery there was breathtaking, the mountains unending.
But ever since Pokémon arrived, the range had become abandoned.
Now, no one could venture deep within. It was simply too dangerous.
Many had already perished there.
Even without Pokémon, the environment alone was harsh enough.
Now, with Pokémon roaming the peaks, avalanches had become an almost daily occurrence.
After all, if Nathan's Pokémon could casually unleash attacks of such destructive power, what of the countless Pokémon inhabiting Jadeveil?
Avalanches would be inevitable.
And wild Pokémon were not always gentle or peace-loving.
Many thrived on battle.
Especially in a place like the Jadeveil Mountains—where the harsh conditions forced every creature to fight for survival.
Weaker Pokémon would be eliminated, while the strong grew stronger through constant struggle.
Besides Jadeveil, there were also the Silverpeak Mountains and many other perilous areas across the country.
High danger meant one thing: high-level Pokémon.
"I'll compile a list for you once we're back. I'll send you the details," Kelly finally said.
Nathan nodded. He wasn't in a rush.
After all, his Volcarona was still injured. It would take at least two days to fully recover.
In the meantime, he could focus on strengthening Mewtwo and Frosmoth.
Volcarona needed only one final trial to ascend to the legendary tier.
But Mewtwo and Frosmoth still had far to go—let alone his other Pokémon.
"I really need more time…" Nathan muttered quietly.
(End of Chapter)