The protective flame surrounding Ninetales was forcibly torn apart!
Blaine wasn't surprised by this. The flame was just a simple protective trap set up to guard against sneak attacks from Gardevoir, and could only provide basic defense.
If it was a full-force flame, Gardevoir wouldn't have been able to tear it apart using just its psychic powers.
After all, the flame was enhanced by Nasty Plot.
Once the flames were torn, a gleam flashed again in Gardevoir's beautiful eyes. When Ninetales locked eyes with Gardevoir, it felt as if its body was spinning in a whirlwind.
But soon, it shook its head and snapped out of the illusion.
Ninetales tilted its head in confusion, wondering what that illusion was about, and why its body felt somewhat off.
Blaine didn't notice Ninetales' strangeness and loudly commanded, "Flamethrower!"
"Woooh!!" Ninetales opened its mouth and spouted flame, but this time, the flame was not only weaker than before—it was two sizes smaller!
Not just Gary, but even Blaine was stunned. What was happening?
This was supposed to be a Flamethrower boosted by Nasty Plot; how could its power be so little?
"Gardevoir!!" Gardevoir stretched out one hand, freezing the flame in midair, and even extended its Telekinesis to bind Ninetales with the flames!
Psychic!
While restraining Ninetales, a glow appeared once more in Gardevoir's beautiful eyes. A cerulean light shot from its eyes and transformed into a form resembling MEGA Gardevoir, rushing forward fiercely.
"Use Inferno to break free!" Blaine's pupils shrank when he saw the scene and commanded quickly.
This time, he had no time to use the Pokeball to help Ninetales escape—he could only have Ninetales use a Fire Type Move to forcefully break through Gardevoir's Psychic.
Ninetales showed a struggling expression, halted the Flamethrower in its mouth, and then channeled its energy into the surrounding area, raising columns of fire that encircled it.
The intense flames forcefully severed the Psychic energy, but Gardevoir's phantom had already reached Ninetales and passed right through it!
In an instant, Ninetales' pupils seemed to lose focus, as if it had suffered a huge mental blow.
Move—Psyshock!
Blaine was extremely anxious upon seeing the scene. Even with his rich experience, he couldn't understand what was happening. It wasn't that he didn't know what Move Gardevoir had used to attack, but he couldn't understand why Ninetales had suddenly been weakened like this.
Despite using Nasty Plot, all its attacks seemed reduced by two levels, not even reaching normal power.
Even an ordinary Inferno should be able to burn through Psychic and block most of the Psyshock.
Yet now, Inferno could only slightly block the Psychic, unable to resist the Psyshock at all.
In the arena, Gardevoir once again vanished from its original spot. Blaine hurriedly shouted, "Protect!"
"Bang!!"
A bright green barrier instantly appeared around Ninetales, while Gardevoir instantaneously flashed in front of Ninetales and punched!
The pink-glowing fist struck the barrier but could not inflict any damage to it.
Move—Extreme Speed! Ability, Pixilate, which can convert Normal Type Moves into Fairy Type Moves.
If that had hit, it would have had the power of a STAB Extreme Speed, and Ninetales would likely be barely holding on.
Blaine, however, reacted quickly. Regardless of whether Gardevoir used Teleport or some other move, he knew Ash would definitely go on the offensive. So by using a defense move, he could withstand this attack round.
"Flame Charge!" After blocking the attack, Blaine finally got the chance for Ninetales to counterattack. At such close range, not even Teleport would let Gardevoir escape in time!
The barrier around Ninetales vanished instantly, while blazing red flames enveloped its body. Then it pushed off the ground fiercely, with howling winds echoing in the air.
Gardevoir managed to cross its hands in front of itself just in time, but was struck by Flame Charge, sending its whole body flying!
Ash, standing at the Trainer's spot, let out a muffled grunt, his legs taking two unsteady steps backward.
It was, in the strictest sense, the first time his Pokemon had been hit by a move across two battles.
The previous defensive fire flame only managed to scorch Gardevoir's palm a little before being doused by Ice Punch. This time it was different; it was a solid hit from a move.
And the bad news is, Ninetales used a physical move.
Blaine was filled with deep doubts as he watched the flames enveloping Ninetales.
Why... why was the flame fine during Flame Charge, but the fire of Flamethrower and Inferno, Ninetales' signature special moves, was so weak in temperature and intensity?
Those were supposed to be moves enhanced by Nasty Plot and yet their power diminished... what the heck!
Gardevoir, sent flying, rolled several times on the ground before barely stopping at the edge of the battlefield, with one hand already hanging out of the arena.
Below the arena was scalding lava. If it fell, the battle would essentially be over, and Ash would have to step in immediately to save Gardevoir.
But as it stood, the fight could continue.
Supporting itself with its small arms, Gardevoir struggled to rise on the charred terrain, its already dark dress stained with black soot and dust from the previous action.
At the moment, Gardevoir looked quite battered, and only from being hit once by the Flame Charge—a move with such low power, not to mention Ninetales was not adept at physical moves.
Another hit like that and the battle could be declared over.
'The Elite truly cannot be underestimated. Even in such a state, they can still manage a defensive counterattack; it's like fighting a monster.' Ash's exclamation rang in Gardevoir's mind.
The Extreme Speed was supposed to be a deciding move, with Ninetales suppressed like that. Who would have thought the opponent could still use Protect so swiftly? If that's not the work of a monster, what is?
'Ash, I'm still okay.' Gardevoir's gentle voice resounded, its soot-covered face full of determination.
'The opponent is even harder to deal with now. Ninetales increased its Speed with Flame Charge, and through the previous physical attack, Blaine likely noticed something strange about Ninetales. If we don't take the opponent down in the next attack, it will be tough.'
'Got it, Ash, one hit to win!' Silently, Gardevoir began accumulating energy internally.
Just as Ash said, the opponent had already vaguely realized something was off with Ninetales, and if the battle dragged on and they fully understood the weakening truth behind Ninetales, it would become even tougher.
So this next attack has to be decisive.
Meanwhile, after contemplating for a moment, determination flashed in Blaine's eyes. Whether his guess was correct or not, a try would reveal it: "Ninetales, Flare Blitz!"
"Woooh!!" Ninetales was engulfed in explosive crimson flames, the blazing firelight nearly turning the sky fiery red, making the night seem as bright as day.
Not only Ash decided on a final showdown; Blaine was on the same page!