Blaziken sat cross-legged on the ground, adopting a meditative pose. As Sapphire's starter Pokémon, she knew better than anyone how hard Sapphire had worked and how much she had sacrificed for her dream.
She had watched, helpless, as Sapphire spent every waking moment outside of school training and entering minor tournaments all over the country. How much free time does a high schooler have? Sapphire gave every second that wasn't spent eating or sleeping to her ambition. For years, she hadn't even looked twice at a handsome guy on the street.
Every time she saw Sapphire like this, Blaziken felt a pang of pity. She wanted to tell Sapphire not to put so much pressure on herself, but every time she saw that fierce, determined look in her trainer's eyes—a look no young girl should have to carry—the words died in her throat.
All she could do was train harder. Only by fulfilling Sapphire's dream of reclaiming the Gym could her trainer finally rest.
So, even though she was in the Great Demon King's house, Blaziken didn't dare slack off. She was terrified that if she failed to master this "Blaze" ability, Sapphire would be disappointed. She couldn't bear to see that look on her trainer's face.
Thinking of this, Blaziken peeked toward the rest area. She had been meditating for over ten minutes and still hadn't grasped the feeling of triggering that explosive power. The Demon King had said a talented Pokémon could do it in ten minutes—did that mean she wasn't talented? Would Sapphire be let down?
But when she looked over, she was stunned. Her trainer had completely given up on watching her!
Not just given up—Sapphire was melting into the Demon King's arms, her eyes glassy and unfocused. Her arms were wrapped tightly around the boy's neck, and their lips were... fused together?
Blaziken's eyes nearly popped out of her head. It wasn't an illusion. Their lips were pressed together, and through their slightly parted mouths, she could see their tongues entangling and sliding against each other.
Looking at Sapphire's flushed, dazed expression, she seemed to be... enjoying it?
Wait a minute... I've been sitting here meditating like an idiot, and you haven't looked at me once?
Great. You get a man and forget your Pokémon? Fine, I guess my feelings don't matter!
Blaziken watched them with a mix of disbelief and bitterness. It was almost like jealousy. Even though she was a Pokémon, she loved her trainer. Seeing her trainer so intimate with someone else—in a way Sapphire had never been with her—hurt.
But Blaziken was a sensible chicken. she knew how much pressure Sapphire had been under and that she needed someone to lean on. And while Li Yuan was a jerk, he was undeniably handsome and talented. It was hard for any girl to resist him, especially given their history.
Fine, fine... let Sapphire relax. I'll handle the training myself...
Blaziken closed her eyes again, trying to focus. But for some reason, she couldn't block out the sounds from the sofa. She could hear the wet, squelching sounds of their kissing becoming more frantic. Sapphire sounded like she was being completely overwhelmed by the boy's touch.
Ignore it. Don't listen. I don't care!
But the noises only got louder. The sounds of heavy breathing and wet sucking were joined by Sapphire's shameful, breathless whimpers.
"No... not there yet..."
"It's too soon... stop playing around..."
"At... at least wait until we're in a room?"
Holy shit! What is happening? What are they doing?! Blaziken couldn't concentrate at all. Finally, unable to take it, she snapped her eyes open again.
And what she saw made her want to jump up and scream!
The two on the sofa had shifted. Li Yuan had pushed Sapphire down, pinning her against the cushions. They were staring into each other's eyes with a raw intensity. Sapphire looked terrified yet desperate, her clothes becoming disheveled as if she were offering herself up to be devoured.
Blaziken panicked. How can you do this?! We agreed to work for our dreams! We agreed no men until we reached our goal!
And even if you're going to do it, do it quietly! Do you think I'm invisible?!
Blaziken realized she had been wrong. She thought Sapphire needed a boyfriend, but she realized now she couldn't stand the idea of her trainer being "defiled" by some pig!
And you want to go to a room?! I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!!
"CHARMO!!!"
Blaziken roared in fury. Her overflowing rage transformed into a literal wall of flame, a towering vortex of fire that erupted from her body and swirled around her like a cyclone.
The sudden surge of heat and power didn't just grab the attention of the couple on the sofa; it even stunned Blaziken herself.
Wait... I did it?
And it wasn't just a normal Blaze. It was a spiraling, high-pressure Flame Vortex. Was this even still "Blaze"?
"Finally finished?" Li Yuan asked, looking over at her. He could feel the waves of intense, rhythmic Aura radiating from the Pokémon. This heat was at least double that of a standard Blaze.
If a normal Blaze boosted fire moves by 50%, this "Wrathful Vortex" version probably boosted them by 100%.
It had been worth kissing Sapphire until his tongue was sore.
In reality, Li Yuan had been watching Blaziken the whole time. He had sensed that Sapphire's Blaziken was special—her potential for Blaze was likely as unique as Ash's Infernape. Such power couldn't be triggered by normal training; it required a powerful emotional catalyst.
So, while he was "tasting" the heroine, he was also using his Aura to subtly provoke Blaziken's jealousy and protective instincts. It had taken a while, but the sight of her pure trainer being "corrupted" had finally pushed the chicken over the edge.
Damn, Zhizhi is patient, Li Yuan thought. I had to push Sapphire pretty far to get a reaction. Just what did these two go through for her Pokémon to be this protective?