The stands erupted after Arcanine's display.
"Holy crap, what was that? Why'd Arcanine suddenly flare up and get so much stronger?"
"Forget that! How did it snap out of confusion just like that?!"
"You idiot. Blaze has a Fire-type superpower, remember?"
"Oh, right... Damn. No wonder he's the sole heir of the Flame Family."
"With that background and that kind of talent, why didn't he come to Imperial University? Someone like him should be here."
"Because he's arrogant. He looks down on us. Take away the Flame Family and what's so special about him?"
"Exactly. He'll regret it sooner or later. Imperial University is the strongest!"
...
The Imperial students were shocked by Blaze's strength—and more than a little jealous.
The stronger he looked, the more bitter some of them became. Before long, half the conversation had turned into snide remarks about his family, his attitude, and how lucky he had been to be born with everything.
In the preparation area, Edmund watched with clear approval.
"That kid's good. His father really does have a worthy successor."
"Looks like the Flame Family's future is in good hands."
Beside him, Braveon smiled.
"A triple combination move... So Blaze finally pulled it off."
"Not bad."
Aaron was studying Arcanine too.
Triple combination moves. Two-move combinations.
Both were advanced battle techniques that relied on synchronizing multiple moves into a single technique.
With enough training, his own partners could learn the same kind of thing.
Of course, for someone with as many cheats as Aaron, whether he desperately needed them was another question.
Still, having more options was never a bad thing.
Braveon had mentioned before that the university taught advanced Pokémon battle techniques.
Aaron made a mental note to pay attention once those classes started.
Nearby, even Dorian and Ivy looked impressed.
...
At the bottom of the crater, Flygon lay motionless with spirals in its eyes.
"Flygon is unable to battle! Asher, send out your final Pokémon!"
Asher recalled it with a trace of regret.
He had been so close to taking down Arcanine. Then Blaze's superpower had flipped the entire exchange in an instant, and that terrifying triple combination had ended the battle in a single hit.
Now only one Poké Ball remained.
A Luxury Ball.
He held it for a moment before looking across the field.
"Blaze. This is my last Pokémon."
"It's also my strongest."
"One final battle."
Blaze smiled.
"Come on."
"I've been waiting to see what you saved for last."
"Come out, Ting-Lu!"
Asher threw the Luxury Ball.
Light spilled across the battlefield.
A massive brown Pokémon emerged, its body vaguely deer-like, with an ancient bronze vessel resting across the top of its head.
One of the rarest Pokémon in Hualis.
Ting-Lu.
"MUUUU!"
Its deep bellow rolled through the arena.
Aaron's attention sharpened immediately, and the System panel appeared before his eyes.
[Name: Ting-Lu]
[Gender: Genderless]
[Nature: Adamant]
[Type: Dark/Ground]
[Ability: Vessel of Ruin — Weakens the Special Attack of every Pokémon except itself.]
[Base Stats Total: 570]
[Level: Gym (Late Stage)]
[Potential: Champion]
[Known Moves: Ruination (Perfect), Earthquake (Perfect), Fissure (Perfect), Stomping Tantrum (Perfect), Dark Pulse (Perfect), Taunt (Master), Rock Slide (Master), Sand Tomb (Master), Protect (Master), Rock Tomb (Master), Bulldoze (Master), Rest (Master), Sandstorm (Proficient), Whirlwind (Proficient), Mean Look (Proficient)...]
[Description: Ting-Lu, the Ruinous Pokémon. An ancient Pokémon associated with disaster wherever it appears. The ancient vessel atop its head is apparently also perfect for showing off.]
...
The final round was ready to begin.
Both Pokémon were creatures wrapped in legend: Arcanine, the Legendary Pokémon, and Ting-Lu, the Ruinous Pokémon.
One represented justice.
The other, disaster.
And so, the battle between good and evil began.
"Arcanine! Agility into Extreme Speed!"
Blaze had already let his superpower fade. His eyes were black again, which meant the triple combination was off the table.
This time, Arcanine used only two moves.
Agility into Extreme Speed.
"AWOOOO!"
Light burst around the massive canine as it shot forward.
"Ting-Lu, Protect!"
Asher had been waiting for exactly that.
"Luu!"
A transparent barrier snapped into place around Ting-Lu just before Arcanine reached it.