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"What?! Arbok can use Dragon Rage too? Did he use a TM or something?!"
Anon stared at the massive mushroom cloud rising before him, a trace of astonishment on his face.
"Incredible! Liam's Arbok actually just used one of the Dragon-type's signature moves—Dragon Rage! What is going on here? Could it be that Arbok knows other Dragon-type attacks as well? Liam never fails to surprise us—he truly is a mysterious and powerful trainer!"
The announcer in the commentary booth cried out in shock as well, broadcasting his amazement to the audience as Arbok unleashed Dragon Rage.
At that moment, in a secluded viewing room next to the commentator booth, five figures sat quietly on ornate thrones.
Through the massive one-way glass window, they watched Liam and Arbok's astonishing performance with expressions of admiration on their faces.
One of the silhouettes, whose frame clearly belonged to a woman, stared deeply at Arbok for a few moments before turning with a smile to the central figure on the largest throne.
"This is the boy you mentioned? He really is something—so young and talented. That Arbok of his seems fundamentally different from normal ones. It's stronger... on a core level."
The figure in the center let out a wry smile at the question. He glanced at Liam, who had resumed battling, his eyes filled with a trace of warmth. Then, with a helpless tone, he replied:
"Yes, he's the one I told you about. What do you want, Agatha? And the rest of you too... I said I was fine watching from the audience, but you dragged me here—and then none of you even say a word for half the day. What gives? I'd rather go back and spend time with my wife."
"Tch, listen to this guy. Married life's really softened you up. Always thinking about your wife."
The figure seated to the far left turned and chuckled teasingly.
"Of course we brought you here for a reason. You won the Champion title and then just up and retired, leaving Kanto without a reigning Champion. How do you think the other regions see us now?"
The second figure chimed in with a scolding tone.
"Ugh... so it's my fault now...?"
The man in the center gave a speechless shrug.
"If you were more responsible, the four of us wouldn't be so worn out. That's why we brought you here. It's about this year's Champion title. None of us want to take it—we're already too busy and exhausted."
The fourth figure spoke gruffly, his voice low and heavy.
"The League matches are ending in a few days. Once the top three are decided, it'll be your turn. You get to choose—face off against the winner along with the four of us, or settle it yourself in one battle. Please don't turn us down... this is for Kanto's future."
The last part came from Agatha's voice.
"..."
The central figure fell silent. The other four didn't disturb him, letting him think quietly.
It didn't take long. A dozen seconds later, he looked out at Liam, who was fiercely commanding Arbok, and finally spoke:
"Let's wait until the final match is over. I'll give you my answer then."
The others said nothing, only turning their gaze toward Liam and Arbok, curiosity flashing in their eyes.
"Heh... sounds like you've already made up your mind," Agatha said at last with a faint mocking smile. "You're totally biased. Just don't go easy on him when the time comes…"
"Hmph. You don't have to worry about that. I know what I'm doing," the central figure replied with a cold snort, then said no more. The viewing room once again fell into silence.
…....
"Arbok! Charge in with Wrap!"
"Chaa!"
"Charizard! Use Wing Attack to break free!"
"Roooaaar!"
Time passed as Arbok and Charizard clashed over and over, neither gaining the upper hand.
Arbok's body was incredibly flexible, able to contort into highly difficult forms to dodge Charizard's strikes with ease.
Charizard, on the other hand, relied on its flight to launch swift low-altitude assaults, staying airborne and just out of reach. Arbok had few chances to land a hit.
"Arbok! Glare!"
Since direct attacks weren't working, it was time to change tactics.
"Chaa!"
Arbok, already burning with frustration from Charizard's refusal to fight head-on, suddenly lifted its head high and aimed the bizarre pattern on its hood toward the sky. The markings pulsed with a strange wave of energy.
"Charizard, don't get caught! Use Smokescreen!"
"Roooar!"
With a roar, Charizard spewed a thick black smoke from its mouth, rapidly covering the field and shrouding the sky in darkness.
Charizard vanished into the smoke, and Arbok's Glare attack lost its target. Arbok lowered its head, flicking its crimson tongue as it silently watched the smoky sky.
"Arbok… be careful. Build up your power first," Liam whispered, keeping his eyes on the dark clouds above.
"Chaa…"
Arbok nodded in response. Glowing red particles began to swirl around its body, gradually gathering toward its core.
"Now's the time! Charizard! Flare Blitz and Wild Charge combo!"
"Roooaaar!"
Anon saw Arbok powering up and knew he couldn't wait. He shouted up at the sky.
A roar tore through the smokescreen. Charizard appeared like a meteor crashing from the heavens, cloaked in flames and lightning, streaking downward with explosive speed toward Arbok.
"Arbok! Hyper Beam! Now!"
Though the charge time had been short, they couldn't afford to do nothing—this was their chance to fight back.
"Chaa!!"
Arbok opened its jaws wide, unleashing a massive red energy beam skyward. The blast collided head-on with the diving Charizard, sparks and flames erupting everywhere.
"Charizard! Don't lose! Show them what you're made of!"
"ROOOAARR!"
Roaring in defiance, Charizard's flames flared even brighter, and the flame at its tail turned blue—a sign it had activated its Blaze ability. With its power pushed to the limit, Charizard began forcing its way through the Hyper Beam, driving forward like a meteor splitting the sky.
"Arbok! Protect! Now!!"
"Chaa!"
At the last possible moment, Arbok ceased its beam and roared, summoning a pale blue barrier around its body. Charizard slammed into the shield with a deafening crash. After a brief struggle, the shield shattered, and Charizard was sent flying backward by the recoil.
"No! Not good! Charizard, get airborne!"
Anon's expression changed instantly. He yelled urgently at his Pokémon.
Charizard beat its wings hard, sending up a gust of dust as it prepared to take off.
"If you've come down, don't think about flying away! Arbok! Glare!"
"Chaa!"
This time, at such close range, Charizard had no chance to dodge. The attack landed squarely, and sparks of electricity danced across its body. With a growl, its wings froze mid-flap and it dropped to the ground.
"Now's our chance! Go, Arbok! Wrap!"
"Chaaarbok!"
Arbok lunged forward, coiling its thick body tightly around Charizard. The Fire-type roared and struggled furiously but couldn't break free.
"Charizard! Break out with Inferno!"
Seeing Charizard in agony, Anon bit his lip and shouted desperately.
"Arbok! Don't let go! Hit it with everything you've got—Thunder Fang!"
Liam took a bold step forward, yelling at Arbok.
Now that they'd caught Charizard, there was no way they'd let go. Besides, Arbok's new Dragon-typing gave it some resistance to Fire attacks—it could take it.
"ROOOOAAARR!!!"
Charizard, now utterly enraged, let out a series of furious bellows. The blue flames at its tail blazed higher as its Blaze ability pushed it even further. In the next instant, its entire body ignited in an inferno of hellish blue fire that engulfed both it and Arbok.
"Chaaa!!"
Caught in the searing flames, Arbok grimaced in pain, but it refused to loosen its grip. That pain only fueled it. With a snarl of fury and determination, Arbok sank its glowing Thunder Fang deep into Charizard's neck.
Electricity exploded from the inferno, clashing violently with the blue flames. Sparks and fire surged together, until—
BOOM!!!
A tremendous explosion rocked the battlefield.