However, while Venomoth was using the move Baton Pass, Blaziken did not remain idle either and once again used Swords Dance.
In terms of stat boosts, Blaziken's enhancement was actually far stronger than Gengar's at that moment. The specialized boost from Swords Dance was much greater than that of Quiver Dance; although it did not increase speed, one must not forget that Blaziken's ability was Speed Boost, so ever since it entered the battle, its speed had been continuously increasing.
A flash of psychic power shone in Cain's eyes, and Blaziken took a step forward, charging straight toward Gengar.
Since Cain also possessed a Gengar, both he and Blaziken were very familiar with this type of Pokémon.
Gengar was a Pokémon with high speed and high special attack, but its physical endurance and defense were not particularly strong. If close combat could be achieved, the advantage would be clear.
On the other hand, if it turned into a long-range exchange, Blaziken's Swords Dance boost would have no chance to shine.
Not only was Cain aware of this. Seeing Blaziken rush forward, Koga reacted in time and ordered Gengar to retreat, always maintaining a certain distance. Otherwise, the situation would become very unfavorable for him.
"Gengar, Shadow Ball!"
While retreating to open up distance, Gengar did not simply flee. As it pulled back, it launched attacks to interfere with Blaziken's advance, reducing its effective speed. Coupled with the fact that Gengar was already fast to begin with, it became increasingly difficult for Blaziken to catch up.
Cain's expression grew somewhat more serious. Gengar's base speed was higher than Blaziken's; with similar boosts and interference attacks in play, even if Blaziken managed to get close, it would still have to endure some damage. In that case, it was not even certain that close combat would be advantageous.
But Cain soon calmed down. If the opponent wanted to fight like this, then they would play the same "kiting" game.
When Blaziken's Swords Dance and Speed Boost reached their peak, Gengar's current speed would no longer be enough to maintain distance. Moreover, with Blaziken's physical attack maxed out, a single opportunity would be enough to defeat Gengar in one blow.
Once the decision was made, Blaziken's advance abruptly stopped. It quickly retreated a couple of steps, and beneath its feet a special rhythm appeared, causing its aura to become increasingly sharp.
Seeing Blaziken retreat, Koga's initially pleased expression changed.
Just by observing Blaziken's movements, he had already guessed Cain's plan.
After barely a tenth of a second of consideration, Koga made an immediate decision: he could not allow Blaziken to reach the maximum of its boosts. If he truly let Blaziken find the opportunity to finish off Gengar, the Pokémon that followed might not be able to withstand its terrifying offensive power.
What if Blaziken chained one after another, taking down three or four Pokémon in a row? Then what meaning would there be in continuing to be an Elite Four?
Thus, before the eyes of all the spectators, a very strange scene occurred: originally Blaziken had been chasing Gengar, but in barely a second the situation reversed, and it became Gengar that was chasing Blaziken.
This extremely subtle change could only be understood by those with a certain level of strength and experience.
In the Hoenn region's viewing box, Steven and the others showed knowing smiles; when it came to cunning, Cain was still the most cunning.
However, shortly after Gengar turned around, Blaziken also immediately changed direction and charged toward it again. Finally, the two Pokémon collided head-on.
Boom!
The moves Fire Punch and Shadow Ball collided directly, causing a massive explosion.
Since he had already decided to resolve the battle quickly, Koga completely abandoned the long-range attrition tactic, which, of course, was also what Cain wanted to see.
The explosion sent both Pokémon flying backward, but they quickly closed the distance again. This kind of direct confrontation was what excited the audience the most, and the entire stadium erupted in fervor.
Blaziken took less damage from the impact, so it reacted faster. During its advance, it rotated its body one hundred and eighty degrees and, using the momentum, launched a spinning Fire Punch straight at Gengar's face.
"Gengar! Ally Switch!"
With Koga's order given at the last instant, a red flash shone in Gengar's eyes. Blaziken, which was attacking mid-spin, instantly swapped positions with Gengar, causing the attack to miss.
"Gengar, Confuse Ray!"
Right after completing Ally Switch, Gengar appeared behind Blaziken and fired a small sphere of strange, flickering light toward its back.
But, to Gengar's disappointment, Confuse Ray did not hit. After the position swap, Blaziken immediately crouched and executed the move Low Kick.
Bam!
Although Gengar could be immune to the Fighting type, a Low Kick wrapped in flames was not something it could ignore.
Gengar was blasted backward.
Blaziken did not stop. It planted one leg firmly on the ground and shot forward after the Gengar that was flying backward.
It arrived first despite moving later!
A Fire Punch charged with massive flames fell like a huge log, forcibly halting Gengar's movement and slamming it into the ground.
Boom!
A large cloud of dust and smoke rose up, enveloping both Blaziken and Gengar.
When the dust dispersed, Blaziken did not see Gengar on the ground.
At the instant it was taken aback, Gengar emerged from the shadows of the ground, with ring-like patterns gleaming in its red eyes.
Hypnosis!
It had found the moment when Blaziken's mind was at its most vulnerable.
Blaziken was affected; for an instant, its gaze became confused.
But Koga had forgotten the current state between Cain and Blaziken: telepathic communication was precisely what could make the difference at that moment.
"Blaziken!" Cain's voice, amplified by psychic power, resounded forcefully in Blaziken's mind, jolting it awake.
In any case, Koga had not intended to put Blaziken fully to sleep; a brief moment of distraction was enough.
Confuse Ray again!
This time, Blaziken neither could nor had the capacity to dodge, and it was hit.
Against Confuse Ray, Cain's telepathy could not offer much help.
Blaziken fell into confusion, and Gengar immediately seized the opportunity to attack.
An extremely toxic ball of poison struck Blaziken squarely in the face, leaving it poisoned. Moreover, Gengar was holding Black Sludge, which made the effects of the poison even more potent.
In this way, even if Cain tried to drag out the battle, Koga no longer had anything to fear.
And with the opponent afflicted by status conditions, now that he could gain the upper hand, he naturally would not waste the opportunity.
Gengar rapidly closed in and used the move Hex. As long as it dealt sufficient damage, it would only need to keep its distance and wait for Blaziken to lose its ability to fight.
Bam!
But just as Gengar's sharp claws were about to strike Blaziken, Blaziken's hands clenched tightly, catching both of Gengar's hands.
Got you!
At that moment, Blaziken's eyes had already regained their clarity.
A torrent of flames burst from its body, completely enveloping both Blaziken and Gengar.
(End of chapter)