Bam!!!
Toxicroak's poison once again collided with Blaziken's flames at the center of the field.
However, this time it was no longer an evenly matched clash. At the instant of impact, the extremely toxic poison within Blaziken's body was triggered. The sudden pain that surged through it prevented it from concentrating to withstand the attack, and it was sent flying directly by Toxicroak's Poison Jab.
"Good chance! Toxicroak, keep attacking! Cross Chop!" A slight change appeared on Koga's face.
"Toxicrrookk!"
Toxicroak knew exactly what to do. After landing, it forcefully pushed off with both legs. As an amphibious Pokémon, the strength of its legs was its greatest advantage, and with that explosive leap, it reached Blaziken in an instant.
It crossed both arms, the muscles in its arms standing out clearly, and unleashed the attack in one decisive strike.
At the same time, a green energy shield appeared around Blaziken, completely enveloping it. This was its final defensive measure: Protect!
Not only did it block the Cross Chop, it also used the force of Toxicroak's attack to stabilize its own body.
Cain's expression grew solemn. He knew this was already Blaziken's final moment of battle. Even if it was not defeated by Toxicroak in the next exchange, it would eventually lose its ability to fight due to the violent poison corroding its body.
Since the outcome was already clear, then this final attack had to display all of its brilliance.
Boom—!
Blaziken's body erupted into flames once more. Mixed within the fire were several strands of red-golden flames, and the surrounding space seemed to distort completely.
With a powerful push of its legs, Blaziken charged toward Toxicroak. As it ran, the flames on its body gradually condensed, eventually gathering entirely into one of its legs.
Knowing that this would be Blaziken's final attack, Koga clearly did not want to face it head-on and ordered Toxicroak to adopt a defensive stance.
But Blaziken paid it no heed. Upon reaching Toxicroak, it used one leg as a pivot and, after spinning one hundred and eighty degrees, launched a direct kick with its flame-wreathed leg.
Toxicroak crossed both arms and withstood the impact of the kick.
Boom!!!
After barely a pause of a tenth of a second, Toxicroak—who believed it had blocked the attack—was kicked away and shot out like a bullet, flying at high speed toward the stadium barrier.
Bang!!!
Toxicroak slammed straight into the rock barrier. With an expression of disbelief, it looked at its slightly reddened arms, unable to imagine that Blaziken could unleash such terrifying power in its final attack.
However, when Toxicroak staggered to its feet, it saw Blaziken, its face filled with emotion, slowly collapsing due to the effects of severe poison.
Even so, Blaziken's face was filled with a broad smile.
In that final instant, it had finally achieved a breakthrough. Enduring the pressure of the deadly poison, it had unleashed the red-golden flames that it could normally only use while in a Mega Evolution state.
Cain and Koga watched Blaziken fall to the ground at the same time, though their expressions were completely different.
Surprise was reflected on Koga's face, while satisfaction dominated Cain's.
Blaziken had surpassed itself in that final moment. The attack it unleashed clearly exceeded the limit of what it could use under normal conditions.
That was to say, Blaziken had already broken through the barrier toward the Champion level; it merely needed some time to consolidate and stabilize that advance. And that was precisely what Cain needed to prepare.
If nothing unexpected occurred, within three to five days, Cain would be able to count on another Champion-level Pokémon.
Cain took out Blaziken's Poké Ball and withdrew it.
"You did very well. Leave the rest to your companions." After saying this, Cain looked at Koga's Toxicroak and, at the same time, their gazes met in midair.
Although they did not exchange many looks, Cain clearly understood the meaning in Koga's eyes at that moment.
As allies in words only, Koga hoped that Cain would reasonably allow him to get through this challenge battle—one with exhibition-like undertones—so that he could firmly establish himself as one of the Johto Elite Four.
Of course, if he could aspire to the position of leader among the Four, that would be even better, but Koga was aware of his own limitations and knew that goal was still difficult for him.
Cain hesitated slightly, but soon made a decision.
This verbal ally could not be lost yet!
They were about to enter the Pebble Continent. There, they would not only have to worry about common wild Pokémon, but also about trainers who ventured into the area. No one knew who belonged to the Sacred Church and who belonged to other factions. With Koga's assassination skills, even though Cain was not completely without means of defense, having to remain constantly alert for a possible surprise attack was not something he desired.
Moreover, in the wild, poisoning could occur at any time and was often impossible to prevent. It was better to give Koga some leeway than to provoke him at this moment.
After all, this battle was primarily exhibition in nature. Holding back a little was something ordinary trainers would not even notice.
Cain put away the Slowking Poké Ball that he was about to throw and replaced it with another.
If he was going to "hold back," then it should be worth it.
"Go, Salamence!" Cain said calmly as he threw the Poké Ball.
A red flash shone, and a Dragon-type Pokémon appeared on the field. Its body was completely blue, but its wings were a deep blood-red.
"Groaarr!!"
The pseudo-legendary of the Hoenn region! Salamence!
With its imposing appearance and spectacular entrance, Salamence won the crowd's ovation in just a single second.
The uninitiated watched the spectacle; the experts, on the other hand, observed the details.
When Koga saw that Cain had sent out Salamence, he knew that Cain had understood his message. That proved their cooperative relationship could continue.
This Salamence had a fierce aura, looked majestic, and was very well trained, but in essence its strength was still somewhat inferior.
Pokémon: Salamence (Light Black)
Gender: Male
Level: 71
Types: Dragon + Flying
Ability: Intimidate
Held Item: Fragment of Sky Plate, Salamencite
Egg Moves: Hydro Pump, Dragon Dance, Fire Fang, Dragon Rush
Basic Moves: Rage, Ember, Leer, Bite, Dragon Breath, Headbutt, Focus Energy, Crunch, Dragon Claw, Protect, Fly, Dragon Tail, Thunder Fang, Zen Headbutt, Scary Face, Flamethrower, Double-Edge
Learned Moves: Dragon Pulse, Snore, Outrage, Aqua Tail, Hyper Voice, Draco Meteor, Heat Wave
TM Moves: Roost, Earthquake, Brick Break, Aerial Ace, Steel Wing, Shadow Claw, Stone Edge
A level 71 Salamence was, for ordinary trainers, an unattainable existence. However, the opponent it had to face was a Champion-level Pokémon, even though it was already quite injured.
Cain's goal was simple: since he was going to "hold back," it would be better to allow Salamence to experience in advance what it was really like to fight against a Champion-level Pokémon. Moreover, it would serve as a form of training. Why not do it?
If there was one Pokémon on Cain's team that would be least affected by a defeat, it was undoubtedly Salamence.
It was the type that grew stronger the more obstacles it encountered. Faced with powerful opponents, faced with enemies that surpassed it, Salamence would only strive even harder to catch up to them and surpass them.
Today, Cain was going to give Salamence a new push.
(End of chapter)