Pokémon: Above the Top

"Infernape, Mach Punch —close combat!"

Flint couldn't afford to let Pupitar keep boosting itself, the lesson from Flareon's defeat was still fresh in his mind!

"Pupitar, Substitute! Dragon Dance!"

A silver-white shell materialized in front of Pupitar, absorbing Infernape's speedy strike, while Pupitar successfully executed a second Dragon Dance!

Boom!

The Substitute shattered, and Infernape instantly closed the gap, its massive fist already poised for a direct hit!

"Protect! Dragon Dance!"

The moment Sato gave the command, it was as if it had been rehearsed a thousand times, the green barrier of Protect blocked Infernape's attack!

As the shield disappeared, Pupitar launched itself backward, maintaining its maximum speed while executing Dragon Dance for the third time!

This time, only its attack increased; its speed had already reached the limit!

"Infernape, Close Combat!"

Flint shouted furiously, he was feeling extremely stifled. Sato had been calculating every move from the start, forcing Flint into a deadlock.

First, he had used Sharpedo to boost speed, then Pupitar to amplify power!

Dragon Dance increased both attack and speed, ensuring that Infernape was constantly one step behind!

That tiny difference had allowed Pupitar to pull off three Dragon Dances!

And with the extra Fire Pledge boost, Pupitar's attack power had also reached its absolute limit!

But the most terrifying part... was that there was still one more move left…

"Pupitar, Baton Pass!"

Sato grinned, swapping Pokémon instantly!

"Zoroark, Aerial Ace!" The moment Zoroark entered the battlefield, it was already massively boosted!

A black blur streaked across the field-Boom!

Infernape was sent flying!

A second later, where Infernape had just been standing, Zoroark's shadowy figure slowly reappeared.

Boom!

Once again, Infernape was launched in the opposite direction, as the previous illusion vanished!

A new afterimage materialized midair, right where Infernape was falling!

"Infernape, Counter!"

"Careful!" Sato's eyes widened in shock. Flint's reaction time was impeccable, and Zoroark's high-speed, high-power style was a double-edged sword!

A faint red glow flickered around Infernape. A moment later, Zoroark landed another Aerial Ace, but this time, it was launched backward as well!

Counter had doubled the damage!

Zoroark felt the full force of its own attack, its right hand twisting unnaturally from the impact!

"Infernape is unable to battle! Zoroark-" "Zoruu!" Zoroark clutched its twisted arm, interrupting the referee.

Losing an arm doesn't mean I can't fight!

The referee ignored Zoroark and turned to Sato instead.

"…Zoroark, return."

"Zoroo…"

Zoroark shook its head.

This Baton Pass strategy had been practiced countless times! The massive power boost it received had come from the sacrifices of its two teammates.

If it fell, they would lose the match!

And to Zoroark, it was its own fault. It had failed to control its power properly, which was why Counter had landed successfully.

It wanted to fight for itself, for its teammates, and for Sato... To win this battle!

"Titles like 'Top 4' don't matter to me, my partners matter more. Zoroark, return!"

Sato locked eyes with Zoroark.

He understood what Zoroark was thinking. Which was precisely why he had to call it back.

This isn't a battle to the death!

"Zoruu…"

After a brief hesitation, Zoroark lowered its head, accepting its fate as it waited for Sato to recall it.

"Infernape and Zoroark are both unable to battle! Both Trainers, please send out your next Pokémon!"

"Sato, you're one of the most talented Trainer I've ever seen," Flint said as he tossed his next Poké Ball.

"But this is a battle. I won't go easy on you!" The red glow faded, revealing a Blaziken, radiating a powerful fighting spirit!

He's really not giving me a single opening!

Sato sighed inwardly, knowing that his only option was to send out Sharpedo first.

"Blaziken, Sky Uppercut!"

"Sharpedo, Aqua Jet, evade!"

"Pin it down! Double Kick!"

Aqua Jet allowed Sharpedo to dodge the incoming Sky Uppercut, but even after just one exchange, it was already panting heavily.

Blaziken immediately followed up, closing the distance with Double Kick.

Sharpedo was too exhausted. Even though it saw Blaziken approaching, it simply couldn't react in time.

"Sharpedo, Baton Pass!"

The first kick landed, but before the second hit connected, Sharpedo was already recalled into its Poké Ball.

Pupitar entered the battlefield!

Compared to Sharpedo, Pupitar was in better condition, but the slight speed boost it received from Baton Pass told it everything it needed to know—Zoroark must have fallen.

Sharpedo had likely entered the field a second time just to build up more speed increases. But that small boost had clearly drained the last of Sharpedo's stamina.

Pupitar was the only one left!

Determination filled its gaze.

It could feel the strength its teammates had passed onto it.

It shared the same belief as Sharpedo and Zoroark.

They had to win!

"Blaziken, Sky Uppercut!"

"Pupitar, Earth Power!"

Both Pokémon had a type advantage over each other, but as a fully evolved starter, Blaziken was naturally stronger than Pupitar.

Thankfully, with Sharpedo's speed boost, Pupitar was barely able to match Blaziken's attack frequency!

The ground beneath Blaziken erupted, waves of rock and soil slamming into its body, making it difficult to move!

"Jump up! Flamethrower!"

"Blai!"

"Pupitar, Rock Slide!"

"Destroy all of them!"

Even midair, Blaziken's impeccable balance and explosive power allowed it to swiftly maneuver through the falling rocks, smashing every incoming boulder with precise kicks!

Its movements... far too stylish!

And what's worse, it had used that same momentum to quickly close the distance toward Pupitar!

"Pupitar, Dark Pulse!"

Sato felt a bit of frustration; Pupitar didn't have many effective ways to deal with Blaziken.

Earth Power was only useful while Blaziken was on the ground. It could simply jump to avoid it.

Rock Slide was less effective against an opponent with such rapid melee attacks.

And the remaining offensive moves?

Dark- and Steel-type attacks, both ineffective against Blaziken.

Pupitar simply wasn't Tyranitar yet. It still had too many weaknesses.

Dark Pulse landed on Blaziken, but the damage was negligible!

Flint clearly recognized Pupitar's dilemma, so he took the hit on purpose, closing in for the attack.

"Blaziken, Double Kick!"

"Pupitar, Protect!"

Protect successfully blocked Double Kick, and Sato immediately issued another command.

"Earth Power!"

"Charge forward. Sky Uppercut!"

Boom!