Pokemon: Rising From The Dark

Blaziken was slightly stunned. This trick had been used the others yesterday, but it was unexpected to see it employed by another Pokemon today. The target was still Aoki himself. Was this something an average Pokemon could tolerate? A sudden surge of anger rose within. Aoki reached out and stopped Tyranitar and Aggron, who were about to approach from the side. This individual was seeking a challenge directly with him!

Blaziken strode forward, flames bursting from its body with each step. Greninja watched the approaching Blaziken, a powerful fighting spirit igniting in its eyes. After so long, it had finally found an opponent worthy of battle. It paid no mind to the other Pokemon at all; its purpose was simple—it wanted to fight Blaziken. Whether Tyranitar and the others would join the fray was not a consideration. An extremely decisive Pokemon with very pure goals and objectives.

Although the Water-type possessed an advantage over Blaziken's Fire-type, Blaziken's Fighting-type could also counter Greninja's Dark-type. Aoki also smiled. "In that case, Blaziken, let's have a good fight." "Screee!!" Blaziken also shouted with immense vigor, its aura growing increasingly fierce. "But the level gap is quite large; it doesn't seem entirely fair... Then... Mega Evolve, Blaziken." The ring on Aoki's index finger suddenly glowed.

The Mega Stone that Blaziken wore on its chest, concealed by its feathers, sensed the Key Stone and suddenly lit up, the surrounding feathers blowing back from the energy. The Mega Evolution energy enveloped Blaziken. In an instant, Blaziken completed its Mega Evolution. The four ribbons on its wrists fluttered in the wind. Greninja observed the changes in Blaziken and the shift in its aura. Its eyes grew brighter, and the fighting spirit within them intensified.

"Scree—" Greninja crossed its hands in front of its chest, and two Water Shurikens formed in its hands, which it hurled directly at Blaziken. It did not remain stationary but began to run. The sudden attack had no effect on Blaziken. Two balls of flame shot from its fists and collided with the Water Shurikens, resulting in a loud explosive roar. "Blaziken, Swords Dance!" Aoki said calmly.

Upon hearing Aoki's command, Blaziken's eyes narrowed, and without hesitation, it began to perform a war dance on the spot. It did not believe the Trainer's command made the battle unfair; Aoki and his Pokemon were one, and only by working together could they unleash their true strength. Otherwise, Mega Evolution was unnecessary. As Greninja ran around Blaziken, afterimages began to appear—Double Team.

Blaziken stood its ground, observing the multitude of additional figures without panic. "Feel it, and think about what you learned from the Vigoroth," Aoki reminded. Hearing this, Blaziken slowly closed its eyes, preparing to rely on its instincts. Seeing Blaziken close its eyes, Greninja certainly did not miss the opportunity. Two shurikens materialized in the hands of all its Double Team clones simultaneously, all thrown toward the central Blaziken.

Suddenly, a sky full of Water Shurikens surrounded Blaziken. Just before the Water Shurikens were about to strike, Blaziken opened its eyes. Two balls of flame ignited on its legs, and then it spun through the air, its sweeping Blaze Kick deflecting all the incoming Water Shurikens. The contact between water and the intense heat caused explosions that released a large amount of mist, enveloping Blaziken entirely.

Greninja's Double Team clones remained, but unable to see Blaziken's movements clearly through the mist, they did not attack immediately. Whoosh— A fiery red shadow shot out from the mist, heading in one specific direction. Flare Blitz! Seeing the charging Blaziken, Greninja brought its hands together in front of its chest, opened its mouth slightly, and a ball of water energy rapidly formed before it. With a swing of its hands, it aimed the Hydro Pump at Blaziken.

However, Blaziken's speed did not decrease; it only accelerated further. At the forefront of the Flare Blitz, wisps of golden flame took the shape of a locomotive. Then the golden flame slowly spread, enveloping the energy of the Flare Blitz. This was Blaziken's strongest flame! The Hydro Pump struck it and evaporated instantly. Surprise flashed in Greninja's eyes, but it reacted swiftly, raising its hands in front of itself to form a protective wall of water like a shield—Water Shield.

Boom!!! After the roar, it was clear that Blaziken's fist had struck Greninja's crossed arms guarding its chest. Propelled by the momentum of the Flare Blitz, the two Pokemon slid backward together, and all of Greninja's Double Team clones vanished instantly. Blaziken had found Greninja's true form! Then, at the point where fist met arm, flames erupted once more from Blaziken's fist, while water energy surged around Greninja's arm.

Hisss— The confluence of flame and water. Bang— The two Pokemon performed simultaneous backflips, creating distance between them. However, the moment they landed, they pushed off the ground again, colliding with each other at an even greater speed. Blaziken's Speed Boost ability ensured it was not at a disadvantage in terms of velocity; in fact, as the battle prolonged, speed would become its overwhelming advantage.

Bang— bang— bang— The initial long-range skill exchange between the two Pokemon had evolved into close-quarters combat. Yet, in this combat mode, the Fighting-type Blaziken still held a distinct advantage. Gradually realizing the unfavorable situation, Greninja kicked against Blaziken's arm, then executed a backward roll, using a jumping skill to create distance.

But Blaziken refused to relent, the flames on its body growing increasingly intense. This kind of battle was exactly what it enjoyed! The power usage techniques and combat skills described by the Vigoroth flashed rapidly through its mind. Every joint in its body could be transformed into a weapon. Greninja finally managed to create some distance, but Blaziken closed in once more, entangling it.

Fire Punch! Blaze Kick! Double Kick! Brick Break! Feint! Low Kick! The various skills intertwined seamlessly, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish which were being employed. A kick that resembled Blaze Kick could transform into a Double Kick at any moment. A punch that looked like Fire Punch seemed to incorporate the principles of Brick Break, with Feint attacks interspersed throughout. Beyond fists and feet, Blaziken's elbows and knees also became formidable weapons.

An inch longer granted greater reach; an inch shorter concealed greater danger. Blaziken appeared to have grasped this crucial point, making Greninja increasingly uncomfortable. After all, as a Fighting-type Pokemon, its advantages in close combat were being demonstrated to their fullest. Just as Blaziken believed it was nearing victory, water energy suddenly surged within Greninja's eyes, and a torrent of water erupted from its body, enveloping it completely.

Blaziken's Fire Punch failed to break through the rushing stream of water, forcing it to perform a backflip to create distance, preparing to observe what was happening to Greninja. Aoki sat on the sofa chair. Having undergone Mega Evolution with Blaziken, he could feel what Blaziken felt. Using psychic commands was like becoming one with Blaziken; often, their thoughts were perfectly synchronized. Watching Greninja wrapped in the surging water, Aoki's eyes slowly narrowed.