Chapter 491: Explosive Flames? Filtered!

"Go! Charizard!"

Alain hurled the Poké Ball with overwhelming momentum.

Bang!

From the white light, a Charizard far taller than the average individual flapped its wings and slowly descended onto the field.

"Rooaaar!"

Unlike Ash's once "underdeveloped" Charizard, Alain's strongest partner was absolutely outstanding in appearance — tossed into the Charizard Valley without doing a thing, it could still attract plenty of female Charizards.

This made Baimu treat it with a bit more caution.

Even though a Pokémon's appearance and battle power couldn't be equated one-to-one, there was still some influence, more or less.

After all, his Aggron was the same — exceptionally large and sturdy, even a touch bigger than Champion Dawu's two.

"I'm counting on you."

Baimu threw the Poké Ball.

Bang!

"Ggrrooaar!"

The low growl was muffled like thunder; the silver-flickering Aggron landed, drawing a gasp from Manon.

"Harrison, is it just me, or does this Aggron seem especially big!"

"Liii…"

Hari-san likewise let out an amazed cry.

A normal Aggron, horns included, only stood two meters and one centimeter tall, but Baimu's big monster, horns included, had recently successfully broken past the two-meter-sixty mark.

The height brought even more exaggerated dimensions, and combined with a healthy physique free of any bloated or deformed parts, calling it a small mountain was no exaggeration at all.

Baimu narrowed his eyes and issued the command, "Double-Edge Headbutt!"

"Ggrrooaar!"

Aggron swiftly lowered its head, and a startling aura rapidly radiated outward.

Alain frowned at the sight and ordered Charizard to fly high.

He then swiftly raised the Mega Ring on his left hand and pressed his right hand against the Key Stone in a sword-finger gesture, chanting rapidly: "Respond to my heart, Evolution Key Stone! Beyond evolution… Mega Evolution!"

"Rooaaar!"

Charizard, having flapped its wings to a high position, looked solemnly at Aggron; the moment the heart link shot out, the colorful light of Mega Evolution engulfed it.

Battle-hardened as they were, they valued aura over mere size, and the oppressive presence Aggron displayed reminded them of Wallace's Blastoise and Champion Dawu's Metagross — these two powerful Pokémon had given them quite a run for their money.

At the same time.

Aggron had already finished gathering its strength.

Brownish-yellow Rock-type energy formed a gleaming halo that wreathed its body, transforming it into an enormous boulder; terrifying energy swiftly gathered at the base and suddenly erupted in a flash of intense light, sending the boulder rocketing skyward like a cannon shell!

Explosive Leap!

It was like a fighter jet in high-speed flight, the violent air currents it stirred along the way raging like a typhoon!

"Take it with Dragon Claw!"

Alain waved his hand and shouted; in the final second before the ferocious Aggron hurtled before it, Charizard completed its transformation and, roaring, swung claws wreathed in dark-green energy, smashing viciously forward!

Boom!

The thunderous roar of the energy explosion was deafening; the shockwave turned into a massive cloud of dust that covered most of the field, and blew the trainers on both sides into either raising hands to shield themselves or ducking sideways to dodge.

Manon and Hari-san covered their ears, eyes swimming with stars, and couldn't help exclaiming: "Amazing! And it hasn't even used a Mega Evolution move — how can it already be this strong?"

She had followed Alain for so long that she was fairly well-versed; Pokémon that displayed such powerful strength before Mega Evolution were extremely rare — most Pokémon only became world-shatteringly powerful after Mega Evolving.

"…"

Champion Dawu stood by with arms crossed, smiling without a word; although he had never had a proper battle with Baimu, he had great confidence in the latter's strength and looked forward to facing him in some grand occasion in the future.

For instance, the Hoenn Champion League?

A few seconds later, the dust dispersed.

Aggron had, at some unknown point, returned to Baimu's side, while Mega Charizard X also landed before its own trainer, feeling an unprecedented tingling numbness in both arms.

"Rooaaar…"

Its breathing was slightly heavy and coarse, the blue flame in its mouth trembling in the wind, yet its footsteps remained perfectly steady.

After Mega Evolution, Charizard's orange skin faded, replaced by a demon-like pitch black; the faintly glowing azure dragon horns at its tips, the blue spikes on its shoulders, the jagged wings, and the hellish blue flames all subtly symbolized its demonic bloodline.

Alain's expression didn't change much — he had always believed his partner could withstand this kind of attack.

"Not bad, a Charizard with maxed-out durability?" Baimu's brow lifted slightly; in the original story, Mega Charizard X had once taken Champion Dawu's Mega Metagross's Meteor Mash head-on without changing expression.

Even though the Fire- and Dragon-type combination still resisted Steel-type moves, it was enough to prove this guy's durability was quite something.

The just-now probing Double-Edge Headbutt had likewise let Baimu experience this point firsthand.

Of course.

High durability was mostly brought on by Mega Evolution — before Mega Evolution… a four-times-effective Double-Edge Headbutt might have knocked this guy clean out.

Too bad the Mega Evolution was too fast — facing a strong opponent, Alain's habit was to Mega Evolve without a second word, rarely taking probing attacks; combined with it being a flying unit, this heavy-handed approach also brought it a certain advantage.

He felt a touch of regret — if he had taken down Charizard before it Mega Evolved, the scene would most likely have been quite beautiful.

But then again, it didn't match the plan.

"Come on."

Baimu knew what Alain was waiting for; exchanging a glance with the slightly tilted-head Aggron, he offered up what the other most wanted to see: "Mega Evolution!"

He wasn't the type to give himself an opening catchphrase — clean and efficient was his habit.

"Ggrrooaar—"

Aggron slightly raised its head; surging energy bloomed with the light of the Key Stone and Mega Stone, the heart links connecting and pouring into its body, and the astonishing transformation was completed in just a few seconds.

A fortress of silver, massive as a mountain, makes its grand entrance!

The watching Manon excitedly shouted, "What an imposing sight! It really looks like a heavily armored warrior!"

"It's finally here!"

A glint of fanaticism flashed through Ailan's eyes as well, but he failed to notice his Mega Ring silently emitting a glow—and that flash of light was taken in completely by Baimu across from him.

Why agree to a sparring match at this particular moment?

He'd been waiting for the "evidence" and the "reason" to come knocking one after another—otherwise, why not wait until after Ailan won the championship at the Lumiose Conference?

That would be the complete form.

This battle is merely an excuse; afterward, he'll find a way to get his hands on that ring.

By then, even if it can't serve as decisive evidence, it can still sow enough suspicion in Champion Dawu's mind about Fladri's laboratory, and give his own suspicions about Fladri's laboratory a source.

Otherwise, how should he explain his hostility? People who trust him unconditionally, like Shanren, are few and far between.

——【Mistakenly discovered that the Mega Ring Fladri gave Ailan collects the free energy and data released during the Mega Evolution of different Pokémon.】

A simply perfect reason.

At this thought, Baimu's smile grew even more radiant.

"Go! Flamethrower!"

Ailan couldn't wait to give the order. Mega Charizard X took a fierce breath, and the azure flames flowed from its suddenly swelling chest down to its mouthparts. When it erupted without warning, it was like a terrifying flame dragon!

Hooom!

The extreme heat made even the air warp.

Unexpectedly, Mega Aggron stood its ground without a change in expression, seemingly not treating the incoming flame dragon as any concern at all.

The next instant.

Boom!

The flame dragon hit Mega Aggron's upper body dead-on. The blazing fire from the explosion instantly engulfed it, and also made the watching Manon cover her mouth in worry.

But she soon realized Mega Aggron was still standing right there. Even the searing flames that could melt steel hadn't made it take a single step back. As some unknown force surged, the streams of fire were drawn, as if guided, to gather entirely before its slightly opened mouthparts.

There, a restless energy ball of mixed metallic and azure hues was brewing—the two energies seemed forcibly compressed together, trembling wildly.

Ailan's pupils trembled slightly. "Was that too light!"

Baimu said with a smile:

"Turn-based game—now it's my turn. Metal Burst."

"Roar!"

Mega Aggron immediately stopped compressing the energy ball before it, transforming it into a pillar of silver-blue light that blasted toward Mega Charizard X!

Rumble rumble—!

A counterattack to some extent represents an extremely high hit rate—at the very least, Mega Charizard X didn't have time to dodge.

The dazzling light battered its body. Though it resisted with all its might, the mixed energy still completely engulfed Mega Charizard X—of course, the smoke was quickly swept away by its wings.

The damage wasn't high.

Yet Ailan didn't look down on Mega Aggron because of it; instead, his expression grew even more solemn.

After all, 【Metal Burst】 is a move that returns double the damage taken to the opponent. Such a "feeble" display of power is enough to prove that the Flamethrower just now was, to Mega Aggron, nothing more than a scratch.

This attack was practically the perfect taunt from Baimu and Mega Aggron aimed at him and Mega Charizard X.

The other's smile seemed to say as well—

"See? This is your attack—how utterly weak."

Immovable as a mountain…

No matter how immovable you are, Charizard and I will blast you into motion!

"Let's show them our true strength!" Ailan, roused to an even higher fighting spirit without realizing it, shouted: "Charizard! Flare Blitz!"

"Roooaaar!"

His kindred Mega Charizard X let out a furious roar. Its claws clenched into fists, and the blue flames in its mouth rapidly swelled into searing streams of fire that floated across its body surface. As they surged violently upward, it suddenly charged at Mega Aggron at tremendous speed, tearing through the air with continuous rumbling explosions, like a fire meteor falling from the heavens!

One had to admit.

The visual impact of Mega Charizard X's Flare Blitz was extremely intense. The boost from its Tough Claws Ability was especially terrifying, and was reflected very directly in the move's power.

The light and heat, like a blazing sun, made the surroundings dim and dark, as if night had fallen early.

Outside the field, Manon and Chespin had already been completely captivated by this Pokémon battle.

Champion Dawu, meanwhile, wore a look of regret—because his previous battle with Ailan had been interrupted by Fladri and never reached its conclusion. Had it not been cut short midway, he and his Mega Metagross should also have been able to feel the pressure Mega Charizard X was bringing right now.

The feeling of watching and the feeling of fighting personally are ultimately different.

What a shame.

Inside the field.

"Take it!"

Baimu's voice remained steady, completely unintimidated by this exaggerated display of force.

Mega Aggron silently gazed at the approaching fire meteor, likewise unaffected by the intimidation, displaying the ultimate form of "moving only after the enemy does."

Although, as long as it used a burst of energy to instantly boost its speed, there'd be no worry of failing to reach Mega Charizard X—but since this fellow liked to move around so much and was even willing to deliver itself to the doorstep, why bother wasting energy for nothing?

In an instant.

The furiously blazing Mega Charizard X drew near!

Boom—!

!

The blinding white light devoured the eyes of everyone present, becoming the sole color of this moment.

An unprecedentedly exaggerated roar was heard. Just like a meteor striking the Earth, azure searing flames rose from the spiraling vortex of fire, and a lead-gray mushroom cloud surged skyward like a nuclear explosion.

The overwhelming blaze instantly scorched away all the air, and the violent shockwave shook every person's body and soul.

One breath later.

The air contracted back.

The rumbling smoke was stirred apart a little, and two Pokémon could be faintly seen in their flickering forms.

All Baimu slowly lowered the palm shielding his eyes. Even though he was fully confident in his big monster's defense, seeing this scene he couldn't help but exclaim at the tremendous power!

Alain's Charizard really is a fine hand developed in both physical and special attack, and with such bizarre durability—who'd believe the anime says a Pokémon's effort value cap is 510?

And Manon, seeing his unhurried manner, so composed he even had the mind to applaud Mega Charizard X, couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Too confident!

Once the gunpowder smoke had completely cleared.

She finally understood All Baimu truly had the substance, and wasn't putting on an act.

"Gush."

She saw Mega Aggron still standing immovably in place, even though the ground around it had been blasted into a sunken crater by a meteor-like Flare Blitz.

It looked as if it hadn't taken any attack at all, its pale-blue eyes full of calm.

Perhaps wisps of gunpowder smoke rose from its body surface, but its silver-white gleaming armor remained "spotless," like a snow-silver metal colossus that could never be destroyed.

Of course, the difference was that it was now tightly gripping a struggling black dragon.

"Impossible! It didn't do a thing!" Manon nearly popped her eyeballs out.

All Baimu smiled, his gaze touching Champion Dawu outside the field, then pulling back before making eye contact.

There definitely was damage.

Just not much.

And what's so strange about that?

Champion Dawu's Mega Metagross can take Mega Charizard X's 【Explosion Flame】 without a care, and All Baimu's Mega Aggron admittedly can't match that Champion-tier Mega Metagross in overall strength.

But with its extreme physical defense plus the 【Filter】 ability that grants immunity to flame burns, a mere Tough Claws Flare Blitz is naturally something it can block at will. He had that confidence, and the post-experiment result perfectly verified his prediction of and trust in Mega Aggron's durability.

To put it bluntly.

If Mega Aggron so much as furrowed a brow, it would be a disrespect to its physical defense and Filter ability.

Besides, the battle logic of Pokémon under the anime setting can no longer be explained by game stats and version-changing damage formulas.

Even more exaggerated cases abound.

"Charizard!"

Alain watched his forcibly-locked Mega Charizard X, and on his face that had always remained calm, a hint of tension finally appeared. He shouted: "Use Explosion Flame to break free!"

"Roar!

"

Mega Charizard X threw back its head and roared, and a blazing light seemed to flare up across its body.

But unfortunately, this time the right to act fell again to Mega Aggron, the one that decides to move last and strike.

"Gush~"

It looked up at the ceiling, then its tail slammed the ground hard, and its legs snapped straight like springs, leaping high.

Boom!

In a muffled heavy thud, Mega Aggron actually jumped to a height completely mismatched with its absurd weight, and then its body tilted forward as earth-yellow energy gathered from all directions, transforming into a visible high-speed jet stream!

"You've got to be kidding?" Manon looked up in shock.

In an instant, a towering mountain fell to earth.

Dong—!

The earth-yellow shockwave rippled outward, and amid the flying sand and stones—not much smoke was produced—but it caused the Mega Charizard X at the center of the tremor to be passively subjected to violent suppression from Mega Aggron, as if a Five-Finger Mountain were pressing down on its head.

Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble—

The earth trembled continuously, signifying that Mega Charizard X was being gradually pressed deeper into the field.

A short while later.

The trembling stopped.

Inside and outside the field fell into dead silence, with only wisps of dust drifting.

"Earthquake."

All Baimu pointed at the deeper and more terrifying giant crater, smiling as he announced the battle's end.

He and his big monster had long since needed little verbal command; their mutual understanding and spiritual link were enough that, without speaking, they could easily grasp each other's thoughts.

Alain?

The strength assessment result is currently below Elite Four, at best just touching the Elite Four's threshold. The timing of this battle was too early—this guy still has room to grow.