"Blaziken, use Sky Uppercut!"
Facing the oncoming Flamethrower, Blaziken dashed forward at high speed, charging straight through the flames. The searing heat licked at its body, but it didn't falter. Its fighting spirit remained unshaken as it rushed toward Magcargo.
Name: Magcargo
Strength: Superior
Ability: Flame Body
Another Superior-level Pokémon. Aoki's Blaziken was also at the Superior level, but it had reached the peak of that tier. Additionally, as a Fire/Fighting-type, Blaziken had a clear advantage over Magcargo's Fire/Rock-type combination.
The Team Magma squad leader's expression turned grim. Seeing Blaziken rapidly closing in, he knew Magcargo had to dodge immediately. If it took a direct hit from Sky Uppercut, it would undoubtedly be knocked out.
"Magcargo, use Earth Power!"
Magcargo slammed its body into the ground, causing the deck to tremble violently. Cracks spread across the surface as golden energy surged from below.
"Blaziken, tank the hit and keep moving! Close in and land Sky Uppercut!"
Blaziken gritted its teeth, enduring the damage from Earth Power, then leaped forward. It clenched its fist, channeling its energy into a devastating upward strike.
Magcargo barely had time to react before Blaziken's fist connected with its soft, molten body. With a pained screech, it was sent flying backward, smashing through part of the deck before crashing into the ship's lower cabin.
"Magcargo! Are you okay?!"
The squad leader rushed to check on his Pokémon, but it had already fainted.
"Useless," the Team Magma officer scoffed, shaking his head in disappointment.
Blaziken turned and looked at Greninja with a victorious gleam in its eyes. See? I'm just as strong as you.
Greninja merely folded its arms and looked away, unfazed.
Blaziken huffed in frustration. Then, suddenly, a brilliant white glow enveloped its body. It was evolving!
"Damn it!" The officer in charge of the raid clenched his fists. "That idiot actually helped the enemy gain experience, and now Blaziken is evolving mid-battle!"
Aoki, on the other hand, was ecstatic.
"You finally evolved, Blaziken."
For a long time, Blaziken had been on the verge of evolution, but something had always held it back. Aoki had been patiently waiting for the right moment, and now, in the heat of battle, it had finally arrived.
Not all Pokémon evolved at the same rate. Some required battle experience, others needed emotional bonds, and some had hidden requirements. Even a powerful Pokémon could remain unevolved for a long time.
As the glow faded, Blaziken had transformed into a powerful Mega Blaziken.
Name: Mega Blaziken
Ability: Speed Boost
Strength: Gym Level
Qualification: Elite
Moveset: Blaze Kick, Brave Bird, Earthquake, Solar Beam, Blast Burn…
Mega Evolution had significantly boosted its power, and it had learned several new, high-damage moves, including Blast Burn, one of the strongest Fire-type attacks.
Now, only Grovyle and Bagon remained unevolved among Aoki's team. Aoki was especially excited for Bagon, as it was a Dragon-type with Elite potential. If he could acquire a Salamencite, its strength would skyrocket even further.
"You think that changes anything?" the Team Magma officer sneered. "Mightyena, use Hyper Beam on Blaziken!"
A Mightyena leaped forward, preparing to fire a powerful Hyper Beam straight at Aoki's newly evolved Blaziken.
However, Aoki smirked and recalled Blaziken.
"This one's for you, Boss Lairon."
He released Boss Lairon, his most trusted and powerful Pokémon.
With a thunderous roar, Boss Lairon landed on the deck, causing the entire ship to shake.
Even Mightyena hesitated, sensing the overwhelming strength of its opponent.
The Team Magma officer's face darkened. Is this… an Elite-level Pokémon?!
He gritted his teeth. If he could capture this Lairon, it would be a huge boost to his status within Team Magma.
"Boss Lairon, use Focus Blast!"
Boss Lairon's claws crackled with energy as it formed a glowing blue sphere and launched it like a missile.
Mightyena had no time to dodge. The attack struck it directly, sending it flying. The impact sent shockwaves through the ship. When the dust settled, Mightyena lay unconscious.
Name: Mightyena
Strength: Quasi-Elite
Status: Knocked out
The Team Magma officer clenched his fists in frustration. This is bad.
Realizing he was outmatched, he made a desperate decision.
"Forretress, use Explosion!"
He threw out a Poké Ball, releasing a Forretress, which immediately began glowing with unstable energy.
"Boss Lairon, Protect!"
Aoki cursed under his breath. These damn Team Magma grunts always resort to self-destruction!
Before Boss Lairon could react, Forretress detonated itself, engulfing the area in a fiery blast.
The explosion rocked the entire ship. Smoke filled the deck, and waves crashed against the hull.
When the dust settled, many of the nearby Pokémon had collapsed from the impact.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the Team Magma officer and his men retreated.
"The ship's taking on water! We're sinking!" the captain shouted, his face pale with fear.
The crew members rushed to assess the damage. If the ship sank, everyone would go down with it.
Aoki sighed and walked toward the edge of the deck.
"Greninja, use Ice Beam. Freeze the water around the ship."
Greninja raised its arms, channeling energy into a brilliant blue beam. As the beam struck the water, massive ice formations began to spread, stabilizing the sinking vessel.
"Everyone, release your Water-type Pokémon! Use Ice Beam and help freeze the ship in place!" the captain ordered.
The remaining trainers quickly released their Pokémon, and soon, a dozen Ice Beams were reinforcing the frozen surface.
After several minutes, the ship was no longer in immediate danger. However, it was clear that they couldn't continue their voyage.
Now, all they could do was wait for rescue.
Aoki leaned against the railing, watching the horizon.
"Guess I'll just take a break and enjoy the view."
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