Pokémon: When the World Changed

Chapter 568 563: The Trigger

"Connection of emotions?"

Ethan rubbed his temples, which ached slightly.

Just like Ash and Greninja.

They had accompanied each other throughout the entire journey, and their friendship was undoubtedly extremely deep.

In that regard, his relationship with Charizard was the same.

However, the growth of him and Charizard seemed to have been too smooth.

Unlike Ash and Greninja, whose bond sublimated on the brink of life and death, between him and Charizard there was still a missing trigger.

"Forget it, for now the most important thing is to finish the tournament."

"If I can win the championship, I definitely won't give it to anyone else. Among dragons, strength is everything. Only the strongest has the chance to obtain the recognition of a pseudo-legendary!"

Ethan took a deep breath and decided to temporarily set aside the matter of Mega Evolution.

Right now, between him and Charizard only a trigger was missing to achieve Mega Evolution. No one knew when that moment would arrive.

Maybe it would take a long time... or perhaps it would only be a matter of one battle.

"If we follow the order of the matches... my next opponent seems to be... Marcus?"

Ethan pondered for a moment and suddenly froze.

Marcus was number 2 and he was number 7; their positions were very close.

In the matches of dragon messengers numbered 1 to 4, Marcus had obtained victory.

In those from 5 to 8, the victory had been his.

So the next match would be between Marcus, number 2, and him, number 7, and it would also be the first encounter.

"Marcus... it's been a long time since we fought. The third round is a 2 vs 2. In Marcus's team there will surely be a Salamence. And the second Pokémon will be Altaria or Flygon."

Ethan meditated silently. Dragon-type pseudo-legendary Pokémon were extremely rare in the real world. Even if one occasionally appeared in other Secret Kingdoms, Dragon Valley would immediately bring it back.

Moreover, due to the existence of the gigantic Secret Kingdom: Dragon Valley, the various Leagues exercised very strict control over Dragon-type pseudo-legendaries. If it was discovered that a trainer possessed one of unknown origin, some Leagues even took the initiative to send it to Dragon Valley.

In the real world, there had been Leagues that, in order to strengthen themselves, secretly built breeding farms for Dragon-type pseudo-legendaries, and all of them ended tragically.

Faced with the dragon army led by the gigantic Dragonite of Dragon Valley, those Leagues had no ability to resist.

Because of this, aside from a Bagon obtained as a starter Pokémon — a descendant of a Salamence from the previous generation — Marcus had not been able to obtain a second pseudo-legendary.

And this was precisely the reason why trainers from all over the world did everything possible to enter Dragon Valley: they were all aiming for the pseudo-legendaries.

...

The next day.

The third round of the tournament began.

From very early in the morning, Dragon Valley was filled with draconic roars.

A large number of Pokémon gathered on Dragon Island, waiting for the start of the battle.

Upon entering the island, it was clear that Marcus's face was serious.

Evidently, he had already realized who his opponent would be in this round, and most likely he had not slept well the previous night.

When Ethan arrived at Dragon Island, he exchanged a slight nod with Marcus.

Then, both mounted their Pokémon and arrived together at the battlefield, ready to begin the battle.

"I didn't think we would face each other again," Marcus said. "But this time, I won't lose again." Marcus took a deep breath and his gaze became solemn.

With the support of his family's deep inheritance, his strength was no longer the same as before.

"Then come," Ethan replied.

As soon as the words fell, both released their Pokémon at the same time.

Marcus sent out Salamence, while Ethan released Charizard.

"Charizard, use Sunny Day!"

Without hesitation, Ethan immediately ordered the weather move.

"Interrupt it! Salamence, use Hyper Beam!"

Marcus ordered a finishing move right from the start.

Salamence opened its mouth and roaring energy condensed, transforming into a terrifying orange beam that shot out like a rainbow across the sky, making even the air tremble.

Faced with the terrifying power of that attack, Charizard was forced to interrupt the Sunny Day move and dodged with a swift movement.

"Charizard, use Dragon Claw!"

After narrowly avoiding the attack, Ethan's gaze sharpened and he gave the command.

Although Salamence's Hyper Beam had forced Charizard to cancel Sunny Day, Salamence itself was also left unable to move.

It was the perfect moment to counterattack.

Charizard understood instantly; it flapped its wings and rushed directly toward Salamence.

"Do you think it will be that easy?" Marcus smiled.

Salamence, after using Hyper Beam, suddenly lowered its body and dove toward the ground, using free fall to increase its speed more and more.

Just as it was about to crash into the ground, Salamence violently flapped its wings and its figure disappeared from the spot.

In the next instant, it suddenly appeared behind Charizard, its wings wrapped in Flying-type energy, and slammed into it.

Boom!

A loud explosion shook the field.

Charizard's Dragon Claw move violently collided with Salamence's wings.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, Charizard's body was sent flying backward.

"That move is... Aerial Ace!"

Seeing this, Ethan was also surprised.

Wasn't that the special use of the move Aerial Ace from the Fortree City Gym?

And now Salamence was using it so effortlessly!

Moreover, thanks to the dive from high altitude, Salamence had perfectly nullified the side effect of the Hyper Beam move.

Finally, taking advantage of the speed of free fall, it converted all of that into even greater force and, with just the move Aerial Ace, directly repelled Charizard.

Upon witnessing this scene, even Ethan had to admit that this Salamence's mastery of flying techniques was truly impressive.

Not only Ethan: the other dragon messengers present also began to comment enthusiastically, full of admiration for Marcus's aerial dive technique followed by the move Aerial Ace.

"Flying techniques and long-range attacks... What a coincidence, that's also the path my Charizard has taken."

"Charizard, let's show our power as well!"

After hearing Ethan, Charizard let out a low draconic roar.

Immediately afterward, intense Dragon-type energy burst from its body, transforming into a violent airflow that raged around it.

"That move is... Dragon Dance!"

Seeing the current of air surrounding Charizard, Marcus was stunned.

Not even his Salamence had mastered the move Dragon Dance, yet Charizard could use it!

(End of Chapter)