Including evolutions, the number of discovered Pokémon was over 700. And if one had to vote for the most popular among them, Charizard would undoubtedly top the list.

On the market, a Green-grade Charmander typically sold for around three million. That price was nothing for children of wealthy families, but for average civilian Trainers, it was quite expensive.

Yet among civilian Trainers—especially those who specialized in Fire-types—Charmander was practically a legendary creature.

Basically, if you were a Fire-type Trainer, your team absolutely must have a Charizard.

If you called yourself a Fire-type trainer and didn’t have one, you’d be too embarrassed to admit it.

Charizard’s base stats exceeded 500, which was considered excellent, and its dual Fire/Flying typing saved you the need for a separate Flying-type Pokémon.

What’s more, Charizard had impressive flying speed, and its back was broad enough to ride comfortably without feeling cramped.

But the most important point?

Charizard possessed two Mega Evolution forms—currently the only known Pokémon with such a trait.

Not even pseudo-legendaries got that kind of treatment.

Two Mega forms? That’s just downright unfair.

Scott’s Charizard was clearly well-trained, its eyes blazing with intense fighting spirit, and the flame at the tip of its tail burning fiercely.

Kartana: “Thy head shall be my trophy!”

Charizard: 'What the hell is wrong with this guy…?'

Kartana’s exaggerated arrogance irritated Charizard. Its belly swelled slightly before it unleashed a scorching Flamethrower from its mouth.

Dark red flames surged forward with intense heat, instantly raising the temperature across the battlefield.

Facing the incoming Flamethrower, Kartana swung its right arm forward, generating a crescent-shaped air blade.

To the shock of the spectators, the Flamethrower was completely sliced apart by the Air Slash—as if it didn’t offer any resistance at all.

Still, the Flamethrower had at least weakened the Air Slash’s speed, giving Charizard enough time to dodge before it landed.

"Damn, that attack power…" Scott couldn’t help but click his tongue as he stared at Kartana.

Charizard flapped its wings, darting toward Kartana and throwing a rapid flurry of Fire Punches.

Kartana, being small in stature, was naturally agile, effortlessly dodging over a dozen fiery strikes.

"Charizard, Fire Spin!"

Scott’s eyes gleamed.

At such close range, Kartana was instantly engulfed in the swirling flames—only for a white flash to bisect the vortex a second later.

"Fury Cutter!"

Julian’s voice echoed in Kartana’s mind.

Under the effect of Fury Cutter, Kartana’s limbs transformed into razor-sharp blades.

"Counter with Dragon Claw!" Scott shouted urgently.

Charizard was like a heavy greatsword warrior—its Dragon Claw packed immense power, but against a nimble fighter like Kartana, it couldn’t even graze its opponent’s sleeve.

Before long, Charizard’s body was covered in a web of dense, razor-thin cuts.

“Charizard, Mega Evolve!”

Scott didn’t hesitate. In an instant, Mega Charizard Y materialized on the battlefield.

Compared to its base form, Mega Charizard Y’s physique had become more streamlined—at the very least, its bulky belly was gone—though the overall change wasn’t drastic.

Had it evolved into Mega Charizard X, the transformation would’ve been far more striking.

But this leaner form of Mega Charizard Y brought a notable boost to its speed.

Its figure flickered—and with a loud bang

, a blazing Fire Punch landed squarely on Kartana, sending the blade Pokémon crashing into the ground.

“Flamethrower!”

Scott raised his hand, ready to end the battle.

With Mega Evolution active, Mega Charizard Y’s level had risen to 80, putting it at the peak of Elite tier. Combined with Kartana’s quadruple weakness to Fire, if this Flamethrower landed, it would likely be a one-hit KO.

“Sacred Sword.”

Julian’s expression didn’t change.

Suddenly, a dazzling white light erupted from the crater, and the Flamethrower dissolved like snow under the sun.

The Sacred Sword surged onward with undiminished momentum, and before Mega Charizard Y could react—boom!—the attack blasted into it with a deafening impact.

Mega Charizard Y’s body plummeted from the sky like a falling meteor—while Kartana, already airborne again, shot upward to meet it mid-fall.

Despite the devastating hit, Mega Charizard Y wasn’t out of the fight yet. It still had strength left.

"Charizard, Flare Blitz!"

Scott hadn’t expected Kartana to be this troublesome. Despite having both a level and type advantage, he still couldn’t take it down.

Borrowing the force of its fall, Mega Charizard Y ignited its entire body in flames. With the flames amplifying its speed, it shot forward like it had a nitro boost.

Its body became a scarlet streak, compressing the air beneath it into shockwaves that solidified into a near-physical wall of pressure.

Kartana’s eyes gleamed, its entire being radiating razor-edged intensity.

"Kartana, Steel Beam."

Originally, Julian had considered ordering Protect, but Kartana’s stance made it clear—a head-on clash was what it craved.

A silver-white beam erupted from Kartana’s forehead just as Mega Charizard Y’s Flare Blitz

came crashing down.

In an instant, flames exploded, heatwaves roared, and the resulting shockwave whipped up a powerful storm around them. Cracks split open across the ground from the intense pressure.

The two attacks clashed in a deadlock for over ten seconds. As the flames surrounding Mega Charizard Y began to wane, Scott could only sigh and shake his head helplessly.

Boom!

Steel Beam overpowered the incoming Flare Blitz, and Mega Charizard Y took a devastating blow. Crashing to the ground, it reverted to its normal form, knocked out of Mega Evolution.

Kartana: "Hmph. I barely even tried, and you already fell."

With that taunt, it swiftly returned to Julian’s side.

Julian gave Kartana a quick glance—it had taken some damage, but nothing serious.

Kartana: "I want to fight in the next round too."

Julian shook his head. “Next battle goes to the others.”

This was a 6v6 match, and Julian planned to use six different Pokémon.

So there's no way Kartana was getting a second turn.

Before it could argue, Julian swiftly returned it to its Poké Ball.

“That Pokémon is insanely strong,” Sky said, eyes gleaming with excitement.

As for Grant, who had been full of defiance earlier, his expression had stiffened. Judging by Kartana’s strength, it could probably sweep his entire team without breaking a sweat. That was… embarrassing.

"Grass and Steel type… Maybe I should catch one too."

Jake mused, stroking his chin. As a Steel-type specialist, he couldn’t help but covet Kartana. Fortunately, the secret realm where Kartana was found was now under his son’s control.

He could enter at any time—but finding another Kartana in there wouldn’t be easy. They were likely extremely rare, and just locating one could take a long time.

Julian gave a reassuring pat to Kartana’s Poké Ball as it wiggled in mild protest, then sent out his second Pokémon.

*****

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/ReduxMagister