Su Feng: "..."
Why did Moltres agree? This makes no sense.
"Let's take this outside. I'd rather not wreck my home." Moltres said coolly.
With a flap of her wings, a searing heatwave surged forward—skillfully avoiding Su Feng but crashing into Combusken. Despite the intimidation, Combusken stood firm. Moltres nodded faintly before soaring out of the volcanic cavern.
The moment Moltres left, Combusken collapsed, trembling. Facing a Legendary's wrath felt like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. But he knew Moltres wouldn't truly harm him—not with Su Feng present. This was his chance to measure the gap between himself and the world's strongest.
Su Feng knelt beside him, ruffling his feathers. "Since she accepted, fight with everything you've got—even if defeat's certain."
A battle against a Legendary was rare. Perhaps Combusken could learn something from it.
[Wait, Combusken's challenging Moltres?!]
[That's a god-tier Pokémon! No way he wins!]
[Praying for Combusken's survival…]
[It's like a hamster fighting a grizzly. R.I.P in advance.]
Outside, the terrain had transformed. The rocky ground was now charred black, smooth as glass—yet cool to the touch. Moltres waited patiently, her golden flames flickering regally.
"Let's make this official," she said. "Su Feng, you'll referee."
"Agreed." Su Feng stepped to the sidelines. This was Combusken's fight. No commands. No interference. Just a lesson.
"Begin!"
Instead of attacking, Combusken used Swords Dance—three times. His feathers glowed crimson as his attack stat skyrocketed. Moltres watched, impressed. To stack buffs pre-evolution? Remarkable.
"Torchic!"
Combusken lunged, a blur of orange. His leg swept toward Moltres' face—but she tilted her head lazily, evading with ease. Momentum carried Combusken into a flip, his second kick aimed at her wing.
Moltres flicked her left wing. A gust of wind—Gust—blasted Combusken across the field like a deflated basketball.
[She didn't even move her feet!]
[Flying-type move?! But she's Fire/Flying!]
[Combusken's getting styled on…]
Rolling to a stop, Combusken's golden feathers were now ash-gray. He charged again, faster this time. Almost there…
Moltres frowned. Filthy.
Her wings flared, unleashing a Heat Wave. Combusken skidded to a halt, shielding himself from the inferno. Moltres ascended, her silhouette haloed by the sun like a divine phoenix.
[Flying's cheating!]
[She's a bird! Let her fly!]
[Mom, I'm witnessing a miracle!]
Embers rained from her wings, igniting the charred ground. Flames erupted everywhere—Fire Blast turning the battlefield into a hellscape. Combusken stood trapped in the inferno's heart.